Chapter 10: Come Together

Estella stayed behind to clean up second breakfast the next morning by herself. Melilot had offered to help, but Estella insisted she needed some time to herself. She could not keep her mind from milling over what happened the night before. She trusted Merry over anyone as of the last few months, even her own brother. He hadn't done her wrong yet, but now?

A small part of her felt delighted that he told her she was beautiful and tried to kiss her, but then she remembered he had been drunk and could possibly have said that to any lass, including an old gammer. Estella huffed, anger welling up and contorting her features. She plunged the plate into the soapy water of the basin, and scrubbed roughly.

"Good morning, Stella," a mild voice greeted behind her.

Estella stopped in mid-scrub then started again, not looking behind her. "Hullo Merry," she said, curtly. "What do you want?"

"I have your flowers. I'm sorry I forgot to bring you one yesterday. I brought two today to make up for it. I also could not find daylilies, so I pray that daisies will suffice."

Estella turned sharply, nabbing the flowers from Merry's outstretched hand, and laying them beside the basin. "Thank you."

Merry furrowed his brow, frowning. It was hard for Estella to hide her anger. Merry caught her hand as she moved to set down a plate in the stack.

"Is something amiss?" he asked. "Has Fred upset you?"

"No," Estella answered immediately, trying to pull away from Merry's grip. He held her tightly. "It is not Fred who has upset me."

"Then, who did?"

She glared hotly at him expecting Merry to realise it was him she was angry just by her expression. But Merry stared back, confused. "I can only read your mood, Estella, not your mind."

Estella heaved. "Last night, I waited for you, Pippin, and Fred to return so I could wish you three 'good night'. But you came back late and drunk."

Merry winced, remembering just a few hours ago waking up with a regretful headache. Sam had given Pippin, Fred and him an herb-tea that helped ease it. "I am sorry we kept you waiting."

"That's not it!" Estella finally pulled away from him, the plate she held nearly flying from her hand. "Pippin was stone drunk, and Fred was close behind. I sent him, carrying Pippin, into the tent. You, however, stayed out with me. I tried to leave, but you caught both my arms and would not let go. You were inches from my face when you said I was the most beautiful lass in the Shire then you tried to kiss me."

Merry looked horror stricken. Of all the foolish things! "I am terribly sorry, Estella. It's been years since I drank like that. The beer tent was full, and every hobbit in there offered to buy us a mug. I should have known better, being a Knight of the Riddermark." He bent to one knee, grasping Estella's hand as gently as he could. "Will you ever forgive me, Miss Bolger?"

Estella stepped back, but did not retrieve her hand from Merry's grasp. He peered up at her, eyes hopeful. He did look truly sorry, it was only one incident, and he was one of her dearest friends. "I forgive you."

Merry let go of the breath he did not realise he had been holding. He kissed her hand. "I am most glad to hear."

"Now that I think of it," Estella said as Merry got to his feet, "the kiss was rather humorous."

"Oh, really?" he asked, curiously. "How?"

"You missed."

Merry furrowed his brow. "I missed?"

"You missed my lips and landed here." Estella pointed to the spot beside her nose, under her eye.

Merry chuckled in relief. "I am truly sorry, but I must clarify one thing: you are a beautiful lady."

"Thank you." Estella blushed, and she noticed for the second time that he had called her 'lady'. "Flattery is unnecessary, you are forgiven."

"I mean it," said Merry, seriously. "Now may I ask for your company? I must search for fairings for certain hobbits, and could use a bit of help, if you don't mind."

"Not at all! I, myself need to buy some fairings as well."

The crowd was rather tight. Even more hobbit folk had arrived for the Fair, and wading through the paths between the booths was a chore. Twice Merry and Estella lost each other until Merry took Estella's hand, keeping her close to him. Estella felt odd and slightly apprehensive at first with her hand firmly held by Merry, but she grew use to it and didn't mind when he did not let go as they strolled through the less crowded area of the fairgrounds.

They wandered into a somewhat overlooked booth near the edge of the fairgrounds. The owner was a traveling merchant, and spent his time crafting and collecting things to sell.

"Look at this" Merry said, lifting a wooden figure of a falcon to examine. "A Peregrine Falcon. Perfect for another Peregrin." He went to ask the merchant what it cost.

