Born in the year 2890 of the Third Age, Bilbo’s involvement with the tale begins with Gandalf’s goading his acceptance into Thorin Oakenshield’s party on their quest to destroy the dragon, Smaug, at his lair in Lonely Mountain. While on this quest, Bilbo stumbled into a deep, dark, underground cavern. In this cavern he found a magic, golden ring. Unknown to Bilbo, this ring belonged to Gollum, a filthy slimy creature who lived on the small underground lake, in the center of the cave. After a game of riddles, Bilbo managed to escape Gollum’s lair, and find his party again.
He also flushed Smaug out of his lair, which eventually led to Smaug’s destruction. Bilbo returned home after his quest, and did not do anything especially important to the tale until his 111th birthday, upon which he had an enormous party. In front of 144 select guests, he disappeared; then he departed the Shire forever, leaving Bag End, the Ring, and most of his possesions to his heir, Frodo. Bilbo fancied himself quite an author, writing most of the Red Book, and several songs and poems. After the War of the Ring, at the age of 131 years, Bilbo sailed with Frodo to the Undying Lands.