Hey guys, since I have a lot of spare time with me now, I seem to be getting this writing done a lot faster. So this chapter will pick up right where we left off where Edward enters the witch's cottage, and a few surprises will be in store for you guys. So make sure you leave some more reviews after you finish reading and enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 12

(Edwards POV)

I walked into the witches hut which had shelves filled with various bottles and potions and the big, black cauldron in the center of the room. I remembered the way that the witch acted when I said Alrek's name, so I decided to ask her some questions, to see if she knows him.

"When was the last time you ran into Alrek the hunter" I asked the witch.

"Last time I saw him he claimed that he was a lost traveler" said the witch "He demanded that I'd give him something that allows someone to be protected from harm, and I gave him a special stone to wear around his neck, but soon after I gave it to him, he almost tried to take me in, but I escaped, I've feared that man ever since"

"Wait, you said a charm that protects people from harm?" I asked her.

"Oh yes, a special stone that a person can wear around his neck" she replied to me "Why do you ask?"

"Because a year ago, I found him, and I sunk his ship, and I thought that he went down with it as well, so he must have used the stone and that's how he survived the sinking of his own ship" I said to her.

"Ah, so I guess you hate him too then" she said to me.

"Yes" I replied "Because he killed my parents two years ago" I said to him.

"Well, at least I'm not the only one who hates him" the witch replied to me.

"Is there any way that you can help me?" I asked her "I don't know where they have taken Merida, and I just threw the kingdom into utter chaos"

"Well, I can tell you the location of his fortress" the witch said to me.

"He has a new fortress?" I asked her.

"Yes, my crow found it, just outside of the kingdom" she said "Here is a map that leads you to the location" Then, she handed me two maps, the first one showed the area of the land that showed an x mark on it where Alrek's castle was, the second was a layout map of the castle.

"Thank you" I said to her "But, I'm not sure if I can do this, I feel like I won't be able to save her, I think what I'm trying to say is… I don't think that I'm that good of a warrior" The witch looked at me with a smile on her face.

"Don't worry lad" she said to me "A wise man once said that a warrior may sharpen his Iron, but never his heart, a true warrior knows the value of honor and bravery, I believe that you are destined for greatness" I looked at her, and felt that she was telling me the truth.

"You're right" I said to her "Thank you for your help, it will be useful" I got up out of my seat to leave and brought the big magical map with me and rolled it up so that I wouldn't lose it.

"Oh and one more thing" the witch said. She rummaged through her drawers and picked out a small horn and gave it to me "Once you have defeated Alrek, blow on this so that you can return the stone to me"

"Alright, thank you" I said to her. I walked out of the hut and waved goodbye to her. I walked away, but when I turned to say something to her, I was right back where I started, in the middle of the stone structures that surrounded the grassy area. I stood in the center for a bit, until something nudged my shoulders. I turned around to see that my horse was standing right next to me. I petted him and wondered how he survived the wolf attack, I could tell that he was out in the forest for a while because of the worn out settle. He got here just in time, because I knew how to save Merida, and I needed an army to do it. I rode my horse back to the castle, and I picked my knife that was still on the ground where I dropped it. Once I got inside, the three lords and Fergus along with the sons and some soldiers were arguing about how they would find Merida, Elinor saw me and walked over to me.

"Oh thank goodness your back" said Elinor "Fergus is talking about how to get Merida back, but so far we don't know how"

"Don't worry, I think I have a plan" I said to her. I went over to the table and decided to think of a loud way to get their attention.

"SHUT IT!" I yelled at the table, and sure enough, the men at the table all stopped talking and looked at me, Fergus was the one who was surprised by my return the most since he didn't know I could speak up that loud.

"Now, I feel that you all have no idea where they have taken Merida, but I do" I said to them.

"Well don't just stand there lad, spit it out" said lord MacGuffin. I picked up my map and I rolled it out and placed it on the table for the lords and Fergus to see I pointed to the x mark on the map.

"Here is Alrek's fortress" I said to them pointing to it on the map "A friend of mine gave me this map and said that it was secretly built far outside of the kingdom, which I think is where they took Merida to, and are holding her there"

"So we just break, round up his little gang and set Merida free" said Fergus

"That isn't going to be easy" I said to him "There are hundreds of guards surrounding the place, and they are possibly going to be expecting us"

"Well then, how do you suggest that we break in there then" asked Lord Dingwall. I stood by the table and looked at everybody, and I found out the perfect plan.

"Alright, I have an Idea" I said to them "And each and every one of you has their own part in this"

"Let's hear it then" said Lord Macintosh, I stood up and cleared my throat.

"Ok, so I found out earlier that Merida is here, in the dungeon part of the fortress" I said to them "First, we will have your soldiers hide in the forest outside of the fortress and fire a wave of arrows at certain areas to weaken their defenses. Then, we will send soldiers led by you four as a decoy while I go in with several men to get Merida out and possibly take care of Alrek myself"

"Alright then, but who will go with you then" asked Fergus.

"I'll go" said Young Macintosh.

"As will I" replied Wee Dingwall. Young MacGuffin spoke in some gibberish that I couldn't understand, but I knew that he wanted to come with me as well.

"You three will come with me then" I said. I turned over to Fergus and Elinor "Oh, and your majesties, you don't mind if I bring Hamish, Hubert and Harris along do you?"

"Why on earth would you bring our three sons along on a dangerous mission?" Elinor asked nervously.

"I've seen the way that they can sneak past any guards and can fit through tight spaces, they will be useful" I said to them "Besides, once they are finished with their jobs, I'll call for a horse to take them back to you in a campsite hidden in the forest where they will be safe" Elinor looked worried, but figured that her sons are capable of getting out of a sticky situation.

"Very well then" she said to me "They will come with you" I smiled and knew that the plan was set in motion.

"Alright, it's settled then" I said to the four lords "First we need to send a message to Alrek to convince him that I'm gonna turn myself in to him, and I know just what to say"

(Merida's POV)

I laid down on the stone floor for hours, resting uncomfortably while Alrek entered the room to check on me to see if I didn't try to escape.

"Ah, if it isn't the little princess" he said mockingly "You know that he won't be coming for you"

"No, he will come for me, I just know it" I said to him "I've seen the way he fights in battle, you should be the one who is to look out"

"I'd never think of it" he replied to me. Then, one of his guards came up to him and said that Edward has sent him a message. He picked it out of the guards hand and began to read it out loud soft enough for me to hear:

Dear Alrek,

I have no different way of settling this situation but to give myself to you. Move the locks covering the gates and open them and meet me out there at mid-day when the sun is highest in the sky. I shall hand myself over in exchange for the girls safe return.

Sincerely, Edward

I was shocked by hearing this, but I figured that it was some sort of set up that he was going to use to save me. Alrek looked at his guard in a questioning look.

"Why did he write this in red ink?" he asked his guard.

"I don't know, but you did the same thing" he replied to him.

"Hmm, I don't trust this guy" said Alrek "Anyway, set up the defenses just in case" I knew after he said that that this is going to be one big fight.

Alright then, so this is where the chapter ends, I hope you guys enjoyed it. So make sure you leave a review before you leave, and I will update as soon as possible.