Book 1, Chapter 3 Summary

As the days stretch on toward autumn, Gandalf tells Frodo that Frodo should leave soon. Anxious to go, but not anxious to leave The Shire, Frodo decides to leave on his and Bilbo's birthday and he will head to Rivendell, where Bilbo went. However, in order to keep the actual business of his journey secret, Frodo hides his intentions by selling his home to the Sackville-Bagginses and telling everyone except Sam that he will be moving closer to his old family.

As everyone prepares to leave, Gandalf suddenly has to respond to an urgent message and leaves in a rush. Gandalf promises to travel with Frodo but when Frodo's birthday finally arrives, Gandalf has not yet returned. Frodo is not sure if he should leave without Gandalf but, since the time has come, Frodo leaves anyway, setting out on his journey...