Chapter 3
Taken Her
Loud voices began to slowly drift from the corridor and then into the Great Hall while a clatter from the trays that the servants carried also entered from the kitchen. The Great Hall began to fill with hobbits as each one took their place according to their family's name. The Flatbottom family was the first to take their places at the long table and the Proudnecks and Goldworthy were next. The long line of many Burrows took most of the far table to the right and then the Broadbelts sat next to them with Prudy being the eldest of her family line. In and amongst the talking there were laughter and giggles, there was even some crying from small babes with empty stomachs and mothers racing to cater to them. Still the lines of hobbits filed into the Great Hall, until it came close to the end when the Brandybuck and Tooks joined each other at the only table that sat horizontally across the room.
The room began to quiet when Saradoc stood and raised his glass to offer a toast to his guests the Tooks who sat to his left. All the hobbits raised their mugs to the Thain Paladin and Eglantine, then to his son Peregrin and his wife Diamond.
"Here, Here!" they shouted all at once in their greeting to them.
Saradoc drank from his mug and waited patiently for the crowd to settle back down before he would speak again.
"On the eve of my son's wedding day, I offer him my toast to happiness, prosperity and wisdom. In which he will need all three in taking a wife."
Great laughter exploded in the hall at the Master of Buckland's jest.
Again he waited for the crowd to quiet.
"Tomorrow will be a day of celebration and a day my son, Meriadoc will enter into marriage to begin his own life with the lass that has captured his heart. We drink to him and honor him tonight with our wishes for their happiness, may this union be forever blessed."
Saradoc smiled while he gazed at his son with pride when Merry held Estella's hand and leaned over to kiss her. The crowd of hobbits cheered and clapped their hands.
All but little Faramir who covered his eyes and making a face of disgust, when he noticed Merry was kissing Estella.
His mother put her arm around her small son and kissed his cheek, but Faramir wiped Diamond's kiss from his cheek. Being embarrassed, he covered his small arms over his face, while his father lightly tickled him. Pippin chuckled while watching his son and knew at his age, he did not like affection, especially in public places.
XXX
After the meal, Pippin led his family and the Brandybuck family into a private common room. There where three large chests that lined one wall and a small bundle of letters tied with a red ribbon waiting for them.
Merry saw the letters sitting on the table and walked over to them. "What is all this, Pippin?"
Smiling, he turned to his cousin, "This came from Sam and Rosie, as you know, they had traveled to Gondor with their daughter Elanor and stayed for an entire year. During that time, your friends sent back gifts and these are the things before you. I thought being so close to your wedding day and all, that it would be fitting for you to open them, now."
Merry thumbed through the group of letters and saw that they were all addressed to him. Running his finger across the official seal, he immediately recognized them as coming from Minas Tirith and Edoras, upon the envelopes.
Pippin could see the melancholy mood that etched his cousin's face and knew those emblems brought a flood of memories for him. It had been so many years since he had last thought about his adventures long ago and now they were back in front of him.
No longer interested in the large chests that sat at his feet, Merry strolled over to a cushion seat and sat down. Opening his letter from King Éomer, he read that one first.
Saradoc looked at the foreign chests and shook his head, "I don't hold much for foreign goods nor fully trust them myself. Our goods are more than enough to please any hobbit in the Shire. But still, they are interesting and pleasing to look upon." Turning to Estella, he asked her, "Will you do the honors, my dearest!"
Estella bent down and opened the first trunk, lifting the heavy lid. Diamond and Esmeralda gasped seeing soft textured fabrics and bright colored ribbons. There where fine delicate laces for making dresses. She ran her fingers across the light fabric and smiled feeling the softness of them.
Lifting the card that sat on top of all these items, Estella told them it came for Queen Arwen, while she read the label.
