Big Plot reveal to come! Special props to Jacob Flores and TPFR for either coming close or guessing the big reveal for this chapter!

Merida trudged out of the airport, carrying the large suitcase that held the cloths she brought with her. Thankfully it wasn't much. She just wanted to pack her necessities, nothing more than that. she had only gone there to talk to her ex, not to move in the city.

Rapunzel had been right. it was a terrible idea to go to see him. he would never leave his new fiancée. She was saddened by this. not because he refused to leave Elsa (she had to admit the other woman was very nice, both in looks and in her personality.)

Merida hadn't said yes and it was all her fault. She had run off. But she had her reasons and she stuck by them ever since. She thought she didn't need a husband in order to do what she did. She had been so wrong. It was tough, but with the help of her parents (she would never ask her brothers; they were just too young and a little insane) she had managed to get by it. four years later, she was convinced that she had it down, at least as much as she could for what she was doing.

Only if Joseph had been there to help, maybe things would have gone a wee bit different. He probably would have helped her, even if he didn't marry her according to Rapunzel (though he would have married her). But Merida couldn't dwell on the past. It was pretty much nothing at this point. The future was what she cared about.

She clutched her necklace once again. this necklace was the bridge between her past and future. Joseph had given it to her, and it held something very important to her.

Though she had made an effort to just leave Joseph behind after she had left him, this was the one thing she just couldn't leave behind. The necklace was one of the first gifts from him she had ever received. The second, even more so.

She had been scared when she found out, sand thought her parents would have been angry with her (which they were) but they had helped out best they could (while giving lectures to her the entire time among other things).

Merida herself didn't know what to think. It had been just as much a crazy experience for her as it was for them. was this what every woman had to go through? If that was the case, Merida hoped never to do it again. one time was more than enough.

It had been worth it, for the most part. It had been crazy to be sure, but northing exactly terrible. It was just life, Merida supposed. That's what happened when you weren't careful.

It had been a complete accident and an honest mistake. But it had happened, so there wasn't much of anything to do, nor could anything be done about it.

Well there had been options that Merida's parents wished for her to take, but Merida refused each and every time, wanting to see this through till the end.

Though they had fought adamantly on the matter, in the end Merida's parents gave in (she supposed they were a little happy in the end, just not on when it had happened, though they were positively murderous for the next few weeks; she could hear them screaming well into the night most evenings.)

She couldn't blame them for her mistakes. When she found out, she had been almost driven out of her mind, and had been so worried that she didn't know what to do. When she finally did tell someone (Rapunzel) it had pretty much descended into helping Merida through every single step of the way. Merida had hated it. being papered was definitely not her thing at all, despite how nice her mother tried to make her feel over the time period.

And it had hurt… a lot. Merida had never imagined such pain existed in the world, but unfortunately for her, she found out the hard way.

But perhaps it had been worth it. the past four years had been an enriching experience for her. It had helped her mature into a calmer woman, teaching her patience in a way her mother could have never dreamed of.

Elinor had been happy to see that side of her daughter, the one that wasn't stubborn and all but selfish. So perhaps everything did work out for the best, at least in regards to everything that had happened afterwards

Unfortunately for them the happy times didn't last.

Not long after everyone had managed to get over Merida's predicament, Elinor had fallen ill to leukemia. Merida just couldn't believe how cruel life ended up being for her.

Elinor of course was taking it as best she could, but Merida worried for her all of the time. She wished that there was something she could do to end Elinors suffering, but all she could do was manage to keep her comfortable.

If Elinor were to die, Merida just wasn't sure exactly what to do about it. In her younger years, Merida had constantly argued with her mother over the course of her fate. It had led to many heated arguments, none of which ended very well for either party. It wasn't until college (and afterwards) that the two had mended their relationship.

Merida was thankful for that much at least.

But that still didn't stop her from being angry. She didn't want this! she wanted her mother to be happy and healthy again! was that just too much to ask for. The hospital had done all the work that it could, but Merida was nearing the end of what little patience she had left.

She just wished something could be done about it. however, her mother was happy, or at least tried to be for the sake of her family. But Merida just wanted her to be happy for good. She wanted to see her mother grow old, just as her mother had watched her grow up into a fine young woman. but it just didn't seem likely that it was going to happen.

