Hey ya'll! I am soooo sorry that this has taken so long! I don't know why,
but I have just not taken the time to sit down and start writing! It's
crazy, I know! Anyways, just so you'll be forewarned, this is the second to
last chapter. :sniff sniff: but... well, I can't think of anything to say
there so yeah. Just read the next chapter.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own any of it!
Chapter Seven: Last Night
-----
Light was fading fast over the waters of the Brandywine. Estella had been 'busy' for hours now. She looked down at the corpse lying in her front hall. His head had been severed, his fingers cut off save the thumb, the fingers had been placed inside his mouth, one of his legs had been hacked off, the other was bent upward and broken, there were stab wounds everywhere, and both his eyes had been stabbed out.
She thrust her knife into the corpse one last time and cried out. "You disgusting piece of slime! You should never have come to this home! Look what it got you!" she screamed standing up and kicking his head towards the front door. Tearing her blood soaked dress off she ran to the bathroom to wash the filth from her body. As she ran she tore off more clothing, till she was naked when she reached the bathroom.
Estella stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. Blood soaked her arms and legs and even parts of her midsection where it bled through, but her face was the worst. The blood had been so thick on her face that it was soaked into her auburn hair causing the red seen to become ghostly and murderous. Blood ran down her face like tears, or were those really tears becoming mixed with the blood? She couldn't tell.
"This is what I've become Merry," she whispered, "This is what you'll never return to, this is what you left the Shire for. Death. That's what I am. Just look at me."
She ran the water and began to wash away some of the blood, starting with her hands. As the blood washed away a white pure substance could be seen under it. Things appeared absolutely normal from her elbows down. Estella stared at her arms, turning them over and staring at the inside. The white. She looked down at the blood on her knees, then back to her wrists.
At that moment she made up her mind. There was nothing she could do, her mind was set and nothing could change what she was about to do.
Quickly she ran into the front hall, bypassing the clothes she had left strewn about and back to the dead body. She bent over it and picked up the knife, stopping only to wipe the stinking blood from the silver blade. Back she went to the bathroom, and with one last look at the outside world she shut the door and locked it.
Estella ran the knife under the water to get any remaining bits of blood from the steel. She then took the knife and held it up. The moonlight that filtered in through a small window caught the blade and shone beautifully. Her heart ached for this blade. She loved it. There was nothing she had ever felt so much about, not even Persimmon could obtain this much love. The only one who had ever come close to this much love had left her many many months ago, and she never expected him to return. It was only her and the blade, that's all there had ever been.
"This pure white flesh that I offered to you," she croaked, "This pure white flesh that you rejected, watch it bleed."
She pressed the blade into her arm and made a straight line, then another diagonally connected to it, another, and a final straight line. Holding her arm up she studied her handiwork, ignoring the pain that was shooting up her arm. The M was perfect, just glowing red at the moment, no blood dripping out of the wound. Estella shrugged and continued with her art. E, R, R, Y, each letter glowing for a moment then oozing out the blood that was trapped inside. The Y at her wrist was the most painful, and bled almost immediately after she cut into the skin.
Tears were flowing down her face, freely and silently. They were not from pain, but from sadness. She was heartbroken, the one she loved so much had to be the end of her. The knife that she cherished, the knife that saved her 5 times now, the knife that she held so dear. The knife that Merry had given her at his departure, this was her end.
Estella continued onto the next arm, starting at the wrist with the B and continuing up to her elbow with the rest of the name. Just like MERRY the letters shone for a moment then dripped out the treasure they held inside.
As she finished the final K she felt herself become lightheaded and dropped the knife to the ground. She sat down herself next to her lover and felt a rush of memories come over her. It could have been her life flashing before her eyes, or it could have just been the blood, she didn't know. But the moments that passed thereafter seemed to last days upon days, but they were only a few short minutes.
