"Our Birthday!" exclaimed Frodo. He, Merry, and Pippin had spent the morning traipsing through the fields on the outskirts of the shire. Frodo had been in a foul mood because Bilbo had ignored him all morning and sent him off to play with his younger cousins. Frodo had wanted to learn some more elvish words from Bilbo, but Bilbo had said "Not now, my lad. The day is young, and summer is coming to an end. You had better enjoy it while it lasts!" So, Frodo had left to find Merry and Pippin. The two of them had tried cheering up Frodo by inventing games such as leaping over ditches (Pippin fell in), climbing trees (Pippin fell out), and stealing Farmer Maggots mushrooms (Frodo had been caught). Being caught and having his hide tanned had not improved Frodo's mood.

"What are you yelling about?" Pippin asked grumpily. He was down by the creek, washing away the mud from his fall into the ditch from earlier.

"That must be why Bilbo sent me off! He's planning a surprise party!" Frodo leaped to his feet with excitement.

Merry frowned. He had been directed by Bilbo to distract Frodo so that he would not remember that little detail.

"Frodo." He began, "don't be absurd. Your birthday isn't today. Why would Bilbo be giving a party now?"
"It will be here in a week!" Frodo said, determined not to change his mind. "Besides, I'm going to be 22." He looked as though he thought that was a very grown-up age, though really, he would still be in his tweens for several more years.

Frodo grabbed a weed and stuck it between his teeth, chewing fiercely. "That means I must give away presents. How could I have forgotten? I wonder what Uncle Bilbo will give me. It's his birthday too, after all." He sat up rather abruptly. "What should I give to Uncle Bilbo?"

Merry shrugged. No use trying to make Frodo believe otherwise. He had failed in his mission. Of course, there were other matters to think about too. For instance, he still wanted to get a peek at the story Bilbo was writing about his adventures. He wouldn't forget how he had seen Bilbo disappear into thin air when the Sackville-Bagginses had been coming.

"I know!" Frodo said, "I'll give him my mushrooms!" Then, looking longingly at the small bag of pilfered mushrooms, he stated "He ought to love that!" (Which showed just what a good heart Frodo had)

Pippin came up and plopped down next to Frodo. "My dear Frodo, you don't think Bilbo can eat all of those mushrooms on his own, do you? We'll cook them up and there will be plenty for all!" (Which showed just how conniving Pippin was in including himself as a partaker of the mushrooms).

"Never mind," Merry said. "It is high time we went back home. I'm starved! It must be nearly time for elevenses, I should think."

And so, they all got up and started off toward Bag End. Pippin was still quite dirty, though his face was clean, and Frodo was no longer in a sour mood. Merry was worried that Bilbo would be displeased with him for letting Frodo figure out the surprise.

Before long, The Hill came into view, and Frodo, Pippin, and Merry trotted down, leaped over the hedge and bounded around to the front door. Frodo threw open the door and stopped in his tracks. Sitting around the table, enjoying tea, sat three dwarves with Bilbo. The dwarves were none other than Dori, Nori, and Ori.

"Frodo!" Bilbo stood up from the table. The dwarves rose to their feet and bowed low. "Happy Birthday! We have unexpected guests who have arrived just in time for our little party!"

The dwarves introduced themselves with "At your service" afterwards.

Frodo came in and bowed as well. "Frodo Baggins, at yours and your families," he said. He was rather surprised and wondered if this was all by chance or if they had a Special Reason for showing up suddenly and unannounced. As it turned out, the dwarves had come especially for Bilbo's birthday. They had brought gifts with them, and of course, Bilbo gave away many gifts to them as well. Stories were told of the adventure with the spiders, the elves, the dragon, and the battle that came after. Then Bilbo got up and recited a bit of poetry that he had written. Then he encouraged Frodo to sing a song. Frodo refused until he had drunk a good deal too much birthday drink, then he danced on the table and sang a song much to the delight of all present. Until he fell off the table and landed rather hard on his already damaged seat (from his encounter with the farmer). The dwarves stayed on for the whole week and everyone ate and drank and ate some more. All in all, Frodo and Bilbo agreed that it was a very wonderful party.

"Happy birthday to us!" Frodo exclaimed, and Bilbo agreed.