Estella Bolger held the knife which Orophin had given her in one hand, and Merry's hand in the other. She was slightly calmer now that there were more of them, but she had seen just how many Uruk-hai there were and so underneath her skin ran an unceasing current of terror. Merry appeared to be perfectly calm and sane, and that was doing her more good than anything else.

She could not help but admire him. If he hadn't kept a level head in the face of danger, she and Gimli would both be dead now. It struck her that he had been out of control with jealousy when he saw her kissing Gimli, but had managed to save all of their lives when Rivendell came under attack. This put Merry in a new light. He couldn't possibly have taken their deception to heart, could he? She thought about the breakfast they had had on the terrace in what seemed like another lifetime and wondered.

Estella only hoped that they would all come out of this alive so she could make it up to Merry. She owed him so much. She took a deep breath, thinking of poor Pippin and Diamond, held captive with the rest of the Elves. Were they all right? Let them be okay, she thought silently, and I promise I won't try to split them up ever again. I'll leave Pip alone, just let him live.

She wondered if any of the others were as frightened as she was. The two Elves, certainly not. They laughed and joked quietly with each other even while remaining intensely alert as the group of them slipped carefully through the palace. Bilbo followed them. He was the only one who looked anywhere near as scared as Estella felt.

"I'm too old for this," he kept muttering. "Damned Elrond. Oh yes, set sail for the Undying lands with us, Bilbo. You'll love it there. Quite a privilege. It's the best thing for you and Frodo."

Merry and Estella were behind Bilbo, and Frodo and Gimli took the rear guard. Gimli wanted to go back to his chamber and retrieve his ax, but that had been nixed all the way around. Instead they were going to a secret chamber beneath the palace somewhere. Estella hoped that it would be as safe as the Elves promised. The hallway was not safe at all.

They saw the first party of Uruk-hai guards only a few moments after they stepped into the hallway. Orophin had ushered them quickly into another room, and Estella's heart was pounding as loudly as Bilbo's panting. Gimli had wanted to fight them, but luckily he listened to Frodo and Rúmil and hid instead. When the patrol left the corridor, they continued on.

The second attack could not be avoided. They were rushed by five Uruks with spears, bellowing as they ran towards them. Rúmil and Orophin took the first two out with arrows. Gimli let out a war cry and charged forward with his knife. He stabbed the Uruk-hai below the waist and it howled, swiping at him with its spear and missing. Orophin reached up and lopped its head off before it could hit the Dwarf. He shouted something in Elvish.

"Hobbits, stay back!" Frodo translated.

Rúmil was engaged in swordplay with one of the others. Merry pushed Estella up against the wall and stood in front of her. She heard herself squeaking as she breathed. Her vision swam and she fought not to faint. Frodo was in front of Bilbo as well, though neither he nor Merry charged forward, letting the Elves and Gimli take care of the Uruks.

Rúmil dispatched the Uruk, narrowly avoiding a nasty blow from its ax. When it dropped the weapon, Gimli snatched it up in triumph.

"This is crude, compared to Dwarven axes, but 'twill serve," he shouted to Estella.

When the last Uruk-hai fell, Orophin turned and pointed urgently at a door halfway down the hall. Merry grabbed Estella's hand and pulled her along as they ran towards it. Moments later she saw that they were back in the library. The floor of the room was littered with the bodies of more dead Uruk-hai. If she hadn't been out of breath, Estella would have screamed. She could never get used to this, never.

Orophin pulled on a false book in one of the bookshelves, and the front swung open. In they went, back in their original formation. It was near pitch black in the tunnel, and this was almost as frightening as being attacked by Uruks.

"Merry!"

"I'm right here, Estella. I've got your hand, see."

"Don't let go."

"I won't, love. I won't."

What did he call her? He meant it just be comforting, she thought, but it made her heart skip a beat in a way that had nothing to do with fear. Through the darkness they hurried, and she fought to keep her body moving. Then, at last, the close walls of the tunnel evaporated and there came a hiss as Rúmil lit a lamp and illuminated the room.

Elrond's secret hiding place was nothing short of beautiful. Estella could only guess what he kept this room for, but it contained a large, comfortable looking bed, brimming over with pillows, a few small bookshelves, plush padded chairs, and thick fur carpeting. There were three tunnels that led in and out of the room, including the one from which they had entered.

"What is this place?" whispered Merry.

Orophin said something in Elvish and both Rúmil and Frodo laughed.

"He says its Elrond's secret pleasure chamber," Frodo translated.

Bilbo shook his head and clucked at Frodo. "I have heard Elrond speak of a place he kept to retreat to when he needed a moment of silence and privacy. I believe this must be it. Believe you me, Frodo my lad, silence is often a pleasure."

"We may rest safely here," Frodo said, grinning at his uncle. "This place is secret."

"If it is such a big secret, how do they know of it?" Gimli asked, indicating the two Elves.

"Do you really want to know?" Merry asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"They're clever," Frodo said.

"More clever than both of you, Frodo Baggins and Meriadoc Brandybuck," Bilbo said fiercely. "So stop insinuating things and listen to them. We need a plan!"

"The plan is to go up there and fight them a few at a time," Gimli said, brandishing his stolen ax.

"I don't think that is such a good plan," Merry said.

"Do you have a better one?" Gimli asked.

"I don't want Estella going up there until its safe," Merry replied.

Estella was vastly relieved. She really, really did not want to fight Uruk-hai. She was no warrior Hobbit. She knew she would be more of a hindrance than a help.

