Chapter 12
What About Estella
Fredegar smiled while he lay on is pillow, deep in sleep. In his dream he saw himself on his wedding day marrying Poppy. All around him fiddles softly played and he held her in his arms, turning her around and around the dance floor. He could clearly see her yellow golden hair and bright blue eyes. There were beautiful flowers that crowned the top of her head. He could not take his eyes from her as they danced together. Circling they danced, laughing and giggling with each other. Fredegar felt a joy in his heart that he had never felt before nor knew a happiness that was so overpowering. When the dance ended, he saw himself bending gently to kiss her sweet lips and just as he was about to kiss her, her face changed to his sister's face, Estella. He pulled back from her and stared at her in complete surprise. Tears began to fall from his eyes and his heart leaped with joy seeing his dear sweet sister again. Sudden fear tore at him, afraid that she was going disappear again and he reached his arms around her so she would not leave him again. Fredegar cried out, "Estella! Please don't leave me, again. Please don't go away! I've missed you so much!"
Tap, tap, tap.....came upon his bedroom door and awoken him from his dream.
"Freddy! Are you awake?" called is Mother.
Fredegar's eyes open and sat up in his bed. His heart was racing in his chest and he placed his hand over his heart to slow its pace. He realized he was crying in his sleep and he rushed to wipe the tears away. "Yes, I'm awake!" he called back to his mother.
Rosamunda opened the bedroom door and peeked in. "I have your morning breakfast, son!"
Fredegar, lying back down upon his pillow and feared that his mother would notice his tears and red eyes from crying. Rosamunda saw the sadness upon his face and placed the tray on his table next to his bed. She sat down and felt his brow to see if he was feeling ill.
Fredegar shooed her hand away. "I'm not ill, Mama!"
Rosamunda caught the redness in his eyes and knew her son was crying before she came in and it worried her.
"Freddy, What is it? What's wrong, son?" asked Rosamunda so concerned about him. "You've been so quiet and sad at times. It worries your mother so!"
"It's nothing, Mama!" said Fredegar. "I'm all right, really I am!"
"Is your heart broken by the suffering you endured in the lock hole?"
"No, Mama!" said Fredegar as he lowered his eyes away from her. He did not want to tell her of his dream of Estella in fear that it would make her so sad that she would cry. He remembered the first part of his dream of Poppy and he decided to tell his mother about her. "I've met a lass just before I was locked up. I don't know what happened to her. Master Merry has gone off to find her for me and it worries me that she might be gone by now!"
Rosamunda beamed a bright smile. "My Freddy is in love!"
He blinked back the tears that wanted to fall from his eyes thinking about his love of Poppy. "Yes, Mama, I guess that I am!"
Rosamunda almost jumped off his bed from joy. "Oh! Praise Be! I've dreamed of your wedding day and all the grandbabies that I would spoil and love!" She was so happy thinking about this she twirled around the floor in her excitement.
"But Mama, we don't know where she is for sure?"
She stopped her twirling and turned to look at her son. "If Master Merry has gone off looking for her, he'll find her sure enough! Now don't go fretting yourself over this! What lass would not want to marry a prominent hobbit such as yourself? Someday, you'll have your father's store for your own! We can finally retire and take care of our grandchildren!"
Fredegar rolled his eyes, "But Mama, aren't you putting the cart before the horse! We have not found the girl, yet!"
"You must tell me all about her!" said Rosamunda when she returned to sit beside her son. Fredegar took out his letter that he had kept and let his mother read it. He watched the bright smile appear cross her lips as she continued reading. She looked at her son with puppy dog eyes because it was so cute from the gentle words she spoke in her letter. Rosamunda could tell by the girl's writing that she must be a warm and caring hobbit.
"She sounds wonderful! I had always dreamed of the day of your wedding and having a wife such as this Poppy!" Rosamunda thought to herself all the plans she had made for Fredegar's wedding and realized there was so much that needed to be done to prepare for it. She handed her son the letter and bounced up from the bed. "I have a wedding to plan. I must go find your father!" said Rosamunda as she dashed out of her son's bedroom. Fredegar laughed at seeing his mother so excited that she completely forgotten about his breakfast. Fredegar got up from his bed and took the tray of food. He pulled a chair up to the table and began to eat. He too had begun to believe that Merry would find his Poppy and he would be married very soon.
