notyetlegend | → IC CONTACT FOR eachdraidh

Second time? [A very slight eyebrow raise. She hadn't mentioned that before.]

Oh Merida... Freedom is as great as it is dangerous. One thing I did not know when I was young... when I ran with Diarmuid into the world at large, is that it is a terrifying thing to experience, is freedom. It is rewarding beyond all imagination, but terrifying. For a decision made, you have to weigh the consequences...

[She trails off into a heavy sigh.]

And sometimes when you weigh them, you do not weigh them enough. But, freedom is worth every moment of pain and uncomfortable bearing to have.

But that is back home. Here, you have no such worries as you would find there. If you wish to dally with him, go slowly and see where it leads you. You will discover what you wish for yourself, though it be confusing at first. It is something you must discover, though, the best I can do is only offer my advice.

And I would say to not let your heart get tangled with his. He will leave, but the memories will remain. It is easier to remember friends in fondness than a heartbreak.

[Then, that mischief is back full force, complete with a smile.]

But if he's as good as they have said, there is much he could teach you about the act. The man will likely give you more than a few tumbles to remember. Worth it, I say.

A-aye. After th' first.

[She chews her bottom lip as she listens. It was true enough, she had been weighing the consequences when she finally figured out what she was feeling was a crush, having never experienced anything like it before. Turning her mother into a bear when she'd been only after wanting to change her mind about the marriage had caused her to stop and think on most things here in the Drabwurld, though she was still unaware of what she should do despite Korra's advice on going for what she wanted.

She laughs even as she blushes, halting Angus for a moment as she covers her mouth.]

Aye, I've been plenty confused ever since I met him. Took me a good while tae figure out what I was feelin'. [Having never been attracted to anyone at all before. She tilts her head with a small sigh.] I know th' rules of courtin' don't apply here, especially without my mother tae reinforce it.

[Merida purses her lips together, then sniggers a little.]

If anythin' I could learn a thing or two, I suppose. Maybe just not right now.

It's only natural, Merida. [Grainne laughs lightly, seeing the blush.] No need to blush about it.

Oh, yes. [She nods in agreement after the laughter fades, and some sort of tension in her shoulders melts.] It is most important of all is to make sure you are ready for the moment. And, if he makes a move you do not welcome just yet, let him know. The Hound is experienced enough to respect such wishes. At least, he is a knight. If not... [Again, that spark of mischief] let Diarmuid know and he will straighten him out.

[Then she tilts her head for a moment.]

I have not told very many this, but it took a very long time for me to figure out what I felt for my first love.

[First love... suspicious.]

[She laughs again.]

Oh I'll let him know, don't you worry about that, m'lady. [It slips from her before she realizes and she smiles sheepishly. In any case, the Hound will be in the kennel if he makes the wrong move.] If he doesn't listen tae me I'll just have tae seek Diarmuid out.

[Merida pauses at that, a little surprised. She'd only ever heard about the Pursuit, and the way Fionn just let Diarmuid die because of his spite.]

Aye, is that so?

Good, Merida, keep a firm hand on him.

[Oh, the first love. Grainne sighs and props her head on her free palm.]

It was many years before that whole sorry nonsense with Fionn. There was a boy... he was in my father's protection and trained with the men at Tara. [A fond look crosses her face, accompanied by a great pain that seemed old and well worn.] He was the ugliest young man you ever did lay eyes on, but... his voice and his soul were the gentlest and brightest. There was something special about him. Some inner goodness that seeped out and affected everything around him just by being there. I swear to this day colors seemed brighter in his presence.

Oh, it took me a long time to understand what I felt whenever he talked to me, but that young man, he was wise and full of life and love for life. Soon enough we started making plans for our future together. He was just as fascinated by the enemies that came from the south and north as I was, so we were to travel and learn what we may of the world outside Eire.

We never saw it through... [The pain is a bit more pronounced, and Grainne rubs an eye as if she might be wiping a tear away.] A battle came and he went out with the other men but never came back. I saw as they rolled the bodies back into the Hill for proper burial... and my heart... it was the first time my heart broke.

