Just as he had promised, Drogo went to see Dr. Gentlewinter
after lunch. Primula went with him while Bilbo stayed behind with Frodo
in the smial, keeping his young nephew occupied with tales of his adventure
from years ago.

'...So there I was trapped in a dark cavern with no visible way out
and I had that Gollum creature there before me, threatening to eat me if
I couldn't answer his riddles,' Bilbo said.

Frodo was wide-eyed with excitement, 'How did you get away, uncle?'

'Well you'll remember that the bargain with Gollum was if I answered his
riddles, he wouldn't eat me but if he failed to answer one of mine then
he HAD to show me a way out of that blasted cavern. Well we traded riddles
back and forth, and there was a time I was beginning to think I'd run out
of riddles before he'd be stumped or I feared, he'd tell me a riddle I
couldn't answer.'

Bilbo paused for dramatic effect, and he smiled when Frodo said, 'Go
on please!'

However, at that moment, the door to the apartments opened up and in
walked Frodo's parents into the smial. The tale suddenly forgotten, Frodo
ran over to his father to get a hug even as Primula headed into the kitchen
to occupy herself with some sort of chore or another.

'What did the healer say?' Bilbo asked.

Drogo didn't answer, and the older hobbit saw the grim look on his nephew's
face. Looking down at his son, Drogo said, 'Frodo, go help your mother.'
For a moment, both hobbits thought the lad would protest but after a moment
he merely nodded.

'Yes, Papa.'

Drogo watched him go to his mother before he picked up his pipe. Glancing
to his uncle, and then to the kitchen, he called out to Primula, 'We're
going for a walk outside, Prim. We'll be back soon for dinner.'

Trying to keep a brave face for her son, Prim nodded. 'All right, Drogo,
don't be too late.'

***

Bilbo followed his nephew out of Brandy Hall without speaking a word,
and he waited patiently once they were outside as Drogo lit his pipe. When
they reached the Brandywine, Drogo blew out a smoke ring before he finally
looked at Bilbo.

'I'm dying, uncle,' he said quietly.

Bilbo who had been inhaling from his own pipe nearly choked on the smoke
and Drogo had to pat him on the back for several moments before he could
speak. Wiping tears from his eyes, Bilbo stared at Drogo unable to believe
his ears.

'W-what?' he asked between coughs. 'The healer told you that you were
dying?'

Drogo nodded. 'Yes.'

'How by the Valar does he know that for certain?'

'He knows, Bilbo, because he has had two other cases similar to mine.
Both of his patients had similar symptoms as mine, and they both died within
a year of his prognosis,' Drogo replied.

Tears of grief filled Bilbo's eyes now as he gazed on his nephew's face,
'Did he say that there is anything he can do to help you?'

Drogo sighed. 'He said that there is very little he can do. He can help
me if there is pain but other than that he said there is nothing to be
done.'

'Hmmmph,' Bilbo said, 'Well maybe there's nothing he can do but maybe
there's hope in Elvish medicine. Maybe if I contacted the Elves-'

'Bilbo, please! There are NO Elves around these parts for miles! You've
said so yourself their closest settlement to the Shire is Rivendell, which
is leagues away from here. Why the journey alone to reach Rivendell would
sap my strength and it would rob me of the little remaining precious time
I have left to spend with my family. Plus, there's no way of knowing if
their medicine could help or heal me once we've reached Rivendell. I'm
sorry, uncle, but I cannot, will not seek the help of the Elves,' Drogo
said.

Bilbo said nothing to him in reply for a moment, gazing instead out
at the Brandywine, tears running down his face as he blew out smoke. He
spoke after a long moment, his voice rough with grief, 'Well if there is
nothing else to be done, you, Primula, and Frodo must all return with me
to Bag End.

And please before you argue with me, Drogo, let me just say what I have
to say. I want you to come to Bag End because you're all the family I've
got, and please don't you mention the Sackville-Bagginses. They're distant
relations and I don't count them, not really because they've ALWAYS just
wanted Bag End and not me.

It's you, and Primula, and Frodo I have always counted to be my family.
To be honest, my boy, having you and Frodo in my life - well you are both
are the closest I've ever come to having children of my own. I love you
all more than you could ever know which is why I want you to come home
with me. I want you to spend your last days in a peaceful, quiet home instead
of this place that us more hustle and bustle than a thousand Dwarves' voices
raised in song! Please say you'll come home with me?'