Estella Bolger knew that she should not have forced Merry to go get her flowers, but she had been irritated with him for his sneaky trick of getting her to sleep wrapped up in his embrace -- especially as she had slept so well and so comfortably, more comfortably than she had since leaving her own bed in Hobbiton behind. Besides, she was worried that he was going to take advantage of her ridiculous plan.

When Frodo and Bilbo shuffled her onto the raft, she began to worry that Merry was going to be left behind because of her. It would serve him right, she thought at first, but as Pippin and Diamond began to argue with the Elven ferryman, guilt spiraled through her. They pushed off from the dock, with the others still calling out into the woods for the missing Hobbit. Terrified at what they would do to her if Merry was lost, Estella joined her voice to theirs.

Merry came running then, and her heart leapt to see the flowers clutched in his hand. For a moment she forgot that he had only plucked them at her demand, not because he really wished her to have them. He flung himself onto the raft, leaping the last few feet over the water. As he landed he crashed into Legolas, knocking the blond Elf into the water. Ciendriel cried out his name and set about fishing him out.

Merry screamed as he hit the deck, then collapsed onto the raft, gasping and sweating. He panted and moaned as if he were in pain, and the other Hobbits surrounded him at once.

“He’s hurt himself!” cried Pippin.

“His foot,” said Frodo.

“Merry? Merry!” Estella bent over him. This was all her fault! Merry opened his eyes blearily and lifted his hand still clutching the little bouquet of dandelions up to her.

“Here,” he said, then he closed his eyes again, still holding his hand up. Estella took the bouquet numbly and he let his hand drop.

“Somebody...do something!” she said, near hysterical. She dropped to her knees and lifted up Merry’s head into her lap, stroking his damp hair.

Frodo had knelt on the raft next to Merry’s feet and lifted up one in his hand. “He’s got a splinter,” he said gravely.

“What?” said Estella in disbelief. She barely stopped herself from pushing his head out of her lap onto the deck.

“A splinter!” said Pippin. “All this fuss over a splinter? Get a hold of yourself, Merry!”

Merry opened his eyes again. He was still shaking and sweating. “It can’t be a splinter. It feels like my foot’s been split in two.”

Estella turned to glance over her shoulder at the Elves. Ciendriel and the Rivendell Elves had pulled Legolas out of the river and he was standing there, wringing out his tunic in dismay. Ciendriel lifted his face in her hands, checking him for any signs of damage, but Legolas appeared to be fine -- just wet.

“Is Merry all right?” the Elf said with concern.

“He’s dry, at least,” said Gimli, frowning. “Sit down, Legolas. You are making me distinctly nervous.”

“Gandalf -- perhaps you should look at this,” Frodo said, indicating Merry’s foot.

The wizard stepped around to kneel beside the fallen Hobbit, who was moaning loudly. He peered down at the large foot, which Frodo had elevated. “It is,” he said sagely, “Indeed, a splinter. You will live, Meriadoc.”

“I’m not so sure,” Merry gasped.

“Frodo,” said Gandalf, “Pull it out for him.”

“No! It will hurt worse!” Merry struggled in Estella’s lap, and Pippin and Diamond quickly straddled him to hold him down.

“Hold still!” Pippin cried. “Angelica! Grab his knees!”

“I’m trying to. Meriadoc, let us help you,” said Diamond.

Frodo grasped Merry’s foot, trying to remove the splinter. “I can’t do this with you thrashing about.”

Merry stopped writhing, still panting and sweating. Estella wished she knew what to do or say, but she didn’t, so she simply stroked his hair and whispered to him. “Shh, Merry, stay still.”

“I need something to remove this with,” Frodo said. “It’s in too deep to get it with my fingers.”

“Here you go, laddie,” said Gimli, pulling out a large dagger with a jewel-encrusted handle. “This will cut it right out.”

“Yes, and half of my foot!” said Merry, sounding terrified.

“I have a needle,” Estella volunteered, pulling it from a small packet of sewing that she had in her pocket. She had been trying to make Pippin a shirt, but despite her hard work, it was not yet presentable. “Lie still, Merry, I promise it won’t hurt,” she said.

“It already hurts,” Merry said.

