Author(s): J. R. R. Tolkien

Science Fiction

"Bilbo's Last Song" is a poem written by Bilbo, hero adventurer of "The Hobbit", before he leaves Middle Earth to take a ship to the Undying Lands beyond the sunset at the end of "The Lord of the Rings". Pauline Baynes' illustrations depict the journey that brings the ring bearers and the company of elves to the Grey Havens and the ship that is waiting to take them on their final journey. Running concurrently is a series of vignettes showing scenes from "The Hobbit"; so Bilbo remembers his first journey as he contemplates his last. A friend of the author's for many years, Pauline Baynes has included several of Tolkien's own ideas in her portrayal of the characters and scenes.