Disclaimer- I own nothing, and wish I to own nothing. Well, the first half
of that's true at least...
AAAAAHHH!!! Natta has brought something very important to mind. If Estella loved Oliver so much, why did nod so eagerly when Merry proposed? It will be described here in this chapter, in a letter from Estella. Thanks for bringing that up, Natta. ___________________________________________________
I took my seat next to Pippin and Vinca. There was already a platter in front of me, with thick toast dripping of butter, a slab of cheese, and a mug of milk. I took a sip of milk, and had just lifted the bread to my mouth when the Thain addressed me.
"Diamond, there is a letter here, for you. From Ruby of Long Cleeve and Estella Bolger. I thought you might want to read it," he reached over the table and handed me a folded stack of parchment. I put my toast down immediately, overjoyed to have had a letter from my sister and friend.
To our Dearest Diamond,
We write this letter from Long Cleeve, where we both are still residing. You might have been so lucky in your circumstances to have been moved to the Great Smials so soon, but as for me (Estella) Brandy Hall is not yet ready for a new occupant, so here I wait, with Ruby. We both miss you terribly, Diamond. We both want to say so much to you so we shall take turns with the quill and ink.
I (Ruby) just want to tell you good luck in your marriage, Diamond. I have requested to the Thain to allow me to come and stay with you until the wedding (after which I will promptly remove myself from the residence- I know when I have overstayed my welcome), and he has generously agreed. At this, I looked up at the Thain, who smiled and nodded. I grinned back.. He had obviously read the letter first, not that I minded.
This is Estella again. I know you are probably wondering what Oliver said when I told him what happened. I suppose it isn't so much of a "said" as a "did". I think that Oliver's jaw was about to hit the floor, he almost cried, he did do a lot of shouting and waving of hands. Oliver was always very passionate, just not for me. I suppose I have Merry to thank for that. Now Diamond, don't go chiding me just yet. I know what you would say. "Why throw away a relationship you have nurtured for years for a lad that you barely know?"
Well, Diamond, all I have to say is that Merry treats me so much nicer than Oliver did. I know Oliver was nice to me, and brought me fresh flowers to plant in my garden, but he really did care only for himself. Always eating at my home, trying to have a free pint from Papa (Mr Bolger owned The Snapdragon tavern)or trying to get me to do Valar-knows-what. You know what they say, Diamond. You never miss something until it's gone. This is exactly opposite though. I only courted Oliver because I did not know something better was out there.
Ah, enough of her rambling on about past lovers (This is Ruby again, Diamond.) Oh yes, Estella says she resents that sentiment. Anyway, how are you dear sister? They treat you well I hope? Is the food good there? I nodded twice, still grinning to myself. I hope both are true, and cannot wait to see you. Estella says she cannot wait to see you either.
Diamond, you might want to suggest telling your sister (it's me, Estella again) to be more polite. I can write for myself, thank you, Ruby. I suppose I shall come with Ruby as well, although I am certainly glad the Great Smials is not as far as Brandy Hall, because if I had to spend more than a day's travel on the road with Ruby, I swear by the Valinor, we would show up lacking a hobbit. Oh, haha Ruby. She says that the hobbit lacking would be me. Isn't your sister just a wit, Diamond?
Estella is going to use up all of my good ink, Diamond, so I am going to have to cut this letter short. But if Estella wanted to contribute a jug or two of ink to the cause, then we could write a saga between the two of us. (Why does Estella think that is so funny?) So we can cut this short, I need to highlight the fact that the wedding will be at the Great Smials. You can expect us in a week the most, Diamond, and the Brandybucks shall be here maybe in two weeks or so. Don't expect the wedding to take place too soon, dear Diamond. Even I can tell you that there are many arrangements to be made, but look forward to wedding at the same time as your dear friend. (Whom, might I add, may not even make it to the Great Smials alive.)
Much love from both of us, Ruby and Estella
Upon finishing the letter, I burst out in a fit of laughter, and didn't stop laughing until I couldn't breathe. I looked up, and Pippin was staring at me like I had a third eye growing out of my head, so I just shook my head and handed him the letter. The Thain smiled as Pippin finished as well.
"I cannot wait to meet your sister, Diamond. She sounds like such a wonderful young hobbit," the Thain smiled, and nodded his head approvingly.
"When is the wedding, Da?" Pippin asked quietly, after a elongated, but not awkward, period of silence. I had already finished my breakfast, and was now waiting politely to be excused to the day's activities, whatever they may have been, and was sipping my remaining milk.
