The movie takes place in 10th century Scotland. Prince Menzies is an incredibly skilled archer living in the Scottish kingdom of DunBroch with his father King Eachann, and his mother Queen Fenella. On Menzies's sixth birthday, Queen Fenella gives Menzies a short bow and arrow as a birthday present. After retrieving an arrow accidentally fired into the woods, where Menzies sees some Will O' the Wisps, small blue fairies that are said to lead you to your fate, Menzies's family is attacked by an ancient bear, Mor'du. Eachann and Menzies flee, while Fenella and her women stay behind to battle the bear. The story cuts to around ten years later when the film learns that Fenella lost her left leg during the battle with Mor'du and has vowed to find Mor'du again and avenge her leg.
Ten years later, despite Eachann's intention of having the sixteen-year-old Menzies become a proper, royal, lordlike prince, Menzies is determined to seek freedom and live his own life. One day, the Ladies Macintosh, MacGuffin, and Dingwall arrive to present their daughters for Menzies's betrothal. After an argument, all three armies get into a brawl, which Eachann stops. He states that the challenge which the first-born of each clan would compete in would be decided by the good lord. Menzies, hearing this, believes that the idea of the contestants being first-born is a loophole, so Menzies chooses archery. The first two contestants lack skill, and Lady Dingwall's daughter wins by a fortunate mishap.
