Many Partings

Summary

When all the days of rejoicing are over Frodo tells Aragorn that he wishes to go back and visit Bilbo. King Theoden is placed upon a golden bier and the company follows him to Rohan for burial. After the burial, Eomer is crowned King in TheodenÂ’s stead. He then gives Faramir and Eowyn his blessings for marriages, as does Aragorn.

Legolas visits the Glittering Caves. Gimli visits Treebeard. Together, these two remain in Fangorn while the rest travel on. At the gap of Rohan, Aragorn takes his leave of the Hobbits and at the Misty Mountains the remaining company comes across Saruman, now old and beggarly. Gandalf once more offers Saruman help, but the old wizard scorns him. He leaves with Wormtongue still in tow. As he goes, he reminds them that the Shire has been destroyed, as GaladrielÂ’s mirror had shown previously.

Bilbo is at Rivendell and though he has aged considerably, he is happy to see his friends. He is very old and happenings of Mordor do not hold much interest for him anymore. When the time comes for the Hobbits to depart Bilbo gives Frodo the mithril coat and sword, forgetting that he has already done so. To Sam he gives a bag full of gold for his marriage and to Merry and Pippin he gives a load of advice and elven pipes made of pearl and silver. He also gives Frodo three books that he has written--records so that Frodo can continue them with news from his adventures.

This chapter is mingled with sadness, as it appears that BilboÂ’s life is near an end. He tells Frodo that he need not return next year, suggesting by innuendo that his life may have ended. And even Frodo, who no longer has the Ring, feels aches and pains that he never felt as long as he had the Ring.

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