Note: Felt it was in poor taste to leave you with a little chapter that technically isn't really a real chapter. So here's the real chapter. Tell me what you think. There is no update schedule yet.

Merida

A banging sound woke her up and she jerked awake to see her mother barge in with a look of panic on her face. Her mother usually never lost her composure. And she most certainly didn't go around the castle wearing only her sleeping garments. Something was wrong.

"Put some clothes on," Elinor said already hauling out a dress and a cloak. Merida quickly scrambled out of bed.

"What's goin' on?" she asked as she took the offered clothing and began removing her own night gown.

"The village is being attacked. It's only a matter of time before the invaders make their way ta the castle. You and your brothers need to run away into the woods and hide. Go wait for me at the stone circles."

Merida paused, eyes wide, and twirled towards her mother. "What? Run? But I can help. I can defend the castle from -,"

"No, Merida," she said, her voice cold as she hurriedly helped her dress, forcing Merida to stand still. "I need you ta do as I say and not ta fight me on this."

"But mother!"

"No buts," she snapped and Merida bit her tongue with frustration. Seeing this, Elinor sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "I need you to protect your brothers. Please. Don't do anything rash."

Protect her brothers. Of course. How selfish of her not to think of her brothers. Her shoulders sagged and her face became grave. "Ye're right mum." She reached and took her mother's hand in hers, only then realizing how shaken the queen was. Softly, she said, "Donnae worry. I'll watch over them."

Elinor gave her a smile of relief and patted her hand. "Thank you dear. Now finish up." She turned back to the door, watching as a terrified maid ran past. She bit her lip as she said, "The triplets are already waiting for you by the stables with Maudie. I asked Ivor to accompany you as an extra hand. He should have already prepared the horses." She turned back to her daughter and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "I need to go and check on your father. He's organizing the men."

"What about ye?" Merida asked as she adjusted the cloak over her shoulders. "Aren't ye coming with us?" Elinor pulled the hood over her daughter's head, hiding the mess of extremely recognizable red curls.

"I need to stay and calm the women and children. There are already refugees inside the castle walls and more are on their way. My presence will give hope to the people and prevent them from panicking."

Merida nodded. "Right," but inside her stomach churned with tension and worry. She didn't want her mother near any of the fighting. What if the invaders somehow managed to get past the soldiers and make their way inside the castle? Her mother would be helpless as would all the women and children. They had no idea who these invaders were and what their plans were. It was at that precise moment that it dawned on her.

They were being invaded.

"Come now," Elinor said urging her daughter out the door but Merida shook out of her hold to go back and retrieve her bow and sword. She placed the bow and arrows over her shoulders and carried the sword in her firm grip. If anyone tried to attack her she would be ready. The Queen said nothing and took her hand in hers as they walked with quick strides towards the stables.

Everyone they passed was in a rush to get somewhere. Some of the maids were openly crying as they prepared a medical area for the inevitable injured. Others were bustling about getting extra blankets and food for the scared and wet villagers that were filtering into the warmth of the grand hall. Merida couldn't help but stare at the sight of mothers and children bleeding, crying, and shivering.

"Lady Queen," they cried as they saw her descending down the stairs.

"What's happening?"

"Is it the Angles?"

"Please! Someone help. My baby's so cold."

Elinor paused at the bottom of the stairs. Her white gown hung off her body like silk water and everyone stared at her with wonder.

"Merida. Go," she said softly. "Tell the boys that I love them and that I'll see them soon." Before Merida could respond, her mother moved away from her and began addressing the room. Her voice rang loud and true and Merida gazed at her mother, graceful and queenly even now, and wanted nothing more than to hug her. But she held back and instead committed her image into memory before silently making her way to the stables.

Outside it was even more chaotic. Men were yelling out orders to assemble on top of the castle walls. The gates were closed but not barred incase the warriors outside needed to make a hasty retreat. She new her father was out there trying to push the invaders back to where they came from.

She ran to the stables where it was much calmer. She spotted Ivor immediately but as she drew nearer she realized there was something missing.

Or rather, four someones.

"Where are the Triplets and Maudie?" she demanded.

