AN: I tried a new writing style with this chapter, so feel free to tell me what you think! It's a little hard to believe this story is already drawing to a close, but I'm also really excited for everything that's to come. I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I have, and please continue reading for more story and news of what's coming up next! Thank you all for the wonderful, beautiful, and positive reviews! I really appreciate all of you, and I hope all of you will be able to return in a few weeks for the fourth installment of this series!
NOTES: "We will Run and Scream, you will Dance with me, we'll Fulfill our Dreams, and we'll be Free..."
REVIEWERS!:
Arwen Eledel: Thank you! I'm not actually sure when they learn what spells, so I have taken some creative liberties there. Comedy I try, action I've had quite a bit of practice in. Soon we'll start to see the four growing in their fighting techniques, which will result in them eventually not always having to be saved by an adult. And yes, yes I did, because he was so tiny! Jack was just so done with everything by the end there, he didn't even care. And you are correct, now we have to slowly come down from the peek of the excitement to enjoy a quiet and peaceful ending... And in response your PM, thank you for noticing! There's a common theme between those scenes that you might want to keep in mind ;)
BrawlerGamer: The adults are more tricky than you think! Keep that in mind for the near future. Also, the scene with boys went through many drafts before finally stopping at that one so that it wouldn't disrupt the flow of the story, so I'm glad to hear that you liked it! I used to play those games, they were a lot of fun. Polar is so cute, too. And the fight scenes was probably one of my favorites, but the scene between Jack and Hiccup nearly made me cry because it was so dang cute!... And I was really tired, so that might have had something to do with it... Queen Elinor is the Queen of Mama Bears. I'm glad to hear that you like going back to read the last few books! Hopefully the hiatus will go fast for all of us. And thanks for the images! I loved 'em both! :3
C: Another incredibly kind review, thank you! Action sequences are definitely one of the ones I've had the most practice with, and I like writing them, so I'm happy to hear that a lot of people enjoyed them. Also -Death to Plot Holes! I agonize over plot holes. I hate them so much. I hate going back over my own writing and finding them. So I assure you, the Anti-Charm was planned from the very start, but explaining it in the chapter prior would have disrupted the flow of the story in a way that just didn't fit, so it got pushed to the following chapter. Have no fear, injuries will be addressed in this next chapter along with quite a bit of other stuff. I'm flattered that you think so highly of my writing, and I appreciate that you want to keep reviewing so faithfully! I hope everything is well for you as well, and I wish you some wonderful weeks to come!
Music: "Learn Me Right" by Mumford and Sons with Birdy (Brave, 2012 soundtrack.)
Chapter 19: We've Both Changed
The morning after the battle with Mor'du, the four were sent straight to the infirmary upon reaching the school. Nurse Eudora helped Merida and Rapunzel to see to their scrapes and bruises while Dr. Sweet made sure Jack's head injury was healing properly and not infected. Jack ended up with another bandage on his head and a bruised shoulder, and Hiccup's waist was wrapped because of the deep teeth marks, but Dr. Sweet was certain all of their injuries would heal quickly and well.
That didn't help Merida's aching conscious, though. She felt horrible for putting her friends in that situation in the first place, and as she and Rapunzel watched Dr. Sweet finish tying off Hiccup's bandages, she made sure to let them all know.
"I'm sorry." Merida said, gaining the attention of Jack, Hiccup, and Rapunzel as Dr. Sweet walked away. "None of you should have ever had to be in that fight. If I hadn't been so selfish, you three wouldn't be in the infirmary right now. I'm a terrible friend, and you three risked your lives to help me, and -And I'm just really happy that I can call you all my friends." Merida blushed and stared down at her fidgeting hands.
Rapunzel placed a comforting hand on Merida's shoulder and smiled warmly. "We're happy to have you, too."
Those were all the words that were needed as Rapunzel gave her a hug, Jack lightly punched her shoulder, and Hiccup gave a smile from where he sat on one of the hospital beds, waiting for Dr. Sweet to come back with the same pain killers he'd given Jack.
"Oh!" Merida started, remembering something important. "I almost forgot." She said, pulling out a long, black arrow with intricate carvings on the sides and the front half of the arrow was tainted red. Merida held it carefully and handed it to Hiccup who accepted it with a look of confusion. "I picked it up before we left the forest. It's the arrow you pulled out of Mor'du's shoulder. Professor Bunnymund says it's old, and, no doubt, comes from the Ancient Kingdom from my mom's legend. I figured you might want it. You could probably learn a lot about the old Kingdom from a single arrow, and anyways; you pulled it out, so it's yours. Warrior Code, dad says."
"Wow!" Rapunzel breathed, her eyes widening with wonder and excitement. "An arrow from a land that doesn't exist! It's incredible, don't you think?" Rapunzel looked side to side to see Merida and Jack's reactions, but they only shrugged as Hiccup started to peer at the arrow from every angle and run his fingers over the detailed carvings.
"I still think he needs to stop jumping on the backs of large ugly creatures during fights." Jack stated, crossing his arms over his chest and nodding at his own words.
