Chapter 2

Departure

Mum came into my room the next morning.

"Merida I need you to understand we are doing this for your future. Knowing Dain he will choose someone just like him so that it feels like he is on the throne."

I sighed and then hugged her.

"I do not want to leave. I do not know anyone in Lothlorien. Why can I not stay in Mirkwood with grandma and grandpa? Or to the Blue Mountains with Dwalin?"

"You are not going to Mirkwood because of the spiders and Dol Goldur. And you cannot go to any dwarven dwelling though I would prefer you were with Dwalin. The Lady Galadriel is a friend of mine and she will take good care of you. I am certain you will make friends quickly."

"Can Gimli come with me?"

"No."

I sighed.

"I will do this for you and papa."

She pulled me back into her arms and I felt the tears falling down her face.

"I wish there was another way, I really do. I wish your grandpa Thorin was here, he would know how to end this."

I sighed again. I pulled back and looked at her. She had always had doubts that she was not a great a queen and my grandpa Thorin would have wanted.

"Mum you are an amazing queen. I worry about trying to live up to that someday."

She smiled and tucked my hair behind my ear.

"When you are finished packing come outside, your papa and I have a surprise for you."

I smiled and nodded. I packed cloths and a few personal items. I took a picture of my family off the shelf. I smiled and looked at it. There my mum, papa, grandpa Thrain, grandma Vanya, Fili, Kili, aunt Dis, my great Aunt Tauriel and myself when I was 4. My grandpa Thranduil was painted in even though he was not there. I was on my papa's shoulders. I put it in the bag and then closed it up. Gimli came into my room.

"I heard your are going on a trip lass."

I ran and hugged him. Gimli was my best friend. He, Fili, Kili and I were the best of friends.

"I would go with you lass, even into an elven settlement, but you have to do this on your own this time. But I came to give you a farewell present."

He presented me with a beautiful green leather quiver. I gasped and he had me try it on. It was a perfect fit and I smiled at him.

"It is so beautiful!"

"Made it myself I did!"

I chuckled.

"I would not doubt it."

"Your mother is a great archer, and as much as I hate to admit it, so is your father. You were born to be an archer."

I smirked. Gimli avoided my papa, like a lot of the other dwarves. They still held grudges against the wood elves.

"I will miss you lass."

I hugged him.

"I will write to you my friend."

"You had better."

After he left I went outside. The sun had not risen over the mountains and the sky was a rosy pink color. I sighed sadly realizing I might never see it again. My cousins met me first. They both hugged and I held on to them.

"Write to us and make sure you do not go whacking people with a sword. We will not be there to stop you."

"I am almost 18. I know what to do and what not to do."

They smiled then my aunt Dis pulled me into a very tight hug.

"Auntie….I cannot breath!"

"Oh shush! I will not see you again for Durin knows how long. Be good."

"I will. I love you."

She kissed both my cheeks.

"I love you too."

I now moved to my grandpa Thrain.

"Come here you."

He hugged me and kissed my forehead.

"You continue your archery no matter what. Your parents are doing this for your freedom. We WILL find a way out of this. I promise Merida."

"I know you are all doing everything you can. I will be alright and I would not give up my archery."

He nodded and I finally reached my parents. Papa hugged me tightly.

"No one shall ever be good enough to marry you, be they elf, man or dwarf."

"I do not ever want to get married."

"Oh someday you will. You will meet someone and fall in love…..and then I will shoot them with an arrow."

I laughed and papa laughed too. Mum came leading a horse forward.

"Happy birthday Merida."

I smiled and ran forward. It was a beautiful chestnut colored mare.

"You can name her whatever you wish." mum said.

I smiled.

"Wind. Her name is Wind."

I mounted her and looked back at my family.

"Do I really have to go?" I asked.

My parents nodded.

"It should take you a week to reach Lothlorien. You are to go through Mirkwood. Aunt Tauriel will be waiting there for you with a few guards, then you shall make your way south-west from there to the Golden Wood. There shall be elves there to meet you and lead you to Caras Galadhon." said mum.

I nodded.

"Remember to mind your tongue." papa added.

I rolled my eyes but nodded to that as well.

"Be careful out there Merida."

With a final nod I rode forward. I rode through the currently empty streets of Dale. Papa would take me here when I was a little girl all the time, and as I grew older I went by myself. As I left, I heard someone shouting.

"Queen Maetharanel!"

I sighed and smiled a bit. Many people had mistaken me for my mother. I turned my horse.

"I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am not she. I am Princess Merida, her daughter."

"Oh my apologies! I am Tilda, daughter of Bard."

She seemed to be only a little older than myself. I smiled and dismounted.

"I have heard of your father, he was the one who slew the dragon. My mum speaks highly of him. She has spoken of you and your brother and sister as well. That your family is strong and would do anything for one another, as I would for mine. I am honored to have met you."

She laughed a bit.

"We have met once before. You were only 2 I believe."

"I am sorry I do not remember."

"Fret not, it was long ago. Where is it you are off to?"

"Lothlorien, and I will not return for a long time."

She sighed.

"I am sorry to hear that, but you will return one day. I know you shall. And I feel fortunate to have at least spoken with you before you left. I wish you luck and a safe journey."

I smiled and bowed.

"Thank you Lady Tilda. There is however something you can do for me."

She smiled and waited.

"Tell your father to go to my mother. Have him tell her I sent him and have him ask her about the situation I am in. He is a good friend and I think it would do my mother good to sit and talk with him."

"I will see it done."

"Thank you so much."

She nodded and I mounted Wind. I galloped away and hoped that Bard really would help my mother.