Chapter 1
The New Mistress of Brandy Hall
A pony slowed his steps when a cloaked rider pulled the reins to a stop. Seeing the abandon cottage on the most outer edge of Crickhallow and in amongst the thick trees and brush, it almost looked hidden away from view. The cottage had not had an occupant for sometime. Looking at the cottage and remembering all the parties and guests that had once stayed here in the years past when the Master of Buckland had owned this. Since selling this to Frodo Baggins, and then his return back to the Shire, no one has used this cottage since.
Climbing down from the pony, the rider had flipped open the thick cloak and took it off. Wrapping it around the ponies saddle and then leading it to the stable in the back.
Once the pony was well taken care of, it was time that the cottage was also. It would need much work and repairs by the first look of things. New boards would have to be purchased and new sod on the roof. There were some broken glass and a missing windowpane. The garden was run-over in weeds and would need hoeing and planting.
The dirt path that lead to the cottage had deep ruts made from heavy wagons and made the walk to the backdoor harder.
The backdoor opened with ease and the hobbit went inside. Looking around, there were long cobwebs that hung from the ceiling to the dusty floor. There were many footprints in the dust and dirt upon the floor and wide scrapping marks as if something had been moved at one time. Old lanterns were discarded aimlessly on the stone countertop and there was a large old basket with moldy mushrooms still inside. Walking out of the kitchen and into the common room, the hobbit noticed thick dusty and tattered old blankets that hung in each window that appeared to keep out any inside light from escaping. The common room had very little furnishings except for an old, worn bookcase and wooden table that leaned from one corner. There was an old chair pushed up against the front door to keep anyone from entering it. Walking into the corridor and down the long hallway and opening the far, rounded door, there were three copper tubs for bathing and a large metal pot for boiling water that sat in the middle of a great sized hearth. It would be weeks of work trying to make this place livable.
XXX
He stood in front of the bed and looked around the room. With a beaming smile, he crossed his arms in front of him taking in every detail. The room was perfect and the fresh cut flowers in every vase sitting on the table and dresser that him gave a warm feeling and scented the air.
The bedroom door opened and he didn't have to turn around to see who had entered. Her booming chuckle immediately broke the silence of the room. "Master Merry, she'll be here quick enough! There's no need of you daydreaming the morning away in here," said old Hatty, while she put the extra linen away in the deep drawers of the wooden chest.
"Just think, Hatty, I'll be a marriage hobbit by the end of this week!" he commented. "Thinking back, I don't know what took me so long to ask her. I wasted too many years of properly courting, Miss Bolger and now soon, she'll be my wife. This will be our room where we will share our lives together."
"It's the best room in the entire Brandy Hall manor. That is beside, your dear Mother's and father's room," said old Hatty, chuckling to herself. "Speaking of your father, he's waiting for you in the library. It's the end of the month and his is excepting you to go over the books and accounts of running Brandy Hall."
"Yes, yes, I know all about it, Hatty, but how can I sit there for hours going over those dreary old books and keep my mind on all those figures."
"She'll be here soon, Master Merry, and then she'll be by your side forever on. Now go to the library, to your father. Besides, keeping your mind busy will only make the time go by faster!"
Merry smiled at the dear old cook of Brandy Hall who had been there in his life from the day that he was born, always dotting over him. She was like a second mother to him and he loved her dearly. "Okay, I'm going, but you must come and get me the moment her coach pulls into Brandy Hall, promise!"
"The very second that the coach's wheels touches the corner of our land, I'll come to get you!"
Merry hugged Hatty tightly and kissed her round, chubby-cheeks, "Thank you, Hatty!" Careering off down the long corridors and hallways of Brandy Hall, he passed many rounded doors, all with titles engraved upon them to announce which families of Bucklanders that lived within them.
Berilac, with his father Merimac, strolled down the corridor heading towards Merry. Stopping to speak with them, Merimac commented to the young Master of Buckland. "My sister-in-law has the kitchen and the great hall turned upside down in preparing for your wedding, Master Merry, it is best that you stay low and out of her direct path!"
