Book 1, Chapter 2 Summary

The story picks up seventeen years later. Gandalf has visited Frodo several times in those years, but he has not been to The Shire in nine years. However, in his previous visits, Gandalf was very interested to note that Frodo, like Bilbo, did not seem to age at all.

Frodo's two best friends are Peregrin "Pippin" Took and Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck. The three of them are frequent companions and walk all over The Shire together, though Frodo is anxious to travel farther. However, he cannot bring himself to leave The Shire quite yet.

As the days stretch on, rumors spread that elves are heading west, dwarves are about and huge tree-like beings are walking in the woods. In addition to these unremarkable stories, there are also rumors that include "whispers of the Enemy and of the Land of Mordor." (p. 42) Likewise...