Frodo and Sam walked along the game field, still laughing and talking about Pippin and his victory at the Pie eating contest. There were always many games, as said before, that were around for Hobbits of all ages to play. Contests and simple "test your skill" games were laid out all on the big field just outside of the food pavilion.

The young Tooks, Chubbs, Grubbs, Bracegirddles and others were merrily dancing and running about. The girls in their Sunday best dresses of laces and ribbons and the boys in their freshly pressed trousers and vests. Frodo laughed as some of the girls tackled the their brothers and friends to prove their strength.'

Frodo enjoyed watching the young ones playing so innocently, but soon his appetite was catching up to him. He wished to be at the dinner tables soon so that he might enjoy a little meal before the dancing started. Once the dancing began, Frodo knew he would be grabbed by at least seven lasses for partners. It was not that Frodo was conceded, but it happened every year and it soon became a known fact between Frodo and his friends.

As they walked, the two Hobbits came to a beanbag-tossing booth. Frodo nudged Sam on the arm and pointed at the game. “Why don’t you try this Sam?

"I don't know Mr. Frodo, you have a fairer arm." Suddenly, as Sam spoke, his face was splashed with chilled water. He looked to the direction the water came from as shock filled his face. There, a group of children were sitting around a large bucket full of water. Along the sides were baskets of apples. One girl, the one who splashed Sam, laughed and called them over. "Frodo! Frodo! Come bob for apples with us!" She laughed.

Frodo looked at Sam who seemed rather annoyed that he was now dripping wet. Frodo's face was very bright and youthful. He was and adult in Hobbit reckoning and would not normally be seen doing such games. But Sam could see in Frodo's eyes that he yearned to participate, at least to entertain the children. He looked at Frodo and sighed and followed him to the group.

"Well, Well, what have we here then?" Asked Frodo with a youthful smile to his face. The young girl, whose name was Nina, took his hands and tied them behind his back as he knelt beside the bucket. As she waited for the bucket to be loaded with more apples, a young boy came with a towel for Sam. "Sorry Mr. Gamgee. I was only playing. Forgive me?" Nina asked in an innocent tone. Sam looked at her wide blue eyes and her soft smile. She was only about 10 and he could not stay mad at her. "It's all right lass, just try not to go around wetting people, it's rude." He smiled.

Nina agreed as Sam took the offered towel. Frodo was on the ground surrounded by the group of children. They were laughing and couldn't wait to see Frodo start. Though there were many rumors about Frodo from their parents, he intrigued the kids and they liked him very much. He was one of the few older Hobbits that would actually play with them. Others were too busy drinking or with girls or working with their families to want to spend time, but Frodo was different that way and the children always took advantage of that. Especially when it came to games and humiliation.

"Ok Frodo!." Nina laughed as she blindfolded the older Hobbit. "You have half a minute to get as many apples as you can." She explained. Frodo was laughing from embarrassment. How funny he must have looked to everyone watching. Even Sam thought he looked strange and was holding in laughter. "I hear you Samwise Gamgee, if you don't stop laughing, I'll make sure you are next!" Frodo laughed.

"Dear me, no Mr. Frodo, I already had my bath today." Replied Sam as he ran the towel down his tunic. He subdued his merriment and watched the game about to start.

As Frodo waited, he moved his head around a bit, as if trying to figure out exactly where he was. Then, Nina took his gently by the neck and led his face to the water.

"On the count of three. Ok?" She asked excitedly.

"I am ready." Frodo mused with a smile. He took a deep breath as Nina Started to count. 1...2...3! Frodo then dived into the large bucket and started searching around with his nose and mouth for one of the freshly picked apples. The group of kids cheered and laughed as one by one, Frodo would catch and apple and then loose it in the slippery water.

Sam watched with amusement as his master tried desperately to get a prize. He bobbed and splashed through the water quickly. Every now and then he had a reflex to use his arms; forgetting they were tied tight behind his back. Tied tight actually. 'This girl has a strong arm.' Frodo thought to himself. 'I hope she is able to UNTIE the rope. I don't wanna be hand fed when dinner comes.' He laughed. He found himself laughing uncontrollably and this made it harder to get an apple. But Frodo was persistent and kept trying. Eventually, he found one of the round objects and in order to make sure he kept it, he dunked his head under water and pinned the apple with his mouth to the bottom of the bucket. He kept the apple there just long enough for him to bite into the fruit and claim it as his own.

"Time!" Nina yelled. She quickly pulled Frodo's face out of the water and to everyone's excitement, he held the apple in his mouth. Everyone, including Sam cheered for Frodo and once Frodo's hands were untied, he took the blindfold off and removed the apple. Throwing his hands up in the air, he let out a hearty laugh of victory. "Try and beat that Sam Wise!" Frodo said as he walked to the younger Hobbit.

Sam blushed and laughed as he led Frodo back toward the food tables. "No thank you Mr. Frodo, Just watching you exhausts me." He smiled. Frodo followed Sam away from the kids and started eating his apple. Looking back, he waved to the kids who were disappointed to see him leave, but Frodo knew they would find another victim soon.

"Can I borrow your towel Sam?" Frodo asked. He was cold and his hair and shirt were sopping wet. Sam gave Frodo the towel and he tried to dry himself up as best as he could. Now, Frodo’s appetite had strengthened and the two Hobbits quickened their pace to the dinning pavilion.