The movie takes place in Scotland sometime in the Medieval Ages. Princess Merida is an incredibly skilled archer and princess living in the Scottish kingdom of DunBroch with her mother, Queen Elinor, and her father King Fergus. On Merida's sixth birthday, King Fergus gives his young daughter a shortbow and arrow as a birthday present. After retrieving an arrow accidentally fired into the woods, Merida's family are attacked by an ancient bear, Mor'du. Elinor and Merida flee, while Fergus stays to battle the bear. Later, Fergus loses his left leg and vows to find Mor'du again and finish what he started.