Going to the next trunk, she again opened it. This revealed fine weaponry crafted in the strong design of the Rohan people. There were short swords and fancy knives with elegant handles and beautiful small quivers and hand crafted arrow specially cut with the hobbit's size in mind. All the arrows had feathery ends and sharp, stone-cut tips. Both Paladin and Saradoc picked through them and began to admire the fine craftsmanship.
Looking at Merry, Estella saw that he paid little heed to the chests and ignored all the comments coming from the Tooks and Brandybucks. He was still so engrossed in his letters. She noticed the slight smile and a bit of a chuckle while he read. Pippin sat along side of him waiting for him to finish the page that he was reading, so he could read it next.
Turning her attention back to the last chest, she opened it. She gasped in surprise seeing the wonderful deep cravings of goblets and vases. She did not recognize the design of the crafter, but it appealed to her the most. Underneath the goblets, were books with an engraved, leathery-cover and blank pages that she noticed while paging through them. There were fine delicate stained parchments and feathery quills. She loved these the most. A small little book caught her eye and she reached to pick it up. Touching the fabric cover, she felt the softness of it. Opening this little book that contained many poems, she began to read the sonnets and poetry to herself that almost made her cry. These things she claimed for herself.
Faramir climbed upon Estella's lap and rested his chin upon his open hand. He had a long pouting frown that she immediately noticed. "There's nothing for me," he almost whimpered.
Looking back into the chest, she saw a group of fine craved pieces and a game board. Taking them out she hoped this would interest little Faramir.
He laughed excitedly taking the small figures in his hands and sat down upon the floor to play with them.
Estella looked at the crowd around each chest and saw that everyone had something that they had greatly admired. Merry and Pippin enjoyed their letters, while Esmeralda, Diamond and Eglantine admire the fine fabrics and laces, dividing them up between them. Paladin and Saradoc took out the swords, knives and quivers, each one claiming his own. While her and Faramir enjoyed everything in the last chest.
Once Merry and Pippin had finished reading all the letters that he had received from King Aragorn and Queen Arwen, Gimli and Legolas, and letters from King Éomer and Lady Éowyn, with a small note attached from her husband, Faramir. Merry was lost in his memories and began to reminisce with Pippin. After a few of, 'do you remember when,' to his cousin, was all it took before Merry had captured every ones attention and was asked to tell the story again. Estella hearing this for the first time was memorized just as little Faramir was who sat upon her lap. Long into the evening the story continued and Merry often had to stop to take a long drink to cool his throat. Every time he did this, Pippin would take up the story from where he had paused. The hobbits burst out laughing when Merry tried to regain control of the story from the Took. Pippin had often added an extra detail or emphasized something that was unnecessary to the tale. They drank their ales and listened and laughed thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It was Esmeralda that announced the hour being so late and reminded everyone to go to their rooms, to rest before Merry's wedding in the morning. Estella looked at the empty pages in her book and thought about the tale that her fiancé spoke of and she knew how these pages would be filled.
Taking her hand, Merry walked Estella down the corridor and opened her bedroom door. Kissing her good night and smiling down upon her lovely face, he said. "The next time I kiss you, I'll be kissing my wife."
Estella touched his cheek and gazed into his eyes, "Then I look so forward to that kiss, my love."
He gave her hand a squeeze and watched her as she closed her bedroom door.
XXX
A light tapping came upon her door and she slowly opened her eye and sat up. Looking at the door and hearing the soft tapping, Estella called out, "Come in!"
The door slowly opened and Tulsi walked in. "Pardon, ma'am, but the mistress o' Brandy Hall has asked me ta wake ya. Hatty has ordered me ta tend you fer yer nuptials." The lass went out into the hallway and brought her morning breakfast upon a tray. Setting it in front of her upon the bed, the lass went in search of Estella's wedding dress and prepared it.
Another knock came upon her door and Tulsi went to answer it. Opening the door wide, other servant lasses came in carrying bowls of freshly, cut flowers floating in the cool water. One of the lasses kept to the back of the room and set out the hair brushes and combs for Tulsi to fix her mistress's hair, while Tulsi seemed nervous and fidgety trying to rush Estella with her breakfast. "Please, miss if'n ya will, we're passed our time. Would ya please come and dress now?"
