The Unlikely Ones
Chapter Eleven: To Estella
a Lord of the Rings fanfiction
by Van Donovan
joy@crackerboxpalace.com

The next week passed in a blur for Frodo. He got the vegetables planted for the front of the yard during the day and spent the evenings with Laurel, Ebony and Maple showing them around Brandyhall and explaining the uses of the various kitchens. Merry only ever used the kitchen that was nearest to the front hall, but there were two other large kitchens throughout the hole as well as two separate wet bar counters. The girls' mother, Maple, came over on occasion twice to see what would be needed to set up and get explanations from Merry on who the guests were and what should be served.
Maple was to stay in the furthest kitchen where she could be the most out of the way, as she would be making the most noise with her food. Ebony, who was the eldest daughter at twenty-four, was to man the second kitchen with her youngest brother Saramoc, who was only sixteen but still had a good hand at serving and mixing. Frodo and Laurel were assigned to the kitchen in the front of the hall, mostly so Frodo could observe the party better. He had also adamantly insisted he not be put out of the way in the back of the hole.
At dusk the guests started to arrive and Merry, who was dressed in a very nice three piece vest, dress-shirt and pants ensemble, was standing at the door to greet them as they came with a strong handshake an a cheery-friendly smile on his face. Frodo, to Laurel's distain, kept poking his head out the kitchen door each time someone new arrived. He was waiting to see Hornblower’s arrival. The man in question didn't arrive until after Frodo had to dedicate himself entirely to the chores in the kitchen, so he missed the pompous display that followed Peteshaw into the smial.
Merry greeted him as he waddled through the doors, his eyes looking this way and that as if making sure Frodo wasn't around to trip him up. Peteshaw was flanked by a taller hobbit that looked in his mid-fourties and was apparently his son, as well as two girls, both in their late thirties that were his daughters. "Good evening to you, Mr. Hornblower," Merry said with a nod of his head. Peteshaw rubbed his enormous belly and nodded as though content with the atmosphere of Brandyhall and the lack of a certain gardener.
"Hullo to you too, Master Brandybuck, I see the guests have started to arrive. Very nice, very nice indeed." He waddled in a bit more and his children followed, all three bashfully eyeing Merry. "Won't you meet my children?" he said, his gaze turning to them.
Merry looked to the door, as if hopeful some new guests would be arriving to delay the introduction but he saw no one. "Of course," he finally replied, nodding to each of the children in turn.
"This is my eldest, Petebary," Peteshaw said, slapping the hobbit on his back with a grin. He turned to the girls, both who were dressed in expensive and outdated gowns, bedecked with faux stones that glittered as they curtsied to him and heavy cloaks. "This is my eldest daughter, Petunia." He kept his eyes on Merry's face as he watched the Master of Buckland nod and gently take Petunia's hand in a soft shake.
"We've actually met before, Master Brandybuck," she said in a soft coy voice that seemed to have a faint accent akin to the kind acquired from the South Farthing. Merry raised an eyebrow, because he thought he would remember this very curved hobbitlady. "It was Midsummer’s Eve, several years back," her eyes fluttered long lashes at him.
"And we met one Yule three years ago," came the other daughter and Merry and Peteshaw both looked at her for talking out of line.
"Aah, yes, this is my other daughter, Peony."
"A pleasure to meet you all," Merry cordially said to all four then with a simple gesture of his arms he took them from the foyer into the main hall. "Won't you have something to eat or drink? Dinner isn't yet ready, but there are plenty of appetizers."
"Ho there Master Brandybuck!"
Merry turned with a smile towards the door, seeing Pippin and Diamond standing there, the latter with a large platter of something she'd cooked to share at the feast. "Pippin! Diamond!" He ushered them in, happy to take his leave of the Hornblowers. He set Diamond's tray on one of the tables, admiring the neatly folded and iced pastries there, and then turned his attention to them fully. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"I hope we aren't too late," Pippin said, rubbing his hands together and Merry knew he was after the food.
"Dinner hasn't been served yet, dear Pip," he said with a laugh.
"Oh, well good," he said and then he winced. Merry raised an eyebrow to ask him why, but before he could utter anything he was met with a booming voice from behind.
"Hullo there Thain Peregrin!"
