Merida's POV:

"Faster Angus! Faster!" I said to my horse, Angus. We were riding through the forest with the sun starting to rise. I can feel his hooves trotting in the rocks of the soil. I gripped the reins tight and ordered him to run much faster. The shadows of the great trees make a great cover for me and Angus to run freely in the woods.

I slowly took out my bow and put an arrow to the firm bowstring and aimed at a target with ease. Steady, steady, I said to myself. Breathe in and out, locked the target. With my fingers holding the arrow and then....Whoosh! There goes that arrow, flowing straightly with the wind and hit the unlucky target! Bullseye! A target, a day I say. Great job Merida!

What an accomplishment! This morning, I shot 13 targets in one run, horseback to be exact. And now it's 14. A smile formed on my face. I swelled up with pride flowing through my veins. My long reddish orange curly hair drifting through the air. Yeah this is life. Early morning trying to run away from the boring Princess lectures of your mother, the queen.

What's this? I held Angus's neck and brushed his mane. However I sensed something's wrong. He may be the one who's actually sensing it. Fear. I sense fear in him. I steadied my eyes on front to see what's happening.

Oh for the love of-

A boulder! It came out rolling in the middle of nowhere just to block my path. Any second now and it's going to crush us both. I have to act fast. Then I gripped the reins very tightly and "ANGUS JUMP THIS WAY!" I shouted pulling the reins sidewards. The poor horse must've sensed my command and there we jumped........

Unsuccessfully.

I have no choice but to jump in that way but I never expected Angus and I are falling! Falling down to a river! This can't be good! I accidentally let go of the reins and we both splashed to the cold rushing water.

Rocks and gravel are the only things I see underwater. I need air immediately.

I gasped for air after the submerge when suddenly I lost sight of my horse.

"Angus! Where are you?" I shouted. I didn't hear a neigh from him. I searched everywhere but not a trace of his mane can be found. I was being rushed to the river and I would expect that I'd be falling in a hundred foot wet drop down a waterfall. This would be the end of Merida DunBroch.

I closed my eyes and prepared to fall when I feel something almost like a snake. It feels leathery. I grabbed it and that's when I saw my Angus on the side of a hill near the river. Good horse, he survived. But what about me?!

"Angus, help me will ya?!" I shouted. But don't expect that a horse would jump into the water and carry me. But no. He was running and let the reins near for me. I tried reaching for it but I couldn't since the current is too strong. But bless me with great strength! I madly swam towards the rein and luckily my fingers grasped through the leather and I dragged it but not too hard, for I fear Angus will join me in my death. After I grab hold of the reins, I almost slipped but regained my strength to make it to Angus. And then I did it. Surviving that horrible river.

I urged Angus to stop and when he did, perfect timing I lay down on the cool green grass. My curly hair is wet and so is my favorite royal dress. Ugh! I hate it when I got wet! But on the bright side, the grass is a bit wet of dew drops. I love the scent of early dew drop grass. The sun just finally rise from its sleeping state in the clouds and my blue eyes caught sight of a butterfly when I yawned and closed my eyes shortly.

(Time Skip)

What's this?

A spark came out of a fireplace.

I saw a little girl with reddish orange curly hair that looked similar to mine. She was playing a little wooden horse and she sat in some large cloth with knitted figures in it. A tapestry? A woman can be seen indicating she's the child's mother, knitting the cloth when suddenly a shock of lightning boomed out and startled the little girl. She went to her mother and her mother sang a sweet lullaby that soothes the child. That song! I think I've heard it before when I was at the same age the child was.

A noidheanbhig, cluinn mo ghuth
Miseri d' thaobh, O mhaighdeanbhan
Arrighinnoig, fas as faic
Duthir, dileasfhein
A gharian a's a ghealaich, stuirsinn
Guuairarcliu s argloire
Naoidheanbhig, arrighinnog
Mhaighdeanuaushillbhan

Little baby, hear my voice
I'm beside you O maiden fair
Our young lady, grow and see
Your land, your own faithful land
Sun and moon guide us
To the hour of our glory and honour
Little baby our young lady
Noble maiden fair

After finishing the song, she kissed the child's forehead and gently stroked her hair.

However time passed by and a swirl of memories rush in.

"This is time that you need to be a princess. A real princess. The woman said sternly.

What's happening here?

"You can't control my life forever!" The girl should back.

Arrows.

Fur.

Blood.

Mor'Du!

I opened and rubbed my eyes to see what was happening. It's still morning. That happened so fast. I yawned and stretched my arms. Where's Angus? Angus was at my side resting and stared at me. But what happened inside that dream? Are those the memories of the past? Forget it. I was always this pathetic, hotheaded, rebellious teenager who breaks the rules before. But now it's alright. It's just a dream. Everything's changed ever since.

I picked up my bow and arrows and grabbed Angus's reins and we took a little stroll in the woods. I have to clear my mind from the past. Let bygones be bygones. The birds fluttered away as we walk through the forest.

About then something caught my eye. I let go of the reins and tried to listen to the noises around. Crunching of grass. I looked at Angus, but he wasn't eating grass. He just looked at me. "Stay here Angus. I hear something within earshot." It's getting closer. I slowly nocked an arrow. Come and get some friend, I prepared an arrow to be shot in your neck. Out of nowhere something flashed. I began circling around. A cold rush of air? I can feel a bone chilling presence in my surroundings.

Three. Two. One!

I released the arrow and shot my target. Ha-hah! Who's scaring who now?! No one messes with me. Suddenly I hear laughter. Out of nowhere I saw a pale looking boy. He wears weird clothes and his eyes were blue. He is holding some sort of a long stick with a curved end. He smirked at me. I glared at him.