Ivor winced and scratched his bright read beard. Merida wasn't very familiar with Ivor. He was a new warrior, recently promoted from castle guard. He was young, perhaps in his mid twenties, short and compact. He didn't look very intimidating but he did look capable. Although now she was having her doubts.

"Princess Merida." He had a twang of an Irish accent. He paused as if collecting his thoughts. She crossed her arms and waited. He coughed nervously. "The young princes ran off towards the wall when they heard about the battle. Maud ran after them but that was five minutes ago and they haven't come back."

The blood rushed from her head. The walls were the least safe place to be. They could get shot by the enemy or they could fall if they weren't careful. "And you didnae try to help?" she accused as she turned and started running for the gates. Ivor jogged up behind her looking guilty.

"I couldn't. The wee de – uh, princes, kicked me in the gonads." He looked pained simply recalling it. "I'm afraid I was out of commission for a while."

They stopped as they tried to take in their surroundings. Merida didn't know what to say to his confession. So she ignored him in favor of looking up for a familiar batch of red hair. She squinted and aimed her eyes along the length of the wall. There! She could see them dangling their heads over the edge of the west wall, facing the ocean. Maudie was behind them looking terrified.

"Stay here," she told Ivor.

He nodded and pulled out his sword.

Merida ran to the nearest stairs and took two at a time as she hurried to her brothers who were so very close to the edge.

"Boys!" she hissed.

They snapped their heads towards her and smiled. They pointed at something in the distance and Merida finally took in the sight that she hadn't paid attention to, too focused on the boys. Dunbroch. On fire. Despite the rain, the village was burning bright.

"Lord," she breathed as she strode forward, hand over her mouth. How was it possible that Dunbroch could be reduced to this in only an hour? She shivered as, over the sound of the rain, wind, and thunder, she heard the sounds of screams and swords clashing. This…

No, she couldn't freeze up. Clicking her mouth shut, she turned towards her brothers and marched over to them. They wavered at the sight of her face and were easily snatched up in Merida's arms.

"Maudie!" she yelled, snapping the terrified maid back into her senses long enough that she moved to follow her as she descended back down. All the while mumbling, "This is terrible. Terrible. What are we going to do?"

Ivor was waiting for them at the bottom with a very grim face. He immediately reached and grabbed two of the princes. "We have to leave. Now. I just heard one of the sentries yell out a warning. They're at the gates. Some of them must have gone around King Fergus's army."

"What do we do?" Maudie cried, her lips quivering. She wringed her hands. "We can't get out anymore. We're trapped." She hugged Hamish to her bosom like if he was a rag toy.

Merida pursed her lips and then remembered the well. She smiled despite herself. "I know another way out. Come on. Follow me."

"I'll get the horses," Ivor said, moving to go fetch them but Merida's hand on his arm stopped him.

"We cannae take the horses. They won't fit." She swallowed, realizing that she was not only leaving her mum and dad behind, but Angus too. Her most beloved friend. She forced herself to say the next words without quivering. "This way."

Surprisingly the triplets were quiet and she spared them a quick glance. They looked pale and they clung to their respective carriers with white knuckles. They'd finally realized that this wasn't a game.

The area around the well was also abandoned. With the sound of the gates being pounded down, Merida guessed most were either around the entrance to defend incase the door was broken down, or on the wall slowing down the invaders with arrows, or inside the castle seeking shelter. Merida leaned her sword against the stone as she grabbed the rope and hauled up the bucket.

"Maudie," Merida called. The maid stepped forward with Hamish in her arms. "Give Hamish to Ivor. Good. Now grab a hold of the rope. Tight though. I'm goin' ta let you doon slowly. Donnae be scared. Ye're goin' ta get wet but the bank is only a couple of feet away and it isnae very deep."

Maudie looked unsure but upon hearing the thundering crash against the door, she sucked her breath and did as she was told. Merida grunted as she held on to the rope. The added weight strained her muscles but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Slowly she started to take Maudie down inch by inch. It took a good ten minutes.

"Are ye alright?" she called down into the well after Maudie touched the water.

"Yes," she echoed back.

"Good. I'm goin' ta drop doon the triplets now. Could ye wait by the water and make sure they donnae get wet?"

The triplet's descent went by faster because they could actually fit in the bucket.

