The Yule Ball.

The comb was brushed through his hair a couple of times after the bath, the beard trimmed, clothes fitted and the new hat placed on top of his head. Stood in front of the mirror he adjusted the coat and shirt so that it set correctly against his broad chest and shoulders, he wanted to make sure that he looked his best for this gathering. 
Once happy with his appearance the man said farewell to his dogs, leaving Spit in the house and the pair out in the yard to watch the home and animals.
As he walked he couldn't help but wonder who he might meet there. Perhaps his family had heard of this gathering or old neighbors, any familiar face would make this easier. Losing himself in the thought, however, had him turn up the wrong road and as he looked around he found himself in a very rich looking neighborhood where fountains sat outside some of the homes along with other things that people with too much coin between their fingers could afford. This made him a little nervous and when he reached the supposed address he felt shocked seeing some barricades, shields, and spears around. This couldn't be right. He had to be in the wrong place.
He turned around and hurried back to the crossroads where he realized he had indeed taken a wrong turn. Luckily he spotted a group of people dressed in fancier clothing walk ahead of him and so decided to follow. Not wanting to make the same mistake again he stopped to ask if they were heading to the ball, happy to realize that they were.
A much friendlier sight awaited him when he reached the house but he didn't recognize any of the faces around. Even when he went inside there was no person familiar to him and unease turned his stomach. While he was not a shy man there was unease being in a room of people where he didn't know a single one. For a moment he was tempted to turn and head on back home but he had come here to meet people, eat, drink and be merry and with that thought, he ventured further inside and for the time being only observed.  
After a short watch, he learned where the refreshments were kept and hurried in to get in line. The drinks looked good and the food even better but he learned quickly that this feast was not free. He was shocked. This was nothing like he was used to.
His own family and neighbors had always gathered coin together to buy the food and drinks needed or helped by donating their time and effort into preparing a feast that all would enjoy when the celebration came around. This had been his thought when he left the house and so he had no coin in his pockets.
His mood turned sour and he stepped outside again, finding himself a seat and mumbling to himself for a short while. This was however not the time to be moody and he brushed his annoyance off for the most part, more so when he was joined by a Hobbit. The very same Hobbit he had caught buying a drink ahead of him.
He learned that his name was Stamper, a Shire Hobbit. The two talked for a short while though it was hard with all the murmuring around but interest was found in the company and was the man all too happy to offer the Hobbit to come and visit if he ever had way by. Stamper left early. He thought that perhaps he should leave as well. There was no toast, there were no games, it was just people and by the looks of it, they all had their own groups. He couldn't even find a lone woman anywhere when he felt the will to join in on the dancing. Before he found the will to leave another Hobbit joined him and it was she that made the evening all the better.
Pansyblossom Bottle was her name and good company she was. At first, he tried to start some small talk with her but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as she seemed to be in a whole different world of her own. Again he thought of leaving but the Hobbit snapped to and so names were exchanged.
The Bottle name was familiar but it wasn't until the mention of Staddle that he recalled the name. His grandmother had made mention of them, having visited Staddle often in her younger days. It didn't sound as if the families had ever been close in the past but he was eager to change that.
The conversation he found with the Hobbit woman was something he was familiar with and it was a welcoming topic. They spoke of their trades and work, they spoke of the market, spoke some of her family and more. She offered him a place with her at the market where he might be able to get rid of some of the cheese wheels he had stocked on the shelves back home. The spring and summer had been good to him and the family when it came to milking and so cheese he had and plenty of.
A few more came around though none stopped too long to learn about. When time came to leave the Hobbit woman decided to make her way back as well and so an offer was extended that he'd walk with her to the crossroads. She welcomed it.
The two talked further and he even had a chance to vent his frustrations as he realized just how hungry he had gotten. He had after all planned on having his dinner at the gathering but his stomach was left empty and not even a drink to be enjoyed.
He offered her directions to his home should she ever be in the neighborhood and want to come and visit, she offered him the same and he learned she lived in that rich looking neighborhood he had gotten lost in before.
The two said their farewells and each took their own road to make their way back home. When he arrived he was greeted by the dogs who were happy to see him back. He made his way inside, changed his clothing and prepared himself a quick meal so he wouldn't go starving to bed, that would give him no rest.
Despite the gathering not having been like anything he was used to he did not regret having gone. Already he had managed to meet a pair of Hobbits that he now hoped would come by and visit one day soon.