For the past week Hobbiton and Bywater, had been in a flurry of activity and wagging tongues.  Simply because Bennie Baggins had decided to host a pony race.   The lucky winner would go home with a purse containing a tidy sum and one of Bennie's purebred foals.  I don't think I've seen the village in such an uproar since Bilbo's 111th birthday party.  

According to the talk flying around the village, the race was to be a grand affair, with Bennie's father Bodo contributing to the winning purse, and,  it was well known that Bodo was one of the wealthiest Hobbits in the Shire.  His precocious daughter had hit upon a novel way of taking  care of the food arrangements for such an extravagant occasion.  Instead of cooks for the event, she had worked out an agreement whereby the local food vendors could set up tents or carts for a samll fee and pander their delectables to the hungry crowd, at more than reasonable prices, of course. The gossip was, that the proprietors of the respective taverns, Ivy Bush and the Green Dragon were vying for the privilege to set up a tent as the sole provider of spirits.  There were even various games, such as tug of war and foot races scheduled before the main event.

 As if all this wasn't cause enough for excitement, the actual pony race was to be an open affair, meaning that anyone who had a pony capable of competing could enter. This interpreted to the most of the locals as anyone who had a beast with four legs that could draw breath was eligible.

For the past several days the surrounding countryside rang with the sound of hoof beats and the whoops of the competitive lads, (and a few ladies) as they practiced racing up and down the roads and across country.  Anyone brave enough to venture out of doors and onto the village roads was in danger of being run down.

Two days before the race, Sam and I actually managed to arrive on foot at the Green Dragon.
The normal group was there, with a few notables from the other Farthings--obviously in town for the great race.  We looked about and soon found Fatty and Folco, along with Ted Sandyman, having an animated conversation with non other than Merry and Pippin.

"My money is on that fellow, Bramble Owlerson," Folco was saying smugly.  "I've seen him race that little pony of his and it rarely breaks into a sweat when all is said and done."

"If you really believe he'll win, I'd wager you'd be putting down more shillings and less chatter." Merry replied.

"I understand your father is sponsoring a rider," Fatty said to Pippin between bites of stew.

"It won't be Merry, though," Pippin chattered.  "Uncle Saradoc doesn't want to lose the race and the pony, too."  He looked up as we pulled up chairs.  "Frodo!  Merry, it's Frodo!  You won't have to hunt him down for a loan now!"

Merry gave Pippin a playful shove that nearly toppled the younger Hobbit from his chair, then he greeted Sam and me a ready grin.   "Hello, Frodo!  Sam!  Never mind what Pippin is saying.  He's got his facts all wrong..."

"I don't have my facts wrong," Pippin , who had recovered his composure swiftly, insisted.  "You're the one grousing that your Father won't loan you another farthing until you pay him back for that antique clock you broke." Suddenly, he jumped as if bitten by a mouse.  "OW!"

Merry had his best face on, acting as if nothing happened.  "Well, Frodo, are you planning on entering the race?" He looked at Sam.  "Or are you going to sponsor a rider instead?"

Ted Sandyman hooted.  "Samwise Gamgee on a pony?  In a race? Now that I would pay to see!"

Sam's face turned bright red.  In fact, the only time I've ever seen him more embarrassed or upset was if Rosie Cotton's name was mentioned.

"Oi can ride a pony," he said in retort.  "But come to think of it, Oi've never seen you on a pony afore, Ted..."

"I'm not the racin' type," Ted said.  "I prefers to watch.  Less chance of trouble that way."

 "Less trouble 'cause 'e don't know how to get a pony going in the same direction as 'im unless it's fastened to a mill cart!" Sam muttered.

Merry looked at me again.  "Aren't you going to enter the race, Frodo?  I've got lots of folk willing to wager on the outcome if you're one of the contestants."

I had to laugh.  "I'll wager that they will win if they bet against me, Merry.  The last time I went for a gallop, the pony dumped me headfirst into a hedge!  Just ask , Sam he was there to help pick me up.”

“Yes, but it was one ‘o Miss Bennie’s ponies you was ridin’, Mr. Frodo.  And, that says it all!”

"Aw, come on, Cousin!" Merry goaded.  "What became of that brazen lad that used to live in Brandy Hall who could ride a pony pell-mell across the fields and grab the prize before a winner could be announced?"