“Just relax.” She gently let go of his head and scurried around to where Frodo sat. Frodo held Merry’s foot still while Estella used the needle to dig out the small splinter. It took her only moments. “There, all better.”

Pippin, Frodo, and Diamond let go of Merry, who stayed lying on the deck. Slowly he brought himself up onto his elbows.

“Well,” he said. “Well.”

“I think he means ‘thank you,’” said Pippin.

Estella smiled at Pippin, the goofy feeling that she always got in his presence hitting her full force. “You’re welcome,” she said, smiling at him.

Merry made a small noise of disgust, drawing her attention back to him. He drummed his fingers on the deck impatiently. Estella tried to think of something to say to him, but by this time they had crossed the river and were being greeted by an even larger party of Elves.

Pippin and Frodo supported Merry between them so he could hobble along as they were led through Rivendell to the receiving chamber of Lord Elrond. Estella refused to let herself feel guilty. Merry was making a big deal out of nothing. It was not her fault that he'd gotten a splinter jumping onto the raft. Diamond walked beside her, but Estella did not want to look at the Hobbit who was stealing Pippin's affections.

"Isn't Rivendell beautiful?" Diamond said warmly to Estella. "This is my second time here. Wait until you see the gardens."

"Ahh, the gardens!" said Gimli, coming up behind them. "Perhaps, Angelica, you and I can stroll there for old times' sake."

"Oh, I don't think so, Gimli," Diamond said, grinning at them. "But maybe I will stroll there with Estella."

The Dwarf made a strangled noise and fell behind them once again, then started chuckling wickedly, leaving Estella to wonder what exactly they were talking about.

"I don't understand--" she began, but the beauty of Rivendell took her breath away just then as they were guided into Elrond's palace.

"Behold, the House of Elrond," Gandalf said warmly.

"It gives me great pleasure to return here, Gandalf," said Bilbo.

Estella could see why. Rivendell was like a dream. The palace seemed made of dreams, as if she might touch it and it would dissolve. It was expertly crafted, beautiful, but somehow natural looking, as if it had grown there, rather than been built by the Elves. Although the season was Spring in the Shire, it seemed to be Autumn in Rivendell. All the leaves were brilliantly hued shades of gold and red and brown.

They were escorted into a large, comfortable waiting room, with well-padded benches around a large window that looked out over the river. Everyone fell gratefully into the plush seats, especially Merry. Frodo and Pippin seemed glad to let go of him. Estella looked over at Merry guiltily. He raised an eyebrow and inclined his head. She frowned at him.

"Come sit next to me, Beloved," he said loudly.

"With pleasure," she replied as smoothly as she could, though inside she was seething at his tone. She seated herself next to him, and he took her hand in his own. She cringed inwardly, expecting him to squeeze her fingers until they hurt as much as his foot must, but he only kept her palm within his own warm hand, and after a few minutes it felt natural and good. She tried not to think about it.

One of the Elves said something to Legolas in Elvish, then the group of travelers were left alone. Legolas was the only one who remained standing, presumably so he would not get Elrond's furniture all wet.

"Elrond will be with us soon," Legolas translated.

"I hope so, because I'm starving," said Pippin.

An hour passed before another Elf appeared. Estella had seen very few Elves. She was amazed by the dark hair of the Elves of Rivendell, having thought, judging by Legolas and Ciendriel, that they were all blond. This new Elf amazed her even more. He had features unlike any she had ever seen before, making him perhaps the most beautiful being she had ever seen aside form Peregrin Took. She wanted to touch his silky black hair in the worst way.

"Greetings, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood," he said. Legolas inclined his head, acknowledging the greeting. The Elf raked his eyes over Legolas, then pretended not to notice the fact that Legolas was dripping wet. He turned to the rest of them. "I am Erestor, Chief Advisor to Lord Elrond," he said proudly. "He will be with you as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I will arrange for some refreshments."

The mention of refreshments perked Pippin up, and Estella was rather glad herself. She was starting to daydream about breakfast. Sausages and toast, or hotcakes dripping with syrup. Nice crispy bacon. Fried tomatoes…

"What are you thinking about?" Merry whispered to her.

"Breakfast," she sighed. For some reason, this made him frown, and he let go of her hand, which she had forgotten he was still holding. Estella shook her head. She did not understand Meriadoc Brandybuck at all!

