A/N: Welcome to my story, DarkFairy77! I'm so glad you like it. I only have virtual strawberry pastries, I'm afraid, but you are welcome to as many as you would like! :) To all my readers, you are fantastic; I hope you enjoy this (kind of short) chapter!
Fergus strolled down the stone corridors of Dunbroch Castle in search of something to eat. He and his men had just returned from a hunting trip, and he was feeling, no pun intended, as hungry as a bear.
As Fergus neared the kitchen, he quickly looked about his shoulder. Dinner was supposed to be served in an hour, but the kitchen maids had left the door ajar. Queen Elinor had recently said that Fergus was too "imposing" (to use her exact phrase) and needed to cut back on his voracious appetite. Fergus had put up a slight tantrum, but Elinor had been firm. As a result, Fergus was only allowed a fraction of the amount he usually consumed for dinner. But now, Fergus noted with glee, Elinor was nowhere to be seen. Quickly, Fergus snuck into the kitchens and closed the door firmly behind him.
Fergus scanned the delectable selection of pastries and succulent mutton chops. He had just gently picked up a pastry and opened his mouth wide to take a big bite….when the door creaked open.
Fergus quickly stuffed the entire pastry in his mouth and swallowed. He turned around, and who would it be, standing with her arms crossed sternly and eyebrows raised questioningly, but his darling wife.
"E-Elinor!" Fergus choked out. He wiped his mouth hastily and blinked down at Elinor innocently.
"Fergus, wot are ye doin' in the kitchens? I thought the duties of being king were strenuous enough without ye havin' to take on the role of kitchen maid."
Fergus gulped. "Aye, my love. Ah…just wanted to make sure everything was in order here. I-I-I'll be goin' then…see you at dinner, Elinor."
Fergus darted around Elinor as nimbly as his large frame could, but Elinor stopped him by placing her hand on his forearm.
"Ye weren't by any chance…indulging in a wee snack before dinner, were you, love?" Elinor enunciated clearly but quietly.
Fergus opened his mouth to deny it, but as soon as he looked down into Elinor's intelligent, knowing eyes, he decided he could not lie to her.
"Aye," he said in a tiny voice. He dropped his head in shame and stared at the floor. Elinor sighed. "But I wos hungry, Eli! The hunt today was a tough one, let me tell ye that! Seven hours and only three deer to show for it! And after Lord Dingwall scared off the first fowl we stalked for an hour…" Fergus rambled on and on, not noticing that Elinor had nodded absently and swept forward into the kitchen to clean up the mess he had made.
"Fergus, ye know the doctors have all told ye that if ye continue to eat as much as you do…your health could take a turn for the worse. I thought…ye understood that." Elinor's tone was stern, but her eyes were pleading.
Fergus approached Elinor slowly and smoothed back a few strands of her silver streaked hair.
"I do," he assured her. "But an 'imposing' man has imposing appetites!"
Elinor scoffed and ducked away from Fergus.
"Och, ye're like the children. Honestly…raising five children is more than I can handle."
Fergus was grinning broadly now. He knew Elinor could not stay angry with him for long. He gently massaged her shoulders and Elinor felt the tension gradually dissipate.
"Are ye sure ye wouldn't like a wee snack before dinner, Eli? The pastries look delicious!"
Elinor chuckled, in spite of herself, and turned around to shake her head no. But when Fergus' face fell, Elinor reconsidered. She clasped her hands together and scanned the line of desserts already made.
"Perhaps one, then," she acquiesced. She carefully bit into an apple tart and smiled in satisfaction. Fergus gleefully took another tart for himself and devoured the delicate treat in seconds.
Just then, Merida and the triplets, in search for a "wee snack" themselves, decided to enter the kitchen, and for a moment, every Dunbroch royal was stunned into shock. Fergus gaped at his children, Elinor coughed quietly to clear her throat, and Merida and the triplets looked at each other, amused to see Elinor herself indulging in a sweet treat before dinner.
Elinor was the first to recover. Straightening her (already impeccable) posture, she issued a final, lighthearted warning. "Dinner is in half an hour, children. Don't spoil yer appetites."
On that note, Elinor placed her tiny hand on Fergus' arm and together, the Bear King and his fair Queen left, leaving the children gaping once more in disbelief.