“Merida will be a leader - a great leader - in her own right, in her own way. She doesn’t have to do it the same way her mom did it, but she needs to acquire a little more wisdom and judgment. The journey she takes with Mum-Bear helps her do that. It sets her priorities straight.” - Brenda Chapman, The Art of Brave
“Eret is a swashbuckling, northern pirate; he’s a world-class trapper and he knows it. He surrounds himself with goons so he can shine as their boss. We referenced Mafia movies and pegged Eret as the guy who enforces things. He’s not the top guy and, in fact, he doesn’t want to run the operation; he just wants to make his profit and get out.” - Simon Otto, The Art of How To Train Your Dragon 2
(I think we’ve established that I’m shameless in my shipping, yes? So no one should be surprised.)
Okay. Down to business.
I got the HTTYD2 art book last Christmas, before I really came to appreciate *coughobsessovercough* Eret son of Eret. But once he caught my attention, this quote really became the foundation of everything I do with Eret. Both in my headcanons and analyses, and in the Mereta ship.
Part of Eret’s posturing is, I believe, born from the complete lack of control he has over his own life. I’m not saying he doesn’t have an ego. He absolutely, definitely does.
But it’s also because he has no one to challenge him. Among his men, there’s no one to poke fun at him. This was intentional on his part, whether he’s aware of it or not. So his ego has been allowed to run free. Save for the whole Drago thing.
After he recovered from the brand, I suspect his bluster increased so he wouldn’t have to dwell on what happened - even though it’s always at the back of his mind. “I’m Eret, son of Eret. Finest dragon trapper alive.” …except when he fails to meet quota.
Okay, okay, sorry. This isn’t supposed to be an Eret meta - there’s just so much about his character to unpack.
But, like I said, he has no one to challenge him. He’s superior to his crew in every respect. He’s taller, more attractive, is probably stronger, more skilled, and smarter. (His intelligence is relative here, of course. While he has street smarts, of course, when it comes to actual intellect, he pales in comparison to Hiccup.)
When I first started thinking about the Merida/Eret ship in my head, I realized that Merida is never going to let him get away with that. She may never be as strong as him (it’s physically impossible), but she makes up for it in her own way. Her skill with a bow matches, if it doesn’t exceed, his skill with a sword. And we know, for that matter, she’s not bad with a sword herself. (I still hold with my headcanon that some someday Eret’s going to put a short sword in her hand, and heaven help anyone who dares get in her way after that day.) Their intelligence is different, but on a similar level.
The same could be said of their pride.
“I am Eret, son of Eret.”
“I am Merida. First born decedent of clan DunBroch.”
She’s not going to take his blustering. She’ll go toe to toe with him. Without blinking. With out considering he’s almost twice her size. Posturing, and brovado, does not impress Merida. Action does.
(This is where it becomes important that “finest dragon trapper alive” isn’t just something Eret throws around. It’s why I’m glad the quote points out that “he’s a world class dragon trapper - and he knows it”. Eret may brag, but he has the skills to back up that braggadocio.
And, while I’m on the subject… This is the difference between Eret and the young Lord Macintosh. Someone once argued against Mereta saying that Merida would have the same reaction to Eret that she did to Macintosh. But the difference here is that Eret can back up his claims. Macintosh gives no indication of having any platform to stand on.
And Merida’s sarcastic “that’s attractive” comes when Macintosh throws his fit - and his bow - because his shot was so poor.
Eret’s ego - while inflated - isn’t because he’s a spoiled child. It’s because he’s worked hard, he’s gotten good, and he knows it. In Macintosh’s position at the games - well, first, he would be more concerned with actually aiming than with trying to look cool while doing so. Second, if he did miss, then instead of throwing a tantrum, he would pull out another arrow and take another shot. Something I think would impress Merida.)
But I digress. Back to Merida challenging Eret’s self-made “I’m so cool” pedestal.
Outside of Drago’s abuse, Eret’s not used to being challenged.
For that matter, he’s not used to being teased.
And Merida is merciless in her teasing. (Exhibit A: her and her father’s commentary on the suitors during the games. And, of course, the “aww, wee lamb” comment.) I guarantee none of Eret’s men would dare tease their boss the way Merida and Fergus tease everyone. In Merida’s world, if you can’t take a good ribbing, well… that’s your problem. (Exhibit B: the way Merida laughed at Fergus when his hunting bird attacked him.)
Away from Drago’s control, and the very real stress of losing his head, Eret will probably relax, learn how to take that ribbing.
