The day of the Fall Festival had finally arrived and Hobbiton was already excited for the Festival to start. Women were dressed in their best dresses and the men in their best suits. The younger Hobbits were not as formal and wore regular (but still nice) dresses and suits. Everyone stood around a large platform, waiting for Mayor Whitefoot to make his opening Festival speech.

Frodo was standing up in the front, which was expected of him. He was still considered one of the "well to do" Hobbits and was normally led to the front of the group. He stood in his freshly pressed trousers and white blouse. He wore a brand new green vest, trimmed in gold thread and gold buttons. Well, it wasn't really brand new, but he had not worn it yet. The outfit stayed in his closet for "special occasions" thought he much rather be dressed like young Peregrin and Merry, who wore their regular brown trousers and blouses, lined with scarves for the chilly weather.

When the mayor finally made his appearance, the crowed cheered happily. Mr. Whitefoot bowed and then cleared his throat to start his speech: "Ladies and Gentle Hobbits! We are gathered here today to celebrate yet another fruitful and successful harvest!" the mayor then paused to allow any cheering and clapping to subside. "Now, after a long summer and fall of hard labor and work, we set aside our trowels and hoes, rakes and shovels so that we may relax and enjoy what we worked so hard for! Let me keep you hear no longer, I now declare the Fall Harvest Festival...Open!"

At those last words, a roar of cheering and singing began. The young children all had small wooden flutes that they played as they pranced into the Festival area. Following the children where all the teens and tweens pounding drums and singing merry songs. The parade-like line led all the way into the festival area, which was a large field filled with tables and tents and rows of cooking pots ready for passer byes to taste samples. There was a large stage in the back for a band as well as for theatrical performances.

Streamers and lanterns where hung everywhere from tent tops to trees and confetti glistened on the ground. There was a segment of the Festival field prepared for the games such as the three-legged race, barrel racing, pie eating, apple bobbing, and egg balancing. These games were very popular with the younger children, but some of the older Hobbits liked to dare each other and make bets with the games to make them more interesting. The adults never really minded the betting because they themselves enjoyed watching the participants having fun and making fools of them selves in good sport.

Frodo walked around the tent and table areas quietly, he had brought his food earlier that morning so he had nothing to carry or worry about. Everything smelled and looked so good. Rows of Pies ranging from blue berry to cherry lined Ms. Maggot's table. He could tell she worked night and day on them. As Frodo admired the pies and left the table, Rose Cotton came up to him and stuffed a spoon full of her Shire Pudding into his mouth. "You didn't think you were going to pass my booth and not try any, did you?" She laughed.

Frodo smiled and swallowed the dessert happily. "It is as tasty as always Rosie." He laughed. "I look forward to your first batch every Harvest." He then added as the young woman gave him a small dish and a spoon. Frodo leaned against the table and watched Rosie quietly as he ate. She seemed to blush a bit and Frodo immediately knew she was about to ask him something.

"Have you seen Sam around yet, Frodo?" She asked. "I would think we would be with you looking around."

Frodo grinned and took another bite of his pudding. "I haven't seen him yet, he is probably with Merry and Pippin, preparing for the pie eating contest." Frodo answered her. He looked around a bit and indeed, did not see Sam anywhere, not even at a booth or tent.

Rosie laughed. "I wish Peregrin luck; No one beats ole Fatty."

"He might have a chance this time. I heard from Merry that Pippin has been fasting for the last two days."

"Fasting? Pippin? The poor thing must be going out of his mind." Rosie replied with a looked of shock and amazement.

"We will have to see." Frodo laughed. Frodo finally finished the last bit of Shire Pudding and handed Rosie her dish back. "Thank you very much." He smiled. "Now, I better go about on my way. I want to check the rest of the booths before the games start." Frodo explained. He leaned in and kissed Rosie sweetly on the cheek. "I'll tell Samwise you were asking about him if I see him." Frodo then announced as he went about his way.

