D/N: I don't own anything except for my characters and my plot.

Author's note: Thanks you guys for all your reviews, yeah I am sorry that I had to leave ya'll hanging but that is the way it's got to be. So but anyways here it goes. Oh by the way this is another one of those long chapters so brace yourselves.

It Is You I Had Loved

Ch. 7. It's In His Kiss

"If you want to know if he loves you so it's in his kiss, that's where it is. Oh yeah it's in his kiss that's where it is."

"Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away

Christmas is here, bringing good cheer, to young and old, meek and the bold,

Ding dong ding dong that is their song with joyful ring all caroling One seems to hear

words of good cheer from everywhere filling the air Oh how they pound, raising the sound, o'er hill and dale, telling their tale, Gaily they ring while people sing songs of good cheer, Christmas is here, Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, On on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home Dong Ding dong ding... dong!"

The choir outside of Brandyhall sang sweetly in the Christmas air. It was Christmas Eve and the annual party had begun. There were cheers and laughter. A surplus of food and drink that could satisfy the appetite of all the guests there lay on the tables. The roaring fires gave warmth and light accompanying the lit candles that were decorated everywhere about the place. Holly and mistletoe hung from every doorway as couples walked under them carrying on with the tradition of showing their passion towards one another. Presents lay under the Christmas tree and music had started up. All the furniture has been moved to make a dance floor for the merry hobbits of the Shire.

Merry and Pippin stood with their mugs of ale held high over their heads singing at the top of their lungs "Deck the Halls". Others began to join in with them as the Christmas spirit rose in even the gloomiest of hearts. Hazel and her friends were entering the hall as the caroling of the two cousins and their other choir members filled their ears. Hazel's heart gave a leap as she stared at Merry laughing and smiling. Estella nudged her; Hazel turned and looked at her. Both knew that tonight was to be a night to remember.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Frodo fixed his collar. He tried to comb his hair again trying to let it not just look as if he had woken up from bed, for indeed he had only fifteen minutes ago. Merry had run past his room and called for him to start getting ready for the feast. Getting his vest over his shirt and making sure for the last time that he had buttoned up his shirt correctly he sprinted down the corridor.

He was greeted with the many sounds of laughter and joy. He caught sight of Pippin amongst all the green and red and went over to him.

"Hello, Pippin, Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too, Frodo I was wondering when you would be getting over here."

"Sorry can you believe that all that decorating wore me out and I had to take a quick nap."

"Oh really well we have missed you for the passed half an hour. But no worries, better late than never as your Uncle Bilbo would say." Pippin patted Frodo on the back and ventured off somewhere.

Frodo caught sight of other friends of his and went over to start up a friendly conversation. Soon the general beginning of the feast was announced even though the majority of the guests there had already helped themselves to their fourth helping. There was a scramble to get to the buffet tables as the ones who had been polite raced to get the remainder of the food. Piling his plate high with turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mushrooms, rice, and pudding Frodo found himself at the end of the buffet table quarreling with Hazel over the last loaf of bread.

"As you can see I had my hand on it first therefore it is rightfully mine", argued Hazel grabbing the loaf from under Frodo's fingers.

"Oh I beg to differ, you see before you ever touched the bread I was already eyeing it. Therefore it is rightfully mine." Frodo grabbed the bread from her.

She frowned and tried to grab it out of his hand. He held it up high over his head so that she couldn't reach it. She set her plate down and began to jump for it, narrowly missing it by a couple of centimeters.

"Fine then Mr. Baggins if your desire for this loaf of measly bread is so much then you can have it. After all they just brought out more from the kitchen." Hazel turned from him and walked away back to where she had set her plate down.

Frodo laughed and set his prize down on top of his plate. He then went over to the huge table and took a seat between Estella and Merry. At the head of the table sat Saradoc Brandybuck the master of Brandy Hall. Along beside him was his wife, and on his other side sat Paladin and his wife. Bilbo sat beside Mrs. Brandybuck in deep conversation with Mr. Bolger. Saradoc pounded his goblet for silence. Finally everyone was quite as they all turned to hear the traditional Christmas greeting from the master of the house.

"Good evening and Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" responded everyone in unison.

"Oh how it warms my heart to see such wonderful and admirable hobbits. Every year I look forward to this day and every year I leave this hall satisfied with another wonderful and successful Christmas. So as is tradition here in Brandy Hall, we will have our feast and then have dancing and be merry till midnight when we will exchange our gifts with one another. Merry Christmas to all and let's dig in!"

