Welcome to this story! Fun fact, I had this chapter and part of the second written three years ago with the intent of writing a fic with the premise "what if there was no magic?" Instead, I found myself on the DisneyKink Livejournal and saw this prompt:

What would Merida's life be like if she had become Lady Dingwall/MacGuffin/MacIntosh?
What would the relationship to her partner (and inevitable children) be like? Bonus points for the husband of Anon's choice to be very kind to her in his own way, showing her around their lands and trying to make her as comfortable as possible.

So after seeing this and seeing the new Twisted Tales book with Brave, I just decided to go forward and see how far the story would take me - turns out to be longer than I thought!

I wanted to use this story as an exploration of how Merida and Elinor's relationship changes now that they're going through new experiences. See what Elinor's relationship would be like with her mum and get into Merida's romantic side. A huge huge special shoutout and dedication goes out to the fabulous MaidenoftheSummer on reddit for reading and giving me opinions and ideas! She's been AMAZING at reading this and making this story great and will be thanked every chapter for being wonderful.

Happy reading!

The castle was far behind her as Merida leaned against the cold stone sliding down as she tried to think of a way to get out of the marriage situation. Angus nudged at her hair as she reached over and patted his snout. What if she just got married? At least she'd be far away from her mother… No. She wasn't about to give up and resign herself to married life.

"Wait, that's what I need to do Angus. Tell mum I took this time to think about it and then tell her that I picked a different suitor. Other than Wee Dingwall of course, mum would be excited that I picked someone. Then be forced to tell both clan leaders, they would get mad at each other and fight about tradition or something. Then the third one would feel insulted that I didn't pick them and then get involved. Until they all realized that this was dumb and they'd just leave! How does that sound?"

It sounded kind of dumb saying it out loud, but a plan was better than no plan.

Angus looked like he was thinking about it.

The only problem was what if her mother had convinced them to drop the matter? Merida bit the inside of her cheek - they did tend to listen to her. Then again what if they didn't? Then again what if none of their sons wanted the marriage? Maybe she should get them involved, maybe they didn't want it just as much as she did.

Thinking about it more, Merida had to pick one of them to get the fight going. The Macintosh heir seemed like he was full of it and vain. That fit he threw after not hitting the bullseye wasn't exactly a good example. That was a hard no, leaving her with just one other option.

Then her thoughts went to Lord MacGuffin's son. She never had anything against him, other than the fact that he wasn't good at archery and would 'rather be tossing cabers.' He didn't seem to be vain or ditzy. She blushed remembering that she was impressed when he broke that log in half. He seemed to be just as nervous to be there as she was to be annoyed to be presented.

She blinked and thought to herself maybe he would be a good match. At least if she was saddled with actually getting married.

At least see what he had to say, maybe he didn't want to be here and team up to get everyone to change their minds.

Maybe her dad would get so fed up, he'd declare none of them worthy for her hand.

Satisfied with her plan she looked around at the standing stones wondering what they meant. She could faintly hear something whispering behind her and the faint blue glow from the corner of her eye. Merida could feel her heart jump to her throat, maybe the wisps could lead her to a different solution. A magical solution…

She immediately pushed that thought to the back of her mind. Her mind was just playing tricks on her, at least she hoped. Her dad did say that magic didn't exist and her mum did, so she wasn't sure what to believe.

A wisp could also lead to danger. To make an impulsive decision that could be permanent. At least with her half-baked plan nobody was getting mauled or dying because of her. At least she hoped if the sons didn't want to be involved no wars would be breaking out.

As tempting as it was, she took her time and ignored the whispers that she wished would go away. She rode Angus back slowly trying to formulate how she'd tell her mother. It had to sound genuine and not like she was looking for a brawl. The second she found her mother the plan was going into effect.

After about twenty minutes she found her mother and a peace offering of a cake on a plate would work.

"Merida, I was so worried," said Elinor, smothering her with hugs.

"You were?" She said a bit bewildered and then smiled thinking of her plan. "Right well. Mum, I thought about what you said. And you're right I should be taking my princess duties seriously."

Elinor studied her with a serious look on her face.

"Merida…"

"And I decided to be a more active player in my future. I spent my time thinking about what I should be doing," said Merida, looking her mother in the eye.

"Merida," said Elinor, brushing some hair from her face. "I really appreciate you doing this."

