Watching the "Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons"

Part 4: The Archer

The camera zoomed over the land of DunBroch. It showed a forest, it's summer leaves sparkled like emeralds. It's warm glow brought the feeling of the cool winds blowing against the trees. The crunching of leaves is heard in the background, soon zooming in to show brown flats slowly walking against the browned leaves.
Merida's voice starts to speak as they see the land. "Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one's destiny intertwines with many others. It's the one thing we search for or fight to change. Some never find it. But there are some who are leading it."
It zooms out to show the familiar redhead girl in her normal age of sixteen. Her face full of excitement and adventure, her ocean blue eyes scanning the colored woods. She clenched her bow in one hand and the other was flowing freely.
Elinor smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm.
The view is mesmerizing, all the camera showed was the treetops with the light creamy orange skies complimenting the summer leaves.
Everyone see Merida as she's riding into the forest, shooting her arrows at different targets, then sitting near the cliff's edge and carves on her bow, then saw her climbing a rocky cliff. When she reaches the top, she drinks from the waterfall nearby and jumps up and down in excitement with joyful laughter.
Everyone watches in shock at what they just saw, but no one was as shocked as Elinor. She never seen her daughter that happy in a long time.
But when Merida rode back to the castle, the scene immediately changed.
"That's my home!" Merida pointed out, and all Highlanders nodded at her confirmation.
Then the screen pans over the side of the castle and give view to the tradition known as the Highland Games.
Merida's mood dampens when she saw the Games up and running. That was only days away, but the Game tents and competitions being set up meant only one thing.
"Ooh! The Highland Games! I love watching these! Come on Hector!" Flynn Rider laughed as he started leading Hector into the festival. "It's always fun watching the suitors make idiots out of themselves over a girl!"
"Huh?" Rapunzel quarried, Erika raised an eyebrow, Jack Frost snickered quietly, Hiccup and even the dragons made inquisitive sounds. The sound of the dragons caught Stoick's attention.
The Corona soldiers groaned and grumbled under their breaths about the sly thief that keep slipping away from them.
Flynn Rider walked past several people, he was being careful not to run into anyone. Then he jumped back when a walking barrel rushed past, a boy with unruly red hair on top with a plate full of Danishes. Flynn Rider laughed as a portly woman ran after the mentioned boy.
Merida chuckled at her brothers' antics as her mentioned siblings giggled and rushed over to them, soon clambering all over the dragon sitting with them, surprising Toothless and making him jump off his seat and run, the triplets hanging on to different parts of his body. One on his neck, the other fully seated on his back, and the last one being dragged by the tail.
Elinor sighed and called out to her sons. "Boys." The Night Fury stopped when the Highlander queen called out, all four eyes on her. They blinked. Twice. "Leave the poor dragon alone." The boys groaned and degradedly got off and walked over to their mother, the dragon sighed in relief and going to sit back down.
Jack smirked and leaned over. "A big dragon can't even handle a few kids." Toothless's head whiplashed over to face the white-haired boy and growled. Jack just snickered.
Then the horn sounded off, signaling the Betrothal Game.
Merida groaned, making many, including the rest of the four look at her questioningly.
"Oh, this is always the funniest!" Flynn Rider stood near a nearby wooden pillar and then watched.
Then the screen changed to show Fergus and Elinor standing up, while a very disgruntled Merida sat on one of the thrones behind them. And she was wearing a dress that didn't seem to suit her. Flynn Rider snickered at the dress.
Jack snickered at the sight. Rapunzel giggled, Erika chuckled softly, and the dragons let out humorous warbles. Hiccup tried his best not to smile, but was failing. Merida glowered at all of them. "Nice dress."
"Oh, shut up, Frosty!" That just triggered more laughter for the group. Merida scoffed and slumped in her seat, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Archers! To your marks!" Elinor called, hanging on her husband's arm as he repeats what she just said, probably to not look bad. "And may the lucky arrow find its target!"
The crowd cheered, as three suitors got into place. The first one, Young MacGuffen, was blonde, big and buff and looked strong enough to snap a log in half. He looked nervous, and seemed like one of those 'heart of gold' kind of people.
J. MacGuffen twiddled his fingers.
The next one, Young Macintosh, was lean but muscled, and had curly shoulder length hair that covered one eye. He pointed to a group of ladies and winked, and the girls squealed.
