Merry Brandybuck never expected what would happen next. He was standing there, watching his cousin Frodo Baggins sail away with Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn, Gandalf, and Bilbo Baggins. He would never see any of those people again.

Pippin Took stood there. Tears trickled down his thin face as he watched, without seeing, the ship sail away. With a heavy heart, Pippin went over to his cousin.

Seeing the sadness in his young cousin's heart, Merry drew him close. The younger hobbit's sobs shook him as he held his cousin protectively. "Sush now, lad. It will be all right. Frodo isn't hurtin' anymore now. He can finally live in peace. We want that, don' we," Merry said soothingly.

Pippin nodded his head feverishly. "Aye, we do. It's just a-a shock is all," Pippin mumbled. Pulling away from his cousin, he scrubbed the tears out of his eyes. "Samwise, are you all right," he asked, turning to look at their pudgy friend.

Sam glanced wearily at Pippin and then glanced at Merry. "I s'pose I will have to be," Sam whispered. He was in shock. It was apparent by the look on his face.

"Come! I think we all need a spot of ale to cheer our hearts. Now tain't the time to mourn," Merry said. He was trying to sound cheerful; however, it was an effort to do so.

"Jus' a spot. I don' want too much," Sam said agreeably.

"I could go for a nip. Twill be in Frodo's name that we drink," Pippin said as the three of them went up the hill. All three hobbits get on their three ponies and ride off to The Green Dragon.

The three hobbits hop off their ponies. They enter The Green Dragon. Everyone stops and stares at the three of them. No sound is made and more then a few leave the pub because of their fear for such tall hobbits. Chuckling, the three, hobbit lads sit down at one of the tables.

A shy and pretty hobbit comes over. Her eyes were emerald green and her hair was a soft honey red. She smiled at Sam, Pippin and finally Merry. Her gaze on Merry was the longest. "Three ales," she asked quietly. Her voice was soft and pretty.

Merry nodded. His mouth was agape. He had never seen anyone quite so pretty. When she left, he blushed. "I've never seen her before," Merry muttered.

"I think her name's Estella Bolger," Pippin said, "Go talk to 'er. You know you want to." He winked at Merry.

"Oh, I could not," muttered Merry as she came back with their drinks.

"Why don't you join us," Sam asked, winking at Merry. He knew how hard it was to talk to a lass that was fancied.

Estella shook her head. She then walked away, with Merry staring after her. Once, she looked behind her and smiled, but the young hobbit woman never came back over.

When the hobbits had their fill, they stood. "You guys go," Merry said with a nod. Sam and Pippin left and Merry went over to Estella, who was getting ready to go home.

"I'm Merry," he said, sticking out his hand and smiling at her.