Hey thanks for the support I hope you enjoy this chapter. and this will be the last major time jump.
xQueenxElsax to answer your question I didn't mean to Henry out of the last chapter but he is older than Roland and Merida so I apologize for the concern :-)
Merida grew into a lovely young lady; she learned how to be elegant from her mother. Regina made sure her daughter walked and spoke properly. Merida and Regina's relationship slowly drifted apart. Manly because Merida hated being restricted and Regina wouldn't allow her to use magic. Merida loved her time with Robin. She was becoming a great archer like her father. She love the freedom to run around without having the rules enforced.
Merida woke up late one morning, she jumped out of bed knowing that it was her one day of the week Regina allows to relax and not worry about lessons. She ran downstairs to the dining hall, to see Regina and Robin sitting on opposite ends of the table with the twenty-two year old Roland sitting on one side. The three were eating their eggs and potatoes. She stepped over to the table to grab a pastry and placed it in her mouth; so she can quickly can head out on her day.
Regina wants to have meals together with the family with Roland at the age where he will move out at anytime, and Merida's relationship with her drifting. She wanted to capture this time as much as possible. "Merida, wouldn't you rather eat sitting down." She pointed at the empty chair.
The dark blonde sixteen year old who was wanting to go have time to herself, stopped in her tracks to slowly turn back to the family to please her mother. She sighed out a smile, "Yes mother I would love to sit." She explained as she placed her bow on the corner of the table before she sat down.
Regina looked at the bow that she has asked on multiple occasions to not place on the table. Regina quietly cleared her throat to her daughter as she took a bite of her eggs.
Merida was so carefree she would forget some of the basic rules. "Sorry mother," Merida slowly placed her bow next to her lap.
"What are your plans for the days you do remember your brother is coming tonight with Grace."Regina reminded her daughter and loved when Henry comes to visit.
Merida remembered every time Henry comes to visit the family, because Regina doesn't pay attention to Merida's etiquette as much. "Yes Mother how can I not, and I am gonna go ride Angus while practice some shooting."
"Yeah? How has horse back going?" Robin smiled questioning Merida.
Merida smiled to her dad getting really excited about talking to her shooting to her mentor. "It's going really great I actually manage to pull a you last week." She explained as took a bite out of her pastry.
"Oh yeah, that's excellent."
"Thank you Daddy. Maybe you can join me today."
"Sorry sis we have plans with Uncle J to go fishing." Roland smirked.
Merida wasn't too disappointed about not having Robin joining her or not being invited to hang out with boys. "That's okay, maybe we can do it some other time,"
"Merida if you like we can go riding together." Regina suggested to her daughter.
"Thanks for the offer mother, but I know you are busy. I should go." Merida got up from the table after her final bite. She took another pastry to stash it in her pocket for later. She ran outside with her bow.
Robin could see the heartache on his darling's wife face, after their daughter would rather be off by herself than spend time with Regina "Cheer up darling it will be okay."
"I hope so."
Merida went down to the stables to hop on Angus. She being the non traditional princess that she is preferred riding bare back instead of using a saddle. Angus and her knew each other well enough that she can do that with him. She loves when Angus would run through the woods. She had the wind in her hair and nothing was holding her back. Every once and while she would pull out an arrow out of her quiver for her to shoot targets she made for herself on her trail.
Merida and Angus took time to relax near a creek in the forest that was quiet far from the palace. Merida loved being alone because she can do what she loves the most to play with magic. She didn't like that she was keeping a secret from her parents, but she believes that they will never understand. Merida enjoyed the feeling of her being about to control elements through her fingers. When she focused her mind to tell what she controls to do in fact actually cleared her mind.
Merida walked up to the creek, she closed her eyes and a deep breath to figure out what she wanted to do. Once she thought of it, she looked at the water. She placed her hand over the water to create little bubbles shapes as people. She made them skate on water. Angus made a noise as he was chewing on grass. Merida looked at her beloved companion with a smirk, "Fine. I can do better." Merida looked back to her creatures to combined them to create a life size creature. The water creature took out out its hand and pulled her on water for a dance.
A few moments after she started the dance, Merida heard a twig snap. She lost her focus causing her to fall into the creek with the creatures water falling on her too. "Who's there?" She called out.
A deep chuckle walked closer to Merida after she called it out. "It's okay, I won't hurt you." The young man responded as he put his hand out to help her up.
Merida was shocked by the young man stand there. He wasn't necessarily a man; he stood there with ears that pointed like an elf, and piercing blue eyes. But the main thing she couldn't miss was the massive wings on his back that were larger than him. She was found speechless.
He smirked at the wet teenager, "Then I guess you want to stay wet in the creek."
"Uh, no." She nervously smiled as she took his hand. He pulled her up, "Thank you," She tried to contain from being completely speechless as he pulled her up and their eyes met. "Who are you?"
"I don't know if I should answer that." The blonde boy teased.
"Well this area has been mine little secret spot since I can remember, why are you here?" Merida was trying to figure this unique person.
