May-Belle was nervous as she walked over to Merry Brandybuck, but she knew that if she wanted to talk to Frodo, Merry had to be the one to get the message to him. She stopped and waited until she could get Merry’s attention. But he seemed rather occupied by Janice Bracegirtle, who was delicately whispering something in Merry’s ear, causing the young Brandybuck to laugh and kiss the girl on her cheek.

May-Belle had to get Merry’s attention now before things went to far. Faking an exaggerated cough, May-Belle smiled at Merry and tapped him on the shoulder. Merry turned and looked at May-Belle with a rather annoyed look. Janice lifted her head and glared at the younger girl menacingly.

“Do you need something May-Belle?” Merry asked in his most polite but strained voice.

“Hello Meriadoc. I didn’t mean to disturb you but I was hoping I could have a few words with you for a moment.” May-Belle seemed a little nervous, but eager and determined to get this message sent.

“I am rather busy at the moment.” Merry stated as he looked at Janice and smiled impishly at her and pulled her close to him. May-Belle just moved her eyes somewhere else and took a deep breath. “And I am terrible sorry if I am keeping you, but it shall only be but a moment.”

‘This girl is so persistent.’ Merry grumbled inwardly, letting out a smile. ‘If I just humor her, I can get back to Janice.’ “All right then.” Merry commented, slowly pulled Janice off him. “I will be right back luv.” He winked and then walked off to the side with May-Belle.

Once the two were away from anyone else, they were able to talk freely. “Meriadoc, I need you to get a message to Frodo for me.”

“A message? What kind of message?” Merry’s curiosity now had the better of him.

“I want to get a chance to talk to him; let him now how I feel about him. But he won’t stay still long enough for me to get any words out.” May-Belle explained. She nervously pulled at her skirt and looked up to Merry. “I want to meet him alone and I want you to tell him where and when to meet me.”

Merry looked at May-Belle for a moment. Her eyes were pleading with desperation and hope. How could he say ‘no?’ But Frodo would kill him; he hated being set up with ditzy girls. And May was as ditzy as they came. “I don’t know May-Belle, don’t you think Frodo is a little out of your league?”

“Merry, please, I just need a chance to talk to him and let him get to know me. All he thinks about when my name is mentioned is bruised feet. And that is not really fair, is it? Please Merry?”

“Oh, all right, I will talk to Frodo.” Merry agreed reluctantly. Perhaps if he did this one act, it would get May to leave him alone for a while. Besides, Frodo needed to handle this girl himself. Merry did not want to be Frodo’s private secretary when it came to holding off every girl in the Shire for him. Chugging down the rest of his ale, Merry turned to where he left Janice waiting. Unfortunately, the girl was no longer waiting for Merry. She was now dancing with another boy and whispering things into his ear.

Merry could have screamed with the frustration he was feeling, but he would not. There were other girls at the dance that Merry could meet. Letting out a calming sigh, Merry looked at May-Belle and handed her his empty mug. “Well, it looks like I am free to talk to Frodo now.”

May-Belle smiled appreciatively and hugged Merry tight with gratitude. “You’re a doll, Meriadoc!” She praised and then settled down, looking around the dance floor for any sign of Frodo. “Now, tell him to meet me by the apple bobbing booth in twenty minutes.

Merry nodded with understanding and walked off to find his cousin. The dance floor was rather crowded, however, and it was hard for Merry to get through the mob of festive hobbits. Merry was just about to give up when he heard his name being called. Looking over to the dinner tables, Merry saw Sam waving him over.

Merry smiled and was about to join Sam at the table when Rose Cotton came up from behind Merry and pulled him into a rigorous dance. “I haven’t seen you dancing all night, dear,” scolded Rose as she led him around happily. Merry chuckled and looked over to where Sam was sitting at the dinner table.

“Neither has Sam.” Merry commented casually. Rose then frowned and nodded her head.

“I know, but he is too shy to dance with me. And every time I get a chance to dance with him, I get pulled away by someone else.” She admitted. Suddenly, the music began to slow a bit and Merry pulled Rose a little closer to him so that they could talk a little more without having to shout over to one another.

“Why don’t you just say ‘no’ when someone asks you to dance?” Merry questioned.

“I suppose I could, but I like dancing with everyone.” Rose replied. Merry grinned at Rose’s statement. ‘So, she wasn’t as shy as everyone thought.’

