A/N: Wow...reviews... *goes all dreamy and happy* Put simply...words cannot express my gratitude. Thank you, gracias, hannon le, danke she, domo arigato, mille grazi, merci beaucoup, mange takk, Obrigado... above all and once again, THANK YOU for sticking with me, especially since I've been taking so long! Yo ro shi ku. By the by, there's a bit of foreshadowing here, and (finally) some semi- positive interaction between Stell and Merry. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Step one two, step one two, good, goo- OW!" Peony cried out in pain and held her trodden toes in one hand, wincing painfully and hopping about on the other. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't try to!" Peony abandoned the wince for a glare towards Estella. "Of course you didn't mean to, blockheaded Bolger, but I get the feeling you aren't trying very hard! Di, my feet will be in no shape for real dancing if I don't stop soon. Would you kindly continue?" And Peony limped out of the room, muttering, presumably to reunite with Fatty.

Estella looked at Diamond, hopelessness written plainly on her face. Diamond smiled kindly at her in return and patted her back. "'Tis not that hard, lass. Bear with me and we'll see what we can do." Estella smiled weakly. "I...guess so..." "Good lass, that's what I want to hear. Now, you're going to have to step forward here, then shift your weight..."

Not half an hour later, the two girls emerged from the room, Estella carrying herself straighter and with a new gleam in her eye. Diamond followed, smiling and somewhat footsore. Their escorts were upon them almost immediately, fussing and worrying. "Where have you been? You've had us worried sick!" Merry said, taking one of Estella's hand in his own. Estella, for once, did not dismiss him coldly, but rather withdrew her hand and laughed. "Dancing," she replied simply. Diamond laughed from next to her, where Pippin was pouting. "You could have told us," he said resentfully. "Merry and I thought we were dealing with ub... ubduck... ubduckshin." He pronounced the last word with a great flourish, as though he should be receiving praise for his vast vocabulary. Merry laughed. "Abduction, Pip," he corrected gently. "And we weren't quite that worried- though maybe Master Took here was afraid his lass would be whisked off by some lad more dashing than himself-"He was cut off by a snort from Pippin. "please, Merry, you know I'm the most dashing-est lad around!" And so, laughing and joking, they made their way to the Great Hall.

Estella couldn't- wouldn't- eat. The excitement was making her head buzz, coursing through her veins. She didn't need to eat; in fact, at the moment, she didn't feel like she'd ever need to sleep again either. Besides, eating was only the beginning, and (as amusing it was to be in the presence of Pippin, Merry, Fatty, Peony and Diamond) the real fun was yet to begin. Finally, the dishes were whisked away, the tables brought out of the room, and the music began.

Peony promptly began making eyes at Fredegar, who in turn whisked her out onto the floor. Pippin grinned at Diamond, who rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be dragged after the first pair. Merry, in the meantime, was trying his hardest to get Estella's attention. Estella was trying her hardest to avoid his gaze. Finally he touched her arm lightly. "Come on, Stelly," he said, his eyes big and pleading. "You can't go to a party and not dance!"

She stared back at him boldly. "Merry, I have told you before and I will say it again: I do not want to be seen in public with you. I have only to dance with you once, and I assure you, it will be at the last possible moment. Go find yourself a blushing lass who will throw herself into your arms readily and, I beg of you, leave me be!"

Meriadoc the magnificent had seen wars. He had seen blood, death, orcs... but, surprisingly, he was a little shaken by the rancor in her voice. He did not quail, though. Instead, He took Estella's arm firmly and said in a low voice, "I came as your escort. To not dance with you would be an atrocity. So," he began leading her to the dance floor. "Despite what your brother told you, you will dance more than once, unless you want all the old hens in the community gossiping about your behavior."

Estella wrenched away, eyes blazing. "Let them talk!" she spat. "I have no need for you to tell me what to do- I can make my own decisions perfectly fine!" She stormed out of the hall, slamming the great heavy doors behind her and causing the room to fall silent. Dozens of confused hobbits looked to the door, then at Merry. He looked as if he'd been slapped. Hands akimbo, mouth slightly open, he stared after her a minute then turned to face the crowd. He gave a weak smile and shrug. "Guess the corset's a little too tight," he said. The guests laughed nervously as the band began to play again and Merry slipped quietly out after Estella.

