Bilbo did not immediately agree to Luke's invitation to become the warden at Hogwarts. Instead, he planned to take advantage of his remaining energy to travel to Rivendell, the Anduin River Valley, Mirkwood, Dale, and the Lonely Mountain, and even journey to Fangorn Forest, Isengard, Rohan, and Gondor in the south. Furthermore, with the existence of the Floo Network, Bilbo no longer needed to endure long journeys; he could traverse thousands of miles overnight.
However, these were still only Bilbo's nascent ideas. The most important thing now was Bilbo's 111th birthday.
Following the winding road, Bilbo, Luke, and Gandalf slowly walked down from Hobbiton Hill, arriving at the Hobbiton Gathering Place in just half an hour.
The Gathering Place was an open field in Hobbiton, featuring a large tree that the hobbits called the Party Tree. This was where the residents of Hobbiton gathered for celebrations, communal meals, and storytelling, and the tree was permanently adorned with lanterns and streamers.
At this moment, a huge Party Tent had been erected at the Gathering Place, and nearly all the residents of Hobbiton had come to attend. They had brought their own tables, chairs, benches, and tableware, assembling them into long banquet tables covered with vibrant tablecloths. These tables were laden with various hobbit-style delicacies, and even products sourced from outside the Shire.
A banner was hung outside the tent, bearing the brightly colored inscription: "Celebrating Mr. Bilbo Baggins's 111th Birthday!"
This birthday feast was substantial, garnering significant attention across the Shire. All the liquor from the Green Dragon Inn in the village, as well as the bread workshop, biscuit shop, and fruit shop, had been entirely reserved for the birthday banquet at the Gathering Place.
The residents of Hobbiton secretly marveled at such extravagance, but for Bilbo, who possessed a mountain of gold, it was merely a drop in the bucket.
At the banquet, lively country music played constantly, and young hobbit men and women gathered to dance country dances. The women were busy preparing various necessities for the birthday feast, while the older hobbit men sat on benches, smoking their pipes, discussing the splendor of the banquet and speculating about Bilbo's wealth.
Elsaes and Elros, who arrived first with Frodo and Sam, instantly became the focus of all the hobbits present. Many hobbits were seeing an elf for the first time, let alone a pair of young elf siblings. The hobbits were intensely curious about the elves, a race famed in legend for their beauty and grace, and the lively atmosphere of the banquet briefly fell silent upon their arrival.
Following the silence, a low hum of hushed discussion arose. The hobbits covertly—in what they believed were discreet glances—studied the elf siblings, while discussing their identity and marveling at Bilbo Baggins's network, which was extensive enough to draw even elves to his birthday feast.
Elsaes and Elros, with their keen senses, could clearly hear the hobbits' whispered conversations and were not unaware of their subtle gazes. Having grown accustomed to being the focus of attention, they took it well. With Frodo's proactive introductions, they also met the lively and mischievous Merry and Pippin.
"Wow! Are you elves? You are truly as beautiful as the songs describe!" Pippin watched the two in astonishment, his face full of curiosity and excitement.
Neither Elsaes nor Elros disliked the enthusiastic Pippin, who seemed to have restless legs and whose eyes were filled with pure curiosity and admiration.
Elsaes shook his head and introduced himself: "I am Elsaes Luke, son of Lord Luke of Hogwarts. This is my sister, Elros Luke. We are half-elves, not full elves."
"Your father is the Luke of legend who subdued a dragon?" Merry's eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked: "Does Hogwarts really have a dragon? What does the dragon look like? How big is it? Does it breathe fire?"
"Merry, calm down, you've asked a string of questions, how can Elsaes answer them all?" Frodo quickly interrupted his friend's barrage of questions.
Elsaes and Elros indicated they didn't mind, and Elros cheerfully volunteered the answer: "Hogwarts does indeed have a dragon named Smaug. He is my father's mount and usually likes to stay in the treasury, guarding treasures and sleeping. He also breathes scorching dragon-fire, which is said to melt even the hardest steel. As for his size—we haven't specifically measured it, but he's probably over a thousand feet long, certainly taller than most of the Hogwarts castle buildings."
"Whoa!!!" Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin all gaped at her words. Hearing Elros' description of the dragon's size, they were unable to truly imagine the sheer scale of the dragon and were filled with shock.
"I heard that Hogwarts is also a school, where many wizards study magic?" Pippin eagerly inquired next.
