Elinor gradually improved under Fergus' meticulous care, as he insisted that he take care of his queen, and every other servant in the castle should look after Merida.
"Och, ye'd make a fine lady's maid, Fergus," Elinor gently teased as he finished tying the laces on her dress. Elinor had also gotten used to her husband "helping" her in more than ruling the kingdom, although for the first few days, she had been dreadfully embarrassed and flustered. Her ribs were healing and it almost did not hurt at all to brush her own hair, which she did now.
Fergus grinned at her in the mirror and pecked her cheek lightly. He threaded his fingers through her silky hair, reveling in the softness.
"I lairned from the best, my dear."
Elinor slowly rose from her seat and took Fergus' offered arm. She left her hair down loose and Fergus couldn't help but notice that she looked years younger.
"Let's go check on Merida, hmm?" Elinor suggested. She and Fergus walked briskly through the hallway connecting their room to Merida's. Suddenly, Elinor halted, gasping softly as the triplets burst out unexpectedly from Merida's room. Each little boy had strawberry jam staining his mouth and a mischievous grin on his face. They barreled into Elinor, and began pulling on her skirts, begging to be picked up.
Fergus opened his mouth to reprimand the boisterous triplets, but silenced himself when he saw Elinor smile tenderly and bend down cautiously to kiss each one on the forehead.
"Wee little devils," Elinor murmured, "wot were ye doin' in yer sister's room?"
Hubert grinned and showed his parents the single pastry that was left over from their foray into the kitchens. Hamish and Harris wiped their mouths with their grubby little fingers and attempted to smile innocently at their parents. Fergus shook his head and Elinor sighed.
"You'll all get dreadful collywobbles at the rate ye are eating sweets. Run along to Maudie, she'll give ye three a good soaking bath."
At the mention of a bath, the triplets simultaneously wrinkled their noses and shook their heads fervently. Elinor chuckled and Fergus shooed them away.
"Wee devils," Elinor repeated quietly to Fergus, who nodded in agreement.
"Ye've changed, Eli, I swear."
"Fer good, I hope, Fergus?" Elinor asked, turning to face her husband.
"Much more carefree and like your younger self, Elinor," Fergus assured her, giving her a wink and a playful squeeze on her bottom.
"Och, Fergus!" Elinor swatted his arm and scowled briefly.
They entered Merida's room, and saw their daughter, uncharacteristically, poring over the book detailing Dunbroch's history. When Merida heard the soft rustle of her mother's skirts, she looked up and beamed at her parents. Fergus gaped at his normally-restless daughter reading, reading! one of, in his opinion, the dullest books ever written. Elinor beamed back proudly and swept forward to pull Merida into a hug.
"Mum! How—how are ye feeling? Perhaps you shouldnae—oof!" Merida's words were cut short as Elinor wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"I'm fine, darling; I'm more worried about you, though!"
"Why?" Merida asked, pulling back slightly to look at her mother. Elinor stroked her daughter's wild red hair and hugged Merida tighter, ignoring the small stab of pain that shot up her bandaged ribs. The pain was worth it, Elinor thought, if only to feel her daughter close to her again.
"Tisn't like ye to spend a sunny morning in the castle. I'd think ye would have preferred to shoot arrows, ride off into the glen, with your hair flowing free…"
Merida giggled and nestled into her mother's warm embrace. "Aye, Mum, but I've changed now. After all, I guess I should start on getting to know my kingdom better!"
Elinor's smile was proud as she returned her daughter's impish grin. She ruffled her hair and let her go, standing back next to Fergus.
"Oh, dear, but—"
"Besides, Mum, I want to go riding with you when you get better; we can shoot our arrows together. Dad told me yesterday that you are quite good with weapons." Merida's eyes twinkled merrily as she and Fergus shared a laugh.
Elinor blushed and shot Fergus a playful glare. Fergus suddenly cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed to have been caught.
"Er, well, Merida, it's best if ye return to your book. Your mother and I have distracted ye enough fer today…"
Merida chortled (Elinor couldn't help but wince slightly at the un-princess like laugh) and bounded forward to give Fergus and Elinor both a hug.
"I love you, Mum and Dad."
Elinor smiled fondly and whispered, "We are so proud of you, my wee lass, no matter what."
/-/-/
Once back in the great dining hall, Elinor faced Fergus with her hands on her hips. Fergus could not meet her pointed stare, so he focused on the knobby carvings on his wooden leg.
"Ye told her I was-!"
"Good with an arrow, aye, my love," Fergus replied meekly. He smiled tentatively, wondering if she was truly angry or just surprised. "Merida is truly your daughter; she is like you in so many ways. Brave, beautiful, strong, energetic…eloquent!"
Elinor's hard stare melted away and she closed the distance between them. Fergus could see the sparkle in her warm chocolate eyes.
"She is yer daughter just as much as she is mine, and just as clumsy with words as you are, my darling, bumbling, bear king," Elinor corrected.
Fergus had beamed during the first part of her sentence, but his face fell into shadow when he heard her finish.
"Wait, what d'ye mean, clumsy?"
Elinor gave a tinkling bell-like laugh and blushed. Ah, well, she might as well admit it.
"Ye remember the great speech Merida gave to the lords that day?"
"Aye—"
Elinor tiptoed up until her lips were close to Fergus'.
"She had the script in front of her."
Fergus shook his head, confused.
"Wha—" Suddenly, he understood and let out a great bellow of laughter. "My devilish, wee lass, when did ye give her…?"
Elinor giggled and pulled Fergus along so they could go for a stroll down the castle grounds.
"Come on, dear, there is so much to tell—"
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks to adama-roslinlove and Esimms3 for putting this story in their alerts! Please review! Special strawberry pastries to those who review, and to heck with collywobbles, right? :)