"Thank you uncle for the warning, but I'm heading for the library. Why don't the two of you join me and we can share a quiet ale and a smoke of ol' Toby," asked Merry.
"We're not going any where near the great hall, but you may join us, we are heading towards the stables. I hear that your pony will be having another colt by the end of this month," asked Berilac.
"Yes, that's right, Berilac. I think that I'd rather join the pair of you, then studying those old books and going over all those figures. Beside, my Da can more than handle those books and my mother!" said Merry and placed his arm upon his cousin's shoulder. Turning, he hastened his steps with them out of Brandy Hall and down the dirt path that lead to the stables.
A lad that worked in the stable held onto the reins of Snowclad, while he led her around the courtyard for her daily walk.
Merry could see her over rounded belly that bulged and made his pony look oddly out of portion. Smiling, he gave a sharp whistle and Snowclad pulled away from the stable lad and trotted over to her master.
He laughed while the pony nuzzled against him and he wrapped his arms around her soft well-brushed coat of soft, white-hair. Her long mane tickled Merry's nose and he brushed it back from his face. Snowclad pushed her nose up against his waistcoat pocket and almost knocked her master over in her anticipation for a ripe-red apple.
"Manners first, my dearest Snowclad!" encouraged Merry and he watched her as she bowed before his cousin and uncle. Merry reached into his pocket and pulled out a juice ripe apple. He made it a habit each morning, to snatch an apple and put it into his waistcoat pocket every time he entered the kitchen for early breakfast. Hatty knew this and made sure to have plenty of apples sitting on the countertop.
Snowclad whinnied and tossed her head in delight with the gift that her master gave her.
"She a fine one, Master Merry. None finer, by all accounts!" said Merimac.
"Perhaps you can teach her new colt to allow more than just one rider upon her back. I'd give anything to race one of your ponies across the Green Hill Country," added Berilac.
"Now what fun would that be, cousin. Having the only three ponies in Buckland more stubborn than I am, makes them all the more endearing, by my accounts!" added Merry, smiling to his cousin.
"You're impossible, Merry, is what you are!" said Berilac and he crossed his arms in front of him and began to pout.
A dust cloud coming from a distance foothill caught Merry's attention and his breath caught up in his chest. Squinting his eyes to get the faintest sight of the distant coach that was fast approaching, Merry climbed upon Snowclad back and allowed her to saunter slowly out to greet them.
Merry sat patiently waiting for the small coach to finally come to a stop and his anticipation grew by the second. Climbing off of his pony's back, he stood next to her, while the small coach rolled to stop in front of him.
He opened the small door and reached his arms up just in time, when Estella jumped from the coach and into his open arms. Holding her tightly and kissing her, while he set her feet upon the ground of Brandy Hall.
Pulling back away from her lips, without letting her out of his arms, he brushed her wild curls away from her face so he could see her clearly and gazed into her eyes. "I've missed you so much, my love. I'm so happy you are finally here!"
"Oh Merry, I missed you too!" she said and held him tighter, kissing him again.
"Master Merry, where do you want me to bring her luggage?" asked the servant waiting for them to stop greeting each other.
Merry could only point to the Great Hall because Estella would not stop kissing him. Taking in a breath, he laughed in between her kisses and ordered the servant, "Put them in my room, immediately!"
Hatty's loud voice boomed behind him, "You'll do no such a thing! They're not married yet!"
Merry let go of Estella and turned to face the persnickety old cook.
"Welcome, Miss Bolger to Brandy Hall and your new home!" commented Hatty with a big smile in greeting the young lass and her brother. She rushed away from them, after giving Merry a warning look and began ordering the servants who raced in taking the luggage from the coach, telling them where the luggage needed to go.
Fredegar, her brother, burst out laughing when he climbed out of the coach to join them.
Merry took Estella's hand and looked longingly into her eyes before he turned to face the crowd that had begun to gather to welcome Estella to Brandy Hall.
