Chapter 22

Don't Disturb Them

The hobbit's all lined up against the coral and watched the newborn colt. They rolled with laughter seeing the young colt trying out his legs for the first time as it jumped and ran a couple of steps before falling to its knees. It bounded up again and pranced with its hooves lightly touching the ground going back to its mother.

"He is a beauty, isn't he Pip?" Tom laughed as he admired the young colt.

"Yes, I would say so, Merry will have the finest horses in all the Shire once we get them all back home." Pippin commented and continued, "I have purchased ten of them myself for the Great Smial and so far I see three to my liking."

"Are you going to take the colt, Pippin?" Wilcome asked.

"No, I wish that I could, but Merry should have the first born colt for himself, but I'm taken the next one for myself." Pippin smiled and looked about the corral for another expectant mother to give birth.

"You won't be waiting long, Peregrin, that white Palomino over there looks like she will be delivering soon." Legolas pointed out to him.

"Once we are all back at the Shire, I'm beggin my Da for one." Tom proudly told them.

"I think once our father has seen these horses, you won't be begging, he'll be buying them out right, I reckon." Wilcome turned to Tom in knowing his father's loved of a good horse.

"For miniatures, these are the best I have seen." Aragorn said, "Your herds will be great in the Shire."

~*~

Gimli stood and stretched his back after he told Bombur most all of his tales and he could see the old dwarf becoming very fatigued with the long conversation. He helped the old dwarf to his room as he went in search for his father as it was getting on suppertime.

Hearing the servants preparing the meal in the kitchen as they talked among themselves. Pots and pans noisily clattered and knives loudly knocked against the wooden cutting board as they chopped the vegetable that would go into the stew that they were preparing. Fresh spices scented the air as they were cut and added to the boiling water on the wood burning stove.

"Gimli, could I bring you another ale before supper?" asked the Servant girl when Gimli walked out of Bombur's bedroom.

"No, I will be seeing my father now, but have one sitting on the table when we begin our evening meal." Gimli smiled to the servant girl with a long brown beard and stout stature.

'Oh, that father of mine, can still pick the lasses to work for him, she is a looker to be sure.' Gimli thought as he chuckled to himself when he approached his father's bedroom.

The large bed in a great chamber with tall ceilings met Gimli as the walked across the room towards the bed where his father slept. Long drapery hung from the ceiling and onto the floor just over the head portion of his father's bed. Tall, well carved, spiral bedpost attached to each corner of the large bed. Delicate weave blankets in noble design of dark blue and reds adorn the covers his father slept under and fluffy, overstuffed pillows, lye in a group on the bed. Great paintings and fine craftsmanship in all manner of weaponry hung on the wall of the great bedchambers of his father, all spoke of noble deeds of the dwarf that owned them.

Gimli stood by the side of the bed looking down at his sleeping father. He gasped seeing the frail frame of a very old dwarf that aged rapidly since Gimli last saw him. His face was thin and drawn with deep inset wrinkles. Gimli noticed his hands that he had admired most all of his life because the strength that they once possessed, were now bone thin with gnarled knuckles from years of hard labor. His father's hand rested on his chest over his covers.

Gimli's father opened his eyes and smiled seeing his son standing before him.

"My son." Was all, the elderly dwarf spoke in his greeting.

"Yes, I am back and so glad to see you, father." Gimli greeted him.

"Your mother will be happy to see you, tell her to come here." Gloin asked him.

"Father, mother has been gone now for the past thirty years." Gimli reminded him, as he looked at his father in total confusion.

He looked sadden as if he heard this for the first time and he appeared greatly confused as he whispered to himself of distance thoughts.

Gimli stood in shock staring at his father and knowing that his father was not long for his final hour.

"It is alright, father. I am here, I will help you." Gimli took his father's frail hand and held it to his heart.

The servant came in and brought a tray of soup and tea. Gimli propped his father up in his bed and set the tray on his lap. His father's hand shook as he tried to hold the cup in his fingers, spilling drips from the rim of his cup. Gimli steadied his hands and helped bring the cup to his lips. The effort was so great that his father dismissed the tray and asked to sleep again.

Taking the tray, Gimli placed it on the table next to his bed and gently laid his father down onto his pillows. His father again whispered to himself as he moved his hands about in front of him as if he was talking with someone, but not Gimli.