“Ah...that lad...” I said with a grin.  “ I believe he hit a tree branch and got knocked off his mount.”

“Come to think of it, weren’t you on one of Bennie’s father’s ponies that time?”  Fatty interjected.

Sam gave a barely perceptible snort, as if to emphasise that proved that Bennie’s family bred beasts of questionable reputation.

"Well..I say with the right pony under you, you could still beat any other rider," Fatty said, licking his fingers and patting his stomach.

"I'll drink to that."

Fastred Brandybuck came over--or rather, stumbled over-- and stood swaying slightly as he spoke.  "In fact, I think I shall!" He grabbed a tankard of ale off the tray of a passing tavern worker.  "Of course, that's if I, myself, don't enter."

Sam sniffed.  "Yer drunk."

"And you, my dear Sir (hick) are not!"  Fastred downed his ale, belched and waved for a refill as he grabbed a nearby chair and fell into it.  Then he turned his attention to me.  "I say that you and I have un-(hick)-finished business to attend to... and what better way to settle it than by being in the race?  Winner gets the prize...(hick) and the hand of the fair Bervena-- I mean, Verbena-- Baggins!”

I frowned.  "I don't care to discuss the situation with you, Fastred.  You are far too wasted to make much sense of anything.  Besides, if I were to enter the race, it wouldn't be to win the hand of Bennie."

"And why not?" a feminine voice spoke up.

I cringed, then turned to face Bennie, or rather, Verbena Baggins. She was regarding me with a wickedly impish grin. She was accompanied by her Mother, Lavender Baggins, who, as ususal, looked somewhat put out with her errant daughter.  And, no matter what I might say in her presence, it would surely be construed to indicate that I was, indeed, pursuing Bennie's hand in marriage--something, I'm sure, that Lavender was more than hoping would happen.

Bennie saved me from answering as she promptly announced. “ Actually, it seems that I should be the one to decide on the prizes offered, since I am the one who is hosting the race. Besides, I rather resent that without my consent, I’m being considered as part of the purse, like a some sort of trophy to be displayed, despite-”

“Oh really?” Fastred hiccupped, interrupting her. “ I thought you liked being on display.”

Bennie shot him a withering look before continuing, “As I was saying, despite the fact that one of the riders happens to be something of an eligible and handsome prize himself.” She finished, leveling a smoldering glance in my direction.  

I felt my face grow hot, but it turned even more red as she suddenly pushed past Fastred, draped her arms around my neck and proceeded to kiss (or was it lick?) my ear.

"Verbena!" Lavender's sharp voice resounded through the common room.  "Proper young ladies don't behave like that in public!"

"Yeah, Verbena...not in pub-(hick)-lic!" Fastred slurred.  "Why I wonder what the two of you do in the privacy of Bag End...."  Whereupon, Lavender promptly cuffed him..

Ted was having a great time watching this.  "What's this? Do we have a jealous boyfriend?"

"Bugger off, Sandyman," Fastred smiled back, his jaw obviously clenched.  "You don't know  anything about it!"

“Oh...I wouldn’t say that...Fastred...You sure make sure we do."

Merry sat back, looking at the two of us.  "I say Fastred's right on one thing.  You really should enter the race, Frodo, if nothing else, to prove that you are a far better rider than he is."

I started to protest, but Bennie spoke up first.  "I think it a lovely idea.  You're a much better rider than Fastred when he's sober... just think how easy it will be if he's soused."

Fastred was fit to be tied.  He slammed his hand on the table. "Hah! I can beat Frodo in this race!  I'll not only win the race, but I’ll have Bennie as well! See if I don’t!"

Bennie glared at Fastred bofore kissing me again (and I wondered briefly if the innkeeper had stoked the fireplace).  "You can do this, Frodo," she whispered in my ear.  "You don't want to have Fastred prove he can win even when he's three sheets to the wind, do you?  I”ll lend you my fastest pony. Won't you do it... for me...?"

If looks could have killed, Fastred’s would have laid me low, at that moment.  In the end I suppose it was the combination of things that got to me.  The proximity of Bennie, her fragrance, those big, blue eyes and soft lips... and the fact that Fastred was fit to be tied...

“All right, I’m in. Where do I sign up?”

