10th January, 1423 SR
Dear Sam,
Bilbo was brought to The Hall of Endless Dream early this morning. It is a marble hall high up on the hill that overlooks Valinor, built only days after Bilbo and I arrived in Eressea. It is where they keep the dead in the Undying Land.
Bilbo called for me around midnight of the sixth. He rarely sent for me after our bed time, so I knew something was wrong. He was wide awake, which was another strange thing. He asked me to sit beside him, and I took his hand. His face was serene and he seemed years and years younger.
"Well, my dear Frodo, this is it, I'm afraid," he said, and his voice was strangely firm and even. "I am sorry that we can no longer celebrate our birthdays together."
I was beginning to tremble with fear. "What do you mean, Bilbo?" I said. "You don't want to miss your 133rd birthday. The Elves are preparing a party beyond your imagination yet. They are experimenting with food and fireworks every day and new songs are rehearsed in your honour and …"
Bilbo smiled and pressed my hand. "I'd love to be there, lad. But really, it's too much of a bother now. I don't think the Elves would appreciate it if I slept through the party."
He closed his eyes and seemingly fell asleep. A dark fear wrenched at my heart and I looked wildly around at the Elves, but they only stared at me with eyes full of comfort and sympathy. Do something, I tried to say desperately, but my voice did not come.
The Bilbo's eyes opened again. "I have a question to ask you, Frodo, before I go," he said, and I nearly cried when he mentioned the word "go". "Do you ever regret moving in with me?"
"Bilbo, you old dear!" I cried. "Why would I regret it? It was the best thing that could ever happen in my life!"
Bilbo smiled. "Good. I felt the same way too. Only I keep thinking that if you had stayed at Brandy Hall, you would not have inherited The Ring, and you would not have had to go to that dreadful…"
I was unable to speak.
"Otho, or Lotho, would have gotten it," Bilbo went on calmly. "I suppose they would put It to all sorts of mischief and then maybe He would find them and do…whatever it was He did. But at least you would be safe in Buckland."
"Bilbo, please," I begged him. "I won't have you feel guilty over what happened. It was the best way that things could have ever turned out. I could not bear to imagine you going alone to Mordor to destroy The Ring and I suppose Otho and Lotho would have only made matters worse."
Bilbo smiled. His tired eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. "Do you still have that dream?" he said.
"What dream?" I asked, puzzled.
"Whatever dream it was that made you scream in your sleep. You were calling for Sam to help you. Something about the Eye and orcs," said Bilbo, his eyes full of sadness. "You woke me up once or twice with those screams."
I was taken aback. I did not know I talked in my sleep, especially not so loud that Bilbo could hear it. And dreams about the Eyes, and the orcs? Oh, Sam, I felt so guilty for ruining the old hobbit's peace in Eressea. "Bilbo, I'm sorry," I said, taking Bilbo's hand and caressing it. "I'm so sorry. I never meant… It was just a dream."
"I'm the one who's sorry, lad," said Bilbo, and he stroked my cheek. He began to weep, his tears rolled one by one on his parched cheeks on to the pillow. "Forgive me for everything."
I did not know what to say. I gripped Bilbo's hand and nodded. I was only vaguely aware that Gandalf had come and sat on the other side of Bilbo's bed, holding his other hand.
"Wish me a good dream," said Bilbo, smiling to both of us.
"What would that be?" asked Gandalf.
"My 111th and Frodo's 33rd birthday," said Bilbo. "The fireworks and musicians. The children and their toys. The food."
"Good one," said Gandalf. "Goodbye, old friend."
"Goodbye, my dear Gandalf," Bilbo said, squeezing Gandalf's hand. "Keep two eyes on Frodo, I know you can spare them now."
"I will, Bilbo," said Gandalf. "I will."
Bilbo turned to me, and he was smiling. "I have never thanked you for coming to live with me in Bag End. So, thank you. Enjoy the party for me." He winked and closed his eyes. He died an hour later.
Frodo Baggins