"Come on Frodo, you promised!" Kalista walked behind Frodo pleading for him to tell her the story of Bilbo and the dragon, Smaug. The two hobbits were heading to the lake for an afternoon swim. When Frodo had learned Kalista had never swam before, he insisted on teaching her instantly.

Frodo smiled a little as he walked ahead of Kalista. "I know I did, but now is the time to swim, not telling tales of dragons." A slight breeze blew through Frodo's raven locks as he walked. The now twenty three year old Hobbit had matured into a striking young lad. He still had his pale skin and bright blue eyes. He had gained a little more weight, due to Bilbo insisting he eat before going out to play. Not that Frodo minded, or anyone else in the Shire for that matter. He looked over his shoulder to Kalista and smiled. "Maybe after we are done swimming I shall tell you." He chuckled. He had been saying that comment for years now. However, Kalista was stubborn. She could have asked Bilbo about the story many times now, but she never did; she wanted Frodo to tell it. Though he did not know why; it was Bilbo's story, not his.

As Frodo made it to the shore of the small lake between Hobbiton and Bywater, Frodo laid his extra clothing and towels under a shaded tree and began to unbutton his shirt. "Are you coming or am I going to be swimming alone again?" He asked with a laugh. They had come to the lake many times, but Kalista always backed away from going into the water. Frodo often forgot that Hobbits from the Hobbiton area did not swim. It was more of a Buckland think to do since they were so close to the Brandywine.

"You know I can't swim." Kalista replied. She walked slowly down to the bank of the water where Frodo was undressing. "Besides, I could get into trouble. You know mum and Da don't think swimming is natural." She pushed some of her black hair back behind her ears, still trying to get used to wearing it down. Her mother insisted Kalista start dressing like the older Hobbit she was. Now eighteen, Kalista had soon found that maturing had a lot of responsibilities. And the way she wore her hair was only a small change, compared to her other adjustments like added chores and babysitting her younger siblings.

Frodo slowly walked into the cool blue-green water and stopped when the water came to his waist. He waited for his skin to get use to the chill before going in further. Once he was ready, he waded in deeper and turned to watch Kalista and then he frowned. "Come on Kallie, come in, I can teach you to swim." He said with a gentle smile.

Kalista raised an eyebrow at Frodo and shook her head. "I will most likely sink like a rock. You go on ahead." She insisted, "besides, someone needs to guard...your um...towel!"

"Yes, my towel is SO special, it needs special protection." He stated sarcastically. He submerged his head under the water, letting the cool liquid surround his face and wet his hair. Upon coming back to the surface, Frodo shook his head to let some excess water escape. He then looked back at Kalista and frowned when he saw her rooted under the tree. "Would you rather me come out and throw you in? I don't want to swim alone."

Kalista giggled at Frodo bit the serious in the boy's face was too much to take lightly. She sat up defensively, as if preparing fir the inevitable. "Frodo Baggins, you wouldn't."

"Frodo grinned devilishly and nodded as he slowly came towards the shore. "I'll drag you in and get that pretty dress all soaked." He laughed.

Kalista got up and took a step away from the water as Frodo began to come out. "Bilbo will kill you. He bought this dress for me." She argued, but Frodo was not listening. He walked out off the water completely and came towards Kalista with an impish gleam in his eyes.

"He has bought you so many dresses that you do not wear, he wouldn't even remember it." Frodo returned. "Besides, I think I know my uncle a little more than you; he would probably laugh."

"That he might, but I still wish not to go in." Kalista stated harshly as she backed up against the tree and then turned to hide behind it. The tree was now a barrier between Kalista and Frodo. Something Kalista was thankful for. He was quite determined to drown her today.

A small game of cat and mouse then occurred as Frodo tried to trap Kalista from around the tree. Every time one moved to the left, the other moved to the right and visa versa. Eventually however, Frodo was too quick for Kalista and instead of going her opposite was, he blocked her path as she moved. Grabbing her in his arms, Frodo laughed and began tickling Kalista causing her to burst out in uncontrolled laughter.

