Timeline Event
Bilbo leaves the One Ring for Frodo
Event Type: Artifacts
Age: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Date: September 22, 3001
Description:
An event in the aftermath of Bilbo's Farewell Party; see that entry for an overview:
[Bilbo] jumped over a low place in the hedge at the bottom, and... [passed] into the night like a rustle of wind in the grass.
Gandalf remained for a while staring after him into the darkness. 'Goodbye, my dear Bilbo — until our next meeting!' he said softly and went back indoors.
Frodo came in soon afterwards, and found him sitting in the dark, deep in thought. 'Has he gone?' he asked.
'Yes,' answered Gandalf, 'he has gone at last.'
'I wish — I mean, I hoped until this evening that it was only a joke,' said Frodo. 'But I knew in my heart that he really meant to go.... I wish I had come back sooner, just to see him off.'
'I think really he preferred slipping off quietly in the end,' said Gandalf. 'Don't be too troubled. He'll be all right — now. He left a packet for you. There it is!'
Frodo took the envelope from the mantelpiece, and glanced at it, but did not open it.
'You'll find his will and all the other documents in there, I think,' said the wizard. 'You are the master of Bag End now. And also, I fancy, you'll find a golden ring.'
'The ring!' exclaimed Frodo. 'Has he left me that? I wonder why. Still, it may be useful.'
'It may, and it may not,' said Gandalf. 'I should not make use of it, if I were you. But keep it secret, and keep it safe!'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 1, A Long-expected Party
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 19Jul07