Flowers, Gems And Estella - Chapter XIII
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It had been over a hundred years earlier that her great-great-aunt Adaldrida had married Marmadoc Brandybuck, which was probably why Estella never paid mind to her distant relation to the Brandybuck family – nearly everybody in the Shire was related in someway or another, and it was commonplace for the closest of cousins to never know each other. This fact explained why it was so unexpected for Estella to be invited for a long stay at Buckland in early June, with distant cousins Mentha and Melilot Brandybuck, whom Estella had only met once or twice. “I remember them,” Fredegar said upon seeing the invitation, “Mentha’s a few years older then her sister, and I was just one of the many lads she flirted with at Bilbo’s birthday party years ago – and at Sam and Rosie’s wedding, apparently Melilot was old enough to flirt with every unmarried lad there.”
“So they’re flighty and vapid? And I have to stay with them for who knows how long?” It was disrespectful to decline such a request, Fredegar reminded her – but he pitied, and agreed to accompany her on the trip.
“I better warn you, Estella,” he spoke while attaching the leather ropes from the wooden cart to their pony, “I heard Mother talking last night that she hoped you might find a sensible lad on this trip – and you know what that means.”
“Sensible lad?” she said, lifting the last of her packs onto the cart, “Is she expecting me to come back married?”
“No, just engaged – but I’d say you’re lucky. Mother suggested that I spend the summer with you in Buckland.”
“But don’t you need to be here to help Father with the harvest?”
“That’s what I told her – she suggested that we get hired help instead, but Father disagreed. Said, ‘There’ll be plenty of time for the boy to find a wife later on, he needs to work here at home!’ For once I’m glad to be working out in the fields this year.”
It was a day and a half after they set out that they finally arrived in mid-afternoon – the abode was not as big as the holes Estella had seen belonging to other esteemed families, such as the Thain or the Master of Buckland, but well enough. The Bolgers themselves were related to the Thain, but their own hole could not rival that of Great Smials.
After halting the pony beside the wooden gate, Estella had just enough time to read the painted words upon it – M. Brandybuck, Newbury, Buckland, in a scrawling script – before she heard two girlish shrieks resound from the front door. She looked to the door, but saw nothing, as Mentha and Melilot were already running up to greet them at the cart.
She heard, “Hello Estella!” but it seemed to be said in stereo, as the two girls were shouting it at once. She also heard, “Hello Fredegar,” said more coyly then before, with a gentler tone that didn’t blow her away. And this all happened before she even had time to look down and see who was addressing her.
She could immediately tell which one was which – from what she’d heard, both girls were young and flighty things, and she’d expected that as the older sister, Mentha would perhaps be more conservative, and more mature. Mentha was taller then her sister, with long, straight brown hair, pulled back behind her ears. Her deep blue dress was simply cut, not scandalously low – but lower than any dress Estella had.
Melilot however, was obviously the younger sister and baby of the family – her hair, the same color as her sister’s, resembled the curled fuzz Estella had always seen on newborn babes. It was cut just above her shoulders, and coiled around the pointed tip of her ears and down her neck. Her dress, light red and edged with lace, left almost nothing to the imagination – she looked back to see the brows above Fredegar’s eyes lift in astonishment. He looked away quickly to retrieve Estella’s baggage from the back of the cart.
“Hello Mentha, Melilot,” she said, jumping down from the cart to meet them – she was immediately bowled over with hugs.
“Oh, Estella, we’re so glad you’re here – you know, we never see enough of you, and you’re related to us and all!” Mentha exclaimed.
“Do you treat all your relatives like this, Estella dear? It’s terribly dreadful how you ignore us – is it because of our brother? Do you hate him?” Melilot chimed in after her sister.
Estella had never met their brother, and only knew that he was named Merimas – she said nothing though, only smiled. Whether she denied it or not, the girls would assume that she had eyes for their brother.
“I’ll just take these into the house, Estella,” Fredegar said, carrying the packs over his shoulder, “Then, I, uh – I guess I’ll be off.”
“Oh no, you mustn’t!” Melilot shrieked, running up to grab his arm, “You must stay at least for supper, if not dinner as well!”
