I shifted uncomfortably in my bed. Something wasn't right. I felt hot. Clammy. Exposed. And vulnerable.

"Argh," I muttered as I turned on my back finally, and stared up at the ceiling to my bed. A large bed it was indeed. Fit for the queen, myself, and my husband, Seamus of the Macintosh clan. And of course, the little one on the way.

I rested my hand on my stomach, which was round and hard. I decided I didn't like being pregnant very much. It was uncomfortable and uneasy. Even though mum said the joys of the child after the nine months was enough to get me by, I was really starting to doubt it. Or maybe it was just the fact that I was afraid. Dreadfully afraid.

"Seamus," I whispered softly as I stared up at the ceiling still. He stirred in his sleep.

"Aye, love. He'll be a fine boy," Seamus muttered almost inaudibly in his sleep. I rolled my eyes and softly hit his broad, muscular shoulder.

"Seamus!" I whispered louder.

"Aye, love." Seamus said. He was awake now. He rubbed his dark blue eyes and propped himself up on one elbow, staring at me and waiting for me to say something.

I bit my lip softly as Seamus brushed back some of my flaming red hair from my eyes. I sighed. "Do ya' think we'll make fine parents? I mean, I don't want to make mistakes and just ruin her, like my own mum almost did to me."

"Your mum never listened to ya, love." Seamus told me gently. "It's a blessin' that she got turned into a bear. At least then you grew closer, eh?"

I nodded my head. "I love my mum. Dearly. That's why she still lives in the castle with us, obviously, Seamus. But still. I don't want our son, or daughter, to grow up not really knowing me, or me not knowing him. Do ya' understand?"

Seamus knit his eyebrows. "I understand ya', love. I just don't believe ya'." I frowned and stared at him in confusion. "See, Merida. The most outstandin' thing that brought ma to ya' was that you can put up a fight, and do it well, lass. I can't see ya' goin' down like that. I see ya' as a fighter, and you'll do anything it takes to get to know our child best. I see it in ya'."

I smiled. And then I kissed him. Maybe he was right.

Regardless, two weeks later, I was holding a small bundle. She was beautiful, with a tuft of brown hair, just like my mum. But she had my eyes. Those same soft blue eyes.

Seamus grinned. "What'dya think we ought to name her, love?" he asked me curiously. "I'll let you choose."

I smiled. "Elinore. We'll call her Elinore."