Disclaimer: Most of the used characters are the property of Tolkien.

With sweat trickling down his body, Merry shot upright in bed producing a scream that he instantly stifled with his hand. Ragged breaths rose in his chest, loud enough that the form next to him began to stir softly. Merry calmed himself, checked his wife Estella over, and cautiously drifted from the bed as to not disturb her slumber. He walked from to the bedroom and, upon noticing the dying fire, took a poker before seating himself next to the hearth. Letting out a low sigh he poked at the embers trying to ignite the flame, succeeding in making a light crackle. A soft hand groped his shoulder nearly making him jump in fright but he soon recognized the gentle touch.

"Why are you up Merry?" Estella asked. "This is the fifth time within the week. What is so troublesome about your dreams that they keep waking you in such a manner? It worries me to see you in such a ragged appearance."

"Do not worry my dear," Merry said, kissing her hand. "I'm sure it will pass. It's only a nightmare that plagues me."

"Not the one of you with Pippin again," Estella sighed. "I could understand the nightmares then but after this much time? I know you two were close but it has been nearly nine months since his passing. Merry, don't you think those dreams should have ended?"

"Perhaps," Merry replied. "But it is you that should take your mind off it dear Estella! Please, take your place back in bed. There is no need to gain exhaustion over such a minor issue with the little one due at any time." He placed his palm at the end of Estella's rounded belly, rubbing gentle circles through the nightgown. A soft jolt sent shivers down his spine. "I just felt the little one kick my hand!"

"Aye, the baby knows its father," Estella chuckled, "and how much he deserves a kicking for leaving me cold in the bed."

"Now that was a bit uncalled for," Merry pouted. "I left the covers snug and warm around you." Seeing her stern eyes pierce through him, Merry groaned. "I will join you shortly Estella. I just want to sit here a bit longer to think."

"Very well," Estella sighed. "But you better hurry or the next kick you get will be from me and it will not be as gentle as the babe's!"

"Yes ma'am!" Merry said, trying hard not to laugh at her threat. "Have we decided on the name of the baby?"

"Yes, dear, we did that quite some time ago," Estella said, moving in the doorway. "Peregrin if it is a boy and Willow if it is a girl. I have been praying for boy."

"So have I," Merry whispered, watching her vanishing form.

Merry's attention drew back to the fireplace, his eyes downcast, watching the flames. For the past week he had been lying about the dreams to his wife even though he once did have such vivid dreams about Pippin. The way Pippin felt in his arms as he was dying, the blood, the bruises, it had always come back to haunt him. Now, however, that horrific nightmare was replaced by one far more dreadful. It was still lingering in his mind; he could not get rid of it.

Merry was running hard, panting heavily with each breath, trying to avoid crashing into a tree only to have a few stray limbs lash at the flesh on his arms. The reason he was running and in such a panic was unknown, only a feeling of panic was swarming his mind. He had to return home. The trees around him disappeared now replaced with a grove alongside a tiny hobbit hole, his hobbit hole. His eyes shot to the side to view two ponies, one belonging to Mr. Brombleburr and the other to Sam. Reaching for the front door it swung open to reveal Rose rushing past him a few feet, then she sank to her knees, heaving for air. He drove on paying no heed to her, entering the shadowy home. The room was an utter mess; tables and chairs turned over, linen torn to shreds, glasses and dishes shattered. Before he could investigate he found himself in a darkened hallway. Ahead of him one of the bedroom doors was shut, a speck of light flowing from the crack. Soon echoes of moaning, crying, followed by a long mournful wail filled the hallway. The noise his Estella made caused his eyes to burn and the stinging tears sprang to his eyes. Finally, after what felt like hours, he reached the door only to have it jerk open with Sam trying to sprint out. Merry stretched his arm to him but Sam pushed him away while placing a hand over his mouth, appearing ready to vomit. He whipped his head back around to come face to face with Mr. Brombleburr. A grim look was on the doctor's face as he slowly opened his mouth but no sound came from his throat. Merry struggled to understand what Brombleburr was trying to say but he soon gave up when the doctor moved away, giving him a view of the bed. Tangled in the midst of the sheets laid Estella, sweat glistening all over her body, mingling with the onslaught of blood that leaked from between her thighs. Gazing into her eyes, he fell to his knees as tears threatened to blur his vision. It was then that he noticed that her left eye was black and blue and swollen shut. Finger imprints ran all the way down her neck and he could see a forming bruise on her stomach through the flimsy gown. In fact, it seemed her belly had swelled beyond its normal size even for pregnancy. For a moment the room became black and sobs broke the silence, his sobs. When his vision refocused he looked back into her once bright green eyes, now dull and dim and devoid of any emotion save a few trickling tears with a glint of despair. Her mouth slid open and with a pained voice she spoke.