Elsaes and Elros held nothing back, taking turns to answer the hobbits' questions and satisfy their curiosity about Hogwarts. They described everything from the curriculum of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to the surrounding environment and scenery, and creatures like the Thunderbird Thorondor and the Kraken.
Listening to Elsaes and Elros's descriptions, the hobbits' faces showed a longing to visit. Merry and Pippin, the most restless of the group, resolved that they absolutely must make a trip to Hogwarts someday to see those magical creatures and beautiful sights firsthand. As members of the Brandybuck and Took families, known among hobbits for their adventurous spirit, Merry and Pippin were not lacking in courage and impulsiveness for adventure.
In fact, within the Hogwarts territory, such as the town of Bree and the village of Hogsmeade, there were already quite a few hobbits from the Took or Brandybuck family lands working or doing business there.
Even Frodo was filled with longing for Hogwarts. His blood contained both the easygoing optimism and steady resilience of the Baggins family and the adventurous, brave genes of the Brandybuck family. Compared to the impulsiveness and impatience of Merry and Pippin, his character was balanced. He would neither act rashly like Merry and Pippin nor shrink back due to a desire for comfort. One might say that Frodo was another version of Bilbo, which explained why the two could become a family.
During the process of Elsaes and Elros describing Hogwarts to the hobbits, the group quickly became acquainted, and their relationship grew close. Elsaes and Elros developed a fondness for these simple and kind-hearted hobbits. Similarly, Frodo and the others enjoyed the company of the beautiful, graceful, and gentle elf siblings. The active Merry and Pippin even eagerly introduced them to the various customs and scenery of the Shire.
The harmonious sight of the group gathered together was noticed by Luke, Bilbo, and Gandalf as they arrived.
Gandalf laughed heartily and said, "It seems the children are getting along quite well."
Bilbo was also delighted to see this, and couldn't help but praise, "Elsaes and Elros are excellent children, no one could dislike them!"
Hearing others praise his children, Luke was naturally pleased. He replied, "Frodo and the others are also great. They are wonderful children, otherwise, Elsaes and Elros wouldn't have taken a liking to them."
The parents on both sides exchanged praises for the other's children, and then, feeling satisfied, approached the children.
The lively birthday banquet was underway, and the hobbits present were both restrained and curious as they looked at Luke and Gandalf.
Luke, in particular, was the center of attention, with everyone stretching their necks to secretly observe him with what they thought were discreet glances.
Luke and Gandalf, the two tall figures, stood out like cranes among a flock of chickens among the hobbits, as if they had arrived in a land of little people.
Because Hogwarts' territory bordered the Shire, and because the Shire had established trade with Bree and Hogsmeade, these hobbits, who had never ventured out, had all heard the great name of the Lord of Hogwarts.
Furthermore, six decades had passed since Luke first arrived in the Shire, and many of the hobbits who had seen him then were long gone.
More importantly, it was rumored that the reason Bilbo had not aged for decades was due to the efforts of this Wizard Lord.
So, everyone was extremely curious about this Wizard Lord, who was the subject of many legends.
As the festive atmosphere of the banquet reached its peak, Bilbo stood up.
The music of the feast abruptly stopped, and everyone was curious about what he would say.
Bilbo surveyed all his neighbors, took a deep breath, and then declared loudly: "Dear friends, I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
Today is my 111th birthday, and it is also my nephew Frodo's 33rd birthday. In this joyful time, I regret to announce—it is time for an ending.
I am going away. I am leaving the Shire—now! As for my property and Bag End, they shall be inherited by my nephew Frodo. I ask you all to bear witness—"
"And finally, goodbye!" After saying this, Frodo slipped a gold ring onto his finger and instantly vanished.
The hobbits present gasped in astonishment, both surprised by Bilbo's announcement and shocked by his sudden disappearance.
Only Luke and Gandalf wore calm smiles, their eyes following the movement of the invisible Bilbo as he left.
Clearly, Bilbo's invisibility had not fooled the two of them.
In the midst of the clamoring banquet hall, Luke, taking Elsayes and Elros with him, and Gandalf also rose and departed the venue.
Although they did not turn invisible, no one seemed to notice them, completely overlooking their departure.
It wasn't until they were far away that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin suddenly remembered them and frantically looked for Luke and the others, but they couldn't recall when they had left.
