Worlds Apart

by TheSecretListener

The herber waits for the princess, "Ready, dear?", Merida smiled, grabbing her bow and arrow, "You're mad, i tell you,", He chuckled and left, Merida took a deep breath, "Now or never," before she grabbed her cloak and ran walked to the crowd, extended tales, Merida and the elusive herber that plotted the incident, And after the bear incident, Mor'du's story and Merida's adulthood

2. Chapter 2

Worlds Apart

Section 1 : Chronicles of brave

Chapter 2 : The Games

- Princess thought the princess' doomed

As she thought her fate was already sealed,

But in reality, they are not her groom

As she'll change her fate accordingly,

To her heart she will change,

To her mind it's all the same,

As Change gets in her Range,

And her name and her bravery, will lead her to fame,

Merida was tired at the night, still thinking of the betrothal, it was not fair, on the bed she was bored and felt quite dead, but at times, she read the book of herbs,, and there, she stumbled upon a page, and read, "Stones of fate" as normally though, it didn't make sense, it is obviously named 'documentation of herbs' but it caught her eye, she read "In areas surrounding the rings of stones, there might be a chance you might see other things - there will be dead forests, and no herbs, but there is an exception, each stone is a portal, according to my theory, and each portal there will be more herbs than you could imagine, herbs that never existed here,' Merida thought for a moment, "this book is mad," she said as she closed the five inch book,

The next morning Merida was woken up by her mother "Merida, Get up, The boats of the clans are sighted on the river, you must get prepared now!" Elinor said pulling Merida, Merida was pulled out of her bed, she was still tired but her mother forced her to wake up, "Mom, Stop!" she said annoyed, "We don't have time!" Elinor said opening the door of her room, and Merida sat on her bed, "I have told the best tailors in the kingdom to wove your dress," She said taking out a turquoise dress from her wardrobe, it was a tiny lil' dress, "That looks a little small..?" she said, Her mother smiled.

Merida struggled with the dress' tightness, it was crushing her abdomen and she could barely inhale - "I Can't Breath..!" she struggled, her mother gasped, never seen her wearing like this before, "You look Gorgeous!", "It's too tight!", "Ahh, shush," she ordered, "now, give us a little turn," Merida slowly turned step by step with the rigid clothes, even though it was constricting her, "It's perfect!" her mother said, Merida turned slowly to her mother, they were silent, Elinor wanted to say something to Merida, she whispered "Merida…" they both wanted to talk about the betrothal, "Yes, mom?" Merida replied her mother, trying to maintain her strictness, "Just…" They both looked concerned and when the words were just on the tip of their tongue, "…Don't forget to smile," she said, concealing her intentions, "Mother…" Merida whispered to herself, as she also wanted to talk, "Come now, Merida, let's go to the throne room, there they will present their suitors, maybe there will be one you might like,"

In the throne room everybody is running all over, to their places, "Let us welcome, the Lords, Dingwall, Macintosh, And MacGuffin," Said one of the guards, The door opened and they marched in, Merida was watching clan MacGuffin, searching for the purple hand, before they all stopped. Fergus stood up, "So… Well… Here we are!," He said aloud, "The four clans! Uhh… Uhm – Gathering..! For the – Uhh…" The queen face-palmed and helped him, "- For the presentation of the suitors!", She said, "To win the fair maiden, the sons of each clan must compete in feats of strength, power and arms, Clan Macintosh," she called, Lord Macintosh stepped forward "My queen, I present my heir and sire," He said, bringing him forward, who showed off his sword skills, "with his sword, stab blooder, who battled on enemy territory and defeated one thousand enemies!", The young Macintosh stopped and gave Merida a dreamy look, "You have got to be kidding me" she thought –

