No—no. ( She is not on display before eight hundred strangers any longer. Here, there is but she and Merida. And her heart is deciding that no, she cannot bear another loss after all. Even if it is to politics, and not to Death or disappearance.

She sucks in a sharp breath and she shakes her head once, but it is enough. )

This will not be the last occasion upon which we shall speak, Merida. I refuse to believe it! I know not when, or how, but this is not farewell. I will not say it.

( She smiles now, warm and bright. ) As you are mine. That is how I know this is not good-bye.

No matter what happens henceforth, or where we go, that will never change. Come Samhain, I will hope to meet again.