Disclaimer – I don't own Brave. Belongs to its respected owners. I do own my original character of Charles and the plot. 'Nuff said.
A/N: I went and saw the movie on Sunday the 24th, and again yesterday – LOVED IT! Got this idea after I got out of the movie. Will update Rescue & The Horse Whisperer. MY FIRST BRAVE STORY, SO BE NICE, PLEASE!
Summary: AU: When Merida is sixteen, King Fergus and Queen Elinor decide to have the tournament again. Merida ends up falling head over heels with a handsome archer named Charles. Will it be happily ever after for the two or will the other clans interfere? ONE-SHOT. Rated T because I'm paranoid. MY FIRST BRAVE STORY, SO BE NICE, PLEASE!
Genre: Romance/Poetry
Rating: T
On a beautiful and hot day in July
When the sun was high in the sky
Merida felt the wind whip her locks back
Keeping an eye on the target, never looking back
She aimed the last arrow at a target, remaining focused
Satisfied at all the targets – none of which she missed.
Wiping the sweat off her brow, she patted her horse's shoulder
And headed to her favorite spot – a little stream that ran next to a boulder.
She scooped some water in her hand when something caught her eye
A young man and his horse were there, Merida smiled and caught his eye.
"Hello there!" the lad called. He had locks of brown hair,
He and his black horse, were just standing there.
"Hello!" Merida called back, feeling herself blush.
She didn't know this lad, so what's all the fuss?
He crossed the stream, leading his horse, black as night.
"I'm Charles and this is my horse, Midnight."
"I'm Merida and this is Angus. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Charles' eyes twinkled brightly in the afternoon sun, and Merida's did, too.
The two of them walked their horses a while, taking their time.
Suddenly, Charles turned on a dime.
"I can't be seen with you – you're the king's daughter!
If anyone knew I was with you, I'd be slaughtered!
Goodbye for now, fair Merida, gentle and wise.
I'll see you soon, so don't cry and don't sigh."
With that, Charles mounted Midnight and took off in a flash.
Merida sighed and mounted Angus, taking off like a dash.
A week later, suitors came from near and far, seeking Merida's hand.
She glared at her parents, then looked at the suitors – all so bland.
Her heart stopped when she saw Charles in the crowd
She smiled and waved, not wanting to say his name out loud.
She had chosen archery, her favorite sport
To choose a possible suitor, one to steal her heart.
Two of the three arrows missed their marks
It was Charles who won Merida's heart.
Fergus and Elinor smiled with pride
They couldn't wait to see this lad at their daughter's side.
"I do not approve this match! Not at all!
I'm sorry your majesties, she's much too small
Oh, sure, she can do archery and everything else,
But I want another girl who will make my son's heart melt.
She's too feisty, this wee lass, too much spirit!
If you have something else to say, I won't hear it!
Come, my son, let's leave this place
I don't want you to see her face!
Hurry up, let's go back to London – our home
Let's go, son, no time to roam!" Lord Doolin told his son.
Merida felt tears in her eyes, not wanting to lose the prize she had won.
"Lord Doolin, I will not let this happen!
Sure, Merida has spirit – that's the best part
She has spunk and she has a lot of heart
Charles and Merida will do well together, I'm sure
If you're not convinced, for I'm sure you are
Look at her, she's spunky, spirity and a lot more
Get a chance to know her, she's a hell of an archer
She's never missed a target – she's a good watcher
She'll keep an eye on your son and the kingdom, too.
Tell him, Merida, tell him it's true."
Fergus told his eldest, to which she nodded, agreeing fully
Lord Doolin and Merida spent the day together, which was wooly
He didn't understand why she loved archery fully
No matter how much Merida explained about her sport,
Lord Doolin couldn't see why Charles had captured her heart.
By the end of the day, Lord Doolin could see that she was smart.
"Fair Merida, you may have Charles' hand
I can see that you're not boring and not a wee bit bland.
You two will make fine rulers, that I'm sure
Let me give you this ring that Charles' mother once wore.
She was the love of my life, for she made my heart soar
It would do me a great pleasure for you to have the ring
If Charles' mother were alive today, I know her heart would sing."
Lord Doolin put the ring on Merida's finger and smiled
She looked up at him and also smiled.
Two years later was the marriage of Merida and Charles
The two of them looked wonderful – Merida's hair didn't have any snarls
Charles looked perfect in his traditional Scottish kilt
It was a beautiful summer's day, which made the flowers wilt.
The wedding came and passed, and the two couldn't be more in love
They were expecting a baby, which was a gift from above.
On a cold December night, Merida delivered twins – little girls
Charles and Merida were the happiest parents in the entire world.
They named one Elinor Elizabeth after Merida's mother, who passed on.
They kept disagreeing on names for their other little one.
Finally the two of them agreed on the name Molly Rose, a pretty name
Charles and Merida knew that their lives would never be the same.
The family is happy with just the two girls.