Flowers, Gems And Estella – Chapter XXX
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Fredegar had not lied when he said that there would be a great many at the Harvest Festival, both to buy and sell. It lasted for two days, and on the evening of the second would be the Harvest Ball, an occasion for all the hobbits to come together in one of the last large social gatherings before cold weather set in. The first day of the festival was for auctioning off the bulk of the livestock and some of the crops – the buyers and sellers were those local farmers, and some whose businesses included the meat and grain trades. It was not incorrect that say that few lasses attended the auctions, coming instead to the marketplaces the next day to buy goods from the various stands and sellers – a large amount of the day’s profits would come from the sale of produce such as fruits and vegetables, food for the coming winter months. Various fabrics were also a commodity, such as Fredegar had said, to make the warm winter clothing that was to be needed very soon.
Estella came there on the second day with Merry, as well as Celandine and her brothers – Doderic and Ilberic had gone their own way almost as soon as they arrived, but Merry had stayed with Estella and Celandine, slowly walking before the booths with them. Estella supposed it was Pippin’s current absence that made him seek her boring company, and said so at one point.
“But you are not boring at all, my love,” he said in response, “I enjoy spending time with you – and you as well, dear cousin,” he said to Celandine on the other side of Estella, and tugged at the scarf around his neck. It was the one Estella had made for him, and he’d immediately put it on upon receiving it.
“You don’t have to wear it right away,” she’d said, “It’s still warm out.”
“But I wish to wear it, for you took the time and effort to make it especially for me, and I do not want that effort to go wasted.” Now, later in the day, the sun had grown warmer, and the scarf was quite a hassle to wear.
The three of them stopped at a booth to gaze at several handmade pieces of silver – fancy spoons, jewelry and brooches lay displayed on dark blue velvet, and they were not the only ones whose interest the pieces held.
“Lobelia Sackville-Baggins,” Merry whispered in Estella’s ear, and she looked over to see an elderly woman gazing particularly at the spoons before them, “Mother of Lotho and relative of Frodo’s – quite the nasty type, that one. As I recall, she once came to visit Bag End, and upon her leaving there were quite a few spoons missing.”
“Probably trying to pick up another set,” Celandine giggled beside them.
“Though I’d like to know what she’s doing here in Buckland,” Merry said once they were out of earshot, “After the Occupation we heard nothing from her for awhile – I believe she went up to the North Farthing, where her Sackville relatives are. Smart of her, to stay away from her Hobbiton relatives.”
“Perhaps she merely wants to be where no one recognizes her,” Estella said, “You only know her because you’re friends with Frodo, and not even that well apparently, as she didn’t seem to identify you.”
“Perhaps,” Merry said.
In mid-afternoon some of the sellers began to retire and prepare for the evening festivities – it was after four when Estella, Merry and Celandine did the same, and meeting with Doderic and Ilberic made their way home, Merry making his way instead to Brandy Hall.
“I shall see you this evening, then,” he said as the two of them stood outside to door of the hole, and they shared a quick but passionate kiss before Estella retreated inside.
There was no lack of excitement that evening as they made their way towards Bucklebury for the event – there were even more hobbits that had attended Merry’s birthday party two months earlier, more than Estella had even imagined residing in Buckland.
“Several come from the East and West Farthings as well,” Celandine said, noting the expression on Estella’s face and reading her thoughts, “The Tooks from Tuckborough, of course, and those from Hobbiton and Bywater that the Master is on good terms with – not many from the North Farthing, just the Tooks that are descendant from the Bullroarer. But almost all the South Farthing comes as well, too – probably because they’re the ones selling the best pipe weed at the Festival.”
There was no shortage of food and drink at the Ball, and Estella noticed that there were already a number of lads bumping into things, clutching their mugs and laughing to themselves. Drunk already, she thought, shaking her head and feeling pleased that Merry was not among them, whom they met soon enough, along with Pippin, Frodo, Sam and Rosie.
Rosie, little more than three months along with child, was not as big as she would soon be in the upcoming months – but one could tell that she had filled out a little, and she had a bright and healthy look about her.
“There’s not been a great amount of movement,” she said after greeting Estella and Celandine, “But I can feel a heartbeat quite clearly.” Taking Estella’s hand, she placed it on her abdomen – from beneath the flesh Estella could faintly feel a small vibration, like the beating of a tiny drum, and smiled to herself.
“Do you have an idea of what it might be?” she asked excitedly, “I know there’s no way to tell, but they say that mothers can sometimes sense these things.”