"Alright! Alright!" Kalista yelped. She gave in to Frodo, agreeing to go into the water. Frodo then let her go and smiled triumphantly. "Just give me a moment to change. With all these layers on, I will sink to the bottom for sure." Kalista grumbled and started to remove her dress. It was a pretty thing; a soft summer blue with transparent laces, making the color even softer. It was not a fancy dress that one might wear at a party, but it was still rather fancy for romping about the Shire in. However, Kalista's mother insisted on her wearing it to appease Bilbo. Kalista hated wearing dresses, but never had the heart to tell the older Hobbit. At least by wearing the garment, he saw that Kalista did indeed wear them and his actions were not in vein. Kalista left on her chemise and looked at Frodo menacingly. "There happy now?" She asked as she slowly began walking into the water.

The water chilled Kalista at her ankles as she walked in. Fighting off a chill.

"Yes." Frodo laughed as he followed her back into the water. "We can do this slow, don't worry." He said softly and soothingly.

"Well, if I didn't know any better, Baggins, I would think this were all a scam to see what a lass looks like in her knickers." Kalista grumbled. The idea of being in her underwear, out in the open was not pleasing to her in the slightest. And it did not matter whom it was with.

Frodo laughed and pushed her slightly from behind, then he led her deeper into the water. "Kalista-Rose, you should know by now, I would never do such a thing. However...you're not bad at all." He then said thoughtfully with his eyes roaming down Kalista's body a little. The urge to laugh completely took Frodo over and he chuckled heartily.

Kalista suppressed a laugh and pushed Frodo away from her playfully. "Go ahead look, I don't care." Stepping further into the water, Kalista noticed the lake was starting to get deeper. She hesitated going further, scared that she would surly drown. But Frodo was right behind her for support. Frodo was always there if she needed help. He placed a gentle but firm hand around the small of her back and led her into the water until both Hobbits were surrounded up to their chests.

Frodo smiled at Kalista and came close to her. "Are you all right now? It is not too deep, is it?" He asked as a playful smiled crept on his face.

"No, I'm fine." she smirked a little. That was, she would be fine if he left her alone. Frodo would probably try to pull her under the water or something.

Frodo grinned and then slowly swam away from Kalista. He then began to wade around the water by himself without another care in the world. "Try it, you just relax and float." He called to her again.

Kalista folded her arms in protest. "You've got me half naked and in the water. What more do you want from me, Baggins?" She huffed a little. This was cold water compared to the hot bath water she was use to. Kalista watched him swim, it made her sick, it was like second nature to him where as she couldn't float unless she were full of air.

"I want you to stop being so huffy puffy and swim with me." Frodo demanded as he swam back over to Kalista and extended his hand out. "You shall be the first Gamgee to swim. How does that sound?" He laughed. "Something your older siblings have never done."

Kalista grumbled a little. He had her right where he wanted her. HE knew she would do anything to be better than her siblings. "If I drown, I'm going to come back and haunt you." She threatened and followed him out a little farther, trying not to let her feet come off the not to sturdy ground below. She got up to her shoulders and stopped. "This is far enough."

Frodo laughed and then shook his head. "You won't drown. Come on, a little further." He commanded, taking her wrist and pulling her out deeper until the lake floor beneath her disappeared. Frodo held on to her so that she would not go under. "Now, kick." He instructed.

Kalista did as he said, fast at first, then slowing down, jut trying to keep a rhythm, still panicking in her mind.

"You are doing well. Now, I am going to let you go." Frodo then stated, lightly letting his hands free from her.

However, Kalista suddenly grabbed for Frodo, wrapping her arms around his neck tight. "No you don't; Not yet!" She said panicking.

"All right! All right!" Frodo stated as he wrapped his arms back around her. He was fine staying a float, kicking in a slow paced rhythm. "I will not let you go until you say so." He then laughed. "But you are going to have to let go sometime..."

Kalista grumbled a little. This was crazy, she now saw why no one in Hobbiton swam, you were powerless like a baby just learning to walk. After catching her breather she loosened her grip, "All right, I'm ready now."

Frodo loosened his grip on Kalista when he felt her relax. But he did not let her go yet. "Are you sure?"