()()()
A small auburn haired hobbit lass ran down the dirt road with her eyes closed. She was screaming at the top of her lungs a song that was nothing but nonsense. Those who passed her stared in shock or rolled their eyes and those who ran into her were quickly brushed aside because she stopped for no one. That is until she ran into Him.
The lass collided with a lad that looked to be only a year or so older than her, his light brown curls hung in his face and he smiled cheekily at her.
"And where might you be going?" he asked.
Had this been anyone else she would have been long gone by now, but there was something about this lad that made her stay.
"I was running," she answered, "and singin' with my eyes closed."
He smiled a cheeky smile. "My name's Merry, what's yours?"
"Estella," she breathed looking into his eyes, "Estella Bolger."
..................................
The auburn haired tween listened for the sound of her parent's breath. They were obviously asleep and would have no idea that she was currently sneaking out of their house.
Once out side she quickly and quietly ran down the road to a small-secluded spot right off of the main road. He was already there and waiting for her.
"Meriadoc, I don't know what it is you wanted, but I'm here," she told him placing her hands on her hips.
"You're parents don't know you're gone do they?" he asked quickly.
She shook her head and was quickly pulled into the forest by Merry. They ran through the foliage for what seemed like hours before they finally reached another secluded spot. She looked up and gasped.
Estella could see every star in the sky it seemed. There was the fisherman, the guiding star, everything she had ever read about in a book or heard of in a tale. Everything seemed so beautiful and so clear.
A hand timidly grasped hers.
She looked down and saw her hand in Merry's and then looked back at him. He was still staring down at her hand. Estella squeezed his hand and he looked up. She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek and then placed her head on his shoulder and gazed at the night sky.
................................................
A grown auburn haired hobbit sat in her own home with a purring gray and white cat on her lap. Merry sat in front of her wringing his hands.
"Merry you look as if you're about to jump out of your skin!" she laughed, but secretly screamed in torment. Somehow she knew that whatever he had to say, it wasn't going to be good.
"Estella, there's something that's come up, I- I don't know how to explain this to you," he began not looking at her.
She looked down. "Who is she?" she asked.
"Oh NO!" he exclaimed, "there's no lass, no I promise you that! I could never love anyone more than I love you!"
She smiled slightly. "Then it can't be that terrible! Tell me Merry, I'm worried about you."
He looked up at her, his eyes shining. "I'm leaving the Shire, and I don't know if I'll ever be back again. I have to journey with my cousin Frodo. There's something that must be done and it's not safe to speak of. The chances of me returning are few and I fear that I may never see you again after tonight."
Estella didn't answer. She felt tears come to her eyes, the sadness filled her body for a moment, but it quickly gave over to anger. "Why are you going?"
"Because, Frodo needs me!"
"I need you! What about me? You can't leave me here by myself!"
"Estella, this is something I have to do, I know this is hard on you, I feel the same way!"
"You don't know how I feel! You don't know anything! If you did you wouldn't be leaving like this! When are you going?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"You mean you're just telling me now?"
"I thought that it would be easier for you."
"Oh yes no use in ruining my life before you leave."
"Estella!"
"Don't Estella me! No, just-just- GO! Leave! Go with Frodo on his adventure. I hope you never return, I hope you die out there alone and ashamed for what you've done to me!"
"Estella, this is just as hard on me! You don't understand-"
"I understand everything! Go! Go out into the world and DIE!"
"Maybe I will! In fact I hope you stay here and rot, I hope that wolves knock your door down and eat you and that stupid cat of yours!!!"
She gasped. "Leave Mr. Brandybuck, and never show your face here again. I never want to see your face again. Not even when I am at death's door. I wish to never be bothered with your presence as long as I live or die! Goodbye Merry Brandybuck. May you die alone and cold!"
"Likewise!!" And with that he ran out of the house.
()()()
Sobs were escaping her lips now. The pain of that memory was more than she could bear. Her world was spinning, everything was going in and out of focus, and nothing seemed real.
Off in the distance she could hear a loud knocking sound, and her name being called.
"Blessed Eru is calling me," she whispered then saw no more.