"Your turn, princess," Ivor said as he took hold of the rope. Merida nodded, not bothering to debate it. She picked up her sword and wrapped herself around the rope. Once she was secure she gave Ivor a small nod, telling him to start lowering her. The descent was slow and her heart thundered in her chest as the sounds from outside faded away only to be replaced by the immensely hallow sound of the underground tunnel. Her feet touched the water and she let go of the rope.

She cupped her hand over her mouth. "Alright Ivor. Yer turn." She waited to see his feet dangling from the edge before she sloshed around and wadded over to the bank. She could see Maudie shivering, surrounded by the triplets who were petting her hair (which had come out of its bun sometime around chasing the boys and having to be lowered down a well). Hubert quickly rushed over when Merida crawled onto the small bank. He petted her hair and she smiled gently at him.

There was a loud curse and a splash as Ivor fell the last couple of feet into the water. His head snapped up, water dripping from his short red hair as he tried to get back on his feet. Unfortunately for him, he slipped and went crashing back down.

Merida couldn't help it. She started to giggle but covered her mouth to try to stifle it. Her brothers weren't so discreet. Harris immediately busted out into a fit of giggles, Hamish joining in soon after. Of the three only Hubert didn't laugh; too tired and clinging to Merida for warmth.

Ivor scowled at them but then chuckled at himself as he crawled to the dry bank. "Heheh, I guess it was rather funny." He plopped down a few feet away from Merida and Hubert, taking his boots off and ridding them of stones.

They sat in silence for a while, recovering, until Merida decided they couldn't stay there much longer. They needed to move. By the time she pulled herself up to her feet, Hubert was fast asleep in her arms and Harris was dozing off next to Maudie. Only Hamish looked alert.

"Time ta go," she whispered and both Maudie and Ivor nodded grimly. Ivor picked up Harris and Merida shook her head at his offer of carrying Hubert too.

"It's alright. I have him."

Hamish walked silently beside Maudie holding onto her dress. It was dark and Merida wished she'd had enough foresight to bring a torch to light their way. Maudie was mumbling a prayer, hands clasped together under her chin.

Ivor quickened his pace so he was walking next to her. "So how long is this?" he whispered (or tried to but Merida had a feeling that he didn't really know how to whisper).

"We're close. Keep yer eyes peeled."

Sure enough, they stumbled out into the fresh air not soon after. Ivor whistled at the sight of the bridge. "Wow, I didn't even know this secret passage way was here. How did you find it?"

"Me mum told meh about it," Merida said and refused to say anything else about it.

"Oh, are you tired young prince?" Maudie whispered as she bent down to pick up Hamish. Merida smiled before turning her attention back to the matter at hand. Hubert shifted in her hold as she jostled him by accident trying to get across the rocks. Merida was thinking on what their next course of action was. They didn't have horses so they would have to walk to the stone circle. It was a long ways off.

Not like we can go back, she thought as she looked back. The bridge was covering her view of the castle but she could clearly hear the war raging on. She hoped her parents were safe.

"Wish I'd brought my water proof boots," Ivor muttered as he struggled behind Merida. They were crossing over to the other side where the forest lay when they heard voices. Immediately Ivor reached out and pushed Merida down. Because of the sudden movement, Maudie startled and slid a bit, causing a couple of rocks to shift and roll back into the water creating a loud splash.

"You hear that?" someone said. It took a second for Merida to realize that they weren't speaking Gaelic but Norse.

Vikings…

Apparently Ivor understood enough to realize who the invaders were too. They traded panicked looks. They needed to move fast or else they'd be found. Hating what she was about to do, she woke Hubert and Harris up.

"Shh," she said as they were set on their little feet. She pushed them towards Maudie who was still holding an extremely alarmed Hamish.

"Maudie," Merida whispered. "I need ye to take the young princes and hide. We'll distract the Northmen. When ye see a chance, run into the woods and donnae look back. I know ye know the way to the circle but donnae go just yet. Wait until it's quiet. Just hide deep enough in the forest that they wonnae see ye but still near enough that ye wonnae get lost. Understood?"

Maudie looked lost. "B-b-but,"

"Nae, listen, Maudie." Merida took a hold of her face. "I need ye to promise me ye'll look after the princes. Alright?"

