September 22nd
Bilbo Baggins’ Birthday
Frodo Baggins’ Birthday
Bilbo hosts a farewell feast for his 111th birthday. He leaves the Shire and sets off for Rivendell that night.
The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers.
Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax.
The hundred and twenty-ninth birthday of Bilbo.
Saruman comes to the Shire.
So many events happened on Bilbo’s Birthday, in fact many people do not even know that it is also Frodo’s Birthday. Frodo was never really one to make a big deal about his birthday, so he was happy letting Bilbo get most of the attention. We’re going back in time, at the beginning of the book in the first chapter A Long-Expected Party for Bilbo’s eleventy-first birthday.
Let’s highlight the big events, today the Black Riders reached Sarn Ford and drove off the Rangers of the North who were defending that area. Before he left Gandalf made sure they increased their guard around the Shire, sadly it didn’t work. Unfortunately, for Frodo and his friends, that meant the Black Riders were now a days ride away from the Shire.
It took Gandalf around two days, but finally, he was able to ride Shadowfax and prove his worth to the great horse. Now, speed is his only ally, he must reach the Shire before the Black Riders, but luck is not on his side.
We’re now on another time jump, after the Ring was destroyed in Rivendell, Gandalf, Elrond, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Bilbo, and the rest of the Elves were able to celebrate Bilbo’s 129th birthday, a large accomplishment for any being. See again, no mention of this day being Frodo’s Birthday, we know that Bilbo and Frodo both wrote in the Red Book of Westmarch, so it must be Frodo writing with great respect to Bilbo. Of course, Frodo would want to honor his uncle before he wrote about himself.
As we mentioned earlier Saruman’s plans were not yet completely ruined, as long as he had strength to walk and talk Saruman can still be a threat, especially to the innocent nature of the Hobbits.
Thank you for your time and remember, deep roots are not reached by the frost.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 