J. Macintosh smirked and winked at some ladies and they fainted.
Erika rolled her eyes and Merida scoffed. The boys just rolled their eyes. Some of the dragons even hid their heads in their wings and shook their heads. The dragons' way of a facepalm.
Flynn Rider rolled his eyes. One of those poser boys.
The third one, Wee Dingwall, a small gangly boy with spiky blonde hair and a dopey look, nearly made Jack fall off the pillar in laughter, as he stared off into the distance, twanging his bowstring.
Many chuckled at the boy, who just stared into the distance.
"Get on with it!"
The big one came forth, and placed the arrow on the bow, and pulled back, not having to pull far due to how big he was, and fired.
He hit the white zone.
J. MacGuffen groaned while Flynn Rider hissed sympathetically, before the screen cuts to Merida and her father.
"I bet he wishes he was tossing cabers." Merida says to her father.
"Or holding up bridges." They both laughed while Elinor scoffs at them.
J. MacGuffen blushed, while his father just face palmed.
J. Macintosh then steps forward, holding up his bow, showing off his looks as he did, then fires. He just misses the red zone.
He screams loudly in outrage, while Flynn Rider just bursts out laughing.
Many followed along the thief as J. Macintosh sulks.
"At least you hit the target, son!" Lord Macintosh called to him, as the youngster banged his bow against the floor.
"Oh, that's attractive." Merida implored sarcastically as J. Macintosh tossed his bow aside, falling onto his knees in despair. It lands somewhere in the crowd.
"I got it!" A random voice calls out, holding the bow and everyone cheers.
"Good arm." Merida leaned to her father again, as they began the teasing again.
"And such 'lovely, flowing' locks." he faked dreamy eyes, fluffing up his hair.
"Fergus." Elinor gazed at them sternly.
"What?" Merida rolled her eyes at her mother's scolding.
Everyone chuckled at the King's good nature.
Then it was Wee Dingwall's turn. He turns to grab an arrow, spinning in a circle as arrows fell out of the quiver. He then struggled to get the arrow onto the bow properly.
Merida mock-pouted, "Aw, wee lamb."
Flynn Rider sighed, sitting back, and getting a small cup and gathering some cider to drink. "I actually feel sorry for the poor guy."
Jack started making a glass made of ice and melted some ice for some water, probably showing off his powers. Only Toothless seemed interested, as he leaned in close to see it and sniffed it, cooing in curiosity. In a playful manner, Jack tipped his glass, making it touch the dragon's nose, making him snort as frost covers his nostrils.
J. Dingwall then raises his bow, but the arrow keeps moving out of aim. Fergus groans at the suspense. "SHOOT BOY!"
J. Dingwall was startled and let go.
It hit the red, dead center.
Flynn Rider spat his drink out, and fell back in shock, but the wooden pillar stopped his fall. He looked at the gangly boy in shock as everyone from the Dingwall Clan cheered.
Jack did the exact same thing, and Hiccup couldn't hold it in anymore and bursted into laughter. Toothless soon followed his example. Erika bursted out laughing. Storm was quick to follow her example too. Rapunzel laughed as well, though much more shy then the others that saw the whole thing.
Merida couldn't join in on the fun. She was going to marry that?!
Screen changes to Fergus and Elinor's shocked expression, until Fergus decides to lighten the mood. "Well, that's just... grand now, isn't it? Guess who's coming to dinner."
"Fergus." Elinor warns, but he ignores her.
"By the way. Hope you don't mind being called Lady Ding—" He turns to Merida, but finds that she's gone. In her place is one of Fergus's hunting dogs.
Everyone frowns, including Elinor. Where did the princess go?
"I don't think she's ready to get married yet," said Erika as she recovered from her earlier laughter.
"Finally!" Merida couldn't stop herself from hugging a surprised Erika and felt the young girl slowly relaxing from the hug. "Thank you for admitting that!"
".... You're welcome?" Erika sounded so utterly clueless, like she wasn't sure whether Merida's statement was a genuine or not.
Screen changes to the DunBroch flag being placed into the ground as a hooded figure steps up, bow in hand.
Flynn Rider looks on curiously.
The three do the same as Merida smiles, realizing what was going on.
