When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be throwing a grand banquet for his one hundred and eleventh birthday, the inhabitants of Hobbiton buzzed with excitement. Bilbo is not only very rich, but also a unique and strange man.For sixty years, since his mysterious disappearance and miraculous return, he had been the talk of the town in the Shire.The great wealth he brought home from his adventures had become local legend, and despite what the old fellow said, it was generally believed that the tunnels in Bag End were filled with all kinds of gold and jewels.Even if such a legend is not enough to make him famous, his old and vigorous appearance is enough to make people wonder.The passage of time seemed to have left little marks on Bilbo.He was the same at ninety as he was at fifty.When he was ninety-nine years old, people around him began to call him "healthy", but I'm afraid "immortality" is a more accurate term.When many people think of this matter, they feel that God is too unfair. How can people have the (legendary) golden mountain and at the same time have the ability to live forever.

"There must be a price," they said. "This is against the law of heaven, and it will definitely cause trouble!" So far, however, there has been no trouble; Mr. Baggins is so generous that one is willing to excuse his eccentricity and his exceptional good fortune.He still visited relatives frequently (except, of course, the ever-discordant Sackville Baggins family), and he also had many admirers in the lower and poorer families.He never had close friends, though, until his younger cousins ​​got older. The eldest of these cousins ​​was Frodo Baggins, who was also Bilbo's favorite.When Bilbo was ninety-nine years old, he adopted Frodo as his adopted son, and brought him to live at Bag End.This finally dashed the Sackville family's long-cherished hopes of inheriting Bag End.Bilbo and Frodo happened to be both born on the same day, the twenty-second of September. "I say you'd better come and live with me, Frodo," said Bilbo one day; "and then we can spend our birthdays comfortably together." Frodo was only a boy then.Hobbits have always called the period between the thirty-three years of adulthood and the twenty-odd years of childhood the boyhood.

Another twelve years passed.Every year the family joins together for a huge birthday party, but it's now known that plans for this fall are extraordinary.Bilbo would be one hundred and eleven this year, and the number itself was rather special; a very long age, even for a hobbit. (Old Lord Took lived only a hundred and thirty years).And Frodo is thirty-three years old this year, which is a very important number, because he is about to come of age this year. The inhabitants of Hobbiton and the Waterfront had long begun to murmur, and word had spread throughout the Shire of the imminent event.The adventures and unique ways of Mr. Bilbo Baggins were once again the talk of the streets, and the older generation suddenly found themselves very popular, fueled by this wave of nostalgia.

Hamm Gamjee, known as "the old guy," was the best of the bunch.He often talked at the "Everspring Grove" inn beside Linshui Road.He wasn't bragging without basis, the old fellow had tended the gardens at Bag End for forty years.As he was old and sluggish, most of the work was done by his youngest son, Sam Gange.Both father and son are very friendly with Bilbo and Frodo.They live on the hill below Bag End at No. 3 Bagside Road. "I said long ago that Mr. Bilbo was a pretty good hobbit," declared the old fellow.This was quite true, for Bilbo was very polite to him, and used to call him Mr. Hamfast, and often consulted him on matters of vegetable growing, and especially on growing rhizomes. It is very respectful.The old guy is number one when it comes to plants like potatoes. (Even he admits it himself)

"But what of Frodo who lived with him?" asked old Nork of Waterfront. "He's called Baggins, too, but he's half Brewbucks too. I don't know why any of the Bagginses in Hobbiton would want to marry the weird guy in Buckland." "Can't blame them for being unreasonable," said the old man's next-door neighbor, Papa Tuft. "They live on the other side of the Spirit River, near the Old Woods. It's a cursed and ominous place." "You're right, Dad!" said the old man. "Although the Liquorbuck family in Buckland doesn't live in the old forest, their behavior is really strange. They will have a boat running around on that big river. No wonder there is always trouble there. Anyway, Mr. Frodo is a good young man. He is very like Mr. Bilbo, even in ideas. His father still has Baggins on his side, after all. Blood of the family. Drogo Baggins was a good man, and a clean fellow before he drowned!"

"Drown?" asked someone in the audience.Of course they had heard such horrible rumors, but hobbits loved stories of family history; and they wanted to hear them again. "Well, that's what they say," said the old man. "Let me see, Mr. Drogo married poor Miss Primula Brandybuck. She was Mr. Bilbo's maternal cousin (her mother was Old Took's youngest daughter); Drogo was his So, Frodo is the son of Bilbo's cousin, which is far-reaching! After Mr. Drogo married, he used to hang out with his father-in-law, Gus, who went to the liquor hall. (This guy is greedy. Well, his father-in-law Gerbaldock was fond of good food, and they hit it off right away) when he and his wife capsized and drowned when he went boating on the River Spirits. Poor Frodo was just a child!"

"I hear they're going to go sailing in the moonlight after dinner," said old Nock. "Drogo ate too much and weighed down the boat." "I hear she pushed him down, and Drogo pulled his wife down," added Sandyman, Miller of Hobbiton. "I said Sandyman, you'd better not accept all these rumors," the old guy didn't like the miller in front of him very much. "It's no fun talking about pushing and pulling all the time! Ships are dangerous things, and even if you sit still and don't want to get into trouble, you could still be in trouble. Never mind, Frodo ended up being an orphan anyway, Abandoned among the eccentrics of the Bucklands, and brought up in the Spirits Hall. It's like a yard. Lord Garbardock has at least a few hundred relatives there. Mr. Bilbo brought the boy back Education, really did a good job!"

"However, I also understand that this is a great blow to the Bagginses and the Sackvilles. After Mr. Bilbo disappeared and everyone thought he was dead, they thought they could finally inherit Bag End. He But he appeared mysteriously and kicked them out. And God bless, Mr. Bilbo is getting stronger and stronger, and he doesn't look old at all! Suddenly, he found another heir and prepared all the documents. I see This time, Circleville and the others don't even think about stepping into Bag End. I also hope that it won't be ruined by them." "I heard there's a lot of money hidden in there," said a stranger who came to do business from Michuku in the West End. "The tunnels in this mountain are all filled with chests full of gold, silver, and jewels."

