Chapter 7

A Small Measure of Peace

Merida's POV

I woke up early and found Haldir already awake. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"~Good morning.~" he said.

I smiled.

"~Good morning.~"

He leaned forward and I eagerly pressed my lips to his. This kiss was longer than the last. I pulled back only a little, and he rested his forehead against mine.

"~I must go and attend to my duties, including border patrol so I will be gone for a few days. But after that I am all yours.~"

I smiled.

"~You are all mine regardless.~"

He chuckled and gave me a quick kiss before getting up.

"~Haldir…~"

He looked at me.

"~Go easy on Verya. She is trying her very best.~"

He smiled sweetly at me.

"~I know.~"

I jumped from the bed and hugged him one more time before he left.

"Haldir…"

He smiled and looked at me again.

"I…I….I will be waiting here for you."

He nodded and left. I sighed in frustration.

I could not say it! And why are my feelings for him growing so quickly? Not that I mind it is just strange.

I had to tell Haldir…..I had to tell him I loved him.

Haldir's POV

All day I was thinking about her. Her smile her laugh, the way she felt in my arms. I did not lose focus though, I trained the scouts as I did every day and then prepared for my journey. Rumil came to me as I was preparing.

"~You were not in your talan last night.~"

I froze.

"~What happened to you?~"

"~I…..was restless and up all night practicing my archery.~"

"~Of course you were. ~"

He did not believe me, but I was not about to tell him I had spent the night with Merida.

"~Indeed. Now did you need something?~"

"~I was truly just wondering where you were I was concerned. Be safe on your patrol.~"

I nodded and then left.

Merida's POV

I saw the patrol guards leaving. I smiled and ran to the window. I saw him look back at me as he left. I smiled and held up my hand in farewell. He did the same and then disappeared.

Please come back safely…..

"I love you." I whispered.

I went to the desk and wrote a letter to my parents.

Maetharanel's POV

My daughter had been gone for 5 months now, almost 6. I missed her terribly and so did Legolas. Then one day a letter came. I smiled when I saw it was from Merida.

"LEGOLAS!"

I ran through Erebor looking for him. When I found him I showed him the letter. We went to our room and read it together.

Mum, Papa,

I am sorry I have not written sooner. I am really starting to like it here, not that I do not want to come home, I do. I have made some friends, Rumil who was one of the elves who met me at the entrance to the forest, and Verya, a female scout who is trying to prove herself. Papa, I am teaching her how to be a better archer like you showed me! She is doing very well and has been keeping me company.

When I got to Mirkwood I met grandpa! I finally met him, he gave me his first sword as a birthday gift! It is magnificent…mum….grandpa Thorin came to me in a dream again. He has been with me all the way and is always watching over me….and you! He is so proud of you. Papa I have been getting 45 perfect shots a day! I know you would be proud if you could see me. And….there is something I must tell you both. I met someone here…..an ellon who cares for me more than anything…..and I care about him just as much if not more. I think I love him. His name is Haldir, a march warden of Lothlorien. He is good and kind…..and quite handsome. Papa please do not come out here and shoot him! I swear he is a good elf and you would like him! I love you both and miss you so much. Say hello to everyone for me and give them my love.

Merida

I smiled but Legolas' jaw was tight.

"Legolas?"

"I know Haldir…yes he is a good elf….but I do not want Merida to be falling in love with anyone."

I laughed and kissed him passionately. He took the letter and put it down somewhere.

"~Are you trying to distract me my lovely Maetharanel?~"

I smiled.

"~Stop talking and make love to me.~"

He did not need to be told twice.

Merida's POV

With Haldir gone, Verya and the other trainees were given a break. Verya and I worked hard everyday and she made tremendous progress. I decided she needed a break that day, and after all Haldir would be coming back that evening. I could tell Rumil had taken an interest in her so I told him to go and try to talk to her. He was nervous but I watched him walk over to her and she smiled shyly. I smiled and disappeared around the corner. I was thinking of going to the stables to see Wind when a little girl came running up behind me and I tripped. I twisted my body so I would not hit her. She gasped and hid behind a bush. I smiled and laughed.

"~It is alright little one. I am not upset. Come on out.~"

She peeked out from behind the bush and I smiled.

"~You are not hurt are you?~"

She shook her head and I knelt down in front of her.

"~I am Merida daughter of Legolas. What is your name?~"

"~Eruraina.~"

I smiled.

"~That is a beautiful name. Who were you running from?~"

"~My father. He is chasing me.~"

She was smiling so I guessed it was a game.

