Well, here we are. The final chapter. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this story over its long history – I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also, be sure to read my Pippin/Diamond story, A Light In Dark Places, which I will be putting all my effort into now.

Thanks for your feedback on the subject of a possible vignette. Not that I wasn’t planning to write it anyways, but I’m glad so many of you would be willing to read it. Expect it soon!

Beth95 – Yes, I’m working on a Pippin/Diamond story as we speak, which is concurrent with this one. But as to a solely Merry/Estella outing, I’m not sure – my schedule’s busy this summer and will only get busier in the fall. Whether or not I’ll finish A Light In Dark Places anytime soon is questionable. Thanks!

The Hobbit Lass – Yep, only one more chapter. Thanks!

Sokorra Lewis – Thanks!

Lost Hobbit – Thanks!

Flowers, Gems And Estella – Chapter XXXVIII

“What about the name Hazel, if it’s a lass? Or Emerald, that’s quite lovely – or Columbine?” Estella put forth as she strolled beside her husband in the crisp, autumn afternoon. The crunch of many leaves sounded underfoot each time they took a step, but they cared not – the swirl of color in the trees, bright orange and yellow mixed with the darker reds and browns, created a pallet that was pleasant to the eyes.

“Emerald Brandybuck,” Merry said to himself, “Sounds nice enough – I like it. But what if it’s a lad?”

“I’m trying to accommodate that possibility,” Estella sighed, “But you don’t seem to like any of the names I’ve chosen.”

Merry sighed. “It’s not that I don’t particularly like any of them –” He broke off, unsure of what else to say.

“Your mind is not focused on choosing names, I see,” Estella said, “You’re worried about Frodo, I take it?”

“It is not him I worry for – I am concerned for him, yes, and I’ll miss him greatly – but I wonder how Sam will cope with this, this void. Sam looks up to Frodo, you know – he made it his duty to look after him, and saved his life on more than one occasion – though Frodo did the same for Sam as well.”

“And I’m sure that Frodo will never forget Sam, or you and Pippin either,” she said, smiling gently, “I know not where he is – but wherever that may be, it is a place where he will surely be happy.”

“But it is not a place where he is needed,” Merry said, a dark tone to his voice.

“And would you go after him, to bring him back to where he is? Would you leave to where you are not needed, to return Frodo to the home he left behind, and the friends? Do you not think that Frodo regrets his leaving as much as you do?”

“Then why did he leave in the first place?”

Estella fell silent for a moment, unsure of how to answer Merry’s question. “I know not – but he had a reason. It wasn’t hard to see that Frodo was suffering, and had been suffering since before he even left – some of us are cursed, to live lives of pain and sorrow, to suffer wounds that will never heal.”

“Huh?” Merry said, a confused look upon his face.

“Something Frodo told me, before he left – but the point is, he must have seen some good in his leaving, or he wouldn’t have done so. And we both know that if Bilbo went, than he wouldn’t be far behind – that’s where he belongs,” she said, “The four of you will always have the bond that you shared – the Fellowship will always be a family in that respect, and no one can take that away. You don’t have to renounce that bond, and neither did Frodo, or Gandalf – they will always be part of that family, just as you and Sam will always be. And that doesn’t mean you can’t be part of a new family – this family,” she said, placing a hand upon her abdomen.

“I suppose you’re right,” he said, wrapping a gentle arm around her shoulder, “But I still miss him – this void still hurts.”

“I’d be surprised if it didn’t – but it wouldn’t be worthwhile if it didn’t cause you pain, even at first.”

The two of them fell silent for a long while, just enjoying one another’s company and the autumn atmosphere of Crickhollow. It was some time even before Merry spoke up. “So, I quite like Emerald as a name for a lass – but what of a lad?”

“Well,” Estella pondered, a hand upon her cheek, “How about Sigismond?”

“Sigismond? Where did you get that?”

“That was the name of my grandfather – but if you don’t like it –”

“It’s not that I don’t like it – I’d like to name it something that no hobbit’s ever been named before. So one day, when he’s Master of Buckland, they’ll all think, ‘That’s Merry’s son, that is.’ An unforgettable name, that’s what I want,” he said proudly.

“And just what name are you thinking?”

Merry pondered the matter further, his hand upon his prominent chin. “Bombadil?”

“Bombadil Brandybuck?”

“Maybe not – perhaps Asfaloth?”

“And who was he?”

“Umm – a horse, I think,” he muttered sheepishly.

“I’m not naming our son after a horse.”

“All right then – well, what of Éomer? A good, strong name that.”

“Perhaps,” she said.

“What ideas do you have then?”

“I quite like – I mean, you don’t have to agree, it’s just my opinion –”

“What’s the name, then?”

“Well, I always quite liked the name Beren – and he would be named after a noble figure, and I don’t believe any hobbit in the Shire has ever been named that before. I wouldn’t be quick to forget it.”

“Beren Brandybuck,” Merry said to himself, “Yes, it sounds nice – suppose it’s between that and Éomer, I’ll have to ask Pip which one he likes best.”

“You’re letting Pippin decide on the name of our child?” Estella scoffed, though she was grinning as she said so.

“Well, he’s not going to be having children of his own anytime soon,” Merry said, “Besides, it’s not like we’re leaving the entire thing of naming the child up to him – if we did that, he’d insist that we name it after himself – just merely questioning which one he thinks sounds better in front of the name Brandybuck.”

Estella was not satisfied with this plan of action but did not argue the point further, and only shook her head and grinned at her husband. “So if it’s a lass, it’s to be named Emerald – and if a lad, either Éomer or Beren.”

“Nice to have these things decided early, isn’t it?”

“Quite – although the child’s not due until next spring,” she said, rubbing a gentle hand over her stomach, which had not even begun to show signs of the growing life within.

“And if it’s twins?” Merry suggested.

“If it turns out to be twins, I will no doubt be in pain for twice as long, and will not even care what their names are to be – and, of course, I will forbid you ever touching me again. But I’ll no doubt do that even if it isn’t twins,” she said, smiling mischievously.

“Never again? Well, if it is your wish to never have another child, you’d better sleep somewhere else then – for I fear I will not be able to control myself when I’m around you, when you’re looking as lovely as you usually do.”

“Or maybe I could just get you to sleep somewhere else.”

“Blasphemy!” Merry said, hugging Estella closer to him, and adopting a serious tone, “You’re kidding, right?”

Estella laughed into his chest. “Of course I am.” She felt him place a soft hand upon her stomach.

“So this little one here – this is not to be our first and last child?” he queried.

Estella shook her head, and moved so as to look him in the eyes. “Not by a long shot,” she said, and he wrapped his arms around her once more before embracing her in a heartfelt kiss. They broke apart soon after, and continued on their way to the little hole on the outskirts of the hedge surrounding the Old Forest – it was a small but comfortable abode, perfect for a newly married couple. But as Pippin had said before, when Merry had alerted him to the fact that Estella was expecting, the two of them would no doubt need a bigger hole in the coming months, which were sure to be filled with happiness and bliss, just as Frodo had said.

fin