Brave

In a serene forest setting, Lord Fergus and Lady Elinor celebrate the birthday of their daughter, Merida. As they enjoy the festivities, Fergus gifts Merida her first bow and arrow, which stirs a mix of excitement and concern in Elinor.

While attempting to retrieve her arrow that went astray, Merida encounters a glowing blue will-o'-the-wisp. She learns from her mother that these mystical entities can guide a person toward their destiny, igniting a sense of curiosity in her.

The celebration turns chaotic when an enormous black bear appears, prompting a fierce battle as Lord Fergus and his men fight to protect the family. In the chaos, Merida and Elinor manage to escape the frightening encounter, but Fergus loses his leg in the process.

As time passes, Lady Elinor gives birth to three energetic triplet boys, while Merida matures into a rebellious teenager. Her mother urges her to behave responsibly, but Merida yearns to explore her archery skills and the surrounding woods.

One evening, a messenger arrives with news that neighboring clans are competing for Merida's hand in marriage. This news frustrates Merida, as she grapples with the societal expectations of marriage and her desire for independence.

The lords of three clans arrive, each bringing their sons for the contest to win Merida's heart. Traditional rules dictate that the first-born sons must compete, which sparks a hint of excitement in Merida, leading her to suggest an archery competition.

During the archery contest, none of the young men show skill, surprising everyone as Merida boldly steps forward to compete for her own hand. She dazzles the crowd with her talent, hitting bulls-eyes that leave her mother fuming with anger and embarrassment.

After the tournament, Merida and Elinor engage in a heated argument about independence and family expectations. In a fit of anger, Merida cuts through a family tapestry, symbolizing the rift growing between her and her mother.

Upset with the confrontation, Merida runs away from the castle. Unbeknownst to her, Elinor regrets her actions and retrieves Merida's bow from the fireplace, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of their relationship.

In the forest, Merida encounters a mysterious old woman who turns out to be a witch. Despite the initial hesitance, Merida charms the witch into crafting a spell to change Elinor, driven by her desperation to restore harmony between them.

Upon returning home and giving Elinor the spell-casting pie, Merida is horrified to discover that her mother has transformed into a bear. This shocking event forces Merida to devise a plan to hide Elinor from King Fergus, who would surely attack any bear.

With the help of her brothers, Merida distracts King Fergus and the clans to sneak her mother out of the castle and back into the safety of the woods. It's a frantic endeavor fueled by love and resolve to undo the witch's spell.

Merida and Elinor find the witch's empty hovel, where a message reveals that the spell will become permanent in two days. The urgency grows as they realize they must mend their broken bond, indicated by a hint from the witch.

As Merida and Elinor attempt to navigate this new dynamic, they start to bond over survival skills. However, complications arise when the bear instinct within Elinor surfaces, creating tension that underscores their struggle to communicate.

In their search for answers, Merida discovers a stone tablet in the ruins of an ancient castle, connecting their family's history with the bear's curse. This discovery leads her to belief that mending the tapestry might hold the key to reversing the spell on her mother.