Please don't say that she doesn't need a love interest or that she should stay single or anything else to that degree. It's not going to influence me, although if people keep on saying it enough it's probably just going to make me wanna give her a love interest even more. But I promise that the romance isn't the main focus of the story and Merida will still be strong and independent.

I'm sure you would make a good plot line with any or no love interest. (;

It would be different

She seems like the type who would be more interested in a peasant, rather than royalty.

It would be charming :3 I do like her single, but it's cute with love.

More original.

I actually vote for Young MacGuffin.

Yeah, I know he was one of the original three suitors Merida wasn't interested in. But then she wasn't ready, her mom was pushing her into it too fast, and she didn't get a chance to get to know him.

The deleted scenes actually reveals he was going to be the one suitor she showed some interest in. link

When you look closely at the final film though, I think there is some shred left. Merida covers her eyes with her wimple when when the three lords are about to present their sons. When Lord MacGuffin introduces his son, she peeks out curiously. This is the only one of the three she does, since she's thoroughly unimpressed with the other two (after it turns out the "Dingwall Hunk" is not a suitor).

When Elinor also presents the idea of marrying for love instead of obligation, he says in his thick brogue: "Why are we all fighting for a girl who wants none of it?" (In other words, why are we trying to force her hand when she doesn't even want to marry?)

I think they'd be pretty cute though. Opposites in a complimentary way. She's slim, slight, bold, daring, out-going, hot-blooded, etc, while he's large, built, shy, quiet, reserved, more gentle-natured, etc. She also seems to like huge guys while he is indeed huge, but he also seems very sweet and respectful, so... yeah.

Tygers_Eye makes a wonderful point :)

It would be really hard to me to do a story with him in it since no one can understand a word he says.

Hiccup, maybe....? :D
Sorry, I'm a huge Merricup shipper. XD
But yeah, I think she'd be more interested in a peasant, rather than royalty.

I agree with Tygers :)

someone she'd probably meet and maybe has skills or else she wouldn't respect/show interest in him

I would like the idea of Merida meeting a prince. She would still refuse to marry someone, but he would make her fall in love with him.