Merida couldn't be sure how long they laid there, on his bed, simply holding each others hands and staring at the ceiling. Hours, seconds maybe? It really didn't matter, though she vaguely started to wonder when her mother and father would begin looking for her. A quick glance at the window told her the sun had not quite fallen. They would be preparing supper now.
"We should leave now." she said, rather sullenly.
Donnel looked sad as well. He knew he was possibly days away from going to war, leaving her behind. Even being the skilled warrior that he was, there were no guarantee of survival. The thought of of leaving her behind – in more ways than one – made his stomach twist with guilt and worry.
In spite of these feelings, he kissed her hand and rose up from the bed. "Do you want me to go?" he asked softy.
She nodded. "That would be best." she pushed herself up, swinging her legs off the side of the bed. "I'll be down a little later."
He reached down to kiss her, the palm of his hand cupping her cheek in the most tender way. He pulled away only for a moment before leaning back in, this time to her ear. "Will you come back, love?"
Merida felt a blush creep all the way to her roots. "I will."
He stood up, casting her a genuine smile before quietly heading out the door. He glanced around the hallway, seeing no one, but within seconds heard footsteps. He walked toward them – better not to be seen nervously shuffling away.
"Young MacGuffin!" she smiled warmly. "Heading of to supper?"
"M'Lady." he gave a quick, but courteous bow. "Indeed I am. Am I heading in the wrong direction?"
"No, I'm looking for Merida."
:Did she go off to shoot again?" he asked, feigning concern. "She really shouldn't be wandering off."
The Queen sighed. "Believe me, I know. Fergus said she was quite upset earlier and went to go lie down, but she isn't in her room."
"I have been in my chamber much of the day, and you are the first one to come through here." he lied. "Would you like me to assist you in searching the grounds? I hear she spends quite a bit of time in the stables?"
"Now that you mention it, it is more plausible that she would be on the grounds...I would appreciate your help very much."
Donnel gestured for her to lead. As they walked away from his room, Donnell heard a faint creak. He hoped Merida would manage to get to the great room undetected.
Barely a moment after Donnel's departure, Merida heard voices in hallway. His, and...her mother's. She began to panic. What if she found out? Mum would wring her out to dry in from of the whole kingdom!
She frantically began to gather up her clothes; yanking her dress over he head and lacing up her ghillies faster than she had ever bothered to before. She approached the door cautiously, listening for anything in the hallway, and heard the sound of faint footsteps. Perhaps Donnel had led her mum away. She pushed the door open – it creaked ever so slightly, causing her to freeze – but the footsteps continued away from her. Letting out a sigh, she eased herself into the hallway and closed the door.
The castle felt strangely empty – nearly all the guards were out on patrol or sent to the MacGuffin's. She wasn't going to complain about it now though, what with her sneaking her way around the castle.
Merida kept her head low as she moved into the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. With guests in the castle, it was always twice as hectic. No one so much as glanced at her as she passed through and into the great room
"Merida!" her fathers voice boomed, filling the whole chamber. "Your mother just passed through looking for you."
"I must have just missed her." she lied. She took her place on the bench. Lord MacGuffin sat opposite of her, silent. She greeted him before blushing and looking down, remembering the things she had just done with his son.
"Maudy" Fergus beckoned. "Please inform my wife that our daughter is alive and ready for supper." she nodded.
"So." he straitened himself. "Are you feeling better, dear?"
"Much better." she grinned. "Just a wee nap and a walk around the castle and I'm right as rain."
"Good." he smiled back at her, relived. "Now about your wandering alone..."
"Daaaaaa..." her shoulders slumped in the anticipation that she would be banished to her room.
"Now, now, don't go on whining just yet. I'm not going to try and keep you in the castle – for now at least – but you do need a chaperon."
Merida groaned.
"Most of my men are out, the rest are busy making preparations for battle, and Maudy has always got her hands full with the boys of course..."
"Yeeees?"
"Well," he began to look sheepish, and the Lord next to him shifted uncomfortably. "I know you probably still don't like him, from all that suitor nonsense, but I was hoping you would be alright with Donel being your chaperon for a while."
