Brave

Chapter Four

Stanford was at the training area, hitting a practice dummy while muttering to himself. Meanwhile, Dipper and Bill were feeding Waddles and Gompers.

"Somethings troubling you. I take it didn't go very well." At the edge of the arena sat Stanley reading the latest news.

"I don't know what to do."

"Talk to them! Tell them all the good they'll get out of this or something."

"I did speak to them! It must be Bill, controlling Mason, keeping him away from the prize. Telling him to never grow up!"

"Don't get crazy now, they're best friends, a bond that'll never break. Pretend I'm Dipper and Bill. What would you say to them?"

"This is silly."

"Come on brother, you can do this." Grunkle Stan cleared his throat imitating Dipper's voice, "I don't want to get married! I want to stay single and go on adventures with my best friend, while I try to be as manly as possible"

"Mason. All this work, all the time spent preparing you, schooling you, giving you everything we never had...I ask you, what do you expect us to do?"

"Call off the gathering! Would that kill them!" Dipper stated while pouring water into the horse trough.

"Exactly we're the most powerful kingdom," Bill fumbled with the hay, "just tell the lords, the prince isn't ready for this. I mean you can take the princess, she's annoying."

Dipper smacked Bill on the head, or tried, he was shorter than Bill but continued on, "In fact, he might never be ready for this so that's that. Good day to you. We'll expect your declarations of war in the morning."

"I understand this must all seem unfair, even I had reservations when I had to join the guard. Or when your father and mother had to be wed but look at us now, we're a family. We can't run away from who we are!"

"I don't want my life to be over. I want my freedom!"

"But are you willing to pay the price your freedom will cost? I'm not doing any of this to hurt you. If you could just try to see what I do, I do out of love."

"But it's my life, it's..." Dipper fumbled with his words, he was on the verge of tears.

"Your not ready." Bill sighed, what if Dipper wasn't interested in guys. What if he just wasn't ready to marry. He should be doing this for Dipper, not because he has a silly crush.

"I think you'd see, if you just..."

"I think I could make you understand if you just..."

"...listen!"

"...listen!"

Waddles and Gompers nuzzled Dipper's tear stained face. "I swear, Dipper, this isn't going to happen! Not if I have any say in it." Dipper smiled at Bill's confidence and reassurance but deep down he knew, there wasn't anything he could do.

(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

The next day ships from the Gleeful, Mermando, and Northwest tribes glided through the water. Each tribe tried to outdo the other, playing their instrument as loudly as they could. The Gleefuls played the bagpipes, the Mermandos were playing drums, while the Northwests played woodwinds.

In the castle, the Pines and Ciphers were getting ready for the event. Stanford and Ariel were helping Dipper with his looks while the Cipher twins were helping each other out. The two adults kept fiddling with Dipper's hair. Stanford wanted to show off Dipper's birthmark while Ariel, knowing Dipper was embarrassed by it, kept covering it.