The waiting was the most unbearable part of the day, Estella had decided. It seemed all day she had done nothing but be told to hurry whatever she was doing, only for there to be more and more waiting. Now though, it was nearly time. Very soon indeed, she would be married. Her mother and Esme buzzed around her in the small room that had been turned into her bridal suite for the day, rearranging the flowers in her wreath, straightening the skirts of her wedding gown, and pinning down or pulling loose a curl here and there.
Rose Gamgee was there too, though little Merry-lad had her very well occupied with an almost constant desire to be nursed.
"He must be growing," Estella said, as Rose pulled the babe away from her breast at last.
"Aye, he is," Rose said. "Bigger by the day it seems, and nearly insatiable."
"May I hold him a moment?"
"Not till I've burped him. I'll not have him spewing all over your gown. You do look lovely, Estella."
"Doesn't she?" Rosamunda and Esme chorused together.
"How are you feeling, lass?" Rose asked, Merry-lad held to her shoulder while she patted his back gently.
Estella shrugged. "I suppose I'm happy. I'm excited for the ceremony and party to be over!"
Rose smiled wide and laughed. "Are you now?"
Estella laughed now too. "Oh, no, that isn't what I meant, Rose!" She noticed Rosamunda and Esme look her direction and felt a rising sense of dread as Esme approached her.
"About tonight, Estella…"
"No, no, no!" she cried, holding her hands up in defense. "I cannot tell you how much I do not want to discuss this with you, Esme." Rosamunda opened her mouth to speak, but Estella quickly pointed her finger at her and said, "You too, Mam! I promise I do not need any talking to. I know well enough what's to happen."
Esme placed a hand on Estella's shoulder and spoke anyway. "I was only going to tell you that you have no obligations to my son tonight. There is no need to rush consummation. I've told him this too, so if he tries to tell you differently you send him to me, and I will set him straight!" Rosamunda was clearly scandalized by this but had the good sense to not disagree with the likes of Esme in her own home. A pointed look from Estella may have helped her to keep her tongue behind her teeth.
A small burp was heard from Merry-lad, and Rose placed him in Estella's arms then. "I'm quite sure Estella can set Mr. Merry straight on her own should he need it," she said softly. "But he's a gentle-hobbit, so I'm sure there won't be any need."
"Thank you," Estella breathed to her friend. She took in little Merry-lad's chubby face with absolute delight, snuggling him close. "Perhaps I will have my own little Merry in the near future!"
"I'm sure they'll be great playmates," Rose said. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves!"
Estella smiled and peppered Merry-lad's face with kisses. Someday soon, she thought to herself. Perhaps I'll get very lucky, and we will have a honeymoon baby!
Fatty knocked on the door then. Estella stood and Rose came to take Merry-lad from her as her brother entered the room. Estella twirled about like a teen, showing off her yellow and green gown. "What do you think, Freddy?"
He smiled softly. "You look lovely, Stelly."
"Is it time now, Freddy?" Rosamunda asked, overflowing with excitement. Fatty nodded his head.
"Merry is waiting. Sam is ready. I've been sent to fetch the mothers and then the bride!"
Estella took a deep breath and turned to check the mirror once more, making sure her wreath sat on her head like it was supposed to. Yellow and white daffodils and primrose crowned her head, curls framed her face, and her eyes were bright. She did not quite look like herself. Scrutinizing her appearance in this moment, she could almost see why Merry had called her elvish months ago in November.
Rosamunda and Esme kissed her cheek before allowing Fatty to escort them to the hall where the ceremony was to take place. Now Estella was alone with just Rose and baby Merry.
Rose came to her friend with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Are you ready for tonight, truly?" she questioned, mouth upturned and nose scrunched in laughter.
"I should think so," Estella said. "I'm a bit nervous. I want children badly, so I'm excited for that reason."
"You've nothing to fear. I've rarely seen someone look at a lass the way Mr. Merry looks at you. For him, the sun rises and sets with you." Estella felt her shoulders tense at her friend's words. She did wish people would stop talking that way. She had never asked for that level of affection or esteem. Rose took notice. "You still do not love him?" It was more a statement than a question.
Estella shook her head. "Not the way he loves me. I think I must love him, in a way. I'm glad to be marrying him. The day he asked me he told me that he'd have to marry someone else if I turned him down. I did not like that thought at all. I did not like to think of losing him, and I did not like thinking of Lily Banks on his arm. So surely, I feel some kind of romantic affection for him, but it is not… it is not equal to what he feels for me. He looks at me just like you said, like I am the sun, moon, and stars. I look at him and I see… I see he is good, and brave, and kind. I see a friend. I think I might see more than that, but it's only a little."
Rose listened attentively, even while her infant squirmed in her arms. When Estella stopped speaking, she gently touched her shoulder. "Did you know I went into my marriage knowing I would never hold all of Sam's heart?"
