The Fellowship of the Ring - Annotated Transcript (part 1)

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The Fellowship of the Ring
Voice of Galadriel: I amar prestar aen. The world is changed.
Han mathon ne nen. I feel it in the water.
Han mathon ne chae. I feel it in the earth.
A han noston ned gwilith. I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost. For none now live who remember it.
It began with the forging of the Great Rings.

Book 2: Chapter X – The Breaking of the Fellowship 388) Frodo: ‘The world is changing…’
Book 6: Chapter VI – Many Partings 959) Treebeard: ‘For the world is changing: I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.’
Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 242) Aragorn: ‘But now the world is changing once again. A new hour comes.’
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 50) Gandalf: ‘The beginnings lie back in the Black Years, which only the lore masters now remember.’
Book 3: Chapter VII – Helm’s Deep 526) Théoden: ‘The world changes, and all that once was strong now proves unsure.’

Three hands are seen, each bearing a Ring on its middle finger, and each Ring is set with a jewel. Three elves – Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Cirdan – regard the Rings on their hands.
Appendix B 1059) Throughout the Third Age, the guardianship of the Three Rings was known only to those who possessed them. But at the end it became known that they had been held at first by the three greatest of the Eldar: Gil-galad, Galadriel, and Círdan.
Three were given to the Elves: immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings.
Seven to the Dwarf-lords: great miners and artisans of the mountain halls.
Dwarves reach simultaneously for seven Rings that rest on a small cloth-covered table. They hold them up to study them, than all raise them aloft.
And nine. Nine Rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power.
Nine Men, standing in a ‘V’ formation, hold their Rings high before them, but all stare blankly forward. They all slowly lower their hands to their sides, never blinking, and then disappear into darkness.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 49)
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 50) ‘The three, fairest of all, the elf-lords hid from him. … Seven the Dwarf-kings possessed… Nine he gave to Mortal Men, proud and great, and so ensnared them.’’

For within these Rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived.
For another Ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a master Ring to control all others. And into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 50) In the Land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie.
Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 236) [Sauron] forged secretly in the Mountain of Fire the One Ring to be their master.

Armored Sauron emerges from flame, his gauntleted right hand bearing a plain gold Ring on its forefinger. Elvish letters flare into fiery life along the band.
One Ring to rule them all.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 50) One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them…

A dark cloud originating from Mordor spreads to the rest of Middle-earth.
One by one, free lands of Middle-earth fell to the power of the Ring.
A village in Middle-earth, where people are running away from Orcs, who are brandishing axes, and burning down houses.
But there were some who resisted.
Men, an army of Men, their swords and helms shining, stride across a battlefield, and against them comes a black seething mass of the enemy raising a cloud of dust behind it. The crest of Mount Doom is ablaze.
A Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor. And on the slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-earth.

Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 236) Elrond: ‘But Sauron of Mordor assailed them, and they made the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and the hosts of Gil-galad and Elendil were mustered in Arnor.’
Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 237) ‘I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with his host … the spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil, none could withstand. I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him…’

Elrond: Tangado haid! Hado i philinn!
{Hold [your] positions! Fire the arrows!}
At his shouted command a flight of arrows is fired, cutting down the front rows of Orcs. Shields are raised.
Victory was near. But the power of the Ring could not be undone.
The Elven swordsmen cut into the mass of Orcs with beautiful precision. Gil-galad drives his spear into an enemy. Suddenly, battle pauses: Sauron approaches, the lettering on the Ring clearly bright and visible. Men and Elves stop, look around … and up. Many edge away. Sauron lays about with his mace, and with each stroke knots of allies are flung through the air. Elendil alone rushes forward to attack Sauron, but he too is caught by the mace and sent flying against a rocky outcropping, his sword falling several feet away from his body. Isildur runs to his father, pulling off his own helm, holds his father the king’s face in his hands for a moment – a moment is all he has to grieve, for Sauron comes to stand over them.
It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father’s sword.
In fury, Isildur lunges to take up his father’s sword, but Sauron steps on it before it can leave the ground – it shatters. But Isildur, still holding the hilt to which a length of blade is still attached, slashes wildly at Sauron as he reaches for him – and the four fingers of Sauron’s right hand, including the Ring, fall to the ground. Sauron, falling backward, first sucks everything into him on a strong wind – then expels it all in a shockwave that flattens both armies and seems to destroy most of his soldiers.
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past51) Gandalf: ‘It was Gil-galad, Elven-king, and Elendil of Westernesse who overthrew Sauron, though they themselves perished in the deed; and Isildur Elendil’s son cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand and took it for his own. …’
Sauron, the enemy of the Free peoples of Middle-earth, was defeated.

Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 237) Elrond: ‘Sauron was diminished, but not destroyed.’

In wonder, Isildur picks up Sauron’s finger, and the Ring on it.
The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever.
The long black finger crumbles to coarse black dust, leaving the Ring gleaming in Isildur’s gloved hand. As he holds it, the Ring shrinks in size, from a circle large enough to fit Sauron’s gloved hand to one sized for Isildur.
But the hearts of men are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power has a will of its own.

Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 237) Elrond: ‘I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father’s sword, and took it for his own.’ ‘…Isildur took it, as should never have been. It should have been cast into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest – only Círdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our counsel. “This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother,” he said, and therefore whether we would or no, he took it, to treasure it. …’
Book 2: Chapter IX – The Great River 54) Gandalf: ‘A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. … The Ring left him.’

Isildur rides on a white horse, leading a troop of Men along a wooded path; the Ring is openly worn on a long chain about his neck. There is a sudden attack from the trees, and a large Orc leaps to take Isildur from his horse amid a moment of chaos.
It betrayed Isildur to his death.

There are several moments of chaos – Isildur picks himself up from the ground. The battle has carried past him, and his men are fighting – and dying – behind him. He yanks the Ring, breaking the chain it hung from, and puts it on the forefinger of his left hand, vanishing. A disturbance is seen along the Riverbank, and then in the water – then suddenly Isildur is visible again in the water, reaching for the Ring that has slipped from his finger and is sinking. Orc archers on the shore spot him as well and fire.

