Extract #1 - A Long-Expected Party

OK, guys, for all you LOTR haters out there, I pity you because here's another post - but we're in on the LOTR now. So fasten your sword belts, grab your armour, and enjoy!

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When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthdaywith a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.
Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been the wonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkable disappearance and unexpected return. And if that was not enough for fame, there was his prolonged vigor to marvel at. At ninety he was much the same as fifty. At ninety-nine they began to call him well-preserved, but unchanged would have been nearer the mark. There were some that shook their heads and thought this was too much of a good thing; it seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) exaustible wealth.
"It will have to be paid for," they said. "It isn't natural, and trouble will come of it!

Each year the Bagginses had given very lively combined birthday-parties at Bag End, but now it was understood that something quite exceptional was being prepared for that autumn. Bilbo was going to be eleventy-one, 111, a rather curious number, and Frodo was going to be thirty-three, 33, in important number, the year of his 'coming of age'.

That very month was September, and as fine as you could ask. A day or two later a rumour (probably started by the knowledgable Sam) was spread about that there was going to be fireworks - fireworks, what is more, as had not been seen in the Shire for nigh on a century, not indeed since the Old Took died.
Days passed, and The Day drew near. Before long the invitations began pouring out, and the Hobbiton post-office was blocked, and the Bywater post-office was snowed under, and voluntary assistant postmen were called for. There was a constant stream of them going up the Hil, carrying hundreds of polite variations on Thank you, I shall certainly come.
Then the weather clouded over. That was on Wednesday, the eve of the party. Anxiety was intense. Then Thursday, September the 22nd, actually dawned. The sun got up, the clouds vanished, flags were unfurled, and the fun began
Practically everybody was living near was invited. A very few were overloked by accident, but as they turned up all the same, that did not matter. Bilbo met the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person. He gave away presents to all and sundry - the latter were those who went out again by the back way and came in again by the gate.

Well, thus ends entry one of Fellowship of the Ring - but be prepared, we should be here for a while!