~*~
"Do you have an appointment?" asked the servant girl.
Pippin looked at the servant not believing that this could possibly be necessary. "An appointment? Your mistress requires an appointment?"
The servant girl nodded politely. "She sees No one without an appointment!"
Pippin glared at the servant girl, "We've come all the way from Tuckborough!"
The servant girl apologized to the two hobbits and made a gesture to close the door.
Pippin put his foot in the door's way. "I have a letter from the Thain of Tuckborough, if her highness will only look at it!" said Pippin sarcastically from being so put off.
The servant girl took the letter and asked, "What is your business with the mistress of the Grand Hall?"
Pippin placed his hands on his hips and glowered at her. "I'm sure, I'm not going to stand here and discuss it with you when I could be telling her highness about it!"
The servant girl again apologized to Pippin and told him to wait. She shut the door just as he was about to enter the Grand Hall and it about smacked him in the nose. Merry pulled Pippin back a few steps and turned him around to face him. Merry almost giggled at his cousin at he tried to sound so 'Thainish'.
Pippin shrugged his shoulder looking at Merry's face, as he seemed to be really enjoying himself at his expense.
They heard neither the click of the doorknob or anyone making an attempt to open it and greet them.
Pippin turned back to Merry. "My father told me of these Northern Tooks. The Chieftain died some years ago and they only have daughters and no son to manage their affairs. No doubt about it, Mer. The daughters must be hard to look upon for not finding No husband to take the lead of the clan and their Mistress must be an aged old Hobbitess well passed her time to oversee her clansmen. She's most likely the age of the old Took." Pippin noticed Merry's face as he was grimacing when he spoke, without turning around he looked at Merry. "She's behind me, isn't she?"
Merry closed his eyes and nodded.
Pippin swallowed hard and slowly turned around to face the mistress of the Grand Hall. Pippin's eyes widened in total surprise as his mouth hung open in awe. There stood the most loveliest hobbit girl that he had ever saw. She had lush black curly locks that fell well passed her shoulders. Her angry eyes that glared at him, were the brightest blue that Pippin had ever seen. Her soft velvety skin glimmered in the afternoon sun. Her dress was a fine silk that hugged her very slender waist. Her neck was exposed to reveal a shining glistering stone of a diamond on a slender delicate chain.
"I-I-I-I'm so sorry for my rudeness!" said Pippin trying to apologize as quickly as he could. "I've had the hardest week and all this traveling has set my temper more so than usual!"
"My mother will see you in her chambers!" snapped the beautiful young hobbit girl. She turned around to have her rude guests follow her.
Merry walked up to Pippin who froze in his spot. He whispered. "Good going there, Pip! I'm sure they are going to really want to help us now!"
Pippin walked behind the lovely girl and smiled as he watched her glide smoothly across the corridors wooden floors. With each step she took, melted Pippin's heart.
She opened the door to her mother's chambers and announced the two travelers.
Euphemia Took sat in her high back chair in front of her desk as she took her time to read the letter from the Thain of Tuckborough. Pippin and Merry stood in front of the desk for a few moments without any greeting from the mistress. The daughter took a chair next to her mother and stared at the two who stood in front of her.
Pippin straightened to his tallest height, standing as properly as he could and smiled at the frowning girl before him.
Euphemia slowly raised her eyes and momentarily looked over the two hobbits. "Which of you are the Thain's son?"
Pippin stepped forward and introduced himself. "I am Peregrin Took, the son of the Thain of Tuckborough, of the Shire!" said Pippin in a grand manner trying to impress the young lass as his eyes would shift from the mistress to her daughter. He turned elegantly remembering his training from his months of service to the Stewart of Gondor and introduced Merry. "This is my cousin, The future Master of Buckland, Meriadoc Brandybuck, of Buckland!"
