Chapter nine

While Merida had been sent away to the castle, her mother had remained to give a speech. She was silently steaming as she placed herself on the throne, ready to address the crowds after her sudden burst of anger toward her daughter.

Just as she was about to begin, Lord Macintosh stood forward from the other two Lords. Her glanced around, his nose in the air as he requested to speak. The King allowed it and he stepped forward again.

"Your highness, we were discussing and we would like to bring to light an attempt that was made that would make yourselves look like fools, to put it bluntly." He exclaimed, and Elinor gasped in horrified shock at his boldness. She coughed for Fergus to take control.

"Who is 'we'?" Her husband asked.

"The Lords and I, King Fergus." Lord Macintosh informed, as he glanced back to the other two who still stood a step behind him, not daring to move.

"You may speak, what is it?" Elinor asked, nodding her head as an order.

Lord Macintosh paused, looking over toward Bjorn and Ragnar, before stepping forward once again and shouting their claim. "We believe that the Northman cheated in your last round of the competition, your highness."

"In what way?" She asked, her brow raised.

Elinor remained calm. As for Fergus, he almost chocked as he coughed in surprise. He didn't know what to believe. Having grown close to Ragnar however, as he looked over at his embarrassed and betrayed expression, he wanted to believe him badly.

"Instead of capturing the Forrest fox, they caught another and presented it as the real one." He accused them.
Bjorn began to step forward, preparing to scream out in argument, but his father held him back by the arm.

"Is this true, Ragnar?" King Fergus asked him.

"You offend me by accusing my son?" He responded calmly, though the King could understand that it was directed toward the Lord Macintosh.

"I only wish to know the truth." He said, with a kind smile.

"But you would doubt us?" Ragnar almost seemed to be testing him, waiting for his reply.

Fergus tilted his head toward in agreement of his challenge, before deciding, "We will take matter further in the great hall."

"But-" Lord Macintosh began to complain, but Fergus silences him.

"That is enough!" He screamed, before nodding his head for them to disperse.

"Mother!"

Merida had been waiting on the bottom of the castle steps, ready to protest against her mother. But as they burst through the large doors, a scowl was on her face. The Lords, Ragnar and Bjorn, and a few guards followed the King and Queen, forcing her to follow after them.

"Not now Merida." Her mother shouted, casting her aside with a harsh glance.

"What's happening? Are you alright?" She asked. Merida had noticed the tired look on her father's face too.

"I'm fine, my darling." He sighed, placing a hand in her cheek as he sat down on his throne. "It's just something has come up as problem- with the Lords and the Northmen."

"What?" She gasped.

"Lord Macintosh claims that Ragnar and his son cheated in the second round. The other Lords back him up." Fergus explained regretfully and Merida shook her head.

"But that's not true. You know it isn't." She exclaimed.

"I know, Merida. But they've got us in a bad position. What will it look like if we take the side of Ragnar and Bjorn rather than our neighbouring clans, with no evidence to support us?" He said, and Merida gazed across the line of men that stood looking anywhere but at each other. "We asked them here to strengthen the bonds between us- not break them."

"What if they're angry with us? They'll bring an army, surely." She asked, but her mother interrupted her chance of a response.

"Merida! Your father has his own matters to discuss. To your room." She scolded.

Merida huffed as she slid out of way of her mother's sight. She sat herself at the top of the steps that overlooked the great hall. From there, she could see each of the lords as well as the Northmen, and could hear each word that was shared.

"Now, Lord Macintosh, continue." Her father ordered, as they finally settled to speak.

He stepped forward arrogantly into view. "We have a witness that saw the Northmen rebrand a fox in the woods."

Fergus paused a moment. "Bring him forward."

A small boy, no older than ten, stepped forward from behind the small crowd. He trembled slightly, his hands wringing together as he stuttered out a response, of which sounded rehearsed. "It was near the beach path, your highness."

"What were you doing by that path?" He asked.

"Me and my brothers wanted to see the round in close up." The young boy explained.

Fergus nodded, motioning with his hand and allowing the boy to leave. He scurried away quickly for sight. King Fergus sat pensively for a while, leaving the Lords to murmur among themselves.

"Surely you will not let them get away with this!" Lord Macintosh finally shouted out, his face contorted strangely into a grimace.

"Leave us!" Fergus suddenly shouted.

"What?"

"Leave us, I will inform you of my actions before they happen." He shouted, scowling as the man hesitated before turning around. "Ragnar, you may stay."

The hall was emptied of all except Ragnar and his son.

"I assume that this isn't true." He asked, and Ragnar shook his head slightly.

"No it's not. I wouldn't dishonour my son like that." He replied, glancing toward his son with a smile.

"Nor I my father." Bjorn echoed, stepping forward to join him in line.

"But you understand the position that I am in." Fergus said regretfully.

"Too well, King Fergus."

He stared at the two of them for a moment. Stepping down from his throne, he stood eye to eye with Ragnar, before placing a hand on his shoulder. In response, he too placed a hand on Fergus' arm.

"I like you, Ragnar. You too Bjorn. My daughter certainly does. And she likes not many people." He said truthfully, a wide beam in his face. "Isn't that right, Merida?"

Merida held in a surprised splitter at her father's last sentence. Her hand was over her mouth, stopping her from making any noise. But it was of no use, as Fergus turned his head to glance to the top of the stairs where Merida hid in the shadows. Merida peeked her head down to scowl disapprovingly at her father, who chuckled along with Ragnar.

"I'd hate to insult you, Ragnar." He continued.

"Then don't."

Fergus shook his head in dismissal. "But I must ask that you leave. On good terms I hope."

Merida breathed in and out, sucking in her courage before hopping down from her space and stepping into view. She ignored her mother's glares as she walked to stand beside her father.

"I think I have a way that this can work with both of you. As you say, father, you like Ragnar. And Ragnar, I think you feel the same way toward him." She began by testing the waters, waiting for her fathers approval before she continued. He smiled widely, urging for her to carry on proudly.

"What if the Northmen leave, to please the Lords and keep my fathers bond safe and secure. But we set up a link with them, to benefit us all. No hostility when there is no need for it."

"A link? Of what?" Ragnar asked her.

"Trade." She stated.

Merida looked between them with wide eye. She observed their reactions looking for their thoughts, but they were all as confused and wary as the other.

"Bjorn has spoken of how you are a curious man, in want of benefit for his people rather than continuous raids. Well here is your chance." She carried on with her idea, explaining further.
"You can raid England as much as you want for all this kingdom cares, while still having us as your allies."

"You would agree upon this?" Ragnar asked, turning to face Fergus.

The King nodded. "I can't see why not."

"And how would we handle this without offending the Lords?" Bjorn asked.

"You leave in peace now. Then later you may return with one boat only, to form a deal." Fergus suggested simply.
"We won't tell them until Merida is married."

"You make a strong argument."

"Will you take it?" Merida asked, her chest rising as he breath quickened in anticipation.

"Yes. I would be happy to." Ragnar smiled, shaking her father's hand welcomingly.

"Then it is settled," Ragnar shouted.
"I look forward to seeing you again, my friend."

Their hands clasped together once again in a firm shake, before Ragnar took his shoulder under his arm and shook happily.

"And you too, Ragnar. Take some drink for the journey. On me, my friend," Fergus exclaimed, before turning to Ragnar's son, pushing him in the direction of his own daughter. "It was nice meeting you Bjorn. Go say goodbye to my daughter."

"It seems that our time together is cut short," Bjorn said, and Merida chuckled.

"Oh, don't cry for me Bjorn," teased.

"You'll find that my eyes are dry."