Estella was surprised to hear this. She had assumed Sam and Rose to be exempt from Diamond's rule about all couples having one who was adored and one who did the adoring. She thought Sam and Rose adored each other equally. It seemed that way to her, at least.
Rose smiled wistfully. "Aye, it's true. I knew, just after they all returned home, I knew that he would marry me. I knew he would love me. But I knew Mr. Frodo would always have him. You never knew him well, Estella, but I lived there in Bag End with him. I saw how Sam fussed over him, looked at him, loved him. Mr. Frodo still has pieces of my Sam, even all the way across the sea, and I don't doubt that Sam will join him there, someday. But even so, what Samwise has given me is enough and more. And it will be for Mr. Merry too. Don't you fret over it, Estella. He loves you and what you're giving him today will be enough for him."
Estella pulled Rose close and hugged her and baby Merry tight. "Rose, I am glad you're here."
Her friend smiled, squeezing her tightly back as Fatty returned for his sister. Estella looked at him with anxious eyes, hoping she would not see any reservation or unhappiness on his face. If he felt any, she thought he had decided to hide it away from her for the day, and she was grateful. He smiled softly at her, then wrapped his arms tight around her once Rose had stepped out of the room.
For the first time that day, Estella could feel tears welling in her eyes as Fatty held her. She would not let them fall. "I wish Dad could be here," she whispered.
Fatty said nothing, just held her tighter for a moment.
"I wish Merry's Dad were here too."
"I know, Stella."
She drew away from him and smiled as brightly as she could. "You have been the best brother a hobbit could ask for. I hope you know that."
He smiled tenderly. "And you've been the finest sister."
Taking both Fatty's hands in hers, Estella bit her lip before confessing, "He might be able to break my heart now."
"You don't sound sure."
"I'm not."
Fatty nodded slowly. "Well, it's a step in the right direction, I suppose. Better than not having a heart he could break, since you're about to marry him. It's time now. Are you ready?"
Nodding, she took his arm and they walked together towards the hall where far more hobbits than Estella wanted to be watching her were anxiously waiting. She took a deep breath and tightened her hold on Fatty's arm as she walked past them all, toward the front of the room. Sam stood there, all the legal papers in hand, waiting to be signed after the ceremony. To his left stood the wedding arch, this one simple, just some boughs twisted together and decorated with the same yellow and white flowers in Estella's wreath. And then, there was Merry, in a green waistcoat that matched Estella's gown, grinning wide and nearly bouncing in place. The sight of him put Estella more at ease and she giggled quietly at his excitement. When she and Fatty reached the front of the room, Merry came to them, and Fatty kissed her hand before placing it on Merry's arm, and then the two of them walked to Sam.
"Ladies and gentle hobbits," he began. "We've gathered here today to see the union of Mr. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Miss Estella Bolger. Now, they've both asked me not to make too long a speech," he paused, and the crowd laughed. "So, we will keep things short and to the point and get on with the vows and the tying of the knot. Merry," he turned to his friend and Estella thought she perhaps saw his eyes watering a bit. "Do you vow to treasure Estella, and keep only to her, through troubles and through comfort, till your dying day?"
"I do," Merry said clearly, for all to hear.
"And do you, Estella," Sam now addressed her, and she could clearly see that he was indeed blinking back happy tears for his friend. "vow to treasure Merry, and keep only to him, through troubles and through comfort, till your dying day?"
The words, "I do," came from her lips without her even thinking about it, and the heaviness of them seemed to settle over her chest for a moment afterwards. It was not a heaviness accompanied by dread. Estella was simply hit by the significance of what she had said, what she had promised, to the hobbit standing before her. Meeting his eyes, she felt what Rose had said to her only moments before, that she was indeed as bright as the sun in his eyes. She wished desperately in that moment she could feel that way about him, that she could be even half of what he thought of her. Against her will, a single tear slid down her cheek then, but she dashed it away quickly as she watched Pippin hand Merry the ropes that would be used to tie their wedding knot.
She took hers and they began to loop the ropes around each other to form the knot, desperately hoping she would remember the correct movements. She had practiced it with Merry several times the night before, just to make absolutely sure she knew the proper way to do it. Sam spoke to them, but still loudly enough for those in attendance to hear,
"This knot is a symbol of your union. As pressure is applied, the knot will become stronger, so strong that the rope is more likely to break than the knot to come undone. Pressure and trials will come, but today, you've promised one another to work through them, to let them strengthen your marriage, rather than cause it to fall apart."
As he spoke, Estella pulled hard on her rope while Merry pulled on his and the knot fully formed, to her relief. She found Merry grinning at her and returned his smile, as they walked with their rope to the wedding arch to Sam's left. They hung it there for all to see, then Merry led her back so they stood in front of Sam once more.