"Merida," The purple-hand mumbled, sharpening his small daggers, "Nice name… Where did that name come from..?" He said, when a worker saw him in a tent, Collie slowly smiled at him, "Hey! I've never seen you before,", "Oh, I'm from MacGuffin, What are you doing? Everyone seems… Excited..? What's the Occasion?" The worker had a surprised look, "you weren't told? Today is Princess Merida's betrothal games!" Collie had his mouth left wide open, "Of course…" He said, Before running to clan MacGuffin's tent, he was short of breath when he arrived "Oh, I wished I was as fit as I used to be…" he reminded, the tent was short of people, everyone was at the throne room, he saw some clothes and took it, changing his clothes in a matter of seconds, and he saw his hands, "I need gloves," he thought, before taking a torn cloak and wrapping it around his arms, his veins that popped up made his hands and feet look like as if he was possessed by some demon, "Wait…" he thought, "Ida..? Isn't that English - or Merida… from Spain..?" He noticed his skin getting colder "Darn it, not now," he cursed, adjusting his man-skirt and cloak-gloves before running to the castle, but before he even reached the door, the door slammed open, the clans were marching out, each to their tents, "Oh, darned Hellgate!" What did you do!" he said before running back to the tent, nearly tripping, when he got back, he changed his clothes back, but he didn't get to take the wrapped cloak off, he ran to DunBroch's, behind the seats of the wooden shade of the royal family, he was gasping heavily, putting his hand on his chest, finally he could feel his skin getting warmer, before a lass showed up, turquoise dressed and was very beautifully decorated motif of the dress, "Oh, good morning lassy," he said, the girl smiled, he looked around, "Have you seen the princess? I didn't see her when DunBroch marched out, the girl spoke "Well, she's probably in a different dress," Collie stared at her, "OH," the lass smiled, "Well can you bring me to her?", her smile turned into a laughter, "You really don't recognize me, do you?" Collie then finally realized, "Merida?" she nodded, and before you know it his veins came popping from his neck to his head, his hands freezing and his eyes started to get red, when Merida saw him getting bluish and paler and she nearly screamed, Collie unwrapped the leather on his hand, it was veins were pushing out and small red vessels swirling and moving all about, He covered his hand immediately, Merida stepped back, "What are you..?" Collie's eyes showed obvious trauma, Merida watched him as his face goes back to normal, she slowly stepped closer, "Are you..?" Collie stepped back, "You're not going to run?" he asked, Merida looked at his neck as it started to fade away, "No, I'm not going to run, you…", she held his hand and unwrapped it, it was just slightly purple, but when she touched the skin the veins popped out, "When you are near girls you like?" he slightly nodded and laughed, "Are you cursed?" she said, he stared at her, "Do you believe in witchcraft of plants?" she nodded, "you never got the full version, I once had a lass I love," he said, Merida listened closely, covering his hand with the torn cloak "I loved her with all my dear heart, her blonde hair, she was a warrior, just like you, wild locks, deep blue eyes,", "Did she curse you?", Collie stared at Merida, "No," he said, "She… I wanted to bring her back, and ended like this, and the traitor who killed her...", Merida watched his face going purple, veins emerging beneath the skin, "What? you said traitor," she asked, "I made a deal with a drug witch, he had a grudge on me, she thought I was responsible for her father's death, she casted an immortality spell, by force, I had to, to spare her life, she died in a castle when the northern invaders came searching for her father,", "I don't understand…", "my... she died, I loved her, I went searching for the impossible herb, and yes… I did, I've agreed to give her my lifetime, the impossible herb that was supposed to promise ressurection, I spent twenty years searching for it, and I found two,", Merida stared at him closely, "You took it? And gave it to her..?", "but it destroyed her body, It needs the immunity of our bodies to work," Merida felt sorry for him, Collie tried to cry it all, but there was none to be shed, "I never could live with myself ever since, so I devoted my entire life on helping people, trying to clear my conscious, My family died, since I was young,", "That doesn't explain the scar,", "I'm known as the Herber, Merida, That was the one plant, new, rumors say it could cure any disease, the one I took before I gave it to my lass,", "And..? it left you with that scar?", "Yes, it stopped my growth and my sicknesses, but every other medicine I took caused the vein to pop up, at one point my whole body was purple, now I never took herbs, it decreases, eventually, but every time I am flooded with emotion, my veins will come into sight, it will take a lot of time,", Merida looked pity for the boy, "I'm so sorry," before she realized, "Wait..? Immortality herb and spell?" Collie stared at her with a weird look, "How old are you?", "You don't want to know, trust me," He said, Merida thought for a moment, she grinned at him, "you owe me a drink, you know?", "how come?", "it's still five hours until the actual game, and you told me your story, now it's my turn, and you're payin' for the drink,", Merida said, running to a stall, Collie blushed red, "You're the princess – the drinks are supposed to be free," he said, Merida pulled his hand and he smiled, Merida then stopped for a moment, she looked at him, "Wait – did I say something wrong..?", "No you're fine," Merida smiled and ran with him, "I've never heard someone talk to me like that since forever," he thought