She could barely hide the shock from her face. "Donnel?"
"Yes, the Young MacGuffin. He wouldn't be so bad to have around – you would be able to go in the forests and the like as usual, I promise." he continued, looking panicked.
"So...Donell would be with me all day, every day."
"Yes, yes – but going riding and adventuring and, uh, whatever else you like to do."
Merida had to suppress her excitement. She threw her head back and sighed. "I suppose as long as he doesn't interfere with my shooting."
"I'm sure he'll stay completely out of your way." the king smiled triumphantly. "I just want you to be safe."
It was too good to be true. "Shouldn't he be, I don't know, helping you plan strategies or something?" she asked.
The Lord finally spoke. "There isn't much to do now until the status reports start coming in. He isn't accustomed to having nothing to do, and I won't have him brooding around your castle."
"Well, I'm sure Donel with keep me very safe, then."
Just then, Maudy came back with her mother and Donnel in tow. Elinor rushed over to her, giving her a firm hug.
"Mum" Merida whined into her shoulder. "I was in the castle the whole time."
"I know, it's just a scary time right now dear." she pulled away and tucked a curl behind her daughters ear.
Donnel sat next to his father, while the queen straitened up and took her place on the kings side. "Did you tell her about our plan, dear?"
"Yes, but we've had yet to discuss it with the young Lord."
Donnel shot his father, a questioning look. He cleared his throat. "They were hoping you could chaperone the princess, until everything gets sorted out."
Donell froze, unwilling to believe them. His eyes flicked over to Merida. "Y-yes?"
Her father sighed. "Good then. You have no idea how much I appreciated it, lad. I sent my most trusted men to your castle, and, you know, she isn't very willing to sit around the castle with the other ladies."
Merida rolled her eyes.
"Just don't let her go to far into the woods, please?" Elinor's voice was soft and pleading but her eyes were shooting daggers.
"I'll, ah, do my best." he gave the queen a shaky smile, "you're daughter isn't one to be contained, though."
Their fathers laughed loud enough to shake the plates on the table.
"Aye, that be true, lad." Fergus reached over to pat the young Lord on the back. "You'll start in the morning. Best of luck to you."
Merida was readying herself to sneak out when she heard a soft knock on her door. She instantly threw herself under covers. "Come in."
She was expecting her mother or perhaps Maudy, who occasionally brought her snacks at random hours, but instead it was Donall who stepped through her door. She grinned and took the heavy blankets off of her. "I was just on my way to you."
It took only a few steps for him to make his way across her room. He kneeled in front of her, causing her to throw her arms around him. His beard scratched at her neck in a most comforting way, and she breathed him in as she felt an arm circle around her waist and rested his head in her lap. She smiled down at him as she played with his braid
"I guess we'll get to spend more time with one another than we hoped."
She hummed happily, pushing the loose strands in his face back, to bend over and kiss him on the forehead. "Lay next to me." she whispered. Donell obeyed, standing up and climbing on the bed with her. He positioned himself of top of her to give her a brief, warm kiss before rolling over to her side.
"So...how do you feel?"
She shrugged. "Fine, I suppose." her hands rested upon her stomach. "Better now, knowing I'll get to see you every day."
"I meant more of..." his eyes darted down.
Merida blushed. "Oh. It feels normal enough, I suppose?"
He searched her face before allowing himself to look relieved. Men at the castle were always bragging about there being bloodshed and pain for their virgin conquests, and the thought of her hurting had been running through his head ever since he left her. He slipped his hand into hers, rubbing his thumb across it. At first glance, her hands always looked small and delicate, but they were, in fact, covered in thick callouses, earned from her hard work to become a Master of archery. Still, his hands were also rough from caring for his siblings, training, and helping the locals tend to the land. They were a more ragged kind of worn that her own, making them feel soft as silk against his regardless
He pulled her close, so her back lay against his chest, burying his face in her curls. She smelled like the forest.
In those moments, as they lay entwined on her bed, they felt whole – content. She sleepily nuzzled her cheek into his palm. Neither of them had to say a single word, but there was a promise made between them that night : to cherish each moment they had together, no matter how short that time might turn out to be
