Chapter six

Another two days had passed since the hunt and Merida had found herself wondering around the castle more often than she had expected. With all the commotion that put the court into chaos, she found a strange joy in her days, almost glad that this was all happening.

She was also looking forward to the first task in the competition. Though she was more excited to see the Lords embarras themselves than anything else.

The first competition would be decided by her father, the second her mother and lastly Merida herself. King Fergus, of course, had went with an exciting activity, which he and his friends had dully named the ring. In this, the competitors would fight in a circle, with no weapons and only their riding clothes. Though from the outside it seemed to look more like a drunken brawl, in the ring, it was violent and dangerous due to the ruthlessness of the men that usually took part.

She could remember the time her father had took part.

Merida day on her throne waiting for the competition to begin, ignoring the speech that the King and Queen gave from beside her. In front of the stand where they sat, a large crowd gathered, leaving an even larger circle of space, where the four competitions stood side by side shoulders straightened and chest out. The people cheered for them as they looked around audience, nodding in recognition.

"Let the first trial," her mother began, leaving Fergus to continue.

"Begin!" He shouted, and the crowd shouted encouragement for the violence.

Macguffin, Macintosh and Dingwall, turned swiftly, there knees squatting as they chose to circle Bjorn, their mouths resembling a dog's snarl.

"They're ganging up on him." Merida commented and Fergus nodded, unimpressed.

They watched as they leaped upon him, landing their blows, most of which were blocked with force from the young Viking. He hit back, sending punch after punch as they ran toward him, knuckles bare.

"Yes, and it's their fathers' doing. I heard them speaking foully this morning about the Northmen." King Fergus whispered to her daughter, the information masked to all else thanks to the cacophony of noise.

"That's wee Dingwall out!" He shouted, knocking his own hand against his leg in excitement as the brawl continued.

"They think it's unfair that we let him compete." Fergus went back to explaining.

Bjorn was on the floor. Macintosh ran toward him, his shoulder angled. The Viking lifted his legs, his feet pushing against him as he ran into him, pushing him backward with such force that he fell to the ground his arm snapping backward. Jumping up quickly, Bjorn crashed his fist into Macguffin, who just barely blocked him.

"In a way, I don't blame them. If I was in their position I would feel threatened by your hospitality for the Vikings too, given they're all so large and strong." Merida said, as her eyes trailed the fight.

"Macintosh is out now too." Fergus commented, watching as he was thrown backward, Macguffin landing on him as Macintosh tapped himself out.

"It's the hair, I'm telling you." He said, earning a laugh from his daughter.

Bjorn was hit one last time by Macguffin, a deadly glare crossing his eyes as he turned back to the smaller man. Merida was sure she could see Macguffin tremble before Bjorn punched him back, a loud crack silencing the crowds cheering as he fell to the floor beneath him, not able to get back up. Bjorn stood, looking around, his knuckles bleeding. His eyes landed on Merida as she raised a brow.

"I can't believe he did it." She said, as her mother finally stood up.

"We have a champion for our first round." She said, clapping her hands through the quietness.

King Fergus followed her, raising from his throne before shouting his name. "Bjorn Ironside!"

The crowd shouted once again and Merida glanced along to the Lords who stood to the side of the stage. They were clearly unimpressed, a glare on all of their faces. Ragnar pushes passed them, smirking as he wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders in pride. Merida knew he'd never doubted him.

After the first task, Merida was allowed time for herself as her mother and father talked with the Lords and congratulated their sons on the participation. She knew they would be seething from their defeated, and so decided to go for a ride through the woods, avoiding the men who had fought for her hand.

She could hear feet stepping up behind her. It was Bjorn.

"You won." She said, as she continued to prepare Angus, not looking behind her.

"You don't seem impressed." He replied, though she could detect the smirk that laced his voice.

"It has been done before." She said simply, as she pulled herself onto the horse's back, finally looking down to him.

"You're going somewhere?" He asked.

"To the beach." They watched each other through squinted eyes, though neither knew what they were searching for, before Merida finally said, "You can come if you can catch up with me."