Maudie nodded even though she looked like she was about to faint. "I promise. Nothing bad will happen to the young princes." She swallowed and started guiding them away to a boulder not far off. "Come along."

The triplets looked at their sister with worry and hesitated. Hubert even tried to worm his way back but Merida shook her head. She offered them a smile of encouragement. "Be brave," she told them. "I'll be back."

"They're getting closer," Ivor whispered.

Merida shooed them along and watched them go with a twang in her heart before she shook herself out of it and pulled out her bow and arrow. She notched an arrow in place and steadied her breathing.

"I'll jump in," Ivor volunteered. They both new they needed to divert attention away from Maudie and the triplets. Merida nodded.

Grinning wildly, Ivor braced himself before charging up the incline with a semi-loud battle cry. It caught the Vikings by surprise and they faltered as he slashed at them. They quickly recovered however and pulled out their spears and axes. Merida crept up slower and let loose an arrow when she saw the perfect opening. It hit the Viking in the chest and he fell down like prey.

"There's another one," the third Viking cried and Merida gritted her teeth as she pulled out her sword.

There were five Vikings against two (not counting the two that Ivor and Merida had taken down). They were all very large wearing strangely horned helmets. This was the first time Merida had ever seen a Viking and she couldn't help but shiver in fear at the sight of them. Before she'd only heard stories from her father, which she'd taken more as fantasy rather than historical but now…here they were, staring her in the face as they jabbed and swiped at each other.

From the corner of her eyes, Merida saw Maudie and the triplets making a run for the woods. She couldn't help but hold her breath and exhale when she saw that they had made it safely. Unfortunately for her, this distraction cost her. One of the Viking men got a lucky shot and sliced open her waist. The pain was instantaneous. She cried and fell onto the ground, sword useless by her side.

"Princess Merida!" Ivor cried. He sliced through one of the Viking's hands as he tried to get over to her. He was forced to freeze when he saw that the Viking that had taken her down grabbed her by her hair and yanked her up.

Merida hissed in pain and would have collapsed back onto the floor if it weren't for the fact that the Viking was holding her up by the waist, supporting her despite how much pressure it was putting on her wound. The others immediately jumped on Ivor and held him down, face pressed up against the dirt.

The fight was over. They had lost.

Merida tried to swallow but her head was being pulled back in an awkward angle. She wondered what they would do to them now. She closed her eyes and tried to renew her struggled but she only succeeded in causing herself more pain.

"This one's a fighter," the one holding her said.

"We should kill her, like she killed Wart."

There was a stretch of silence where she felt the Viking holding her inspecting her face. "No, we should take her as prisoner. She looks important. Don't you think?"

"How should I know? Fine, we'll keep her. What about this one?" he said and kicked at Ivor who cursed back at him.

"Might as well keep him too. Let Dagur decide what to do with them. To the camp! You three look down there and see where in Hel they came from. Report back to the chief on the other side. Got it?"

Most grunted their understanding.

For once, Merida praised the fact that her mother was such a strict and thorough teacher. If it wasn't for her, Merida would never have learned Norse and she wouldn't understand a single word they were saying. As of now it was her trump card. She locked eyes with Ivor and gave him a silent message.

Donnae struggle. Donnae give them a reason ta kill ye.

He understood because he allowed himself to be hauled to his feet and, despite cursing them all, he didn't fight or try to run away. Good. She needed Ivor if they were going to escape in the future.

"Move it," the Viking said, shoving her along. She swallowed back her cries of pain as she was forced to walk. Her wound bled profusely and she wondered if she was going to die before she could even try to escape.

The walk was a blur. By the time the Vikings took her to their camp, she was running a fever and she was extremely pale. Ivor wasn't even trying to hide his worry because he kept trying to talk to her to keep her awake.

After, everything appeared in quick flashes, blurry and littered with dark spots: falling into a heap on the grass, being carried to a room that smelled of rotting flesh and death, a vile tasting concoction was forced down her throat, hands removing her dress from her and pain when they pressed against her injury. She couldn't see Ivor but she saw many horned heads. The last thing she remembers before succumbing completely to the darkness was the sight of a large boy with green eyes. He was leering over her and she couldn't help but feel that her nightmare was only just beginning.