Estella barely had enough time to take a bite of her morning biscuit and a sip of her tea, before she climbed out of her bed and walked over to allow Tulsi to dress her.
Layer after layer of underskirts were added one at a time before Tulsi slipped the wedding dress over her head and adjusted it perfectly before she begun to button it.
Estella noticed the lass arranging the pins and flowers that would be woven in her hair. Smiling at the lovely colors of the small flowers and imagined how they would look in her hair. Tulsi observed where Estella's eyes focused upon and she quickly commented to her, "I'll be braiding those lovely flowers in yer hair, but first turn around and look at yerrself in the mirror, tis the loveliest dress I've seen yet!"
Estella turned around to admire the lovely dress of white hobbit-spun fabric and knitted laces that covered the entire length of the dress. There was only a light-blue ribbon that was laced through the eyelets of fabric that gave the dress its only color.
Estella stood dreamily looking at her reflection wearing her wedding dress in the mirror. Tulsi quickly ordered the lasses to other duties in the room and her eyes shifted from her mistress to the servant lass who began to make the bed. Walking over to Estella, she requested her to sit on the bench in front of her dressing table to begin fixing her hair.
Tulsi's hands shook and trembled while she picked up each flower to add to her hair. Noticing the lasses uneasiness, Estella looked up to stare at her. "Tulsi, is everything all right? You seem upset."
"Oh no, miss, I'm not upset in da least. I'm just trying ta do me best fer ya, is all!"
Thinking that the lass was just nervous because of the wedding and under pressure from the mistress of Brandy Hall, she dismissed the lass's uneasiness and tried to reassure her that she was doing a wonderful job.
Skillfully the lass's hands had woven the small wet flowers in her hair and stood back and examined it. "Tis perfect, miss, it seems ya are ready, now!"
A servant opened the door and escorted Diamond into Estella's bedroom.
Turning slowly around, Diamond gasped in surprise at seeing Estella. "Oh, Estella, you're so beautiful!" she said. "You are going to take Merry's breath away."
Estella's smile lit her soft, gentle face as the two hobbitesses hugged each other. Diamond handed her a simple bouquet of flowers and escorted out into the corridor.
Standing in the corridor was Saradoc who smiled taking in the beautiful lass who stood before him. Approaching Estella, he gently kissed her cheek. "Are you ready, my dearest?" he asked.
Estella nodded her head and took his arm and they walked to the Grand Hall with Diamond following them.
Their padding of the their feet echoed down the low lit corridor while the candle light cast a warm and shadowy glow. A faint whisper of fiddle music only seemed to add to the splendor of this day as the scent of the flowers that greeted a gardener who tend them. Through their brisk steps, the softness of her skirt gently caressed the feathery texture of her light- brown hair upon the top of her feet while she walked with her father-to-be. All the while her thoughts were in images from her mind, thinking about her intended and their life together with all of their dreams now all coming together with each step of her feet.
Saradoc stopped just before the grand doors where two servants waited to open them. He gently squeezed her hand that rested upon his arm and smiled at his daughter to be. "You are the dream that I have wished for, a daughter of my own heart and today, you bring our family all our dreams to come true. We so welcome you."
Estella's long eyelashes fluttered trying to stop the tears from falling from her eyes and she too grasped her new father's hand tightly as a gesture to his kind words. Saradoc nodded to the servants and they opened the doors.
They were greeted with the pleasing flow of music that the fiddles gently played. The Grand Hall was filled from every distinguished family in Buckland and the crowd instantly silenced and all turned to see the bride.
Great bouquet of flowers and candles mixed with ribbons lined the pathway to the very end of the Grand Hall. But barely noticed by the bride, whose tears were already flowing from her eyes.
