Merida's eyes filled with fear as she stared upon the great beast. "Run!" She was telling her feet. But no movement, she was frozen with fear. Mor'du approached her slowly, keeping his beaming red eyes on her. His nose sniffed the air. Merida turned to the goods behind her, "It must have caught his scent..." she thought.
Mor'du let out a roar. Merida screamed at the top of her lungs. She ran back to the stump, grabbed the basket, and ran off...in the wrong direction.
mp, grabbed the basket, and ruMerida headed off deeper in the forest. She zigged and zagged. Where ever she ran looked unfamiliar. She stopped and stood still for a while. "Where do I go?" She thought to herself. She heard the mighty roar of Mor'du. She heard the rustling of leaves as he began to get closer. Left and right, she twirled wondering where to go, "Left" she said to herself. She took off running again.
Branches scratched her face as she made her way through the unknown forest. She heard the breaking of twigs and heavy breathing not too far behind her.
"Help me! Please someone!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as she ran, hoping someone was nearby. As she kept running, she kept glancing up at the trees, hoping to see a familiar path that would lead her home, but nothing. Her heart fell. She feared she was far from home, running farther away with each step her small legs took. Tears began running down her face...she began to feel hopeless. As she ran she turned to see a log...it seemed big enough for her to fit in. She sprinted towards it. Still holding tight to her basket, she hurried inside the log.
Her breathing was hard. She heard the thumps of massive footsteps. She covered her hand with one hand, hoping Mor'du would not hear her and let her be. Thump! Thump! She heard Mor'du approaching the log. Did he see me get in? She wondered. Tears still ran down her face, her body shaking violently. Her hand still firmly clasped her mouth; her breathing was shaken, filled with fear. Thump! He was closer now, she could hear it. She heard him sniffing the ground and the air. Thump! Thump! She followed the sound with her ears. She saw Mor'du was standing on the opposite side of the log. She could see his massive paws. "Go away...go away. Please go away." She prayed. The feet disappeared from view. She couldn't hear anything.
She took her hand away from her mouth and let out a small gasp. Thump! The log shook. Merida screamed. He knew she was in there; he was trying to break the log to get to her. Thump! He kept hitting with massive force. Merida screamed again and ran out the other end of the log.
Again she headed into the forest. She was feeling weak and tired...but if she stopped, she knew she would not have the strength to go on.
"AH!" Merida tripped over a rock. She went tumbling down a big ditch. She held on to her basket for dear life as she went hurling down. Thud! Her fell broke as she hit the bottom of the ditch. It took her a few seconds to gain her conscience. Thump! Thump! Thump! She looked up the ditch to see Mor'du peering down at her. She reached over to grab her basket and stood up...all hope left her.
"Psst" She heard a soft voice. She turned to see a Wisp gesturing for her to come. She quickly got up and headed towards the wisp just as Mor'du began making his was down the ditch. As she approached the Wisp another appeared, then another. They began forming a path for Merida to follow. She ran and ran following the path the Wisp's were creating. Thump! Thump! Thump! She heard Mor'du behind her, getting closer with each step. The path of the wisp led through a cave. Tap! Tap! Went the sound of her footsteps as her small feet hurried along the cave following the wisp. Thud! Thud! Mor'du was now in the cave following behind her.
She saw light ahead...it was the opening of the cave. Sunlight radiated upon her as she came out...but to a dead end. Massive boulders surrounded her. She twisted and turned as she tried to find the wisp to see where they would lead her. None were in sight.
"Wisp! Wisp!" She screamed. She tried to climb to the top of the boulders, reaching out to grab the smallest branch reaching down from the trees on top. She slipped and fell back...it was then she felt heavy breathing behind her. She turned and stood face to face with Mor'du. He approached her, closer and closer, until he had her corned between two boulders. Merida slouched to the ground, crying and pleading her heart out. It was then Mor'du lifted his massive paw to take a hit at Merida...
It was then an object appeared from nowhere and struck Mor'du in his paw. He roared and growled in anger as he turned to see where it had come from. Merida peeked from under her hands to see why Mor'du had not struck her. Nothing. Mor'du turned his attention to Merida again. She screamed and again hid her face under her hands. He jumped towards her bearing his massive teeth to take a bite at her...then something jumped between him and Merida, striking him in the face.
