A/N: HULLO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! Glad you have chosen to read my little fic today! Hope you enjoy it!

….. Chapter One

[S.R. 1428, 5th Astron]

Merry sat at the table, nursing a cup of tea and staring out the window. The day was only just beginning, the sun rising- yet Merry had been up for an hour, and awake for far longer.

For nearly a year, Merry had resided in Crickhollow with Estella after their marriage. Pippin and Diamond stayed with them, but flitted between there and Tuckborough. Currently, Crickhollow was their home- but you never did know when Pippin was going to get a funny feeling in his toe and be off again.

Merry shook his mug and watched the tea swirl round and round, staring into it as if it held the answers to the mysteries of the world. Life was good, but Merry was listless.

He heard the pad-pad of hobbit feet on the wooden floor. He swung around to face his wife, Estella coming into the dining room.

Estella smiled, and Merry stood up to meet her. In the dim light of the kitchen they stood silhouetted against the window, Estella with her arms around his neck (on tiptoes, due to the dramatic increase in height after Merry drank the entwash) with her cheek pressed against his. It was a gesture of comfort, and a small ritual that took place every morning.

Merry moved his hand to Estella's belly, swollen with child. In the same moment, he moved to kiss her on her lips.

Then Estella laughed, and Merry smiled, and the moment was over. Merry retreated to his seat whilst Estella padded into the kitchen to pour herself some tea.

'I feel like…' Estella trailed off. Every morning for two weeks now, she had thought up a simile for how she was feeling thus far into her pregnancy. Yesterday, she had felt like she had "swallowed a pumpkin." Merry leant forward, eager to heard today's.

'I feel like an Oliphaunt,' Estella grinned, 'Or, better still, like I am to give birth to one.'

Merry roared with laughter. 'I can assure you, Stella, you are nowhere near the size of an Oliphaunt!'

Estella leant back in her seat, grinning still. 'Thank goodness. I hope this little lad comes soon. I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with this!'

Merry raised his eyebrows. 'Lad?'

'I'm certain.' Estella said firmly.

Merry didn't get to say anything about this statement, because at that moment the two of them turned to see Pippin striding into the room. He flopped onto the large armchair in the corner of the room.

'Good morning!' He said cheerfully, running a hand through his tousled hair.

Only two seconds later, Diamond skipped into the room wearing her nightgown. She flung herself atop of Pippin and began kissing his earlobe.

'Di-i!' Pippin cried, and Estella burst out laughing.

'In here?' Merry groaned.

Diamond just grinned, nuzzling Pip's neck. 'I wasn't finished with him yet. "We have to get up now, Di," he says. "No, Pip, not yet," I say, "Or I'll carry on in the dining room instead!" I did warn him!'

'Well, seeing as you're up now, you could make breakfast.' Estella said hopefully.

Diamond sighed exaggeratedly. 'I do wish that baby of yours would hurry up! My cooking is nowhere near as good as yours, Estella!'

'I think yours is great, Di!' Pippin argued.

'But then again, you'd eat anything that's going,' Diamond grinned, skipping lightly into the kitchen.

…..

Merry wandered through the market, chanting ingredients of which he had to buy in his head. The day had turned lovely and warm, though it was nearly spent, and Merry had rode out to Hobbiton on his pony, Star. She was currently tethered up to a post, munching on some grass. Merry did not fear thieves- everyone knew her rider and no one dared to steal from the future Master.

So he wandered- undisturbed, in fact, until there came a commotion form behind and he spun around to see what it was about.

He was greeted with a strange sight- two figures astride a mighty bay horse. One was short and stout, and the other was tall and slim, with quick eyes and fair skin, for he was an elf. The other must have been a dwarf, for his large beard and dwarven garb. But what would an elf and a dwarf be doing on the same horse, and in of all places- the Shire?

Merry clicked instantly, and a smile of realization crept across his face.

'Legolas! Gimli! Over here!' He yelled, waving his hands about.

The horse slowed, and turned towards Merry, panting. It walked over to him, and he stroked his velvety muzzle.

Meanwhile, the taller rider- Legolas- swung down from the horse's back, helping the shorter rider- Gimli- down too.

