Sorry for the delay. I was taking a break and updating my fanfics. :)

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Frodo floated on the Bywater Pool's surface. It was nice to have the lake all to himself, even while the fish swam and jumped in the air, before diving back into the water. He sighed in relaxation, enjoying this moment—

"Rolf! Rolf!" Chester barked incessantly.

Frodo chuckled – at least, for a short while.

"Rolf! Rolf! Rolf, rolf!" Chester yapped nonstop. Frodo wondered what the issue was… oh, wait. Chester wanted to save him. The gentle-hobbit rolled his eyes. Of course, his Sussex Spaniel wanted to save him. It wasn't as if he was in danger.

Or maybe Chester wanted to jump into the water… hmm… that was a thought. Alright, he would set his dog free and maybe they could both enjoy the water!

Frodo swam towards the shore. With one last effort, he climbed onto the green, grassy bank, releasing Chester from his leash and tossing it aside. Chester wagged his tail, jumping up and down like a rabbit. Frodo couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are dogs for?" He said with a smile. "Come on, Chess! Do you want to get into the water?!" He got a yap from his dog. "You do?! Come on, then! Let's go in!"

Frodo ran into the water, stunned to find Chester already diving in on his left. As he swam, he noticed how fast his dog was chasing him. Those big paws were so powerful that he nearly mistook his dog for a waterdog. By the time he stopped swimming and floated on the water's surface, a good few feet from shore, Frodo spun around in time to see his dog join him.

Chester didn't want to save him this time. He just wanted to play!

Frodo chuckled, petting his dog's head. He smiled, glad to have Chester with him this sunny morning—

"Well, look what we have here," said a shrewd, masculine voice. Frodo stopped looking at his dog and faced the figure who spoke. No! It was the sandy-haired hobbit Lotho Sackville-Baggins. What was he doing here? "Come to swim? This is my property, Frodo Baggins! Now, you and your mutt get out of the water!"

Frodo looked at his dog for help. Chester cocked his head, barking in shock and confusion. Oh no! What was he going to do? He didn't know, but he had to think of something!

"Get out of there," Lotho complained, "before I call the Shirriff! Bringing a dog into the water, when this pool is meant for fishing…" he sniffed the air, "…it's unheard of!"

"Come on, Chess." Frodo gestured with his head, leading his dog back to shore. Just as he grabbed the leash and attached it to Chester's collar, he looked at Lotho, who turned red with rage. "What do you want?"

"This pool is meant for my family," Lotho told him, content. "You and your dog need to find a new place to swim – oh!"

"Grrr!" Chester growled.

"Easy there, boy!" Frodo whispered to his Sussex Spaniel. He faced Lotho again, frustrated. "This pool is for the community! We hobbits of the Shire, Hobbiton, and Bywater have access to this pool!"

"I don't care if you think you're so bold! This pool is mine!" Lotho turned to the dog. Chester charged towards him, only to be held back by Frodo. "Down boy! Easy does it! Noo! I'll get you for this, Frodo! This is the last time you'll ever see me with your dog!" He ran off before Chester could bite him.

"You were a good boy today, Chess!" Frodo said to his dog, politely. "Yes, good boy!" He petted Chester, watching his tail slap the earth several times in delight. "But it's not wise to bite people." Frodo checked himself over. He needed a bath. Or maybe his clothes would dry off on the way back to Bag End. Either way, he was ready to go home. "Come on, Chess." He said, leading his dog back to the village market, where he hoped he wouldn't interrupt anybody – well, he could hope, couldn't he?

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Thanks for reading. :)