A/N: I don't own HTTYD or Brave. I don't make any moneys from writing this, it's just for fun.

Prologue:

Merida:

Well, that was the last of me brothers married, happily, to the daughter of Lord MacIntosh – Aine her name is. She is as fiery as her name suggests, a good job considering she was marrying one of the infamous DunBroch Triplets, Hamish. The other two boys - men! - had also married daughters of the Clan's. Hubert to the tiny, sprite like Enid MacGuffin and Harris to regal Seren Dingwall. It was their choice, not one placed upon them. They had grown in to bear like men much like Dad had been, they were gentle, considerate, but still enjoyed a good trick if they thought they could get away with it. They thought it would be best for the kingdom to strengthen an alliance with the clans as I had chosen to rule DunBroch as Queen alone.

Dad died a few years after the Clans agreed that their descendants could marry for love if they so chose. Mum mourned him everyday for the next decade and more until she too passed on. At twenty-nine I became queen of DunBroch. I can't lie: it was hard bringing up the triplets during the majority of their teenage years without Mum and Dad to help me. I miss her wisdom and diplomacy, we became much closer after the bear incident. I do enjoy being Queen, the independence it brings, to make me own choices and take the kingdom in a less rigidly traditional direction, has been inspiring. Before being Queen I never considered how lonely and isolating it could be at times – far more so than being princess ever was. I have had a few relationships with men in the past, but they were brief and I stopped the dalliances before they even considered the M word, I even spent the night with one or two on couple of occasions...

I had been ruling DunBroch for nearly 5 years when we heard reports of the first dragon attacks from some of the more remote villages. Over a year has passed since then and not a month (or less) passed without another farmer losing livestock or a hall being burnt. The bloody dragons are the bain of me existence. I had been searching for an answer to the damn things when a rumor came to us about a clan of Vikings that could tame dragons(!). I will send a letter to their chieftain in the morning, asking for their assistance in this matter...

Hiccup:

I hate bickering with Astrid, I thought as I rubbed my face with my hands, especially in front of the elders on the council. The fact is she was right, I shouldn't leave Berk to attend to some Scottish Queen with a dragon problem. Any of the original Dragon Riders could easily go and assess the problem, Fishlegs, Astrid, Ruff, Tuff or Snotlout would be able to handle the situation. It's just that I still find the prospect of seeing new places and encountering new species of dragons enticing. Being chief of Berk is confining and burdensome, you would have thought I would be used to it by now. It's been 16 years since Dad was killed by Toothless and I became Chief of Berk. Berk has been peaceful since we defeated Drago, Toothless being an alpha has helped considerably...

Since I became Chief of the Hairy Hooligans Astrid has come into her own as Head Councillor. She's an amazing strategian and has fantastic foresight when it comes to talking through problems with traders and other clans. Alongside her and Fishlegs the island is in good hands, no one knows our laws, traditions, customs and dragon husbandry better than him. My relationship with Astrid fizzled after dad died and I got a handle of the responsibilities of chief, though she's always there for me. She's happy with Eret, they compliment each other well and have a beautiful, spirited and confident ten year old daughter, Nanna. That's not to say that there haven't been other women, the relationships just didn't last.

In the morning I'll let them know that Fishlegs will be going to DunBroch to meet with the Queen to discuss her dragon issues – he's certainly diplomatic, though he'll miss his new boyfriend... Maybe I should send Mom instead – she knows dragons like no other person...

No. I have decided that I want to go to DunBroch, in person, as the opportunity is just too good to pass up. We have some trade with the Scots on the Orkneys, due to our Dragon riding skills, but other than that we rarely come into contact with the mainland Scots. Further trade links would be good – something a chief should see to personally.