Chapter 1

Merida closed her eyes for a moment and breathed deep the salty air of the sea. The ship rocked gently under her feet, but her hard won sea legs held true. The wind gusted, playing with her fiery curls, tempting them loose from her plait. She pulled her cloak a bit closer to her, it was a thick wool, simple in design, unlike her her dark blue dress underneath with its delicate silver embroidery adorning the hem and bust. She didn't mind the modest fashion of the cloak, the beeswax coating on the outside kept the surf from seeping in and giving her a chill, and that was far more important on an ocean voyage.

She had been traveling with her father on a peace treaty to the Orkney Isles for the past month. Originally her mother was supposed to attend, while Merida kept the house in order, but three months before the trip was to take place Elinor had discovered she was pregnant and wouldn't be able to make the trip.

Merida didn't mind this turn of events, it gave her a chance to test her skills in diplomacy; something she had found a new appreciation for after her adventures with her mother two years ago. Elinor hadn't minded much either, as it would give Merida a chance to visit with the MacGuffin Clan.

Merida grimaced at the thought of her mother's scheming.

It wasn't that she didn't like the MacGuffin's; it was just the idea of marriage that still put her off. She hadn't made a choice yet, but even Merida recognized that she was reaching an age where she would have to settle. One of her prospects, Dingwald's son, had already married another lord's daughter to extend the families holdings to that of his neighbors. The other two families were growing impatient, but they had kept their word to allow her the choice. The two boys had spent a summer at her home in order to get to know her better and she them, but she had shied away from choosing by the time they had left.

The following year kept the people of Alba too busy for romance. Vikings, having not touched their lands for some years, had suddenly begun raiding the shores once more. When the summer raids had ended they had come knocking at her father's door again, now with a new sense of urgency. It was the other reason she had jumped at the chance to take this trip. While she would have to visit the MacGuffin's: for the remainder of the three months she would be free from having to make a choice.

Merida placed a calloused hand on the worn wooden railing of the ship, fingering the grooves and marks in the timber. She could see clearly the difference in age and experience had brought to her mindset when it came to the union. While she wasn't thrilled about it, she at least had the chance to make a choice of her own. She knew in her heart that she wanted someone that accepted her for who she was; her strengths, weakness, and someone that wouldn't try and cage her spirit.

After a moment she let loose a breath filled with resignation and deep sadness: she hadn't been able to escape this part of her fate entirely though. Of her possible suitors she had never felt any stirrings of love, but this was her duty and there was always the chance she would come to care for her future husband, whoever it might be.

She turned and rested her back against the side of the ship, looking up; she noticed the world around her had a developed a green twinge to it. The skies marked the coming of a storm, as throws of thick heavy clouds barreled towards them. It snapped her out of her thoughts immediately; she stood straight and took stock of her crew.

A shout came from the left. Merida looked towards her Father at the helm of the other ship, his large imposing shape was hard to miss, he had grown his beard out a bit more over the past two years, but otherwise remained the same. Next to him was a dark skinned man, wearing a simple cloth tunic, dark breeches, and around his waist was a sash baring the tartan of her clan. This was her father's his second in command, Peadar.

Peadar had come to Dunbroch shortly after her adventure and had forged a great friendship with her father over the years. His dark skin and short curly hair stood out amongst the rest of the crew, but to everyone he was a trusted and well-received sight when trouble was afoot. He had helped train Merida and her brothers, and spent time regaling them with tales of his many adventures across the World when he was a boy.

Merida waved in return to her father, showing him she had his attention. After two trips by boat she had convinced her father to allow her to take charge of the second ship. Her father hailed again and pointed towards the skies.

"Storms a comin' lass, we're gonna take the path North 'round the Isles. Should miss the belly o'it that way." Fergus bellowed.

Merida nodded her understanding; she turned and gave the commands to the crew.

She stepped off the raised platform and began to help them adjust the sails before giving the order to begin the drums. If they were going to clear the storm as fast as they could they would have to use the oars.

The wind buffeted them; she worked with the others on the sails, trying to keep the ship facing the winds head on. She knew that if they allowed the winds to attack them from the side they would risk keeling over.

She glanced over at her father's ship; he was keeping his boat as close to hers as he could; his eyes on her as often as he could spare a glance. He smiled broadly at her, displaying his pride in her abilities.

Returning the gesture she felt her confidence grow, she called out to the crew, egging them on to keep the fire in their bellies. They answered the Bear King's daughter with a roar and continued to push through the heavy waves created by the storm.

She looked up at the skies and saw the line between the heavy clouds on the right and clear blues on the left. The winds seemed to shift as they went on and she knew then that they would be clear of the worst of it as long as nothing took them off course. Merida eased up on the sails and called for the drummer to reduce speed. She looked over to her Father and saw him doing the same.

"Didcha see the size o'those clouds Da?" she hailed to him.

Fergus smiled at his daughter "Ay lass, t'was a face o'a beast. Ye did yer Father proud tho', yer a true Captain at heart!"

She was about to respond when the sound of a horn blasted through the air. Fergus and Merida turned their heads to the sound and saw two boats approaching them. At first she thought it was ships from the Orkney Isles; arriving to guide them the rest of the way to their port; but she soon recognized the colour of the sails and the shields lining the sides: Viking ships.

I don't own any of the characters or Worlds, this is purely for fun and not profit.