He was finally asleep. She was ashamed to admit it, but she liked when her father was asleep. It was the only time he seemed to be at total peace. But also she could do her work without worry or just sit on the front step with the door open. When he was asleep, she was at peace as well.
Estella jumped at the sound of a knock at the door. She did not need to fear the ruffians. The day before, a hobbit from Tuckborough had stopped to inform her the ruffians were being run out of the Shire. He tried to go on, but the only question on her mind was – where is Fredegar?
"I haven't heard word on Fatty Bolger. I'm sorry, Miss Estella" he had replied.
She spent the rest of the day and night curled up next to her father worrying herself sick. She had to get up the next morning, even if she didn't want to. She disregarded her dish rag in the water basin, and hurried to the window to see who was outside. A thin and frail looking hobbit was being carefully taken from a carriage. His face was sunken in, but she knew who he was.
"Freddy!" cried Estella, when she flung open the door, not hesitating to run. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck, but stopped short. Fredegar was no longer Fatty. His arms and legs were like sticks, no wonder he was being carried! "Oh," Estella's voice strained.
"It's not as bad as it looks, dear sister" huffed out Fred with some effort.
"The healer of Michel Delving checked over Fat-Fredegar, and said he will recover" Merimas Brandybuck told Estella as the other two hobbits carried Fred to his bedroom. "Gradually feed him a little each day until his stomach can handle more food."
Estella nodded, absently. "Thank you for bringing him home."
"It's hurt, Stella."
"I know, Freddy, but the healer said your stomach must get used to food again."
Fred snorted. "Something I never thought I'd have to go through. Getting use to food again – hmph!"
"Come now, Fredegar! You'll get better soon."
Estella grabbed the tray from the bedside table, and stalked out of the room. Just as she expected, Fred was being a baby about his situation. When it came to food, he could turn into a baby and grate her nerves. She heaved a sigh at the sound of a knock at the door.
"Good day, Estella," greeted Merry, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Hello Meriadoc," Estella replied snappishly, removing a loose curl out of her face.
"May I visit with Fredegar?"
"Please do," she replied exasperated, gesturing for Merry to come.
Merry grinned. "Is he giving you a hard time?"
"You know how Fred can be. He can be very loving, saying how thankful he is to have his little sister helping him get well. Then he goes off into a string of bellyaches in that whiny voice of his." Merry quirked an eyebrow at her. "Yes, you know the one I'm talking about. I can't say where his whininess came from, but he surely didn't get it from our parents."
"I'll try to keep him busy for a couple of hours."
Estella touched his arm. "Thank you. A couple of hours would be wonderful. I need to changed Father's bedsheets anyway, and that takes some time." She turned to walk down the hall, but Merry caught her shoulder. "Are you all right?" he asked, examining her face. "You look tired."
Estella stared sideways at the floor, smoothing her curls back. "It's been rough taking care of two bedridden charges, but I'm still on my feet and haven't collapsed yet." She raised her eyes to meet his. "I'm all right."
Merry nodded, and followed Estella down the hallway, tucking into Fredegar's room.
It was always her favorite ride – the road leading to the Bolger's smial. The leaves were changing on the trees. Soon, Butter Field would come into view. A minute later, there it was.
"Looks like you're finally home," Merimas said, glancing Estella's way as they closed the distance from the road to the front stoop of the smial.
"Yes, it does," replied Estella, shakily. Dread filled her stomach at the sight of her home. She'd lived there all her life. Leaving it so suddenly eight months earlier was easier than she ever thought it would be. They slide off their ponies, and led them to the stables around the hill. Merimas fetched the water as Estella fetched the feed. When they were through, they made their way to the front step.
"I assume you know your way around the smial, Massy?" asked Estella. Merimas nodded. "I do, with escorting my sisters here so many times."
"You wouldn't mind helping yourself then?" She glanced at the door, and the stone in her stomach sank a little more. "I really would rather wait for Freddy out here. I'm sure he'll be around soon."
"I don't mind, Stella. If you'd like company, just call me."
"All right."
With that, Merimas pushed open the door and disappeared inside. Estella settled on the bench beside the door, and wrapped her arms around her waist tightly, collapsing into herself. She was afraid, she had to admit. Returning was more than just coming home from an excursion. She was afraid of breaking into a thousand pieces on her entrance. Falling apart at the sight of where her father had died. But that was why she had returned, to face what she ran away from.
Galloping echoed from down the road, and Estella looked up to see Fred approaching. The corners of her mouth twitched. He must have been excercising his pony. He rode pass the hill, not even spotting Estella on the bench. She quickly rose and followed him. By the time she caught up with him, he was off his pony and leading it to the stable.
"Hullo, Freddy."
Fredegar spun around, letting go of the pony's reigns and nearly losing his balance. "Stella! This is a most pleasant surprise! Why are you here?"
Estella shrugged a shoulder. "I had to come home."
A delighted smile spread across Fred's wide face. "Dear sister, I knew you'd come back!" In two strides, Fred was in front of Estella and twirling her around. Estella let out a small yelp. She hated to tell Fred that she wasn't planning to be there very long, but that could wait forlater.