Elinor was going to die if she didn't get help soon.

Merida huffed, looking around for her fathers car. He was supposed to be here by now, ready to pick her up and take her home. Her father always did have a way with things.

But she couldn't be mad. Fergus might be a wee bit crazy (like her wee devils for brothers) but he was just so much fun that no one could get mad and stay at him (ironic, considering his job and all)

Growing up, Merida had always adored her father. He spoiled her pretty much every day and Merida had simply loved it. in many ways Fergus was the exact opposite of his wife. While Elinor was strict, Fergus was pretty much a fun loving type of guy.

Some people say opposites attract. But these two, couldn't be any more different at all. It was a funny old world after all.

Fergus was renowned for his legendary tales on the police force. He had managed to capture some of the most dangerous criminals that had ever existed on the streets. It was not without its perils; he had lost his leg due to a stray shot.

But Fergus had recovered and after some time in physical therapy, returned to work. While unable to perform in the field as well as he used to, he managed to workout pretty well. he was mostly stuck behind a desk now, but since he was the commissioner, one could say he had done a fine job of earning that position in the police force.

Her father had devoted himself to the law, the same way her mother had. That was how they met and eventually ended up getting married

They had spent a few years married before Elinor ended up pregnant with Merida.

They deserved more in life than had been given to them. she didn't want to see her family suffer anymore. It was just too much for any of them to bear any longer.

Merida just wanted it all to stop.

But sometimes there was just simply no control over things in life and this was one of them. they would still hold on to hope, there was no question about that, but it was fading fast, along with whatever life Elinor had in her.

Elinor however never felt miserable in front of her family. Fergus always managed to brighten her day, the boys given her a wide smile that made her laugh, and even Merida's confidence gave her the strength she needed to keep on fighting to live another day.

But just how long could one go on fighting before they just dropped dead? Elinor hadn't had leukemia for very long, but it was sure taking its toll on her. It made Merida sick just to see her other suffer the way she was.

They were trying to make the best of it, bit Merida wanted everything to be the way it had been before.

She looked around for her father, but she still couldn't she the car he was in. Hopefully he wasn't driving in his police cruiser. He loved that thing more than life itself, but it was embarrassing (to Merida at least) when he used it like he would his normal car.

That had happened during some of his earlier years (these days he only used it on the job).

Merida had some fond memories of driving around in her fathers police cruiser, shrieking with laughter whenever he turned on the sirens (though this was only in the neighborhood; he never took her outside of it in his police cruiser)

Those had been some of the better days in her life. If only that luck could come back and help her today. she would be so grateful just to be able to see her mother healthy again.

As she walked down the path where the cars were, she finally spotted her fathers beat up car. The family car that Merida's family had had ever since she was a child. It had taken them a very long way. Fergus in his spare time had a mechanic that fixed up his car every now and then; it was the only reason that the said car was still running as good as it ever had; any other car would have long since broken down.

She could still see her fathers grinning face as he waved furiously through the window, despite the tinted glass

Merida smiled and waved back, beckoning her father forward so that he could pull up and they could get out of here and finally get Merida back home with the rest of her family.

Her father pulled up beside her. Merida put her suitcase in the trunk, then went to the passenger side where she grinned at her father "hello dad!" she said happily

Fergus's grin got even wider, if that was even possible, before he enveloped Merida in a hug so tigh, Merida was sure she had a crushed lung by the time Fergus let go of her.

Yes Fergus wa just a big softy, no matter which way you decided to put it. Merida heaved some air into her lungs in order to rebuild her oxygen supply. 25 years and she still never managed to be able to adjust rto her fathers tremendously strong hugs. How she was ever able to survive before hand, Merida did not know; she was just lucky that she had managed to survive at all.

After the ordeal, she gave her father amonther smile. "hows it going dad!" she asked him happily.

Fergus's eyes twinkled. "its been going the same lass. Your mother is just the same was she was when you left."

Merida's heart deflated a little. Sure it was to be expected that her mother wasn't going to get much wore or better for that matter. She just wished that soething happy would have happened while she was gone. But clearly that did not happen.

