She even climbs the Crone's Tooth and drinks from the Fire Falls in joy. She shoots arrows at targets she sets up in the forest and just explores. One day when there are no lessons, she goes riding on her horse Angus. Years later, Merida is a teenager that Queen Elinor is trying to make her into a proper princess of royalty despite Merida's objection. Suddenly, Mor'du attacks, and Elinor and Merida flee while Fergus stays behind to fight the demonic bear. Elinor tells her that the wisps lead you to your fate, but Fergus doesn't believe it. The Wisps lead her out of the forest and back to her parents. She accidentally shoots her 6th arrow into the forest and goes to retrieve it, but is distracted by a trail of Will O' the Wisps that appear before her. Fergus, her father, presents her with her own bow as a birthday present. Then she sees her father's bow on the table and asks him if she can shoot an arrow with it. Merida is first seen as a child playing hide-and-seek with her mother Queen Elinor on her sixth birthday. She must race against time to make right the result of her reckless behavior, her journey compelling her to look inside to discover the meaning of bravery and reveal her true fate. When Merida blatantly defies an ancient tradition, the consequences of her actions prove disastrous for the kingdom.

As the daughter of the King and Queen, her life is weighted with responsibilities and expectations, causing her to yearn to preserve her freedom and independence. With a spirit as vibrant as her untamed hair, Merida also has a softness of heart, especially when it comes to her wee triplet brothers. She feels most at home in the outdoors honing her impressive athletic skills as an archer and swordfighter, and racing across the magnificent Highland countryside with her faithful horse, Angus. Passionate and fiery, Merida is a headstrong teenager of royal upbringing who is struggling to take control of her own destiny.

Merida brave art