Rosie smiled. "I would appreciate that Frodo, Thank you." She then replied before going back to her table. Placing his hands inside his trouser pockets, Frodo carried on to the next few tables to sample the other treats and wares. He liked to browse quietly without anyone tugging him too and fro. 'This was very relaxing.' He thought to himself as he came upon old Mrs. Weatherbee and her table of hand crafted quilts and blankets.

Frodo looked around quietly at her table, admiring the workmanship. She put much time in her sewing and knitting and it was apparent in the detail and quality of her goods. Frodo had a blanket she had made him when he first came to Hobbiton with Bilbo, after his parent's death. He still has the blanket in his closet, ready to be used at the first sign of cold weather.

As Frodo got farther down the line, he came closer to the band stage and the dancing area. There was no dancing right yet, that did not usually start until after dinner, when it was darker and the lanterns were lit. Many of the young women were standing around and chatting though. Frodo smiled at some of them politely and the girls just giggled and waved. One girl in particular, however, came up to Frodo and kissed him on the cheek. She was young May-Belle Greenhill: a lass of about 28. Her hair was tied up into a loose ponytail with a blue ribbon to decorate it. She smiled at Frodo. "You are going to dance with me tonight, right Frodo?" She asked excitedly. Frodo smiled and gently eased out of her grasp. "You know you won't let me NOT." He chuckled. May-Belle then gave Frodo a menacing look and Frodo blushed a little. "All right, I won't let the night go without a dance with you." He smiled. May-Belle smiled as well and ran back off to be with her friends. Frodo let out a sigh and straightened his vest and blouse. "That was something to look forward too." He said to himself. It was not that he didn't like May-Belle; she was very cute and full of energy, but she could not dance. Every time the young lass had cornered him, his feet would ache for days. Well, maybe he would give in and offer a slow dance, at least he could lead and her stomping wouldn't be as bad.

As the day went on, and noon had come, the Festival area had become more crowded. It had become so bad around the tent areas that it had become uncomfortable for Frodo. 'It was time for the games to start up anyway.' Frodo thought. He left the Tent and tables area and headed towards the game section. He looked around where the pie-eating contest was and saw no sign of Merry, Pippin or even Sam. He was a bit curious to where they all were. Suddenly, someone came up behind Frodo and grabbed his arm. Surprised, Frodo looked around and saw Merry. "Hello Frodo, cousin!" He laughed and led Frodo down to the racing way. "Hey, what's going on?" Frodo laughed a bit. "Aren't we going to see Pippin for the pie contest?"

"That isn't starting for another ten minutes." Merry laughed. "We need a fourth person for the three legged race."

"But you are only suppose to have two to a team." Frodo said.

"True, but while me and Pippin are partners, Sam needs a partner. And that is gonna be you." Merry stated in an 'As a matter of fact' tone.

Frodo laughed and nodded his head. "Ok, ok, but NO cheating Brandybuck, the last time you had me compete with you, you purposely knocked me and Sam to the ground."

"Frodo Baggins, A whole year has passed and I have matured very much, you know. Do you really think I would do that to you again?" Merry asked in the most innocent voice he could muster.

Frodo laughed. "I am not even going to dignify that with an answer."

Merry looked at Frodo and laughed as he pulled the young Baggins to the race area. Pippin was already waiting with his rope, and Sam was beside him. He had something red on his cheek, but Frodo couldn't tell what it was. "There you are Sam." He smiled. "I was looking for you, and so has Rosie."

"I know, I was home picking some flowers, the last of the Roses and I wanted her to have them." Sam explained, as his face became a light red.

"Then you found her then?" Frodo asked curiously as Merry pushed Sam and Frodo together and started trying heir leg with a small rope.

"You bet he found her." Pippin burst in. "The minute Ms. Cotton saw Sam with the roses, she attacked him in a sweet but PASSIONATE kiss." Pippin laughed. "That lipstick mark on his cheek was only a pre-show of what happened next." He grinned.