Merry stepped away from his intended and held out his hand to her brother and shook it. "Welcome, Fredegar, my dearest friend!"
Fredegar let go of Merry's hand and reached up to hug him. "Best friends now, but soon to be brothers!"
Merry thumbed his belly soundly, "Not if you don't shed a few more pounds, your sister is cooking you too many a fine meal and allowing you to put your feet up being waited upon!"
"Come now, Merry, surely you jest, too much. A hobbit must take his leisure where you can fine it and enjoy each moment of it!" said Fredegar laughing and holding his over growing belly and his over stretched suspenders.
Esmeralda approached and put her arm around her son playfully, "Welcome, Miss Estella Bolger to Brandy Hall. You're room and your brother's room have been prepared for both of you."
"Thank you, Mistress Esmeralda," said Estella with a bright smile upon her face. She seemed to glow from her happiness as she stood beside her son.
"Come my dear, we have much preparation to do once you have rested," commented Esmeralda, while she reached her hand out towards the lass to guide her into Brandy Hall.
Merry raised his hand to protest, "Not so fast, Mum, I have not seen this beautiful lass in an entire week. I wish to spend the rest of the afternoon with her."
Saradoc chuckled at the same time standing beside his wife and slipped his arm around her thin waist. "There's more than enough time, my dear, to get acquainted with our soon to be, new daughter-in-law. Come with me and let the young couple have some private time together."
Merry took her hand and kissed it, smiling down upon her lovely face. Snowclad walked over to Estella and nudged her shoulder. "Oh, Snowclad!" she said giggling with delight, "I have not forgotten you."
She wrapped her arms around the pony's neck and rested her cheek against to her soft, white fur. Stroking her gently, Estella giggled at Merry when she noticed him watching her.
"You've stolen her heart as well as mine, my dearest Estella," said Merry. "Snowclad loves you."
"You have our heart, as well," commented Berilac with his father as they slowly approached her, to greet her.
"It is nice to see you again, Mister Berilac and Mister Merimac," she commented, greeting them.
"Please, it is just Berilac," he said, and his father also joined in after him, "and Merimac, there's no need to be on formal greetings with us, lass."
Estella blushed and nodded, lowering her head with a slight, little giggle.
Merry took her hand and the four hobbits walked back to the stables. There were two, young foals varying in age and size, running and kicking up their heels, chancing one another. Their white coats with black freckled spots across their noses and backside looked adorable, while Estella watched them.
She folded her arms under her chin and rested them upon the fence to observe Merry-putting Snowclad back into the private corral made just for them. The oldest colt immediately ran over to Merry and also nuzzled up against him in the hopes that he too had another apple just for him.
"You're a greedy one, Sheerimac," teased Merry and reached his hand to pet the older colt.
But Merry's pocket was empty. Looking at Estella, he shrugged his shoulders.
Estella smiled and opened her small bag that she had brought with her just for this occasion. Inside was a bunch of freshly picked carrots from her garden, where she once lived next to her uncle and aunt, in a small cottage by the township of Stock. Pulling the carrots out, she walked into the corral and offered it to the older colt by Merry. He greedily took it from Estella's open hand and the younger foal raced over to where their master and lady stood, while Estella placed the rest of the carrots in front of Snowclad.
The youngest foal stuck her nose next to her mother and snatched a long thick carrot from her. Snowclad nipped in the air, as if she was scowling her filly with a sputtering, neighing sound.
"Watch yourself, Shimmering, your mother is eating for two now and needs all the extras," said Merry.
"She's a lovely little filly, Merry and so much like her mother," commented Estella and reached her hand out to pet the small, young foal.
Berilac watched the ponies doing their best to gain another carrot from Snowclad, but failed in their attempts. Pulling a large handful of grass by his foot, he entered the corral in the hopes of getting one of the foals to come over to him.
Both the foals, seeing Berilac entering the corral charged at him at the same time. He dropped the grass on the ground and ran to the fence, climbing it as fast as he could. Merimac held his stomach roaring in laughter at the fright on his son's face.
