Chapter 5: The Tree

Estella cried herself to sleep that night. She knew all too well the task set before the Fellowship. She knew it without anyone telling her. She had accidentally overheard the Council's meeting.
"One of you must do this."
"The Ring is altogether evil."
"The Ring must be destroyed." That was the task set before them. They had to go destroy this Ring, and from the few sounds Estella got, they might not be coming back. She would end up loveless and alone, and all before she turned 33.
'Just like Mother,' she thought. Fighting back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her, Estella gazed out over the trees. Never before had she seen such colors in the leaves. And there, standing tall right in front of her, was a tree to bow before, with leaves the color of Merry's hair.
The tears that she had been holding back rushed forward. Estella fell to her knees and sobbed. The thought that she might never see him again was too much to bear. Her heart ached at the sight of this tree: tall, beautiful, with a messy mop of golden brown hair. Finally able to control her tears, she left the tree. Maybe sometime in the future it would bring her comfort. Today, it only brought pain.

Lord Elrond made it known that Estella was to be given some duty, so that she would not sit around and be bored while Merry was off slaying orcs. Of course the obvious task for her was to care for Mr. Bilbo. Estella gladly took on this task. Mr. Bilbo was a kind gentleman, and it would do her an immense good not to dwell on Merry. She would take the old hobbit for walks around the house, letting the some of its natural good on his wrinkled skin. She'd talk to him, and listen with new found fascination at his accounts of the eastern lands. He taught her many things, including elf-lore. All of her free time was spent in the immense library, finding new tales and histories to tell Merry when he returned.
On one of their many walks, Bilbo and Estella found themselves looking over the trees. And there, king of them all, was the tree that caused her so much pain. Tears rushed to her eyes. Estella gasped, fighting the urge to run tooth and nail. Bilbo hardly noticed.
"Such a lovely tree," he said. "Has a very interesting color leaf, though. Almost like that Merry lad's hair."
Estella fought now the tears that threatened to overcome her. When she didn't respond, Bilbo turned to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Estella sighed.
"Yes, Mr. Bilbo. I'm alright," she managed, her voice choked with tears. Bilbo shook his head.
"The tree upsets you, doesn't it?" he whispered, stepping closer to her. Estella could only nod. Bilbo smiled. "It is very close to Merry's hair color, and it certainly resembles his stature." Again, Estella could only nod. "It should not pain you, Estella Bolger, to see Merry in another object. Let the tree comfort you."
Estella began to sit under the tree to read. Oftentimes, the elves of the house would find her asleep, a book of forgotten lore on her lab, the wind gently playing with the locks of her hair. While asleep under this tree, she would often dream of Merry. And these dreams gave her peace.

A/N: I am very, very sorry for the little mistakes that I have made. Wow. I type very fast, and I don't always catch my mistakes. So, thank you to everyone who has sent me a little note telling me my mistakes. I really do appricitate people telling what I did wrong so I don't end up looking stupid for the next person who reads it.