Hi there! Second brave fanfic, this is set just a few weeks later after the events of the movie but has no direct relation with my story "Brave 2: The lowlander". This is more like another sequel that could take place instead of the other one. Choose your favorite! And yeah this is under the "crossover" category because it´s basically a carbon copy of "Somewhere in time" but with "Brave" characters (this would probably be a good moment to state that I own neither of both). Hope this doesn't put you off reading it! Enjoy and please don´t forget to review!
The Aberdeen city high school bus gave a high thump as it passed over a bump in the road, the boys and girls inside; most between the ages of 16 and 17, complained.
Richard Macintosh was one of them, sitting next to his best friend Jonathan.
-Hey- he whispered- Want to see something cool? - He took the gym bag he had hidden under his seat and opened it slowly, carefully. He revealed the contents to his friend, inside was a compound bow with several arrows.
-Are you crazy dude? The principal´s gonna get you expelled if she realizes you brought that to the field trip!-
-She won´t…realize. Besides it´s not every day we get to see DunBroch castle, I just want a few practice shots in the clearing behind it-
-Yeah but the place is now a museum not an archery range!-
-I think I deserve it; I had to work my ass of at McDonald´s to afford this beauty-
-I think you already told me that story, ´bout a hundred times. It´s just you carry it around all the time, it´s really getting on my nerves-
The bus stops mere yards from a stone bridge connecting to the ancient building, the outer walls and some towers are visible. Most of them have been restored but a small part is still ancient and would almost seem to be falling apart.
As the group abandons the vehicle Richard throws the gym bag over his shoulder.
The principal, a middle-aged plump woman, speaks in front of the group –Ok everyone, I expect you to behave in a civil way. This castle is among the most ancient and well preserved of its kind in Scotland and I think we would learn a great deal if we pay attention- The group crosses the bridge and walks through the gateway, looking around. They stop in front of the entrance to the castle´s great hall. An old man with a mustache in a gray suit is the guide, the tour begins; but just before Richard can cross the entrance the principal grabs him by the shoulder –Just where do you think you´re going young man? - She says as she takes the gym bag –Yes I know what is inside and don´t you think I´ll be giving it back to you. Your parents will have to pick it up personally from my office- She scolds –Now try to enjoy your visit and we´ll talk about this, first thing tomorrow-
Cursing under his breath Richard follows his partners into the museum.
The great hall is a vast room with several replicas of thrones, glass cases and a staircase to the left leading to other exhibits.
A few weapons, clothes, stuffed animals.
Richard walks next to them without paying attention to the guide´s words. –Richard! Yo! - He snaps his neck to see Jon calling -What?-
-Look at this dude…wait a sec, what happened to your bow?-
-The principal took it-
-Bummer, anyway; look at this, scary isn´t it? - Indeed, it´s a portrait, depicting a young man that would look exactly like Richard if he had been transported into the past.
-Ehem…excuse me? - He asks the guide –Who is him?-
-That, young man; is none other than the firstborn of Lord Macintosh. His father led a cavalry charge against the Viking invaders near the year 1000- He continues to explain as they exchange whispers.
-Did he say Macintosh? - John asks. Richard nods. –Think you´re related? - He shrugs.
-…he was also one of the three sons of the lords to compete for the hand of princess Mérida DunBroch-
-Okay…and who is that?-
The guide smiles playfully –Follow me-
He leads them towards the staircase and upstairs to a separate, much smaller room.
-This exhibit is dedicated completely to her. Enjoy yourselves and fell free to ask any questions you´ve got-
The three of them look at the exhibits carefully. Most of them are tapestries depicting a girl with fiery, wild hair and a blue dress; or bears. A specific exhibit draws his attention.
It´s a bow inside a glass case, surprisingly well conserved to be more than 1000 years old. The plate under it reads "This weapon belonged to Princess Mérida DunBroch; her skills as an archer were famed all over the Scottish highlands."
-She was just as crazy as you –
-Yeah, how do you reckon she looked like? –
-Dude- John points at a portrait in the far end of the room. What Richard sees leaves him wordless, a girl not much younger than him, the one in the tapestry; fiery wild hair, a soft face but a determined, curious look in her eyes, slightly red cheeks and lips as thin as the rest of her body forming a smile; she would almost seem to be looking at him.
His eyes widen, his breathing stops for a moment, his heart skips a dozen beats and there is no doubt in his mind now, love at first sight does exist –She is…beautiful-