Chapter 13
Talking to Estella
When Diamond brought Estella back to her room, Euphemia was still talking with Lily. Both the hobbits saw how upset Estella was as she wiped the tears from her face. Lily felt so badly for her foster sister and went to comfort her. "Estella, why didn't you tell Pippin everything that happened after your memory returned. You could have told him about the powder that continued to take your memory away!" Lily looked at Euphemia. "Begging your pardon, Mistress! But if he'd of known, perhaps Merry would have understood more!"
Euphemia looked down to the wooden floor and felt so responsible for not believing Estella and causing her more suffering.
Euphemia apologized again to Estella. "I am so sorry, Estella. I should have done more to help you rather than believing the healers! Can you ever forgive an old hobbitess for jumping to a falsehood!"
Estella put her arms around Euphemia and hugged her. "I know you were only doing what you thought was right. I do not fault you any!"
Euphemia looked at Estella's beautiful face and saw the great kindness of her heart to forgive so easily. "Let me make all this up to you, child."
A servant knocked on the door with a request from their mistress as to the number of guests that would be attending the evening meal.
Euphemia told them that she would directly speak to the cook about this matter. Returning her attention back to Estella she had an idea.
Ordering her servants, she told them to move all of Estella's and Lily's things into the best guestroom that the Grand Halls provided. She looked at Diamond's small waist and then compared that to Estella's. She gestured to Diamond to come closer to her and she whispered into her ear. Both the hobbits giggled with Euphemia's idea and her planning.
Estella followed them to her new room. It was one of the biggest bedrooms that she had ever seen. The beds and drapery were specially made in delicate fabric's that was so soft to the touch. Beautifully rustic tables and cabinets housed the prettiest vases and flowers from their gardens. Sitting behind the dressing curtain was a large bathing room with two copper tubs for Estella and Lily to bathe. The servants rushed about to prepare everything that they needed.
Euphemia smiled while she watched the girl's surprised expression. "Please allow an Old Hobbitess to give you what pleasures there are in the Grand Hall. It is the least I can do to make amends for my poor judgement!" Euphemia smiled at the two girls when they both giggled at each other and nodded their acceptance of her hospitality. "Then I will leave you with my servants to attend you!" Euphemia turned with Diamond to leave the guestroom and shut the door.
The servant escorted the girls into the bathing room and helped them undressed. They saw a fire burning in the hearth with a huge kettle of boiling water. On the table sat lotions, soaps, oils and thick bathing towels that sat close to the fire. The servants continue to pour heated water into the tubs and the girls could smell the scented oils they added. They climbed into the bath while the servants lavishly washed and bathed them. Estella giggled sitting in the tub with thick bubbles all around her.
Wrapping the girls in thick heated towels, they sat them down upon cushion benches and poured small glasses of the Grand Hall's best wine. A servant to each girl, brushed out their hair until each curl on their head glisten in its natural beauty.
Servants carried in armfuls of beautiful dresses and presented them to Estella and Lily. Both girls smiled at each other and chose which dress they wanted to wear for the evening meal. Estella chose a long soft satin green dress and the servants helped to dress her. Estella looked at herself in the mirror and knew that something was missing that would make this dress extra special. She walked over to her jewelry box and placed a brooch on the bodice of her dress. Seeing her bracelet she put it on and admire the beautify four-leaf clover that dangled from it. Lily came from behind the dressing curtain with the dress that she chose. It was a pretty yellow dress with a matching yellow vest. Estella smiled seeing Lily twirl in front of the mirror to admire it. Estella took out the other brooch that Annegrin had given her. "Lily, come here. I have something that will really make that dress perfect of tonight!"
Holding out her open hand Lily saw the brooch that she had admire the most. "Oh, Estella! Thank you!" Lily pinned the brooch on the front of her vest and turned around so Estella could see her.
"It's perfect, Lily. You look so nice wearing it!" said Estella.
After the late afternoon primping and spoiling of the servant's constant attention, Estella and Lily were escorted to the garden.
Standing in the doorway, Estella was surprised to see so many guests of the mistress of the Grand Hall.
Many hobbit lads suddenly turned to notice the two girls who stood in the doorway. Euphemia took Estella's hand and guided her to meet her guests. Estella blushed from the enormous amount of compliments and promises of a dance later in the evening.
There were rows of small kegs of ale that lined a thick table top and next to the kegs were stacks of mugs. There were bottles of wine that the servant poured into shapely wineglasses. Tables were set up with wonderful delicacies of stuffed mushrooms and seasoned dried tomatoes for the hobbit to nibble upon until the evening meal was announced.
Fiddlers played softly in the background, while hobbits gathered in many small circles throughout the garden area. Only one hobbit stood by himself sipping an ale and ignoring the other guests. Merry Brandybuck had wished he could return to his room and was not in no mood to celebrate anything as he worried about his dear friend Fredegar. But being a guest of the Grand Hall, he could not turn down the invitation.
Estella saw Merry and she made an attempt to go over to him, but Lily pulled her back. "Let him have sometime to think alone before you try to speak with him again!"
Estella lowered her eyes and Lily seen how much this was hurting her. She took her hand and squeezed it. "It will be all right, Estella. You'll see! In time he will understand!"
Estella did not have anytime to her feelings of guilt or worry over Merry's anger with her. The northern Took lads soon gathered around her like bees around honey.
Pippin stood next to one of the fiddle players to admire the fine craftsmanship of their fiddles.
Diamond walked up to Pippin and stood next to him. "Do you play?"
Pippin looked at Diamond and sighed seeing how beautiful she looked in her finest gown. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!"
Diamond took the fiddle from the player and handed it to Pippin. "I would love to hear a song that the hobbits in Tuckborough often play!"
Pippin looked at Diamond and seeing her standing their so beautiful, he decided to play the sweetest love song that he knew. He slowly drew his bow across the fiddle and the gentle even tones poured softly from the fiddle.
Diamond watched Pippin's eyes and his sweet smiled every time he looked at her. Diamond walked over to the next fiddle player and asked for his fiddle. She also took the fiddle and joined him as the song he was playing was one of her most favorite.
Pippin looked in wonder at this beautiful girl and marveled at her skill with the fiddle. He slowly walked up to her while he kept playing, standing side by side with each other. The guests began to gather around them to watch and clapped their hands.
Euphemia smiled seeing the couple standing next to each other and thought how cute they looked together.
A great applause echoed through the hall when they finished.
Merry glanced at Estella and watched her. Her beautiful smiled beamed across the room as many lads did their best to impress her. Hearing her laugh made Merry's heart take a sudden leap while he watched her. It took his breath away when her eyes suddenly caught his from across the sculptured landscape of the garden. Merry shifted his eyes to the fountain and pretended to be very interested in its structure. Deciding to have himself another mug of ale, he walked over to the table and filled his mug full.
The servants announced the meal was being served and the guests began to gather around the lengthy tables. Pippin took Diamond's hand and walked her to join her family and sat next to her. They both were smiling and laughing with each other throughout the entire meal.
Estella walked gracefully next to a lad who insisted that she must sit next to him during the evening meal. While, Lily had no choice but to sit next to Merry. She was very happy that he was quiet and in no mood to visit with her. She watched him from the corner of her eye and noticed his many fleeting looks towards her sister. She was angry with Merry for causing Estella to cry and hurting her feelings by his sharp words.
Pippin kept Diamond's attention all through the meal as they both visited and joked with each other. Some of the lads there were heartbroken because Diamond paid them no regards.
After the meal, the fiddlers pickup their bows and played lively tunes so the guests could dance, while Estella found herself constantly being asked by the lads who gathered around her.
Pippin would not allow Diamond to be taken from him as he turned her around and around the dance floor.
Lily watched Estella and saw a happiness in her that she had never seen before as she danced. She knew all the hardships that she endured and knew the secrets of her broken heart. Having the strongest loyalty of her foster sister, she was angered at seeing how badly this Merry Brandybuck had treated her. She knew it hurt Estella deeply. Lily watched Merry as his eyes barely wondered away from her. She caught his disapproving looks of Estella and saw him suddenly turn and walk away from the party to head toward the long length of rose bushes to be by himself. She decided it was time to have a talk with this lad.
Merry stopped just before the rose bushes and looked at the wonderful garden before him. Lily came up behind him and placed her hands upon her hips as she snapped out her anger at him when he turned around to face her. "Let me tell you a thing or two, Mr. Brandybuck, thinking yourself so above others and all your high moral character!" She stuck her finger up to his face as she shouted at him and glaring into his eyes. "Estella has been through more than your fancy name and title would ever know! Was it her fault that she was taken away from the ones she loved the very most in life! Was it her fault that that storm took her memory from her and left her nameless! Was it her fault when she finally remembered who she really was and then being told that she was crazy and locked away, then forced to take awful medicine to make her memories disappear again! Did she want all of this to happen to her!" Lily poked Merry in the chest with her finger. "NO! I say! You standing there judging her with your arrogant ways! How could she have known that was her brother she gave her heart too! You should have the compassion in your heart to see it through her eyes for a change! It was her foster father that arranged for Mr. Bolger to marry Poppy in the first place. Just maybe, mind you! That she happened to think herself in love with him, because her heart recognized the love she already had for him to begin with! A sister kind of love that only her heart knew of and a lost memory her mind did not understand!" Lily poked Merry in the chest again, only harder. "Have you ever considered those facts, Mr. high and mighty! If you ever hurt her again with your overbearing and insolent born ways, I'll knock you down with my own fists!" She shoved Merry just enough for his feet to trip over themselves and topple right into the rose bushes and heard Merry scream out a loud yelp. She marched back to the table where she was sitting, without giving Merry another look.
Lily was furious was she returned back to the guests. She never noticed the looks of the others that stared at her red angry face and her quick determined steps. She made it over to the table and sat down crossing her arms in front of her. She looked at her wineglass as a servant leaned over to refill it. She nodded a quick thank you and downed its contents before she felt herself beginning to calm down.
~*~
When the evening came to a close, Pippin took Diamond's arm and guided her for a evening walk before the sun went down to view the wonderful garden of the Grand Hall. While they strolled holding hands, Pippin began to speak with her. "I have to leave tomorrow, Diamond! But I want to see you again. I want to get to know you better. If I sent my carriage for you and your family would you come to Tuckborough and spend a few weeks with me and my family?"
Diamond's eyes sparkled with a brilliant smile upon her lips. "I would love that very much, Pippin. I too want to get to know you better! It will break my heart seeing you leave in the morning!"
"Would you really miss me?" asked Pippin stopping and turning her around so she would face him. He enjoyed looking into her beautiful eyes and he wanted to see if she felt the same way that he did about her.
She looked into his eyes in a flirting manner and put a slight pout upon her lip. "I'd cry into my pillow every night!"
"Then promise me you'll come to Tuckborough and meet my family!"
Diamond nodded. "I promise, Pippin. I promise I'll come to see your home and meet your family!"
Pippin put his arms around Diamond and drew her closer to him. "They will love you, Diamond!" whispered Pippin.
His heart melted in his chest holding her in his arms as he gazed down into her beautiful eyes. Diamond closed her eyes and gestured she wanted him to kiss her.
Pippin smiled watching her lips puckered and her eyes closed. He paused a moment taking in her beautiful face and He lightly kissed her lips. After saying their private good-byes to each other, Pippin returned Diamond back to her mother and sighed as he watched her go into the Grand Hall.
~*~
Pippin almost danced into the room that he shared with Merry. He announced the second he opened the door. "Merry, this has been the best day of my life!"
Pippin froze in his step and stared openly at his cousin. Merry was sprawled out on the bed with the servant pulling thorns from his backside. "What happened to you?" said Pippin so surprised and burst out laughing at the predicament his cousin found himself in.
"Shut up, Pip!" screamed Merry as the servant pulled another imbedded throne from his backside. "Ouch!" he yelled louder.
~*~
Merry barely slept the entire night from both is sore backside, his thoughts of Estella and what Lily had yelled at him. When he walked outside Pippin was all ready seated Lily and Estella on their ponies.
Merry brought a pillow and tied it to his saddle. He slowly lifted himself upon his pony and grimaced when his bottom touched the soft pillow. Adjusting himself just so to find the most comfortable spot he waited while Pippin said his good-bye to Diamond and her family.
Climbing upon his pony the four hobbits turned their ponies to begin their trip back to Hobbiton.
Estella's thoughts stayed focus on seeing her mother and brother again. She imagined their faces in her mind and her heart soared in anticipation.
Pippin lead the group, while Merry road behind going at a much slower pace and picking the ponies path as to go over the smoothest areas. He watched Estella who road just a head of him and noticed every single time she would turn around to look at him.
Pippin knew to take it slower on the trip home and stop for many frequent breaks. Merry's eyes would water each time that he climbed upon his pony to sit.
Estella mostly stayed with Lily and avoided any confrontations with Merry. She noticed that his mood was black and he sulked whenever he found himself alone, while Pippin busied himself with preparing the camp. Lily and Estella would help Pippin with gathering the wood to make a campfire and to set up the things they would need to begin cooking.
Lily cooked the evening meal, while the hobbit sat down around the warm glow of the campfire. Merry, lying on his side to give his backside some comfort, sipped a tea from his tin cup, while, Pippin tried to get Merry to speak to Estella. "Merry you're going to have to speak to her sometime. How I see it, its Fredegar's issues and not our own. He's the one who's got to deal with everything between them!"
"Shut up, Pip!" snapped Merry. "I don't wish to talk about this any further!"
"Seeing your mood is so dark, I'm turning in! But at least Merry, think about what I said!" Pippin rolled over and covered himself with his blanket.
Lily put the clean pots and pans away after she washed them earlier in the evening by the nearby stream, placing them into the traveling bag and secured the bag with its belt buckles.
Placing more logs on the fire, she rolled out her blanket to lye next to Estella. It was not long until Lily was fast asleep.
Estella tossed and turned trying to sleep on the hard ground, but could not find a comfy spot anywhere. She sat up and placed her elbows on top of her knees and looked around at the sleeping hobbits in their blankets. She wondered how they could sleep with such ease on this hard ground. Her back ached and her nerves were on edge thinking that tomorrow she would see her mother and brother again.
Estella looked up at the stars that seemed huge in the blackness of the night. The fire crackled as it burned the thick logs that was stacked in the center. Estella stood to extend her back to loosen the stiffness she felt and decided to walk a short distance around the camp to stretch her legs. She was lost in her thoughts about her brother and imagined how much he must have changed in the long years since she last saw him. She remembered all the things they use to do. She looked at the bracelet around her wrist unable to take it off and put it back into her jewelry box after last nights little going away party that Euphemia had for them. She vowed to herself that she would never take it off again. A teardrop fell from the corner of her eyes as she thought how much time she had missed away from her family.
Merry cleared this throat to get Estella's attention and when she looked up at him, he could see that she was crying. Estella instantly turned away from Merry and wiped the tears from her face and to control her emotions.
Merry walked over to her. "You shouldn't be off wandering around by yourself."
"I wasn't going to go very far. Just enough to stretch the stiffness from my legs."
Merry shifted his weight from side to side and locked his hands behind him as he struggled in thinking what he was going to say to her. "I'm sorry, Estella, for not giving you a chance to explain yourself and for my sharp words. Lily taught me a lesson that I'll most likely never to forget." Merry rubbed his backside thinking about it. "I was so shocked by seeing you there and then thinking about Fredegar with all that he has suffered and has done for all of us. I was just too quick with my tongue."
"Freddy suffered?" asked Estella. "What do you mean?"
Merry looked at Estella and knew she did not have a clue what he went through. "He almost died, Estella! Lotho locked him away in a cell at Michel Delving because he would not tell him anything about where Frodo and the rest of us were. He protected us and paid a great price because of it. I found him in his cell half starved, down to skin and bones. I carried him in my arms and he weighed about the same as a small child."
Estella covered her mouth with her hands and gasped in shock while the tears in her eyes poured down her cheeks. "Poor Freddy, my poor dear, sweet brother!"
It hurt Merry to see her crying so hard that he put his arms around her to comfort her and he whispered in her ear. "When I last seen him, your mother was stuffing him full of pancakes and thick maple syrup. She was happy keeping him fed good and proper!"
Estella slightly giggled in between her tears knowing how much that sounded like her mother that she remembered as a young child. She pulled away from Merry and again dried her tears. She looked up at Merry and smiled at him. "Thank you, Merry! Thank you so much for telling me all of this. I can't wait to see them and hug them. I miss them so very much!"
"Fredegar never got over losing you, it took away his spirit and he was forever changed after that. It's why I got so angry. I was there for your brother and your mother during your funeral, both Frodo and I were. The pain of losing you hurt him deeply! He loves you, Estella! He also loves that girl who wrote him those letters. He believes himself to be in love with her and wants to marry her. It's going to hurt him, Estella! I fear for him," said Merry.
Estella closed her eyes and could see her brother's hurt face and it tore at her heart. "It was not me, Merry. It was the girl who I truly believed I was. The person my foster parents created for me since I did not have any memory of my past. I fear for him too, Merry. I fear of breaking his heart. All I can do now is be his sister and stand by him!"
Merry could clearly see the compassion in Estella's face and her warm caring heart. It tore at Merry seeing her so upset. He knew now that Estella had no way of contacting her family and that she truly did suffer as much as her brother did. He wished he could somehow make every thing better for her and his best friend. But there was nothing that he could do. Merry took Estella's hands in his and held them. He looked down into her eyes. "I'll be there for him, also. Together we'll help him."
Estella slowly raised her eyes and looked deeply into Merry's soft brown eyes. She could see the deep concern and gentleness of this hobbit. "I'm glad Freddy has a friend like you, Merry. To always be there for him to see him through the hardest of times."
Standing in the quietness of the warm still night, in between the green hills of the Shire, with the stars shining above them. Merry felt a special feeling growing his heart for Estella. When he looked into her eyes, it made him feel very uncomfortable and he suddenly pulled away from her. Stammering nervously his face began to turn a shade of red. "I think perhaps....Um, maybe we should get back to the camp. We'll be leaving at first morning light. You need your rest!"
Talking to Estella
When Diamond brought Estella back to her room, Euphemia was still talking with Lily. Both the hobbits saw how upset Estella was as she wiped the tears from her face. Lily felt so badly for her foster sister and went to comfort her. "Estella, why didn't you tell Pippin everything that happened after your memory returned. You could have told him about the powder that continued to take your memory away!" Lily looked at Euphemia. "Begging your pardon, Mistress! But if he'd of known, perhaps Merry would have understood more!"
Euphemia looked down to the wooden floor and felt so responsible for not believing Estella and causing her more suffering.
Euphemia apologized again to Estella. "I am so sorry, Estella. I should have done more to help you rather than believing the healers! Can you ever forgive an old hobbitess for jumping to a falsehood!"
Estella put her arms around Euphemia and hugged her. "I know you were only doing what you thought was right. I do not fault you any!"
Euphemia looked at Estella's beautiful face and saw the great kindness of her heart to forgive so easily. "Let me make all this up to you, child."
A servant knocked on the door with a request from their mistress as to the number of guests that would be attending the evening meal.
Euphemia told them that she would directly speak to the cook about this matter. Returning her attention back to Estella she had an idea.
Ordering her servants, she told them to move all of Estella's and Lily's things into the best guestroom that the Grand Halls provided. She looked at Diamond's small waist and then compared that to Estella's. She gestured to Diamond to come closer to her and she whispered into her ear. Both the hobbits giggled with Euphemia's idea and her planning.
Estella followed them to her new room. It was one of the biggest bedrooms that she had ever seen. The beds and drapery were specially made in delicate fabric's that was so soft to the touch. Beautifully rustic tables and cabinets housed the prettiest vases and flowers from their gardens. Sitting behind the dressing curtain was a large bathing room with two copper tubs for Estella and Lily to bathe. The servants rushed about to prepare everything that they needed.
Euphemia smiled while she watched the girl's surprised expression. "Please allow an Old Hobbitess to give you what pleasures there are in the Grand Hall. It is the least I can do to make amends for my poor judgement!" Euphemia smiled at the two girls when they both giggled at each other and nodded their acceptance of her hospitality. "Then I will leave you with my servants to attend you!" Euphemia turned with Diamond to leave the guestroom and shut the door.
The servant escorted the girls into the bathing room and helped them undressed. They saw a fire burning in the hearth with a huge kettle of boiling water. On the table sat lotions, soaps, oils and thick bathing towels that sat close to the fire. The servants continue to pour heated water into the tubs and the girls could smell the scented oils they added. They climbed into the bath while the servants lavishly washed and bathed them. Estella giggled sitting in the tub with thick bubbles all around her.
Wrapping the girls in thick heated towels, they sat them down upon cushion benches and poured small glasses of the Grand Hall's best wine. A servant to each girl, brushed out their hair until each curl on their head glisten in its natural beauty.
Servants carried in armfuls of beautiful dresses and presented them to Estella and Lily. Both girls smiled at each other and chose which dress they wanted to wear for the evening meal. Estella chose a long soft satin green dress and the servants helped to dress her. Estella looked at herself in the mirror and knew that something was missing that would make this dress extra special. She walked over to her jewelry box and placed a brooch on the bodice of her dress. Seeing her bracelet she put it on and admire the beautify four-leaf clover that dangled from it. Lily came from behind the dressing curtain with the dress that she chose. It was a pretty yellow dress with a matching yellow vest. Estella smiled seeing Lily twirl in front of the mirror to admire it. Estella took out the other brooch that Annegrin had given her. "Lily, come here. I have something that will really make that dress perfect of tonight!"
Holding out her open hand Lily saw the brooch that she had admire the most. "Oh, Estella! Thank you!" Lily pinned the brooch on the front of her vest and turned around so Estella could see her.
"It's perfect, Lily. You look so nice wearing it!" said Estella.
After the late afternoon primping and spoiling of the servant's constant attention, Estella and Lily were escorted to the garden.
Standing in the doorway, Estella was surprised to see so many guests of the mistress of the Grand Hall.
Many hobbit lads suddenly turned to notice the two girls who stood in the doorway. Euphemia took Estella's hand and guided her to meet her guests. Estella blushed from the enormous amount of compliments and promises of a dance later in the evening.
There were rows of small kegs of ale that lined a thick table top and next to the kegs were stacks of mugs. There were bottles of wine that the servant poured into shapely wineglasses. Tables were set up with wonderful delicacies of stuffed mushrooms and seasoned dried tomatoes for the hobbit to nibble upon until the evening meal was announced.
Fiddlers played softly in the background, while hobbits gathered in many small circles throughout the garden area. Only one hobbit stood by himself sipping an ale and ignoring the other guests. Merry Brandybuck had wished he could return to his room and was not in no mood to celebrate anything as he worried about his dear friend Fredegar. But being a guest of the Grand Hall, he could not turn down the invitation.
Estella saw Merry and she made an attempt to go over to him, but Lily pulled her back. "Let him have sometime to think alone before you try to speak with him again!"
Estella lowered her eyes and Lily seen how much this was hurting her. She took her hand and squeezed it. "It will be all right, Estella. You'll see! In time he will understand!"
Estella did not have anytime to her feelings of guilt or worry over Merry's anger with her. The northern Took lads soon gathered around her like bees around honey.
Pippin stood next to one of the fiddle players to admire the fine craftsmanship of their fiddles.
Diamond walked up to Pippin and stood next to him. "Do you play?"
Pippin looked at Diamond and sighed seeing how beautiful she looked in her finest gown. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!"
Diamond took the fiddle from the player and handed it to Pippin. "I would love to hear a song that the hobbits in Tuckborough often play!"
Pippin looked at Diamond and seeing her standing their so beautiful, he decided to play the sweetest love song that he knew. He slowly drew his bow across the fiddle and the gentle even tones poured softly from the fiddle.
Diamond watched Pippin's eyes and his sweet smiled every time he looked at her. Diamond walked over to the next fiddle player and asked for his fiddle. She also took the fiddle and joined him as the song he was playing was one of her most favorite.
Pippin looked in wonder at this beautiful girl and marveled at her skill with the fiddle. He slowly walked up to her while he kept playing, standing side by side with each other. The guests began to gather around them to watch and clapped their hands.
Euphemia smiled seeing the couple standing next to each other and thought how cute they looked together.
A great applause echoed through the hall when they finished.
Merry glanced at Estella and watched her. Her beautiful smiled beamed across the room as many lads did their best to impress her. Hearing her laugh made Merry's heart take a sudden leap while he watched her. It took his breath away when her eyes suddenly caught his from across the sculptured landscape of the garden. Merry shifted his eyes to the fountain and pretended to be very interested in its structure. Deciding to have himself another mug of ale, he walked over to the table and filled his mug full.
The servants announced the meal was being served and the guests began to gather around the lengthy tables. Pippin took Diamond's hand and walked her to join her family and sat next to her. They both were smiling and laughing with each other throughout the entire meal.
Estella walked gracefully next to a lad who insisted that she must sit next to him during the evening meal. While, Lily had no choice but to sit next to Merry. She was very happy that he was quiet and in no mood to visit with her. She watched him from the corner of her eye and noticed his many fleeting looks towards her sister. She was angry with Merry for causing Estella to cry and hurting her feelings by his sharp words.
Pippin kept Diamond's attention all through the meal as they both visited and joked with each other. Some of the lads there were heartbroken because Diamond paid them no regards.
After the meal, the fiddlers pickup their bows and played lively tunes so the guests could dance, while Estella found herself constantly being asked by the lads who gathered around her.
Pippin would not allow Diamond to be taken from him as he turned her around and around the dance floor.
Lily watched Estella and saw a happiness in her that she had never seen before as she danced. She knew all the hardships that she endured and knew the secrets of her broken heart. Having the strongest loyalty of her foster sister, she was angered at seeing how badly this Merry Brandybuck had treated her. She knew it hurt Estella deeply. Lily watched Merry as his eyes barely wondered away from her. She caught his disapproving looks of Estella and saw him suddenly turn and walk away from the party to head toward the long length of rose bushes to be by himself. She decided it was time to have a talk with this lad.
Merry stopped just before the rose bushes and looked at the wonderful garden before him. Lily came up behind him and placed her hands upon her hips as she snapped out her anger at him when he turned around to face her. "Let me tell you a thing or two, Mr. Brandybuck, thinking yourself so above others and all your high moral character!" She stuck her finger up to his face as she shouted at him and glaring into his eyes. "Estella has been through more than your fancy name and title would ever know! Was it her fault that she was taken away from the ones she loved the very most in life! Was it her fault that that storm took her memory from her and left her nameless! Was it her fault when she finally remembered who she really was and then being told that she was crazy and locked away, then forced to take awful medicine to make her memories disappear again! Did she want all of this to happen to her!" Lily poked Merry in the chest with her finger. "NO! I say! You standing there judging her with your arrogant ways! How could she have known that was her brother she gave her heart too! You should have the compassion in your heart to see it through her eyes for a change! It was her foster father that arranged for Mr. Bolger to marry Poppy in the first place. Just maybe, mind you! That she happened to think herself in love with him, because her heart recognized the love she already had for him to begin with! A sister kind of love that only her heart knew of and a lost memory her mind did not understand!" Lily poked Merry in the chest again, only harder. "Have you ever considered those facts, Mr. high and mighty! If you ever hurt her again with your overbearing and insolent born ways, I'll knock you down with my own fists!" She shoved Merry just enough for his feet to trip over themselves and topple right into the rose bushes and heard Merry scream out a loud yelp. She marched back to the table where she was sitting, without giving Merry another look.
Lily was furious was she returned back to the guests. She never noticed the looks of the others that stared at her red angry face and her quick determined steps. She made it over to the table and sat down crossing her arms in front of her. She looked at her wineglass as a servant leaned over to refill it. She nodded a quick thank you and downed its contents before she felt herself beginning to calm down.
~*~
When the evening came to a close, Pippin took Diamond's arm and guided her for a evening walk before the sun went down to view the wonderful garden of the Grand Hall. While they strolled holding hands, Pippin began to speak with her. "I have to leave tomorrow, Diamond! But I want to see you again. I want to get to know you better. If I sent my carriage for you and your family would you come to Tuckborough and spend a few weeks with me and my family?"
Diamond's eyes sparkled with a brilliant smile upon her lips. "I would love that very much, Pippin. I too want to get to know you better! It will break my heart seeing you leave in the morning!"
"Would you really miss me?" asked Pippin stopping and turning her around so she would face him. He enjoyed looking into her beautiful eyes and he wanted to see if she felt the same way that he did about her.
She looked into his eyes in a flirting manner and put a slight pout upon her lip. "I'd cry into my pillow every night!"
"Then promise me you'll come to Tuckborough and meet my family!"
Diamond nodded. "I promise, Pippin. I promise I'll come to see your home and meet your family!"
Pippin put his arms around Diamond and drew her closer to him. "They will love you, Diamond!" whispered Pippin.
His heart melted in his chest holding her in his arms as he gazed down into her beautiful eyes. Diamond closed her eyes and gestured she wanted him to kiss her.
Pippin smiled watching her lips puckered and her eyes closed. He paused a moment taking in her beautiful face and He lightly kissed her lips. After saying their private good-byes to each other, Pippin returned Diamond back to her mother and sighed as he watched her go into the Grand Hall.
~*~
Pippin almost danced into the room that he shared with Merry. He announced the second he opened the door. "Merry, this has been the best day of my life!"
Pippin froze in his step and stared openly at his cousin. Merry was sprawled out on the bed with the servant pulling thorns from his backside. "What happened to you?" said Pippin so surprised and burst out laughing at the predicament his cousin found himself in.
"Shut up, Pip!" screamed Merry as the servant pulled another imbedded throne from his backside. "Ouch!" he yelled louder.
~*~
Merry barely slept the entire night from both is sore backside, his thoughts of Estella and what Lily had yelled at him. When he walked outside Pippin was all ready seated Lily and Estella on their ponies.
Merry brought a pillow and tied it to his saddle. He slowly lifted himself upon his pony and grimaced when his bottom touched the soft pillow. Adjusting himself just so to find the most comfortable spot he waited while Pippin said his good-bye to Diamond and her family.
Climbing upon his pony the four hobbits turned their ponies to begin their trip back to Hobbiton.
Estella's thoughts stayed focus on seeing her mother and brother again. She imagined their faces in her mind and her heart soared in anticipation.
Pippin lead the group, while Merry road behind going at a much slower pace and picking the ponies path as to go over the smoothest areas. He watched Estella who road just a head of him and noticed every single time she would turn around to look at him.
Pippin knew to take it slower on the trip home and stop for many frequent breaks. Merry's eyes would water each time that he climbed upon his pony to sit.
Estella mostly stayed with Lily and avoided any confrontations with Merry. She noticed that his mood was black and he sulked whenever he found himself alone, while Pippin busied himself with preparing the camp. Lily and Estella would help Pippin with gathering the wood to make a campfire and to set up the things they would need to begin cooking.
Lily cooked the evening meal, while the hobbit sat down around the warm glow of the campfire. Merry, lying on his side to give his backside some comfort, sipped a tea from his tin cup, while, Pippin tried to get Merry to speak to Estella. "Merry you're going to have to speak to her sometime. How I see it, its Fredegar's issues and not our own. He's the one who's got to deal with everything between them!"
"Shut up, Pip!" snapped Merry. "I don't wish to talk about this any further!"
"Seeing your mood is so dark, I'm turning in! But at least Merry, think about what I said!" Pippin rolled over and covered himself with his blanket.
Lily put the clean pots and pans away after she washed them earlier in the evening by the nearby stream, placing them into the traveling bag and secured the bag with its belt buckles.
Placing more logs on the fire, she rolled out her blanket to lye next to Estella. It was not long until Lily was fast asleep.
Estella tossed and turned trying to sleep on the hard ground, but could not find a comfy spot anywhere. She sat up and placed her elbows on top of her knees and looked around at the sleeping hobbits in their blankets. She wondered how they could sleep with such ease on this hard ground. Her back ached and her nerves were on edge thinking that tomorrow she would see her mother and brother again.
Estella looked up at the stars that seemed huge in the blackness of the night. The fire crackled as it burned the thick logs that was stacked in the center. Estella stood to extend her back to loosen the stiffness she felt and decided to walk a short distance around the camp to stretch her legs. She was lost in her thoughts about her brother and imagined how much he must have changed in the long years since she last saw him. She remembered all the things they use to do. She looked at the bracelet around her wrist unable to take it off and put it back into her jewelry box after last nights little going away party that Euphemia had for them. She vowed to herself that she would never take it off again. A teardrop fell from the corner of her eyes as she thought how much time she had missed away from her family.
Merry cleared this throat to get Estella's attention and when she looked up at him, he could see that she was crying. Estella instantly turned away from Merry and wiped the tears from her face and to control her emotions.
Merry walked over to her. "You shouldn't be off wandering around by yourself."
"I wasn't going to go very far. Just enough to stretch the stiffness from my legs."
Merry shifted his weight from side to side and locked his hands behind him as he struggled in thinking what he was going to say to her. "I'm sorry, Estella, for not giving you a chance to explain yourself and for my sharp words. Lily taught me a lesson that I'll most likely never to forget." Merry rubbed his backside thinking about it. "I was so shocked by seeing you there and then thinking about Fredegar with all that he has suffered and has done for all of us. I was just too quick with my tongue."
"Freddy suffered?" asked Estella. "What do you mean?"
Merry looked at Estella and knew she did not have a clue what he went through. "He almost died, Estella! Lotho locked him away in a cell at Michel Delving because he would not tell him anything about where Frodo and the rest of us were. He protected us and paid a great price because of it. I found him in his cell half starved, down to skin and bones. I carried him in my arms and he weighed about the same as a small child."
Estella covered her mouth with her hands and gasped in shock while the tears in her eyes poured down her cheeks. "Poor Freddy, my poor dear, sweet brother!"
It hurt Merry to see her crying so hard that he put his arms around her to comfort her and he whispered in her ear. "When I last seen him, your mother was stuffing him full of pancakes and thick maple syrup. She was happy keeping him fed good and proper!"
Estella slightly giggled in between her tears knowing how much that sounded like her mother that she remembered as a young child. She pulled away from Merry and again dried her tears. She looked up at Merry and smiled at him. "Thank you, Merry! Thank you so much for telling me all of this. I can't wait to see them and hug them. I miss them so very much!"
"Fredegar never got over losing you, it took away his spirit and he was forever changed after that. It's why I got so angry. I was there for your brother and your mother during your funeral, both Frodo and I were. The pain of losing you hurt him deeply! He loves you, Estella! He also loves that girl who wrote him those letters. He believes himself to be in love with her and wants to marry her. It's going to hurt him, Estella! I fear for him," said Merry.
Estella closed her eyes and could see her brother's hurt face and it tore at her heart. "It was not me, Merry. It was the girl who I truly believed I was. The person my foster parents created for me since I did not have any memory of my past. I fear for him too, Merry. I fear of breaking his heart. All I can do now is be his sister and stand by him!"
Merry could clearly see the compassion in Estella's face and her warm caring heart. It tore at Merry seeing her so upset. He knew now that Estella had no way of contacting her family and that she truly did suffer as much as her brother did. He wished he could somehow make every thing better for her and his best friend. But there was nothing that he could do. Merry took Estella's hands in his and held them. He looked down into her eyes. "I'll be there for him, also. Together we'll help him."
Estella slowly raised her eyes and looked deeply into Merry's soft brown eyes. She could see the deep concern and gentleness of this hobbit. "I'm glad Freddy has a friend like you, Merry. To always be there for him to see him through the hardest of times."
Standing in the quietness of the warm still night, in between the green hills of the Shire, with the stars shining above them. Merry felt a special feeling growing his heart for Estella. When he looked into her eyes, it made him feel very uncomfortable and he suddenly pulled away from her. Stammering nervously his face began to turn a shade of red. "I think perhaps....Um, maybe we should get back to the camp. We'll be leaving at first morning light. You need your rest!"