LOTR: The problems with Thursday - Merry Brandybuck FF

Falling again? - Chapter 7

Merry had walked into Bywater that day, simply to find a new book to read. At about 10:45 he had taken the copy of 'Baltimore' that Perudo had given him, and placed it in Alora's Letter box, hoping she would find it and read it. He had also left her a note, just a small one. 

Now, he was in the library, looking for another book which he hadn't read before. The shelves were home to hundreds of new maps, novels and fact books which Merry hadn't laid eyes on before. He reached out and took up a small sized book with dwarfish writing on a black cover with the picture of a dragon and a single mountain on the front cover. He quickly flicked through the pages and then put it down again. He searched around and around, looking for something which he couldn't quite find. But he wasn't sure what it was. 

He pulled another book from the book case and stumbled backwards as somebody's face appeared on the other side. It was a girl. She had fair blonde hair and light green eyes. The girl also had a few freckles on her cheeks. She looked through the gap back at Merry, who was trying to avoid being seen. 

"Hello there..." The girl said, her voice innocent and high pitched. Merry winched as he realised she'd noticed him. To avoid being rude, he quickly replied. 

"Hello.." he trailed as looked down that the book he was holding. Its front cover was a deep sea blue and it had a silver tree on it. 

"It's the tree of Gondor" the girl squeaked through the gap, looking across at Merry. He looked up at her and smiled. 

"So it is..." he agreed, nodding his head. He looked up again and the girl was gone. He shrugged and then looked forward. There she was, it caused him to jump seen as she had moved so quietly. 

"I've never seen you in here before, I'm Cynthia!" the girl stuck out her hand and smiled at Merry, who accepted sheepishly. 

"Merry, I'm from Hobbiton so I haven't been in here in a while." he explained quietly. Cynthia nodded happily and pulled a book from the shelf next to her.

"You seem like the type of guy who reads this kind of thing." she said as she held the book out in front of him. It was a scrap book of different boats which had sailed across many sea's and famous vessels. 

Merry looked shocked, "I love boats... how could you tell?" he asked as he took the book from her hand. 

Cynthia turned a light scarlet and looked down at the floor, "I just have a talent for guessing things like that..." she smiled again. Merry looked across at the window and sighed before looking at Cynthia again. 

"Can I borrow this?" he asked, smiling at her.

Cynthia blushed a little harder and nodded happily, "Sure, just come round to the desk!"

Merry followed her round to the librarians desk as she penciled something into a small sketch book . "There, bring it back in a few days and then you can pay." She sighed.

"Okay I won't forget" Merry smiled slightly and began to walk across to the door. Cynthia looked around nervously and then spoke. 

"If you want, I could show you some more books?"She said hesitantly. 

Merry stood next to the door and turned back to face her, "I'm sorry, I've got to go now.. but thanks for the offer." he said politely. He went for the door handle and Cynthia squeaked again, 

"Or maybe we could go for a drink some time?" She squealed quietly. Merry froze on the spot and felt the colour drain from his face. He hadn't thought of any girl in that way since he had met Alora only two days ago. Thoughts rushed through his head and he tried to grasp one, but all he could do was stutter. 

"M-Maybe.. I'll have to see" he whispered to himself, but Cynthia had heard him. 

"Oh, okay.. I'll see you then!" she waved at him as he opened the door, his eyes still looking down. 

He felt someone walk into him and he felt the book slip from his grasp, "Oh gosh, i'm so-" he started, but stopped when a painful lump grew in his throat. Alora was only a few inches away and looking right at him. Her blue eyes were glittering and her hair was perfectly curled with just a few strands of her fringe hanging in her face.

Merry attempted to speak again, but the only thing that would come out of his mouth was so slurred it wasn't understandable. Alora's mouth had fallen open once she realised it was him. Both of their hearts were pounding like the drums of goblins that loomed in the high pass. Yet, neither of them knew it. 

Cynthia watched in amazement as the two stood in the doorway, in silence. Not a word was said, until she intervened. 

"Excuse me? Urm Alora, did you need something?" she said quietly, looking past Merry to look at her friends face. Alora blinked twice and then shook her head. 

"What, Urm I-I Was looking for a book or a map.. but.." she started but Merry piped up. 

"I did drop a book off at your house not less then an hour ago, but maybe you didn't see it. Or want it..." he whispered. Alora spun her head round and looked up at him, her eyes heavy with sorrow. 

"Why wouldn't I want it?" she asked quietly. Merry shrugged and looked down at the floor. Alora smiled slightly and went to grab his hand. 

"Come on, lets go for a walk" she sighed as she turned around to go back out the library. 

"But what about your book or map?" Cynthia asked, peering her head out the door to watch Alora lead, a now very quiet and stunned Merry, down the gravel path and back to the market.

They reached the center of the market, and Merry spoke up. "You can let go of my hand now" HE chuckled, looking down at Alora's hand graping his. She turned a light shade of scarlet, and reluctantly let go. "where are we going?" Merry asked, speeding up a bit as Alora slowed so they could walk side by side. 

"I dunno, I just wanted to talk to you. Is that a problem?" she murmured. Merry thought, and then slowly shook his head. 

"No, not really... I just didn't think you'd want to talk to me!" When Merry said this, Alora immediately stopped. She pulled a face which was a mixture of confused and angry. 

"Why wouldn't I? I think we need a talk after all!" She said, standing in front of him so he couldn't walk off.

"Well seen as you didn't come yesterday, I assumed you didn't like me or even want to see me again." he said, bluntly. Alora felt her jaw fall to the ground.

"I didn't come... I DIDN'T COME!?" she began to shout causing Merry to step back in shock. "I came alright, I was only a bit late and you weren't there when I got there!" she threw her hands in the air. 

Merry looked across at her flustered face, he was finding her rant quite cute, and he felt himself beginning to smile. "I did come though.. but I was on time" he began to chuckle as Alora huffed loudly.

"oops..." she murmured, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm so sorry Merry..I shouldn't have shouted at you just then" Alora apologised quietly. Merry smiled back at her, a bit of hair falling in front of her eyes. 

"I think I should've waited longer. No worry, it was just a miss understanding!" he grinned widely as he tucked the loose hair behind her ear and placed his hand on her cheek. Alora turned a light shade of red as she blushed up at him.

But then she removed his hand, looking slightly sad. "Why did you leave so soon?" she asked quietly. Merry looked a little down hearted. 

"I just got over whelmed I guess, It upset me... the thought of you not coming." Merry looked down at the floor, a sad expression falling across his face. Alora used her right index finger to lift up his chin, so that he was looking at her. 

"hey you, don't get all upset about it now... its all in the past now. I suppose it's best to start from the beginning." She whispered up at him. Merry began to put his arm around her waist, but Alora slowly removed it. 

"just friends for now Merry.." she smiled slightly. Pain twanged at Merry's heart and he felt his eyes getting watery. 

"Just-just friends?.." He stuttered quietly, blinking twice.