Chapter 3- The Witch has an assistant?

"Are we almost there? This is ruining my hair!" McIntosh exclaimed. Merida rolled her eyes. McGuffin did the same. Wee Dingwall laughed.

"We are here actually." Merida said, happily as she got off of her horse. McIntosh got off his horse, he fell onto the ground. Merida laughed and McIntosh's face turned red in embarrassment. McGuffin easily got of his horse, and Wee Dingwell did too.

"This is it?" McIntosh scoffed. Merida nodded her head and walked towards the home. The three boys followed. She knocked on the door. A small woman opened the door and waved them inside. Merida smiled and walked in. The young suitors walked in too, but a bit more weary.

"Welcome dear." The Witch said. Merida looked around.

"This looks a bit more….organized than the last time I came."

The floors were cleaner. And everything wasn't as crowded. If anything, the room looked bigger. Wooden objects and statues were against the wall. Leaving the middle of the room and the doorway empty.

The Witch nodded her head.

"This is the Witch? She's just an old hag!" McIntosh explained. McGuffin looked almost embarrassed that McIntosh would say such a word. Merida looked shocked at his blunt rudeness. The Witch frowned. She snapped her fingers. McIntosh tried to talk, but couldn't. It was as if his mouth were sewed together. McIntosh waved his arms frantically and tried to speak. Laughter echoed through the small home. Merida (and the others) looked around, Who laughed?

The Witch smiled innocently and she didn't speak. A young man, about Merida's age, stepped through a hidden door on the wall. His hair was darker and blacker then McIntosh's. He had some type of sword on his back. Merida gasped when she saw his eyes, His eyes are as blue as the lake, maybe even more so. The new guest wore a dark green tunic-shirt, a darker green belt, and gray trousers, Where is his footwear? Merida thought confused. McIntosh looked insulted that someone laughed at him. But he didn't know that McGuffin and Dingwall were chuckling quietly behind his back.

"I'm Danny." The new fellow said, he looked at McIntosh amused, "I take it he insulted the Witch."

Danny chuckled softly. Everyone thought that Danny was a strange name, but didn't say anything on the subject.

McIntosh looked more insulted, he crossed his arms and huffed since he couldn't talk.

"Why are ya her'? Merida asked.

Danny smiled, as did the Witch.

"He's my new assistant." The Witch said. Merida, McGuffin, Dingwall, and McIntosh gasped. Well, McIntosh tried to gasp, and he had a look of disbelief on his face.

"Assistant?" Merida asked. Danny nodded his head.

"Why are you here?" Danny asked. Merida sniffled and her eyes got teary.

"My parents…everyone. Turned to stone by an evil wizard. He said his name was Arnoldus."

Merida fell to her knees and started to cry. Danny patted her back awkwardly. He then sighed and got down on his knees. Merida looked at him. Danny looked her in the eyes, his eyes were blue and filled with confidence. Her eyes were filled with tears.

"It's going to be okay."

Merida almost believed him from the way he said it. He stood up and held out his hand. Merida accepted it and got up with his help. The young suitors glared at Danny.

"Arnoldus? Hmm… why have you come here?" The Witch asked.

"I made a deal with him. He wouldn't kill everyone with I get the gem for him." Merida said.

"Gem? What gem?"

"He said it was rare and that he needed to it to help take over and destroy everything and everyone."

Danny raised an eyebrow. The Witch looked thoughtful, "I think I know what he is talking about. It's a very rare gem, only one of its kind. It is a legend though, so I am not sure why he thought it was real." The Witch shook her head, "Legend said that the gem was made by the spirits of dragons. It would enable the wearer power and the ability to turn into a dragon. It is said that it glows green with black from the supernatural energy."

Merida had wide eyes, Spirits made the gem?

McGuffin, Dingwall, and McIntosh had wide eyes. Danny had a finger on his chin and looked thoughtful That sounds familiar.

"Where is it?" Merida asked.

"In a cave behind a waterfall. You must travel through the forests to reach the waterfall, it will take a three day trip."

"Thank you." Merida said as she and the suitors started to leave.

"WAIT!" The witch yelled out as she moved in front of them, "You must take my assistant with you. He can help you. No buts."

The Witch was very firm. Danny however was confused, She knows something. Still, he shrugged his shoulders.

"We don't have another horse though." Merida said. The Witch smiled, she walked outside. Everyone soon followed her. The Witch put her fingers to her mouth and whistled. The bushes and trees nearby moved. Soon, a young white horse ran to the Witch and stopped in front of her. "He can use mine. His name is Thantos."

Danny mounted the horse. Merida, and the others did as well.

"what about him?" Danny asked as he pointed to McIntosh.

"That will wear off in a few days. Good Luck!"

And they rode off.

AUTHOR NOTE:

Like it? I did. Though that may be a bit biased since I'm the writer. Yes, Thantos is the name of the horse. I really like the name, anyone who read my Danny Phantom and Teen Titan story, Phantom's New Life, would know that. Thantos is the Greek for death. How ironic that Danny is riding a horse whose name means Death?

Anyway, for once I have a plan. I know what I am gonna write and do. There is a reason behind everything….You'll just have to wait to find out.

-CWA