I turned down all the suitors that came after that, save the one I should have.

I intend tae.

[She's quiet as she listens, even going so far as to stop Angus so she can focus on the story. Her brow furrows, wanting to be able to be there and give the other woman a hug. Instead, Merida gives her a small smile. She can't imagine witnessing such a thing, the war with the northern invaders long over before she was born.]

He sounds like he was amazin'. [Her voice is gentle, sympathetic, not even bothering to apologize for the title.] If you would allow it, I would be honored tae keep your first love in my thoughts.

[That earns Merida a wistful smile.]

If you like... I'm sure he would have liked that. His name was Ailill.

[The smile fades as something seems to occur to her then.]

Ah, if it isn't too much to ask, do not mention it to Diarmuid.

Ailill. I'll be sure tae remember him well.

[She blinks a bit before waving her hands.]

Of course! It'll just be between you an' me, m'lady.

Thank you, Merida. For letting me talk so much on silly things, too.

[Then, her expression changes to amusement, with just a hint of exasperation.]

I mean, Princess Merida of Dunbroch. [She's even bowing slightly!]

Think nothin' of it. Ye came tae warn me about Cu, think of it as a return favor.

[She rolls her eyes and makes this face.]

Och, don't ye start now.

Oh, that was nothing but a little concern 'fore I toss him to the sharks.

[See this face? It is the face of innocence. The same one that melted a certain father-king's heart when she'd been up to mischief.]

Start what, Princess Merida of Dunbroch?

[Innocence her foot. She has three brothers, she knows faces like that. She rubs the bridge of her nose.]

Honestly, it's bad enough tae get th' imps tae stop callin' me Hartslayer...

Hartslayer! That's right, you're the one that slew him. I had almost forgotten with all the excitement.

[Merida. Merida. Why did you do that? She's got a new toy now. She has three brothers and nine sisters herself. She knows how to be a pest.]

But you'll not be calling me m'lady again any time soon, will you?

One of them anyway. A man from your court has th' other half of th' honor.

[Grainne. Grainne plz. She laughs slightly.]

I am sorry about that. Force of habit.

Lancelot, if the rumors are true. [Grainne grins, and for a moment her exhaustion is actually forgotten about.]

My lady Hartslayer, you are very easy to tease so. Ah, I should leave you be though. I only got in myself.

[Merida rubs the bridge of her nose with a small sigh. She just can't win can she.]

Aye, go get yourself rested an' see tae th' whereabouts of that husband of yours. I'm sure he misses ye.

[Grainne's laugh is a bit nervous now.] That would be why I was out and about. It will not be the first time I have had to find him and tell him he's being an idiot.

Have you had word of him lately? And what of you, where are you off to?

[She pauses at that, then shakes her head.]

I cannae say I have. Last I spoke tae him was last month, durin' th' dogs. [Merida bites her bottom lip, then grins a little cheekily.] If I see him on th' road, I'll give him a good talkin' tae about makin' ye worry.

[Speaking of, she kicks Angus into gear again, causing a flutter of wings to appear in the feed as he whickers.]

Th' Barrel. A friend of mine said they were havin' a Yule party there.

Mayhap he will be smarter if he has two of us to nip at his heels then. [The idea is amusing! Ah, if only Druime were here and grown, they could likely reform the man.]

Oh, I heard of that. That's in a few days, isn't it? I wish you a good time. Be sure to show up the lads if they challenge you to a contest!

Perhaps so.

[She chuckles a little before she pauses.]

You aren't attendin', Grainne? T'would be a shame for ye tae miss me wipe th' floor with them.

Ah, no, it would take me a week to reach it unless he shows up to be my steed to get us there in time. Besides, I've my fill of the road for now with all the hunting about.

You will have to tell me the tales of your exploits.

Aye, I will be sure tae next we meet. [She inclines her head.] I will inform ye of what happens between Cu an' I if such a thing occurs as well.

Be well, Merida. May the wind be at your back.

Yours as well, m'lady. Take care.

[She grins and shuts off the feed before Grainne can respond.]

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