It's odd how one day you ride through the glens taking in your new future and opportunities. No betrothal, no evil bears, just you. Then in an instant its snatched away by an unexpected message, A message of war. Merida read over the letter the third time hoping she had read it wrong. But the message was the same, war.

"Dad didn't they ask for demands?" Merida asked hoping to find an alternative to war.

"Aye they did lass, but nothing I could give. For now help your mother bring the people behind the castle walls. There is no telling when the north men will attack." King ferguson said with great concern laced in his voice.

Merida watched as her dad went back to planning the defenses with the three other clans.

"Mom? "

Merida called through the village market place that seemed all but deserted. Maybe she already finished Merida thought to herself. Then all of a sudden she heard a shrinking scream. It was her mother she thought frantically.

"MOM!" Merida yelled as she bolted towards the source of the scream. As she grew close she could feel the ground shake as though trees were falling everywhere. She ran further into the forest where the screams came but all she heard was silence. "MOM!" Merida called. "MOM! Answer me!" Merida pleaded. She looked around only hearing her heart beat loudly in her ears. She stood and saw trees broken in half some had even fallen completely over being uprooted.

"What happened here?" She asked herself tears now forming in her eyes. She looked at her feet and saw her mothers crown. No. She whispered to her self now choking on her sobs. She fell to the ground clutching on to her mothers crown. I will avenge you mother I swear it! She promised as she lay on the ground sobbing. When her sobs had finally subsided, she heard a faint moan just feet away. She looked for its source but to no avail from the now darkening sky.

"H- hello? Anyone there?" She asked feeling a sense of panic rise in her chest. She quickly strung her bow ready for what might be. "Hello?" She called again, this time she heard a rustle in the bushes not to far from her.

She used her arrow to move away some of the bushes branches. She dropped her weapon as soon as she saw who it was. "Aidan!" She said surprised yet relieved as she rushed to his side. She gazed upon his features as he lay there alive but motionless. He had the blondest hair and a strong face, when his eyes were open they were almost as green as the grass in the glens in spring. He wasn't large in size nor was he frail. He was lean but built. Though Merida wouldn't admit it she fancied Aidan. After her mother was turned back to a human about a year ago, tradition was changed. She still did eventually have to marry, but not by force and without love. Not only the first born of the other clans had a chance at winning her heart, but also any of the Chiefs sons had a chance. Including Aidan Macentosh. He favored his mothers side while his eldest brother favored Lord Macintosh in many ways.

The thought of her mother, made Merida's vision blur with tears and pained her heart. "Aidan" she whispered for fear the Northmen that attacked her mother were still near.

"Wha.. What happened?" Aidan asked as his eyes fell on Merida.

"I don't know I was hoping I could ask you that." she said again in a seemed confused for a short while until realization hit him.

"Merida I am so sorry I tried everything I could I swear it." Aidan said as he was unable to look Merida in the eyes because of shame.

"What are you talking about? And be a little bit more quiet. Something's out here." She said with a stern glance.

"Merida.. " Aidan said again quieter and with tears forming in his eyes. "Your mother its my fault I'm so sorry." Aidan said as lowered his head.

"Aidan what happened? " She asked with a little more force than intended.

"I was helping her bring the people to safety. When we had finished she decided to do a quick check on the edge of the woods to insure that no one had strayed. She said she heard some movement in the forest, as did I but I did not feel that she would be safe hiking to investigate."

******FLASH BACK*******

"My queen, I will come back with some of my fathers men and investigate. For now please get behind the castle walls for your safety." Aidan pleaded.

"No, we have no idea when the Northmen will come. When you return it could be too late." Queen Eleanor said as she stubbornly walked toward the faint talking.

Aidan had no choice but to follow, "At least allow me to walk in front my queen." Aidan said as she hurriedly walked in front of the queen.

The voices seemed to have completely stopped, they stood there straining their ears for what felt like hours. Then they saw him the man that was as tall as a bear and a beast only heard about in legends.

******END FLASH BACK*****

"Merida please believe me, I tried the best I could. I slashed at the evil beast only to be tossed aside like a rag with its tail. As I attempted to get up I could feel my vision fading. Only to fall back down and watch as your mother was taken by the man and his beast. I through my spear with the last of my might and hit its wing but it wasn't enough. Soon after the pain reached me and I lost consciousness. The next thing I know I was here and you were shaking me."

When Aidan finished his experience, it occurred to Merida that she never even bothered to ask if he was all right. "Aidan forgive me are you hurt?" She asked with deep concern.

"Merida it is I that she'd be asking for your forgiveness, and please don't worry about my wounds. I must keep you safe. So let us head to the castle before it is too late. The Northmen Have arrived.