Chapter 25: Stolen Comforts

Keaira knew she was had made a crucial mistake in being so careless when she left the forest, and she also knew that there would have be consequences.

"What are you going to do, Ferny? I do not think that my master would believe your word over mine," said Keaira in her ever-cocky attitude. "You could not even bring him pipe weed without my help."

"Perhaps, little one, but what would happen when the girl is discovered missing? What defense would you lay then?"

"That she escaped on her own accord. You have no physical proof that I have released her."

"Whether she escaped on her own wits or not she was your responsibility, am I correct? You will not go unpunished. You might not even be allowed to return to the Shire when the time comes, unless..." said Ferny, but he was cut off by Keaira's sharp reply.

"That is my invasion to lead and it is my destiny! You shall not take this away from me! Name your price. What will it take to silence you?" she said angrily.

"You're a smart lass; I knew you would understand. I have but a small price to ask of you, and I think you shall agree with little hesitation."

"Well what is it then?"

"I wish to lead the conquest," he replied, a wry grin on his face.

"You? Lead the invasion of the Shire? But why would you care to do that?" she replied growing ever more annoyed.

"If I lead the invasion I can have a position of power within, when the place is completely taken over. You do not have much of a choice, little one."

"I will accept this on one condition," Keaira said, admitting this was the only was she could avoid a rather painful scolding from Saruman.

"I do not think you are in a position to bargain here," he said greasily.

"Torture me if you will then. I care not. All I ask is to be put fully in charge of punishment of any and all Hobbits who speak out against us or break our law. I wish to give back to them what they gave me," she said, her voice dripping with malice and anger.

"Agreed."

Estella sat beneath the tree on the edge of Farmer Maggot's fields, twirling her hair between her fingers. Four months had passed since Diamond, Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam had left the Shire and she began to wonder what had become of them. Surely the trip to Rivendell would not last much longer…unless of course there had been complications.

As she sat there, Chrysie walked up hand in hand with her new fiancé, Merthian. Whenever Estella saw them together she longed for Merry to return.

Chrysie saw the hurt in her friend's eyes, and wished that there was something that she could do to help. Suddenly she said, "Lets go to The Green Dragon and to visit Rosie in Hobbiton. That will get your mind off of things."

"I do not feel much like going to the pub, Chrysie. That's where I first danced with Merry, anyways…"

"Well then it will remind you of him! Come on, please. You must do something besides mope around all the time. The only time you are happy is when you are painting your mural. I am almost done with my carving myself," Chrysie said in her usual cheerful tone.

"Oh, all right Chrysie," said Estella reluctantly.

They readied a cart and set off for Hobbiton later that day. By the next morning they were nearing the outskirts of the town. Chrysie and Merthian were taking a nap together in the back of the cart while Estella drove in the front with her brother.

They reached the town by that afternoon and headed straight to the pub to find Rosie, as she worked there usually in the afternoons as a barmaid. They got there only to find that a band was playing, the same band that had been playing that night so many months ago. Estella could not stand to dance to the same music and so she went to talk to Rosie.

"Hello, Rosie. How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm alright, I suppose. You haven't heard from Merry and Pippin and them have you?" she asked rather hopefully.

"No, though I wish everyday that I had. I had forgotten you were awaiting their return as well. Quite odd how they disappeared all of a sudden..." said Estella, remembering suddenly that Rosie did not know of the quest.

"Yes, well I must get back to work. They are not paying me to stand around and chat, as much as I would like to. See you later," said Rosie, turning to attend to a table in the far corner.

"Goodbye," said Estella sadly. She slowly began to walk outside, but before she could reach the door she slammed forcefully into someone attempting to enter the pub. Estella felt her feet slip out from under her as she began to fall, when suddenly an arm reached down and caught her by the hand, keeping her from colliding with the floor.

"Thank you," said Estella when she had stood, turning to look at whomever she had bumped into. "Oh of all the people I could possibly run into at a time like this!" she thought to herself upon seeing Horro Boffin still holding the hand that he had grabbed. He was looking strangely at the ring that sat upon her right hand.

"This isn't yours," he said wryly.

"Yes it is. It is my engagement ring from Merry! How dare you accuse me of such?" she shot back angrily.

"I dare accuse you because Diamond showed me this exact ring that she claimed Peregrin Took gave her," he said, eyeing Estella suspiciously.

"Oh..." said Estella, feeling incredibly stupid for forgetting that. "Well...Diamond lent me the ring until Merry could get me another one, and...well..."

"I'm sure! If this is Diamond's ring then I suppose you won't mind if I keep it for her until she returns," he said maliciously, pulling it swiftly from her finger and disappearing into the crowd.

"No! Stop!" cried Estella, a tear falling down her face. The last trace that she had to remember Merry by had been taken from her. She wondered what she would do alone in the dark of night now when her thoughts always returned to him since she could no longer hold the ring for comfort.

"The only time I see you happy is when you are painting." Estella heard Chrysie's words in her head.

"That's it," she thought to herself. "I will paint Merry and myself into the mural. At least then I shall have a picture of him to look at..."

Keaira and Ferny walked silently back up the large stone stairs of the tower. They had devised a ruse to tell Saruman, which would place Ferny in charge of the invasion of the Shire and Keaira in charge of the punishment.

When they reached the large throne room they found Saruman looking into his Pilantir, his right hand outstretched over it. Ferny urged Keaira to enter first, not wanting to be the one to disturb Saruman from whatever it was that he was doing.

"M...Master," she said softly, hoping that he would not be angry with her.

Saruman's head turned sharply to the side and upon seeing Keaira and Ferny standing in the doorway his gaze hardened.

"What news do you have that is so important to interrupt me? I was watching the Uruk-hai armies apprehend the band of rebels. Victory will soon be ours, for they have taken two captive."

"We are prepared to begin our infiltration of the Shire, master," she said in a shaky voice.

"Indeed. Keaira you shall lead a band there composed of half-orcs and some Bree-landers like Ferny. Do not take it by force to begin with. You must ever so slowly infiltrate their government, and when you have complete control then you shall use force to overcome them," said Saruman, still rather distracted. "Bill! Is the band assembled?"

"Yes, my Lord," said Ferny, giving Keaira a look urging her to tell Saruman or he would reveal her secret.
"Master," said Keaira slowly.

"What is it?"

"I have little skill in creating military tactics nor any in infiltration. I was wondering if perhaps Ferny could lead the band and I could be in charge of punishment and the laws? I wish to give them back all of the pain and suffering that they gave me," she said, allowing all of the hatred and malice that she possessed for these people seep into her voice.

"Yes, fine. As long as the deed is completed. I shall send you orders occasionally, but for the most part you shall be on your own unless I inform you otherwise. Go now to Bree and get the troops you plan to bring with you. It would not be wise to fail this," he said. "I am trusting you both, and my trust is hard to come by. Now go and leave me in peace! Take your revenge on the Shire, Keaira, and let all of your hatred out."

"Yes, my Lord," said Keaira, bowing her head in respect. Ferny repeated the action and then they both left his chamber. Keaira went up the stairs to her room to change into a new cloak to travel with. She slid the soiled cloak off and upon doing so she saw the white hand on her shoulder blade. She could not remember when she had gotten such a mark, but it always reminded her of her allegiance to Saruman and the fact that she should not fail.

"I will not let you down, master," she said aloud to her reflection. "The Shire will fall."