A/N: This chapter'll be a bit short, but I couldn't add any more without ruining the effect.

Voldie on Varsity Track: Thank you so much for reviewing! Yeah, the formatting is a little screwy, but you know ; sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. That's really cool about your writing a Merry/Eowyn fic! I look forward to reading it!

Chapter Nine

Rethe, 1426 (That Night)

That night, Merry tossed and turned for the better part of an hour before reaching sleep. He kept reworking his proposal in his mind. You'll know what to say when the time comes, he thought to himself. He doubted he would have gotten to sleep that night at all if he hadn't told himself this.

As much as he'd feared it would never come, morning dawned clear and bright before he even knew he had slept. He rose and dressed quickly, but he was in no hurry; a strange calm had come over him. He still couldn't see Estella yet, this he knew. Fortunately, he was able to slip unnoticed to the kitchens for a bit of toast. Alright, three pieces, but it didn't seem like much to him.

After his impromptu "breakfast" shut his eyes and quickly raced up the stairs to find Éowyn.

"Éowyn?" He opened the door and walked right into her room. He found her sitting on the balcony, braiding her hair.

"Oh, hello Merry," she said. "You wanted to know where you could find an engagement necklace for Estella, correct?" She paused in her braiding for a moment then shook her hair loose.

"Yes, Éowyn. I had hoped you could show me where."

"Good. Follow me." She stood and he did as she had told her, following her out the door and into the hall. When they reached the stairs, he paused again, momentarily and looked down. Éowyn, who was already a few steps down from him, realized he wasn't behind her anymore and turned around, walking back to the top of the small staircase.

"It'll be alright, Merry," she said smiling and squeezing his hand encouragingly. Like a young child he smiled back and let her lead him down the stairs. "The jewelry-smith of the Hall will be glad to assist you, I'm sure, Merry." She gave him a nudge towards a sort of shop. If Merry hadn't been so nervous he might have noticed that as odd as it seemed, the store was inside the Hall. He smiled weakly and walked inside.

"What can I do for you today, Master Hobytla?" said a rather slight old man with thick eye- glasses. Merry wondered how the man knew who he was, but then realized that everyone in Rohan probably did.

"I need to buy- a, a necklace."

"A necklace is it? What kind of a necklace?"

"Erm...white gold with...a gemstone pendant."

"Good, good. Chain length?"

"12 inches," he replied, mechanically.

"Yes, yes…a bit small, no?" The man chuckled. He thought back to the necklace he had given his mother for her birthday a few years back. That was...what? 14 inches? And that had been long on her.

"Uh, no, I don't think so." The store-keeper shrugged.

"What kind of stone did you have in mind?" Images of the Brandywine at sunset flashed in Merry's mind; golden, like a river of honey.

"Something small, a transparent brownish color," he replied.

"Like this?" The man pointed to a topaz in a tray of stones. Merry gazed for a long moment at the beautiful gem.

"Yes," Merry breathed, "exactly like that."

"I think, little master, I have just what you're looking for." He pulled a silver colored chain out of a case and fitted it with a tiny oval shaped topaz with silvery leaves blossoming from around the stone.

"I'll take it," he announced. It reminded him so much of Estella; he knew she had to like it.

"That'll be three gold coins," he said. Merry reached down to fish the money out of his pocket. "Wait, Master Hobytla. You rode with the Lady Éowyn," he said, as if just realizing this. Merry nodded. "For you it's free." The man smiled. "We owe much to you and your companions."

"Thank you," said Merry, embarrassed by the kind gesture. He took the necklace in its box and raced out of the shop to show Éowyn.

"Why, it's lovely, Merry!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure she'll love it!" Merry grinned, he knew in his heart she was right.

"Wish me luck!" he shouted over his shoulder, already running to find Estella.

"Good luck," she said softly, though she was well aware he could not hear her. She remembered him as he was on the battlefield when he saved her from the dreaded mace of the Witch-King. He could have run and hid, and considering the circumstances she couldn't have blamed him, but he stayed and saved her, an act which had taken a great amount of courage, she knew.

She remembered also, him sitting, talking with her in the Houses of Healing and how he had spoken to Faramir for her before he had asked her to marry him.

She sighed and thought about how much she owed him. You deserve a thousand life-times of happiness, my Merry.

"And I wish you nothing less," she whispered gazing after him.

Meanwhile, Merry ran about the hall searching for Estella.

"Estella!" he called frantically, "Estella!" He rounded the corner into the dining hall. There she sat, silently eating second-breakfast. Many humans who had not eaten breakfast yet were there also. "Hello, Estella!" said Merry cheerfully.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. On second thought, maybe this wasn't the best time, he thought.

"I..." he started, "I need to talk to you Estella." He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. The grey-green of them was glowing with...fear...anticipation? He couldn't place it. "I know," he began, "I know we haven't been courting for that long. But I think…no," he corrected himself, "I'm sure, that you are the lass I want to share my life with. I'm not very good at these kinds of speeches, so I'll just cut to the chase...Estella, will you marry me?" He pulled out the necklace and proffered it to her. Eyes wide with shock, she took it in her hand.

"Merry- It's beautiful!" she breathed. "Of course I'll marry you!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, almost aggressively. A cheer rang in the air; those in the hall who had thought of them as children certainly thought so no longer. Éowyn watched from the doorway, and smiled gently.

"I'm so glad you're happy," she whispered, too softly for anyone to hear or even notice her presence.