"Give it up son, they'll never warm up to you properly!" said his father still laughing.
Both Estella and Merry burst out in laughter joining the older hobbit, while they walked over to him, on the other side of the fence.
The older foal sniffed the grass that was discarded and rejected it. Running over the handful of grass, Sheerimac came back over to the fence where his master stood. Merry reaching up to him and gently petting his freckled nose, speaking gently to him.
"Sheerimac, you're a rascal, is what you are," said Merry playfully. "You've got much learning to do in finding your manners!"
"I'm afraid, Master Merry that you'll be finding it harder to teach that lesson to that head-strong colt of yours!" commented his uncle, Merimac.
"For being only three-years old, he's still learning his lessons, but with the help of Snowclad here, I'll wager, he'll be learning them fast enough," said Merry.
"Well, seeing is believing, is all I have to say about that," said his uncle and patted his son's shoulder. "Come now, lad, we have much do this afternoon. Let's give Merry some time to be alone with his lady."
Waving from over their shoulders, to the two hobbits, they walked back to Brandy Hall and went inside.
Merry took Estella's hand and turning to her, he said. "I'll show you to your room, so you can rest. Knowing my mother, she'll be keeping you busy with all the goings-on for our wedding."
"Our wedding," echoed Estella with a dreamy expression coming across her gentle, soft face. "It will be the happiest day of our lives, Merry."
"Will you be happy living here at Brandy Hall, as her mistress?" he asked.
"Yes, Merry, with you by my side and all the little ones we will have someday. We'll bring so much laughter to these old Halls."
"And how many little ones are you thinking about having, Mrs. Brandybuck?"
"Ten or twelve, at least!" said Estella excitedly.
"That many?" asked Merry with a raise in his eyebrow at his intended.
"Yes, my love, I want many children that I could love and care for."
Merry wrapped his arms around his soon to be wife and kissed her. "Then you will have that many, my love and we will fill Brandy Hall with a new generation of Bucklanders!"
Both Merry and Estella giggled at the plans they had begun to dream about. Taking her hand, he led her into Brandy Hall.
The kitchen and corridors were filled with servants who had begun their preparations for the upcoming wedding at the end of the week.
Dodging them, the young couple walked to the living quarters of Brandy Hall to find Estella's temporary room. While they walked, Estella began to read the names engraved upon the doors. She stopped in her tracks when she read the name in front of her.
"Master Merry and Lady Estella Brandybuck," she read outloud.
"Yes, this is to be our living quarters, once we are married," said Merry. "Would you like to go in and see it?"
Estella nodded her head and the two peeked into the room. Estella's eyes widened while she took in the beauty of this room. The furnishing of tables, chairs and dressing chests were newly made and glistened with a deep polished sheen. The linens and drapery matched in beautiful array of bright colors that made the room warm and gracious. She stroked her hand against the thick fluffy comforter upon the bed and it was soft to her touch. The vases were full of fresh cut flowers that scented the room and gave it a welcoming feeling to the two hobbits that gazed upon it.
Merry fell down upon the pillory-soft bed and welcomed Estella to lay beside him. With a giggle, she too climbed upon the bed next to him. Wrapping her in his arms, he began to kiss her.
"Merry Brandybuck!" shouted a shrill voice that brought the two sitting straight up upon the bed.
Esmeralda stood in front of them with her arms crossed in front of her, "What ever are the two of you doing in here?"
A/N:
This is the second part of a story that I'm continuing, but you do not have to go back and read the first story to know what is going to happen to Merry and Estella in this story. I have planned on a lot of interesting things that are going to take my favorite characters on a hair raising trip through the first year of their marriage and Estella becoming the mistress of Brandy Hall. They had made wonderful plans for their lives and their happiness that they will share with each other, but will all their dreams come true? Please review and let me know if you like this story and want me to continue. Reviews keep me writing and updating.... I hope you enjoy this story of Merry and Estella.....
