A/N: So, here we are. The end. When I posted this story to my AO3, this was after I realised that my plans for a sequel to this story were never going to pan out. I knew that, therefore, I had to make this story a self-contained venture, which meant it needed to have an ending. This epilogue is the ending that I wrote. This is the end of this story, as far as I am concerned. I will also be keeping the original epilogue for the prosperity. Thank you to all of you that have read and reviewed this story, it has inspired me to continue my writing for many years now. This was a blast to write for, back in 2015, and I look back on this story fondly, as I hope you all do.

Merida and Angus raced through the forest as Hiccup and Toothless raced a few metres above them. The wind raced in her hair as he saw her fiancé diving towards the ground and proceed to fly upside down, his head barely a few feet above the path. He whooped from behind his flight mask as he soared back above the trees. Merida laughed as she and Angus raced to catch up. Hiccup and Toothless then glided level with Merida as Hiccup shouted "SWITCH!"

Immediately the two teens jumped from one steed to the other and Merida took hold on Toothless' neck whilst Hiccup raced below her on Angus. They did this as a practice exercise in the afternoon and it was not strange for Merida and Hiccup to share their trusted animal companions with each other.

"There you go," Hiccup shouted to her as Merida started to control Toothless. "Nice handling!"

"Thanks," Merida shouted back and pointed towards an empty clearing. "I'm gonna land over there!"

"OK, I'll see you on the ground!" Hiccup replied as he raced towards the landing point.

Merida directed Toothless towards the clearing and gently brought him into a slow descent. They both landed gently onto the grass and revived a clap from a grinning Hiccup.

"You're getting good at that," Hiccup said as Merida dismounted.

"As good as you?" Merida asked.

"Uhh, maybe not, but still good."

"Aww," Merida groaned. Toothless then nuzzled her hip as Merida stroked his head. "Toothless likes me."

"Yeah, well he likes anyone who gives him attention. He's a big softy aren't you boy?"

Toothless simply looked at him with an unimpressed expression. Hiccup sighed.

"Well, you do." Hiccup then took Merida into his arms. "Sorry, bud. This one's taken."

"'This one'?" Merida asked incredulously, "What am I, a piece of meat?"

"No but you are my betrothed," Hiccup said as he gave her lips a quick peck.

"And you're mine, don't you forget," Merida replied as she gave him little Eskimo kisses. Hiccup smiled.

It had been a month since the end of the contest and Hiccup had decided to stay in Dunbroch to prepare for married life with Merida and the family.

"I'm gonna miss you once I go back to Berk," Hiccup said as he pulled his loved one closer into his embrace, treasuring her warmth. The next day would be the end of the month and it would be time to return to his homeland, plus he had to return Snotlout's helmet from the triplets.

"I know, I will too," Merida replied as she snuggled into his arms.

"Tell you what, how about we make a deal?" Hiccup joked as he remembered when they were two awkward kids.

Merida chuckled into his chest, looked up into his green eyes and smiled.

"Well, the last time I made a deal with you I ended up betrothed to a handsome Viking," Merida teased.

"Oh, is he nice?" Hiccup replied cheekily. Merida smirked mischievously.

"Oh, very! He's brave, charming..."

"Mhm?"

"He's also very, very smug," she jabbed at him with his elbow. "And, he's not very good at keeping his belongings safe from thieves."

Hiccup grinned, before noticing his sword in her hand. He glanced at his sheath, that was indeed empty, then back at her.

"You cheeky little-"

She giggled.

"If ya want it back," she teased, "Ya gonna have to chase me."

"Or," he said as he picked her up swung her into his arms, "I could just take you instead."

"Don't you dare!" She squealed. "Put me down!"

"No."

"Hiccup! Put me down, this is embarrassing!"

"There's no one else here."

"Angus is here," she urged. "He's horrible at keeping secrets."

"I'm sure he is," he teased. He indulged her, placing gently on a nearby rock. "There you go, your highness."

She audibly gagged.

"Are you trying to make me hate you?"

"Honestly, is the love gone already?" He cried dramatically. "Oh, where did it all go wrong?"

"You're such a pansy."

"Yeah, but I'm your pansy."

"Hmm," Merida smiled. "I like the sound of that."

"Well, you get better to use to it," Hiccup grinned, "Because it's not changing any time soon."

"It's a good thing that I love you, then," Merida laughed.

Hiccup's face dropped.

"What did you say?"

Merida paused.

"It's a good thing that I love you?" she repeated. Hiccup quickly looked away.

"I-It's funny," he tried to laugh it off, failing. "I don't remember the last time someone said that to me."

Merida frowned, her brow furrowed.

"'I love you'?" Merida asked.

Hiccup nodded.

"I think the last person to say that was my mom..."

The woman that had been missing for almost his entire life, she recalled. Merida sighed, sliding down the rock and seating her self so that their sides leaned against one another. Her head found its way to his shoulder.

"Well, you better get used to it," she parroted his sentiments back at him, "Because I love you, you silly man."

"And I love you, too," he said quietly. He glanced back to her, as she turned to face him. Their faces leaned in, meeting in a soft, intimate kiss. "And I will always love you."

"Me too," she nodded.

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

"Do you think she's still out there?" Hiccup asked. "My mom?"

Merida pondered for a moment.

"Well, if she is," she replied, "We'll find her."

"Really?" Hiccup asked in a voice that reminded her of that small, frail boy that had first met her all those years ago. That little boy who she had fallen in love with before she even knew what love was.

"Yes," she said promised, just like when they were children. "We will."

They sat together, quiet holding each other until it was time for them to return to the castle. Several promises were made that day, a promise of love, a promise of purpose, a promise of future. Each one of them, just like their first promise, would remain unbreakable. Even many, many years later when Hiccup and Merida had children of their own, with their collected parents to bless them for it, and those children had children of their own. Even at the very end, when the two finally departed from this world, after a long and happy life together, their spirits never strayed far from each other.

Some say, in time of crisis, the brave and the bold call upon the spirits of the Viking and the Archer to bless them with an everlasting union. By pure coincidence, those who did always stayed together, until the very end.

THE END