Isildur floats, facedown, in the River, with three arrows in his back. The Ring drops down through murky water.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 51) ‘But the Ring was lost. It fell into the Great River, Anduin, and vanished. For Isildur was marching north along the east banks of the River, and near the Gladden Fields he was waylaid by the Orcs of the Mountains, and almost all his folk were slain. He leaped into the waters, but the Ring slipped from his finger as he swam, and then the Orcs saw him and killed him with arrows.
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 54) Gandalf: ‘It had slipped from Isildur’s hand and betrayed him…’
Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 237) Elrond: ‘… But he was betrayed by it to his death.’

And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend; legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years the Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 51) ‘And there in the dark pools amid the Gladden Fields,’ [Gandalf] said, ‘the Ring passed out of knowledge and legend; and even so much of its history is known now only to a few, and the Council of the Wise could discover no more.’
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 53) Gandalf: ‘…He wormed his way like a maggot into the heart of the hills, and vanished out of all knowledge.’
Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 238) Elrond ‘In the days of Isildur the Ruling Ring passed out of all knowledge.’
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 54) Gandalf: ‘…then when a chance came it caught poor Déagol, and he was murdered….’
Appendices: Isildur claimed the One Ring 3441: last year of the Second Age: Gollum found Ring about 2463; Bilbo found Ring 2941

The Ring is just visible in the sand of the riverbed, and a hand reaches to scoop it up. Then a new hand, gray-green and filthy, is seen slowly, covetously opening to reveal the Ring in its palm.
Gollum: My preciousss.
The Ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. And there it consumed him.
We see Gollum, deep in a cave, squatting on a rock, crooning to the ring in his hand.
Gollum: It came to me. My own. My love. My own. My Preciousss… gollum…

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 53) Gandalf: ‘…He wormed his way like a maggot into the heart of the hills, and vanished out of all knowledge.’
The Hobbit 87) Gollum: ‘It came to me on my birthday, my precious.’

The Ring brought to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum’s cave it waited.
Darkness crept back in the forest of the world. Rumour grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless fear.
And the Ring of Power perceived its time had now come.
The Ring falls, bouncing, down a rock, with each strike against the stone making an unnaturally loud, hard metallic sound.
It abandoned Gollum. But something happened then the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable.
The Ring lies in the dirt among fish bones, until a groping hand encounters it.
Bilbo: What’s this?
A hobbit. Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 54) Gandalf: ‘There was more than one power at work, Frodo. The Ring was trying to get back to its master. It had slipped from Isildur’s hand and betrayed him; then when a chance came it caught poor Déagol, and he was murdered; and after that Gollum, and it had devoured him…. So now, when its master was awake once more and sending out his dark thought from Mirkwood, it abandoned Gollum. Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable: Bilbo from the Shire!’

Bilbo, lying on his stomach where he’s stopped crawling, holds the Ring up to look at it, and smiles in surprised wonder.
Bilbo: A ring.
Gollum (In the distance): Lost! My Precious is lost!

The Hobbit 76) He put the ring in his pocket almost without thinking; certainly it did not seem to be of any particular use at the moment.
The Hobbit 88) ‘Lossst it is, my precious, lost, lost! Curse us and crush us, my precious is lost!’
Prologue: Of the Finding of the Ring 12) But the ring was not on the island, he had lost it, it was gone. His screech sent a shiver down Bilbo’s back…

At Gollum’s voice, Bilbo starts, scrambles to his feet, and almost without thinking tucks the Ring into the pocket of his coat.

Prologue: Of the Finding of the Ring 11) …and it happened that Bilbo was lost for a while in the black orc-mines deep under the mountains, and there, as he groped in vain in the dark, he put his hand on a ring, lying on the floor of a tunnel.
He put it in his pocket… At the bottom of the tunnel lay a cold lake far from the light, and on an island of rock in the water lived Gollum. He was a loathsome little creature … peering with pale luminous eyes …

For the time would soon come when hobbits would shape the fortunes of all.
******************************************************************************************************************************************
‘The Shire… 60 years later.’
Frodo Baggins is sitting against a tree, straw in his mouth, reading a book.
A deep voice singing comes in earshot. Frodo looks up from his book, looks around as if trying to be sure of what he is hearing. The words become clearer.
A deep voice singing comes in earshot. Frodo looks up from his book, looks around as if trying to be sure of what he is hearing. The words become clearer.
Gandalf: (singing) Down from the door where it began… His voice trails off to humming.
Frodo jumps to his feet, taking the straw out of his mouth as he does so. He grins, and eagerly begins to run.
Gandalf: (Sings)
The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow if I can.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 35) Bilbo:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 24) At the end of the second week of September a cart came in through Bywater from the direction of the Brandywine Bridge in broad daylight. An old man was driving it all alone. He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows that stuck out beyond the brim of his hat.
Frodo runs to the edge of the sunken road, to a point where he can intercept Gandalf. As the cart comes up level with him, he speaks sternly, arms folded in front of him.
Frodo: You’re late.
Gandalf reins in and looks up slowly, and just as sternly, from under the wide brim of his gray hat.
Gandalf: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
They both try to keep a straight face, but both fail and both laugh richly. Frodo leaps onto the wagon, arms outstretched, to embrace his old friend.
Frodo: It’s wonderful to see you, Gandalf!
Gandalf (laughing, holds him tight for a moment): You didn’t think I’d miss your Uncle Bilbo’s birthday?

Prologue 10) Frodo [Bilbo’s] favorite ‘nephew’

Frodo (sitting beside him): What news of the outside world? Tell me everything.
Gandalf: Everything? You’re far too eager and curious for a hobbit. Most unnatural… Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past Age. (They jog past the mill) Full of its own comes and goings. Scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits. (Quietly, to himself) For which I am very thankful. (They cross over a narrow stone bridge.)
The cart moves through a marketplace, where it creates a stir.

Book 3: Chapter XI – The Palantír 584)Pippin: ‘But I should like to know—’
‘Mercy!’ cried Gandalf. ‘If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you….’
Prologue 2) Yet it is clear that Hobbits had, in fact, lived quietly in Middle-earth for many long years before other folk became even aware of them.

Hobbit woman (waving): Look! It’s Gandalf!
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 25) …The old man smiled. They knew him by sight …

… and then begins its way through fields. They come to a field with a large, beautiful tree, where several hobbits are erecting a tent, and others (with more immediate success) are raising a yellow banner that reads ‘Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins’.
Gandalf: Ooh – The long expected party.

Title – Book 1 Chapter 1: A Long-Expected Party

Gandalf: So how is the old rascal? I hear it’s going to be a party of special magnificence.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 21) … Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence.
Frodo: You know Bilbo. He’s got the whole place in an uproar.
Gandalf: Hm. Well, now, that should please him.
Frodo: Half the Shire’s been invited!

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 26) Practically everybody living near was invited…

Gandalf: Good gracious me!
Frodo: He’s up to something.
Gandalf: Hmm… oh really…
Frodo: All right then, keep your secrets. (Gandalf laughs) Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of.

Book 1: Chapter III – Three Is Company 75) Pippin: ‘All right, cousin Frodo! You can keep your secret for the present, if you want to be mysterious.’

Gandalf: Indeed.
Frodo: Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.

The Hobbit 15) …People considered them very respectable. … but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.

Extended Edition
Bilbo Baggins’s voice: (clears his throat) The twenty-second day of September. The year 1400 …by the Shire reckoning…Bag End. Bagshot Row. Hobbiton. Westfarthing – the Shire … Middle-earth. The Third Age of this world…
Bilbo sits at his desk in his sunlit Bag End study, lettering in a large book as the words are spoken.
(As he writes:) ‘There and Back Again – A Hobbit’s Tale. By Bilbo Baggins.’ Now – where to begin? (he turns a page, and pauses a moment to puff on his pipe as he considers.) Ah, yes. (He dips his quill and writes on) ‘Concerning Hobbits. Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk, Middle-earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. Hobbits are a secretive people. We are not renowned as great warriors, nor counted among the very wise.’ (Chuckles. There is a knock on the door. He calls out) Frodo! There’s someone at the door! ‘In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbits’ only real passion is for food. An unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipeweed. But where our hearts truly lie is in peace, and quiet, and good tilled earth. For all Hobbits share a love for things that grow. (Sam is seen gardening – outside a hobbit-hole with a yellow door – his home?) And yes, no doubt to others our ways seem quaint … (A field is being decorated with banners, awnings, and streamers; he chuckles) But today of all days, it is brought home to me: it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life!’ (Several hobbits are raising a yellow banner that reads ‘Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins’. When the banner stays up, the hobbits applaud.)

Prologue 1) Further information will also be found in the selection from the Red Book of Westmarch that has already been published, under the title of The Hobbit. That story was derived from the earlier chapters of the Red Book, composed by Bilbo himself … and called by him There and Back Again….
Prologue Title 1): Concerning Hobbits
Prologue 1) Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people; more numerous formerly than they are today, for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth…
Prologue 1) Even in ancient days they were, as a rule, shy of ‘the Big Folk’.
Prologue 2) Yet it is clear that Hobbits had, in fact, lived quietly in Middle-earth for many long years before other folk became even aware of them. And the world after all being full of strange creatures beyond count, these little people seemed of very little importance. But in the days of Bilbo, and of Frodo his heir, they suddenly became, by no wish of their own, both important and renowned, and troubled the counsels of the Wise and the Great.
Prologue: Of Pipeweed 7) There is another astonishing thing about Hobbits of old that must be mentioned, an astonishing habit: they imbibed or inhaled, through pipes of clay or wood, the smoke of the burning leaves of a herb, which they called pipe-weed or leaf.

There is another knock on the door, insistent. Bilbo sighs disgustedly.
Bilbo: Frodo! The door!
There is no response from Frodo, but there is another knock.
Bilbo: Sticklebacks, where is that boy? Frodo!
Frodo Baggins is sitting against a tree, straw in his mouth, reading a book.
A deep voice humming and singing comes in earshot. Frodo looks up from his book, looks around as if trying to be sure of what he is hearing. The words become clearer.
Gandalf (singing): Down from the door where it began… (His voice trails off to humming, then sings again) And I must follow if I can…
Frodo jumps to his feet, taking the straw out of his mouth as he does so. He grins, and eagerly begins to run.
Gandalf (Sings):
The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow if I can.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 35) Bilbo:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 24) At the end of the second week of September a cart came in through Bywater from the direction of the Brandywine Bridge in broad daylight. An old man was driving it all alone. He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows that stuck out beyond the brim of his hat.

Frodo runs to the edge of the sunken road, to a point where he can intercept Gandalf. As the cart comes up to him, he speaks sternly, arms folded in front of him.
Frodo: You’re late.
Gandalf reins in and looks up slowly, and just as sternly, from under the wide brim of his blue hat.
Gandalf: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
They both try to keep a straight face, but both fail and both laugh richly. Frodo leaps onto the wagon, arms outstretched to embrace his old friend.
Frodo: It’s wonderful to see you, Gandalf!
Gandalf (laughing, holds him tight for a moment): You didn’t think I’d miss your Uncle Bilbo’s birthday? (As they drive on together) So how is the old rascal? I hear it’s going to be a party of special magnificence.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 21) … Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence.
Frodo: You know Bilbo. He’s got the whole place in an uproar.
Gandalf: Hm. Well, now, that should please him.
Frodo: Half the Shire’s been invited! And the rest of them are turning up anyway.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 26) Practically everybody living near was invited. A very few were overlooked by accident, but as they turned up all the same, that did not matter.

