The dance sequence was inspired by the 2011 live-action film, titled "Red Riding Hood". Also, I was listening to Fever Ray's song "The Wolf", which was in the film, as I drafted this second one-shot chapter.

Fall Harvest Party, One-Shot

Merry was the first one dressed and ready for the party. As he waited for his eldest cousin, Merry looked out the rectangular glass window, but found sunset was already across the horizon. When Frodo finally entered the parlour wearing a party vest, white tunic, and velvet breeches, Merry stared at his cousin up and down with his eyes.

Merry told him, jokingly, "Good, but if I were you I would have wore something better… something more suited to your odd behavior."

In a serious tone, Frodo replied, "Merry, can we…"

"After you, cousin," said Merry, happily. As he followed his cousin, Merry asked, curiously, "You aren't going to wear that vest. Are you?"

"Merry," snapped Frodo, softly, before he opened the front green door, letting his cousin leave Bag End first.

Nightfall approached fast as the two hobbits arrived in Bywater. As they came to the village square, Frodo and Merry saw several young hobbits dancing by the Maypole. Frodo noticed some of the elder hobbits speaking in loud chatters over by the Ivy Bush and the Green Dragon Inns. As Merry joined the younger hobbits on the dance floor, which was covered in brown dirt, Frodo walked around the village for a few moments. Then he saw the newcomer family of hobbits, wearing different shades of grey and raven colors. From their expressions, Frodo could tell right away the parents of the three hobbit children did not enjoy parties. However, he noticed the youngest hobbit tween, the only son of the parents, seemed a little interested in the dances.

Frodo's attention snapped towards Sam, who spoke in great concern, "Is everything all right, Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes," said Frodo, slightly distracted.

"Are you sure?" asked Sam, growing suspicious. "Who are you looking for?"

Gaffer interrupted. "Sam, m'boy, why aren't you dancing?"

A smirk came across Frodo's face, as he faced Sam. "I would ask Sam the same question."

"Actually, I would rather have another round," said Sam in reply, making an excuse to avoid dancing with any hobbit lass.

"Tell me you aren't about to ask Rosie Cotton for a dance," asked Frodo, more as a statement-of-fact.

Sam muttered, guiltily, "Maybe…"

Gaffer interrupted. "Well, there she is." Facing Frodo, Gaffer told him, "I think Sam needs a little encouragement."

"Thank you, Gaffer," muttered Sam, a little frustrated.

Gaffer began to explain, "I was merely pointing out…"

This time, Frodo interrupted. "Sam, what are you waiting for?"

"I suppose you're right." As Sam passed his master, he muttered in warning, "Just be careful."

"I will," muttered Frodo in reply, a moment before he approached the dance floor.

o-o-o

Thirty Minutes Later…

After leaving the dance floor, before the next dance started, Frodo peered at the hobbit family, whose gazes looked prepared to attack on sight. Before he could react, Frodo was shoved hard by Merry, who forced Frodo to fall forwards, right on top of Lydia. A few seconds after Lydia recovered from the blow, she shoved Frodo hard off of her, hurtling Frodo into Merry who was taking a swig from his mug.

Once her father helped her up from the pebbled and dirt ground, Lydia heard her father ask, "Are you all right, Lydia?"

"I'm fine," said Lydia, a little weak. Regaining her strength almost too quickly, Lydia's gaze snapped viciously towards Frodo as she whispered to her father, "Why is he following me, Papa?"

"Lydia, I'll take care of this one," whispered Lydia's father, softly. Facing Frodo, Lydia's father told him, pleasantly, "My apologies. Lydia is not used to seeing… hobbits."

Confused, Frodo responded, "That's all right." He added as an attempt to leave them alone, "I'm sorry I intruded on your family discussion."

Lydia answered immediately, startling the hobbit, "Don't be, Frodo. I wasn't expecting you to come and meet my family, or crash into me."

"I'm sorry… what?" asked Frodo, now confused. He made a quick recovery, "I should return to the party."

At once, Lydia's father told him, "That sounds like a good idea. My name is Baldur and this is my wife Cordula, Lydia you know, my second daughter Bettina, and my son Edwin. Together, we are the Maether family."

While confused, Frodo nodded at the hobbit family. "Pleased to meet all of you, but I certain my friends need me… I need to ask my cousin Merry for an apology, as he was the one who shoved me in the first place."

Baldur asked his eldest daughter, "Lydia, why don't you have a dance with Mr. Baggins?"

Frodo asked, at once, in confusion, "What?"

However, Frodo saw Baldur and Lydia speak in low whispers that he couldn't understand. After a brief debate, Frodo heard Baldur give another answer, "It's settled. Lydia will dance with you and the party can go on as planned." He then cocked a hungry look at the hobbit, "I hope that is all right with you."

Nervously, Frodo replied, "It's no problem, I'm sure." Facing Lydia, Frodo asked as he extended a hand to her, "Shall we, Lydia?"

Once Lydia took his hand, Frodo escorted her out to the dance floor, where he found Merry dancing as well as Sam and Rosie. At first, Frodo did not think Lydia could dance, but then he was surprised by how quickly Lydia learned all the steps, even in the slower dances. As time passed, Frodo nearly forgot where he was, yet he also became mesmerized by Lydia's movements. Before the night grew too old, Lydia led Frodo away from the party towards the Maypole. Without looking, Frodo collided hard into the thick wooden pole, forcing him to fall backwards, hitting his head against the pebbled dirt ground.

o-o-o

Regaining consciousness, Frodo opened his eyes and found he was lying on grassy ground, near the Lake. Feeling a sharp headache, Frodo sat up and looked around the village, only to discover the only sounds coming from Bywater were crickets chirping, while lightning bugs glowed throughout the grassy fields and across the Lake's watery surface. Just as he moved, Frodo glanced up at a dark grey wolf, which was advancing towards him and barring its teeth.

Frodo nervously looked over his shoulder as the wolf stopped, inches before him. Almost in a whisper, Frodo heard a feminine, snarling voice inside his head: I would stay where you are, Frodo Baggins. The others might see you.

Frodo attempted to ignore the voice, but he soon realized who or what had spoken. Staring at the wolf, Frodo asked, "You can read my thoughts, wolf?"

The wolf growled furiously at the hobbit. I am not just a wolf, nor am I fully capable to be a hobbit.

Gazing into the wolf's eyes, Frodo saw they were changing fast. "You have wolf's eyes – and hobbit eyes? How is that possible?"

The wolf snarled at him. You do not listen well. Do you, Frodo? She then added out of curiosity, If you promise not to tell anyone of this secret, will you run away with me?

Frodo explained, "Run away with you? You are a wolf and wolves kill hobbits." He paused, and then said, hesitantly, "I am sorry, but I cannot leave the Shire with you –"

The wolf interrupted, harshly. Then you have learned nothing from this discussion, Baggins! I am coming for you as the full moon wanes. Make your decision before the end of tonight, or watch your friends and relatives die. She vanished into the darkness of nightfall a few seconds later, leaving Frodo stunned and bewildered.