"Hullo Mr. Hornblower," Pippin did little to mask his lack of desire to be talking to the other hobbit. He stood over a head taller than the Hornblower, but he couldn't help but feel meek and little in his presence. There was no mistake that Hornblower had a fondness for Pippin as well as Merry, because Pippin after all, was the Thain of the Shire and although his position as such did not entitle him to a lot of power, he was still considered a rather high authority and he had many friends in high places.
Peteshaw went into the rounds of introducing his children to Pippin and Merry looked at him sympathetically then slipped away to the kitchen to check up on Frodo.
"Your favourite person just arrived," Merry said as he slipped inside the warm room, sliding the screen door they'd erected in front of the kitchen closed behind him.
Frodo groaned and looked over his shoulder from where he stood, spreading a chocolate frost over a cake. "Ugh. Did he say anything?" Laurel looked between the two, curious at the conversation but resumed her work of spreading garnish over the fat turkey she was tending. "Introduced me to his children, he did, and then poor Pippin arrived and I left him alone out there with him."
"Poor Pippin!" Frodo lamented with a laugh.
"Are you two doing all right back here?" Merry said then, glancing to Laurel then back to Frodo. Frodo nodded with a shrug.
"We're doing well enough."
"Merry?!" that was Pippin, from in the hall. "C'mon, they're about to give you a toast!"
"I'll check back in on your later, then," Merry said softly then reached out to tousle Frodo's hair affectionately. Frodo watched Merry as he pulled the screen aside and went back out into the hall. He was there met with cheers from the gathered guests.
"I'll be back in a bit, Laurel," he said and slipped out of the kitchen, standing quietly in the back of the hall as he watched Pippin and Peteshaw escort Merry out into the middle of the great hall. He positioned himself so he could watch the events between the heads of two other hobbits in front of him, crossing his arms in amusement as he noted how embarrassed Merry looked.
"As Thain of the Shire," Pippin began and got several cheers for beginning the speech, "I should like to say Merry has always been my closest friend," there were chimes of 'aye' and 'hear, hear!' and Pippin pressed on. "He's had a rough yea of it," he affectionately squeezed Merry's shoulder and the two of them exchanged soft glances, "and although we missed him while he took his break in Hobbiton with Mayor Sam, let no one in this room say they weren't overjoyed when he returned back to Buckland!" The room erupted in a roar of cheers. "To Merry!" Pippin said loudly, over the crowd.
The people responded with a 'to Merry!' of their own and everyone downed their drinks.
Once the mugs were refilled, Hornblower stepped forward and said, "To Brandyhall, for it is fine ale, good companions and hearty food!" Merry didn't look too content with that toast, but the people all cheered it and drank.
"To Peteshaw, for organizing such an event," Merry said with a smile. He did not want to dedicate a toast to the hobbit, but he was being polite. It set Peteshaw glowing and the rest of the crowded cheered and held up their ales again.
Someone in the crowd called, "To Master Samwise for his hospitality in Hobbiton!"
The crowded cheered an 'aye!' and drank. The toasts were coming freer now. Frodo watched as Peteshaw refilled Merry and Pippin's ale steins.
Frodo found himself getting annoyed as the rain and the fire were toasted. He looked around and grabbed the nearest mug he could find and slopped some ale into it. When the cheers for toasting of the turkeys died down Frodo took a deep breath and called out, "To Estella, for being a loyal loving wife of ten years. May she rest in peace!"
There was a murmur of agreement and some eyes turned towards him, but the people let out an agreement and drank to her and then it seemed as though Frodo had put a damper on the happy toasting and they settled back into idle chat again. Merry was looking at him with an expression of admiration, thanks and sadness but Frodo didn't see it, because he was locked in a glare with Peteshaw. Something might have happened then if several of the guests hadn't picked up the band instruments and started playing a merry jig.
The happy music filled the air and the room was soon moving with dancing bodies. Frodo was jostled and he lost sight of Merry and Peteshaw in the hustle.
Petunia slid up between her father and the Master of Buckland and batted her eyes. While a proper and considerate hobbitlass would merely bat her eyes until she was asked, Petunia seemed to have other ideas and coyly put her hand on Merry's arm. "Care to dance, Master Brandybuck?" she asked, offering her arm. Merry didn't miss the beam in Hornblower's eyes at his daughters’ forwardness.