She felt a twig of something in the pit of her stomach hearing that. Knowing what was to come made her feel terrible. If she wanted her plan to work, she had to tell her mum and right now.

"There's just one thing," said Merida boldly and hurriedly. "I really don't want to marry Wee Dingwall. I know it's tradition and all, but I figured since I'm going to rule, I should have some say right? I'd like to pick Young MacGuffin. I mean think about it; Wee Dingwall was playing with his bow like it's a harp! And you saw that tantrum that Young Macintosh threw when he missed the bullseye. Can you imagine what he'd be like as a king? The only thing I'd complain about MacGuffin is that he's shy."

There was a hesitance on her mother's face. Telling the lords was going to be difficult and they'd raise a fit at changing last minute. Wars had started over less and Merida knew that. Elinor stared at her long and hard as she put on her best hopeful face and a smile.

"I can talk to them," said Elinor, pulling her into a hug.

Surprised at the action she hugged her mother back.

"I'm going to get myself a snack and head upstairs. Can you let me know what they said?" she asked, not intending to go that far.

"Of course, my dear," said Elinor, kissing her head with a small frown on her face.

From her spot she secured near the grand room she could just see where the brawl would inevitably start. Maybe her dad would call off the whole thing himself after all.

She could see her mother pull aside both Lords. This was great and then…

To her amazement her plan had worked (mostly). Somehow a cheer had rang up from one crowd and boos from another. Perhaps it was her brothers but a brawl did start. She could see her dad throwing himself on the crowd. Even if her mother did put a stop to it, the discord was there. Satisfied with her role to play in it she wiped her hands on her dress and went to her room.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Lord Brian Dingwall. Lord Kevin MacGuffin. Lord Aidan Macintosh. The three great clan leaders as Elinor sighed, going to face them. She had to tell them about Merida and what she wanted. Even though tradition said she'd have to marry the winner, she could appeal to them.

Merida didn't want to marry Lord Dingwalls son. She could promise him any new trade agreement or soldiers at a moment's notice.

Right now all she could do was think of Merida's decision in all of this. Her mother almost forcibly made her marry Fergus (which turned out ok in the end) regardless of what she wanted. If Merida's marriage started with affection, she could at least try to make it happen. She came back after several hours with a decision to try to change and understand her. The least she could do is return that understanding.

Now all two of the three stood in front of her. She'd get their approval first before announcing it to the clans. They have been pulled aside and in a quiet space.

"You see Brian, I've talked with Merida and despite your son's great shot she has feelings for another one of her suitors."

"What do you mean? Logan won, we should be celebrating," said Brian looking confused.

"It appears that while Merida was impressed by his shooting; she'd like to court Ian."

Lord MacGuffin looked pleased as he stood up straight.

"WHAT?!"

She didn't know what caused the brawl in the dining room. Perhaps it was a messenger who overhead or maybe her sons looking for a little chaos, however all she could do was pull them apart and promise to talk later when they've cooled down.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The next morning, she headed out to shoot with an apple in her hand. She passed by the field to get to Angus only to stop short. A large figure standing there facing the woods and targets.

That figure turned out to be her "betrothed" if she could even call him that. For a second she admired his large frame, he was almost as tall and as big as her dad. His arms firm and muscular, his jaw was rough and stubbled even with a full face.

"Er young MacGuffin," she said walking up and stopping next to him and turned to look at what he was staring at. All she could see was the archery target. "What are you staring at?"

"My name is Ian," he said quietly, not really looking at her. His eyes trained on said target unmoving. "You picked me even though I didn't win. I could barely hit the target."

She peered up at him who looked a little depressed. That was good right? It means that he didn't want her to pick him. Maybe he even had a lass back home! Easy to figure out then. She smiled a little to herself, then she studied the target from where she stood.

"Well to be fair you didn't have a good bow," said Merida with a small shrug and sigh. "Here."

With an attempt to befriend him and in the spirit of archery (she supposed), she ran off to the weaponry and grabbed it. After a few minutes she returned with one of her father's bows. Much stronger than the one he had used during the competition. He handled the other one as if it was a delicate object.

"Just try it," she said as he took it in his hands, getting behind him and helping him position his arm. "Hold the bow with your left hand, not too straight though. Knock the arrow on the opposite side, pull it all the way back to your smile, eyeball the target and let go."

