Chapter 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he
would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with
a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and
excitement in Hobbiton.
Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been the
wonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkable
disappearance and unexpected return. The riches he had
brought back from his travels had now become a local legend,
and it was popularly believed, whatever the old folk might
say, that the Hill at Bag End was full of tunnels stuffed with
treasure. And if that was not enough for fame, there was also
his prolonged vigour to marvel at. Time wore on, but it
seemed to have little effect on Mr. Baggins. At ninety he was
much the same as at fifty. At ninety-nine they began to call
him well-preserved; but unchanged would have been nearer the
mark. There were some that shook their heads and thought
this was too much of a good thing; it seemed unfair that
anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well
as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth.
\u2018It will have to be paid for,\u2019 they said. \u2018It isn\u2019t natural, and
trouble will come of it!\u2019
But so far trouble had not come; and as Mr. Baggins was
generous with his money, most people were willing to forgive him his oddities and his good fortune. He remained
on visiting terms with his relatives (except, of course, the
Sackville-Bagginses), and he had many devoted admirers
among the hobbits of poor and unimportant families. But he
had no close friends, until some of his younger cousins began
to grow up.
28 the fellowship of the ring
The eldest of these, and Bilbo\u2019s favourite, was young Frodo
Baggins. When Bilbo was ninety-nine he adopted Frodo as
his heir, and brought him to live at Bag End; and the hopes of
the Sackville-Bagginses were finally dashed. Bilbo and Frodo
happened to have the same birthday, September 22nd. \u2018You
had better come and live here, Frodo my lad,\u2019 said Bilbo
one day; \u2018and then we can celebrate our birthday-parties
comfortably together.\u2019 At that time Frodo was still in his
tweens, as the hobbits called the irresponsible twenties
between childhood and coming of age at thirty-three.
Twelve more years passed. Each year the Bagginses had
given very lively combined birthday-parties at Bag End; but
now it was understood that something quite exceptional
was being planned for that autumn. Bilbo was going to be
eleventy-one, 111, a rather curious number, and a very respectable age for a hobbit (the Old Took himself had only
reached 130); and Frodo was going to be thirty-three, 33, an
important number: the date of his \u2018coming of age\u2019.
Tongues began to wag in Hobbiton and Bywater; and
rumour of the coming event travelled all over the Shire. The
history and character of Mr. Bilbo Baggins became once
again the chief topic of conversation; and the older folk
suddenly found their reminiscences in welcome demand.
No one had a more attentive audience than old Ham
Gamgee, commonly known as the Gaffer. He held forth at
The Ivy Bush, a small inn on the Bywater road; and he spoke
with some authority, for he had tended the garden at Bag
End for forty years, and had helped old Holman in the same
job before that. Now that he was himself growing old and
stiff in the joints, the job was mainly carried on by his youngest son, Sam Gamgee. Both father and son were on very
friendly terms with Bilbo and Frodo. They lived on the Hill
itself, in Number 3 Bagshot Row just below Bag End.
\u2018A very nice well-spoken gentlehobbit is Mr. Bilbo, as I\u2019ve
always said,\u2019 the Gaffer declared. With perfect truth: for Bilbo
was very polite to him, calling him \u2018Master Hamfast\u2019, and
a long-expected party 29
consulting him constantly upon the growing of vegetables \u2013
in the matter of \u2018roots\u2019, especially potatoes, the Gaffer was
recognized as the leading authority by all in the neighbourhood (including himself ).
\u2018But what about this Frodo that lives with him?\u2019 asked Old
Noakes of Bywater. \u2018Baggins is his name, but he\u2019s more than
half a Brandybuck, they say. It beats me why any Baggins
of Hobbiton should go looking for a wife away there in
Buckland, where folks are so queer.\u2019
\u2018And no wonder they\u2019re queer,\u2019 put in Daddy Twofoot
(the Gaffer\u2019s next-door neighbour), \u2018if they live on the wrong
side of the Brandywine River, and right agin the Old Forest.
That\u2019s a dark bad place, if half the tales be true.\u2019
\u2018You\u2019re right, Dad!\u2019 said the Gaffer. \u2018Not that the Brandybucks of Buckland live in the Old Forest; but they\u2019re a queer
breed, seemingly. They fool about with boats on that big
river \u2013 and that isn\u2019t natural. Small wonder that trouble came
of it, I say. But be that as it may, Mr. Frodo is as nice a
young hobbit as you could wish to meet. Very much like
Mr. Bilbo, and in more than looks. After all his father was
a Baggins. A decent respectable hobbit was Mr. Drogo
Baggins; there was never much to tell of him, till he was
drownded.\u2019
\u2018Drownded?\u2019 said several voices. They had heard this and
other darker rumours before, of course; but hobbits have a
passion for family history, and they were ready to hear it
again.
\u2018Well, so they say,\u2019 said the Gaffer. \u2018You see: Mr. Drogo,
he married poor Miss Primula Brandybuck. She was our Mr.
Bilbo\u2019s first cousin on the mother\u2019s side (her mother being
the youngest of the Old Took\u2019s daughters); and Mr. Drogo
was his second cousin. So Mr. Frodo is his first and second
cousin, once removed either way, as the saying is, if you
follow me. And Mr. Drogo was staying at Brandy Hall with
his father-in-law, old Master Gorbadoc, as he often did
after his marriage (him being partial to his vittles, and old
Gorbadoc keeping a mighty generous table); and he went out
30 the fellowship of the ring
boating on the Brandywine River; and he and his wife were
drownded, and poor Mr. Frodo only a child and all.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ve heard they went on the water after dinner in the
moonlight,\u2019 said Old Noakes; \u2018and it was Drogo\u2019s weight as
sunk the boat.\u2019
\u2018And I heard she pushed him in, and he pulled her in after
him,\u2019 said Sandyman, the Hobbiton miller.
\u2018You shouldn\u2019t listen to all you hear, Sandyman,\u2019 said the
Gaffer, who did not much like the miller. \u2018There isn\u2019t no call
to go talking of pushing and pulling. Boats are quite tricky
enough for those that sit still without looking further for the
cause of trouble. Anyway: there was this Mr. Frodo left an
orphan and stranded, as you might say, among those queer
Bucklanders, being brought up anyhow in Brandy Hall. A
regular warren, by all accounts. Old Master Gorbadoc never
had fewer than a couple of hundred relations in the place.
Mr. Bilbo never did a kinder deed than when he brought the
lad back to live among decent folk.
\u2018But I reckon it was a nasty knock for those SackvilleBagginses. They thought they were going to get Bag End,
that time when he went off and was thought to be dead. And
then he comes back and orders them off; and he goes on
living and living, and never looking a day older, bless him!
And suddenly he produces an heir, and has all the papers
made out proper. The Sackville-Bagginses won\u2019t never see
the inside of Bag End now, or it is to be hoped not.\u2019
\u2018There\u2019s a tidy bit of money tucked away up there, I hear
tell,\u2019 said a stranger, a visitor on business from Michel
Delving in the Westfarthing. \u2018All the top of your hill is full of
tunnels packed with chests of gold and silver, and jools, by
what I\u2019ve heard.\u2019
\u2018Then you\u2019ve heard more than I can speak to,\u2019 answered
the Gaffer. \u2018I know nothing about jools. Mr. Bilbo is free with
his money, and there seems no lack of it; but I know of no
tunnel-making. I saw Mr. Bilbo when he came back, a matter
of sixty years ago, when I was a lad. I\u2019d not long come
prentice to old Holman (him being my dad\u2019s cousin), but he
a long-expected party 31
had me up at Bag End helping him to keep folks from trampling and trapessing all over the garden while the sale was
on. And in the middle of it all Mr. Bilbo comes up the Hill
with a pony and some mighty big bags and a couple of chests.
I don\u2019t doubt they were mostly full of treasure he had picked
up in foreign parts, where there be mountains of gold, they
say; but there wasn\u2019t enough to fill tunnels. But my lad Sam
will know more about that. He\u2019s in and out of Bag End.
Crazy about stories of the old days, he is, and he listens to
all Mr. Bilbo\u2019s tales. Mr. Bilbo has learned him his letters \u2013
meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come
of it.
\u2018Elves and Dragons! I says to him. Cabbages and potatoes are
better for me and you. Don\u2019t go getting mixed up in the business
of your betters, or you\u2019ll land in trouble too big for you, I says to
him. And I might say it to others,\u2019 he added with a look at
the stranger and the miller.
But the Gaffer did not convince his audience. The legend
of Bilbo\u2019s wealth was now too firmly fixed in the minds of
the younger generation of hobbits.
\u2018Ah, but he has likely enough been adding to what he
brought at first,\u2019 argued the miller, voicing common opinion.
\u2018He\u2019s often away from home. And look at the outlandish folk
that visit him: dwarves coming at night, and that old wandering
conjuror, Gandalf, and all. You can say what you like, Gaffer,
but Bag End\u2019s a queer place, and its folk are queerer.\u2019
\u2018And you can say what you like, about what you know no
more of than you do of boating, Mr. Sandyman,\u2019 retorted
the Gaffer, disliking the miller even more than usual. \u2018If that\u2019s
being queer, then we could do with a bit more queerness in
these parts. There\u2019s some not far away that wouldn\u2019t offer a
pint of beer to a friend, if they lived in a hole with golden
walls. But they do things proper at Bag End. Our Sam says
that everyone\u2019s going to be invited to the party, and there\u2019s
going to be presents, mark you, presents for all \u2013 this very
month as is.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
32 the fellowship of the ring
That very month was September, and as fine as you could
ask. A day or two later a rumour (probably started by the
knowledgeable Sam) was spread about that there were going
to be fireworks \u2013 fireworks, what is more, such as had not
been seen in the Shire for nigh on a century, not indeed since
the Old Took died.
Days passed and The Day drew nearer. An odd-looking
waggon laden with odd-looking packages rolled into Hobbiton one evening and toiled up the Hill to Bag End. The
startled hobbits peered out of lamplit doors to gape at it. It
was driven by outlandish folk, singing strange songs: dwarves
with long beards and deep hoods. A few of them remained
at Bag End. At the end of the second week in September a
cart came in through Bywater from the direction of Brandywine Bridge in broad daylight. An old man was driving it all
alone. He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and
a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows
that stuck out beyond the brim of his hat. Small hobbitchildren ran after the cart all through Hobbiton and right up
the hill. It had a cargo of fireworks, as they rightly guessed.
At Bilbo\u2019s front door the old man began to unload: there
were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts and shapes, each
labelled with a large red G and the elf-rune, .
That was Gandalf\u2019s mark, of course, and the old man
was Gandalf the Wizard, whose fame in the Shire was due
mainly to his skill with fires, smokes, and lights. His real
business was far more difficult and dangerous, but the
Shire-folk knew nothing about it. To them he was just one
of the \u2018attractions\u2019 at the Party. Hence the excitement of
the hobbit-children. \u2018G for Grand!\u2019 they shouted, and the
old man smiled. They knew him by sight, though he only
appeared in Hobbiton occasionally and never stopped long;
but neither they nor any but the oldest of their elders had
seen one of his firework displays \u2013 they now belonged to a
legendary past.
When the old man, helped by Bilbo and some dwarves,
had finished unloading, Bilbo gave a few pennies away; but
a long-expected party 33
not a single squib or cracker was forthcoming, to the disappointment of the onlookers.
\u2018Run away now!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You will get plenty when
the time comes.\u2019 Then he disappeared inside with Bilbo, and
the door was shut. The young hobbits stared at the door in
vain for a while, and then made off, feeling that the day of
the party would never come.
Inside Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting at the open
window of a small room looking out west on to the garden.
The late afternoon was bright and peaceful. The flowers
glowed red and golden: snap-dragons and sunflowers, and
nasturtians trailing all over the turf walls and peeping in at
the round windows.
\u2018How bright your garden looks!\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018I am very fond indeed of it, and of all
the dear old Shire; but I think I need a holiday.\u2019
\u2018You mean to go on with your plan then?\u2019
\u2018I do. I made up my mind months ago, and I haven\u2019t
changed it.\u2019
\u2018Very well. It is no good saying any more. Stick to your
plan \u2013 your whole plan, mind \u2013 and I hope it will turn out
for the best, for you, and for all of us.\u2019
\u2018I hope so. Anyway I mean to enjoy myself on Thursday,
and have my little joke.\u2019
\u2018Who will laugh, I wonder?\u2019 said Gandalf, shaking his head.
\u2018We shall see,\u2019 said Bilbo.
The next day more carts rolled up the Hill, and still more
carts. There might have been some grumbling about \u2018dealing
locally\u2019, but that very week orders began to pour out of Bag
End for every kind of provision, commodity, or luxury that
could be obtained in Hobbiton or Bywater or anywhere in
the neighbourhood. People became enthusiastic; and they
began to tick off the days on the calendar; and they watched
eagerly for the postman, hoping for invitations.
Before long the invitations began pouring out, and the
34 the fellowship of the ring
Hobbiton post-office was blocked, and the Bywater postoffice was snowed under, and voluntary assistant postmen
were called for. There was a constant stream of them going
up the Hill, carrying hundreds of polite variations on Thank
you, I shall certainly come.
A notice appeared on the gate at Bag End: no admittance except on party business. Even those who had,
or pretended to have Party Business were seldom allowed
inside. Bilbo was busy: writing invitations, ticking off
answers, packing up presents, and making some private
preparations of his own. From the time of Gandalf\u2019s arrival
he remained hidden from view.
One morning the hobbits woke to find the large field, south
of Bilbo\u2019s front door, covered with ropes and poles for tents
and pavilions. A special entrance was cut into the bank
leading to the road, and wide steps and a large white gate
were built there. The three hobbit-families of Bagshot Row,
adjoining the field, were intensely interested and generally
envied. Old Gaffer Gamgee stopped even pretending to work
in his garden.
The tents began to go up. There was a specially large
pavilion, so big that the tree that grew in the field was right
inside it, and stood proudly near one end, at the head of
the chief table. Lanterns were hung on all its branches.
More promising still (to the hobbits\u2019 mind): an enormous
open-air kitchen was erected in the north corner of the field.
A draught of cooks, from every inn and eating-house for
miles around, arrived to supplement the dwarves and other
odd folk that were quartered at Bag End. Excitement rose to
its height.
Then the weather clouded over. That was on Wednesday
the eve of the Party. Anxiety was intense. Then Thursday,
September the 22nd, actually dawned. The sun got up, the
clouds vanished, flags were unfurled and the fun began.
Bilbo Baggins called it a party, but it was really a variety
of entertainments rolled into one. Practically everybody living
near was invited. A very few were overlooked by accident,
a long-expected party 35
but as they turned up all the same, that did not matter. Many
people from other parts of the Shire were also asked; and
there were even a few from outside the borders. Bilbo met
the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person.
He gave away presents to all and sundry \u2013 the latter were
those who went out again by a back way and came in again
by the gate. Hobbits give presents to other people on their
own birthdays. Not very expensive ones, as a rule, and not
so lavishly as on this occasion; but it was not a bad system.
Actually in Hobbiton and Bywater every day in the year was
somebody\u2019s birthday, so that every hobbit in those parts had
a fair chance of at least one present at least once a week. But
they never got tired of them.
On this occasion the presents were unusually good. The
hobbit-children were so excited that for a while they almost
forgot about eating. There were toys the like of which they
had never seen before, all beautiful and some obviously magical. Many of them had indeed been ordered a year before,
and had come all the way from the Mountain and from Dale,
and were of real dwarf-make.
When every guest had been welcomed and was finally
inside the gate, there were songs, dances, music, games, and,
of course, food and drink. There were three official meals:
lunch, tea, and dinner (or supper). But lunch and tea were
marked chiefly by the fact that at those times all the guests
were sitting down and eating together. At other times there
were merely lots of people eating and drinking \u2013 continuously
from elevenses until six-thirty, when the fireworks started.
The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only brought
by him, but designed and made by him; and the special
effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by
him. But there was also a generous distribution of squibs,
crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elffountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. They were all
superb. The art of Gandalf improved with age.
There were rockets like a flight of scintillating birds singing
with sweet voices. There were green trees with trunks of dark
36 the fellowship of the ring
smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a
moment, and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers
down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet
scent just before they touched their upturned faces. There
were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees;
there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into
eagles, or sailing ships, or a phalanx of flying swans; there
was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there
was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air
with a yell like an embattled army, and came down again into
the Water with a hiss like a hundred hot snakes. And there
was also one last surprise, in honour of Bilbo, and it startled
the hobbits exceedingly, as Gandalf intended. The lights went
out. A great smoke went up. It shaped itself like a mountain
seen in the distance, and began to glow at the summit. It
spouted green and scarlet flames. Out flew a red-golden
dragon \u2013 not life-size, but terribly life-like: fire came from his
jaws, his eyes glared down; there was a roar, and he whizzed
three times over the heads of the crowd. They all ducked,
and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an
express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater
with a deafening explosion.
\u2018That is the signal for supper!\u2019 said Bilbo. The pain and
alarm vanished at once, and the prostrate hobbits leaped to
their feet. There was a splendid supper for everyone; for
everyone, that is, except those invited to the special family
dinner-party. This was held in the great pavilion with the
tree. The invitations were limited to twelve dozen (a number
also called by the hobbits one Gross, though the word was
not considered proper to use of people); and the guests were
selected from all the families to which Bilbo and Frodo were
related, with the addition of a few special unrelated friends
(such as Gandalf ). Many young hobbits were included, and
present by parental permission; for hobbits were easy-going
with their children in the matter of sitting up late, especially
when there was a chance of getting them a free meal. Bringing
up young hobbits took a lot of provender.
a long-expected party 37
There were many Bagginses and Boffins, and also many
Tooks and Brandybucks; there were various Grubbs (relations of Bilbo Baggins\u2019 grandmother), and various Chubbs
(connexions of his Took grandfather); and a selection of
Burrowses, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Brockhouses, Goodbodies,
Hornblowers and Proudfoots. Some of these were only very
distantly connected with Bilbo, and some had hardly ever
been in Hobbiton before, as they lived in remote corners of
the Shire. The Sackville-Bagginses were not forgotten. Otho
and his wife Lobelia were present. They disliked Bilbo and
detested Frodo, but so magnificent was the invitation card,
written in golden ink, that they had felt it was impossible to
refuse. Besides, their cousin, Bilbo, had been specializing in
food for many years and his table had a high reputation.
All the one hundred and forty-four guests expected a pleasant feast; though they rather dreaded the after-dinner speech
of their host (an inevitable item). He was liable to drag in bits
of what he called poetry; and sometimes, after a glass or
two, would allude to the absurd adventures of his mysterious
journey. The guests were not disappointed: they had a very
pleasant feast, in fact an engrossing entertainment: rich,
abundant, varied, and prolonged. The purchase of provisions
fell almost to nothing throughout the district in the ensuing
weeks; but as Bilbo\u2019s catering had depleted the stocks of most
of the stores, cellars and warehouses for miles around, that
did not matter much.
