Hey everyone, I'm sorry I kept the eprologue very vague. I don't want to give too much information about Ilene because it's explained more in the story. Well here's chapter one enjoy. Oh, and this story time frame takes place from Merida's birthday in the movie, and between the actual movie.

Chapter 1: Birthday

The sun rose over the land of Dumbrock. Over the vast green highlands and forests, this was the perfect place to live. Especially if you were the princess and today was your birthday.

Today the feisty princess rose with the sun and a smile. Merida was full of excitement and joy for her special day. She ran to the window sill, climbed up and looked upon the beautiful land. Her smile was as bright as the sun when she looked upon the forest. She didn't know why, but she was drawn to the forest as if it as calling her name. "Merida!" a voice called for her.

Merida smiled and ran to hide; this voice belonged to her mother Queen Elinor. Her mother was a kind, caring, and loving woman who was also Merida's best friend. As a princess she didn't have anybody to play with, when her mother had time she enjoyed every minute of it. But as a queen, Elinor couldn't attend to her daughter every hour of the day. The queen did not know this, but Merida was lonely.

"Merida?" the queen said as she entered into the room. She smiled as she noticed that her precious girl was not in bed as she normally would be, but was hiding in a corner behind her study desk. Who wouldn't notice the mess of fiery red hair?

"Well, I don't see my little birthday girl anywhere." She stated and started to slowly walk to the door "I guess I'll have to cancel all the events for the day."

"Roar!" Merida yelled as she ran from her hiding spot and grabbed her mother's leg.

"Now, who is this wee devil that's got my leg? Oh help!" she sits on the floor "The beast has captured me!"

Merida held up her hands like claws "I'm the demon bear Mordu!"

The queen frowned "Now where did you hear of that?"

"Daddy."

"Och" she lifted her daughter up and set her in her lap. "Yur father should not be tellin you those frightening stories."

"I like them" Merida stated.

Elinor couldn't help but smile "Well, I'm the mum. What do mum bears do to their babies?" She began to tickle her. Merida squealed with laughter and tried to run away, but Elinor only held on tighter and showered her face with motherly kisses.

After a few moments Elinor stood Merida up in her lap so they were face to face. "How old is my little girl?"

Merida held up one hand "Five!" she stated proudly

"Five? Oh goodness yer soon going to be older than me" she stated. Merida giggled

"I'm gonna find daddy." She stated. Her mother smiled, planted one last kiss on her daughter's forehead and let her go.

She watched her daughter leave run out of the room, smiled as she knew that nothing could compare with her love for her precious fiery young lady.

That day was full of events for Merida's birthday. The king and queen let go of their duties for one day for Merida. They rode horses, then went on a picnic outing. They played games, ate, and gave Merida her gifts. Merida was ecstatic when her father gave her a bow; this was a gift she had been begging for. "Can we practice?" Merida stated

"Of course!" Fergus stated. Elinor was less than excited.

No one is a master at archery the first day. Merida shot an arrow up into the sky. "I missed" she stated sadly.

"Go and fetch it then" her mother said. Merida handed her the bow and ran after the arrow. As soon as Merida was out of hearing she looked at Fergus sternly and said "A bow Fergus!" she hands him the bow "She's a lady." He pinches her, and she playfully slaps him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were giving her a bow?"

"Honestly, I knew you wouldn't let her have it." Elinor looked upset "Darling, she had been begging for one, and I want my wee lass to be able to protect herself, besides princess or not learnin to fight is essential."

Elinor scoffed "Well, I can't take it from her now. "she pointed at her husband "But, you will watch her and If she hurts herself.."

"She won't, I promise" he said with a sincere smile. Elinor smiled knowing that she could trust her husband and they embrace for a few moments. As soon as they released, like a sudden storm Elinor got a sick feeling of worry in the pit of her stomach. As if something terrible as happened or is going to happen.

As calm as she could she called out "Merida! Come along sweetheart we're leaving now." A huge sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw her wee red haired lass run over the hill.

She should have trusted her intuition.