"So you and your mother never get along?", "pretty much, she never listened to me," Merida said drinking some wine, "I never drank wine before, I wonder how my father can like this drink," she said, collie stopped her, "I prefer rum to red wine, and red wine to root beer,", "Well, why are you here, really?" she asked, "I need to see my friend, take a look in DunBroch, well I have to watch over this kingdom, I promised your grandmother, Elinor's mother, - And, also about Caroline…", "And you meant my grandmother as Candl'one Banthron? And Caroline, the bear wood carver, huh? The one who used that pot you're not telling me," "Yes, she did use 'that' pot, She had done something that might compromise the peacekeepers, - and herself,", "who's the peacekeepers?", "I can't tell you dear,", Merida gave him a skeptical look, she slowly moved backwards and grinned "Is that your club of idiots?", "we keep the peace, that's all, well, most of the times, most of the times we just do as we told, that's why I was stripped of my rank because of Candl'one, and that drug witch who set Juliet up,", "Oh, I'm sorry… Well they're doing a horrible job you know? Mor'du's running all about, the warring clans, the Vikings," she chuckled, Collie looked into her, as if asking something "If I help you, will you believe me?", "Speaking of help," she said pulling her bow from a bag, "there is something my mother missed…, only the firstborn of each clan can compete, I doubt neighbouring enemy archery clans would come, and she didn't specify,", "she didn't specify deep enough, huh?", "Yapp, I'll be in a cloak, I chose archery," she said before she sighed and looked at him with a guilty turn, "What's wrong lass?", "is this right?", Collie thought for a moment, as if he was making a plan, then he slowly examined her necklace and was watching the details, "that could support her for months maybe a bail…" he mumbled, Merida asked again, "is this right?", Collie snapped out of it "Oh, well it all depends on you, Merida, I can help you… but well I ask you, is it right for your mother to force you to marry an alien?" Merida laughed, "You're right,", Collie looked around, "will-o the wisp..." he mumbled again, Merida noticed, "What was that?", "Oh, nothing, uhm… Merida,", She turned, "Yes?", He moved closer, concealing their conversation, "Do you know the legend of will-o the wisp?" Merida stared at him smiling, "I've met them, when I was a child," Collie seemed surprise, "Really?", "They lead me out of the forest, they saved me from the demon Bear Mor'du,", "I guessed your fate wasn't meant to die that day", they both laughed, then she had an idea, Merida then challenged him, "How good are you with the sword?", Collie replied "I was great at my days,", "How old are you actually?", "without doubt older than you,", "You look like you're just fifteen or sixteen,,", "That's just my body, I am shrunk by the herb to the last time I loved a woman, and by that I meant truly loved a woman, a horrible joke made by the drug witch – which means when I was still a virgin,", "wait, you're still a virgin… or are you a virgin before your curse or… so you're not a virgin – Never mind, By the way, tell me your age… Come on, tell me, - please?", "No, a no is a no, but then again, how good are you with the sword..?", "Fine, I'm quite good, I've practiced since I was ten years old, my sword's name is Faent, I beat my first opponent when I was thirteen,", Collie stared at her in disbelief, "You're not much of a Princess are you?", "You're not much of a man too… I mean - I'll let you choose your sword at the sword fighting tent,", Collie rolled his eyes, "You're kidding me, in front of these crowd of people?", "Do I look like I'm kidding? Oh, or are you not good at sword fighting then wee apple lover?", "Want to bet on it?" He said standing up pulling his belt, Merida thought for a moment, the last bet didn't go too well, "No, it's just for fun,", "my physical body is past my prime, I've never trained the sword for almost five years, you know?" he said walking to the tent, being followed by the princess, "Wait," Merida said, "I'll go get my robe,"

At the small arena there were people placing wagers on the warriors who were fighting, and at a table there was a collection of Scottish swords and axes, all of it finely made, and new, no doubt, probably most of it from Macintosh, Collie remembered he was attacked by a bandit with similar swords, but all of them are smaller and easily shattered, unlike all of this - "Can I choose?" Collie asked the blacksmith, "If you lose you pay, who's your challenger?", "She's not – I mean, He's not here yet,", "then don't even think of touchin' the swords,", "Fine, you pick my competitor, I've never had this kind of battle in years," he said, the blacksmith walked into a nearby tent, and never came back. For nearly half an hour he waited, Collie was starting to get impatient, "Where is she..?"