We know from the end of HTTYD2 that he is capable of humility. So, once he’s challenged - and once someone proves that they can go toe to toe - he’ll accept that. If he can back his bluster up, he will require any challenger to do the same.
It might chafe at first, since he’s not used to someone else being on his level. Especially by a girl who’s half his size. But it will be easier to accept in a situation where someone isn’t completely challenging his worldview.
By simply being herself, and without trying to change him (<– this is very important), Merida’s teasing is going to call him ou. Eret’s ego will deflate once he’s not the most brilliant person (or the largest personality) in the room. And Merida’s personality is a match for his. It might even be bigger. (Though it’s balanced by their physical size difference.)
Eret, meanwhile, is going to be a steadying influence on Merida. He’s a few years older, and more mature (by some definition…). Seeing that will subconciously draw out a new level of maturity in Merida, if only so she can hold that place as his equal. If she acts like a child running at the heels of an adult, there is no equality there. It doesn’t matter how well she can shoot a bow.
(Exhibit C: the fact we see Eret holding a random Berkian child in the end of HTTYD2 has lead to my headcanon that, once free from Drago, Eret will be keenly interested in settling down with his own family. A concept that will terrify Merida at first… but will probably grow on her once she finds someone she’s willing to settle down with. But it indicates a steady maturity in Eret, hence why it’s in my pile of evidence.)
While Merida takes after Fergus, Eret is similar to Elinor in some ways. He’ll run through the woods with Merida. But he also sees the value in the education Elinor is trying to give her daughter. Knows that she’s going to need it as a queen. And, simply by not being her mother, he can get across to her things she won’t hear from Elinor. Sometimes we’re more willing to hear something from someone outside the situation.
He also won’t be swayed by Merida’s temper. He’s a sailor - he knows how to guide a ship through a storm. As a dragon trapper, he knows how to stop a powerful force without destroying it.
He’s going to admire Merida’s wild side. He can run as hard and as fast as she can - keeping up with her whatever adventure she decides to go on. He has no desire to tame her - just to see her passion given purpose.
Any time he sees her use the skills her mother taught her, as in that scene in Brave when she stops the fighting in the hall, his chest swells with pride. Because he can see she’ll be an amazing queen, she’s just a little rough around the edges.
Okay. Back to the quotes.
The Art of Brave just arrived tonight. As soon as I read the quote about Merida, my brain immediately connected it to the quote about Eret. (How could I not? “She’s a leader.” “He has no interest in being a leader.” My shipper heart is singing.)
Eventually, Merida will take DunBroch’s throne. (An event that I expect will be NOTHING like what Once Upon A Time depicted - but that’s a subject for another time.)
Does she NEED a man? No. I don’t think she would mind having one, though. Especially if it was some who acknowledged her as an equal. And one who loves her for her, not caring about whether or not she’s a princess.
Eret would be perfectly happy as her prince consort. Though I doubt that exact title was used in ancient Scotland, so let’s stick with the language of the quote and call him her enforcer.
Merida will grow into a great leader, with her mother’s teaching, and Eret will be perfectly content supporting her from the sidelines. Oh, he’ll be right beside her. Whether in the throne room, or on the battlefield. But she’s the leader, and no one doubts that.
He can make suggestions when she’s not sure, since he does have an understanding of how the tribal politics work. (I imagine his tribe is similar to the Scottish clans, with multiple sub tribes under one leader.) He knows how to calm her temper - usually before she destroys something with her claymore. Usually. (The posts of their bed have to be replaced with some regularity. Though he does notice that, no matter how much damage she does to any part of the castle in her rage, she never, ever touches any of the tapestries…)
Eret gets a home free from Drago, Merida gets a husband who’s her friend first and foremost, who can provide her with an heir. She gets an enforcer, he gets a leader who isn’t abusive.It’s a win-win for both of them.
Occasionally, his ego does start to get out of hand. (Old habits die hard, after all.) Merida just rolls her eyes, makes a snide remark, and he usually comes down pretty quick.
There might be some muttering from the lords about the princess marrying an outsider (since they obviously all still had hopes of seeing their sons on the throne next to Merida at the end of the movie). But I kind of doubt any of them would really want to challenge him. Even if they did, I doubt they could take him. (I’m sorry, have you seen Eret’s arms??)
(I also may like the image of Eret stepping forward in the annual games to request a chance for the princess’s hand… but that’s a drabble for another them. X3)
Okay. Now that long post is long, I think I’ve covered everything.
Oh, before I forget… the gifs used belong to Iggyfing - from this set, which is wonderful
