Author's Note: This is the third book in the Companions series. If you haven't read them yet, it might make more sense if you read the first two, "Companions United" and "Frozen Companions."

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the following movies: Brave, Tangled, How To Train Your Dragon, Rise of the Guardians, Frozen, Epic, or How To Train Your Dragon 2.

Chapter 1: Kidnapped

"Careful now," Merida said. "Don't try to pull it all the way back on your first try."

Elinor took in a deep breath and aimed at the target five feet away. "Are you sure I can do this?"

Merida laughed. "You'll do fine, mum! At least your arrow won't burst into flame like Anna's did."

"Burst into flame!" Elinor exclaimed, looking at the arrow nervously.

"Don't worry! Anna has fire powers, remember? It was just her arrows, not yours. Now shoot!"

Elinor closed her eyes and released her grip on the arrow and let it fly. The arrow ripped through one of the flags on the shooting range and crashed into a castle window. Merida held her hands to her mouth, stifling a laugh.

"Oops!" she collapsed on the ground, laughing.

"What happened? Did I hurt anyone?" Elinor asked anxiously, opening her eyes. She saw the broken window. "Oh dear. That didn't quite go as plan, did it? Merida! A lady doesn't chortle!" She tried hard to keep a straight face.

Merida shook her head, red curls flying. "Mother, yew have to keep your eyes open," she said, giggling.

Elinor broke into laughter. "We can get the window fixed later," she said. "Can I try again?"

Merida nodded and helped her mother notch another arrow. This time Elinor kept her eyes open and narrowed, completely focused on the target.

"You won't get away from me this time!" Elinor exclaimed. "Take that!" She released the arrow. Merida let out an excited squeal. "I hit it! Did you see that, Merida? I hit the target!"

"Alright mum!" Merida cried. "You did it! Ah knew yew could." She smiled up at her mother, enjoying their day together.

"Elinor!" Fergus cried, coming out of the castle.

"Fergus, did you see me? I hit the target, I even got it in the white line!"

Merida giggled. "Technically, it's the red circle yew want to hit, but yew were so close, and that was your first time!"

"Good for you, dear! Now, there's a wee problem in the throne room. Some lad's come for Merida…"

Merida groaned. "Again? What am Ah doing to encourage this?"

"Don't worry, dear, I'll take care of it," Elinor said, resuming her queenly demeanor and gliding off towards the throne room. "But you might learn a thing or two about turning down suitors if you come and watch."

Merida sighed and skipped behind her mother. When they got to the throne room, a large muscular man was waiting. Elinor took a seat and looked him over. He was very strong and had long black locks. He did not look very pleasant.

"Your majesty," he said with a sweeping bow. "I have come to ask for your daughter's hand."

"So I've heard," Elinor said, trying not to flinch at his rough, grating voice. "I'm quite sorry to tell you, my lord, but the princess is not ready for marriage, and is turning down all suitors at this time. Come back in a year or two and try then. In the mean time, you are most welcome to visit us at DunBroch as a friend…ah…"

"Drago Bludvist, your highness."

"You are welcome here, Drago. The guards will show you out, now."

"Thank you, milady," Drago said, looking disappointed..

He turned and walked calmly from the castle, but once out of sight, the anger became clear on his face. Muttering, he made his way through the woods until he reached the abandoned fortress. On the outside, it still looked abandoned, but inside it had been refurbished and strengthened. Cautiously, Drago walked down the stone stair case into the old throne room, where The Master sat in the shadows, waiting for him.

"Master," Drago said, bowing much lower than he had to Elinor. "I went to DunBroch and asked for the princess' hand as you requested. But she is turning all suitors away." He gulped nervously. "I have failed you."

Drago waited while The Master conferred in low tones with the right-hand man. The Master never spoke to anyone directly, having another speak instead. Finally the advisor stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice.

"I am the Mouth of The Master, speaking only what is told to me. We will move to Plan B. The princess will take her evening ride later today. That is when we will make our move. Go. Prepare yourself and spread the news to Legion 3."

Nodding respectfully, Drago backed out of the room. He took the stairs two at a time, breathing a huge sigh of relief once he was out in the open air. The Master was a powerful force, and not very forgiving. He was lucky to have escaped with his life.

Angus slowly plodded through the autumn forest, tired after his long gallop through the country. Merida patted his neck affectionately.

"Are yew tired, Angus? Don't worry, when we get home you'll get extra oats for dinner, and an apple for desert."

Angus whinnied in appreciation. Merida grinned and took a deep breath of the crisp air. The long ride had felt marvelous, and she'd gotten perfect hits on all of her targets. Not that it was a surprise, of course. Merida had been a perfect aimer for years.

Suddenly, she pulled Angus to a halt. A squirrel sat in a tree a few yards away, nibbling a nut. There were no branches blocking it from her view, and it hadn't spotted her yet.

"I wonder if the boys would like squirrel for supper?" Merida whispered, drawing her bow. She reached down to her quiver for an arrow, but her hand grasped air. "Oh no, I forgot I fired mah last arrow! Well, I guess tomorrow we'll have to go collect arrows from all my targets, eh Angus? Angus?"

Angus was standing stock still, except for his ears, which were swiveling in all directions. Merida looked around cautiously. She noticed it had become deathly quiet in the woods. Then, a stick snapped behind her. Instinctively, Merida kicked Angus into a gallop, not bothering to look behind her.

"Faster, Angus!" she cried, hearing large pounding footsteps.

They were still a good two miles away from DunBroch Castle, and she had no weapons except a small dagger for skinning squirrels. In short, not a good time to be chased by anyone or anything. Casting a glance over her shoulder, Merida saw Drago and several strong men gaining on her. Drago held a small black object up to his mouth and yelled in the one incomprehensible Scottish dialect that Merida did not understand. Suddenly more men jumped out in front of her, startling Angus to a halt. In an instant, Merida and Angus were surrounded by Drago's men. For a split second she thought about having Angus jump over their heads, but they were too tall.

"If it's money you want, don't waste your time kidnapping me, just let me back to the castle," she cried in fear. "I'll give it to you!"

"We don't want your money," Drago snarled, now speaking clearly. "We want you. And technically, it's not really us that want you. It's The Master's will."

"What? No, I don't understand!"

"All in good time…milady."

With one swift movement, Drago reached up and knocked Merida unconscious. She slumped in the saddle and fell off Angus. Grinning evilly, Drago swatted the horse on the rear, sending him galloping towards the castle in fear.

"Come, men," he said, picking up Merida's limp figure in his arms. "The Master is waiting for us."

Disclaimer 2: I do not own the rights to the movie where The Master is from. But as you still don't know who The Master is (and it's not The Master from Doctor Who), I won't reveal the movie at this time. *insert evil laugh*