Merida was in her room, searching for her robe, and she found it, "Here you go Merida," she took of the mummifying head wrapper, it took a while, and by it her haired flowed free, "That's better,", it was hot as a furnace with her hair covered like that, and hotter in the noon, she was pulling out her stuck hair from the dress, and picking up her sword and running down the stairs but she was startled by somebody there, dropping her sword, "Young Macintosh?", "Princess?" he said, "What are you doin' here?", "Nothing, out there's boring, nothin' to do, what - are you doin'? Aren't you supposed to be with the queen?", "No, I'm just freeing out my hair,", Macintosh took a step closer, "You know I'm the best warrior from the three sons, right?", Merida was holding her laughter, knowing he'll be beaten by the princess, Macintosh slowly moved closer, until Merida had no place to move, "So what if we start now?", "start what?", "Come on," He said holding her hand, "Let go of my hand," she said annoyed, he moved closer, before she knew it their lips met, Merida shoved him while spitting the his saliva out, "What are you doing?!", "Come on, we're gettin' married,", And she was pulled and kissed again, at first she was not cooperating with him, but slowly she started to enjoy their kiss, he was not only quite handsome, but she actually felt something - she was blushing although she was pushing him, she wasn't pushing hard, as they kissed deeper they both caressed each other, Merida pushed him harder, but it went into a slow French, Macintosh started moving south, half of her mind was off to nowhere, Merida was pushing him away, now quite gently, that pretty Macintosh' face really did entranced her, and then there the sound of a person laughing, they both stopped, there was no one from the front gates, but she just snapped out of it, "What did I do?" she thought to herself, and behind her from the dining room door is the sound of a familiar laughter, "I Praise you for your skills, deary, you've just awoken a sleeping dragon," Said the purple-handed boy half in anger, Merida slowly moved to her sword, "Aren't you supposed to wait at the tent..?" "Oh, I'm so glad to hear that," he said drawing out his sword, "Come on now, deary, I'm fueled by anger now," he said before his face turned purple and veins emerged, Macintosh ran away, "So that's the legendary Stab blooder?" She scorned, "Collie, wait,", "No more chit-chat, pick up your sword sweetheart, I have still can do it in me, oh it must have been wonderful to feel his red, full, delicious lips, where many woman has gone through, I'm sure he'll give you a beautiful gift up between his legs!" he yelled, Merida picked up her sword, "Stop Collie, I don't want to fight you,", He stopped for a second, "Did you stopped back there, when he was licking your tongue, and touching you? Slowly enjoying that oh, soft and tender body of yours?", Merida finally was in a sword-fighting position, Collie smiled "Eagle stand, you do know your sword," he said, before positioning his sword by his waist, "That stand won't benefit you, Collie,", "I'll try to let you win, because do you know how it feels like to have one thousand needles puncturing into your heart and through and there was no blood and empty?", "I feel the same way, please, stop," she said, half in guilt, before Collie charged at her, Merida blocked him and countered, he pulled her hand and they crossed their sword, he pushed her so hard and her sword flew and got stuck in a stone brick, he used his sword to break her sword, Merida ran and fell, "That's not fair, I wasn't ready", "It's a sword fight, Merida, using what you have is the rule, next time try using instincts," before he threw away his sword, "I won't let anyone kill you, physically" He said, "But if you marry Macintosh, he will, from the inside, I can hear his footsteps and the wave of his sword now, ten foot from here, he's about to 'save' you, how sweet," he said before he turned around to block him with his bear hands, he slid the edges of the sword even if his hand bled, until he could take control of the sword, "Scotland is a beautiful place," Collie said, "That's beautiful isn't it" he said pulling the sword and throwing it to the roof and sticking on it, and he grabbed his hand and flew a few feet until they hit a wall, "I do not kill people," Collie said before dropping him, Merida ran and took his sword, "You don't need that, sweetie, I feel horrible," he said, his face turning pale and slightly wrinkled, Merida pulled out the sword and pointed at Collie, her hand shaking, her eyes in fear, Macintosh passed out, "I'm sorry Merida, I shouldn't have done that," he said throwing a few seeds, "Give these to Macintosh if you want him to forget, take a few yourselves, if you want to, he needs just one, you might need three," Merida dropped her sword, bursting into tears, "Why..?", "That, Lassy, I should ask you,", "No, Why didn't you kill me and then Macintosh?", Collie stopped and turned around, "As crazy as it sounds, I promised Candl'one never to kill, and, if I kill you, than I would repeat the same mistake as I used to, to Mor'lae that means destroying your wife, and I could never live with myself, Macintosh, you might fall in love with him, Just like Candl'one to another man and when she casted me out, you remind me of her, but it's all up to you," Merida slowly crawled to Macintosh, she grabbed a seed, "Forget me not seeds?", "If you want to forget me, but it's for Macintosh anyways," he said walking out, Merida quickly woke Macintosh, "Wake up you idiot!" She yelled, Macintosh woke up, "Eat this, this'll heal you," She said giving him a seed, he swallowed it and he dropped into deep sleep, Merida picked up the remaining seeds, nearly tempted to take it, "the documentation of herbs…" she thought, before it all came to her, eight years ago, that's where she saw him, "no… it can't be," she thought, it was too familiar, but she shook it out of her head, "he couldn't have saved my father…"

"Could he..?"

