I'm not gonna lie kinda stressed about this chapter because I just want it to be perfect for you guys and explain things which I Hope it will. So enjoy! Oh ok guys I have some fancast visual's for you finally alright granted most them are game of thrones people but does that matter no! Well it might but meh it's not my fault that i think they could easily act out those characters!
Merida/Sarah: Molly Quinn
Hamish/Alfie: Ty Simpkins
Elinor/Sarah and Alfie's Mum: Michelle Fairley
Fergus/Sarah and Alfie's Dad: I'm torn between Ian Glain cuz he sounds more like him or Gerard Butler so pick whoever you think would be a good him
Young Macintosh: Kit Harrington (fans self he's so hot I mean have you seen his abbs in Pompeii)
Young Dingwall: Alfie Allen
Young Macguffin: John Bradley
Enjoy!
"Come on, come on don't want to be late we've got to get you ready for today you could meet your future husband" my mother exclaimed cheerily as she thrust open my curtains. I let out a groan and scratched my head to wake myself up. It was a soothing sort of massage I did every morning and plus it helped to make my mind off today.
"Come on we are going to get dressed have a nice breakfast with no bickering" she told me before leaving. I just glared at her and threw the blankets back over me.
"Tell them that I do not wish to see them at all and they can all go back to their stupid homelands and marry some other princess" I snapped. The blankets were thrown off me and sent flying across the room. I sat up and crossed my arms and legs and glared at her.
"I know you're angry"
"I'm more than that" I scoffed at her. She sent me a glare now and it was a terrifying one.
"Merida get dressed" she said through gritted teeth before slamming the door shut. Moments like these made me miss the days where we were best friends and I could do whatever I wanted. I didn't have to worry about silly things like being forced to marry someone.
"Urg" I complained as I got up and changed into my dress. As I trudged down to the dining hall I sat in between Snow and Hamish. They were both trying to look away from me probably pretending that they hadn't heard the massive argument my mother and I had, had the night before.
"Merida, I'm sure if you ask nicely Regina will lend you some of her beauty enhancers" Mum chimed at me. I looked up from my bowl of porridge and said.
"If I'm going to meet my future husband today he's going to have to get used to seeing me with my natural look and not some idiotic beauty enhancer clearly invented because men don't understand natural beauty and want to put women down. No offense Regina" I said to her.
"None taken" she muttered as my mother almost looked like steam was about to come out of her ears. Breakfast then went on in silence for the rest of us. However at the head of the table Regina had a huge smile on her face despite my rude comment.
"Anyone want an apple?" she asked gesturing to the fruit bowl in front of her. We all just ignored her and she gladly took one out and bit into one.
"So did anyone else hear about that crazy winter in the middle of summer event in Arendelle?" she asked.
"You really shouldn't be so hard on her" Snow informed me as we headed back from the docks. I had just met my future suitors and if I had, had any inkling of wanting to go through with this plan before it was definitely erased now. The heir to the Dingwall clan was a bit insane, let's just say he bit one of the other heirs, the heir to the Macintosh clan didn't seem to own a tunic and would probably spend more time in the mirror then I ever would, and then there was the heir to the MacGuffin clan he seemed kind but to quiet. Apparently my fate would be decided in an archery tournament for my hand and frankly becoming a nun sounded like the best option out of all of this.
"Why? I'm angry Snow! I'm sorry I can't be all sunshine and unicorns like you" I muttered. who said it was her job to stand up for my mother, I thought she was on my side. I felt a pain shoot up my arm as Snow grabbed it and dug her nails in.
" She wants what's best for you Merida. At least you have a mother that doesn't want you dead" she told me.
"I'm sorry" I whispered feeling embarrassed now. In all of this mess I did have to admit that I was acting a bit selfish but I felt like I had to in all of this anger I was feeling.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you like that, it's just getting harder every day. It feels like being able to live is a privilege" she confided in me. I glanced behind me.
"Can you keep a secret?" I asked her.
"Of course I can" I pulled her close to me.
"If all of this goes as my mother wants this too. I'm going to run away with my friend Peter" I told her the truth.
"Merida that's a terrible idea. Your family would miss you terribly. I would miss you terribly"
"Well that's why I'm inviting you! You could be safe with us and we'd get to see each other more often" She smiled at me.
"Even if you two did pull through with this I think I would only be a bother to you two" I quirked an eyebrow at that statement.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her and she chuckled at my question and then paused when she realized I didn't get it.
"Oh you're serious?" she asked. I nodded as an answer and she gave me a mischievous smile.
"I'll let you figure that out for yourself" she told me running off as the subject of our conversation approached me.
Seriously what had she been talking about though?
"I could shoot for your hand?" Peter offered as we sat in front of the fireplace in my room waiting for my mum to order me out of my room and make me go dance with my three suitors. I blushed at Peter's statement.
