Estella stood a little way away from the dance floor, watching the couples spin by. She was not waiting to be asked to dance. She knew it was likely she would not be, not with so many lasses here looking so lovely. Estella knew she did not meet the Shire's definition of beautiful. She didn't have the welcoming face and easy smile of Rose Gamgee. She didn't have the pale skin and auburn hair of Diamond Took. She didn't come from a family of such wealth as the Brandybucks. No, Estella was a plain girl with few prospects. And for the most part, it didn't bother her. She did long for children, but she had many childbearing years ahead of her. Perhaps in the future, there would be someone willing to settle with her who would provide her with a child. Or two. Or ten!

She heard cheers and turned to see that Peregrin Took and his wife, Diamond of Long Cleave, had arrived. She could see Merry with them as well.

A heated wave of annoyance ran through her at the sight of him. She'd not seen him since their encounter on the Kissing Bench. His boldness with her, and his assumption that she would fall into his arms simply because he was there irked her.

"I'm sincere," Merry's voice rang in her mind. Even the memory caused Estella to roll her eyes.

She took a deep breath, in an attempt to calm herself. When it didn't work, she turned to go find her brother instead. He could always ground her, even when no one else could. He was on the other side of the party. She would have to make her way around to him.

Before she had made it very far, she found herself tilting her head back to look up at Merry.

"Merry," she addressed him formally with a nod, then went back to making her way around the crowd to get to her brother.

"Good evening to you as well, Miss Bolger," he replied, following her as she weaved in an out of the maze of party guests.

She stopped and turned to him. "What can I do for you?"

He bounced back on his heels happily and grinned at her. "I want you to save a dance for me!" He declared.

This was surprising to Estella, though she concealed it as best as she could. No one had paid her much notice tonight, and now, here was Meriadoc Brandybuck, no doubt the most sought-after lad in the entirety of the Shire, asking for her to dance with him. She found herself wanting to accept his offer but instead, almost without willing it, she said,

"Why on earth would you want to dance with me?"

"Why not?" He shot back, hooking his thumbs under his braces.

"Because I'm plain and my family hasn't got any money. Because I'm Freddy's 'tag-along little sister.'"

"I've got looks and wealth enough for the both of us, don't you think?"

"Was that meant to be charming?" She asked dryly, looking for Fatty more than paying Merry any attention.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Estella, I didn't mean that. You're not plain. Quite pretty on most days and fair beautiful tonight."

"I think you may need some spectacles," she chuckled, allowing herself to smile at him.

There was a lull in the music and without waiting for her to accept his invitation, Merry took her hand and led her to the line of couples. She could feel the number of people who were surprised at Merry's choice of partner. So many eyes were on the pair of them as the music started once again. She wasn't sure if she ought to feel embarrassed or proud.

"You do look beautiful tonight, Stella," Merry told her again. His eyes shone and an almost uncertain smile graced his lips.

Estella scrutinized his face. He did not seem to be anything but truthful. He scoffed at her clear skepticism as he spun her around and she let herself laugh.

Merry chose her to be his partner again and again that night, and Estella wondered why. Intermittently he would dance with other lasses; his cousins, the Took sisters, a girl he had courted for a time the year prior, and Estella even saw that he was able to pry Diamond away from Pippin for a song or two. For a time, he relinquished Estella and danced with Peony Bracegirdle, who had only just come of age, and was enjoying her first festival officially able to enjoy the attentions of eligible bachelors. She watched as Merry leaned close to Peony to whisper in her ear. Estella caught her breath and came back to the edge of the grassy field that was being used for dancing. Fatty came up next to her and handed her a mug of ale.

"You're enjoying yourself," he observed, lifting his own mug to his lips.

Estella nodded. "Yes, people do that at parties, Fred."

"Careful with him, Stelly," Fatty cautioned. "You know I'm fond of Merry, but he's got a reputation for breaking hearts."

"You assume I have a heart he could break," she shot back, smiling slyly over her ale.

"I mean it Estella. Be careful."

Estella scoffed and looked back at the dancing party guests, but she did try to take Fatty's words seriously. She was well aware of Merry's reputation. She was not convinced that he had any real interest in her, but one's choice of dance partner in the Shire was always cause for gossip. Estella was sure Merry had given everyone more than enough to talk about.

He returned to her once Peony had found another partner. "Might I have this dance?" He bowed low and extended his hand to her. Estella took it once again and joined him for more dancing, wondering what he could be playing at. She watched him closely for the rest of the evening, noting that he gave Peony another dance, but no other unmarried ladies.

So, I am a ploy to make Peony jealous, she thought, and she did her best to avoid Merry for the rest of the night.

At length, the last song was played. There was much applause and the party guests started to disperse. Crickets sang and the August night was clear and cool. Estella found herself now in a darkened part of the field where the torchlight had gone out, looking for Fatty. Merry found her instead.

"I was hoping to get to dance with you one more time tonight."

"You seemed to be enjoying your time with Peony just fine. I'm sure she was more than happy to keep you company," she hoped that he wouldn't imagine there was any disappointment in her voice.

Merry looked down at her and reached up to push a lock of hair behind her ear. She drew away and looked at him in surprise. "You're being much too forward," she warned him.

"Can't help it," Merry shrugged.

Estella's laugh was not one of amusement, but mockery. "Yes, you can. Don't be ridiculous. I'm not a child, do not condescend to me like that. If even little ones can be taught to keep their hands to themselves, there ought to be no reason you cannot." He did not respond at first, and this made Estella glad. It was high time someone had rebuked him. "How dare you call yourself a gentle hobbit? You're a skirt-chasing scoundrel, Meriadoc Brandybuck."

"You're quite right. I certainly have been in the past, but-"

"In the past?" Estella shouted. "What do you call this behavior? I don't know what you're playing at, but leave me out of your games, please."

"Estella, I am not toying with you, I promise. I've come to like you."

"There's no one about to see your play acting anymore. You are Freddy's friend, and I'm glad of that, but I'm begging you to stop this. We both know I'm not pretty or wealthy enough a girl for you to pursue. I'm sure Peony is pure green with jealousy now."

"No, listen Estella, I'm not play acting-"

But Estella had caught sight of Fatty and was trotting away through the field to take his arm and return home. She realized her brother was quite drunk when he threw a heavy arm around her shoulders.

Unsteadily, he pointed over his shoulder at Merry. "Told you to be careful, Stelly. Don't much care for how he was lookin' at you all night."

"Me neither," Estella concurred. "But I told you I didn't have a heart Merry could break, and I meant it."