An hour into the final game, which is the betrothal game, she prepared herself, dressed up just like how her mother did, still thinking of Collie's action back then, "I hope you're in MacGuffin you lil' bastard," she thought, hoping for some miracle, trying to keep her mind steady, "Why did he become so angry..?" and she walked out of her room, and to her surprise, there was her sword, completely intact, and there was a letter, she crouched and read "Please do not Forget me" she smiled, but the thought of what just happened broke her smile, "Forget me not, Dear love" she thought, dear love is a root of a plant, useful for treating people with emotional instability, in other words, depression, love sadness, anger, it makes them numb, "Dear love, you must be takin' them now," and she was blushing, at what she just thought, "I Can't let them marry me," she mumbled, "I Couldn't let them win, for my own sake, he's right," and then she carried the sword and bow, running to her mother and father, and just before arriving, she saw a familiar face in, a person dressed in a MacGuffin style, "So you didn't leave," she smiled, and called out his name, but he ran away, " I guessed I shouldn't have done that…", she mumbled, hiding her bow behind her seat before walking away from her mother, Elinor saw Merida, "Merida, Where did you go?", Merida bit her lips, "I went to the castle, I just wanted to free my hair,", Elinor hugged her, "Come on, Merida, the suitors are already preparing, I guess you should meet them,", "NO!", Elinor turned around, "Sooner or later you have to,", Merida now finally remembered why she was here, "What if,", Elinor then listened, "There was another boy,", "That, it's too late,", "Or if I Don't want to?", "You know I can't tell those to the lords,", "Why are you doing this?", Elinor pulled Merida to her seat, the king was laughing watching people competing, Merida was irritated by her mother's strictness, she wanted to win, just for once, she sat properly, as instructed by her mother, then young Macintosh showed up now up and forgotten, "Princess Merida, we've never talked before, maybe we should get to know each other," Merida ignored him, slightly blushing, but she ignored him, just like how her mother would do, until Macintosh slowly walked away, Elinor turned and asked her, "Why wouldn't you talk to him?", "I know what kind of person he is,", "You haven't even met him,", "He's not ever going to be my groom,", "You know he trained the most, I guessed he really likes you," Merida blushed, but still strictly denying "Never in a million years will I like him,", Elinor sighed, Merida searched for a face in MacGufffin, and there he was, his hand and neck was covered, in the front seat, she could see him reading a book, "the documentation of herbs", the book she had ever since the stranger gave her that book, "Could it be?" she thought, slightly angry, and the pressure she had was already tearing her, she became more angry, she nearly cried, "Damn me..!" She silently cried, the game was about to start, she wiped a tear, and calmed herself, and then she saw the boy running away, "Mom, can you postpone it for just a little second?"

Merida saw Collie behind a tent, she called him, "Collie,", "I Knew you would come,", "What?", "Do you want to shoot for your own hand in the game?", "Yes..?", "I Have a plan, But you must meet my good friend first,", "I'm not meeting a wood carver in the middle of the cursed dark forest,", "I didn't mean now, but, - " He said taking out an Amulet, green in color, the outline was golden and the middle was bronze, the motif was Banthron, just like Merida's necklace, but this one's much more older, more primitive though more complex - "Here's for you, keep it out of sight, it brings you luck, the one that your predecessor gave me, I'll giving it back", Merida blushed, and kept it but she was still confused, "I don't understand..?", "My friends will guide you, the peacekeepers has agreed, Godspeed sweetheart," he said, before walking away, "Wait, Collie!", "Questions?", "Yes, Why are you doing this? Who are you? You can't be older than me, Right..?", "You'll soon know,", "WAIT!", he turned around, "What..?", Merida ran to him, "Do you love me? Is that why you're doing this? Tell me before you leave, I know we've just met, but I don't want my good friend to do this just because he loves me…", She said, he gulped, "That could wait, I promise, it all depends on what you choose, in your eyes I'm just a sick fifteen year old, but, after my plan has gone through, I believe you will look at me with a different manner -" She ran to him and hugged him, "I don't know what you're up to, Collie, but you're my only friend,", "Really..?" he said slowly embracing her, he felt warm inside, he hadn't had such hugs since he was ten, then, something came to him, "Oh..! Umm, Merida..?" He said, they loosened their grip, Merida smiled, looking to the young boy, "Yes?", "Do you forgive me for the outburst..? I don't usually do that, because I treat people, watching them revive, all of that, the last time I did snap was when I found out my parents were murdered,", "If I saw you with another lass I'd probably kill her too, what is this… I guess we can get along after all," and they laughed, Collie ran to MacGuffin, Merida thought of the same thing and ran to her mother, Elinor gave Merida a slight dirty look, "The lords are waiting, Merida,", "I know, mom," She said annoyed, crossing her arms and sat down, her parents stood up, "Let the games begin! And may the lucky arrow finds it's target!", Merida smirked, watching the three poor lads going against the princess, Merida could see Collie just behind young MacGuffin, sitting and closing his eyes, folding his feet "What are you up to lad?" she thought, leaning her body towards the field,