The New Mistress of Brandy Hall
A pony slowed his steps when a cloaked rider pulled the reins to a stop. Seeing the abandon cottage on the most outer edge of Crickhallow and in amongst the thick trees and brush, it almost looked hidden away from view. The cottage had not had an occupant for sometime. Looking at the cottage and remembering all the parties and guests that had once stayed here in the years past when the Master of Buckland had owned this. Since selling this to Frodo Baggins, and then his return back to the Shire, no one has used this cottage since.
Climbing down from the pony, the rider had flipped open the thick cloak and took it off. Wrapping it around the ponies saddle and then leading it to the stable in the back.
Once the pony was well taken care of, it was time that the cottage was also. It would need much work and repairs by the first look of things. New boards would have to be purchased and new sod on the roof. There were some broken glass and a missing windowpane. The garden was run-over in weeds and would need hoeing and planting.
The dirt path that lead to the cottage had deep ruts made from heavy wagons and made the walk to the backdoor harder.
The backdoor opened with ease and the hobbit went inside. Looking around, there were long cobwebs that hung from the ceiling to the dusty floor. There were many footprints in the dust and dirt upon the floor and wide scrapping marks as if something had been moved at one time. Old lanterns were discarded aimlessly on the stone countertop and there was a large old basket with moldy mushrooms still inside. Walking out of the kitchen and into the common room, the hobbit noticed thick dusty and tattered old blankets that hung in each window that appeared to keep out any inside light from escaping. The common room had very little furnishings except for an old, worn bookcase and wooden table that leaned from one corner. There was an old chair pushed up against the front door to keep anyone from entering it. Walking into the corridor and down the long hallway and opening the far, rounded door, there were three copper tubs for bathing and a large metal pot for boiling water that sat in the middle of a great sized hearth. It would be weeks of work trying to make this place livable.
XXX
He stood in front of the bed and looked around the room. With a beaming smile, he crossed his arms in front of him taking in every detail. The room was perfect and the fresh cut flowers in every vase sitting on the table and dresser that him gave a warm feeling and scented the air.
The bedroom door opened and he didn't have to turn around to see who had entered. Her booming chuckle immediately broke the silence of the room. "Master Merry, she'll be here quick enough! There's no need of you daydreaming the morning away in here," said old Hatty, while she put the extra linen away in the deep drawers of the wooden chest.
"Just think, Hatty, I'll be a marriage hobbit by the end of this week!" he commented. "Thinking back, I don't know what took me so long to ask her. I wasted too many years of properly courting, Miss Bolger and now soon, she'll be my wife. This will be our room where we will share our lives together."
"It's the best room in the entire Brandy Hall manor. That is beside, your dear Mother's and father's room," said old Hatty, chuckling to herself. "Speaking of your father, he's waiting for you in the library. It's the end of the month and his is excepting you to go over the books and accounts of running Brandy Hall."
"Yes, yes, I know all about it, Hatty, but how can I sit there for hours going over those dreary old books and keep my mind on all those figures."
"She'll be here soon, Master Merry, and then she'll be by your side forever on. Now go to the library, to your father. Besides, keeping your mind busy will only make the time go by faster!"
Merry smiled at the dear old cook of Brandy Hall who had been there in his life from the day that he was born, always dotting over him. She was like a second mother to him and he loved her dearly. "Okay, I'm going, but you must come and get me the moment her coach pulls into Brandy Hall, promise!"
"The very second that the coach's wheels touches the corner of our land, I'll come to get you!"
Merry hugged Hatty tightly and kissed her round, chubby-cheeks, "Thank you, Hatty!" Careering off down the long corridors and hallways of Brandy Hall, he passed many rounded doors, all with titles engraved upon them to announce which families of Bucklanders that lived within them.
Berilac, with his father Merimac, strolled down the corridor heading towards Merry. Stopping to speak with them, Merimac commented to the young Master of Buckland. "My sister-in-law has the kitchen and the great hall turned upside down in preparing for your wedding, Master Merry, it is best that you stay low and out of her direct path!"
