Chapter Text
Merida spends much of her free time riding Angus through the forests surrounding Dunbroch. It provides her with the freedom she so desperately craves, a reprieve from the duties and responsibilities that come with being a Princess. One of her favourite past times is practicing her archery, firing arrows on a target range she has setup in the forest. As soon as her duties are completed to her mother’s satisfaction, she routinely dashes out of the castle, unhitches Angus, leaps onto his back, and sets a torrid pace racing out the main gate.
Reaching the starting point of her target range, she readies her bow. With ardent zeal , she starts her run.
“All right Angus, lets see if we can beat our best score.”
Merida’s first arrow strikes the target dead centre, reloading in one continuous motion, she fires arrow after arrow at the targets as Angus gallops through her course. Two thirds of the way through something catches her eye as she draws back and unleashes her next arrow, one of her targets has an arrow stuck in it that is not hers.
Completing her run, she reigns in Angus, and returns to her starting point. She precedes to traverse her course, stopping to scrutinize each individual target. What she discovers is nothing short of amazing. One of her targets has been repaired and two additional targets added. Standing atop Angus, Merida takes a closer look at the repaired target followed by an inspection of the newly added targets. Her scrutiny reveals exceptional craftsmanship, the new targets constructed of unfamiliar materials. The new targets placed at the end of her course require the archer to line up and hit them in rapid succession. At full gallop, an exceptionally difficult task suggesting this archer’s prowess with a bow makes him an enviable opponent. A radiant smile etched on her face, she turns to Angus.
“I wonder who it is Angus?”
Angus nods his head, giving an acknowledging snort in agreement.
Merida knows all of the best archers in Dunbroch believing it unlikely that this archer is from around here. Returning to the target that first drew her attention, she retrieves the arrow to examine it further. Standing on Angus’s back, she strains to remove the arrow, taking several minutes to work it free.
Merida spends over an hour evaluating this intriguing arrow. The spine of the arrow is perfectly true without any flaws that she can perceive. She ponders how this is even possible. The tip as well as the spine made of materials she does not recognize, unlike any arrow she had ever seen before, very light, well balanced, yet incredibly strong. The fletchings at the back of the arrow used to stabilize the arrows flight have an unusual texture. And even the nock, the notch in the rearmost end of an arrow seems very strange. The main purpose of a nock is to control the rotation of the arrow, as well as keeping the arrow from slipping sideways during the draw or after the archer’s release, thereby maximizing the arrow’s energy by helping the archer place the arrow at the fastest-moving place on the bowstring.
“Well, Angus, this archer is definitely not from Dunbroch.”
Taking the arrow she decides to test it out on a ride through her course. Placing it in her quiver, she runs through her course, selecting it for the fifth target. The arrow finds the sweet spot of her bow with little or no effort, the draw the aim and the release are so smooth, so perfect the she hits the bullseye. Merida is ecstatic. Retrieving the arrow, she runs through the course again and again, each time testing the limits of this arrow until she attempts the new targets. Her own arrow catches the edge of first one, the new arrow, slipping into place so quickly she gets off a beautiful shot that hits near dead centre of the second target.
About to make another run, she sees Angus is exhausted having run him ragged, with her enthusiasm, she gives him a much needed rest before deciding to return to Dunbroch castle. As she heads back home, her thoughts are filled with wonder by her discovery, daydreaming about where this arrow came from, who made it, and in particular who this archer might be.
She is shocked out of her thoughts, when she arrives back at the castle, having little or no memory of the path taken, Angus having brought her home with little direction from his distracted rider. Climbing off Angus, she walks him to his stall, tying him up, ensuring he has fresh water and feed, before heading into the castle. Merida goes directly to her room, placing her bow and quiver of arrows at the end of her bed.
Merida retires early, her mind still focussed on the discoveries made earlier that day. Unable to sleep, she removes the arrow from her quiver to scrutinize it once again. She turns it over in her hands as she contemplates its mysteries. She desperately wants to know what it is made of, how it is made, and who created it. She falls asleep, the arrow held tightly in her hand.