()
Merry knocked on the door, softly at first incase Estella might be asleep. There was no answer, not even a sound of life. He knocked louder. Still nothing. Merry pounded his fist upon the door and called Estella's name. The door swung open.
His eyes grew wide at the site that was upon the floor; he quickly turned around and vomited into the bushes. Wiping his mouth he stood and walked over the threshold quietly.
"Estella?" he called, but there was no answer. Instead Persimmon came running into the front hall wildly skidding to a halt in front of the body. He mewed loudly.
"Move you stupid cat," he barked and walked into the front dining room. The cat followed him and continued to meow. "What do you want? Has Estella not fed you today?" Persimmon clawed at his legs then ran out of the room. Merry shook his head and quickly followed the cat.
He was being led down the front hall towards the bathroom. Merry could see that the door was shut at the end of the hall. On the floor he could see Estella's clothes littered everywhere. Each garment was equally stained with blood. "What have you done, Estella?" he murmured.
Persimmon reached the front door and scratched upon it. Merry tried the door but it was locked. Frustrated and worried he shook the handle. He stepped back and stepped in something. There was a pool of blood coming from under the door.
Merry yelped and beat the door fearing for the worst. "ESTELLA!" he called. He tried the handle again, but it still didn't budge. He screamed her name again, no answer. Merry stood back again, thinking of anything he could do to open that door. An idea came.
He ran back to the end of the hall and stood there and taking a deep breath. He ran towards the bathroom door. Merry hit it flying and the hinges broke causing him to fall in.
Merry shook his head for a moment clearing the fall from his head, and then realized he had landed on Estella. He quickly stood up and looked at her. A gasp escaped his lips.
She was motionless, covered in blood. Even her hair was caked with it. There was still blood coming from her arms, and he turned them over to see the wounds inflicted there. MERRY BRANDYBUCK. Merry didn't know what to do, all he could think of were those last words he'd said to her. That anger he had felt, the pain she must have endured.
He shook her body. There were no signs of life. He shook her again, harder. Still nothing. He whispered her name softly into the air. No answer. There would never be an answer it seemed. Merry took all his strength, and slapped her.
Estella's eyes flickered open drowsily.
"Oh blessed Eru! Thank you!" he screamed and grabbed her naked body into a massive hug.
"Merry?" she asked wearily her eyes half open.
"Yes, I'm here now. I promise I'll never leave you again!" he whispered gently kissing her forehead smudging blood on his face.
She looked at her arms and at the still bleeding words written there. A small smile formed on her mouth and a tear fell down her face. "I'm so glad you lied," she smiled resting her head on his chest.
Merry smiled and carried her into the kitchen to clean her wounds. He sat her in a chair and quickly ran to go find bandages.
Estella looked about the room drowsily. What had she just done? Had she really tried to kill herself? Did Merry really just come and save her? Was this blood on her hands hers? Tears began to fall again.
Merry returned to see her huddled in the chair sobbing. "What's the matter, Stells?" he asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything. What I've said, what I've done, what you probably think of me, you probably are disgusted with me," she sobbed.
"Estella, I'm just glad that I arrived when I did. If I would have found you dead..." he trailed off, not wanting to voice the subject. "Give me your arm. We've got to stop that bleeding or all of this will be for nothing."
She extended her right arm, and watched as he gingerly but properly applied the pressure needed to stop the blood flow. Once he was done there was no sign of the word upon her arm. And things would be better because of that. As he started on her left she felt herself grown very tired.
"Merry, I'm sleepy," she slurred her eyes half open.
"Don't go to sleep yet, Estella, what ever you do. Stay awake as long as possible."
"This is as long as possible Merry."
"A little longer, Estella."
She could hear the worry in his voice. Estella wondered if she would die, even after Merry's attempts to save her. It would be quite ironic, she thought. There was a slight pain as Merry wrapped her wrist. She bit her lip.
"Sorry," he apologized, looking up but not stopping his work.
"It's okay, you must do what you must."