On the small path back to Bag End, Luke, Gandalf, Elsayes, and Elros stopped abruptly just as they reached an oak tree.
Luke and Gandalf's gaze fell upon the base of the oak tree, and a slight smile touched their lips.
Gandalf chuckled and asked, "Bilbo, are you waiting for us here?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bilbo removed the ring and reappeared, looking a little helpless.
"I can never hide anything from your eyes!"
Luke smiled upon hearing this and said, "I forged this ring, so naturally, it cannot deceive me. As for Gandalf, I doubt there's any invisibility spell that can conceal anything from his sight."
This gold ring was one of the gifts Luke had given Bilbo; it was an Alchemical Ring, combining alchemy and ring craftsmanship.
Wearing it not only granted invisibility but also enhanced the hobbit's natural traits, amplifying their ability to sneak.
Unless encountered by beings like Sauron, Galadriel, or Gandalf, no ordinary person would be able to see through it.
It was intended as an artifact for preservation and escape that Luke gifted Bilbo after he lost the One Ring.
Regarding Luke's praise, Gandalf smiled modestly, saying, "Oh, Luke, your praise is truly undeserved. Your ring craftsmanship is praised even by Lady Galadriel. My ability to spot Bilbo is also thanks to your hint, allowing me to specifically watch out for him, otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy."
Luke and Gandalf then redirected the conversation back to Bilbo.
"Bilbo, why such a rush to leave? I saw that Frodo didn't seem prepared. Don't you plan to stay here for a little longer?" Luke asked Bilbo.
Bilbo shook his head. "No, I've already spent almost a lifetime here. Since I've decided to leave, I must not hesitate. If I were to stay a little longer, perhaps I wouldn't have the courage to leave!
Besides, Frodo has grown up, and I feel quite assured leaving Bag End in his care."
Seeing that Bilbo had made up his mind, Luke and Gandalf offered no further advice.
"In that case, why don't you come with us to Hogwarts tonight, Bilbo? You can stay there until you tire of it, and then go to Rivendell. The school is also preparing to hold the Triwizard Tournament this year, which will be very lively. You can't miss it."
Hearing Luke's suggestion, Bilbo was immediately tempted and no longer hesitated. "Then I shall have to trouble you both in the coming days!"
"Why talk of trouble? We are friends! And we are delighted to have you come!"
Having decided on their destination, the group returned to Bag End to pack some simple luggage before using the fireplace to return to Hogwarts.
Refusing Luke's offer to help, Bilbo began to pack the things he wanted to take with him alone.
It was at this moment that the door of Bag End was suddenly opened, and a slightly breathless Frodo walked in.
Frodo looked at Bilbo, who was packing, his heart filled with reluctance.
"Uncle Bilbo, are you really leaving?"
Bilbo paused, looked at his nephew, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Frodo, you have grown up, and I am confident leaving the home in your hands! By the way, I have one more treasure to hand over to you. Remember not to tell anyone else about it, or it will easily attract greedy, covetous people."
Saying this, he handed over a Mithril coat of mail and a Bag of Holding to Frodo.
When Frodo heard the value of the Mithril armor—enough to buy the entire Shire—he gasped.
When he saw that the Bag of Holding contained a mountain of gold and jewels, he was even more stunned.
He had always known that Uncle Bilbo was wealthy, but he never realized how wealthy!
The combined wealth of all the hobbits in the Shire probably could not compare to Uncle Bilbo's fortune.
Bilbo was very pleased with himself. "This is my one-fourteenth share of the dragon's hoard, which I received when Luke, Gandalf, and the Dwarves journeyed to the Lonely Mountain. The spending over the years has been only a small, insignificant fraction of it."
"This—this is too much! Uncle Bilbo, since you can take this fortune with you, perhaps you should keep it. After all, you will surely need some expenses on your journey," Frodo suggested. Although he was astonished by the huge amount of wealth, there was no greed in his eyes.
Bilbo looked at Frodo with satisfaction, smiling as he shook his head: "Don't worry about me. I've already brought enough money for my needs. Any more would be a burden. The rest of this property is yours to dispose of, whether you squander it or do anything else with it. You couldn't spend it all even if you tried for several lifetimes!"
After the uncle and nephew finished their conversation, Bilbo continued to pack his luggage, and Frodo reluctantly helped him.
Luke and Gandalf and the others sat quietly to the side, not disturbing the two of them.
