The celebration was going to start in about two hours and Frodo and Sam were enjoying their final moments together in Bilbo's house. Sam had put on a creamy white button up shirt with a dim brown jacket, along with light brown pants. Frodo had put on an off white button up shirt with a red vest over it, along with dark brown pants. Bilbo was outside enjoying fresh air sitting on his favorite bench.

Meanwhile inside, Frodo and Sam where in the sitting room drinking a small cup of their favorite tea watching the flames in the fireplace blaze. The fire reminded them of their friendship. The fire started off small and weak, just a flicker of bright sparks. But then the flames grow taller and wider. It seemed like it would never end. The fire was silent, just like them at that very moment. Unexpectedly there was a knock on the door ruining their gazes upon the beauty of the flames.

"I'll get it," murmured Frodo putting down his hot cup. Frodo walked to the front door, Sam following. Frodo looked out the window first to see who it was and smiled. He opened the door to two dripping wet figures standing in the doorway with monstrous grins on their faces.

"I'll get towels," Sam said walking toward a small dresser.

"Hey guys, what happened to you?" asked Frodo welcoming the shivering Merry and Pippin inside. Sam came back with two russet towels and handed one to each of them.

"Thanks, we were at a tree picking apples and..." Pippin started.

Merry interrupted and said, "Very long story short, we had a water fight."

"Apples to water fights, what's next?" Frodo laughed.

Frodo lead everybody to the sitting room, so they could all have tea together. For the last time. Sam brewed up a new kettle of tea for all of them and brought it into the room. He poured four cups. He handed two cups to Merry and Pippin; who were by the fire place warming up, and the other two to himself and Frodo.

They all began sipping on the hot tea cautiously and silently, before Pippin broke the silence and said, "I love afternoon tea."

"I can't wait to hear you read your book to the Shire tonight Frodo," said Merry cheerfully.

"Me too," said Pippin grabbing a biscuit that was sitting on a platter on a small table nearby. Merry grabbed one too and stuffed it into his open mouth.

"Yah... I'm delighted to read it," said Frodo, "Whatever happened to you guys when the Ukiah Hai brought you to Isengard? I've been meaning to ask you."

"Oh, oh! Can I tell this story?!" Pippin asked eagerly almost spilling his tea.

"Go for it," said Merry grabbing the platter of biscuits and placed it on the floor next to him.

Pippin stood up and walked to the open window. It was a sunny day and he could smell orange blossoms ready to flourish and hear birds singing beautiful songs in nearby trees and bushes. He watched for a minute at all the laughing, joyful children chasing butterflies, throwing balls, and dancing around in the gorgeous emerald fields. He then closed his eyes shut as you turned away from the window remembering the harsh days with the Ukiah Hai. Then he began...