After the feast (more or less) came the Speech. Most of
the company were, however, now in a tolerant mood, at that
delightful stage which they called \u2018filling up the corners\u2019.
They were sipping their favourite drinks, and nibbling at their
favourite dainties, and their fears were forgotten. They were
prepared to listen to anything, and to cheer at every full stop.
My dear People, began Bilbo, rising in his place. \u2018Hear!
Hear! Hear!\u2019 they shouted, and kept on repeating it in chorus,
seeming reluctant to follow their own advice. Bilbo left his
place and went and stood on a chair under the illuminated
tree. The light of the lanterns fell on his beaming face; the
38 the fellowship of the ring
golden buttons shone on his embroidered silk waistcoat. They
could all see him standing, waving one hand in the air, the
other was in his trouser-pocket.
My dear Bagginses and Boffins, he began again; and my
dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and
Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots. \u2018Proudfeet!\u2019 shouted an
elderly hobbit from the back of the pavilion. His name, of
course, was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large,
exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.
Proudfoots, repeated Bilbo. Also my good Sackville-Bagginses
that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred
and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today! \u2018Hurray! Hurray! Many Happy Returns!\u2019 they shouted, and they hammered joyously on the tables. Bilbo was doing splendidly.
This was the sort of stuff they liked: short and obvious.
I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. Deafening cheers. Cries of Yes (and No). Noises of trumpets and
horns, pipes and flutes, and other musical instruments. There
were, as has been said, many young hobbits present. Hundreds of musical crackers had been pulled. Most of them
bore the mark dale on them; which did not convey much to
most of the hobbits, but they all agreed they were marvellous
crackers. They contained instruments, small, but of perfect
make and enchanting tones. Indeed, in one corner some of
the young Tooks and Brandybucks, supposing Uncle Bilbo
to have finished (since he had plainly said all that was necessary), now got up an impromptu orchestra, and began a
merry dance-tune. Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot
Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands
began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather
vigorous.
But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster
nearby, he blew three loud hoots. The noise subsided. I shall
not keep you long, he cried. Cheers from all the assembly. I
have called you all together for a Purpose. Something in the
way that he said this made an impression. There was almost
a long-expected party 39
silence, and one or two of the Tooks pricked up their ears.
Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am
immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too
short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits.
Tremendous outburst of approval.
I don\u2019t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I
like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. This was
unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered
clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and
see if it came to a compliment.
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. Cheers again. I should
say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my
heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into his inheritance
today. Some perfunctory clapping by the elders; and some
loud shouts of \u2018Frodo! Frodo! Jolly old Frodo,\u2019 from the
juniors. The Sackville-Bagginses scowled, and wondered
what was meant by \u2018coming into his inheritance\u2019.
Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers
were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use
the expression. No cheers. This was ridiculous. Many of the
guests, and especially the Sackville-Bagginses, were insulted,
feeling sure they had only been asked to fill up the required
number, like goods in a package. \u2018One Gross, indeed! Vulgar
expression.\u2019
It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the
anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long
Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory
on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not
seem so important. The banquet was very splendid, however,
though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only
say \u2018thag you very buch\u2019. I now repeat it more correctly: Thank
you very much for coming to my little party. Obstinate silence.
They all feared that a song or some poetry was now imminent; and they were getting bored. Why couldn\u2019t he stop
talking and let them drink his health? But Bilbo did not sing
or recite. He paused for a moment.
Thirdly and finally, he said, I wish to make an
40 the fellowship of the ring
ANNOUNCEMENT. He spoke this last word so loudly and
suddenly that everyone sat up who still could. I regret to
announce that \u2013 though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too
short a time to spend among you \u2013 this is the END. I am going.
I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!
He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash
of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their
eyes Bilbo was nowhere to be seen. One hundred and fortyfour flabbergasted hobbits sat back speechless. Old Odo
Proudfoot removed his feet from the table and stamped.
Then there was a dead silence, until suddenly, after several
deep breaths, every Baggins, Boffin, Took, Brandybuck,
Grubb, Chubb, Burrows, Bolger, Bracegirdle, Brockhouse,
Goodbody, Hornblower, and Proudfoot began to talk at once.
It was generally agreed that the joke was in very bad taste,
and more food and drink were needed to cure the guests of
shock and annoyance. \u2018He\u2019s mad. I always said so,\u2019 was
probably the most popular comment. Even the Tooks (with
a few exceptions) thought Bilbo\u2019s behaviour was absurd. For
the moment most of them took it for granted that his
disappearance was nothing more than a ridiculous prank.
But old Rory Brandybuck was not so sure. Neither age nor
an enormous dinner had clouded his wits, and he said to his
daughter-in-law, Esmeralda: \u2018There\u2019s something fishy in this,
my dear! I believe that mad Baggins is off again. Silly old
fool. But why worry? He hasn\u2019t taken the vittles with him.\u2019
He called loudly to Frodo to send the wine round again.
Frodo was the only one present who had said nothing. For
some time he had sat silent beside Bilbo\u2019s empty chair, and
ignored all remarks and questions. He had enjoyed the joke,
of course, even though he had been in the know. He had
difficulty in keeping from laughter at the indignant surprise
of the guests. But at the same time he felt deeply troubled:
he realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly. Most
of the guests went on eating and drinking and discussing
Bilbo Baggins\u2019 oddities, past and present; but the Sackville-
a long-expected party 41
Bagginses had already departed in wrath. Frodo did not want
to have any more to do with the party. He gave orders for
more wine to be served; then he got up and drained his own
glass silently to the health of Bilbo, and slipped out of the
pavilion.
As for Bilbo Baggins, even while he was making his speech,
he had been fingering the golden ring in his pocket: his magic
ring that he had kept secret for so many years. As he stepped
down he slipped it on his finger, and he was never seen by
any hobbit in Hobbiton again.
He walked briskly back to his hole, and stood for a moment
listening with a smile to the din in the pavilion, and to the
sounds of merrymaking in other parts of the field. Then he
went in. He took off his party clothes, folded up and wrapped
in tissue-paper his embroidered silk waistcoat, and put it
away. Then he put on quickly some old untidy garments,
and fastened round his waist a worn leather belt. On it he
hung a short sword in a battered black-leather scabbard.
From a locked drawer, smelling of moth-balls, he took
out an old cloak and hood. They had been locked up as if
they were very precious, but they were so patched and
weatherstained that their original colour could hardly be
guessed: it might have been dark green. They were rather too
large for him. He then went into his study, and from a large
strong-box took out a bundle wrapped in old cloths, and a
leather-bound manuscript; and also a large bulky envelope.
The book and bundle he stuffed into the top of a heavy bag
that was standing there, already nearly full. Into the envelope he slipped his golden ring, and its fine chain, and then
sealed it, and addressed it to Frodo. At first he put it on the
mantelpiece, but suddenly he removed it and stuck it in his
pocket. At that moment the door opened and Gandalf came
quickly in.
\u2018Hullo!\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018I wondered if you would turn up.\u2019
\u2018I am glad to find you visible,\u2019 replied the wizard, sitting
down in a chair, \u2018I wanted to catch you and have a few
42 the fellowship of the ring
final words. I suppose you feel that everything has gone off
splendidly and according to plan?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I do,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018Though that flash was surprising:
it quite startled me, let alone the others. A little addition of
your own, I suppose?\u2019
\u2018It was. You have wisely kept that ring secret all these years,
and it seemed to me necessary to give your guests something
else that would seem to explain your sudden vanishment.\u2019
\u2018And would spoil my joke. You are an interfering old busybody,\u2019 laughed Bilbo, \u2018but I expect you know best, as usual.\u2019
\u2018I do \u2013 when I know anything. But I don\u2019t feel too sure
about this whole affair. It has now come to the final point.
You have had your joke, and alarmed or offended most of
your relations, and given the whole Shire something to talk
about for nine days, or ninety-nine more likely. Are you going
any further?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I am. I feel I need a holiday, a very long holiday, as
I have told you before. Probably a permanent holiday: I don\u2019t
expect I shall return. In fact, I don\u2019t mean to, and I have
made all arrangements.
\u2018I am old, Gandalf. I don\u2019t look it, but I am beginning
to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!\u2019 he
snorted. \u2018Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know
what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much
bread. That can\u2019t be right. I need a change, or something.\u2019
Gandalf looked curiously and closely at him. \u2018No, it does
not seem right,\u2019 he said thoughtfully. \u2018No, after all I believe
your plan is probably the best.\u2019
\u2018Well, I\u2019ve made up my mind, anyway. I want to see mountains again, Gandalf \u2013 mountains; and then find somewhere
where I can rest. In peace and quiet, without a lot of relatives
prying around, and a string of confounded visitors hanging
on the bell. I might find somewhere where I can finish my
book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived
happily ever after to the end of his days.\u2019
Gandalf laughed. \u2018I hope he will. But nobody will read the
book, however it ends.\u2019
a long-expected party 43
\u2018Oh, they may, in years to come. Frodo has read some
already, as far as it has gone. You\u2019ll keep an eye on Frodo,
won\u2019t you?\u2019
\u2018Yes, I will \u2013 two eyes, as often as I can spare them.\u2019
\u2018He would come with me, of course, if I asked him. In fact
he offered to once, just before the party. But he does not
really want to, yet. I want to see the wild country again before
I die, and the Mountains; but he is still in love with the
Shire, with woods and fields and little rivers. He ought to be
comfortable here. I am leaving everything to him, of course,
except a few oddments. I hope he will be happy, when he
gets used to being on his own. It\u2019s time he was his own master
now.\u2019
\u2018Everything?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018The ring as well? You agreed
to that, you remember.\u2019
\u2018Well, er, yes, I suppose so,\u2019 stammered Bilbo.
\u2018Where is it?\u2019
\u2018In an envelope, if you must know,\u2019 said Bilbo impatiently.
\u2018There on the mantelpiece. Well, no! Here it is in my
pocket!\u2019 He hesitated. \u2018Isn\u2019t that odd now?\u2019 he said softly
to himself. \u2018Yet after all, why not? Why shouldn\u2019t it stay
there?\u2019
Gandalf looked again very hard at Bilbo, and there was a
gleam in his eyes. \u2018I think, Bilbo,\u2019 he said quietly, \u2018I should
leave it behind. Don\u2019t you want to?\u2019
\u2018Well yes \u2013 and no. Now it comes to it, I don\u2019t like parting
with it at all, I may say. And I don\u2019t really see why I should.
Why do you want me to?\u2019 he asked, and a curious change
came over his voice. It was sharp with suspicion and annoyance. \u2018You are always badgering me about my ring; but you
have never bothered me about the other things that I got on
my journey.\u2019
\u2018No, but I had to badger you,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I wanted the
truth. It was important. Magic rings are \u2013 well, magical; and
they are rare and curious. I was professionally interested in
your ring, you may say; and I still am. I should like to know
where it is, if you go wandering again. Also I think you have
44 the fellowship of the ring
had it quite long enough. You won\u2019t need it any more, Bilbo,
unless I am quite mistaken.\u2019
Bilbo flushed, and there was an angry light in his eyes. His
kindly face grew hard. \u2018Why not?\u2019 he cried. \u2018And what
business is it of yours, anyway, to know what I do with my
own things? It is my own. I found it. It came to me.\u2019
\u2018Yes, yes,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there is no need to get angry.\u2019
\u2018If I am it is your fault,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018It is mine, I tell you.
My own. My Precious. Yes, my Precious.\u2019
The wizard\u2019s face remained grave and attentive, and only
a flicker in his deep eyes showed that he was startled and
indeed alarmed. \u2018It has been called that before,\u2019 he said, \u2018but
not by you.\u2019
\u2018But I say it now. And why not? Even if Gollum said the
same once. It\u2019s not his now, but mine. And I shall keep it, I
say.\u2019
Gandalf stood up. He spoke sternly. \u2018You will be a fool if
you do, Bilbo,\u2019 he said. \u2018You make that clearer with every
word you say. It has got far too much hold on you. Let it go!
And then you can go yourself, and be free.\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ll do as I choose and go as I please,\u2019 said Bilbo obstinately.
\u2018Now, now, my dear hobbit!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018All your long
life we have been friends, and you owe me something. Come!
Do as you promised: give it up!\u2019
\u2018Well, if you want my ring yourself, say so!\u2019 cried Bilbo.
\u2018But you won\u2019t get it. I won\u2019t give my Precious away, I tell
you.\u2019 His hand strayed to the hilt of his small sword.
Gandalf\u2019s eyes flashed. \u2018It will be my turn to get angry
soon,\u2019 he said. \u2018If you say that again, I shall. Then you will
see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked.\u2019 He took a step towards the
hobbit, and he seemed to grow tall and menacing; his shadow
filled the little room.
Bilbo backed away to the wall, breathing hard, his hand
clutching at his pocket. They stood for a while facing one
another, and the air of the room tingled. Gandalf\u2019s eyes
remained bent on the hobbit. Slowly his hands relaxed, and
he began to tremble.
a long-expected party 45
\u2018I don\u2019t know what has come over you, Gandalf,\u2019 he said.
\u2018You have never been like this before. What is it all about? It
is mine isn\u2019t it? I found it, and Gollum would have killed me,
if I hadn\u2019t kept it. I\u2019m not a thief, whatever he said.\u2019
\u2018I have never called you one,\u2019 Gandalf answered. \u2018And I
am not one either. I am not trying to rob you, but to help
you. I wish you would trust me, as you used.\u2019 He turned
away, and the shadow passed. He seemed to dwindle again
to an old grey man, bent and troubled.
Bilbo drew his hand over his eyes. \u2018I am sorry,\u2019 he said.
\u2018But I felt so queer. And yet it would be a relief in a way not
to be bothered with it any more. It has been so growing on
my mind lately. Sometimes I have felt it was like an eye
looking at me. And I am always wanting to put it on and
disappear, don\u2019t you know; or wondering if it is safe, and
pulling it out to make sure. I tried locking it up, but I found
I couldn\u2019t rest without it in my pocket. I don\u2019t know why.
And I don\u2019t seem able to make up my mind.\u2019
\u2018Then trust mine,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018It is quite made up. Go
away and leave it behind. Stop possessing it. Give it to Frodo,
and I will look after him.\u2019
Bilbo stood for a moment tense and undecided. Presently
he sighed. \u2018All right,\u2019 he said with an effort. \u2018I will.\u2019 Then he
shrugged his shoulders, and smiled rather ruefully. \u2018After all
that\u2019s what this party business was all about, really: to give
away lots of birthday-presents, and somehow make it easier
to give it away at the same time. It hasn\u2019t made it any easier
in the end, but it would be a pity to waste all my preparations.
It would quite spoil the joke.\u2019
\u2018Indeed it would take away the only point I ever saw in the
affair,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Very well,\u2019 said Bilbo, \u2018it goes to Frodo with all the rest.\u2019
He drew a deep breath. \u2018And now I really must be starting,
or somebody else will catch me. I have said good-bye, and I
couldn\u2019t bear to do it all over again.\u2019 He picked up his bag
and moved to the door.
\u2018You have still got the ring in your pocket,\u2019 said the wizard.
46 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Well, so I have!\u2019 cried Bilbo. \u2018And my will and all the other
documents too. You had better take it and deliver it for me.
That will be safest.\u2019
\u2018No, don\u2019t give the ring to me,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Put it on the
mantelpiece. It will be safe enough there, till Frodo comes. I
shall wait for him.\u2019
Bilbo took out the envelope, but just as he was about to set
it by the clock, his hand jerked back, and the packet fell on
the floor. Before he could pick it up, the wizard stooped and
seized it and set it in its place. A spasm of anger passed
swiftly over the hobbit\u2019s face again. Suddenly it gave way to
a look of relief and a laugh.
\u2018Well, that\u2019s that,\u2019 he said. \u2018Now I\u2019m off!\u2019
They went out into the hall. Bilbo chose his favourite stick
from the stand; then he whistled. Three dwarves came out
of different rooms where they had been busy.
\u2018Is everything ready?\u2019 asked Bilbo. \u2018Everything packed and
labelled?\u2019
\u2018Everything,\u2019 they answered.
\u2018Well, let\u2019s start then!\u2019 He stepped out of the front-door.
It was a fine night, and the black sky was dotted with stars.
He looked up, sniffing the air. \u2018What fun! What fun to be off
again, off on the Road with dwarves! This is what I have
really been longing for, for years! Good-bye!\u2019 he said, looking
at his old home and bowing to the door. \u2018Good-bye, Gandalf!\u2019
\u2018Good-bye, for the present, Bilbo. Take care of yourself!
You are old enough, and perhaps wise enough.\u2019
\u2018Take care! I don\u2019t care. Don\u2019t you worry about me! I am
as happy now as I have ever been, and that is saying a great
deal. But the time has come. I am being swept off my feet at
last,\u2019 he added, and then in a low voice, as if to himself, he
sang softly in the dark:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
a long-expected party 47
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
He paused, silent for a moment. Then without another word
he turned away from the lights and voices in the field and
tents, and followed by his three companions went round
into his garden, and trotted down the long sloping path. He
jumped over a low place in the hedge at the bottom, and took
to the meadows, passing into the night like a rustle of wind
in the grass.
Gandalf remained for a while staring after him into the
darkness. \u2018Good-bye, my dear Bilbo \u2013 until our next meeting!\u2019 he said softly and went back indoors.
Frodo came in soon afterwards, and found him sitting in
the dark, deep in thought. \u2018Has he gone?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 answered Gandalf, \u2018he has gone at last.\u2019
\u2018I wish \u2013 I mean, I hoped until this evening that it was only
a joke,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But I knew in my heart that he really
meant to go. He always used to joke about serious things. I
wish I had come back sooner, just to see him off.\u2019
\u2018I think really he preferred slipping off quietly in the end,\u2019
said Gandalf. \u2018Don\u2019t be too troubled. He\u2019ll be all right \u2013 now.
He left a packet for you. There it is!\u2019
Frodo took the envelope from the mantelpiece, and glanced
at it, but did not open it.
\u2018You\u2019ll find his will and all the other documents in there, I
think,\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018You are the master of Bag End now.
And also, I fancy, you\u2019ll find a golden ring.\u2019
\u2018The ring!\u2019 exclaimed Frodo. \u2018Has he left me that? I wonder
why. Still, it may be useful.\u2019
\u2018It may, and it may not,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I should not make
use of it, if I were you. But keep it secret, and keep it safe!
Now I am going to bed.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
48 the fellowship of the ring
As master of Bag End Frodo felt it his painful duty to say
good-bye to the guests. Rumours of strange events had by
now spread all over the field, but Frodo would only say no
doubt everything will be cleared up in the morning. About midnight carriages came for the important folk. One by one
they rolled away, filled with full but very unsatisfied hobbits.
Gardeners came by arrangement, and removed in wheelbarrows those that had inadvertently remained behind.
Night slowly passed. The sun rose. The hobbits rose rather
later. Morning went on. People came and began (by orders)
to clear away the pavilions and the tables and the chairs, and
the spoons and knives and bottles and plates, and the lanterns,
and the flowering shrubs in boxes, and the crumbs and
cracker-paper, the forgotten bags and gloves and handkerchiefs, and the uneaten food (a very small item). Then a
number of other people came (without orders): Bagginses,
and Boffins, and Bolgers, and Tooks, and other guests that
lived or were staying near. By mid-day, when even the bestfed were out and about again, there was a large crowd at Bag
End, uninvited but not unexpected.
Frodo was waiting on the step, smiling, but looking rather
tired and worried. He welcomed all the callers, but he had
not much more to say than before. His reply to all inquiries
was simply this: \u2018Mr. Bilbo Baggins has gone away; as far as
I know, for good.\u2019 Some of the visitors he invited to come
inside, as Bilbo had left \u2018messages\u2019 for them.
Inside in the hall there was piled a large assortment of
packages and parcels and small articles of furniture. On every
item there was a label tied. There were several labels of this
sort:
For ADELARD TOOK, for his VERY OWN, from Bilbo; on
an umbrella. Adelard had carried off many unlabelled ones.
For DORA BAGGINS in memory of a LONG correspondence, with love from Bilbo; on a large waste-paper basket.
Dora was Drogo\u2019s sister and the eldest surviving female relative of Bilbo and Frodo; she was ninety-nine, and had written
reams of good advice for more than half a century.
a long-expected party 49
For MILO BURROWS, hoping it will be useful, from B.B.;
on a gold pen and ink-bottle. Milo never answered letters.
For ANGELICA\u2019S use, from Uncle Bilbo; on a round convex
mirror. She was a young Baggins, and too obviously considered her face shapely.
For the collection of HUGO BRACEGIRDLE, from a contributor; on an (empty) book-case. Hugo was a great borrower
of books, and worse than usual at returning them.
For LOBELIA SACKVILLE-BAGGINS, as a PRESENT;
on a case of silver spoons. Bilbo believed that she had
acquired a good many of his spoons, while he was away on
his former journey. Lobelia knew that quite well. When she
arrived later in the day, she took the point at once, but she
also took the spoons.
This is only a small selection of the assembled presents.
Bilbo\u2019s residence had got rather cluttered up with things in
the course of his long life. It was a tendency of hobbit-holes
to get cluttered up: for which the custom of giving so many
birthday-presents was largely responsible. Not, of course,
that the birthday-presents were always new; there were one
or two old mathoms of forgotten uses that had circulated all
around the district; but Bilbo had usually given new presents,
and kept those that he received. The old hole was now being
cleared a little.
Every one of the various parting gifts had labels, written
out personally by Bilbo, and several had some point, or some
joke. But, of course, most of the things were given where
they would be wanted and welcome. The poorer hobbits, and
especially those of Bagshot Row, did very well. Old Gaffer
Gamgee got two sacks of potatoes, a new spade, a woollen
waistcoat, and a bottle of ointment for creaking joints. Old
Rory Brandybuck, in return for much hospitality, got a dozen
bottles of Old Winyards: a strong red wine from the Southfarthing, and now quite mature, as it had been laid down by
Bilbo\u2019s father. Rory quite forgave Bilbo, and voted him a
capital fellow after the first bottle.
50 the fellowship of the ring
There was plenty of everything left for Frodo. And, of
course, all the chief treasures, as well as the books, pictures,
and more than enough furniture, were left in his possession.
There was, however, no sign nor mention of money or jewellery: not a penny-piece or a glass bead was given away.
Frodo had a very trying time that afternoon. A false rumour
that the whole household was being distributed free spread
like wildfire; and before long the place was packed with
people who had no business there, but could not be kept out.
Labels got torn off and mixed, and quarrels broke out. Some
people tried to do swaps and deals in the hall; and others
tried to make off with minor items not addressed to them, or
with anything that seemed unwanted or unwatched. The road
to the gate was blocked with barrows and handcarts.
In the middle of the commotion the Sackville-Bagginses
arrived. Frodo had retired for a while and left his friend
Merry Brandybuck to keep an eye on things. When Otho
loudly demanded to see Frodo, Merry bowed politely.
\u2018He is indisposed,\u2019 he said. \u2018He is resting.\u2019
\u2018Hiding, you mean,\u2019 said Lobelia. \u2018Anyway we want to see
him and we mean to see him. Just go and tell him so!\u2019
Merry left them a long while in the hall, and they had time
to discover their parting gift of spoons. It did not improve
their tempers. Eventually they were shown into the study.
Frodo was sitting at a table with a lot of papers in front of
him. He looked indisposed \u2013 to see Sackville-Bagginses at
any rate; and he stood up, fidgeting with something in his
pocket. But he spoke quite politely.
The Sackville-Bagginses were rather offensive. They began
by offering him bad bargain-prices (as between friends) for
various valuable and unlabelled things. When Frodo replied
that only the things specially directed by Bilbo were being
given away, they said the whole affair was very fishy.
\u2018Only one thing is clear to me,\u2019 said Otho, \u2018and that is that
you are doing exceedingly well out of it. I insist on seeing
the will.\u2019
a long-expected party 51
Otho would have been Bilbo\u2019s heir, but for the adoption
of Frodo. He read the will carefully and snorted. It was,
unfortunately, very clear and correct (according to the legal
customs of hobbits, which demand among other things seven
signatures of witnesses in red ink).
\u2018Foiled again!\u2019 he said to his wife. \u2018And after waiting sixty
years. Spoons? Fiddlesticks!\u2019 He snapped his fingers under
Frodo\u2019s nose and stumped off. But Lobelia was not so easily
got rid of. A little later Frodo came out of the study to see
how things were going on, and found her still about the place,
investigating nooks and corners, and tapping the floors. He
escorted her firmly off the premises, after he had relieved
her of several small (but rather valuable) articles that had
somehow fallen inside her umbrella. Her face looked as if she
was in the throes of thinking out a really crushing parting
remark; but all she found to say, turning round on the step,
was:
\u2018You\u2019ll live to regret it, young fellow! Why didn\u2019t you go
too? You don\u2019t belong here; you\u2019re no Baggins \u2013 you \u2013 you\u2019re
a Brandybuck!\u2019
\u2018Did you hear that, Merry? That was an insult, if you like,\u2019
said Frodo as he shut the door on her.
\u2018It was a compliment,\u2019 said Merry Brandybuck, \u2018and so, of
course, not true.\u2019
Then they went round the hole, and evicted three young
hobbits (two Boffins and a Bolger) who were knocking holes
in the walls of one of the cellars. Frodo also had a tussle with
young Sancho Proudfoot (old Odo Proudfoot\u2019s grandson),
who had begun an excavation in the larger pantry, where he
thought there was an echo. The legend of Bilbo\u2019s gold excited
both curiosity and hope; for legendary gold (mysteriously
obtained, if not positively ill-gotten), is, as everyone knows,
anyone\u2019s for the finding \u2013 unless the search is interrupted.
When he had overcome Sancho and pushed him out,
Frodo collapsed on a chair in the hall. \u2018It\u2019s time to close the
shop, Merry,\u2019 he said. \u2018Lock the door, and don\u2019t open it to
52 the fellowship of the ring
anyone today, not even if they bring a battering ram.\u2019 Then
he went to revive himself with a belated cup of tea.
He had hardly sat down, when there came a soft knock at
the front-door. \u2018Lobelia again most likely,\u2019 he thought. \u2018She
must have thought of something really nasty, and have come
back again to say it. It can wait.\u2019
He went on with his tea. The knock was repeated, much
louder, but he took no notice. Suddenly the wizard\u2019s head
appeared at the window.
\u2018If you don\u2019t let me in, Frodo, I shall blow your door right
down your hole and out through the hill,\u2019 he said.
\u2018My dear Gandalf! Half a minute!\u2019 cried Frodo, running
out of the room to the door. \u2018Come in! Come in! I thought it
was Lobelia.\u2019
\u2018Then I forgive you. But I saw her some time ago, driving
a pony-trap towards Bywater with a face that would have
curdled new milk.\u2019
\u2018She had already nearly curdled me. Honestly, I nearly
tried on Bilbo\u2019s ring. I longed to disappear.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t do that!\u2019 said Gandalf, sitting down. \u2018Do be careful
of that ring, Frodo! In fact, it is partly about that that I have
come to say a last word.\u2019
\u2018Well, what about it?\u2019
\u2018What do you know already?\u2019
\u2018Only what Bilbo told me. I have heard his story: how he
found it, and how he used it: on his journey, I mean.\u2019
\u2018Which story, I wonder,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018Oh, not what he told the dwarves and put in his book,\u2019
said Frodo. \u2018He told me the true story soon after I came
to live here. He said you had pestered him till he told
you, so I had better know too. \u2018\u2018No secrets between us,
Frodo,\u2019\u2019 he said; \u2018\u2018but they are not to go any further. It\u2019s mine
anyway.\u2019\u2019 \u2019
\u2018That\u2019s interesting,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Well, what did you think
of it all?\u2019
\u2018If you mean, inventing all that about a \u2018\u2018present\u2019\u2019, well, I
thought the true story much more likely, and I couldn\u2019t see
a long-expected party 53
the point of altering it at all. It was very unlike Bilbo to do
so, anyway; and I thought it rather odd.\u2019
\u2018So did I. But odd things may happen to people that have
such treasures \u2013 if they use them. Let it be a warning to you
to be very careful with it. It may have other powers than just
making you vanish when you wish to.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t understand,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018Neither do I,\u2019 answered the wizard. \u2018I have merely begun
to wonder about the ring, especially since last night. No need
to worry. But if you take my advice you will use it very
seldom, or not at all. At least I beg you not to use it in any
way that will cause talk or rouse suspicion. I say again: keep
it safe, and keep it secret!\u2019
\u2018You are very mysterious! What are you afraid of ?\u2019
\u2018I am not certain, so I will say no more. I may be able to
tell you something when I come back. I am going off at once:
so this is good-bye for the present.\u2019 He got up.
\u2018At once!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018Why, I thought you were staying
on for at least a week. I was looking forward to your help.\u2019
\u2018I did mean to \u2013 but I have had to change my mind. I may
be away for a good while; but I\u2019ll come and see you again, as
soon as I can. Expect me when you see me! I shall slip in
quietly. I shan\u2019t often be visiting the Shire openly again. I
find that I have become rather unpopular. They say I am a
nuisance and a disturber of the peace. Some people are actually accusing me of spiriting Bilbo away, or worse. If you
want to know, there is supposed to be a plot between you
and me to get hold of his wealth.\u2019
\u2018Some people!\u2019 exclaimed Frodo. \u2018You mean Otho and
Lobelia. How abominable! I would give them Bag End and
everything else, if I could get Bilbo back and go off tramping
in the country with him. I love the Shire. But I begin to wish,
somehow, that I had gone too. I wonder if I shall ever see
him again.\u2019
\u2018So do I,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018And I wonder many other things.
Good-bye now! Take care of yourself! Look out for me,
especially at unlikely times! Good-bye!\u2019
54 the fellowship of the ring
Frodo saw him to the door. He gave a final wave of his
hand, and walked off at a surprising pace; but Frodo thought
the old wizard looked unusually bent, almost as if he was
carrying a great weight. The evening was closing in, and his
cloaked figure quickly vanished into the twilight. Frodo did
not see him again for a long time.
Chapter 2
THE SHADOW OF THE PAST
The talk did not die down in nine or even ninety-nine days.
The second disappearance of Mr. Bilbo Baggins was discussed in Hobbiton, and indeed all over the Shire, for a year
and a day, and was remembered much longer than that. It
became a fireside-story for young hobbits; and eventually
Mad Baggins, who used to vanish with a bang and a flash
and reappear with bags of jewels and gold, became a favourite
character of legend and lived on long after all the true events
were forgotten.
But in the meantime, the general opinion in the neighbourhood was that Bilbo, who had always been rather cracked,
had at last gone quite mad, and had run off into the Blue.
There he had undoubtedly fallen into a pool or a river and
come to a tragic, but hardly an untimely, end. The blame
was mostly laid on Gandalf.
\u2018If only that dratted wizard will leave young Frodo alone,
perhaps he\u2019ll settle down and grow some hobbit-sense,\u2019 they
said. And to all appearance the wizard did leave Frodo alone,
and he did settle down, but the growth of hobbit-sense was
not very noticeable. Indeed, he at once began to carry on
Bilbo\u2019s reputation for oddity. He refused to go into mourning;
and the next year he gave a party in honour of Bilbo\u2019s
hundred-and-twelfth birthday, which he called a Hundredweight Feast. But that was short of the mark, for twenty
guests were invited and there were several meals at which it
snowed food and rained drink, as hobbits say.
Some people were rather shocked; but Frodo kept up the
custom of giving Bilbo\u2019s Birthday Party year after year until
they got used to it. He said that he did not think Bilbo was
56 the fellowship of the ring
dead. When they asked: \u2018Where is he then?\u2019 he shrugged his
shoulders.
He lived alone, as Bilbo had done; but he had a good
many friends, especially among the younger hobbits (mostly
descendants of the Old Took) who had as children been fond
of Bilbo and often in and out of Bag End. Folco Boffin and
Fredegar Bolger were two of these; but his closest friends
were Peregrin Took (usually called Pippin), and Merry
Brandybuck (his real name was Meriadoc, but that was
seldom remembered). Frodo went tramping over the Shire
with them; but more often he wandered by himself, and to
the amazement of sensible folk he was sometimes seen far
from home walking in the hills and woods under the starlight.
Merry and Pippin suspected that he visited the Elves at times,
as Bilbo had done.
As time went on, people began to notice that Frodo also
showed signs of good \u2018preservation\u2019: outwardly he retained
the appearance of a robust and energetic hobbit just out of
his tweens. \u2018Some folk have all the luck,\u2019 they said; but it was
not until Frodo approached the usually more sober age of
fifty that they began to think it queer.
Frodo himself, after the first shock, found that being his own
master and the Mr. Baggins of Bag End was rather pleasant.
For some years he was quite happy and did not worry much
about the future. But half unknown to himself the regret that
he had not gone with Bilbo was steadily growing. He found
himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about
the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had
never seen came into his dreams. He began to say to himself:
\u2018Perhaps I shall cross the River myself one day.\u2019 To which
the other half of his mind always replied: \u2018Not yet.\u2019
So it went on, until his forties were running out, and his
fiftieth birthday was drawing near: fifty was a number that
he felt was somehow significant (or ominous); it was at any
rate at that age that adventure had suddenly befallen Bilbo.
Frodo began to feel restless, and the old paths seemed too
the shadow of the past 57
well-trodden. He looked at maps, and wondered what lay
beyond their edges: maps made in the Shire showed mostly
white spaces beyond its borders. He took to wandering
further afield and more often by himself; and Merry and
his other friends watched him anxiously. Often he was seen
walking and talking with the strange wayfarers that began at
this time to appear in the Shire.
There were rumours of strange things happening in the
world outside; and as Gandalf had not at that time appeared or
sent any message for several years, Frodo gathered all the news
he could. Elves, who seldom walked in the Shire, could now
be seen passing westward through the woods in the evening,
passing and not returning; but they were leaving Middle-earth
and were no longer concerned with its troubles. There were,
however, dwarves on the road in unusual numbers. The
ancient East\u2013West Road ran through the Shire to its end at the
Grey Havens, and dwarves had always used it on their way to
their mines in the Blue Mountains. They were the hobbits\u2019
chief source of news from distant parts \u2013 if they wanted any: as
a rule dwarves said little and hobbits asked no more. But now
Frodo often met strange dwarves of far countries, seeking
refuge in the West. They were troubled, and some spoke in
whispers of the Enemy and of the Land of Mordor.
That name the hobbits only knew in legends of the dark
past, like a shadow in the background of their memories; but
it was ominous and disquieting. It seemed that the evil power
in Mirkwood had been driven out by the White Council
only to reappear in greater strength in the old strongholds of
Mordor. The Dark Tower had been rebuilt, it was said. From
there the power was spreading far and wide, and away far
east and south there were wars and growing fear. Orcs were
multiplying again in the mountains. Trolls were abroad, no
longer dull-witted, but cunning and armed with dreadful
weapons. And there were murmured hints of creatures more
terrible than all these, but they had no name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
58 the fellowship of the ring
Little of all this, of course, reached the ears of ordinary
hobbits. But even the deafest and most stay-at-home began
to hear queer tales; and those whose business took them to the
borders saw strange things. The conversation in The Green
Dragon at Bywater, one evening in the spring of Frodo\u2019s
fiftieth year, showed that even in the comfortable heart of the
Shire rumours had been heard, though most hobbits still
laughed at them.
Sam Gamgee was sitting in one corner near the fire, and
opposite him was Ted Sandyman, the miller\u2019s son; and there
were various other rustic hobbits listening to their talk.
\u2018Queer things you do hear these days, to be sure,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018Ah,\u2019 said Ted, \u2018you do, if you listen. But I can hear firesidetales and children\u2019s stories at home, if I want to.\u2019
\u2018No doubt you can,\u2019 retorted Sam, \u2018and I daresay there\u2019s
more truth in some of them than you reckon. Who invented
the stories anyway? Take dragons now.\u2019
\u2018No thank \u2019ee,\u2019 said Ted, \u2018I won\u2019t. I heard tell of them
when I was a youngster, but there\u2019s no call to believe in them
now. There\u2019s only one Dragon in Bywater, and that\u2019s Green,\u2019
he said, getting a general laugh.
\u2018All right,\u2019 said Sam, laughing with the rest. \u2018But what
about these Tree-men, these giants, as you might call them?
They do say that one bigger than a tree was seen up away
beyond the North Moors not long back.\u2019
\u2018Who\u2019s they?\u2019
\u2018My cousin Hal for one. He works for Mr. Boffin at
Overhill and goes up to the Northfarthing for the hunting.
He saw one.\u2019
\u2018Says he did, perhaps. Your Hal\u2019s always saying he\u2019s seen
things; and maybe he sees things that ain\u2019t there.\u2019
\u2018But this one was as big as an elm tree, and walking \u2013
walking seven yards to a stride, if it was an inch.\u2019
\u2018Then I bet it wasn\u2019t an inch. What he saw was an elm tree,
as like as not.\u2019
\u2018But this one was walking, I tell you; and there ain\u2019t no elm
tree on the North Moors.\u2019
the shadow of the past 59
\u2018Then Hal can\u2019t have seen one,\u2019 said Ted. There was some
laughing and clapping: the audience seemed to think that
Ted had scored a point.
\u2018All the same,\u2019 said Sam, \u2018you can\u2019t deny that others besides
our Halfast have seen queer folk crossing the Shire \u2013 crossing
it, mind you: there are more that are turned back at the
borders. The Bounders have never been so busy before.
\u2018And I\u2019ve heard tell that Elves are moving west. They do
say they are going to the harbours, out away beyond the
White Towers.\u2019 Sam waved his arm vaguely: neither he nor
any of them knew how far it was to the Sea, past the old
towers beyond the western borders of the Shire. But it was
an old tradition that away over there stood the Grey Havens,
from which at times elven-ships set sail, never to return.
\u2018They are sailing, sailing, sailing over the Sea, they are
going into the West and leaving us,\u2019 said Sam, half chanting
the words, shaking his head sadly and solemnly. But Ted
laughed.
\u2018Well, that isn\u2019t anything new, if you believe the old tales.
And I don\u2019t see what it matters to me or you. Let them sail!
But I warrant you haven\u2019t seen them doing it; nor anyone
else in the Shire.\u2019
\u2018Well, I don\u2019t know,\u2019 said Sam thoughtfully. He believed
he had once seen an Elf in the woods, and still hoped to see
more one day. Of all the legends that he had heard in his
early years such fragments of tales and half-remembered
stories about the Elves as the hobbits knew, had always moved
him most deeply. \u2018There are some, even in these parts, as
know the Fair Folk and get news of them,\u2019 he said. \u2018There\u2019s
Mr. Baggins now, that I work for. He told me that they were
sailing and he knows a bit about Elves. And oldMr. Bilbo knew
more: many\u2019s the talk I had with him when I was a little lad.\u2019
\u2018Oh, they\u2019re both cracked,\u2019 said Ted. \u2018Leastways old Bilbo
was cracked, and Frodo\u2019s cracking. If that\u2019s where you get
your news from, you\u2019ll never want for moonshine. Well,
friends, I\u2019m off home. Your good health!\u2019 He drained his
mug and went out noisily.
60 the fellowship of the ring
Sam sat silent and said no more. He had a good deal to
think about. For one thing, there was a lot to do up in the
Bag End garden, and he would have a busy day tomorrow,
if the weather cleared. The grass was growing fast. But Sam
had more on his mind than gardening. After a while he
sighed, and got up and went out.
It was early April and the sky was now clearing after heavy
rain. The sun was down, and a cool pale evening was quietly
fading into night. He walked home under the early stars
through Hobbiton and up the Hill, whistling softly and
thoughtfully.
It was just at this time that Gandalf reappeared after his long
absence. For three years after the Party he had been away.
Then he paid Frodo a brief visit, and after taking a good look
at him he went off again. During the next year or two he had
turned up fairly often, coming unexpectedly after dusk, and
going off without warning before sunrise. He would not
discuss his own business and journeys, and seemed chiefly
interested in small news about Frodo\u2019s health and doings.
Then suddenly his visits had ceased. It was over nine years
since Frodo had seen or heard of him, and he had begun to
think that the wizard would never return and had given up
all interest in hobbits. But that evening, as Sam was walking
home and twilight was fading, there came the once familiar
tap on the study window.
Frodo welcomed his old friend with surprise and great
delight. They looked hard at one another.
\u2018All well eh?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You look the same as ever,
Frodo!\u2019
\u2018So do you,\u2019 Frodo replied; but secretly he thought that
Gandalf looked older and more careworn. He pressed him
for news of himself and of the wide world, and soon they
were deep in talk, and they stayed up far into the night.
Next morning after a late breakfast, the wizard was sitting
with Frodo by the open window of the study. A bright fire
the shadow of the past 61
was on the hearth, but the sun was warm, and the wind was
in the South. Everything looked fresh, and the new green of
spring was shimmering in the fields and on the tips of the
trees\u2019 fingers.
Gandalf was thinking of a spring, nearly eighty years
before, when Bilbo had run out of Bag End without a handkerchief. His hair was perhaps whiter than it had been then,
and his beard and eyebrows were perhaps longer, and his
face more lined with care and wisdom; but his eyes were as
bright as ever, and he smoked and blew smoke-rings with the
same vigour and delight.
He was smoking now in silence, for Frodo was sitting still,
deep in thought. Even in the light of morning he felt the dark
shadow of the tidings that Gandalf had brought. At last he
broke the silence.
\u2018Last night you began to tell me strange things about my
ring, Gandalf,\u2019 he said. \u2018And then you stopped, because you
said that such matters were best left until daylight. Don\u2019t you
think you had better finish now? You say the ring is dangerous, far more dangerous than I guess. In what way?\u2019
\u2018In many ways,\u2019 answered the wizard. \u2018It is far more powerful than I ever dared to think at first, so powerful that in the
end it would utterly overcome anyone of mortal race who
possessed it. It would possess him.
\u2018In Eregion long ago many Elven-rings were made, magic
rings as you call them, and they were, of course, of various
kinds: some more potent and some less. The lesser rings were
only essays in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the
Elven-smiths they were but trifles \u2013 yet still to my mind
dangerous for mortals. But the Great Rings, the Rings of
Power, they were perilous.
\u2018A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does
not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely
continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if
he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he
becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the
twilight under the eye of the Dark Power that rules the Rings.
62 the fellowship of the ring
Yes, sooner or later \u2013 later, if he is strong or well-meaning to
begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last \u2013
sooner or later the Dark Power will devour him.\u2019
\u2018How terrifying!\u2019 said Frodo. There was another long
silence. The sound of Sam Gamgee cutting the lawn came
in from the garden.
\u2018How long have you known this?\u2019 asked Frodo at length.
\u2018And how much did Bilbo know?\u2019
\u2018Bilbo knew no more than he told you, I am sure,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018He would certainly never have passed on to you
anything that he thought would be a danger, even though I
promised to look after you. He thought the ring was very
beautiful, and very useful at need; and if anything was wrong
or queer, it was himself. He said that it was \u2018\u2018growing on his
mind\u2019\u2019, and he was always worrying about it; but he did not
suspect that the ring itself was to blame. Though he had
found out that the thing needed looking after; it did not seem
always of the same size or weight; it shrank or expanded in
an odd way, and might suddenly slip off a finger where it
had been tight.\u2019
\u2018Yes, he warned me of that in his last letter,\u2019 said Frodo,
\u2018so I have always kept it on its chain.\u2019
\u2018Very wise,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But as for his long life, Bilbo
never connected it with the ring at all. He took all the credit
for that to himself, and he was very proud of it. Though he
was getting restless and uneasy. Thin and stretched he said.
A sign that the ring was getting control.\u2019
\u2018How long have you known all this?\u2019 asked Frodo again.
\u2018Known?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I have known much that only the
Wise know, Frodo. But if you mean \u2018\u2018known about this ring\u2019\u2019,
well, I still do not know, one might say. There is a last test to
make. But I no longer doubt my guess.
\u2018When did I first begin to guess?\u2019 he mused, searching back
in memory. \u2018Let me see \u2013 it was in the year that the White
Council drove the Dark Power from Mirkwood, just before
the Battle of Five Armies, that Bilbo found his ring. A shadow
the shadow of the past 63
fell on my heart then, though I did not know yet what I
feared. I wondered often how Gollum came by a Great Ring,
as plainly it was \u2013 that at least was clear from the first. Then
I heard Bilbo\u2019s strange story of how he had \u2018\u2018won\u2019\u2019 it, and I
could not believe it. When I at last got the truth out of him,
I saw at once that he had been trying to put his claim to the
ring beyond doubt. Much like Gollum with his \u2018\u2018birthdaypresent\u2019\u2019. The lies were too much alike for my comfort.
Clearly the ring had an unwholesome power that set to work
on its keeper at once. That was the first real warning I had
that all was not well. I told Bilbo often that such rings were
better left unused; but he resented it, and soon got angry.
There was little else that I could do. I could not take it from
him without doing greater harm; and I had no right to do so
anyway. I could only watch and wait. I might perhaps have
consulted Saruman the White, but something always held
me back.\u2019
\u2018Who is he?\u2019 asked Frodo. \u2018I have never heard of him
before.\u2019
\u2018Maybe not,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018Hobbits are, or were, no
concern of his. Yet he is great among the Wise. He is the
chief of my order and the head of the Council. His knowledge
is deep, but his pride has grown with it, and he takes ill any
meddling. The lore of the Elven-rings, great and small, is his
province. He has long studied it, seeking the lost secrets of
their making; but when the Rings were debated in the Council, all that he would reveal to us of his ring-lore told against
my fears. So my doubt slept \u2013 but uneasily. Still I watched
and I waited.
\u2018And all seemed well with Bilbo. And the years passed.
Yes, they passed, and they seemed not to touch him. He
showed no signs of age. The shadow fell on me again. But I
said to myself: \u2018\u2018After all he comes of a long-lived family on
his mother\u2019s side. There is time yet. Wait!\u2019\u2019
\u2018And I waited. Until that night when he left this house. He
said and did things then that filled me with a fear that no
words of Saruman could allay. I knew at last that something
64 the fellowship of the ring
dark and deadly was at work. And I have spent most of the
years since then in finding out the truth of it.\u2019
\u2018There wasn\u2019t any permanent harm done, was there?\u2019 asked
Frodo anxiously. \u2018He would get all right in time, wouldn\u2019t
he? Be able to rest in peace, I mean?\u2019
\u2018He felt better at once,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there is only one
Power in this world that knows all about the Rings and their
effects; and as far as I know there is no Power in the world
that knows all about hobbits. Among the Wise I am the
only one that goes in for hobbit-lore: an obscure branch of
knowledge, but full of surprises. Soft as butter they can be,
and yet sometimes as tough as old tree-roots. I think it likely
that some would resist the Rings far longer than most of
the Wise would believe. I don\u2019t think you need worry about
Bilbo.
\u2018Of course, he possessed the ring for many years, and used
it, so it might take a long while for the influence to wear off
\u2013 before it was safe for him to see it again, for instance.
Otherwise, he might live on for years, quite happily: just stop
as he was when he parted with it. For he gave it up in the
end of his own accord: an important point. No, I was not
troubled about dear Bilbo any more, once he had let the thing
go. It is for you that I feel responsible.
\u2018Ever since Bilbo left I have been deeply concerned about
you, and about all these charming, absurd, helpless hobbits.
It would be a grievous blow to the world, if the Dark Power
overcame the Shire; if all your kind, jolly, stupid Bolgers,
Hornblowers, Boffins, Bracegirdles, and the rest, not to
mention the ridiculous Bagginses, became enslaved.\u2019
Frodo shuddered. \u2018But why should we be?\u2019 he asked. \u2018And
why should he want such slaves?\u2019
\u2018To tell you the truth,\u2019 replied Gandalf, \u2018I believe that
hitherto \u2013 hitherto, mark you \u2013 he has entirely overlooked
the existence of hobbits. You should be thankful. But your
safety has passed. He does not need you \u2013 he has many
more useful servants \u2013 but he won\u2019t forget you again. And
hobbits as miserable slaves would please him far more than
the shadow of the past 65
hobbits happy and free. There is such a thing as malice and
revenge.\u2019
\u2018Revenge?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Revenge for what? I still don\u2019t
understand what all this has to do with Bilbo and myself, and
our ring.\u2019
\u2018It has everything to do with it,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You do not
know the real peril yet; but you shall. I was not sure of it
myself when I was last here; but the time has come to speak.
Give me the ring for a moment.\u2019
Frodo took it from his breeches-pocket, where it was
clasped to a chain that hung from his belt. He unfastened it
and handed it slowly to the wizard. It felt suddenly very
heavy, as if either it or Frodo himself was in some way reluctant for Gandalf to touch it.
Gandalf held it up. It looked to be made of pure and solid
gold. \u2018Can you see any markings on it?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018No,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018There are none. It is quite plain, and it
never shows a scratch or sign of wear.\u2019
\u2018Well then, look!\u2019 To Frodo\u2019s astonishment and distress
the wizard threw it suddenly into the middle of a glowing
corner of the fire. Frodo gave a cry and groped for the tongs;
but Gandalf held him back.
\u2018Wait!\u2019 he said in a commanding voice, giving Frodo a
quick look from under his bristling brows.
No apparent change came over the ring. After a while
Gandalf got up, closed the shutters outside the window, and
drew the curtains. The room became dark and silent, though
the clack of Sam\u2019s shears, now nearer to the windows, could
still be heard faintly from the garden. For a moment the
wizard stood looking at the fire; then he stooped and removed
the ring to the hearth with the tongs, and at once picked it
up. Frodo gasped.
\u2018It is quite cool,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Take it!\u2019 Frodo received it
on his shrinking palm: it seemed to have become thicker and
heavier than ever.
\u2018Hold it up!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018And look closely!\u2019
66 the fellowship of the ring
As Frodo did so, he now saw fine lines, finer than the finest
pen-strokes, running along the ring, outside and inside: lines
of fire that seemed to form the letters of a flowing script.
They shone piercingly bright, and yet remote, as if out of a
great depth.
\u2018I cannot read the fiery letters,\u2019 said Frodo in a quavering
voice.
\u2018No,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018but I can. The letters are Elvish, of an
ancient mode, but the language is that of Mordor, which I
will not utter here. But this in the Common Tongue is what
is said, close enough:
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
It is only two lines of a verse long known in Elven-lore:
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.\u2019
He paused, and then said slowly in a deep voice: \u2018This is
the Master-ring, the One Ring to rule them all. This is the
One Ring that he lost many ages ago, to the great weakening
the shadow of the past 67
of his power. He greatly desires it \u2013 but he must not get it.\u2019
Frodo sat silent and motionless. Fear seemed to stretch out
a vast hand, like a dark cloud rising in the East and looming
up to engulf him. \u2018This ring!\u2019 he stammered. \u2018How, how on
earth did it come to me?\u2019
\u2018Ah!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018That is a very long story. The beginnings lie back in the Black Years, which only the lore-masters
now remember. If I were to tell you all that tale, we should
still be sitting here when Spring had passed into Winter.
\u2018But last night I told you of Sauron the Great, the Dark
Lord. The rumours that you have heard are true: he has
indeed arisen again and left his hold in Mirkwood and
returned to his ancient fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor.
That name even you hobbits have heard of, like a shadow on
the borders of old stories. Always after a defeat and a respite,
the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.\u2019
\u2018I wish it need not have happened in my time,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018So do I,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and so do all who live to see such
times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to
decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And
already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black. The
Enemy is fast becoming very strong. His plans are far from
ripe, I think, but they are ripening. We shall be hard put to
it. We should be very hard put to it, even if it were not for
this dreadful chance.
\u2018The Enemy still lacks one thing to give him strength and
knowledge to beat down all resistance, break the last defences,
and cover all the lands in a second darkness. He lacks the
One Ring.
\u2018The Three, fairest of all, the Elf-lords hid from him, and
his hand never touched them or sullied them. Seven the
Dwarf-kings possessed, but three he has recovered, and the
others the dragons have consumed. Nine he gave to Mortal
Men, proud and great, and so ensnared them. Long ago
they fell under the dominion of the One, and they became
Ringwraiths, shadows under his great Shadow, his most
68 the fellowship of the ring
terrible servants. Long ago. It is many a year since the Nine
walked abroad. Yet who knows? As the Shadow grows once
more, they too may walk again. But come! We will not speak
of such things even in the morning of the Shire.
\u2018So it is now: the Nine he has gathered to himself; the
Seven also, or else they are destroyed. The Three are hidden
still. But that no longer troubles him. He only needs the One;
for he made that Ring himself, it is his, and he let a great part
of his own former power pass into it, so that he could rule all
the others. If he recovers it, then he will command them all
again, wherever they be, even the Three, and all that has
been wrought with them will be laid bare, and he will be
stronger than ever.
\u2018And this is the dreadful chance, Frodo. He believed that
the One had perished; that the Elves had destroyed it, as
should have been done. But he knows now that it has not
perished, that it has been found. So he is seeking it, seeking
it, and all his thought is bent on it. It is his great hope and
our great fear.\u2019
\u2018Why, why wasn\u2019t it destroyed?\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018And how
did the Enemy ever come to lose it, if he was so strong, and
it was so precious to him?\u2019 He clutched the Ring in his hand,
as if he saw already dark fingers stretching out to seize it.
\u2018It was taken from him,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018The strength of
the Elves to resist him was greater long ago; and not all
Men were estranged from them. The Men of Westernesse
came to their aid. That is a chapter of ancient history
which it might be good to recall; for there was sorrow then
too, and gathering dark, but great valour, and great deeds
that were not wholly vain. One day, perhaps, I will tell you
all the tale, or you shall hear it told in full by one who knows
it best.
\u2018But for the moment, since most of all you need to know
how this thing came to you, and that will be tale enough, this
is all that I will say. It was Gil-galad, Elven-king and Elendil of
Westernesse who overthrew Sauron, though they themselves
perished in the deed; and Isildur Elendil\u2019s son cut the Ring
the shadow of the past 69
from Sauron\u2019s hand and took it for his own. Then Sauron
was vanquished and his spirit fled and was hidden for long
years, until his shadow took shape again in Mirkwood.
\u2018But the Ring was lost. It fell into the Great River, Anduin,
and vanished. For Isildur was marching north along the east
banks of the River, and near the Gladden Fields he was
waylaid by the Orcs of the Mountains, and almost all his folk
were slain. He leaped into the waters, but the Ring slipped
from his finger as he swam, and then the Orcs saw him and
killed him with arrows.\u2019
Gandalf paused. \u2018And there in the dark pools amid the
Gladden Fields,\u2019 he said, \u2018the Ring passed out of knowledge
and legend; and even so much of its history is known now
only to a few, and the Council of the Wise could discover no
more. But at last I can carry on the story, I think.
\u2018Long after, but still very long ago, there lived by the banks
of the Great River on the edge of Wilderland a clever-handed
and quiet-footed little people. I guess they were of hobbitkind; akin to the fathers of the fathers of the Stoors, for they
loved the River, and often swam in it, or made little boats of
reeds. There was among them a family of high repute, for it
was large and wealthier than most, and it was ruled by a
grandmother of the folk, stern and wise in old lore, such as
they had. The most inquisitive and curious-minded of that
family was called Sme\u00b4agol. He was interested in roots and
beginnings; he dived into deep pools; he burrowed under
trees and growing plants; he tunnelled into green mounds;
and he ceased to look up at the hill-tops, or the leaves on
trees, or the flowers opening in the air: his head and his eyes
were downward.
\u2018He had a friend called De\u00b4agol, of similar sort, sharpereyed but not so quick and strong. On a time they took a boat
and went down to the Gladden Fields, where there were great
beds of iris and flowering reeds. There Sme\u00b4agol got out and
went nosing about the banks but De\u00b4agol sat in the boat and
fished. Suddenly a great fish took his hook, and before he
70 the fellowship of the ring
knew where he was, he was dragged out and down into the
water, to the bottom. Then he let go of his line, for he thought
he saw something shining in the river-bed; and holding his
breath he grabbed at it.