Gandalf's gaze remained fixed on Frodo, watching his expression closely from the moment Bilbo gave him the Mithril coat of mail and the space bag filled with a mountain of gold.
Seeing that Frodo was unmoved by the wealth, showing only reluctance and sorrow over Bilbo's departure, a look of appreciation and a hint of a developing plan flashed in his eyes.
Luke noticed Gandalf's expression, and although he was deep in thought, he made no immediate comment.
"Luke, what do you think about Frodo becoming the Ring-bearer?" Gandalf's voice resonated in Luke's mind.
Luke turned and met Gandalf's eyes, realizing Gandalf was communicating with him telepathically.
"What makes you say that?"
"I have a premonition that the wheels of fate are turning once again, and a new war is approaching—one that is even more threatening than before! I can feel that Sauron's power is already immense, perhaps not much weaker than at his peak.
And the One Ring remains a latent danger, especially as Sauron's strength grows; the link between them intensifies, and it will attempt to reunite with him. Even Tom Bombadil cannot stop this connection." Gandalf explained.
"Tom Bombadil belongs to neither side. His help in safeguarding the Ring for these decades has been enormous, but we cannot continue to trouble him and draw him and Goldberry into the war."
"Therefore, we need to find another Ring-bearer, someone who is not easily influenced by the Ring's power, to carry the Ring away from the Old Forest and ultimately destroy it!"
"So, what do you intend to do?" Luke asked.
Gandalf looked towards Frodo, and with a smile, said, "I plan to assemble another fellowship, an expeditionary company, to escort the Ring to Mount Doom. Mount Doom is where Sauron originally forged the One Ring; only the molten fires there can utterly destroy it."
Luke frowned. "But that is the heartland of Mordor, directly under Sauron's nose. Now that Sauron's power is recovering, his control over Mordor is stronger, not to mention the deepening connection with the One Ring. I fear that the moment the One Ring gets close to Mordor, Sauron will sense it."
He worried that instead of destroying the Ring, they would merely be delivering it to Sauron.
In the original timeline, Frodo and the others were able to sneak the Ring past Sauron's gaze, reach Mount Doom, and successfully destroy it.
Besides the guidance of Gollum and sheer luck, this was possible because Sauron at that time had no physical form, his power had not yet fully recovered, and his connection to the Ring was weak, preventing him from sensing it clearly.
But now, Sauron has likely received help from Morgoth, his strength is far superior to what it was, and his connection with the One Ring is deepening—a link even Tom Bombadil cannot prevent.
Once the Ring and Sauron are in close proximity, Sauron will likely sense it immediately and frantically move to reclaim it.
If Sauron were to regain the Ring, no one would be able to resist him any longer.
"That is why I plan to lure Sauron out of Mordor. I, Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond, you, Círdan, and the other members of the White Council will be responsible for drawing Sauron's attention on the main front, preventing him from dividing his focus.
Then, a team will secretly escort the Ring, sneaking into Mordor to cast it into the fires of Mount Doom.
Sauron poured a great part of his soul and power into the One Ring; they are in a symbiotic relationship. Once the Ring is destroyed, Sauron will perish, and there will be no possibility of his return."
"But will Sauron willingly leave Mordor?" Luke raised another question.
"He will!" Gandalf confirmed. "The recovery of Sauron's power has given him confidence; he will not continue to shrink back into Mordor, as this does not align with his ambition to rule the world."
"More importantly, even if he doesn't come out, we will force him out!"
"He has always wanted to recover the One Ring, so we will spread rumors about the Ring, perhaps even publicly declaring that we intend to take it across the sea to the Blessed Realm of the West to be purified." Gandalf winked, a shrewd look in his eyes. "Sauron will not tolerate this outcome and will certainly act personally. That will be our opportunity!"
Hearing Gandalf's plan, Luke's eyes lit up.
This plan was indeed feasible. By luring Sauron out of, or even far away from, Mordor, the Fellowship could sneak in and destroy the Ring.
"So you intend to choose Frodo as the Ring-bearer, to carry the Ring to Mount Doom?"
Gandalf nodded, glancing at Bilbo and Frodo, and sighed. "Truthfully, I would prefer Bilbo. He has experience in expeditions, and his will is resolute enough; he would be the ideal Ring-bearer. But he is old now. Though his appearance and body have not aged, his spirit bears the weariness of time, and I fear he can no longer bear such a heavy burden."
