Chapter 7
Who Could Take Frodo
A cold chill entered the kitchen and sent a shiver to the hobbits that sat around the table. All eyes rounded and stared at each other and their words froze in mid-sentence. The shrill of the voice that echoed in the hallway had usually sent Bilbo ducking into the nearest hiding place that he could find, even to the point of quickly slipping his magic ring upon his finger to escape.
"Bilbo! Where are you?" screeched Lobelia.
The tips of Bilbo's pointed ears twitched with the sound of Lobelia's annoying pitch of voice.
Lobelia stormed into Bag End and marched right up to Bilbo, saying nothing to Frodo. "Bilbo, we need to talk in your study, follow me!" she demanded.
Bilbo raises his eyebrow and watched her rundle down the hallway heading for his study.
"Well I guess I will see Lobelia in my study," Bilbo said, imitating her, which made Frodo laugh out loud. Bilbo reluctantly stood and shrugged his shoulders and slowly he paced his steps making sure it took longer than necessary to get to his study. Entering the door he saw Lobelia with her arms crossed and anxiously waiting for him. Bilbo moved closer to his desk leaving the door open wide.
"Shut the door, we need to talk about this in private!" Lobelia ordered.
Bilbo only looked up towards Lobelia and calmly told her. "If you want it closed Lobelia, then I suggest you close it yourself. I am not your doormat unlike your wiped husband, Otho," Bilbo commented when he sat on the chair at his desk. He placed his elbows on the desk and rested his chin in the palms of his hands, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"Really Bilbo, must you put your elbows on your desk, it is rude," Lobelia sharply scolded him.
"Must I remind you, Lobelia, that you are in Bag Eng. This is my home and not yours," Bilbo said with a slight annoyance to his tone of voice.
"I know every nook and corner of this hobbit hole or have you forgotten all the years growing up that my father brought me here. It is almost a second home to me." Lobelia commented as she looked around the study, mostly commenting to herself rather than at Bilbo.
Bilbo's eyes followed her while she strolled looking and touching his things as she strolled by them."What is your business here, Lobelia? I am on pins and needles just waiting to hear your tale."
"I have come to collect Frodo! Otho and I have decided that the best place for him is to be raised by us."
Biblo's anger hit it boiling point and he instantly stood from his chair to face her. "Never!" roared Bilbo. "That boy is to remain here at Bag End, raised by a true Baggins in which it was intended."
Lobelia approached closer to him. "Bilbo, don't be ridiculous, you could not possibly raise Frodo by yourself. You know nothing of taking care of a child, let alone yourself," she commented.
"You think you are the better to raise the boy?" Bilbo argued.
"Yes, who else could possibly? Not Lilly Baggins because she married a Goodbody and we both know if they got Frodo they would insist upon him changing his name to theirs. Dudo Baggins can't afford to feed his own family and that is why I keep Daisy employed. That way, they have food on their table. Then there is poor old Dora Baggins who never married and well past the age for taking care of a child. You could not possibly consider Prisca Baggins to raise Frodo, since she married a Bolger. Then there is Posco Baggins, who has more children than he knows what to do with. Then you have Poppy Baggins who hates children and will not allow his own poor dear wife to conceive any children. Olo is only part Baggins and does not carry the Baggins name and he is far too young to raise Frodo. Which only leaves Otho and myself. Otho is a true Baggins. My father was very close to Ruby Baggins and respected her greatly. He loved Drogo the most. Otho and I have more than enough money to raise Frodo the right way," Lobelia paused a moment as she paced a little closer to Bilbo and looked into his eyes. "Bilbo, you are old. Are you going to allow Frodo to bury you as well? At least, Frodo would have Lotho as a brother. What more could you give to Frodo?"
Bilbo stood placing his fingertips on his desk, and lean in a little closer to Lobelia to make sure she heard every word he was about to say to her."I would not let Frodo within 10 yards of you, Lobelia. I will fight you and them some... Don't you ever think you could possibly beat me! You may have beaten Frodo with a belt, but you will find that I would be a bigger challenge for you! I know you better than anyone a live. I'll take your hide off and feed it to the Trolls!"
Lobelia placed her hands upon her hips and shouted back at Bilbo."You would not dare!" Glaring at him through narrowed eyes. She stepped back away from him as a smug expression crossed her face. "Bilbo you are still angry with me even after all these years, you still pine for me," said Lobelia and smiled directly at him in a knowing manner.
