A New Kind Of Brave

Starting a Legend, Becoming A Desire

A Long Time Ago

After everything that had happened all of those stupid argument's had amounted to this! Being exiled from all of the discussions with the rest of the family even one's about his very own life his brothers all argued that he was being childish, or they would simply say to just speak with their father. Mordecai argued with them all that as the oldest he shouldn't have to request an audience to speak with his own father even if he was the king nor should he have to speak with the whole damn family even. His mother did however agree with her son, but she had very little pull with her husband unfortunately which was exactly that as it was unfortunate for her as it was her birth right which her husband had inherited through his marriage to her.

Mordecai was obviously the oldest of all six children at twenty four years old he should by rights inherit the kingdom his five younger siblings whilst he loved them all his sister's he loved quite dearly but it didn't change the fact that he didn't want to share the kingdom with his three brothers, it also didn't change the fact that at this moment in time he just wanted them all to listen to him and respect his point of view as he knew he was right.

"Kai!" turning around he saw his younger brother running towards him along the hall, Kaelum at seventeen years old was beginning to bulk up with his muscles, his deep chestnut brown hair was loose and a little past his shoulders he still had his young adolescent face covered in fine freckles his light brown eyes were lit up whilst he grinned at his big brother "Kai, Adair is talking mother into letting all of us compete against each other you know race our horse's, you're going to join in aren't you big brother?"

Sighing Mordecai rolled his eyes at his brother "Mother will not allow the girls to race you know this Evanna isn't experienced enough, Freya is too young and you know Ewan still isn't recovered from what had happened on that last hunt" Kaelum's face dropped slightly, eyebrows furrowed.

"Ruaridh wanted us to do it he thought it might cheer you up, you have been so damn moody lately, stomping around and frowning all because you can't get your own way and rule the kingdom by yourself! You know da wouldn't have made this decision lightly" Mordecai was stunned never had his baby brother spoke to him like this before.

"Kaelum it isn't all about that alright and I'm not being moody but I do appreciate you all thinking about me" before turning away from his brother, he paused looking his little brother in his eyes "and I'm sorry if it seems like its because of you or Ruaridh or even Ewan but it isn't. this, this issue its between me and da about how he is constantly leaving me out of conversations that I should be involved with"

Turning away he focused on his footsteps before he heard his brother call him out again brow furrowing he stilled "Have you ever thought da might of kept you out because he knew this was your reaction"

He never had a chance to respond because as he glanced back over his shoulder to see that his brother had already turned towards the stairs walking away.

Sighing Mordecai headed to his room which upon reaching it he went inside closing the door behind him he lent against it upheaving a huge sigh and bowing his head towards his chest his shoulders slumped. He took a few moments before pushing off and walking over to his desk and sitting in the chair placed there.

Glancing out of the window beside him he could see it had begun to rain, misting it so you could not see the dark, grey ominous clouds that held the water droplets blacking out the rest of the world.

Looking back over at the papers on his desk he shook his head before he grabbed a handful of them reading them over before deciding which took more precedence over the others.

Upon deciding on which would be first a thought occurred to him that there was a possibility his brothers would be dealing with similar papers.

Reading through the papers Mordecai kept getting distracted realising he would not be able to get any work done he threw the papers down on his desk, leaning down he opened the bottom right hand drawer before taking a leather-bound book out of it.

He shut the drawer righting himself he placed the book before himself. He took in a deep breath, slowly closing his eyes then opening them again he turned back to the book before opening the cover looking at the sketches inside.

No one except his mother and his brother Ruaridh knew about his sketches, it was no secret that he could draw but this was his private collection. His sketches were special? Unique?

'whatever they are' he thought to himself sullenly 'they are mine and they will never be real'

Staring at the drawing of a young woman with an unruly mass of tight curls he imagined would be a fiery red, her skin creamy ivory in colour. Her face was rounded yet regal it held a look of defiance her cheeks were lightly freckled he imagined her cheeks would hold a slight blush to them her lips soft and pink. Her piercing fierce blue eyes captivated him.

He was fed up with staring at etches of a woman he dreamt of when he knew she could not possibly be real. He sighed rubbing his left hand over his face, he glanced out his bedroom waiting for the longing to be away from all of the stress his family drama had been causing him.

Seeing the sky darken further it spurned him on to his next decision standing from his seat he walked out of his room past his parents' room and down the stairs ignoring his brothers shouts for him to stop he swung the doors open going out to the stables seeing his black Clydesdale Midnight in the dim light of the lanterns he smiled standing still to take in a breath. He saw the beautiful horse which he had raised from a young foal at birth she was his best friend in all honesty he went over to the small shack by the stables which held bags ready with necessities his parents had ensured the stable hands were always ready for any of the boys to go for a ride.

He grabbed his bag before heading back on over to Midnight he placed the bag over his horses back unlocking the paddock holding onto the reins over her head tightly before quickly grabbing her rug from the side of the stall throwing it over her back then climbing on to her back nudging her with his feet for her to go.

She galloped racing towards wherever she wanted to go Mordecai loved the freedom it was giving him in that moment, all of his problems were disappearing and for a while he just did not care.

Frowning he began to realise that he was in a place he had not been in sometime, slowing Midnight down he did not realise until then that she was a little spooked. He saw the circle of stones dismounting his horse while holding onto her reins he led Midnight into the circle looking around seeing how dark it was, seeing that now he was surrounded by a thick grey mist.

Mordecai decided the best course of action was to find somewhere to keep warm and safe for the night. He tugged the reins so that Midnight knew to follow as he looked towards what little he could see of the woods in search of a sturdy enough tree for shelter. He stilled straining to hear it was possible he was hearing things but the again he doubted it, a small cough behind some bushes alerted him that his thoughts were right and he wasn't alone, guarding himself with a dagger which was held in his belt around his waist he edged towards the bush he believed it came from.

Approaching the bush, he looked making out two forms one much larger than the other in the dim light. Once he was only a few short steps away he gasped eyes glazing over as his mouth hung open taking in the tight red curls and creamy pale skin.

She had not heard the man before her get so close to her, the huge muscular tattooed man with long shaggy jet-black hair that just stared at her open mouthed and eyes blown wide.

"Who are you?" they asked each other simultaneously.