"Of course, dear Petunia," he said courtly, masking his distain at dancing with such a daughter of Peteshaw's. He had to remind himself that the children could not help who their fathers were, but he was starting to see through Hornblower's plan, and it was making him sick with the very thought of it.
He escorted her out into the middle of the hall and those around them murmured with talk as they watched the Master of Buckland bow to the eldest daughter of Hornblower and begin to dance with her. Merry was greatly amused to hear the song end shortly after they began and a slower ballad piece began to play. He glared over Peony's head and over the crowd to the hobbits playing the music, but none of them seemed to pay him any mind.
"I can't tell you what an honour it is to be dancing with you like this, Mr. Meriadoc," Petunia said, causing him to turn his attention back to her. What was he supposed to say to that sort of response? Unable to think of anything to say, but wanting to try to keep up a conversation, he spoke.
"Your family is from the Southfarthing, isn't it?"
"Yes," she said and her eyes drifted away from him, as if trying to avoid this fact.
"You and your siblings came all the way to Buckland just for this party, didn't you?" he said. His tone was light and polite, but it was clear he was stating it more than asking.
"Perhaps." She kept her eyes averted, looking away from Merry.
"How old are you, Petunia?"
"What?" that made her look up at him. His eyes were kind and had an aqua sort of depth to them, but they seemed wizened and old and able to look right through her.
"You don't have to answer, if you don't want to."
"Thirty-seven."
"And still unmarried?" he said gently. Petunia's cheeks coloured darkly and she looked away. He held her lightly and sighed. "Your father put you up to this, didn't he?"
Petunia's eyebrows creased and she spoke very softly, "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Brandybuck."
Merry tutted softly at her denials but he knew from that exchange alone what Peteshaw had organized the whole party for. It was one big ploy to introduce his eligible daughters to him now that he was free. Having Merry as a son-in-law would be good enough to get him into Brandyhall. The song ended and Merry let her go. She did not thank him and simply turned around to leave. Frodo was standing there looking at her but she ignored him as she pushed her way past him into the crowded. Merry spotted Frodo after she'd left and sighed seeing the boy out of the kitchen.
"Frodo."
Frodo stayed where he was and let Merry come to him. He could see the disapproval showing in Merry's eyes but he trusted his own to be more readable. "Peteshaw's daughter?" he asked softly as Merry came within talking distance.
"That obvious, huh?"
"She's got the same bulging eyes."
Merry laughed and stopped, standing before him. All around them people were dancing to another song in between a ballad and a jig, and there they were looking at each other in the middle of it. "You should go back to the kitchen," Merry softly said. Frodo nodded and as he was turning to go Pippin danced up with Diamond on his arm.
"Meriadoc!" he cried and released Diamond and pulled Merry's hands up. "Dance with me! You lout, leaving me with Peteshaw like that!"
"What?" Merry laughed but Pippin had already pulled him to him and they were off on the floor, Pippin leading and laughing as Merry kept stepping on his toes trying to lead.
Diamond smiled at the antics of her husband and his best friend and pushed a curl from her eyes as she looked down to Frodo. "Well, shall we dance together then, young Frodo?"
Frodo stared up at her for a few seconds then nodded and laughed, figuring if Merry and Pippin would leave them there was no harm in them dancing. "I would be my pleasure," he said in a mock gentlehobbits voice and bowed lowly to her. Diamond laughed delighted and curtsied in reply, offering her arm.
"What fine manners," she mused and Frodo took her arm and shortly they were off onto the dance floor together, watching the world spin around them.
The finished dancing the song and a jig followed and they laughed as each of them tried to keep up with the rest of the room. Frodo was surprised at how nimble and young Diamond seemed to be, able to out dance him by a lot and still look bright eyed and ready for more. Suddenly there was Merry and Pippin beside them, both laughing a looking all the world like they were twenty years younger, still in each others arms.