"~What is your father's name Eruraina?~"

"~Orophin.~"

My eyes went wide. I had not realized Orophin was married or that he had a child. She did look a little like him. I left her alone to hide and walked back towards my talan. I had only just reached the steps when I heard raised voices. I had to move as several elven scouts rushed forward carrying an unconscious elf. I followed them to see if I could help, when I saw who it was I screamed.

"Haldir!"

I tried to go forward but someone grabbed me, it was Rumil.

"~Let go of me Rumil!~"

"~You must let the healers do their job. Then we can go inside.~"

It was difficult to wait, but I managed with Rumil's help. I felt a strange and burning pain in my side but I knew not where it came from. I did not want to worry Rumil so I did not say anything.

When the healers left I ran in and back into his bed chambers. He was still unconscious and I felt tears stream down my face.

"Haldir…"

I knelt down and took his hand. Someone lay a hand on my shoulder.

"~He will heal and be just as he was, this is not the first time he has been injured. Everything will be alright.~" Rumil said.

I knew he was trying to comfort me, but while Haldir was lying there it was no use. Orophin came soon after that and they stayed until the sun went down. I refused to leave, I did not care if some thought it inappropriate. I would not leave until Haldir woke up.

"~Please Haldir open your eyes…I need to know you are alright.~"

He did not move. More tears came.

"I love you Haldir. I love you." I whispered.

"Merida?"

I gasped and looked up. His eyes were open and I smiled and kissed him. I pulled back and placed my hand on the side of his face.

"~Oh Haldir!~"

He smiled a little and covered my hand with his.

"~I thought….I thought that…..~"

"~Shhh-hhh! I know what you thought, but I am here. I am alright and well on the mend.~"

I was uncertain so I had him sit up and I checked his wound. It had already started to heal.

"~What was it?~" I asked.

"~An orc arrow. I should have seen it coming, I was a fool.~"

I shook my head.

"~No Haldir, never call yourself a fool. Everyone makes mistakes, you are strong and smart, handsome and kind.~"

He looked deep into my eyes.

"~What did you say to me before I woke up Merida?~"

Fear tugged at my heart. What if I had gone too fast? I looked away and he turned my face back to his.

"~Merida….I love you.~"

I smiled and hugged him gently.

"~I love you Haldir! I love you! I love you!~"

He held me tight in his strong, warm arms.

"~I love you too Merida. I always will.~"

I pulled away and looked into his eyes. I touched his face and kissed him gently.

"~I told my parents how much I care about you…I am certain my mother will be happy that I have found someone who loves me as I love him.~"

"~I am more worried about your mother than your father. I have known your father for many years, but I have heard your mother has been known to defeat more than 50 foes single handedly.~"

I laughed and shook my head.

"~That may be true, but she is a kind woman. Papa will be angry because I am his only child and daughter, but once he sees how happy you make me he will forget all that.~"

Haldir's POV

At first she was smiling but then she started to bite her lip again.

"~Haldir…..will you listen to my selfish request?~"

I nodded.

"~Can…..can I stay with you? I just….I am afraid to leave you after all that has happened and….~"

She stopped and she seemed so embarrassed. I smiled gently and lifted her face.

"~I think I will make an exception with you my dear Merida.~"

She smiled and I pulled her onto the bed and into my arms.

"~I am going with you next time. I do everything you say but I am not letting you go alone again.~"

I sighed.

"~Merida it is too dangerous.~"

"~There is really no point in arguing with me. I almost never listen.~"

I could hear a hint of amusement in her voice, other than that she seemed serious.

"~I am too tired to argue with you.~" I said.

She giggled and placed her hand over my heart.

"~Sometimes I wonder how you and I ever fell in love. I thought I was going to kill you at one point.~"

I chuckled and shook my head.

"~You could not have killed me if you tried.~"

She laughed softly and then yawned. I kissed her hair.

"~Sleep Merida, I will not be going anywhere.~"

"Amin mela lle." she whispered.

"~I love you too.~"

I drifted off to sleep with her in my arms.

Merdia's POV

That morning was the first time I woke up before Haldir. He looked so peaceful when he slept. I had never seen him so….vulnerable. I lightly brushed his hair behind his ear and looked at his face. His dark brows made him look fierce at first, but when you looked into his eyes there you could see who he truly was. His face was so relaxed, as if nothing in the world could possibly cause him to worry or be afraid. Sometimes I wondered if he was afraid of anything, he never seemed to be. I stood up carefully so I would not wake him and slipped back to my talan to change my cloths. Then I slipped back to Haldir's talan. He was still asleep and I knew he would be hungry when he woke up.

