Disclaimers: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien does.

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Thanks goes to Adeleidhis for helping me brainstorm ideas for this story. :)

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One-Shot:

Before the Concert

Frodo Baggins searched through the dresser drawers for his jacket. He had a black jacket, fit for tonight's occasion. Now, where was it?! Surely, he didn't drop it somewhere or leave it lost in the wash… nope. There it was! He pulled it out and put it on. It was a little tight, but it would have to do.

He looked himself in the mirror. Still the fair-faced, blue-eyed hobbit with combed curly brown hair. He wore his black jacket over his black waistcoat, white dress shirt, beige suspenders, and black knee-breeches. Yes, he was ready. Now, he just needed to make sure that everyone was attending, when he got to Methel Stage in Bywater.

No. He would find out how many were attending – orchestra, jazz section, and the audience alike – when he arrived. Right now, he needed to leave Bag End and head that way. At last, he reached the front green door and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. There was his best friend, Samwise Gamgee, the brown-haired hobbit, seated on the bench outside his house.

"Are you ready to go?" Sam asked, curious. "Big night! Orchestrating a band isn't easy."

"I know, Sam." Frodo said, intrigued. He followed his friend past the gate and down the road. "I can't believe it! Big night! Whose attending?"

"Well, Pippin's sister Pearl is going to be there with Lotho." Sam inquired. Pearl Took had been courting Lotho Sackville-Baggins for two years now. So far, things weren't going the way Pearl wanted, but then Frodo hated that she was courting his nemesis. "Also, Lotho's going to orchestra the jazz section."

Frodo stopped. "Why is Lotho doing that?"

"I don't know. Maybe to see whose boss," Sam shrugged.

"Well, he's not getting away this time," Frodo said, annoyed.

"I know! The last thing we need is Lotho ruining your night," Sam said, frustrated.

"Then let's hope this concert goes well. I hate doing a battle of the bands with another conductor, even Lotho."

"I hear you, Mr. Frodo." Sam nodded.

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The second Frodo and Sam got to Methel Stage, the first thing Frodo saw was Lotho was also wearing black and white. Frodo looked on at the orchestra. There they were with their instruments, but there was the jazz section off to the right, as well as two podiums up front.

Frodo shook his head. It was now or never.

"Lotho," Frodo said, before noticing that Pearl was dressed in a lavender gown, "Pearl." He gulped. "You look… beautiful."

Pearl giggled. "Thank you, Frodo."

"Well, look who decided to show up!" Lotho said, shrewdly. "I'm going to wipe the floor with you and be none the wiser!"

"Oh yeah?" Sam asked, encouraging his best friend, "Well, Mr. Frodo is going to come after you and teach you whose boss! Isn't that right, Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo looked at Sam like he was half-mad. Was this brawl ever going to end?

"Please, let's save the dramatics for the stage." Frodo said, encouraging them to be more civilized.

"Humph. Of all the nerve!" Lotho said, walking towards the right podium.

Frodo returned his gaze to Pearl, just as Sam wished him "good luck" and sat down. Pearl was too beautiful. Why did they ever break up?

"I should go," Frodo said, making his way towards the stage, too.

"Good luck, Frodo." Pearl said, smiling. "I know you can beat Lotho at his game."

Frodo faced her, stunned that she would say that. He nodded, grateful to have such good friends by his side, during these trying times. At last, he climbed up the wooden steps and reached the left podium. There was his baton, ready to go. He looked at the orchestra, winking at them, before checking on Lotho. He was good to go, too.

Frodo sighed, knowing this was it! It was time to begin the show.

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Thanks for reading. :)