Bilbo almost laughed as he stood straighter and avoided her eye contact. "I pine nothing for you nor have I ever. It was our father's idea and not mine. Lobelia, if you remember correctly." Raising his eyes he looked at her straight in the face.
Lobelia crossed her arms and turned away from him taking another few step from the desk. "You have hated me ever since I refused to marry you and choose Otho over you."
"I have never hated you nor I have ever loved you. Our fathers arranged that marriage long ago. It was only fate that my father died shortly after that agreement, just before your coming of age." Bilbo reminded her.
"You came between my father and me!" she shouted at Bilbo.
Bilbo again raised his voice almost to a shout. "Your father gave me your dowry only because you broke the agreement. Your father made me promise him never to give it back to you. I promised him and have kept that promise ever since. For anything else, Lobelia, only to humble you from your arrogant pride. I continue to keep it!"
Lobelia's slammed her hand down on his desk and shouted at the top of her voice. "Give it back to me Bilbo! That money and those spoons belong in my family not yours!"
"You will never have it!" Bilbo shouted back at her looking her square in the face again.
Lobelia's face was fuming red and so was her temper. "I will have my dowry money, my spoons, Frodo and Bag End, I tell you! You will not win this one Bilbo, I will see it to!" she screamed as she marched out the study door and slammed it shut right behind her.
"No Lobelia, you will not win...I will see to it, you will never get your hands on Bag End nor Frodo...You will see," Bilbo said to the door that was slammed shut. He picked up his pen and began to write his will.
The afternoon wore on and the hot summer air was stifling in his study. Bilbo closed his book and grabbed his pipe heading outside for some fresh air. The garden was so much cooler and the gentle breeze touched Bilbo's face. Sitting down in his favorite spot he observed the good folk of Hobbition below the Hill.
Lying on his back, on top of the hill, Bilbo began to watch the clouds drifting by. He finally began to relax with each puff of his pipe. The smoke circled around the top of his head while he thought about Frodo and naming him his beneficiary. Frodo would inherit Bag End and all of his belongs. This way, Bag End would always have a Baggins under its roof and that idea made him smile.
Bilbo was determined to do the right thing for Frodo and he mentally began to prepare his fight for him. Frodo would never end up living with the Sackville-Baggins. He knew Lobelia all to well. If there was something that she wanted, she was like a bulldog latching on to it, never releasing it until she had it. It took all of his wit to best her, which he found he was more than able. A talent he knew he possessed and perhaps this is what her father saw in Bilbo, when he first arranged the marriage with Bilbo's father.
He knew if anyone ever possessed the ability to control Lobelia, it was himself. His quick wit had gotten him out of harms way on numerous occasions. Bilbo loved his father and would have honored whatever he had wanted of him. His mind wandered back to the day his father gave him his mother's engagement ring. Bungo told him that if he choose too, he could ask Lobelia to marry him. Both his parents and Logo Bracegirdle had giving their blessings and agreed to their courtship. The memory brought the old feelings of hurt when he saw Lobelia holding Otho's hand and running away with him. His father had died that evening and never knew how Lobelia had betrayed them. Bilbo promised his father while he lay in his coffin, that he would never marry and their name Baggins would end with him. Seeing the person that Lobelia grew into he was thankful that fate was wiser than their parents, thinking they knew what was best for their children.
Otho, even though he was a Baggins, he was simple minded and could be lead around easily at each whim. Otho possessed no backbone at all. If Lobelia snapped her fingers, Otho was too willing to obey.
"Bilbo?" Frodo said approaching him slowly and pulling Bilbo from his thoughts. "May I join you?"
"Yes, Frodo. Please do," Bilbo sat up with his pipe in his mouth.
"I think this spot here is the most wonderful spot in all Hobbiton. You can see for miles up here." Frodo commented sitting down next to Bilbo.
"Can you be happy here, Frodo? I mean living at Bag End with me?" Bilbo asked.
"Bilbo, do you mean............Can I really stay here permanently?" The excitement in his voice was more than what Bilbo wanted for an answer.
"I will do everything within my power to keep you here at Bag End." Bilbo said and paused a moment, "I must tell you, Frodo, Lobelia intends to fight me to take you to live with her. But do not worry yourself with that. I intend to best her as I have always done in the past," pausing he continued. "Do you fear her? I mean, especially since she had hurt you like she did?" Bilbo asked.
