Elrond's big mistake?

[HerenIstarion]

Elrond

I think, Frodo, that maybe you will not need to come back, unless you come very soon. For about this time of the year, when the leaves are gold before they fall, look for Bilbo in the woods of the Shire. I shall be with him.

there is no mention of concrete date, as dancing spawn of ungoliant rightly observed, but I do not think there was special agreement between Frodo and Rivendell dwellers afterwards. Being Ring-Bearer and keen sighted after his journeys, he (I beleive) just felt when the time to leave was come

As for packing mentioned, it did no concern Bilbo's journey to Valinor, but to Aragorn's wedding in spring 1419 S.R.

Bilbo

I was invited to the wedding of course,’ he said. ‘And I have waited for it long enough. But somehow, when it came to it, I found I had so much to do here; and packing is such a bother.’

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: HerenIstarion ]