CHAPTER 3: The Argument
Ten Years Later
Some say our destiny tied to our land, as much as part of us ad we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth so that one's destiny intertwines with many others, it's the one thing we search for or fight to change. Some never find it, but there are some who are led. The story of how my father lost his leg to the demon bear Mor'du became legend. I have a younger sister Elsa. Well she's a beauty really! She possessed magical powers wherein she can control ice and snow. Isn't that amazing! And she acted more like my mother. We are, after all, the princesses, but since I'm older than her, I'm the example for everyone which makes me really sick. We both have duties, responsibilities, and expectations, but sadly my whole life is planned out preparing for the day that I become… well, our mother. She's in charge of every single day of both our live. But there's a day that I don't have to be a princess…
Princess Merida wakes up with smile beamed on her face. She hurriedly take her bow and ride Angus into the forests.
When the cold wind are calling
And the sky is clear and bright,
Misty mountains sing and beckon,
Lead me out into the light...
I will ride, I will fly,
Chase the wind and touch the sky,
I will fly,
Chase the wind and touch the sky...
Na, na, na,na
Where dark woods hide secrets,
And mountains are fierce and bold,
Deep waters hold reflections,
Of times lost long ago..
I will hear their every story,
Take hold of my own dream,
Be as strong as the seas are stormy,
And proud as an eagle's scream...
I will ride, I will fly,
Chase the wind and touch the sky,
I will fly,
Chase the wind and touch the sky...
Na,na,na,na
And touch the sky,
Chase the wind, Chase the wind
Touch the sky...
It was actually dawn when Merida head back to the castle together with Angus. Merida jumped out on Angus and led him to his stable.
"I'm starving. You hungry too Angus?" Angus whipped his tail from Merida which made her giggled. When she is in the kitchen, she took an apple from the table and bite it a little. Elsa watched her sister stride from the door and moved to her rightful seat between their father and herself, tossing the apple she had behind her gaining a disapproving glance from her mother and Elsa just rolled her eyes and can't help to smile. Merida set her bow down to the table and sat finally.
"Merida, a princess does not place her weapon on the table." Her mother cut her off before she could actually take a seat. Groaning, she shook her head and protested.
"Mum, it's just my bow!" Elsa grabbed her sister 's hand just to make a signal that she should just ignore their mother scolding and not be in an argument.
"A princess should not have weapons in my opinion" Their mother made a quick glance to the both of them. Making the two princess to just look at their food.
"Leave them be, a princess or not learning to fight is essential." Both girls were relieved when their father show supports to them. As the royal family was eating, Merida interrupted the silence and hoping to have a response from her mother who was busy reading letters.
"Mum, you'll never guess what I did today. I climbed the crone's tooth and drank from the fire falls." Elsa glance his sister in amazement. Sure his sister was really adventurous and always likes to have her freedom.
"Firefalls?"
"They say only the ancient kings were brave enough to drink the fire." Fergus winked at them and her sister just made a chuckled.
"What did you do dear?"
"Nothing mother."
Merida sighed sadly which made Elsa quite a bit worried. As they were growing up, she noticed that their mother changes overtime. She becomes a bit distant from them especially to Merida. She acted more Queen puts more pressure to her sister.
It was then that their mother look up and noticed what was on Merida's plate and scolded her again.
"Hungry aren't we?"
"Mum."
"Oh Fergus look at your daughter's plate! "
"So what?" Fergus protested then his dogs attacked him to lick his face
"Don't let them lick you. Ouch!"
Elinor was relieved when she saw Elsa acted more like a princess. The door behind the queen opened and Maudie their loyal servant walked in carrying a tray with three letters. As she takes the letters, Elinor thank her and the servant bowed to show respect. As she opened the letters and scanned it her eyes becomes wide which made Merida and Elsa a bit anxious.
"Fergus?" The king, together with his two daughters looked at her
"They've all accepted." A smile beamed on their mother and Elsa was feels that something is isn't right.
"Who's accepted for what mother? Merida asked utterly confused of what her mother was talking about.
"Whaa-tt did I do now?"
"You're father has something to discuss with you!" the queen regained her posture and said the last word sternly looking at her husband who was drinking and spewed the water across the hall. He coughed loudly, pounding his chest to avoid his self from choking. Elinor sighed and decided to announce to her daughters what is she talking about.
"The lords are presenting their sons for your betrothal!"
"What!"
'Oh no.' Elsa whispered to herself as she watched her sister in distress.
"The clans have accepted!" The queen was actually more excited than her daughter.
"Dad!" Merida shouted at her father who was just staring at her and acting innocent that he doesn't have to do with the situation.
"Honestly, Merida! I don't know why you're reacting this way. This year each clan will present a suitor to compete in the games for your hand." Merida groaned and dropped her head while Elsa has a sort of feeling that her mother and sister will have a big argument. To ease her older sister, she places her hand on her sister's arm and squeezed it but Merida was really in distress that she just ignored her sister's hand.
"I suppose a princess just does what she's told!"
"Merida, calm down." Elsa was blinking in nervousness and trying to calm the nerves of her sister.
"A princess does not raise her voice!" The queen calms herself and also tries to talk to her daughter as calm as possible but the redheaded lass was really out of control.
"Merida this is what you've been preparing for your whole life."
"No! This is what you've been preparing for my whole life! I won't go through with it, you can't make me!" Merida stood up and Elsa got shocked from her sister's reaction. This was the first time she saw her older sister gotten mad like this. She gets her bow and went upstairs.
