–Chapter 1–

A few weeks after.

It's not fair!

First they say I don't have to marry to keep the crown next they say that I have to marry or I'll lose it.

Have they lost their heads?!

This is not justice it's the contrary.

Oh but if mum already knows she'll have no concern in fact I believe she'll love the idea of me getting married.

Still I have to eventually, how are there supposed to be heirs that the throne, aye?

I got to convince mum so I can't be forced to marry.

"Angus this is a riot!" I complain.
The horse shakes its head in respond.

"I know right!" I say. "How am I supposed to get married in six months Angus, six months?!"

Angus neigh's.

I pick a brush and finish combing Angus's mane.

"Who would I marry though?" I ask my self out loud. "What do ye think Angus?"

Angus moves his head from side to side.

"Oh boy I wish I could understand ye"

Angus neighs and gets a bit stressed.

"Woah woah boy what's gotten into ye?" I try to calm him down which worked.

"I think he saw me" I hear a familiar voice from behind me say.

I turn around to witness who it is.

"Macintosh?" I say in surprise. "What are ye doing 'ere?"

He walks a little closer to me and Angus and pets him.

"Well I herd the news" He answers.

"Which one?" I ask sassily.

Oh don't think I don't know what he's trying to do.

He wants me to marry him doesn't he?! Well sorry but no I prefer marrying a bear, thank you.

"Don't think I don't know Merida everyone knows you have to get married to keep the crown and I've come 'ere to help you" He explains.

I cross my arms.

"Oh yes, are you sure ye just don't want to get the crown for yer self?!" I ask sarcastically.

He laughs.

"No Merida, I just wanted to return the favor from back then" He says.

Angus looks at me suspiciously.

"Hey ye know I tell ye everything Angus" I say looking at him. - "When exactly is back then?"

"Back from where we got the helm, remember?" He says.

Memories flash through my eyes, that day it was the day Macintosh showed me his respect and bowed to me.

It was the time I knew he was more then a stupid good looking jerk. Well not that he is extremely good looking just the normal type of good looking, okay? Nothing weird 'bout that.

"Aye, I remember but I never did anything for you" I point out.

"True, but you made me realize something that day" He says.

"And what is that?" I ask very curious.

"That your perfect." His words leave me hanging.

"What?" I ask clueless

"Ye heard me Queen Merida" He grins

"Yes but- "

"Do ye want me to help ye or not?" He cuts me off.

This is very confusing.

As a Queen I've tuff choices but I don't know what this seems very hard. Maybe is the fact that he was one of the three men that wanted to marry me for the crown.

Yet this time he was offering help.

What's the worst that could happen anyways?

Al though I could think of not few but many things that could go wrong, very wrong but it's worth giving a shot 'causen I ain't going to do this alone anyways.

"Very well Macintosh" I accept his offer. "Meet me in the castle at noon we shall discuss more about how your going to help me remain in the throne."

"As you wish my Queen" He says and heads out of the stables.

I wait until he's out of sight.

I give a long sigh of relief. "Thank goodness he's gone, aye Angus?"

"Hey" I call off since I notice he gives me a weird look. -"don't look at me like that Angus ye don't understand what this Queen's going through."

He neighs and I hug him.

"Oh Angus I need help." I say while petting him softly.

I dearly love Angus and he's always been the one I share my stories and secrets too but he's an animal, he can't talk to me nor give me advice when I need it.

I always went to my Pa' for advice but now that he's gone I guess it's time to talk to Ma'.

* * *

"Merida I think it would be for the best" My Ma', also known as the former Queen Elinor of DunBroch, says.

I was back in the castle it would soon be noon which meant Macintosh would come over.

Now I had to see if I can get some help and advice from Ma' and it's never been so hard.

Maybe I wasn't understanding or ignoring the fact that marriage was gonna have to come sooner or later but boy this isn't what I'd hoped it'd be.

"But Ma' this is not what I want" I complain.

"Merida yer being foolish ye knew that having the crown on yer head meant big responsibilities and one of the most important one of them all is having heirs for the throne." She was telling the undeniable truth.

I couldn't deny it.

"I never wished to marry by the force" I say.

"Merida we've given you time years to be precise and you still don't have a partner." Another hurtful truth.

"Ughhh! Mom please." I beg.