The great bear wined and groaned in pain. The bear turned to see a big creature standing in his way from his prey...he roared. Merida took the courage to look from under her hands again. In front of her….. It couldn't be. There stood a 6'2 creature, padded with wood-like armor on his wrist and legs. Some sorts of weapons were across his back. It had the appearance of bunny but the stature of a human. The weapons his back, she knew what they were...boomerangs. Only then did she know what was standing in front of her...not what, but who was standing in front of her.
"...Aster..." She said in a low whisper. The massive bunny and the great bear stood staring at each. Mor'du gritted his teeth at Bunny. Aster scrunched his face in return, he took a defensive stance. Mor'du charged at Aster, eyes beaming with anger. He stretched out his massive bear paws to strike the bunny, but Aster was too quick. Thud! With a kick, Aster struck Mor'du under the jaw. Mor'du fell back and staggered a bit. He caught his balance and launched another attack at Bunnymund. Aster slapped his paw away but wasn't quick enough. Mor'dus' other paw struck Bunnymund on the side of the face causing him to fall to his side. Mor'du saw the chance and charged at little Merida. Bunnymund stuck out his foot tripping Mor'du, causing the bear to stumble and fall. Merida screamed. She ran and hid inside a nearby bush.
Mor'du roared. This time he was really angered. His stared at Bunnymund as the giant bunny began to stand up. If he couldn't have the girl, then the rabbit would settle for his dinner. He ran towards Bunnymund striking. Aster avoided each of the bears attack. He returned Mor'dus' attacks with his own. Thud! Mor'du stumbled to regain his conscience. He once again charged towards Bunnymund. This time the massive rabbit jumped and kicked the massive bear.
At this point Mor'du wined and whimpered. He glanced at Bunnymund. Bunnymund scrunched his face in anger at the bear. He took out one of his boomerangs in warning to Mor'du. The massive bear whimpered and walked back towards the cave. It was the last time Bunnymund would see him.
The giant rabbit smiled in victory. His smiled then faded as he remembered the little girl. He turned to the rustling of the leaves. Merida still hid behind the bushes. He could see her staring at him through the leaves. He made way his towards the bushes slowly. He saw she cringed a bit...still frightened from her encounter. He paused and stood in a slouched position. He drew his ears back so he would not appear to harm her. His eyes moved with her and she swayed back and forth in the bush.
Even slouched he appeared big...bigger than what she imagined. She saw him staring at her with his bright green eyes. His ears were drawn back. He looked calm, as if waiting for her to approach him, wanting her to approach him. He did not move, just stayed where he was.
Merida pushed the leaves out of her way as she slowly made her way out from the bush...and towards Aster. Step by step, she moved closer to him. He still did not move; he just watched her as she got closer. Merida paused for a moment and stretched out her little right hand. She continued moving forward with her hand stretched out.
She then stood directly in front of him...he was so close. She looked up at his face. In slouching position he still managed to be taller than she was. Her right hand was now extending upwards to stroke him on his face. Her hand finally met his nose. He did not flinch. The touch of her skin did not bother him. Her hand slowly moved up and down his nose. He was so soft. His coat was so beautiful. Grey mixed with dark-blue markings. He was far handsomer than she imagined. She smiled as she pet his nose, her attention then went to a cut on the left side of his face...It was where Mor'du had struck him. The white part of his fur was stained with red.
"Oh you're hurt!" Merida gasped. She tore a piece of her little dress and managed to tend the wound. He smiled and gently removed her hand, signaling to her that he would be fine. Merida blushed and smiled sheepishly.
"I am so sorry. I am so nervous...do you not talk? The scrolls of legend said that you could sing. Can you sing? Can I hear? Thank you for coming to protect me...you...protected me. JUST LIKE THE LEGENDS SAID! It said you were Guardian...it said you could fight off thousands of enemies..." Merida went on and on; over whelming Bunny with so many questions and her own answers. Then she paused. "Wait. Something like this happened to me earlier….You were at the feast. You were dancing. You asked me to dance. But it was just my imagination. I looked away and looked back...and you were gone. Maybe this is my imagination...no...It can't be. You're real...You're here in front of me...You saved me from Mor'du!" She looked at Bunnymund as she said that. He just smiled as she did...not ever saying a word. He grabbed both her shoulders and turned her around. She now stood facing away from him. She knew what he was doing...he was testing her. She sucked in her breath and held it.
