What Empty Places are For

Welcome back to the Universe of the Bee Charmer.

I wanted to write a Christmas type story for my readers. I also want to remember a very special lady that recently left this world for the next one. I'll miss her very much. I hope I shall serve the sentiment well.

This story takes place shortly after the death of Diamond Took. As usual, it's a testament of love.

There is no slash in any of the Bee Charmer stories.

As usual Boromir, Merry and Pippin along with many other characters are not mine. I should be so blessed. I get nothing from this but the pleasure of visiting old friends in Middle Earth… and reviews, which I humbly ask for.

What Empty Places are For

chapter one

Estella knew the answer before she even asked, but she had to ask anyway.

"Did you get anywhere at all with him, sweetheart?"

Merry sat in his favorite overstuffed chair and sighed heavily. He shook his head. "He just sits there looking into the fire and saying nothing. I don't know what to do, Estella. I've always been able to give him a hand up when he needed one, but this time… it's just too big for me, Estella! How do I help him? He's heartbroken. In all our years together, I've never seen him like this. It's like he's fading away. He doesn't eat, he hardly sleeps, he has let things go to seed at the Smials. Nobody knows what to do. I should know what to do, but I don't. Not this time. Not this time." Merry's eyes filled with unshed tears.

"He loved her so. He still loves her so. But darling, this is the one thing you two have never had a common experience with. You have not lost a wife and the mother of your children."

Merry wiped his eyes. His face brightened a little. "That's it!" Merry exclaimed. "My brilliant shining star, my Estella! You've hit upon the solution!"

Estella nodded. "Boromir." she said.

"Boromir. He lost two wives. He even lost a baby. He'll help, I know he will. Good old Boromir!"

"When is his next market day? Or should you ride out right away?"

"Actually he's due to come this way tomorrow."

"And he'll be stopping here for second breakfast!"

"As usual. Most excellent timing, I'd say. I feel better already."

"Good, because supper is almost ready. A nice, big ham, in fact."

"So there will be ham and eggs for second breakfast. I'll warrant Boromir will stop for a while. He loves ham and eggs."

"He'll want to warm up, too. It's been quite cold this Yule."

"So we'll have plenty of time to tell him all about Pippin."

Estella sat beside Merry in the big chair. He put his arms around her and held her tenderly.

"Estella?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Have I told you lately how much you mean to me?"

"Darling, you tell me every day without saying a word. Diamond's passing has certainly made you behave a little differently. You always showed me you love me, but since she has gone, it's like you're afraid I'll go, too, and somehow not know how much you love me. But I do, Merry mine. I do know how much you love me."

"How well my good wife knows me! How would I ever manage without you?''

"We won't think about that just now."

"No, I think we won't. Where is Borry? I think I'd like to spend a little time with him before supper."

"He's tidying up his room. He wants to ask if Faro can come and stay for a while. I told our son to tidy things up and we'd send for Faro. Poor Faro, poor lad. His mother gone, and his father lost in darkness. It's not good for him to be surrounded with such sorrow, Merry. Diamond would want us to look after them."

"And so we shall, my dear, and so we shall. We'll take care of Faro a while. Boromir will handle the rest. Now I think I'll go and help Borry tidy up his room while you finish supper." Merry rose and gave Estella a kiss. "My bright and shining star, my Estella." With that, Merry went to his son. Tomorrow promised to be an eventful day. They'd best get things done and get ready for the trials of the coming day.

The dawn came dull and cold, and as regular as clockwork, Estella and Merry heard Boromir roll up to the gate with his market-wagon. The familiar knock on their door sounded comforting. Merry opened the door and, as usual, watched as Boromir ducked his head and crouched as he went down the hall to the dining room, where he could at last stand mostly upright. Merry never failed to find amusement in his squeezing into their homes.

Boromir was grinning. Estella was like all hobbits, an excellent cook, and stopping here for second breakfast had become a tradition for him. The furniture was always an ill fit for a Man, and Boromir was big even for one of the Big Folk, but somehow he always managed to make himself at home. Of course this was because this was home to him, now. Though he missed Gondor and his brother, he had come to love the home of the halflings so much he couldn't bear the thought of leaving it. He had so many happy memories here.

Estella had timed things perfectly. She had bought a very large mug just for Boromir, because he loved her tea on cold mornings, and this morning qualified. She plunked down the mug. He wrapped his cold hands around the mug and took a sip.

"You are a queen among hobbitesses, Estella!" he smiled at her. She vanished, smiling and shaking her head. The Man could charm more than bees, in her experience. She returned with platters on a cart. Slices of ham, fresh bread and eggs were heaped on the table. She served Borry, Merry and Boromir before making a plate for herself.

Boromir had enjoyed many a quiet second breakfast at Brandy Hall, but he was no fool. This quiet was different. Something was going on. He waited until Borry had finished eating and had been excused, then asked for more tea. Now the adults had the room to themselves and he would find out what this was in the air, this thing that was so palpable he could have cut it with a knife. He studied Merry's face and knew instantly. Only one thing could weigh so heavily on Merry's heart.

"It's Pippin, isn't it? I know you all too well, Master Brandybuck. I've only ever seen you look like that when you're worried about Pippin."

"Well, you have found us out. It's true; we are very worried about him. He's grieving himself to death, Boromir. I can't reach him, not this time." Merry said, his voice low and filled with sorrow.

"And we thought, perhaps you…?" Estella added.

"Well, of course I'll do what I can. Pippin is very dear to me, as you both know. As dear as the both of you."

"Boromir, you're very generous. But you don't fool me." Merry said, patting Boromir's considerable shoulder. "You know as well as I that Pippin has a special place in your heart. I know you love us all. It's not that I don't know that. But somehow he has always needed you more than I have, and your heart knew that and acted accordingly. Your care and regard for Pippin is one of the reasons you're so dear to us. So don't concern yourself that we won't understand. We do. And we're glad you care so much for him, because he needs you right now."

Boromir sat silently a few minutes, his chin on his fist, his brows drawn down. "Well, I won't argue that point. You are two different hobbits, and I love you both, but my love for Pippin is a little different. I suppose because he was so young when we met. I've always felt a little protective of him. Of you too, but in all honesty, you've always been the most self-reliant, the most sure. Sometimes you remind me of… me."

"And Pippin reminds you of Faramir."

"You know me far too well, Meriadoc Brandybuck."

"Which is why I know you can help him. Will you go to Great Smials and tell him we've asked that Faro come for a nice, long visit? Faro can ride back with you, and with any luck, you can get Pippin to go and visit with you and your children a while. I think it will help because… because…"

"No need to feel awkward, Merry. I know why as well as you."

"Yes, and I'm sorry you do, Boromir. I know you miss Saro. Perhaps, then, this will help the both of you?"

"To be honest, Merry, I do miss her, I miss her more than I can say. Yes, perhaps it will help us both."

"Good. It's settled, then?"

"Yes, it is quite settled. I think I should just tell him I'm terribly lonely and would like him to come and stay at my home a spell."

Estella laughed. "You two! The greatest Pippin experts ever! You both know how to handle our favorite Took, don't you?"

"Practice makes perfect." Boromir and Merry said as one. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

To Be Continued