Sam's eyebrows shot up, while Merry, Pip, Folco and Fatty grinned and slapped each other on the back.  Even Ted seemed quite pleased with this news.  Leaving me to wonder in the very next instant what I had gotten myself into?

Good luck on the race Frodo!! May the best Hobbit win.

Thank you! I shall need all the luck and well
wishes I can get!

I like running into Leticia in here! I loved the photos, Frodo, of the long awaited party. I looked through them all! You make a great Frodo!

Thanks Amy! Glad you enjoyed! I realised after I emailed you that I forgot to tell you which one I was, but I suppose it was pretty easy to figure out. When I post them on the new website I intend to caption them explaining who everyone is.

Frodo, you were the very feminine Frodo! I picked you out right away. You're tiny!

By the way, my new URL is http://amyproctor.squarespace.com

Love ya!

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

some additional info here

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

some additional info here

i have some info here

see additional info here

see additional info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

see additional info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

some additional info here

some additional info here

see additional info here

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

see additional info here

see additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

see additional info here

some additional info here

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

see additional info here

thanks for your comment

some additional info here

some additional info here

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

cialis
http://www.20six.co.uk/cialisinfo
cialis
[URL=http://www.20six.co.uk/cialisinfo]cialis[/URL][URL="http://www.20six.co.uk/cialisinfo"]cialis[/URL]
cialis
http://blogs.mit.edu/cialis
cialis
[URL=http://blogs.mit.edu/cialis]cialis[/URL][URL="http://blogs.mit.edu/cialis"]cialis[/URL]
generic viagra
http://www.20six.co.uk/genericviagra
generic viagra
[URL=http://www.20six.co.uk/genericviagra]generic viagra[/URL][URL="http://www.20six.co.uk/genericviagra"]generic viagra[/URL]
viagra
http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5
viagra
[URL=http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5]viagra[/URL][URL="http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5"]viagra[/URL]
phentermine
http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5
phentermine
[URL=http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5]phentermine[/URL][URL="http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5"]phentermine[/URL]

valium
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2
valium
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2]valium[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2"]valium[/URL]
hydrocodone
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5
hydrocodone
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5]hydrocodone[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5"]hydrocodone[/URL]
zovirax
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax
zovirax
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax]zovirax[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax"]zovirax[/URL]
alprazolam
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5
alprazolam
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5]alprazolam[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5"]alprazolam[/URL]

viagra
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692642
viagra
[URL=http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692642]viagra[/URL][URL="http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692642"]viagra[/URL]
cialis
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692645
cialis
[URL=http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692645]cialis[/URL][URL="http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692645"]cialis[/URL]
phentermine
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692648
phentermine
[URL=http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692648]phentermine[/URL][URL="http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692648"]phentermine[/URL]
generic viagra
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692651
generic viagra
[URL=http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692651]generic viagra[/URL][URL="http://www.aimoo.com/forum/freeboard.cfm?id=692651"]generic viagra[/URL]

see additional info here

some additional info here

some additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

phentermine
http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5
phentermine
[URL=http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5]phentermine[/URL][URL="http://p097.ezboard.com/bphentermine5"]phentermine[/URL]
viagra
http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5
viagra
[URL=http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5]viagra[/URL][URL="http://p097.ezboard.com/bbuyviagraonline5"]viagra[/URL]

see additional info here

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

i have some info here

thanks for your comment

thanks for your comment

i want to add some comments

tramadol
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?tramadol2
tramadol
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?tramadol2]tramadol[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?tramadol2"]tramadol[/URL]
buy valium
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2
buy valium
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2]buy valium[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?valium2"]buy valium[/URL]
xanax
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?xanax4
xanax
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?xanax4]xanax[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?xanax4"]xanax[/URL]
hydrocodone
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5
hydrocodone
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5]hydrocodone[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?hydrocodone5"]hydrocodone[/URL]
zovirax
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax
zovirax
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax]zovirax[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?zovirax"]zovirax[/URL]
diazepam
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?diazepam1
diazepam
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?diazepam1]diazepam[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?diazepam1"]diazepam[/URL]
alprazolam
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5
alprazolam
[URL=http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5]alprazolam[/URL][URL="http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?alprazolam5"]alprazolam[/URL]
carisoprodol
http://server.scripthost.com/guestbook?carisoprodol5
2.07.06 @ 4:36 PM