Chapter Seven
Bilbo Baggins
Many still remember one particular hobbit who is the subject of much gossip throughout the Shire. For it was this fellow, a seemingly respectable bachelor, who left our country with a wizard and a company of dwarves to slay a dragon in lands far to the east – and claim its fortune. What is known about Mr. Bilbo Baggins and his adventures is what he himself has told upon his return, and much of what I write is based upon notes that I have taken whilst talking to him, many years ago. This ‘hero’ stands out from the rest, for I personally knew him, and enjoyed afternoon tea at Bag End on numerous occasions.
Bilbo Baggins was born in the year 1290 on the 22nd of September. He was the only child of Bungo Baggins (1246-1326) who excavated the smial of Bag End, and Belladonna Took (1252-1334) who was the daughter of the Old Took. As you can see, his parentage was respectable and Bilbo was raised in the luxury and comfort of Bag End. When he was young, Bilbo was enchanted by tales told by the wizard Gandalf the Grey which concerned dragons, goblins and princesses. These stories were told during parties, including the Old Took’s Midsummer’s Eve party. It is likely that these tales had a great influence on the young Bilbo, which contributed to him having an adventure of his own. When his father and mother died, in 1334 and 1326 respectively, Bilbo inherited Bag End. Apparently he began to host strange guests after he inherited the smial, such as dwarves. It was clear that Mr. Baggins was not an ordinary hobbit.
In the year 1341, Bilbo was fifty years of age. His life was peaceful and undisturbed, until the wizard Gandalf invited him on an adventure. Whilst originally refusing the wizard, he made the mistake of inviting him round for tea the next day. Instead of providing tea for just Gandalf, he was also hosting a company of thirteen dwarves. The leader of these was called Thorin, known better as Oakenshield and his companions consisted of Balin, Dwalin, Fíli, Kíli, Dori, Nori, Ori, Óin, Glóin, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. Their task was to reclaim their lost home, the Lonely Mountain, which was plundered many years previously by a fierce dragon. The treasure hoard inside this mountain hall was said to be the greatest in all the lands. The once respectable Baggins (who now acted upon his Tookish instincts) was then recruited as a ‘burglar’ for this ‘Company’. He disappeared from the Shire and was not seen there again until the next year.
With this company of dwarves, Bilbo had many adventures in the east. This included an encounter with three menacing trolls, stone-giants, elves (both friendly and not so friendly), a game of riddles in the dark and a confrontation with a grumpy dragon – Smaug. On top of this, he witnessed a great battle that took place between five armies. Although Bilbo was promised a fair share of the treasure after the dragon had been slayed, he did not return with one-fourteenth – but rather two chests of gold and silver. Despite this, a rumour soon spread that beneath his home in Bag End, a hoard of treasure kept hidden away. When he eventually returned home in 1342, he found that his home was being auctioned off and had to buy back most of his own possessions.
Although his adventuring days were apparently over, Bilbo’s reputation never recovered. He was considered to be eccentric and odd – earning cruel nicknames such as ‘Mad Baggins’. Although he did not have hoards of treasure stuffed inside tunnels, Bilbo had profited enough from his journey to continue to live comfortably as a bachelor – indeed he never married. As he produced no heir, it seemed that his cousin, Otho Sackville-Baggins (1310-1412) would inherit his fortune, particularly Bag End. However, the hopes of the Sackville-Bagginses were dashed when in 1389 Bilbo (at the age of ninety nine) adopted his cousin Frodo Baggins who was orphaned at a young age. Bilbo made Frodo his heir, and the bitter Sackville-Bagginses begrudged them both of this. After returning from his adventures, Bilbo settled down in his home and spent most of his time writing – of history, poems and his own memoirs. I was fortunate enough to take afternoon tea with Mr. Baggins on several occasions and we spoke of Shire history, and he told me much about the history of lands that I had never heard of before. His mannerisms and lifestyle was strange, but what was even stranger is that fact that he never seemed to age and appeared to be as fit as a young hobbit, even when he passed one hundred years of age. Whilst he was considered a pariah by many, Bilbo was always generous with his money, always had good manners and plenty to say.
How the story of Bilbo Baggins ends is uncertain and has been a topic of conversation for many years now. The year was 1401 in September. It was Bilbo’s eleventy first birthday (an impressive age to reach) and all in the Shire eagerly anticipated his party. Myself and my wife, Primrose, were invited to Hobbiton to celebrate his birthday. But when Mr. Baggins gave his speech, something very odd happened. He disappeared! In less than a second, he simply vanished. None have seen him since, and the fate of Bilbo is still talked about today. Some say it was the work of Gandalf the Wizard, who was present at the time. Others say that it was a plot orchestrated by the Sackville-Bagginses to remove their relative who had wronged them. There is no certain answer.
Although he was certainly odd, and perhaps a tiny bit ‘Mad’, Bilbo Baggins has inspired many young hobbits to have adventures of their own. I personally know one young fellow who wishes to experience his exploits and fame in distant lands. I myself was only a lad at the time of Bilbo’s journey and remember hearing word of his return. It was his stories that have inspired me to pursue an interest in history and literature – but he has not inspired any adventures of my own (fortunately).