"Two weeks from whenever Meriadoc's family arrives. That is all I know as of now, Peregrin. There is much to be done in preparation for such a thing. First and foremost, we must reserve a day to go to the Well in Long Cleeve. Folk there say it's been blessed by the elves, and I think that there isn't a better spot in the Shire to have a wedding than in a blessed place." I nearly choked on the mouthful of milk I had just taken, and it was all I could do to keep from spitting milk everywhere. I shot Pippin a look of pure guilt (although, honestly, I had nothing to be guilty of) and cast my eyes to my lap.
"Sir, may I ask you a favor?" I looked up to the Thain, who nodded.
"May I have an excursion, to maybe go back to my home, just for a day? I wouldn't want to place any burden on my sister for packing my things, and I would like to see my hole one more time." I was lying through my teeth. I had no things to pack (except for my lute) and I had no desire to see my home again. I really needed to go to the Well, and try and revoke this vow definitively.
"I could go as an escort, Da, if we have your approval," Pippin asked politely. I sighed inwardly as the Thain nodded.
"I suppose that a one day excursion, with the proper chaperone, would be fine. Pearl, would you assume that role?" Pearl looked up from the book that she had been reading, and glowered at Pippin and me quickly, before turning to the Thain.
"Of course, Papa. We can set out as soon as you and Diamond would like, Pippin." She smiled wryly, and went back to her book.
"Do you three want to go pack? I can have a carriage ready for you by elevenses. You need to depart and return early, so that you are back before any of the guests arrive." I thanked the Thain profusely, and bowed before I left the parlor.
As I walked down the hall, I hummed to myself a tune that Ruby had taught me. It was slow, and drawn out, and took skill on the fiddle, lute, drums, or voice to be able to perform, because one had to hold a note for so long. I wasn't a good singer, and I normally played it on my lute (on which I was skilled) but I tried to sing as much of it as I could.
By a bank as I lay,
Myself alone did muse, Hey ho!
A bird's sweet voice did me rejoice
She sang before the day
Methought full well I wot her lay,
She said the Winter's past, Hey ho!
Down, derry down
Down derry, down derry
Down, derry down, derry down,
Derry down, down! ____________________________
For those fond of English folk tunes, they might recognize that song as being the first stanza to By a Bank as I Lay. It really isn't as slow as I made it sound, but it is fairly leisurely.
AAAAAHHH!!! Natta has brought something very important to mind. If Estella loved Oliver so much, why did nod so eagerly when Merry proposed? It will be described here in this chapter, in a letter from Estella. Thanks for bringing that up, Natta. ___________________________________________________
I took my seat next to Pippin and Vinca. There was already a platter in front of me, with thick toast dripping of butter, a slab of cheese, and a mug of milk. I took a sip of milk, and had just lifted the bread to my mouth when the Thain addressed me.
"Diamond, there is a letter here, for you. From Ruby of Long Cleeve and Estella Bolger. I thought you might want to read it," he reached over the table and handed me a folded stack of parchment. I put my toast down immediately, overjoyed to have had a letter from my sister and friend.
To our Dearest Diamond,
We write this letter from Long Cleeve, where we both are still residing. You might have been so lucky in your circumstances to have been moved to the Great Smials so soon, but as for me (Estella) Brandy Hall is not yet ready for a new occupant, so here I wait, with Ruby. We both miss you terribly, Diamond. We both want to say so much to you so we shall take turns with the quill and ink.
I (Ruby) just want to tell you good luck in your marriage, Diamond. I have requested to the Thain to allow me to come and stay with you until the wedding (after which I will promptly remove myself from the residence- I know when I have overstayed my welcome), and he has generously agreed. At this, I looked up at the Thain, who smiled and nodded. I grinned back.. He had obviously read the letter first, not that I minded.
This is Estella again. I know you are probably wondering what Oliver said when I told him what happened. I suppose it isn't so much of a "said" as a "did". I think that Oliver's jaw was about to hit the floor, he almost cried, he did do a lot of shouting and waving of hands. Oliver was always very passionate, just not for me. I suppose I have Merry to thank for that. Now Diamond, don't go chiding me just yet. I know what you would say. "Why throw away a relationship you have nurtured for years for a lad that you barely know?"
Well, Diamond, all I have to say is that Merry treats me so much nicer than Oliver did. I know Oliver was nice to me, and brought me fresh flowers to plant in my garden, but he really did care only for himself. Always eating at my home, trying to have a free pint from Papa (Mr Bolger owned The Snapdragon tavern)or trying to get me to do Valar-knows-what. You know what they say, Diamond. You never miss something until it's gone. This is exactly opposite though. I only courted Oliver because I did not know something better was out there.
