Horray! My father and my brother were able to fix the computer, and it works now! :D Thank you Nie, Synchronized Harmony and Orgiami-Pegasus for the reviews! To answer some questions you all put forward...

Nie: I actually don't have a chapter about Fergus and Elinor conversing back at the castle. I learned in writing class that I really should stick to one perspective throughout the story, but I already break the rules a little and switch perspectives here and there, and therefore I actually don't switch back to Fergus and Elinor until way later. Hopefully you'll like these next chapters all the same. :D

Orgiami-Pegasus: Wow, how can I answer all those questions you had? I am honored by the long review you left me, and thank you for going to all that trouble to correct my story. I will definitly take into consideration your suggestions, and I will try to correct more of my grammer in the future chapters. :) To answer a few of your questions:

Draft Horses are the type of horses that pull carts and wagons, yes. But it doesn't always mean that they're strictly used for that. Draft Horses simply means the heavy breed of horses, and that is what Merida had in the movie. Clydesdales are classified as draft horses, as are Frisians, Percherons, Shires, Sulfolk Punch, Gypsy Vanners and several other horse breeds. Angus was a black Clydesdale, and therefore is a draft horse, also known as heavy horse, coldblooded horse, drought horse and a couple of other names. I'm a horse trainer, so any horsemanship I have put into my stories I can testify as my own personal experience and knowledge, having dealt with several horses and several different breeds of horses. :)

Concerning your question about Ilene acting wise and giving good advice: believe it or not, Ilene said exactly what my younger sister would have said to me if I were Merida. So I pulled that conversation out of my own experience with my younger sister. Now, if I were Ilene, I probably wouldn't have said anything until Merida started accusing me, than I would have gotten angry. I suppose to each their own, eh? :)

And one of your final corrections about Ilene hugging Merida back after Merida simply draped her arm across her sister's shoulder: I consider that a hug. A half hug, if you will, so that's why I said Ilene hugged Merida back. I suppose we all have our different ideas of hugging, don't we? :) Anyways, thanks for all your other corrections, I am going to try to remember them in the future chapters of the story.

So, sorry everyone for the long forward, but when it comes to guests this is the only way I can answer their questions. :D So, here's the next chapter, thanks for the reviews, and here's hoping for more reviews! :D

-Shire from CollieandShire

Chapter ten

Lord Edward's Mansion

The last leg of the journey to London was a long and tiring one, but there were plenty of places to stop where they could rest and buy supplies. Many of the English villagers looked at the two girls curiously, wondering why such fine looking young ladies would be traveling alone.

"Those Scotswomen!" the girls heard one woman exclaim. "So used to their own barbarian land they must think our humble and dangerous country a playground. They even travel alone, you see!"

Ilene and Merida had glanced at each other and giggled, not sure what to make of that comment.

London was bustling with activity, people coming and going, trading, and gossiping. Ilene and Merida had never been in a city before, and they found their first experience fascinating. People were trying to sell their wares to the girls right and left, to which they politely declined and continued riding. Horses were everywhere, and the girls saw their first carriage as they guessed someone important was driven by.

"The King and Queen of England live in that castle." Merida pointed out. The girls whoaed their horses and stared at the magnificent castle.

"I like ours better. We have a lake and don't live in such a dirty city." Ilene commented.

"Our castle?" Merida asked coyly. Ilene glared at her and asked Mystery to trot on.

"Which way to Lord Edward's home?" they asked a trustworthy looking salesman. He looked the girls over quizzically.

"Scottish?" he asked in an accent that hinted at the same origins as they.

"Aye. ye too?"

He nodded. "Aye me lassies. What brings you to London?"

"We're here to see Lord Edward." Ilene told him. "Can you tell us where he lives?"

The Scotsman pointed South. "He doesn't live in the city, but rather about ten miles from here in a mansion." He told them. "Now mind ye, there are several mansions out that way, make sure to ask the servants if it's the right one. Ye really can't miss it, it has the largest barn on all the properties."

"So Lord Edward is a horse lover?" Merida asked.

"That he is. Said to have the finest thoroughbreds around."

