Chapter 4
The next morning they were greeted by the whole town it seemed. They were served breakfast and given rations for their trip. With hugs all around the three women held onto one another as Dorothy started to click her heels together. Mulan focused on the kingdom where Merida was supposed to be. As smoke surrounded them they could hear a few gasps from people who weren’t used to such a display.
When they stopped moving they were surrounded by forest. No one moved as they all listened for signs of someone in the woods. When it seemed fine Mulan moved towards the kingdom that held the woman who seemed to have mended her broken heart. Ruby and Dorothy followed without question.
As she walked to the great hall many of the men she remembers from her time here greeted her as they walked by. A very skinny man came up to them, stopping their progress, “Good day Mulan.”
“Good morning Lord Dingwall. How have you been?”
The man seemed shy as he spoke, “Since Merida has been back things have been prosperous.”
“Is Merida at home?” Mulan asked. The other two stayed in the back since Mulan knew these people.
“Yes. She is settling a dispute between some of the clansmen. She is very good at it.”
Mulan smirked at him, “I will be going to her then. Thank you Lord.” She bowed her head.
“It was good to see you Mulan.” He nodded his head at the others before he walked away.
Red had been keeping a laugh held since the man walked up to them. He looked silly with his skirt and white hair. When she knew they were far enough away she let it out. Dorothy gave a crooked smile as she shook her head at Red. Mulan also smirked and shook her head. She remembered the first time she met him and how she had to keep herself calm.
When they made it to the hall they were welcome with hello’s and good day’s. Mulan noticed one of Merida’s brothers walking by and stopped. She couldn’t tell which one it was but she knew he would help. “Excuse me.” She called out to him.
His face lit up when he turned to see her. “Mulan!” He ran to her and hugged her. “You are alive!” His voice showed his excitement as he put her down.
“Had you heard otherwise?” She questioned him.
“With all the back and forth between realms Merida never saw you so was concerned you had been killed. She will be so happy to see you alive. She has been quite sad since she has been back.” He stood there with a smile.
Mulan smiled back at him before she cleared her throat, “Could you take us to her?”
Shaking his head, “Yes of course. Sorry I’m just happy to see you. Dad spoke highly of you before he was killed, Merida does as well. Most the kingdom knows of you.”
“Is that so?” Red asked. Her voice seemed to bring the young red head back as he looked at her.
“Yes. Who are you now?” He asked as he walked to find his sister.
“Forgive me,” Mulan spoke, “This is Ruby,” Ruby tilted her head. “And this is Dorothy.” Dorothy copied Red.
He stopped to bow his head, “I am Hamesh.”
“Good to meet you,” Ruby smiled at him. “So why is Mulan talked about so much?”
“Your friend here has taken several of our men down. Considering she wears that armor that seems to hinder her movements she was swift as she took them out. We only briefly met when my father was see if she would be worth the money to teach Merida.”
“I remember that day. He was very skeptical about my skills. I had to fight many men before he was satisfied. He said Merida wasn’t going to be put down just because she was a woman.”
“My sister has always been stubborn. She still is.” He said with a smile and a wink.
The small group had been making their way through the castle as they spoke. Hamesh came to a stop when two doors blocked their way. The guards at each side bowed before opening the large wood doors for them. As they were opened they could see a redheaded woman sitting on the throne with a focused look. If you watched long enough you could tell she was trying to think of solutions to whatever the issue was.
She was distracted when she noticed a new group of people entering. The room was full so she couldn’t tell much about who it was. She could see her brother leading them through the crowd though. When he made it to the front he spoke, “Forgive the intrusion on your time.” He looked to the two men, “But I have someone here the Queen has been asking for.” The two men took a few steps back to make room. Hamesh moved aside to give the women room.
Mulan, Red, and Dorothy stepped out from behind Hamesh. Merida’s face lit up as she took Mulan in. “Mulan!” She stood and ran down to her friend. When they met they hugged one another. It was in that moment that Mulan realized how much she truly missed Merida. When they pulled apart a huge smile graced Merida’s face. “I was worried about you. When I went to the other realm and you weren’t there I was worried something had happened. It would seem those friends of yours jump from place to place so much they don’t pay attention to who they bring or leave behind.”
Mulan smiled, “It can be crazy when they get involved. They are good people though.”
“Most of them are.” Merida stated with a stern look.
“And how have you been?” Red asked.
Merida turned to her and smiled, “Well. Did you find what you were looking for?”
“More than.” She answered as she looked to Dorothy. Merida smiled at the new person standing next to Red.
“Nice to meet you,” Dorothy said as she extended her hand.
Merida accepted it, “You as well.” She then looked around her and announced, “We are done for today. We celebrate the return of an old friend and ally!” The men around her let out shouts of excitement as they left the hall to get ready for the feast.
“Thank you Merida.” Mulan said, “We must speak though.”
Merida grew concerned as she looked at her friend, “Of course. Let us go to my private chambers.” She turned to leave the room. Four women following her.