Merida’s curiosity gets the better of her, waking up the next morning, she decides to find answers to her questions. Returning to her target range she adds a new target of her own to force this archer to fire three arrows in quick succession at three different angles. She then lays in wait for this mysterious archer not knowing if or when they might return.
Several uneventful days pass, before she finally hears a horse galloping through the woods and the targets being hit. From her hiding place she observes a handsome young man riding a chestnut mare gallop by hitting all the targets including the new one she added. As she wonders how he was able to correct for and hit the new target, she doesn’t realize that she has been spotted by him.
On completing the course the rider dismounts a short distance from her hiding spot and starts a conversation with his mount. Merida giving him a perplexed look, bemused by his odd behaviour.
“Well, Gwen, it would appear that this target course is not abandoned as we first thought.”
“It probably belongs to the young female hiding in the bushes. I like her mane.”
“It is not a mane Gwen, it is her hair and yes her red hair is quite fetching.”
Giving her rider a delighted smile, she comments further.
“Her steed is quite good looking and appears to be well proportioned.”
“Gwendolyn! Your mind is in the gutter. Is that all you ever think about?”
“You are such a prude Walter.”
“I am not a prude Gwen.”
Merida watches this horseman as he appears to carry on a conversation with his steed, as if they were a person. She thinks he must be a bit daft if he thinks his mare can understand him. She is shocked that she has been so easily discovered believing she was well camouflaged. Unsure what to expect she opts to take a direct approach and confront this baffling stranger. Emerging from her hiding place, she takes up a position behind him, and readies her bow utilizing the arrow she discovered several days prior.
Gwen seeing the young woman with the fetching mane, emerge from the bushes and take up an aggressive stance, activates Walter’s personal defence net before informing him.
“Not to alarm you Walter but the female with the red mane is now directly behind you with bow drawn and she is using one of your arrows. I told you not to leave it.”
Walter glancing over his shoulder at Merida, gives her a warm smile before turning back to Gwen.
“I don’t think we have made a good first impression. I guess we should introduce ourselves.”
“Yes, I think that might be wise. She might think you are crazy talking to a horse.”
“Perhaps, but I’m sure she speaks to her own steed in a similar fashion and who knows maybe she can understand an equine’s language.”
Gwen just shakes her head, giving a laughing whinny.
Walter, with his hands raised turns around slowly to see Merida with her bow drawn, a face of utter confusion plastered on it, trying to decide the merits of his sanity or lack there off, unsure of what to make of him. Walter bows respectfully to Merida before addressing her.
“My apologies young lady, my name is Walter Dewar of the Clan Buchanan. I didn’t know that this was your target course. I thought it be abandoned.”
“Well, … well it is not,”she retorts.
“And I see you have found one of my arrows. I would appreciate it if you would return it.”
“No, you abandoned it, I found it and I claim right of ownership.”
“As you wish young lady,” he says, trying hard not to antagonize her into doing something rash.
Gwen nudges Walter in the back, forcing him to take a step forward. Glancing back at Gwen, he gives her a knowing smirk, as she impatiently waits for an introduction.
“Where are my manners? And this is my riding companion Gwen. She told me she thinks your mane is quite attractive. She would also appreciate an introduction to your riding companion. She has a tendency to flirt with every attractive male she meets. I keep telling her it is a character flaw, but she disagrees.”
Gwen, brushing Walter aside gives a gracious bow to Merida. Merida stands in awe of his steed, a crazy thought running through her mind, pondering whether this horse can actually understand her rider. Walter seeing her bewildered expression continues their dialogue.
“And to answer your next question, no I am not crazy. Don’t you speak to your steed?”
“Yes, I do speak to Angus, but I don’t expect him to answer.”
“Are you so sure he doesn’t?”
“Are you completely daft, he’s a horse.”
“And I’m sure Angus won’t take your comments personally.”
Merida truly believes he is completely mad, but against her own good judgement continues to question him.
“And what brings you to Dunbroch Walter Dewar of the Clan Buchanan?”
“Before I answer, may I know your name young lady?”