\u2018Then up he came spluttering, with weeds in his hair and
a handful of mud; and he swam to the bank. And behold!
when he washed the mud away, there in his hand lay a beautiful golden ring; and it shone and glittered in the sun, so that
his heart was glad. But Sme\u00b4agol had been watching him from
behind a tree, and as De\u00b4agol gloated over the ring, Sme\u00b4agol
came softly up behind.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Give us that, De\u00b4agol, my love,\u2019\u2019 said Sme\u00b4agol, over his
friend\u2019s shoulder.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Why?\u2019\u2019 said De\u00b4agol.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Because it\u2019s my birthday, my love, and I wants it,\u2019\u2019 said
Sme\u00b4agol.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I don\u2019t care,\u2019\u2019 said De\u00b4agol. \u2018\u2018I have given you a present
already, more than I could afford. I found this, and I\u2019m going
to keep it.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Oh, are you indeed, my love,\u2019\u2019 said Sme\u00b4agol; and he
caught De\u00b4agol by the throat and strangled him, because the
gold looked so bright and beautiful. Then he put the ring on
his finger.
\u2018No one ever found out what had become of De\u00b4agol; he
was murdered far from home, and his body was cunningly
hidden. But Sme\u00b4agol returned alone; and he found that none
of his family could see him, when he was wearing the ring.
He was very pleased with his discovery and he concealed it;
and he used it to find out secrets, and he put his knowledge
to crooked and malicious uses. He became sharp-eyed and
keen-eared for all that was hurtful. The ring had given him
power according to his stature. It is not to be wondered at
that he became very unpopular and was shunned (when visible) by all his relations. They kicked him, and he bit their
feet. He took to thieving, and going about muttering to himself, and gurgling in his throat. So they called him Gollum,
and cursed him, and told him to go far away; and his grand-
the shadow of the past 71
mother, desiring peace, expelled him from the family and
turned him out of her hole.
\u2018He wandered in loneliness, weeping a little for the hardness of the world, and he journeyed up the River, till he came
to a stream that flowed down from the mountains, and he
went that way. He caught fish in deep pools with invisible
fingers and ate them raw. One day it was very hot, and as he
was bending over a pool, he felt a burning on the back of his
head, and a dazzling light from the water pained his wet eyes.
He wondered at it, for he had almost forgotten about the
Sun. Then for the last time he looked up and shook his fist
at her.
\u2018But as he lowered his eyes, he saw far ahead the tops of
the Misty Mountains, out of which the stream came. And he
thought suddenly: \u2018\u2018It would be cool and shady under those
mountains. The Sun could not watch me there. The roots of
those mountains must be roots indeed; there must be great
secrets buried there which have not been discovered since
the beginning.\u2019\u2019
\u2018So he journeyed by night up into the highlands, and he
found a little cave out of which the dark stream ran; and he
wormed his way like a maggot into the heart of the hills,
and vanished out of all knowledge. The Ring went into the
shadows with him, and even the maker, when his power had
begun to grow again, could learn nothing of it.\u2019
\u2018Gollum!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018Gollum? Do you mean that this is
the very Gollum-creature that Bilbo met? How loathsome!\u2019
\u2018I think it is a sad story,\u2019 said the wizard, \u2018and it might have
happened to others, even to some hobbits that I have known.\u2019
\u2018I can\u2019t believe that Gollum was connected with hobbits,
however distantly,\u2019 said Frodo with some heat. \u2018What an
abominable notion!\u2019
\u2018It is true all the same,\u2019 replied Gandalf. \u2018About their
origins, at any rate, I know more than hobbits do themselves.
And even Bilbo\u2019s story suggests the kinship. There was a
great deal in the background of their minds and memories
72 the fellowship of the ring
that was very similar. They understood one another remarkably well, very much better than a hobbit would understand,
say, a Dwarf, or an Orc, or even an Elf. Think of the riddles
they both knew, for one thing.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Though other folks besides hobbits ask
riddles, and of much the same sort. And hobbits don\u2019t cheat.
Gollum meant to cheat all the time. He was just trying to
put poor Bilbo off his guard. And I daresay it amused his
wickedness to start a game which might end in providing him
with an easy victim, but if he lost would not hurt him.\u2019
\u2018Only too true, I fear,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there was something else in it, I think, which you don\u2019t see yet. Even Gollum
was not wholly ruined. He had proved tougher than even one
of the Wise would have guessed \u2013 as a hobbit might. There
was a little corner of his mind that was still his own, and light
came through it, as through a chink in the dark: light out of
the past. It was actually pleasant, I think, to hear a kindly
voice again, bringing up memories of wind, and trees, and
sun on the grass, and such forgotten things.
\u2018But that, of course, would only make the evil part of him
angrier in the end \u2013 unless it could be conquered. Unless it
could be cured.\u2019 Gandalf sighed. \u2018Alas! there is little hope of
that for him. Yet not no hope. No, not though he possessed
the Ring so long, almost as far back as he can remember. For
it was long since he had worn it much: in the black darkness
it was seldom needed. Certainly he had never \u2018\u2018faded\u2019\u2019. He is
thin and tough still. But the thing was eating up his mind, of
course, and the torment had become almost unbearable.
\u2018All the \u2018\u2018great secrets\u2019\u2019 under the mountains had turned
out to be just empty night: there was nothing more to find out,
nothing worth doing, only nasty furtive eating and resentful
remembering. He was altogether wretched. He hated the
dark, and he hated light more: he hated everything, and the
Ring most of all.\u2019
\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Surely the Ring was his
Precious and the only thing he cared for? But if he hated it,
why didn\u2019t he get rid of it, or go away and leave it?\u2019
the shadow of the past 73
\u2018You ought to begin to understand, Frodo, after all you
have heard,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018He hated it and loved it, as he
hated and loved himself. He could not get rid of it. He had
no will left in the matter.
\u2018A Ring of Power looks after itself, Frodo. It may slip off
treacherously, but its keeper never abandons it. At most he
plays with the idea of handing it on to someone else\u2019s care \u2013
and that only at an early stage, when it first begins to grip.
But as far as I know Bilbo alone in history has ever gone
beyond playing, and really done it. He needed all my help,
too. And even so he would never have just forsaken it, or cast
it aside. It was not Gollum, Frodo, but the Ring itself that
decided things. The Ring left him.\u2019
\u2018What, just in time to meet Bilbo?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Wouldn\u2019t
an Orc have suited it better?\u2019
\u2018It is no laughing matter,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Not for you. It
was the strangest event in the whole history of the Ring so
far: Bilbo\u2019s arrival just at that time, and putting his hand on
it, blindly, in the dark.
\u2018There was more than one power at work, Frodo. The
Ring was trying to get back to its master. It had slipped from
Isildur\u2019s hand and betrayed him; then when a chance came
it caught poor De\u00b4agol, and he was murdered; and after that
Gollum, and it had devoured him. It could make no further
use of him: he was too small and mean; and as long as it
stayed with him he would never leave his deep pool again.
So now, when its master was awake once more and sending
out his dark thought from Mirkwood, it abandoned Gollum.
Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable:
Bilbo from the Shire!
\u2018Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any
design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by
saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its
maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And
that may be an encouraging thought.\u2019
\u2018It is not,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Though I am not sure that I understand you. But how have you learned all this about the Ring,
74 the fellowship of the ring
and about Gollum? Do you really know it all, or are you just
guessing still?\u2019
Gandalf looked at Frodo, and his eyes glinted. \u2018I knew
much and I have learned much,\u2019 he answered. \u2018But I am not
going to give an account of all my doings to you. The history
of Elendil and Isildur and the One Ring is known to all the
Wise. Your ring is shown to be that One Ring by the firewriting alone, apart from any other evidence.\u2019
\u2018And when did you discover that?\u2019 asked Frodo, interrupting.
\u2018Just now in this room, of course,\u2019 answered the wizard
sharply. \u2018But I expected to find it. I have come back from
dark journeys and long search to make that final test. It is the
last proof, and all is now only too clear. Making out Gollum\u2019s
part, and fitting it into the gap in the history, required some
thought. I may have started with guesses about Gollum, but
I am not guessing now. I know. I have seen him.\u2019
\u2018You have seen Gollum?\u2019 exclaimed Frodo in amazement.
\u2018Yes. The obvious thing to do, of course, if one could. I
tried long ago; but I have managed it at last.\u2019
\u2018Then what happened after Bilbo escaped from him? Do
you know that?\u2019
\u2018Not so clearly. What I have told you is what Gollum was
willing to tell \u2013 though not, of course, in the way I have
reported it. Gollum is a liar, and you have to sift his words.
For instance, he called the Ring his \u2018\u2018birthday-present\u2019\u2019, and
he stuck to that. He said it came from his grandmother, who
had lots of beautiful things of that kind. A ridiculous story. I
have no doubt that Sme\u00b4agol\u2019s grandmother was a matriarch,
a great person in her way, but to talk of her possessing many
Elven-rings was absurd, and as for giving them away, it was
a lie. But a lie with a grain of truth.
\u2018The murder of De\u00b4agol haunted Gollum, and he had made
up a defence, repeating it to his \u2018\u2018Precious\u2019\u2019 over and over
again, as he gnawed bones in the dark, until he almost
believed it. It was his birthday. De\u00b4agol ought to have given
the ring to him. It had obviously turned up just so as to be
the shadow of the past 75
a present. It was his birthday-present, and so on, and on.
\u2018I endured him as long as I could, but the truth was desperately important, and in the end I had to be harsh. I put the
fear of fire on him, and wrung the true story out of him, bit by
bit, together with much snivelling and snarling. He thought he
was misunderstood and ill-used. But when he had at last told
me his history, as far as the end of the Riddle-game and
Bilbo\u2019s escape, he would not say any more, except in dark
hints. Some other fear was on him greater than mine. He
muttered that he was going to get his own back. People would
see if he would stand being kicked, and driven into a hole
and then robbed. Gollum had good friends now, good friends
and very strong. They would help him. Baggins would pay
for it. That was his chief thought. He hated Bilbo and cursed
his name. What is more, he knew where he came from.\u2019
\u2018But how did he find that out?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018Well, as for the name, Bilbo very foolishly told Gollum
himself; and after that it would not be difficult to discover
his country, once Gollum came out. Oh yes, he came out.
His longing for the Ring proved stronger than his fear of
the Orcs, or even of the light. After a year or two he left the
mountains. You see, though still bound by desire of it, the
Ring was no longer devouring him; he began to revive a little.
He felt old, terribly old, yet less timid, and he was mortally
hungry.
\u2018Light, light of Sun and Moon, he still feared and hated,
and he always will, I think; but he was cunning. He found he
could hide from daylight and moonshine, and make his way
swiftly and softly by dead of night with his pale cold eyes,
and catch small frightened or unwary things. He grew
stronger and bolder with new food and new air. He found
his way into Mirkwood, as one would expect.\u2019
\u2018Is that where you found him?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018I saw him there,\u2019 answered Gandalf, \u2018but before that he
had wandered far, following Bilbo\u2019s trail. It was difficult to
learn anything from him for certain, for his talk was constantly interrupted by curses and threats. \u2018\u2018What had it got
76 the fellowship of the ring
in its pocketses?\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018It wouldn\u2019t say, no precious. Little
cheat. Not a fair question. It cheated first, it did. It broke the
rules. We ought to have squeezed it, yes precious. And we
will, precious!\u2019\u2019
\u2018That is a sample of his talk. I don\u2019t suppose you want any
more. I had weary days of it. But from hints dropped among
the snarls I gathered that his padding feet had taken him at
last to Esgaroth, and even to the streets of Dale, listening
secretly and peering. Well, the news of the great events went
far and wide in Wilderland, and many had heard Bilbo\u2019s
name and knew where he came from. We had made no secret
of our return journey to his home in the West. Gollum\u2019s
sharp ears would soon learn what he wanted.\u2019
\u2018Then why didn\u2019t he track Bilbo further?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018Why didn\u2019t he come to the Shire?\u2019
\u2018Ah,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018now we come to it. I think Gollum
tried to. He set out and came back westward, as far as the
Great River. But then he turned aside. He was not daunted
by the distance, I am sure. No, something else drew him
away. So my friends think, those that hunted him for me.
\u2018The Wood-elves tracked him first, an easy task for them,
for his trail was still fresh then. Through Mirkwood and back
again it led them, though they never caught him. The wood
was full of the rumour of him, dreadful tales even among
beasts and birds. The Woodmen said that there was some
new terror abroad, a ghost that drank blood. It climbed trees
to find nests; it crept into holes to find the young; it slipped
through windows to find cradles.
\u2018But at the western edge of Mirkwood the trail turned
away. It wandered off southwards and passed out of the
Wood-elves\u2019 ken, and was lost. And then I made a great
mistake. Yes, Frodo, and not the first; though I fear it may
prove the worst. I let the matter be. I let him go; for I had
much else to think of at that time, and I still trusted the lore
of Saruman.
\u2018Well, that was years ago. I have paid for it since with many
dark and dangerous days. The trail was long cold when I
the shadow of the past 77
took it up again, after Bilbo left here. And my search would
have been in vain, but for the help that I had from a friend:
Aragorn, the greatest traveller and huntsman of this age of
the world. Together we sought for Gollum down the whole
length of Wilderland, without hope, and without success. But
at last, when I had given up the chase and turned to other
paths, Gollum was found. My friend returned out of great
perils bringing the miserable creature with him.
\u2018What he had been doing he would not say. He only wept
and called us cruel, with many a gollum in his throat; and
when we pressed him he whined and cringed, and rubbed
his long hands, licking his fingers as if they pained him, as if
he remembered some old torture. But I am afraid there is no
possible doubt: he had made his slow, sneaking way, step by
step, mile by mile, south, down at last to the Land of Mordor.\u2019
A heavy silence fell in the room. Frodo could hear his heart
beating. Even outside everything seemed still. No sound of
Sam\u2019s shears could now be heard.
\u2018Yes, to Mordor,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Alas! Mordor draws all
wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to
gather them there. The Ring of the Enemy would leave its
mark, too, leave him open to the summons. And all folk were
whispering then of the new Shadow in the South, and its
hatred of the West. There were his fine new friends, who
would help him in his revenge!
\u2018Wretched fool! In that land he would learn much, too
much for his comfort. And sooner or later as he lurked and
pried on the borders he would be caught, and taken \u2013 for
examination. That was the way of it, I fear. When he was
found he had already been there long, and was on his way
back. On some errand of mischief. But that does not matter
much now. His worst mischief was done.
\u2018Yes, alas! through him the Enemy has learned that the
One has been found again. He knows where Isildur fell. He
knows where Gollum found his ring. He knows that it is a
Great Ring, for it gave long life. He knows that it is not one
78 the fellowship of the ring
of the Three, for they have never been lost, and they endure
no evil. He knows that it is not one of the Seven, or the Nine,
for they are accounted for. He knows that it is the One. And
he has at last heard, I think, of hobbits and the Shire.
\u2018The Shire \u2013 he may be seeking for it now, if he has not
already found out where it lies. Indeed, Frodo, I fear that he
may even think that the long-unnoticed name of Baggins has
become important.\u2019
\u2018But this is terrible!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018Far worse than the worst
that I imagined from your hints and warnings. O Gandalf,
best of friends, what am I to do? For now I am really afraid.
What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that
vile creature, when he had a chance!\u2019
\u2018Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy:
not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded,
Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and
escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the
Ring so. With Pity.\u2019
\u2018I am sorry,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But I am frightened; and I do not
feel any pity for Gollum.\u2019
\u2018You have not seen him,\u2019 Gandalf broke in.
\u2018No, and I don\u2019t want to,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I can\u2019t understand
you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let
him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he
is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.\u2019
\u2018Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve
death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to
them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not
much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but
there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of
the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet,
for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity
of Bilbo may rule the fate of many \u2013 yours not least. In any
case we did not kill him: he is very old and very wretched.
The Wood-elves have him in prison, but they treat him with
such kindness as they can find in their wise hearts.\u2019
the shadow of the past 79
\u2018All the same,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018even if Bilbo could not kill
Gollum, I wish he had not kept the Ring. I wish he had never
found it, and that I had not got it! Why did you let me keep
it? Why didn\u2019t you make me throw it away, or, or destroy it?\u2019
\u2018Let you? Make you?\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018Haven\u2019t you been
listening to all that I have said? You are not thinking of what
you are saying. But as for throwing it away, that was obviously
wrong. These Rings have a way of being found. In evil hands
it might have done great evil. Worst of all, it might have fallen
into the hands of the Enemy. Indeed it certainly would; for
this is the One, and he is exerting all his power to find it or
draw it to himself.
\u2018Of course, my dear Frodo, it was dangerous for you; and
that has troubled me deeply. But there was so much at stake
that I had to take some risk \u2013 though even when I was far
away there has never been a day when the Shire has not been
guarded by watchful eyes. As long as you never used it, I did
not think that the Ring would have any lasting effect on
you, not for evil, not at any rate for a very long time. And
you must remember that nine years ago, when I last saw you,
I still knew little for certain.\u2019
\u2018But why not destroy it, as you say should have been done
long ago?\u2019 cried Frodo again. \u2018If you had warned me, or even
sent me a message, I would have done away with it.\u2019
\u2018Would you? How would you do that? Have you ever tried?\u2019
\u2018No. But I suppose one could hammer it or melt it.\u2019
\u2018Try!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Try now!\u2019
Frodo drew the Ring out of his pocket again and looked at
it. It now appeared plain and smooth, without mark or device
that he could see. The gold looked very fair and pure, and
Frodo thought how rich and beautiful was its colour, how
perfect was its roundness. It was an admirable thing and
altogether precious. When he took it out he had intended to
fling it from him into the very hottest part of the fire. But he
found now that he could not do so, not without a great
struggle. He weighed the Ring in his hand, hesitating, and
80 the fellowship of the ring
forcing himself to remember all that Gandalf had told him;
and then with an effort of will he made a movement, as if to
cast it away \u2013 but he found that he had put it back in his
pocket.
Gandalf laughed grimly. \u2018You see? Already you too, Frodo,
cannot easily let it go, nor will to damage it. And I could not
\u2018\u2018make\u2019\u2019 you \u2013 except by force, which would break your mind.
But as for breaking the Ring, force is useless. Even if you
took it and struck it with a heavy sledge-hammer, it would
make no dint in it. It cannot be unmade by your hands, or
by mine.
\u2018Your small fire, of course, would not melt even ordinary
gold. This Ring has already passed through it unscathed, and
even unheated. But there is no smith\u2019s forge in this Shire that
could change it at all. Not even the anvils and furnaces of the
Dwarves could do that. It has been said that dragon-fire could
melt and consume the Rings of Power, but there is not now
any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough;
nor was there ever any dragon, not even Ancalagon the Black,
who could have harmed the One Ring, the Ruling Ring, for
that was made by Sauron himself.
\u2018There is only one way: to find the Cracks of Doom in the
depths of Orodruin, the Fire-mountain, and cast the Ring in
there, if you really wish to destroy it, to put it beyond the
grasp of the Enemy for ever.\u2019
\u2018I do really wish to destroy it!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018Or, well, to
have it destroyed. I am not made for perilous quests. I wish
I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why
was I chosen?\u2019
\u2018Such questions cannot be answered,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You
may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not
possess: not for power or wisdom, at any rate. But you have
been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and
heart and wits as you have.\u2019
\u2018But I have so little of any of these things! You are wise
and powerful. Will you not take the Ring?\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 cried Gandalf, springing to his feet. \u2018With that power
the shadow of the past 81
I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the
Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly.\u2019 His
eyes flashed and his face was lit as by a fire within. \u2018Do not
tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord
himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity
for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not
tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused.