Kalista nodded, "Well, I don't have a choice." She treaded in rhythm and swam slightly backwards. She was starting to get the hang of it.

Frodo nodded and let her go, one hand at a time. "Move your arms a little." He then stated. He swam around her, trying to demonstrate.

Kalista tried, sank a little and then kicked faster to comeback up. "Like this?"

"Yes, just like that." He chuckled. "I shall call you 'Fish' for now on." He then laughed.

Kalista laughed and tried to move in the water, being somewhat productive. "You know what? This is fun."

"I told you it would be. Have I ever lied to you?" Asked Frodo as he came and swam beside her.

Kalista laughed and splashed some water at Frodo. "I'm not answering that question." she laid her head back and soaked her hair. Smoothing the dark curls back, Kalista basked in the mixture of warmth of the sun and the cool water around her. "This feels so good."

Frodo smirked at Kalista's comment and he dunked his entire head under water. "I love swimming, but no one ever comes with me." He stated, trying to make Kalista pity him. He then laughed and started swimming on his own again.

Kalista nodded a little and then smiled. This was great, and now she'd have to drag Sam out here and teach him how to swim. If only he weren't so paranoid of water. "Frodo, thank you for bringing me out here."

"You're welcome. Though, I should be thanking you in return." He smiled and came over towards her.

"Why is that?" Kalista asked, opening her eyes.

"Because you are not afraid to try new things." He laughed as he splashed Kalista with a few droplets of water.

Kalista laughed and splashed Frodo back. "I'm sorry, I can't control that I am so adventurous."

Frodo splashed her back a little harder and chuckled. "Good, because I like you that way. You are not stuck up like all the other lasses around here."

"Stuck up? What about Rose Cotton? She isn't stuck up." Kalista argued as she waded around in the lake.

"Well, I know Rosie isn't. She is a sweetheart. But she is still young and hasn't become part of any cliques yet." Frodo laughed. He dunked his head under water again and then shook the excess water out of his darkened curls.

Kalista tried to block the little spray that came off of his hair, giggling a little. "You are right, as usual."

"Right about what? Rosie?" Frodo laughed. "She is still sweet, I could not see her as anything less." He then commented. Frodo then stopped swimming when a fun idea for a game came to mind. "Kalista, play a game with me. Water tag." He chuckled.

Kalista frowned and shook her head. "You'll win though, and I don't know how to swim well enough."

"You are right, perhaps it is a little early for water tag." Frodo frowned. He then perked up again and came over towards her. She was doing quite well, swimming by herself.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Kalista asked, getting a little worried. This did not look too good; she swam back a little.

Frodo paused and looked at her, his eyes wide with curiosity. "What? I was only swimming near you." He said innocently, though a devilish grin appeared from his lips. "Can't I swim with my friend?"

"Depends on what you're going to do when you swim." She stated, pushing him away as hard as she could.

"Oh, you are too paranoid for your own good Kalista-Rose." Frodo laughed rushing after her.

"No, I'm not." She then saw him coming toward her and tried to get away, laughing, but not managing too far. Frodo laughed hard as Kalista tried unsuccessful to get away. Coming behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and immediately pulled her completely under the water.

Kalista was suddenly submerged into a dark world of grass and rock and water. She unfortunately did not get any air before she was pulled down, so she started to panic. Coming back up gasping, Kalista started to smack Frodo repeatedly. "You are rotten and wicked Frodo Baggins!" Kalista began rambling off all mean names she could think of then but all Frodo could do was laugh at her responses.

"Oh, come on, I was only joking." Frodo said, bursting into laughter.

Kalista gasped and kept rambling off names and then all so abruptly stopped and slowly joined in the laugher.

"There, I knew you wouldn't be mad." Frodo stated, though he was a little hesitant to go near the gasping Hobbitess at the moment.

Kalista splashed him hard then. "Ok, I'm done. Enough swimming for the day." She giggled and headed for shore.

Frodo sighed and swam after Kalista. He was rather tired now and could use a rest on the shore. "So, do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" He asked casually as he came to the shallow water.

