Frodo, too, possessed a dual lineage. His mother came from the adventurous and pioneering Brandybuck family, and his father from the steadfast Baggins line. From a young age, he had shown traits uncommon among most hobbits. He had their gentleness, simplicity, and love of peace, but also a quiet resilience and a courage that set him apart.
Because of this, when Frodo was adopted by Bilbo, he immediately drew Gandalf's attention. The wizard had secretly observed him for years. And none of Gandalf's intentions were hidden from Sylas.
Back inside Bag End, as Sylas, Bilbo, and Frodo chatted, the fireplace suddenly flared green again.
"Am I too late?" Gandalf asked cheerfully as he stepped out of the fire.
"Gandalf! What brings you here?" Bilbo exclaimed.
Frodo, startled but delighted, hurried over.
"Today is your one hundred and eleventh birthday," Gandalf said with a wink. "How could I possibly miss it?" He looked at Frodo and grinned. "Oh, Frodo, it has been a long time! You look taller than ever. A fine young hobbit indeed."
Then he drew out a small bag and handed it to Frodo. "I cannot compete with Sylas in craftsmanship, but I did make some fireworks as your present. Use them later to brighten the celebration."
Frodo peeked inside and nearly dropped the bag. It was small, yet somehow held the amount of fireworks one might load onto a full wagon. Merry and Pippin would lose their minds when they saw this.
The two had been Frodo's closest childhood companions: one the son of his uncle, the other the son of his aunt. Energetic, mischievous, and inseparable, the pair were probably causing trouble at the feast already.
Bilbo was delighted to see his friends gathered, Sylas, Gandalf, Elseth, and Elroth. With everyone present, he prepared to head to the party.
But as they opened the door of Bag End, a young hobbit stood outside, just about to knock.
He was plump and plain-looking, with a simple and earnest expression. Seeing the room full of guests, he startled slightly.
"Sam, what brings you here?" Frodo asked.
Sam straightened quickly, almost shy in front of the important visitors. "The party is nearly over, sir. They're waiting for Mr. Bilbo, so they sent me to fetch you."
Elseth and Elroth studied him curiously. Sylas and Gandalf also watched him with interest.
"Bilbo, and who is this?" Sylas asked, though he already knew.
"This is Samwise Gamgee," Bilbo said casually. "My gardener. He looks after the grounds of Bag End."
He turned to Sam. "Sam, these are my guests: Gandalf, Sylas, and his children, Elseth and Elroth. Go ahead and arrange their seats, they sit next to me."
"Yes, Mr. Bilbo! Right away!" Sam said, hurrying down the hill.
"Sam, wait for me!" Frodo called before turning to Bilbo. "Uncle Bilbo, I'll help him."
"Go ahead," Bilbo said. "Take Elseth and Elroth with you. They're a few years older than you. Young people should get along well."
Frodo paused, glancing at the twins. Though their height matched his, they looked only eleven or twelve. It startled him every time, even knowing they were older than he was.
"Would you like to come?" Frodo asked.
Elseth and Elroth looked to Sylas first. Sylas nodded gently.
"If you want to go, follow Frodo. We'll join you shortly."
Given permission, the twins immediately followed Frodo and Sam down the hill.
They had spent most of their childhood at Hogwarts, and the rest in the elven valley and in Lórien. Apart from occasional visits to Hogsmeade, they had never been far, and although they were thirty-eight years old, in elven terms they were still children, curious about the world, eager to explore something new.
As Frodo, Sam, Elseth, and Elroth made their way down the path, Bilbo, Sylas, and Gandalf remained behind, walking slowly toward the celebration.
Watching the children disappear down the path, Bilbo's expression softened with relief. But after a moment, he let out a long sigh, and his face grew serious.
He turned to Sylas and Gandalf beside him. "Sylas, Gandalf… after this birthday, I plan to pass Bag End and all my belongings on to Frodo."
Both men stopped in surprise.
"Bilbo," Gandalf asked, frowning slightly, "may I know why you've made this decision?"
Sylas also looked at him with quiet confusion.
Bilbo had clearly thought about this for a long time. Under the moonlight, he gazed over Hobbiton, the fields, the lanes, the lanterns glowing warmly in the distance. His eyes held nostalgia, even reluctance, but his expression remained firm.
"I've lived in Hobbiton my entire life. If not for the Elixir of Immortality Sylas gave me, I would probably be buried in the ground by now rather than still wandering around so sprightly.
"So, in the next few days, I intend to hand over Bag End to Frodo… and then leave the Shire to continue the adventure I left unfinished."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"Besides… my unchanging appearance has already drawn too many stares. If I stay here any longer, it will only cause trouble. In time, it will become impossible for me to live peacefully, let alone travel."
Hearing this, Sylas and Gandalf exchanged a quiet look. They understood.
Bilbo no longer belonged in the Shire.
While his body remained as young as a hobbit in his fifties, his friends and peers had grown old or long since passed away. His immortality set him apart, and the longer he stayed, the more fear, jealousy, or greed he might provoke.
Leaving was the wisest, and safest, choice.
"So," Sylas asked gently, "where do you plan to go?"
Bilbo smiled faintly. "Lord Elrond once invited me to live in Rivendell. The valley is beautiful, peaceful… a perfect place for retirement."
Then he looked up at Sylas with a playful glint in his eye.
"Of course, Sylas, Hogwarts is just as beautiful. If I stayed there for a time, would I be welcome?"
"Of course you would," Sylas said warmly. "Hogwarts has always kept a room ready for you. Stay as long as you wish. And if it pleases you, you could serve as a school administrator, just like Gandalf and the others."
...
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