[Nurumaiel]

Bilbo stood up once again. "Frodo may be coming back any time now," he said, causing Prim to give him a puzzled look. "You had all better go for a walk together and make plans for how you will travel, what you will get for the party, and everything else you need to think over."

"Aren't you going to help us make plans and tell us what to do, Mr. Bilbo?" one hobbit from the company asked.

"I leave it entirely to your wonderful imaginations," said Bilbo. "Prim will help you, won't you, Prim?"

"Yes, of course, but, Uncle Bilbo..." Prim walked up to Bilbo and said in a quiet voice. "It's only been a few minutes. "Could Frodo be back already?"

"Of course not, Prim," said Bilbo. "But I need to find some way to get all these hobbits out of my home and on to their work."

"Oh," said Prim, smiling widely. "I understand." She turned to all the hobbits. "All right, let's all go walk along the road and discuss our plans! Come on, everyone. And if Frodo comes along the road and sees us... just pretend we're all going for a wonderful walk together, and start talking about something else, and don't giggle."

The hobbit company walked out the door, and Bilbo smiled at all the children. "Now, who would like to hear a story from Uncle Bilbo?" he asked. This suggestion was eagerly approved, and Bilbo began telling his story.