Elinor sat across the bed from a scrawny young man, his fingers playing softly against the top of her daughter's hand as she slept. This boy had barely moved from her side—and the dragon that accompanied him was vigilant at his side. Whenever either of them left the room, it was with great reluctance. More often than not, Elinor, or one of the maids, would come in to find him curled over the mattress with his head rested on the princess' mass of curls, his fingers wound with hers.

Today marked the seventh day of Merida's fever induced sleep—occasionally, her eyes would open and she would be coherent enough to swallow water and a few bites of food, but then she would return to unconsciousness. Herbs were pressed against the gash on her side and scattered in her food in attempts to heal her. Bandages were changed and prayers performed, but still, she would not waken fully.

Hiccup quietly sighed as he stilled his hand atop hers and looked up into her face.

Despite her worry and fear, Elinor could not restrain the smile that appeared on her lips as she watched the Viking interact with her sleeping child. "… I can tell she means a great deal to ye, Hiccup," she softly observed. He blinked in surprise and then peered over at her.

"Well… yeah," he stammered, not sure how to properly talk to the queen. He was so comfortable with Merida and her loose personality that he did not quite know how to interact with someone so regal. "I mean… She's amazing—brave, adventurous, strong, beautiful…" The queen's expression softened and she reached over to brush a loose curl from Merida's face.

"She's also stubborn."

"Oh, yes, she is—but that's what makes her Merida," Hiccup replied, cracking a weak grin which Elinor returned with a nod.

"Well… she's very lucky to have someone like ye at her side, Hiccup," she said, standing slowly, her long locks rippling about her in waterfalls.

"Thank you, your highness," he awkwardly answered, bowing his head respectfully.

Lovingly, Elinor placed a kiss on Merida's forehead before she made her way to the door—even in personal crisis, a queen had duties to attend to. "I shall send lunch up for you and your dragon; we don't need a second patient in this castle." Hiccup chuckled and nodded in thanks as she closed the door behind her. Immediately, he released his held breath and rested his head back beside the sleeping princess' as Toothless lifted his head up from the floor to rest it beside his master's. He let out a low, sad growl as he peered at Hiccup. The Viking smiled at the black beast and rested his free hand atop his massive head.

"I know, buddy, I know…"

Simultaneously, dragon and rider released sighs and closed their eyes, listening to the sounds of three beings breathing. Seconds ticked on slowly and Hiccup felt himself grow extremely tired. As his companion began to doze, Toothless' ears flickered up and his eyes opened to slivers as he peered at the sleeping girl. His sensitive ears perked, listening inventively to her breathing, and his nostrils flared as he tilted his head softly, sensing a change in her. Lightly, he purred, which caught Hiccup's attention. "What is it, buddy?" he yawned.

Toothless' eyes flickered up and down over Merida's face before he reached his head over and nuzzled his nose against her cheek, the low purr rumbling in the back of his throat. As the dragon continued to rub his scaly face across hers, Hiccup watched as her stormy eyes began to sliver open. In surprise, he shot to attention and tried to push Toothless back as he began to lick at her chin and nip at her hair. "Merida? Merida?" he plead in hushed tones as he carefully touched his fingers to her jaw. Her eyes fluttered around a moment before they rested on his.

"… Hiccup?"

The first word she had spoken in days.

And it was his name.

"Yeah—yeah! It's me, it's me," he said, cradling her face between his hands. After a moment, he sniffed and hugged her close. "… You're awake…" Merida grunted lightly before she was able to swallow the bit of discomfort back and wound her arms around his middle as he desperately laced his fingers up through her hair. After a long moment—and after several nudges from Toothless—Hiccup slowly pulled back and smiled at the redhead, who was weakly grinning at him from her pillows. Her piercing eyes scrutinized his appearance.

"Ach, see what happens when I leave ye alone for one moment? Ye let ye'rself go to pieces," she laughed, reaching up to touch the dark circles under his eyes. It was true, Hiccup was very disheveled—his hair was mussed, his face scarred, eyes very tired and worn from long nights without sleep.

He huffed indignantly, though his smile never faded. "Well, someone had to stay by your side," he laughed. "You're very good at keeping everyone on edge." Toothless had nuzzled his way between the two of them and had begun happily cuddling against Merida's cheeks, making her smile.

"So I've been told," she hummed, scratching at Toothless' ears. "… how long was I out for?"

"… seven days."

She went quiet and thoughtful as Toothless purred, content with the sensation of her fingers tickling his sensitive scales. "I see," she hummed, smiling weakly as Toothless licked her face. Merida paused and then looked up at Hiccup, expression softened. "… thank ye, for staying with me that long."

Hiccup grinned nervously and shrugged slightly. "It was nothing, really—I did what any good friend would do. I had to make sure you'd be okay. I mean, what kind of frie—" He was cut off quickly by a pair of rosy lips pressed firmly on his, Merida's hand shakily resting on his cheek. Hiccup stared down at her a moment before he allowed his eyes to flutter shut and his fingers to wind into her hair. As they drew apart, Hiccup blinked repeatedly before his grin returned, watching as Merida smirked up at him, her cheeks a pale coat of pink.

"… ye're more than an ordinary friend, Hiccup," she stated, ruffling his hair lightly.

"… yeah, that… kind of gave me the hint," he chuckled, rubbing his neck shyly. Silence settled in between them as they studied each other before Hiccup hesitantly leaned in again, second guessing himself before he lightly kissed her again. She happily complied and returned it. As they pulled apart again, he smiled and asked, "So… can I say "I love you?" Or would that be useless to say now?"

Merida laughed. "I love ye, too, idiot."