In the main guest room, Estella sat watching Rosie pace back and forth waiting for Diamond's return.  "Rosie, you'll wear a path in the floor with all of your walking back and forth.  Relax, lass.  Diamond can handle Pippin Took."

            "I'm a quite sure she can handle Master Pippin.  It's just that I am rather curious as to what he's asking her, if you get my meaning."

            "I quite understand you, Rose Cotton.  But I doubt it will be anything that interesting.  He said he was asking questions pertaining to their little rebellion.  I doubt that he will proposing.  Especially as they haven't had a formal courtship.  There was no time for one.  They haven't even come of age yet.  I think it's a bit soon to be thinking of marriage."

            "I suppose you're right.  I am already of age and I think that because of your maturity, I forget that you and Diamond are that much younger than I.  My mind automatically goes to marriage because I am at the proper age for marriage."

            "Jumping to conclusions, are we?"  Estella and Rosie jumped as Diamond opened the door.  "Actually, that would be me who is jumping to conclusions.  All I heard you say was 'proper age for marriage' and I naturally assumed that you were trying to figure out what Peregrin was asking me."  Rosie and Estella exchanged guilty looks.  "Oh, so I was right then?"

            "Yes, Diamond.  Please forgive us.  It really is none of our business.  You don't have to tell us anything."

            "Rosie, you are a sweet lass.  I have every intention of telling you what Peregrin asked me.  He asked me what I know about Sharkey.  And from the information I provided, he has assumed that Sharkey is really Saruman the White."  This admission garnered a collective gasp before Diamond could continue.  "I know it is hard to accept.  That evil man is destroying our land and we're going to make him pay."

            "That's actually the point I was hoping you would come to.  Do you really intend to fight?  And did you discuss that any more with Pip?"  Diamond shifted in her seat with excitement.

            "That's just the question I was waiting for!  I asked him why he didn't want me to fight and he told me."  Leaving the answer there caused Estella to hold her breath and Rosie's eyes to grow wider with anticipation.

            "What?  What did he say?  Why doesn't he want you to fight?"

            "He loves me.  That's why."  Estella let out a squeal of joy and Rosie laughed.

            "That's it?  I could have told you that long before he left.  Peregrin Took may be a rascal, but his heart has never wavered when it came to lasses.  He has been yours since the day he set his eyes upon you, lass.  Now, what did you say to his admission of love?"

            "Well, I told him how much he means in my life and how horrible I felt in his absence.  I won't go into exact words, as they were for Peregrin alone to hear, but you understand the idea.  Think, if the roles were changed and this was you and Samwise… or Estella, you and Meriadoc… what would you have said?  If you think of those things, you don't need me to repeat what I told Peregrin."  Rosie sighed as her thoughts wandered to her favorite customer.  And Estella just stared off into nothingness, eyes tearing up at the thought of Merry.  "And then I told him that I had to fight.  For us.  For our future, our home.  And he conceded."

            "And now your strong knight rides on to Bywater and battle, I suppose."

            "No, Stella.  I couldn't have him get caught after curfew and thrown in the lockholes.  He is staying at the end of the hall.  He leaves in the morning.  I told him that he would have to beg my apologies from Master Samwise for my selfishness."

            "OH!"  Rosie hit her head with her palm.

            "Rosie, what is it?  What's wrong?"

            "Oh, Miss Diamond, what are you going to tell your father?"

            "Oh, yeah, you should have heard him as we walked down the hall, Di.  'I'm glad that Peregrin is finally talking some sense into my daughter.  At least she'll listen to him.'  He doesn't know that you are still going to fight.  He just assumed that Pip would talk you out of it."

            "I'm not going to tell him that I am fighting.  In fact, Rosie, being that you live in Bywater; I am going to come stay with you and volunteer to help the wounded.  At least that's what I am going to tell my father.  But, after the ranks start to form, I will join, standing as far from my father as possible."

            "And what did the Took have to say about that?"

            "He called me sneaky, but said he wouldn't stand in my way."

            "Probably because he knows you'll walk over him anyway."  The two lasses looked at Rosie in shock.  "Sorry, Miss Diamond, but I have noticed that when you are set on something, no one is going to stop you from doing it.  I meant nothing by it.  I think it's wonderful.  I wish I were that bold, bold enough to fight."

            "So why don't you?  I plan on being at Diamond's side for this fight."

            "Estella, I – "

            "Don't you 'Estella' me, Diamond Grenthumb.  I may not be a mistress of the swords, but this is my home too.  I want a future to look forward to with excitement, not depression.  I want to raise my children in the splendor of a free Brandy Hall…"  Rosie and Diamond giggled.  "What?  I may not have had any declaration from the lad, but that doesn't mean I love him any less.  And you're right, Diamond.  Things like that, being able to share the Shire with someone you love, that's worth fighting for."  Rosie stood proud and put her hand on Estella shoulder.

            "You're both right.  I couldn't look forward to a life in this Shire.  We must have our land back, restored to its beauty and with our own in charge.  Sam would never be happy living here if it weren't green.  I… I will stand with you at the fray.  But it will be hard to do so without getting caught.  Pippin may have conceded to Diamond, but that doesn't mean our fathers and brothers will."

            "We should make a plan."

            "Yes, Estella, we should.  I think I shall return to Bywater with you tomorrow.  We can plan more carefully tomorrow.  But, not until we are away from Peregrin, for he will surely tell the others."

            "Tomorrow it is, then.  Miss Diamond, I should like to invite you to stay with my family.  You won't find any nicer accommodations in Bywater than at the Cotton home."

            "Why thank you, Miss Rose.  I gladly accept."