Never Did I Think

Chapter 4 - Lullabies

–Chapter 4–

That same evening in the castle.

Mum didn't know about Asher yet. I told the cooks to prepare me a glass of warm milk because I had trouble falling asleep. Yes, I lied but only to feed Asher, who knows how long it's been since he ate. When I was petting his soft reddish fur I noticed his ear was bruised, luckily it wasn't that serious it was just a minor bruise. Asher's front left paw had blood on it which made me assume he must've been attacked by hunters and luckily escaped. I think he's warming up to me,  now he doesn't struggle to get off my arms he just lays on my lap wags his tail occasionally.

I felt something wet on my left hand.

When I looked it was Asher licking my fingers.

"I knew ye'd eventually warm up to me."  I smiled.

Immediately I remembered a song my Mother would sing for me when I was scared. It has been long since I've heard her sang it but I still remember some of the lyrics.

Never fear,
Mommy's here,
I'll never leave you for here I'll stay,
And in your way,
I'll plant thousands of flowers so you'll never cry,
My butterfly never fear,
My dear I'm always here,
Child of mine I love you like you never imagine,
Your darling mother will make sure magic stays with you,
  Your dreams you'll make reality and I your mother will cry,
I'm not sad I'm just proud your my child and I your mom.

Asher furrowed his snout on my arm playfully.

I gave a slight giggle.

I loved this little fox and I'm not letting him go. I don't care what mother says I'll take care of him and he'll learn to obey my orders.

"Merida?" I hear a voice call.

I immediately hide Asher in my dresser and open the chamber door.

"Yes, Hamish?" I look at my younger brother suspiciously.

What could he want now at this hour?

"What do ye want?" I snap.

He takes a deep breath. "Can I come in?"

I walk away from the door to let him come through. Then I closed it.

"I believe ye saw something earlier."

"I think ye might want to be more specific." I knew what he was talking about, he's my brother I know him like the palm of my hand but I wanted to see why he is asking me this.

"I know ye saw me kissing that village girl." He lowered his head.

"Hamish my eyes aren't in the floor!"  I raise my voice.

He rose his head and looked at me in the eye.  "Please Merida don't tell mother, she'll be so mad."

I feel slightly guilty, he must really love this girl and I can't just ruin my brothers life by telling mum. In these times I just want my brothers to be happy and I will stay true to that.

"Don't worry Hamish I wasn't going to anyways." I smile.

Before I can even blink he hugs me.

"Thanks Merida you're the best big sister any brother could have"

I immediately feel happiness, I'm proud of myself and I can't believe I'm loved soo much by my family.

"Oh Hamish ye're an amazing little brother"

  He pulls away from the hug and looks stares at me.

"Ye are in love too."

My eyes widen.   – "What?!"

"Merida I see it in yer eyes." He smiles.

"No but I don't know I'm confused or– "

"Merida you're gonna have to choose
between them soon." He cuts me off.

"Ho- how do you know that?" I ask nervously.

"I've got my ways and by the looks of it they seem to be working just fine." Hamish smirks.

I sit at my bed.

"Elton is super nice and brave- " I stop. I get lost in my thoughts.

"Ye can't stop thinking about him can ye?" Hamish laughs.

"Who?" I try to act natural.

He sits next to me. – "Oh Merida, I know ye feel something for Macintosh ye just like to play hard-to-get"

"No I'm not... I thought I was easygoing" I frown.

"Well sister I think it's about time you let the truth win, tell Macintosh how you feel and if you don't I'll still know even if you lie" He gets up and heads for the door.

"I guess this was a good talk; goodnight Merida" He closes the door.

I lay on my bed and sigh in confusion.

"And by the way nice fox" Hamish says as he opens and closes the door again. This guy knows everything.

"Do I?" I whisper.

Do I feel something for Macintosh or do I feel something for Elton? I have to choose.

I get up and open my dresser to get Asher but he wasn't there. I looked behind me and there he was sitting in front of me waiting to get my attention.
I bend down to pet his head. That's how Hamish knew.

"Oh Asher what am I going to do?"

The kit turns his head to the right doubtfully.

I giggle.  – "Come on let's go to bed we don't want to be late for my big decision" I pick him up from the floor and place him on my bed beside me.

I stare at the roof; grey, rocky, with bits of green it's obviously not perfect but it does help us to remain dry and cozy on the inside. I got to decide which perfect imperfect roof is for me.

Just now I think I've made my choice.

– Authors note:

Sorry for the longggggggg wait here's the new chapter and I'm so excited for you guys to read the next one. Who would she choose? Elton? Or Macintosh? Which team are you on? What about that adorable brother-sister scene? Seriously how does Hamish know all of this stuff?

BTW credits of the song are mine I WROTE IT and it took me a lot of time.
Anyways hope you liked the chapter, until next time!

See ya later,
         – Natalia J.👩🏽‍💻