***

Merry's foot still hurt. He had been limping around all day, and he was still limping when they went into Elrond's banquet hall for dinner. Everyone had teased him about the splinter except Estella, who just looked at him and shook her head. He was irritated with her most of all, because this was decidedly her fault. Even the promise of dinner did little to cheer him up. He sat sullenly, not talking to anyone, especially not Estella. Eventually Elrond called for dancing, which Angelica and Pippin hopped right up to do.

"Ask her to dance, laddie!" Gimli roared. Merry realized that Estella was looking at him hopefully.

"I can't possibly dance with my foot feeling this way," Merry complained.

"You ought to drink some more wine, then," said Gimli, refilling Merry's goblet. Merry picked it up and drained it, then squinted at the Dwarf.

"Why don't you dance with her?"

"It would be a pleasure and an honor. Would you like to, my dear?" Gimli asked Estella. For a moment Merry felt ashamed at the display of excellent manners from the Dwarf.

"I think I'm just going to go back to the room Lord Elrond has so thoughtfully provided us with and lie down," Estella said faintly. "Good night, Gimli."

She slipped off, and Merry tried to ignore the guilt that was starting to plague him. "My foot really hurts," he told Gimli.

"Oh, I'm sure it does… but if you love her, you should go after her, Meriadoc."

Before Merry could think of a reply that did not include a confession of the fact that their little romance was all a sham, Gimli spotted an Elf he had met during their last sojourn in Rivendell (if Merry recalled correctly she was an expert wine connoisseur) and went running off after her. Ciendriel got up to dance with Erestor, and Legolas moved over to sit down next to Merry.

"Did you find the map?" Merry asked idly.

Legolas shook his head. "Haldir says that he did not take it."

"Do you believe him?"

"I am inclined to, though Ciendriel does not," Legolas sighed. "And yet, no one can remember seeing it since we were in Mirkwood. Without the map, we will never be able to find the Cave of the Harp. I wanted so much to bring that harp back to my father."

"Maybe Ciendriel can remember where on the map it was?"

"She has tried, looking at other maps of Middle-earth, but to no avail."

"What will you do, then?"

"I know not, after we see you safely to Gondor." The Elf paused thoughtfully, watching Ciendriel dance with Erestor. Merry turned his gaze to Angelica and Pippin, who were not moving in time with the waltzing Elves, but making up their own dance to the beat of the music, and probably having more fun than anyone else on the dance floor.

"Does it bother you, to watch her dance with someone else?" he asked Legolas abruptly.

"No," said Legolas. "Should it?"

"I guess not," said Merry. He sighed. He knew that he could join in the dance with Pippin and Angelica if he wished to, but after not dancing with Estella, it would seem rude, somehow. Besides, Angelica was Pippin's, just as Ciendriel belonged to Legolas. That, Merry decided, was why the Elf had no fear. "I think I'm off to bed."

Legolas smiled knowingly. "Estella Bolger is waiting for you."

"No!" said Merry. Legolas frowned. "Er, I mean yes! I'm off to Estella. Good night, Legolas!"

Merry got up and walked slowly out of the dining hall without saying good night to anyone else. He tried hard not to limp, but it still seemed like his foot hurt. He'd had plenty of wine tonight -- he really shouldn't be feeling anything…and yet he was. Too much. He was full of conflicting feelings. When he got back to the room that all of the Hobbits were sharing (except Bilbo, whom Elrond kept a private room for as he was frequently at Rivendell) Estella's small body was already curled up in the big Elvish bed. Merry stood by the side of the bed for a moment, looking down at her.

Estella opened her eyes. "Meriadoc. You startled me," she said tiredly.

Merry climbed up into the bed next to her. "You owe me a kiss," he said. Why was he asking for such a thing? She was fair, yes, and he found her attractive, but he wasn't sure he liked her.

"I'd rather not," she confessed.

He frowned. "Why not?"

"Because, it's Pippin I want to have my first kiss."

Jealousy flooded Merry again. Maybe it was that, or maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was because of the fact that it seemed in that moment that no one, absolutely no one gave a damn about Meriadoc Brandybuck. No one was going to give him the things he desired. If he wanted them, he would have to take them.

Not knowing if it was spawned from lust or anger, Merry hauled Estella up against him and took possession of her mouth roughly.