Frodo had been given a vial of fresh herbal tea to drink and a clean set of clothes, which included a red floral-patterned waistcoat, a black tunic, and a pair of black knee breeches. It was vampiric in nature, the clothing, but he settled on it nonetheless because it was the only set of clothes he had that were dry. Once he put on the dry, clean clothes, he drank the herbal tea. It healed his wounds and his legs instantly, making them feel better, as if they hadn't been injured at all.

It was a miracle. He wouldn't forget this day. Not one bit of it!

.

Frodo had never been to a Harvestmath Festival as festive as the one this village had. There were pumpkins – large, small, orange, and white – strewn by the hay. Stalls were decorated in orange and black, too. Frodo smiled, admiring the festivities, as well as the food and the dancing. It was different here, but at least the traditions for Harvestmath were the same.

He loved every minute of it!

At one point, he found Zuri dressed in an orange dress, searching for a dance partner. The last person she expected to find at this party was Frodo Baggins! Why couldn't it have been someone else?

"Care to dance?" Frodo asked, extending his hand to her. "I know you tried to kill me this afternoon."

"I almost succeeded," Zuri said in disappointment. "You're such an easy target!"

"Well, that may be true," Frodo shrugged, showing off his cheeky side. "Still, I'm asking for a dance. You intrigue me. No woman would go so far to kill the one they love."

"We are not lovers!" Zuri said, making her point firm and clear. "After tonight, you'll be on your merry way, back to the way you came from, should you survive to tell the tale."

"I'm still offering to dance with you if you'll join me. Just one night, one dance. Please?" Frodo said.

Zuri smiled. "Sure." She took his hand. "Just as long as you don't attempt to enter this land again, we're square."

"Deal," Frodo said, leading her out onto the sandy dance floor, where a bonfire was lit in the middle of the square.

Frodo found the first dance exciting. He twirled Zuri around a couple of times until she was dizzy. He laughed merrily, enjoying Zuri's near confusion. She didn't know what she was doing! That was a first! He admired her for not expecting surprises.

"Stop that!" Zuri said, seriously. She smacked Frodo on the arm in a playful manner. Two could play at this game. She tried to sneak up on him again, this time during their next dance. Frodo caught on, grabbing her, forcing them both to land on the sandy ground in laughter. They looked up as Ardeth Bay stared down at them, smiling in amusement.

"Well done, lad," Ardeth told Frodo, shaking his index finger at them. "We may make it out of this yet." He grunted as Frodo helped Zuri stand up. "What's a mummy's weakness? Love. It can make any man, woman, and child feel whole again. But love is dangerous. Use it wisely." He walked away, taking his seat on a box with a rug covering it, drinking some tea with his fellow Medjai.

"What did he mean by that?" Zuri asked Frodo, curious.

Frodo looked at her in understanding. "I don't know." He took her hand again, deciding to get away from the dancing for a while. "Come on. Mind if we stop and look at the moon?"

"There's a full moon tonight. You sure?" Zuri asked, smiling. Maybe this hobbit wasn't so bad. She nodded, beaming. "Come on. I know the perfect spot."

Frodo didn't know why he was doing this. He just loved being with Zuri. Zuri was more than a battle-hardened hobbitess. Tonight, she looked like every hobbit girl he knew at home. It was sweet. It proved she had a calmer side to her, which he admired greatly.

They moved away from the bonfire, finding a spot by an oasis to admire the moonlight. The full moon's silvery glow shone best in this area, where the crystal-clear water sparkled. Frodo smiled at Zuri, watching her fair features glowing in the moonlight. The way her cheeks dimpled, showing her warm-hearted smile and innocence, something she probably hadn't shown in a long time.

They locked eyes, brown meeting blue. Frodo moved his fingers against her cheek, leaned in, and kissed her on the lips. For a moment, all seemed well. The kiss was soothing, calm. And yet, it didn't feel right. They released, finding no spark between them. Zuri took a step back, trying to relax.

"I need to go," Zuri said, making her way back to the village.

Frodo watched her leave, unable to do anything else. He shrugged, deciding it was better to head back to the village and meet up with his friends.

.

Frodo returned to the party, surprised when Sam and Rosie pulled him into their circle with Merry. Frodo smiled, quite liking a celebration with his friends. It was the best Harvestmath festival he could have received.

The last thing he noticed was Zuri and Ardeth Bay talking.

"Do you like him?" Ardeth asked Zuri, curious.

"He's cute and a good kisser," Zuri admitted, surprised. "But he's not for me. There weren't any sparks! We're just… not meant to be. I'm sorry for bringing him here." She walked away before Ardeth could protest. What she felt was true. There was nothing there for Frodo. Nothing.

So, why did she miss him?

*.*.*

References:

The Harvestmath Festival is from the Standing Stones MMO video game, "The Lord of the Rings Online".