Disclaimer: I don't own Merry, Estella or any other of JRR Tolkien's masterpieces. I'm just playing with them for a time.

All For Love

(a.k.a. The Tale of Merry and Estella)

Chapter 9

The wedding drew nearer much to Estella's dismay. Their wedding was to be held on the 30th of Wedmath (August) and she was wishing time would just stop so she didn't have to face the inevitable. It didn't seem though as if things were going here way though, time seemed to be zooming by. She was hoping for a miracle, but she knew chances were that would never happen.

She also dwelled constantly on her thoughts of Merry Brandybuck. She didn't want to think of him, he infuriated and annoyed her, yet he was sweet, caring and kind. She knew he was very upset with her for accepting Mardo's proposal, yet he had still tried to protect her that day. Why did lads have to be so confusing, she wondered.

On the day before the wedding Merry and Pippin rode their ponies towards Hardbottle. Both were in good spirits and were wearing their traveling clothes again, singing as they went. They arrived at the Bracegirdle's hole and Merry got off his pony and went to the door. He knocked.

A servent girl opened the door and Merry asked to see Mr. and Mrs. Bracegirdle. The lass seemed a little in awe at seeing the giant, and oddly attired hobbit before her but she nodded and quickly scurried off. A couple of minutes later she led him to a parlor and said they would be in shortly.

Merry took a deep breathe, and ran through in his mind what he was going to do. A sudden noise at the door alert Merry to the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Bracegirdle. Both looked very put out, but smiled regardless as they greeted Merry.

"Hello Mr. Brandybuck, what can we do for you?" said Nardo Bracegirdle.

Well I am inquiring about a debt the Bolgers owe you," Merry replied. Petunia Bracegirdle coughed suddenly, looking a tad indisposed.

"Yes, and may I ask how that concerns you?" Nardo asked shrewdly.

"Well the Bolgers are close friends of myself, and I look out for my friends you see," Merry replied with a smile.

"And?" Nardo asked, kind of unsure on what else he could say.

"Let me get to the point. I know of your method of getting what the Bolgers owe you and I am saying that is bad form," said Merry.

"What?" asked Petunia.

"Forcing a young lass to marry your son just because her family doesn't have the money to pay you right now IS bad form," Merry replied.

"I could take their farm if you rather," snapped Nardo.

"No I wouldn't. I have another solution altogether," Merry replied.

"And that is," Nardo said angrily.

"You let them off the hook," Merry replied calmly.

"I do what?" Nardo asked.

"You heard me, and if you don't then the Brandybucks will require all of your harvest this year, even though I'm sure even that won't cover what the Bracegirdle's have owed us over the years. Oh and the Took's will be needing several farm hands to help them this season as well, they've helped you greatly in the past," Merry said.

Mr. and Mrs. Bracegirdle blanched, they didn't expect Merry to do THIS to them. "You can't really expect us to give you all that, it would ruin us," Petunia said, tears starting to flow.

"Well you are forcing a poor lass to marry against her will, not to mention if she doesn't their home will be taken," Merry said.

"I see your point, I guess we have to surrender. Miss. Bolger doesn't have to marry my son," Nardo said sullenly.

"I was hoping you would say that," replied Merry, a big grin forming on his face

AN: I apologize for the extreme lateness of this chapter; real life has been seriously dragging me down. I will do my best to make the next chapter come up much sooner. I would like to thank my wonderful readers and reviewers whose support helps inspire me to write faster. Thank you!