"And Frodo is a younger version of Bilbo. Their mothers both came from families with adventurous blood, and their fathers were from the gentle, resilient Baggins family. They even share the same birthday.
This makes me believe that perhaps there was an omen in the unseen world, leading Frodo and Bilbo to become family and awaiting this very day."
Luke thought to himself that Gandalf wasn't wrong, as this uncle and nephew pair were indeed the successive protagonists, spanning many long decades and determining the fate of Middle-earth.
"However, Gandalf, how do you plan to persuade Frodo?" Luke asked. "After all, escorting the Ring to Mount Doom is no easy feat. At any moment, his life will be in danger, and the power of the Ring is also growing stronger. He will be subjected to the Ring's corruption throughout the journey, a suffering few can endure. Do you think he will agree?"
In the original trajectory, Frodo embarked on the quest primarily because Sauron had learned through Gollum that the Ring was in the Shire and had sent the Ringwraiths and other minions to search for it.
To ensure his own safety and that of the Shire, Frodo had no choice but to leave and take the Ring to Rivendell.
But now, the Ring is no longer in Bilbo's hands, and with the enormous wealth left behind by Bilbo, Frodo could live a life without worry.
Why would he risk his life and the corruption of the Ring in a thankless task to escort it?
Gandalf sighed. "I do not wish for him to bear such a great burden, but besides him, I cannot find anyone else who can resist the Ring's temptation."
The hobbits' innate optimism, love for peace, and lack of desire for power give them far greater resistance to the Ring than other races.
However, this same characteristic makes hobbits prefer to stay at home rather than venture out into danger.
Only those like Bilbo and Frodo, who possess both the hobbit's innate nature and the courage and impulse for adventure, can take on the crucial task of being the Ring-bearer.
Luke did not involve himself in the matter of forming the Fellowship or persuading Frodo to join, leaving it entirely to Gandalf.
Once Bilbo had finished packing his luggage and said farewell to Frodo, Luke, along with Elsayes and Elros, left with Bilbo through the fireplace.
As for Gandalf, he temporarily remained at Bag End, preparing, just as he had convinced Bilbo long ago, to persuade Frodo to join the Fellowship of the Ring.
Hogwarts, after decades of development, has now become a magically renowned academy throughout Middle-earth.
The school's annual intake has stabilized, hovering around a hundred students.
Therefore, the total student body numbers six or seven hundred people, which, combined with the professors, assistant teachers, and staff, totals over seven hundred.
The majority of student recruitment comes from children within the domain, followed by a few Dúnedain each year, and an occasional Elven child every few years.
The total population of the Dúnedain is only a few thousand, and their lifespan is several times that of ordinary humans. Many, like Aragorn, do not marry until they are eighty or ninety years old.
Thus, the number of Dúnedain students recruited by Hogwarts each year is sparse.
The Elven race, possessing constant lifespans, faces significant difficulties in reproduction, and their growth cycle is long, so only one or two Elven students appear every few years.
Consequently, when Elven students arrive, they become a rarity in the school, beloved by almost all the students and professors.
During the Sorting Ceremony, the appearance of an Elven new student always attracts great attention, with every House eagerly hoping they will be sorted into their own.
Because of the Elven race's superior physical fitness and extremely keen senses, they are the best possible Quidditch players.
Therefore, the Sorting Ceremony often sees the students of the receiving House cheering excitedly, while the students of the other Houses look disappointed and dejected.
The development of the Hogwarts domain over the years has been stable and orderly. The total wizarding population across the domain has reached 30,000, accounting for one-third of the total population.
Although there is no deliberate separation between wizards and ordinary people, the wizards are relatively concentrated, forming various wizarding villages or small towns.
These villages and towns are satellite-like, centered around Hogwarts, with Hogsmeade and Bree as the main hubs, dispersed throughout the region of Eriador.
Because these wizards are spread across the territory, Luke's realm of rule now covers most of Eriador.
Were it not for Luke not having formally claimed a royal title, the territory he occupies could already be described as a Kingdom.
In the eyes of other powers, such as Gondor and Rohan to the south, such a vast territory is already indistinguishable from a kingdom. They refer to Luke's domain as the Wizard Kingdom or simply Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Castle, where Luke resides, is the royal capital of this Wizard Kingdom, and Luke is the uncrowned king.
