Merida grows up & never marries. After their parents death of old age, she & her triplet ( )others become co-rulers of their clan. They divide responsibilities based on each siblings talents & preferences, rather than traditional gender roles. Her 1st born ( )other Harris liked to cook & bake, so was put in charge of the castle's kitchens & storehouses. Hubert, the 2nd born, could always be found in the li( )ary reading & thus was made responsible for correspondance, bookkeeping & record keeping. The last ( )other, Hamish, was good with animals & interested in farming, so he oversaw both the planting & harvesting of crops & was named Master of the Horse.
Merida was the the glue that held it all together. She floated from ( )other to ( )other, giving advice, encouragement & sometimes a swift kick in the rear. A natural leader, she was able to harness each of her siblings individual strengths to make their clan safe, prosperous and happy. As the most able fighter of the 4 siblings, she was also in charge of weapons training & the castle's defenses.
While she is never tempted to marry, Merida is pressured many times over the years by less than enlightened folk. But she maintains her conviction that she does not need a man to complete her, never giving in to conformity. Instead she finds comfort & satisfaction in the forest, her clan & reading. As 2 of the triplets do end up marrying & having children, there are plenty of heirs for the next generation & the pressure for her to take a husband eventually lessens. So rather than baring her own children, Merida helps raise her nieces & nephews, encouraging independence & self reliance.
Lady Merida dies an old woman in her bed, surrounded by her family & beloved by her people. Though considered eccentric, she earned the admiration & respect of both her clan & allies. She never relinquished her independence & was a sharp witted, valuable adviser until the very end. Becoming something of a legend, generations of Scottish girls were inspired by Merida, becoming not only wives & mothers, but warriors, politicianss & business owners as well.
The End.
The Independent Lady Merida: http://www.dolldivine.com/LotR-Hobbit/LadySky-2903641 |
