As the sun began to rise as a door opened revealing a dark haired woman. Her green dress flowing as she crossed the room she perched on the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed she began to pet the head of the bed's occupant. Messy red curls moved under her hand as the girl smiled. Stirring the girl peeked an eye open pulling the pillow over her head. With a small laugh the pillow was removed before being dropped to the floor.
"Come along Merida you know today is a special day." The woman stated.
"But Maw I dunno if I can tolerate another dunderheid. Why do I gotta do this again?" Merida wined pushing herself up
"He requested to meet nothing more I trust you'll behave." She stated pulling her into a hug
Merida smiled returning her mother's hug hopefully for today. Slowly her mother began to play with a strand of Merida's hair. Merida from at the action knowing what was coming next. Calming her mind she prepared herself for what to come. With a quiet sigh she pulled away looking at her mother.
"Maw let's get a move on." She said with a smile
Close to an hour later Merida sat with her family watching the large doors. Slowly the doors opened and a young man stepped inside. His tan skin glistening in the light of the room. His sharp eyes glowed icy blue. He was clad in a crimson shirt with gray pants and boots and gloves. As he approached them the young man fell to one knee. He looked almost like a knight as he bowed before them. His eyes were trained on the wooden floor between them as his face was stern. Suddenly the young man looked up at the sound of boisterous laughter from the thrones. He found the king cackling like his seat rocking under him.
"This wee lad comes inta me castle lookin to try for the hand of me daughter? Look at him isn't he tiny he probably can't even fight the dandy." The king bellowed slapping his wooden knee
" Fergus show some respect to our guest." The queen whispered
"But Elinor I'm only jokin with the lad." Fergus pouted crossing his arms
"Ya da was was only joshin with him maw his feelin's weren't hurt by it." Merida muttered watching the young man
The young man simply ran a hand through his carmel hair. He seemed nervous to being in their presence. It was almost as if he had never been before a noble before. He slowly stumbled backward toward the door refusing to make eye contact. He had barely made it five steps before something stopped him. hand on his shoulder made him flinch turning to see king Fergus beside him.
"Now now laddie why ya fleein' we ain't gonna hurt ya none." Fergus stated slapping him on the back
"Sir I think you misunderstand why my presence here. I'm not here for the reason you think I came here to warn you. My master requested I inform you heartless threat that could come to your world." He announced his expression stern
"Heartless eh sounds like a threatenin beasty. Maybe we should go huntin for the buggers before they attack us.".Fergus bellowed confidently
"A jolly good plan da I'll get ma bow." Merida announced jumping from her seat
"You will do no such thing. There is no way you're going out there to hunt some strange beast." Elinor snapped blocking Merida
Like a kicked dog Fergus returned to his throne. Pouting he glared at the floor refusing to look at his wife. Awkwardly the young man bowed once again spinning on his heels he made his way out. Jumping from her seat Merida was mere steps behind him as he walked out. Stepping into the courtyard he froze feeling her presence at his side.
"Relax ya nancy I have a feelin' I know where those buggers yer lookin' for might be. Come with me." She stated gesturing for him to follow
Before long they were riding from the castle into the forest. As they road through the underbrush his eyes traveled the area around them. He couldn't help but smile in wonder this world was full of beautiful nature. With a jerk Merida pulled her horse to a stop her eyes staring straight ahead wide in surprise.
"Aye is that one of yer wee buggers?" She asked pointed a finger ahead
In front of them stood a large bear its black hide spiked. Its eyes glowed purple as it snarled at them baring its monstersous fangs. With lumbering steps the beast charged only to met with an arrow to the chest. With a hop he was off the horse strolling over to the strange creature. With a flick of his wrist an odd blade appeared in his waiting hand.
The slender blade was black metal with a square guard. The end of the blade had a strange shape it looked like the teeth of a skeleton key. A loop was at the bottom of the blade like something was missing from it. As he swung his blade the beast's head shot up snagging the blade tossing him aside. As he tumbled to the side Merida fired multiple arrows into its neck.
Pointing his blade like a wand the stranger summoned lightning. Striking from the sky the bolt struck the arrows like lightning rods. Slowly the beast faded into nothingness black wisps floating on the wind. Dismissing his blade he stood only to be met with a look of surprise. Ignoring it he returned to the horse hoping back on.
"Don't be thinkin' we be just be goin' back without you plainin yerself" Merida muttered crossing her arms
"Look it's hard to explain but the short version is my name is Duncan I'm a keyblade warrior hunting heartless." Duncan stated with a sigh
"Ah so what now?" She asked
"I close the keyhole and leave for home." He replied
"Then there's something we gotta do first." She announced
Before long he sat on a mountain side over looking the forest. At his side Merida sat taking in the veiw of the cloudy midday sky. She watched as the clouds shifted taking the form of a keyhole. Raising a brow she stared at the strange object in the sky nudging Duncan. Blinking he spun to her following her gaze to the keyhole.
"Looks like we found the keyhole." He chuckled summoning his keyblade
"Now that ya found it use yer magic key on it." She muttered eyes locked on the keyhole
"Right right locking the keyhole." He mumbled aiming his blade
A beam of light shot from his key hitting the keyhole dead center. A quiet click filled the air as the keyhole faded. Once the keyhole was completely gone rain began to fall on them in light sprinkles Turning to him Merida turned him before bursting into a fit of laughter. A few seconds later he was laughing along with her. In unison they fell back onto the grass looking up at the dark sky.
"What're the other worlds like out there?" She asked putting her arms behind her head
"I'm not supposed to talk about that I could get in trouble with my master." He grumbled casting a spell with his key
A crystal like barrier appeared above them as the force of the rain increased. The downpour bounced against the sheild before sliding down. On contact it caused a rainbow of colors to appear on the crystal each different from the last. Her eyes alight with amazement Merida watched as the colors appeared on the shield. He gave a slight smile at her awe allowing his blade to vanish.