Summary — A Long-Expected Party
Because of the stories and wealth he brought back from
his adventures, Bilbo Baggins is the most famous hobbit in Hobbiton.
He is also considered a bit strange, however. The fact that he receives
visits at his house, Bag End, from Elves, Dwarves, and the wizard
Gandalf make him the object of some slight suspicion. In addition,
ever since Bilbo came back to the Shire with the ring—which he has
kept secret from nearly everyone—he has not seemed to age at all.
In fact, he reaches his 111th birthday virtually
unchanged.
When Bilbo announces that he is throwing a grand party
for his “eleventy-first” birthday, everyone in the Shire takes interest.
After extensive and elaborate preparation, the day of Bilbo’s birthday finally
arrives. All of Hobbiton has a fine time eating, drinking, and watching
the spectacular fireworks provided by Gandalf.
As dinner winds down, Bilbo rises and asks to speak to
the assembled guests. The speech is short. Just as Bilbo is starting
to lose his audience’s attention, he announces that he is leaving,
and he suddenly disappears in a flash of light. The party guests
are not amused, and they return, muttering, to their eating and
drinking.
Bilbo, having used his ring to become invisible, walks
back to Bag End, takes off the ring and begins packing for a journey. Gandalf
arrives at the house shortly thereafter. Bilbo tells the wizard how
excited he is to travel again, to see the world outside the Shire. He
says that he has felt worn out recently, “like butter that has been scraped
over too much bread.” Gandalf reminds Bilbo of the promise he made
to leave the magic ring for his favorite cousin, young Frodo Baggins.
Frodo is an orphan whom Bilbo has taken under his wing and named
as the heir to his home and possessions.
Bilbo, however, is suddenly reluctant to part with the
ring, and he even lashes out at Gandalf for pressuring him to keep
his promise. Finally, Bilbo gives in, saying that in a way it will
be relief to be rid of the ring. Even then, Gandalf has to remind
Bilbo one last time to leave the ring behind as Bilbo is on his
way out the door. When Bilbo finally takes the ring out of his pocket,
he hesitates one last time in handing it over. He drops the ring,
and when Gandalf quickly picks it up, Bilbo starts angrily. Bilbo
quickly relaxes into a smile, however, and sets off jauntily with
his three Dwarf companions.
Frodo arrives back at the house soon after Bilbo leaves.
Gandalf tells Frodo that Bilbo has left the ring for him. He warns
Frodo not to use the ring and to keep it secret and safe. All the
next day, Frodo busily distributes the gifts Bilbo left for various
Hobbits, and he deals with all sorts of inquisitive and bothersome
visitors. After the gifts have been distributed, Gandalf arrives,
seeming troubled, to tell Frodo he is leaving immediately. Gandalf
asks Frodo what he knows about the ring, and he warns Frodo again
not to use the ring and to keep it a secret.
