Yay a brief return to this corner of fanfiction! I'm going to admit that a few of my old stories I had here are bad lol. I mean a few ideas I do like in concept but weren't executed half as well as I hoped. Since I'm doing this mini collection of Disney Princess's as moms I'm coming back and revisiting Merida. There are a lot of changes between then and now. I also hope that my writing as drastically improved since then.
Change one: the name of Merida's eldest daughter. Mainly because she was named after Elinor, and I couldn't exactly write the story with the two in the same scene without it getting confusing. Also, the nickname Linor/Lenore is actually French in origin, I made her name more Celtic (Aislinn is primarily Irish but I have seen it as Scottish and Gaelic). If it helps Elinor picked the name out for her, so it's still special. Change 2: the girls aren't triplets any more after some research and the actual odds of having identical triplets lol. Also moving the kids around because of that change. Now it looks like: Brenden (8), Aislinn (7), Shona and Kirsten (5), and Fergus (2).
Culture note the clàrsach is a Celtic harp.
Please review and have fun reading!
Sunlight slowly filtered into the king and queen's bedroom. Dark and heavy tapestry like blankets and the warmth of her husband kept Merida feeling warm and comfortable. Her red hair splayed out like a halo. A slight whistle in her husband's heavy breathing. The stone walls bouncing off the light giggles.
The heavy door creaked open slightly. Iron that would bolt it closed was undone for a servant to come in and bring in some more firewood for the changing weather. The giggles from the hall just seemed to get louder. Merida and Ian MacGuffin oblivious to the sudden noise. The serene quiet and stillness enveloped the room.
"Mum," said the soft voice of Shona MacGuffin.
Merida stirred lightly but snuggled against her husband closer.
"Mum," she tried again but Merida snored softly in her sleep.
The young girl, probably about five or so, glanced around and grabbed the spiral of her parents four poster bed. She pulled herself up and started to climb in between the two wanting them to get out of bed for the day. As gently as she could, Shona MacGuffin, pressed her hand against her mother's shoulder to wake her up.
Merida groaned and lazily looked up at her daughter smiling down at her. Her everyday brown dress on, hair not even brushed, and two missing teeth. She yawned as she felt the early morning rays of the sun reach over to the bed. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Mum, dad," she said happily, "It's time to get up we're supposed to help with the last day of the harvest!"
Oh, thought Merida, that was right today was the last day the harvest season. Wiping her eyes, she sat up and pushed Ian to get up. The young Macguffin just snored sleeping through her coming in. Geez, she thought with a smile, he did remind her a bit of her dad. Fergus could sleep through anything too. Although this wasn't exactly the greatest example.
"Alright let's get your siblings up," said Merida gently pushing Ian one last time as he stirred awake. Finally pulling himself out of bed for the day.
Then this was the start of her typical morning as per usual. Merida just sighed as she got dressed that morning. Changed her shift, her favorite dark green wool gown and hose, clasped that shut with two MacGuffin brooches, tartan belt, with purse and done. Her mother had shown her how to do proper braids and successfully turned her hair into a rope. A few curls deliberately hanging out of it. Shrugging she turned her around and kissed her daughter's head before she ran off for the others.
First thing she found was seven year old Aislinn already awake as well. She was sitting on her bed as her mother, Elinor, was putting her braided hair into a crown on top of her head. It was wonderful to have her help when she needed it. Merida was so grateful, she let Elinor even name her eldest daughter.
"Merida is everything alright?" asked Elinor.
"It's the last day of harvest," she said a bit dazed and yawned then realization dawned on her face. Her full face sagged some and her voice dropped to a stage whisper. "It's the first without da."
Elinor froze and smiled sadly. "It is the first without Fergus, isn't it? We'll have a feast in his honor."
"I miss grandpa," said Aislinn.
"We all do," said Elinor straightening out the young girl's dress. "But he wouldn't want us lollygagging around. We have a feast to prepare for! And all the games that will happen come high noon."
"Really?" asked five year Kirstin, and Shona's twin, peering into her sister's room. "I thought that we were finishing the harvest."
"Well, it was technically done yesterday," said Merida remembering that she stocked the kitchen after a ride on her horse, "so today we're celebrating!"
"Oh boy," said Shona rushing in. "Come on! There's still a lot to do."
Shona pulled Merida by the hand and the five girls rushed out. Ian had gotten the men together to set up booths for people selling their wares. Their eldest son, eight-year-old Brenden, was already helping them. Trees were baring their branches and the horses whinnying for attention. The smell of a hog roasting out back caused Merida to sigh deeply. This was her favorite time of the year.
"Do you think I can perform with my clàrsach sometime today mum?" asked Kirstin hopefully. Her blue eyes lighting up.
"I don't see why not, we could wait until the bonfire when everyone can hear you," said Merida ruffling her hair. "Maybe I'll tell one of my ghost stories."
"No, a story about grandpa!" said Shona excitedly. "His fight with Mor'du always goes over well."
"You mean I can't tell a story about the will'o'wisp?"
"Ohh, yes please mum," said Kirstin and Aislinn unanimously.
Merida glanced over at Shona who just slowly nodded getting behind the idea. Queen Merida was going to be the storyteller tonight at the bonfire. She could tell as many stories as she pleased as long as she had a listener. Ian would sneak around scaring the kids. It was fun, she thought, knowing that they would make the most of it. Not to mention she had all the hard apple cider at her fingertips.
"Right, we should finish our lessons for today," said Elinor brightly. "And we can finish them today outside."
"Great Kirstin is going to need to practice for tonight," said Merida a twinkle in her eye.
Finally, it was nice to see her daughters go through what she did. The difference was that they seemed to enjoy it and Merida hated her lessons from a young age. Nevertheless, she let them go to lessons as she finished what was needed.
"Mummy," said Fergus as she picked up her young son of only two.
"Well, my wee lad, how about you and I go and see the horses hmmm."
"Yea!"
Now she regretted picking him up because that was right in her ear. Grinning ear to ear they hustled to the stables. Her horse, now Agnes, whinnied seeing her. Stable hands getting out the way for her. A nice ride through the forest was exactly what she needed right now.
With Fergus in front of her she started toward the brook.
Finally, after several hours later, were they ready to go out to the bonfire and celebrate. The cold season was starting, and warm wool cloaks were passed around. Merida tightened her worn clan Macguffin clasp to her black cloak.
Now Fergus was strapped to her chest sleepily resting his head. His bright red hair reminded her so much of her fathers.
"Ready?" asked Ian to the kids.
"Yes," said the girls eagerly and Brenden half tired whispered.
"I can't hear you."
"YES!"
This time they were screaming as Merida made sure Fergus wasn't fussy.
"Try not to wake your brother," said Merida joyfully tapping each of their heads and giggled herself. "Kirstin, do you have your clàrsach?"
She nodded to where it was packed up. They were off to the bonfire with tons of people already gathered with sticks. The kids playing some game that involved running around. Merida got ready for her story and passed the baby to her mother.
"Don't scare them Merida," said Elinor sternly. "But still keep it entertaining."
"I can scare them just right then," said Merida. "What's a little fear going to do?"
Elinor giggled and sighed smiling at her daughter. "Alright Merida, you got me there." She wrapped her into a hug and sat close to the hearth.
"I agree with the scare tactics," said Ian and kissed her cheek lovingly. "If you need help let me know."
"Will do!"
With that she was off to get the old bear pellet. It was nice to have some stories to pass on down from her father and share them. In fact this was going to be her new tradition every year.
