Updated: December. 12, 2012
Big get togethers were always the same. Traditional, or popular foods were crammed onto every table top. There was barely a spot to see through to determine the true grain of the tables. Some of the fare was easily devoured, but a choice few were hard to guzzle down. What could be said? Who would want to eat candied flowers? Not much could measure up to haggis.
The conversation started the same way as well. Fargus would force King Corona to drink, and begin to tell the story of how they met.
"This man here was at my coronation," he would start in almost a whisper, but by the end of the sentence his voice could be heard very clearly throughout the massive room. "Of course, we were both much younger then. He was the biggest priss I ever saw, but still managed to keep up with me for drinks; at my insistence, of course. We were in the best of spirits with the best of spirits, and had the time of our lives. Instant friendship, and two great kings of the deal." Her fathers laugh seemed to startle the staff that were removing the empty dishes from the table.
Merida sighed. It was the same story every time, using exactly the same words, but her father never grew tired of telling it. Even King Corona smiled softly behind his bristly mustache, reminiscing. The stories in store were none to thrilling once you've heard them so many times, and the princess poked at the ornately arranged flower dessert on her plate, resigning herself.
"Lately though, I hear you're having quite the trouble," her father said. Merida's ears perked up. This wasn't the 'how I met your mother' story. Something new?
"That is true, Fargus," King Corona's smooth but strong voice admitted. "As of late the kingdom has been tormented by a thief. He likes to call himself Fearless Ryder. It is a similar name and similar dress to a Flynn Ryder that used to make his name stealing precious commodities; our precious daughters crown theft being one such treasure. The last time his face was seen was as he escaped from our guards, after being caught for fore mentioned crime." Merida listened intently, placing her fork down on her plate.
"Well, if this Ryder is the same, don't you think that catching him would be more simple if you follow his old patterns?" Her mother wondered, dabbing at the corners of her mouth with one of the fancy napkins.
"The problem is, that we are not sure that this is the same person," was the reply she received. "The name may be the same, but no one has seen his face; he wears a hood and mask. The only person who has seen him was an elderly woman who could have sworn that he was not quite the manliest of figures. When she had swung her walking stick at him, he had parried with a frying pan, and then ran off."
"It seems that this Fearless Ryder really isn't so fearless," her father remarked, with a smirk. "Do you know what I would do, my friend? I would hunt this Feartie Ryder with my own horse and axe. I would show him who was the King of Corona!" The last exclamation was embarrassingly loud, and it sent the triplet terrors squealing for more. Merida sat back and thought of this.
A thief, hey? Luckily she didn't carry any valuables on her. Not that she was in much danger, this thief could surely tell that she was not from around here. The people of this kingdom all had warm, tanned skin, while she was pale and freckled. They had varying shades of blonde and brown, while she looked like she was on fire. No one could mistake her as a Coronian.
The next morning, Merida found herself peacefully sneaking about the castle. She was on her way out of the city. Her mother had given her permission to explore as she wished, forgetting to put any stipulations about breaching the outer walls. The princess had managed to change into more comfortable attire and found her way to Angus. On the way, she grabbed her trusty bow, which she had packed hidden among dresses; she wouldn't want to get rusty. Leaving the city proved to be the simplest part of the whole ordeal, as the gate guard was preoccupied with trying to coax a kitten out of a nearby tree. Seeing the opportunity, Merida quickly nudged Angus into a gallop, and they were forest bound!
Once far enough into the brush, she dismounted and sighed contentedly. The feel of the grass and the dirt was welcome, and the scent of nature overwhelmingly compelling. She began to aim at random bits of foliage and let her arrows fly. After this became monotonous, she climbed back up onto Angus's back and they began to travel the path. She couldn't see through the trees behind her anymore when the horse made a nervous sound and stopped in his tracks.
"What is it, Angus?" The girl glanced around. The last time this had happened, her mother had ended up being turned into a bear. She should have known better, but Merida jumped down off of her friendly steed and listened hard. There, to the left! A rustle in the bushes. She raised her bow, and shot a warning arrow right into the appropriate place. The movement stopped. "Freeze! next time I won't miss." She stepped nearer to the rustling bushes and what she saw made her eyes widen.
The figure that had been crouching stood. It was slight, and clad in a green tunic and brown trousers. It's head was covered by a brown hood, and a black mask hid it's face.
"You're Fearless Ryder, aren't you?" She asked. Those words were all that the thief needed. He swung around in his spot gracefully. He began to run, and was quite agile; but no one can run from someone once they're on horseback. Merida knew that Angus was her advantage, and the fighting spirit she held within her would not let a thief escape without a fight.
Angus caught up to the thief, the passed him, turning in his spot and rearing up. The thief backed up a step, and almost tripped. Merida leapt from Angus' strong back and tackled the person in front of her. She sat up, pinning the thief beneath her with one hand pinning a wrist and the other pressing down on it's chest.
Suddenly, she realized something.
End Note: Apparently feartie is slang in Scottish that means cowardly.