Saradoc again gently stroked her hand while they walked together to the small group who stood waiting for them. Estella's eyes caught those of Merry who stood next to the Thain Paladin waiting patiently for her. A candle caught the sparkle in Merry's eyes that had begun to tear. Seeing her walking closer to him and taking in how beautiful she looked and knowing their future that they would share together, it moved him beyond all measure.
Merry took Estella's hand and brought her closer to him. Gazing longingly into her eyes they both could not stop their tears of joy.
Paladin raised his arms to the crowd in gaining their attention and spoke slowly and clearly.
"I, Paladin, the Thain, in front of all who witness here today, the marriage of Meridoc Brandybuck to Estella Bolger. Hear now their vows to each other."
Merry softly spoke;
I, Meridoc BrandyBuck, take you, Estella to be my wife;
I give to you my life to share, my heart and all my love;
I will protect you, I will honor you, and cherish you,
All the days of our lives,
I vow to you my love forever, in front of all,
My fair lady of Brandy Hall.
Saradoc handed his son their family ring and Merry took this and gently placed this upon her finger.
Estella's tears flowed down her soft, pale cheeks and held gently to Merry's hands that seemed to tremble with all their emotions, she softly spoke to him;
I, Estella Bolger, take you, Merry to be my husband;
To care for you and cherish you;
To keep you by my side,
With all my love I give to you,
I take you as my husband, my love and the Master of Brandy Hall.
Fredegar placed their family ring into his sister's hand and she put this upon Merry's finger.
Merry encircled his arms around his wife's small waist and pulled her closer to him, bending down he touched his lips to her and they kissed as husband and wife.
A loud rumble of a loud voice echoed in the hall as a servant struggled with Berilac and Merimac who tried to hold him back away from the new couple.
"Master Merry! Master Merry!" the servant lad yelled. "Please you must let me through!"
Merry's eyes darted up to the servant and locked his stare at him.
"They've taken her, Master Merry, you must come quickly! Please, they've taken your pony, Snowclad!" the servant bellowed.
Taken Her
Loud voices began to slowly drift from the corridor and then into the Great Hall while a clatter from the trays that the servants carried also entered from the kitchen. The Great Hall began to fill with hobbits as each one took their place according to their family's name. The Flatbottom family was the first to take their places at the long table and the Proudnecks and Goldworthy were next. The long line of many Burrows took most of the far table to the right and then the Broadbelts sat next to them with Prudy being the eldest of her family line. In and amongst the talking there were laughter and giggles, there was even some crying from small babes with empty stomachs and mothers racing to cater to them. Still the lines of hobbits filed into the Great Hall, until it came close to the end when the Brandybuck and Tooks joined each other at the only table that sat horizontally across the room.
The room began to quiet when Saradoc stood and raised his glass to offer a toast to his guests the Tooks who sat to his left. All the hobbits raised their mugs to the Thain Paladin and Eglantine, then to his son Peregrin and his wife Diamond.
"Here, Here!" they shouted all at once in their greeting to them.
Saradoc drank from his mug and waited patiently for the crowd to settle back down before he would speak again.
"On the eve of my son's wedding day, I offer him my toast to happiness, prosperity and wisdom. In which he will need all three in taking a wife."
Great laughter exploded in the hall at the Master of Buckland's jest.
Again he waited for the crowd to quiet.
"Tomorrow will be a day of celebration and a day my son, Meriadoc will enter into marriage to begin his own life with the lass that has captured his heart. We drink to him and honor him tonight with our wishes for their happiness, may this union be forever blessed."
Saradoc smiled while he gazed at his son with pride when Merry held Estella's hand and leaned over to kiss her. The crowd of hobbits cheered and clapped their hands.
All but little Faramir who covered his eyes and making a face of disgust, when he noticed Merry was kissing Estella.
His mother put her arm around her small son and kissed his cheek, but Faramir wiped Diamond's kiss from his cheek. Being embarrassed, he covered his small arms over his face, while his father lightly tickled him. Pippin chuckled while watching his son and knew at his age, he did not like affection, especially in public places.