"Mind if I trade you partners?" Pippin asked pleasantly, which made Diamond laugh with even more amusement as Pippin, in an uncharacteristic show of skill spun Merry off his arm and into Frodo at the same time as he scooped Diamond into his other arm. The four of them linked at the elbows and in time to the music did a dancing step in a circle. The crowd parted for them a little, clapping to the beat and cheering as they switched partners again so Merry had Diamond and Pippin was spinning Frodo around.
The song winded down for a brief interlude between and Frodo found himself looking up at Pippin as they tapered down to almost slow dancing. It was strange to be in Pippin's arm because he was so similar to Merry in many ways. His hair wasn't as peppered as Merry's was and his cheeks weren't as soft and rounded nor were his eyes quite as bright but it was easy to see they were cousins and their shared unnatural heights made them seem more like brothers. He glanced out on the floor to see Merry and Diamond dancing together, apparently softly chatting about something. He sighed a little, because he could have been dancing like this with Merry with no one the wiser if things had worked out. Pippin's arms about his neck tightened and he looked up.
"Don't fret, Frodo-lad," he said softly and Frodo smiled tightly at him. "I've got things planned. You'll see," and it seemed as if as soon as he said those words the brief musical interlude ended and Pippin was whisking him off again, laughing brightly as he lead their dance. "Haven't you ever been to a dance party before?" he called as they twirled.
Frodo shook his head and then found himself being gently nudged into someone else's arms. "Well it's all about dancing, having fun and switching partners!" he said with a laugh. Frodo blinked softly as Pippin released him and turned away and there was Diamond encircling her arms around his waist, smiling lovingly at her husband. Frodo felt himself being turned and something in his chest lurched when he realized it was Merry holding him now. "Is this all right?" he breathed softly as Merry's hands gently rested on his hips as he led them away from Pippin and Diamond. Merry nodded to him and Frodo bit his lip and hesitantly placed his arms around Merry's neck.
"So long as you don't kiss me, I don't think anyone will mind just a dance or two," Merry replied with a soft chuckle in his voice. Frodo smiled and just barely kept from resting his head on Merry's chest and letting the older hobbit guide his actions completely.
All around them Frodo could feel the hurried dancing and laughing of the rest of the guests in the hall but it all seemed hazy somehow and vague. He could only see Merry and could only hear his breathing and smell his scent. It was euphoric to being standing in a crowd of so many people and yet be pressed right up against the only thing he loved more than his gardens. He had never really thought they'd be able to hold each other in public, and certainly not share a dance at one of Merry's large parties but he realized if Pippin could pull the Master of Buckland away for a dance then the Master of Buckland could spare a dance for the kitchen boy/gardener and no one had to be the wiser.
The dance ended too soon for him and he sighed softly as Merry's arms released him and he stepped back, bowing slightly to him. "Thanks, Merry," he murmured and Merry flashed him a smile that captured his heart. He smiled back brightly and turned and vanished into the crowd, heading back for the kitchens confident he could trust Merry for the rest of the party.

"Really, you don't need to help clean up," Merry protested as Peony stacked dirty plates up against his protesting. Petunia was already in the front kitchen washing and Peteshaw was eating some of the leftover turkey from dinner. Most of the other guests had already left and Merry was having a hell of a time getting the Hornblower’s to leave.
"We feel it's only right that we should help, since it was our father who planned the party for you," Peony said smiling at him. Petunia had mostly avoided him since they had danced and he guessed Petebary was intoxicated because he hadn't moved from his chair for an hour. The Burrows were all helping although Ebony looked most disgusted by the mess that had been left. Maple was charming and sweet and kept gushing over how splendid everything had turned out. Saramoc kept trying to talk to Frodo and Frodo kept trying to talk to Merry and all Merry wanted was for everyone to go home and let him sleep.
"Honestly," he said, knowing he had to appeal to their senses of pompousness, "I have hired people to do this work for you. There's no sense for you to strain yourselves on account of me. I don't mind. I want you to rest now, get some sleep."
"Don't mind us staying the night here then, Mr. Brandybuck?" Hornblower said as he pushed himself to his feet.
"I'm not sure how wise an idea that would be, Peteshaw," he said aloofly. "I'll be happy to ride you down to the nearest inn though." Frodo was glowering at the idea of them staying the night and hated the idea of Merry having to ride out with them as well. He was exhausted as it was and looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet.
