Diamond walked along the forest path with her new betrothed, watching as the sunlight slowly grew fainter. Horro was busily planning the wedding, but Diamond could not bring herself to be excited. As angry as she was at Pippin and Frodo, she did not love Horro.
"I have made a mistake," she thought to herself. "I agreed to this marriage out of anger. How could Pippin do that to me? I would have married him if he had just given me the chance, if he had just shown one sign of returned affection. Alas, I thought he was different. I thought money and power did not matter to him. I suppose I was mistaken."
She was brought out of her thoughts by Horro's sudden question. "Why were you angry at Pippin and Merry before, when I found you?" he asked.
"It is a long tale, and must be told in its entirety if you would hear it still. I must ask for your silence on the matter. Please, I cannot reveal this unless you promise to keep silent," she pleaded.
"I shall not speak a word of it," he promised.
She began to tell of how Bilbo found the Ring on his quest with the Dwarves, and of whom it's previous owners had been. She spoke of Gollum, and of the comings and goings of Gandalf. Onward and quietly she spoke, spilling her hear of the conspiracy, and the plans to go to Rivendell. All the while, Horro listened intently, asking a few questions. He was quite shocked by the whole tale, for he, as well as many other Hobbits, do not approve of such involvement with the big folk.
"I wished to go with them, but they would not allow it. This is why I was angry with them. Merry was forcing me to stay behind, and Pippin did not defend me," she said, reflecting on the events of that past afternoon.
"They did not care for you. They were selfish and wanted you to themselves, as I admit I did once as well. One of the two must fancy you. Not Frodo, I doubt, for he is 30 years your elder, but the other," said Horro. "Though I must admit I am grateful on their state of mind not to let you come with them. The world outside the Shire is no place for you."
"I am more than capable of protecting myself," Diamond replied sharply, growing weary of arguing the same point to so many different people. "I believe you, my love," he said, but she knew he did not mean it.
"I am leaving, and I need some rest. I shall talk to you tomorrow to be sure. Good night," said Diamond walking away alone down the path.
The next day, the sun shone brightly on Diamond's face, awakening her almost instantly. She got up, and dressed quickly, knowing what she had to do that day.
She left her house after a considerably small first breakfast, and made her way to the house of Estella and Fatty Bolger. When she arrived, Diamond knocked on the door several times before Estella answered it.
"Good morning, Diamond. I did not expect to see you. Shouldn't you be with Horro?" Estella said politely, though there was a hint of anger behind her tone.
"I am so sorry Estella! I did not mean to let all of my anger out on all of you. Especially you and Chrysie, you did naught to me. The only people I should be mad at are Pippin and Frodo. They bought me Estella! I never would have thought they would do such a horrible thing," Diamond said, feeling better getting it all off her chest.
"You were so quick to believe something you did not know was true," said Estella.
"Horro had a written copy of the agreement. It was signed in Pippin's own hand! What was I supposed to believe?" Diamond defended.
"Perhaps your dear friend, whom you have secretly fancied, over someone whom you have never liked, nor known closely."
"It was signed in his own hand! Proof that he did not love me," Diamond said sadly. "I once thought.but no I was wrong. Oh Estella, how long did you know how I felt? I suppose I was quite transparent wasn't I."
"Indeed you were, but I do not think anyone, save Chrysie and I, have noticed," Estella said, laughing a little. "Diamond, you must forgive Pippin. If you will not seek the truth in the matter of the letter, at least forgive him for making you stay behind.
"I shall indeed forgive Merry, for I do now realize he intended to protect me. At the time I thought he considered me weak and unable to defend myself." "And what of Pippin? Can you find it in your heart to forgive a wrong that was never committed?" asked Estella.
"Must you lecture me on this, Estella. There is proof, do not you understand. I cannot deny what I saw on the paper."
"Why would one who loves you, try and buy you?" asked Estella.
"They wouldn't," replied Diamond. "However, that is no the case. He did not love me."
"Yes he did, Diamond. He has always loved you, and he still loves you, though his heart is broken. When he came back that night he explained all that happened, in tears mind you, and Chrysie and I and Merry tried our best to console him, but he would not hear it. He is shattered, Diamond."
"That does not prove anything," Diamond argued.
"Come with me," said Estella. "There is something I must show you. We will stop by and get Chrysie on our way, she knows of it too."
When they got to Chrysie's house they found her once again sitting outside watching her siblings play. She watched them approach, and wondered what they wanted.
"Hello, Estella," said Chrysie.
"Good Morning Chrysie. Come with us, there is something Diamond must see," said Estella.
Estella and Chrysie led Diamond to the paths that led towards Farmer Maggot's fields. "Why are you taking me to the fields?" asked Diamond.
"You will see," said Chrysie, a mischievous grin on her face.
They soon reached the borders of the fields, and instead of entering the tall crop of corn, Estella and Chrysie began to lead Diamond towards the tree. They stopped when they reached the base, and Chrysie said, "Climb to the branch where it is wide enough to sit on."
"Why?" asked Diamond.
"You shall see," said Estella. "Go and we shall follow after you."
Diamond climbed through the gnarled branches of the huge tree. After several minutes she reached the branch and pulled herself up onto it. Estella and Chrysie followed soon after her. When they were all there, Diamond looked at them, waiting for whatever it was they intended to show her.
"Well, why did you bring me here?" she asked bewildered.
"Do you not have eyes?" asked Chrysie.
"What?" Diamond replied.
Chrysie just shook her head, and pointed to the tree's massive trunk. Diamond followed Chrysie's gaze until her gaze fell upon the trunk. There, carved into the bark of the tree was a heart, with Diamond + Pippin engraved into it.
"When did you find this?" asked Diamond, her mouth open and her expression amazed.
"When you first showed us this tree," said Estella. "That is what we found here, not a flower."
Diamond laughed at the memory, and sat back against the tree, taking it all in. All this time she had waited for a sign such as this, but it was too late. Diamond then wondered for the first time about the accuracy of the agreement Horro showed her.
"I must find my father," she said to Estella and Chrysie.
"Why?" asked Chrysie.
"I must know if the agreement was real or not," she responded, though she was deep in thought.
"You see, Diamond," said Estella. "He does love you."