XXX
After the meal, Pippin led his family and the Brandybuck family into a private common room. There where three large chests that lined one wall and a small bundle of letters tied with a red ribbon waiting for them.
Merry saw the letters sitting on the table and walked over to them. "What is all this, Pippin?"
Smiling, he turned to his cousin, "This came from Sam and Rosie, as you know, they had traveled to Gondor with their daughter Elanor and stayed for an entire year. During that time, your friends sent back gifts and these are the things before you. I thought being so close to your wedding day and all, that it would be fitting for you to open them, now."
Merry thumbed through the group of letters and saw that they were all addressed to him. Running his finger across the official seal, he immediately recognized them as coming from Minas Tirith and Edoras, upon the envelopes.
Pippin could see the melancholy mood that etched his cousin's face and knew those emblems brought a flood of memories for him. It had been so many years since he had last thought about his adventures long ago and now they were back in front of him.
No longer interested in the large chests that sat at his feet, Merry strolled over to a cushion seat and sat down. Opening his letter from King Éomer, he read that one first.
Saradoc looked at the foreign chests and shook his head, "I don't hold much for foreign goods nor fully trust them myself. Our goods are more than enough to please any hobbit in the Shire. But still, they are interesting and pleasing to look upon." Turning to Estella, he asked her, "Will you do the honors, my dearest!"
Estella bent down and opened the first trunk, lifting the heavy lid. Diamond and Esmeralda gasped seeing soft textured fabrics and bright colored ribbons. There where fine delicate laces for making dresses. She ran her fingers across the light fabric and smiled feeling the softness of them.
Lifting the card that sat on top of all these items, Estella told them it came for Queen Arwen, while she read the label.
Going to the next trunk, she again opened it. This revealed fine weaponry crafted in the strong design of the Rohan people. There were short swords and fancy knives with elegant handles and beautiful small quivers and hand crafted arrow specially cut with the hobbit's size in mind. All the arrows had feathery ends and sharp, stone-cut tips. Both Paladin and Saradoc picked through them and began to admire the fine craftsmanship.
Looking at Merry, Estella saw that he paid little heed to the chests and ignored all the comments coming from the Tooks and Brandybucks. He was still so engrossed in his letters. She noticed the slight smile and a bit of a chuckle while he read. Pippin sat along side of him waiting for him to finish the page that he was reading, so he could read it next.
Turning her attention back to the last chest, she opened it. She gasped in surprise seeing the wonderful deep cravings of goblets and vases. She did not recognize the design of the crafter, but it appealed to her the most. Underneath the goblets, were books with an engraved, leathery-cover and blank pages that she noticed while paging through them. There were fine delicate stained parchments and feathery quills. She loved these the most. A small little book caught her eye and she reached to pick it up. Touching the fabric cover, she felt the softness of it. Opening this little book that contained many poems, she began to read the sonnets and poetry to herself that almost made her cry. These things she claimed for herself.
Faramir climbed upon Estella's lap and rested his chin upon his open hand. He had a long pouting frown that she immediately noticed. "There's nothing for me," he almost whimpered.
Looking back into the chest, she saw a group of fine craved pieces and a game board. Taking them out she hoped this would interest little Faramir.
He laughed excitedly taking the small figures in his hands and sat down upon the floor to play with them.
Estella looked at the crowd around each chest and saw that everyone had something that they had greatly admired. Merry and Pippin enjoyed their letters, while Esmeralda, Diamond and Eglantine admire the fine fabrics and laces, dividing them up between them. Paladin and Saradoc took out the swords, knives and quivers, each one claiming his own. While her and Faramir enjoyed everything in the last chest.