After everyone's injuries had been seen to, the four had to explain what had happened during the past two days to King Fergus, the Lords, and Professor North. Fergus and the Lords were shocked by the four's tale, but, of course, the news of their adventures didn't exactly surprise the Professor, seeing as their first two years had sparked equally as dangerous and exciting stories, but he was relieved that everything had been resolved. They did, however, receive a scolding for not seeking the help of the Professors when Elinor was first changed into a bear, and the four were given a few nights detention for minor destruction of school property, staying up past curfew, going into the Forbidden Forest without permission, and turning the Queen of Scotland into a bear.
About a week after the events, when everything was finally finished and starting to feel normal again, the rest of the school had heard of the four's latest adventure, so it wasn't much of a shock when, during breakfast one morning, some of the other students gathered round to hear the story straight from the four.
"You know," Jack said when Merida finished telling the story for what felt like the hundredth time. "Even I never thought we'd take it that far. I mean, we pretty much kidnapped the Queen of Scotland! Granted, she was a bear and we were hiding her from hunters, but still!"
"Jack!" Merida and Rapunzel rebuked him in unison while Hiccup just sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"What? Just saying! You're the one who turned your mom into a bear!" Jack retorted, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting.
"Yeah, next time there's a cake that turns people into bears, maybe give a little warning?" Hiccup suggested, and Merida couldn't help the slight blush that crept across her cheeks as she scratched the back of her head a bit sheepishly.
Before they could continue, though, the owls began flying into the Great Hall, delivering the morning mail. It was hard to miss the great white bird gliding just above the heads of the Gryffindor table, and Jack grinned as he saw his owl, Nix, carrying something in her talons.
The snowy owl dropped the small, red envelope right into Jack's hands, and then swooped around to land on the table between him and Hiccup.
Jack's grin dropped into a terrified frown.
"Look, everyone! Jack's got a Howler!" Flynn Rider exclaimed loudly, drawing the attention of not just those who had gathered to hear the story, but everyone in the Great Hall.
Jack screamed and threw the envelope onto the table, jumping out of his seat to duck and cower behind Hiccup who looked mildly worried.
"Oh, it can't be that bad, Jack!" Rapunzel said, peering at the menacing red envelope. "Your mother is so sweet and nice. I can't imagine her howling at anyone."
"You have not witnessed her rage!" Jack declared, throwing one arm towards the sky as the other clutched his chest where his heart would be, then he brought the one in the air down to point accusingly at Rapunzel and Merida. "You have not experienced the horrors!"
"Would you just open it already?" Hiccup demanded, pulling on Jack's arm so the white-haired boy would sit back down. "There's no getting around it, so you may as well get it over with."
Jack pouted miserably, but did as he was told and reached for the envelope. With shaking fingers he peeled up the seal that kept it shut, and for a heartbeat everything was silent.
"JACKSON OVERLAND FROST!" And then that silence ended.
Jack dropped the envelope in fright and latched onto Hiccup, wrapping his arms around the brunette's head and shoulders as they both stared at the envelope with wide eyes.
The envelope suddenly folded into a paper mouth, the red ribbon flicking about like a dragon's tongue, and it floated in front of the cowering boys. "What were you thinking!? Hiding the Queen of Scotland in the Forbidden Forest! Going into the Forbidden Forest! Using magic beyond your training, and fighting the Terror of Scotland! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! Only half the year has passed and already you've almost gotten yourself killed!" The envelope shrieked, emphasizing each point with a vigorous nod. "If you put another toe out of line, I'll bring you STRAIGHT HOME!"
Having flown right up to Jack's face, making the terrified boy lean back as far as he could without falling out of his seat, the snarling mouth pulled away slightly and turned to Hiccup.
"Oh, and Hiccup, dear, I hope your injuries are healing well. Emma has been so worried about you both." Hiccup blushed lightly, and Jack openly gaped at the letter, that is, until it turned and stuck out it's tongue, spitting tiny pieces of paper at him.
After that, the letter turned on itself, ripping itself to shreds that fell lightly down to the surface of the table where everyone looked at it with shock and mild terror.
"I TOLD YOU SO!" Jack was the first to break that silence.
Of course, his mother's Howler didn't stop Jack and Hiccup for long. After about a week the two were back to their usual jokes and pranks for the rest of the school year. Much to the displeasure of Professor Bunnymund who was already serving a double shift for the second half of that year, teaching both Defense Against the Dark Arts and Substituting for Professor Carver in Potions while the old woman was off on vacation.
"Crazy old hag didn't even tell anyone!" Bunnymund ranted during one class. It was no secret that the older Professor set the Pooka on edge before, but now Merida could understand it a bit better. Ms. Carver's blank expressions were unnerving, and she was highly unpredictable.
The rest of the year, though, went smoothly. Everyone was happy, and it was peaceful. Merida had plenty of free time to spend with her friends, and they took advantage of every second. She could recount several days of her and Rapunzel teaching Jack and Hiccup to ride horses, going to Hogsmeade with the other students, stealing Fergus's favorite carriage, studying, skipping stones down at the lake side. Merida was happier than she'd been in years because now not only did she have her friends, but her mother. Spending time with Elinor had become something to look forward to. A time of bonding and caring that they both cherished after their adventure.