In a broad sense, Hogwarts encompasses the Eriador region, including Hogwarts Castle, the City of Hogsmeade, and the City of Bree, as well as Isengard and the plains of the Gap of Rohan inhabited by the Dunlendings nearby.
Although the population is less than a hundred thousand, far less than kingdoms like Gondor or Rohan, no one dares to underestimate Hogwarts.
Its strength is ranked above kingdoms of various races such as Gondor, Rohan, the Kingdom Under the Mountain, and the Woodland Realm.
This is not only due to the immense magical power of the ruler, Luke, and his possession of powerful creatures like Dragons and Thunderbirds, but also because the thirty thousand wizards constitute a formidable force.
When the expedition to the Far East took place, Hogwarts only sent a hundred wizards, yet they were able to rout tens of thousands of Mordor's army.
Thus, various powers in Middle-earth cannot imagine how terrifying the combat strength would be if all thirty thousand wizards were deployed.
Of course, the outside world does not know that the original hundred wizards were the elite Aurors among the wizards, but they are still in awe of Hogwarts' power.
The side of Mordor, in particular, is highly cautious of Hogwarts. Their continuous quietness and inactivity over the years is not only due to their secret plotting, but also in part because of the presence of Hogwarts.
After all, one of Hogwarts' territories, Isengard, borders Rohan and Gondor. Should Mordor attack Rohan and Gondor, Hogwarts would certainly not sit idly by.
Especially near Isengard, in the Misty Mountains, there is the largest Dragon Reserve, where over a thousand highly skilled Dragon Handlers work.
Furthermore, several thousand Dunlending wizards live in the areas surrounding Isengard and the plains of the Gap of Rohan.
In times of war, these people can instantly transform into the strongest fighting force, delivering the most severe counterattack to their enemies.
As the ruler of these wizards, Luke is referred to as the Supreme Wizard.
If not for the title of "Witch-King" already being occupied by the Witch-King of Angmar, in the eyes of others, Luke would be the King of Wizards in name and in fact.
Returning our attention to Hogwarts, since Bilbo left the Shire and came to live in Hogwarts Castle.
Bilbo, who originally intended to stay only temporarily, was deeply charmed by the castle's atmosphere—the students' joyful laughter and the lively sight of them flying everywhere on their brooms—and eventually accepted Luke's invitation to stay in the castle as the school administrator.
The school is preparing to hold the Four-House Championship this semester. The students, who had initially been looking forward to Quidditch, were captivated by this grand event and no longer complained about the cancellation of Quidditch.
The Four-House Championship could also be called the Inter-House Tournament. To ensure that all students felt involved, Luke and the professors established the rules of the competition.
Each House would first hold internal elimination rounds, using the method of wizard duels to select the single most outstanding student to participate in the final competition.
Accompanying the commencement of the Four-House Championship elimination rounds, the atmosphere in the castle was reignited.
Although the competition tried its best to give every student a chance to participate, the lower-grade students were destined to be mere participants, usually being eliminated in the very first round of the selection.
However, the lower-grade students were not too disappointed. After being eliminated, they turned their attention to cheering on their seniors and eagerly anticipating their House winning the final victory.
Just as everyone in the school was immersed in the lively atmosphere of the Championship, Gandalf returned from the Shire, bringing with him Frodo and three other hobbits.
"Gandalf, what is this?" Luke looked at the four hobbits emerging from the fireplace and directed his question to Gandalf.
Gandalf replied directly, "Luke, Frodo has agreed."
Luke instantly understood Gandalf's meaning and looked at Frodo with surprise.
He hadn't expected Gandalf to be so persuasive, getting Frodo to agree to become the Ring-bearer so quickly.
The Ring-bearer's task is thankless and strenuous, almost certain to result in death.
Frodo could now completely refuse this mission and rely on his inherited immense wealth to live a rich and peaceful life in the Shire.
"Frodo, are you truly sure of your decision?" Luke looked into his eyes and asked seriously. "You must know that it will be extremely dangerous. You are very likely to die on the road, and the Ring will constantly corrupt you, causing immense suffering and agony. Even if you succeed, you will be left with incurable wounds for the rest of your life. Do you still wish to do this?"
Frodo felt that Luke's eyes were penetrating, as if his every thought and intention held no secrets from him, and he instinctively wanted to look away.
But he forced himself to resist this instinct and continue meeting Luke's gaze, nodding resolutely: "I am sure!"