It had been a few weeks since I started following Merida.
Not Princess Merida. Just Merida. Somewhere along the way, the titles fell away, as if they couldn't withstand the closeness we'd grown into.
But now… time was slipping through my fingers like sand.
My father had returned. His presence loomed like a stormcloud at the edge of an otherwise perfect day.
As Merida and I sat together, overlooking the highlands with the sun dying in streaks of gold and violet, silence stretched between us—comforting, fragile, and about to be broken.
I swallowed, then softly said, "Merida."
She turned to me, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes?"
"My father's returned. He's come to take me back."
Her expression shattered.
The warmth in her eyes dimmed, her shoulders fell, and she looked away, blinking far too quickly.
"Is it… is it time already?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
I nodded, the weight of it nearly crushing me. "Yes."
She turned her head toward the horizon, lips trembling.
"I'm tired," she said, voice breaking just slightly. "Let's stop here. I want to rest."
I could only nod again, helpless, as she stood and walked away slowly, her hair catching the wind, a lone ember drifting further from the fire.
The next morning, the docks were alive with activity. Sailors shouting, ropes creaking, gulls crying overhead.
The King and Queen stood tall, bidding farewell with dignity—yet I couldn't stop scanning the crowd.
She wasn't there.
A hollow pit grew in my chest. Had she said her goodbye last night? Was that all I'd get?
The other tribe leaders had long since departed. Now it was just my people preparing to leave. I stood on the platform, staring at the ship that would take me away from her.
I turned.
And then—
"WAIT!!!"
The air snapped. I spun around.
There she was.
Merida, running down the docks, her dress flowing like wildfire, something small clutched in her hands.
She was breathless when she reached me, her cheeks flushed, hair disheveled, eyes burning with emotion.
"Here," she said, pressing a box into my hands. "I—I made this. I didn't want you to leave without it."
I looked at the box, then at her. My chest ached. I sank to one knee, just like the first time we met.
"Thank you, Princess."
Her smile wavered. "Don't call me that."
I nodded solemnly. "Then thank you, Merida."
She looked away, biting her lip. "Is that... all you wanted to say?"
I took a breath, heart pounding.
"No. There's one more thing."
She hesitated. "What is it?"
I looked into her eyes.
"Do you still love me?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
Her breath caught. Her gaze dropped, hands clenching at her sides. Tears welled up and finally spilled down her cheeks.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I still do."
I reached into my shirt. It looked like a pocket, but it was my inventory space. My fingers curled around the object I had hidden there for weeks—waiting for the right moment.
A ring.
The crowd was watching now. Even the King and Queen had grown quiet.
I rose to my feet, lifted the ring high, and let my voice echo over the waves.
"I, Erik Horrendous Haddock, swear before the gods and this kingdom: In three years, I will return to Dunbroch and make Merida my bride."
The ring pulsed with light as I poured mana into it, and I spoke my vow:
"If I die—this ring will shatter.
If I fall for another—this ring will shatter.
If I fail in my promise—this ring will shatter."
"But I swear to you, Merida: I will not die. I will not falter. And I will never, ever love another."
The glow intensified, humming with power.
Silence. Then—
Clap... clap... clapclapclap—
Cheers erupted all around us. The King nodded solemnly, and the Queen's eyes glistened with emotion.
Merida extended her trembling hand.
With reverence, I slid the ring onto her finger.
She gasped softly… then lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me.
We tumbled to the ground, laughing and crying all at once. In that moment, we didn't care about appearances, roles, kingdoms—just each other.
We stood again, still smiling.
I turned to leave—but her voice called me back.
"Erik!"
I looked over my shoulder.
She didn't speak.
She just kissed me.
Right there, in front of everyone.
It was soft, trembling, and impossibly real.
When she pulled back, her face was flushed, her hands covering her eyes like a child.
I stood stunned, a hand rising slowly to touch my lips.
Tap. Tap.
I turned. My father was beside me, a smug grin on his face, eyebrows wiggling like a fool.
My entire face lit up crimson.
I turned and ran onto the ship, his booming laughter echoing after me.
But deep down…
That kiss?
It was perfect.
I couldn't stop smiling.
Item: Ring of Oath
A mana-bound artifact. When worn during an oath, the ring links to the soul. If the vow is broken, the ring will shatter.
Note: Hello guys when i remebered what i had told tall before i went onto the app to check the comments and someone did it. This chapter is 800 words long because i rushed and didn't think someone would actually do it.(btw it was a joke i didnt care if someone wrote brave now or not i wanted to use the audiobook feature.) im addicted guys i cant stop writing. i have so much plans for the future so heads up. also next chapter is just his status you can skip if u want. thank you.