@ofbrandybuck
★ There was a cool spring breeze BLOWING through the open window of the Bolger residence, ruffling the basket of fabric and thread placed on the window-seat before her, and distracting Estella for a moment from the image of a wild ROSE in full, radiant bloom she was carefully embroidering on to a square of cloth. It would serve as a new kerchief when it was done – and perhaps, should she become adept enough at the design, she might stitch it on to a gown, to LIVEN UP plain fabric.
She glanced out of the window, away from her stitchery to behold the dozens of flowers outside that were BLOSSOMING in the gardens of her home, and their sweet fragrance seemed almost to beckon her forward, away from her task to walk among them and more closely admire their SPLENDOR.
She considered it for a moment, leaving her current employment and instead enjoying a ramble through the gardens and then perhaps into the meadows around BUDGEFORD itself – and then perhaps to Whitfurrows or even Frogmorton – she’d made both journeys a few times, visiting kith and kin who resided those towns. Either would make for a fine, if long, journey – beneath the sunshine and beside the Water, amongst flowers and trees and grasslands that stretched for miles upon MILES, interrupted only by the village and towns named, or by an occasional smial and house.
A part of her longed to take up a basket and go ( she would purchase something in Budgeford for whichever friend she visited – it would NOT do to arrive empty-handed ) – and yet, she decided to remain. Much as she enjoyed solitary walks, for some reason today the idea seemed UNAPPEALING – if she were to go anywhere, she rather wished her brother or parents were about to ACCOMPANY her. But all three were off on errands of their own – and she remained behind to occupy herself until their return, which, today, could not come soon enough.
As if FORTUNE itself saw fit to answer her desire for company, there was a knock at the door – and Estella very nearly threw aside her embroidery in her HASTE to answer it. She hoped it was Fredegar – her older brother could not bring himself to deny a beloved sister anything, even if it meant trekking all the way to Frogmorton with her when they could just as easily enjoy themselves at home.
She composed herself a bit more when she got to the door – if it were not Fatty on the other side, or Mr. and Mrs. Bolger, she needed to ensure she carried herself with the DIGNITY belonging to a important family like her own. She cleared her throat, opened the door and beheld –
“– Master Brandybuck?” The surprise was writ large on her face – of all people who might darken the Bolgers’ doorstep, this was perhaps one of the least-expected. Which was rather unfair to the other hobbit, given that he had come by the residence multiple times before – in search of Fredegar of course. But Estella had rarely been around to receive him – being told only after the fact that he had shown up, her mother occasionally tsking over her daughter’s ABSENCE as she notified her.
Despite that, Estella had met Meriadoc Brandybuck more than once – but only briefly, when she travelled with her brother to Buckland. Fatty, HOMEBODY though he could be, could all the same be counted upon to make return visits to his friends, and the heir to Brandy Hall was the most frequent receiver of these visits, being nearer than Messrs. Baggins, Gamgee, and Took. As for Estella herself, Buckland’s chief attraction was one MELILOT BRANDYBUCK, a very dear friend who was always utterly delighted to receive her when she came by.
Therefore, when her brother presented himself and his sister at BRANDY HALL, she only ever stayed as long as civility necessitated – eager to find Melilot and pass her time with the other lass. Thankfully civility did not require much – for Master Brandybuck was always quick to take Fredegar off to who-knew-where, and Estella was free to find her own friend.
Nevertheless, a lack of familiarity was no excuse for a lack of politeness, and Estella did her best to wipe the SURPRISE from her face and dipped into a brief curtsey.
“Master Brandybuck, how wonderful to see you!” She said, the last remnants of surprise turning gradually into a FRIENDLY smile. “I’m afraid Fredegar isn’t home at the moment – but you are more than welcome to come in, if you like! I don’t know when he’ll be home, but I can put the kettle on if you’d like to wait?”