They both laugh. The cart moves past a golden field where three hobbits work; a woman shades her eyes to watch them go by.
Bilbo’s voice: ‘And so life in the Shire goes on, very much as it has this past Age, full of its own comings and goings, with change coming slowly – if it comes at all. For things are made to endure in the Shire, passing from one generation to the next. There’s always been a Baggins living here, under the Hill, in Bag End.’ (Speaks softly) And there always will be.
Frodo: To tell you the truth, Bilbo’s been a bit odd lately. (Gandalf looks over at him) I mean – more than usual. He’s taken to locking himself in his study. He spend hours and hours poring over old maps when he thinks I’m not looking.
In Bag End, Bilbo is doing just that; he puts an old map aside – not what he was looking for. With a sigh, he drops his hands to his sides in an exasperated gesture, then feels at his trouser pocket. Both hands plunge into his pockets, searching in them urgently – there is nothing there. His breath becomes short.
Bilbo: Where has it gone?!
He checks under the cushion of his desk chair, moves the chair to look on the floor, goes out into the hallway to check a garment draped over a chair, picks up and throws down pack near the wall, takes down a coat from a peg and rifles through it – throws it down as well. His upset is growing – then his hand happens to brush against his right waistcoat pocket. He pats it – catches his breath as he reaches into it and pulls out something small enough to be hidden in his hand. With a long, relieved exhalation, he closes his fingers around the thing and puts his hand up to his face, as relieved as though he had thought he had lost something vital to his existence.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 34) ‘I am always …wondering if it is safe, and pulling it out to make sure. I tried locking it up, but I found I couldn’t rest without it in my pocket.’
Frodo: He’s up to something. (Gandalf looks at him sidelong, then away at the scenery with patently false innocence) All right then, keep your secrets.

Book 1: Chapter III – Three Is Company 75) Pippin: ‘All right, cousin Frodo! You can keep your secret for the present, if you want to be mysterious.’

Gandalf: What?
Frodo: I know you have something to do with it!
Gandalf: Good gracious me!
Frodo: Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of.
Gandalf: Indeed.
Frodo: Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.

The Hobbit 15) people considered them very respectable. … but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.

Gandalf: If you’re referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.
Frodo: Whatever you did, you’ve been officially labelled a disturber of the peace.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 40) Gandalf: ‘They say I am a nuisance and a disturber of the peace.’

Gandalf: (mutters around his pipestem as he puffs on it) Oh, really?
An older hobbit working in his garden sees Gandalf, and looks up at him rather sourly. His wife comes from the house with an even more displeased face. Hobbit children come running to the road through the fields, and gather calling after the cart, which increases the older Hobbits’ indignation.
Hobbit children: Gandalf! Gandalf’s here!! GanDALF! Fireworks, Gandalf… Gandalf! Fireworks, Gandalf…
The cart continues away with not a single squib or cracker forthcoming.
Hobbit children: Ohhhh…
Frodo looks up at Gandalf with an expression not very different from the children’s. Gandalf stares straight ahead, but in a moment, a small burst of spiraling fireworks erupts from the back of the cart. The children jump up and down and cheer. Frodo smiles knowingly up at Gandalf, who is chuckling with delight. The hobbit farmer is also laughing – until his extremely unamused wife shoots him a quelling look. He subsides.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 24) Small hobbit-children ran after the cart all through Hobbiton and right up the hill. It had a cargo of fireworks, as they rightly guessed…
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 25) …The old man smiled. They knew him by sight … but not a single squib or cracker was forthcoming, to the disappointment of the onlookers.

Frodo: (Stands up in the wagon) Gandalf – I’m glad you’re back.
Gandalf: So am I, dear boy. (Frodo hops down. Gandalf continues, quietly to himself, around his pipe as he looks around him contentedly) So am I.
Gandalf continues on to pull up in front of Bag End. He goes through a gate, which has a sign on it reading ‘No admittance except on party business’, and goes up to knock on the round green door with his staff.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party p. 26) A notice appeared on the gate at Bag End: NO ADMITTANCE EXCEPT ON PARTY BUSINESS.
Bilbo (from within): No, thank you! We don’t want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!
Gandalf (calls): And what about very old friends?
Bilbo opens the door and stands there, almost disbelieving.
Bilbo: Gandalf?
Gandalf: Bilbo Baggins.
Laughing happily, moved almost to the point of tears at the sight of Gandalf, Bilbo goes to the wizard, who kneels down to embrace him.
Bilbo: My dear Gandalf!
Gandalf: Good to see you. One hundred and eleven years old. Who would believe it? (He holds Bilbo back to look into his face.) You haven’t aged a day. (The realization gives him a moment’s pause, but in another moment they are both laughing again.)

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 22) Time wore on, but it seemed to have little effect on Mr. Baggins. At ninety he was much the same as at fifty. At ninety-nine they began to call him well-preserved; but unchanged would have been nearer the mark.
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past45) Gandalf: ‘You look the same as ever, Frodo!’

Bilbo: Come on, come in! Welcome, welcome. (He leads Gandalf into the hole; Gandalf takes off his hat as he enters. Bilbo shuts the door behind him. Mutters as he latches the door) Oh, here we are. (He takes Gandalf’s stick and hat.) Tea? Or maybe something a little stronger. I’ve got a few of bottles of the Old Winyards left. 1296. Very good year. Almost as old as I am. (chuckles) It was laid down by my father. What’s say we open one, eh?

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 37) Old Winyards: a strong red wine from the Southfarthing, and now quite mature, as it had been laid down by Bilbo’s father.

With something of an effort he sets hat and staff down at the end of the entry hall, and keeps talking, calling back as he potters off to the kitchen.
Gandalf: Just tea, thank you. Gandalf takes a step backward into a hanging light fixture. He ducks back under it, steadies its swinging, and unfortunately moves away and turns at the same time, which brings his forehead sharply against a low (for him) ceiling beam. Ohh… It obviously hurt, but even this makes him laugh.
Bilbo (continuing from a room or two away, sometimes barely audible as he goes back and forth): I was expecting you sometime last week. Not that it matters. You come and go as you please. Always have done, always will. You caught me a bit unprepared, I’m afraid. We’ve only got some cold chicken and a bit of pickle… There’s some cheese. Oh no, that won’t do. We’ve got raspberry jam, an apple tart… But not much for afters. Oh, no, we’re all right. I’ve just found some sponge cake.