Everyone applauded at Saradoc's wonderful words. Frodo needn't be told twice. He and Merry attacked their food at identical times, pretty soon a race had begun between the two of them to see who could finish their food first. Merry won, but as a result had to step out for "a bit of fresh air". Frodo wiped himself with a napkin and took a big gulp from his cup. Beside him an excited conversation was taking place in hushed voices.

"Can't wait."

"Do you think that he is going to notice?"

"Nah, I don't think so anyway it can't fail it is flawless!"

"Oh Hazel I am so excited for you your dream is finally going to come true!"

Frodo listened in without drawing too much attention to himself. Pretending to be extremely interested in a mushroom that was the only remnant of his meal left on his plate he strained his ears to catch every word.

"But Hazel what if someone else walks under the mistletoe at the same time?"

"See you won't draw any attention to that. Your job is to wait until he is under the mistletoe with me. Then you can point it out to the rest of the people around us."

"Do you honestly think that this might prove once and for all whether he likes you or not?"

"Of course, my sister Priscilla says that the only way to know whether if someone loves you or not is by his kiss."

Frodo's fork went deep into the last mushroom as he brought it to his mouth. Obviously this was another one of those "How-to-get-together-with- Merry-in-an-inconspicuous-way" of Hazel's. Frodo chuckled at the thought. This was going to be interesting.

"Frodo."

Frodo turned to find Merry at his side, the girls' conversation immediately stopped. Frodo fought the urge to laugh.

"Yes?"

"Come there is someone outside asking for you, I think it's a dwarf."

Oops. Frodo had forgotten about that. He excused himself from the table and followed Merry outside. He heard curious whispers behind him; maybe the girls had been curious to see a dwarf. Once outside Frodo stared through the small curtain of falling snow and found there to be a pony and cart. Atop the cart was a rather fat dwarf with a long grey beard. He smiled and waved at Frodo as he stepped down from his post.

"Gloin, Merry Christmas! It's wonderful to see you." Frodo gave the old dwarf a pat on the back.

"Yes well merry whatever to you too young Master Baggins. My, my boy, have you grown taller?"

"I would hope so it's only been about five years since I last saw you."

"Yes well you have grown to be a wonderful looking young dwarf-er- excuse me young hobbit."

Gloin stood back and caught sight of the crowd standing behind Frodo.

"Come boy, where's your manners? Why don't you introduce me to these fine young hobbits, eh?"

"Oh, yes I'm sorry. Um, this is my cousin Meriadoc Brandybuck." Frodo introduced everyone else. It so happened that all of the girls who had been sitting next to him had decided to come along as well. As he went naming them off they each gave Gloin a little curtsey and allowed him to take their hand and kiss it, as a friendly greeting. After introducing Diamond Long Cleave to him Frodo turned to Gloin.

"Um, thanks Gloin. Would you like to come inside I am sure Bilbo would love to see you again."

"Well I suppose I won't mind stopping for a quick chat. But here let me give you a hand with these."

Frodo glanced back at the girls who were watching quietly. Merry was off to the side trying to look at what was hidden inside the cart. Frodo caught Hazel staring at the back of Merry's head for a while. He rolled his eyes.

"Um, it's getting too cold out why don't you all go back inside where it is warm. Merry can you tell Bilbo that Gloin is here?"

Merry nodded and he led the way back inside the hall. Hazel looked over her shoulder to catch another glimpse of the cart and was off.

"Are any of those lasses yours?"

Frodo turned abruptly and looked at Gloin. He was wearing a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh no, they are all just good friends whom I haven't seen in a while. Not since the accident."

"Oh, I see."

Frodo nodded and then with one more quick glance to make sure no one was watching he helped Gloin take out his Christmas presents from the cart.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Why do you suppose that dwarf was here?" Laura asked.

"I don't know but it sure was exciting to meet one! I have never met anyone else from a different race before!" cried Estella happily.

"I have. When my family and I go down to Bree to visit our relatives I see dwarves and men all the time." Hazel shrugged.

"Well aren't you the special one?" Diamond rolled her eyes.

"You know I think he is one of the dwarves that accompanied Bilbo on his adventure long ago."

Hazel looked over to the fireplace. There stood Merry talking to Bilbo who was sitting in an armchair smoking his pipe. Bilbo was smiling and laughing at whatever Merry was telling him. Merry wore a smile that could cause anyone to melt.

"Hazel?"

"Hmm."