"I agree. Estella shouldn't have to fight," said Frodo. He turned to Orophin and Rúmil and spoke briefly with them in Elvish. Estella waited anxiously while they discussed the situation. She suddenly realized how exhausted she was, and hungry besides. She dropped her knife to the floor and slipped down on her knees beside it.

Merry knelt beside her at once, concern written in his large blue eyes. "Estella? Are you all right?"

She nodded. She was toot tired to speak. Merry knelt down beside her and put his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her long hair, and she closed her eyes. For a moment she could pretend that she was safe. Why had she come on this fool's errand? She should have stayed at home in the Shire.

"I'm sorry, Merry," she whispered at last.

"Don't say that. There's nothing to be sorry for. It'll be all right. you'll see."

Estella hoped he was right.

"Gandalf certainly picked a fine time to leave," Bilbo complained loudly. "Why, he could take out three hundred Uruk-hai blindfolded, and still be home in time for lunch. Ah, lunch. Do you realize we've missed two meals already? And I must say things aren't looking good for getting a decent supper, either."

"Better to go without it than be a meal for those Uruk-hai," Merry said. "Though I must admit, even a piece of lembas would be good right about now."

Orophin looked over at them at the sound of the word lembas. He drew a square out of his tunic and handed it to Bilbo. Bilbo tripped over his own feet trying to get to it.

"Thank you! Thank you, Elf lad. I knew you were a good sort. Frodo, thank him for me."

Frodo performed the translation and Orophin smiled. Estella felt her stomach growl. She blushed as Merry let go of her gently.

"Come on, Bilbo, you're going to share that, aren't you?" he said. "At least give some to Estella if not to me."

Bilbo grudgingly broke up the hard square of bread as Frodo turned back to the lot of them. "Wait, Bilbo-- did you speak to Gandalf before he left?"

"Why yes, but only briefly. Said he was going away for a few days."

"But he'll be back," Merry said excitedly. "All we have to do is hide out down here until he comes."

"Maybe," Frodo said. He consulted with the Elves again. Gimli was beginning to look irritated.

"Can we not come to some sort of decision? I can't stay here, cooped up in this pretty pen, knowing Legolas and the others are out there in danger!" said the Dwarf. He started to pace. Estella felt faint again and was glad she was sitting down.

"Rúmil and Orophin had hoped that Elrond had hidden here," Frodo said. "We can only assume now that he was taken prisoner as well. They will go and scout around, to see what they can find out."

"And bring back some food?" asked Bilbo.

"I'm going with them!" Gimli insisted.

"I will go as well," said Frodo.

"And I," said Merry. "Bilbo can stay here and look after Estella."

"An excellent plan," said Bilbo. "Merry knows his way around Elrond's kitchen."

Frodo frowned. "I think you should stay here as well, Merry," he said. "Just in case."

Merry considered for a long time. Estella could see him struggling with himself. Clearly he did not wish to be considered a coward. He looked at her, and she knew her word would influence his decision. this was a heady feeling.

"Stay, Merry," she said softly.

"All right."

"It is agreed then," said Frodo. He nodded to Orophin and Rúmil and the four of them went off, up a different tunnel than the one from which they had descended.

"Terrible times, these are," Bilbo said, shaking his head. "Terrible, terrible times. But I have faith that everything will work out all right in the end."

The old Hobbit turned and climbed up into Elrond's bed, learning back against the pillows. He sighed comfortably, and was asleep within moments, snoring softly. Estella was still sitting on the floor. No doubt one of the chairs would be more comfortable, but the thought of getting up was almost too much. She looked at Merry. He sat down on the floor beside her and rested his chin on his hands.

"Merry?" Estella said after a few minutes.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for staying."

"You're welcome," Merry said, but there was a trace of surprise in his voice. "Did you really want me to?"

"I don't think I could stand it if anything happened to you," Estella confessed before she even realized what she was saying.

Merry sat up straight and looked at her suspiciously. "Why is that?" he asked. "I should think you'd be glad to be rid of me, especially since the game is up, now."

"Game?" she stared at him blankly.

"You told Gimli that it was all a sham," Merry sulked.

"I was angry at you," she said, remembering why. "You should not have hit him!"

"You should not have kissed him!"

"Why do you care?"

"Because--" Merry spluttered, "Because I want to kiss you, myself!"

Estella's mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected this at all. She thought that Merry didn't like her any better than she liked him. But wait… she did like him. It dawned inside of her now that she liked him very, very much. And Pippin? Well, that was a star fading in the back of her mind. It was Merry who gave a damn. It was Merry who cared. And it was Merry that she wanted.

"Well then," she said, taking a deep breath, "Kiss me."

For a moment, Merry looked joyous, and excited. He started to lean towards her, but did not get all the way to her mouth before he stopped.

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“Why did you tell me to kiss you?”

“Because I want you to!” Estella said with frustration.

“Do you?”

“Yes!”

“What about Pippin?”

The words hung in the air between them, and Estella didn’t know what to say. Part of her was angry, but another part was embarrassed and sad. She sat back and shook her head, closing her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill. She felt Merry lean close again. His hand slid over her cheek. Her lips trembled as she felt his breath on her skin, and then the kiss came.

It was warm and sweet, like the best dessert she had ever tasted, and yet it was fierce and wild as well. Estella kissed him back, flinging her arms around him tightly so that Merry lost his balance and fell over backwards with her on top of him. He cradled her against him, and she wanted it never to end.