Siobhan tied back her long blond hair to prepare for the confrontation. She strapped on her weapons, mounted her white steed, Quicks, and followed her queen into the forest. She'd been Queen Merida's right hand maiden since her ascension to the throne two years ago, after the death of Merida's parents. Today, her queen and the princes needed her more than they'd ever had before.
Thought night had fallen, there wasn't a moment to spare. A secession of small blue flames, the will-o-wisps, marked the path Quicks and the queen's horse, Angus, followed. AS the horses tore through the light-less forest, Siobhan kept her solemn blue eyes glued to her queen. They raced to the ominous rock slabs that were held sacred by their people. The rocks were over 15 feet tall, irregularly shaped, and a stormy dark gray color. They stood in a circle, a ring of mystery and magic.
"Where are my brothers?" Merida demanded. The silence was oppressive. At last, a tall, slender form appeared on the other side of the rocks.
"Queen Merida, to what do I owe this pleasure?" The woman smiled menacingly, baring all her awful, half-rotten teeth. On that warm summer night, the woman wore only a thin black robe. She was skeletal, pale as the moon, and worn as the rock she leaned on.
"Where. Are. My. Brother?" Merida snarled viciously, drawing her bow. Siobhan follower her queen's lead and unsheathed her sword.
"I told you to come alone." the woman stated with false hurt.
Merida raised her bow higher "She goes wherever I go."
The woman wagged her finger as if scolding a child, "If you kill me, I won't be able to tell you where I've hidden the boys."
"What do you want with my brothers?"
"Nothing. I'm interested in you, little queen."
The eighteen year old queen took a deep breath. "You want a trade? Me for them?"
"My queen you can't." Siobhan cried.
"Quiet." Merida scolded "What are your terms?"
"Be the witch." the woman said simply.
Merida's forehead wrinkled. "What does that mean?"
"You've been touched by the magic of the will-o-wisps, haven't you? You could be their witch."
"That's what you want? What game are you playing?" Merida narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not the one playing." the woman responded cryptically, "You cannot free them until you do so."
"My queen, she must have an ulterieur motive." Siobhan warned.
Merida nodded. "I know, but I don't have much of a choice." she turned to aide "If I never return, know that I'm proud to have fought beside you."
"Please don't talk like that my queen."
"Whatever happens, don't get involved, you understand." she whispered. "Be brave Siobhan." Siobhan nodded shakily. Putting her weapons and dismounting Angus, Merida moved to the center of the rock formation. "I accept." she declared.
In that instant, dark, heavy clouds swirled overhead, the wind began to roar, and the air became saturated with a sinister magic. Angus and Quicks panicked, knocking Siobhan to the ground, and launching the sword out of grasp. The horse fled, leaving Siobhan alone to witness the unfolding horror.
"Give me my brothers!" Merida roared.
The woman snapped her fingers "You can have them. My master's got the real prize."
The princes appeared on the outskirts of the rock formation, shaken but unharmed. Siobhan gathered her wits, dived for her sword and ran to them, shielding them with her body and holding the sword high.
Dozens of will-o-wisps surrounded Merida in a tight circle. Cackling madly, the woman dissolved into a ugly blue shadow and shot forward to strike the young queen. But before she could, a pillar of blue fire a hundred feet tall engulfed the queen. Merida vanished.
"Merida!" Siobhan screamed, tears exploding her eyes. The three princes were frozen in horror and bewilderment.
The woman shifted back to her human form and shrieked in fury. Then, a ray of gold light streamed down upon her. "No please! Have mercy, my lord! I tried!" the woman began to sob hysterically "I almost had her! You the Man in the Moon is too strong the me! Master please!" The woman's elongated body was lighted into the light, and faded away as if burned.
The storm settled, and survivors returned a kingdom without a queen.
A/N: So this is Merida's introduction and how she became a guardian. I hope you pay close attention to this part because what happened here is gonna real important later.