He smiled and nodded. Quickly he finished his work, then stood up and looked down at Estella. She was looking back at him, her eyes were shining with love, or pain, or helplessness. He didn't know which. Merry just hoped that she would make it through the night. The irony of it would be enough for him to kill himself.
Estella looked down and noticed that she was naked. It alarmed her for a moment, but she was too tired to care. She feebly tried to cover herself, but her movements were sluggish, and very slow.
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, "I don't care."
She attempted to smile, but her weariness was too much. "I-I-I- mmm soooooooo sleepy," she murmured almost falling forward out of her chair. Merry caught her and helped her to sit up.
"I'll take you back to my home and let you sleep there. You know you're always welcome."
She smiled absently, "Yes, Merrrrrry, always welcome." Her head nodded forward, but he shook her awake.
"Stay awake till we get there, Estella, please!" he pleaded. Estella could see the worry in his eyes and she nodded.
Merry grasped her hand and helped her to stand. He carried most of her wait out of the house and to the pony that was waiting outside. Very strangely he helped her up onto the horse, she was still naked, but he had an old nightgown of hers at his hole.
As they rode to his home, he talked to Estella telling her, about his journeys. How much he had missed her. How sorry he was that he had ever wished such evil upon her. She merely nodded, and kept awake, just to keep him from worrying.
Merry helped her off the pony and into the house. He led her back to the guest room she always used when she every stayed over. It was exactly as he had left it, save some dust.
He helped her to sit upon the bed, but she fell over and lay on the bed instead. Estella was murmuring something strange, but he could not tell what. Quickly he pulled out the nightgown and helped Estella into it. Then he helped her under the covers. She was shivering.
"I'm cold Merry," she whispered as he placed another quilt upon her bed.
"I'll make sure you stay warm," he answered.
"Thank you, Merry," she murmured falling into sleep, "I love you, always have always will."
"I know, Estella," he smiled and kissed her forehead, "I know."
And with that she fell asleep.
-----
How ya like them apples? Okay this is it! Now you know what happened last night! Woo Hoo! One more chapter, I pray it's a good one! Luv yas!-DB:D
Disclaimer: No, I don't own any of it!
Chapter Seven: Last Night
-----
Light was fading fast over the waters of the Brandywine. Estella had been 'busy' for hours now. She looked down at the corpse lying in her front hall. His head had been severed, his fingers cut off save the thumb, the fingers had been placed inside his mouth, one of his legs had been hacked off, the other was bent upward and broken, there were stab wounds everywhere, and both his eyes had been stabbed out.
She thrust her knife into the corpse one last time and cried out. "You disgusting piece of slime! You should never have come to this home! Look what it got you!" she screamed standing up and kicking his head towards the front door. Tearing her blood soaked dress off she ran to the bathroom to wash the filth from her body. As she ran she tore off more clothing, till she was naked when she reached the bathroom.
Estella stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. Blood soaked her arms and legs and even parts of her midsection where it bled through, but her face was the worst. The blood had been so thick on her face that it was soaked into her auburn hair causing the red seen to become ghostly and murderous. Blood ran down her face like tears, or were those really tears becoming mixed with the blood? She couldn't tell.
"This is what I've become Merry," she whispered, "This is what you'll never return to, this is what you left the Shire for. Death. That's what I am. Just look at me."
She ran the water and began to wash away some of the blood, starting with her hands. As the blood washed away a white pure substance could be seen under it. Things appeared absolutely normal from her elbows down. Estella stared at her arms, turning them over and staring at the inside. The white. She looked down at the blood on her knees, then back to her wrists.
At that moment she made up her mind. There was nothing she could do, her mind was set and nothing could change what she was about to do.
Quickly she ran into the front hall, bypassing the clothes she had left strewn about and back to the dead body. She bent over it and picked up the knife, stopping only to wipe the stinking blood from the silver blade. Back she went to the bathroom, and with one last look at the outside world she shut the door and locked it.
