Literature
The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
J.R.R. Tolkien
In-fiction date: 9/23/3018
On September 23, Third Age 3018, Frodo Baggins locks up Bag End for the last time and leaves the Shire on foot with Samwise Gamgee and Peregrin Took. Gandalf has not appeared as promised, and Black Riders have already been seen in the area asking for 'Baggins.' Frodo carries the Ring that Bilbo left him — which Gandalf confirmed three months earlier is the One Ring, the most dangerous object in Middle-earth. The long journey to Rivendell has begun.
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Sep 22, 3001
On September 22, Third Age 3001, Bilbo Baggins turns 111 — the same day his nephew Frodo turns 33, coming of age in hobbit custom. Their shared birthday party, the Long-Expected Party, is the grandest the Shire has seen in living memory: a marquee, fireworks by Gandalf, and an infuriating speech. After the meal Bilbo slips on the One Ring, vanishes from the stage in a flash, and walks away to Rivendell, leaving everything to Frodo — including a plain gold ring in an envelope on the mantelpiece.
Oct 6, 3018
On the night of October 6, Third Age 3018, the Nazgûl attack Frodo and his companions at the ancient watchtower of Weathertop in the Lone-lands. Frodo puts on the Ring in panic — making himself visible to the Ringwraiths in the spirit world — and the Witch-king stabs him in the shoulder with a Morgul blade. The shard remains in the wound and works toward his heart; if it reaches it, Frodo will become a wraith. Aragorn drives the Nazgûl off with torches and leads the company toward Rivendell at desperate speed.