Chapter 310: The Gift
Spring passed and autumn came. As early September arrived, Levi rode westward towards the Shire under Little Pink's plaintive gaze.
It was that time again—Bilbo's birthday.
The last time Levi visited was many years ago; he wondered how the old hobbit had been doing lately.
Carrying some small gifts, Levi slowly crossed through Bree and the Old Forest, glanced at the Barrow-downs, and entered Hobbiton unimpeded.
Knock knock knock.
At the gate of Bag End, a knock came.
"I'll get the door!"
Surprisingly, a youthful voice answered from inside.
Click.
When the door opened, Levi lowered his head and saw a hobbit boy in his early teens.
"What? Bilbo has a child? Since when?" Levi was stunned.
The hobbit boy at the door was as confused as he was, and the two stared wide-eyed.
But after giving Levi a thorough once-over, the child suddenly let out a sharp cry.
The noise immediately drew old Bilbo from inside.
"What's wrong, Frodo? What happened?"
Holding a frying pan, he rushed out.
His eyes widened.
"Oh—Levi, welcome, welcome!"
"Is it really you?" Frodo became excited just like Bilbo.
"Yeah… it's me, of course it's me."
Levi asked Bilbo, "Who is this child?"
"Frodo. You met him thirteen years ago."
"Oh yeah, I remember."
Levi patted Frodo's little head. "How is he here? Where are his parents?"
This plot seemed odd.
"They're chatting next door at Old Man Maggot's place. The gardener Hamfast is there too."
A voice came from the bushes: "I'm not there right now; I'm busy tending your garden, Mr. Bilbo."
"Oh, alright." Bilbo nodded without minding the small detail.
"Greetings, respected Mr. Levi!" Hamfast greeted Levi while tending his plants.
"You too. I heard you had a chubby little one last year. Congratulations." Levi responded.
"I'm honored." Gardener Hamfast stood and bowed, then dutifully resumed his yard work.
Though he glanced this way occasionally.
Bilbo's house often saw strange visitors: sorcerers, dwarves… now even the nearly legendary northern lord came visiting. Heaven knows how this old hobbit knew them.
But the residents of Hobbiton had grown used to Bilbo's quirks. Though the old hobbit was eccentric, he was kind and generous. Neighbors did not dislike him and would gladly chat when they met.
After sending Frodo off to watch the soup in the kitchen, Bilbo leaned toward Levi, grinning, and whispered, "You know, Frodo and I share a birthday. This kid has a spirit for adventure. I have to tell you about what happened at Beanpatch last year."
"And he loves stories—mine and yours. You wouldn't believe, Frodo once ran all the way from the far side of the Brandywine to Hobbiton, making his parents frantic, mobilizing the whole family to search for a whole day. Then they found Frodo with me…"
"Just to listen to stories."
"Oh, and I taught him some Elvish phrases. He's quite interested."
"Looks like you've been busy these years." Levi teased.
"Yes, of course. Since the lad started coming here often, Bag End has become lively."
"You see, this year he didn't celebrate his birthday at Brandywine. He begged his parents to bring him here so we could celebrate together."
Levi pondered briefly and said,
"That's quite sudden. I only prepared your gift."
"What's that worth!"
Bilbo waved his hand. "Your coming is the best gift."
"I'm sure Frodo thinks so too."
"Yes!" From the kitchen, perhaps hearing Bilbo's words, Frodo shouted,
"I'm very happy to see you!"
The person from the stories from his childhood had come!
His childhood was complete.
"All right, let me join you in the kitchen and cook up a feast for both of you!"
Levi bent down and entered the kitchen, taking the tasks from Frodo's hands and preparing various dishes.
At night, a magnificent feast began. Foods from all around and exotic new dishes were placed on the table, with two large cakes made by Levi hand-crafted in the center—one for Bilbo, one for Frodo.
Just then, Took and Primula returned. After chatting with Old Man Maggot, they went straight to the market. Bringing back superior ingredients and rare fine wines as thanks for Bilbo's recent care of Frodo.
But when the items were set down, the couple was stunned by the abundance of food prepared and by Levi's visit.
Took exclaimed, "Heavens, it's you! I must sincerely thank you and your rangers; if it weren't for those two, I can't imagine how Frodo would manage alone."
"You'd better reflect on that well." Bilbo glanced at him sharply.
"Of course, dear cousin, we have." Took drew a chair to the table, welcoming Bilbo.
To Took's gratitude, Levi replied, "Parting is truly painful. Since we can still accompany dear ones, let us cherish this time."
All agreed.
When the birthday party ended, it was late and dark outside.
Walking home at night was not an option, but luckily Bag End was spacious enough to host Levi and the Took family, with room to spare.
Several people could not fill this place. Remember, thirteen dwarves once stayed here; they never complained about sleeping space.
Though many dwarves just slept anywhere.
That night, with splendid food, Took and his wife indulged fully, eating more than usual and drinking plenty.
They fell asleep as soon as night came.
But Frodo was wide awake.
He begged Bilbo to continue telling him stories of past adventures.
This time, however, Bilbo shook his head and pointed to Levi sitting in the courtyard staring at the starry sky.
"Levi knows many more stories than I do. Why not ask him?"
So Frodo cautiously approached and, with childish awkward earnestness, spoke to Levi.
Levi chuckled.
"All right, come sit here, child."
Levi patted an empty seat, saying, "Tell me what you want to hear, and I'll tell you all about it."
That was his undoing.
Who would have expected Frodo to say: "I want to hear everything!"
Levi talked for a long time, until Bilbo beside him began to yawn.
"And then what happened?"
Frodo's big eyes struggled to stay open. "What about the great archer, the ranger captain thought to be a commander, and the steward who gave you the mithril short sword? Are they all well?"
"They…"
Levi fell silent, lost in thought.
Humans of this world were free; in death, their souls were set free to journey to other worlds and begin new lives.
"Maybe they have moved on to new adventures elsewhere."
Levi smiled and patted Frodo on the head.
The little fellow was already sleepy, about to fall.
Storytime was over.
"Frodo." Levi suddenly called softly.
Frodo looked up drowsily.
"Forgive my rushed arrival and the lack of a gift prepared for you."
Frodo started to speak, but Levi continued:
"In that case, I will give you a special birthday gift."
"A journey, how about it?"
"Frodo, I give you a journey and adventure. I will decide the scenery; you decide the time. How does that sound?"
"Good."
As soon as Frodo replied, he fell asleep.
Bilbo appeared, lifting Frodo with care.
He said, "That's a precious gift, Levi—more precious than anything in the world. If someone told me that, even if I had to face a dragon's lair and its roaring flames and foul breath again, face tens of thousands of orcs and trolls once more, I would pack and leave at once."
"But I fear I have no opportunity left."
Bilbo sighed softly.
"I have never regretted any moment with you, Levi. Never."
After saying this, Bilbo paused, then turned to Levi with sincere eyes:
"Blessings to you."