"I was told it was a boy Merry," she sobbed, forcing a half smile. "Our little Peregrin, Merry. Mr. Brombleburr will not hand him to me. Why will he not hand my little Peregrin to me, Merry?" More tears weld in her eyes. "I can only hear your sobs and mine, why can I not hear his?"

Then there were no more tears, no more movements from her battered body. In the corner of his eye he could see a tiny bundle at the edge of the bed. A small, bloodied hand hung out the crack of the blanket.

Back in reality Merry opened his eyes, rubbing at them until it felt as if they would turn raw. It was one thing to dream of his wife dying in childbirth but her overall ragged, beaten appearance confused him. It made no sense.

'Oh, what am I worrying about?' Merry thought. 'It is only a dream; it means nothing. I'm just frightened about Estella's pregnancy. What husband wouldn't be? I suppose I shouldn't fret over that. I know she will be alright. Mr. Brombleburr already gave her a checkup and says she is in full health.'

Rising up from the chair he strolled down the hall, entered the bedroom, and snuggled between the sheets with Estella's back against his chest. He sighed in the nape of her neck and wrapped his arm around her belly protectively.

The next day Merry woke to the smell of warming cinnamon and frying butter. He lazily dragged himself out of bed and strolled into the kitchen. There stood his Estella pulling a pan of fresh bread from the oven. Cocking a smile he came from behind, latched his arms around her stomach, and lightly kissed her neck. Estella produced a high pitch squeal, nearly dropping the pan on the floor.

"Oh you devil!" Estella yelled, swatting at his hands. "How many times have I told you not to do that?!"

"Hm, how many times have I told you not to exert yourself baking for me in the kitchen?" Merry snickered.

"Hm, and how do you know that this here bread is for you?" Estella chuckled.

"Because I am the only hobbit that could steal your heart," Merry cooed.

"There were many hobbits that could steal my heart," Estella said, "but you were the cutest one so the choice was a bit obvious."

Merry gave a hearty laugh. "What do you have to drink that can wake this hobbit up? How about some good old Buckland ale?"

"No, no, there will no ale for you dear Merry," Estella chided. "The last thing you need is to be drunk so early in the morning."

"Humph, you allowed me to have ale in the morning on our honeymoon," Merry pouted.

"Well, we were naive newlyweds then sweetheart," Estella said. "From here on you shall survive with milk, juice, or tea."

"Ah, very well," Merry sighed. "I will be leaving soon anyway. I want to leave early to see Mr. Brombleburr. My luck he will gone when I reach his home."

"Now, why do you want to see him?" Estella asked. "He already gave me a checkup and said everything was fine. You are worrying yourself far too much."

"I just want to have a quick chat with him that is all," Merry said. "While I am gone I want you take it easy. I do not want you straining yourself while over working."

"Would you please stop fretting about me?" Estella growled. "I thought it was cute eight months ago but now it is just becoming annoying."

"Alright Estella," Merry said, kissing her cheek. "I will be heading out now. See you later dear."

"Oh, wait, you did not taste....the bread," Estella groaned, watching Merry bolt out the door. "He always does that when I bake. I wonder what his problem could be?"