This time when I came back he was awake, and somehow I knew he was. I set the food down and then went to his side.

"~How long have you been awake?~"

"~Perhaps an hour.~"

"~Why did you not wake me?~"

I smiled and leaned closer.

"~You are still healing and my mum always told me sleep helps you heal. And…..you looked so peaceful I could not have woken you. I have never seen you so relaxed before.~" I explained.

He smiled small and pulled me onto his lap.

"~I am always relaxed when you are at my side.~"

I smiled and took his hand. He kissed my lips and held me as tight as he could. I felt his tongue on my lip. I could not resist him and so I allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue explored my mouth and I moaned as it stroked mine. I fisted my hands in his tunic and pulled his face closer. When we separated it was only for a few seconds before our faces become melded together again. His warm hands rested at my waist and I tangled my fingers in his soft hair. I never wanted this kiss to end, but all good things must come to an end. We pulled away from each other and ate the food I had brought.

"~I am meant to train again, but I have a feeling you will not let me.~"

"~No I will not. In fact once you have eaten I want you back in that bed and if you leave I put you back. Permanently.~"

He smiled and shook his head.

"~I have no doubt. And…should I expect you to stay here and make certain I stay in bed?~"

I looked at him.

"~No, I am not going to stop my daily practice just to make sure you do not do anything stupid. But I will know if you leave, because I can feel you.~"

He looked at me curiously. I smiled and put my hand over my heart.

"~I know when you are hurting, I know when you are sad or hopeless. I know how I can feel these things, but I do. The first night I was here and I met Lady Galadriel, she told me to trust you, that you and I shared some sort of connection. It was not until I saw you hurt that I realized how much I loved you. I could feel your pain, even though I did not show it. I did not want Rumil to worry more than he already was. Mum always told me she had a connection with papa. It is something deep within two people that ties them together forever.~" I looked back at him. "~So no matter what happens or how far apart we are, I am always with you and you with me.~"

He smiled, and it was the biggest and most loving smile I had ever seen on his face.

"~Come here.~"

I raised a brow.

"~Is that an order march warden.~"

He scowled at me and I laughed and then went and sat on his lap. He wrapped his arms around me.

"~I have never heard such beautiful words from someone before. All my long life I have searched for that one maiden who would capture my heart and give me hers. Now that I have found you, I will never let you go.~"

I kissed him passionately. I pulled back and once he was back in bed I went and retrieved my bow, then went down to the practice fields. Verya was already there practicing. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

"~I heard that one of the patrol guards was wounded. Who was it?~"

I hesitated then answered her.

"Haldir."

She gasped and I smiled a bit.

"~I am surprised you did not hear me scream, I thought all of Lorien heard me.~"

"~Well I did hear a scream, I knew not it was you. Is Haldir going to be alright? I always saw him as someone so strong and powerful nothing could touch him. That was the reason I requested to be trained by him.~"

"~He will be fine. I would not have left him if he were not. Verya…..I love him and….he told me he loved me.~"

She smiled and hugged me.

"~I am so very happy for you Merida! I knew he loved you and you him. Do you think he will marry you?!~" she asked excitedly.

"~Oh Verya it is far too soon to be thinking of things such as marriage.~"

Even as I spoke the words I started to wonder, even hope that someday Haldir would ask me to marry him.

"~Enough talk! You have some practicing to do, and I shall be going even harder on you for making me all bubbly and loving.~"

She laughed and I smiled. I did go a bit harder on her, but she exceeded my expectations.

Haldir's POV

I received several visitors, mainly my brothers, niece and sister-in-law. Though I loved my family, I craved Merida's company more than anyone else. I guessed Rumil could sense this.

"~I must take my leave now brother, I promised Verya I would find her once I had seen you.~"

I looked at him.

"Verya?"

He smiled and then left. I was happy for Rumil. He had always been lonely and it showed in his paintings. I had wondered in years past why he drew such sad and lonely things, only to realize later that he was searching for someone whom he could share a life with.

Share a life?

I began to wonder what it would be like if I asked Merida to marry me. Would she say yes and stay with me? Or would she be unhappy living so far away from her family? I sighed knowing she wanted to go home and would probably be unhappy living so far from them. I closed my eyes and imagined what life would be like if she were my wife.