But Merida sees a loophole in her parents' plan - the eldest of each clan will compete to determine Merida's fate, and so she choose her strength - archery - as the method of competition. Merida has barely tolerated her mother's tutelage, and is so absorbed in bucking tradition that she is shocked when her parents break the news that at the upcoming clan gathering, the lord of each clan will present his son to compete for the honor of Merida's hand in marriage. Thus, it's the ages-old conflict between a parent and child that lies at the heart of Brave - and that being said, it could be argued that this is both Pixar's safest film (in how it steps into traditional Disney 'princess' territory) and perhaps most relatable film (in how it addresses parent/child relationships). For her part, Merida cannot understand why her mother is so hide-bound by tradition, why she cannot see that she isn't her mother and, if she has anything to say about it, never will be.

Elinor doesn't understand why her daughter is so reluctant to accept her fate and the behavioral rules and expectations that brought Elinor to where she is today. Merida barely tolerates her mother's lessons in royal decorum, living for the moments when she can escape the castle on the back of her beloved horse Angus and ride and shoot to her heart's content. Years pass, and Merida is now a graceful young woman of (to her mother's mind) marriageable age, older sister to three incorrigible and hilarious brothers - Harris, Hamish, and Hubert.

Brave 2012 merida and elinor