"Thank you uncle for the warning, but I'm heading for the library. Why don't the two of you join me and we can share a quiet ale and a smoke of ol' Toby," asked Merry.
"We're not going any where near the great hall, but you may join us, we are heading towards the stables. I hear that your pony will be having another colt by the end of this month," asked Berilac.
"Yes, that's right, Berilac. I think that I'd rather join the pair of you, then studying those old books and going over all those figures. Beside, my Da can more than handle those books and my mother!" said Merry and placed his arm upon his cousin's shoulder. Turning, he hastened his steps with them out of Brandy Hall and down the dirt path that lead to the stables.
A lad that worked in the stable held onto the reins of Snowclad, while he led her around the courtyard for her daily walk.
Merry could see her over rounded belly that bulged and made his pony look oddly out of portion. Smiling, he gave a sharp whistle and Snowclad pulled away from the stable lad and trotted over to her master.
He laughed while the pony nuzzled against him and he wrapped his arms around her soft well-brushed coat of soft, white-hair. Her long mane tickled Merry's nose and he brushed it back from his face. Snowclad pushed her nose up against his waistcoat pocket and almost knocked her master over in her anticipation for a ripe-red apple.
"Manners first, my dearest Snowclad!" encouraged Merry and he watched her as she bowed before his cousin and uncle. Merry reached into his pocket and pulled out a juice ripe apple. He made it a habit each morning, to snatch an apple and put it into his waistcoat pocket every time he entered the kitchen for early breakfast. Hatty knew this and made sure to have plenty of apples sitting on the countertop.
Snowclad whinnied and tossed her head in delight with the gift that her master gave her.
"She a fine one, Master Merry. None finer, by all accounts!" said Merimac.
"Perhaps you can teach her new colt to allow more than just one rider upon her back. I'd give anything to race one of your ponies across the Green Hill Country," added Berilac.
"Now what fun would that be, cousin. Having the only three ponies in Buckland more stubborn than I am, makes them all the more endearing, by my accounts!" added Merry, smiling to his cousin.
"You're impossible, Merry, is what you are!" said Berilac and he crossed his arms in front of him and began to pout.
A dust cloud coming from a distance foothill caught Merry's attention and his breath caught up in his chest. Squinting his eyes to get the faintest sight of the distant coach that was fast approaching, Merry climbed upon Snowclad back and allowed her to saunter slowly out to greet them.
Merry sat patiently waiting for the small coach to finally come to a stop and his anticipation grew by the second. Climbing off of his pony's back, he stood next to her, while the small coach rolled to stop in front of him.
He opened the small door and reached his arms up just in time, when Estella jumped from the coach and into his open arms. Holding her tightly and kissing her, while he set her feet upon the ground of Brandy Hall.
Pulling back away from her lips, without letting her out of his arms, he brushed her wild curls away from her face so he could see her clearly and gazed into her eyes. "I've missed you so much, my love. I'm so happy you are finally here!"
"Oh Merry, I missed you too!" she said and held him tighter, kissing him again.
"Master Merry, where do you want me to bring her luggage?" asked the servant waiting for them to stop greeting each other.
Merry could only point to the Great Hall because Estella would not stop kissing him. Taking in a breath, he laughed in between her kisses and ordered the servant, "Put them in my room, immediately!"
Hatty's loud voice boomed behind him, "You'll do no such a thing! They're not married yet!"
Merry let go of Estella and turned to face the persnickety old cook.
"Welcome, Miss Bolger to Brandy Hall and your new home!" commented Hatty with a big smile in greeting the young lass and her brother. She rushed away from them, after giving Merry a warning look and began ordering the servants who raced in taking the luggage from the coach, telling them where the luggage needed to go.
Fredegar, her brother, burst out laughing when he climbed out of the coach to join them.
Merry took Estella's hand and looked longingly into her eyes before he turned to face the crowd that had begun to gather to welcome Estella to Brandy Hall.