Gimli lowered his eyes and sat in the chair next to his father's bed and watched him as his father slowly drifted off to sleep. Gimli bit his lower lip to keep it from trembling as he began remembering all the things that they had done together. He could see his father's strong hands cutting into the rock as he chiseled away in making his fine stone crafts and carvings that were magnificent in their beauty. These things hung in the halls of their lodging. His father would tell him stories of his days and adventures long before Gimli was born. He saw his father's great deeds and admired him for all that he had accomplished in his long life. As the memories echoed in his mind, Gimli again looked at his father and saw that he had passed on in death laying their on his bed.

Gimli whispered to him, "I love you Dad." And kissed his forehead saying his last good-byes.

~*~

Merry, while in a dream like state as the sleeping water prevented him from being able to wake up and move, still Merry could hear everything that was happening around him. Dreaming imagines rolled through his thoughts of Estella being young with long braids about her shoulders. He could see the dead rabbits in her father's hand getting ready to skin them for their supper. He remembered the sadness of seeing these beautiful creatures dead on the ground and how it moved him to tears. Then as if a cloud was raised from his eyes and he could sense Estella's desire to hug and comfort him. It now made him smile, longing to be hugged.

Again, Merry saw himself and Frodo walking down the familiar dirt road of the Market Square with Pippin trailing behind them. He saw himself pick up an apple from Farmer Maggot's vegetable booth, while sneaking the apple into his pocket for later. He saw Estella and sensed her desire to speak with him. He could feel her heart sadden as he passed her by and he tried to force himself to stop and take her hand, but he couldn't. Frodo and Pippin beckoned him on. It torn at his heart being pulled away from her.

Merry saw himself at Bilbo's party dancing and drinking his ale. There was music and laughter all around him. His spirits lifted in delight remembering that day. He saw Fredegar and Estella sitting at a table and Pippin telling him to get Fredegar to join them, so he could watch and warn them when they took the fireworks from Gandalf. Only to be caught by him and made to wash dishes until the party ended. Again his heart was opened to Estella and he saw the sadness in wanting to be with him, but Gandalf kept him busy. He tried to will himself away from Gandalf to sit beside her, but Gandalf would not allow him. He saw how sad she looked and wanted to kiss the sadness from her lips.

He saw Frodo in his mind and accepted to go with him to destroy the ring. He could see himself leaving the boarders of the Shire, but his heart told him of the pain that existed in Estella's heart. He felt himself longing to run towards her, but he was unable to leave Frodo's side. He felt torn in his soul. He could feel the pain of despair and longing deep in his heart that was mirrored to Estella. He saw her sobbing while she lye on her bed after she was told that Merry was dead in the Old Forest or some foreign land.

In the darkness of the night, he saw himself on his horse with the mail shirt on his chest as he raised the horn to his lips to awaken the hobbits of Hobbiton to fight. He could feel Estella's happiness and he longed to share that joy with her and hold her in his arms, but he could not move from his saddle. He wanted to reach his hands into his dream and pull himself from that saddle as his emotions were so drawn towards her.

Then he saw her standing before him wearing Diamond's dress and her long beautiful hair about her shoulders. She was a vision of beauty that was unforgettable and forever locked in his heart and mind. He knew from that moment on, that he had always loved her, always wanted to be with her, but so much was asked of Merry in his life that he never took the time to feel what was always in his heart. Merry's eyes open and he brought his hands to his face and wiped the tears that ran down his cheek. He was awake.

Aragorn and Estella rushed into the tent to see Nibs, who now sat up in horror looking at where his hand used to be. Shouting in disbelief as he cried out in his pain. Aragorn rushed to his side to comfort Nibs and helped him through his awakening.

"Estella, get me my bag!" Aragorn shouted, but was not answered. He looked up to see Legolas who now handed him his bag.

"She is busy and can not come to you Aragorn, so I will help you." Legolas told him.

Aragorn looked over to see Estella in Merry's arms while the two shared a kiss and held each other tightly.

Aragorn and Legolas both smiled at each other knowing not to disturb them any further.

A/N: Now that Merry realizes he had always loved Estella, he now knows where his future is heading. Nibs suffers with the loss of his hand and Berilac is still unsure of his feelings and needs to put the past behind him, accepting what he can not change. Merry must get his stallion and his horses back home. Gimli must decide if he should stay in the Lonely Mountains or go back to Moria..Legolas goes home to see his father, only to be torn by what his father wants of him..Pippin and Diamond may have a wedding to plan if all goes well...The group may be walking into something that they were not prepared for...More chapters ahead...