"Only first borns can enter right?" he asked.
"Noble ones though. Peter, thank you but I can fight this on my own. It's my battle not yours I couldn't make you give up your freedom" I told him.
"I think you'd be worth it" he stated. A knock on the door interrupted us.
"Get under the bed before she see's you" I whispered as I went and opened the door.
"Time to come out from hiding you" My mom pulled me out and lead me to the ball room. I heard my door squeak open behind me and I waved at Peter as he quickly snuck out.
"I saw that" Regina whispered as she caught me behind the food table taking a big swig out of a whisky bottle. I wasn't one for sneaking hard alcohol but if my mother expected me to do anymore dancing with those numbskulls some alcohol would have to be ingested. I let out a cough at Regina's appearance and from the burning the whisky was causing to my throat. The bottle was quickly stowed away and I looked up at my...stepgodmother I guess you could say.
"Please don't tell her" I whispered in embarrassment as I got up and stood next to her.
"Not unless you give me a sip as well" she smiled as I retrieved the bottle and passed it to her, with a confused look on my face. This was the first time we had ever sort of bonded in all of my time knowing her. Most of the time when we were forced together she was quiet and resigned suddenly though, now that my godfather was out of the picture she was different.
"You'll get nowhere with this. Then again my type of drink has a bit more of a kick to it" she admitted as she took a sip. We stood next to each other for a moment.
"So taken a liking to any of them yet?" she asked. I shook my head at her.
"I see a lot of myself in you Merida, you know that?"
"Not at all" It suddenly occurred to me that when Regina was my age she had gone through the same situation as well.
"Are you happy with how your marriage turned out?" I asked her out of curiosity.
"Darling I wouldn't be drinking in the corner with you if I was living my happily ever after" she assured me. That didn't make me feel better at all and I ended up taking another sip of the whiskey and then another three more to help dull my stress. The room seemed happier now and I felt a bit light headed. Suddenly out of the blue came the Young Macintosh with the other suitors behind him as a jig began to play.
"My husbands await I'll be back" I smiled at Regina now and found myself pulled onto the dancefloor. The alcohol did help a bit, but I was very dizzy now.
"One more dance please my lady" the Young Dingwall begged. I just waved them off with a smile on my face and gave a strange wink to the Young Macintosh, he may have been a complete arse but hot damn did he have a fine body (AN: Seriously though people have you seen Kit Harrington in his Pompeii photos? Jon Snow may not know anything but he doesn't really have to when he looks like that).
"I will see you boys in the morning and may the best first born noble win!" I cheered as I tripped over something. I heard Regina laugh as she helped me up.
"No more for you sweetie" she joked as she helped me walk back to our corner and then suddenly I had an idea pop into my head.
"Regina, Regina listen listen I just had a great idea what if I shoot for my own hand" I realized. Regina smiled at that, it was a strange smile though, it was almost as if she had been waiting for me to say that all night.
"That sounds like a great idea. Fight for your freedom" she encouraged me.
"Excuse me seamstress Boy, Perry dear. Could escort the princess back to her room? She needs some rest for tomorrow" Regina called off to someone.
"Peter" Peter corrected her as he walked into the ballroom now. I let out an over dramatic gasp and jumped into Peter's arms.
"PETER! IT'S YOU! HI PETER heheheh boop" I smiled as I booped him on the nose but he didn't smile at it.
"Merida" he whispered glancing between me and Regina.
"Shhhhhhh" I pressed a finger to his lips to shut him up.
"Peter did I ever tell you that you are my best-" and then I vomited.
Tears ran down my face as I headed for the stables everything had gone terribly wrong. I had tried to win my own hand but all it had caused me was more trouble then I had asked for. It had even lead to my mother's destruction of my bow after I destroyed that ghastly tapestry of us as a "happy family" in my rage.
"MERIDA COME BACK" Snow shouted at me as I shoved past her in her attempt to stop me. When I reached the stables I quickly mounted my Clydesdale, Angus and took off in a hurry. The village flew past me in a blur as I ran away. Blinded by my tears I let Angus lead the way and we went off into the forest. Suddenly Angus came to a stop and I flew right off of him and felt a deep pain my shoulder.
"Angus" I gritted at him angrily through my pain as he began to calm down. I sat there for a moment and toke in my surroundings we were located in what looked like a henge.
"Merida" I heard a whisper, that I recalled from long ago. I let out a gasp as I saw a will of a wisp appear before me. Angus and I looked at each other for a moment. He let out a whinny as I got up and began to follow it.
"Come on you" I whispered to him and he cautiously followed behind me. As I went further into the forest the woods began to cave in around me and I felt a slight amount of claustrophobia come on. Finally though the path led out to a cottage. I approached the cottage with slight caution and I find an old woman sitting in a rocking chair doing her hair while a pair of knitting needles knit a scarf beside her on their own.