Estella poked about the tables. Her eye caught a cane with beautifully carved vines trailing up the sides. She picked it up, and went to join Merry and the merchant.

"A cane? Why a cane?"

"It's a beautiful piece of work."

"But for Pip?"

Estella shot Merry an abused look. "Sometimes he needs a cane. I'm not blind, Merry. I know Pippin limps sometimes at the end of the day."

Merry 'hmph'ed. He knew Pippin limped, and the reason why, as well. He and Pip never talked about it, but the lingering war-injury from the troll could not be hidden all the time. "I'm sure he'll like it."

They passed a few booths without speaking then Estella let out a small gasp. She strode over to a painting leaning against a table leg. She picked it up, eyes wide in wonder.

"I can't believe it," she said in amazement.

Merry peeked over her shoulder to see. The painting was of a rolling field with yellow flowers blanketing it. On the bottom right corner it read "Butter Field".

"Isn't Butter Field the land beside your smial in Budgeford?" Merry asked.

"Yes, it is," Estella answered, smiling. "I would wake up every morning, and see the field with its yellow flowers through my window. I cannot fathom who would paint it. I wonder how much it is?"

They looked around to find a sign that read: "All paintings 80 farthings".

"Bothersome," Estella muttered. "I do not have enough."

"Maybe I can bargain with the merchant." Merry suggested, but Estella raised a hand.

"No, don't go to the trouble."

Merry didn't protest. But as they left the booth, he saw Estella eyeing the painting of Butter Field with longing.

They arrived back at the campgrounds a little before luncheon. Rosie and Sam were at their wagon preparing for the meal. They asked if they could use their wagon as storage for the fairings until that night when the fairings would all be exchanged. Rosie and Sam were fine with it, and invited Merry and Estella to eat with them.

After a pleasant lunch, Merry and Estella separated with both similar excuses of needing to find someone. They did not see each other again until after dark.

The bonfire in the middle of the field roared and lit the grounds. Quilts dotted the grounds with hobbits of all ages occupying them. Young children ran and played. A short platform was set up opposite of the bonfire, torches on either side lighting it's surface.

"What a Fair this has been!" Pippin exclaimed. "It has been one of the best save for the fact that winning the race was snatched from under me." He threw a look of contempt at Merry, but his older cousin - with many years of practice - ignored it.

"Are you positive you want to give up your position as deputy mayor, Frodo?" Fred asked from his place in one of the corners of the quilt, Melilot beside him.

Frodo sighed. "I need to finish my book."

"You're already a hermit when you're not outside Bag End," Merry started, slightly frustrated. "And you rarely get out. Isn't that right, Sam?"

Sam held up a hand in defense. "I try my best to get him out."

"So do I," Rosie added.

"I do not want to discuss this. It is done with," Frodo said firmly, and stood. "I propose we exchange fairings before the speeches begin."

Everyone agreed.

Merry moved to Frodo first giving him a new pen set. "For the hermit of Bag End and his writing."

Frodo scowled at the comment, but only for a moment. He could never stay angry with his cousin. "Thank you, Merry. I'll put it to good use."

"Baby sister." Fredegar approached his sister holding something behind his back. "I have a surprise for you."

Estella smirked, a memory from many years ago playing in her mind. "I have a surprise for you too, Freddy."

They chortled seeing each other's fairing. They both held a basket of bright red strawberries with a small jar of cream inside as well. As they exchanged baskets, Estella saw for a brief moment the brother she once knew. But it faded and she saw the grown-up Fredegar again, what he had become the last several years.

"Oh! Strawberries!" said Melilot, peeking over Fred's shoulder. "It appears you two were on the same track."

Fred chuckled. "It appears we were."

"Estella," Melilot moved to her friend's side, ", here is your fairing."

Estella's hand sank down from the weight as Melilot set a large, brown tube-like object. "A bee's wax candle. It's lovely." She produced from her pocket a purple ribbon with a 'M' embroidered on it. "Here is yours."

"It's wonderful, Merry!" everyone heard Pippin exclaim. He held the intricately carved falcon figure up to the torchlight, studying its detail. He turned to his cousin, smiling broadly. "It's perfect."

