A Lonely Party

Frodo's 50th birthday arrived along with a party. But Frodo was in no mood for it. Gandalf still had not arrived or sent word and it was his last day in Bag End before the Sackville-Bagginses took possession. Plus, he still wasn't sure how he would explain leaving the Shire to his friends. Still, joined by Merry, Pippen, Fredegar, and Folco and the last of Bilbo's wine they managed to have a good time and stay up late into the night. "Frodo's party was over, Gandalf still had not come" (p. 77, The Fellowship of the Ring). Had Frodo known the Ringwraith's were closing in on the Shire his concern over Gandalf's absence would have been more acute--as we can see:

"Night was waning on the twenty-second day of September when drawing together again they came to Sarn Ford and the southernmost borders of the Shire. They found them guarded, for the Rangers barred their way. But this was a task beyond the power of the Dunedain; and maybe it would still have proved so even if their captain, Aragorn, had been with them. But he was away to the north, upon the East Road near Bree; and the hearts even of the Dunedain misgave them. Some fled northward, hoping to bear news to Aragorn but they were pursued and slain or driven away into the wild. Some still dared to bar the ford, and held it while day lasted, but at night the Lord of Morgul swept them away, and the Black Riders passed into the Shire; and ere cocks crowed in the small hours of the twenty-third day of September some were riding north through the land, even as Gandalf upon Shadowfax was riding over Rohan far behind" (p. 341, Unfinished Tales). I love this additional detail from Unfinished Tales, it really adds to the tension of the situation.

On the morning of September 23rd Frodo and his friends finished the last of the packing. Merry and Fatty (Fredegar) left by cart to take the last of Frodo's things to Crickhollow and Folco headed home after lunch. Frodo was left with an empty Bag End, Sam, and Pippin. "Frodo was restless and anxious, listening in vain for a sound of Gandalf" (p. 77, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo's plan was to cross the Shire on foot giving Gandalf a few extra days to catch up to him. But it was far from a relaxing last day at Bag End as Lobelia Sackville-Baggins came early to inspect the place and make sure Frodo didn't take any agreed upon items that were to stay. She was as rude as could be. She left after several hours and was none to happy to leave one key to Bag End with Gaffer Gamgee.

It was announced that Sam was planning to move with Frodo and remain his gardener at his new home in Crickhollow; this would alleviate some concern about why Sam would be gone. The three friends ate one last dinner at the home. "They left the washing up for Lobelia" (p. 78, The Fellowship of the Ring) Ha! They loaded up their packs while Sam disappeared. Night was falling and Frodo took one more walk around Bag End half expecting to see Gandalf. "He turned to go back, and then stopped, for he heard voices, just round the corner by the end of Bagshot Row. One voice was certainly the old Gaffer's; the other was strange, and somewhat unpleasant. He could not make out what it said, but he heard the Gaffer's answers, which were rather shrill. The old man seemed put out" (p. 78, The Fellowship of the Ring). Frodo understood that this stranger was he was asking about himself and the Gaffer revealed he had moved. He did not know why, but Frodo felt a sense of relief when he heard the stranger leave rather than come toward Bag End.

Frodo decided to set off immediately and gathered Pippen but Sam was still missing. Frodo called out to him. "'Coming, sir!' came the answer far within, followed soon by Sam himself, wiping his mouth. He had been saying farewell to the beer-barrel in the cellar" (p. 79, The Fellowship of the Ring). That picture brings a smile to my face. Frodo and Sam in the book, at least in the beginning, have an almost servant/master relationship. You often see Sam referring to Frodo as sir and yet you can see Sam has much more devotion to Frodo than to a master or boss. Off Frodo, Sam, and Pippen went with Frodo offering a last goodbye to Bag End. "He waved his hand, and then turned and (following Bilbo, if he had known it) hurried after Peregrin down the garden-path" (p. 79, The Fellowship of the Ring).

They walked on through the countryside avoiding the roads and any peeping eyes. Frodo thought his pack rather heavy (he was out of shape in reality). "'I could take a lot more yet, sir. My packet is quite light,' said Sam stoutly and untruthfully" (p. 79, The Fellowship of the Ring). This is a great example of Sam's devotion to Frodo. Of course Pippen felt that Frodo would be just fine when he shed a few pounds from his body rather than the backpack. They marched on until past midnight talking and humming along the way before finding a nice shelter under a tree to rest for that evening.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, September 22nd-24th

Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 76-81 and Unfinished Tales, page 341