"Oh hello there" she smiled at me. It was strange I could swear I had seen that smile before. I couldn't help but gape at her in amazement though as I watched the knitting needles move on there own. The old woman suddenly realized what I was looking at and with a snap of her fingers they immediately stopped and fell to the ground.
"Now deary how can I help you?" she asked.
"Are you..are you a" I didn't really know how to phrase the question.
"It's alright I won't be offended dear you can say it" she joked.
"Are you a witch?" I asked. She motioned me to come further in and I obeyed. The minute I was inside she snapped and the door slammed shut.
"As I said before, how can I help you?" she asked. I couldn't help myself as the words came out.
"I want you to make a spell to change my mum" I wished.
"That's not that hard! Done!" she clarified and with a wave of her finger a small mince pie appeared in her hand.
"A pie?" I asked.
"Give her one bite of this and she will be changed and by sunset tomorrow the spell will be permanent. Though if you don't want to reverse it you must fix your problems yourself and mend the bond torn by pride" she advised. I had no clue what that meant but I gladly took the pie without hesitation.
"And there's no need for a payment?" I asked.
"Can't a simple old witch like me make someones dreams come true?"
"Stupid Bloody witch" I cursed as I sat outside the cave we were sitting in front of. Once I had returned and given my mum the pie, the "spell" that the witch had given me had changed my mum alright...into a bear. And now we were in hiding because my father was on the hunt for her. I heard my mom let out a noise and I turned towards her. I felt a slight amount of guilt about this, it wasn't really my fault though it was the witch's. How was I supposed to know she'd be turned into a bear?
"We'll sort it out in the morning" I tried to assure her. I shivered as the rain began to fall and a cloak was placed around my shoulders. I looked up and smiled at Peter.
"I'm so sorry for all of this. For vomiting on you, for dragging you into this" I apologized as he sat down next to me and let me curl into him a bit for more warmth. There was a flash of lightening and I flinched at the noise. I had hated that sound ever since I was a little girl, and whenever I was scared of it my mum would sing to me and hold me. My lip quivered at the memory
"There's a brave wee lassie just remember I'll always be there for you" she would say to me when I would curl into her.
"Thing's will turn out alright in the end" Peter tried to comfort me. I then felt a warmth around us as my mum curled around us and nudged my hand.
"What do you think mend the bond would mean?" I asked Peter.
"What can you mend?" Peter tried to help me brainstorm.
"Does sewing sort of count as mending?" I asked as an idea started to form.
"Yes why?"
"I think I can fix this!"
"So fish for breakfast then and then to fix the tapestry?" I asked my mom as we skipped off to the lake. My mum let out a grunt and I smiled at her. We reached a lake where fish were practically jumping out of the water. At first I had caught some fish with my bow but it turned out my mum had a bigger appetite now. This then lead to me trying to catch fish with my bare hands. I saw my mum glance at Peter as I fell in the lake getting fully soaked now.
"What? I won't do any better than she is doing?" Peter told her.
"You could always try too mum" I reminded her. As a bear it was quite comical to see her look offended.
"Come out here you two. Must it really take a princess to do a bears job" I joked as I tried to show them what I was doing and my mum was quite successful in catching the fish on her own. On accident I splashed Peter and then he got a smirk on his face as he splashed me. Suddenly a splash fight ensued, then the next thing I knew Peter was practically on top of me and our noses were touching. I blushed bright pink at our closeness and I saw my mum smile, if you could call it a smile on a bear, at this.
(AN: Things are going to kinda speed up here a bit)
Once we had returned to the castle my father went on a rampage at the sight of my mum as a bear. He had assumed that a bear had killed my mum due to her disappearance and had went out on a hunt after her once he saw her. He had even brought Hamish along as well to show him how a king finishes off a successful hunt. My mum led them out to the woods as I mended the tapestry. Once it had been mended Peter and I had arrived there just in time to stop them as they reached the henge.
"Merida the sun!" Peter exclaimed as the sun began to set and the sky grew dark on the eerie henge. The clansmen stepped aside as I quickly grabbed the now mended tapestry and threw it across my mother. I looked into her big brown eyes and waited for something to happen but nothing did. I waited and waited as the sun began to set lower and my mother looked worried and scared as the last of her human self began to fade away.
"No! Please!" I begged no one in particular as my eyes began to sting from the tears forming now.
"Mummy, don't leave me please! I'm so sorry this is all my fault. I should have listened to you. Please don't leave me. Don't leave me mummy" I cried as I got on my knees and threw my arms around her neck. I hadn't called her mummy in forever.