"You've heard more than I know," replied the old man. "I don't know about jewels. Mr. Bilbo is very generous with his money, and he has a lot of money, but I don't hear about digging tunnels. I saw Mr. Bilbo come back when I was a child, about sixty years ago. Then I had just been apprenticed to old Herman (who was my father's cousin) and he sent me down to Bag End to keep order and keep the garden from being trampled on by mobsters during the auction. Mr. Bilbo's home and possessions, he suddenly led his pony up this hill, with several large bags and chests on his back. I thought it must be filled with treasures from the outside world; There's plenty of gold out there. But I haven't seen enough to fill the tunnel. My son Sam will probably know better. He goes in and out of Bag End a lot. The boy loves stories best, and all Mr. Bilbo's stories he He knows them all by heart. Mr. Bilbo even taught him to read, don't make that look, you guys, he's kind enough. I hope there won't be any trouble."

"* Always wanted to do something about those elves and dragons! *I say so. *Lettuce and potatoes are more suitable ideas for you and me. Don't always be so ambitious, wanting to be hundreds of times more expensive than us and you'll get in big trouble, *that's what I've always told him. The others had better take my advice, too." He glanced at the stranger and the miller. However, the old fellow's warning did not convince his audience.Bilbo's fabled fortune was so ingrained in the young hobbit's mind that it could not be shaken. "Ah, but he may have made more money later on," said the miller, like most people. "He often travels away from home. Look at the strangers who visit him: dwarves who appear at night, That old mage Gandalf and all. You can say what you like, old man, but Bag End is a weird place, and even stranger people live in it."

"I said Sandiman, it doesn't matter what you like to say, anyway, everyone knows that you know a lot, just like you can't row a boat." The old guy hated the miller even more than usual this time. "If that's weird, we really need more weirdness around here. There are some sleazy guys in other places who wouldn't buy their friends a beer even if they lived in Gold Mountain. Bag End is known for its generosity." My family’s Sam said that this time everyone’s going to be invited to the party, and listen, everyone’s going to get presents! It’s just this month!” This month is September, and the weather is still very pleasant.A day or two later, a rumor (probably from the well-informed Sam) began to circulate everywhere that there would be fireworks at this party!Besides, the fireworks would be the first big display in the Shire in a hundred years; no one had seen one since old Took died. The days passed and the big day got closer and closer.One evening a queer wagon full of queer parcels drove into Hobbiton and stopped at Bag End.The startled hobbits peeped out of the windows.The driver was a strange outlander, singing a song no one had heard: the driver was a dwarf with a long beard and a hood.A few dwarves even stayed at Bag End.In the second week of September, another carriage crossed the Bridge of Spirits in broad daylight and came down the waterfront.Only one old man was driving.He wore a tall, pointed blue hat, a long gray robe, and a silver scarf.His beard was long and white, and his eyebrows were so long that they protruded from the brim of his hat.A large company of children ran after the carriage, across the whole of Hobbiton, and followed the road up the hill.They guessed right, the car was filled with fireworks.The old man started unloading in front of Bilbo's door, and inside there were all kinds of fireworks, each marked with a big red "Gan" (to the editor: please add the original elven symbol here) and elven writing (please add The elf symbol in the original text). This is Gandalf's emblem, and the old man is Gandalf the Wizard.His fame in the Shire is largely for his skill with fire, smoke and light.His real job was far more complicated and dangerous than that, but the simple inhabitants of the Shire knew nothing of it.To them, the wizard was just another big draw at the party.That's why the kids are so excited. "The abbreviation means magnificent!" the children shouted, and the old man responded with a kind smile.Although he only visited here occasionally, and did not stay for very long, every hobbit knew what he looked like.However, neither these children nor the oldest hobbit has seen his fireworks display; this great show now only exists in the records of history books. After the old man had finished unloading with the help of Bilbo and the dwarves, Bilbo gave the children some change.However, the children were