Chapter II

Autumn Morning

Hastily removing her shoes and feeling a ripple of cold shudder up her leg as she silently crept down the chilly cobblestone hallway, Merida felt alive. It had been two years since she accidentally turned her mother into a bear, put her family at risk, and eventually broke the curse, freeing the spirit of Mor'du. That made running willy-nilly off into the sunrise a thing of the past. Of course, she still found time to ride her Shire horse, Angus, and practice fighting with her father and fast-growing brothers. She was proud, however, of the relationship she'd formed with her mother – and the surprising amount of knowledge gained when she focused on her mother's lessons. Granted, she still couldn't give a rat's ass about some of the finer skills it took to be "a lady." It was the lessons on history, clan relations, and even handiwork that she took an interest in.

Sneaking out of the castle made her stomach bubble with guilt. Nevertheless, she was completely spent. A solid month had gone by of being woken up before dawn to start lessons and learn how to be a general lady. She had asked for independence those two years ago; however, she knew her parents were still eager to have her find husband and gain new allies for clan DunBroch. She knew her father had promised her the day off, but he had broken that same promise repeatedly over the past week – "responsibilities" kept creeping up and she'd felt it her duty to stay and address.

"Ach" Merida gasped as she almost walked straight into a hallway with her parents, their shadows silhouetted across the wall and flickering in the orange torchlight.

Her parents whispering in worried tones, "there's news from the outer isles. A survivor from Orkney was found by the Campbells. He's spreading the most fantastical tales, and fear with it."

"Vikings?" breathed her mother.

"Aye, but this time they come with something unbelievable. There're rumors they have magical beasts razing towns to the ground. Some say they bring Dragons" her father stated gravely.

"Dragons? What a load of rubbish."

"We've seen stranger things. I want you and the children lead as many of our clansmen into the Castle and make preparations for our defense. I'm going out with a search party to see if we can track their path. I'll be back before sunrise"

Aghast, Merida nearly ran to her parents. To her shame, she stayed hidden in the shadows and waited for her parents' footsteps to retreat. She made full speed towards the stables, saddled Angus, and took off fast as an arrow up the cliffs. Here she might be able to think for a moment; or even spot a sign of smoke her dad would be scouting for.

The vista from the cliffs always took her breath away. She was greeted by a clear early autumn morning with sunlight peeking through clouds splaying beams of light upon gold tinged trees and mist raising in swirls from the loch. Merida took a deep breath and let the fear and guilt building in her chest subside for just a moment. This was her home. She'd been waiting her whole life prove she could fight for it. She opened her eyes to breath in the scene and nearly fell flat on her back out of surprise. Directly in front of her nose was a glowing blue wisp.

The last time she followed the will o' the wisps she ended up meeting a witch and nearly dooming her family.

"Ach, no" Merida exclaimed to the wisp.

Biting her tongue and knowing there was no ignoring them, she let the wisps lead her through the woods and down a familiar path. With a sense of knowing dread, she knew what she would come upon. The last wisp rested directly in front of the door to the witch's hut.

"Oh no! No, no, no! There is no way I'm going back in there. Not for anything."

She made the turn around but the wisps circled about her and made a pathway right back to the witch's door. Resigned, she turned around.

"Be brave, Merida. Find out what the wisps want and leave" she whispered to herself, mustering courage, and rapped her knuckles on the door.

To her surprise, the door opened wide with a creak. Nothing much had changed inside. The witch's hut was filled woodcarvings and shavings: bears, sheep, dear, chickens, even peculiar beasts Merida did not know what to make of.

"Ouch!" Merida exclaimed as her foot stepped on something sharp. She bent down to examine a carved creature with claws, sharp teeth, and giant wings - a dragon.

"Oh, you're back! What a delightful surprise, I greatly enjoy your patronage. Have you come to purchase more carvings, or maybe something a little bit more… magical?" the witch called out.

"Get away from me, you witch!" Merida exclaimed while reaching behind her desperately on the witch's woodcarving table for anything to defend herself with.

Something sharp prick her thumb as she slid her hand around the handle of a whittling knife, her hand growing slippery as her cut bled.

The witch's eyes grew round and her mouth hung open.

"What have you done? How can this be?" The witch stammered, "You, really? Out of everyone who has graced my hearth? The gods must have a good sense of humor."

Her laughter crackled deviously and sent a jolt of electricity along Merida's spine.

Her heart pounded erratically in her chest. The knife in her hand was growing hot. She kept hold of it for her dear life and pointed it directly at the witch. A cold sweat of surprised overcame her and she felt lightheaded. The knife was glowing blue and her blood was gone.

"What is this? What have you done?" Merida demanded.

"I've done nothing my dear. It appears the knife has chosen you," the witch snickered.

"Chosen me? For what?" Merida shouted.

"Chosen you to be my apprentice," the witch smiled, "you don't know how long I've waited for this. My whittling knife has touched many hands - often with disastrous consequences, though some have escaped with their lives. The knife never chose any of them. It appears it's chosen you, Merida."

Merida couldn't breathe, her vision was getting dark.

"Welcome to the coven, Merida DunBroch. Your training starts tonight. Meet me at the stone circle - anytime of the night, we don't practice in the day."

"What? No. Never! I'm never going to be your apprentice." Merida gasped, the knife still tight and hot in her hand.

"You'll understand, with time. However, your blood and that knife are bound now. You'll need to learn to control its power, or else, in the wrong hands, someone or something could control you."

"But I don't want to be a witch. Look what magic did to me last time? I chose my family; I've been diligently training with my mother and father to be a lady and a warrior for my clan."

"Who said you can't be a lady, warrior, and have a touch of magic?" the witch winked.

"But you dinna understand, they need me now! Vikings attacked the coastline and are making their way in to the Highlands. They could be here today, tomorrow, anytime! I don't have time for training with you. I need help my family and ready the Castle!"

"Then what are you doing out here, fallowing will o' the wisps into the woods?" the witch smiled.

"I, uh, I," Merida sputtered.

"Exactly what I thought. Now, these Vikings don't happen to have dragons, do they?"

"How did you know?" Merida was shocked.

"You'll learn. Training begins tonight. Anytime when it's dark. Meet me at the stone circles," the witch smiled one last time and snapped her fingers.

Merida awoke in the glade to Angus whinnying. The hut had vanished, but she still clutched the knife in her hand.

"I've learned nothing," Merida hissed with guilt, shame, and fear clawing at her.