Chapter Three

There was a lot of anxiety at Brandy Hall when the Master returned. Everyone who knew about what Merry had done were worried that the Gamgees from Hobbiton would confront him. As he walked into the dining hall,Merry sensed the tension. He ignored it,and sat Molly beside him to eat."Don't worry,little one. They'll get used to you."

"Merry,I don't think it's her. It's me. Look how they all stare." Broca watched the other Brandybucks for a minute before looking away. "This was a bad idea,Cousin. It's foolish to think that I will ever be accepted here again."

"Go on with your duties,all of you! Be it known that my cousin Broca Took will be living here forevermore." Merry smiled at Broca reassuringly. "I dare them to say anythin' to you now. Sit and eat,Broca."

Molly was looking around the dining hall nervously. There was a small group of children just her age huddled together at the far end of the long table."Who are they,Merry?" She couldn't bring herself to call him Daddy yet.

"They're your cousins,some of them." He smiled at her,and pointed out the taller one. "That's Ginger. She's my sister;your aunt." He ordered a plate of food for Molly,and an ale for him and Broca. "You'll like it here,Molly. Pippin did...."

She nodded."She's tall,just like you and Pippin. Do you think you will break the Old Took's record?" She knew a thing or two about the old Took legends.

Merry smirked,and shook his head. "I doubt it,though your uncle Pippin came pretty damn close. Eat up,now. Lydia is giving me the evil eye. I think she wants to take our plates."

Broca said nothing while he ate. He was eating like a starving animal too. He hadn't had a decent meal in many months.

"Broca,I'm going to take Molly to her nursery,and have Martha clean her up,then put her in better clothes." He turned to Lydia,a young hobbit lass of about thirty-five. "Please show Master Took to his room after he has finshed,Lydia."

Lydia nodded,and smiled softly. "Yes,Master Merry."

With a nod to his other kin,Merry picked his daughter up,and headed out of the dining hall. "They are such a scrutinizing bunch,aren't they?" He smiled at Molly.

"They don't like me here."

"Give them time,Molly. They have to give you the same curtesy. Here now,your new rooms."

"Rooms?!" She was incredulous."What do I need two rooms for,Merry?"

He chuckled,and carried her into the nursery. "Martha...I'd like you to meet your new charge. This here is my daughter,Melanie."

Molly looked up at Merry in suprise. "Melanie?"

"From now on,you must put your past behind you,Molly. In my prescence,and in Buckland,you will be known as Melanie. Please remember that."

In that instant,it seemed to Molly,that Merry was totally diffrent...and not her one time best friend. She answered him in a voice barely above a whisper. "Yes,Merry."

Merry nodded,and his voice became gentle again.

"Martha,get her bathed and changed,please,then bring her to my study." Molly noticed how kind Merry was to his servants,and was quite suprised.

Martha,a young girl of sixteen nodded. "Right away,Master Merry." She took her charge's hand and led her into the room.

Merry smiled encouragingly at Molly. "Do as she says,Melanie. I'll see you in a few hours." He walked down the hall to his study,and closed the door.

Merry walked to his desk,and sat down. He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Molly or Melanie,as she was now to be called would need to change a great deal,if she was to stay there. It would have to start that night,not in the morning. He'd seen her reaction to having a nurse. Shock,or anger,maybe,he thought. He was about ot start writing a list to give to Martha,when Lydia came into his study,without knocking."Lydia? Did you forget to knock?"

Lydia seemed desperate. "I'm sorry,Master Merry. It's just there's someone at the door,waitin' for you."

Merry nodded,and stood up. He walked out of his study,and went to the main door. He opened the door,and glared at the unwelcome guest. "Samwise Gamgee. I was wonderin' when we'd be seein' you."