Ilene and Merida looked at each other, confused. "What's a thoroughbred?" they asked at the same time. The Scotsman slapped his knee and laughed.

"I had the same reaction as ye when I first heard of 'em!" he said between laughs. "They're the signature racin' horse of the English. All the nobility own them."

The girls thanked him, and following his directions headed South towards the countryside.

It turned out the Scotsman was right, there were a lot of mansions on the edge of London countryside. "They have far more Lords than we." Merida said with a shake of her head. "Oye, what do they do with so many Lords?"

"Who knows." Ilene murmured. Merida glanced at the girl, noticing she seemed nervous. Who wouldn't be? Lord Edward practically is the only one with answers to her past. It seemed strange to Merida that this girl riding next to her had once been her sister, and now was-well, her adopted sister. She reflected back to the last two weeks. Not once had they referred to each other as sister. It almost made Merida angry at Ilene, but she quickly corrected and reminded herself that she hadn't called Ilene 'sister' either. It just didn't seem right.

Ilene suddenly reined in Mystery, who shook her head in defiance, wanting to continue on. "Whoa, Mystery." Ilene said firmly. The horse stopped prancing, and snorted. Ilene turned to Merida and gestured at a large mansion with an even larger barn.

"That places match's the Scotsman description." She said.

Merida looked at the large structures. "Aye." She agreed. "Let's go ask the servants if this is the right house."

The girls trotted up the long dirt driveway, conscious of the field workers who stopped what they were doing to stare at them as they continued towards the mansion.

Several servants were in the courtyard when the girls pulled up their horses, whoaing them and dismounting. "Is this Lord Edward's mansion?" Merida called out.

The servants had stopped what they were doing and stared at the two fine dressed girls, the blond one wearing a dark blue dress and the redhead wearing a dark green dress. The redhead had a bow around her shoulder, and the blond had a sword strapped to her waist.

"Yes, this is Lord Edward's house." One of the servants finally spoke. "What do you want with the likes of him?"

"We've traveled afar to speak to him. He has summoned me friend here." Merida gestured to Ilene, who nodded.

"Scottish." One male servant grunted. "What would Lord Edward want with the likes of two Scottish girls?"

Ilene looked down, and Merida patted her on the back. "Its fine Ilene, they'll treat yah different when they realize ye is of English birth like them." Merida assured her. Merida turned to the servants. "May we go in?" she asked.

"Lord Edward isn't home." A woman servant replied, narrowing her eyes at them. "So I suggest you come back where you came from."

"We must see Lord Edward or someone representing him." Ilene said firmly. "Now."

"Who do you think you are to take up such a tone with me? You're nothing but a Scotsman's child, the adversary's daughter!" the woman snickered.

"That is no way to talk to a DunBroch!" Merida snapped. Instantly the servant's eyes widened.

"D-DunBroch, as in the daughter of King DunBroch?" the man servant stuttered.

"Aye, the one and only." Merida retorted.

"My goodness, I must be blind. The redhead is the spittin' image of him." The man said with the shake of his head. He gestured towards the house. "If you have business with Lord Edward, than I suggest you talk to the masters of the house. Lord Edward will be most interested to find the daughters of DunBroch have come to visit him."

Merida and Ilene glanced at each other warily, than handed their horses to two servants and made their way to the house. The servant's continued to stare at them, whispering all kinds of things as they stepped up the steps and knocked on the large door.

A minute later, the door was opened by a butler, who looked the girls up and down. "May I help you?" he asked.

"Go ahead and let them in, George." The man servant called out. "They be the daughters of DunBroch."

The butler's eyes lit up, and he opened the door, bidding the girls to step in. Merida and Ilene looked around at the large entrance, paintings hanging from the walls, fine furniture with beautiful vases backed into corners, and a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"Wait here while I go and get the mistress." The butler told them, and he turned around and walked briskly away, going up some stairs to where the mistress of the house must live.

Ilene and Merida stood there uncomfortably, staring at all the strange decorations. Deer heads were mounted on the walls, "But," Ilene pointed out, "I see no bear heads."

