ROTG: A Frozen Point in Time

Chapter 6

                                                                   Chapter 6: (POV: Avalon)

Scotland...land of the skirt wearing men who play the strangest instruments and have no manners. Lovely. 

Though I have to admit, the weather is fantastic, never too hot during the day and dark and dreary at night. Not to mention the land is full of legends and old magic; fog and dreary woods; superstition and mythical beasts. Perfect for one such as myself with abilities to wield the magic. It is a good thing I was sent here instead of Aiden. He would not know what to do with himself, especially with that dreadful brat Merida here. 

The journey here was not entirely unpleasant. I was able to recover quickly enough to avoid capture from the DunBroch palace guards, they aren't exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer, and hid out in the woods for a night or two while the rumors of my appearance died down. It was then that I decided that infiltrating the palace would be the best way to get to "princess" ginger, and as posing as a servant was obviously out of the question, the next solution would be to pose as visiting royalty. 
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"Lady Anstice Lyall*....how very fitting. What do you think?" I ask my Nightmare Steed, "Not that you have an opinion...but I would honestly love to communicate better with you." I glance towards the DunBroch castle slowly looming over the horizon. "I suppose I shall have to name you. Horses do more often than not have names here, however frivolous it may seem." It snorts in what I hope is agreement and begins to trot faster. "Glad you can finally sense the urgency of the situation. It is of up-most importance that we arrive before Merida does so she will have no say on my presence in the castle." It whinnies and flips its' head angrily. "No, I will not say our presence, you're not really a living thing so shut up." The trot starts to slow slightly. "Oh, don't be such a child. I am perfectly fine with replacing you."

"Who goes there?"

"Lady Anstice Lyall of the Macintosh Clan." When no one rises to challenge me I slow the Nightmare to a walk and approach the castle doors.

"That is far enough." I sigh angrily and pull It to a halt. "What business does the Lady have here?"

"I am here to speak with King DunBroch."

"About?"

"Business that does not pertain to you and is only to be discussed in private." I could hear a commotion and soon the double doors flew open. "Finally." I mumble, urging the steed onward into the courtyard.

"M'Lady, ya cannot be ridin' your mount past here." I glance down to see a young servant with dark brown hair addressing me. "I will take 'im off your 'ands." I hesitate, then decide it would be best to follow the rules.

"This is Eam. He does not usually eat much and does not like to be brushed. Just leave him be and you will be fine." The boy nods and reaches up a hand to help me dismount.

"Your accent, you are not from 'ere are ya?" I narrow my eyes at him and he gulps nervoulsy. "I will watch Eam." He grabs the reins and scampers off  as quickly as his little legs will carry him.

"Lady Lyall!!!" I turn to see a, quite frankly, large monster of a man with greying red hair come thundering into the courtyard. "How is the Macintosh Clan?" I give him a forced grin, trying to show a sense of urgency and fear in my gold eyes.

"Not 'ere." I plead in my fake Scottish accent. "I must speak to you in private." King Fergus notices the shakiness in my voice and nods. 

"Come, then. I will get Elinor." I keep up my frightened act as he leads me inside to the throne room, where he tells me to wait while he gets the Queen. More than enough time for me to make sure the plan is running smoothly.