Book 3: Chapter VII – Helm’s Deep 516) Háma: ‘Ever [Gandalf] goes and comes unlooked-for.’

As Bilbo natters on, Gandalf ducks under the beam, and enters a cozy study/living room. He picks up a worn, somewhat tattered framed map, which prominently features the Lonely Mountain, with a Red Dragon flying over its peak. Appendices: NOTE ON THE MAPS – They consisted of a general map of the western regions of Middle-earth… printed in red and black on large folded sheets…
Bilbo (coming into the outer room): I can make you some eggs if you li– Ganda- Gandalf? (He stops in puzzlement when he doesn’t see Gandalf.)
Gandalf (poking his head around a doorway): Just tea, thank you.

The Hobbit 24) Gandalf: ‘Tea! No thank you! A little red wine, I think, for me.’
‘And raspberry jam and apple tart,’ said Bifur.
‘And mince-pies and cheese,’ said Bofur.
‘And pork pie and salad,’ said Bombur.
‘And more cakes – and ale – and coffee, if you don’t mind,’ called the other dwarves. …
‘Put on a few eggs, there’s a good fellow,’ Gandalf called after him… ‘And just bring out the cold chicken and pickles!’

Bilbo: Oh, right. (Crams some cake in his mouth, and mumbles indistinctly): You don’t mind if I do, do you?
Gandalf: No, not at all.
Bilbo almost chokes, and reels back against the wall as a harsh female voice comes from outside, accompanied by a loud banging at the door.
Lobelia: Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins. (She bangs on door more loudly)
Bilbo: I’m not at home!

Title – The Hobbit chapter 22: Not at Home

Bilbo tiptoes to peek out the window beside the door.
Bilbo (hisses): It’s the Sackville-Bagginses!
Lobelia: I know you’re in there!
Bilbo: They want the house! They’ve never forgiven me for living this long!
I’ve got to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment’s peace. I want to see mountains again, mountains, Gandalf. And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book… Oh – tea!

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 23) Gaffer: ‘[Those Sackville-Bagginses] thought they were going to get Bag End .. the S-B’s won’t never see the inside of Bag End now, or it is to be hoped not.’
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past67) [Lobelia] had been obliged to wait about seventy-seven years longer for Bag End than she once hoped.

Gandalf (sits at the table): So you mean to go through with your plan, then?
Bilbo: Yes, yes, it’s all in hand. All the arrangements are made.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 25) Gandalf: ‘You mean to go on with your plan, then?’
‘I do. I made up my mind months ago, and I haven’t changed it.’

With both hands Bilbo brings the kettle from the kitchen fire to the table. Gandalf takes the lid from the teapot for Bilbo to pour the water in.
Bilbo: Oh, thank you.
Gandalf: Frodo suspects something.
Bilbo (A bit indignant, a bit proud): ‘Course he does. He’s a Baggins! Not some blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle.

Book 6: Chapter IX – The Grey Havens 998) “[Lobelia] gave [Bag End] back to Frodo, and went to her own people, the Bracegirdles of Hardbottle.”

Gandalf: You will tell him, won’t you?
Bilbo (impatiently): Yes, yes.
Gandalf: He’s very fond of you.
Bilbo (more quietly): I know. He’d probably come with me if I asked him. I think in his heart, Frodo’s still in love with the Shire. The woods, the fields. Little rivers. (He has the thumb and forefinger of his right hand tucked into the small pocket of his waistcoat. Gandalf takes notice of this as Bilbo comes back across the room to sit across from him. Bilbo goes on to speak more seriously than he has before.) I’m old, Gandalf. I know I don’t look it, but I’m beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin. Sort of stretched, like butter, scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I don’t expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 25) Bilbo: ‘I think I need a holiday.’
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 32) ‘Are you going any further?’
‘Yes, I am. I feel I need a holiday, a very long holiday, as I have told you before. Probably a permanent holiday: I don’t expect I shall return. In fact, I don’t mean to, and I have made all the arrangements.
‘I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved, indeed!’ he snorted. ‘Why I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. … I want to see mountains again, Gandalf- mountains; and then find somewhere that I can rest. In peace and quiet, without a lot of relatives prying around, and a string of confounded visitors hanging on the bell. I might find somewhere where I can finish my book. …’
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 32) ‘He would come with me, of course, if I asked him. …he is still in love with the Shire, with woods and fields and little rivers. …’

That evening, Bilbo and Gandalf sit in front of Bag End with their pipes, looking down the hill at the party field. The area is ringed with lights, and several tents glow cheerily.
Bilbo: Old Toby. The finest weed in the Southfarthing.

Prologue: Of Pipeweed 8) Herblore of the Shire, by Meriadoc Brandybuck: ‘Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom in the Southfarthing first true pipe-weed….The best home-grown still comes from that district, especially the varieties now known as Longbottom Leaf, Old Toby, and Southern Star.”….’

