A/N: Sorry for the very short chapter granted with my ocd, it'll be edited in the next few weeks/months. Time is something I don't have much of these days and it's currently nearly two am so ignore any/all spelling and grammar mistakes.

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Thanks x

Chapter Eleven – Apart

Merida sat in silence along with her triplet brothers in the main hall; absentmindedly she toyed with the thick consistency of porridge in the bowl and lost the remainder of her appetite, clearly distracted by the commotion that emanated from her mother's chambers and how Maudie had pleaded with the fiery princess to remain outside regardless of the hysteria, inaudible rambling and her father's futile attempts to alleviate the situation.

Merida glanced sideways at her brothers who were unusually quiet, each slumped at the table, their bowls of porridge and goblets of milk remained untouched, not even the thought of an unguarded kitchen filled with sugary delights were enough to bring the triplet boys out from their despair. Merida blinked hard as the tears threatened to fall and during this family crisis, Merida had to remain a pillar of strength for her brothers, she swallowed away a hard lump as she noticed the empty table, without the large muscular build of her father who slurped his way through the impressive breakfast mountain portion, spraying food over himself and the table as he reminisced about battles in which he and the clan were reaping the spoils of war only to be scolded by her mother as she sat opposite him and was the embodiment of table etiquette and completely the polar opposite as she elegantly dissected her meal.

"Dad!" cried Merida, relieved by his presents and stood from her chair

Fergus, half heartedly raised his trembling hand to stop his daughter from running over to him. His exhausted features were concealed in the natural shadows that formed in the castle and secretly thankful that his children were not able to witness his struggle to maintain his composure. Merida and the boys were shocked as they desperately needed their father, for support, guidance and answer but instead received nothing from him as Fergus was not fully prepared, he could feel the internal conflict as his own emotions threatened to overwhelm him.

"Dad?" whispered Merida, she turned to her brothers, and the responsibility now fell onto her shoulders

"That's the best I can do..."

Maudie slowly nodded her head in agreement after a final inspection and sighed, "Do you think it is wise...the children...to see..." she hesitated

The physician nodded, "It could be comforting for them..."

"There is the matter of the King..."

He raised his hand as a gesture to interrupt, "Let's take one thing at a time."