disappointed to find that Uncle Bilbo had no biscuits or treats to give them today. "Go home!" said Gandalf. "You'll have more than enough to eat when the time comes." Then he and Bilbo went inside the house and shut the door.The young hobbits stared blankly at the gate for a while, and finally left reluctantly, feeling that the banquet would never come.In Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf sit under the window overlooking the garden.The evening was still bright and mild.The red and golden flowers are growing very lushly, the dragon's beak and sunflower are thriving, and the nasturtium climbs up the window vigorously and looks at the scene inside the house. "Your garden looks beautiful!" said Gandalf. "Yes," replied Bilbo. "I like this garden very much, and Shire is just as kind to me. However, I think it's time for a vacation." "Are you saying you want to continue with your original plan?" "Yes. I made up my mind a few months ago, and I won't change it now." "Very well. Then we don't have to say more. Don't be softhearted and go with the original plan. Remember, the original plan, and I hope this will bring good results for you and us all. " "I hope so. Anyway, I'm going to enjoy this Thursday and show everyone my little joke." "I don't know who will laugh at the end?" said Gandalf, shaking his head. "We'll know then," answered Bilbo. ＊＊＊ The next day, more and more carriages drove up the hill, with more to come.Some people may complain about "why not buy locally".But that week's orders bought up nearly all the food, seasonings and luxuries in the immediate area.People began to look forward more and more, marking their calendars; when the postman arrived, everyone looked expectantly, hoping that an invitation would arrive this time. Not long after, invitations began to pour in like flakes.The post office in Hobbiton was almost paralyzed, and the post office in the waterside area was almost buried by letters.Seeing that something was wrong, the volunteers immediately began to assist the operation of the post office.Afterwards, a steady stream of postmen sent back a large number of replies every day, each of which said *Thank you for the invitation, and I will definitely attend the appointment. * A notice was also hung at the entrance of Bag End: "No non-banquet staff please enter."Even if it's really a banquet staff or a guy pretending to be, it's almost impossible to get into the house.Bilbo was busy running around. He was busy writing invitations, counting replies, packing presents, and at the same time secretly preparing for his own plan.Since Gandalf came, he has been hiding from people. One morning, when everyone woke up, they found that a large open space to the south of Bilbo's house was full of all kinds of ropes and materials needed to build a tent.An exit was specially opened for this purpose on the side of the road, and a white gate and wide steps were built.Everyone envied the three families on Bagbian Road next to the site.Old Janji even pretended to be working in his garden just to get a better look at it. The tent was slowly erected.One of these was a particularly large yurt, big enough to completely contain a large tree that grew there.The tree now sits at the other end of the field, next to the main table.The staff hung oil lamps on the branches.Adding to the excitement (and hobbits like it most), there's a sprawling open-air kitchen in the northern corner of the site.A steady stream of cooks had been hired from within a few miles to help the dwarves and other crews prepare at Bag End.Everyone's expectations have reached their highest point. Then it got a little cloudy.It was Wednesday, the day before the banquet.Everyone was very nervous.Then, on Thursday, September 22, the sun rose and the clouds disappeared.The flag was waving in the wind, and the interesting show began. Bilbo called it a "banquet," but it was really a carnival of entertainment.Almost everyone in the neighborhood is invited to attend.A few people were accidentally left out, but they were there anyway, so it didn't matter too much.Many people were also invited from other parts of the Shire, and a few even traveled from across the border.Bilbo himself received the guests (and the valets they brought with them) at the new white doors.All the people who came to participate were given gifts, and there were even some guys who sneaked out of the venue and then quietly entered through the gate for petty gain.Hobbits give gifts to relatives and friends on their birthdays.As usual, it doesn't need to be very expensive, and it won't be given to anyone like this time.However, it is a good custom.In fact, there are birthdays every day of the year in Hobbiton