Bilbo blows a smoke-ring, and watches sideways, expectantly, as Gandalf puffs out a cloud of smoke himself. The wizard’s puff quickly forms into a small ship, swan-bowed, with a high stern and three sails, which glides through Bilbo’s expanding smoke-ring.
Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past45) [Gandalf] smoked and blew smoke-rings with the same vigour and delight.
The Hobbit 25) [Thorin] was blowing the most enormous smoke-rings, and wherever he told one to go, it would … but wherever it went it was not quick enough to escape Gandalf. Pop! He sent a smaller smoke-ring from his short clay-pipe straight through each one of Thorin’s.
Bilbo (well satisfied): Gandalf, my old friend…. this will be a night to remember.
Fireworks begin to go off – 27) There were green trees with trunks of dark smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a moment, and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet scent just before they touched their upturned faces. Everyone cheers. Hobbits are forming up for dancing – including Frodo, one of the first ones up. Others are already well into their drinking. Sam is watching the dancing, but turns away quickly as a very pretty girl dances nearer to him.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 27) There were songs, dances, music, games, and, of course, food and drink.
Bilbo greets and works the crowd like an aristocratic politician.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 26) Bilbo met the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person.
Bilbo: Hello, hello. Fatty Bolger. Lovely to see you. Welcome, welcome!
Frodo (falls on the bench next to Sam): Go on, Sam, ask Rosie for a dance!
Sam: Um. I think I’ll just have another ale.
He stands up and starts to move away from the dancers.
Frodo: Oh, no you don’t! Go on!
He seizes Sam from behind, and with impeccable aim propels him into the dance. Before he knows it Sam has his arm around Rosie and her hand in his, and they’re off around the circle with barely a pause. Frodo laughs. Meanwhile, Gandalf lights off another rocket with his staff. 27) …There was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air with a yell like an embattled army…
The guest of honour is sitting before a small crowd of young Hobbit children, who listen enthralled as, with great panache, he tells them a true story. Gandalf takes a few moments from the fireworks to dance.
Bilbo: So there I was, at the mercy of three monstrous trolls. And they were all arguing amongst themselves about how they were going to cook us. Whether it be turned on a spit, or whether they should sit on us one by one, squash us, to jelly.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 28) Sometimes, after a glass or two, [Bilbo] would allude to the absurd adventures of his mysterious journey.
The Hobbit 50) ..with three angry trolls … sitting by them, arguing whether they should roast them slowly or mince them fine and boil them, or just sit on them one by one and squash them to jelly.

The smallest children gasp.
Bilbo: And they spent so much time arguing the whithertos and the whyfors that the sun’s first light crept over the top of the trees -poof- (the children gasp and jump) And turned them all to stone!

The Hobbit 51) “Dawn take you all, and be stone to you!” said a voice that sounded like William’s. But it wasn’t. … William never spoke, for he stood turned to stone as he stooped, and Bert and Tom were stuck like rocks as they looked at him.
Book 1: Chapter XII – Flight to the Ford 196) [Frodo] recalled Bilbo’s account of his journey … in the country near the Troll’s wood where his first serious adventure had happened.
Book 1: Chapter XII – Flight to the Ford 200) [Pippin] knew the story well. Bilbo and Frodo had told it often.

Gandalf, laughing and clearly having the time of his life, takes four more fireworks from his wagon. As he leaves, Merry comes out from behind the cart, and thumps the side of the tent beside it. Pippin ducks out.
Pippin (whispers): Quickly!
Merry gives Pippin a leg up onto the wagon, tossing him up among the fireworks, and glances back to keep an eye on Gandalf. They are in no danger from the wizard; he’s having a grand time releasing fiery butterflies for a group of Hobbit children, who run off to chase them as he watches, chuckling.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 27) The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by him. …There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees.
Gandalf: Oh! Up they go!
Pippin holds up a cracker.
Merry: No, no, the big one, big one!
Pippin picks up another, very much bigger, and smiles onto the face of the red dragon at its top. Merry gasps in happy awe: perfect! Pippin jumps down and scurries behind the tent. Merry, trying to look casual (and failing), takes another hasty look around, a quick bite of apple, and bolts after Pippin.
Another of the (official) rockets goes up. Bilbo greets more guests, including a dark-haired Hobbit lady with a small girl on her hip and a milling crowd of children around her. .
Bilbo: Mrs. Bracegirdle, how nice to see you, welcome, welcome! (at least seven more children swarm past) Are all these children yours?
Mrs. Bracegirdle: Mm, yes.
Bilbo (impressed): Good gracious. You have been productive!
She tends to agree. As Bilbo stands for a moment of calm in his duties as host, his ear suddenly twitches, and he sneaks a glance to the side. Frodo comes up just then, and Bilbo clutches at him, pointing to his ear .
Lobelia (not yet seeing him): Bilbo!
Bilbo (hisses): S-Sackville-Bagginses! Quickly! Hide!
They duck around the corner of a tent; Frodo turns his face away, and Bilbo pulls the lapel of his coat up over his face. The Sackville-Bagginses – a middle-aged woman with a face that would curdle new milk and a man looking equally sour – move on without spotting them.
Bilbo: Oh – Thank you, my boy. You’re a good lad, Frodo. … I am … very selfish, you know… Yes, I am. Very selfish. I don’t know why I took you in after your mother and father died, but it wasn’t out of charity. I think it was because of all my numerous relations you were the one Baggins that showed real spirit.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 21) When Bilbo was ninety-nine he adopted Frodo as his heir, and brought him to live at Bag End, and the hopes of the Sackville-Bagginses were finally dashed.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 21) The eldest of [his cousins], and Bilbo’s favorite, was young Frodo Baggins.
‘You had better come and live here, Frodo my lad,’ said Bilbo one day; ‘and then we can celebrate our birthday-parties comfortably together.’
Book 1: Chapter VIII – Fog on the Barrow-downs 137) …Though [Frodo] did not know it, Bilbo (and Gandalf) had thought him the best hobbit in the Shire.
(Book 2: Chapter II – The Council of Elrond 258) Elrond: ‘I have known few hobbits, save Bilbo here; and it seems to me that he is perhaps not so alone and singular as I had thought him.’)

