The door to Merida's room was harshly shoved open. "Merida, you cannot do things like that! I thought we talked about dis?"

"You failed to mention he was gonna be one a them!" Merida accused as she slashed at her bedposts with her sword. She was only in her underdress, having taken off the tight red one to be able to move more efficiently.

"I didn't want you to react like, well, this." The queen gestured.

"Too late!"

Her mother sighed and sat on the bed while Merida continued to hack away at the wood.

"You don't have to do this, Merida. I know you changed your mind about wanting to be queen, but I also know you don't want to get married. You turned me into a bear so that you wouldn't have to get married."

Merida tossed the sword across the room and collapsed on her bed.

"I didn't know the witch would turn you into a bear, I just thought she'd change how you felt about the marriage." Merida reminded her mother. "And being queen is more important to me than avoiding marriage. I'm willing to make sacrifices now."

Elinor pat Merida's hair. "Are you sure, dear? 'Cause it's not worth it if you're gonna be unhappy for the rest of your life."

"I'm sure, mum."

"Okay, well, let's get you dressed again, and go back down then, shall we?"

She groaned, but obliged as Elinor slipped the dress over her head and tied the corset on again. Thankfully this time it was much less tight. Her flaming hair was then tied into a loose braid that draped over her shoulder.

The women made their way back into the Great Hall where the men were having what appeared to be a jolly time. At least everyone except Hiccup.

The crowd quieted when Elinor stood before them. This never ceased to amaze Merida. This was why she wanted to be queen. She wanted people to be loyal to her, and trust her decisions.

"Princess Merida will be choosing each and every event..." As her mother babbled on. Merida though about what event she would choose first. Archery was the obvious choice. But now wasn't the time to rush into things. She should save the best for last. "What is the Princess's first choice?"

"Tossin' cabers." She said gently--it felt too lady-like for her. But that was all part of the plan.

"To the games!"

The crowd cheered and dispersed to the field where the events were set up. Merida and Elinor sat on either side of Fergus to watch.

McGuffin went first, clearing the challenge far too easily. Then came MacIntosh, Merida sighed in annoyance when he threw a temper tantrum. Wee Dingwall couldn't even lift the thing...

When his turn arose, she sat back in her seat. He had been so incredibly weak as a boy, there was no way he was strong now, especially with his lanky figure. But he surprised her--as he so often did these days--nearly reaching MacIntosh. She couldn't help but notice the twinge of disappointment he appeared to have in himself.