Collie sat behind the competitors, everybody else was standing, but he sat down, one of the soldiers behind him asked, "Why are you sitting lad?", "Oh, I'm afraid I'll block your view,", he joked, and when the horn wass blown and everyone became silent, Collie pulled out a book and read, when he was done, MacGuffin stepped forth, He smiled at the princess, who seems to be smiling back, Collie noticed it and started to feel a bit jealous and when MacGuffin started aiming, Collie performed an imaginary arching gesture, he slightly turned it and *thud* MacGuffin missed, everyone gasped, "Well done!" Collie said, everyone was watching him, and then Macintosh walked forth, "Oh the strong hand, let's see how you do it,", and then Collie noticed his hand, "You're left handed..?" he said quickly changing the position, but - he shot the arrow, "Darn it!" He muttered, but quickly noticed it was just near the bull's eye, "What could motivate Merida..? she's probably thinking of giving up now," and he saw wee dingwall standing forth, Collie had a grin on his face, "This could work…", Wee dingwall took one arrow and aimed, quite pathetically he dropped everything and had terrible aiming, "Either she marries Dingwall or me, I hope you're not marrying him," He gulped, performing a shooting gesture and aimed at the target, Dingwall was losing his grip on the arrow, Collie concentrated his energy on the arrow, the king yelled, "Shoot lad!", and he let go, Collie aimed at the target and released, *thud* it was a bull's eye and the crowd cheered, "You'd better be here," He mumbled, standing up, and was pushed by a lass in a cloak carrying the flag of DunBroch, Collie turned around, and the lass took off her cloak, "I Am Merida," She said turning to the crowd, "Firstborn of the clan of DunBroch! And I'll be shootin' for my own hand!" Her mother stood up, "What are you doing?" She yelled, the lords turned to her. Collie was watching her aim, preparing her arrow, and she released the first, *thud* the crowd went into a state of shock, "God, I pray to you, let her win in this part, if it all comes down to her married by Dingwall, Damn my soul,", And Merida prepared the second arrow and exhaled, *thud* a perfect bull's eye, now the third, Collie read a mantra and the wind slowly settled, he could watch her aiming just at the center, "the perfect aim could aim three hundred and a bull's eye!" he yelled, Merida exhaled deeper, regulating her heart to release between the beat, and she loosened her grip, *crack* it went right through Dingwall's arrow and target and to the wood, Collie stood there in disbelief, "You're better than I thought you would be," he smiled, but watched the queen going to Merida, "Peacekeepers I whisper to thee, show thyself in when she will need," he whispered, as if he was praying, but her mother pulled her back, "They both look pissed" said one of the Macintosh soldier,", "Nahh, they'll be allright, Oh, a word of advice, don't kill the first bear, and try not to get hurt because of the second bear,", And then collie stopped, "Soldier may I ask you?", "No,", "if you're in love with the princess, would you betray her to get her?", "No, that would be treason,", "What if you have to betray her to make her happy? Or to make her more mature, more responsible?", "No, That would be different,", And he walked away from the crowd, feeling slight guiltiness "It's also what she wants… right?"

- As much as we want to feel and know

This is a selfish act, based on instinct

But what would you say to the bear and the bow,

Would you believe me it was his thinking?

Elinor pulled Merida into her room, "I've just almost had enough of you lass!" Elinor said furiously, Merida said in her defense, "You're the one that –", "You've embarrassed me, You've embarrassed the lords!", "I Followed the rules!", "You don't know what you've done! There will be fire and swords if this isn't settled right!", Merida finally yelled "Just listen!", "I AM the Queen! YOU, listen to me!", "You were never there for me, you go around, tellin' me what to do, what not to do, Trying to make me, Be like you, Have you ever asked of what I want? NO!", "Oh you're acting like a child!", "AND YOU," She said drawing out her sword, "You're a BEAST!" using the edge of the sword, to pierce the tapestry, "No, Stop that!", "I'll never be like you, I'd rather die to be like you!" she said tearing the tapestry, Elinor snapped, throwing away Merida's sword, "Merida, you are a princess, I EXPECT YOU TO ACT LIKE ONE" she said throwing Merida's bow to the fireplace, Merida watched it burn, She burst into tears, "No!" And she ran away crying like a waterfall, "Merida!" the Queen called desperately, and she heard the bow's string snapped, "No..!" she silently regretted, crying, "What have I done..?"

Twenty years ago – Elinor's Betrothal

"Mom, I Don't want to get married!", Said princess Elinor in the dining room "Don't worry, that Fergus from Clan DunBroch looks like a nice fellow, he'll take good care of you,", said the Queen with long red curly hair, "But Mom… What if I don't like him..?", "Then we'll call off the gathering then, the terms of peace between the clans could… find another way… I'm sure,", Said Queen Candl'one "Yesterday…", "Yes, Elinor?", "A young teenage boy with purple-hands gave me these," She said taking something out of a bag, a shining golden crown, small but beautiful, "Does he like you?", The queen said nervously, "No, but he said it was from Fergus, he said I will love him,", Candl'one sighed, "A good friend of yours?", "No, A stranger, he said his name was Radyll Fairspeed…,", "I've heard that name before, people call him the Herber, a well-known wizard cursed to roam the earth, wizard of nature, he travels from place to place to help people, looks like he's in Scotland now,", "I've just met a wizard?", " I suppose so, Legend has it that Mor'du was the Herber's creation, meant to kill his enemies,", "Is he a good wizard?", "I've seen him before, he helped only people who are kind-hearted, once in the war against Macintosh, he was shot by an arrow in the heart and still walked towards the patients,", "He's somewhere in the middle right?", "Yes, People despised him, saying he's the devil's creation,", "What..?", "He made a deal with a fallen archangel, and ended up having two voices, he was an expert herber,", Elinor was frightened hearing that story, "Don't be scared, dear, you're a big girl now, come on, let's eat, but do you want to cancel the betrothal games?", Elinor gulped, "No, I'll go with you, I don't want more trouble, I guessed the wizard can't be wrong, right?", they both smiled, Elinor with a mix of sadness, Queen Candl'one sighed, hearing about the herber,