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Estella cut across the grounds, slipping a little on the slightly dewy grass. It was a beautiful night, but Estella was in no mood to enjoy it. She kicked a bush and turned over a bench before she finally sat down in the grass and put her head in her hands. Her cheeks burned with anger and humiliation. "Oh, let them talk!" she muttered pulling at the grass. A few minutes passed, and she noticed through dewy eyes a large pair of definite hobbit feet in front of her.

"Estella," Merry said, and dropped down beside her. She turned away. "Go back to your fancy hall, Master Brandybuck," she said, sneering. "You'll do nothing but ruin your clothes by sitting out here. Go back, and trouble me no longer!" He sighed audibly, and it was a long while before he spoke again. "I have seen enough of grand halls," he said softly. "I care not for merely a set of clothes. I care about you, though, Estella. Are you alright?"

She punched the ground in response, leaving a large hole. "I am fine, Meriadoc. I intend to stay that way. Now please..." her voice weakened and trailed off. She took a breath and began again, more gently this time. "You're missing everything by just sitting out here with me. Go back and enjoy your party; I'll go home. It's where I belong." She got up to go, but Merry rose with her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait," he said, searching desperately for an excuse. "Don't go yet. You..." he smiled as he thought of it. "You promised me one dance." He bowed in all formality. "But the hall--" Estella said, brow furrowed in confusion. Merry cut her off gently. "Just you and me, Stella." He said softly, "And the stars." Estella, helpless to do anything else, grudgingly gave him her hand. Immediately he pulled her closer, and, although she was tense and reluctant, she placed her hand on his shoulder. It was a new experience; she could feel Merry's heartbeat, feel the warmth of his body, his strong arms... and, she noticed, he was much taller than her. Suddenly she felt ridiculous, like a little girl dancing with her imaginary friend. Merry, however, seemed to have none of the same feeling; his eyes were open, his face tilted up, searching the skies and bathed in starlight. He seemed immortal to her then, still young but carrying the hurts of many lifetimes. Estella felt more than foolish, then- here she was, just an ordinary lass, dancing with one of the most renowned warriors the Shire had ever seen, alone under the stars.

"Merry..." she murmured. Inexplicably, unexpectedly, she gave a little sob. Merry immediately let go of her and kneeled down. "What's wrong, Stelly?" he asked worriedly, brushing fingers across her cheek. She shuddered under his touch and turned her face away from him. "Estella...?" She broke away altogether and put hid her face in her hands. Merry was growing more anxious by the minute. Just my luck, he thought bitterly. Manage to get a dance with Estella and then make her cry. Way to go, Brandybuck. "Estella, you have to tell me what's wrong!" "she faced him, her eyes bright with tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but then shook her head and turned to go. Merry racked his brain, cursing himself for having no experience with lasses.

Estella was already several meters away when she felt Merry's hand on her shoulder. Turning to face him, to tell him off, she suddenly found herself completely wrapped in his arms. Before she knew what was happening, his mouth was on hers, soft and warm and comforting. For a heartbeat, she was too shocked to do anything. She had never been kissed before, and this was nothing like she would have imagined it to be. It was Merry who was kissing her, of course it was nothing like she'd imagined! Then the full impact of the thought hit her.

Merry was kissing her.

Estella pulled away, but Merry still held onto her arms. Seeing her face, he began to explain. "Estella, I thought--" The words were hardly out of his mouth when her hand connected to the side of his face. "The problem was, Master Brandybuck, that you did not think. What right do you have," she said, her voice low and deadly, "to be .. to be doing that?" Merry stared. "I was not crying because I loved you desperately, or anything of the disgusting sort. I was crying because I realized what you've lowered yourself to." Estella's voice softened a little. "You're the most honored warrior in the Shire, Meriadoc. I am nothing but a simple lass. Your friend's little sister. I'm nothing to you; you're wasting your time. I bid you goodnight." She crossed the yard and re-entered the hall as surreptitiously as she could. The rest of the night she did nothing but avoid questions, and, moreover, Merry.