and Waterfront, so people around here get presents at least once a week almost.They never tire of it. The gift this time was extraordinarily good. When the children saw the gift, they were so excited that they almost forgot to eat.There were many toys they had never seen before, and all of them were beautiful, and some were even magic toys.Many of these toys were ordered a year ago and shipped from far away from the lonely mountains and valleys, all of which were genuinely made by the dwarves. After every guest has finally entered the door, songs, dances, music and games of all kinds ensue, and of course, food and drink are absolutely indispensable.There are three formal meals: lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.However, the so-called lunch and afternoon tea are just a time for everyone to sit down and eat together.At other times, people are still taking various meals and drinks in an endless stream, never stopping from eleven o'clock in the morning to six thirty in the evening.Only when the firework show started did everyone put down the cutlery. The fireworks are the masterpiece of Gandalf himself: they are not only transported by him, but also designed and manufactured by him; all kinds of special effects, props and rockets are also ignited by him.In addition, he also generously distributed all kinds of firecrackers, fireworks, sky cannons, fire trees and silver flowers, dwarf candles, fairy fire waterfalls, goblin crackers and so on.These things are fantastic.Gandalf's craft really became more and more proficient as he grew older. When some rockets are ignited, they look like yellow warblers flying in the air, making beautiful music.In addition, the fireworks even turned into green leaves, and the black smoke turned into the trunk of the fire tree, which made people experience the spectacle of flowers blooming and falling in spring and autumn.Not to be outdone, the shimmering branches burst into brightly colored fireworks, falling on the amazed people, before they scalded them, Gandalf's secret trick made them all disappear in a sweet aroma.Flashing butterflies gushing out like a waterfall shuttle among the trees, and stone pillars made of flames spurt from the ground, and then turn into eagles, sailboats or soaring swans.A red thunderstorm made yellow rain fall from the sky; silver spears shot into the sky like thousands of horses, and then fell into the river with a hiss like thousands of snakes.In homage to Bilbo, there is one last special project in the show, which, like Gandalf's project, takes the hobbits by surprise.All the lights went off.A puff of smoke appeared, turning into a mountain shadow seen from a distance, and then the top of the mountain began to glow.Then it spit out red and green flames.A golden-red giant dragon flew out of the volcano. Although its size was somewhat different from that of a real dragon, its lifelike appearance made people shudder.The dragon spit out flames from its mouth, let out a huge roar, and then spit out flames three times on the heads of the crowd.All the people involuntarily lay down, trying to avoid the burst of flames.The giant dragon flew over the heads of the crowd with a bang, and finally did a backflip, exploding into brilliant sparks over the waterfront area. "Dinner's on!" cried Bilbo.Everyone's panic disappeared immediately, and the people who were still in shock before patted their clothes and immediately stood up.The dinner was very sumptuous and there was something for everyone to enjoy.The only people not dining here were another group of people attending a special family dinner.The feast of this banquet is held in a large tent next to a tree.There were only one hundred and forty-four invited guests (a number that the Hobbits also called a dozen, but it was not very suitable for people); and these guests were chosen from among the relatives of Bilbo and Frodo Yes, and some special close friends (such as Gandalf) who are not related by blood.It also included many young hobbits who came to the feast with the consent of their parents; hobbits are generally more accommodating to children's requests to stay up late, especially when there is a chance to feed them It's even easier to talk about.It costs a lot of food to raise a big harpy kid! There were many Bagginses and Boffins at the private feast, as well as many Tookes and Brandybucks.And a few Grubers (relatives of Bilbo's great-grandmother), a few Chubbs (relatives of Bill Botucker's great-grandfather's line), and a few Brosses, Boggs, The Bubblers, the Badger Houses, the Bodybuilders, the Trumpeters, and the Proudfoots.Some of these people were already very distant relatives, and some had never set foot in Hobbiton