Sam gave Pippin a look and then blushed again. Frodo, not wanting to embarrass the Gamgee anymore, left the conversation alone: it was almost time for the race anyway and they had to get on their marks.

There were ten groups of participants ready for the leg race. All were anticipating the starting call of the head judge. All lined up in a single row, each member's arms on their partner's shoulders. Frodo looked up ahead to the finish line, which was a quarter mile away, a rather long track, but he felt confident they would hold up as long as no unwanted pit falls appeared. Frodo looked at Merry, making sure he would be a good distance away from their path. Silence filled the air as they other Hobbits lined around to watch who would win. Suddenly, Mayor Whitefoot came to preside over the event. He walked by the contestants to make sure their rope was tired securely. Then, he looked at them all. "At the count of three, you may start!" He exclaimed. "One! Two! THREE!"

At the "Three," the runners started off. They, of course, were rather slow, having to pace and count themselves so they didn't trip over each other's legs. Merry and Pippin were all ready in the lead, followed by Frodo and Sam and then the others. Frodo was counting out loud with Sam: "One and two and one and two..." as they went on. All was going good when Frodo looked to his right and up along came Merry and Pippin. "Hello Frodo!" Pippin laughed as the two teams strided up to one another.

"Get back! Don't you dare!" Frodo snapped as he laughed. Merry and Pippin both had these deranged devilish looks and Frodo couldn't help but laugh at what was going to come. He and Sam started to walk/run faster, trying to break ahead.

"Come now Frodo, like I said before, we are mature Hobbits." Merry said, trying to sound serious. Pippin just laughed. They looked at each other and when Merry counted to three, they rammed their bodies into Frodo and Sam, causing them to fall over in a giant Hobbit pile.

The four started laughing as they all tried scrambling to get up at the same time. "Nice work Meriadoc!" Sam yelped as he ended up on the bottom of the pile. Merry laughed. "It's tradition Samwise." He laughed. Suddenly, Pippin looked up and turned white. "Oh no!"

"What's wrong Pip?" Merry asked as he got pushed away by Frodo who was still trying to get up. Pippin pointed to his left to show young Lily and Dewey Grassbottom gaining on them. This was not good. Those two were only about twelve and there was no way Merry was going to loose to them.

Struggling to get up, Pippin and Merry started for their course again. Frodo just sat and untied his rope around Sam's leg; it was obvious they were out of the game so they might as well sit back and see who would win.

"Faster Pippin!" Merry snapped as they moved faster.

"I am going as fast as me legs will carry me Merry." Pippin replied as he panted for breath. A few moments later, the two were neck and neck with the younger team but it was no use, Dewey and Lily were a little more organized and made it to the finish line first. The Grassbottom's parents came running and hugging and kissing their children, excited they won. Merry and Pippin however collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "Well, at least we tried." Pippin laughed.

Merry chuckled, "It happens every year."

"Hey, it's tradition." Frodo chuckled as he and Sam made their way to the two cousins. He helped them up; Sam got down and untied their legs. "At least you got second place." Sam commented.

Merry laughed. "Yea, well, the Took and Brandybuck name shall one day win this competition, I swear on the sacred Ms. Maggot's blueberry pie!"

Frodo laughed at Merry's statement. Whenever he swore on food, it meant he was serious.

"Speaking of Pie, it is almost time for the Pie eating contest and that run made me hungry." Pippin called out. Merry looked at his friend and slapped him on the back. "Let's go eat some pie." He said as the four Hobbits walked off toward the pie table. "Now remember Pippin, start off slow and when you see Fatty slow, you speed up. You are gonna beat him this time. Fasting was a good idea."

Pippin smiled brightly. "I am gonna show that Bulger who's the pie eating boss!"

Frodo and Sam walked quietly behind the other two quietly. Frodo was laughing to himself at their determination. Of course, it was the same speech from every year since Pippin started participating in the contest. "You think they have a shot Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked curiously.

“We shall see Sam.”