*60 years later*
Bilbo looked back at Gandalf with a sigh "You know I've thought up an ending for my book- 'And he lived happily ever after, till the end of his days.' "
Gandalf chuckled "I'm sure you will. Now you should be off."
He smiled "Goodbye Gandalf."
The wizard patted his hand "Goodbye my dear Bilbo."
Bilbo turned from his old friend, gripping his walking stick as he set down the dark path. He cast one last look back at the distant lights of bag end, in his heart he wondered if he was doing the right thing. He shook his head, no it was now or never he thought. Old age has crept up upon him, he could feel it. Any more delays and he feared he would not have the strength to make the journey.
"And here I thought you might have changed your mind. The Bilbo Baggins I once knew would have been mortified at even the thought of being late!"
Bilbo's eyes lit up at the voice. Benna swung out of her saddle embracing him. "It is good to see you my friend! A hundred and eleven years old who would have thought." She said, smiling down at him.
Bilbo smiled back at her. She looked different from the last he had seen her at Fili's ascension, gone was the regal attire and crown, now replaced with a simple shirt and trousers. She no longer looked like Benna the Deathless Queen Under the Mountain. Now she looked like just Benna, the strange girl who had wandered into his house sixty years ago. Her hair had a touch of grey and she still bore the scars of their adventure, but her eyes held the same twinkle of mischief as before.
"We should be off." She said, handing him the reins of the other pony "The night is old and Rivendell is a ways off, and the mountain further still."
Bilbo nodded as he steered his pony in line with hers.
"You know, I think I am quite ready for one more adventure." He smiled.
"Nothing too terribly adventurous hopefully!" Benna grinned back at him.
The Shire began to fade into the distance, the two turning their ponies east as they set off towards Rivendell.