Outside Young Fergus waited for princess Elinor, A Young boy approached, Fergus was double his size and the boy has a purple hand, "Hello there young lad," said Fergus, "I Gave Elinor a gift, if you don't mind, Ooh, an expensive golden crown,", Fergus' face slowly turned angry, "Of course in your name,", "What..? Who are you?", "I'm the peacekeeper of the Celtics, I come in peace, by the looks of the situation, things seems like hell, Do you love Princess Elinor?", He asked, "Why in the world would you – ", "Well, then woo her, I've helped you, now return the favor by marrying Elinor, I don't want to be in this place any longer,", He said walking away, "Wait who are you?", He turned around, "I'm the person that will keep helping you, well for the next three years, your destiny is with Elinor, or maybe with other lass, but I guess this one is your destiny, well according to my estimates, you'll have four sons,", "Wait!", "This is game of thrones, Fergus, and I keep it peaceful and less bloody, that's all," he said, he turned around a corner of the castle, and Fergus ran to him, bumping into Princess Elinor, Fergus blushed, "Princess Eliot, I mean Ellie - Elinor..?", Elinor smiled at him, "Thank you for the gift, your name is Fergus, right?", "Yes, Princess,", "I wish you luck in the sword fight, win it for me, would you?", Fergus' heart skipped a beat, "I Will, *gasp* For you,", Elinor blushed, "Come on," she said pulling his hand, "Let's get to know each other first, I don't want to marry a complete stranger,", Fergus was paralyzed by nervousness, but they strolled until they arrived at a drink stall, "How do you say it in DunBroch..?" she asked "About Fate..?", Fergus thought, and answered "If you could change your fate, would you?", "Would you..?", Fergus held his breath, "Do you want to marry me even if you're not told by your father, even if..?", He was choking, but it came out somehow "Yes, I'd marry you even if there isn't the games,", Elinor blushed, "Really..?", "Princess, I'll fight for your hand, even if it kills me,"

