Merry came by the next day and asked my father's permission to take me on a picnic. My father agreed, but told Merry that he was only allowed to take me on top of the hill near the house, so my father could keep an eye on us. Merry had already packed food for us, so I grabbed a blanket for us to sit on and we headed up the hill. He extended his arm to me and I took it. As we walked together, Merry slowed his stride so I could keep up with him.

"I'm glad you agreed to come out with me." Merry finally said to break the silence.

"I'm glad you came by." I told him. A million questions ran through my mind to ask him, but I couldn't focus on a single one of them to keep the conversation going. Merry cleared his throat.

"I see your field is looking good this year. Your brother told me you and your father took good care of it last year. That must have been a pretty big job for you to pick up as well." He was trying so hard to talk to me, but I was blank.

"We all had to pick up extra work." Was all I could manage. It wasn't long before we reached the top of the hill. It was actually a rather nice view. The hills were wide and rolling, and filled with wildflowers and tall green grass. There were even a couple of fishing ponds within sight. The particular hill we were on was covered with tall grass and dandelions. I ran my fingers through them as we walked.

When we reached the top, I laid down the blanket I had brought. We sat down and Merry opened a bottle of wine and handed me a glass, then filled his own. He then pulled out the food he had brought. There was bread, jellies, and cheeses, along with some fresh apples and strawberries. We ate and made small chitchat, then Merry really broke the ice when he asked me, "So, Estella, what do you think of setting the wedding date this Autumn?" The question caught me off guard. I glanced at him, then looked away.

Then he continued, "I don't know why you've been so shy." He stated, concerned. I took a deep breath, but nothing came out for a reply. Merry took a deep breath of his own, then reached his hand over to mine. "Please don't pretend like I haven't known you all of our lives. I've seen you converse with your own shadow when there wasn't anyone else to talk to." He smiled and paused for a moment, then continued, "Don't get me wrong, I adore that pretty face of yours, but I want your voice as well. If you don't like something, I want you to call it out. I want that girl. I fell in love with that girl. You don't have to be meek and mild for me. You're smart as a whip. You always have been." I soaked in his words and a smile grew on my face. I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He was surprised by my kiss and jumped a little when it landed on him, then he smiled wide and turned to face me, waiting for a response.

"Well...It's just...I'm not sure..." I stopped and took a breath. "You've been all over Middle Earth. You've seen Elves and Trolls and Goblins and battle!" I sighed, "...And I've been here...in the Shire...farming. I feel like there's a whole, worldly side of you that I'll never be able to understand. I suppose I don't feel like I have anything to say that would keep you interested," I confessed.

When I looked at Merry, he was staring at me intently. He looked so serious. He squeezed his fingers gently around mine. "I'm so glad you weren't there for the things I saw. They were horrible things that no one should see. The fear I felt, in thinking I might not be able to save the ones I care about here in the Shire, was crushing. All I wanted to do was make sure the job got done, so the people here, in this beautiful spot of land, would never have to see the blood on the battle field. They'd never have to feel the tiredness and the hunger we felt out on that field. I never want to think again of little children having to flee their homes, and hide in caves away from those evil monsters." Merry stared off into space for a moment, then returned to me and continued, "I'm so glad you were safe here, in the Shire. I want this place to always be as safe and beautiful as it is."

What could I say to such a revelation? I tightened my grip on his hand and said. "So do I." We sat in silence for a few moments. "Tell me more about the Elves, Merry." I urged him, trying to change the mood. Merry looked at me and smiled.

"What do you want to know?" He asked.

"Are they really as beautiful as everyone says?"

"All of the ones I saw were tall and fair. They move gracefully and quickly when need be. They make the most delicate jewelry," he paused for a moment and reached in his pocket, "like this." He said with a crooked grin, as he presented me with a necklace. The chain was thin, but sparkled like a hundred stars. The pendant was an elegant and subtle series of Elvish knots surrounding an intricate tree, with tiny green stones in place of the leaves. I drew in a quick breath.

"Merry, it's so beautiful!" I stared at it for a few moments before I let Merry put it around my neck. I smiled widely as I touched it. The chain was so smooth, it felt like silk under my fingertips. "Thank you!" I said, sincerely. For a few moments, Merry just watched me as I doted over the shiny bauble. When things got quiet again, I finally got the nerve to ask the question I'd been wondering about since my father first told me. "I have a question for you, Merry," I began.

"Anything." He replied, then took a sip of wine.

"I was just wondering why you and my father set the wedding date so close. Most engagements last a year or two. Ours is just a few months away," I blurted out. Merry looked a little puzzled.

"Do you not want to get married so soon? We can push it back-" he started, but I cut him off.

"No, I want to! I was just wondering why you chose to have it so soon." A tiny grin came over his face, then he looked at me again.

"After everything I've been through in the last few years, I'm ready now, and your father seemed confident you wouldn't object," He said steadily. He smiled, then went on. "I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know you. And you've always been the prettiest girl I've known." After he finished, I nudged him gently with my elbow.

"What about Daisy Boffins? You seemed to fancy her for a while." I teased him, knowing his history with the local girls. Merry took the joke well, and chuckled a little.

"If you remember, Miss Daisy Boffins quit seeing me after she met that odd fellow from Greenfields. Broke my heart at the time, you remember?" He chuckled a little, then looked at me sweetly, "but she'll never be as good a woman as Miss Estella Bolger, I tell you." He leaned his shoulder in against mine, and gave me a little wink. I laughed a little, then Merry continued, "That's why I want you. I can't hide anything because you know me so well. You make me feel like...home."

I had never been granted such compliments. My cheeks turned bright pink and I smiled widely. "Thank you, Merry. That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."

Merry looked rather pleased with himself, then he got a mischievous look in his eye and said, "Well, now it's your turn to tell something embarrassing." I giggled a little, then thought for a moment.

"Hmmm. I don't know where to start." I took a drink of wine, then continued. "You know me just as well as I know you. You were there that time I was a girl and I ate too many pies at the fall festival, then I got sick right in the middle of everyone dancing. I think that was the year I ruined Daisy's sister's dress. Do you remember? She was so mad!" I said, barely containing my laughter. Merry clearly remembered too, as his laughter was louder than mine. "Is that embarrassing enough?" I asked.

After regaining his composure, he thought about my question for a moment with an audible hmmm, then said "No. Keep going." I thought about more things, but nothing was coming to mind.

And then finally, after taking a large drink of wine and a very deep breath, "I'm really glad you and my father decided not to wait a year or two to set the date. I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I would have married you ten years ago if you'd asked me. Being here with you like this, and knowing that I get to marry you in just a few months, it's really like a dream for me." I was indeed embarrassed, and I looked to Merry to see if that was enough for him. From the look on his face, it was. He was grinning widely and looked very pleased with himself. He squeezed my hand.

"Well at least we know where we stand now," he said confidently. "I'm in love with you, and you're clearly madly in love with me, so I think we've made a good decision here, to get married. You're a wise girl, Miss Bolger," he joked. He then pulled out his pipe and lit the pipe weed inside. After he took a few puffs, I caught the scent of it.

"May I?" I asked, gesturing to his pipe. He looked surprised, with raised eyebrows. Then a crooked grin grew on his face.

"Of course!" He said, playfully. He extended his pipe to me, and I welcomed it, with a smile. I took a few puffs, then handed it back. He inhaled, then made a few smoke rings. He offered me the pipe again and I took it. I managed to make a couple of smoke rings of my own. After that, it became a contest of who could make the most rings. There was no winner, but it afforded us time to be silly together, which was prize enough.