before, and had lived in remote parts of the Shire all their lives.Of course, the Seckville family in the Baggins family was not neglected.Osso and his wife Robella were also present.They didn't like Bilbo, and they hated Frodo even more.But the honor of having the ornate invitations written in gold ink seemed irresistible.Besides, the Bilbo they hated had been a good eater for years, and his meal was one of the wonders of the neighbourhood. The one hundred and forty-four guests enjoyed the sumptuous dinner to their heart's content, but everyone was secretly worried about the host's long speech after the meal. (It was an integral part of the program.) He would sing something he called poetry at a time, and sometimes, after an extra drink or two, he would start rambling about the mysterious adventure.At least so far, the guests have not been disappointed. This is indeed a feast that has never been seen before. The meal itself has approached the ultimate entertainment: high quality, large quantity, complete variety and delicious taste.For the next week, people in the vicinity were almost too full to eat; however, due to Bilbo's previous large purchases, the nearby shopkeepers had already sold all their pockets, and there was nothing to sell anyway; so it was still a happy situation. After the feast finally came to an end, it was time for the presentation.Anyway, most of the guests are now full of wine and food, and have a strong resistance to lengthy speeches.This process is what they call a "passing the time" program.They all sipped their favorite drinks and tasted delicious desserts, and they had already put their previous worries to the wind.They are prepared to listen to the most boring speeches in the world, and to cheer loudly with every breath. *Dear countryman*, said Bilbo, standing up. "Attention! Attention! Attention!" Everyone in the venue shouted to remind each other, but not many people really quieted down.Bilbo left his seat, went under the big tree full of lights, and climbed onto the chair that stood there.The light from the oil lamp shone on his ruddy face, and the gold buttons on his silk coat gleamed.Everyone in the venue could see him waving with one hand in his pocket. *Dear Bagginses, Boffins,* he went on, *And dear Tookes, Brandybucks, Grubers, Chubbs, and the Burrows , Borg, Belly, Badger, Fitness, Trumpeter, and Proudfoot. * "It's a pair of proud feet!" shouted an old hobbit in the corner of the tent.Of course, he is a member of the Proud Foot family, this guy does have a pair of big and fluffy feet, and they are all placed on the table.No wonder he took the opportunity to find fault with the limelight. *Proudfoots,* repeated Bilbo. ＊And my dearest Sackville Baggins family, today I can finally sincerely welcome you back to Bag End.Today is my 111th birthday: I am 111 years old today! ＊"Long live! Long live! I wish you a long and prosperous life!" The audience shouted and knocked on the table vigorously to celebrate.Bilbo's speech was wonderful.That's the kind of speech they like: short and to the point. ＊I hope you are as happy today as I am. *There was a deafening cheer from below.Shout out "yes" (and "it's not fun!" both).Trumpets, horns, bagpipes, flutes, and many other instruments sounded.As mentioned before, there were many young hobbits at the banquet, and at this time they even pulled out their whistle guns.Most of the firecrackers have the words "River Valley Town" (Annotation 1) printed on them.While the hobbits don't know anything about those three words, they all agree that it's a pretty darn good firecracker.These firecrackers are all equipped with small musical instruments, which can make pleasant music.In fact, in one corner of the tent, a group of young Tooks and Brandybuck kids thought that Uncle Bilbo had finished (for he had finished the important things), and they all started lighting firecrackers to make the Their music forms a wonderful symphony.Evera Took and Melilla Miss Liquorbuck even hopped onto the table with bells in their hands and began a fierce, energetic bell dance. But Bilbo did not speak.He snatched a horn from a young man nearby, and blew three times vigorously.The commotion of the crowd quieted down. *I won't keep you guys too long,* he shouted.All the audience couldn't help cheering. ＊I brought you all here for a purpose. *He said the word "purpose" in a very special tone, the scene fell into dead silence for a while, and one or two members of the Tuke family raised their ears nervously. *Yes, there are three purposes!First, I want to tell you that I like you very much. The 111 years spent with you good people are too wonderful and too short. *Everyone burst into thunderous applause. ＊There are