"I know you are really here...I know you are standing right behind me. I know this moment is real. Because I believe...I have hope." Her body became tense and she turned around with full confidence. When she turned around her eyes were closed. "I believe." She said and opened them...There he stood still, in front of her. His face...his face bearing pride...Was he proud of her? She thought. But that thought soon left her. She jumped and squealed for joy. Without thinking she threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug. He returned the embrace in return...feeling something he hadn't felt in a while...He felt loved.
Merida enjoyed the moment as much as he did. That little moment lasted, until Merida remembered, "Oh no! I almost forgot!" She ran back to the bush and grabbed her basket. Empty. All the food had fallen out as she was running away from Mor'du. "No..." She turned to face Bunnymund. He was looking at her with the most curious face. "I...I had packed you some food; the most delicious food from our feat. But...I'm afraid it all fell out. I am sorry." She lowered her head. She felt so ashamed. She was finally standing in the presence of E. Aster Bunnymund and had nothing to give him.
She heard a chuckle come from his direction. It was a laugh. She had heard the sound of him laughing. With that slight chuckle she could hear what he would sound like talking…... What he would sound like singing. He could talk. Her face turned to look up at him. He stood up. He now measured to the 6"2 bunny she had read about, that she had imagined. But her imagination in no way met reality. His frame was tall and slender, yet strong; his coat full and shined in the sun. He looked like a tall warrior as he walked over to a boulder. Thump! Thump! He patted his right foot twice on the ground. With those two thumps, a passage opened within the boulder...he created another cave! She gasped in amazement. She hugged her basket close to her chest. He turned to look towards the cave then looked back at her with a smile. He extended his left hand to her...he wanted to her to follow him. Merida smiled and gracefully took his hand.
She walked through the cave, hand in hand with Bunnymund. She could hear the sound of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves. She smelled sweet scents that were coming out from the end of the cave. When they finally came to the end, Merida squinted a bit, blocking the radiating sunlight from her eyes. The chirping of birds was clearer, the smell was much sweeter. She moved her hand away from her face...and when she did, she couldn't believe what she saw.
It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. The most greenest of trees blossomed from the ground. The moss growing on the rocks was beautiful and smelled of lavender. Flowers of every color came up from the greenest of the greenest grass. Tall mountains surrounded the area, big boulders resembling eggs stood strong and mighty. She heard the flowing of rivers. One river she saw was filled with clear, crystal blue water. But the other river is what intrigued her the most. It was a river of various colors: purples, blues, pinks, greens. Merida dipped her little fingers. She giggled as she saw one of her fingers was purple. Then she heard little footsteps. Out of a small little hole in a boulder, tiny little eggs began walking out. Walking!? Merida ran to them. They surrounded her and greeted her. She slouched and gently picked one up.
"These eggs walk! This place..." She turned to face Bunnymund. He was watching her the whole time with the sweetest look on his face. "Is this where you live?" She asked. Still smiling, he nodded "yes" in response. He went up to Merida and took the little egg she held in her hands. He gestured for her to watch. With a single whistle from his lips, hundreds upon hundreds of eggs began coming out of little holes in the giant egg boulders. They began marching towards the rainbow river.
Merida followed the eggs on their little journey. The jumped and slid through little leaves and flowers. As they did, they began gaining little designs and patterns. She giggled as she helped one little eggling find its way. When they were done sliding through the flowers, they took a dip in the rainbow pool. They came out beautifully decorated. She turned to Bunnymund.
"They...Is this how they prepare for Easter?" She asked in amazement. He smiled and nodded. He gestured for her to follow him. She ran to him in excitement. He led her to a little patch of glowing flowers. He knelt down to one, Merida did the same. Kneeling next to him, she saw the little glowing flower open its petals; in it was a little eggling. She looked at Bunnymund. He smiled and nodded his head towards the flower. She gently took the eggling in her hand and helped it out.
"Hello there," she whispered to it. "Go. Go join your brothers and sisters. Go on." She gave it kiss and gently set it on the ground. The eggling made its way with the rest.
Bunnymund had Merida's basket in his hand. He took her little hands and gave her the basket. She looked at her basket then at him. He tapped the basket then pointed at the little egglings walking around the warren. Her face lit with happiness. The corners of her mouth angled to a smile.
He wanted her to take same eggs...he wanted her to egg hunt in his warren. She stood up and walked towards the egglings. She stopped and looked back at Bunnymund. He gestured for her to go on. She smiled and ran down the warren.
