1.) Frodo's and Bilbo's journeys have the miles between Hobbiton and
Rivendell in common; and pass the same spots (e.g. trolls). But at
Rivendell their respective paths part: thereafter Bilbo went East; Frodo went
South.
2.) I can't improve on the Reverend's formulation. The little
varmints are resilient.
3.) Well, the Dwarves have regained Erebor and, apparently, turned it
into so flourishing a bastion of Dwarvendom that they feel confident enough to
send out a party to Moria to recolonise it. If anything, the idea seems
to be that the Dwarves are doing very well in Erebor: Gloin is "richly dressed"
with a "silver belt" and a necklace "of silver and diamonds." Bombur eats
so well that he's now too fat to move;
etc.
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All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