Merry stepped away from his intended and held out his hand to her brother and shook it. "Welcome, Fredegar, my dearest friend!"
Fredegar let go of Merry's hand and reached up to hug him. "Best friends now, but soon to be brothers!"
Merry thumbed his belly soundly, "Not if you don't shed a few more pounds, your sister is cooking you too many a fine meal and allowing you to put your feet up being waited upon!"
"Come now, Merry, surely you jest, too much. A hobbit must take his leisure where you can fine it and enjoy each moment of it!" said Fredegar laughing and holding his over growing belly and his over stretched suspenders.
Esmeralda approached and put her arm around her son playfully, "Welcome, Miss Estella Bolger to Brandy Hall. You're room and your brother's room have been prepared for both of you."
"Thank you, Mistress Esmeralda," said Estella with a bright smile upon her face. She seemed to glow from her happiness as she stood beside her son.
"Come my dear, we have much preparation to do once you have rested," commented Esmeralda, while she reached her hand out towards the lass to guide her into Brandy Hall.
Merry raised his hand to protest, "Not so fast, Mum, I have not seen this beautiful lass in an entire week. I wish to spend the rest of the afternoon with her."
Saradoc chuckled at the same time standing beside his wife and slipped his arm around her thin waist. "There's more than enough time, my dear, to get acquainted with our soon to be, new daughter-in-law. Come with me and let the young couple have some private time together."
Merry took her hand and kissed it, smiling down upon her lovely face. Snowclad walked over to Estella and nudged her shoulder. "Oh, Snowclad!" she said giggling with delight, "I have not forgotten you."
She wrapped her arms around the pony's neck and rested her cheek against to her soft, white fur. Stroking her gently, Estella giggled at Merry when she noticed him watching her.
"You've stolen her heart as well as mine, my dearest Estella," said Merry. "Snowclad loves you."
"You have our heart, as well," commented Berilac with his father as they slowly approached her, to greet her.
"It is nice to see you again, Mister Berilac and Mister Merimac," she commented, greeting them.
"Please, it is just Berilac," he said, and his father also joined in after him, "and Merimac, there's no need to be on formal greetings with us, lass."
Estella blushed and nodded, lowering her head with a slight, little giggle.
Merry took her hand and the four hobbits walked back to the stables. There were two, young foals varying in age and size, running and kicking up their heels, chancing one another. Their white coats with black freckled spots across their noses and backside looked adorable, while Estella watched them.
She folded her arms under her chin and rested them upon the fence to observe Merry-putting Snowclad back into the private corral made just for them. The oldest colt immediately ran over to Merry and also nuzzled up against him in the hopes that he too had another apple just for him.
"You're a greedy one, Sheerimac," teased Merry and reached his hand to pet the older colt.
But Merry's pocket was empty. Looking at Estella, he shrugged his shoulders.
Estella smiled and opened her small bag that she had brought with her just for this occasion. Inside was a bunch of freshly picked carrots from her garden, where she once lived next to her uncle and aunt, in a small cottage by the township of Stock. Pulling the carrots out, she walked into the corral and offered it to the older colt by Merry. He greedily took it from Estella's open hand and the younger foal raced over to where their master and lady stood, while Estella placed the rest of the carrots in front of Snowclad.
The youngest foal stuck her nose next to her mother and snatched a long thick carrot from her. Snowclad nipped in the air, as if she was scowling her filly with a sputtering, neighing sound.
"Watch yourself, Shimmering, your mother is eating for two now and needs all the extras," said Merry.
"She's a lovely little filly, Merry and so much like her mother," commented Estella and reached her hand out to pet the small, young foal.
Berilac watched the ponies doing their best to gain another carrot from Snowclad, but failed in their attempts. Pulling a large handful of grass by his foot, he entered the corral in the hopes of getting one of the foals to come over to him.
Both the foals, seeing Berilac entering the corral charged at him at the same time. He dropped the grass on the ground and ran to the fence, climbing it as fast as he could. Merimac held his stomach roaring in laughter at the fright on his son's face.
