"Milord Fergus!"
The doors thundered open as the messenger entered the room.
The servants were clearing the table as the king sat poring over old maps that he would've normally shoved into an old bookshelf and forgotten about. King Fergus peered up from the old, tattered pieces of parchment and rose from his seat as soon as he heard the messenger.
"What is it?"
"I've just heard news from Rivendell!"
Fergus glanced twice at one of the maps.
"Rivendell? What business do we have with the elves when we've got a bunch of rabble rousers to deal with here?!"
"Lord Elrond - there's rumors that he's holding a council there."
"And…?"
"We're not the only ones who are threatened, Sire. People from all over Middle Earth are attending."
Fergus raised an eyebrow.
"That council could help us know what's going on around here - especially about Saruman," the messenger continued.
"What does this Elrond know about Saruman?"
"I'd reckon a good amount, Sir. One of the other wizards is there too."
"Who is this other wizard?"
"They call him Mithrandir, milord."
"Very well," Fergus replied. "Tell the stable boys to ready my horse. I'm riding to Rivendell tomorrow."
"And ready mine as well!"
Fergus instantly recognized his daughter's voice.
"I'm going with you, father."
Her mother Elinor followed closely behind.
"Not so fast, Merida! It's too dangerous out there!"
Merida turned to her mother.
"Mum, if I'm to be the queen you want me to be, I'd better know what's going on."
"Aye, she's got a point there," Fergus commented.
"And I'm certainly not planning on marrying into the MacIntosh, MacGuffin, or Dingwall clan anytime soon!" Merida chimed.
Fergus chuckled.
"We all know what happened when we tried to do that!"
Elinor cleared her throat.
"Yes, I remember perfectly well."
"I'll marry in my own time if I must," Merida added. "But I can't just rely on books and etiquette lessons and expect to be able to manage Dunland."
A satisfied smile appeared on Fergus' face.
"All right, I think we've got this settled."
Merida was grinning ear to ear as she ran out of the room.
"Yes!"
Elinor's gaze shifted to her husband.
"Fergus, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to her on my watch."
…..
Merida looked on at the dawn the next morning as she brushed the hair of her horse Angus. Its lavenders, blushes, oranges and blues brought her a bit of peace. Somehow, she knew that this would be the last sunrise she'd see from her homeland for a long time.
She went and fetched the saddle from the corner of the stable.
"Are you ready, Angus?"
The horse neighed affirmatively.
"This is it, Angus. Now's my chance to prove that I can be queen and rule Dunland on my own! If I can handle this, I can handle anything."
With that, she opened the stable door, mounted Angus, and rode out to the courtyard.
Her parents and her three little brothers were out there, along with some of the family's closest servants. Hamis, of of the little triplets, sniffled as he looked up at her with sad puppy eyes.
Merida got off her horse and crouched to meet his eye level.
"Don't cry, Hamis. I'll be back."
She glanced at the other two, Hubert and Harris.
"Be good for me, my wee devils."
She kissed all three of them on the forehead before remounting Angus and joining her father, who was also astride his horse.
Elinor ran up to them both, grabbing Angus' reins.
"Merida -"
Merida looked down at her mother, eyes widening inquisitively.
Elinor hesitated before speaking, sighing before she finally spoke.
"Be safe."
She walked over to her husband.
"You too, Fergus."
"Don't worry, lass. We'll be fine. When we get back, we'll take care of those rabble-rousers and celebrate until -"
Elinor kissed him before he could finish his sentence.
A big smile was on Fergus' face once the kiss was broken.
"Now there's something to look forward to."
Merida chuckled at the sight. She then looked one last time at her mother.
"Don't worry, Mum. We'll be all right."
They both rode out the gates of their kingdom and into the unknown.