"Staying away from water." She replied, "But no, not unless I'm sent for." Sitting down, Kalista grabbed Frodo's towel before he could take it and began drying herself off.

"Hey, that's mine." Frodo commented as he followed Kalista to the spot under the tree. He wrapped his arms over his bare chest, cold after coming right out of the water.

Kalista stuck her tongue out playfully, "Serves you right." She grinned, drying off her arms and hair and then tossing him his towel.

"Well, that does not help; it is all wet." He grumbled, tossing the towel over Kalista's head. He then sat down beside her and looked through his things, for something warm to put on.

Kalista laughed a little and pulled the towel off her head. "Hey!" She then shook out some water from her hair, spraying it onto Frodo. "Alright, now that I'm cold and wet, I'm going to get dressed." She stated. Frodo nodded casually and continued looking through his pack. Looking at him coolly, Kalista then cleared her throat to catch the older Hobbit's attention. Frodo looked at her and saw her holding her clothes up to her chest and he knew what she was suggesting.

"All right, don't get your ribbons in a not, I am moving." He chuckled and stood up, packs in hand, and moved over a few feet away from Kalista and turned his back to her so that she could dress without prying eyes.

Both then proceeded to dress and gather their things. Once everything at the lake was cleaned up, the two began walking back to the Hill for something to eat. It was past lunch but tea would be prepared soon. Frodo invited Kalista to join him and Bilbo for afternoon tea and she accepted. She was having too much fun and she was not about to have the day ruined by going home to her parents nagging about doing chores.

Upon Reaching Bag End, Frodo and Kalista noticed that Bilbo had company. There was a small horse and wagon in front of the smial. Frodo wondered who could be calling so he brought Kalista inside.

"Ah, that sounds like Frodo lad now." Came the cheerful voice of Bilbo. He came out of the kitchen and smiled when he saw Frodo and Kalista. "Ah, hello you two. I would like you to meet someone."

Just then, a lass came down the hall. She caught Frodo's eye immediately. She was a pretty lass with light sandy brown hair, pulled back into a bun. Her face was a light mocha and her eyes sparkled like amber. She wore a nice tan skirt and matching bodice with a light green blouse underneath. Placing her hands behind her back, she gracefully nodded her head in acknowledgement to Frodo.

Frodo stared for a moment before smiling politely. "Hello."

Bilbo smiled and brought Frodo over a little closer. "Frodo, this is Dora Boffin of Michel Delving. Her family are very good friends of mine and they are in town for business and so Dora came to say hello. You might have met her once when you were younger, but I doubt you remember."

"Unfortunately, I do not." Frodo said politely, taking Dora's hand and kissing it kindly. Dora smiled in return.

"It is a pleasure Frodo Baggins." She giggled a little. "I was hoping I would have a chance to meet you; Bilbo has told me many things about you."

"Has he now?" Frodo chuckled, looked up at Bilbo and blushing a little. "Well, I should hope they were good things."

"That they were."

Kalista was listening to everything quietly and let out a sigh. Frodo had completely forgotten about her. Was she just supposed to sit in a corner and wait till they remembered her? She then came a little closer and cleared her throat, trying to catch the other's attention.

Frodo then looked over and smiled to Kalista. "Dora, I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Kalista-Rose Gamgee. One of my best friends." Frodo smiled, wrapping his arm around Kalista's shoulder.

Dora smiled and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you Kalista. I am Dora."

"So, I have heard." Kalista replied. The comment froze Dora for a moment and there was an uncomfortable air in the room.

Finally, there was a sound of steaming water and Bilbo finally spoke up. "Ah, the tea is ready. Shall we have some?"

Everyone agreed and they all met in the common room to have their tea and some seed cakes for a snack. The conversation was not all that thrilling. Mostly talk about Dora's parents and current business from Michel Delving. Frodo was not too thrilled about that talk; he had no interest in the affairs of Michel Delving. However, he was amazed at how exquisitely Dora spoke and moved. She was quite graceful.

Kalista, on the other hand, was not happy at all. Most of her words were ignored or laughed at. She did not understand anything they were talking about and was quite annoyed at Dora. The other hobbitess always seemed to be staring at Kalista whenever she moved. Was she not acting Proper enough?