And without anything else said, Angus was already fleeing through the edge of the castle's walls, racing through the edge of the tree line. They followed the same path that they always had, straight through the forest and to the edge of the woods that lined the cliff's edge that overlooked an unforgiving sea. There was something within her that called out for her to take the time to escape, to climb the Devil's peak or travel the Northern most area that was uninhabited and untouched. But Bjorn was behind her, her mother and father at home, and her so called fate leading her to the future.

Merida finally stopped. Angus has lead them to the daunting peak that overlooked the beach that the Lords and Vikings had landed on, their boats still anchored in the bay. It was obvious which boat was who's. While each of the Lords held different colours that docked their ships and honoured their own clans, the Northmen had boats that were skilfully crafted and unlike anything that any of them had ever seen.

"They're beautiful boats." She said, as Bjorn rode up from behind, finally joining her side.

"As capable as they are beautiful. They carried us all the way here safely." He said proudly, as he too looked down at them. She watched his face, a hint of a smile gracing his lips as he looked down.

"What is it like?" Merida asked, eyes still trailing his every movement.

"What?"

"Norway." She said, and Bjorn nodded in understanding.

"Like the boats. Beautiful and durable. The weather is harsh but the people are tough." He said, his smile widening.

"I can see that." Merida said, her brow raised, before asking, "I wanted to ask."

Bjorn nodded once more as he turned to look at her awaiting her question. Merida thought of the moment Ragnar had first introduced both himself and his son. She remembered the look on her father's face- the glimmer in his eye, yet he had acted as if he hadn't know them.

"Why did my father seem to light up when he heard your father's name?" She asked.

"My father is know throughout Mercia and Northumbria for his raids." Bjorn answered her, before adding, with a smirk, "You could say he is famous."

"Then I'm honoured to be in your presence." She teased, mocking an over the top bow, dipping to pat Angus on the neck, urging him on.

"Come on." Merida ordered, as she lead them quickly to the beach, slowing down as the horses soon reached the sand.

The stopped at the water's edge, watching as the water lapsed over the sand, threatening to tickle the hooves that carried them. The lull of the tide against the boats almost sent her to sleep as she closed her eyes, letting the salty air brush against her lashes. With a last deep breath, Merida turned back to Bjorn.

"Your father said it was your fate to marry a princess. My mother said it was my destiny to marry and be a lady. Do you believe that?" She suddenly asked, though her face was serious.

Bjorn paused a moment in thought. "I believe in the Gods. I believe in my father."

Merida said no more. It seemed, to her, that she was the only one that worried of the nature of destiny itself. Did it not terrify anyone else?

Bjorn interrupted her thoughts with his deep voice. "It is my turn for a question."

"You spend little time with the Lords' sons, but you are here with me." He stated, and Merida laughed.

"That is a statement not a question, Bjorn. Try again." She teased.

"You know what I am implying."

"You intrigue me, Northman." She began, before rolling her eyes. "Do you blame me? The Lord's sons aren't exactly what you could call good company."

"I am?"

"I'd call you decent company." She could sense that he was about to add something on, perhaps a sly comment meant to tease her, and so instead, she asked him, "Do you have a woman at home?"

He raised his brow in surprise and once again, Merida rolled her eyes, blushing at what he thought.

"I don't know." He finally said, and she sighed.

"I bet she wouldn't like you returning married to Dunbrochian princess." Merida said, smiling at him, before urging Angus to ride once more, leaving him as she returned to the castle.

"You were with the Northman?"

Her mother wasted no time in interrogating her. As soon as Merida has set foot within the castle, the queen had been by her side. She followed her up to her room, remaining by the window as Merida laid on her bed.

"Yes, mother, I was." She sighed, staring up to the ceiling.

"What is he like?" Elinor asked, as she watched the boy from her window, as he lead his horse toward the stables his arm stroking its neck. "Do you favour him?"

"Do you want me to?" Merida asked, and Elinor's head snapped around to look at her. Her father had joined them, remaining at the door, where he leaned against the wooden frame.

"I want you to answer me truthfully, then I will too." She said. Merida closed her eyes momentarily before sitting up to look at her mother as she replied.

"It is not hard to favour a brave man when you compare him to the other three." She paused, biting her lip. "But no, I favour my freedom."

Fergus snorted, earning a glare from his wife.

"Ragnar and his son can benefit us in more ways than you know, Merida." Elinor warned her.