Taking a pony from the barn, Merry saddled up and trotted down the trail occasionally turning his head back to wave at Estella's diminishing form. An hour passed before he finally reached Brombleburr's house and riding up he noticed a young girl, Brombleburr's daughter, sweeping the steps. As he rode up the hobbit looked up at him in surprise but smiled nonetheless.

"Oh, good morning Mr. Brandybuck," Peony said. "I was not expecting to see you at my father's door so early in the morning. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes, I wish to speak to Mr. Brombleburr," Merry replied. "Is he in?"

"I am sorry but my father is busy with other appointments," said Peony. "Do you have a message for him?"

"No, I will stop by later," Merry sighed. "How have you been Peony? I have not seen you or your sister, Poppy, in these parts for a while."

"She and I have been at our Aunt Pearl's for the last year," Peony replied. "Father thought it would be best to have a female influence since mother passed at such a young age. I just returned for a bit to help father maintain his house. Poppy got married a year ago to Nad Smallburrow, did you not know? The news was spread almost all over the shire but I suppose you have been busy and all with your adventure, that tragedy with Pippin, and your wife Estella being pregnant. Although, it is not any of my business of your wife's condition."

Merry's eyebrow cocked. "I thought you of all people would know about that. After all, you are quite renown for your gossipy nature Ms. Peony."

"Aye," Peony squeaked, blushing, "but father dear will not tell me. Something about how it is not proper to talk about patients without their consent. How is dear Estella?"

"She is as fine as she can be," Merry answered. "The baby is due any day now."

"Humph, that is not a lot to go by," Peony pouted, but seeing Merry's look made her let it go. "By the way, did you know that Poppy had a wee babe three weeks back? A real shame though, the baby suffers from the fever. Father did all he could do but it does not look good. My poor, dear sister. She really had her heart set on a baby and she loved this one dearly. It will truly tear her apart if the baby passes."

"I am sorry to hear that," Merry said. "I hope it turns out for the best."

"As do I," Peony sighed.

"I think your father would want you back at work Peony," a voice said. "I have already cleaned the stove for you and have coated my jacket with soot."

"Jacob Delvewater," Merry growled. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Merry Brandybuck," Jacob sneered. "Mr. Brombleburr asked that I be here if you must know. It is not safe for a fair lass to remain home alone these days. Have you not heard of the recent robberies down in Hobbiton?"

"Robberies?" Merry asked.

"Yes, quite an outbreak of them," Jacob replied. "They say a group of men are going about looting homes instead of staking out the paths now. None of it has turned deadly yet, all the hobbits were out thank goodness, but the year is young."

"Jacob, I thought King Elessar decreed that no man may enter the Shire," Peony said.

Jacob snorted. "Since when do men listen to a decree? Men do whatever they please no matter what the law may be. It will take more then a piece of paper to keep them out. Such a shame too. They say the robberies are moving back up to Crickhollow. What a disaster it would be if that entered our peaceful area."

"Jacob it already did," Peony hissed. "Remember?"

"Oh, yes, Pippin," Jacob said. "I am sorry to hear about your loss."

"Yes, I'm sure you are," Merry growled, gripping the reins until his knuckles turned white.

"By the way, how is Estella doing?" Jacob asked. "I hear she is with child. A fine hobbit lass such as she will be a wonderful mother. Very pretty....."

"Jacob, I think there is another stove that needs cleaning in there," Peony said, noticing the tint in Merry's eyes. "Could you go take care of that please?"

"Oh, whatever you wish Peony," Jacob replied. "Good to see you again Merry and in such perfect health."

"Likewise," Merry snarled.

"Well, I will tell father you dropped by when he returns," Peony chuckled. When Jacob vanished behind the door Peony stepped closer to Merry. "Just between you and me, why is there so much tension between you and him?"

"Let's just say we never did get along very well as children," Merry sighed, steering the pony away.

"You do not talk much do you?" Peony growled.

"Not to you Ms. Peony, not to you," Merry chuckled. "Good day to you, Ms. Peony. It is such a beautiful day, I think I will ride for a bit or perhaps drop by Sam's."

"I will give father the message!" Peony called.

Merry took off down the trail, vanishing behind the trees.

More to follow.