Merida's Perspective

Merida had retired to her room for the night after bidding Young Macguffin goodnight.

She seemed lost in her own world as she reached her room. Upon entering she had lit a couple candles to illuminate the room as she undressed herself. The redhead sat down at the edge of her bed. She began combing her hair a habit she had when she was nervous.

There was a light knock at the door. Her head snapped in the direction of said knocking, her heart sped up a bit. What if it was her father? What if Young Macguffin had gone into the throne room and boasted of their kiss to everyone? What if her father was angry? He wouldn't banish Macguffin would he or declare war over a kiss? Would he?

"Merida" came Queen Elinor's voice from behind the door. "Are you asleep darling?"

"No mom." She responded.

Elinor opened the door and stepped inside. She found her daughter sitting on her bed with a brush stuck midway through some curls.

"Are you alright dear? You left so abruptly I didn't know where you had gone." Elinor told Merida. Elinor could see something was troubling her daughter. She motioned to a nearby chair and Merida got up and sat down in it. Elinor gently took the brush out of Merida's hair and began combing it herself.

"Oh mom, I don't know what to do! I don't know what to think" Merida said to her mother. She gave a great big sigh and slumped a bit.

"Think about what dear?" Elinor asked her daughter. She had begun the task of braiding Merida's hair.

"About this suitor business." Merida told her mother.

Elinor gave a quiet oh and responded "Well, this isn't really such a complicated matter."

"It feels like it's gotten more complicated! Why just earlier Young Macintosh tried to kiss me!" Merida yelled.

Elinor's eyes widen. "So that's what happened?" She said, finally understanding the situation. She had seen her daughter run out and the young lad on the ground. She didn't know what to make of it at the time and had simply defused the situation the best she could.

"Yes, that's exactly what happened. One minute we were dancing, he was complimenting me and then the next thing I know his face was inches from mine." Merida explained. She buried her face in her hands. "I did the only thing that came to mind."

Elinor laughed a little, Merida looked up at her mother and said "Glad to see someone finds this whole thing amusing. "

"I'm not laughing at you; I'm laughing because something similar happened to me when I was younger" Elinor said between bouts of laughter.

Merida's eyes widen. "Yea?" was all Merida could say not believing what she was hearing.

"Yes, a young lord had come to visit my clan. I was fifteen at the time and had been assigned to showing him around the castle. The young lad had tried to romance me every chance he got but I found his advances less than desirable. One night after we had dinner my mother suggested a dance. He asked me to dance with him and I not wanting to be rude accepted. Little did I know he would attempt to kiss me" Elinor told Merida.

"….and what did you do?" Merida asked her.

"I slapped him." Her mother answered. "It was quite a satisfying slap that resounded around the whole room. I'll never forget my mother's shocked expression." Elinor recounted with a small smile on her face.

Merida sat there astonished. She never would have thought her mother the slapping type, ear pulling yes, politely refusing yes but not outright slapping. Suddenly Merida didn't feel so bad about pushing Young Macintosh.

….But there was still the issue revolving around Young Macguffin. If she could call that an issue. Her head was telling her yes it was an issue, but her heart was telling her that she enjoyed those chaste kisses. Merida wanted to discuss this with her mother but she was afraid to.

Instead she opted for asking "Mom? Have you ever kissed anyone before you were betrothed?"

Elinor who had been softly humming stopped and looked down at her daughter. She was met with curious blue eyes that seemed to need an answer.

"Yes." She said.

"Who?...if that's not to rude to ask." Merida said.

Elinor took a seat in front of Merida and said "Your father."

"But didn't you marry dad?" asked Merida obviously confused.

Elinor laughed lightly at her daughter's expression and pinched her cheek. "Yes. The night before the games for my hand there was a dinner with all my suitors and I had to talk with each one. The most interesting of them was your father. He invited me outside to take a walk around the grounds. We walked and talked and he made me laughed. By the end of it I remember we were about to part ways when I leaned in and kissed him."

Merida listened intently. "and then what happened?" she asked.

"He was shocked at first then he started rambling on about the games and how he would win. He was so nervous and awkward. I found that side of him endearing in a way. I found myself hoping he would win." Elinor said as she smiled at Merida.

Merida smiled back and felt another burden easing away from her thoughts.

Elinor saw that whatever had been troubling Merida seemed to have disappeared. She took Merida's hands in her own and said "Merida my dear, if you ever find someone worthy enough of your affections remember that they hold them for a reason. Never doubt what's inside your heart and trust your instincts. I know it can be frightening when you don't understand what's going on but life's full of uncertainty and the only thing you can be certain of is how you feel. Never second guess your feelings my girl." Elinor placed a kiss on Merida's forehead.

"Thanks mom, you've made me feel so much better." Merida smiled at her mother.

Elinor answered her with a you're welcome my dear. She got up and made her way to the door but not before bidding Merida a goodnight.

Merida slept peacefully that night.