Chapter 38

The Forced Arrangement

Third Person POV

Little Merida was snuggled up in her bed when someone came to her in her dreams.

"Merida."

She turned around and looked at the stranger.

"Who are you?"

He smiled at her, his blue eyes shining.

"I am your grandfather."

She smiled and ran into his strong arms. He lifted her into the air and played with her as he once did with Maetharanel.

"Merida will you do something for me?"

She nodded and he smiled and moved her hair from her face.

"Give this to your mother. It will be in your hand when you wake up. Tell her that her papa is very proud of her and he loves her very much."

"Will you be there too grandpa?"

Thorin shook his head sadly.

"I do not belong in that world anymore. But I am always with you, never forget that."

She nodded and he kissed her forehead.

Maetharanel's POV

Legolas and I woke up early that next morning to Merida banging on the door. I groaned but smiled.

"Momma! Papa! Wake up!"

"We will be out in a minute sweetheart!" Legolas called.

"Hurry up!"

Legolas chuckled. I kept my eyes closed and smiled again.

"Now I know how papa felt when he was raising me. I remember I would wake him up before dawn almost every morning. He never complained and he gave me all his attention."

"He is still with you. Now come on, before Merida burns the door down."

I looked at him.

"You do not think she would actually…."

We both jumped out of bed and got dressed. I combed out my hair and Legolas fixed his then we went out. Merida was playing with something, something I had not seen in many years.

"Merida….what is that?"

She smiled and held it out to you.

"Grandpa gave it to me. He said to tell you that your papa is so proud of you and he loves you very much."

I put my hand over my mouth and Legolas put his arms around me. Merida looked a little confused.

"Momma why are you crying?"

I picked her up and smiled at her.

"Momma misses grandpa very much Merida. He raised me all by himself and loved me until he died. You remind your papa and I of him sometimes. He was the greatest king of Erebor." I explained.

She smiled.

"He is fun to play with! He throws me into the air."

I held back my tears and smiled more.

"He used to do the same with me. Now what do you want for breakfast?"

She smiled and I let her go so she could run and tell Bombur. She would not eat anything unless it was made by Bombur, she was so picky. After she had gone I started to cry and Legolas pulled me to him.

"The last time I saw this ring…I was throwing it at him!" I sobbed.

"He knew why you did it. I think he is trying to tell you he understands and you were right. Do you know what he said to me that day? Before you woke?"

I shook my head. He lifted my face and smiled softly.

"He told me that you had to start out a queen on your own. I told him I had promised never to leave you and he said I would not truly be leaving you. I think he meant Merida. I think he knew."

I smiled a bit and we kissed. As we separated Bofur came running to me.

"Lass, Dain is coming! He is marching towards the gate now!"

My eyes widened.

"You know what to do."

He nodded and ran off in search of Merida.

"You are not planning to fight are you?" Legolas asked.

"No, but Dain does not know Merida exists! There may be problems if the heir to the throne has more elf in her than I did. He is one of those dwarves who thinks that dwarves should marry dwarves."

I could tell Legolas was angry, but he nodded and I went to the throne room. Dain walked into the room and I did not bother to stand.

"Maetharanel."

"Dain. What is it you want?"

I was trying desperately to control my temper.

"I came to visit Thorin's tomb, as I do every year in this day. Have you forgotten?"

"Of course not I just have had a lot on my mind these past few weeks."

"That is the job of a queen."

I managed to control my temper though it was becoming harder with every passing second. We stood before my father's tomb in silence when I heard a squeal of laughter.

Legolas' POV

We could not find Merida.

"This mountain is bigger than my father's palace! How are we going to find her before…."

I heard her squeal and I ran towards the sound. She was whacking Dain with her wooden sword.

"Merida! Lau!"

I ran forward and scooped her up. Dain glared at me.

"My cousin did not inform me that there were….elves here. You should learn to control your brat."

That was where Maetharanel lost control.

"THAT IS MY DAUGHTER YOU CALLED A BRAT!"

Dain looked at her.

"So, for three years you have hidden a bastard child from me? I assume this elf here is the father. It seems we have a problem."

I glared at him.

"There is dwarf blood in her as well!"

"She is clearly an elf child no matter how much dwarf blood she has. There is no way she can ascend the throne."

"My mother was an elf! She would have been queen if she had lived long enough!" Maetharanel snapped.

"Not unless she marries a dwarf."

Now I was beyond angry.

"My daughter is 3 years old! How dare you start saying who she should marry!"

"Then she has no claim on the throne and it will fall to Fili or Kili and if they should decline it falls to me."

He smiled when he suggested he take the throne.

"She is too young to go and plan a marriage!" I said.

"Then when she is 18. That is the last I shall say on the matter, unless you wish to renounce your crown and that of your daughter."

Maetharanel's POV

My daughter deserved to be queen! She was a princess! But I knew that Dain would only make things hard for her. I sighed.

"Very well."

"Maetharanel…."

I held up my hand.

"But you are to leave now and never return until that day."

Dain left without another word. I looked at my little girl and slammed my fist against the wall.

"Merida go find Kili and play."

She ran off, at least I hoped she did.

"How could you do that Maetharanel? Give in like that?"

"She has a right to the crown, and I plan on figuring a way to get her out of this. We have time! Do you think I want to force her to marry some random dwarf? I have nothing against my people, but Dain will have her marry someone from the Iron Hills."

"Why should Dain have any say about Erebor?"

I looked at him.

"Because he has a powerful army and I will not cause war with my kin. Even though Dain has forever been a coward and I hate him. I will not make Merida marry anyone. I will find a way to get her out of this."

Legolas put his hand on my shoulder.

"We both will. She is our daughter and Dain will regret this."

I nodded and hugged him.