Bilbo, Gollum and Sam

[doug*platypus]

Bilbo aged an additional 61 years in a night. That's why he was so very much older only a year later when the hobbits met up with him in Rivendell.

Ah! Great point, Maril, I also have never picked up on that - thank you Barrow Downs! In appreciation, Maril, one of these days I promise to look at your entire nick, and try to say it in my head.

I can't help but feel, through your revelation, even more cheated by the movie version, where Bilbo has already aged when Frodo reaches Rivendell. After they did such a great job of Gandalf's surprise at Bilbo's being well-preserved.