"I'll take them," he said with a smile that looked too wicked to be good.
Peteshaw's eyes widened as he seemed to notice Frodo for the first time. Frodo was holding a large stack of dirt dishes too. They teetered precariously in his arms and Frodo intentionally made it look like he was going to drop them all on him.
"Aaah, on second thought, I think we shall go," Peteshaw said, not taking his eyes off of Frodo. His daughters looked at him shocked, as though they had been told they would be doing something else. "Come along girls. Petunia go wake your brother."
Petunia stared at her father and then looked over to Petebary who was suddenly awake and looking mighty sober. Merry and Frodo exchanged suspicious glances, both amazed at all the work and planning Peteshaw had put into possible delays for his family staying.
The girls grumbled to themselves as they bustled to gather their stuff and Merry wondered what lies their father had promised them that they'd get coming to Brandyhall. "Thank you so much for coming," he said as he got their cloaks for them, "I especially enjoyed our dance Petunia," he said with a smile. The glare she gave him rivaled her fathers.
The girls hurried out in a rustle of skirts, leaving their brother and father behind. Peteshaw shook Merry's hand and waddled out and Petebary yawned and strolled after giving Merry a nod and a mumbled 'thanks'. Frodo laughed and took the dishes into the kitchen and set them all down. Laurel looked at him oddly when he came in grinning like a maniac and he just laughed. "Probably time for you and yours to get to bed, Laurel," he said kindly, "it's late and Merry and I can handle some dirty dishes. Your family has helped so much already."
"Are you sure? Did Mr. Brandybuck say so?"
"Yes, yes, the rest of your family is already packed up," he said and smiled at her.
"Frodo?" Her voice was shy and made Frodo look back at her before he exited the kitchen.
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say thank you for letting us work here tonight." She was avoiding his eyes.
"You should thank Merry," he replied absently.
"I will. But I would never have gotten anywhere near enough to ask him if it hadn't been for you." Frodo rubbed the back of his neck as he got self-conscious.
"Well, no problem. C'mon now, off to bed with you." He laughed and that brought a smile to Laurel's face so she nodded and followed him out of the kitchen, pushing the screen door aside completely. Ebony, Maple and Saramoc were already waiting by the door, all three looking tired yet happy.
"Thank you so much for your help, Mrs. Burrows, and your children too," Merry said with a very sincere tone. He and Maple said a few more words and Laurel thanked him personally too. He smiled at her and he and Frodo stood at the door waving to them until they were down the path and out the gate below. Frodo closed the door and sighed, looking back at the mess still visible in the hall even from where he stood.
"What a night," he groaned. Merry nodded, going into the hall to blow out the lanterns and turn off the fireplace. Frodo followed him, stacking plates as he came across them but doing little more to clean up. It could all wait until the morning as far as he cared. Merry sank down on the sofa in front of the fire looking exhausted and Frodo moved behind it and put his hands on Merry's shoulders, massaging them with the strong hands of a gardener. Merry groaned a little in response and his head bowed enjoying the ministrations. "That's nice."
They were silent for a while as Frodo worked and then Merry softly said, “I really appreciate what you said back there, for Estella.”
Frodo paused his massaging for a moment and then smiled softly. “I can’t believe no one else did. I was getting pissed.”
“People think it’s inappropriate to talk of the deceased so soon after they pass,” he reached a hand back over his shoulder and covered Frodo’s hand with his, “but I appreciated it just the same, and I know she would have too.”
“I’m glad,” he answered. Frodo worked his neck and shoulders until he thought his thumbs should fall off and then he worked them a few minutes more. Merry seemed impossibly drowsier when he finished and he came around the couch and looked at him. "Come on Merry, let's get to bed," he murmured.
Merry didn't move and just sort of shifted on the couch, looking for all the world like he was going to slide down the side and sleep curled up right there. "Oh come on Merry," he said again and pulled at his arm. Merry reached out and grabbed Frodo, pulling him onto the couch with him. Frodo protested but then sighed and snuggled into Merry.
"Fine. We'll just rest here for a little bit," he said into Merry's shoulder, "then you have to get up and come to bed with me."
Merry grunted an agreement.
Within five minutes they were both passed out sleeping.

~tbc~