Bilbo Baggins leaves the Shire at the beginning of The Lord of the Ringsseries, and there’s a particular reason why he chose to do so at this point in time. Bilbo might not be the central hero of The Lord of the Rings books, but he’s an integral character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world due to his influence on the events of The Hobbit and for being the one who passed the One Ring down to Frodo. At the start of The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo leaves his home behind for his own journey, separate from Frodo’s.