DISCLAIMER: Still don't own Brave.

Goodness, I've written like four stories in one day. I think that's a record.


"Mum!" I sob her name and fall to my knees, burying my face into her fur. I see the beast side coming out, but I don't care. If she kills me I deserve it. That would be far better than living without her, living with myself and knowing I will never have my mother back because of my own selfishness. "Oh, Mum, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault, I did this to you…"

How did this happen? My mother and I used to be so close. How did I let my own pride cut our bond and reduce me to almost hating her? My mind drifts back over the years; she's always been there for me, and I was so ungrateful…

*FLASH*

"BEAR!" I scream. I recognize the scarred face and evil eyes from old stories; it's Mor'du, the demon bear. I hide my face in my mother's shoulder as she wraps her arms protectively around me, leaping away from him.

"RUN!" my father roars. But I don't hear him; all I know is that Mum protected me, and she could have easily been killed by one blow of his mighty paw.

I cry in fear then, and although Mum tries to shush me, she doesn't know that it's not Mor'du frightening me.

*FLASH*

"Merida?"

I moan and open my eyes. My whole body aches from fever, and I am shaking with chills. My mother smiles softly and brushes my forehead with cool fingers. "Are you feeling any better, my brave one?"

I just shake my head, too miserable to speak. Mum sits down on the edge of my bed and strokes my cheek tenderly. "The draught I gave you should take effect soon. I'll stay here until you fall asleep again, shall I?"

I close my eyes again, tilting my head into her caress. "I….I love you," I mutter.

Her lips softly touch my brow. "I love you too, brave one."

*FLASH*

"I'll always be here," my mother says softly, kissing my forehead as I snuggle close against her chest. My eyes drift shut listening to her heartbeat, and I know no matter what, Mum won't let anything happen to me.

*FLASH*

I squeeze her tighter, my entire body aching with grief. "I love you," I whisper. And then—impossibly, incredibly—I feel my mother's hand caressing my hair. I gasp, hardly daring to hope, pull back—and my eyes meet my mother's warm dark brown ones. My human mother. "Mum!" I cry as she kisses my face over and over again, and now the tears on my cheeks are ones of relief. I throw my arms around her and say a silent prayer of thanks to whomever is listening, for giving both of us this second chance. I know things still may not be easy, but we'll be together and that's all I care about.