"Give it up son, they'll never warm up to you properly!" said his father still laughing.
Both Estella and Merry burst out in laughter joining the older hobbit, while they walked over to him, on the other side of the fence.
The older foal sniffed the grass that was discarded and rejected it. Running over the handful of grass, Sheerimac came back over to the fence where his master stood. Merry reaching up to him and gently petting his freckled nose, speaking gently to him.
"Sheerimac, you're a rascal, is what you are," said Merry playfully. "You've got much learning to do in finding your manners!"
"I'm afraid, Master Merry that you'll be finding it harder to teach that lesson to that head-strong colt of yours!" commented his uncle, Merimac.
"For being only three-years old, he's still learning his lessons, but with the help of Snowclad here, I'll wager, he'll be learning them fast enough," said Merry.
"Well, seeing is believing, is all I have to say about that," said his uncle and patted his son's shoulder. "Come now, lad, we have much do this afternoon. Let's give Merry some time to be alone with his lady."
Waving from over their shoulders, to the two hobbits, they walked back to Brandy Hall and went inside.
Merry took Estella's hand and turning to her, he said. "I'll show you to your room, so you can rest. Knowing my mother, she'll be keeping you busy with all the goings-on for our wedding."
"Our wedding," echoed Estella with a dreamy expression coming across her gentle, soft face. "It will be the happiest day of our lives, Merry."
"Will you be happy living here at Brandy Hall, as her mistress?" he asked.
"Yes, Merry, with you by my side and all the little ones we will have someday. We'll bring so much laughter to these old Halls."
"And how many little ones are you thinking about having, Mrs. Brandybuck?"
"Ten or twelve, at least!" said Estella excitedly.
"That many?" asked Merry with a raise in his eyebrow at his intended.
"Yes, my love, I want many children that I could love and care for."
Merry wrapped his arms around his soon to be wife and kissed her. "Then you will have that many, my love and we will fill Brandy Hall with a new generation of Bucklanders!"
Both Merry and Estella giggled at the plans they had begun to dream about. Taking her hand, he led her into Brandy Hall.
The kitchen and corridors were filled with servants who had begun their preparations for the upcoming wedding at the end of the week.
Dodging them, the young couple walked to the living quarters of Brandy Hall to find Estella's temporary room. While they walked, Estella began to read the names engraved upon the doors. She stopped in her tracks when she read the name in front of her.
"Master Merry and Lady Estella Brandybuck," she read outloud.
"Yes, this is to be our living quarters, once we are married," said Merry. "Would you like to go in and see it?"
Estella nodded her head and the two peeked into the room. Estella's eyes widened while she took in the beauty of this room. The furnishing of tables, chairs and dressing chests were newly made and glistened with a deep polished sheen. The linens and drapery matched in beautiful array of bright colors that made the room warm and gracious. She stroked her hand against the thick fluffy comforter upon the bed and it was soft to her touch. The vases were full of fresh cut flowers that scented the room and gave it a welcoming feeling to the two hobbits that gazed upon it.
Merry fell down upon the pillory-soft bed and welcomed Estella to lay beside him. With a giggle, she too climbed upon the bed next to him. Wrapping her in his arms, he began to kiss her.
"Merry Brandybuck!" shouted a shrill voice that brought the two sitting straight up upon the bed.
Esmeralda stood in front of them with her arms crossed in front of her, "What ever are the two of you doing in here?"
A/N:
This is the second part of a story that I'm continuing, but you do not have to go back and read the first story to know what is going to happen to Merry and Estella in this story. I have planned on a lot of interesting things that are going to take my favorite characters on a hair raising trip through the first year of their marriage and Estella becoming the mistress of Brandy Hall. They had made wonderful plans for their lives and their happiness that they will share with each other, but will all their dreams come true? Please review and let me know if you like this story and want me to continue. Reviews keep me writing and updating.... I hope you enjoy this story of Merry and Estella.....