"Stop drooling you are going to make it seem more obvious than it already is", Diamond scolded.

"Yeah besides remember today we are going to carry out this plan of yours," said Stefine.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" asked Sarette looking a tad bit worried.

Now that Hazel thought about it she wasn't sure if she wanted to go through with it at all. She started to shiver thinking about it. Her heart pounded in her chest. She felt scared and excited at the same time.

"Yes I am sure of it" she replied.

"Well whatever happens we just want you to know that we are here for you, Hazel," said Jaclyn.

"Thanks you guys."

"So when are we going to do it?" Laura asked.

"I say now because Merry has just left Bilbo", Stefine began to fidget with her hair as she always did when she got excited.

"Now?" Hazel was in shock. She wasn't ready for this yet.

"Yes. It's almost eleven." Sarette checked the big grandfather clock.

"But, but shouldn't I wait till it's close to twelve?"

"You know I think she has a point", Diamond said.

"Diamond I hear someone calling your name," said Estella.

They all looked around. It was a hobbit lad named Tarin Elmswood who was gesturing her to join him at the food table. Diamond rolled her eyes. He had had a crush on her since they were really small. He was a year older than her and not very good looking. But being that it was Christmas Diamond went over to where Tarin was standing.

Hazel and the others followed giggling waiting to see what Diamond would do. They were both talking and Tarin offered her a loaf of bread.

"Like she couldn't have gotten that for herself", breathed Sarette.

Diamond kindly refused and he seemed to have asked her to dance. Diamond was really being very nice for she said yes. They began to walk to the other room where the dancing was being held. Hazel then stopped. Why that no good son of a toadstool! He was going to carry out the same plan that she wished to do with Merry on Diamond. Diamond had obviously not figured it out yet for she let him lead her toward the door.

Hazel dashed forward and tried to get across the crowded room. But she was too late. Tarin had stopped at the door and had wrapped his arms around Diamond and kissed her openly on the lips. Hazel watched as Diamond stood there for a second in shock, her eyes wide, and then it happened. Diamond had kicked Tarin between his legs. He let go of her. Hazel felt someone brush past her and saw that it was Pippin. He went over and stood by Diamond's side. Tarin was kneeling on the ground doubled over. Hazel was beside Diamond as well.

"Are you all right?" Pippin asked Diamond looking worried yet angry at the same time.

"Yes Pippin I am fine."

"Why you no good son of a pig!" Pippin bent down and grabbed Tarin by the collar of his shirt. He pulled him up so that Tarin's face was at the same level as his own. Hazel turned around and saw that they were now in the center of a circle. She could see Sarette and Estella amongst the crowd. The others must have gone off to fetch Mr. Brandybuck and Mr. Long Cleave.

Frodo, Merry, and Alastor pushed their way to the front of the crowd and came into the circle. Sarette and Estella followed. Together they hugged Diamond. Diamond was still looking at Tarin, cold fury in her eyes. Pippin still had a hold on Tarin. He grabbed him with only one hand while his other curled into a fist and bent back, ready it seemed to punch Tarin in the face.

"Pippin, no!" cried Diamond. And Merry and Frodo dived forward to hold Pippin back. Alastor went behind Tarin and grabbed him.

Finally Saradoc Brandybuck along with Mr. Long Cleave and Tarin's own father arrived on the scene. Jaclyn and Mrs. Long Cleave raced forward and hugged Diamond. Mr. Brandybuck was furious. Mr. Elmswood apologized over and over again to both the Long Cleaves and Mr. Brandybuck for his son's behavior. As a result the Elmswood family left the party looking both ashamed and furious at their son. Bilbo had meanwhile managed to get to the group and was trying to calm Diamond down.

Hazel couldn't help but smile at Diamond's reaction. It wasn't that she was crying and frightened. It was that she had to be constrained in order not to have gone running after Tarin and punched the living daylights out of him herself. She wouldn't talk to anyone but her pretty face looked fierce. Her lips had thinned and she looked flustered. But they all managed to calm her down, and an aggravated Saradoc Brandybuck announced to everyone that the party should continue as if nothing had happened. Of course now the hall was buzzing with talk about the whole incident.

Most angry of all was Pippin. He stood the rest of the time at Diamond's side as if he was her bodyguard or something. Hazel smiled knowingly. And for the first time Diamond didn't complain about his company. Due to all this it was a quarter to twelve and she had forgotten all about her plan, until Estella had reminded her.

"Are you going to do it?"

