One more time Bilbo looked around. This time his gaze came to rest on a big box in the corner. Its lid was open, revealing nothing but empty wooden walls. Bilbo knew the thing was meant to keep birthday presents before they were given away. Primula had told him. It was empty now, thought Bilbo as sorrow pierced his heart. How did Frodo fare with all this? How did Frodo bear the solitude of having his birthday without Drogo and Primula? Dragging the sack with him, he walked over to the trunk.
“No matter,” muttered Bilbo, turning over the bag and emptying its content to the chest. There were gifts, big and small, coming in different shapes, round, rectangular, and square. All were wrapped in colorful and bright papers. Nothing was made of breakable material, though, so Bilbo did not have to be very careful in handling them.
“There. Now you have presents for your friends, Frodo lad,” Bilbo smiled with satisfaction as he rubbed his hands. “And you don’t have to celebrate it only by yourself.” He was dying to see Frodo’s reaction toward the lovely surprise.
THE END