But every once and a while, there's a day where I don't have to be a princess...

I rushed to get ready knowing someone was waiting. Alec... he was a taller lad with long brown hair and bright green eyes.I had met him two years ago, running into him as I ran to Angus's stable. "Sorry princess. Where are you heading off to in such a hurry?"

"Just going to take Angus out for a ride," I said a bit flustered.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Uh...sure."

We spent a lot of time together after that. Of course nobody could know how much time we spent together or mom would have a fit about such "unladylike behavior."I always enjoyed being with Alec. I got butterflies in my stomach whenever I was with him.

I got on top of Angus and met Alec at our usual spot, just outside the kingdom walls. "How long have you been waiting?"

"Oh I was just giving Angus a quick brushing before we go."

"Well then what are we waiting for?"

"You I suppose." I stuck my tong out at him playfully and mounted Angus.

"Let's go!"

Alec and his horse, Blake, followed behind me, bows in our hands. We rode threw the woods, hitting every target as we went. "Wahoo yeah!" feeling the wind in my hair, not having to put in a show for my mom, I felt alive, I felt free. We came to the end of the path and sat on the edge of the cliff as always. "This was a pretty good day."

"It would have been better if ye didn't block half my shots," Alec slugged my shoulder.

"Hey!" I gave him a light push. "Caw!" we heard an eagle cry as it soared nearer the falls. "I've got an idea."

"Oh yeah, what?"

"Follow me." We rode down to the stone pillars, particularly the crows tooth.

"Alright, what's your big idea now?"

"We are going to drink from the Fire Falls."

"You're crazy."

"Come on your just scared."

"No I'm not!"

"Fine then I'll meet ya up there." I started to make my way up.

"Hey!" Alec raced up behind me.

"You're going to have to be quicker than that," I rushed up quicker than before. Unfortunately I slipped and fell.

Alex grabbed my arm as I fell, "I got you," he said as I grabbed the stones again. "You ok?"

"Yeah," I said catching my breath, "and I'm still going to beat you to the top."

"We'll see about that."

It was a race to the top, we tied. I cupped my hand and took a sip of the water from the Fire Falls.

"How do ya like the taste of the fire?"

"Try some."

He did and his eyes widened, "We just drank from the Fire Falls!"

"This is amazing."

"So are you..."

"Uh wha-" Alec pulled my head closer to his and pressed his lips against mine in a passionate kiss. Though I was surprised at first, I kissed back. My arms wrapped around his neck as his hands got tangled in my hair.

We pulled away, catching our breath, "that was..."

"Yeah..." I noticed the sun was starting to set, "we should head back."

"Merida wait," I looked at him, "I'm sorry if I was too abrupt... I just-"

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for another, shorter kiss. "It's alright," I smirked, "but we really should start heading back." We climbed down and rode back in silence. I had enjoyed the kiss but it was so sudden... And what is this feeling in my stomach? I always felt this way around him, but now it was stronger. It made my heart race and my palms sweat.

"Well... I'll see you around then."

"Yeah."

At the Dinner Table

I walked in and threw my bow in the table, "Merida, a princess does not place her weapons on the table."

"Uh, Mom, It's just my bow."

"A princess shouldn't have weapons in my opinion."

"Leave her be, princess or not, learnin to fight is essential," Dad argued.

"Mom, you'll never guess what I did today…I climbed the Crow's Tooth and drank from the Fire Falls."

This got my Dad and brothers' attention, "They say only the ancient kings were brave enough to drink the fire." I stuck my tong out with a laugh.

"What did you do, dear?" Mom asked, not even looking up from her papers.

"Nothing," I muttered.

"Ugh, Fergus, will ya look at your daughter's plate, she-" I stopped listening to my mother's latest lecture, I was still thinking about Alec.

When Mom was distracted with letters Moddie (Spelling?) I slipped my brother's my plate of pastries under the table. "Fergus…they've all accepted." I looked back and forth between my parents, "Boys you are excused." They scurried away with their shirts full of pastries.

"What did I do now?"

"Your father had something to discuss with you," he spat out his drink and hesitated, he never was good at making speeches. "The lords are presenting their sons as suitors for you betrothal." She said with a smile.

"What?"

"The clans have accepted!"

"Dad!"

"Wha- I…she…Elinor?"

"Honestly, Merida, I don't know why you are reacting this way." I groaned and put my head in my arms, What about Alec? Does this mean we won't get to be together? If only she knew… "This year each clan will present a suitor to compete in the games for your hand."

"I supposed a princess just does what she's told."

"A princess does not raise her voice. Merida this is what you've been preparing for your whole life."

"No it's what you've been preparing me for. I won't go through with this! You can't make me!" I snatched my bow and headed up to my room. What a disaster! Alec…What am I going to do? I wish my mom would just understand. I'm not sure I ready for marriage, especially not to perfect strangers! Why don't I get a say in this? I swung my sword at my bed post with every thought until my mom came, "Mother…suitors? Marriage?"

"Once there was an ancient kingdom…"

"Ugh, Mom…ancient kingdoms…" I had heard this story a thousand times; the oldest son brings down the kingdom because he followed his own path, blah, blah, blah.

"Legends are stories that ring with truth." She left, and I was alone with my thoughts of Alec.