The young MacGuffin did as she said and let it fly. This time instead of it falling short the arrow sunk into one of the middle rings. Merida tossed her curls aside and grinned at him.

"See you could do it," she said confidently. Something about the first time the arrow hit its target was beautiful. She just stared at it and grinned, glad to have helped. Giddy himself, Ian had swung her around into a hug picking her up. Slightly dizzy Merida giggled at the sudden action.

"Ah ve nivver been able tae get aat steek afore," he said stunned.

"What?" asked Merida trying to understand his dialect, eyes wide. "You've never been able to get-?"

"Er, never got that close before," he said embarrassed as she looked at him critically. A soft smile crossed her face as she balanced her bow against her hip.

"Something about that is endearing," she said with a giggle then Ian looked at her confused. "The way you get flustered."

"Really?" he stuttered a little confused at how that could be.

"Yea, what's that language you're speaking?" she asked briskly, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. She wasn't supposed to like him. Befriending him and then causing the engagement to end was a better plan. "It's different."

"Uh Doric," he said, shrugging himself. "My mum's clan spoke it, everyone in my family knows it."

"I like it," said Merida, unable to help herself, "like a secret language that no one really knows, at least around here. Maybe you can teach me a little and I'll help you with Scots."

Merida glanced up at him from behind a piece of her hair. He had a small smile on his face which looked pink. He did have a nice smile, as she tried to brush the thought away. Today just so happened to be the day everyone got embarrassed. Humming to herself she shot at the target herself.

"Wanna try again?" she tried when he didn't answer her.

He shot another while watching it sink in. Satisfied with her work she kept encouraging him to get closer. Finally, his tenth arrow hit squarely in the middle.

"Now we gotta go get them," she said, nodding to the target. "Come on, I'll race you to the target."

Ian nodded mutely before they broke off into a run. Merida looked to be in the lead until he quickly caught up to her. Until finally they reached it at the same time.

"Okay tie, best-"

"Actually, may I ask you something?" he asked, hoping his Scots were right. She shrugged but nodded at him to go ahead. "What made you pick me?"

Merida felt her stomach clench, her ulterior motives were beside the point. She tapped her cheek with her pointer finger pretending to think about it.

"You're not vain and present." He looked at her with a skeptical look drawn on his face. "I like that you're strong, that caber toss was impressive. Annddd you're really nice. It helps that you remind me of my dad."

Ian looked pretty pleased with himself at the compliment. Now would be the time to tell him. Merida had blown a piece of hair from her face, but Ian spoke up next.

"It's just that I've never had a girl like me before," he said as she slumped a little, great he didn't have a lass at home. Although something about that made her feel better as the butterflies returned. "Actually, at first I didn't want to come. I wanted to sneak my brother in my place. My dad convinced me to come because he thought it'd be good for me… I'm, well, I'm glad Ididitnow."

Merida plopped down on a tree trunk.

"Alright if we're being honest, I, uh, well, I wanted to get everyone fighting. Don't get me wrong, you're my favorite out of all my options," she started to tell him and then told him her plan. Ian listened to her with his eyes wide. "I hope you're not too mad at me."

"Well, I did tell you that I was going to send my brother," he said, carefully picking his words. "I'm not mad, maybe a little disappointed, but not angry. I'm glad that you chose me to help you."

"Not going to lie if I'm forced into getting married, I'm glad that I chose you," she said brightly, hopefully making it less awkward. "What do you say friends? Maybe we could end this!"

"Maybe we could, and of course friends," he said and this time she hugged him. For the first time this entire trip he felt like he belonged. "You know I think your plan worked a little. Lord Macintosh's son kept glaring over at me but wouldn't do anything about it."

"Well, that makes me feel a wee bit better."

It was quiet between them, so quiet she could hear the crickets chirping. Shrugging Merida turned to young Mac- Ian and grinned. She was going to go out and shoot or listen to the squabbles again, but her mother might keep her away from the feuding lords.

"Soo, I could show you around the land a little unless you wanna practice more."

She gestured to the targets and Ian nodded enthusiastically. They went to get their horses which surprised Merida to see that he had a Clydesdale too.

Maybe he could surprise her, she thought, saddling Angus. He went from quiet and shy to talkative as they rode into the woods taking their sweet time.