"But I do not think Mr. Grub is himself, if you know what I mean." Dora smiled. "A little too many drinks, if you follow me."

Frodo nodded in understanding and took a sip of his tea. He was about to say something then but Kalista broke in first.

"Oh Dora, tells us about the people in Michel Delving. I've never been there before. Are they kind or wicked?"

"Wicked? Well, it suppose it depends on what you mean by 'wicked.'" Dora replied, raising an eyebrow. Frodo looked over to Kalista for a moment with curiosity. 'What was she doing?'

Thinking for a moment, Dora continued. "The folks in Michel Delving are more high society then those in Hobbiton...If that is what you mean miss. Gamgee."

"So, they're hoity toity?" Kalista then asked. A grin then appeared on her face. She meant it to be as rude as it sounded. Besides, if the shoe fit...

Dora raised an eyebrow and then looked at Frodo who was giving Kalista a warning look. "What do you mean by that?" She asked calmly.

Kalista smiled politely and took a sip of her tea. "Well, I've noticed that most 'well off' people tend to be full of themselves." Kalista sipped her tea again patiently and smiled at the others.

"I don't think that is very polite to say." Dora huffed a little. "Many of my friends are from Michel Delving and none of them are 'Hoity Toity.' As you prefer to call them."

"I was only saying..." Bilbo noticed the argument starting and decided to change the subject.

"So, Doro, how are your parents?" He asked, cutting Kalista off.

Dora glared at Kalista and then smiled sweetly to Bilbo. "They are fine Mr. Baggins. Mother says hello and that she would love to have you and Frodo over to a meal or tea sometime." She then smiled at Frodo. "I would love it if you both did so sometime soon."

Frodo smiled and did not take his eyes off the girl beside him. "That would be splendid."

"Wonderful. I shall tell Mother. Well, I best be off now before they wonder where I am." Dora then smiled and stood.

Kalista smiled as she stood. "Oh, you have to go so soon, what a shame."

Frodo looked over to Kalista with a glare again and then back at Dora. "Would you like me to walk you back to Hobbiton?" Frodo asked as he stood up.

"No thank you Frodo, I drove my family's cart. But thank you kindly for the offer." She smiled. "It was nice to see meet Kalista and thank you for tea Mr. Bilbo."

"It was wonderful seeing you as well." Kalista lied. "Tell your family hullo for me." Kalista then followed Frodo and Dora outside of Bag End and watched happily as Dora mounted onto the cart.

Once Kalista saw Dora leave, She let out a sigh. "Well, I should get going home, me mum is probably wondering why I don't have the laundry done." But just as Kalista was about to walk down the lane, Frodo grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.

"Oh no you don't." He stated. "Do you mind telling me what all that was about?"

"What all what was about?" Kalista asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb. You were quite rude to Dora all during tea. It was most unlike you." Responded Frodo as he slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and walked down the road.

Kalista followed him quietly without replying to his questions. Was he mad? She didn't mean to be rude to Dora. Ok, so maybe she did, could anyone blame her? Dora was a stuck up snob and the only reason Frodo cared was because she had more going for her than an attitude. That thought alone made Kalista angrier.

"She's a snob." Kalista commented, picking up her skirt as she walked.

"She said nothing to you." Retorted Frodo. "You could have been a little more polite."

"Why?" Kalista questioned. "You were being polite enough for the both of us." She stated, clearing her throat. "Oh, Miss Boffin, I hope Bilbo has only told you good things about me!" She mimicked in a rather exaggerated proper dialect. She then proceeded to 'make-out' with her hand.

Frodo looked over and furrowed his eyebrows at Kalista. "Will you stop that? I do not act like that."

"Want to Bet?" Kalista said as she stopped her ministrations to her hand. "Had you even listened to a single word she said? Or were you too bust looking at her goods?"

Frodo stopped walking then and tried to hold in laughter but couldn't. "You saw that?"

Kalista nodded knowingly, crossing her arms over her chest and waiting for an explanation.