"Guess you missed." He smirked. In his hand grasped an arrow. I could've sworn I never missed a target.

"Who are you?!" I shouted at him, and tried to shoot another arrow at him but he dodged then his feet lifted off the ground.

He's floating! Is he a human? Or a ghost? Or a human looking wisp?

Then I felt something pressed heavy on my shoulder. The boy whom I saw earlier made a circling gesture with his hand as if he was trying to say 'look behind you'. I turned around and then a large man with a beard and blue eyes looked at me. The sleeves on his clothes was folded up and there were some black markings imprinted on his arms. I shrieked then stumbled on a rock when I tried to evade him. He's so scary and intimidating. Then he chuckled.

"Don't be scared Merida." He said calmly. I avoided him and tried to run away from him. I faced right when I saw the boy blocking my way. No matter what direction I went, he follows me. "Get out of my way!" I screamed. Right when the man walked in front of me and said "Merida don't be afraid." I can't get past though them. I kneeled down and cupped my face. Tears were getting out.

"What do you want from me?" I sobbed.

"Merida don't cry." The man said. " We didn't mean to scare you." He added. He helped me stand up and I dried my tears. They were both smiling.

"We are sorry once again. Allow us to introduce ourselves." The man said. " I'm North and this boy over here is Jack Frost." He pointed at the boy standing next to him.

"And we believe that Merida is your name, right?" North asked. I looked at him in puzzlement. How did he know my name?

"Yes," was all I can say. "But how did you know my name? I have never seen people like you before." I added. North looked at me. "Merida, Man in Moon told us. And we have something important to tell you." He said solemnly. He took a deep breath and continued. " Merida, you were chosen as a Guardian. Guar-"

"Guardians are people chosen by the guy in the moon destined to protect children of the earth. We believe we have something special in you." Jack said blandly, interrupting North.

"Hey that's my line!" He said, staring at Jack who sticked out his tongue in return. But what exactly is a Guardian?

"Guardian?" I asked.

"Yes. You were one of the four chosen to be Guardians." North said. "Is that boy a Guardian?" I pointed at the boy named Jack who was a bit shocked.

"Yes but not really. I don't really want to be a Guardian. However I joined because I've come to see if North's predictions are true. If not, I'll leave." He explained while making some white figures in different shapes.

"Come join us." North said.

Why would I be a Guardian? No, I won't be and will never be.

"No!" I said. North looked so surprised. I glanced at Jack who smiled.

"Please don't refuse! Children need you." North said.

"I don't even know you so I won't join."

"Merida!"

I ignored North's pleas and I went to go grab Angus and leave the men in the middle of the forest. I muttered some words and we began to leave.

(Time Ski )

Why would I be Guardian? I don't want to. I have my own life now. I should be the one deciding what's best for me.

Out of nowhere Jack was floating right in front of me. Upside down. I ignored him and went on my way back to the castle. Mum would be so worried about me. "Hey wait up Curly!" I ignored him.

"Hey Hot Shot, would you mind slowing down?" I clenched my fists.

"Yo Redhair." I can feel my cheeks burning with rage, I clenched my fists so hard I let go of the reins and faced Jack. He smirked at me and when he wasn't looking I launched my fist on his face and he fell down. I went up to him and I punched his ghostly looking face. He was curled up in a ball and tried blocking my fists but I caught a good spot to punch him even more. Then I stopped. I got exhausted after beating him up. He stood up and his face was full of bruises.

" S-slow down feisty girl." He said then he spit out a tooth from his mouth. Afterwards I somehow regretted punching him. I'm sure he meant no harm but I did that because he kept calling me names.

"I'm trying to say something real important." He said as he wiped off some blood in his face. I looked at him and felt I should apologize. But it's hard. I just hurt him and I'm afraid that he may not forgive me. But I have to say it. A lump was stuck in my throat as I tried to open my mouth to say something but couldn't. Seconds later I cried again.

"What's wrong Merida?" Jack asked.

" I-I-I'm s-sorry f-for p-punching you." I stuttered.

"It's okay, Merida." He said. "I'm sorry too for calling you names."

I dried the tears from my eyes and looked at him. "If you don't want to be a Guardian, I'll tell you something. But don't say it to North." Jack said. I nodded. Then he told me that he has a plan coming up. I nodded and agreed.

"So let's get back to North shall we?" He winked. "Ok!" I said. But I forgot Angus. "What about Angus? Can't he come with me?" I asked him. He looked down and shook his head sadly. I went to Angus and brushed his mane. "Angus, go home now." Angus then went on running to the castle. I sighed and I followed Jack back to the woods.

(Time Skip)

"Jack, where have you been?" North asked with a slight worried look on his face. Then he looked at me. "Merida!" He said shocked. I knew what to say to him.

"North, I decided to join." I said and stood up straightly. North nodded. "Ok then! Now let's go to the sleigh. Sandy might be sleeping now after waiting for us to return." Then we followed North. While he wasn't looking, I gave Jack a thumbs-up sign. He gave me a look that said Good job. Then we hitched a ride to North's sleigh. We sat at the back. "Remember to tell it to the others." Jack whispered. I nodded.

Then I found that we were not on the ground but we're actually flying. It's so incredible.

To the tower we go!" North exclaimed.

I scraped off dirt on my bow and sat quietly.

Author's Note: hey guys. Sorry if this was too long, maybe I have overdone it again. So what do you think is Jack's plan and what are they trying to do? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Thanks for reading. Give it a vote or comment if you want. Thanks again!

~ nightowl_bookworm29