by frodo baggins 88
�Happy eleventy-first birthday, my boy,� Bilbo said while carrying in a tray of tea and a small sponge cake.
�Thank you, Uncle Bilbo, but how do we know exactly how long it�s been since we came here?� replied Frodo with a curious smile.
Bilbo looked about and listened before shutting the door.
�I don�t want any keen elf ears to overhear.� Frodo made a confused face. Bilbo ignored it and went on, �I know the elves aren�t keen on having calendars about, Frodo-lad, but I made some before we left and brought them with me. I figured we would want to remember some birthdays, and I�ve been keeping track each day.� Bilbo pulled back his coat and revealed a bundle of papers.
�I see now,� Frodo commented with a smile. �Well, 179 years. Who would have imagined? You�ve beat the Old Took�s record by many years.�
�Aye, by many a year indeed.�
Frodo poured them some tea and cut a couple of pieces off of the sponge cake. �I wish I had something to give you, and I would have had I been so clever as to keep a calendar, but I did not so I do not have anything.�
�That is quite alright. Your presence with me is quite enough.�
�I am glad to have you here as well. Where is Gandalf?� Frodo inquired.
�Oh, he doesn�t know of the calendars, but he�s probably seen me being busy and cheerful today and thought it odd, but he probably passed it off as an oddity of a hobbit. He thinks us odd, you know.�
�Yes, I know, just as we think him and the elves a bit odd.� Frodo took a bite of sponge cake.
�Listen, my boy, I heard a ship a�� A loud tapping noise sounded. �Now, I wonder who that could be,� Bilbo said while standing and walking to the door. �Why, Gandalf, hello! To what do I owe this visit?� Bilbo greeted. �Come in; come in. Frodo and I were just having tea some cake.�
Gandalf stood in the doorway. �No, I shall not come in. I have come to deliver a guest to Frodo.�
�For me?� Frodo asked, standing up.
�Yes, you may recognize him,� replied Gandalf with an emotionless face. He turned and left after saying, �My task is complete. Good evening.