"I see, The Thain has outline that you are looking for someone and may need our assistance. Who is the hobbit you are searching for?"
Merry stepped forward and cleared his throat. "We are looking for a hobbit lass who I have been informed is employed at the Grand Hall. Her name is Poppy Took!"
Euphemia's eyes widened and she looked at her daughter, Diamond. Returning her gaze back to Merry, she once again looked over the letter and folded it. Handing the letter back to Pippin who tucked the letter back into his weskit's pocket and she sat back in her chair. "Why are you looking for this girl?"
"Poppy Took was engaged to be married to a dear friend of ours. During the war of Bywater, he was detained and taken away by ruffians from his family. Upon Peregrin and my return to the Shire, we helped free the Shire of its ruffians and restored the Shire back to the hobbits and the Thain. However, our friend lost contact with Miss Took. He wishes to acquaint himself with her once more."
Euphemia again asked Merry another question. "Who is your friend that you are speaking of?"
"He is a very good friend or ours from Hobbiton. His family owns a general store. His name if Fredegar Bolger," stated Merry.
Again Euphemia raised her eyebrow to Merry's story. "Bolger's for Hobbiton!" Euphemia now knew where Poppy got her story from and the reason behind all of this ranting and raving that has caused so much problems. Euphemia could not figure out why Poppy would go to such extremes when she could have easily just told her that she was in love with his hobbit.
Merry nodded as he continued to watch the mistress of the Grand Hall.
Diamond's frown suddenly changed as she listened to the two hobbits and even began to smile at Pippin.
Euphemia nodded as she spoke. "We have heard the stories of the war of Bywater. We are very impressed by there tales. The Northern Tooks are in your debt for your courage and bravery, Master Brandbuck and Master Took. Miss Poppy, in which you speak, is here at the Grand Hall. However, she is doing rather poorly since her mother had passed away. If you follow me, I'll will take you to them!"
~*~
Mundarosa opened the door to the girl's bedroom and shut it behind her. She carried a tray of tea and small cakes that were left over from the mistress's earlier appointment. Mundarosa spooned in a fine white powder into Estella's tea.
Lily watched her carefully and worried that her sister should not drink this. Lily approached Mundarosa and insisted upon serving the tea to Estella. The cook pointed out directly which teacup was Estellas'.
Lily turned her back on the cook and switched hands quickly so Lily would have Estella's tea and Estella would have her tea. Since the cups matched, the cook would never catch on to what she did. She would focus on Estella drinking her tea and would not pay attention whether Lily drank her tea or not.
Lily sat down next to Estella and balanced her teacup upon her knee trying to act very proper. She cut the cake for Estella so both girls could share a piece. Lily pretended to lean over too far and allowed her teacup to fall to the floor and shatter into pieces, while Estella enjoyed drinking her tea. "Oh, I'm so sorry! How clumsy of me!"
Mundarosa scowled at Lily. "I'll not get you another fer being so clumsy! You'll just have to go without! Then seeing how the two of you are being punished for trying to run away. You don't deserve to have another cup!" Mundarosa folded her arms in front of herself and watched Estella drink her tea until she finished it. She gathered the cup and broken pieces of the Lily's cup and took the tray back to the kitchen.
Lily ran to Estella after she peeked out from the door. "Estella, you must act like you do not remember who you are. You must call yourself Poppy again! I think the cook is trying to give you that awful powder in your tea. It's okay, I switched them when she was not looking and broke the one with the powder!"
Estella hugged her sister tenderly. "Oh, you're a quick minded lass! That was a wonderful idea!"
A knock came upon their door and Lily winked at Estella. "Now remember, don't let on that you have not taking that powder!"
Lily answered the door and saw Euphemia with two young lads. She smiled greeting the mistress and opened the door wider for them.
Poppy looked down on the floor trying to pretend she very sleepy from the powder, she heard Euphemia introduce her to the two lads with her. "This is Lily Took and her sister Poppy!" said Euphemia.
Estella raised her eyes toward the guests standing in her room and her eyes widened in total surprise. "Merry!" she shouted and covered her mouth, forgetting she was not to say anything.
Merry's head snapped around and stared at the girl who claimed to be Poppy. Merry approached the girl and looked at her closely. "Do I know you?" stated Merry and looked at her one more time. "Estella? Estella Bolger?"
Pippin came closer to her and stared at her in surprise.
Merry's brow wrinkled in anger and he shouted at her. "We all thought you were dead! How can you be living here all this time and never contacting your family! Do you know what harm you caused your brother and let alone your dear Mother! How could you be so horrible to do such a thing?" Merry's face was furious with anger thinking of all the hurt and pain her family suffered at her loss. He remembered her funeral and months of morning her mother went through.
"Merry, wait a minute! I can explain everything!" shouted Estella.
Merry turned sharply and ran out of the bedroom. Estella tried to follow him, but Pippin grabbed her arm and kept her from following him. "He's too angry to listen right now, Estella. You better explain things to me first!" said Pippin.
Diamond came closer to her mother and they both stared opened mouth at each other.
Estella began to cry hysterically and Pippin put his arms around her to quiet her. "Tell me, Estella what has happened to you?"
In between her sobbing she told Pippin everything. Even Euphemia listened closely this time and finally believed the young lass.
"I'm sorry, Estella!" said Euphemia. "I'm so sorry for not believing you! But you have to admit it is hard to believe!"
Pippin pulled Estella from his arms. "I'll go find Merry and get him to understand!" Pippin turned and ran to find Merry.
"Wait, Pippin!" shouted Estella. "Tell me of my mother and my brother!"
"Your mother is well and taking care of your brother!" Pippin stopped and looked at Estella. His eyebrows raised when he realized why they were here. "Your brother thinks you are Poppy! He has told us to find you and bring you to him. He wants to marry you!" Pippin paused a moment and then continued. "Is he ever going to be surprised!"
Estella looked at Pippin and began to cry again. "What am I going to do now?"
Pippin looked at her and said. "Instead of a wife, he'll have his sister back! I must go find Merry!"
Pippin found Merry standing outside in the front of the Grand Hall. He paced back and forth trying to control his emotions.
Pippin began to explain to Merry everything that she had told him. Merry turned sharply and snapped at his cousin still being very angry. "I understand well enough what has happened to her, but when she finally realized who she was, she could have still contacted her family with a letter to let them know she was alive and where she was living! Nothing stopped her from that! What about her brother? How is he going to take it when he finds all this out? It will break his heart to pieces!"
"I know, Merry. We are going to have to break it to him gently! But even so, Fredegar will have his sister back. That will help ease his broken heart some!" said Pippin. "Go talk with Estella, she's very upset!"
"No, Pip! We'll take her back to Hobbiton, but I'll not ever speak to her for what she had done. Fredegar deserves better than this!" stated Merry.
Diamond opened the front door and slowly approached Peregrin. "My mother has asked me to invite you both to stay here at the Grand Hall while we sort everything out. We have beautiful rooms and enough servants to see to your needs. My mother has ordered to set two extra plates at our evening meal for the both of. It would be an honor if you agreed to join us!"
Pippin smiled looking and listening to Diamond. Her sweet voiced echoed in his ears and down to his heart. Without asking Merry, Pippin graciously accepted her offer.
Estella ran to the front door and tried to take a step towards Merry. "Merry, please..!" Seeing her, Merry rushed directly passed her and would not stop to speak with her.
Estella lowered her eyes feeling so ashamed of herself and so heart broken that Merry now hated her. Diamond put her arm around Estella and guided her back into the Grand Hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Skittles Are Candy: Thank you so much for your comment on Rosamunda Bolger. I worked very hard to get her character just right for this story. I'm glad that you noticed it and really liked it.. . that made me smile! Sorry about the cliffhanger, I just could not resist!
MlynnBloom: I was in a very silly mood when I wrote that. I'm glad you enjoyed that part, sometimes I'm only funny in my own head.....We'll see about those weddings, but first Estella has to find some way to get Merry to listen to her. Maybe on the road home, there is nothing like a warm campfire and a star lit night to warm the heart of a hobbit! .....smile! wink!
What About Estella
Fredegar smiled while he lay on is pillow, deep in sleep. In his dream he saw himself on his wedding day marrying Poppy. All around him fiddles softly played and he held her in his arms, turning her around and around the dance floor. He could clearly see her yellow golden hair and bright blue eyes. There were beautiful flowers that crowned the top of her head. He could not take his eyes from her as they danced together. Circling they danced, laughing and giggling with each other. Fredegar felt a joy in his heart that he had never felt before nor knew a happiness that was so overpowering. When the dance ended, he saw himself bending gently to kiss her sweet lips and just as he was about to kiss her, her face changed to his sister's face, Estella. He pulled back from her and stared at her in complete surprise. Tears began to fall from his eyes and his heart leaped with joy seeing his dear sweet sister again. Sudden fear tore at him, afraid that she was going disappear again and he reached his arms around her so she would not leave him again. Fredegar cried out, "Estella! Please don't leave me, again. Please don't go away! I've missed you so much!"
Tap, tap, tap.....came upon his bedroom door and awoken him from his dream.
"Freddy! Are you awake?" called is Mother.
Fredegar's eyes open and sat up in his bed. His heart was racing in his chest and he placed his hand over his heart to slow its pace. He realized he was crying in his sleep and he rushed to wipe the tears away. "Yes, I'm awake!" he called back to his mother.
Rosamunda opened the bedroom door and peeked in. "I have your morning breakfast, son!"
Fredegar, lying back down upon his pillow and feared that his mother would notice his tears and red eyes from crying. Rosamunda saw the sadness upon his face and placed the tray on his table next to his bed. She sat down and felt his brow to see if he was feeling ill.
Fredegar shooed her hand away. "I'm not ill, Mama!"
Rosamunda caught the redness in his eyes and knew her son was crying before she came in and it worried her.
"Freddy, What is it? What's wrong, son?" asked Rosamunda so concerned about him. "You've been so quiet and sad at times. It worries your mother so!"
"It's nothing, Mama!" said Fredegar. "I'm all right, really I am!"
"Is your heart broken by the suffering you endured in the lock hole?"
"No, Mama!" said Fredegar as he lowered his eyes away from her. He did not want to tell her of his dream of Estella in fear that it would make her so sad that she would cry. He remembered the first part of his dream of Poppy and he decided to tell his mother about her. "I've met a lass just before I was locked up. I don't know what happened to her. Master Merry has gone off to find her for me and it worries me that she might be gone by now!"
Rosamunda beamed a bright smile. "My Freddy is in love!"
He blinked back the tears that wanted to fall from his eyes thinking about his love of Poppy. "Yes, Mama, I guess that I am!"
Rosamunda almost jumped off his bed from joy. "Oh! Praise Be! I've dreamed of your wedding day and all the grandbabies that I would spoil and love!" She was so happy thinking about this she twirled around the floor in her excitement.
"But Mama, we don't know where she is for sure?"
She stopped her twirling and turned to look at her son. "If Master Merry has gone off looking for her, he'll find her sure enough! Now don't go fretting yourself over this! What lass would not want to marry a prominent hobbit such as yourself? Someday, you'll have your father's store for your own! We can finally retire and take care of our grandchildren!"
Fredegar rolled his eyes, "But Mama, aren't you putting the cart before the horse! We have not found the girl, yet!"
"You must tell me all about her!" said Rosamunda when she returned to sit beside her son. Fredegar took out his letter that he had kept and let his mother read it. He watched the bright smile appear cross her lips as she continued reading. She looked at her son with puppy dog eyes because it was so cute from the gentle words she spoke in her letter. Rosamunda could tell by the girl's writing that she must be a warm and caring hobbit.
"She sounds wonderful! I had always dreamed of the day of your wedding and having a wife such as this Poppy!" Rosamunda thought to herself all the plans she had made for Fredegar's wedding and realized there was so much that needed to be done to prepare for it. She handed her son the letter and bounced up from the bed. "I have a wedding to plan. I must go find your father!" said Rosamunda as she dashed out of her son's bedroom. Fredegar laughed at seeing his mother so excited that she completely forgotten about his breakfast. Fredegar got up from his bed and took the tray of food. He pulled a chair up to the table and began to eat. He too had begun to believe that Merry would find his Poppy and he would be married very soon.
~*~
"Do you have an appointment?" asked the servant girl.
Pippin looked at the servant not believing that this could possibly be necessary. "An appointment? Your mistress requires an appointment?"
The servant girl nodded politely. "She sees No one without an appointment!"
Pippin glared at the servant girl, "We've come all the way from Tuckborough!"
The servant girl apologized to the two hobbits and made a gesture to close the door.
Pippin put his foot in the door's way. "I have a letter from the Thain of Tuckborough, if her highness will only look at it!" said Pippin sarcastically from being so put off.
The servant girl took the letter and asked, "What is your business with the mistress of the Grand Hall?"
Pippin placed his hands on his hips and glowered at her. "I'm sure, I'm not going to stand here and discuss it with you when I could be telling her highness about it!"
The servant girl again apologized to Pippin and told him to wait. She shut the door just as he was about to enter the Grand Hall and it about smacked him in the nose. Merry pulled Pippin back a few steps and turned him around to face him. Merry almost giggled at his cousin at he tried to sound so 'Thainish'.
Pippin shrugged his shoulder looking at Merry's face, as he seemed to be really enjoying himself at his expense.
They heard neither the click of the doorknob or anyone making an attempt to open it and greet them.
Pippin turned back to Merry. "My father told me of these Northern Tooks. The Chieftain died some years ago and they only have daughters and no son to manage their affairs. No doubt about it, Mer. The daughters must be hard to look upon for not finding No husband to take the lead of the clan and their Mistress must be an aged old Hobbitess well passed her time to oversee her clansmen. She's most likely the age of the old Took." Pippin noticed Merry's face as he was grimacing when he spoke, without turning around he looked at Merry. "She's behind me, isn't she?"
Merry closed his eyes and nodded.
Pippin swallowed hard and slowly turned around to face the mistress of the Grand Hall. Pippin's eyes widened in total surprise as his mouth hung open in awe. There stood the most loveliest hobbit girl that he had ever saw. She had lush black curly locks that fell well passed her shoulders. Her angry eyes that glared at him, were the brightest blue that Pippin had ever seen. Her soft velvety skin glimmered in the afternoon sun. Her dress was a fine silk that hugged her very slender waist. Her neck was exposed to reveal a shining glistering stone of a diamond on a slender delicate chain.
"I-I-I-I'm so sorry for my rudeness!" said Pippin trying to apologize as quickly as he could. "I've had the hardest week and all this traveling has set my temper more so than usual!"
"My mother will see you in her chambers!" snapped the beautiful young hobbit girl. She turned around to have her rude guests follow her.
Merry walked up to Pippin who froze in his spot. He whispered. "Good going there, Pip! I'm sure they are going to really want to help us now!"
Pippin walked behind the lovely girl and smiled as he watched her glide smoothly across the corridors wooden floors. With each step she took, melted Pippin's heart.
She opened the door to her mother's chambers and announced the two travelers.
Euphemia Took sat in her high back chair in front of her desk as she took her time to read the letter from the Thain of Tuckborough. Pippin and Merry stood in front of the desk for a few moments without any greeting from the mistress. The daughter took a chair next to her mother and stared at the two who stood in front of her.
Pippin straightened to his tallest height, standing as properly as he could and smiled at the frowning girl before him.
Euphemia slowly raised her eyes and momentarily looked over the two hobbits. "Which of you are the Thain's son?"
Pippin stepped forward and introduced himself. "I am Peregrin Took, the son of the Thain of Tuckborough, of the Shire!" said Pippin in a grand manner trying to impress the young lass as his eyes would shift from the mistress to her daughter. He turned elegantly remembering his training from his months of service to the Stewart of Gondor and introduced Merry. "This is my cousin, The future Master of Buckland, Meriadoc Brandybuck, of Buckland!"
"I see, The Thain has outline that you are looking for someone and may need our assistance. Who is the hobbit you are searching for?"
Merry stepped forward and cleared his throat. "We are looking for a hobbit lass who I have been informed is employed at the Grand Hall. Her name is Poppy Took!"
Euphemia's eyes widened and she looked at her daughter, Diamond. Returning her gaze back to Merry, she once again looked over the letter and folded it. Handing the letter back to Pippin who tucked the letter back into his weskit's pocket and she sat back in her chair. "Why are you looking for this girl?"
"Poppy Took was engaged to be married to a dear friend of ours. During the war of Bywater, he was detained and taken away by ruffians from his family. Upon Peregrin and my return to the Shire, we helped free the Shire of its ruffians and restored the Shire back to the hobbits and the Thain. However, our friend lost contact with Miss Took. He wishes to acquaint himself with her once more."
Euphemia again asked Merry another question. "Who is your friend that you are speaking of?"
"He is a very good friend or ours from Hobbiton. His family owns a general store. His name if Fredegar Bolger," stated Merry.
Again Euphemia raised her eyebrow to Merry's story. "Bolger's for Hobbiton!" Euphemia now knew where Poppy got her story from and the reason behind all of this ranting and raving that has caused so much problems. Euphemia could not figure out why Poppy would go to such extremes when she could have easily just told her that she was in love with his hobbit.
Merry nodded as he continued to watch the mistress of the Grand Hall.
Diamond's frown suddenly changed as she listened to the two hobbits and even began to smile at Pippin.
Euphemia nodded as she spoke. "We have heard the stories of the war of Bywater. We are very impressed by there tales. The Northern Tooks are in your debt for your courage and bravery, Master Brandbuck and Master Took. Miss Poppy, in which you speak, is here at the Grand Hall. However, she is doing rather poorly since her mother had passed away. If you follow me, I'll will take you to them!"
~*~
Mundarosa opened the door to the girl's bedroom and shut it behind her. She carried a tray of tea and small cakes that were left over from the mistress's earlier appointment. Mundarosa spooned in a fine white powder into Estella's tea.
Lily watched her carefully and worried that her sister should not drink this. Lily approached Mundarosa and insisted upon serving the tea to Estella. The cook pointed out directly which teacup was Estellas'.
Lily turned her back on the cook and switched hands quickly so Lily would have Estella's tea and Estella would have her tea. Since the cups matched, the cook would never catch on to what she did. She would focus on Estella drinking her tea and would not pay attention whether Lily drank her tea or not.
Lily sat down next to Estella and balanced her teacup upon her knee trying to act very proper. She cut the cake for Estella so both girls could share a piece. Lily pretended to lean over too far and allowed her teacup to fall to the floor and shatter into pieces, while Estella enjoyed drinking her tea. "Oh, I'm so sorry! How clumsy of me!"
Mundarosa scowled at Lily. "I'll not get you another fer being so clumsy! You'll just have to go without! Then seeing how the two of you are being punished for trying to run away. You don't deserve to have another cup!" Mundarosa folded her arms in front of herself and watched Estella drink her tea until she finished it. She gathered the cup and broken pieces of the Lily's cup and took the tray back to the kitchen.
Lily ran to Estella after she peeked out from the door. "Estella, you must act like you do not remember who you are. You must call yourself Poppy again! I think the cook is trying to give you that awful powder in your tea. It's okay, I switched them when she was not looking and broke the one with the powder!"
Estella hugged her sister tenderly. "Oh, you're a quick minded lass! That was a wonderful idea!"
A knock came upon their door and Lily winked at Estella. "Now remember, don't let on that you have not taking that powder!"
Lily answered the door and saw Euphemia with two young lads. She smiled greeting the mistress and opened the door wider for them.
Poppy looked down on the floor trying to pretend she very sleepy from the powder, she heard Euphemia introduce her to the two lads with her. "This is Lily Took and her sister Poppy!" said Euphemia.
Estella raised her eyes toward the guests standing in her room and her eyes widened in total surprise. "Merry!" she shouted and covered her mouth, forgetting she was not to say anything.
Merry's head snapped around and stared at the girl who claimed to be Poppy. Merry approached the girl and looked at her closely. "Do I know you?" stated Merry and looked at her one more time. "Estella? Estella Bolger?"
Pippin came closer to her and stared at her in surprise.
Merry's brow wrinkled in anger and he shouted at her. "We all thought you were dead! How can you be living here all this time and never contacting your family! Do you know what harm you caused your brother and let alone your dear Mother! How could you be so horrible to do such a thing?" Merry's face was furious with anger thinking of all the hurt and pain her family suffered at her loss. He remembered her funeral and months of morning her mother went through.
"Merry, wait a minute! I can explain everything!" shouted Estella.
Merry turned sharply and ran out of the bedroom. Estella tried to follow him, but Pippin grabbed her arm and kept her from following him. "He's too angry to listen right now, Estella. You better explain things to me first!" said Pippin.
Diamond came closer to her mother and they both stared opened mouth at each other.
Estella began to cry hysterically and Pippin put his arms around her to quiet her. "Tell me, Estella what has happened to you?"
In between her sobbing she told Pippin everything. Even Euphemia listened closely this time and finally believed the young lass.
"I'm sorry, Estella!" said Euphemia. "I'm so sorry for not believing you! But you have to admit it is hard to believe!"
Pippin pulled Estella from his arms. "I'll go find Merry and get him to understand!" Pippin turned and ran to find Merry.
"Wait, Pippin!" shouted Estella. "Tell me of my mother and my brother!"
"Your mother is well and taking care of your brother!" Pippin stopped and looked at Estella. His eyebrows raised when he realized why they were here. "Your brother thinks you are Poppy! He has told us to find you and bring you to him. He wants to marry you!" Pippin paused a moment and then continued. "Is he ever going to be surprised!"
Estella looked at Pippin and began to cry again. "What am I going to do now?"
Pippin looked at her and said. "Instead of a wife, he'll have his sister back! I must go find Merry!"
Pippin found Merry standing outside in the front of the Grand Hall. He paced back and forth trying to control his emotions.
Pippin began to explain to Merry everything that she had told him. Merry turned sharply and snapped at his cousin still being very angry. "I understand well enough what has happened to her, but when she finally realized who she was, she could have still contacted her family with a letter to let them know she was alive and where she was living! Nothing stopped her from that! What about her brother? How is he going to take it when he finds all this out? It will break his heart to pieces!"
"I know, Merry. We are going to have to break it to him gently! But even so, Fredegar will have his sister back. That will help ease his broken heart some!" said Pippin. "Go talk with Estella, she's very upset!"
"No, Pip! We'll take her back to Hobbiton, but I'll not ever speak to her for what she had done. Fredegar deserves better than this!" stated Merry.
Diamond opened the front door and slowly approached Peregrin. "My mother has asked me to invite you both to stay here at the Grand Hall while we sort everything out. We have beautiful rooms and enough servants to see to your needs. My mother has ordered to set two extra plates at our evening meal for the both of. It would be an honor if you agreed to join us!"
Pippin smiled looking and listening to Diamond. Her sweet voiced echoed in his ears and down to his heart. Without asking Merry, Pippin graciously accepted her offer.
Estella ran to the front door and tried to take a step towards Merry. "Merry, please..!" Seeing her, Merry rushed directly passed her and would not stop to speak with her.
Estella lowered her eyes feeling so ashamed of herself and so heart broken that Merry now hated her. Diamond put her arm around Estella and guided her back into the Grand Hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Skittles Are Candy: Thank you so much for your comment on Rosamunda Bolger. I worked very hard to get her character just right for this story. I'm glad that you noticed it and really liked it.. . that made me smile! Sorry about the cliffhanger, I just could not resist!
MlynnBloom: I was in a very silly mood when I wrote that. I'm glad you enjoyed that part, sometimes I'm only funny in my own head.....We'll see about those weddings, but first Estella has to find some way to get Merry to listen to her. Maybe on the road home, there is nothing like a warm campfire and a star lit night to warm the heart of a hobbit! .....smile! wink!