Merida didn't get a chance to answer, as the butler came down the stairs, followed by a young lady who looked to be seventeen, and a man who looked like he was in his thirties.

"Good day," the lady said with a smile, "My butler here seems to think you're the daughters of King Fergus DunBroch, but I told him that it was impossible." she giggled, and then glanced at the girls, looking a little uncomfortable when they didn't answer. "You aren't the offspring of King DunBroch, are you?"

"Aye me lady, we are." Merida answered.

The lady's eyes widened, and she turned to the other man who had yet to identify himself. "Michael, you were with father when he defended the village from King Fergus, do these girls look anything like him?"

The man named Michael, who had light brown hair and brown eyes, looked the girls over. "You, my dear," he said, gesturing to Merida, "Are the spitting image of him. I can't say the same of your sister."

Ilene spoke up. "I was adopted."

Michael nodded. "I do believe they are telling the truth, my dear." He said, turning to the lady.

Her face was troubled, the girls could tell, as she smoothed her dark brown hair and put on her best smile, curtsying before them. "Welcome to the home of Lord Edward. I am his daughter, Elizabeth."

"And I am Lord Michael of York, a close friend of Lord Edward." Lord Michael informed them, brushing his black cape back with one hand and bowing before them.

"Tell me your majesties, what brings you to England?" Elizabeth asked.

Merida glanced at Ilene, as if to say you're the reason we're here, you tell them. Ilene stepped forward and took in a breath.

"I received the message from yer father, and I am here to claim me inheritance."

Elizabeth and Lord Michael exchanged confused glances. "My father never made me aware that he contacted you." Elizabeth said slowly.

"He did. He sent a messenger by the name of Peter to tell me that me parents had died, and had left me their property. I am here to claim me inheritance and to ask yer father a couple of questions." Ilene told her.

Elizabeth bit her lower lip, a look of doubt on her face. "Very well," she said at last, "I believe you. But I'm afraid to inform you that my father is not here. He is up in Liverpool discussing a matter of much urgency with Lord Henry. He won't be back for three more days."

"I see." Ilene said slowly. "Then we shall be back in three days."

Merida and Ilene turned to leave, when Lord Michael called out, "Of course, in Lord Edward's absence I am here to watch his daughter, and am currently the master of the house. You ladies are welcome to stay here until he comes back."

Ilene stole a look in Merida's direction, her eyes plainly saying she would rather stay at Lord Edward's house than go back out into the cold and rain. Merida rolled her eyes, and turned to Lord Michael.

"As long as it isn't too much trouble." Merida said.

"Absolutely not, your majesty. We are honored to have you as our guests." Lord Michael assured her. Merida nodded, and turned to Ilene.

"We need to have the horses taken care of." She said.

"Leave that to the stable boys, I'm sure you're tired from your long journey." Elizabeth said, and turned to the butler. "Walter, show their majesties to the guest rooms, and tell Mary to fix up the beds."

"Yes ma'm." the butler bowed, and beckoned the girls to follow him.

"Thank you, Lady Elizabeth." Merida said with a curtsey. "We are indebted to you."

"The pleasure is mine." She said with a smile. "We'll be serving an early dinner in your honour, but if you want you can rest or have a tour of the grounds."

"Thank you for the invitation, but I believe we'll rest for a little. We are a little weary from our trip." Ilene told her.

"Very well, we shall see you at dinner than."

Ilene and Merida nodded, thanked Lord Michael and Elizabeth again, and followed the butler up the stairs to the guest room.

"I didn't know you were so capable of proper speech." Ilene teased in a whisper to Merida.

"Shut it Ilene, yer treadin' on dangerous grounds." Merida warned. Ilene couldn't help but giggle.

So, there you have it! Another slow chapter, I know, and the chapter after this will be slow, too. But chapter twelve and on get really fast, so I had to incorporate some slower ones to even out the story a bit. :) Also, did anyone catch my joke about Lord Michael of York? (Hint, that's the joke) If not, I'll tell you in the next chapter what I meant. :)

Please review! And thanks to everyone who had reviewed so far! You all are amazing!

-Shire