"Merida!" That's the last word came from Elinor while Fergus just witness how hard for her daughter to accept with this situation. Elsa stood up and excused herself and bowed to her mother. Due to distress from her sister, Elinor just waved her hand gesturing her to just go.
As she was moving closer to their room, she heard sounds of metal hitting a wood and she knows what Merida was doing. She shook her head and opened the door. And their she was, holding a sword and hitting the woods of her bed. She walked to her sister and sit right next to her.
"Elsa! Suitors? Marriage!"
"Merida, Calm down."
"How can I calm down if I'm going to get married Elsa!"
" I know this situation is hard to accept but mama and papa can't do anything with it. It's a tradition." Elsa envelop her arms to her sister tightly to calm her nerves but she's just can't win this argument.
"Yes! They can do anything Elsa! She's the queen! I don't want to be married! I—im just not ready."
Seeing her cheerful sister acting like this broke her heart. She rubbed her sister's back to calm her and try to make her understand the situation.
"I know. I know. If I could just do soemthing to help you I would I swear. But you have to understand Merida. This isn't mama or papa's fault. It's a tradition that needs to be done and if they break it, it could – it could mean war with the three clans ans we seriously don't like that to happen." Merida broke of the hugged and Elsa saw Merida suddenly smiled at her. She's nervous that Merida has a plan to escape her little problem. When it comes to gaining her freedom, her sister will do anything just to get it.
"Merida?"
"Elsa! I have a bright idea! if this could mean war so be it! You have the powers right? Why would you use it to protect our kingdom?"
"Pardon? I'm sorry I'm confused." Elsa stood up and confusion painted on her face
"Use your power to defeat the other clans! You are powerful Elsa! You are the snow princess! You said that if there is something you could do, you will help me right?!" Merida places her hand on Elsa's shoulder continuously shaking her.
" no Merida. No, no, no! I know I told you that I will help you bu—t but your plan isn't right Merida! I must only use my power for good! And don't you remember what mama told us about the legend of the ancient kingdom?" Elsa takes a step back while Merida was really trying to persuade her.
"Yes I remember but please! Please Elsa! Help me! I don't want to get married! I want my freedom."
"But are you willing to pay the price your freedom would cost Merida?"
"Now you're talking like mum." Her sister pouted and crossed her arms on her chest. Elsa rubbed her forehead and Merida turned her back and swaying her hands in distress.
"Why can't you even understand me?! I don't like to be married to a man that I even don't know!"
"I understand—"
"Then why can't you even help me! All you do was lecture me just like mum!" Irritated, Merida walked back and forth with crossed arms on her chest.
"I'm just trying to make you understand Merida because I'm your sister and I care for you. If you do this plan of yours, not just our kingdom will be in danger but also our people. Innocent people Merida." Elsa grabbed her sister's hand tightly but then Merida take her hands off aggressively.
"That's why you are there to protect the kingdom and our people Elsa!"
"No Merida I'm sorry. I can't. This plan you have is not right and it will never be. "
"Then you're a liar Elsa! you don't care about me because if you do, you will help me to solve my problem! You are selfish! "Merida stopped from walking back and forth while Elsa's eyes become narrowed and she starts to feel mad at her sisters stubbornness.
"Merida enough..." Elsa rubbed her arms trying to control her powers because this time, she's about to explode due to her distress to her sister. 'remember happy memories Elsa' she keeps on murmuring those words in her mind to calm her but it doesn't affect her at this moment. The room temperature dropped, icy spikes starting to form on their windows and walls.
"You know what; I'm tired of listening on all your lectures! you and mum are the same!"
"Merida please enough."
"You only care for yourself! I HATTTEEE YOUU!"
"I said enough!" Due to her anger, she faces her sister and pushes her without noticing that ice was formed on her hands and it landed on Merida's shoulder causing her to winced and knelt down due to the pain she felt on her shoulder. Several seconds of silence, some area of the room started to frozed. Elsa breathed heavily and when she was on her nerves, she covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't expect that she's going to explode like that.
"Merida I-Im sorry I di—" She gasped and knelt down to reached her sister's shoulder but Merida stood up, shot a glare at her and walked back to her bed holding her injured shoulder. Elsa quickly stood up and went beside her sister to apologize for what happened.
"Meri—da I'm sorry I—I din't mean to—let me—"
"No! Just—Just stay away from me! Just go back to your bed and sleep." Merida was sobbing and Elsa wanted to embrace her but for this moment she needs some space.
"but Merida I'm really so-" Elsa was interrupted again when Merida shot another glare to her which saddened her. She saw her sister's eyes; it was red and filled with tears and anger, hatred. She hurt her sister and now she curse herself .before she head back to her bed, this time she breathed heavily and places her hands to Merida and squeezes it..
"Please don't shut me out Merida. I love you and I'm always here for you. Again I apologize for what happened between the two of us. I hope you forgive me. I love you my dear sister." For one last time she squeezes Merida's hand and takes off her hand and went to her bed. As those words came from her younger sister, it's like an arrow hits her heart. She wanted to embrace her but her whole body and mind is not just ready to do so. Tears rolled down from her face and Elsa can actually hear the cry her sister since they share the same room and it makes her so weak to hear those sounds from her. Before she closes her eyes, single tears fell from her eyes and whispered. 'She hates me.' Elsa knew that this was the day that their bond was going to be torn.
I just enjoyed writing this chapter especially the part wherein Merida and Elsa was having an argument. I want to be more detailed but It's kinda hard since I still don't master English language but I do hope you enjoy somehow! I'm still thinking for the next chapter on how am I going to introduce the old friend and how Merida will do the plan. I think this will be my update for now. Hugs to all! Again I sorry for my English.=))