Merida tried everything she could think of to balance the emerald. But it continued to roll toward the edge of the stone.

“It’s not working,” Young Macintosh finally said in a flat voice. “We need the other emerald. One is useless without the other.”

“No!” Merida exclaimed. “There has to be another way—”

Merida held the emerald safely in her lap. She racked her brain, trying to think of a solution. Out of habit, she reached for her bow. Merida found the thistle charm and started rubbing it. She had never needed luck more than she did right now.

Suddenly, Merida’s whole face lit up.

“The legend!” she gasped. “We need to follow the legend!”

Young Macintosh looked confused. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“The two kings,” Merida said in a rush. “Each one put an emerald on the stone. I’ve got to put something there, too!”

Merida’s fingers trembled as she carefully removed the thistle charm from her bow. She gently placed it on the stone ledge. Then, holding her breath, she leaned the emerald against it.

A sparkling flash crackled along the charm like a bolt of lightning. Then, for one brief instant, the emerald started to glow!

“What was that?” asked Young Macintosh, his eyes wide. But the emerald had already turned dark again.

Merida frantically tried to remember everything about the legend. Two leaders…a symbol of loyalty…a worthy sacrifice….

At that moment, everything made sense.

“Quick!” Merida exclaimed. “You’ve got to put something on the stone ledge, too!”

“Like the two kings in the legend,” Young Macintosh realized. In one fast motion, he placed a small knife onto the platform.

Nothing happened.

“No,” Merida said. “Not just anything will do. It has to be something that is very special to you—something that really, truly matters to you.”

Slowly, Young Macintosh nodded his head. “Just like the two kings,” he repeated. He sat back on his heels, deep in thought.

Black water continued to bubble under the stone ledge. Merida tried to be patient while Young Macintosh made his decision. She pictured the Macintosh clan loading their ships, instead of staying to celebrate the Rites of Summer. She thought about how the ancient kings had proved their loyalty and sealed their friendship: by placing something of great value in the source of the Fire Falls.

And Merida thought about how much she wanted to climb beside the clear, clean waters of the Fire Falls again.

At last, Young Macintosh made up his mind. He carefully unpinned his family’s crest from his kilt sash. Without saying a word, he leaned forward and placed it on the other side of the emerald.

The flash that burst from the emerald was so blinding that Merida and Young Macintosh had to shield their eyes. A halo of green light surrounded the emerald as it lit up with dazzling sparkles. Even Merida’s thistle charm and Young Macintosh’s crest started to shine!

Then a golden glow flickered under the platform. It spread out until it filled every corner of the cavern with beautiful light.

Crystal-clear water began to pool around the emerald, the charm, and the crest! The light made the water glitter like shooting stars. It flowed over the side of the ledge. When it touched the black water, a spark as green as the emerald shone forth. The black water began to sparkle, too.

“It’s working!” Merida cried.

Merida and Young Macintosh ran out of the cavern as more water gushed over the platform. They watched the clear water flow into the murky loch. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then emerald-green sparks spread across the dark water, transforming it into crystal blue. Merida beamed proudly as she watched the loch shimmer in the sunlight. Soon, she knew, the water would reach the top of the Fire Falls. And Merida wanted to be there when it happened.

“Come on!” she yelled, grabbing Young Macintosh’s arm. Together, they ran toward the Fire Falls.

They reached the edge of the cliff just in time to see the clear water cascade over the Fire Falls. It sparkled like fire as the setting sun reflected off it. The waterfall’s spray splashed onto the rocks, washing away all the darkness. Merida knew that she and Young Macintosh would have no trouble climbing down the Fire Falls now. But would they make it back to Castle DunBroch in time to save their clans’ friendship?