Merida arrived at the castle with Young Macintosh just in time for the welcoming ceremony and afternoon feast. Every single member of their clans was streaming into the Great Hall for the first official event of the Rites of Summer.

The servants rushed between the Great Hall and the kitchen. They piled the tables high with the very best food in all of DunBroch. There were platters of steaming haggis and mounds of scones. There were whole smoked salmons and towers of sweet cakes for dessert.

Merida shook her head as she noticed her little brothers gnawing on pheasant legs. No one was supposed to start eating until King Fergus and Queen Elinor had given a formal welcome to the visiting clan.

At the front of the hall, a long wooden table had been placed on a platform. It was reserved for Merida’s and Young Macintosh’s families. By eating together in front of their clansmen, the royal families set an example of friendship. From a distance, it looked like Queen Elinor was chatting happily with Lord Macintosh. But her eyes were worried as she glanced around the Great Hall from table to table. At last, she spotted Merida and breathed a sigh of relief. Then Queen Elinor beckoned for her daughter to join her on the platform.

“Merida, the welcoming ceremony is about to begin!” Queen Elinor exclaimed when Merida reached the table. “Where have you been?”

Young Macintosh started to snicker as if Merida were in trouble. “Mum, I have a question,” Merida began, ignoring him. “What’s the meaning of an emerald?”

“Ahh, lass, I can answer you that,” Lord Macintosh broke in. “The emerald has long been a symbol of power and strength to every clan in our great land.”

Young Macintosh’s eyes lit up. “Just like I told you!” he jeered.

Bop!

Lord Macintosh grabbed his son’s chin, wiping the goofy grin right off the boy’s face. “What’ve I told you about minding your manners?” he scolded. “You’re not to be rude to our hosts on this most special day of celebration.”

“Lord Macintosh is correct. Emeralds do symbolize power,” Queen Elinor said. “But they are also important gems to our people. In fact, the emerald carries a variety of significant meanings, wouldn’t you agree, Lord Macintosh?”

Lord Macintosh looked a little flustered. “Well—yes, I suppose—” he said.

“Eloquence, for one,” Queen Elinor continued smoothly. “And good luck, of course.”

Merida was about to make a face at Young Macintosh…until she realized that her mum was keeping an eye on her.

“One might even argue that we’ve forgotten the emerald’s most important meaning—as a symbol of loyalty,” Queen Elinor said. “There is an ancient Legend of the Emeralds. And it is part of the reason we are gathered here today.”

“For the Rites of Summer?” Merida asked.

Queen Elinor nodded. “Long before the peace that unites our clans, dark days befell our homeland,” she began. “There was terrible fighting. The people suffered from the constant battles. Then two great kings—one from each clan—rose to power. They understood that friendship between our clans would be the only way to make peace. So they each brought their clans to the base of the Fire Falls.

“Then the two kings climbed the great falls together. Their people watched in amazement as the kings reached the top of the waterfall. According to legend, the kings each placed an emerald at the source of the Fire Falls—a worthy sacrifice to build friendship between the clans and prove their loyalty to each another. From that day forth, the Fire Falls’ glow at sunset served as a reminder of the two kings’ pledge. As long as the Fire Falls run sparkling, we know that there is peace between the clans.”

“And there always will be,” Lord Macintosh declared.

Just then, King Fergus approached them. “Elinor, these manky lads will eat me alive if the feast doesn’t begin with haste!” he said, trying to shake the triplets off of his arms and leg.

“Yes, of course, I’m sure everyone is ready to begin,” Queen Elinor said. She and King Fergus stood before the crowd to officially welcome them to the Rites of Summer. But before Queen Elinor could say another word, the heavy wooden doors at the back of the Great Hall crashed open with a loud bang.

A DunBroch clansman raced into the hall. Sweat dripped from his red face as he tried to catch his breath. “The Fire Falls—” he gasped. “The Fire Falls—”

“Out with it, man! Say what you’ve come to say!” King Fergus exclaimed.

“The Fire Falls—they’ve gone dark!”