Alec's POV

News of the clans' arrival had spread quickly throughout the kingdom. My aunt mentioned it at the dinner table. No... my heart stopped cold.

"Isn't it exciting, the Princess getting married?" she commented.

"Good luck with that," said my uncle.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She's so…not like a princess."

"So?"

"Who wants to marry a girl who trots around like a man?"

"I would," I whispered.

"You know, I almost feel bad for you, having to be around her so much."

"Don't talk about her that way!" I stood up and slamming my fists on the table

"Alec," my aunt said, shocked at my behavior. "Go to your room!"

"Fine," I said and headed up stairs. I slammed the door and sat down against it. "Oh, Merida." I don't care what my uncle says, Merida is the most wonderful girl I have ever met. I will find a way to stop the competition…for Merida.

The Next Day

I was in the stables when Merida rushed in, "Alec!"

"Merida!" I wrapped my arms around her in a short hug before she continued.

"Oh Alec, it's awful. My mother is-"

"Making you get married. I know, but don't worry. I won't let this happen." I gazed into her bright blue eyes that seemed to shine in the sunlight.

"Merida! Hurry up, its time for your lesson!" the Queen called.

"I'll see ya later then," she said, hugging me before she left, her red hair flowed behind her as she ran back to the castle. "I won't let stupid traditions stand between us, I promise you that."

Merida's POV

I rushed up to my lesson, wishing I could spend more time with Alec, but duty calls. "A Princess must be knowledgeable about her kingdom. Now, the Clan Dunbroch…" Ugh, this again. I started doodling hearts as my thoughts drifted back to Alec. His flowing brown hair, his emerald green eyes, his amazing smile, the way he always seemed to know what to say. I thought back to when if was newer at archery. I was practicing when he came by, "Hello Princess."

"Hi, Alec," I released the arrow, missing the target, but I was getting better.

"You're pretty good."

I blushed, "Thanks, but I'm really new at this," I missed again.

"Here, let me help. Draw back all the way," he adjusted my arms, making me blush more. I hoped my red hair would cover it up a bit, "bring it to your cheek. Focus on the target, and release," the arrow hit just a bit off center.

"I did it! Thank you," I hugged him but quickly let go when I realized what I was doing.

"You're wel-"

"Merida!" my mother snapped me back to the lesson.

"Nothing."

She looked at my paper, "What's all this then?"

"Uh…"

"Having second thoughts about marriage, I hope?"

"Um…" I thought about Alec, "maybe?"

"Good, now back to the lesson. Tomorrow, we are going to practice etiquette so you are ready for your suitors."

"Ugh, fine."

"Ok, your free to go."

"Wait, what?"

"If you are ready for marriage, then you can have more free-"

"Great lesson, Mom, gotta go bye!" and I rushed out the door. If I was to be married off, I wanted to get as much time with Alec as I could.

"time."

"Alec!" I ran up and hugged him.

"Hey, got out of your lesson, did ya?"

"My mom says I get to have more free time, so I thought I'd spend it with you…" I blushed a bit.

Alec's POV

I just got back from a short ride with Blake when Merida ran up and hugged me. "Hey, got out of your lesson, did ya?"

"My mom says I get to have more free time, so I thought I'd spend it with you…" I blushed a bit.

"So what do you wanna do?"

"Just be with you."

"Not here, we don't want you mother to see us. Follow me." I got back on Blake and Merida got on Angus. I yanked Blake's reins and we were off.

A few minutes into the ride Merida asked, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," I heard her half groan half laugh. Just a few more minutes and we came upon a beach. The sun glistened off the waves as the ocean breeze blew back Merida's hair as we got off of our horses.

"This is beautiful, when did you find this place?"

"A few weeks ago. Come on, let's have some fun."

Merida's POV

Alec pulled me to the water, which was cool and refreshing. I splashed some on my face, but Alec had another idea. He scooped up some water and poured it down my back "Hey!" We continued splashing each other, and laughing. We were soaking wet when we decided to stop and sat back in the sand, watching the sun as it began to set. "Alec?"

"Yeah?"

"I scared."

"Why?" he asked, clearly concerned.

"What if my mom doesn't understand? My marriage is supposed to unite the clans, but I don't want to marry them. I don't even know who the princes are! But I have responsibilities to the kingdom." I began to sob.

"Merida! Look at me. We will figure this out, together. The princes aren't coming for a few weeks. We'll come up with a plan by then." He cupped my chin, "For now, let's just enjoy our time together," he pulled me closer and we kissed. He was right; I should enjoy being with him now, rather than worrying about the competition in the future.