PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU READ THE STORY:

I know that Merry was married to Estella in the book. In all my stories that I've written where Merry's wife is mentioned, it had not been Estella, it has been a character that I made up named Kira. If you'll read two of my other stories entitled, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Sword" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Powers", you'll understand who Kira is. Kira is actually supposed to be me.(I am very in love with Merry.) I just wanted to get that across to you and, not that I'm mad or anything, I'm just tired of people putting me down in their reviews because of that.
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Chapter 1: Guard Duty

It was a bright, sunny day in the Shire and Merry stood outside Brandy Hall saddling his pony. It had been four or five years since the War of the Ring and he had sworn his service to Rohan. Just recently he had been summoned by King Eomer to come serve several weeks of guard duty. Periodically, he would be summoned to come serve guard duty, but most of the time he was free to stay in the Shire with his friends an family. Pippin's service to Gondor was that same way.

Merry's wife Kira came outside to tell him good-bye. She walked down the steps of Brandy Hall , carrying their five-year-old daughter Meowyn. Kira as a beautiful woman with fair skin, blue eyes, and her brown hair was done in long, balking dreadlocks. Kira walked up to Merry and said, "Are you sure you've got everything you need, you're always forgetting something?"

"Don't worry, Kira, I'll be fine." Merry said.

"Daddy, do you really have to go?" Meowyn asked.

"I'm sorry, munchkin, but I have to. I'll only be gone a few weeks." Merry said softly.

"Bye, Merry, we're gonna miss you." Kira said.

"Bye." Merry said as he and Kira hugged and gave each other a kiss.

"Bye-bye, Daddy." Meowyn said.

"Bye, munchkin." Merry said, taking Meowyn into his arms and hugging her.

"Be careful." Kira said as Merry mounted his faithful pony.

"I will. Look after Pippin for me, he'll no doubt be getting into trouble as always." Merry said.

Kira smiled and nodded her head. Her and Meowyn watched and waved as Merry rode off over the green hills. As Meowyn ran back inside the house to play, Kira stayed there for a moment, watching Merry ride off until he was out of sight. As he disappeared from sight, a chill ran down Kira's spine, she had a bad feeling that something was going to happen. She had watched Merry ride off to Rohan countless times before, but something was different about this time, something just didn't feel right.