'It has been a long time,' Gimli chuckled, 'Good to see you again, laddie!'

'Good to see you too, Gimli,' Merry cast a quick glare around at the crowd that had gathered. They went back to minding their own business, still casting glances at the odd duo. 'What brings you to The Shire?'

'Well, it's one of the places we never visited on our travels after the War of the Ring.' Legolas explained. 'So we decided to visit it now.'

Merry frowned a little. 'But where were you hoping to stay?'

'At an inn, I suppose,' Gimli shrugged a little.

'Oh, no! Why don't you come and stay with me, Pippin, Estella and Diamond at Crickhollow?' Merry suggested, 'There's plenty of room, and I could give you a tour around the Shire, though, there's not much to see.'

'We do not wish to impose on you,' Legolas said.

'You won't be imposing on us!' Merry protested.

Legolas and Gimli looked at each other for a moment. Then Gimli pulled Merry into an embrace, 'Bless you, laddie!'

'Well, come on then!' Merry grinned up at Legolas, 'I have to finish this shopping, first.'

They began to walk down the streets of the market, Legolas leading the great bay stallion. The afternoon was ripening.

'If you don't mind me asking,' Legolas peered down at Merry, 'Who are Diamond and Estella?'

'Oh! Yes,' Merry smiled proudly, 'Estella is my wife, as Diamond is Pippin's.'

'Congratulations!' Gimli patted him on the back, 'Why did you not tell us at the time of your wedding?'

There was an awkward silence as Merry and Legolas stared at him incredulously.

'Well, actually, I would've, except I didn't have a preference of where to post a letter,' Merry said slowly.

Gimli laughed heartily. 'My bad, laddie, my bad.'

After Merry had bought everything he was required to buy, the trio headed back to the place where Merry had tied Star up.

'How far?' Gimli asked as Merry mounted his pony.

'Not that far,' Merry replied.

The three set off at a leisurely pace.

…..

'Pippin, have you eaten the last of the shortbread?'

'No, of course not, Diamond sweetest.'

Diamond narrowed her eyes, and raised her spatula, bringing it down on her husband's arm.

'Ow! Di-i!' Pippin rubbed the angry red mark on his forearm.

'That's for eating the shortbread,' Diamond smiled, 'It would've hurt a lot less if you had not lied about-Arrrghh!'

Diamond did not get to finish her sentence, because Pippin grabbed her about her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

'Peregrin Took! Put me down! This instance! Now!'

'Oh no you don't!' Pippin cried, 'You will pay for that smack, Diamond Took!'

He was, however, meant to tickle her until she begged for mercy, but, somehow, the tickle turned into a kiss- and before long, Pippin had his hands down the back of her dress.

There was a loud cough from the other side of the room. Unfortunately, Pippin and Diamond didn't hear it the first time, or the second time.

The fourth time Merry coughed his throat was feeling quite sore, but the pair glanced up.

'Oh!' Pippin cried, seeing their guests, 'Oh! Erm… well, this is unfortunate.'

Gimli threw his head back and laughed uproariously, and a small smile began to play on Legolas's lips. Merry face palmed.

…..

Diamond bustled into the kitchen to finish making dinner, while Merry padded down the corridor to find Estella.

'Stella!' He called.

'Yes?' Came a faint voice from their bedroom. Merry poked his head around the door.

'We have guests, I would like you to meet them.'

'Who?' Estella asked curiously. She was sitting up on the bed, book in hand.

'Legolas and Gimli,' Merry took her hand and helped her down, 'I've told you about them, have I not?'

'Oh, yes, the elf and the dwarf,' Estella smiled.

They entered the dining room, where Legolas and Gimli were already seated, talking to Pippin.

'Ah, this must be Estella,' Gimli beamed at her, 'Good to meet you, lassie!'

Estella was more then a little frightened by the dwarf and his intimidating garb, though she tried not to show it. She took his outstretched hand politely.

'Nice to meet you too,' She smiled, 'Merry has talked much about you and the rest of the… err, fellowship.'

Legolas held out his hand too. 'It is a pleasure to meet you, Estella.'

