The third day of October dawned bright and beautiful, and brought with it a letter telling the residents of Crickhollow that Rose had given birth to the Gamgee's fourth child on October first; a son.

You'll have to come see him to find out which one of you we've named him for.

All the best,
Samwise G.

Plans were made to set out for Bag End at once, and the following morning, they departed from Crickhollow, Merry on Stybba, Pippin and Diamond on Star. The lads bickered about why it was more likely each of them had received the honor of having Sam's second son named for them.

"As the oldest, I should think it would be me."

"But I'm Rose's favorite," Pippin pointed out. "Therefore, I must also be Sam's favorite."

Scoffing in jest, Merry cried, "She only likes you because she likes Diamond. Let's not pretend she'd take your company if you were on your own."

Diamond wrapped her arms tight around Pippin and giggled. "That's true!"

"I've never felt more betrayed than in this moment. My own wife!" Pippin exclaimed.

The following day, the three came to the round, green door of Bag End, and Merry knocked politely. He could hear the three older Gamgee children from behind the door before it was opened, and when it was, he was quite surprised to see Estella there, little Rose-lass (who was still a baby herself) on her hip, Frodo-lad behind her skirts, and young Elanor tugging on her apron all at once. He was sure he had been staring for far too long. He was sure he was supposed to say something or stop standing in the threshold of the door, but it took Pippin nudging him out of the way to shake himself out of it.

"Estella, what- "

"Sam and Rose asked me to come stay for a bit to help with the older children," she provided the answer before he could finish the question. "Come in, please! Rose and Sam are waiting for all of you."

He was still staring at her. He knew it, though he could not reason why. As they stepped inside and were ushered back to the room where Rose lay in bed, holding her new babe with Sam by her side, it could no longer be attributed to the shock of seeing her somewhere he had not expected her. But, perhaps mercifully, once she showed them there, Elanor called for her, and she disappeared.

Sam was standing by the bedside, looking proudly at his wife and son. "He's a handsome lad, he is," he said to Merry and Pippin, smiling and motioning them closer. "We've called him after you, Mister Merry!"

"Ah ha!" Merry slapped Pippin's shoulder in triumph and stepped closer as Rose pulled the blankets away from the newborn's face to show him off to his new admirers. "Oh, he is quite handsome," Merry agreed with Sam, taking in the little face. "Perfect lad to be my namesake."

He could feel Diamond nearly bouncing beside him, anxious to get the little one into her arms, but Rose chuckled gently and said, "Mr. Merry gets to hold him first. You'll have your turn."

And then Merry found himself cradling the bundle of blankets, looking down at a sleepy face with squinting eyes and pursed lips. The babe had a thin bit of sandy hair on his head, his button nose matching his mother's. The eyes, he could see, were Sam's. He was sure as Little Merry-lad grew they would grow to be just as kind as his father's. "He's not as like you as Frodo-lad, but more like you than Rose, I think." He smiled at Sam and gently touched the baby's downy soft cheek.

"Yes, I think so too!" Rose agreed.

Pippin peered over Merry's shoulder and grinned wide. "Aye, taking after his father more than his mother. Still, think he looks more like a small Pip than a wee Merry."

"Next one will be after you, Mister Pippin," Sam assured. "Merry is older, after all."

"Told you," said Merry, looking down at the baby's face once more. Those eyes were opened wider now, trying hard to focus on a new face. Hardly able to help himself, he placed a kiss on the tiny forehead. He'd never expected the birth of a friend's child to bring him such a mix of emotions, but with Frodo-lad, Rose-lass and now wee Merry, he'd found the joy accompanied by a small sense of loss. Did Frodo know? How could he? Was there any chance he could somehow see the life Sam was building for himself, the family he was making? He'd been around for Elanor's birth, had named her, in fact. Merry knew he had loved the child dearly. She'd been able to make him smile even during some of his darkest days, even when he was in immense pain. Frodo would have loved all of Sam's children. And Pippin and Diamond's. And his, he supposed too.

Unbidden then, the image of Estella at the door surrounded by those three small hobbits came back to his mind. It captivated him, wouldn't let him go, even as he tried to listen and participate in the conversation about how Rose was feeling and how healthy the baby was.

He could see Diamond next to him, eyeing wee-Merry with anticipation. "Would you like a turn, Di?"

She nodded eagerly, and gladly accepted the little one with open arms.

"Estella's come to stay, has she?" he asked Sam. When he mentioned her name, Pippin's eyes flickered to him. Merry hoped he wouldn't say anything, and he did not.

"Mayoral duties take up more of my time these days," Sam explained. "Rose's mum usually comes to help, but she's too busy with the farm this time of year. It's good for Rose to be able to rest and just care for the new one for a while, so when Estella offered, we took the help gladly."

"The children seem to like her," he said, remembering how comfortable the littlest lass looked in her arms and how cheerfully Elanor had called her.

"Oh, she is wonderful with them! They want for nothing while she is here, and she is far more willing a playmate than I am!" exclaimed Rose.

Almost as if hearing her voice made him realize he missed his mother, the baby began to cry. Diamond grudgingly handed him over to Rose.

He'll be needing to nurse now," Sam said.