Then the figure pulled her hood back to reveal Merida, the head dress gone, revealing her long unruly fire red hair.
The Highlanders were shocked by her reveal. Corona was surprised by her actions. Berk was impressed by her rebellious streak. The rest of the four were just wondering what she was doing.
"I am Merida! First born descendant of Clan DunBroch! And I'll be shooting for my own hand!" she exclaimed, ending with a glare in her mother's direction.
Merida prepares to knock an arrow, but the dress was too tight to move an inch.
"Curse this dress!" she then proceeds to rip her dress so she can move freely, and fires at MacGuffen's target.
Some men blush a bit at how the dress revealed a bit of her undergarments.
Some Viking women cheered, and Merida felt pride at her accomplishment.
"Merida! Stop this!" her mother demands, getting up and making her way towards her.
She then fires at Macintosh's target.
Direct hit.
More cheers. Elinor was sending some glares at them, but it did little.
They faced worse.
"Don't you dare loose another arrow!" Elinor warns, but Merida pulls the last arrow out.
One last arrow, and she was free from the bonds of marriage.
"Merida! I forbid it!"
The Rebel Princess ignored her mother's words and fired. Everything seemed to go into slow motion as the arrow sailed to the target.
Everyone leaned forward in their seats in anticipation.
It hit J. Dingwall's arrow and split it in half, hitting dead center.
Flynn Rider could only stare in shock.
She actually did it.
Toothless nodded, impressed by her marksmanship.
Merida smiled, before turning to face her mother, who was not happy.
Flynn Rider frowned. This couldn't be good. Maybe he should stick around.
Everyone felt some tension ride up and glanced at Merida. But Erika was impressed by Merida's archery skills.
"Not bad Merida," said Erika. "Not bad at all."
"WHAT?!"
People jump at the shout, not expecting that.
"Oh, no," Flynn mumbled. "Merida only shouts like that when someone ticks her off, like really ticks her off."
"Geez, and Tony said these earbuds were top of the line!" Spirit complained. "I'm docking him two months' worth of vacation days."
The birds fly away as the people jump and look at the castle, before quickly moving out of the way of the path towards the gate.
In a room, Flynn jumps in shock, falling out of his sleeping chair. Flynn quickly got up and ran to the door. He looks around, then runs to where the source of the noise. Flynn slips into the room and hides behind a pillar, taking a peak out around the corner.
"You brought him to the castle," Elinor shouted, angered.
"Oh, quiet up! You haven't found him and I wasn't gonna throw him out to fend of himself, forcing him to steal again," Merida shouted back.
Merida is standing in the room in front of her mother and father, fuming. Her hands were clutched into fists, her face was red, and she was shaking with anger.
Flynn's eyes widen. "Oh boy, this isn't good."
Elinor scoffed humorlessly. "'Unfair'?"
"You were never there for me!" Merida cried, pulling a sword out of the container and started swinging it around in desperation. "This whole marriage is what you want! Do you ever bother to ask what I want? No! You walk around telling me what to do, what not to do, trying to make me be like you! Well, I'm not going to be like you!"
Elinor looked down. Had she really not giving a thought on what her daughter wanted?
Elinor scoffed once more. "Your acting like a child."
Merida, if possible, got angrier. "And you're a beast! That's what you are!" She yelled, pointing to an image of Elinor in a tapestry of the DunBroch Family.
Elinor gasped. "Merida!"
"I'll never be like you!" Merida began, digging the sword into the tapestry.
"No! Stop that!" yelled Elinor
"I'd rather die then be like you!" Merida screamed, bringing the sword down and cutting through the tapestry, separating the holding hands of Merida and Elinor, shattering the bond between mother and daughter.
Everyone jumped when the sword hit its target. Elinor placed a hand to her heart, and even Merida was shocked at what she had done. The Toothless cooed in despair, as though guessing what was going to happen next.
Elinor gasped at the damage done, before she glared daggers at her and approached her angrily.
"You are a princess!" she ripped the sword out of her hands and tossed it aside, "I expect you to act like one!" she then tore her bow from her and tossed it into the fire.
Everyone gasped. But none more so then Merida and Elinor. Elinor, because she couldn't believe she could be that cruel to her daughter, and Merida because she might just loose her favorite possession. She hugged her bow tightly, tears gathering in her eyes. Before Hiccup leaned over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Erika did so as well, their dragons nuzzled her fuzzy hair, crooning comfortingly.
