Rosie, Sam, nor anyone else is mine. Enjoy!

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"Why does he hates poor Smeagol? What has Smeagol ever done to him? Master? Master carries heavy burden. Smeagol knows. Heavy, heavy burden. Fat one cannot know. Smeagol look after Master. He wants it. He needs it. Smeagol sees it in his eye. Very soon he will ask you for it. You will see. The fat one will take it from you."

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"It's almost Yule," said Lily one morning at breakfast.

"I hadn't noticed," said Farmer Cotton, poking at the fire logs. Some embers flew into the air, but the fire didn't grow any bigger. Rosie tried not to shiver as she poured milk into Jolly's mug.

"You're getting awfully good at that, Rose," teased Jolly. Rosie stuck her tongue out at him and moved down to Nick, who politely lifted her cup up so she could pour more easily.

"I bring this up," Lily continued, "Because I was thinking it might be fun to have the Yuletide celebration at home this year." When the other Cottons looked aghast at her, she corrected herself. "I mean we have a party at home."

This was met by all-around excitement. Nick and Nibs began counting on their fingers all the friends they wanted to invite, Tom began wondering aloud what girl he should invite, and their father began discussing the politics of the pub, more specifically, who he should and should not invite. Rosie smiled at all this and sat down, between Nick and Jolly.

"I'm glad to see we like this plan," Lily said.

"Best idea in years," Farmer Cotton said.

"Rosie can invite some of her beaus," Jolly said.

"You mean Sam Gamgee?" Tom asked. Her brothers all grinned at each other.

Rosie found her face growing hot, but she took a drink of milk to cover it up. "Why," she said when her face felt cool enough to put her cup down, "Do you always do that?"

"Do what?" Nick looked too innocent.

"You always smile when you say 'Sam Gamgee.'"

"So do you!" Nibs giggled.

There was nothing to say to that! She took a bite of eggs to keep herself from smiling.

"I think the Gamgees will be the top of our list," Lily said with a smile.

"Mother!" Rosie cried.

"You don't mind, do you?" Lily's smile grew wider.

Rosie had to admit she had no problem with inviting the Gamgees.

Her wardrobe was terrible. How in the world had she ever thought she could manage with such plain dresses? Simple double-stitched dresses with two pockets on the skirt – was that all she owned? What was good for working at the Green Dragon or helping her father and brothers with their chores was simply not good enough for a party.

"Just wear what you wore last year," her mother advised.

Rosie glared at her. She had worn that last year.

"Anything will do," her mother said. "You look lovely in everything."

"You decide," Rosie sighed.

Lily approached the closet, and scanned the closet. "Well, I've always thought you looked very charming in your yellow dress."

Rosie looked at the dress. It was at least trying to be a pretty dress, at least, with its extra embroidering on the hems.

"Alright, I think that's a 'no,' Lily said. "Well, how about the blue dress your grandmother made for you?"

Rosie looked with more appreciation at this dress. It had nice frills on the sleeves and the collar, and very pretty buttons. But somehow, it didn't seem right. "Maybe," she said.

"Red is a very popular color this season," Lily took out Rosie's red dress, with its many bows and extra-long sleeves. She had worn it for some cousin's wedding, and it had been extremely uncomfortable, although she had received many compliments on it. "And you never wear this dress."

"I'll just wear the blue one," Rosie sighed.

He was here. She had told herself not to be nervous, and that there were more important things than Samwise Gamgee, but now he was actually here. She felt her hand go to her hair. It still seemed to be neat and in place.

Now he was here. What was she going to do? Next to her, Daisy Maggot giggled. Rosie looked at her.

"You're so cute," Daisy said.

"Why are you smiling?" Rosie asked.

Daisy smiled all the more and said, "Why don't you talk to him?"

"I don't know what to say."

"Say hello."

This sounded extremely reasonable, so Rosie stood up. Daisy giggled even more. Rosie shot her an annoyed glance. Daisy gulped her giggles and said, "I wish you had been at Sam's birthday party."

"What happened there?" Rosie asked.

Daisy's grin grew broad, and she said, "Nothing of importance."

Rosie put her hands on her hips and stuck her lower lip at her. Daisy laughed. "I'm not telling you!"

Rosie sighed and turned away. She spotted Sam with Ted Sandyman and Bulbo Twofoot over by a window. She sighed, set her shoulders, and began walking forward. She looked down, to avoid stepping on anyone's toes. She looked up again. He was still seated by the window. To her surprise, he looked up. She smiled at him without thinking about it.

He looked down again.

Rosie's smile fell. What in the world?

"Miss Rosie!"

Rosie turned to see Old Noakes calling her.

"Miss Rosie," said Old Noakes, "Could you get me another round for me and the boys?"

The Miller and the Sheriff grinned and shook their empty cups. Rosie sighed, reminded herself that she was, after all, a hostess of the party, and gathered their empty cups and brought them to the sink. She rinsed them out and set them to drain, found new mugs, filled them with ale, and brought the fresh ale to their seats with the ease of a barmaid.

"All set, boys?" she asked. They nodded and raised their cups to their lips. Rosie smiled, turned, and began again to walk to Sam.

"Ah, Rose?" Widow Rumble was calling her. Rose went immediately to the elderly lady.

"Yes, Mrs. Rumble?"

"Rose," said Widow Rumble, "Be a dear and get me another drink, hm?"

Rose resisted the urge to sigh. "Yes, of course, Mrs. Rumble." She went and got Mrs. Rumble her drink and returned, and had barely made certain the glass was steady in her hands when Farmer Maggot called for a drink.

"And get me one when you're done with that, Rosie dear," said Hob Hayward.

"Yes, here too, if you please, Miss Rosie," said Olo Toadfoot.

"Please here too, if you don't mind," said the Gaffer.

"I'll get to you all as soon as I can," Rosie said.

She never got a chance to see Sam.