The world is changed: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air...Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest...fairest of all beings.

Seven to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls.

And Nine...nine rings were gifted to the race of Men who, above all else, desire power.

For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived ... for another ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom,

the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others.

...and into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life.

One by one the Free lands of Middle earth fell to the power of the ring. But there were some...who resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor.

On the slopes of Mount Doom they fought for the freedom of Middle- Earth.

Victory was near! But the power of the Ring could not be undone.

It was in this moment..when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father's sword.

Sauron, the enemy of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth, was defeated. The Ring passed to Isildur...who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of Men are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power has a will of its own.

It betrayed Isildur to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten...were lost. History became legend...legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years the Ring passed out of all knowledge.

Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer!

The Ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. And there, it consumed him. The Ring brought to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum's cave... It waited.

Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a Shadow in the East...whispers of a nameless fear. And the Ring of Power perceived...its time had now come. It abandoned Gollum. But something happened then the Ring did not intend... It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable... A Hobbit....Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.

For the time will soon come when Hobbits will shape the fortunes of all.

There and back again, A Hobbit’s tale, by Bilbo Baggins.

Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk.

Middle Earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. Hobbits must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors, nor counted amongst the very wise.

In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbits’ only real passion is for food.

A rather unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipeweed.

But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good tilled earth.

For all Hobbits share a love of all things that grow. And yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint, but today of all days, it is brought home to me it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.

Hmm hmm hmm hmm, Down from the door where it began, hmm hmm hmm hmm

You’re late!

A wizard is never late! Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.

Its wonderful to see you Gandalf.

You didn’t think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo’s birthday? So how is the old rascal? I hear it is going to be a party of special significance?

You know Bilbo he’s got the whole place in an uproar.

Well that should please him

Half the Shire’s been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway.

To tell you the truth, Bilbo has been acting a bit odd lately. I mean, more than usual. He's taken to locking himself in his study.

He spends hours and hours poring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking. He's up to something .... All right then, keep your secrets! But I know you have something to do with it.

Good gracious me!

Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of.

Indeed?

We never had any adventures, or did anything unexpected.

If you’re referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.

Whatever you did, you’ve been officially labelled as a ‘disturber of the peace.’

Oh really?

Fireworks Gandalf! Gandalf! Fireworks Gandalf!

Hooooraaaay!

Gandalf, I’m glad you’re back.

So am I dear boy. So am I.

No thank you! We don’t want any more visitors, well wishers or distant relations!

And what about very old friends?

Gandalf?

Bilbo Baggins.

My dear Gandalf!

It’s good to see you. One hundred and eleven years old who would believe it. You haven’t aged a day!

Come on, come in! Welcome, welcome. Oh, here we are. Tea or maybe something a little stronger? I’ve got a few bottles of the Old Winyard left, 1296, a very good year, almost as old as I am. It was laid down by my father, what say we open one eh?

Just tea, thank you. Owwwh!

I was expecting you sometime last week. Not that it matters; you come and go as you please. Always have done and always will.

You’ve caught me a bit unprepared I’m afraid urm we’ve only got cold chicken and a bit of pickle oh and there’s some cheese here, oh no that wont do! Urm we’ve got raspberry jam, an apple tart but we’ve not much for afters. Oh no we’re all right, I’ve found some sponge cake! I can make you some eggs if you … oh…. Gandalf?

Just tea, thank you.

Oh right. You don’t mind if I do, do you?

Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins!

I’m not at home! It’s the Sackville-Bagginses.

I know you’re in there!

They’re after the house! They’ve never forgiven me for living this long. I’ve got to get away from these confounded relatives hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment’s peace. I want to see mountains again, mountains Gandalf. And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book. Oh, tea!

So you mean to go through with your plan then?

Yes, yes, it’s all in hand. All the arrangements are made.

Frodo suspects something.

Of course he does, he’s a Baggins, not some blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle.

You will tell him wont you?

Yes, yes.

He’s very fond of you.

I know, he’d probably come with me if I asked him to. I think in his heart Frodo’s still in love with the Shire, the woods, the fields and the little rivers. I am old Gandalf. I know I don’t look it, but I’m beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin, sort of stretched like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday, a very long holiday. And I don’t expect that I shall return. In fact, I mean not to.

Old Toby, the finest weed in the Southfarthing.

Gandalf my old friend, this will be a night to remember.