"I guess it isn't really a secret anymore." He liked the spunk that Merida had, "I was watching your magic."
Merida smirk at this weird flirting that they were having. "I'm not sure if I know if you are talking about." She walked towards Angus.
"Okay, well to let you know I mean no hard. I'm Eragon son Maleficent." He said with his hand out once again for a handshake.
Merida remember that name from Regina talking about it in her history lessons. "Hey." Her smile grew, "That means you are fairy aren't you?" She asked him.
"You know most people usually follow my statement with their name." Eragon suggested.
"Right, my name is Merida." She stuck her hand out.
"The princess," He asked as he took her hand to be the gentleman to kiss her hand.
Merida so saw the his head was facing the ground for the moment and really wanted to touch the massive wings. She was going to be the lady that Regina has raised, and resist the temptation. "I do believe you haven't answered my question."
Eragon stood up to look at the young princess once again, "Yes I am, well sort of my mother is one and my father isn't that is why I'm one of those tiny things." He chuckled as he has never really been a fan of the fairy community.
"Oh okay, so you were watching my magic, was it good?" She wanted to hear someone give her tips since she isn't allowed use it in front of her mother.
"Yes, it was cute."
Merida was slightly offended with her passionate being called cute, "Oh and you can do better."
Eragon took a grabbed a handful of grass. He made sure she watched, and waved his hand over it. Merida watched the pieces of grass turned into a tulip in a unique color of red and purple mixed together. He smiled as he handed her the flower, "Yes, I can."
"Whoa, can you teach me that?" She took the flower and placed it on her ear.
"Yes. I would like that."
Angus made noises to get her attention, she looked back at her horse and the sun that is getting ready to set, "I suppose I do have to get back," Merida finally hopped on Angus and looked at Eragon. "Next week?"
"Okay, I'll see you then."
Merida lead Angus to have them move back towards the castle. "Bye." She called out as she looked back to her newest friend.
Merida return to the castle to greet Henry and his wife Grace. The family enjoyed the feast while they played caught up. They were sitting in the dining hall. Merida wasn't really saying or eating much at dinner. She was thinking about Eragon and she has someone she can talk about magic.
"So we have some wonderful news." Henry called.
"Oh yes?" Regina asked her eldest son.
Henry took Grace's hand he looked at her and then to his mother. "We are with child." Henry smiled about his family.
"Please tell me you aren't kidding." Regina loving this idea.
Grace looked at her mother in law, as she held her stomach. "We aren't."
Regina looked Grace the daughter of one of her companions and was completely thrilled the news. "This is wonderful."
The night's mood changed from a gathering to a celebration. The boys ending up walking outside and having conversations. Regina and Grace talked about the pregnancy. This gave Merida the opportunity to head upstairs. She laid down on her bed and stared at the flower wanting to be able to do that trick.
She tried for a few minutes to change an orange to an apple, until it was time for to get ready for bed. Merida finally stood up from her bed to placed her unique tulip in her armoire. "It's pretty." Regina stated as she entered the room.
"Mom." she quickly closed the door and turned to her mother. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to make sure you are okay, you were really quiet at dinner." Regina stated knowing her daughter.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"Okay," Regina walked over to Merida to kiss her daughter's forehead. She gave her a half smile, "Well you have a good night."
Merida did love spending time with her mom when she wasn't pressuring her to be a elegant princess. "Um mom." She stopped Regina who was heading out of the room. Regina looked at her. "Can you braid my hair for bed."
Regina loved that Merida called her back causing her to smile, "I would love to."
The two sat down on Merida's bed. Merida handed Regina her brush for her mother to be able to fix her hair. They both enjoyed the quality time that they were sharing each other. "Mom, how did you and dad meet?" She asked.
"He saved me from a flying monkey." She chuckled thinking how crazy their story is.
"You get along?"
"Actually no, I preferred to not be around him. He pushed all my buttons." She remembered the past and seeing that Merida enjoys pressing her buttons now. "But his charm work, and I adore your brother, and we have been together since." She stated neglecting to tell Merida about the tattoo and Tinkerbell. Regina wasn't going to ask about the boy that she was clearly thinking about, and who gave the flower to her.
She wanted to shift the subject to not ask too many questions on that topic. She thought of Henry's and Grace's news. "So how do you feel about becoming a grandmother. Do you feel old?" Merida once again started pushing Regina's buttons.
"Ha ha, I don't. What about you Auntie?" She laughed and was thrilled that they were joking around with each other.
"Well one brother is fourteen years older than you. I'm not old. I was just expecting this to happen soon." She explained not shaking by her age.
"Okay you are done." Regina stated as she stood up from the bed. She looked in Merida's blue eyes. "I am excited to see this family growing, and I'm not old."
Merida smiled with from their minutes, and quickly wrapped her arms Regina's neck. She brought her in for a tight hug. "I love you mom."
Regina's heart melted when she saw Merida's smile and heart her words. She embraced the hug of her teenager. "I love you kiddo, you have a good night sleep."
I hope you enjoy the surprise and I hope you like where I'm gonna go with this story. Please Review.