"Merida I'm very sorry but if you need some advice well let me tell you that love isn't always looks it's also deep inside the person that cares for your, worries about ye and appreciates ye that's a person that is worth loving" She quoted.

Oh no.

Just like I suspected Ma' likes the idea of me getting married.

Well from now on I'm saying goodbye to my freedom.

No more long horse back rides, no more archery, no more un formal dresses or anything else I consider fun.

I could feel my red curly hair flowing with the wind, riding Angus and shooting arrows while the sunset was in disappear that feeling no longer present in my life.

If there where some way to fix this with maybe another change of-  no that'll never work again.

Now I need an alternative, a second choice but what?

* * *

"Queen Merida" I hear a guard call out for me.

It's almost night I'm so glad Macintosh didn't show up I wouldn't want to deal with him now not with me busy plus I don't have the time to listen to his stupid shenanigans or ideas either.

I needed that think of a way towards solve the poor Royal barker's problem with my brothers. Seems like Harris, Hubert and Hamish are in big trouble again. I thought they'd become more mature when they'd grow up.

I've been getting many love notes and gifts on the past hours from different men and trust me it's not flattering 'cause I know they only want to be king and I'm sorry but I'm not going to marry a man that doesn't love me even if I don't fancy him it would be nice to be loved if there's no way out of this.

"Yes, come in" I say from inside my study.

I used to spend a whole day there with Ma' well sometimes Pa' convince my Ma' to let me have a break and practice shooting I'd usually come back 3 hours after. Those where long breaks that remain in my memories like my Pa'.

"Someone's 'ere to see ye" The royal guards says.

I on my desk write a letter of apologies to the Royal baker yet again I think I will be making one again soon.

"Who's come 'ere to see me this late must have something very important to tell" I say not taking my eyes off the paper.

I sign my name on the end of the letter and press the Royal mark on it so he knows it was from the Queen personally.

"It's Lord Macintosh my Queen" I turn around to see the guard.

I've heard that voice.

That's not any of the Royal guards that's Macintosh!

Oh he got me good but as good as it was I still got a plan up my sleeve.

Knock him out, take him away from the back of the castle and putting him away in the stables.

Perfect.

"Macintosh?" I ask.

Maybe it's just my head playing me a trick but I know that's Macintosh's voice.

"Good guess my Queen" He removes the helmet revealing his face.

He grins and takes off the rest of the armor.

"What how'd you get 'ere Macintosh?" I cross my arms.  "It's very late and I've been very busy."

"I'm good at things too Merida and I completely understand yer busy" He says.

"Clearly ye do not now could you please open the door and get out oh and please never come back your presence is irritating to me" I say with a a sarcastic smile.

"Oh but I can't open the door" He grins and walks closer.

"Oh no and why's that?" I ask with sarcasm.

"It's locked and the I have the keys." He shows the keys which are dangling in his index finger.

My eyes open wide.

This man is crazy!

What does he want to do rape me?!

He cannot do that he'll be executed and even worst I'll lose the kingdoms trust.

No, no Merida your a warrior you can get your self out of this and kick this man's arse.

"What do ye want?" I ask.

He wouldn't come here for nothing.

"Why do I always have to want something?" He says.

"Isn't it obvious you want something and yer not letting me out until ye get it"

"At the contrary my Queen ye are the one that wants something.

"Look I don't know what yer trying to do but I warn you I'm kicking your arse off if you get a finger on me" I say.

He walks causally around my study and heads towards me.

I look at the keys.

He's not paying much attention to them maybe I can reach them and knock him out with his head uncovered and my sword behind me it'll be a pice of cake.

When he faced back I quickly ran and
got the keys.

I pointed with my sword

"Don't ye take a step forward." I say.

"Your so bad at this sometimes" As he got closer.

I kicked his leg and he fell on the hard cold floor.

He seems knocked out.

I kept my sword in hand just in case and the keys where still in my other hand.

"Who's the clever one know aye?" I tease feeling that beautiful winner spirit.

I got to the door and placed the key on the lock but the door didn't open I placed the other two keys on the lock and it still didn't open.

I kicked the door a bunch of times too.

"Damn it!" I curse.  –"He tricked me"

"Yes, I hid the original ones here"

I gasp. He's not knocked out.

Oh no.

I bend slowly to pick my sword when I realize it's in his hands.

Dang it! This was a well elaborated plan.

