A Highland Love Story

Chapter 13

After their harrowing encounter with the bear Sgàl'Bàs, Merida and Y/N felt an unyielding pull to unravel the mysteries of their entwined destinies. The journey back to the witch's abode carried an air of anticipation, the Scottish landscape seeming to hold its breath as the duo ventured into the heart of the forest once again.

As they reached the clearing where the little dwelling stood, it appeared even more frightening than before. The twisted branches of the trees cast elongated shadows that danced in the soft moonlight, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The very air seemed shrouded in a mysterious aura, as if the forest itself held the secrets of generations past.

Approaching the cauldron with a blend of trepidation and curiosity, Merida and Y/N hoped to find the witch and glean more information about the family tree and their perplexing connection to Mor'du. The cauldron, an ancient vessel of magic, stood as a silent witness to the unfolding saga of their intertwined fates.

To their surprise, the witch was nowhere to be found. The little dwelling, though still and foreboding, exuded an unsettling emptiness. Merida exchanged a glance with Y/N, and a shared sense of apprehension settled between them. Was the witch intentionally avoiding them, or was there some other unseen force at play?

Undeterred, they approached the cauldron, its bubbling contents now replaced by an eerie stillness. The silence was broken by the sudden appearance of a message, not in ink on parchment, but in the ethereal medium of spoken words echoing in the cackling voice that was uniquely the witch's.

"If you are the redhead's little boyfriend, put in the red vial."

They exchanged puzzled glances before finding the red vial on a nearby shelf. Pouring the contents into the cauldron, they watched as the crimson liquid swirled and twisted before the witch's disembodied head appeared.

"Ah, young lad and Merida," she began with a wicked grin. "I've got a prophecy for you, and no, it doesn't come cheap. But I know you're curious."

Merida raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused by the witch's theatrics. "Spit it out, then. We don't have all day."

The witch cackled again before speaking. "I left you a sword, lad. A fine Scottish arming sword, adorned with Celtic runes and symbols. But listen carefully, for this is the prophecy."

The witch's eyes bore into them, her tone more serious than before. "To find a way to turn the tide, look beyond the dark beast's hide."

Y/N and Merida exchanged puzzled glances. The cryptic message hung in the air, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Merida, ever the headstrong and brave princess, spoke her mind. "What do you make of it, Y/N? Any ideas?"

Y/N scratched his head, deep in thought. "I'm not entirely sure, but it seems like the witch is telling us to dig deeper. Perhaps there's something hidden beneath Mor'du's curse that could help us break it. Or it could be referring to a way to defeat Sgàl'Bàs, though I'm not sure how."

Returning to DunBroch, Merida couldn't shake the underlying worry that nestled within her. The rugged terrain and misty glens of her beloved kingdom seemed to echo her concern for Y/N. Having become attuned to his adventurous spirit, she recognized the tinge of recklessness that colored his pursuits. The very idea of him enduring harm churned her stomach with a disquieting unease. The familiarity between them, born of shared experiences and unspoken bonds, intensified her concern. As the castle loomed on the horizon, Merida's steps quickened, propelled by a silent determination to ensure Y/N's safety in the face of the unknown challenges awaiting them.

As they reached the castle's stables, Merida's thoughts became a torrential cascade of concern, her beloved steed, Angus, becoming the unwitting confidant to her inner turmoil. She approached the majestic horse with an air of familiarity, her hand running through his mane as she spoke her worries aloud.

"Oh, Angus, I'm so worried about Y/N," she confessed, her voice a soft murmur. The stoic horse, with his wise and understanding eyes, seemed to absorb her sentiments. Merida, caught in the ebb and flow of her emotions, sought solace in the presence of her steadfast companion.

"He's incredibly brave and a bit foolish sometimes, and I don't want to see him get hurt," she continued, her words a whispered plea to the universe. The rhythmic strokes of her hand through Angus's mane provided a rhythmic backdrop to the vulnerability she dared to share.

A pregnant pause lingered in the air as Merida lost herself in thought. Then, almost absentmindedly, she began to list off Y/N's qualities, each adjective a testament to the intricacies of his character.

"He's courageous, caring, adventurous, and..." she hesitated, her voice softer, "quite handsome." The last words slipped from her lips with an unintended admission, as if she had unraveled a secret even from herself.

"Wait a minute," she muttered to herself, a mix of bewilderment and amusement in her voice, "did I just...?"

Merida's heart raced, a palpable beat that resonated in the quiet confines of the stables. The realization hung in the air like a delicate web, connecting the threads of her thoughts and emotions. The notion, foreign and unexpected, hovered on the edges of her consciousness. She felt a tinge of vulnerability, an unfamiliar terrain for the fiercely independent princess.

"Merida!" called a voice from a distance. It was Y/N, making his way towards the stables.

As Merida continued to brush Angus, the stable became a sanctuary for introspection. The rhythmic motion of the brush, the soft sounds of Angus's contented snorts, created a cocoon where Merida could ponder the complex emotions swirling within her.

"Aye" Y/N greeted, a warm smile playing on his lips as he approached the stables.

"Aye," Merida replied, the warmth of her own smile masking the subtle turmoil beneath. Y/N, oblivious to the storm of emotions within her, joined her by Angus's side.

The realization of her feelings for Y/N surpassed the bounds of camaraderie, and she couldn't deny the blossoming attraction that had taken root in the soil of her heart.

"So, what's been on your mind?" Y/N asked, his eyes curious and attentive.

Merida hesitated, a brief internal struggle evident on her face. "I was just thinking about everything—the prophecy, the cursed bear, and well, you."

Y/N's eyebrows raised in mild surprise. "Me?"

"Yeah," she admitted, her gaze meeting his. "I worry about you, Y/N. You're brave, sometimes a bit too much for your own good, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Y/N chuckled, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "I can handle myself, you know."

"I know," Merida said, a soft smile playing on her lips. "But that doesn't mean I won't worry."

Y/N's expression softened, and he reached out to pat Angus's neck. "Well, I appreciate your concern, Merida. We're in this together, right?"

She smiled "Right".

For now, she needed to focus on the mysterious prophecy and the cursed bear.