"I'm happy you like it," Merry said, chuckling as he received a hug from his younger cousin.

"This isn't as fantastic as the falcon Merry gave you," Estella told Pippin after he set aside his previous fairing. "But, I hope it's practical." She held out the cane.

Pippin's face sank a little. He hated admitting he's leg bothered him, but he knew the cane could come in handy. "Thank you, Stella. It's a beautiful cane." He leaned close to her and whispered, "I'll put it to good use. Our secret?"

"Always."

Estella and Merry exchanged fairings last. She had thought long and hard on the perfect fairing, and luckily found it at the book booth. She held it close to her chest as she tapped Merry on the shoulder.

"Here's your fairing, Merry," she said, evenly. She handed the thick wrapped object to him.

"Here is yours as well," he replied, handing her a folded clothe.

Estella unfolded it to reveal a handkerchief with a 'B' and a green vine embroidered on a corner. She smiled. "This is a lovely embroidery, but 'B'?"

"For Bolger," Merry said, quickly.

"Oh yes!" Estella blushed. "Lovely gift, Merry. Why don't you open yours?"

Merry looked over his fairing, feelings it contents, then tugged off the piece of cloth wrapped around it.

Gold. Gold over green. Merry gaped, stunned by such a fancy fairing. He grazed a hand over its cover. The gold, shining letters on the cover read, "The Writings of Meriadoc Brandybuck of Buckland, The Shire". He turned to Estella behind him.

"This is no fairing!" he exclaimed, holding the book up. "This is a most fancy gift!"

"But it is a fairing!" Estella replied, grinning. "The bookbinder made it yesterday! You can ask him yourself, if you want proof. Do you like it?"

Merry glanced at the green and gold cover. "Of course I do! How could I not?" He flipped through the empty pages. "I know just what to write in here."

By then they had caught the interest of the six other hobbits on the quilt. Fred looked as stunned as Merry while Melilot just smiled knowingly. Sam and Rosie watched intently, wondering if perhaps they had missed the fact that their friends were courting. Pippin exchanged a grin with Frodo, who nodded at him.

If only Merry and Estella knew what their friends suspected.

The sky was clear as folks started off home. The Free Fair was over, but no one complained. It was the best fair anyone could remember, especially for Fredegar and Melilot when they gave an announcement that morning during breakfast.

"I have asked Mel to be my wife," said Fred, Melilot by his side wearing a budding smile.

It seemed for a moment everyone was stunned from excitement by the news, but Melilot's mother quickly recovered and rushed over to hug her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.

"We're going to be sisters!" Melilot exclaimed when Estella through her arms around her.

"I would be honored to be your sister," Estella replied, on the verge of tears.

Three days later, the household of Crickhollow was safely home. It was late, and right after taking care of the ponies (and having a late night snack), the three were off to bed.

"Is she asleep?"

"Appears to be."

"Won't the hammering wake her?"

"Maybe not. Now place the nail right…" Pause. "Here."

"Mind my fingers."

"Oh, please, Pip. I will!"

Estella rolled onto her back, a tapping noise repeating in her ear. She moaned, and scrunched her nose as she started to wake. Her eyes opened to slits.

"That should do it. Hand me the painting."

Estella's eyes opened wider, her mind clearing of its sleepy fog. Merry was straightening something on the wall, Pippin nodding in approval.

"What's going on?" she asked groggily, sitting up.

Merry and Pippin spun around. "Good morning, Estella!" Pippin greeted. "Merry has something for you." And he slipped from the room.

"What is this?"

Merry moved to the side. "Your fairing. I'm sorry it's late, but I wanted to surprise you."

Estella got to her feet, nabbing her sleep coat and tugging it on. Her eyes widened and mouth hung open at the sight before her. "Butter Field. But, why? You already gave me the kerchief."

"That was a ruse," Merry said, giving her a smug smile. "I know how much you wanted this painting. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to surprise you."

Estella ran her fingers lightly over the bumpy canvas. She hadn't seen her home in Budgeford for over five months. She gulped down the emotions that were welling up, and turned to her friend "Thank you, Merry. This is the nicest thing someone has ever done for me."

He hadn't expected such a response, but as long as she was happy…