Linked (Big Four Fan Fiction) Chapter 12

    "Merida, you need to tighten up your shots." The irritating voice of Wreav hit my right ear as I gritted my teeth. It had been a week since I had arrived here at the Workshop, and we had all trained nonstop. Wreav, who had been assigned the position of our trainer was generally helpful to everyone-- except me. He applauded Rapunzel's creativity in using her hair and frying pan as weapons, he turned a blind eye when Hiccup struggled without his dragon, and he taught Jack new techniques for his staff. With me, all he's done is yell. 

    "Nice shot, Mer." Jack called from where he was watching me. He seemed to be taking a break, and I hadn't realized he was even there. I smiled at him gratefully and was turning back for another shot when--

    "Nice shot? That was dreadful, don't let me see something like that again." Wreav instructed and that was when it happened. I'd been controlling myself for a week and I just could't take it anymore. I was from a proud clan, and I had a quick temper. I would not stand for being degraded, especially because such treatment was ill-deserved. 

    "Oh really? Well go ahead, hot shot, and show me your stuff." I gestured towards the target that lay in wait before him. "Here," I offered him my bow and quiver, but he waved them off with a dismissive hand. 

    "I'll show you how a real archer shoots." He puffed out his chest and held his hand out, palm up. I was going to try to hand him my bow again, thinking that was why he was holding his hand out, but then the air above his palm began to sizzle and burn brilliantly. Flames danced and began to take shape into a bow and quiver of pure fire. The arrows, too, were made of bright red flames. Wreav wrapped his fingers around the bow and raised it towards the target deliberately. He knocked a flaming arrow at let it loose. The arrow stayed true to it's course and hit the target in the center. The entire target caught fire and went open in flames, crumbling in a pile of flaming wood and ash. 

    "Great, thanks for destroying a target. Next time you show off, clean up your own shots." I hissed, for I had seen the shot and I knew that to the untrained eye, the shot would look good. I saw how Wreav's aim was shaky and how his stance lacked strength. I saw how despite the arrow being aimed slightly off-center, it hit the center. That bow was bewitched. Wreav's mouth opened and shock colored his features, but then he recovered and looked like he wanted to rip my head off from rage.

    "You spoiled little-" He growled forcefully, but I didn't give him time to finish.

    "Don't you dare disrespect me, you pompous prick. I have worked as hard as anyone else here," At this I waved my arm around the room, my eyes not leaving Wreav's, "and all you've done is tell me how terrible I am."

    "Just because you work hard doesn't mean you're good." Wreav said, and he let his weapon fizzle out, forgotten. 

    "C'mon guys, let's just get back to work." Jack was, yet again, the mediator in this fight. Rapunzel and Hiccup had stopped their exercises to watch the three of us.

    "I'm good, and that's just a fact." I said bitingly, not letting him continue. Jack sighed and took a step back, using his ice to put out the fire Wreav had created. 

    "Oh really? Did they tell you that at the castle?" There was no doubting the mocking tone evident in Wreav's voice. What was his problem? 

    "No, they didn't. You have no idea how hard I worked to be sufficient at self defense." I was tired of his attitude. 

    "Sufficient? Big word for you, huh?" That little--

    "Wreav, what's the matter with you? You know she's smart." Jack cut in, and his easy going demeanor was developing a sharp edge. 

    "No, I know that she thinks more with her bow than her brain." Wreav glared at me with utter contempt.

    "You know what Wreav? I've had it with you treating her like crap, she doesn't deserve it. Lighten up." Jack straightened and refused to back down, but I could fight my own battles. 

    "I'm her trainer, and I will decide what she deserves." This was just too much.

    "Not any more you're not." Wreav's eyes flashed in anger but I wasn't done yet. "I'm not your trainee anymore. I'll train myself." At that, I stormed out of the training room; I could have sworn that I heard Jack calling my name behind me, but I didn't stop. I was fuming. Wreav thought he owned me! Ugh! Jack I could handle, because all he did was tease. Wreav was plain cruel. I needed Angus. We hadn't been allowed to bring any pets, which was why Hiccup had to fare without Toothless. Rapunzel had even gotten sentimental, talking about her chameleon Pascal for hours at a time. 

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    "North!" I called, bursting into the Workshop, scanning the area frantically for the burly guardian.

    "Merida!" His deep voice called out from behind me on a balcony as he opened his arms in a welcoming gesture. "How's training?"

    "Ugh," I groaned at the reminder, "North, Wreav thinks I'm some spoiled princess who can't defend herself and is just playing pretend." I ran up the staircase to where North was and leaned against the banister.

 

   "Did he tell you this?" North asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

 

   "No, but--" I started.

 

   "Then he might not think that. Have you tried to prove him wrong?" North said, eyeing me with collected guidance. That twinkle in his eye reminded me so much of my dad and suddenly I was hit by a powerful wave of nostalgia. It was so strong I almost went under, but I maintained my hold on reality as I had an idea. I remembered something North had showed me earlier.

   "I have, but maybe I need a different way of proving it to him," I mused for a second. "North, can I use one of your snow globes?"

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    Here I was, wondering through the familiar market just inside the Dunbroch, my hair hidden by my large brown cloak. I was looking around furiously for Angus to bring back to the North Pole with me. Angus and I were a team, we were better together. I knew that this whole quest to show Wreav up was silly, but I felt a pull back here, a gut instinct that something was wrong. I knew that Princess Merida of Dunbroch would draw attention meandering through the market alone after she'd been missing for a week, so I wasn't her. I had donned simple peasant's garb of brown and cream to blend in. I had become Mairead, a plain girl in plain clothes. My feet treaded the familiar path to Angus' stall as a force of habit, and I quietly followed the path, trying to draw as little attention to myself as possible. Maybe I shouldn't have brought my sword and tied to my hip; it was drawing unnecessary attention to me. I couldn't help it; I felt naked without a weapon to protect myself. I got uncomfortable and paranoid.

   The weight of one of North's snow globe pressed into my hip from its hiding place among my skirt. I had used one to get here, and I would use another for my trip back. I finally spotted Angus and I crept towards his stall. People were milling about, and not paying any attention to me- or my horse. The poor beast looked like he'd been completely ignored. His coat was dirty and by the way he kept lifting his hooves told me that they hadn't been cleaned recently either. Guilt as sharp and deadly as a knife plunged itself into my chest, but I ignored it. I reached Angus' stall and he gave a surprised whinny.

   "Hey, boy. Remember me?" I cooed softly.

   "You there!" A commanding voice came from behind me, one that I recognized immediately. "Step away from my daughter's horse!"