Estella ran the knife under the water to get any remaining bits of blood from the steel. She then took the knife and held it up. The moonlight that filtered in through a small window caught the blade and shone beautifully. Her heart ached for this blade. She loved it. There was nothing she had ever felt so much about, not even Persimmon could obtain this much love. The only one who had ever come close to this much love had left her many many months ago, and she never expected him to return. It was only her and the blade, that's all there had ever been.
"This pure white flesh that I offered to you," she croaked, "This pure white flesh that you rejected, watch it bleed."
She pressed the blade into her arm and made a straight line, then another diagonally connected to it, another, and a final straight line. Holding her arm up she studied her handiwork, ignoring the pain that was shooting up her arm. The M was perfect, just glowing red at the moment, no blood dripping out of the wound. Estella shrugged and continued with her art. E, R, R, Y, each letter glowing for a moment then oozing out the blood that was trapped inside. The Y at her wrist was the most painful, and bled almost immediately after she cut into the skin.
Tears were flowing down her face, freely and silently. They were not from pain, but from sadness. She was heartbroken, the one she loved so much had to be the end of her. The knife that she cherished, the knife that saved her 5 times now, the knife that she held so dear. The knife that Merry had given her at his departure, this was her end.
Estella continued onto the next arm, starting at the wrist with the B and continuing up to her elbow with the rest of the name. Just like MERRY the letters shone for a moment then dripped out the treasure they held inside.
As she finished the final K she felt herself become lightheaded and dropped the knife to the ground. She sat down herself next to her lover and felt a rush of memories come over her. It could have been her life flashing before her eyes, or it could have just been the blood, she didn't know. But the moments that passed thereafter seemed to last days upon days, but they were only a few short minutes.
()()()
A small auburn haired hobbit lass ran down the dirt road with her eyes closed. She was screaming at the top of her lungs a song that was nothing but nonsense. Those who passed her stared in shock or rolled their eyes and those who ran into her were quickly brushed aside because she stopped for no one. That is until she ran into Him.
The lass collided with a lad that looked to be only a year or so older than her, his light brown curls hung in his face and he smiled cheekily at her.
"And where might you be going?" he asked.
Had this been anyone else she would have been long gone by now, but there was something about this lad that made her stay.
"I was running," she answered, "and singin' with my eyes closed."
He smiled a cheeky smile. "My name's Merry, what's yours?"
"Estella," she breathed looking into his eyes, "Estella Bolger."
..................................
The auburn haired tween listened for the sound of her parent's breath. They were obviously asleep and would have no idea that she was currently sneaking out of their house.
Once out side she quickly and quietly ran down the road to a small-secluded spot right off of the main road. He was already there and waiting for her.
"Meriadoc, I don't know what it is you wanted, but I'm here," she told him placing her hands on her hips.
"You're parents don't know you're gone do they?" he asked quickly.
She shook her head and was quickly pulled into the forest by Merry. They ran through the foliage for what seemed like hours before they finally reached another secluded spot. She looked up and gasped.
Estella could see every star in the sky it seemed. There was the fisherman, the guiding star, everything she had ever read about in a book or heard of in a tale. Everything seemed so beautiful and so clear.
A hand timidly grasped hers.
She looked down and saw her hand in Merry's and then looked back at him. He was still staring down at her hand. Estella squeezed his hand and he looked up. She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek and then placed her head on his shoulder and gazed at the night sky.
................................................
A grown auburn haired hobbit sat in her own home with a purring gray and white cat on her lap. Merry sat in front of her wringing his hands.
"Merry you look as if you're about to jump out of your skin!" she laughed, but secretly screamed in torment. Somehow she knew that whatever he had to say, it wasn't going to be good.
"Estella, there's something that's come up, I- I don't know how to explain this to you," he began not looking at her.
She looked down. "Who is she?" she asked.
"Oh NO!" he exclaimed, "there's no lass, no I promise you that! I could never love anyone more than I love you!"
