Chapter 9

Separation

I woke up early as always, and Haldir woke up as well. I looked at him and he held me in his arms.

"~I cannot leave you.~" I whispered.

"~Merida you must go home. Your family is there.~"

I slowly looked up at him.

"~No Haldir, my family is not only in Erebor now. It is here as well. Verya, Rumil, Orophin, Eruraina, and especially you. A part of me will always be here with you my beloved Haldir.~"

He pulled me into a sweet and tender kiss. Tears rolled down my cheeks and once more he kissed them away.

"I have something for you."

He got out of the bed and I did not miss the chance to look at his well toned backside. He came back and handed me a picture. I smiled, it was a picture of him and I. My arms were around him and he was looking up at me.

"~Rumil did this. I wanted to you to have something of me.~"

I looked at him and put my hand over his heart.

"~This is perfect. But I will always have you, you are always with me.~"

He covered my hand with his and nodded.

"~And you are always with me.~"

I nodded and placed the picture on the bed. I hugged him.

"~I would ask you to come with me….but your place is here.~"

He gave me a squeeze.

"~Will I see you again?~" he asked.

It was a question we had both been wanting to ask.

"~I….I do not know.~"

The thought of never seeing my beloved Haldir again brought pain to my heart.

Haldir's POV

I could feel her pain, her sorrow. I cradled her, kissed her and whispered sweet things to her. I would not let tears fall from my own eyes, I had to be strong for her. But my heart was weeping.

"~I believe we will see each other again Merida. I would do anything, overcome any foe or task that this world could give me to be with you again. There will not be a second that passes where I do not think of you.~"

She looked up into my eyes with a smile.

"~I want you to have something.~"

She stood up and took the picture of her and her family. My eyes widened and she put it in my hands.

"~I cannot take this.~"

"~I want you to have it. This is something very dear to me and I know you will need to look back at me. Even if I am only 4 in this picture.~"

I chuckled and placed it on the side table.

"~I will be going with you to the border. I have asked that Verya, Rumil and Orophin come as well.~"

She smiled and threw her arms around me.

Merida's POV

It was a silent journey to the border. Verya looked ready to cry and Rumil, who was normally bright and happy, had a sad and depressing look upon his face. Orophin too looked sad. After a day of travel we reached the border early the next day. I dismounted Wind and looked at Verya.

"~You are a fantastic archer Verya. Never think differently. I am honored to call you my friend.~"

She hugged me with tears in her eyes. I returned her embrace and then moved to Orophin.

"~Take care of little Eruraina. She is a beautiful girl and will become a gorgeous woman.~"

He touched his heart and then my shoulder and I did the same. Rumil did not bother with formalities. He enveloped me in his arms and I laughed a little.

"~Come back soon. You will always be welcome here Merida.~"

I nodded and then faced Haldir.

"Haldir….."

He shook his head, grabbed me and then kissed me full on the mouth. One of my hands went to the side of his face and the other to his shoulder. When we separated her smiled at me.

*"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' mela en' coiamin."

I wiped a stray tear away.

*"Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta a' maelamin." I said.

He touched my face and then nodded.

"Noro Merida."

I mounted Wind and started to ride off. Just before I was out of line of sight I turned around. Haldir was still there looking at me. Wind reared up and I held up my bow. I could see his smile and then with tears in my eyes I turned east and rode for Erebor.

I will come back beloved. I promise.

Haldir's POV

I stayed where I was until I could not see her. Rumil put his hand on my shoulder.

"~Come on brother.~"

I turned and began to walk away but I looked back one more time. I had meant what I said. There would not be a second where I did not think of her.

Merida's POV

When I finally reached Erebor I had to smile.

"I am home." I said.

I heeled Wind and galloped forward. Dale was bustling and I saw Tilda in the crowd.

"Lady Tilda!"

She turned and smiled when she saw me.

"Princess Merida!"

The people around me turned and smiled and welcomed me home. I rode through up to the gates of the mountain.

"Princess! Princess Merida has come home!" shouted a guard.

I stabled Wind and then walked out to meet my family. They all hugged me and I noticed my mother had a bit of a bump.

"Mum…are you…"

She smiled and nodded. I hugged her and then looked at her belly.

"Hello in there! This is your big sister Merida!"

Mum smiled and papa picked me up and hugged me tight.

"Papa I….cannot breath!"

"It is my job to squeeze her. Come here."

My aunt Dis grabbed me and hugged me. I smiled anyway. My cousins hugged me and so did Gimli.

"Welcome home lass."

I wanted to say it was good to be home, but it did not feel that way. So I just smiled and nodded.

When I finally managed to get away from everyone and into my room, I unpacked the painting Haldir had given to me. I looked at his face and tears came to my eyes. I went to my balcony and looked to the southwest.

"I miss you Haldir. I miss you so much it hurts. I love you." I whispered.

I hoped that maybe the wind would carry my words.

Haldir's POV

I stood at my window looked northeast. The wind blew through the leaves and I swore I heard her voice.

"I miss you Haldir. I miss you so much it hurts. I love you."

I looked at the painting and smiled.

"I love you."

*My heart shall weep until it sees thee again love of my life.

*May your ways be green and golden my beloved.