"I am a mere Maia, a little bell at the side of the mightiest orchestra."

Love the connection between Gandalf, and the very beginning of things. He is so much the connecting thread between the different parts of the canon.

I love this description of Bilbo.

Gandalf frowned, it was not a flourishing strength, the hobbit did not shine, as an Elf with a surfeit of light. It seemed closer to darkness, as though the spirit of the hobbit had become concentrated, boiled down to its essence a little, strengthened like a sinew.

And this one is a beautiful description of the role of the Ainur in creation:

But I... I am a mere Maia, a little bell at the side of the mightiest orchestra, where Manwë, Varda, Ulmö and other mighty Valar sang songs of glory and power, bringing joy and exaltation, filling all with love.

I very much like the definition of the Prancing Pony as a place of comfort and homecoming, a resting spot amidst travail.

But most of all I love the idea that Gandalf shares his secret with Bilbo.

Of course I love the magic! Never can have too much of that.

I didn't even notice! Maybe some Dunedain and some Hobbit mixed to make a long-lived man!

I really enjoyed this story.  I loved how humble Gandalf is here and how fond he is of dear Bilbo.  Your descriptions are beautiful.