She picked and placed. Some that she picked she took to Bunnymund so they could look at together. They went along together finding some that hid. He showed her how would paint very special eggs and allowed her to use his tools to paint her own. She played tag and chase, she rode on his back, and she climbed trees while he cautiously watched from the ground, waiting to catch her at any moment.
He then took out a flute. When he did Merida stopped what she was doing. The flute. It looks like? Her mouth dropped in awe.
"The flute...I...It was...the gift...the beavers….you….." She looked at him. He smiled. He began playing it...He began playing the folk song he loved so much. It was a song her clan was dancing to earlier in the day. She laughed. She began twirling and dancing. The egglings surrounded her as she did. She began dancing around them, dancing with them. She then twirled around Bunnymund. Bunnymund smiled and watched as he kept playing...She spun and spun. Her eyes closed facing the sky...she lost track of time.
Hours, day's maybe? Merida did not care. She went around picking the prettiest egglings she could find. She did not want to leave, not yet. It was too beautiful; and Bunnymund, he too amazing. He had these little eggs get ready especially for her. No she had to stay longer.
After what seemed a life time collecting eggs, Merida heard a whistle. She turned to see Bunnymund standing by the cave they had entered early.
He saw how much she was enjoying herself, how much he enjoyed her company. He felt his home filled with love once again. But he knew that she did not belong here. He knew that she had her family to get back too, a family that enjoyed her as much as he did. His train of thought broke as Merida finally came to him.
"Another surprise? What next? This is so fun Bunny! I never could have imagined it being like this. I love it!...I love you!" She had a smile. She never felt so happy in her life. She began to talk and ramble. Her words were too fast to understand...she did seem really happy...and he was really happy too. She stopped once she caught herself talking too much. She smiled sheepishly and took his hand.
"Come on! I think some of the egglings are hiding again!" She felt him grow stiff as she tried to pull him along. Still holding his hand, she turned to look at him. His face was frowning, sadness was in his eyes. He turned to face the cave...a little wisp appeared at the entrance. He then turned to face her. The look on her face all but killed him.
"You're coming with me right?" She asked. He nodded, "no". " Y'know, so we can explain to my mum and dad. So I can introduce you..." She knew the expression on his face said no. "Maybe you can stay with us awhile? My family would love to have you..." Again his face told her no. "Ok, well you'll visit tomorrow then..." Again no. She was silent, tears began filling her eyes. "Then I'll come visit you..." He nodded no.
Tears overwhelmed her eyes. They started pouring down her face.
"No...No...I don't want to leave...please...please just a little bit longer..." She hiccupped between words as her sobbing took control of her body. Bunnymund closed his eyes and looked to ground...trying to hide tears. He knew that he couldn't keep this little girl any longer. If the attachment grew stronger, it would be bad for the both of them. He couldn't help getting attached to her. There was something about her. He knew it when he felt that strong sense of hope come from her. He looked up to see Merida crying into her hands. He reached over to pull her hands from her face. Her eyes were red from tears. He attempted a smile at her; a gesture telling her all would be well.
"Will...will...will I ever see you again?" She said between tears. The smile quickly faded. He turned to face the cave where the wisp was waiting. He knew it would highly be unlikely that she would ever be able to see him again. He turned to her and held her right hand. He laid it on her heart. Merida held her hand for a moment. She squeezed her chest.
"I'll always believe in you. I won't stop no matter how old I get. I want you to stay alive forever. So other people can meet you and see how amazing you are, Bunny." She jumped forward and hugged him. Tears fell from her face and unto his fur as she held tight to the embrace. "I promise that Bunny. I love you..." He felt her body move up and down as she let the tears come out again. So soon he made a friend, and too soon he had to let her go. He broke the embrace and sat her on his lamp. From a small satchel he was wearing, he pulled out an eggling. He gave it to her.
This eggling was one he painted by his own hand. The colors were a beautiful green and gold. But what caught her attention was of the figure that was painted on it. It was of a girl with a bright green dress and fiery, wild, red hair.
"It's me..." she said softly. He smiled and nodded. She looked at him with such passion. He took her off his lap and took her hand as he led her to the cave with the waiting wisp. She held the eggling close to heart and faced him. She embraced him again for her final time. She held on long enough to remember the smoothness of his fur; the warmth of his body and the rhythm of his beating heart. When she let go she stretched her right hand to stroke his nose again. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gentle kiss on her head. Merida then bravely turned towards the wisp and began walking to the cave. Upon the entrance, Merida looked back to see Aster. He was still there, watching her. Before she entered the cave, he held his hand over his heart, she did the same. She walked, and then stopped again. She turned to him.