Once Merry and Pippin had finished reading all the letters that he had received from King Aragorn and Queen Arwen, Gimli and Legolas, and letters from King Éomer and Lady Éowyn, with a small note attached from her husband, Faramir. Merry was lost in his memories and began to reminisce with Pippin. After a few of, 'do you remember when,' to his cousin, was all it took before Merry had captured every ones attention and was asked to tell the story again. Estella hearing this for the first time was memorized just as little Faramir was who sat upon her lap. Long into the evening the story continued and Merry often had to stop to take a long drink to cool his throat. Every time he did this, Pippin would take up the story from where he had paused. The hobbits burst out laughing when Merry tried to regain control of the story from the Took. Pippin had often added an extra detail or emphasized something that was unnecessary to the tale. They drank their ales and listened and laughed thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It was Esmeralda that announced the hour being so late and reminded everyone to go to their rooms, to rest before Merry's wedding in the morning. Estella looked at the empty pages in her book and thought about the tale that her fiancé spoke of and she knew how these pages would be filled.
Taking her hand, Merry walked Estella down the corridor and opened her bedroom door. Kissing her good night and smiling down upon her lovely face, he said. "The next time I kiss you, I'll be kissing my wife."
Estella touched his cheek and gazed into his eyes, "Then I look so forward to that kiss, my love."
He gave her hand a squeeze and watched her as she closed her bedroom door.
XXX
A light tapping came upon her door and she slowly opened her eye and sat up. Looking at the door and hearing the soft tapping, Estella called out, "Come in!"
The door slowly opened and Tulsi walked in. "Pardon, ma'am, but the mistress o' Brandy Hall has asked me ta wake ya. Hatty has ordered me ta tend you fer yer nuptials." The lass went out into the hallway and brought her morning breakfast upon a tray. Setting it in front of her upon the bed, the lass went in search of Estella's wedding dress and prepared it.
Another knock came upon her door and Tulsi went to answer it. Opening the door wide, other servant lasses came in carrying bowls of freshly, cut flowers floating in the cool water. One of the lasses kept to the back of the room and set out the hair brushes and combs for Tulsi to fix her mistress's hair, while Tulsi seemed nervous and fidgety trying to rush Estella with her breakfast. "Please, miss if'n ya will, we're passed our time. Would ya please come and dress now?"
Estella barely had enough time to take a bite of her morning biscuit and a sip of her tea, before she climbed out of her bed and walked over to allow Tulsi to dress her.
Layer after layer of underskirts were added one at a time before Tulsi slipped the wedding dress over her head and adjusted it perfectly before she begun to button it.
Estella noticed the lass arranging the pins and flowers that would be woven in her hair. Smiling at the lovely colors of the small flowers and imagined how they would look in her hair. Tulsi observed where Estella's eyes focused upon and she quickly commented to her, "I'll be braiding those lovely flowers in yer hair, but first turn around and look at yerrself in the mirror, tis the loveliest dress I've seen yet!"
Estella turned around to admire the lovely dress of white hobbit-spun fabric and knitted laces that covered the entire length of the dress. There was only a light-blue ribbon that was laced through the eyelets of fabric that gave the dress its only color.
Estella stood dreamily looking at her reflection wearing her wedding dress in the mirror. Tulsi quickly ordered the lasses to other duties in the room and her eyes shifted from her mistress to the servant lass who began to make the bed. Walking over to Estella, she requested her to sit on the bench in front of her dressing table to begin fixing her hair.
Tulsi's hands shook and trembled while she picked up each flower to add to her hair. Noticing the lasses uneasiness, Estella looked up to stare at her. "Tulsi, is everything all right? You seem upset."
"Oh no, miss, I'm not upset in da least. I'm just trying ta do me best fer ya, is all!"
Thinking that the lass was just nervous because of the wedding and under pressure from the mistress of Brandy Hall, she dismissed the lass's uneasiness and tried to reassure her that she was doing a wonderful job.
Skillfully the lass's hands had woven the small wet flowers in her hair and stood back and examined it. "Tis perfect, miss, it seems ya are ready, now!"
