[Overtaxed]

I agree about why hobbits were chosen, although the choosing was done before Gandalf even knew Bilbo had the ring (unless he suggested that Bilbo choose Frodo as his heir.)

I was refering to the part when Frodo is scared about having the ring in the first place and Gandalf promises to help him bear the burden until it is no longer his to bear.

[HairOfTheDog]

seven stars and seven stones and one white tree

What are the seven stars? are these the Silmarils? What are they? I know of the seven stones, I believe these are the Palantir, and the white tree, which was planted but has withered (we learn later) in Gondor.