She smiled slightly. "Then it can't be that terrible! Tell me Merry, I'm worried about you."
He looked up at her, his eyes shining. "I'm leaving the Shire, and I don't know if I'll ever be back again. I have to journey with my cousin Frodo. There's something that must be done and it's not safe to speak of. The chances of me returning are few and I fear that I may never see you again after tonight."
Estella didn't answer. She felt tears come to her eyes, the sadness filled her body for a moment, but it quickly gave over to anger. "Why are you going?"
"Because, Frodo needs me!"
"I need you! What about me? You can't leave me here by myself!"
"Estella, this is something I have to do, I know this is hard on you, I feel the same way!"
"You don't know how I feel! You don't know anything! If you did you wouldn't be leaving like this! When are you going?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"You mean you're just telling me now?"
"I thought that it would be easier for you."
"Oh yes no use in ruining my life before you leave."
"Estella!"
"Don't Estella me! No, just-just- GO! Leave! Go with Frodo on his adventure. I hope you never return, I hope you die out there alone and ashamed for what you've done to me!"
"Estella, this is just as hard on me! You don't understand-"
"I understand everything! Go! Go out into the world and DIE!"
"Maybe I will! In fact I hope you stay here and rot, I hope that wolves knock your door down and eat you and that stupid cat of yours!!!"
She gasped. "Leave Mr. Brandybuck, and never show your face here again. I never want to see your face again. Not even when I am at death's door. I wish to never be bothered with your presence as long as I live or die! Goodbye Merry Brandybuck. May you die alone and cold!"
"Likewise!!" And with that he ran out of the house.
()()()
Sobs were escaping her lips now. The pain of that memory was more than she could bear. Her world was spinning, everything was going in and out of focus, and nothing seemed real.
Off in the distance she could hear a loud knocking sound, and her name being called.
"Blessed Eru is calling me," she whispered then saw no more.
()
Merry knocked on the door, softly at first incase Estella might be asleep. There was no answer, not even a sound of life. He knocked louder. Still nothing. Merry pounded his fist upon the door and called Estella's name. The door swung open.
His eyes grew wide at the site that was upon the floor; he quickly turned around and vomited into the bushes. Wiping his mouth he stood and walked over the threshold quietly.
"Estella?" he called, but there was no answer. Instead Persimmon came running into the front hall wildly skidding to a halt in front of the body. He mewed loudly.
"Move you stupid cat," he barked and walked into the front dining room. The cat followed him and continued to meow. "What do you want? Has Estella not fed you today?" Persimmon clawed at his legs then ran out of the room. Merry shook his head and quickly followed the cat.
He was being led down the front hall towards the bathroom. Merry could see that the door was shut at the end of the hall. On the floor he could see Estella's clothes littered everywhere. Each garment was equally stained with blood. "What have you done, Estella?" he murmured.
Persimmon reached the front door and scratched upon it. Merry tried the door but it was locked. Frustrated and worried he shook the handle. He stepped back and stepped in something. There was a pool of blood coming from under the door.
Merry yelped and beat the door fearing for the worst. "ESTELLA!" he called. He tried the handle again, but it still didn't budge. He screamed her name again, no answer. Merry stood back again, thinking of anything he could do to open that door. An idea came.
He ran back to the end of the hall and stood there and taking a deep breath. He ran towards the bathroom door. Merry hit it flying and the hinges broke causing him to fall in.
Merry shook his head for a moment clearing the fall from his head, and then realized he had landed on Estella. He quickly stood up and looked at her. A gasp escaped his lips.
She was motionless, covered in blood. Even her hair was caked with it. There was still blood coming from her arms, and he turned them over to see the wounds inflicted there. MERRY BRANDYBUCK. Merry didn't know what to do, all he could think of were those last words he'd said to her. That anger he had felt, the pain she must have endured.
He shook her body. There were no signs of life. He shook her again, harder. Still nothing. He whispered her name softly into the air. No answer. There would never be an answer it seemed. Merry took all his strength, and slapped her.