"No Bilbo. It was Lotho's lie that convinced her that I was stealing her jewelry. If she would have but listened to me first, she would have found the truth."
"You have a kind heart, my boy. So much like your mother. But I warn you, Frodo. Do not under estimate Lobelia. She is as crafty as any troll that I have come across."
"I will be on my guard." Frodo said promising Bilbo.
Bilbo again stretched out on the grass and let his thoughts take him on another adventure as he began to tell Frodo all about the dwarves.
The ponies whinnied while the stable boy tied the last strap to their halter. Stretching the reins to the small wagon, the stable boy waited for Lobelia to climb aboard.
Lobelia climbed up into the wagon and took the reins from the stable boy. He handed her the basket she had left on the ground and placed it next to her. She placed a few coins into his hand and turned without saying a single polite comment. Snapping the reins, the ponies began to pull the small wagon that would take her to the Great Smial, in Tuckbourough, to see Paladin.
The ponies trotted along the dirt path and a small cloud of dust followed from just behind the wagon. The trees slowly faded from view and only the lush green hills of Tuckborough could be seen.
From a short distance, Lobelia saw two hobbit boys loading a sling shot as they looked for a new target to practice their skill. She glared at them as she slowly passed the boys. "Wayward brats!" she commented loudly enough for them to hear.
One of the boys turned his sling shot and hit the horse's butt with his pepple. The horse reared up, but Lobelia grabbed the reins tightly and calmed the beast while they pranced to a standing position. Turning to the boys who hooted and howled laughing at Lobelia. She picked up two ripe tomatoes from her basket, she belted them on the side of their heads as they ran for dear life, away from the old hag that invaded their stone fortress in the valley of two rolling hill.
She did not live 80 years and not know how to handle two wayward boys. She taught them a lesson that they would remember for sometime to come.
The Great Smial slowly came into view as she slowly followed the dirt path that led around a taller grassy hill.
She halted her ponies when a servant came running to assist her from her wagon. The doors of the Great Smial opened when Lobelia was let in to see Paladin.
"Good day to you Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. How may I help you this fine afternoon?" Paladin asked as he shook her hand greeting her.
"I have come on a matter of custody for the newly orphan child, Frodo Baggins. It seems that a distance relative is seeking custody of this child that would be totally inappropriate. It is Bilbo Baggins." Lobelia began to tell him.
"You do not say? Bilbo wants to raise a child? How odd in deed?" Paladin questioned.
"I feel that Otho and myself could far better take care of Frodo and give him a normal life as any hobbit should have." Lobelia said proudly.
"I see, well, I will have to hear both sides and then make my decision on who will take custody of Frodo. However, what I decide is final. Is that understood?" Paladin told her.
"Quite so," Lobelia again shook Paladin's hand.
"I will set up a meeting with Bilbo and Frodo to hear their side of the story. You will have to come to another meeting that I will arrange shortly. Then after I hear everyone's side of the story, I will make my decision. I will send a letter out to both of you on the time we should meet. Good day to you." Paladin said as he lead Lobelia back to her wagon.
The next couple of days Frodo settled into Bag End. He began looking forward to his time he spent with Bilbo and other times playing with the Gamgee boys. He loved Hobbiton and began to know all the hobbits that lived there. Mrs. Gamgee would prepare all their meals and Frodo would play with baby Sam.
Bilbo kept Frodo busy as they began to prepare for their birthday party, something else they shared with each other. Their birthday fell on the same day. Bilbo wanted this day to be a special day for Frodo. Bilbo was very secretive in all his planning and he would hide a package that was delivered to Bag End.
Bilbo would take his books out and began to teach Frodo. He was amazed how fast he caught on to the things he would present to him. It wasn't long before Frodo was reading maps, in which there was an abundance of them at Bag End. Frodo would ask Bilbo so many questions it kept him challenged in trying to answer them all. For the first time, Bilbo has someone to share his life with and he treasured each moment with Frodo.
A knock came to the door at Bag End and often the familiar phrase was heard over and over again, "Frodo! Answer the door!" Bilbo would shout while he would be writing his book. It also seemed that Bilbo had an abundance of visitors that often stopped by Bag End.
Frodo brought a sealed envelope from a messenger, to give to Bilbo. Bilbo opened it as he read it. He slammed his hand down on his desk.
"If it is a fight they want, then a fight it will be!"