“Don’t get me wrong, Meriadoc.” Rose then added. “I like being with Samewise more than anyone else here. But there are too many people around to get a decent talk in, if you follow me.”

“I follow you Rosie.” Merry responded. ‘It seems everyone is having that problem tonight. Maybe it was something in the apples?’ “Well, why don’t you try and get Samwise alone for a while?” It seemed to be a good idea with May-Belle, though Frodo would not exactly be too thrilled with the idea. But if Merry knew Sam well enough, he would very much like the chance to meet Rose alone with out any distractions.

“Get him alone?” questioned Rose. “I don’t think our parents would approve of that suggestion." Rose turned her face downward and blushed at the thought, causing Merry to laugh hard.

“Rose, you don’t have to do anything but talk. You don’t even have to be ‘alone.’ Just meet somewhere where the dancers won’t be.” As Merry explained the plot to Rose, both looked over to Sam, whose back was turned to them. He was drinking his beer quietly and eating a few berries.

“Like the game booths?” Rose suggested.

“Well, the game booths are a little too secluded. That’s the place the young lads and lasses go for a good time. You would not be too comfortable there, if you understand.” Merry winked with a little laugh. Besides, that was where May-Belle was meeting Frodo and Merry did not think if would be a good idea to ruin each other’s ‘fun.’

“Well, what about the kitchen area?” Rose then suggested.

“Excellent idea.” Merry cheered. “There would be at least one person there, so you will not be completely alone. But not enough people to think you two are up to anything.”

Rose smiled shyly and looked over to Sam once more. She really wanted a chance to just talk and spend some time with him tonight. What harm would meeting him alone do? “All right Meriadoc, I will do it. But, will you give the message to him?”

“I suppose I could.” Merry agreed; chuckling to himself at the fact he was the evening’s messenger service. When the music stopped, Merry and Rose bowed to each other and parted company. Merry smiled and then moved off to the side of the dance floor and began his journey over to Sam’s table.

It was then Merry was grabbed and pulled over to another set of tables on the far side of the dinning area. Merry looked to see who was his captor; it was Pippin. “Merry! You have to come and join Fatty and I for a few beers!” Exclaimed Pippin.

“Peregrin, I am trying to get some work done and I can’t join you right now.”

“Don’t be such a party spoiler Meriadoc. Whatever ‘work’ you are doing can wait. But Fatty bet me a week’s worth of chores that he can drink more that you can. I am not about to stay at his house, doing his laundry for a week, so get a move on.” Pippin then pulled Merry over to the tables where Fatty was sitting with a few pitchers of beer and mugs.

Not being able to fight off Pippin’s persistence, Merry gave in and followed him to the table. What harm would a few drinks do anyway? He still had some time to find Frodo, and Rosie would understand if Sam was a little late. He sat down at the table with Pippin and Fatty Bolger and smiled. “All right, let’s get this over with.”

Fatty placed a mug of beer in front of Merry and grinned. “I may have lost the pie eating contest, but I won’t loose to this, Took.”

“We shall see.” Pippin retorted. Merry laughed and picked up the mug and eyed Fatty menacingly. Then, when both were ready, they began drinking. Both took their time, drinking their beer slowly but soon the pace began to quicken. It was not long before both Hobbits became quite tipsy. Merry was at the point where he could hardly sit in his chair properly.

Pippin sat quietly watching the two. He did not drink anything because he needed to act as a judge between the two other hobbits. “You two are going to fall over on your seats in a moment!” He laughed.

“I am fine Pip.” Merry slurred, sipping his beer slowly.

“As am I Pippin.” Fatty stated as he poured another mug of beer for himself. Unfortunately, Fatty poured more beer on the table than he got into his mug, causing Merry to burst into a fit of laughter.

“Well, no use crying over spilt beer!” He laughed.

“That’s easy for you to say, Meriadoc.” Fatty retorted before joining Merry in his round of laughter. “Now, where were we? I lost count.”

“Let us just call this contest even.” Merry suggested as he forced himself to sit up straight.

“Deal.” Fatty responded. Then, all three hobbits helped themselves to a few more mugs of beer. It was then that Fatty saw Frodo wandering around the tables.

The older hobbit looked tired and tried to find an empty seat. ”Frodo!” called Fatty.

Seeing the group, Frodo smiled and joined them at their table. As he walked over, he took off the green and gold coat he had been wearing, leaving just the white undershirt. Pippin poured Frodo some beer, seeing as how Frodo looked exhausted and was sweating. Taking the drink appreciatively, Frodo sat down and began to drink greedily. “I am getting too old for this.” Frodo commented between sips.

"If forty-seven is too old to be dancing with all those pretty lasses, then I never want to get old.” Pippin commented, pouring himself another beer.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that Peregrin; you’re still a baby.” Fatty laughed.

Merry then put his beer down and looked at Frodo thoughtfully. “Frodo, I was supposed to give you a message.” He stated

“Oh?” Frodo asked curiously as he sipped his beer once more.

Merry thought for a moment, but could not remember what he was supposed to say. There were too many people he had made contact with. All he could remember times and places. “Well, I think a girl wanted to meet you. Now, where did she want to meet you...” Merry then paused to think about the message.

“Who is she?” Frodo was curious.

“Um, I can’t remember...”

“That’s nice Merry, a girl wants to secretly meet Frodo and you can’t remember where or who.” Pippin laughed but stopped when he saw the threatening look on Merry’s face.

Frodo just laughed and drank his beer. “Well, I think it is for the best. I am not in the mood to meet anyone now. Privately or publicly, I am too tired.”

“Oh come on Frodo!” Pippin crooned. “You are telling us that a pretty lass wants to meet you alone and you are not interested?”

“Frodo, you can’t pass this up!” Fatty added but Frodo just shook his head and smiled at the two.

“I must admit, it is thrilling but, unless Merry can remember who this lady caller is, or where she wanted to meet me, there will be no secret rendezvous tonight.”

“I remember!” Merry called. “It was May-Belle! And she wanted to meet you by the Kitchen tents.”

“May-Belle?” Asked Frodo.

“The Kitchen area?” Pippin and Fatty then asked in unison.

Frodo then fell silent as he sipped his beer in quiet thought. Merry frowned and looked at Frodo. “Don’t look so gloomy, cousin.”

“Merry’s right. I am sure there are other things, besides dancing, that May-Belle is good at, if you understand me.” Pippin laughed and nudged Frodo’s shoulder suggestively.

“You are so immature Peregrin, she is half my age.” Frodo snapped.

“Oh, Frodo; age only matters with cheese.” Fatty explained.

“And fine wine.” Added Pippin as he chugged down yet another beer.

Shaking his head, Frodo stood, finished his beer and straightened out his shirt. “Well, nothing you two are thinking about is going to happen. I shall just talk to her and let her know I am not interested.”

“Sure Frodo, talk.” Pippin laughed. “Whatever you say, cousin.”

Once Frodo left, Fatty and Pippin joined in another round of laughter. However, Merry didn’t join in. He too finished his beer and stood up, “I have to find Samwise.”

“Merry, what about the contest?” Pippin then called.

“I am sure staying at the Bolger’s for a week will be fun, Peregrin. You can try and find Estella’s diary for me.” Merry winked and then walked off.

Upon wondering around the dinning area, Merry found Sam still sitting at his table by himself, drinking his beer. He was also tapping his fingers against the wooden table top to the beat of the music. Merry could not understand how Samwise could not have gotten up to dance with anyone. He was a good-looking, gentle hobbit. Was that not what the lasses liked?

As Merry sat beside Sam, he picked a few blackberries from a bowel and ate them casually. “So, how are you doing Sam?”

“All right, just enjoying my peace and quiet.” Sam replied with a tired and disgusted voice.

“Well,” Merry started. “There is a certain lass out there that wishes to share that quiet time with you. If you get my meaning.”

Sam raised an eyebrow and then looked around the dance floor and found no sign of Rose in the crowd. Looking back at Merry, a grin appeared on his face. “Where is Rose?”

Merry was silent for a moment as he tried to think. He still felt a little tipsy from his many mugs of beer and his memory was still rather impaired. Suddenly, he smiled at Sam. “I think she said to meet her at the apple bobbing booth in the gaming area.”

Sam chuckled and stood excitedly. “Oh, she’s a clever lass.”

“That she is, now go on; don’t leave her waiting.” Merry replied and then gave Sam an encouraging wink. Sam then left in search of Rose.

“Well, that is done. Now I can enjoy myself.” Merry thought as he looked around. There were a few young females waiting around a table together, smiling and waving at Merry. Taking his time to introduce himself, Merry stood and walked towards their table without another thought of either Frodo or Sam.