The horn was blown, the games had started, Elinor picked sword-fighting, thank goodness Fergus had trained sword-fighting for years, even though DunBroch was famous for their archery skills, Fergus knew Princess Elinor had the big love for swords, first round was with MacGuffin, a strong clan, famous for their sea warfare, the MacGuffin clan was an enemy clan, they'd come up with the marriage as an offering of peace, if they win of course, They both started, MacGuffin charged at Fergus, Fergus with his sword blocked him and crossed, Fergus turned and stopped, MacGuffin was at a disadvantage, and he stopped, "You lost, MacGuffin,", Fergus said pulling him up, and they both hugged, "One day, I'll kill you," he whispered into Fergus' ear, "Fergus!", Yelled the princess from her shaded seat, "Fight well!" And Fergus had his spirits up again, the next round was Dingwall and Macintosh, Dingwall clan was the horde, they used numbers to defeat their enemies, and, with heavy weapons they rule the open field, however Macintosh was the swords master, they make the best swords and spears, at the side Fergus watched as they fight, Macintosh was not a rookie like MacGuffin, and Dingwall was good with his axe, they both were even, and suddenly – "Fergus, don't be scared, I can't interfere with your game, but I promise, if you win, Elinor will be safe and yours," Said the purple-hand, Fergus was startled "Who are you?", "If you don't win, Elinor will die, the peacekeepers' hypocritical decision was to bring the Vikings to ambush the gathering,", Fergus stared at him, "What?", "They'll be here in less than eight hundred seconds, mark, - the peacekeepers can't hear me, I've shrouded them, but you must win,", "but I can't, look at Macintosh!", Fergus said pointing at him, "For Elinor, and for your own god damned consciousness!" He cried, Fergus noticed, "You're the herber, I've heard how you cured people and regulate conflicts, you're the listener of angels and demons,", "Yes, Help me won't you? I can't see these people die in cold-blood, not after what the Angels have decided, I Can't get near Candl'one, help me won't you? I'll help your troops, if you win, Elinor might be saved, don't tell Elinor, if you do, she'll die,", Fergus nodded and watched Elinor laughing at the two person battling, "Dingwall's losing you know?" said the Herber, "I know, Herber,", "Save every clan, even If they hate you, then make your own kingdom, I was actually not going to interfere, but this decision of the council just didn't fit, as soon as you're done with the game, take Elinor, and take everybody, bring them to the river side, there MacGuffin will assist you,", "His son said he wants to kill me," the Herber thought for a moment, "I have a plan,", "Wait… Do you like princess Elinor?", "No, my heart is dead for nearly six hundred years, Elinor's lovely, but I used to love her mother, so no, I don't love Elinor,", Fergus nodded, the horn was blown, "Fergus!" The princess yelled, "If you lose I'll kill you!" she said laughing, and Fergus prepared, Macintosh said, "You're going to lose, boy,", "No, You are!" He said charging at him, Macintosh moved to the side and Fergus fell, "I thought you were better at this,", Fergus wanted to break his sword, but Macintosh blocked it, Fergus hit his sword and it flew, "We have no weapons!" yelled Fergus, a Macintosh general threw to the Macintosh son a sword, Fergus caught it, and held it by his neck, Macintosh spit in his face and threw the sword, Fergus threw Macintosh, Macintosh picked up the sword and Fergus picked up his, they charged and they crossed, "I have to win, Macintosh!", "So do I!", Macintosh turned and held the sword down Fergus' neck, "Cheater, two swords!" yelled Fergus, "I Can't lose! The rules didn't state about more than one sword, did it?" Macintosh said , And then the horn was blown, Music was played and they were celebrating, Fergus ran to Elinor, hoping somehow they'll survive, "Princess,", Elinor smiled, half in sadness, "Fergus, you've did your best,", "No, We must go,", Elinor stood up, "You've lost,", "I know, we must go!", And suddenly, a person yelled, "Vikings! There are hordes! Axes and Swords!", "Elinor!" He said, "We must go!", "They'll handle it!", "No they won't!" Fergus said pulling her hand, The other three clans saw them, "Hey!", and Fergus ran faster, "Where are we going?", Fergus answered "The river side, MacGuffin will help us, and they arrived by the river side, Fergus had no idea where he is there were no boats, "Where Are you!" He yelled, Elinor was scared, "Oh Elinor, I'm Sorry..!", "For what?", "I Can't save you from the Vikings!", "It doesn't matter…" And nearly everybody came down with them, "The Vikings were too many!", "I knew it! We need MacGuffin! He'll lead us!", And everybody was silent, "Lord MacGuffin was killed, just now by a throw of an axe,", Fergus became more anxious and desperate, "What about young MacGuffin?", They all turned to him, "Can you steer a ship and command it?", MacGuffin walked forth, "Why should I help you?", "If not we're all dead! The five clans will be dead!", The Second brother of Macintosh stepped forward, "The king and queen, of Clan Banthron is dead, our alliance is over,", Elinor gasped, she burst into tears "My Mother and Father is dead?", Fergus stared at Young Macintosh, "Where is your Brother?", "Dead, I'm the oldest now,", "If we don't go now and keep bickering there will be nobody to bicker with!", And suddenly the Vikings came down the hill, MacGuffin Called the remaining people on board, "Come on!" he yelled, Fergus was stopped, "What?", "I Don't let a DunBroch in,", "Come on! We need to bury the hatchet! The Vikings are coming!" and suddenly there was a spear thrown to MacGuffin, Fergus pushed him into the ship, saving them both, MacGuffin felt guilty, "Why did you do that?", "I Keep my comrades safe," he said hugging him, "You're a true good person," he said, "Save it for later, Have you seen Elinor?", "Right here!" she called, Fergus went to the back to sit with Elinor, "You knew this would happen?", "No, But at the sight of trouble I'd bring you to safety," Elinor was crying, half because of her parents and the other half was because of Fergus, Fergus held her hand, calming her down, "It's allright, lassy, it's allright, they're in a better place now," Before Elinor looked up and hugged him, Fergus just sat there, he was paralyzed again, blushing wildly, "Thanks, Fergus" Said the princess hugging her.

Down by the river side the Vikings walked through the bodies of those who were left, the Herber was sitting on a tree, reading a book, "When I said win, I meant win her heart, by time. damn your soul, Campoire, you killed another lass, this time it's Candl'one," he said in rage, before he shed a tear and took out an amulet, Banthronial motifs, golden on the outside, bronze in the inside, he slowly breathed in and closed his book, "Four sons from Elinor… is that possible…" he thought, "Maybe one daughter, possible name..? No, I couldn't go that far, only time will tell,", the Herber chuckled, "If I could say this to you now Fergus, I threw that spear! Peacekeepers can't keep killing people like that, you know herber..? I know, I have kept my promise, and I'll keep my promise, good for you, let's see what Arfein has to say to Campoire, I'll avenge Candl'one, mark my words, Campoire…"He said with his face going slightly purple, holding the amulet tight and holding his tears deep, "If this doesn't stop, I might as well die! I'm sorry Candl'one, I can't stop it…"

Author's note :