Chapter 19

Preparations

Now knowing that my wife was carrying a baby, I would not allow her to swordfight with the scouts. I let her practice with her bow because I knew she would never give that up. I pampered her constantly and she loved it. When we told the rest of our family Eruraina was jumping with joy. She hugged Merida and talked to her belly. Silivrenniel said she would help her with the pregnancy when she had questions, Rumil said he wanted to make a cradle for our baby and Merida happily agreed. As we were all talking the Lord and Lady came to us. We all bowed and Galadriel smiled at Merida and I.

"~Congratulations! I hope your baby is happy and healthy.~"

We smiled and I put my arms around Merida. When we went home that night our talan was a mess. I kept Merida behind me and drew a dagger. I looked at her.

"~Take out your bow and stay here. If there is someone here and they come out before me, shoot.~"

She nodded and put an arrow in the string. I walked through the talan but there was no one there.

"Merida!"

She came into the room with an unsettled expression.

"~There is no need to fear.~"

"~I am not afraid…..just worried. I know almost every elf here. And none of them would do something like this.~" she said.

I took her hand and held her close.

"~I will find out who did this.~"

"~Haldir….I am worried. When the baby is born…..what if….~"

I pulled her head to my chest.

"~Shhh-hhh! I will never allow anything to happen to you or the baby. I promise you that.~"

She held onto me and I looked around. I would never let anything happen to her or our child.

Merida's POV

I could not find any sleep that night. Haldir fell asleep but I could not. I stayed awake with my eyes on the bedroom door. When the sun came up I felt safer, but not by much. I sat up and looked out at the sun. I felt my baby move and I put my hand over my belly.

"~Nothing will ever harm you. Your father will protect you, and so will I.~" I whispered.

I smiled a bit and got up. Haldir woke up a few moments later and put his arms around me.

"~You are to go riding with Verya today yes?~" he asked.

I nodded.

"~Please be careful.~"

I smiled.

"~I always am.~"

He kissed my neck and then left for the training grounds. When Verya arrived she saw the talan as I was cleaning it.

"~Did you and Haldir have a pleasant night?~"

I smirked.

"~Someone else did this Verya. We know not who.~"

Her shy look was replaced by one of shock.

"~What?~"

I looked at her.

"~Someone broke into our talan. Neither of us were hurt but I am worried. I worry about bringing my baby into this world with someone who hates us so.~"

Verya stepped forward and took my hands.

"~Do you think it was Beleg?~"

I thought for a minute. It was a possibility.

"~Maybe so. He said I was a disgrace, perhaps he found out about my child. I swear if he tries to harm my baby I will kill him.~" I said.

I put my hands on my growing belly. Verya smiled and put her hand over mine.

"~Have you decided on names yet?~"

I smiled and nodded.

"~If it is a girl Valadhiel.~"

"~And if it is a boy?~"

I smiled more.

"Tawathion."

She smiled.

"~Both are beautiful and strong names.~" she said.

I smiled again and nodded.

"~Well we should be on our way. I have a surprise for you, well actually Haldir has a surprise for you. He asked me to bring you to it.~"

I looked at her curiously. She smiled and led me down the stairs to the stables. I usually rode Haldir's horse, but today, I was presented with my own horse. He was a beautiful stallion. I gasped and smiled.

"~Haldir raised this horse for you. He meant to give it to you a few days after the loss of Wind, but he knew you needed more time.~"

The loss of Wind had been a great loss for me. I walked forward and the horse looked at me. I smiled and held my hand out. I had to build trust between myself and the horse. I waited for him to come to me and when he did I smiled more.

"~He knows who you are. Haldir would show him the painting of you and he. He knows you.~"

I smiled and pat his neck.

"~You are a beautiful stallion. You know that right? You are.~" I said.

He seemed to understand and enjoy the compliments. I smiled and he pressed his head against me. I stroked the side of his face and saddled him. He stayed very still as I mounted him and I smiled.

"Mae carnen mellon nin." I said.

I needed to give him a name.

"Daeroch. ~How do you like that?~"

He bobbed his head and I smiled. Verya and I rode out and I wanted to see what Daeroch could do. I heeled him and he took off.

Haldir's POV

I saw Merida go riding past. I smiled knowing she liked the horse.

"~Marchwarden…..was that your wife?~"

I looked at one of the female scouts.

"~Yes it was.~"

She smiled.

"~She is beautiful! I have heard of the princess of Erebor, that she was the jewel of the dwarves. I have heard her mother is the most beautiful half elf in the world.~"

I smiled and nodded.