Ah, enough of her rambling on about past lovers (This is Ruby again, Diamond.) Oh yes, Estella says she resents that sentiment. Anyway, how are you dear sister? They treat you well I hope? Is the food good there? I nodded twice, still grinning to myself. I hope both are true, and cannot wait to see you. Estella says she cannot wait to see you either.
Diamond, you might want to suggest telling your sister (it's me, Estella again) to be more polite. I can write for myself, thank you, Ruby. I suppose I shall come with Ruby as well, although I am certainly glad the Great Smials is not as far as Brandy Hall, because if I had to spend more than a day's travel on the road with Ruby, I swear by the Valinor, we would show up lacking a hobbit. Oh, haha Ruby. She says that the hobbit lacking would be me. Isn't your sister just a wit, Diamond?
Estella is going to use up all of my good ink, Diamond, so I am going to have to cut this letter short. But if Estella wanted to contribute a jug or two of ink to the cause, then we could write a saga between the two of us. (Why does Estella think that is so funny?) So we can cut this short, I need to highlight the fact that the wedding will be at the Great Smials. You can expect us in a week the most, Diamond, and the Brandybucks shall be here maybe in two weeks or so. Don't expect the wedding to take place too soon, dear Diamond. Even I can tell you that there are many arrangements to be made, but look forward to wedding at the same time as your dear friend. (Whom, might I add, may not even make it to the Great Smials alive.)
Much love from both of us, Ruby and Estella
Upon finishing the letter, I burst out in a fit of laughter, and didn't stop laughing until I couldn't breathe. I looked up, and Pippin was staring at me like I had a third eye growing out of my head, so I just shook my head and handed him the letter. The Thain smiled as Pippin finished as well.
"I cannot wait to meet your sister, Diamond. She sounds like such a wonderful young hobbit," the Thain smiled, and nodded his head approvingly.
"When is the wedding, Da?" Pippin asked quietly, after a elongated, but not awkward, period of silence. I had already finished my breakfast, and was now waiting politely to be excused to the day's activities, whatever they may have been, and was sipping my remaining milk.
"Two weeks from whenever Meriadoc's family arrives. That is all I know as of now, Peregrin. There is much to be done in preparation for such a thing. First and foremost, we must reserve a day to go to the Well in Long Cleeve. Folk there say it's been blessed by the elves, and I think that there isn't a better spot in the Shire to have a wedding than in a blessed place." I nearly choked on the mouthful of milk I had just taken, and it was all I could do to keep from spitting milk everywhere. I shot Pippin a look of pure guilt (although, honestly, I had nothing to be guilty of) and cast my eyes to my lap.
"Sir, may I ask you a favor?" I looked up to the Thain, who nodded.
"May I have an excursion, to maybe go back to my home, just for a day? I wouldn't want to place any burden on my sister for packing my things, and I would like to see my hole one more time." I was lying through my teeth. I had no things to pack (except for my lute) and I had no desire to see my home again. I really needed to go to the Well, and try and revoke this vow definitively.
"I could go as an escort, Da, if we have your approval," Pippin asked politely. I sighed inwardly as the Thain nodded.
"I suppose that a one day excursion, with the proper chaperone, would be fine. Pearl, would you assume that role?" Pearl looked up from the book that she had been reading, and glowered at Pippin and me quickly, before turning to the Thain.
"Of course, Papa. We can set out as soon as you and Diamond would like, Pippin." She smiled wryly, and went back to her book.
"Do you three want to go pack? I can have a carriage ready for you by elevenses. You need to depart and return early, so that you are back before any of the guests arrive." I thanked the Thain profusely, and bowed before I left the parlor.
As I walked down the hall, I hummed to myself a tune that Ruby had taught me. It was slow, and drawn out, and took skill on the fiddle, lute, drums, or voice to be able to perform, because one had to hold a note for so long. I wasn't a good singer, and I normally played it on my lute (on which I was skilled) but I tried to sing as much of it as I could.
By a bank as I lay,
Myself alone did muse, Hey ho!
A bird's sweet voice did me rejoice
She sang before the day
Methought full well I wot her lay,
She said the Winter's past, Hey ho!
Down, derry down
Down derry, down derry
Down, derry down, derry down,
Derry down, down! ____________________________
For those fond of English folk tunes, they might recognize that song as being the first stanza to By a Bank as I Lay. It really isn't as slow as I made it sound, but it is fairly leisurely.