Chapter Two
Ten Years Later
"Estella, love!" Merry Brandybuck called, bounding through the front door of Brady Hall, a much smaller hobbit right on his heels. "Estella, we're back!"
"AUNTIE!" the boy, much more impatient than his uncle, screamed down the hall. Merry burst into laughter though he knew he should scold the child for shouting. A look of satisfaction crossed Faramir's face.
"Faramir!" Estella appeared in the hall looking concerned. Apparently she had mistaken the scream of impatience for one of pain. "Are you all right, child?" Seeing her husband and the boy in a fit of giggles, she tried her best to appear annoyed. "Don't scare me like that! I thought you were seriously hurt! And don't laugh at me, either!" It wasn't long before she was smiling herself.
"Auntie, Papa said I can stay the night!" Faramir announced in delight. Visiting Merry and Estella was one of his favorite things to do. Being that they had no children of their own, he was very much like a son to them, and they spoiled him accordingly.
Estella cast a knowing look at Merry, who only grinned. Pippin and Diamond had in fact insisted that the boy stay the night, as they were planning a surprise party for his tenth birthday, which was to occur the next day, and were planning on decorating and preparing that night. "But your birthday is tomorrow! Don't you want to be home to get your presents from your mother and father?"
Faramir's face fell. "Papa and Mama said no party this year." He looked to be near tears.
"Tell you what," Merry jumped in before the boy could get too upset, "we'll get up early tomorrow and give you your presents from us, and we can explore all day, and then you can go home and your Mama will have cake and presents for you. It will be better than a party!"
Faramir immediately brightened. "Will you take me on the river?"
Merry hesitated. Diamond had expressly forbidden Faramir from ever swimming or rowing on the Brandywine. "Yes," he finally said. "Of course!"
Before Faramir could respond, a loud knock came at the door, and Merry straightened and answered it. A fair-haired man was on his doorstep, and Merry recognized right away the symbol of the Riddermark upon his clothing. Horses stood outside the gate, as was another man.
"Master Holdwine," the man said, bowing low. Merry returned the gesture. "I am come with tidings from Eomer King of Rohan."
Merry's eyes widened. This was the first time he had heard anything of Eomer since leaving Gondor after the War of the Ring. And yet, as Master of Buckland and one of the Counsellors of the North-kingdom, his obligations came before his curiosity. "Have you permission to enter this land? King Elessar made this a free land long ago, and decreed men are not to enter it."
The man nodded. "Of course, Master Holdwine. I bear with me a message from Elessar himself as well."
"I do not mean to doubt you, horse-master. Any man of Rohan is a dear friend to me indeed, for I have seen your King through many trials, and his predecessor as well, Theoden son of Thengel. By all means, enter." The man came hastily in. "May I have your name?"
"I am Eohrin son of Ealhelm, protector of the Riddermark and one of the King's Guard," he replied proudly.
Merry nodded before turning to his wife and nephew. Faramir was looked up to his uncle in amazement, having never seen Merry operating in any such manner. "Estella, love, could you give Faramir supper in his room? Eohrin and I have pressing matters to discuss."
"Of course," Estella nodded and smiled at her husband, and swept the child away out of sight.
Satisfied, Merry turned back to face his visitor. Eohrin sat, and though Merry remained standing, they were barely at eye level. "Tell me, what news have you brought from your king?"
"He wishes to see you again," Eohrin informed him. "Almost twenty years it has been since the fall of the Dark Lord and the restoration of the King. He and King Elessar request a council with yourself and the Thain Peregrin at Minas Tirith in the coming month."
"Did he not mention Samwise?" Merry was more than delighted at the news but his thoughts automatically strayed to his friend, whose name had been left out.
"Indeed there was a mention of another Halfling whose company King Elessar is most eager to have," Eohrin reassured him. "And the Lady Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, is also to attend, as is the dwarf Gimli son of Gloin and the elf Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil of the woodland realm. The first meeting is to take place on April the 25th in the year 1431, by the Shire Reckoning, I am told."
"All of my old friends!" Merry cried in delight. No news could possibly have pleased him more. "Indeed I will attend; I would not, in fact, miss it for anything. Do tell your King this."
"That is my errand," Eohrin said with a smile, amused at the hobbit's enthusiasm.
"Do you need somewhere to stay the night? How long before you venture back to Rohan?" Merry inquired, remembering some of his manners and obligations.
"Nay, my companion and I will begin our journey back this night. We ride first for Minas Tirith to deliver the news of your coming to King Elessar. Should I have him send riders to accompany you when the time comes, or will you make the journey yourself?"
"I will have my friends. We will not need any other companions," Merry said. "Thank you for bringing this news to me. It is most welcome." Eohrin only nodded before exiting. Merry watched him and his companion ride east until they disappeared onto the horizon. "Estella," he called finally.
His wife came into the room. "Has he gone? What tidings did he bring?"
"I must go to Pippin's and then to Sam's," Merry said in lieu of an explanation. "I have received good news."
"Meriadoc Brandybuck," Estella said in a hard voice. "You'll not be going anywhere until you tell me what the Man said!"
Merry laughed at his wife. "Oh, love, sometimes I am hard put to remember what drew me to you when you were but a hobbit-lass." Before she could become offended, he continued. "I have received news from both Rohan and Gondor. King Elessar is reuniting what is left of our Fellowship, as well as some other dear friends we acquired during the War. We ride for Gondor in one month."
"That is wonderful news!" Estella was happy for her husband. She knew how badly he missed his friends, how he had wished for nearly twenty years that he could see them again. "I'm glad for you, my husband. But don't be too long tonight, it's getting late."
"I shan't," Merry smiled. He gave her a quick kiss and was out the door, hurrying along the path to Pippin's home.