Chapter 2: Pain In My Heart

3 years have already passed since their beloved queen and mother acquired an unknown disease. Queen Elinor was still weak and unconscious. Prayers performed and bright healers were already brought to the Castle of Dunbroch to cure the queen but no miracle has ever happened. The queen that was happy, sexy, and strong before was now just skinny, weak old women that always lie on her bed and dependent to others. Her eyes and mouth were closed, no words heard from her except for her deep breathing. King Fergus was seated at the left side of the queen caressing his wife hair, Harris was embracing her mother's body and asking her to wake up, Hubert was on the shoulder of his father and kept on staring at his mum, Hamish was at the corner standing and staring the heavy rain through the window and Merida was seated at the right side of her mother while holding the queen's hand. She kisses her mum's hand and tears streamed down from her face. She keeps on asking to herself why? Why did this happen to them? Why is fate so cruel to her? Fergus looked at his daughter mournfully and feels pity for her. Merida is still young to feel this kind of pain. The King hates his self because he can't even do something for his family especially protecting his wife, her queen. The princess rises and kisses her mum's forehead and whispered the words I love you.

"Where are ye going lass?"

"Out."

When she was about to leave the room, she notice Hamish was standing and staring blankly the heavy rain. She sighed and walked towards her brother and joined him.

"Everything will be alright Hamish. I promise. Mums going tae be okay soon."

Merida said those words with teeth and hands clenched. Hamish stared sadly at her sister.

"No she's not. Look, we all know that mum's gonna di—"

Merida glared at her brother and both hands were at his brother's shoulder.

"Stop it! Don't ye ever say that word again Hamish! I promise she's going to be with us again. I won't let that disease kill her. I'll dae everything tae make her feel better again. "

She didn't notice that her brother was slightly hurt because of her tight grip on his shoulder.

"Sorry."

"Nae it's okay but wot are ye planning tae dae tae save mum? Ye don't have any special powers at all tae heal her."

Merida just sighed and embraced her brother.

"I dunno know but Just trust me. We will never lose her. I promise." Merida smiled and kisses her brother's forehead.

"And Hamish"

"wot is it sis?"

"Ye wee devils should protect mum and dad okay?"

"wot? Wa—it! Wot are ye saying?! Whe- where are ye going? Aren't ye going tae come back?"

"Just dae it brother. I love ye all. Always remember that."

"Bu—ttt"

Merida interrupted her brother by placing her index finger on his mouth.

"Shhh.. I told ye trust me. Promise me that ye'll dae my favor tae ye."

Hamish was confused and don't know what to say so he just nodded in dismay.

"Alright. I promise."

"But could ye please tell me where yer going?"

"Going tae find a cure for mother."

"I'm go—"

"No! ye need to stay here."

"But"

"No arguments brother. And tell tae mum how much I love her."

Hamish just watched her big sister leaved the room. He doesn't know what to do. He was confused and kept asking to his self what will his sister going to do?What was she planning? But one thing he notice is her tired eyes. It was reddish, glow in her eyes had gone and small tears were formed. He just sadly sighed and turned around again at the window to gazed the heavy rain and whispered to his self.

"Be safe sister. "

By the time she closes the door, Merida rushed to her bedroom and quickly lay down on her bed. Her face was buried on her pillow and started crying. All she ever wanted now is her mother. She misses her voice, scolding, warm embrace, and everything about her. She just wants her back. If someone could just help her. Then an answer formed from her mind.

"That's it! That old lady might help me! I'd better see her. That's the only way I know to fix this."

She stood up, gathered her weapons and glanced at the tapestry hang on her wall. It was the tapestry that she and her mother made. She closes her eyes and memories went back to her.

Merida grabs her needle and thread for the first time in years. She haven't done making a tapestry before. Her mother was seated beside her and guiding her what to do. She inserted the thread into the small hole of the needle and knots it then started to sew the needle in the fabric. The queen noticed that her daughter's hand was shaking while weaving.

"Take it slow dear, ye'll get used tae it someday."

Merida smiled and nodded at her mother and the queen help her daughter in making their tapestry.

"Mum?"

"Aye dear?"

"When we finish our tapestry, I want it to be hang on my wall! I wanted to see it every time I woke up in the morning and before I sleep." Merida stops sewing the needle into the fabric and wraps her arms around her chin tucked on her mother's shoulder.

