Hey everyone. This is the next chapter of Strictly Bilbo!. I just wanted to point out that I made a mistake in chapter 8. I wrote that Mittens was a cat and had had kittens. I just reread the whole story and Mittens is supposed to be a dog. So she had puppies not kittens. Sorry for the miswrite.

Bilbo watched as the younger hobbits danced and made merry at the birthday party. He could remember a time when he was much the same way. He had been a lot younger than most of the hobbits here were.

"Uncle Bilbo," Frodo called as he put his arms around the older hobbit, "Happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday, Frodo lad!" Bilbo called happily. "Go have fun with the others. You can talk to this old hobbit any time you want."

A small smile graced his face as he watched Frodo go off and talk with the gardener's son. Samwise. A memory surfaced in his mind as he watched the young hobbits. A memory of Frodo's first birthday spent as Bilbo's ward.

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The day had started as any normal day had for the pair of them. The older hobbit was up first being accustomed to starting his day at this early an hour. He had to chide the younger hobbit out of bed.

"Unca Bilbo," squeaked the younger hobbit, "it's to early in the morning."

"But it's our birthday, Frodo lad," Bilbo exclaimed excitedly as though the enthusiasm would get the younger hobbit out of bed. "Don't you want to celebrate your birthday?"

Frodo nodded. "But it's early," he sighed struggling to sit up.

Frodo had never been made to get up this early. When he had lived with his mother and father in Brandy Hall he never got up this early. Why did uncle Bilbo want to be up now? He shuffled his feet into slippers and followed after his uncle Bilbo. He could hear voices in the dinning room as he came down the stairs. Had Bilbo planned a birthday breakfast party?

"Mr. Bilbo," came a voice Frodo didn't really know, "sorry we're a bit early today..."

"Don't worry about it Gaffer," Bilbo called motioning someone to sit down. "Frodo will be down in a minute. Why don't you and your boy join us for a special birthday breakfast?"

Frodo made his way down the stairs. He knew Gaffer Gamgee had a son but he never met the other boy before. Maybe this new person could be his friend? Frodo made his way to the table to find the Gaffer as amiable as ever sitting next to shorter chubby version of himself.

"Frodo," Bilbo called setting the plates full of pancakes and bacon and eggs in the front of them, "you remember our gardener Gaffer Gamgee. Don't you?"

Frodo nodded and said a hello to the Gaffer.

"This is Gaffer's son," Bilbo said point to Gaffer's carbon copy. "I don't believe I caught your name, little boy."

"Samwise," Gaffer replied for his son. "The boy's really shy. Doesn't have many friends. I thought maybe he could befriend you're Frodo."

Frodo smiled at the other boy which made the older hobbit smile at each other over their coffees. Maybe later they'd tell the boys it was all just a way to set their friendship in motion.

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"What are you thinking about, Uncle Bilbo?" Frodo asked walking up from behind the older hobbit.

"Just thinking about the day you and Samwise first met," Bilbo told Frodo as he smiled a wan smile. "I've got to go get ready to give my speech. We'll take more later." With that said Bilbo walked up to the front of the gathering ready leave the Shire and return to Rivendell. He just hoped that Frodo would be able to forgive him.

I know it's been years since I last updated this story. I plan on continuing it. I hope to upload more chapters as soon as possible. I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter.