Chapter 1:

"Rapt Meetings"

"Do I really exists?"

The question that I never failed to ask myself everyday. I know my bestfriend Farah is sick and tired of hearing that. All I want is just a little bit of attention from a very valiant and handsome Hobbit in the Shire, but I really don't know why he never ever glance my way. I want to loose hope but I can't, because I believe that someday, all the things that I've been dreaming of will come true.

And there is only one person who could bring all my fantasies to life. And he is no other than- 'Frodo Baggins'.

Oh, when I think about him, I couldn't forget the night when I first saw him. The night of Bilbo Baggin' birthday. It was his birthday as well.

My family just moved in from Buckland and it's such a great honor that they've invited us in their special day. My parents are so excited. They both love parties. But not on my part. As a matter of fact, I really don't want to go.

"I do not know his family, Mom. I don't think I'm going with you," I told my mother one morning while we are having our breakfast.

"They invited us, and it's an awkward thing to do if we refuse them," Mom said.

"No, no and a big 'NO'!," I replied as I finished my glass of milk. I stood up, left the table and walked out of the door. To my surprise, I saw my bestfriend rushing towards me.

"Hey, Farah!," I called out loud.

She's my very best friend. Same as me, her family moved from Buckland too more than a couple of years now.

"Casey, are you going to the party tonight?," she asked excitedly.

"Mom wants me to, but I really don't want to go."

"Why not? Me and my parents will be there. Now, come on, it's gonna be a wonderful night. You and me at the party."

I paused and think for a while.

"Ok," I said, "I've changed my mind now. Count me in Farah. I'll go with you."

Then both of us giggled.

That night, I put my best dress on. My favorite purple and white dress matched with my white-flowered hat. I was examining myself at the mirror when Farah arrived.

"Casey, we must go now. Your parents just left."

"Off we go, Farah!," I exclaimed.

There are lots of Hobbits there. All of them looks really happy and excited. Little children are everywhere, playing wild and free. Everyone is having a great time. There were music, games, fireworks and of course, foods and lots of drinks.

Farah accompanied me to the nearest table where I saw five Hobbits who are merrily singing and laughing.

"Heya!," said Farah, waiving her hands on their direction.

"Farah! We're glad you came. We have been waiting for you since afternoon," said a guy with a handsome face. But I don't know who he is. And he's the first guy who caught my attention.

"This is my bestfriend - Casey. She just moved in from Buckland yesterday," Farah introduced me. I smiled at them but I'm a little nervous and I tried not to look at the guy who spoke just a while ago. "And Casey this is Samwise."

"Just call me Sam if you want, as m old gaffer calls me," a guy with a short blond hair replied.

"This is Meriadoc, or Merry as we all call him," Farah continued, "And this is his sidekick Peregrin or Pippin or just call him Pip, much shorter. Right, Pip?"

They all burst into laughter. And so I joined them.

"Hello Casey! We're from Buckland too," said Merry.

"Oh indeed?," I asked in surprise.

"Yes," Pippin interrupted, "but we spend most of our time here in the Shire."

Merry and Pippin both have blond hairs. Both long and curly that it almost covered their ears.

"Then that's Fatty over there," Farah said, pointing to a guy, same as the others, have long and curly hair. His name suits him right because he is big….well, he's fat actually.

"And of course, the birthday celebrant himself - 'Mr. Frodo Baggins'.

They all cheered and toast an ale for him.

On that moment, I felt a cold sensation running through my vains. I suddenly froze. I can't look at him. Yes! Frodo Baggins of course. Then, Farah grabbed my hands and she let me sat beside Pippin as she made her way to Merry's side. I remembered, she once told me that she fancy him. Well, he's cute. Really! But the only thing that's on my mind is Frodo.

Oh, I want to sit beside him. But Pippin is always offering me his ale, mushrooms and everything. He even kept on talking to me which distracts me from thinking about Frodo. He doesn't have any idea that my attention is not focused on him.

Then, another music was played. All of them left their sits and began to dance. To my surprise, someone grabbed my hand and asked me to dance. When I turned around, it was Pippin. I thought it was Frodo. But I can't refuse so I left my chair and danced with him. I saw Farah dancing with Merry. Sam is dancing with a pretty girl and Fatty is dancing with…'Huh?!'

"Himself?"

We've been dancing for more than five minutes when I stopped.

"Excuse me Pippin," I whispered to him, "I need to talk to Farah."

"Ah, ok." He nodded but he looks sad, I've noticed.

I rushed over to Farah who is now back in our table.

"Farah, do you know where Frodo is? I can't see him anywhere," I asked.

"I don't know either."

"Oh, please help me find him."

"Why?"

"I'm just wondering if he could ask me for a dance."

"Are you crazy?!," Farah laughed.

"Please?," I begged.

"Don't tell me you like him."

I blushed and I smiled. She giggled.

"Ok. But I'm not sure if I can…if I can make it," she agreed.

"Oh, thank you!," I exclaimed as I hugged her so tight.

I sat back and rested for a while. And I was so shocked when Frodo appeared right in front of me.

"Can I ask you for a dance, Casey?," his angelic voice told me. I tried to keep myself calm.

"It's my pleasure, Mr. Frodo," I replied, as my hands trembled and my knees weakened.

But of course, I won't let him notice me. I felt like I was in a dream, a very good dream, as I walk with him hand in hand. Then, the two of us danced. What a wonderful feeling it was. I don't want it to end. When the song has ended, he brought me back to our table where the two of us had a little chat.

"So, how do you find the Hobbiton so far? Do you like it here?," he asked. His eyes are fixed on me.

"Oh, it's wonderful! I'd probably stay here for the rest of my life….with you. Oh! What I'm trying to say is, with your fellow Hobbits here in the Shire. Yeah…that's it!"

Ooopps!! I almost slipped off. I felt my cheeks were blushing.

"Wow. That's good to hear," he said.

I still have lots of things to tell him when…

"Frodo my lad! Come here for a while," it was his cousin Bilbo.

"I'm sorry Casey. I'll be right back. I'll just talk to him," he apologized.

"Sure. No problem," I said. But deep inside, I was so disappointed.

When Frodo left, I looked for farah but I couldn't find her. I was about to go home since everyone is busy doing their own thing, when Pippin approached me.

"Hey, Casey! Are you going home?," he asked.

"Almost. Have you seen Farah?"

"No, sorry."

"It's ok. If ever you see her around please tell her that I've gone home and I'll just see her tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," he said.

"What?!," I asked in surprised.

"I mean, I'll take you home."

"No, thanks," I refused, "I might be bothering you."

The truth is - I really don't want him to go with me. I wish he's Frodo. But if he is, I will of course say - 'Yes'!

"Oh, c'mon. Please, Casey. Please? Do I have to beg you?," he insisted.

"Pippin, I know my way home and…"

"Please?," he asked once more.

"Ok." I said. Whatelse can I do?

So, Pippin and I walked on my way home. As we reached our front door, he said something.

"Ah, Casey…," he said in a low, trembling voice.

"Hey, you know how to speak!," I told him and I laughed, "I've never heard you say a single word since we left the party. What is it, Pip?"

"Ah…err…I just want to ask you if I can come here sometime and visit you?," he asked shyly.

"What did you say? I mean, ok, no problem," I said in disbelief. I didn't expect him to ask me that.

"Oh, thank you Casey!," he exclaimed and then……

"Hmmnn….Muah!"

He kissed me on my cheek! And off he ran away. I do not know if Iwell get mad or I will feel happy about it. But inside my heart, I always wish that he is Frodo.