many of you whom I want to know but haven't had the opportunity to make friends with; others are worthy of my deeper affection. ＊This passage was beyond everyone's expectation. Because it was too difficult to understand, there were only sporadic applause from all around.Everyone's little heads were spinning desperately, hoping to understand whether this passage was a compliment or a derogation. ＊The second is to celebrate my birthday. *Everyone cheers again. *I should say "our" birthday.For today is of course also the birthday of my heir, Frodo.He is an adult today, and he has finally obtained the qualification to inherit my family business. ＊Some elders applauded happily, while the young people began to boo, shouting "Frodo! Frodo! Long live Frodo!" The Seckville family frowned, trying to understand the so-called "inheritance" "Family business" what the hell is going on. ＊The combined age of the two of us is one hundred and forty-four.The number of guests I invite is precisely to fit this mysterious number: let me use the term twelve dozen. *No one cheered.This is ridiculous.Many guests, especially the Circlevilles, felt humiliated.They didn't expect that they were invited to fill the number, just like the stuffing used to stuff the box. "Yes, twelve dozen! You really know how to choose words!" ＊If you allow me to recall the past, today is also the first anniversary of my escape to Isgar on Long Lake in a wooden barrel.I was so nervous that I forgot that it was my birthday.I was only fifty-one years old, and my birthday didn't seem to matter much to me.However, the banquet that year was very exciting, but unfortunately I happened to have a bad cold at that time, so I was unable to enjoy it.I remember all I could say was "Thanks a lot".Please allow me to finish clearly this time: Thank you all for coming to my little banquet. *There was silence all around.They were all afraid that Bilbo would start singing or chanting soon.Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut and let everyone toast him?Surprisingly, Bilbo did not sing or chant poetry.He was silent for a moment. *Third and final point,* he said, *I am here to make an announcement. ＊He especially amplified the volume of the word "announcement", and the people who were still barely awake were shocked. *I regret having to do this, as I said before, this wonderful 111 years is too short, but it is time to come to an end.I gotta go.I will leave immediately!Goodbye! * He jumped off his chair and disappeared.A strong light came from nowhere, and all the guests were dazzled for a while.When they opened their eyes, Bilbo had disappeared without a trace.One hundred and forty-four astonished hobbits just sat on their seats with their mouths gaping.Ao Duo? The proud old man stomped his feet angrily.After a short silence, all the Bagginses, Boffins, Tookes, Brandybucks, Borrowses, Borgs, Bugs, Badger House, Fitness, Hornblowers and Pride The foot family started yelling at the same time. It was agreed that the joke was in bad taste and that the guests should all have more drinks and desserts to calm down their nerves and shocks. "He's crazy, I've told you already," this sentence is probably the most common comment heard by the people present.Even the most adventurous of the Tooks (with a few exceptions) thought Bilbo's behavior was absurd.At this time, everyone naively thought that his disappearance was just a farce. Rowley? Brandybuck wasn't so sure, though.Even though he was very old and his belly was too full, it didn't affect his judgment.He said to his daughter-in-law, Esmeralda, "Honey, there must be something in it! I think the crazy Baggins blood in him must be at work again. The old fool. Whatever it is, he didn't Food away!" he called to Frodo loudly to pour them another glass of wine. Frodo was the only one who was silent.He stood in a daze beside Bilbo's vacant seat for a while, ignoring everyone's comments and questions.Even though he already knew about it, he still thought it was a good joke.Seeing the panic of the guests, he almost couldn't help laughing.But at the same time, he also felt very uneasy, and only then did he realize how much he respected and loved this elder.Most of the guests continued to eat, drink, and discuss Bilbo's strange behavior, but the Circlevilles had already left angrily.Frodo himself was in no mood to continue the feast, and ordered more wine to be brought.He quietly drained the wine in the glass, wished Bilbo good health, and then slipped out of the tent without saying a word.As for Bilbo, he had been playing with the gold ring in his pocket as early as he was giving his speech: it was the magic ring he had kept in secret for many years.He put the ring on