The Frozen Brave

The Cause and Effect Relationship

Not long after the journey began, Merida slowed Angus down. There was a fork in the gloomy forest they were in. She was quite sure they were going the right way but now…
“I can’t recall crossing this road before. Do you, Angus?” She earned a neigh in response.
“But the kingdom should be close somewhere here.” They trotted closer. The left road was yellow-bricked and quite foggy while the right seemed the same but mistier in the end.
“Left?” she asked Angus who seemed more than willing. “Alright then.”
They started walking through it. The fog was thick, Merida noticed and it was getting harder to see. She saw something dark-shaped up ahead.
“Uhh hello?” she called out. The figure moved towards them. Her grip on the reins tightened.
“Who’s there?” She took out her bow and notched an arrow at the figure. The fog cleared and the figure raced towards them. Angus got startled as she realized what it was.
It was a dark horse. Merida turned Angus around as it headed towards them. She shot at it but the arrow sailed through it like it was invisible. She gasped in surprise and urged Angus to move faster.
When she glanced back again, many more appeared behind it. Only some had riders with spears on their hands. One threw his and Merida turned her horse to the left and the spear missed them. She did the same when another threw his at them.
But when she faced front, another 3 riders on horses appeared. They were being surrounded. Angus leaned back so hard that Merida was knocked off him and she landed on her behind. Angus neighed, standing protectively in front of her. A dark horse scared him to the side and he budged, leaving Merida to face them.
A rider got off his horse and pointed his murky axe at her. He raised it, preparing to chop it down when a blast of purple plasma hit a bunch of the horses. It didn’t kill them but Merida was able to pull Angus away. Just as she was about to get away, something hit her side and it stung. She fell back.
Toothless landed next to them, roaring at the horses and Hiccup hurriedly got off of him. He ran to Merida’s aid.
“Hiccup?” she asked surprised.
“Come on, we have to get you out of here!” He put her on Angus’s back.
“Toothless, come on!” He yelled at the dragon who was keeping the enemy busy. Hiccup led Angus out of the forest and Toothless followed close.
“Oh no, you’re bleeding.” Blood stained the side of Merida’s blue dress. Hiccup held her gently.
“It’s alright. Just get me to Corona.” She said.
“But we have to heal this wound-“
“Just get me there. My friend can help.” She struggled to keep breathing. Hiccup turned to Toothless then back to Merida.
“Okay, I’m gonna get you to Angus. Can you hold? I’ll follow you on Toothless.” She only nodded and he helped her position herself to hold the reins.
Then they both went around the forest, Toothless gliding softly beside Angus who carried the weak Merida. Hiccup is worried. She was losing too much blood.

The people of Corona looked at them weirdly when they passed by but Hiccup didn’t care. All he was worried about was Merida’s wound. Arriving at the palace gates, the guards recognized Merida.
“Call the princess! It is her highness, Princess Merida!” One shouted at the other. He took the reins from Merida who slumped in exhaustion onto Angus’ back. They didn’t seem to mind about Hiccup so he quietly followed behind. He set Toothless down and ran to catch up to Merida. The guards were carefully carrying her to some bedroom. He stood by her side.
“Her royal Highness, Prince-“
“Merida!” Hiccup turned to see a beautiful blonde long-haired woman running in. Her hair was really long and he could only be so surprised. She wore a pink dress messed with colored paint and brush spills but she didn’t seem to mind interrupting the introduction with her messy appearance.
Hiccup stepped back as she rushed to Merida’s side whose breathing was becoming shallow. She saw her side wet with blood.
“Leave us!” she told the guards who bowed and left. She then ripped the side of Merida’s clothes where the stain was and grabbed her hair, wrapping it around Merida’s waist.
“Flower, gleam and glow,
Let your power shine,
Make the clock reverse,
Bring back what once was mine,
Heal what has been hurt,
Change the fate’s design,
Save what has been lost,
Bring back what once was mine,
what once was mine…”
The hair of the woman lit up in a powerful yellow color as she sang the song. When it was done, she unwrapped her hair and replaced it with a white cloth. Merida sighed and opened her eyes.
“Thanks Punzie.” She whispered.
“Anytime, Mer.” That’s when the woman noticed Hiccup.
“Who are you?” she gasped, standing up.
“I’m Hiccup, Merida’s friend. Pleased to meet you, uh your highness.” He replied.
The girl calmed down and exhaled.
“My name is Rapunzel. Actually yes, I’m the princess of Corona but you can call me Rap or Punzie since you’re my best friend’s friend.” She smiled.
“Umm, your hair…” He started.
“Just between us, yup, a healer.” She ran her hand through her hair for emphasis. She motioned him to sit on the chair beside her. They both faced Merida who remained lying.
“Hiccup, why were you there?” Merida asked.
“I kind of followed you. I got worried that you might stumble into trouble all the way here.” He replied sheepishly.
“Ohh, isn’t that sweet of him?” Rapunzel teased.
“Well, you’ll have to go back now. They might be looking for you.” Merida said.
“No!” Rapunzel quickly shook her head. “He should stay here for the night. Besides, it’s already getting dark. You can’t head home through that.”
“Uh I guess but-“
“Oh come on, Hiccup, there’s nothing to it! Mina! Send my friend to the room next door, will you? Show him the way! Be nice to my friend.” A maid, the one named Mina ushered Hiccup out of the room. He tried to protest but Rapunzel wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Get well!” Hiccup said to Merida before he was out of sight.
“Wasn’t that sweet of him?” Rapunzel said as she walked back to her seat.
“Yes, it was.” Merida smiled. Then something crossed her mind.
“Punzie, do you know something about a place called Arendelle?” she asked.
“Well, I was invited to the coronation of the queen a few months ago.”
“Did you see anything suspicious? Particularly about the Queen?”
“No. Queen Elsa seemed nice. And I left before the grand celebration started for an important appointment so I wasn’t able to talk to her.” Rapunzel replied. “But say, Mer, why did you ask?”
“I just wanted to know.” Merida replied.
“They did say though that the royal family was a bit mysterious. Ever since their parents died, the princesses were never allowed to leave the castle again, neither to show their faces in public.”
“Why is that?” Merida’s shock was evident on her face.
“No one knows. The ones who really know were those in the castle the whole time but they refused to say anything under the king and queen’s command.”
Rapunzel smiled and stood up. “I guess I should take my leave now. Just rest.”
Merida smiled as well.
When Rapunzel closed the door behind her, Merida knew that she had to talk to Hiccup immediately the next day.