Frodo: Bilbo, have you been at the Gaffer’s homebrew?
Bilbo: No! Well, yes, but th-that’s not the point. The point is, Frodo… (He looks intensely at Frodo, but then the impulse to continue drains away. His eyes drop.) …You’ll be all right.
He turns aside and takes a deep draught from his mug.
Inside a tent, Pippin lights the wick as Merry holds the top.
Pippin: Done.
Merry: You’re supposed to stick it in the ground. (Pushes the dragon to Pippin.)
Pippin: It is in the ground. (Pushes it back to Merry.)
Merry: Outside… (Passes the dragon back to Pippin.)
Pippin: This was your idea!
He pushes the dragon over to Merry again, and as Merry is in the process of returning it once again, the fuse runs out. The firework ignites, and whooshes upward, taking the tent with it. Merry and Pippin are both knocked to the ground, and Pippin shrieks like a girl. As the rocket rises, Hobbits cry out and point; the fireball continues to rise and, crackling, begins to take shape. But this initial delight changes to alarm as it turns and begins a dive directly toward them, very much dragon shaped and impressive.
Frodo is following Bilbo as he makes his way through the crowd; he looks up, and sees what the commotion is about. Not having seen the initial launch of the rocket, is first thought is for…
Frodo: Bilbo…
He turns, and grabs Bilbo, who hasn’t looked up yet.
Frodo: Bilbo, watch out for the dragon!
Bilbo: Dragon? Nonsense, there hasn’t been a dragon in these parts for a thousand years!

(Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 43) Ted Sandyman: ‘There’s only one Dragon in Bywater, and that’s Green.’)

Bilbo seems a bit put out to be hustled along by Frodo, and the word ‘years’ is on a rising inflection as Frodo pushes/pulls him down on the ground. The dragon swooshes just above them and the other 100+ Hobbits lying prone, flies out over the lake, and as the hobbits watch fearfully, explodes into starbursts that fill the sky. Relieved hobbits cheer and applaud.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 27) Out flew a red-golden dragon – not life-size, but terribly life-like: fire came from his jaws, his eyes glared down; there was a roar, and he whizzed three times over the heads of the crowd. They all ducked, and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.
Hobbits: Oh!
They cheer. Merry and Pippin stand together in supreme, if very sooty, fulfillment.
Merry (with deep satisfaction): That was good!
Pippin: Let’s get another one.
Hands come down and seize each of them by an ear. Two pained, soot-covered faces look up at their captor: Gandalf.
Gandalf: Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. I might have known.
Though still otherwise quite filthy, Merry and Pippin now have very clean hands: Gandalf has set them to washing dishes. Pippin scrubs a mug in a barrel of soapy water as Merry caries a stack of plates – not his first – to set down on a table next to Gandalf. The wizard, sipping from a Hobbit-sized mug and smoking his pipe, does not appear to be taking his eyes off the miscreants.
The hobbit crowd: Speech, Bilbo! Speech!
Merry pauses to look over, and even Gandalf’s attention is diverted.
Frodo: Speech!
Bilbo takes a last swig from a mug, and walks over to take up a position in front of the crowd under the Party Tree.
Bilbo: My dear Bagginses and Boffins! (The crowd cheers) Tooks and Brandybucks! (Cheers) Grubbs! (Cheers) Chubbs! (Cheers) Hornblowers! (Cheers) Bolgers! (Cheers) Bracegirdles! And Proudfoots!
Proudfoot: Proudfeet!
It’s our farmer from earlier, with both feet on the table.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party p. 29) Bilbo: My dear Bagginses and Boffins! He began again. And my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots! ‘ProudFEET’ shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavilion. His name, of course, was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large, exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.

Bilbo: Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday!

Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today!

Cheers from the crowd.
Hobbit in the crowd: Happy Birthday!
Bilbo: Alas. Eleventy one years is far too short a time to live amongst such excellent, and admirable hobbits.
There is a tremendous outburst of approval.
I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
There is a pause, and scattered clapping as they try to work it out. Someone in the crowd says ‘What?’
I … I have things to do.

…and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. Tremendous outburst of approval. I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. … There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment.

Bilbo slips his hand into his pocket and brings it out closed over something, then clasps both hands behind his back, fingering a gold ring in his right.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 31) …Even while he was making his speech, he had been fingering the golden ring in his pocket.
(Distracted, almost to himself) I’ve put this off for far too long. (Loud and clear) I regret to announce this is the end. I’m going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. (More softly, looking down straight at Frodo) Goodbye.
He vanishes.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 30) I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. He spoke this last word so loudly and suddenly that everyone sat up who still could. I regret to announce that – though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you – this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW.GOOD-BYE!’
He stepped down and vanished.

The crowd gasps, and then begins talking again almost at once.
Away from the party, Hobbits can be heard calling Bilbo’s name; there is a soft sound of footsteps going up the steps of Bag End, and the round green door opens, shuts again. Bilbo reappears (with his shadow), holding the ring he has clearly just removed and laughing. He flips the ring jauntily into the air, catches it, and returns it to his coat pocket, patting it. Humming to himself, he picks up a stick from the stand, seems to measure it up, and bustles into the living room carrying a pair of candles.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 31) He then went into his study, and from a large strong-box took out a leather-bound manuscript, and also a large bulky envelope …
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 35) Bilbo chose his favorite stick from the stand.
Gandalf: I suppose you think that was terribly clever.

Book 1: Chapter II – The Shadow of the Past 31) Gandalf: ‘I suppose you feel that everything has gone off splendidly and according to plan.’

Bilbo starts, turns full circle before he sees Gandalf, looking rather stern.
Bilbo: Come on Gandalf, did you see their faces! (Packs the candles)
Gandalf: There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly!

(Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33) ‘Magic rings are – well, magical.’ )

Bilbo: It was just a bit of fun… Oh, you’re probably right, as usual… (Goes and takes his long-stemmed pipe from the mantelpiece) You will keep an eye on Frodo, won’t you?
Gandalf: Two eyes, as often as I can spare them.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 25) ‘Anyway I mean to enjoy myself on Thursday, and have my little joke.’
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 31) ‘I expect you know best, as usual.’
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 32) ‘You’ll keep an eye on Frodo, won’t you?
‘Two eyes, as often as I can spare them.’