Rose shushed and crooned at Merry then patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Diamond, you can stay if you'd like." The younger lass needed no encouragement, she eagerly sat beside her friend to get more time with the baby. "The rest of you go on now. We'll bring him out when he's all finished."

Pippin playfully objected to not having yet had a chance to hold the baby, but Sam assured him once the little one was happy and full, he would have his turn. He invited his friends to the kitchen for a drink, and as they walked there, they passed the open door of the nursery. Against his better judgement, Merry took a glance inside.

He was transfixed by what he saw, his heart catching in his throat. Estella was in a rocking chair, Rose-lass held close to her chest. The little one had her eyes closed, deep in sleep, and Estella was smiling down at her, looking every bit like the child's mother.

In that moment, Merry suddenly knew several things at the same time. He knew that he wished he were watching Estella rock a child of his to sleep in the nursery he'd grown up in. He knew he wanted her to rock many of his children to sleep in that nursery, in fact. And he knew that he loved her deeply, from the bottom of his heart. He knew that he would never love anyone else the way he loved her.

It left him with an ache in his chest, knowing she did not feel anything close to the same for him. The ache nearly became a sharp pain when Estella saw him and smiled softly at him before turning her attention back to the little one. He knew he should not stay, but he couldn't make himself move away. It was as if Estella had unknowingly put a spell over him.

When she looked up again, her brows furrowed in confusion seeing him still standing there.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Merry looked over his shoulder. Pippin and Sam had no doubt noticed he was no longer following, but neither seemed to care. Their voices carried down the hall and let him know they were already enjoying their drinks together. What in the world was he to do now? How could he tell her what his heart had just revealed to him? But how could he not?

"Merry, you look as if you're going to be sick!" she got up from the chair, Rose-lass still pressed tightly to her. "Sit down, I'll go fetch you some water."

"No, I'm quite alright, Stella, thank you." His mind raced. He was quite certain there would never be anyone else who would hold his heart as Estella now did, even though she was unaware and would gladly give it back to him if she could.

"You do not look alright, Merry, please sit!"

He did not, but came towards her, sure he looked quite serious and somber. "Estella," he said, voice very low. He did not want this conversation overheard. "You told me you want me to be honest with you. And I told you I would ask you if your feelings have changed. Have they?"

She shook her head. "They have not."

"Well, mine have."

Estella looked relieved. "Ah! Another girl then. That was quite quick! May I ask who?"

"No, not another girl. It's still you Estella. It will always be you. I… You asked for my honesty. Remember that before I say this: I am in love with you. I love you, Estella."

She inhaled deeply, hazel eyes wider than Merry had ever seen them. "That… that was a lot of honesty."

He had to swallow the bitter laugh that rose up in his throat, knowing there was more he could have been honest about. He could have told her that if she would agree to it, he would go into the kitchen and have Sam marry them right now with Pippin as a witness. He could have told her that he wanted nothing more than to watch her belly grow with his children, wanted to watch her carry, nurse, and raise four, five, six of his babies! There was so much more he could have been honest about, but a declaration of love was likely more than enough for one day.

"I don't believe you," Estella said to break the heavy silence.

"I promise you I am more genuine about this than you can imagine."

Estella shook her head and her brows furrowed in disbelief. "No, no, you can't be. You do not love me. We are only friends, and even that's been in question lately." She spoke in a whisper, he wasn't sure if this was to keep Rose-lass sleepy, or to avoid the other hobbits hearing.

"I swear to you, I am."

Estella took a few steps back from him, turning her shoulders slightly, as if to shield the sleepy toddler from him. "You've only just stopped calling on Peony. I know you can't be serious."

It seemed as though more honesty was necessary. Merry closed the gap between them again, which Estella bristled at. "Would you like to know how serious I am? I could marry you right now, Estella, and not regret it. If you would say yes, I'd ask you to right this minute."

"This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" she exclaimed, hotly. "I wanted you and Freddy to be friends again. I wanted to be your friend. But if you can't stop this nonsense, I don't know that I can be, and I'm not sure Freddy will be."

Merry nodded. He had not made these admissions to her lightly, he knew what the consequences might be. "I understand that. I want you to know that I won't push you. If you never want me to come round to visit you or Fatty, if you never want me to ask you to dance, if you want nothing to do with me going forward, I will not push. But I needed you to know. You asked me for honesty, and I will give you that. You'll know where to find me should you feel differently someday."

Estella looked up at Merry, meeting his eyes and considering for a long moment what he had said. He was sure it was a bit overwhelming. It certainly was for him!

"I don't want you to come calling on me," she whispered at length, still very conscious of Rose-lass' nap.

Very well," he replied, crestfallen, though he had not expected much different.

"I do not love you, Merry," she said. "I do not even have the beginnings of romantic feelings for you. But I like you very much as a friend. Do remember that."

With that, he turned and walked out of the nursery. What's done is done, he thought, ruefully. Pippin and Sam both gave him looks of surprise and concern when he entered. He didn't know how much, if any, they had discerned or overheard. He found he did not care. Sam immediately hopped up from his seat and grabbed a mug to fill with beer.

"How about that drink now, Mr. Merry?"

"Thank you, Sam, I need it."