Chapter 6

Acceptance

I looked up into his eyes. Now that I looked closer, I saw that they were more a bluish-gray color. I could not read his expression, so I was a little scared.

"I asked you a question."

"Yes I did." I finally answered.

He shook his head.

"I know you are capable of taking care of yourself, I never doubted that. I do not know why I followed you to the lake that night I just felt I had to. And I do not like when people speak of what they do not know. And truthfully…what you did….coming here on your own when you have never been anywhere but home, I think you are very brave."

My eyes were wide with surprise now. His expression did not change and I bit my lower lip.

"Why are you nervous?" he asked.

"What?"

"You bite your lip when you are nervous."

I stopped and smiled shyly. He smiled. My own smile grew and I laughed.

"I knew you could smile!"

He stopped and tried to look indifferent but I had seen him.

"I will not tell anyone if you do not want me to." I said.

He looked away. I sighed and then walked away.

Haldir's POV

I heard her walk away and I sighed in frustration.

In battle I may be brave….but when it comes to my own feelings I am a coward. But she is little more than a child and I have lived for so long…..yet something in my heart tells me….she is the one I have always waited for.

Another guard came running to me.

"~The lady requests your presence.~"

I nodded and walked away.

Merida's POV

There was to be a celebration that night. Lady Galadriel said it was Mereth en Gilith, a feast of starlight. I decided I should look elegant for once, since I was not at home and among so many elves. Lady Galadriel had given me a dress as a gift and I would not doubt it was beautiful. It was a very light green, almost pale with silver adornments. I put it on and tried to do my hair but I soon gave up on that and let it hang down. It reached down a few inches past my waist, and it was always straight. I sighed and made my way down to the celebration.

Haldir's POV

A young elf entered the party and I looked over. I gasped.

"Merida!"

She looked absolutely breath taking. The dress showed her every curve and I did not fail to notice the swell of her breasts rising up over the material a bit. I did not realize had been staring for so long until she was right next to me.

"Hello Haldir." she said.

I snapped out of my daze, and looked at her.

"Merida."

She smiled and another ellon took her attention. I felt a pang of jealousy. He asked her to dance and she accepted. I watched carefully. During these sorts of celebration many an elleth would be at my side, but this night I only had eyes for Merida, the dwarf princess of Erebor. She was a wonderful dancer. I assumed her father had taught her. When she had finished the dance she walked back to me.

"Forgive me, I did not think it would be very polite to refuse."

"No apology is necessary."

She looked back at the dancers and then at me.

Please no….

"Do you dance?"

"No, I never learned."

She looked a little disappointed.

"Oh, well that is alright. I may know how to dance, but I do not like it all that much."

I smiled a little and she smiled at me. I poured her some wine and she stood there talking with me. I could not believe how beautiful she was. A few hours later she looked over my shoulder and then back at me.

"If you will excuse me there is something I must do."

As she walked away I took her hand. She looked at me in surprise and I kissed the back of it. Her cheeks turned pink and she smiled.

"Rest well Merida."

She bowed and then walked off. She met with an elleth I recognized from the training grounds. Verya was her name. She smiled at Merida and whispered something. Merida turned and looked at me, she caught me looking at her.

Merida's POV

"~The march warden stares at you.~" Verya whispered.

I slowly turned and looked at Haldir. He was looking at me. I smiled and then looked at Verya.

"~He is my friend.~" I said.

She nodded, though I could tell she did not quite believe me. I did not really believe myself either. We set off to the archery field and I started to train her privately.

Haldir's POV

The rest of the celebration was quite dull without Merida there. I excused myself and decided to go and bathe. Only I was not alone. I could hear voices coming from the other spring.

"~The way he looks at you, he has never looked upon another elleth that way before.~"

"~I am certain he has, you may not have seen him.~"

That was Merida's voice. Were they talking about me?

"~Do you not think of him in that way?~"

"~I….well I…~"

Someone laughed quietly.

"~You do! You have feelings for the march warden.~"

"~I said not so. I will not deny he is very handsome and skilled. He is strong without a doubt and very kind….well sometimes." I scowled. "And he…..oh Aule save me I do have feelings for him! Verya, my parents sent me here so I would not have to get married. Now….I have feelings for Haldir.~"

Someone moved.

"~Merida…maybe this is why all this happened. You were meant to be sent here and meet him. Perhaps it is your fate and destiny to be with him. You two would make a fine match, if it is not too much to say.~"

"~Verya I do not know if he feels the same. I may be brave and skilled in the way of the bow and sword…..but I have never felt this way for anyone.~"

"~So he would be your first love…~"

"~Verya! I never said I loved him I just…..at first we hated each other, but now I care for him so much. He is a big part that makes living here away from my family and friends bearable. I feel that if he did not return my feelings, my heart would shatter.~"

I had only known Merida for a few months, but I never would have imagined I would feel so strongly for her. Now hearing her tell her friend how much she cared for me made my heart soar. I smiled. Not a small smile or a forced smile, a true smile. I relaxed in the spring and closed my eyes.