"Might be the shortest wedding I've ever done," Sam said, making the crowd of guests chuckle once more. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Estella accepted the chaste kiss and then let herself be pulled into Merry's hug as all those in attendance clapped and cheered in celebration. She wrapped her arms around him and was lifted off her feet as he spun her around. When he set her down, he kept her held close to his chest and turned to their guests. "Now let the wedding feast begin!" Many cheers of agreement were heard, and all the guests began making their way to the Grand Dining Hall.
As they did so, those closest to them came to sign the wedding papers. Esme, Rosamunda, Pippin and Fatty all served as witnesses, and for the last time, Estella signed her maiden name. She looked at her signature, simple script that looked immature next to Merry's. She supposed she would have to set some time aside to practice her penmanship now that she was next in line to be Mistress of Buckland. It wouldn't do to have her sending out letters and invitations with the handwriting of a teen. But that was a worry for another day. For the moment, all she had to do was enjoy her wedding feast.
The hobbits cheered when they entered, glasses of wine and ale raised high. The smells of roasted vegetables, poultry, beef, and soup made her mouth water and she anxiously sat down at the head of the table with Merry, with her husband.
"Well, Mrs. Brandybuck," he said softly as they ate. "How are you enjoying your first meal as a married hobbit?"
She smiled before sipping some wine from her glass. "Very much, Merry."
"I'm quite looking forward to dancing with you," he said, taking another bite of potatoes and carrots. "And I did want to give you a word of warning." Estella tilted her head to one side inquisitively. "Pippin's told me he fully intends to engage in the tradition of kidnapping the bride," Merry explained, amusement in his eyes. "Since he and Diamond didn't get to have any of the usual traditions, Pip is intent on making sure our wedding includes them all."
Estella scowled. "I'd really rather he didn't."
"I will do my best to keep it from happening, but I can't promise you. I tried to get the idea out of his head, but he is set on it."
From across the table, Estella found Pippin and gave him her best threatening glare. To her great annoyance, Pippin only laughed at her, raising his glass and wiggling his eyebrows, showing he knew exactly why she was displeased with him, and that he didn't care one bit.
"I'll just stay near you or Freddy all night. Then he won't have the chance," she declared.
Merry smiled. "It's as good a plan as any."
For the most part, it seemed to work. Estella kept an eye on Pippin while enjoying the dancing and celebrating, and rarely let Merry leave her side. If he had to, she immediately went to her brother. But now, the time for the bride and groom to leave was approaching, and Estella was anxiously awaiting it. It had been a long, full day, and she could hardly wait to have a bit of quiet. Some guests had already started to leave, either heading back to their rooms or making the journey home.
"Ready to go, Stella?" Merry whispered to her as he danced with her once more. She nodded. "I'll go and tell Sam then, and Ma. Pippin is just over there," he indicated with a nod of his head, "and he and Di look quite… busy," here Estella turned to see the two cuddling and kissing in a corner and rolled her eyes. "so, I think he's given up on his plan."
"I'm not taking any chances," she told him, laughing. "Help me find Freddy before you leave me alone!"
Merry did so, then left her to find Esme and Sam. Estella smiled up at Fatty as he pulled her out to the dance floor one last time. "Thank you for not crying today," she said.
Fatty shook his head, not truly dancing with her, only swaying a bit from side to side. "Don't be thanking me yet, Stelly."
"What do you mean?" she asked. "This is certainly no time for crying, Merry and I are about to leave. If you've held off all day, I think you could at least do me the favor of waiting till I've left my own party," she teased. It took her another moment to realize Fatty was not giving her his full attention. In fact, he seemed quite fixated on something, or someone, behind her. Realization dawned on her, but it was too late. "Freddy, no, don't help him!" she cried, just as someone grabbed her around the waist. She found herself thrown over a rapidly retreating Pippin's shoulder and she tried frantically to look about the room for Merry, but it was no use. He'd heard her shouting, but the remaining guests were doing their best to help Pippin make his escape, laughter roaring through the hall. "Put me down, you big brute!" she cried, pounding on Pippin's back with her fists. He only laughed at her, continuing to make his way through the maze of hallways.
"Estella!" she heard Merry cry, but his way was still being impeded by the crowd of laughing guests.
"I'm here!" she shouted back, hoping he could hear. Pippin did put her down then, but grabbed hold of her wrist, nearly doubling over with laughter before she could run from him. She couldn't help but laugh herself.
"Oh no, Estella, you're still coming with me."
"Merry!" She cried loudly, setting all her weight back, but Pippin was far too tall and strong for her to be able to resist him, and she was not about to be physically dragged down the halls in her wedding gown.
"Coming Stella!" his voice was further away. He must have turned down one of the other halls after escaping the wedding crowd.