"~That she is. And my wife is as well, and our child shall be no different.~"

Her eyes brightened.

"~She is with child! What wonderful news!~"

I smiled a bit.

"~If you have a daughter every male elf and man will line up to marry her! And if you should have a son I doubt any woman, mortal or immortal would not be able to take their eyes away from him.~"

I would love my child whether it was a boy or girl. I knew what the scout said was true. My child would be beautiful.

Merida's POV

Daeroch was fast and strong. I had already begun to form a bond with him. Verya rode up beside me on her horse and smiled.

"~He is fast is he not?~"

"~Very fast. I shall have to thank Haldir later tonight.~"

We laughed together and then started to ride back. I stabled Daeroch and then walked with Verya. I decided to go to her talan to visit with Rumil. I enjoyed a quiet evening with them. When I went home the door was opened.

"Haldir?" I called.

There was no answer. I ran back to get Rumil and he walked inside with me. Everything was still in its place, but there was an envelope on the table. My name was on the envelope. I picked it up and took the letter out.

Leave this sacred land of the elves! The thing inside you is a monstrosity! It will not be tolerated here! Leave or I shall kill you and the child! This is your final warning! If you do not leave I will watch and wait, and when your child is born I will take it from you and you shall never see it again!

I gasped and the letter fell to the ground. Rumil picked it up and read it. The anger was clear on his face.

"~We will find who did this sister. I promise you that you and the baby will be safe.~"

I hugged him, not knowing what else to do. When Haldir came back Rumil handed him the note. He clenched it in his fist and slammed his hand down on the table.

"~I know who did this! I know it was Beleg!~" he shouted.

I shook and closed my eyes.

"~Brother stop this. Can you not see that you are upsetting Merida?~"

Haldir looked at me.

"~When I find Beleg I will put an end to this.~"

I nodded and walked into his arms. He hugged me and then pulled back a bit. He put his hand on my growing belly and stroked with his thumb.

"~Our baby will always be safe.~" he promised.

I nodded and kissed him.

Haldir's POV

After Merida went to bed I went to Beleg. I left Rumil to protect her. I marched up the stairs to his talan and pounded on the door. When he opened it I grabbed him and forced him back into a wall.

"~How dare you!~"

He glared at me.

"~Take your hands off me!~"

I pushed him harder against the wall.

"~Do not play games with me! I know it was you who broke into my home and I know you left my wife that note!~" I growled.

"~I have not been anywhere near her! I have left no one any notes.~" He said.

I narrowed my eyes and let him go. I showed him the note and then I found a piece of paper and put it in front of him.

"~Prove it!~" I said.

He scowled at me but did as I asked.

Haldir is a fool.

I scowled at him but I had been wrong.

"~I beg your pardon. I was wrong and I shall not disturb you again.~"

As I turned to leave he said,

"~I admit I was wrong about her.~"

I stopped but did not look at him.

"~I was wrong about her. And I was wrong to say the things I did. I hope someday she can forgive me, and you as well. And despite what you think of me I would never harm a child. Dwarf blood or no I could never do it. Children are a precious gift from the Valar.~"

I nodded and then left.

During the remaining months of her pregnancy, I kept Merida at my side. If I could not be with her then she would be with Verya or Rumil or one of the family. There were no more break ins and no more notes were left. The baby had begun to kick and the day I felt it I smiled. Her parents had been very happy for us, even though Legolas reminded me I had failed to wait, he was still happy. They planned to visit us soon and meet the baby. I was a bit nervous about what Legolas would do to me when he saw me, but it would be worth it. Merida looked so very beautiful when she was full of our child. She was happy and joyful. When Rumil presented us with the cradle Merida cried. It was beautiful and had silk bedding and a small pillow for when the baby got bigger. We had planned on building an extra room for the baby when it got older.

Merida's POV

My baby was due any day now. Haldir brought me breakfast in bed that morning. I smiled and laughed.

"~You know if you continue this, after I have the baby I am going to still expect this.~"

He sat down beside me and kissed me passionately.

"~Haldir I need to eat breakfast first.~" I joked.

He smiled and laughed. Oh how I loved his laugh.

"~You think I would not continue to pamper you every once in a while? Hmm?~"

He kissed my neck and I sighed. As I reached for him a sharp pain rolled through me.

"Merida?!"

I felt wetness beneath me and my eyes widened.

"~Haldir! The baby is coming!~"

He jumped up and ran to get a healer.