Chapter 4

Stubbornness

Merida's POV

I just kept going straight and when it grew dark I stopped. I laid a blanket down and used my cloak to keep me warm.

"The nerve of that elf! I never said I knew his home better than he, but I know how to get places! I got here did I not?"

I did not understand why I was letting myself get so angry because of him.

"Still….I guess he is very handsome. He is strong without a doubt, his hair looks soft and shiny." I looked at Wind. "I think it was his eyes Wind. Even though he is arrogant and full of himself, he has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. They are like clear oceans." I said.

I found myself wondering what it would look like if he smiled and I shook my head.

"No! No! I came out here because I was not going to get married!"

I sighed and lay on my back.

"I want to go home Wind. I just want to go home." I whispered.

Haldir's POV

I heard every word she said. I would not translate it for my brothers. Something within my heart stirred when I heard her words, even though she insulted me at the same time, not elleth had ever spoken of me in such a way. A smile threatened to appear on my face. I walked forward with my brothers.

"~We shall remain here. There is no use waking her and making her angry.~"

They nodded and I took watch while they ate. I began to wonder if there was a reason the lady Galadriel sent me. She could have sent Rumil and Orophin on their own, they were just as good as I was. I knew I should not question her, she knew what she was doing and I knew there was a purpose for everything she did.

Merida's POV

In the back of my mind I knew I was dreaming. I was back home, but there was no one there.

"Hello!?" I called.

I walked through the halls looking for someone, anyone really.

"Mum?! Papa!? Hello?!"

"Merida."

I turned and saw someone I had not seen for a long time.

"G-grandpa?"

He smiled and nodded. It was my grandpa Thorin. I smiled and ran into his arms.

"My look how you have grown! You may look like your mother but you are just like Legolas."

I smiled and looked at him.

"You such a beautiful young woman. Do not think I have not been watching you grow."

My smile faded.

"So you know about…."

"Yes I know about Dain and his….annoyance." He muttered.

I giggled a little.

"You are doing the right thing Merida. Your parents will figure out how to get out of this. I want you to know I am proud of your archery, your parents may have met their match."

I laughed and he chuckled. Then he became serious. He took my hands and looked at me.

"Merida, you are a descendant of Durin, never forget that. You may have more elf blood in you than dwarf, but you are still a dwarf princess. You are my granddaughter and I love you, and I know no matter what this life may throw at you that you will overcome it. You are an Oakenshield, never forget it."

I smiled and nodded. He kissed my cheek and I hugged him.

"I love you Merida."

"I love you too grandpa."

"Now it is time for you to wake up. I will be with you always."

I nodded and he disappeared. I opened my eyes slowly and found the elves there. I sat up and stretched.

"So you actually managed to find me."

"Indeed. I told you I know my home."

I looked at Haldir in surprise. I did not know he spoke the common tongue.

"Right…..and as I said before I never doubted that you did. Now can we go?"

"We eat first. We need to be able to fight if need be."

I groaned in frustration.

"These woods are protected yes?"

Haldir nodded.

"Then why would you need energy to fight?"

He scowled at me.

"By the way your scowling is unimpressive and boring."

One of the other elves snorted and Haldir glared at him. The elf smiled at me and I gave him a small smile.

"Besides you have not liked me from the beginning! I have never done anything to you! Or are you one of those elves who thinks I have tainted the purity of the elves by existing? If you are I really do not care! I am a descendant of Durin and an Oakenshield! And I am proud of who I am. Now you can either come with me or I can go my own. I can find Caras Galadhon by myself." I said.

I could tell Haldir was very frustrated now.

"As the march warden of Lothlorien it is my duty to protect you until we reach Caras Galadhon."

He was trying to be civil.

"Very well, we will do it your way." I said.

I sat down and Wind nudged me. I smiled and pet her.

"~That horse seems to trust you princess.~"

I looked at the elf who had snorted earlier.

"~You can call me Merida. Your friend could as well, even if he is rude.~"

The elf smiled.

"~I am Rumil. This is my brother Orophin and that is our eldest brother Haldir.~"

I looked at Haldir, but he did not look at me.

"~What is his problem with me anyway?~"

Rumil shrugged and I looked at Orophin. He said nothing and I gave up. They finished their meal and I decided to lead Wind for the time being. We had not been walking far when Haldir stopped.

"At last." he whispered.

All I really saw was an abnormally large tree that seemed to branch out everywhere. I shrugged and walked forward. The sun had begun to set by the time we entered Caras Galadhon. I would admit it was beautiful. The trees seemed to light up and everywhere I looked I saw elves. They all stopped and stared at me. Some of them smiled and nodded, other looked at me curiously, but a few looked at me in fear or anger. I looked down, and started to feel a bit ashamed of who I was.

Haldir's POV

I saw how she kept her head down and her face hidden. I looked around at the other elves. I saw the way some looked upon her, to my surprised it enraged me. I kept my eyes forward and brought her to Lady Galadriel. Rumil and Orophin left and I stood there waiting with her. I swore I saw a tear in her eye.

"~You should not let people upset you…." she looked at me. "you are a princess and it should not matter what others think of you.~"

She smiled a little and something inside me felt warm. Thankfully, the lord and lady came.

Merida's POV

I dared not look up at them, less they think I was a monstrosity. That is until I felt someone lift my face gently. The most beautiful elf woman I had ever seen was standing before me. My eyes widened as I looked upon her. She smiled gently.

"~You must not think of yourself as a monster. You are a dwarven-elf. There is nothing wrong with you. You are a princess of both races.~"

I nodded.

"~Now a talon has been made for you and it is yours. However should you wish to stay here in the palace you may.~"

"~Though I appreciate your offer, I think it would be best for me to be on my own.~"

She smiled and nodded.

"~Very well. Haldir please show her to her home.~"

Haldir nodded and I followed him.

Trust him. He will never lead you astray, and you may find there is a connection between the two of you.

I stopped but did not look back. I took a deep breath then kept walking. I kept my head down and then we reached my talon.

"~Your horse has been stabled and will be cared for.~"

I nodded and walked inside. However Haldir did not leave. I gave him a confused look. He cleared his throat.

"~I wanted to apologize…..for shooting at you. I was truly expecting a dwarf, not that you are not a dwarf…..just that you….~"

I looked away.

"~I know what I am, and it is because of that I am here.~"

"~Because you refuse to marry.~"

I looked at him and shook my head.

"~No, because when I was a little girl, I made the mistake of whacking Dain with a wooden sword. I was a child, I did not know what I had done. He forced my mum to agree to marry me to a dwarf, and mum said that he would choose a dwarf like himself. Dain never wanted my mother to have the throne, he thinks she and I are disgraces to the dwarven race. So my mum sent me here so I would not have to marry someone I do not love. I came so as not to make things hard on her.~"

He just stared at me. I knew I had started to cry.

"~Just because I was born with more elven features so many people are disgusted by me. I even hated myself for being alive at one point. And I know you do not like me so you can go!~"

I glared at him through my tears and he seemed shocked.

"~I never said I….~"

"~Oh just go away.~"

Haldir's POV

I did not know what else to do so I left. Lady Galadriel had her talon made right next to mine, so even though she cried softly, I could still hear her. I felt sorry for her, she was so young and when she was no more than a child someone started to decide her future.

"~Who is he to decide her future? Unless it is best for her people and I personally do not think anyone he recommends would be good for her or her people.~"

I realized I was talking to myself and immediately stopped. As I lay there trying to sleep I heard someone running down a flight of stairs. I sat up and saw it was Merida.