When they got to the room the door was closed and locked. Merida sat at a table and motioned for the rest to do the same. Merida’s mother had followed the group to find out what they may be getting her daughter involved in.
“So tell me what do you need Mulan.” Merida seemed to only see Mulan
“We came from another realm called Oz. It is supposed to have for witches to keep balance in the land. Zelena sent one to another realm that can only be access from here. We were wondering if you would come with us through the dark forest to find her.” Mulan had only ever felt her heart pound like this once before.
Merida stared at her then looked to Red and Dorothy, “What do you two have to do with this?”
“Oz is my land,” Dorothy answered. “I am the newest witch to help bring balance. When we find and take Galinda home then balance can be restored to Oz.”
Merida nodded then looked to Red, “And you.”
Red cleared her throat then looked Merida in the eyes, “We are true loves. Where she goes I go.”
The two stared at each other for a moment before Merida looked to Mulan, “Are you ever going to stop chasing quests?” She had a smile on her face as she asked.
“I was hoping that after this one I would be able to.” Mulan answered. She felt her body get warm as she stared at the woman who doesn’t even know what she does to her.
Merida smiled, “And which lucky realm will you be staying in?”
Mulan wanted to be honest but she didn’t want to discuss it in front of so many people, “I’m still trying to figure it out.”
Merida’s face fell a little but she covered it quickly, “Well there will be time enough.” She stood, “We will leave in the morning. Tonight let’s feast.” With that she left the room.
The others stood to follow but were stopped when someone cleared their throat. Merida’s mother was looking at the table as she slowly stood. When she looked up she had a death glare. “My daughter trusts you so I will as well, BUT if she is not brought back home you three will deal with me. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes.” The three of them said in unision.
“Good. Now, go enjoy the feast. The sooner you leave the sooner she returns.” With that she left the room.
After the woman left the three of them looked to one another. They hadn’t really met the mother the last time they were here. No wonder Merida was so fiery. Mulan smiled then turned to enjoy food she was used to. Before she could make it out she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Why didn’t you say anything to her?” Red asked. “You preach speaking before you lose someone but you don’t do it.”
“I will. I just didn’t want to do it in front of everyone. I don’t want her to feel cornered.” Mulan explained.
“You better tell her before Dorothy and I leave or I will.” Red looked into her friend’s eyes. Mulan sighed then smiled as she walked away. She never thought her life would bring her here, to this place. Friends from across many worlds, adventures she never dreamed of, and a person who she may be able to spend the rest of her life with. When did life become this?
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When the three walked into the hall it had an abundance of people. Food filled the tables and men laughed loudly. They could see Merida sitting at the front table looking out at the rest of the clans. Her brothers and mother sat with her smiling and laughing with her. Merida waved them over to sit at her table. Merida’s brothers moved to make room for their guests. Mulan was able to sit to the left of Merida.
When everyone was settled Merida stood up. She had inherited her mother’s ability to quiet a room with a look. As she looked around she let a smile grace her face. She grabbed her cup and held it up. “Tonight we celebrate the return of a friend and ally. We all have been here and there and somehow we have ended back home. Let us not forget that.” She lifted her cup higher, “To those we have lost and to those we have gained. To us and to our children!”
The crowd cheered and hollered as she spoke. She took a long drink from her cup before sitting down. After she took a seat and the conversation began again. She looked to Mulan, “It's been awhile.”
“It has,” Mulan wiped her face as she set her fork down.
“So, what do we need for our trip?”
“Horses, food, weapons, the normal traveling pack. We shouldn’t run into too much out there. I don’t think anyone knows why we are here but you.”
She nodded as she looked back out, “We will keep it that way. The less people know the easier it will be to get there and back. We will leave before first light. Do you know how long it will take to get where we are going?”
“It will take two days to get there. Hopefully, less to get back once we have Galinda.”
“She’s that strong?” She questioned with suspicion in her voice of the witch.
“I honestly don’t know. All I do know is that Dorothy has a way to get us back quicker. Issue is she has to have been somewhere to use this method.”
“So if she had been where we are going we would be there and back in less than a day?”
“Yes,” Mulan answered as she tried not to seem like she was staring at the woman.
“How do you meet these people?” Merida asked with a smile.
Mulan let out a quiet laugh, “I have wondered the same thing. I guess I just keep moving and they find me.”
“This is why you need to stay still.” Merida had a glint in her eye when she said that. Before Mulan could suggest them going somewhere private Lord Dingwall walked up to the table.
He bowed to show respect to the Queen, “May we have some music?” Merida nodded her answer as she finished chewing. She took a bite right after she spoke. She could see Dingwall coming and didn’t want to engage for too long. He maybe shy but he loved to talk the Queen’s ear off.
“Thank you.” He said with a smile before turning to signal a few musician to began a beat. Soon the room had everyone up and dancing. Even Elinor, Merida’s mother, had joined in the festivities. The three friends were not far behind. It had been a long time since any of them had been able to just laugh and have fun. Tonight they let happiness fill them before they would have to face whatever was to come next.