Queen Elinor even came to cheer on Merida during her Quidditch matches, and Gryffindor ranked second in the overall tournament, losing only to Slytherin when Jack ended the game by catching the Snitch.
So that year the Quidditch Cup went to the House of Green and Silver, but Merida wasn't too upset about it. She was ecstatic that her mother had actually come to one of her games, and she was genuinely happy for Jack because she knew he'd been working really hard during Quidditch practice that year.
The House Cup, however, went to Ravenclaw. Not much of a surprise as Merida had all but forgotten about the House Cup that year, let alone tried to earn points, but once again she was simply happy for her friend.
Final Exams came and went, relieving the endless anxiety for a week before it was renewed completely with the arrival of their Report Cards. Merida was pleasantly surprised to find a mix of A's and E's and an O in Divination, announcing that she'd passed all of her classes despite the struggles of that year. Rapunzel passed with mostly O's and a couple of E's. Hiccup had almost all A's, and only one O from Care of Magical Creatures. Jack passed with mostly A's, but there were a few E's and an impressive two O's in Charms and Potions.
With the relief of grades passed and the final days before their departure coming to an end, the four did their best to have as much fun together as they possibly could, but on the second to last day, while her friends were off in their dormitories packing their things for the trip home the next day, Merida joined her family in their rooms.
Merida and Elinor worked on a new tapestry that they had started together earlier that year, and Fergus laughing joyfully as he played with the triplets, chasing them around the room and then tossing them up in the air and catching the on his shoulders and hands.
"Merida, Elinor, hurry up!" King Fergus told them once he had caught all three of the boys, and lead the way out of the rooms.
Standing at the tapestry, Elinor turned at her husbands words and grew excited. "Are they off? Oh, come on! We've got to wave them off!" Elinor exclaimed nudging Merida towards the door.
Some say our destiny is tied to the land. As much a part of us as we are of it.
Merida laughed as they walked away from the tapestry of her holding the paws of Elinor as a bear, and together the family went down to the docks of the school, the sun shining brightly in the sky and not a cloud to be seen.
Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one's destiny intertwines with many others.
The entire school gathered by the small port to see the Lords and their men off that day, and Merida didn't really mind the Royal goodbyes that were necessary for the event. Though, they were made more interesting as Jack, Hiccup, and the triplets flew passed on makeshift dog-sleds that they'd made from shields and Fergus's hunting hounds. Rapunzel followed not far behind, trying to contain her laughter as the boys ended up nearly falling off the dock. Merida laughed with her as they shared a bright, laughing look.
It's the one thing we Search for, or Fight to Change.
Merida straightened up though, barely containing her giggles, as Macintosh came forward and kissed her hand. MacGuffin very shyly gave it a small peck as he blushed almost crimson, and Dingwall... Well, Merida a bit of trouble pulling her arm away, but luckily her mother and Rapunzel were there to help just before the Queen had to go help Fergus break the hug Lord Dingwall was giving him.
Some never find it.
Once the Lords, their sons, and all their men had launched their ships, setting sail for their homelands, Merida stood on the dock with her mother and her friends, waving goodbye to them. Fergus stood a little bit in front, also waving, but he stopped suddenly as he caught sight of Hamish, Hubert, and Harris waving from the top of the Macintosh sails. Fergus gaped and groaned while Hiccup and Jack snickered quietly, earning sideways glances from Merida, Rapunzel, and even Elinor who shook her head with a knowing smile.
Some are Born to it.
It didn't take long for Fergus to ready a row boat and set out towards the center ship to get his sons. Rapunzel dragged Jack and Hiccup back towards the castle where they wouldn't be able to cause too much more trouble, smiling as she rolled her eyes at their playful complaining. Merida, however, went to the field where the horses were grazing and called to Angus.
And there are those who are lead.
She road out to an open space just around a bend in the earth that ran parallel to the Forbidden forest. Some stones stuck out of the earth, creating the perfect point to look out over the glistening water of the ocean in the distance, and from there Merida watched the ships sail away from the school, silently marveling at everything that had happened.
There are those who say Fate is something beyond our command, that Destiny is not our own.
Hoof-beats alerted her to someone else's presence, and Merida turned to see her mother on the back of a white stallion, her long brown hair loose and flying in the wind. Elinor smiled at her, and Merida smiled mischievously back, and then kicked Angus into a gallop, racing back towards the castle.
But I know better.
Merida could hear her mother racing along behind her, and soon the Queen passed her altogether. Merida grinned and urged Angus to stay at the white stallions side as she and her mother galloped across the land, the glistening ocean on one side and the deep greens of the forest on the other.
Our Fate lives within us.
As Merida followed after her mother, heading towards the castle and her friends, she could hear a faint whispering that blew on the wind, carried from the surface of the rocks and the air between the trees. This time it didn't beckon her, though. Didn't call to her. This time it was comforting. It told her that everything was as it should be. She had mended the bond between her and her mother, she and her friends had returned from the adventure alive and safe, and now she could look forward to the days ahead in which she would have her loving mother to support her and her incredible friends to stand beside her forever.
You only have to be Brave enough to see it.