The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength. I
shall have such need of it. Great perils lie before me.\u2019
He went to the window and drew aside the curtains and
the shutters. Sunlight streamed back again into the room.
Sam passed along the path outside whistling. \u2018And now,\u2019 said
the wizard, turning back to Frodo, \u2018the decision lies with you.
But I will always help you.\u2019 He laid his hand on Frodo\u2019s
shoulder. \u2018I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is
yours to bear. But we must do something, soon. The Enemy
is moving.\u2019
There was a long silence. Gandalf sat down again and
puffed at his pipe, as if lost in thought. His eyes seemed
closed, but under the lids he was watching Frodo intently.
Frodo gazed fixedly at the red embers on the hearth, until
they filled all his vision, and he seemed to be looking down
into profound wells of fire. He was thinking of the fabled
Cracks of Doom and the terror of the Fiery Mountain.
\u2018Well!\u2019 said Gandalf at last. \u2018What are you thinking about?
Have you decided what to do?\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 answered Frodo, coming back to himself out of darkness, and finding to his surprise that it was not dark, and that
out of the window he could see the sunlit garden. \u2018Or perhaps,
yes. As far as I understand what you have said, I suppose I
must keep the Ring and guard it, at least for the present,
whatever it may do to me.\u2019
\u2018Whatever it may do, it will be slow, slow to evil, if you
keep it with that purpose,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018I hope so,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But I hope that you may find some
other better keeper soon. But in the meanwhile it seems that
82 the fellowship of the ring
I am a danger, a danger to all that live near me. I cannot keep
the Ring and stay here. I ought to leave Bag End, leave the
Shire, leave everything and go away.\u2019 He sighed.
\u2018I should like to save the Shire, if I could \u2013 though there
have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid
and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an
invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don\u2019t feel
like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe
and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall
know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet
cannot stand there again.
\u2018Of course, I have sometimes thought of going away, but
I imagined that as a kind of holiday, a series of adventures
like Bilbo\u2019s or better, ending in peace. But this would mean
exile, a flight from danger into danger, drawing it after me.
And I suppose I must go alone, if I am to do that and save
the Shire. But I feel very small, and very uprooted, and well
\u2013 desperate. The Enemy is so strong and terrible.\u2019
He did not tell Gandalf, but as he was speaking a great
desire to follow Bilbo flamed up in his heart \u2013 to follow Bilbo,
and even perhaps to find him again. It was so strong that it
overcame his fear: he could almost have run out there and
then down the road without his hat, as Bilbo had done on a
similar morning long ago.
\u2018My dear Frodo!\u2019 exclaimed Gandalf. \u2018Hobbits really are
amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all
that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet
after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch. I
hardly expected to get such an answer, not even from you.
But Bilbo made no mistake in choosing his heir, though he
little thought how important it would prove. I am afraid you
are right. The Ring will not be able to stay hidden in the
Shire much longer; and for your own sake, as well as for
others, you will have to go, and leave the name of Baggins
behind you. That name will not be safe to have, outside the
Shire or in the Wild. I will give you a travelling name now.
When you go, go as Mr. Underhill.
the shadow of the past 83
\u2018But I don\u2019t think you need go alone. Not if you know of
anyone you can trust, and who would be willing to go by
your side \u2013 and that you would be willing to take into
unknown perils. But if you look for a companion, be careful
in choosing! And be careful of what you say, even to your
closest friends! The enemy has many spies and many ways
of hearing.\u2019
Suddenly he stopped as if listening. Frodo became aware
that all was very quiet, inside and outside. Gandalf crept to
one side of the window. Then with a dart he sprang to the
sill, and thrust a long arm out and downwards. There was a
squawk, and up came Sam Gamgee\u2019s curly head hauled by
one ear.
\u2018Well, well, bless my beard!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Sam Gamgee
is it? Now what may you be doing?\u2019
\u2018Lor bless you, Mr. Gandalf, sir!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Nothing!
Leastways I was just trimming the grass-border under the
window, if you follow me.\u2019 He picked up his shears and
exhibited them as evidence.
\u2018I don\u2019t,\u2019 said Gandalf grimly. \u2018It is some time since I last
heard the sound of your shears. How long have you been
eavesdropping?\u2019
\u2018Eavesdropping, sir? I don\u2019t follow you, begging your
pardon. There ain\u2019t no eaves at Bag End, and that\u2019s a fact.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t be a fool! What have you heard, and why did you
listen?\u2019 Gandalf\u2019s eyes flashed and his brows stuck out like
bristles.
\u2018Mr. Frodo, sir!\u2019 cried Sam quaking. \u2018Don\u2019t let him hurt
me, sir! Don\u2019t let him turn me into anything unnatural! My
old dad would take on so. I meant no harm, on my honour,
sir!\u2019
\u2018He won\u2019t hurt you,\u2019 said Frodo, hardly able to keep from
laughing, although he was himself startled and rather puzzled.
\u2018He knows, as well as I do, that you mean no harm. But just
you up and answer his questions straight away!\u2019
\u2018Well, sir,\u2019 said Sam dithering a little. \u2018I heard a deal that
I didn\u2019t rightly understand, about an enemy, and rings, and
84 the fellowship of the ring
Mr. Bilbo, sir, and dragons, and a fiery mountain, and \u2013 and
Elves, sir. I listened because I couldn\u2019t help myself, if you
know what I mean. Lor bless me, sir, but I do love tales of
that sort. And I believe them too, whatever Ted may say.
Elves, sir! I would dearly love to see them. Couldn\u2019t you take
me to see Elves, sir, when you go?\u2019
Suddenly Gandalf laughed. \u2018Come inside!\u2019 he shouted, and
putting out both his arms he lifted the astonished Sam, shears,
grass-clippings and all, right through the window and stood
him on the floor. \u2018Take you to see Elves, eh?\u2019 he said, eyeing
Sam closely, but with a smile flickering on his face. \u2018So you
heard that Mr. Frodo is going away?\u2019
\u2018I did, sir. And that\u2019s why I choked: which you heard
seemingly. I tried not to, sir, but it burst out of me: I was so
upset.\u2019
\u2018It can\u2019t be helped, Sam,\u2019 said Frodo sadly. He had suddenly realized that flying from the Shire would mean more
painful partings than merely saying farewell to the familiar
comforts of Bag End. \u2018I shall have to go. But\u2019 \u2013 and here he
looked hard at Sam \u2013 \u2018if you really care about me, you will
keep that dead secret. See? If you don\u2019t, if you even breathe
a word of what you\u2019ve heard here, then I hope Gandalf will
turn you into a spotted toad and fill the garden full of grasssnakes.\u2019
Sam fell on his knees, trembling. \u2018Get up, Sam!\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018I have thought of something better than that. Something to shut your mouth, and punish you properly for listening. You shall go away with Mr. Frodo!\u2019
\u2018Me, sir!\u2019 cried Sam, springing up like a dog invited for a
walk. \u2018Me go and see Elves and all! Hooray!\u2019 he shouted, and
then burst into tears.
Chapter 3
THREE IS COMPANY
\u2018You ought to go quietly, and you ought to go soon,\u2019 said
Gandalf. Two or three weeks had passed, and still Frodo
made no sign of getting ready to go.
\u2018I know. But it is difficult to do both,\u2019 he objected. \u2018If I just
vanish like Bilbo, the tale will be all over the Shire in no time.\u2019
\u2018Of course you mustn\u2019t vanish!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018That
wouldn\u2019t do at all! I said soon, not instantly. If you can think
of any way of slipping out of the Shire without its being
generally known, it will be worth a little delay. But you must
not delay too long.\u2019
\u2018What about the autumn, on or after Our Birthday?\u2019 asked
Frodo. \u2018I think I could probably make some arrangements by
then.\u2019
To tell the truth, he was very reluctant to start, now that it
had come to the point: Bag End seemed a more desirable
residence than it had for years, and he wanted to savour as
much as he could of his last summer in the Shire. When
autumn came, he knew that part at least of his heart would
think more kindly of journeying, as it always did at that
season. He had indeed privately made up his mind to leave
on his fiftieth birthday: Bilbo\u2019s one hundred and twentyeighth. It seemed somehow the proper day on which to set
out and follow him. Following Bilbo was uppermost in his
mind, and the one thing that made the thought of leaving
bearable. He thought as little as possible about the Ring, and
where it might lead him in the end. But he did not tell all his
thoughts to Gandalf. What the wizard guessed was always
difficult to tell.
He looked at Frodo and smiled. \u2018Very well,\u2019 he said. \u2018I think
that will do \u2013 but it must not be any later. I am getting very
86 the fellowship of the ring
anxious. In the meanwhile, do take care, and don\u2019t let out
any hint of where you are going! And see that Sam Gamgee
does not talk. If he does, I really shall turn him into a toad.\u2019
\u2018As for where I am going,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018it would be difficult
to give that away, for I have no clear idea myself, yet.\u2019
\u2018Don\u2019t be absurd!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I am not warning you
against leaving an address at the post-office! But you are
leaving the Shire \u2013 and that should not be known, until you
are far away. And you must go, or at least set out, either
North, South, West or East \u2013 and the direction should certainly not be known.\u2019
\u2018I have been so taken up with the thoughts of leaving Bag
End, and of saying farewell, that I have never even considered
the direction,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018For where am I to go? And by
what shall I steer? What is to be my quest? Bilbo went to find
a treasure, there and back again; but I go to lose one, and not
return, as far as I can see.\u2019
\u2018But you cannot see very far,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Neither can
I. It may be your task to find the Cracks of Doom; but that
quest may be for others: I do not know. At any rate you are
not ready for that long road yet.\u2019
\u2018No indeed!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But in the meantime what course
am I to take?\u2019
\u2018Towards danger; but not too rashly, nor too straight,\u2019
answered the wizard. \u2018If you want my advice, make for
Rivendell. That journey should not prove too perilous,
though the Road is less easy than it was, and it will grow
worse as the year fails.\u2019
\u2018Rivendell!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Very good: I will go east, and I
will make for Rivendell. I will take Sam to visit the Elves; he
will be delighted.\u2019 He spoke lightly; but his heart was moved
suddenly with a desire to see the house of Elrond Halfelven,
and breathe the air of that deep valley where many of the
Fair Folk still dwelt in peace.
One summer\u2019s evening an astonishing piece of news
reached the Ivy Bush and Green Dragon. Giants and other
three is company 87
portents on the borders of the Shire were forgotten for more
important matters: Mr. Frodo was selling Bag End, indeed
he had already sold it \u2013 to the Sackville-Bagginses!
\u2018For a nice bit, too,\u2019 said some. \u2018At a bargain price,\u2019 said
others, \u2018and that\u2019s more likely when Mistress Lobelia\u2019s the
buyer.\u2019 (Otho had died some years before, at the ripe but
disappointed age of 102.)
Just why Mr. Frodo was selling his beautiful hole was even
more debatable than the price. A few held the theory \u2013 supported by the nods and hints of Mr. Baggins himself \u2013 that
Frodo\u2019s money was running out: he was going to leave
Hobbiton and live in a quiet way on the proceeds of the sale
down in Buckland among his Brandybuck relations. \u2018As far
from the Sackville-Bagginses as may be,\u2019 some added. But so
firmly fixed had the notion of the immeasurable wealth of the
Bagginses of Bag End become that most found this hard to
believe, harder than any other reason or unreason that their
fancy could suggest: to most it suggested a dark and yet
unrevealed plot by Gandalf. Though he kept himself very
quiet and did not go about by day, it was well known that he
was \u2018hiding up in the Bag End\u2019. But however a removal might
fit in with the designs of his wizardry, there was no doubt
about the fact: Frodo Baggins was going back to Buckland.
\u2018Yes, I shall be moving this autumn,\u2019 he said. \u2018Merry
Brandybuck is looking out for a nice little hole for me, or
perhaps a small house.\u2019
As a matter of fact with Merry\u2019s help he had already chosen
and bought a little house at Crickhollow in the country
beyond Bucklebury. To all but Sam he pretended he was
going to settle down there permanently. The decision to set
out eastwards had suggested the idea to him; for Buckland
was on the eastern borders of the Shire, and as he had lived
there in childhood his going back would at least seem
credible.
Gandalf stayed in the Shire for over two months. Then one
evening, at the end of June, soon after Frodo\u2019s plan had been
88 the fellowship of the ring
finally arranged, he suddenly announced that he was going
off again next morning. \u2018Only for a short while, I hope,\u2019 he
said. \u2018But I am going down beyond the southern borders to
get some news, if I can. I have been idle longer than I should.\u2019
He spoke lightly, but it seemed to Frodo that he looked
rather worried. \u2018Has anything happened?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Well no; but I have heard something that has made me
anxious and needs looking into. If I think it necessary after
all for you to get off at once, I shall come back immediately,
or at least send word. In the meanwhile stick to your plan;
but be more careful than ever, especially of the Ring. Let me
impress on you once more: don\u2019t use it!\u2019
He went off at dawn. \u2018I may be back any day,\u2019 he said. \u2018At
the very latest I shall come back for the farewell party. I think
after all you may need my company on the Road.\u2019
At first Frodo was a good deal disturbed, and wondered
often what Gandalf could have heard; but his uneasiness
wore off, and in the fine weather he forgot his troubles for a
while. The Shire had seldom seen so fair a summer, or so
rich an autumn: the trees were laden with apples, honey was
dripping in the combs, and the corn was tall and full.
Autumn was well under way before Frodo began to worry
about Gandalf again. September was passing and there was
still no news of him. The Birthday, and the removal, drew
nearer, and still he did not come, or send word. Bag End
began to be busy. Some of Frodo\u2019s friends came to stay and
help him with the packing: there was Fredegar Bolger and
Folco Boffin, and of course his special friends Pippin Took
and Merry Brandybuck. Between them they turned the whole
place upside-down.
On September 20th two covered carts went off laden to
Buckland, conveying the furniture and goods that Frodo had
not sold to his new home, by way of the Brandywine
Bridge.The next day Frodo became really anxious, and kept
a constant look-out for Gandalf. Thursday, his birthday
morning, dawned as fair and clear as it had long ago for
Bilbo\u2019s great party. Still Gandalf did not appear. In the
three is company 89
evening Frodo gave his farewell feast: it was quite small, just
a dinner for himself and his four helpers; but he was troubled
and felt in no mood for it. The thought that he would so
soon have to part with his young friends weighed on his heart.
He wondered how he would break it to them.
The four younger hobbits were, however, in high spirits,
and the party soon became very cheerful in spite of Gandalf\u2019s
absence. The dining-room was bare except for a table and
chairs, but the food was good, and there was good wine:
Frodo\u2019s wine had not been included in the sale to the
Sackville-Bagginses.
\u2018Whatever happens to the rest of my stuff, when the S.-B.s
get their claws on it, at any rate I have found a good home
for this!\u2019 said Frodo, as he drained his glass. It was the last
drop of Old Winyards.
When they had sung many songs, and talked of many
things they had done together, they toasted Bilbo\u2019s birthday,
and they drank his health and Frodo\u2019s together according to
Frodo\u2019s custom. Then they went out for a sniff of air, and
glimpse of the stars, and then they went to bed. Frodo\u2019s party
was over, and Gandalf had not come.
The next morning they were busy packing another cart
with the remainder of the luggage. Merry took charge of this,
and drove off with Fatty (that is Fredegar Bolger). \u2018Someone
must get there and warm the house before you arrive,\u2019 said
Merry. \u2018Well, see you later \u2013 the day after tomorrow, if you
don\u2019t go to sleep on the way!\u2019
Folco went home after lunch, but Pippin remained behind.
Frodo was restless and anxious, listening in vain for a sound
of Gandalf. He decided to wait until nightfall. After that, if
Gandalf wanted him urgently, he would go to Crickhollow,
and might even get there first. For Frodo was going on foot.
His plan \u2013 for pleasure and a last look at the Shire as much as
any other reason \u2013 was to walk from Hobbiton to Bucklebury
Ferry, taking it fairly easy.
\u2018I shall get myself a bit into training, too,\u2019 he said, looking
90 the fellowship of the ring
at himself in a dusty mirror in the half-empty hall. He had
not done any strenuous walking for a long time, and the
reflection looked rather flabby, he thought.
After lunch, the Sackville-Bagginses, Lobelia and her
sandy-haired son, Lotho, turned up, much to Frodo\u2019s annoyance. \u2018Ours at last!\u2019 said Lobelia, as she stepped inside. It was
not polite; nor strictly true, for the sale of Bag End did not
take effect until midnight. But Lobelia can perhaps be forgiven: she had been obliged to wait about seventy-seven years
longer for Bag End than she once hoped, and she was now a
hundred years old. Anyway, she had come to see that nothing
she had paid for had been carried off; and she wanted the
keys. It took a long while to satisfy her, as she had brought a
complete inventory with her and went right through it. In the
end she departed with Lotho and the spare key and the
promise that the other key would be left at the Gamgees\u2019 in
Bagshot Row. She snorted, and showed plainly that she
thought the Gamgees capable of plundering the hole during
the night. Frodo did not offer her any tea.
He took his own tea with Pippin and Sam Gamgee in the
kitchen. It had been officially announced that Sam was
coming to Buckland \u2018to do for Mr. Frodo and look after his
bit of garden\u2019; an arrangement that was approved by the
Gaffer, though it did not console him for the prospect of
having Lobelia as a neighbour.
\u2018Our last meal at Bag End!\u2019 said Frodo, pushing back his
chair. They left the washing up for Lobelia. Pippin and Sam
strapped up their three packs and piled them in the porch.
Pippin went out for a last stroll in the garden. Sam disappeared.
The sun went down. Bag End seemed sad and gloomy and
dishevelled. Frodo wandered round the familiar rooms, and
saw the light of the sunset fade on the walls, and shadows
creep out of the corners. It grew slowly dark indoors. He
went out and walked down to the gate at the bottom of the
path, and then on a short way down the Hill Road. He half
three is company 91
expected to see Gandalf come striding up through the dusk.
The sky was clear and the stars were growing bright. \u2018It\u2019s
going to be a fine night,\u2019 he said aloud. \u2018That\u2019s good for a
beginning. I feel like walking. I can\u2019t bear any more hanging
about. I am going to start, and Gandalf must follow me.\u2019 He
turned to go back, and then stopped, for he heard voices, just
round the corner by the end of Bagshot Row. One voice was
certainly the old Gaffer\u2019s; the other was strange, and somehow unpleasant. He could not make out what it said, but he
heard the Gaffer\u2019s answers, which were rather shrill. The old
man seemed put out.
