Merida/Rapunzel Ship Meme
How differently do they think of each other now compared to when they first met?
When Rapunzel first met Merida, she idealized her to an extreme and was intimidated. Over the course of getting to know her she grows more confident in her ability to argue with Merida and make decisions for herself, realizing Merida is not as worldly as she claims and despite her constant boundary pushing Merida’s been relatively sheltered.
Merida learns to respect and trust Rapunzel’s abilities. Initially contending with some internalized misogyny she confuses Rapunzel’s hesitancy and anxiety for a girlish, silly inability to act, instead of realizing it for what it is, a reaction to extreme trauma. As Rapunzel grows and they learn about each other she’s forced to reckon with Rapunzel’s competency and rely on her as Rapunzel had relied on the Scot.
What do their friends/family think of their relationship?
Elinor loves Rapunzel as soon as she meets her. She had struggled with Merida coming out and was hesitant when she’d only read about Rapunzel but Rapunzel helps to mend the rift between them. Fergus was always supportive.
Arianna and Frederic are both ecstatic to have Rapunzel home safe. Pascal doesn’t really like Merida because he’d caught onto the whole lost princess thing at the same time Merida did and was angry with her for not communicating it.
How do their personalities/skills complement or contrast with each other?
I’ve spoken before about how I really like Merida with femme-ier women but there’s more to this pairing than that. Both Merida and Rapunzel are very active characters that make decisions for themselves that impact everyone else around them, although Rapunzel is less sure of herself and is slower to act. I imagine that Merida could bait out Rapunzel’s decisiveness and Rapunzel could force Merida to consider other people before acting.
What is their favorite aspect of each other?
Rapunzel’s favorite aspect of Merida is her bravery and self confidence. Merida’s swagger is almost unthinkable when her only real point of reference is Gothel who is constantly looking at mirrors and adjusting her brow. Merida believes she can handle whatever comes at her and when Rapunzel’s at her side she believes she can too.
Merida’s favorite thing about Rapunzel is much the same, Rapunzel can confront anything, has been through a lot and is so much stronger than anyone could have thought. Whenever Rapunzel disagrees with someone it makes her happy.
Do either of them have pet peeves about each other?
Rapunzel didn’t hate it at first but pretty quickly develops to hate when Merida makes decisions that effect her without her, or decides things for her. Merida is very impatient can hardly bear how hesitant Rapunzel can be.
How would each reconcile with each other after a fight?
Merida and Rapunzel have explosive and sometimes intense arguments but both are very clear that they still care about each other and neither one is willing to sleep alone or go to bed angry.
What would be their ideal vacation getaway together?
Terapi Island from Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure. It was miserable when they first got stranded there by accident but leaving the island together brought them closer and both of them still like to visit the Lorbs, albeit Rapunzel significantly more than Merida.
Think of a new way (AU, different situation, etc.) they could have met for the first time.
Most Meripunzel fics/art I’ve seen will somehow be a story of Merida rescuing Rapunzel from Gothel or an entirely different universe or some combination therein. I’m sure I’m not the first person to suggest it but I think an AU where Rapunzel has left the tower on her own and has been making her own way, taking advantage of people in the way Gothel claimed people would try to take advantage of her and thieving from Merida would be an excellent change of pace.