"No, `Stella I can't I just can't. Not after what just happened to poor Diamond."

"Oh come on Hazel that was no big deal! It's not like Diamond got hurt, besides she took very good care of herself and I talked to her and she says that you should still go through with it."

"Well I don't know."

"Come on just try, please! It's almost twelve you said you would."

Hazel took a deep breath and relaxed. Yes she had to go through with it she had to, this was her only chance.

Summoning up courage she walked over to where she saw Merry standing and talking to Alastor in the other room. She would ask him to dance with her the last dance of the evening, since she hadn't danced all night. She gazed intently at Merry as he talked to Alastor.

"Here we go", she breathed.

Just as she was entering the other room, someone bumped in to her. She turned a bit shocked and gasped in surprise as she saw none other than Frodo Baggins standing beside her. He had been carrying a mug of hot chocolate and had accidentally bumped into her.

"Oh, sorry," he said stepping away from the puddle of hot chocolate on the floor.

"No it's alright", she answered as she glanced to look at Merry. Then she noticed that Merry was looking at her and so was Alastor. Had Frodo dropped hot chocolate on her and she had not noticed? Then she heard a gasp behind her and saw that Estella, Diamond, Jaclyn, Laura, Stefine, Sarette, and Pippin were all standing and staring at them. Estella's eyes traveled up above Hazel and that was when she realized what had happened. When Frodo had stepped away from the puddle of hot chocolate he ended up standing right beside her.underneath the doorframe.

Frodo was obviously confused. Her face must have shown how shocked she was for he looked at her puzzled. His big blue eyes reflected in the light.

"Couple under the mistletoe!" Pippin cheered.
What! No, no, no. Pippin! Hazel felt dazed, dizzy, furious, and scared at the same time.

Frodo then looked up above them and saw the tiny plant hovering above them menacingly. His eyes grew wide as he returned his gaze towards her. A crowd had formed around them once the other hobbits had realized who was under the mistletoe. Hazel wanted to scream or something, but it was too late. Even Mrs. Brandybuck and her mother were in the crowd watching with girlish eyes at the pair of them. Someone started up a chant. "Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her!"

No, no don't kiss me! No, no no! Hazel was at a lost. She turned to Frodo again and she saw that he was looking at the crowd in utter horror. Her heart started to pound again in her chest. Her palms became very sweaty. She promised herself that whatever she did she wouldn't kiss Frodo. Then the chant died down as everyone watched. The clock then struck midnight. Dong, dong! Its sound echoed across the hall. Then the crowd parted as Saradoc stepped forward wearing a broad smile.

"As is tradition here, we always have a last everything before midnight. A last dance, a last meal, and now we will have the last couple under the mistletoe kiss one another. Not until they have completed tradition we will not exchange presents."

What! That was so unfair! Who made up that stupid rule? Hazel saw Frodo glare at his uncle, who merely chuckled and scooted back into the crowd. The chant started up again. Hazel searched the crowd and her heart fell as she saw that Merry was among those who were chanting.

"Hey."

Hazel turned and saw Frodo edging towards her reluctantly. Hazel raised her eyebrows.oh no.

"Let's just get this over with," he whispered so that no one could hear. Hazel's eyes widened. He wasn't surely thinking about doing it!

"I mean it's just one kiss what can it hurt? Don't get me wrong I wish as much as you do that I didn't have to do this, but it's the only way to get out of here." He shivered at the very thought of it.

He had a point. Hazel nodded. Her throat seemed to have forgotten how to talk for she couldn't utter a sound. Frodo closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. The chanting had by now subsided as everyone watched Frodo bend down. Hazel looked up and her heart pounded in her chest as she saw Frodo get closer and closer. Finally she closed her eyes and trembled as his lips touched her own. It wasn't a real kiss, really, more like a peck on the lips and it only lasted a second. But it seemed to satisfy the crowd for there was a cheer and they all wandered off heading for the Christmas tree to get their presents.

For a minute both Hazel and Frodo didn't know what to say. She was surprised to find herself blushing like crazy. But she was not the only one for Frodo had a deep pink color on his cheeks. She smiled sheepishly, and so did he. Her heart was still pounding inside her but not as bad as it had been before. But then they were both called for and taking one last look at one another they ran off to join their friends. As Hazel reached her group of friends she glanced away and caught Frodo's eye across the room he smiled and so did she. "Oh well, she would try to get Merry next time," she thought. Then she frowned as she met a jumping Estella. That had been her first kiss.