as soon as he jumped out of the chair; and Bilbo was never seen again in Hobbiton after that. He walked back home without a sound, with a smile on his face, listening quietly to the laughter from the tent and other venues of the banquet.Then he stepped into the house.He took off his banquet gown and folded and wrapped his rich silk coat in clean paper.Then he quickly changed into a set of old clothes, and tied a belt around his waist that had been used for many years.Above it hung a dagger in a black leather sheath.He opened a locked drawer that smelled of repellent pills and pulled out an old cloak with a hood.Bilbo collected them as if the suit was worth a fortune, but in reality the suit was not only patched, but the original color was so faded that it was hardly visible.Onlookers can at most guess that the dress turned out to be dark green.The suit seemed too big for him.Then he went into the study and took out a package wrapped in old clothes, a leather-bound copy, and a bulging envelope from a large safe.He stuffed the manuscript and the package into a large, nearly full bag nearby.他接著将金戒指连著练子放进信封内，顺手将封口黏了起来，并且在收件人的位置上写下佛罗多的名字。一开始他将这信封放在壁炉上，随即又将它塞回口袋里。此时，大门打了开来，甘道夫面色凝重的走进来。 「你好啊！」比尔博说。「我还在想你会不会出现呢。」 「我真庆幸你现在没有隐形，」巫师回答道，边在椅子上坐了下来。「我想要跟你说几句话。这次你应该觉得一切都完全按照原先的计画进行了吧？」 「是的，没错，」比尔博说。「不过那阵闪光倒真是出人意料，连我都吓了一跳，更别说其他人了。我想这是你的神来一笔吧？」 「是的。你这么多年以来都聪明的隐藏了戒指的秘密，我认为应该给你的客人一些理由，让他们可以解释你消失的原因。」 「差点就坏了我的大事呢。你这老家伙还真是多事，」比尔博笑道，「不过，我想，像往常一样，你永远都知道正确的作法。」 「没错，可是也只有在我知道一切线索的时候。对这整件事情我就没有那么确定了。现在是最后的关键。你的玩笑也开了，亲戚也惹毛了。更让整个夏尔地区有了茶余饭后的话题。你还有什么要做的吗？」 「是的，我还有事情要做。我觉得我得放个假，放个很长的假，我之前也告诉过你这件事情。或许是个永远不结束的长假。我想我应该不会回来了。事实上，我本来也不打算回来，一切都已经安排好了。」 「我老了，甘道夫。虽然外表看起来不明显，但是我心里面真的开始觉得累了。他们还说我养生有道咧！」他不屑的说。「唉，我觉得自己好像有点乾枯，快被榨乾的感觉，你应该知道我是什么意思。就像在面包上被抹的太薄的奶油一样。这样不对，我得改变这样的生活才行。」 甘道夫好奇的打量著他。「没错，的确不对，」他若有所思的说。「我真的认为你原来的计画是最好的。」 「是啊，反正我也已经下定决心。我想要再看看高山，甘道夫，真正雄伟的高山，然后找个我可以休息的地方。我可以安安静静，与世无争的住在那里，不用成天和千奇百怪的亲戚以及访客打交道。搞不好我还可以找到一个可以让我把书写完的地方。我已经想到了一个好结局：＊从此以后他就过著幸福快乐的日子。＊」 甘道夫笑了。「我希望他能这么幸福。不过，不管这本书怎么结束，都不会有人想看这本书的。」 「喔，会的，他们以后就会的。佛罗多已经先读了一部份。你会替我照顾佛罗多，对吧？」 「是的，我会的，我只要有时间就会全心照顾他的。」 「当然啦，如果我开口，他一定会跟我一起走的。事实上，在宴会前他还主动提出这样的要求。但是，他并不是真心的，时候还没到。我想要在死前重新看看那开阔的大平原、壮丽的高山；但他这个年纪喜爱的还是夏尔，这个有著森林、小河和草原的地方。我把一切都留给他了，只有几样小东西例外而已。我希望他习惯了自己作主之后能够过的快乐一些。他也到了该自己当家作主的时候了。」 「你真的把一切都留给他了？」甘道夫说。「戒指也不例外吗？你自己答应的，没忘记吧。」 「呃，是啊，我想应该是，」比尔博结巴的说。 「戒指在那里？」 「如果你坚持要知道的话，它在一个信封里面，」比尔博不耐烦的说。「就在壁炉上。咦，不对！在我口袋里！」他迟疑了。「这真奇怪！」他自言自语道。「可是这有什么不对？放在我口袋里有什么不好？」 甘道夫对比尔博投以非常严厉的眼光，眼中彷佛有异光迸射。「比尔博，我觉得，」他耐心的说，「你应该把戒指留下来。难道你不想吗？」 「我想啊，可是现在又不想了。我仔细想了想，觉得自己一点也不想要送掉这戒指。我也不明白自己为什么一定要这样做。为什么你要我把它送人？」他的语气中有了些奇异的变化。他的口气中充满了怀疑和恼怒。「你每次都一直逼问我有关这枚戒指的事情，但是你从来不过问我在旅途中找到的其它戒指。」 「没错，但是我一定得逼问你才行，」甘道夫说，「我想要知道真相。这很重要。魔法戒指毕竟，呃，是有魔法的东西。它们很稀少，又通常会有特别的来历。你应该这么说，我的专业领域之一就是研究这类的戒指。如果你想要再出去冒险，我可能会请你打听更多的消息。我也觉得你收藏这枚戒指的时间太久了。比尔博，除非我弄错了，不然你应该已经不需要这枚戒指了。」 比尔博涨红了脸，眼中有著愤怒的光芒。他和蔼的表情变得十分倔强。「为什么？」他大喊。「我要怎么处理我的财产与你何干？这是我的，是我找到的，是它自愿落到我手里的。」 「是啊是啊，」甘道夫说。「没必要动肝火吧。」 「就算我真的动了肝火，也都是你的错，」比尔博说。「我已经告诉你了，这是我的戒指。我的戒指。是我的宝贝。没错，是我的宝贝。」 巫师的表情依旧十分凝重、专注，只有他眼中微微闪动的光芒泄漏出这次他真的起了疑心。「以前有人这样称呼过它，」他说，「但不是你。」 「现在这样说的是我。又有什么不对？即使咕鲁以前这样说过，这东西现在也不是他的了，这是我的！我觉得我应该把它留下来。」 甘道夫站了起来，他用十分严厉的语气说：「比尔博，你这样做是大大的不智。你刚刚所说的每个字都证明了我的观点。它已经控制了你。快放手！这样你才能自由自在，毫无牵挂的离开。」 「我想怎么做就怎么做，爱怎么走就怎么走，」比尔博顽固的坚持道。 「啊，啊，亲爱的哈比人！」甘道夫说。「我们已经是一辈子的朋友了，你至少欠我这个人情。不要迟疑！照你之前答应的做：放下戒指！」 「哼，如果你自己想要这戒指，就正大光明的说出来！」比尔博大喊。「我不会让你得逞的。我不会把宝贝送人。绝对不会。」他的手缓缓移向腰间的短剑。 甘道夫双目精光闪烁。「不要逼我动怒，」他说。「如果你敢再这样说，我就别无选择了。你将会看到灰袍甘道夫的真面目。」他朝向对方走了一步，身高突然间变得十分惊人，小房间内被他的阴影给完全笼罩。 比尔博气喘吁吁的往后退，手依旧紧抓著口袋不放。两人对峙了片刻，房间中的气氛变得无比凝重。甘道夫的目光紧盯著对方。比尔博的手慢慢松了开来，开始浑身打颤。 「甘道夫，我不知道你是中了什么邪，」他说。「你以前从来没有这样过。这到底是怎么一回事？这戒指本来就该是我的啊！是我找到的，如果我没有把它收起来，咕鲁一定会杀掉我的。不管他怎么说，我都不是小偷。」 「我也没说你是小偷，」甘道夫回答道。「我自己也不是小偷。我不是要抢走你的东西，而是要帮助你。我希望你能够像以前一样相信我。」他转过身，房中的阴影瞬即消退。他似乎又变成原来那个穿著灰袍的老人，一脸忧心忡忡的样子。 比尔博双手抱头道。「对不起，」他说。「我觉得好奇怪。可是，如果我可以不要再担心这戒指，我一定会轻松很多。最近我满脑子都是它。有时我觉得它好像是只眼睛，一直不停的看著我。你知道吗？我每分每秒都想要戴上它，变成隐形；或者是担心它不见，时时刻刻都把它掏出口袋来确认。我试著把它锁在柜子里，可是我发现自己没办法不把它贴身收著。我不知道为什么，我好像根本没办法下定决心。」 「那就请你相信我，」甘道夫说。「你已经下定了决心。放下戒指，离开这里。不要执著于这枚戒指。把它交给佛罗多，我会照顾他的。」 紧张的比尔博犹豫了一阵子。最后他叹了口气。「好吧，」他勉强说。「我会的。」然后他耸耸肩，露出遗憾的笑容。「毕竟这才是生日宴会真正的目的：送出许多许多的礼物，让施予的过程变得轻松些。虽然最后还是没有让我多轻松，但这时前功尽弃不是很可惜吗？差点把我整个精心设计的玩笑都弄砸了。」 「这的确会让宴会中我觉得唯一重要的事情前功尽弃。」甘道夫说。 「好吧，」比尔博说道，「就把它一起送给佛罗多。」他深吸一口气。「我现在真的得走了，不然就会被其他人发现。我已经向大家道别了，要我再说一次实在做不到。」他背起背包，走向门口。 「戒指还在你的口袋里，」巫师说。 「哇！真的耶！」比尔博大喊。「还有我的信件以及其它的文件都在耶。你最好收下它们，代我转交。这样比较安全。」 「不，别把戒指给我，」甘道夫说。「把它放在壁炉上。在佛罗多来之前，那里就已经够安全了。我会在这边等它。」 比尔博拿出信封，正当他准备将它放在钟旁边时，他的手突然抽了回来，信封跟著掉到地上。在他来得及捡起信封前，巫师一个箭步上前，把信封放回壁炉上。哈比人的脸上再度掠过一阵怒容。它随即被笑容和轻松的表情给取代了。 「就这样啦，」他说。「我该走了！」 两人走到门口。比尔博从架上拿下最喜欢的柺杖，吹了声口哨。三名矮人各从三个房间中走出。 「都准备好了吗？」比尔博问。「都打包好，贴上标签了吗？」 「都好了，」他们回答。 「好吧，那就出发罗！」他终于踏出了门口。 夜色十分的美丽，黑色的天空中点缀著明亮的星星。他抬起头，闻闻晚风的味道。「真棒！能够再次出门和矮人一起旅行真是太棒了！这才是我这么多年以来一直等待的机会！再见！」他看著老家，对著门前一鞠躬。「再会了，甘道夫！」 「现在先说再会啦，比尔博。好好照顾自己！你已经够老了，希望你也变得比较聪明啦！」 「好好照顾自己！我不在乎啦。别替我担心！我现在真的很兴奋，这样就够了。时候到了。我终于被命运推离了家门，」他补充道。