"Hubert, Harri- " I try to scream but he  covers my mouth with his hand.

"Merida I won't harm you"

I raise my eyebrows in disbelief.

"Yes I know it definitely doesn't seem like that but it's true I have no interest in harming ye or yer family" He explains.

That look on his face maybe he's telling the truth but I can never be so sure.

"Do you promise you won't scream if I release you?" He asks.

I nod in respond.

I always have a plan B.

He lets me go slowly.

  I face him and attack trying to knock this bampot.

It doesn't work.

He catches my fists and pins me to a wall. Well this technique is frequently used I should take a note on that.

I struggle to get out but his hands are firm and strong it almost seems impossible.

"Yer a very stubborn Queen" He says.

"Thank you I would love to show my appreciation but I'm pinned to a wall!" I say sarcastically.

He laughs.

I look at him with a furious face.

"I'll let ye out if ye do as I say" He says.

"Why would I do that?" I spurt.

He smiles.  "You will" He gets very close and our noses touch.  –"trust me"

I feel him getting closer to my lips.

No way.

I try to knock him out his feet.

"Nice try" He puts my legs between his.

The struggle gets me worried.

I try and try but nothing works.

"Why are you doing this?" My eyes are watery, my face filled with worry and my voice almost broken down.

"I told ye I don't want to hurt ye" He says softly.

"Well believe it or not you've hurt me" I say.

He presses his lips against mine.

A tear falls from my right eye.

It's to late to scream for help.

He stops kissing my lips.

I look at him with a shattered expression on my face.

It's the first time a man has ever dared to kiss me. Macintosh I thought he wouldn't do this I knew he was annoying and a jerk sometimes but there was a good side of him that I could witness the day we recovered the helm that made hope and now all that hope had shattered.

"Please" I whisper.

He kisses my jawline.

Lord help me.

I have no strength to stop this.

"Please" I whisper this time letting tears out of my eyes.

No oh please someone anyone don't you notice the Queen of DunBroch is missing?!

Help.

He goes all the way to my lips again.

"Please Macintosh" I say weakly.

I hate it.

I don't want it.

This is no way to help me.

"I- I love you Merida" He whispers –"I guess I got carried away"

"But I don't" I say angrily.

Never did I think that Macintosh would love me. New change of fate?
No, my dear friend Belle once told me I didn't need a potion to change my fate 'cause I am the one that can change my own fate.

"The past hurts but you have to forget it to keep yer self standing" I quoted.

His hands touched my face softly.

I fake smile and knock his head with mine.

He fell hard on the cold stone floor.

I take one piece of hair out of my face.

Never underestimate me 'cause I'm full of surprises.  I thought.

I kneel down to him.

"Whose the clever one now, aye?" I laugh.

I get up my feet and look for the keys.

Think Merida. Think.

I search up around the room as fast as I could, he might wake up.

Merida keep your head.

Okay, wait he must still have the keys.

I search in his sword holder and there they where the keys!

I rapidly got them and opened the door.

What a eejit Macintosh is.

Now, what do I do with him?
Throw him at the back. Aye!

I drag him up by his shoulders and walk fast.

He's so heavy, but he's not even fat! 
I thought.

The back door to the castle wasn't far away and isn't guarded by much guards. Maybe that's where he got in.

Well he's now going out from it too as I leave him laying in a corner outside the castle.

Great job Merida. I think.

I go to my bedroom and drop myself on to the bed.

I stare at my bow the one that my Pa' gave me before he died in battle.

Did Pa' ever get in a huge mess? He was 'The Bear King' the mightiest of them all he faced Mor' Du and lost his leg to protect my Ma' and I when I was very young. My Pa', King Fergus, was the bravest he showed me how to fight and how to use a bow.

I wish he was still 'ere there's so much I need to tell him.

Wait that eel the witch gave me it might be the answer but first I'll have to go to the standing stones, there's something else I need to take care off.

With all that thinking I fall in a deep sleep.

–Authors note:

Intense? No. Yes. Idk.

Yeah umm I don't know if I did a good job there but hey I felt inspired so here ye go!

New character on the next chapter?

Nooooooooooo I'm not saying anything else.

Sorry if there are grammatical errors I tried to fix every single one of them but you don't always catch them all. Lol. 😂

Click on the star below and comment at least one emoji please!

See ya on the next chapter,
                               -Natalia J.🌈