Merida gasped and covered her mouth in horror as her most praised possession started to burn. Jack could only stare in saddened awe, as he realized how much that bow meant to her. Merida shook her head mutely at the Queen, before running off, crying.
"Merida!" Elinor rushed off after her, leaving the burning bow behind.
The screen zooms in on the campfire and the burning bow, just as the string burned and snapped, before Flynn Rider's sword reaches in and pulls out of the fire. Flynn Rider kneels down beside the burnt object and cautiously touches it with his fingertips, only to draw back when he got burnt. He stares out the window, watching as the girl races out of the castle grounds on horseback. "Hmm."
"What are you up to?" Bunny asked, as Merida looked at him in question.
He raised his hands in surrender. "Don't look at me. This is the future, remember?"
Screen changes to show Merida now seated on her horse, Angus's back, crying her eyes out as she ran farther away from the palace. She went on like that for a while, before Angus suddenly stopped, throwing Merida off her saddle.
"Angus!" she called, her voice teary. Angus whinnied in fear, refusing to take another step.
It was then that Merida took in where she was. She was in the middle of a circle of large stone pillars with strange markings
Merida sighed, then hiccupped as more tears started to come to her eyes and she curled up on the grassy floor, her tears soon drawing her into a dreamless slumber.
Elinor felt a tear make a trail down her cheek, as Fergus pulled her close and rubbed her back. What had she done?
The scene faded to black, then faded out of black to show the next day, and Merida was just unwrapping herself in her hooded robe, when she shuffled back with a gasp when Flynn Rider astride Hector suddenly appeared in her line of sight, kneeling before her, and a package wrapped up in a dark green blanket. Flynn Rider pulled out the bundle. "I believe this is yours."
Merida quirked an eyebrow, before unwrapping the package, but her eyes widened in awe at what she saw.
"My bow!" she cried as she stared at the wooden weapon. It was as good as new. New string, smooth, unburnt wood, and it was plain, free for new markings to be added.
"Ta-da!" Flynn Rider exclaimed, but Merida only continued to stare at her bow.
"Thank you!" She hugged him for a brief moment, making him freeze, as he hadn't been hugged in forever, before she released him, backing away, a little embarrassed by her behavior.
"Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She hugged the bow close to her, rocking back and forth, before looking at him curiously. "How did you fix it?"
Flynn Rider froze and looked away, looking uncomfortable. "Umm. That's kind of hard to explain."
Merida turned and looked at him and gave a small smirk. Flynn's face loses its smirk as he peers over from where he was at the and looked to see what Merida was doing. Merida was packing food in a medium size bag, three black capes were lying next to the bag.
Merida grabs a cape and tosses it over her shoulder to Flynn who catches it. The cape is black with turquoise surrounding the edges of the cape and the ends. "Put it on. I got four more just in case." Instead of turquoise, Merida's cape has red surrounding the edges and the ends.
Flynn put it on. "We're leaving?"
All of the clans' hearts dropped when they heard this. But Hiccup and Erika could understand where she was coming from.
"Oh yeah, we are." Merida's eyes became sad.
"I overheard your argument with your mom." Merida went quiet and looked away.
Merida and Elinor looked down too.
"I kinda wish I could take it back." Merida looked away from the direction of the castle.
"Take what back?" Flynn Rider placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything. Calling her a beast, and saying I'd rather die than be her." Merida looked ready to cry again, but held it in.
Merida nodded with her future self, and Hiccup was tempted to comfort her, having been in her shoes before, but didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
Flynn Rider his finger against his chin in thought. Before he brightened up. "Whenever I'm upset, I go for a change of scenery. In the Kingdom of Corona, they're going to do the Lantern thing. I bet after that, you'd be ready to head home, maybe?"
Rapunzel frowned. Lanterns? Are those what those stars are? Her mother did tell her they lived in a land ruled by the King and Queen in the Kingdom of Corona. She knew they weren't stars!
Merida stared at the thief, before smiling and nodded, grabbing hold of his outstretched hand and he helped her up.
"Angus! Come on!" Merida called to her horse, which went around the circle, and join the two.
Two new friends were made.
The two of them both mounted their respective horses and started galloping towards the forest.