\u2018No, Mr. Baggins has gone away. Went this morning, and
my Sam went with him: anyway all his stuff went. Yes, sold
out and gone, I tell\u2019ee. Why? Why\u2019s none of my business,
or yours. Where to? That ain\u2019t no secret. He\u2019s moved to
Bucklebury or some such place, away down yonder. Yes it is
\u2013 a tidy way. I\u2019ve never been so far myself; they\u2019re queer folks
in Buckland. No, I can\u2019t give no message. Good night to
you!\u2019
Footsteps went away down the Hill. Frodo wondered
vaguely why the fact that they did not come on up the Hill
seemed a great relief. \u2018I am sick of questions and curiosity
about my doings, I suppose,\u2019 he thought. \u2018What an inquisitive
lot they all are!\u2019 He had half a mind to go and ask the Gaffer
who the inquirer was; but he thought better (or worse) of it,
and turned and walked quickly back to Bag End.
Pippin was sitting on his pack in the porch. Sam was not
there. Frodo stepped inside the dark door. \u2018Sam!\u2019 he called.
\u2018Sam! Time!\u2019
\u2018Coming, sir!\u2019 came the answer from far within, followed
soon by Sam himself, wiping his mouth. He had been saying
farewell to the beer-barrel in the cellar.
\u2018All aboard, Sam?\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018Yes, sir. I\u2019ll last for a bit now, sir.\u2019
Frodo shut and locked the round door, and gave the key
to Sam. \u2018Run down with this to your home, Sam!\u2019 he said.
\u2018Then cut along the Row and meet us as quick as you can at
92 the fellowship of the ring
the gate in the lane beyond the meadows. We are not going
through the village tonight. Too many ears pricking and eyes
prying.\u2019 Sam ran off at full speed.
\u2018Well, now we\u2019re off at last!\u2019 said Frodo. They shouldered
their packs and took up their sticks, and walked round the
corner to the west side of Bag End. \u2018Good-bye!\u2019 said Frodo,
looking at the dark blank windows. He waved his hand, and
then turned and (following Bilbo, if he had known it) hurried
after Peregrin down the garden-path. They jumped over the
low place in the hedge at the bottom and took to the fields,
passing into the darkness like a rustle in the grasses.
At the bottom of the Hill on its western side they came to
the gate opening on to a narrow lane. There they halted and
adjusted the straps of their packs. Presently Sam appeared,
trotting quickly and breathing hard; his heavy pack was
hoisted high on his shoulders, and he had put on his head a
tall shapeless felt bag, which he called a hat. In the gloom he
looked very much like a dwarf.
\u2018I am sure you have given me all the heaviest stuff,\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018I pity snails, and all that carry their homes on their
backs.\u2019
\u2018I could take a lot more yet, sir. My packet is quite light,\u2019
said Sam stoutly and untruthfully.
\u2018No you don\u2019t, Sam!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018It is good for him. He\u2019s
got nothing except what he ordered us to pack. He\u2019s been
slack lately, and he\u2019ll feel the weight less when he\u2019s walked
off some of his own.\u2019
\u2018Be kind to a poor old hobbit!\u2019 laughed Frodo. \u2018I shall be
as thin as a willow-wand, I\u2019m sure, before I get to Buckland.
But I was talking nonsense. I suspect you have taken more
than your share, Sam, and I shall look into it at our next
packing.\u2019 He picked up his stick again. \u2018Well, we all like
walking in the dark,\u2019 he said, \u2018so let\u2019s put some miles behind
us before bed.\u2019
For a short way they followed the lane westwards. Then
leaving it they turned left and took quietly to the fields again.
three is company 93
They went in single file along hedgerows and the borders of
coppices, and night fell dark about them. In their dark cloaks
they were as invisible as if they all had magic rings. Since
they were all hobbits, and were trying to be silent, they made
no noise that even hobbits would hear. Even the wild things
in the fields and woods hardly noticed their passing.
After some time they crossed the Water, west of Hobbiton,
by a narrow plank-bridge. The stream was there no more than
a winding black ribbon, bordered with leaning alder-trees. A
mile or two further south they hastily crossed the great road
from the Brandywine Bridge; they were now in the Tookland
and bending south-eastwards they made for the Green Hill
Country. As they began to climb its first slopes they looked
back and saw the lamps in Hobbiton far off twinkling in the
gentle valley of the Water. Soon it disappeared in the folds
of the darkened land, and was followed by Bywater beside its
grey pool. When the light of the last farm was far behind,
peeping among the trees, Frodo turned and waved a hand in
farewell.
\u2018I wonder if I shall ever look down into that valley again,\u2019
he said quietly.
When they had walked for about three hours they rested.
The night was clear, cool, and starry, but smoke-like wisps
of mist were creeping up the hill-sides from the streams and
deep meadows. Thin-clad birches, swaying in a light wind
above their heads, made a black net against the pale sky.
They ate a very frugal supper (for hobbits), and then went
on again. Soon they struck a narrow road, that went rolling
up and down, fading grey into the darkness ahead: the road
to Woodhall, and Stock, and the Bucklebury Ferry. It climbed
away from the main road in the Water-valley, and wound
over the skirts of the Green Hills towards Woody End, a wild
corner of the Eastfarthing.
After a while they plunged into a deeply cloven track
between tall trees that rustled their dry leaves in the night. It
was very dark. At first they talked, or hummed a tune softly
together, being now far away from inquisitive ears. Then they
94 the fellowship of the ring
marched on in silence, and Pippin began to lag behind. At
last, as they began to climb a steep slope, he stopped and
yawned.
\u2018I am so sleepy,\u2019 he said, \u2018that soon I shall fall down on
the road. Are you going to sleep on your legs? It is nearly
midnight.\u2019
\u2018I thought you liked walking in the dark,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But
there is no great hurry. Merry expects us some time the day
after tomorrow; but that leaves us nearly two days more.
We\u2019ll halt at the first likely spot.\u2019
\u2018The wind\u2019s in the West,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018If we get to the other
side of this hill, we shall find a spot that is sheltered and snug
enough, sir. There is a dry fir-wood just ahead, if I remember
rightly.\u2019 Sam knew the land well within twenty miles of
Hobbiton, but that was the limit of his geography.
Just over the top of the hill they came on the patch of
fir-wood. Leaving the road they went into the deep resinscented darkness of the trees, and gathered dead sticks and
cones to make a fire. Soon they had a merry crackle of flame
at the foot of a large fir-tree and they sat round it for a while,
until they began to nod. Then, each in an angle of the great
tree\u2019s roots, they curled up in their cloaks and blankets, and
were soon fast asleep. They set no watch; even Frodo feared
no danger yet, for they were still in the heart of the Shire. A
few creatures came and looked at them when the fire had
died away. A fox passing through the wood on business of
his own stopped several minutes and sniffed.
\u2018Hobbits!\u2019 he thought. \u2018Well, what next? I have heard of
strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a
hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them!
There\u2019s something mighty queer behind this.\u2019 He was quite
right, but he never found out any more about it.
The morning came, pale and clammy. Frodo woke up first,
and found that a tree-root had made a hole in his back, and
that his neck was stiff. \u2018Walking for pleasure! Why didn\u2019t I
drive?\u2019 he thought, as he usually did at the beginning of an
three is company 95
expedition. \u2018And all my beautiful feather beds are sold to the
Sackville-Bagginses! These tree-roots would do them good.\u2019
He stretched. \u2018Wake up, hobbits!\u2019 he cried. \u2018It\u2019s a beautiful
morning.\u2019
\u2018What\u2019s beautiful about it?\u2019 said Pippin, peering over the
edge of his blanket with one eye. \u2018Sam! Get breakfast ready
for half-past nine! Have you got the bath-water hot?\u2019
Sam jumped up, looking rather bleary. \u2018No, sir, I haven\u2019t,
sir!\u2019 he said.
Frodo stripped the blankets from Pippin and rolled him
over, and then walked off to the edge of the wood. Away
eastward the sun was rising red out of the mists that lay thick
on the world. Touched with gold and red the autumn trees
seemed to be sailing rootless in a shadowy sea. A little below
him to the left the road ran down steeply into a hollow and
disappeared.
When he returned Sam and Pippin had got a good fire
going. \u2018Water!\u2019 shouted Pippin. \u2018Where\u2019s the water?\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t keep water in my pockets,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018We thought you had gone to find some,\u2019 said Pippin, busy
setting out the food, and cups. \u2018You had better go now.\u2019
\u2018You can come too,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018and bring all the waterbottles.\u2019 There was a stream at the foot of the hill. They filled
their bottles and the small camping kettle at a little fall where
the water fell a few feet over an outcrop of grey stone. It was
icy cold; and they spluttered and puffed as they bathed their
faces and hands.
When their breakfast was over, and their packs all trussed
up again, it was after ten o\u2019clock, and the day was beginning
to turn fine and hot. They went down the slope, and across
the stream where it dived under the road, and up the next
slope, and up and down another shoulder of the hills; and by
that time their cloaks, blankets, water, food, and other gear
already seemed a heavy burden.
The day\u2019s march promised to be warm and tiring work.
After some miles, however, the road ceased to roll up and
down: it climbed to the top of a steep bank in a weary
96 the fellowship of the ring
zig-zagging sort of way, and then prepared to go down for
the last time. In front of them they saw the lower lands dotted
with small clumps of trees that melted away in the distance
to a brown woodland haze. They were looking across the
Woody End towards the Brandywine River. The road wound
away before them like a piece of string.
\u2018The road goes on for ever,\u2019 said Pippin; \u2018but I can\u2019t without a rest. It is high time for lunch.\u2019 He sat down on the bank
at the side of the road and looked away east into the haze,
beyond which lay the River, and the end of the Shire in which
he had spent all his life. Sam stood by him. His round eyes
were wide open \u2013 for he was looking across lands he had
never seen to a new horizon.
\u2018Do Elves live in those woods?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Not that I ever heard,\u2019 said Pippin. Frodo was silent. He
too was gazing eastward along the road, as if he had never
seen it before. Suddenly he spoke, aloud but as if to himself,
saying slowly:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
\u2018That sounds like a bit of old Bilbo\u2019s rhyming,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Or is it one of your imitations? It does not sound altogether
encouraging.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018It came to me then, as if I was
making it up; but I may have heard it long ago. Certainly it
reminds me very much of Bilbo in the last years, before he
went away. He used often to say there was only one Road;
that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep,
and every path was its tributary. \u2018\u2018It\u2019s a dangerous business,
three is company 97
Frodo, going out of your door,\u2019\u2019 he used to say. \u2018\u2018You step
into the Road, and if you don\u2019t keep your feet, there is no
knowing where you might be swept off to. Do you realize
that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood, and
that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain
or even further and to worse places?\u2019\u2019 He used to say that on
the path outside the front door at Bag End, especially after
he had been out for a long walk.\u2019
\u2018Well, the Road won\u2019t sweep me anywhere for an hour at
least,\u2019 said Pippin, unslinging his pack. The others followed
his example, putting their packs against the bank and their
legs out into the road. After a rest they had a good lunch,
and then more rest.
The sun was beginning to get low and the light of afternoon
was on the land as they went down the hill. So far they had
not met a soul on the road. This way was not much used,
being hardly fit for carts, and there was little traffic to the
Woody End. They had been jogging along again for an hour
or more when Sam stopped a moment as if listening. They
were now on level ground, and the road after much winding
lay straight ahead through grass-land sprinkled with tall trees,
outliers of the approaching woods.
\u2018I can hear a pony or a horse coming along the road
behind,\u2019 said Sam.
They looked back, but the turn of the road prevented them
from seeing far. \u2018I wonder if that is Gandalf coming after us,\u2019
said Frodo; but even as he said it, he had a feeling that it was
not so, and a sudden desire to hide from the view of the rider
came over him.
\u2018It may not matter much,\u2019 he said apologetically, \u2018but
I would rather not be seen on the road \u2013 by anyone. I am
sick of my doings being noticed and discussed. And if it is
Gandalf,\u2019 he added as an afterthought, \u2018we can give him a
little surprise, to pay him out for being so late. Let\u2019s get out
of sight!\u2019
The other two ran quickly to the left and down into a little
98 the fellowship of the ring
hollow not far from the road. There they lay flat. Frodo
hesitated for a second: curiosity or some other feeling was
struggling with his desire to hide. The sound of hoofs drew
nearer. Just in time he threw himself down in a patch of long
grass behind a tree that overshadowed the road. Then he
lifted his head and peered cautiously above one of the great
roots.
Round the corner came a black horse, no hobbit-pony but
a full-sized horse; and on it sat a large man, who seemed to
crouch in the saddle, wrapped in a great black cloak and
hood, so that only his boots in the high stirrups showed
below; his face was shadowed and invisible.
When it reached the tree and was level with Frodo the
horse stopped. The riding figure sat quite still with its head
bowed, as if listening. From inside the hood came a noise as
of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned
from side to side of the road.
A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo,
and he thought of his Ring. He hardly dared to breathe, and
yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that
he began slowly to move his hand. He felt that he had only
to slip it on, and then he would be safe. The advice of Gandalf
seemed absurd. Bilbo had used the Ring. \u2018And I am still in
the Shire,\u2019 he thought, as his hand touched the chain on
which it hung. At that moment the rider sat up, and shook
the reins. The horse stepped forward, walking slowly at first,
and then breaking into a quick trot.
Frodo crawled to the edge of the road and watched the
rider, until he dwindled into the distance. He could not be
quite sure, but it seemed to him that suddenly, before it
passed out of sight, the horse turned aside and went into the
trees on the right.
\u2018Well, I call that very queer, and indeed disturbing,\u2019 said
Frodo to himself, as he walked towards his companions.
Pippin and Sam had remained flat in the grass, and had
seen nothing; so Frodo described the rider and his strange
behaviour.
three is company 99
\u2018I can\u2019t say why, but I felt certain he was looking or smelling
for me; and also I felt certain that I did not want him to
discover me. I\u2019ve never seen or felt anything like it in the
Shire before.\u2019
\u2018But what has one of the Big People got to do with us?\u2019
said Pippin. \u2018And what is he doing in this part of the world?\u2019
\u2018There are some Men about,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Down in the
Southfarthing they have had trouble with Big People, I
believe. But I have never heard of anything like this rider.
I wonder where he comes from.\u2019
\u2018Begging your pardon,\u2019 put in Sam suddenly, \u2018I know
where he comes from. It\u2019s from Hobbiton that this here black
rider comes, unless there\u2019s more than one. And I know where
he\u2019s going to.\u2019
\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 said Frodo sharply, looking at him
in astonishment. \u2018Why didn\u2019t you speak up before?\u2019
\u2018I have only just remembered, sir. It was like this: when I
got back to our hole yesterday evening with the key, my dad,
he says to me: Hallo, Sam! he says. I thought you were away
with Mr. Frodo this morning. There\u2019s been a strange customer
asking for Mr. Baggins of Bag End, and he\u2019s only just gone. I\u2019ve
sent him on to Bucklebury. Not that I liked the sound of him. He
seemed mighty put out, when I told him Mr. Baggins had left his
old home for good. Hissed at me, he did. It gave me quite a
shudder. What sort of a fellow was he? says I to the Gaffer. I
don\u2019t know, says he; but he wasn\u2019t a hobbit. He was tall and
black-like, and he stooped over me. I reckon it was one of the Big
Folk from foreign parts. He spoke funny.
\u2018I couldn\u2019t stay to hear more, sir, since you were waiting;
and I didn\u2019t give much heed to it myself. The Gaffer is getting
old, and more than a bit blind, and it must have been near
dark when this fellow come up the Hill and found him taking
the air at the end of our Row. I hope he hasn\u2019t done no harm,
sir, nor me.\u2019
\u2018The Gaffer can\u2019t be blamed anyway,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018As a
matter of fact I heard him talking to a stranger, who seemed
to be inquiring for me, and I nearly went and asked him who
100 the fellowship of the ring
it was. I wish I had, or you had told me about it before. I
might have been more careful on the road.\u2019
\u2018Still, there may be no connexion between this rider and
the Gaffer\u2019s stranger,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018We left Hobbiton secretly
enough, and I don\u2019t see how he could have followed us.\u2019
\u2018What about the smelling, sir?\u2019 said Sam. \u2018And the Gaffer
said he was a black chap.\u2019
\u2018I wish I had waited for Gandalf,\u2019 Frodo muttered. \u2018But
perhaps it would only have made matters worse.\u2019
\u2018Then you know or guess something about this rider?\u2019 said
Pippin, who had caught the muttered words.
\u2018I don\u2019t know, and I would rather not guess,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018All right, cousin Frodo! You can keep your secret for the
present, if you want to be mysterious. In the meanwhile what
are we to do? I should like a bite and a sup, but somehow I
think we had better move on from here. Your talk of sniffing
riders with invisible noses has unsettled me.\u2019
\u2018Yes, I think we will move on now,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but not
on the road \u2013 in case that rider comes back, or another follows
him. We ought to do a good step more today. Buckland is
still miles away.\u2019
The shadows of the trees were long and thin on the grass,
as they started off again. They now kept a stone\u2019s throw to
the left of the road, and kept out of sight of it as much as
they could. But this hindered them; for the grass was thick
and tussocky, and the ground uneven, and the trees began to
draw together into thickets.
The sun had gone down red behind the hills at their backs,
and evening was coming on before they came back to the
road at the end of the long level over which it had run straight
for some miles. At that point it bent left and went down into
the lowlands of the Yale making for Stock; but a lane
branched right, winding through a wood of ancient oak-trees
on its way to Woodhall. \u2018That is the way for us,\u2019 said Frodo.
Not far from the road-meeting they came on the huge hulk
of a tree: it was still alive and had leaves on the small branches
three is company 101
that it had put out round the broken stumps of its long-fallen
limbs; but it was hollow, and could be entered by a great
crack on the side away from the road. The hobbits crept
inside, and sat there upon a floor of old leaves and decayed
wood. They rested and had a light meal, talking quietly and
listening from time to time.
Twilight was about them as they crept back to the lane.
The West wind was sighing in the branches. Leaves were
whispering. Soon the road began to fall gently but steadily
into the dusk. A star came out above the trees in the darkening
East before them. They went abreast and in step, to keep up
their spirits. After a time, as the stars grew thicker and
brighter, the feeling of disquiet left them, and they no longer
listened for the sound of hoofs. They began to hum softly,
as hobbits have a way of doing as they walk along, especially
when they are drawing near to home at night. With most
hobbits it is a supper-song or a bed-song; but these hobbits
hummed a walking-song (though not, of course, without any
mention of supper and bed). Bilbo Baggins had made the
words, to a tune that was as old as the hills, and taught it to
Frodo as they walked in the lanes of the Water-valley and
talked about Adventure.
Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.
Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
Let them pass! Let them pass!
Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by! Pass them by!
Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
102 the fellowship of the ring
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
Let them go! Let them go!
Sand and stone and pool and dell,
Fare you well! Fare you well!
Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We\u2019ll wander back to home and bed.
Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,
And then to bed! And then to bed!
The song ended. \u2018And now to bed! And now to bed!\u2019 sang
Pippin in a high voice.
