He could feel himself waking up but couldn't bring himself to open his eyes.
He heard movement next to him but kept his eyes shut tight, that had been a great dream.
-Mother...I had the most beautiful dream. Mor'du attacked the village and then I traveled tae the past and met the princess...she is even more beautiful than I had expected- he turne around and dug his face in the pillow, not wanting to look up - And we decided to do something to stop this from happening...and we even spent the night together- He sighed into his pillow.
Finally mustering the strenght to look at the hut that was his home he lifted his eyes from the pillow...
The luxurious chamber was still there, he looked behind; Merida was getting dressed.
-If et is a dream- Merida stated walking towards him and landing a kiss on his lips - Et is the most beautiful dream...one we share. Now get dressed, we have a fate tae change-
He jumped out of bed and into his clothes, quickly reading his weapons.
When both were set they walked downwards being carefull not to cross paths with Merida's mother or father, the lords, Maudie or any other human being for that matter. They couldn't bring attention to themselves.
When they reached the kitchen Merida took a bright red apple from a tray and handed Ferris a yellow one. She cleaned it against her dress before taking a bite but he didn't move.
-Not hungry? Ye should eat something, we have a big day ahead of us-
Ferris slowly took the apple to his mouth and imitated Merida, slowly chewing; a smile formed in his lips.
-Et is so sweet- he said with small pieces of apple falling from his mouth.
Merida then remembered he had never tasted and apple before.
-CRASH!- A pan fall from the oposite side of the kitchen, faster than anyone she had ever seen Ferris dropped the apple and readied a bow and arrow, he turned around and aimed straight at...
-Hamish! Wot are ye doing here!?- A small redhead boy, Ferris sighed and relaxed. From behind some flour bags and barrels two identical boys appeared and walked nervoiusly towards him and Merida.
-My brothers, wee devils they are- Merida explained as she kneeled and tousled one of the boy's hair.
A tight knot formed in Ferris' throat, those boys weren't present in his future, which could only mean that...Merida could never know.
-Boys, this is my friend Ferris, we have something very important tae do. No one must know about et do ye undersand? Try and keep everyone busy so that they don't notice we are gone-
The boys nodded at the same time and Merida stood up.
-Let's go- they walked to the stables and Merida mounted her horse -Ye can take any horse ye like-
They soon left the castle behind and entered the wilderness of the forest, after a few minutes they reached the circle of stones.
-Can ye find yer way from here?- He asked Merida.
-I am not sure, last time I followed the will o' the wisp-
-They are real?- Ferris asked perplexed -How do they look like?-
-Blue dancing little lights; they make a whispering sound-
He snapped his neck towards her -A whisper?-
-Aye, why?-
-I...I heard a lot of whispers before I woke up here...or now more likely-
-Then perhaps et was yer fate- Ferris didn't answer.
-I think I went that way, maybe I can find the cottage again-
They led the horses through a tigh path and rode sileny for some minutes before the remaints of the cottage came into view.
-Ye go- Ferris told her -I'll keep watch in case Mor'du finds us again-
Merida nodded and got off Angus, walking towards the cottage.
Meanwhile Ferris began scouting around over his horse, something on the ground attracted his look like a magnet.
Footprints...actually his own, from the last time he had visites the cottage; and behind them, massive bear tracks.
-Mor'du- he whispered, but why were his footprints directly over his?
It hit him like a caber, the demon-bear had followed him...
It was his fault Merida handn't got the spell.
-No...- Color drained from his face.
-Ferris?-Merida had returned - I tried everything, she won't do et. She said something about unsatisfied costumers and tripping twice with the same stone- He didn't answer, he was shaking, his jaw pressed tight.
-Ferris wot's wrong?-
Without a word he turned his horse around and dissapeared into the forest.
-FERRIS!- Merida yelled behind him, but he didn't stop.
It was his fault, all of it, all of the future, DunBroch fell because of him, his fault.
He had to get away, maybe without his intervention the strands of the delicate tapestry of fate would mend themselves.
No, he had done too much damage, the spell was lost forever and the clans would never banish Mor'du alone.
If he had never traveled back...the answer jumped out at him. He could stop himself from rraveling back, he had to find himself in this past and trade his life as a baby; for that of everyone else in DunBroch.