"Elder Mara. She is the sweet lady who encouraged me and helped me learn all that I know about you. She still believes in you. She always has, and always will. I told her I would tell you about her when I met you." She let out a sad smile. Bunnymund smiled and bowed his head towards the young princess. As she entered the cave following the wisp, she kept turning to Bunnymund. She wanted to see him, to get the last glimpse. She kept walking and turning her head. He still stood there watching her, until she was out of sight.
She walked out of the cave, the sun shun upon her again. She covered her face. She heard the voices and laughter of people. She lowered her hand and looked down the hill to see the courtyard. Children were still running about. People were still dancing and singing. She looked down at the eggling Bunnymund gave her. The egg he painted especially for her. She then looked at the basket filled with egglings. They did not move like they did in the warren, but rather, sat still, just like regular eggs. Merida hesitated as she turned to look back...nothing but forest. They cave she came out of was gone, as if it never existed. Her heart fell. She finally saw him, the legend. But she did not realize it was her last.
After a few moments Merida finally gathered the courage to join her clan in the celebration...even if it was almost over.
"Oh Merida my sweet! There you are! I looked everywhere..." Her mother held her in a deep embrace.
"Lassie where were you? You just ran off! Oh what happened...you look a mess!" He father embraced both her and her mother. Merida couldn't tell her parents what happened, especially not her encounter with Mor'du.
"I went looking for eggs where there were too much bushes..." She said. "I fell a couple of times but I am fine now. I am sorry about the dress mummy." Her face was still filled with sorrow.
"Oh Merida I care less about the dress. As long as you're alright. Don't ever run off without us knowing!" Elinor said sternly. Merida nodded and hugged her mummy and daddy.
Her mother took her inside the castle to clean her up. After Merida changed into a clean dress, she gathered the basket filled with egglings and headed to the library.
Out all the people, she felt Elder Mara was the one that needed to know first. It was Elder Mara who would believe her. It was her who would want to know everything and not shake her away. It was her that Merida could go to for comfort at this moment. She ran and ran, making her way to the library.
Elder Mara was fixing scrolls and cleaning the library. During times like these Elder Mara liked to spend her time alone. Though she enjoyed the clan's celebration, she felt they didn't know the real reason behind it. But she knew, she had always known. That is why she encouraged little Merida to seek Aster Bunnymund. Merida never really told her if she had any luck. But with all that hope the girl had, Mara knew that day would be soon enough. Elder Mara began putting the last scrolls back when she heard a whistle.
It was the whistling of a flute. The sound was so sweet and so peaceful. She then smelled the sweet scent in the air. Then she heard the rustling of leaves. She turned to face the small window...she couldn't believe it. Around the window flowers were growing, bright purple flowers. From the window the flowers then began to blossom along the walls of the library, filling the air with the sweetest smell. Then...smaller bright, purple flowers where growing along her walking stick. She held it close for her to see the amazing event. They sprouted along her cane until it got to the very tip...at the tip of her cane sprouted a bigger flower. Its petals were the most radiant and the most beautiful. She remembered the flowers...these were flowers she had not seen since she was a girl. These were the flowers she grew during the summer and harvest. The flowers the frost had wiped out from her garden. The flowers she wept for. The flowers she so hopefully tried to bring back to life every day that winter. The flowers that blossomed again in the spring when she first saw...him.
"Oh bless my heart..." She said. Her face was full of wonder and shock. She stumbled to gain her balance a bit. She then realized little Merida was standing behind her. The young princess touched the elder's hand. Mara looked at Merida.
"Oh my child...Did you…..?" She touched Merida's face. Merida knew what Mara wanted to ask. The little princess looked at the flowers along the window, running along the wall. She saw the ones blossoming on Mara's cane. Merida couldn't help but smile.
"...I told you Mara. I told you I would tell him about you..." Merida gently grasped the Elder's hand. Tears filled the Elder's eyes. She hugged the young princess with so much love.
"Oh thank you...thank you..." Tears continued to stream down Mara's plump, wrinkled face.
Mara never stopped believing. She knew one day he would remember her, she hoped he did. And upon seeing the flowers, she knew she was in his heart as much as he was in hers. Both Merida and Mara never stopped believing. They wanted Aster to live long and spread the spirit of Easter everywhere. Hope. This was the meaning of Easter...this is the meaning of Easter. A hope in a new beginning.
The End.