Estella's eyes flickered open drowsily.
"Oh blessed Eru! Thank you!" he screamed and grabbed her naked body into a massive hug.
"Merry?" she asked wearily her eyes half open.
"Yes, I'm here now. I promise I'll never leave you again!" he whispered gently kissing her forehead smudging blood on his face.
She looked at her arms and at the still bleeding words written there. A small smile formed on her mouth and a tear fell down her face. "I'm so glad you lied," she smiled resting her head on his chest.
Merry smiled and carried her into the kitchen to clean her wounds. He sat her in a chair and quickly ran to go find bandages.
Estella looked about the room drowsily. What had she just done? Had she really tried to kill herself? Did Merry really just come and save her? Was this blood on her hands hers? Tears began to fall again.
Merry returned to see her huddled in the chair sobbing. "What's the matter, Stells?" he asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything. What I've said, what I've done, what you probably think of me, you probably are disgusted with me," she sobbed.
"Estella, I'm just glad that I arrived when I did. If I would have found you dead..." he trailed off, not wanting to voice the subject. "Give me your arm. We've got to stop that bleeding or all of this will be for nothing."
She extended her right arm, and watched as he gingerly but properly applied the pressure needed to stop the blood flow. Once he was done there was no sign of the word upon her arm. And things would be better because of that. As he started on her left she felt herself grown very tired.
"Merry, I'm sleepy," she slurred her eyes half open.
"Don't go to sleep yet, Estella, what ever you do. Stay awake as long as possible."
"This is as long as possible Merry."
"A little longer, Estella."
She could hear the worry in his voice. Estella wondered if she would die, even after Merry's attempts to save her. It would be quite ironic, she thought. There was a slight pain as Merry wrapped her wrist. She bit her lip.
"Sorry," he apologized, looking up but not stopping his work.
"It's okay, you must do what you must."
He smiled and nodded. Quickly he finished his work, then stood up and looked down at Estella. She was looking back at him, her eyes were shining with love, or pain, or helplessness. He didn't know which. Merry just hoped that she would make it through the night. The irony of it would be enough for him to kill himself.
Estella looked down and noticed that she was naked. It alarmed her for a moment, but she was too tired to care. She feebly tried to cover herself, but her movements were sluggish, and very slow.
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, "I don't care."
She attempted to smile, but her weariness was too much. "I-I-I- mmm soooooooo sleepy," she murmured almost falling forward out of her chair. Merry caught her and helped her to sit up.
"I'll take you back to my home and let you sleep there. You know you're always welcome."
She smiled absently, "Yes, Merrrrrry, always welcome." Her head nodded forward, but he shook her awake.
"Stay awake till we get there, Estella, please!" he pleaded. Estella could see the worry in his eyes and she nodded.
Merry grasped her hand and helped her to stand. He carried most of her wait out of the house and to the pony that was waiting outside. Very strangely he helped her up onto the horse, she was still naked, but he had an old nightgown of hers at his hole.
As they rode to his home, he talked to Estella telling her, about his journeys. How much he had missed her. How sorry he was that he had ever wished such evil upon her. She merely nodded, and kept awake, just to keep him from worrying.
Merry helped her off the pony and into the house. He led her back to the guest room she always used when she every stayed over. It was exactly as he had left it, save some dust.
He helped her to sit upon the bed, but she fell over and lay on the bed instead. Estella was murmuring something strange, but he could not tell what. Quickly he pulled out the nightgown and helped Estella into it. Then he helped her under the covers. She was shivering.
"I'm cold Merry," she whispered as he placed another quilt upon her bed.
"I'll make sure you stay warm," he answered.
"Thank you, Merry," she murmured falling into sleep, "I love you, always have always will."
"I know, Estella," he smiled and kissed her forehead, "I know."
And with that she fell asleep.
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How ya like them apples? Okay this is it! Now you know what happened last night! Woo Hoo! One more chapter, I pray it's a good one! Luv yas!-DB:D