Merida's POV

Perhaps it was time to accept my feelings for Haldir. I smiled at Verya.

"~You are right Verya. I have feelings for Haldir and I cannot be selfish and keep them to myself. That would not be fair to him, I have to be brave and even if he does not share my feelings I will have tried.~"

Verya nodded and we finished. Once back in my talan I put away my dress and changed into cloths I was used to. I sat down on the bed and tried to sleep, but the celebration kept me awake. I smiled, happy to see people other than my own celebrate something important to them. I went to a chair and looked out of Lothlorien. I smiled and started to sing,

A naoidhean bigh, cluinn mo ghuth

Mise ri d' thaobh, O mhaighdean bahn

Ar righinn oig, fas as faic

Do thir, dileas fhein

A ghiran a's a ghealaich, stuir sinn

Gu uair ar cliu s ar gloire

Naoidhean bhig, ar righinn og

Mhaighdean uashaill bhan

Haldir's POV

I heard her song and sat up. I could wait no longer, I had to tell her.

Merida's POV

I heard someone coming up the steps. I quickly dressed and when came out of the bedroom Haldir stood there.

"Haldir." I said.

"Merida. May I speak with you?"

I nodded and he came inside.

"I have to confess something, I am not proud of it."

I looked down, afraid of what he was going to say.

"I left the celebration early, thinking of bathing…" I gasped and looked up. "I heard you and Verya."

I dare not look at him.

"Everything?" I asked.

"Yes."

Tears welled in my eyes. He was going to tell me he did not feel the same.

"I realize you had not intended for anyone, especially me, to hear. I should have made myself known…but the more I listened, the more I came to realize…I share your feelings."

I looked up as the tears rolled down my cheeks. He walked closer to me and I did not move. I was looking into his beautiful eyes, and they were filled with compassion, something I had never seen in his eyes before. He had never stood so close to me before.

"After being alone for so many years I never thought anyone could make me feel the way I do now. Until you Merida. You opened my eyes, you helped me see how wonderful the world can truly be. You, who is so free spirited and kind."

He slowly reached up to touch my face, hesitating to see if it was alright. His fingers touched my face lightly with a gentleness I did not think him capable of.

"Many an elleth has watched me with interest, yet none of them, not one captured my attention. I could not take my eyes off you this night, you looked beautiful. Too beautiful for words. When Gloradir asked you to dance I was jealous and I envied him, because I wished I could have danced with you. I should have told you how much I cared for you sooner. I was afraid of what you would think of me."

Feeling bold from his words, I took the hand that was not touching my face and held it in mine. His hands were warm and smooth. I looked down and saw how perfectly they fit together. I slowly looked back at him. I reached up to touch his cheek but stopped.

"It is alright."

He gently took my hand and guided it to the side of his face. My heart was pounding in my chest as I looked into his eyes. Finally I could no longer wait, I pressed myself against him and wound my arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. I breathed in his scent and smiled.

"I was so afraid that you did not feel the same about me." I confessed.

He chuckled and stroked my hair.

"Fear no more. I am here and I am yours."

I held him tighter and closed my eyes.

"It is funny, I came here so I would not have to get married…..and I found you."

He pulled back slightly so he could look into my eyes.

"I am glad you did. I have been waiting all my life for you. And now…..I do not think I could ever be without you Merida."

I rested my head against his chest.

"You will never have to be."

I listened to his strong heartbeat, smiling to myself all the while.

"You have my heart Haldir."

"And you have mine Merida."

We stood there in each other's arms for a while.

"The hour grows late, we should both get some sleep." he said.

I held onto him and looked into his eyes.

"Would you stay with me?" I asked.

It was bold of me to ask, but now that I had him I did not want him to go.

"I do not think it would be appropriate."

"Oh, yes of course. I am sorry."

I did not want to be alone.

"I do not think one night would hurt." he whispered.

I looked at him and found him smiling.

"There is one thing I would like to do first."

"Hm?"

I reached out and cupped my face. I could hardly breath. He leaned forward and I closed my eyes. His nose rubbed against mine and then I felt his lips on mine. I grabbed the front of his tunic and pulled him closer. I could feel him smile as his hand came to a rest on the back of my head. We slowly separated and looked at each other. I smiled and hugged him again.

"I have never kissed anyone before you. I never want to kiss anyone but you."

Haldir's POV

I had been the first one she kissed, and more than that she said I was the only one she would kiss. I finally had her in my arms. I picked her up and carried her to her bed. I laid her down and she pulled me down next to her. She curled up in my arms, her wild red hair all over the place. I smiled and made myself comfortable.

"Sweet dreams…..my beloved Merida."

The song is actually from the movie brave, I could not resist! =D The song belongs to the rightful owners!