The closest neighboring clan always accepted Fergus's invitation for the Aster Celebration. They made their arrival on the third day of the preparation. Little friends Merida had made the following year surrounded the Queen asking where the young princess was.
"She's out and about. Go on now; you have my permission to use the castle as your playground." Elinor said. The small children squealed and laughed as they made their way inside the castle.
"It's almost Easter!"
"How many eggs do ye think Aster will hide?"
"Maybe hundreds!"
"No thousands!" The voices of the children echoed throughout the castle as they went and searched for Merida.
Down in the kitchen the maids were storing eggs from the barn chickens. These eggs were meant to be used for decorating on Easter Sunday. The Elders say it would give the children an idea what Aster did in preparation for Easter, and better connected them to him. Upon hearing this comment, Merida got the idea to sneak into the kitchen and collect a few eggs.
She waited when the maids made their second round to the barn. Once out of sight, Merida dashed into the kitchen. With her basket from the day before in hand, she collected around 7 eggs and put them in her basket. "Alright, now to the find the painters." She held the basket close to her body and headed out the kitchen door. Just as she put her hand on the handle, it bolted open.
"Merida!" She heard the surprise of little voices as she hit the ground bum first.
"We were just looking for ya!" Said a blonde haired girl who went by the name Elena. Behind her was a brown haired boy named Telmer. He peered to what Merida was clinging to.
"What's that you got there?" Telmer asked.
"Ya hanging on to it for dear life!" Said Ari, a browned haired little girl.
Merida looked at her friends, but just as she was about to respond, Raven came from behind the three children. She looked at the basket and knew what Merida was doing again.
"Merida...don't tell me those are for Aster?" Raven asked.
"As a matter of fact...yes they are." Merida said sternly.
The other children stared at the wild-haired girl in amazement. They have never heard of such a thing...of anyone attempting to get a glimpse of the Bunny of Easter himself.
"Are you actually trying to see Aster?" Asked Telmer. "Merida, y'know it's been ages since someone has ever seen him?"
"You think he would actually show up now?" Asked Elena
"Ain't no one ever see him putting eggs. They just appear." Added Ari.
"Stop it! Where's ya hope? This is Aster Bunnymund we are talking about...anything can happen!" Merida firmly stood her ground. She was not going to let the doubt of her friends get to her. The children understood that their doubt was quite disturbing to her. Their heads fell, feeling ashamed. What if Aster hears their words and never brought them Easter?
"Sorry…." Said Elena.
Raven sighed. "Merida, he's so busy spreading spring and preparing eggs for the lands."
Merida ignored her comment. "But he was seen wasn't he. You know why? Because all the children had hope. Just like I am having hope."
Merida's three friends smiled.
"Oh Merida, it's been all our dreams to be able to see a legend. Especially Aster!" Ari said.
"I hear he is giant!" Said Telmer.
"I hear he is sweet and gentle..." cooed Elena. Merida could only smile at the moment. At least they didn't lose their belief...and that's all Merida could thank them for. How else would he continue to exist?
"Oh there's much more to him y'know! For instance, he loves to dance and sing along to the folk music we have during our celebration!" Merida said.
"Ya joking?" said Telmer.
"Oh how wonderful!" Ari added.
"I bet he has the most beautiful voice!" Elena said. From behind the children, Raven just stood listening in silence. She loved the legend of Bunnymund. She would melt if she ever saw him. Deep within, she wished she had the courage as Merida had; the strong hope that burned in her. But Raven was never like that, only timid. Sometimes she wondered if insulted Bunnymund with her words. Maybe that's why she was never able to see him?
Raven finally broke her silence and finally spoke what was yearning in her heart. "What else is there to Bunnymund?" Raven quietly asked. Merida smiled. She knew Raven believed; she knew she still had mustard seed of hope. At this moment, Merida would have to put off her little journey. She knew that keeping these children believing in Aster was the most important thing to do at the moment.
"Come. I think it be best if I introduced you to Elder Mara." Merida concluded.
It was about passed mid-day when Merida snuck away from her friends. She left them intrigued in the library as they learned new things of Bunnymund. As she headed down the corridor she checked her basket...good, the eggs were still in contact.
She made her way out to the courtyard. "Now where be the painters?" She wondered. She twisted and curved the various festivities that were being set up. She then came to face with a painter painting colors on the various costumes and hats.
"I just have to get a few brushes and paints from them." She wondered for a moment, and then walked towards the youngest painter…no better way in getting something then with the truth.
"Excuse me sir..." Merida asked. The painter turned to see where the little voice was coming from. He looked down to see the young princess standing at his feet.
"Why young dear?" He bowed. "What can I do ye for?" Merida twisted her foot, afraid to ask, and afraid the answer would be no.
"I was wondering...would...would...ummm...would it be any trouble if I could borrow two brushes and a pint of paint?" Merida asked. The young painter looked down at the basket Merida was holding...eggs. Now wondering that those might be Easter eggs she wanted to paint.
The young painter smiled. He turned over to get two brushes and a pint of bright emerald green paint. "Here ya go my princess. Now be careful how ya waste the paint now." He said.
Merida gently and gratefully took the paint from the painter's hands. Upon taking them, she went to give him a hug. "Oh thank ye so much! I'll be careful I promise." With that Merida went off.
She headed down the forest as she did the day before. She came upon the tree stump...but, was it the same one? The one she remembered from yesterday was barren. This one...flowers had blossomed, making a soft crown around the top of the stump. "No, this is the right stump..." She recognized the trees around her, and in the bush, was still the small window she made for her and Raven to peer through. She smiled as she only knew what the answer would be. "Aster...he heard me..." She jumped for joy forgetting she was still holding the eggs and paint. She caught herself before she could make mess. Like the day before, Merida neatly arranged the eggs in the basket and neatly set the paint and brushes on the side.
"Aster! It is me again...Merida. Today I brought you some eggs from the barn and paint from the painters. I know it's not much...but maybe it will help you with your preparation. I'll just leave'em here now..." Merida slowly backed away and jumped into the bush again. She silently sat and waited to see if he would accept her gift.
Mid-day became the afternoon. Orange and pink hues began to fill the sky as the sun began to set.
"Merida! Merida!" Merida jumped up at the sound of small voices. She had fallen asleep again. Wrestling to get up, Merida rubbed her eyes. "Aster!" She gasped. She peered through the small leafy window of the bush...they were gone!
Merida came out from behind the bush, nearly falling as she did. Yet, she came only to see cracked eggs and spilled paint on the floor.
"Oh no! No!" Merida knelt down. "An animal must have gotten to them before Aster had the chance." Merida became discouraged again. How could she see the bunny if something kept disturbing the gifts she left for him?
"Merida!" The little voices yelled out again. Her friends must be looking for her. She stood up, doubt beginning to fill her heart again. She looked at the beautiful trees and the pretty little flowers growing around the tree stump. "No, this isn't over. I still have one more day till Easter." Merida smiled, grabbed her basket, and made her way to the courtyard to meet her friends.
But, what Merida did not notice, were two little eggs lying next to the tree stump. They were two of the seven she had collected...and they were painted. The emerald green hues made the most beautiful designs on the eggs. They sparkled as the setting light reflected upon them. As the day before another melody began to play from within the forest. The trees began to dance again; the animals began to sing...and around the two little painted eggs grew small little flowers. The flowers began to cover them, hiding them. And so the eggs hid and waited, they waited to be found again.