Date: October 28, 3019
Time had passed slowly in the Shire. Only a few people seemed to miss the four young hobbit lads who disappeared more than a year before. Estella had become a sullen creature, pining for the hobbit she had come to love. And her family had become worried.
"Stella, darling, will join us for a picnic? Fredegar will be there. He's coming from Crickhollow for the day."
"No, mother, I don't think I could enjoy the scenery." Rosamunda frowned, knowing something had to bring her daughter out of the hole.
"The Grenthumbs from Long Cleeve will be there as well. It would do you good to get out." Estella's ears perked up. The Grenthumbs? As in, Miss Diamond?
"You know, mother, I think I will join you. I will be ready quite soon."
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Estella waited impatiently for the Grenthumbs to arrive. She had never actually seen the mysterious Miss Diamond, but she had heard of her beauty and wisdom. Her family had become legend when her hobbit father had wed an elven beauty. Though she had been killed soon after Diamond's birth, Diamond and Debreon remained connected with their kin as they passed to the Gray Havens. At least, that's how the stories told it. When they finally arrived, Estella nervously approached Diamond.
"Miss Diamond, I beg your pardon, but I would be eternally grateful if you would eat with me. I hope that you do not think me too hasty, but I have a very serious matter that I would like to discuss with you." Without even a blink, Diamond nodded. She seemed quite unfazed by Estella's request.
Estella quickly found a tree to sit under, far enough from the main group to offer some privacy. Why any hobbits would want to picnic in such a dreary place was beyond her. But since the occupation began, her family was determined to keep with hobbit traditions. Many families had begun to stay indoors, afraid of being taken to the lockholes by the police. But, the few families that didn't care met, creating new acquaintances.
"Miss Bolger, –"
"Please, Miss Diamond, call me Estella."
"I will, Estella, if you would please drop the 'Miss', as well. We are strong, young lasses and don't need the formality. Is there anything in particular that you want to talk about?"
"Well, I suppose I should ask first if all the stories are true. Once again, pardon my intrusion, but was your mother really, well, you know…"
"An elf? Yes, she was. Many people think the stories are nothing more than legend. We are from the north and many strange things happen in the North Country. My father was out hunting…and stumbled upon a trail of elves in the wood. They were on their journey towards the harbor where they would set sail for the Undying Lands. My father fell from the shock and hurt himself and my mother nursed him to health. They fell in love and she returned with him."
"I suppose that happens all the time in the north. I mean strange things like that. Not strange, just out of the ordinary. Your neighbors probably thought nothing of it. If it had happened in Hobbiton, it would have been a very different story."
"Not very likely. The neighbors didn't like it at all. That's how she died. When I was just a babe, they murdered her. Though, no one has taken the blame. They leave us be now, as if nothing happened."
"So you really are half-elven. Just like that Elrond in Mr. Bilbo's adventures. So, this leads me to my real concern. You must know or hear from your kin what is happening outside of the Shire." Diamond shifted uncomfortably in her spot as Estella asked her this. Could Estella understand what was going on around them?
"Yes, Estella, I know many things, but this is neither the time nor the place for that discussion. If we were at my home in the north, it would be much safer to discuss. But here, it is much too dangerous." Estella's eyes grew. Dangerous? She couldn't let that stop her.
"Please, Diamond, I must know. I have many more questions to ask regarding this world. And I am not the only one. I am also speaking on behalf of Miss Rose Cotton. We know that you are concerned for the same reasons we are and we must speak with you. It is rumored that you were friends with Peregrin Took. Well, now he is gone, along with Meriadoc Brandybuck, Frodo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee." Diamond tried not to betray herself to the young lass.
"Estella, if you believed every rumor you've heard, than you would also believe that they are dead. No one expects their return. Not even me." Estella's wide eyes were now brimming with tears. Were she and Rosie the only ones who had any hope left?
Their picnic continued in silence, until Fatty joined their conversation. He asked Diamond all sorts of questions about the North Country and the elves. Estella just sat numb in her spot. She couldn't listen, she couldn't think. She was jolted back into reality when Diamond laughed at one of Fatty's jokes and then rose to her feet.
"Is it time to leave already? We can't have been here long enough for a right picnic."
"Estella, we have been here nearly two hours. I would call that the perfect picnic for this day in particular. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Diamond?"
"Yes, Master Fredegar, absolutely perfect." Estella rose and began folding their blanket as Diamond walked on to her father's carriage. She hesitated and turned back.
"Estella." She beckoned for the young lass to come near to keep her comments in confidence. ""If you and Miss Cotton wish to ask more, I would be honored if you both graced me with your company this evening. You do not have to answer now."
"Well, I shall have to find Rosie this very moment!" Estella gleamed with a happiness she had not felt in months.
"I will see you both this evening in Long Cleeve."