Laughing fully now, she decided it would be best to just go along with Pippin. His pace was quick, and she had to trot to keep up with him. At last, he opened one of the doors to a small guest room. It would not take Merry long to find her here. But then, to her dismay, she noted the open window and found Pippin was eagerly pushing her towards it.
"Pippin!" she exclaimed. "Where on earth are you taking me?"
He grinned. "You have to go out first," he told her. "I know you'll run otherwise."
She rolled her eyes, but found a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Help me with my skirts then, will you? I've got on what seems like a hundred layers of petticoats and can't do it myself," she said, beginning to gather them up around her ankles. Pippin was helpful enough to make sure none of her skirt caught on anything while she climbed out and down. He quickly followed her, closing the window behind him to avoid any signs of them having been there.
Once outside himself, Pippin took her hand and set off at his hurried pace once again. They ran around Buck Hill together, under the starlit sky, through small gardens and sneaking under lit windows, higher and higher up the hill till they came to a window that was slightly opened and that Estella recognized.
"You've kidnapped me away to our own rooms?" she asked, amused.
Pippin shrugged, peeking in the window. "I figured he wouldn't look here till he'd looked everywhere else. Di?" he called.
"And you've got your wife to help?"
"My wife and your brother," he added. "I had the chance to make Fatty a conspirator once again and I took it."
Diamond's gray eyes danced with mischief to rival her husband's as her face appeared in the window. She held out her hand to Estella, offering her assistance to get her through the window. Pippin helped her with her skirts again, and Estella found herself being pulled through and into the bedroom she and Merry were to share in her new smial.
Pippin clambered in after her, with what seemed to be a practiced air. "You're quite good at climbing in and out of windows," she slyly said.
Pippin laughed. "Di and I both had our fair share of practice just before we were married," he told her.
Estella rolled her eyes then but laughed along with him. "I do not want to know more!" she exclaimed, and she quite quickly made herself comfortable in a chair in front of the fire. "Well," she said, smiling at Pippin and Diamond. "What do we do now that you've stolen me away?"
Diamond looked up at Pippin and grinned, going to the wardrobe in the corner and opening it up. She brought a small parcel to Estella and presented it to her.
"Congratulations," she said quietly.
Estella pulled the brown wrapping away to reveal a small book with a soft leather cover. She opened it and the first page read, The Care and Keeping of Merry. As she looked through the pages, she laughed, finding bits of advice from Pippin, Diamond, Esme, Sam, Rose, and even Fatty, on what Merry liked to eat best when he was sick, what ale he preferred when in a dour mood, and whether he liked to sleep in a room cold or hot. Ways to make him laugh when he'd had a hard day, and ways to appease him when grumpy were listed out for her.
Rose's section made Estella raise her eyebrows in surprise and sent a deep red blush over her face. What Estella had denied Esme and Rosamunda the chance to talk about was covered well and in more detail than Estella ever imagined Rose would be comfortable sharing. Curiosity flooded her, but in Pippin and Diamond's company, she only briefly looked at the pages titled The Wedding Night and Beyond.
Diamond had made a list of Merry's supposed flaws, one of which was him singing terribly off key, especially when he'd had too much to drink, and Esme's inclusions were stories from Merry's youth and advice on how to parent such children.
"This… this is lovely, truly. Thank you both."
"Di's idea, that one," Pippin said.
Estella beamed at the auburn-haired lass. "Diamond, you really are brilliant. I don't think there could be a more thoughtful wedding gift than this."
Diamond's cheeks flushed pink, and Estella rose from her chair to give her a hug. She was surprised by how ardently Diamond returned the affection, squeezing her so hard Estella felt most of the air had been pushed out of her lungs.
"Easy, Di!" Pippin laughed. "She's not used to your hugs yet."
Diamond let her go, and Estella moved on to hug Pippin then. "Oh, is that usual for you, Diamond?" Estella wondered, kissing Pippin on the cheek affectionately, showing his kidnapping antics had been forgiven.
"Di shows her love by trying to squeeze the life out of you," Pippin said.
Before Estella could respond, they all heard the door at the front of the smial thrown open, and Merry's voice, followed by the voices of many other young, laughing lads reached their ears.
"Pippin!" Merry called. "Where is my wife?"
Pippin smirked. "Seems your rescue has arrived!"
A moment later, the bedroom door was flung open, and Merry stood, smiling wide, flanked by many of the younger Brandybuck lads, several who'd had too much to drink. Estella could see Sam's face toward the back of the crowd, smiling indulgently. Merry swept into the room, and nearly chased Pippin and Diamond out, laughing all the time. "Out, out, out!" he cried. "Both of you, out! Once he'd shoved them over the threshold, he looked to Sam. "You'll make sure they all leave?" he asked.
"Aye, Mr. Merry!" called Sam. "Go enjoy your bride!"
There was a chorus of cheers and a few lewd shouts as Merry closed the door.
