Fierce—Merida x OC

(Set After Brave)

Years went by since the incident with the bears, and now Merida is of age to be married and become the Queen of Dunbroch. Though her father Fergus and her mother Elinor weren't sure if she was ready, they had hoped that she would marry someone. On the night of her coronation, an attack occurred upon the kingdom, and when all of the clans went into full battle-mode, Merida was taken captive by the mysterious Black Knight.

The day after Merida's kidnapping, she came face-to-face with the Black Knight, whom happened to be the grandson of Mor'du named Caden. When Merida realized that Caden was the one who has a stronger claim to the kingdom of Dunbroch, she would do whatever it takes to keep it from collapsing, even if it meant fighting against the young prince.

What Merida doesn't realize was that Caden's true reason for taking Merida was to protect her. Merida meant more to him than the kingdom that belonged to his grandfather...and the only way that he could protect her is by marrying her. Little did either one of them know was that love would blossom between two people whom were almost alike in personalities: both aggressive in battle, but both passionate in family and in love.

Can love conquer all?

A/N: I am happy to announce that I have finished my summer class, and I've passed! Yay for me! Anyways, I hope that you'll enjoy this chapter, and hopefully more will soon come. Though I have many other stories that I have posted, and some that I'm continuing to write, I'll do my best to post as much as I possibly can before I go back to school, and before I head out of town later on in the month.

FYI: These are actual vows and prayers used in any kind of Celtic wedding ceremonies, and I have no claim over the words being said, but I'll say that they are real.

So, here's the fourth chapter!

Chapter 4

Merida and Caden faced each other, as the man of the cloth stood before them, speaking out before the crowd. "People of Scotland, we are gather to join to clans together in holy matrimony, Dunbroch and Fraser. May both clans forever be united, as are the elements and the directions of the winds that guides us along the trails to a bountiful land to protect our people. Now, if they shall please say their vows to one another?"

Caden looked at Merida, taking her right hand in his own and holding it tightly. "I, Caden of the Fraser Clan, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Merida of Dunbroch to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. From the north to the south, and from the east to the west, I pledge my vow to you as your husband and humble servant."

Soon, it was Merida's turn to repeat the vows to him. "I, Merida of Dunbroch, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Caden of the Fraser Clan to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in anyway. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. From the north to the south, and from the east to the west, I pledge my vow to you as your wife and obedient servant."

Throughout her vow, Merida had tears in her eyes, not from joy but rather from anger and sorrow. She couldn't believe that she was going through with this, and a part of her wished that this never happened. As the kind man moved to wrap a single cord of rope around their joined hands, Merida wanted to say no and flee, but in order to save her family and her kingdom, she had no choice but to become Caden's wife.

The man of the cloth started the blessing of each domains: "Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences." Upon the altar that stood in front of the man, he placed an elixir of scent, representing the scent of the air in the direction of the east.

Reaching for a candle that glowed in the light upon the twilight sky, he said, "Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart's passion. The light created by both to illuminated the darkest of times."

After placing the candle toward where he stand, then picked up the goblet of water and placed in across from the elixir. "Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea."

Finally, he picked up a single rock and moved it across from the candle. "Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. Firm foundation on which to build. Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives. A stable home to which you may always return."

As soon as the elements were placed in the directions they were intended, a bright glow of light occurred, and as the audience whom gathered for this day watched in amazement, it started to swirl around Merida and Caden. Neither one of them knew what was happening, but they could feel that the rope was burning around their joined hands. Merida started to panic, but Caden took her free hand in his and gave it a little squeeze. Merida looked into his eyes, and she knew that she could trust him, as the man continued the blessing. "Now you are bound one ot the other, with a tie not easy to break. Take the time of binding before the final vows are made. To learn what you need to know, to grow in wisdom and love. That your marriage will be strong, that your love will last in this life and beyond."

As soon as he took the cord off of them, Merida and Caden had matching burn marks along their hands and ending at their wrists. They were now married, and would forever be recognized as husband and wife, bonded in matrimony for as long as they live. He turned to the young couple and said, "Caden, you may now kiss you bride."

Merida's anxiety spiked up again, but when Caden pressed his mouth against hers, familiarity of what happened before came flowing back...as the passion could've erupted into flames if they weren't be watched by everyone in the Fraser Clan. When he pulled away from her, their eyes were filled with passion and lust...but love...that wasn't quite there yet.