Bilbo goes over to a shelf by the window and takes up a thick red-covered book.
Bilbo: I’m leaving everything to him.
Gandalf: What about this ring of yours, is that staying too?
Bilbo packs the pipe and book.
Bilbo: Yes, yes. It’s in an envelope over there, on the mantelpiece… No, wait it’s – here in my pocket. (Abstractedly takes the ring out and turns it in his fingers.) Why – isn’t that – isn’t that odd, now. (He laughs a little, but then his face changes) Yet after all that, why not. (Quietly) Why shouldn’t I keep it?
Gandalf: I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?
Bilbo turns quickly to look up at him, making an effort to be casual.
Bilbo: Well no… And yes. (It comes out almost a hiss. He turns away, and his voice becomes heated.) Now it comes to it, I don’t feel like parting with it. It’s mine! I found it! It came to me!

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 32) ‘…little rivers. … I am leaving everything to him, of course.’
‘Everything?’ said Gandalf. The ring as well? You agreed to that, you remember.’
‘Well, er, yes. I suppose so,’ stammered Bilbo.
‘Where is it?’
’In an envelope, if you must know,’ said Bilbo impatiently. ‘There on the mantelpiece. Well, no! Here it is in my pocket.’ He hesitated. ‘Isn’t that odd now?’ he said softly to himself. ‘Yet after all, why not? Why shouldn’t it stay there?
Gandalf looked again very hard at Bilbo, and there was a glint in his eyes. ‘I think, Bilbo,’ he said quietly, ‘I should leave it behind. Don’t you want to?’
‘Well, yes – and no. Now it comes to it, I don’t like parting with it at all, I may say. …’ A curious change came over his voice. It was sharp with suspicion and annoyance.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33) ‘It is my own. I found it. It came to me.’

Gandalf: There’s no need to get angry.
Bilbo: Well if I’m angry, it’s your fault! … (Croons) It’s mine. My own. (Hisses) My precious. (He holds the ring before him, stroking along its edge, with a strange smile and a strange light in his eyes, which grow large)
Gandalf (looks stricken): Precious? It’s been called that before, but not by you.
Bilbo turns sharply back with a snarl.
Bilbo (furiously): Oh, what business is it of yours what I do with my own things?!
Gandalf: I think you’ve had that ring quite long enough.
Bilbo’s fists are balled, and he bounces up on his toes for a moment, ready for a fight.
Bilbo: You want it for yourself!!

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33) Gandalf: ‘Also I think you have had it quite long enough.’
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33) Bilbo flushed, and there was an angry light in his eyes. His kindly face grew hard. … ‘And what business is it of yours, to know what I do with my own things? It is my own. I found it. It came to me.’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Gandalf. ‘But there is no need to get angry.’
‘If I am angry, it is your fault,’ said Bilbo. ‘It is mine, I tell you! My own. My precious. Yes, my precious.’
The wizard’s eyes remained grave and attentive, and only a flicker in his deep eyes showed that he was startled and indeed alarmed. ‘It has been called that before,’ he said, ‘but not by you.’
… ‘Well, if you want my ring yourself, say so!’ cried Bilbo. … His hand strayed to the hilt of his small sword.

The room darkens around Gandalf, and he seems to grow very tall and menacing as his voice takes on an alarming depth and resonance. Bilbo staggers back to against the wall; a strong wind is blowing at him.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33 …Gandalf’s eyes flashed .. he seemed to grow tall and menacing; his shadow filled the little room. … Bilbo backed away to the wall, breathing hard, his hand clutching at his pocket.
Gandalf (shouts): BILBO BAGGINS! DO NOT TAKE ME FOR SOME CONJUROR OF CHEAP TRICKS! I AM NOT TRYING TO ROB YOU!!
The light returns, and Gandalf returns to his proper size, becomes merely the old friend again.
I’m trying to help you.
Bilbo looks completely stricken. With a plaintive ‘Ohh,’ he goes forward to throw his arms around Gandalf’s waist. Gandalf holds him, stroking his hair a moment, then kneels to look him in the eyes, hands still on his shoulders.
All your long years, we’ve been friends. Trust me, as you once did, hmm? Let it go.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 34) ‘I am not trying to rob you, but to help you. I wish you’d trust me as you used.’ He turned away, and the shadow passed. He seemed to dwindle again to an old grey man, bent and troubled.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 33) ‘Let it go. All your long life we have been friends, and you owe me something. Come! Do as you promised: give it up!’

Bilbo: You’re right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo. (Picks up his staff and backpack and starts for the door) It’s late, the road is long… Yes, it is time…

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 34) ‘it goes to Frodo with all the rest.’

Bilbo opens the door and squares his shoulders, prepares to take that first step out.
Gandalf: Bilbo. (Bilbo stops) The ring is still in your pocket.
Bilbo (turning): Oh – yes.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 34) ‘You have still got the ring in your pocket,’ said the wizard.
‘Well, so I have!’ cried Bilbo.

He pulls it out of his pocket to hold on the palm of his hand. With a visible effort as he stares it down, he turns his hand, and it slides off to plummet to the floor. It hits the tiles with a metallic thump, and stays where it falls. He turns and runs the few steps outside, stopping not far from the door, breathing hard in the night air. Gandalf ducks out after him. Bilbo’s head comes up on one more deep breath.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 34) Bilbo took out the envelope, but … his hand jerked back, and the packet fell on the floor… A spasm of anger passed swiftly over the hobbit’s face again. Suddenly it gave way to a look of relief and a laugh.
Bilbo: I’ve thought up an ending for my book. (he turns around to look at Gandalf) ‘And he lived happily ever after, to the end of his days’
Gandalf (bending down): And I’m sure you will, my dear friend.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 32) ‘… where I can finish my book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived happily ever after to the end of his days.’
Gandalf laughed. ‘I hope he will. …’

Bilbo: Goodbye Gandalf.
Gandalf: Goodbye, dear Bilbo.
They clasp hands. Bilbo turns and goes down through his gate, and strides off down the path, singing.
Bilbo: The road goes ever on and on, etc.
Gandalf (Softly, to himself): Until our next meeting.

Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 35) ’Goodbye, Gandalf.’
…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.
Book 1: Chapter I – A Long-Expected Party 35) Bilbo:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
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