\u2018Hush!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I think I hear hoofs again.\u2019
They stopped suddenly and stood as silent as treeshadows, listening. There was a sound of hoofs in the lane,
some way behind, but coming slow and clear down the wind.
Quickly and quietly they slipped off the path, and ran into
the deeper shade under the oak-trees.
\u2018Don\u2019t let us go too far!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I don\u2019t want to be
seen, but I want to see if it is another Black Rider.\u2019
\u2018Very well!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018But don\u2019t forget the sniffing!\u2019
The hoofs drew nearer. They had no time to find any
hiding-place better than the general darkness under the trees;
Sam and Pippin crouched behind a large tree-bole, while
Frodo crept back a few yards towards the lane. It showed
grey and pale, a line of fading light through the wood. Above
it the stars were thick in the dim sky, but there was no moon.
The sound of hoofs stopped. As Frodo watched he saw
three is company 103
something dark pass across the lighter space between two
trees, and then halt. It looked like the black shade of a horse
led by a smaller black shadow. The black shadow stood close
to the point where they had left the path, and it swayed from
side to side. Frodo thought he heard the sound of snuffling.
The shadow bent to the ground, and then began to crawl
towards him.
Once more the desire to slip on the Ring came over Frodo;
but this time it was stronger than before. So strong that,
almost before he realized what he was doing, his hand was
groping in his pocket. But at that moment there came a sound
like mingled song and laughter. Clear voices rose and fell
in the starlit air. The black shadow straightened up and
retreated. It climbed on to the shadowy horse and seemed to
vanish across the lane into the darkness on the other side.
Frodo breathed again.
\u2018Elves!\u2019 exclaimed Sam in a hoarse whisper. \u2018Elves, sir!\u2019 He
would have burst out of the trees and dashed off towards the
voices, if they had not pulled him back.
\u2018Yes, it is Elves,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018One can meet them sometimes in the Woody End. They don\u2019t live in the Shire, but
they wander into it in spring and autumn, out of their own
lands away beyond the Tower Hills. I am thankful that they
do! You did not see, but that Black Rider stopped just here
and was actually crawling towards us when the song began.
As soon as he heard the voices he slipped away.\u2019
\u2018What about the Elves?\u2019 said Sam, too excited to trouble
about the rider. \u2018Can\u2019t we go and see them?\u2019
\u2018Listen! They are coming this way,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018We have
only to wait.\u2019
The singing drew nearer. One clear voice rose now above
the others. It was singing in the fair elven-tongue, of which
Frodo knew only a little, and the others knew nothing. Yet
the sound blending with the melody seemed to shape itself
in their thought into words which they only partly understood. This was the song as Frodo heard it:
104 the fellowship of the ring
Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.
O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.
The song ended. \u2018These are High Elves! They spoke the
name of Elbereth!\u2019 said Frodo in amazement. \u2018Few of that
fairest folk are ever seen in the Shire. Not many now remain
in Middle-earth, east of the Great Sea. This is indeed a
strange chance!\u2019
The hobbits sat in shadow by the wayside. Before long the
Elves came down the lane towards the valley. They passed
slowly, and the hobbits could see the starlight glimmering on
their hair and in their eyes. They bore no lights, yet as they
walked a shimmer, like the light of the moon above the rim
of the hills before it rises, seemed to fall about their feet. They
were now silent, and as the last Elf passed he turned and
looked towards the hobbits and laughed.
\u2018Hail, Frodo!\u2019 he cried. \u2018You are abroad late. Or are you
perhaps lost?\u2019 Then he called aloud to the others, and all the
company stopped and gathered round.
\u2018This is indeed wonderful!\u2019 they said. \u2018Three hobbits in a
three is company 105
wood at night! We have not seen such a thing since Bilbo
went away. What is the meaning of it?\u2019
\u2018The meaning of it, fair people,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018is simply that
we seem to be going the same way as you are. I like walking
under the stars. But I would welcome your company.\u2019
\u2018But we have no need of other company, and hobbits are
so dull,\u2019 they laughed. \u2018And how do you know that we go the
same way as you, for you do not know whither we are going?\u2019
\u2018And how do you know my name?\u2019 asked Frodo in return.
\u2018We know many things,\u2019 they said. \u2018We have seen you
often before with Bilbo, though you may not have seen us.\u2019
\u2018Who are you, and who is your lord?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018I am Gildor,\u2019 answered their leader, the Elf who had first
hailed him. \u2018Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod. We are
Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and
we too are now only tarrying here a while, ere we return over
the Great Sea. But some of our kinsfolk dwell still in peace
in Rivendell. Come now, Frodo, tell us what you are doing?
For we see that there is some shadow of fear upon you.\u2019
\u2018O Wise People!\u2019 interrupted Pippin eagerly. \u2018Tell us about
the Black Riders!\u2019
\u2018Black Riders?\u2019 they said in low voices. \u2018Why do you ask
about Black Riders?\u2019
\u2018Because two Black Riders have overtaken us today, or one
has done so twice,\u2019 said Pippin; \u2018only a little while ago he
slipped away as you drew near.\u2019
The Elves did not answer at once, but spoke together softly
in their own tongue. At length Gildor turned to the hobbits.
\u2018We will not speak of this here,\u2019 he said. \u2018We think you had
best come now with us. It is not our custom, but for this time
we will take you on our road, and you shall lodge with us
tonight, if you will.\u2019
\u2018O Fair Folk! This is good fortune beyond my hope,\u2019 said
Pippin. Sam was speechless. \u2018I thank you indeed, Gildor
Inglorion,\u2019 said Frodo bowing. \u2018Elen s\u0131\u00b4la lu\u00b4menn\u2019 omentielvo,
a star shines on the hour of our meeting,\u2019 he added in the
High-elven speech.
106 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Be careful, friends!\u2019 cried Gildor laughing. \u2018Speak no
secrets! Here is a scholar in the Ancient Tongue. Bilbo was
a good master. Hail, Elf-friend!\u2019 he said, bowing to Frodo.
\u2018Come now with your friends and join our company! You
had best walk in the middle so that you may not stray. You
may be weary before we halt.\u2019
\u2018Why? Where are you going?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018For tonight we go to the woods on the hills above Woodhall. It is some miles, but you shall have rest at the end of it,
and it will shorten your journey tomorrow.\u2019
They now marched on again in silence, and passed like
shadows and faint lights: for Elves (even more than hobbits)
could walk when they wished without sound or footfall.
Pippin soon began to feel sleepy, and staggered once or twice;
but each time a tall Elf at his side put out his arm and saved
him from a fall. Sam walked along at Frodo\u2019s side, as if in a
dream, with an expression on his face half of fear and half of
astonished joy.
The woods on either side became denser; the trees were
now younger and thicker; and as the lane went lower, running
down into a fold of the hills, there were many deep brakes of
hazel on the rising slopes at either hand. At last the Elves
turned aside from the path. A green ride lay almost unseen
through the thickets on the right; and this they followed as it
wound away back up the wooded slopes on to the top of
a shoulder of the hills that stood out into the lower land
of the river-valley. Suddenly they came out of the shadow
of the trees, and before them lay a wide space of grass,
grey under the night. On three sides the woods pressed
upon it; but eastward the ground fell steeply and the tops
of the dark trees, growing at the bottom of the slope, were
below their feet. Beyond, the low lands lay dim and flat
under the stars. Nearer at hand a few lights twinkled in the
village of Woodhall.
The Elves sat on the grass and spoke together in soft voices;
they seemed to take no further notice of the hobbits. Frodo
three is company 107
and his companions wrapped themselves in cloaks and
blankets, and drowsiness stole over them. The night grew on,
and the lights in the valley went out. Pippin fell asleep,
pillowed on a green hillock.
Away high in the East swung Remmirath, the Netted Stars,
and slowly above the mists red Borgil rose, glowing like a
jewel of fire. Then by some shift of airs all the mist was drawn
away like a veil, and there leaned up, as he climbed over the
rim of the world, the Swordsman of the Sky, Menelvagor
with his shining belt. The Elves all burst into song. Suddenly
under the trees a fire sprang up with a red light.
\u2018Come!\u2019 the Elves called to the hobbits. \u2018Come! Now is the
time for speech and merriment!\u2019
Pippin sat up and rubbed his eyes. He shivered. \u2018There is
a fire in the hall, and food for hungry guests,\u2019 said an Elf
standing before him.
At the south end of the greensward there was an opening.
There the green floor ran on into the wood, and formed a
wide space like a hall, roofed by the boughs of trees. Their
great trunks ran like pillars down each side. In the middle
there was a wood-fire blazing, and upon the tree-pillars
torches with lights of gold and silver were burning steadily.
The Elves sat round the fire upon the grass or upon the sawn
rings of old trunks. Some went to and fro bearing cups and
pouring drink; others brought food on heaped plates and
dishes.
\u2018This is poor fare,\u2019 they said to the hobbits; \u2018for we are
lodging in the greenwood far from our halls. If ever you are
our guests at home, we will treat you better.\u2019
\u2018It seems to me good enough for a birthday-party,\u2019 said
Frodo.
Pippin afterwards recalled little of either food or drink, for
his mind was filled with the light upon the elf-faces, and the
sound of voices so various and so beautiful that he felt in a
waking dream. But he remembered that there was bread,
surpassing the savour of a fair white loaf to one who is starving; and fruits sweet as wildberries and richer than the tended
108 the fellowship of the ring
fruits of gardens; he drained a cup that was filled with a
fragrant draught, cool as a clear fountain, golden as a summer
afternoon.
Sam could never describe in words, nor picture clearly to
himself, what he felt or thought that night, though it remained
in his memory as one of the chief events of his life. The
nearest he ever got was to say: \u2018Well, sir, if I could grow
apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was
the singing that went to my heart, if you know what I mean.\u2019
Frodo sat, eating, drinking, and talking with delight; but
his mind was chiefly on the words spoken. He knew a little
of the elf-speech and listened eagerly. Now and again he
spoke to those that served him and thanked them in their
own language. They smiled at him and said laughing: \u2018Here
is a jewel among hobbits!\u2019
After a while Pippin fell fast asleep, and was lifted up and
borne away to a bower under the trees; there he was laid
upon a soft bed and slept the rest of the night away. Sam
refused to leave his master. When Pippin had gone, he came
and sat curled up at Frodo\u2019s feet, where at last he nodded
and closed his eyes. Frodo remained long awake, talking with
Gildor.
They spoke of many things, old and new, and Frodo questioned Gildor much about happenings in the wide world
outside the Shire. The tidings were mostly sad and ominous:
of gathering darkness, the wars of Men, and the flight of the
Elves. At last Frodo asked the question that was nearest to
his heart:
\u2018Tell me, Gildor, have you ever seen Bilbo since he left us?\u2019
Gildor smiled. \u2018Yes,\u2019 he answered. \u2018Twice. He said farewell
to us on this very spot. But I saw him once again, far from
here.\u2019 He would say no more about Bilbo, and Frodo fell
silent.
\u2018You do not ask me or tell me much that concerns yourself,
Frodo,\u2019 said Gildor. \u2018But I already know a little, and I can
read more in your face and in the thought behind your ques-
three is company 109
tions. You are leaving the Shire, and yet you doubt that you
will find what you seek, or accomplish what you intend, or
that you will ever return. Is not that so?\u2019
\u2018It is,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but I thought my going was a secret
known only to Gandalf and my faithful Sam.\u2019 He looked
down at Sam, who was snoring gently.
\u2018The secret will not reach the Enemy from us,\u2019 said Gildor.
\u2018The Enemy?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Then you know why I am
leaving the Shire?\u2019
\u2018I do not know for what reason the Enemy is pursuing
you,\u2019 answered Gildor; \u2018but I perceive that he is \u2013 strange
indeed though that seems to me. And I warn you that peril
is now both before you and behind you, and upon either
side.\u2019
\u2018You mean the Riders? I feared that they were servants of
the Enemy. What are the Black Riders?\u2019
\u2018Has Gandalf told you nothing?\u2019
\u2018Nothing about such creatures.\u2019
\u2018Then I think it is not for me to say more \u2013 lest terror
should keep you from your journey. For it seems to me that
you have set out only just in time, if indeed you are in time.
You must now make haste, and neither stay nor turn back;
for the Shire is no longer any protection to you.\u2019
\u2018I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints and warnings,\u2019 exclaimed Frodo. \u2018I knew
that danger lay ahead, of course; but I did not expect to meet
it in our own Shire. Can\u2019t a hobbit walk from the Water to
the River in peace?\u2019
\u2018But it is not your own Shire,\u2019 said Gildor. \u2018Others dwelt
here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again
when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you:
you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence
it out.\u2019
\u2018I know \u2013 and yet it has always seemed so safe and familiar.
What can I do now? My plan was to leave the Shire secretly,
and make my way to Rivendell; but now my footsteps are
dogged, before ever I get to Buckland.\u2019
110 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018I think you should still follow that plan,\u2019 said Gildor. \u2018I do
not think the Road will prove too hard for your courage. But
if you desire clearer counsel, you should ask Gandalf. I do
not know the reason for your flight, and therefore I do not
know by what means your pursuers will assail you. These
things Gandalf must know. I suppose that you will see him
before you leave the Shire?\u2019
\u2018I hope so. But that is another thing that makes me anxious.
I have been expecting Gandalf for many days. He was to
have come to Hobbiton at the latest two nights ago; but he
has never appeared. Now I am wondering what can have
happened. Should I wait for him?\u2019
Gildor was silent for a moment. \u2018I do not like this news,\u2019
he said at last. \u2018That Gandalf should be late, does not bode
well. But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for
they are subtle and quick to anger. The choice is yours: to go
or wait.\u2019
\u2018And it is also said,\u2019 answered Frodo: \u2018Go not to the Elves
for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.\u2019
\u2018Is it indeed?\u2019 laughed Gildor. \u2018Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the
wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill. But what would
you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how
then shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice,
I will for friendship\u2019s sake give it. I think you should now
go at once, without delay; and if Gandalf does not come
before you set out, then I also advise this: do not go alone.
Take such friends as are trusty and willing. Now you should
be grateful, for I do not give this counsel gladly. The Elves
have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are
little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other
creatures upon earth. Our paths cross theirs seldom, by
chance or purpose. In this meeting there may be more than
chance; but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say
too much.\u2019
\u2018I am deeply grateful,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but I wish you would
tell me plainly what the Black Riders are. If I take your advice
three is company 111
I may not see Gandalf for a long while, and I ought to know
what is the danger that pursues me.\u2019
\u2018Is it not enough to know that they are servants of the
Enemy?\u2019 answered Gildor. \u2018Flee them! Speak no words to
them! They are deadly. Ask no more of me! But my heart
forbodes that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, will
know more of these fell things than Gildor Inglorion. May
Elbereth protect you!\u2019
\u2018But where shall I find courage?\u2019 asked Frodo. \u2018That is
what I chiefly need.\u2019
\u2018Courage is found in unlikely places,\u2019 said Gildor. \u2018Be of
good hope! Sleep now! In the morning we shall have gone; but
we will send our messages through the lands. The Wandering
Companies shall know of your journey, and those that have
power for good shall be on the watch. I name you Elf-friend;
and may the stars shine upon the end of your road! Seldom
have we had such delight in strangers, and it is fair to hear
words of the Ancient Speech from the lips of other wanderers
in the world.\u2019
Frodo felt sleep coming upon him, even as Gildor finished
speaking. \u2018I will sleep now,\u2019 he said; and the Elf led him to a
bower beside Pippin, and he threw himself upon a bed and
fell at once into a dreamless slumber.
Chapter 4
A SHORT CUT TO MUSHROOMS
In the morning Frodo woke refreshed. He was lying in a
bower made by a living tree with branches laced and drooping
to the ground; his bed was of fern and grass, deep and soft
and strangely fragrant. The sun was shining through the
fluttering leaves, which were still green upon the tree. He
jumped up and went out.
Sam was sitting on the grass near the edge of the wood.
Pippin was standing studying the sky and weather. There
was no sign of the Elves.
\u2018They have left us fruit and drink, and bread,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Come and have your breakfast. The bread tastes almost as
good as it did last night. I did not want to leave you any, but
Sam insisted.\u2019
Frodo sat down beside Sam and began to eat. \u2018What is the
plan for today?\u2019 asked Pippin.
\u2018To walk to Bucklebury as quickly as possible,\u2019 answered
Frodo, and gave his attention to the food.
\u2018Do you think we shall see anything of those Riders?\u2019 asked
Pippin cheerfully. Under the morning sun the prospect of
seeing a whole troop of them did not seem very alarming to
him.
\u2018Yes, probably,\u2019 said Frodo, not liking the reminder. \u2018But
I hope to get across the river without their seeing us.\u2019
\u2018Did you find out anything about them from Gildor?\u2019
\u2018Not much \u2013 only hints and riddles,\u2019 said Frodo evasively.
\u2018Did you ask about the sniffing?\u2019
\u2018We didn\u2019t discuss it,\u2019 said Frodo with his mouth full.
\u2018You should have. I am sure it is very important.\u2019
\u2018In that case I am sure Gildor would have refused to explain
it,\u2019 said Frodo sharply. \u2018And now leave me in peace for a bit!
a short cut to mushrooms 113
I don\u2019t want to answer a string of questions while I am eating.
I want to think!\u2019
\u2018Good heavens!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018At breakfast?\u2019 He walked
away towards the edge of the green.
From Frodo\u2019s mind the bright morning \u2013 treacherously
bright, he thought \u2013 had not banished the fear of pursuit; and
he pondered the words of Gildor. The merry voice of Pippin
came to him. He was running on the green turf and singing.
\u2018No! I could not!\u2019 he said to himself. \u2018It is one thing to take
my young friends walking over the Shire with me, until we
are hungry and weary, and food and bed are sweet. To take
them into exile, where hunger and weariness may have no
cure, is quite another \u2013 even if they are willing to come. The
inheritance is mine alone. I don\u2019t think I ought even to take
Sam.\u2019 He looked at Sam Gamgee, and discovered that Sam
was watching him.
\u2018Well, Sam!\u2019 he said. \u2018What about it? I am leaving the Shire
as soon as ever I can \u2013 in fact I have made up my mind now
not even to wait a day at Crickhollow, if it can be helped.\u2019
\u2018Very good, sir!\u2019
\u2018You still mean to come with me?\u2019
\u2018I do.\u2019
\u2018It is going to be very dangerous, Sam. It is already dangerous. Most likely neither of us will come back.\u2019
\u2018If you don\u2019t come back, sir, then I shan\u2019t, that\u2019s certain,\u2019
said Sam. \u2018Don\u2019t you leave him! they said to me. Leave him!
I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the
Moon; and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they\u2019ll
have Sam Gamgee to reckon with, I said. They laughed.\u2019
\u2018Who are they, and what are you talking about?\u2019
\u2018The Elves, sir. We had some talk last night; and they
seemed to know you were going away, so I didn\u2019t see the use
of denying it. Wonderful folk, Elves, sir! