Estella Bolger sat back in her chair.  She knew she had to relax.  If she didn't, someone would know she was angry.  But the only person she wanted to tell was Merry.  She was angry with Merry.  Though, there wasn't any time to focus on it, because her mother, Rosamunda, was rounding the corner.

            "What a beautiful afternoon!  The perfect day to put up our tired feet and have a pipe.  What do you say to that, Estella?  Stella… my dear… why are you moping?"

            "I'm not moping.  I'm relaxing.  There is a difference, mother."  Rosamunda stared at her daughter, first in shock… but then she started to understand.

            "You are most definitely moping.  Either tell me what is wrong or go fix it yourself!  I will not have a daughter who mopes!"  Estella stared back.

            "Where is Fatty?  Still in Crickhollow?"

            "Yes, likely.  He planned to stay for quite some time."  Estella stood up and started for the house.

            "Thank you, mother.  I think I shall pay him a visit!"

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            When Estella approached the small hobbit hole in Crickhollow, a chill ran down her spine.  The place looked utterly deserted.

            "Fatty?  Fatty?"  A loud, angry shout came from within the hole.

            "Ella, go home!  Now is not the time for guests.  You shouldn't be here.  Ella, trust me.  Just go home."

            "I will not go home!  I have just walked three hours, thank you very much.  And you, Fredegar Bolger, you don't even greet me with a proper hello?  What does Master Frodo have to say about that?  He wouldn't allow you to treat me so rudely!"  She walked briskly through the front door to be greeted by her lonely brother.  "Where's Frodo?"

            "He left this morning.  He is taking a short holiday.  Nothing to be worried about.  He'll be home in no time at all."

            "Fatty, he is a Baggins.  Bagginses don't take short holidays.  They may intend to.  But they end up in some adventure or another and risk never seeing the Shire again."

            "Only one Baggins has ever done that... you know better, Ella.  Now, why did you come here?  What's bothering you, really?"  Estella appeared aggravated at her brother's inquest, but secretly rejoiced at the opportunity to talk.

            "I am so angry I could just spit.  Meriadoc Brandybuck would not leave me alone this morning.  Then, when I told him not to, he ran through Farmer Maggot's field with that Peregrin Took."

            "Ella, he always does that to you.  That doesn't mean anything special.  He does that and then you have tea.  It's your ritual."

            "But, Fatty… today he didn't come back."