It was then; Lotho Sackville-Baggins and three of his friends came walking by the lake. He saw Frodo and Kalista and called to them. "Hey Frodo!" He said with a grin. "We are going to the Green Dragon. Want to come?" There was a little jest in the Hobbit's voice but Frodo did not hear it. He looked at Lotho and shook his head a little. He had never been to the Green Dragon and though he was old enough to share a few ales with the lads, he did not wish too. "No, that is all right, maybe another time." He called back.

Kalista smiled a little, glad that Frodo did not want to abandon her for those older Hobbits. She waved to the group as they met up with her and Frodo but she was ignored.

"What, haven't you been to the Dragon before?" One of the other lads asked. Frodo shook his head and Lotho came up to him. "Don't be such a sissy Frodo. There is always a first time for everything."

"I don't know, Kalista and I-"

"You can see her any time. Oh, wait, let be guess: Now that you are living with 'Mad Bilbo Baggins,' you are too good for us, ey?"

Kalista glared a little at the last remark. She was not about to be forgotten for a mug of beer! "Why don't you leave him alone Lotho?"

"Why don't you butt out short cakes?" Lotho retorted.

Kalista's jaw dropped. She was ready to punch him square in the nose! "How dare you insult a lady."

"I don't see any ladies around here. Don't you have some frogs to catch?" Lotho then stated, causing his friends to burst out into laughter.

"Leave her alone Lotho." Frodo defended calmly.

Kalista growled at the other hobbit; first he insults her height, and then says she wasn't a lady. Those were fighting words, and Lotho knew it. He also knew she would fight him and he could easily beat her, considering he was a male that was twice her size.

"Care to say that again?"

"Say what again? That you aren't a lady? Scarecrows are more lady like that you." Lotho chuckled.

"Lotho, don't get her started." Frodo insisted, walking to Kalista's side. He did not like how this was going at all.

"Awe, what is she going to do?" Lotho chuckled. "Oh, please don't hurt me Kalista lass." Lotho crooned. "Maybe she will hit me with one of her father's gardening tools seeing as he never seems to be working anyway."

Kalista's eyes then narrowed and her hands tensed into fists. He had gone to far insulting her family. Before she could think, Kalista ran and tackled Lotho onto the ground and pinned him down, punching him with all her strength.

"Gah! You little!" Lotho grunted as he tried to defend himself from her. Frodo immediately ran to Kalista and tried to pull her off. "Kalista, stop!"

"Get her off me Frodo!" Lotho yelled.

Kalista repetitively punched Lotho in the face as hard as she could while calling him every foul name she could think of. This was something Lotho deserved and she had always wanted to do it.

Lotho was getting angry now, he conjured all of his strength and grabbed a clump of Kalista's hair and pulled her away from him as hard as he could.

Kalista winced at the hair pulling, letting her guard down when she felt a few strands coming out of her head. She screamed out in pain and then felt strong hands grab around her waist. It was Frodo, trying to get her off of Lotho. But she was not having it. She wiggled out of his grip and pushed him away.

Lotho took this chance to force the girl off him. He then proceeded to stand and then grabbed Kalista, pulling her up from the collar of her dress. He was so angry, he was about to slap the girl across her face but saw Frodo. There was a defensive look in his eyes and Lotho knew if he laid a hand on her, he would have to deal with not only Frodo, but his uncle and the girl's family as well. Glaring back at Kalista, Lotho tossed her to the ground. After shooting one last look at Kalista and Frodo, he walked on. "Come on, she is crazy and obviously unstable." Lotho chuckled to them as they walked down the hill.

Kalista glared at Lotho from the ground. It was all she could do to keep from being in too much pain from the force of her fall. Frodo watched the group go and then looked at Kalista. He knelt beside her from the ground and took her in his arms. "Are you all right?"

Kalista pushed herself out of Frodo's embrace and brushed herself off. Her dress was now covered in grass stains and a little torn from where Lotho had grabbed her. "I'm fine." She returned, though it was obvious she was still angry; her face was red and her voice was strained.

"Do you have any idea how stupid that was?" Frodo then scolded as he stood.

