Princess Merida raced down the hallway as fast as she could. Her feet clattered across the stone floor of the castle. As she dashed around a corner, Merida nearly crashed right into Maudie, one of the servants.

Maudie gasped in surprise, steadying the tray of desserts she was carrying. She had jumped out of the way just in time.

“Sorry!” Merida called as she adjusted the quiver full of arrows slung over her shoulder. She knew that her mother, Queen Elinor, wouldn’t approve of her running in the castle, but Merida just couldn’t slow down. She was too excited!

Throughout the long, dark winter and the damp spring, Merida had looked forward to the Rites of Summer. The special festival celebrated summertime and the strong friendship between the clans. It had been decided months ago that the Macintosh clan would be the DunBroch clan’s honored guests this year. Upon the arrival of the Macintoshes, the two clans would celebrate together with a day of dancing, games, and feats of strength. The Rites of Summer was one of Merida’s favorite celebrations.

Merida’s long red curls bounced wildly as she burst into the Great Hall. The biggest room in the castle was more crowded than usual. Queen Elinor was supervising the servants as they finished getting ready for the festival. In the middle of all the commotion, Merida’s father, King Fergus, wrestled with her triplet brothers, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish.

Queen Elinor looked up from a scroll of parchment paper. “A princess never runs in the castle,” she reminded Merida.

“But Mum!” Merida exclaimed. “It’s the Rites of Summer!”

“Even so, a princess must always behave with the proper dignity,” Queen Elinor gently replied.

“You were just warming up for the races this afternoon, weren’t you, lass?” King Fergus asked Merida with a wink. “I’m sure on an ordinary day, you’d never be running through the castle like a shrieking banshee, would you?”

Merida and her father started laughing. Even Queen Elinor had to smile. It wasn’t so long ago that Merida and her mum disagreed about almost everything. Queen Elinor believed that a princess should be ladylike at all times. She wanted Merida to be prepared for when she would one day be a queen herself. Elinor had even arranged a competition so that suitors from the nearby clans could compete to marry Merida.

But Merida didn’t like having her life planned out for her. She wanted to race on her horse, Angus, and practice her archery. More than anything, Merida wanted to choose her own fate. She and Elinor hadn’t started to understand each other until they were forced to work together. Since then, Merida and her mum had tried hard to get along better. It wasn’t always easy, but they were both determined to do their best.

Today, Queen Elinor’s focus on the proper behavior gave Merida an idea.

“Please, Mum,” Merida said, “isn’t it time to start the processional? If we leave now, we could reach the dock in time to welcome the Macintosh clan. We might even be able to see the ships arrive!”

Queen Elinor looked thoughtful. “It seems a wee bit early,” she replied. “Let me check the schedule.”

While Queen Elinor consulted her scroll, Merida reached for a charm that dangled from her bow. It was made of smooth stone that had been carved into the shape of a thistle. Whenever Merida thought she might need a little luck, she always rubbed one of her charms. The thistle was her favorite.

“Usually, the processional starts at half past nine,” Queen Elinor continued. “Then everyone returns to the castle by eleven to set up the visitors’ tents. King Fergus and I issue the formal welcome to the Rites by one o’clock, during the afternoon feast. After that, the games and contests last until six, the evening feast begins at seven, and the music and dancing will continue until the first light of morning.”

Merida held her breath as she waited for her mother to make a decision. The thistle charm grew warm from the heat of Merida’s hand.

“But I see no reason why we shouldn’t begin the processional a little earlier than usual this year,” Queen Elinor finally decided. “The ships are always a sight to behold!”

Before Queen Elinor could say another word, Merida was on her way outside.

“Merida, wait!” the queen called after her.

Reluctantly, Merida paused just inside the heavy oak door.

“First your father, then I, then you, and then the triplets,” Queen Elinor said firmly.

Merida grinned sheepishly as her family took their positions. Then they stepped into the dazzling sunshine as other members of the DunBroch clan fell into place behind them. Bagpipers played merry songs as girls from the village tossed rose petals into the air. The processional wove its way through brilliant green hillsides, past wild thistles and the first roses of summer. Merida could smell the ocean as they approached the dock. Though the sun was shining brightly, a silvery mist hung over the water. Suddenly, the mist cleared. There, in the distance, Merida saw it: the Macintosh clan’s lead ship!

Merida jumped up and down with excitement.

The Rites of Summer were about to begin!