An idea suddenly popped into Merida's head as she saw a bird fly by. She immediately readied her bow and arrow as she saw another one follow closely behind, waiting for it to reach the ideal target as she drew back the arrow and took a deep breath. Seconds later, she released it and sent it flying straight into her winged prey.
She whipped out another arrow and shot the one ahead, driving it to a similar fate as the bird behind it.

Merida was quick to gather the fresh kill and began to gather some firewood immediately afterwards. She plopped the firewood in a pile near the river and was about to de-feather the birds when Frodo came back with her water skin in hand. His eyes widened slightly as his eyebrows suddenly raised. A quiet gasp escaped his lips.

"Did you catch those yourself?"

A wide grin appeared on Merida's face as she nodded emphatically.

"I did indeed!"

Frodo continued to look in awe at Merida with those two birds. Her brow suddenly furrowed in confusion.

"What?"

Frodo shook his head.

"I'm sorry - it's just that," He paused hesitantly before continuing.

"... I've never run across a girl who could hunt before."

"It's all right. That's a pretty typical response," she replied, a slight twinge of exasperation in her voice.

"My own mother says that ladies shouldn't even have weapons to begin with."

His brows raised again as his lips parted slightly.

"I'm sorry," he said again, almost in a whisper. "We have to be able to defend ourselves regardless. Those without swords can still die upon them."

Merida smiled, despite the grim tone of his last statement.

"Now you sound like my da."

She turned to her catch again.

"All right, I'd better get to de-feathering these birds before my hunt goes to waste."

"Would you like some help with that?" he asked in a light and cordial tone.

Merida looked up at him smiled.

"Sure."

He sat down and took one of the birds, eyeing the firewood that she'd laid on the ground.

"You may want to be careful when you light that fire."

"Hm?"

"Someone who we don't want following us could spot it and find us if it burns too brightly or for too long. I'd suggest putting it out as soon as the meat's done," he warned.

"My friends and I learned that the hard way on Weathertop."

Suddenly he began to feel the pain again in his left shoulder. He paused and placed his hand there. A soft but audible grunt escaped him.

Merida looked over to him and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you all right?"

He looked back, giving her a small reassuring smile.

"I'm fine, Merida."

...

King Fergus was in the courtyard once more, ready to leave Dunland for another quest. This time, he was astride Angus. Merida was gone. All that he or Elinor could do for her now was to pray that she was safe. The three little princes were clinging to their mother's skirts as they looked up at him once more.

"It's all right, lads," he said said to them, trying to sound confident in spite of the turmoil in his mind. "I'll be back - and so will Merida."

He shifted his gaze to his wife as he temporarily dismounted Angus and walked towards her. As he approached her, she placed her hands on his massive shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. It was as though he could see all of her cares in hers.

"Where are you going?" she asked, almost in a whisper.

"Rohan," he replied. "They can help us. Théoden can help us."

"How?"

"The Rohirrim. Elrond said that they were some of the strongest warriors among men."

"Besides," he continued. "He's helped me before."

He paused to take one last look at his wife, and then leaned in to kiss her.

"Wish me luck."

Elinor threw her arms around him.

"I will!"

She let go of him and looked him in the eye once more.

"Just be safe and bring Merida home."

"I will, darling."

He remounted Angus and looked over his shoulder, giving everyone behind him a quiet, reassuring nod before passing through the gates again.