"Mummy I love you. Stay with me, please!" I begged her. She opened her mouth as she tried to say something and then her brown eyes turned all black. When she looked at me she didn't recognize me. I let out sobs now as I held onto her tighter. I wanted her back. I was a selfish child that should have just sucked it up and done what she said instead of rebelling. This was all my fault.
"I'm so sorry" I apologized to her as I cried into her fur and she began to back away from me and wriggled out of my grasp.
"MUM!" I screamed as I tried grab back for her but something held me back and I realized Peter had an iron grip around me. There was nothing I could do to save her now, she was bear. She would no longer hold me and tell me things to make my tears go away, if I tried to bond with her now the most she could do is hurt me. The amount of pain that I felt in my heart at the moment could have killed me there. I tried to block my ear's as Hamish screamed
"MUMMY NO!" I turned into my best friends chest and continued to cry as rain began to fall on us.
"It's my fault" I kept repeating and he held onto me tighter and to my surprise even kissed me on the top of the head.
"Oh this is soo so sad" Regina's voice rang out as she appeared before us. I loosened my grip on Peter and looked up at her. I was practically shaking now.
"Did I make you cry?" she asked with a smile on her face. I then realized something.
"You were the witch, you gave me the spell" I whispered.
"Very clever, and I had so much fun watching you try and break it even though it was impossible" she teased. Peter let go of me now as I was ready to kill her on the spot and she just laughed at me as she pushed me to the side with a wave of her hand.
"You know when I said you were just like me I was correct. You also betrayed your mother and doomed her. We are more alike then you think. You should feel flattered" she grinned at me.
"I'll never be like you, give her back to me" I snapped at her.
"I had this planned all along, little girl and I'm about to get what I want" she told me as she turned towards my father now.
"Do you want your happy family back?" she asked.
"You witch" he cursed her.
"Thank you"
"What do you want?" my father sighed looking absolutely defeated now.
"I can change the spell on your wife and turn her human again on one condition. You surrender your kingdom to me" she stated. I looked at my father now horrified about what he would say. He looked at me with sad eyes and I knew his decision.
"Bring her back to us please" he agreed.
"Well there's another condition actually take this bean and leave this place forever. It'll make all your memories of this world fade away and send you to a new world where you'll have to start all over again. No coming back and no attempts at rebellion" she stated as she tossed my father a bean.
"We'll be a family still?" he asked. Regina nodded.
"My king don't do this" one of the clans man told him. My father looked at the group that surrounded us.
"I'm sorry my lads but family is more important" he apologized as he grabbed my hand and I grabbed Hamish's.
"Ugh this is to lovey dovey for me" Regina complained and with a snap of her fingers my mother was back beside us with a shocked look on her face.
"I'm so sorry" I apologized as she enveloped me and ran her fingers through my hair shhhing my trying to calm me down.
"Elinor" my father whispered gladly as we all hugged each other now.
"Save the family time for when you leave" Regina snapped at us. As we all let go of each other my eyes came across Peter's and for the second time that night my heart broke as he shook his head at me silently telling me to not leave him. My father smashed the bean on the ground as a portal opened up.
"Merida come on" my mother urged me as she grabbed my hand.
"One more thing mum" I told her as I wriggled my hand out of her grasp and she saw me look at Peter. She nodded at me and gave me a quick squeeze of my my hand, then my father, her, and Hamish all jumped through the Portal. Regina looked annoyed as Peter walked up to me and we met in the middle. We both wrapped our arms around each other and I saw Regina roll her eyes and let out an annoyed groan. When we split apart he grasped my face in his hands.
"Peter" was all I could say as I began to once again cry. He didn't make eye contact with me as he built himself up to say something.
"Merida" he began to say. I nodded, part of me knew what he was going to say and I wanted him to. I should have known all along because I felt the same as well. He stayed silent though, for once he didn't have anything to say. I put my hands on top of his and connected our foreheads.
"Say it" I told him and he smiled at my forwardness and wiped a tear away that was slowly falling down my cheek.
"Merida I-"
"Sorry this is taking to long, time for you to go" Regina interrupted him as she used her magic to slowly pull me away from him. We both had death grips on each other's hands now. I knew Regina could have pulled me away with a flick of her finger but I also knew that she enjoyed watching this more.
"Let me say goodbye please!" I pleaded as I looked at her. She shook her head at me with a malicious smile now. My hand slipped out of his and I fell into the portal.
"PETER!"I screamed as I fell.
What? Ok guys I really hoped you enjoyed this and I know you most likely still have questions but like always please review if you enjoyed! BTW DID ANYONE SEE HIS LAST VOW!? HOLY CRAP CAN I JUST SAY I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT! Also if you guys happen to be in a sherlock mood you might wanna check out my new Sherlock fanfic I've started. And I will try and do thank you's next time but I hope you all know that I love you so be safe and eat fruit and have a magical day!