Since Bilbo had been a ring-bearer, he was allowed to accompany Frodo to the Undying Lands. On September 22, 3021, Bilbo turned 131 and became the oldest hobbit ever to have lived. On September 29, he, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, and Frodo had boarded a ship docked at the Grey Havens and sailed away from Middle-earth. His fate afterward is not known but as he too was a mortal being, he most likely died in the light of the Blessed Realm of Valinor.
Happy Birthday Tolkien
Today is also the 131st birthday of JRR Tolkien. The age has an analogue:
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3 comments:
Yes, we were waiting for him to pass the Old Took.
When we think about life extension technologies it is worth noting that Tolkien covered a lot of the possible territory already. Bombadil forever, or nearly so, like Pan. Elves and wizards indefinitely, but ultimately mortal; Ents nearly indefinite as well, and with these last groups it does shape their perspectives; half-elven in the grey area, caught in both mortality and immortality; dwarves quite long in comparison to men; certain men and then hobbits with lengthened life but not notoriously so. Orcs, so far as we can tell, of shorter years than humans.
It leaves one with very ambivalent feelings about whether we should desire longer life or not. I am clearly improved in a few areas after 70 years. But I think I have shown gradual deterioration of character in others, and the net effect is likely negative. The Church teaches that life is good, and we should always seek to obtain and preserve it, and I do not dispute that. Yet I do say that it is not an unalloyed good.
“Indeed, the safest road to hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” CS Lewis, The Screwtape Letters.
Did the Professor ever state the gestation period of Hobbits?
I'm not aware that he did.
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