Who Could Take Frodo
A cold chill entered the kitchen and sent a shiver to the hobbits that sat around the table. All eyes rounded and stared at each other and their words froze in mid-sentence. The shrill of the voice that echoed in the hallway had usually sent Bilbo ducking into the nearest hiding place that he could find, even to the point of quickly slipping his magic ring upon his finger to escape.
"Bilbo! Where are you?" screeched Lobelia.
The tips of Bilbo's pointed ears twitched with the sound of Lobelia's annoying pitch of voice.
Lobelia stormed into Bag End and marched right up to Bilbo, saying nothing to Frodo. "Bilbo, we need to talk in your study, follow me!" she demanded.
Bilbo raises his eyebrow and watched her rundle down the hallway heading for his study.
"Well I guess I will see Lobelia in my study," Bilbo said, imitating her, which made Frodo laugh out loud. Bilbo reluctantly stood and shrugged his shoulders and slowly he paced his steps making sure it took longer than necessary to get to his study. Entering the door he saw Lobelia with her arms crossed and anxiously waiting for him. Bilbo moved closer to his desk leaving the door open wide.
"Shut the door, we need to talk about this in private!" Lobelia ordered.
Bilbo only looked up towards Lobelia and calmly told her. "If you want it closed Lobelia, then I suggest you close it yourself. I am not your doormat unlike your wiped husband, Otho," Bilbo commented when he sat on the chair at his desk. He placed his elbows on the desk and rested his chin in the palms of his hands, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"Really Bilbo, must you put your elbows on your desk, it is rude," Lobelia sharply scolded him.
"Must I remind you, Lobelia, that you are in Bag Eng. This is my home and not yours," Bilbo said with a slight annoyance to his tone of voice.
"I know every nook and corner of this hobbit hole or have you forgotten all the years growing up that my father brought me here. It is almost a second home to me." Lobelia commented as she looked around the study, mostly commenting to herself rather than at Bilbo.
Bilbo's eyes followed her while she strolled looking and touching his things as she strolled by them."What is your business here, Lobelia? I am on pins and needles just waiting to hear your tale."
"I have come to collect Frodo! Otho and I have decided that the best place for him is to be raised by us."
Biblo's anger hit it boiling point and he instantly stood from his chair to face her. "Never!" roared Bilbo. "That boy is to remain here at Bag End, raised by a true Baggins in which it was intended."
Lobelia approached closer to him. "Bilbo, don't be ridiculous, you could not possibly raise Frodo by yourself. You know nothing of taking care of a child, let alone yourself," she commented.
"You think you are the better to raise the boy?" Bilbo argued.
"Yes, who else could possibly? Not Lilly Baggins because she married a Goodbody and we both know if they got Frodo they would insist upon him changing his name to theirs. Dudo Baggins can't afford to feed his own family and that is why I keep Daisy employed. That way, they have food on their table. Then there is poor old Dora Baggins who never married and well past the age for taking care of a child. You could not possibly consider Prisca Baggins to raise Frodo, since she married a Bolger. Then there is Posco Baggins, who has more children than he knows what to do with. Then you have Poppy Baggins who hates children and will not allow his own poor dear wife to conceive any children. Olo is only part Baggins and does not carry the Baggins name and he is far too young to raise Frodo. Which only leaves Otho and myself. Otho is a true Baggins. My father was very close to Ruby Baggins and respected her greatly. He loved Drogo the most. Otho and I have more than enough money to raise Frodo the right way," Lobelia paused a moment as she paced a little closer to Bilbo and looked into his eyes. "Bilbo, you are old. Are you going to allow Frodo to bury you as well? At least, Frodo would have Lotho as a brother. What more could you give to Frodo?"
Bilbo stood placing his fingertips on his desk, and lean in a little closer to Lobelia to make sure she heard every word he was about to say to her."I would not let Frodo within 10 yards of you, Lobelia. I will fight you and them some... Don't you ever think you could possibly beat me! You may have beaten Frodo with a belt, but you will find that I would be a bigger challenge for you! I know you better than anyone a live. I'll take your hide off and feed it to the Trolls!"
Lobelia placed her hands upon her hips and shouted back at Bilbo."You would not dare!" Glaring at him through narrowed eyes. She stepped back away from him as a smug expression crossed her face. "Bilbo you are still angry with me even after all these years, you still pine for me," said Lobelia and smiled directly at him in a knowing manner.