"I won didn't I?" She rubbed the spot where her hair had been pulled. It hurt but the pain did not last long. Stroking her hair gingerly, she looked around and then at Frodo who seemed quite mad at her.

"No one wins in fighting. Do you know how mad Lobelia will be when she sees that eye you gave Lotho? You are going to hear from your parents about it. It was the stupidest thing you have ever done." Frodo stated. He did not mean to sound angry, but he was very disappointed. "Why do you always have to prove yourself?

"Because, he deserved it! And I don't care what my parents are going to tell me. If I were Samwise, Hamson or..."

"Well, you are not Hamson or Samwise." Frodo interrupted. "You can't just go bopping every hobbit who says something you don't like. It is not...

"It's not what Frodo?" Kalista snapped.

"Proper." Frodo returned.

Kalista stopped her ranting and stood quietly with a furrowed brow. "But Frodo, he deserved it! First he called you a sissy, then told me I wasn't a lady..."

"Well, you aren't exactly acting like a lady to be called one." Frodo commented.

Kalista huffed a little bit. She knew that, but then again, it wasn't the kind of thing you just said to people. "Well, I'm not going to say I'm sorry, if that's what you're getting at."

"I am not saying you have too. I am saying think next time you try to act tuff. You are lucky Lotho did not hit you like he was going too." Frodo snapped. "Come on." He then huffed. "Let's get back home."

Kalista grumbled as she followed him. "If it means any difference, I was doing it for you Frodo."

"No, you were looking for a fight." Frodo corrected. "It had nothing to do with me and you know it."

Kalista now pouted a little. He was sounding more like the gaffer than Frodo; scolding her as if she were a two-year-old. Perhaps he was right, but Kalista hated the fact that Lotho said she was not a lady. It was not something she wanted to hear, not after telling Frodo how she felt at tea.

Looking at Frodo, she felt a little embarrassed; maybe she should not have acted out like she did. But it was how she handled things and Frodo knew that. Why was he being such a jerk about it now? A thought then came to Kalista. She remembered the tea at Bilbo's and how Frodo treated Dora. He was so fixed on her. She was graceful and gentle and...Proper. Compared to Dora Boffin, Kalista must have been an animal to Frodo. "This would be a whole other story if I were Dora Boffin." She blurted out; annoyance rang though her voice clearly and unhidden.

"What does Dora Boffin have to do with any of this?" Frodo asked curiously as he stopped and looked at Kalista.

"You like her because she acts like a lady and I don't."

"That is not true." Frodo snapped back. He glared at Kalista and tried to hide the redness appearing on his cheeks.

"It is though; I've seen how you look at her, and how she looks at you." Kalista stated.

"So? I like to look at her; it has nothing to do with you and Lotho. Frodo argued and kept walking. "What is with you wanting to act like a lady all of a sudden? I thought you hated being all proper and stuffy?

"Shows what you know." She mumbled and left Frodo's side. She was too angry to argue any more.

"Oh, don't be mad." Frodo stated, catching up after her. "I am sorry if I made you angry."

Kalista put her head down, and looked at her feet as she walked. She hated having Frodo mad at her, and the only way to make him happy was to say the two most awful words Kalista could think of, so she did. "I'm sorry."

Frodo stopped and looked over to Kalista. She looked rather guilt filled and saddened. He then walked over to her and wrapped her in his arms soothingly. Then, after kissing her gently on the forehead, he smiled and his eyes sparkled with mischief. "You don't mean that...." He then stated in a soft singsong voice before pushing her away gently and began walked once more towards Bag End.

"Of course I don't mean that." Kalista then snapped back and ran after him. "I would apologize if I felt I was in the wrong, but I wasn't."

"Yes you were."

"No, I wasn't."

"We shall have to see what your father and mother will have to say about it all." Frodo then replied, causing Kalista to frown. The two then arrived back up to the Smials and stopped at Kalista's door. Both said their good byes and ending the fight. Frodo then walked up the road, returning to Bag End and Kalista sighed as she opened the door. Looking in, she saw the gaffer sitting in his chair, smoking a pipe. She then entered hesitantly and sighed.

"They shall lock me in my room for the rest of my life..."