"I love ye Merida. Always remember that. I'll always be here fer ye. Whenever yer sad, feeling that no one is there fer ye,or yer life seems being torn apart, just look at this tapestry and remember the times we spent together to woven it. It might ease yer wee bit loneliness."

"Aye mum thank ye. I will. I love ye too mum. I love ye so much."

The princess opened her eyes sobbing, with a single tears rolled down over her cheeks. For a moment she runs her fingers over the tapestry and took a deep sighed.

"You're going tae be okay mother. I swear."

Night had fallen and people in the Castle of Dunbroch were now sleeping except for the princess. She opened her door slowly and shut it gently making sure that she won't be able to wake anyone. She passes her parents room and decided to visit her sick mother before leaving the castle. When she opened the door, she found out that his dad wan not inside.

"Where did dad go?" Her eyes blinked in confusion and then she saw her mother still lying on the bed. She walked towards her and sits beside her mother. She caresses her mother's hair just like what the queen always do whenever she have a problem nor afraid of something. Then she started singing their song.

A naoidhean bhig, cluinn mo ghuth

Mise ri d' thaobh, O mhaighdean bhan

Ar righinn oig, fas as faicDo thir, dileas fhein

A ghrian a's a ghealaich, stuir sinnGu uair ar cliu 's ar gloire

Naoidhean bhig, ar righinn og

Mhaighdean uashaill bhan

"I love ye mum. I love ye so much and I missed ye. I miss everything about ye. Please mother if ye can hear me open yer eyes. Just one look of ye and I'll be fine."

The princess pleaded with her voice cracked. Merida forcibly smiled at her mother hoping that the queen will be able to hear her words but no response was heard or any movement occurred. All she hears was silence inside the room and a deep breathing of her mother. She buried her face on the queen's chest then started to cry softly.

"If I just called Fiona immediately that day, this will never happen tae ye. I'm sorry mum I didn't saved ye. I failed again. I'm so sorry. I promise ye mum, yer going tae be okay. I swear. I'll dae whatever it takes just tae save ye. Ye saved me from Mor'du when he tried to kill me now It's my turn tae return that tae ye. I'll save ye mum. I will. Just hang in there."

She releases her arms from the queen and kisses her mother's face. She left the room then miracle just happened. The queen's eyes were half opened but unfortunately, Merida didn't see it.

Merida was now on the throne hall. She was about to open the door but then she hears a drunken male sound coming outside, so she quickly hide behind the chair wherein they always seat every time there is a meeting with the clans. She peeps and saw her drunken father. She feels bad for everything that is happening to them right now. Seeing her parents being in pain is the worst feeling she ever felt.

King Fergus was singing the Mor'du song and calling his wife name and went upstairs. When her father was gone she hurriedly approached the door,opens it and went to the black horse stable.

"Angus!"

Her horse saw her and made a whining then the princess quickly grab the mouth of her horse.

"Shhh! Angus be quiet! Were going tae the forest now tae seek for the witch help."

The horse keeps on whining,stamping his feet on the ground showing that he disagree on her friend's plan.

"Nae arguments Angus! We need tae find her! Mum needs her! please Angus just cooperate with me."

Merida removed her hands from Angus. She mournfully gazed her horse eyes and the horse somehow seemed to understand the sorrowful expression of her friend.

"Good boy. Thank ye for understanding me Angus."

The princess hugged her horse and grabbed the saddle. She climbed on her horse and gripped the reins and stirred Angus forward.

It was still dark and stormy when the princess left the castle of Dunbroch. They had crossed the bridge when she pulled the reins of the horse to stop and turned around for a moment. She made a final glance of her home. She smiled and tears formed from her eyes. She feels something terrible is going to happen but she doesn't mind at all. All she cares for now is her sick mother and no one can stop her from seeking the witch help.

"Hang in there mum. Please don't ever give up yet." She took a deep breath and headed to the forest.

So this is chapter two! Hmm what do you think Merida will do to save her mother? =))) and Thanks for Ceikaiyia Cheeks and HAFanForever. Glad you like the first chapter!=)) stay tuned for the next chapter! keep on reading! hugs to all!=)))