She sank back into her seat, groaning, and staring off at nothing in particular. Darn it.

Fergus must have sensed her annoyance because she felt a hand lay on her shoulder "is alright lass, your mother is just… fine"

Just fine! Just fin! Merida screamed. She didn't want her mother to be just fine she wanted her to be well again! but that was apparently too much to ask for because there was no change in her whatsoever

Fergus fliched surprised by his daughters loud outburst. Unlike Elinor, who would have scolded her for such behavior, Fergus just let Merida throw her tantrum. He never did have it in him to argue with his girls.. they had a power over him that could not be matched, not even by the criminals that he so often captured.

If that wasn't scary he did not now what would be. He just couldn't fight back.

When he and Elinor had ever gotten into a fight, Elinor had always managed to win, no questions asked. One glare from her and he was silent for the rest of the day

Maybe that's why he was afraid of Merida's outburst. Sue he gave her a lecture afterwards, but during the whole thing it was just better to let her loose a little bit of steam. Hat always seemed to be a better course of action that trying to interrupt her.

Merida scowled and looked out the window again. she was not in any mood to talk right now. She just needed a few minutes to cool off. Fergus, shifted the car into gear and of they went.

Merida stared out of the window watching the world go bye. Her home. She had lived here all of her life but she loved it. sure she had left for several yeas in order to find her freedom, but in the end, she would always return home. It was just where she needed to be

Even more so now that she had her family waiting for her. She clutched her necklace again. she was almost there.

Fergus glanced at his daughter. She was so stubborn. She had gotten that from her mother no doubt. With her hot temper, it might take the entire car ride for her to calm down. but he was used to it. He had raised her after all, so he knew exactly how his young daughter thought things through.

He knew (like elinor), that Merida had been going through massive mood swings over the past few years. he was angry at what Merida had done, because she should have known better, but it had helped her mature into the fine young woman she was today (minus the temper that she still had)

Of course, while she had much to learn about controlling her temper, she rarely had outbursts in front of her family anymore. If just for the sake of them at all.

He grimaced. Life was just so hard on Merida (like it had been for all of them) these past few years. he wanted everyone to feel better too, but it just wasn't likely to happen anytime soon.

Elinor. His sweet dear wife. She would die soon and he didn't think that he would be able to bear it. it would just be too tough on everyone.

The two just sat in silence the entire way home. There was no need for either of them to say anything. They were both just too angry or sad right now.

Thankfully the trip home wasn't a long one, so they didn't have to go on suffering like that for very long.

The Dunbroch estate was a very old house just outside of the city. It had been in Merida's family for generations.

Merida had spent many days simply wandering the estate doing who knows what. It was very large so Elinor had often accompanied her daughter while they were outside.

Fergus pulled up into the drive way. As son as he parked the care, Meridas left, taking her suitcase and stomped all the way to the front door, and opened it.

The main foyer was empty (as usual) because Elinor was upstairs in the master bedroom, being tended to by her younger brothers. Merida sighed. This was her home, but it didn't feel so homey right now.

Fergus trudged up behind her, he moved past her and immediately went upstairs to be with his wife.

Merida smiled slightly. That was love right there. Fergus would always be at his wife's side no matter what the cost. He had stayed true to his vows.

Merida walked into the house and collapsed on the stairs, she huffed wishing that she could take all the stress away. But that was impossible, because only as miracle could help them now

She heard a muffled squeal from up the stairs, no doubt, Fergus had hugged his wife again. Merida smiled. that would just never get old, not for any of them.

She made her way up the stairs. This was the only thing about the house that she didn't like. The long trip to anywhere. But that's the price you pay for living in such a large house.

The master bedroom was very large, filled with anything that a couple might need. But none of that mattered. Merida was just focused on her mother.

The older woman was laying down on the bed propped up against many pillows for comfort. Her eyes were tired, but she smiled when she saw her daughter.

"Merida" she rasped

Merida smiled as she walked up to her mother "Hi mommy, she whispered, trying to hold back her tears.

Elinor chuckled. "Try not to cry, dear" she said "turn around" there is someone here to see you"

Merida turned and a smile spread over her face. she dropped to her knees and allowed the new arrival to leap into her arms.

"Mommy!"

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