Chapter Nine

The next day, Mrs. Bolger managed to talk her daughter into leaving the house. Estella didn't want to rebel this time. She was too confused and her mind didn't have room for arguments. It was an unusually nice day, and Mrs. Bolger insisted that it was the perfect day for going out somewhere.

"We can visit the Goold home," she suggested. "Remember I told you about them? They live in a village on the edge of Bridgefields, which isn't far away at all. Maybe you and Azalea Goold could become friends."

And so Estella and her mother set off in their carriage, headed for the Goold home. They soon arrived and Mrs. Bolger politely knocked on the door. It was opened by a woman who Estella assumed was Mrs. Goold (though there were two of them; the mother and the aunt).

They were let inside the house and Mrs. Bolger introduced herself and Estella, though Estella barely listened to what was said. She didn't care much for visiting.

"I have a daughter about your age," Mrs. Goold said to Estella, which confirmed that this Mrs. Goold was the mother and not the aunt. "I think she would love to meet you. She hasn't really met anybody yet since we moved into my brother's home." She disappeared for a moment and soon reappeared with a girl. "This is Azalea. Azalea, this is Estella."

"Hello," Estella said, unable disguise her feelings of boredom.

"Hello, Estella," said Azalea. She was slightly shorter than Estella and had clear blue eyes and dark blonde hair. Estella marveled at her hair; it was of a color that was rare among hobbits.

"I'm sure you can find some way to entertain Estella," Mrs. Goold said to her daughter.

"Come along, then," said Azalea. She walked through the house and Estella followed, until they were in a comfortable sitting room. Azalea sat down in a chair and Estella sat down in the one by it. Estella felt awkward. What was she supposed to say to this girl?

Fortunately, Azalea had plenty to say. "So, do you like this part of the Shire? I think it's beautiful. But of course, every part of the Shire is beautiful, don't you think? Except for what those horrible ruffians destroyed. Aren't those Travelers just the bravest hobbits ever? I've heard so much about them. I've heard that two of them traveled to a fiery mountain and saved the whole world, and that the other two are knights!"

Estella nodded. "Yes. They're brave, I suppose. Frodo and Sam are two of the kindest hobbits I've ever met, and Pippin is fun to be around. Merry is... well..." She didn't want to talk about Merry. Azalea didn't seem to notice. She seemed to be in awe.

"You actually know them?"

"Well, yes," said Estella. "I haven't known Sam long, but I've known Merry, Frodo, and Pippin almost my whole life."

"Amazing." Azalea's blue eyes were shining. "I wish I knew them! Now which one is which again? Was Frodo Baggins the one who went to the mountain?"

"Yes," said Estella.

"I've memorized all of their names, you know," said Azalea, blushing slightly. "Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, and Meriadoc Brandybuck. But you call Peregrin and Meriadoc Pippin and Merry?"

"Those are their nicknames," said Estella offhandedly. Azalea sure was talkative. Estella hadn't expected to have to answer so many questions. The other girl seemed to have some sort of obsessed fascination with the Travelers.

"Merry's about our age, you know," Azalea said. "Well, of course you know, silly me. You know him. But anyway, he's about our age and I heard that he drove away all the ruffians! I also heard that he's a knight and has armor and everything." Her eyes were shining even brighter. "I think that's wonderfully romantic!"

Estella wanted to start laughing and never stop until her heart gave out. Merry? Romantic? If only Azalea knew.

"So is Merry really as great as I've heard he is?" Azalea asked eagerly.

"Well, um... we don't really get along very well. I cannot say."

"Oh. Well that's too bad. Why don't you get along? You're lucky that you know him. I wish I could meet him, but I would probably blush and stutter and make a fool of myself. I bet he's really handsome and nice and would do anything to defend a young lady." She giggled slightly.

Estella was ready to be sick. This girl was starting to get on her nerves. And for some reason, she didn't like the way she was talking about Merry. It gave her a sick, almost angry feeling. Luckily, she was saved by her mother and Mrs. Goold, who came into the room.

"Estella?" said Mrs. Bolger. "Are you ready to leave? We really should be going. It will be time for the mid-day meal soon and we can't be late."

Estella stood up a little more quickly than was necessary. "Yes. I'm ready."

"It was so nice to meet you," said Mrs. Goold. "We're lucky to have neighbors like you." She turned to Estella. "And we hope you stop by to visit some time soon. Azalea really does love company and doesn't get enough of it."

Estella nodded, though she wasn't looking forward to seeing Azalea again. She felt horrible for thinking that, but it was the truth.

"Yes, Estella, I hope you come back!" said Azalea cheerfully. "I enjoyed your company so much!" Estella avoided the other lass's rapturous blue eyes. She almost felt a little sorry for her. She assumed it must be hard to move to a different area and not know anyone.

"Mother, Estella and I had such a wonderful talk!" Azalea was saying to Mrs. Goold. "She knows the Travelers!"

Mrs. Goold shook her head and looked at Mrs. Bolger. "She really admires those four Travelers that went away for a year and saved the Shire. I can't imagine why. Over the years, Azalea has been probably been hearing more stories and tales than are good for her and these four young men have become her heroes."

"Of course they're my heroes," said Azalea. "They drove the ruffians away. The ruffians destroyed our home and they deserve what they got!"

Estella couldn't help but sympathize with her. If she had lost her home because of the ruffians then she would deeply admire the Travelers too.

"Well, come along now, Estella," said Mrs. Bolger. They both said farewell to Azalea and Mrs. Goold, and got into their carriage and drove home.

x-x-x

When they were seated around the dining room table for the mid-day meal, Mrs. Bolger said to her daughter, "So, what do you think of Azalea?"

"Well..." said Estella slowly, "she's certainly very talkative."

Mrs. Bolger nodded. "Well that's good. She'll keep a lively stream of conversation then. She really seems to be taken with those friends of Freddie's."

Freddie looked up from his plate. "What's this about Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam?"

"Oh, we met a girl today, Azalea Goold, and she really admires your friends," his mother replied. "You know, Estella, I think it would be nice if you and brother introduced them to her."

Estella wanted to groan but didn't. "I suppose we could do that. But would they want to meet her?"

"I'm sure they would," Mrs. Bolger said. "Don't you think so, Odovacar?"

"I don't see why not," her husband replied.

"See, Estella. There wouldn't be anything wrong with it," Mrs. Bolger said. "You know you would make Azalea very happy. The poor lass lost her home and she needs all the friends she can get. Freddie, do you know where your friends will be in the next couple of days?"

"I think Merry and Pippin have taken care of most of the ruffians," he answered. "So I think they won't be busy. Frodo and Sam are staying at a farm and I'm sure they could spare some time."

"Wonderful," said Mrs. Bolger. "Maybe you and Estella could take Azalea with you somewhere and meet- what are their names again?"

"Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam," Freddie supplied. He nodded. "Yes. I wouldn't mind doing that. What about you, Estella? Do you think you can handle possibly spending time around Merry?"

Estella longed to fling her potato right in his face. "That doesn't matter. Now be quiet!"

"Now, don't be unkind, Estella," Mrs. Bolger scolded lightly. "Well, it's settled then. You may go and see Azalea tomorrow."

Sometimes Estella wished her mother wasn't so kind and hospitable.