Bilbo almost laughed as he stood straighter and avoided her eye contact. "I pine nothing for you nor have I ever. It was our father's idea and not mine. Lobelia, if you remember correctly." Raising his eyes he looked at her straight in the face.
Lobelia crossed her arms and turned away from him taking another few step from the desk. "You have hated me ever since I refused to marry you and choose Otho over you."
"I have never hated you nor I have ever loved you. Our fathers arranged that marriage long ago. It was only fate that my father died shortly after that agreement, just before your coming of age." Bilbo reminded her.
"You came between my father and me!" she shouted at Bilbo.
Bilbo again raised his voice almost to a shout. "Your father gave me your dowry only because you broke the agreement. Your father made me promise him never to give it back to you. I promised him and have kept that promise ever since. For anything else, Lobelia, only to humble you from your arrogant pride. I continue to keep it!"
Lobelia's slammed her hand down on his desk and shouted at the top of her voice. "Give it back to me Bilbo! That money and those spoons belong in my family not yours!"
"You will never have it!" Bilbo shouted back at her looking her square in the face again.
Lobelia's face was fuming red and so was her temper. "I will have my dowry money, my spoons, Frodo and Bag End, I tell you! You will not win this one Bilbo, I will see it to!" she screamed as she marched out the study door and slammed it shut right behind her.
"No Lobelia, you will not win...I will see to it, you will never get your hands on Bag End nor Frodo...You will see," Bilbo said to the door that was slammed shut. He picked up his pen and began to write his will.
The afternoon wore on and the hot summer air was stifling in his study. Bilbo closed his book and grabbed his pipe heading outside for some fresh air. The garden was so much cooler and the gentle breeze touched Bilbo's face. Sitting down in his favorite spot he observed the good folk of Hobbition below the Hill.
Lying on his back, on top of the hill, Bilbo began to watch the clouds drifting by. He finally began to relax with each puff of his pipe. The smoke circled around the top of his head while he thought about Frodo and naming him his beneficiary. Frodo would inherit Bag End and all of his belongs. This way, Bag End would always have a Baggins under its roof and that idea made him smile.
Bilbo was determined to do the right thing for Frodo and he mentally began to prepare his fight for him. Frodo would never end up living with the Sackville-Baggins. He knew Lobelia all to well. If there was something that she wanted, she was like a bulldog latching on to it, never releasing it until she had it. It took all of his wit to best her, which he found he was more than able. A talent he knew he possessed and perhaps this is what her father saw in Bilbo, when he first arranged the marriage with Bilbo's father.
He knew if anyone ever possessed the ability to control Lobelia, it was himself. His quick wit had gotten him out of harms way on numerous occasions. Bilbo loved his father and would have honored whatever he had wanted of him. His mind wandered back to the day his father gave him his mother's engagement ring. Bungo told him that if he choose too, he could ask Lobelia to marry him. Both his parents and Logo Bracegirdle had giving their blessings and agreed to their courtship. The memory brought the old feelings of hurt when he saw Lobelia holding Otho's hand and running away with him. His father had died that evening and never knew how Lobelia had betrayed them. Bilbo promised his father while he lay in his coffin, that he would never marry and their name Baggins would end with him. Seeing the person that Lobelia grew into he was thankful that fate was wiser than their parents, thinking they knew what was best for their children.
Otho, even though he was a Baggins, he was simple minded and could be lead around easily at each whim. Otho possessed no backbone at all. If Lobelia snapped her fingers, Otho was too willing to obey.
"Bilbo?" Frodo said approaching him slowly and pulling Bilbo from his thoughts. "May I join you?"
"Yes, Frodo. Please do," Bilbo sat up with his pipe in his mouth.
"I think this spot here is the most wonderful spot in all Hobbiton. You can see for miles up here." Frodo commented sitting down next to Bilbo.
"Can you be happy here, Frodo? I mean living at Bag End with me?" Bilbo asked.
"Bilbo, do you mean............Can I really stay here permanently?" The excitement in his voice was more than what Bilbo wanted for an answer.
"I will do everything within my power to keep you here at Bag End." Bilbo said and paused a moment, "I must tell you, Frodo, Lobelia intends to fight me to take you to live with her. But do not worry yourself with that. I intend to best her as I have always done in the past," pausing he continued. "Do you fear her? I mean, especially since she had hurt you like she did?" Bilbo asked.