A servant opened the door and escorted Diamond into Estella's bedroom.
Turning slowly around, Diamond gasped in surprise at seeing Estella. "Oh, Estella, you're so beautiful!" she said. "You are going to take Merry's breath away."
Estella's smile lit her soft, gentle face as the two hobbitesses hugged each other. Diamond handed her a simple bouquet of flowers and escorted out into the corridor.
Standing in the corridor was Saradoc who smiled taking in the beautiful lass who stood before him. Approaching Estella, he gently kissed her cheek. "Are you ready, my dearest?" he asked.
Estella nodded her head and took his arm and they walked to the Grand Hall with Diamond following them.
Their padding of the their feet echoed down the low lit corridor while the candle light cast a warm and shadowy glow. A faint whisper of fiddle music only seemed to add to the splendor of this day as the scent of the flowers that greeted a gardener who tend them. Through their brisk steps, the softness of her skirt gently caressed the feathery texture of her light- brown hair upon the top of her feet while she walked with her father-to-be. All the while her thoughts were in images from her mind, thinking about her intended and their life together with all of their dreams now all coming together with each step of her feet.
Saradoc stopped just before the grand doors where two servants waited to open them. He gently squeezed her hand that rested upon his arm and smiled at his daughter to be. "You are the dream that I have wished for, a daughter of my own heart and today, you bring our family all our dreams to come true. We so welcome you."
Estella's long eyelashes fluttered trying to stop the tears from falling from her eyes and she too grasped her new father's hand tightly as a gesture to his kind words. Saradoc nodded to the servants and they opened the doors.
They were greeted with the pleasing flow of music that the fiddles gently played. The Grand Hall was filled from every distinguished family in Buckland and the crowd instantly silenced and all turned to see the bride.
Great bouquet of flowers and candles mixed with ribbons lined the pathway to the very end of the Grand Hall. But barely noticed by the bride, whose tears were already flowing from her eyes.
Saradoc again gently stroked her hand while they walked together to the small group who stood waiting for them. Estella's eyes caught those of Merry who stood next to the Thain Paladin waiting patiently for her. A candle caught the sparkle in Merry's eyes that had begun to tear. Seeing her walking closer to him and taking in how beautiful she looked and knowing their future that they would share together, it moved him beyond all measure.
Merry took Estella's hand and brought her closer to him. Gazing longingly into her eyes they both could not stop their tears of joy.
Paladin raised his arms to the crowd in gaining their attention and spoke slowly and clearly.
"I, Paladin, the Thain, in front of all who witness here today, the marriage of Meridoc Brandybuck to Estella Bolger. Hear now their vows to each other."
Merry softly spoke;
I, Meridoc BrandyBuck, take you, Estella to be my wife;
I give to you my life to share, my heart and all my love;
I will protect you, I will honor you, and cherish you,
All the days of our lives,
I vow to you my love forever, in front of all,
My fair lady of Brandy Hall.
Saradoc handed his son their family ring and Merry took this and gently placed this upon her finger.
Estella's tears flowed down her soft, pale cheeks and held gently to Merry's hands that seemed to tremble with all their emotions, she softly spoke to him;
I, Estella Bolger, take you, Merry to be my husband;
To care for you and cherish you;
To keep you by my side,
With all my love I give to you,
I take you as my husband, my love and the Master of Brandy Hall.
Fredegar placed their family ring into his sister's hand and she put this upon Merry's finger.
Merry encircled his arms around his wife's small waist and pulled her closer to him, bending down he touched his lips to her and they kissed as husband and wife.
A loud rumble of a loud voice echoed in the hall as a servant struggled with Berilac and Merimac who tried to hold him back away from the new couple.
"Master Merry! Master Merry!" the servant lad yelled. "Please you must let me through!"
Merry's eyes darted up to the servant and locked his stare at him.
"They've taken her, Master Merry, you must come quickly! Please, they've taken your pony, Snowclad!" the servant bellowed.