Disclaimer: Despite Medieval Re-enactments and being more than capable of shooting a longbow, I do not own 'Brave' or any of the associated characters.

Summary: The Princes agreed with Merida's plan of breaking Tradition to find love. None of them wanted to marry a stranger, but they wouldn't mind marrying Merida. How three princes set out to win the heart of one fiery princess.

WIN HER HEART, BEFORE HER HAND

Young MacIntosh

Princess Merida and I didn't have much in common, other than being proud and strong-willed, but we did agree on several things, not the least of which being that we should be free to choose our own marriage.

I was glad to see the look of surprise and gratitude on her face when I spoke over my father to agree with her proposal. Her skill with a bow had surpassed us all, and I had started to worry that my looks might see me betrothed and wed to a woman that I was sure to butt heads with. Repeatedly.

Merida probably would have won any arguments, too, with how much she took after both parents.

The idea of winning Princess Merida's heart, or at least her good friendship, was a much better alternative than winning the hand of a strong-willed stranger. We were both intelligent, had a way of being heard, and could fight well. Neither of us was unattractive, though Merida had the looks of a Highland Warrior Queen, rather than my meticulous appearance.

Common traits and interests were more than most betrothed couples shared, and I think that we could grow to love each other.

Now my only problem was that I would be stuck trying to compete with a Chief's son who made the Princess laugh, and an only son whose wild brand of fighting would work perfectly with Merida's only slightly more refined style.

Blast.

Wee Dingwall

I liked being out-shot by the Princess, partly because my own bull's eye had been sheer luck when I jumped at King Fergus's yell, but also because, as I told my Father, "I dinnae ask for her; it was your idea."

It wasn't an idea that I was going to run screaming from, but it wasn't an idea that I welcomed, either. I think that Merida and I would make a good couple, but for now, we knew almost nothing of each other.

Life with the Princess of Dun Broch would certainly be interesting, likely in a good way, but I wanted any future wife of mine to be at least a friend.

Clan Dingwall had a tendency to charge into the thick of things, and I was no exception. Merida's proud declaration that she would shoot for her own hand was something that I could see any true Dingwall woman doing.

Seeing her shoot, and raise a sword to her own father in defence of her transformed mother, sealed my decision that I would be proud to call her my ally…but I didn't yet know if I would be happy to call her my wife.

Lady Dingwalls throughout history had ridden to battle beside their husbands, or led a war party in their own right and name. Others had made their clans proud by defending their homes against would-be invaders, as my own mother and grandmother had.

I could easily see Merida by my side in a fight, or commanding a defence, and was glad of it. We had one thing in common, at least, and love had grown from less.

Now all I had to do was figure out how to win Merida's heart.

Somehow, I don't think that she would appreciate an all-out brawl as a solution.

Young MacGuffin

I was not sure who looked more relieved; Princess Merida or we three competing for her hand.

Oh, I admired the princess, and I would have married her gladly, but no-one likes the idea of spending the rest of their life with a complete stranger.

My father's phrasing was good, even if it had been Queen Elinor and Princess Merida's idea, no matter how much they convinced the Lords to think otherwise. Competing to win Merida's heart would let us discover if we could get along, at least, or if our clans would simply remain bound by friendship.

Even if Princess Merida did not choose me, friendship with her would be no bad thing.

Even trying to win Merida's heart would be good for me, as I could admit that I rely more on brawn than brain, and a chief needs both. Queen Elinor gently guides King Fergus, but the King is wise in his own way.

Merida is obviously close to her father, though most of her personality is clearly Queen Elinor's, and I bear enough of a resemblance to the King that we would probably resemble a marriage much like that of her parents, which is no bad thing.

Queen Elinor clearly went overboard in her teaching, making sure that Princess Merida knew all of the clan dialects, as well as the Common one. The two of them were the only ones outside of my father who picked up even half of what I was saying, and perhaps that appealed to her sense of humour.

The giggle, warm look, and tentative smile she gave me for my support is a good start, at least.

Princess Merida

When I wasn't seething over the fact that they were here to marry me, I could admit that maybe the three Princes were about as happy with the arrangement as I was. As in, not at all.

I was a Princess, so my choices for marriage were always going to be limited, and certainly no-one from my father's kingdom. They would always see me as King Fergus's daughter, rather than my own person.

Perhaps having to marry someone I didn't yet know could be a good thing. We could get to know each other without expectations. Happy marriages had started from less.

The three princes did have things to recommend them, at least. Wee Dingwall was a lot like my mother, and was someone I would be able to stand beside as equals.

Young MacIntosh was a lot like me, both the good and the bad qualities, so we had that in common, at least. Common interest could turn into love, if we both made the effort.

Young MacGuffin was like my father, and he made me laugh. Making the effort to figure out what he was saying, when I currently only picked up one word in three, could give us the chance to get to know each other.

Perhaps a potential marriage wouldn't be so bad.

brave

brave

brave

brave

A/N: This has been lurking in my head since I saw the departure scene. I'm still deciding whether to leave this as a one-shot, or to go onto Courtship Misadventures. If any of my readers have a preference, let me know.

Thanks,

Nat