"No Bilbo. It was Lotho's lie that convinced her that I was stealing her jewelry. If she would have but listened to me first, she would have found the truth."
"You have a kind heart, my boy. So much like your mother. But I warn you, Frodo. Do not under estimate Lobelia. She is as crafty as any troll that I have come across."
"I will be on my guard." Frodo said promising Bilbo.
Bilbo again stretched out on the grass and let his thoughts take him on another adventure as he began to tell Frodo all about the dwarves.
The ponies whinnied while the stable boy tied the last strap to their halter. Stretching the reins to the small wagon, the stable boy waited for Lobelia to climb aboard.
Lobelia climbed up into the wagon and took the reins from the stable boy. He handed her the basket she had left on the ground and placed it next to her. She placed a few coins into his hand and turned without saying a single polite comment. Snapping the reins, the ponies began to pull the small wagon that would take her to the Great Smial, in Tuckbourough, to see Paladin.
The ponies trotted along the dirt path and a small cloud of dust followed from just behind the wagon. The trees slowly faded from view and only the lush green hills of Tuckborough could be seen.
From a short distance, Lobelia saw two hobbit boys loading a sling shot as they looked for a new target to practice their skill. She glared at them as she slowly passed the boys. "Wayward brats!" she commented loudly enough for them to hear.
One of the boys turned his sling shot and hit the horse's butt with his pepple. The horse reared up, but Lobelia grabbed the reins tightly and calmed the beast while they pranced to a standing position. Turning to the boys who hooted and howled laughing at Lobelia. She picked up two ripe tomatoes from her basket, she belted them on the side of their heads as they ran for dear life, away from the old hag that invaded their stone fortress in the valley of two rolling hill.
She did not live 80 years and not know how to handle two wayward boys. She taught them a lesson that they would remember for sometime to come.
The Great Smial slowly came into view as she slowly followed the dirt path that led around a taller grassy hill.
She halted her ponies when a servant came running to assist her from her wagon. The doors of the Great Smial opened when Lobelia was let in to see Paladin.
"Good day to you Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. How may I help you this fine afternoon?" Paladin asked as he shook her hand greeting her.
"I have come on a matter of custody for the newly orphan child, Frodo Baggins. It seems that a distance relative is seeking custody of this child that would be totally inappropriate. It is Bilbo Baggins." Lobelia began to tell him.
"You do not say? Bilbo wants to raise a child? How odd in deed?" Paladin questioned.
"I feel that Otho and myself could far better take care of Frodo and give him a normal life as any hobbit should have." Lobelia said proudly.
"I see, well, I will have to hear both sides and then make my decision on who will take custody of Frodo. However, what I decide is final. Is that understood?" Paladin told her.
"Quite so," Lobelia again shook Paladin's hand.
"I will set up a meeting with Bilbo and Frodo to hear their side of the story. You will have to come to another meeting that I will arrange shortly. Then after I hear everyone's side of the story, I will make my decision. I will send a letter out to both of you on the time we should meet. Good day to you." Paladin said as he lead Lobelia back to her wagon.
The next couple of days Frodo settled into Bag End. He began looking forward to his time he spent with Bilbo and other times playing with the Gamgee boys. He loved Hobbiton and began to know all the hobbits that lived there. Mrs. Gamgee would prepare all their meals and Frodo would play with baby Sam.
Bilbo kept Frodo busy as they began to prepare for their birthday party, something else they shared with each other. Their birthday fell on the same day. Bilbo wanted this day to be a special day for Frodo. Bilbo was very secretive in all his planning and he would hide a package that was delivered to Bag End.
Bilbo would take his books out and began to teach Frodo. He was amazed how fast he caught on to the things he would present to him. It wasn't long before Frodo was reading maps, in which there was an abundance of them at Bag End. Frodo would ask Bilbo so many questions it kept him challenged in trying to answer them all. For the first time, Bilbo has someone to share his life with and he treasured each moment with Frodo.
A knock came to the door at Bag End and often the familiar phrase was heard over and over again, "Frodo! Answer the door!" Bilbo would shout while he would be writing his book. It also seemed that Bilbo had an abundance of visitors that often stopped by Bag End.
Frodo brought a sealed envelope from a messenger, to give to Bilbo. Bilbo opened it as he read it. He slammed his hand down on his desk.
"If it is a fight they want, then a fight it will be!"
