The time had come for Merida to pick a suitor, it had been seven days one outing for each lord. Plus they spent time together alone and as a group on there own time. Aileen and the Donaghue clan were there for Merida's official announcement of her wedding. This was so they could plan the next wedding accordingly. She was also to be at the announcement of the others as well, so she had better get use to it. Her dress was a newer version of the one she had worn only 3 years previous. The dress was still sky blue and had silver trimming instead, her hair pulling into one long thick braid. A few strands had been taken out of the braid purposely.

"My mum and I agreed to meet in the middle," said Merida looking at her suitors. Macintosh started to get fidgety, he now realizes what he did was wrong? This picture was not what he had in mind when he painted it. He was actually nervous at this. Oh no he felt the guilt rising in his chest as he watched everybody sitting around them.

"Because of this she had taken to what I enjoyed and we see eye to eye now. After this I had agreed and assumed my responsiblities as DunBroch's next leader. And part of this includes a marriage. I've spent a week with each of you doing various things, but I only have to choose one."

Then Macintosh started to watch his friends. Wee Dingwall didn't seem to nervous, he knew that Merida knew about Catherine. He just sat that dazing out into space thinking about that peasant girl. He had to roll his eyes at this, as sweet as it was it was creepy how much he was into her. He was just in love and love did crazy things to people.

Ian was just watching his hands staring at them. He knew Merida was going to pick Torrance. He never held much self confidence for himself and now was one of those times. Young Macintosh only watched as each boy look up at her with curious eyes.

His father was next to him feeling pretty excited about this. He knew his son had the charm and looks to win over Merida. She should have taken an interest for the courtship before the marriage. He was probably thinking like this was the choice was obvious.

The older MacGuffin man was patting Ian on the shoulder telling him not to worry. He was wanting his son to win and for him to be happy. At least he tried to make his son happy. Because it looked over there with Wee Dingwall and Lord Dingwall things weren't so hot. They were arguing over the girl that he had meet only previous.

Finally Merida was at the point to make her decision.

"What I have decided is that I don't want to get married," she said, and Elinor stood up and people started to talk. This was not happening again. Merida finally gave her a look that said sit back down. Merida had been perfecting that look for a couple of years now. Elinor eyed her suspiciously before settling back down.

"My orginial decision was that I wasn't going to get married. I've had a lot of pressure to pick a suitor and I still have lessons. I have came to a decision of who I would like to get to know better. This could possibly grow to love and just maybe like the love me own parents share. I'd rather not get married right away however."

At this Elinor breathed a sigh of relief. Oh she didn't want a recap of what happened last time with the spell and everything. Elinor was curious as well as the other lords. It would give them bragging rights when ever they had meet again. Only there sons didn't seem to care about this. She watched as Merida looked at the young men.

"Abernathy Dingwall," she said turning to him. His father looked like he was going to explode with happiness. "I wish you luck with Catherine, she's lucky."

Merida only smiled at him before turning to young MacGuffin. Lord Dingwall looked deflated and then looked at his son, with disgust. He really had to fall for the village girl over the princess? Something clearly wasn't right with this picture. He was going to give Abernathy a talk into later. After he had already chew his arm off already about the girl.

Torrance's eyes grew wide and he felt his heart race. Now it was just down to the two of them, Ian and himself. He knew Merida was going to pick him and it wasn't even fair. As much as he would like for her to pick him, she shouldn't. He had done a terrible thing playing with magic like this. When she choose him he was going to tell her to marry Ian. He hadn't tried some wicked deed. While he was thinking, wrapped up in his thoughts, Merida continued on with her speech.

Young MacGuffin and Lord MacGuffin just sat in silence. Ian wasn't the last one to be said he was second. Ian only looked at his dad for a reaction of some sort. He knew he wasn't going to be chosen. He had barely said anything to her, even when he knew Scots. Lord MacGuffin didn't even show any sign of any kind. He just sat blankly staring at Merida.

He knew his son wasn't perfect, he had prolonged learning Scots for awhile. He saw Fergus getting a little jumpy for waiting so long and Elinor just watching her daughter. They were down to two suitors; she was going to approve no matter who she had chosen. Fergus just wanted to get the party started. He was going to be okay with whoever she had chosen. He was friends with each of them and trusted there sons with his daughter.

"Ian MacGuffin," she said looking at him. "You have proven to be a trustworthy companion and a good friend. I wish you luck in looking for a bride yourself."

"Torrance Macintosh," said Merida turning to him.

"I don't!" he said panicing and the crowd around him started to murmer. His father looked at him like he was crazy. He didn't want to get married to the princess? Just last they had shared a heart to heart he said he did want to. Merida looked at him oddly as if he had two heads.

"You have proven to be a good ally and a listener to those who seek it. I have chosen you to be my husband." At this her hands clasped over her mouth surprised that those words had come out of her mouth. She looked very confused about what had just happened. Her parents looked at Torrance with an accepting look.

"I... I don't! Instead I have something to confess," he said looking around at everybody and the royal family. He saw Aileen sitting next to her mother staring out into space and the Donoghue clan's children staring up at him in awe. "I don't... I don't deserve to get married to Merida. I slipped a love potion in her drink during dinner 2 nights ago. Just enough to have her pick me today."

Everybody had gasped at this. His dad looked at him like he didn't know who his son was anymore. King Fergus and Queen Elinor only rushed over to Merida to make sure she was okay. Fergus looked like he was ready to push young MacIntosh off of the stage. Eoghan was heading up to the stage to usher him off, he liked Merida and he didn't need to see Merida clober him.

"I've had the guilt wrapped in my head. I like Merida and one day I would love for her to feel the same way about me. I've had the thought of being king in my head as well. I publicly apologize to the royal family. Dad I'm sorry for all of this too," he said turning to his father.

That was when he jumped off of the stage and walked over to clan MacGuffin. He motioned for Ian to stand up, but he still sat. Ian was upset about what Torrance had done to Merida. He probably had a chance to be chosen.

"Even though he won't stand up. I want the better man to win, Ian would you like to marry Merida instead?" Merida looked over at Ian, who now everybody was staring at and he hated it. Ian looked down at his hands thinking that he did like Merida. His dad was nodding at him to say it, Ian did want Merida to pick him. Not out of pity or who the better man was.

Young MacGuffin looked at Torrance unsure what to say. He had seen Merida gaze on Torrance shift to him and she smiled a big smile on her face. Merida's confused look about what she said to Torrance. She was nodding at Ian to say yes, she did like him... Instead of saying anything and staring at Merida he stood up, making that a yes.

"Merida would you like to marry Ian MacGuffin?" asked Torrance looking at her. He wasn't going to marry Merida with what he had done on his mind.

"I approve of this message," she said giggling some. That was when everybody in the MacGuffin clan cheered along with the Dingwall clan. Eoghan had gotten all of them to approve of this as well. Only the Macintosh clan sat dizzy about what had just happened.

Which chapter 8 do you like better? I suppose everybody expected the first one to come out. Oh and the potions effects on Merida for both chapters. She had started to like young MacGuffin. The potion had influenced her to pick young MacIntosh since she hadn't her sorted out her feelings for young MacGuffin just yet.

I just realized that this does not match up with chapter 9, so that's why I didn't have this one posted as the real chapter 8.