Estella took his hand, but instead of the firm shake Gimli had given her, she received a small kiss on the back of her hand, which was quite charming, she thought. It also made him instantly seem far too regal for their humble home.

'You too, Legolas.' She smiled at him too, drawing away her hand.

As she did so, an old argument came back to memory.

'I want to go there, Merry. To all those amazing and mighty places you went. I want to see Rivendell, I want to see Minas Tirith, I want to go to Edoras,' Estella took both of Merry's hands in hers, 'They seem very important to you. Will you not take me?'

Merry sighed and began to massage her hands. 'No, Stella. No, for there is still danger lurking even with the vanquish of the Dark Lord. Those places are important to me, and I dearly wish I could see them again, but even more important to me is you, and your safety. I would be unable to bear myself if you got hurt or even killed, Estella.'

'But Merry!' Estella cried, but could not find anything to contradict his statement. 'Will you take me one day?'

'Perhaps.' Merry mused, kissing her forehead, 'Perhaps.'

In that moment, Diamond came walking into the dining room, carrying a large pot of a meat and vegetable stew. 'Just something quick I was whipping up, it's nothing special,' She smiled wanly, setting it on the table.

But their guests were not disappointed- Gimli himself had three helpings and Legolas two. Diamond was practically radiating with pride by the time the two were both satisfied.

'Lass, that was truly delicious!' Gimli said enthusiastically, and Legolas nodded in agreement and smiled at Diamond.

Diamond went strawberry red and muttered something along the lines of, 'It was nothing.'

The six of them then moved to the living room, and engaged in small talk around the fireplace as Gimli and Pippin smoked. It was a cosy atmosphere.

Legolas, sitting across from Estella, glanced at her occasionally, but found his eyes being inevitably drawn to her bulging stomach. Finally, at a lull in the conversation, he asked, 'Estella, how many months are you?'

He instantly regretted it. Was it an appropriate subject for a male to bring up? Legolas had no experience with hobbit customs, as well as no experience with woman, both hobbit and elf alike.

But Estella smiled a little, and answered immediately, 'Well, the healer and I never could figure out the date I conceived, but I think perhaps eight and a bit. Not long now, I should hope.' She smiled again, and squeezed Merry's hand.

'Would you like more a lad or lass?' Gimli queried.

'Well…' Estella trailed off, 'I honestly don't mind at all, but for some reason I think I'd prefer a lad, and to be honest, I'm not quite sure why. But, it is a lad. I'm sure of that.'

'What about you, Merry?' Legolas asked.

'A lass.' Merry said without hesitation.

'And why is that?' Estella asked, realizing she didn't know herself.

'Because, lasses are definitely the fairer sex,' Merry said promptly.

Pippin choked on his smoke and cried, 'Traitor!' The room filled with laughter.

'Why is that your opinion?' Gimli asked, surprised to find a male that thought females were "better".

Merry shifted in his seat.

'On the quest, I met one of the most incredible people I shall ever know. She was cold as ice and hard as rock and braver then any one person I'd met before. Shieldmaiden of Rohan she was, but they would not let her go to war, even though she was more talented then most of the men in Theoden's army. And so she dressed as a man and rode out anyway, and valiantly she fought, and courageously did she smote The Lord of the Ringwraiths. She did not fear death. She did not fear pain. She, a woman, did not fear things that made men quake with fright. She was beautiful and terrible and proud. She rose above a world dominated by men and conquered beasts that my gender could not conquer,' Merry looked around at the group. They were silent.

'I want to have a daughter,' Merry continued, 'And she will be brave, and she will be fearless, and she will be warm and happy and bright and beautiful. And she will be the splitting image of her dear mama,' Merry beamed at Estella for a moment. She smiled back shyly, 'And I will name her Eowyn.'

There was a thought-provoking silence in Crickhollow. The clock struck eight.

…..

A/N: If you liked this story and would like me to keep posting—review! If I get little or no reviews I will take it down. Not an empty threat—I have taken down three fics of my own because they didn't receive any/enough demand.

It doesn't take much. I review every fic I read. Honestly—two minutes? Not even that? And everyone has an opinion—DO NOT tell me you don't.