Fredegar looked as if someone had asked him to jump off the Brandywine Bridge – he looked down at Melilot, with fear in his eyes. But he accepted to stay nonetheless.
“Our father and brother are both out in the fields right now, so you can greet them when they come in for supper – we’ll show you to your room, if you like,” the two girls said simultaneously. Estella nodded, not knowing exactly what to say.
Dumping her packs into the spare bedroom, Mentha dragged Estella into her bedroom, Melilot following behind – they ignored Fredegar, who stood in the living room, rubbing his arm from where Melilot had grabbed it so forcefully.
Upstairs, it was apparent that the girls had the same idea as to the purpose of this visit as Estella’s mother had. Having shoved her onto the bed bearing a quilt of pink and green, they immediately started into their plans for the next week or so. “So tomorrow, we’ll go over to Uncle Seredic’s – you can meet our cousins, Doderic and Ilberic – and Celandine, you’ll love her! Although we usually call her Cellie – but she’s our favorite cousin, by far!”
“By far!” Melilot chimed in.
“And the daughters of the Thain –”
“Pearl, Pimpernel and Pervinca!”
“– will be coming next month to Brandy Hall, we’ll see them then!”
“And Peregrin too!” Melilot added, giggling.
“Oh, I know him already, though –” Estella said meekly, before being interrupted.
“And you can meet our Uncle Merimac, and cousin Berilac!”
“He’s really nice!”
“And I’m sure you’ve already met Uncle Saradoc – and Merry, of course!”
“Everybody knows him!”
“And next month, Merry’s going to have his thirty-eighth birthday party at Brandy Hall!”
“So of course, we’re going!”
“And you’re going too!”
“Everybody’ll be there – including Everard Took!”
“Don’t mind her Estella, she’s got eyes only for him – and he’s five years older than she!” Mentha said, grabbing Estella’s shoulder.
“Doesn’t that sound exciting, Estella?”
Estella admitted that it did, indeed, and fearfully allowed them to braid her hair.
That evening, after meeting with their mother, Ambrosia, the girls introduced Estella to their brother and father – Marmadas seemed kind, and shook the hands of both Estella and Fredegar – he kissed his daughters’ foreheads, looking disapprovingly at Melilot’s attire, but saying nothing. His son Merimas said little – “Hello,” was all she could remember him saying to her. He was rather tall, and handsome as well – Mentha had told Estella that he was the strong, silent type.
“Mellie, dear,” Ambrosia said to her youngest daughter, “Would you please get changed for supper? That dress is quite filthy – wear your green dress, the one I just cleaned today. I’ve laid it out on your bed.” The dress was spotlessly clean, however, Melilot trudged up the stairs, a look of contempt on her stubborn face.
Supper that night was an elegant affair – Mrs. Brandybuck prepared a fine meal with roast duck, and a large assortment of steamed vegetables – carrots, beets and corn. Dinner conversation was pleasant too.
Fredegar spoke with Marmadas about the upcoming harvest – Merimas kept to himself, saying nothing – Mentha and Melilot carried on a discussion with Estella, though Estella said very little – Ambrosia merely took little bits of her food, adding comments here and there.
Fredegar bid the family goodbye, as he prepared to leave, Estella following him out to the stables.
“I hope you’ll be able to survive those two,” he said, motioning his head back at the hole, “They’re quite the pair.”
Estella laughed. “I can’t say I’m particularly fond of them – but I think we’ll get along. If only they wouldn’t talk about what lads we’ll be visiting while I’m here.”
“Well, don’t visit too many lads – I wouldn’t want my baby sister to go off and get married without my consent.”
“I’m surprised at you, Fatty! Thought you knew me better than that.”
“Well, you never know – Mentha and Melilot’s attitudes may rub off on you, and you’ll be crazy for every boy you see. Interesting though – Mellie’s the same age as you, but doesn’t act half as mature.”
“Doesn’t dress half as mature, either – but I think you noticed that before, eh?”
Fredegar chuckled softly, running his hands through his hair. “You saw that, then?”
“And you were above her, after all,” Estella said, grinning maliciously.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, but laughed anyway. He swiftly kissed Estella on the forehead, shook the reins for the pony to move. Estella waved and receded within the comfortable hole.