“Well, if I had to guess,” Rosie said, wiping sweat from her forehead, and Estella immediately got the idea that she was quite exhausted, “I’d say it was a lad, from the way it’s making me eat so much – I’ve never been quite so hungry! I feel sometimes as if I could out eat both Merry and Pippin, and still have room for dessert.”
“And only a lad could eat that much, right?” Estella said grinning, and looked across the table to see Pippin stuffing his face and proving her point. After finishing a plate of mushrooms, a great belch escaped from his mouth – the lasses present, which consisted of Estella, Celandine, Rosie, Mentha and Melilot, all acted offended and disgusted. Frodo said nothing, as did Fredegar, who only gave Pippin a scolding look, which he did not even notice. Doderic and Ilberic giggled to themselves, as did Merry, who claimed he thought it was the best he’d heard yet.
“Not I – it was disgusting and rude of you, Pippin,” Estella said, a stern look upon her face.
“Oh, come off it, Stella,” Merry said nonchalantly, “He’s only having a bit of fun,” he said, and slapped Pippin on the back, who grinned sheepishly, “Lads will be lads, you know.”
“Yes, and they’ll also be vulgar and uncouth,” she retorted, not entirely happy with Merry’s remark. He only shook his head though, clearly annoyed but willing to let it go – it was not a matter for a fight to start over, after all.
The dancing soon commenced, and all made their way onto the floor. Sam held Rosie gingerly in his arms as they danced to the fast paced song, near to which Merry danced with Estella.
“I apologize, my lady,” he said, his hands upon her waist, “If you believe that it was an uncouth thing of Pippin to do, then it must be so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she said, still annoyed.
“Why, just as it sounded,” he responded, raising his eyebrows, “I meant only that it was wrong of me to praise Pippin, when I should have scolded him – just as you did.”
Estella, acting slightly stubborn, pouted here. “So you’re saying that I was wrong to scold him, but it doesn’t matter because whatever I do is what everyone should do?”
Merry scoffed at this accusation. “Now you’re just jumping to conclusions – though I do believe that you were a bit harsh with your words –”
“So now I’m harsh?” Estella said. By this time the two had stopped dancing and were facing each other with stern looks upon their faces.
“No, but you’re being awfully pigheaded and stubborn!”
Estella, now in a fury, scoffed and receded from the dance floor as quick as she could – she hurried past the table at which they had been sitting, not even noticing the confused and bewildered faces of all who sat there. Celandine started to say something, but Estella was gone by the time she’d opened her mouth – she was still sitting there dumbfounded and silent when Merry rushed past in the direction Estella had gone.
“What is wrong with you?” he asked, finding her sitting within a grove of trees beyond the reaches of the party – she sat facing away from him, and did not answer, “There’s something going on, and I can’t do anything about it if you don’t tell me what it is!”
When she spoke, her voice was quiet and strained, as if she were crying. “You take up for everyone around you – everyone but me. You praise Pippin for anything he does, and laugh at it like it’s the funniest thing you ever heard!” Her voice grew with intensity as she spoke. “Pippin’s your cousin, but the two of you are attached at the hip so much, he’s like your brother! There’s not a moment when he’s not around, never a moment alone!”
“How can you be jealous of Pippin? Yes, he’s my cousin, and a dear friend of mine as well, and I do love him very much – but not like you, Estella! He’s not you!”
“I know that!” she shouted back at him, and he saw now that there were tears flowing freely down her face, “It’s all well and good for you, isn’t it? You’ve got your best friend and your lass, so you’ve no reason to complain!”
“But you have, apparently! And I’m trying to find out why! Yes, Pippin and I are close friends, how could we not be after all the things we’ve seen? Things that you can’t even comprehend!”
“And you want to know why? It’s because I’m a stupid little Shire lass, who hasn’t seen anything beyond the borders of her homeland! You, my knight in shining armor, I need you to tell me how the world works, and what all’s out there – a world I know nothing about! You’re with Pippin, it seems, every day and night! Will the two of you live together, even in your old age? Will you be buried together when you die? Will he move in with us, when we’re married?”
“Married?” Merry said, an angry look upon his face, “Since when are we getting married? I don’t what plans you’re having, but maybe you should clue me in, since apparently we’re getting married – something I wasn’t aware of!”
“You’re so thick you’re not even aware of the nose on your own face!” she shouted, and fled back to the party. Merry looked after her, still angry, and reached his hand within his coat – he pulled out a scarf, the one Estella had made for him, and threw it to the ground before stomping off himself in an angry huff.