A Royal Match (Mericcup)

The English and the Future

~Thanks ImThePeanut for help with the translations!~

Merida's POV

Mum showed up again the next morning- and then she pulled me into Princess Lessons. Whenever someone knocked on the door for the following week, she'd hurry to open it. Who was she waiting for? Then she suddenly disappeared at dinner one night. I saw her slip through a door wearing a hooded cloak, and followed her.

She walked quickly through the forest, to the Witch's Cottage. What? Why was she going there? I peeked in through the window. She drew back her hood, and said, "Aunt Eiric, are you sure it worked? I've been watching her for a week. Nothing's changed." Wait, what?! The only person she's been near for a week is me! What- was she trying to turn me into a bear as well?!

The Witch looked thoughtful. "Sorry, Elinor. I can't help you. Maybe she's already met him. Or maybe she let him go by accident. Or maybe they're already together. Too many things could have gone wrong-according to you."

"I only want what's best for her." Mum tried to say.

The Witch shot her a look. "She didn't seem to want a true love last time I saw her."

"That was before she met this Viking!" Mum said exasperatedly. T

he Witch shrugged. "I've double-checked by now. She's already met her true love. Oh, hello Kíla." She said this last part as a girl walked into the room. She had green eyes and curly red hair like mine- just more tamable. "Who are you?" Mum asked.

"She's my apprentice." The Witch said.

"Kíla!" I heard someone yell. Kíla's eyes widened, and she dove behind the cauldron. In stormed a girl with brown curly hair which was completely untamable and angry blue eyes.

"Where is she?! She can't run forever!"

The Witch sighed. "Hello, Torra."

"Hello, Great-Great-Aunt Eiric. Now where is she?!"

"Who?" Mum asked.

"Kíla! I know she's here! Mum and Dad sent me to find her!"

"Why you?" The Witch wondered.

"Because I'm the responsible older one, and Kíla has to come now! The Highland Games are about to start, and the Lords' Sons are waiting!"

"I thought those were stopped regarding marriages." Mum said.

"It's not a betrothal! Help her understand that! It's so we can meet the Lord's sons properly as suitors!" Kíla popped her head up slowly, so Torra couldn't see her, and rolled her eyes.

"Huh?" Mum said.

"Honestly! Auntie, tell Kíla she has to come home! Mum and Dad are about to go all out on a search party, I think they think you'll disappear with her soon, and Johnny and Adrianne MacIntosh refuse to say anything, even though everyone knows they were the last ones to see her leave."

Kíla nodded, before ducking her head down again. Torra sat down. "Can't you at least use some of... that... to find her if you don't know where she is?!" She asked, gesturing to the cauldron.

"She's behind the cauldron." Mum said calmly.

The Witch stared at her. "Elinor!"

"What? Auntie Eiric, who are these girls?"

Torra curtsied and started to say something, but the Witch covered her mouth. "Torra! You know the rules- we can't reveal anything. And you've already revealed so much!" Torra sat back down and crossed her arms, while Kíla sneaked to the door.