接著，他低声在黑暗中唱了起来： ＊大路长呀长 从家门伸呀伸。 大路没走远， 我得快跟上， 快脚跑啊跑， 跑到岔路上， 四通又八达，川流又不息， 到时会怎样？我怎会知道。 * 他停了下来沈默了片刻。然后，他一语不发的转过身，将帐棚和宴会的灯火抛在脑后，走向花园。三名伙伴跟著他走上小径。他跳过花园尽头一段比较低矮的篱笆，走上了草原，像是晚风一样轻柔的远离了锺爱的家园。 甘道夫留在黑暗中，静静的看著他的身影。「再会了，亲爱的比尔博，下次再见！」他低声说，随即转身进了屋子。 ＊＊＊ 佛罗多很快就跟著走进屋子，发现甘道夫坐在黑暗中沈思。「他走了吗？」他问。 「是的，」甘道夫回答，「他终于离开了。」 「到今天傍晚为止，我一直都希望???我一直都以为这只是个玩笑，」佛罗多说。「但是，我内心知道他真的想要离开。事情越是认真，他越爱开玩笑。我真希望能够早点回来送他走。」 「我想，他还是比较喜欢自己悄悄的溜走，」甘道夫说。「别太担心。他现在不会有危险的。他留了个包裹给你。就在那边！」 佛罗多从壁炉上拿下了信封，看了看，却没有立刻打开。 「我想你会在里面找到他的让渡书和其它的文件，」巫师说。「你现在是袋底洞的主人了。对了，你在信封里面应该还会找到一枚金戒指。」 「戒指！」佛罗多吃惊的说。「他把那个留给我了？我不明白。算了，或许将来会有用吧。」 「或许会或许不会，」甘道夫说。「如果我是你，我会尽可能不要碰它。不要泄密，好好保管它！我去睡觉了。」 身为袋底洞的主人，痛苦的佛罗多必须一一和宾客道别。流言已经传遍了全场，佛罗多只能回答：＊明天一早一切都会真相大白。＊在半夜的时候，马车过来接送这些重要的人物。马车一辆接一辆的离开，载满了满腹美食，却还是疑窦满腹的哈比人。园丁们过来整理场地，同时将遗留下的独轮车推开。 夜色终于褪去。太阳接著升起。大家都起的有点晚。晨光渐渐的消逝。工作人员开始井然有序的撤场，搬离桌椅和帐棚，以及汤匙、刀子、锅碗瓢盆、油灯、喝剩的甜酒、面包屑、忘记带走的包包、手套和手帕，以及没吃完的菜肴（数量就少了很多）。然后来的是一群没什么秩序的客人：巴金斯家人、波芬家人、博格家人和图克家人，以及其它住在附近的宾客。到了中午，连最贪睡的人都已经爬了起来。袋底洞门口聚集了一堆不请自来的人，不过，这也是意料中事。 佛罗多正笑著站在门口，脸上露出疲倦担心的表情。他欢迎所有的客人，但也没有什么好说的。他只有一种回答：「比尔博?巴金斯先生已经走了，就我所知，他永远不会回来了。」有些客人被邀请进屋，因为比尔博留下些「口信」要给他们。 在客厅里面是堆积如山的包裹和各种各样的杂物及家俱。每个东西上面都有标签。有几个标签是这样写的： 一柄雨伞上标著＊给艾德拉?图克，这把是给你自己用的。比尔博上。＊艾德拉顺手拿走了很多把没标签的伞。 ＊给朵拉?巴金斯，纪念您那如雪片般的来函，爱你的比尔博上。＊这标签贴在一个大的废纸篓上。朵拉是德罗哥的姊姊，也是比尔博和佛罗多在世的、最年长的女性亲戚。她现年九十九岁，写信忠告他人的这个嗜好已经持续了半世纪之久。 ＊献给米洛?布罗斯，希望能够派的上用场，比?巴上。＊这是标明在一支金笔和一罐墨水上。米洛最为人所知的特点就是从来不回信。 ＊送给安洁丽卡，比尔博叔叔赠。＊这是面圆形的哈哈镜。她是巴金斯家的晚辈，一向觉得自己长得很美。 ＊送给雨果?抱腹整理您的收藏品，匿名支持者上。＊这是个空书柜。雨果很爱借书，却常常忘记还书这档子事。 ＊送给罗贝拉?塞克维尔巴金斯，这次是礼物！＊的标签贴在一箱银汤匙上。比尔博认为在他上次出去历险的时候，她偷拿走了他很多的汤匙。罗贝拉自己也知道。当她一看到时，立刻就明白了他的意思，但在收下汤匙时还是没有任何的迟疑。 这只是如山礼物中的几样而已。比尔博的屋子经过他一辈子的累积，可说是装满了各种各样的东西。哈比人住的洞穴常常都会陷入同样的窘境：互送生日礼物的习俗是罪魁祸首之一。当然，不是每个人送出来的礼物都是新的，也会有几样礼物总是四处漂泊，被人到处转送。不过，比尔博总是留下旧礼物，送出新的礼物。他的房子经过这次清仓之后好不容易才空了一些。 每个临别礼物上面都有比尔博亲手写的标签，几乎都有些特殊的意义和玩笑在上头。不过，大多数的礼物都是收礼者真正需要的东西。家境比较不好的哈比人，特别是住在袋边路的人家，都获得了极端实用的礼物。老家伙詹吉收到了两袋马铃薯、一把新铲子、一件羊毛外套、一罐专治关节痛的药膏。而一把年纪的罗力?烈酒鹿也大出意外的收到了十二瓶老酒厂的酒：这是夏尔南区特产、味道浓郁的红酒，正好是比尔博的爸爸当年酿的，现在才终于完熟。罗力原谅了比尔博的突然离开，喝了一口酒之后更是大赞比尔博是个好人。 还有更多的东西是留给佛罗多的。当然，最重要的财产像是绘画、书籍、多的有点夸张的家俱都是留给佛罗多的。特别的是，没有任何的文件和资料提到了珠宝和金钱：比尔博没有送出任何的钱币和珠宝。 佛罗多那天下午更是累的雪上加霜。竟然有谣言说整栋屋子里面的东西都免费大赠送，一大堆不相干的人立刻涌来此地，赶也赶不走。标签被撕下、弄混，导致许多人起了冲突。有些人甚至在客厅里面就交换起东西来，其他人试图摸走不属于他们的小东西，或是任何没有钉死在地上的东西。门口的道路完全被独轮车和手推车给挡住了。 在这一团混乱中，塞克维尔巴金斯一家人出现了。佛罗多已经先下去休息，将现场交给好友梅里?烈酒鹿招呼。傲梭一来就大声吵著要见佛罗多。梅里有礼的鞠躬道。 「他现在无法抽空，」他说。「他在休息。」 「我看是躲起来了吧，」罗贝拉说。「管他在干嘛，我们就是想要见他！去找他，告诉他我们来了！」 梅里离开了很长的一段时间，让他们有时间发现那箱临别的礼物。这可没让他们的心情好过起来。最后梅里终于带他们去书房暂坐。佛罗多坐在书桌后，面前堆著许多的文件。他看起来的确无法抽空（至少在接见塞克维尔这家人的时候是这样子的）。接著他站了起来，手摸著口袋中的某样东西。不过，他说话的口气还是相当客气。 塞克维尔家的人就没有这么客气了。他们一开始就提议用贱价收买很多没标签的珍贵物品。当佛罗多表明只有比尔博指定的物品才会送人时，他们又开始抱怨这一切都不公平，其中必定有诈。 「我只有一件事情不明白，」傲梭说，「就是你看起来似乎太过镇定了些。我坚持要看让渡书。」 如果比尔博没有收养佛罗多，傲梭就会成为他的继承人。他仔细阅读了转让书，不禁哼了哼。很遗憾的，让渡书十分的完整且中规中矩。（根据哈比人的习俗，除了字句的精准之外，还要有七名证人用红墨水签名） 「这次又落空了！」他对妻子说。「我们都等了六十年！就只有汤匙？胡扯！」他在佛罗多面前气冲冲的弹了弹手指，忿忿的离开。罗贝拉可没这么容易摆平。一段时间之后，佛罗多踏出书房，看看事情进行的是否顺利。他发现罗贝拉还在四处鬼头鬼脑的刺探著，敲打著墙壁和墙角。他坚决护送她离开，同时还从她的雨伞中抄出了几样不小心掉进去的小（却很值钱）东西。她涨红著脸，彷佛准备说出什么惊天动地的诅咒。但她转过身却只勉强挤出几句： 「年轻人，你会后悔的！你为什么不也赶快离开？你不属于这里。你不是巴金斯家人，你─你是烈酒鹿家的怪人！」 「梅里，你听到了吗？我想她觉得这是个侮辱耶，」佛罗多猛地将门一关，对朋友说。 「才怪，这是个赞美，」梅里?烈酒鹿说，「所以我觉得你不适合。」 然后他们开始在洞里面巡逻，抓出了三个年轻的哈比人。（两个波芬家，一个博格家的小子）他们正在一间房间中的墙壁上打洞。佛罗多还和桑丘?傲脚（傲脚老伯的曾孙）起了些争执，这家伙在储藏室里面准备了一大堆工具，正想要开挖。比尔博的黄金传说激起了很多人的好奇和兴趣。因为，传说中的黄金（神秘获得的黄金，而不是偷抢来的）只要被人找到，就属于那个人的；除非有人打断了对方的挖掘。 在佛罗多终于把桑丘赶出去之后，他瘫在客厅椅子上无力的说：「梅里，我们该打烊了。锁上门，今天都不要开门。即使他们带了根破城槌来我也不低头。」接著，他去泡了杯茶，准备好好歇息一会。 他屁股都还没坐热，前门就又传来小小的敲门声。「大概又是罗贝拉，」他想，「这家伙多半又想出了更恶毒的咒骂，这次是回来把它说完的。我想这应该不急。」 他又继续喝茶。敲门声重复了几次，变得更大声，但他还是相应不理。巫师的脑袋突然出现在窗外。 「佛罗多，如果你不让我进来，我就把你家的门炸到山的另一边去。」他说。 「啊，是亲爱的甘道夫！等等我！」佛罗多大喊著跑向门口。「请进！请进！我本来以为是罗贝拉。」 「那我就原谅你了。不久前我还看见她驾著马车往临水区走，她的嘴巴嘟的可以挂猪肉了。」 「我也被她气的快变猪肉了。说实话，我刚刚差点戴上比尔博的戒指。我好想躲开她。」 「千万别这么做！」甘道夫坐了下来。「佛罗多，你务必小心收藏那枚戒指！事实上，我特别回来就是为了这事。」 "How about it?" 「你知道哪些事情？」 「只有比尔博告诉我的东西。我读了他的故事：他是怎么找到这戒指，又是怎么使用它的。我是说在上次的冒险中啦。」 「不知道是哪个版本的故事。」甘道夫说。 「喔，不是他告诉矮人以及写在书中的那个版本，」佛罗多说。「在我搬来这边之后不久，他就告诉我事实的真相。他说你硬逼他告诉你，所以我最好也知道一下。『我们之间没有秘密，佛罗多，』他这样说；『但就这样而已。戒指还是我的。』」 「这很有意思，」甘道夫说。「好吧，你有什么看法？」 「如果你是指他编出戒指是人家送的礼物这回事，我会觉得没有必要，我也看不出来为什么要编出这故事。这不像是比尔博的作风，所以我觉得很奇怪。」 「我也这么认为。但是，拥有这种财宝，并且使用它的人都可能会有这样怪异的行径。就把它当做前车之监吧。它的能力可能不仅于让你在有需要的时候消失而已。」 「我不明白，」佛罗多说。 「我自己也不确定，」巫师回答。「我是从昨夜才开始对这戒指起了疑心。你先别担心。希望你听我的忠告，尽量不要使用这戒指。我至少拜托你不要在别人面前使用，免得造成传言和疑心。我再强调一次：好好保管，不要泄密！」 「你真是神秘兮兮的！你到底在怕些什么？」 「我还不确定，所以也没办法多说。我马上要离开了：下次再会。」他站了起来。 「马上离开？」佛罗多大喊道。「我还以为你至少会待上一星期。我还准备要请你帮忙呢。」 「我本来是这样打算的，但我改变了心意。我可能会离开很长的一段时间，但只要一有机会，我就会立刻赶回来看你。到时你就知道了！我会悄悄的来拜访。我应该不会再公开造访夏尔。我发现自己已经成了不受欢迎的人物。他们说我老惹麻烦，破坏宁静。有些人甚至指控我鼓动比尔博远行。甚至还有更糟糕的哩，有人说我和你准备阴谋夺取他的财富。」 「有人这么说！」佛罗多难以置信的说。「你是说傲梭和罗贝拉吧？真是太低劣了！如果我可以换回比尔博和我一起四处散步，我宁愿把袋底洞和一切都送给他们。我喜欢夏尔。但不知道怎么搞的，我开始思索，如果自己也跟著离开了会不会好一些。不知道我能不能再见到他。」 「我也这样想，」甘道夫说。「我脑中还有很多的疑点呢。现在先说再见吧！好好照顾自己！我随时都有可能出现！再会！」 佛罗多送他走到门口。他最后挥挥手，用惊人的步伐快步离开。佛罗多这次觉得巫师似乎比平常还要苍老些，彷佛肩膀上扛了更沈重的负担。夜幕渐渐低垂，他的身影也跟著消失在夕阳余晖中。佛罗多有很长的一段时间都不会再看到他。 译注一：爆竹上面所印的「河谷镇」是位于孤山附近的人类聚落之一。比尔博在「魔戒前传」中的冒险曾经对当地造成了相当大的影响。新的领导者也在该次变动中崛起。