She considers his request, deciding that it couldn’t hurt. It is unlikely that he knows who she is, or her status as Princess of the realm.
“My name is Merida,” she announces proudly.
“That is a beautiful name Merida, I am honoured to make your acquaintance. As for what brings me to Dunbroch, I am on a pilgrimage of sorts. My father requested that I explore the highlands to learn about this land and my heritage. When I came upon your target course I thought that it would provide some much needed practice and test of my skills with a bow.”
Merida remains steadfast, her bow drawn in case this stranger has any hostile intent, as she listens to his response.
Walter seeing her determination considers how he might diffuse this situation, when a solution emerges from his thoughts. She obviously enjoys archery, given her defence of her target course. Perhaps by offering her an archery competition, he might put her mind at ease enough to get her to lower her bow.
“Merida, might I interest you in an archery competition? It would be a wonderful test of my skills against an opponent such as yourself.”
Walter can see she is intrigued by his suggestion, her whole face brightening up, her mouth curving into a beautifully confident smile.
Merida still unsure of this strange person, cannot resist the chance to test her archery skills against someone as accomplished as she believes he is with a bow. Very few people in Dunbroch can offer her much in the way of competition in that regard. It also gives Merida an opportunity to discover more about the arrows he uses.
Walter sees his challenge has had the desired affect, Merida lowering her bow, and releasing the tension on her bow string before inquiring about the form the competition will take.
“What do you have in mind Walter Dewar of the Clan Buchanan?”
Walter pauses stroking his chin as he formulates a sufficiently challenging contest.
“Let’s say three passes through your target range. After each pass, both of us will walk the course tallying the scores. High overall score wins.”
Merida hesitates as she mulls over his challenge. She voices one advantage she feels gives him an unfair edge.
“You have a distinct advantage over me with those arrows you use.”
“As you do given that this is your target range. To be fair, I will allow you to use my arrows as long as you agree to return them when the competition is over.”
“Excluding the one I found,” she asks?
“Yes, excluding the one you found.”
“Agreed, I accept your challenge Walter Dewar.”
As this is her course, Merida allows Walter to go first. Following behind him she watches his run closely to gage his skill and observe his technique. Merida is not disappointed finding her heart aflutter at what she observes. Their first runs complete, finds both in a dead heat. The second run through the course, has Walter gaining the upper hand when one of Merida’s arrows fails to stick, leaving him with a 5 point lead.
Merida’s focus seems split between tallying their scores and her opponent on their walk throughs, her initial mistrust quickly dissipating. It surprises Merida, how comfortable she becomes in his presence. It’s a weird mix of feelings which confounds the young princess. Perhaps it is the confident way he holds himself without appearing arrogant, or possibly his unusual accent for someone supposedly from this area.
With the last run upon her, Merida knows she has to give an almost perfect performance in order to beat him. There is a fire in her eyes as she barrels down the range giving a near flawless run through the course, but on reaching the targets that must be hit in rapid succession, she is so focussed on the third and final target that she loses her balance and starts to fall off Angus. Walter waiting at the end of the course realizes she is in trouble, rushing up to try and break her fall. Grabbing her around the waist, her forward momentum pushes them with a thud into the ground, his concern for her well being evident in his expression.
Walter groans as the impact leaves him sore but uninjured. Merida laying prone atop of him.
Lifting her head, she stares into his eyes, her cheeks flushing bright red at her predicament.
He offers a warm smile before commenting.
“You should be more careful. You could have injured yourself.”
Merida for all her embarrassment is uncomfortable being held by this stranger, her pride not allowing her to admit she made a mistake. She quickly offers up an unconvincing explanation.
“I didn’t need your help. I just misjudged my dismount.”
Merida tries to get up but he maintains a firm hold on her.
“Well in that case …,” Walter rolls dumping her the short distance to the ground.
“You barn stick! What did you do that for?”
“You said you didn’t need my help, I was just allowing you to complete your dismount such as it was.”
Merida picks herself up refusing his outstretched hand. Dusting herself off, they walk through the course in silence tallying her final score. Looking at the final total, Walter can see she has edged him out but just barely.
Gwen who has been chatting up Angus saddles up to Walter, while Merida checks on Angus. She eyes him suspiciously before giving him a smirk.
“You let her win, didn’t you?”
“No, Gwen, I did my best. She won on her own merits, but it was so very close, less than half a point between us. She is a very talented archer.”
“And, …”
Walter rolls his eyes at Gwen knowing full well where this is going.
“And what?”
“Come on Walter, I’ve been around humans long enough to know when they are physically attracted to each other. She excites you.”
“It is not allowed and you of all people should know it. Besides,” giving his companion an alluring smile, “I only have eyes for you.”
“Now who’s being the flirt. Keep that up and I just might take my human form and seduce the one I’m assigned to protect.”
Walter gives Gwen a coy smile before challenging her.
“Promises, Promises Gwen. We both know I’m just too much for you to handle.”
“You wait until we get back home. You will eat those words Walter Dewar.”
Walter pulls her muzzle close giving Gwen a soft kiss on her cheek, before adding.
“I love you too Gwen.”
For all their jocular banter, his words are heartfelt, he really does love her. Gwen has been his assigned protector for years and they have grown very close, both having considered a romantic relationship, neither crossing that line, for fear of losing what they already have.
Gwen’s assessment is accurate, Walter is quite taken by Merida, pondering if she might assist him in his exploration of Dunbroch. Given that she is still angry with him for dumping her onto the ground, it is probably unlikely. Walter decides to apologize and ask her anyway.
“Merida, I should not have dropped you. I hope you will accept my sincere apology.”
Walter watching her reaction is unable to glean anything from Merida to his apology.
“Well, at least I tried,” musing about what might have been.
Returning to the scores, Walter announces Merida as the winner.
“By my calculation Merida, you have won the match but by the very slightest of margins I might add. I hope you will honour me with a rematch sometime. I plan to be in this area for a few weeks as I explore Dunbroch.”
Pausing for a moment, he considers whether or not to ask her, deciding he has nothing to lose.
“Perhaps Merida, I might avail your services to act as my guide since you know the kingdom far better than I.”
Merida is still miffed with him for dropping her, even with her victory over him in their competition. Still, she had to admit she is intrigued by this archer, unable to quite put her finger on what it is about him. Not wanting to give him a direct answer or seem too eager, she opts for more time to consider his proposal.
“I will have to ask my parents. They may have some concerns with me escorting a stranger without some assurances.”
“Of course Merida, that would certainly be a prudent course of action.”
Walter understands her reservation given the awkwardness of their initial meeting, however he feels Merida is certainly quite capable of taking care of herself.
“I am camped out on the plain overlooking the loch to the south-west. Can you let me know your decision by tomorrow?”
“All right, I will give you my answer on the morrow.”
“Thank you Merida, regardless of your decision, it has been a pleasure.”
Merida and Walter walk to the edge of the forest which opens into a vast meadow. Clasping his hands to form a stirrup, he assists Merida in mounting her steed. She thanks him for the opportunity to challenge him before she turns her steed and gallops off towards home.
Walter continues to watch her departure, until she finally disappears from view.
Gwen’s observations of Walter’s reaction to this chance encounter sparks a growing concern for her companion, offering up a stern warning against continuing to engage this young woman.
“We should be cautious, Walter. You know we should not get involved with the local inhabitants. It can have serious ramifications.”
“I am well aware of that Gwen, but you should heed your own warning. I saw you getting quite cosy with her steed.”
“That is completely different Walter, and you know it.”
“Is it Gwen? You saw how close she is to Angus, and if anything were to happen to him, the consequences could be just as devastating.”
Gwen mulls over Walter’s comments before responding.
“Then perhaps we should both be wary of our interactions with them.”
“Agreed.”
Merida on her ride home wonders how to present this encounter to her parents or if she should mention him at all. She feels that Walter is not a threat and involving her parents could complicate matters. She resolves not to mention him to her parents unless it becomes absolutely necessary.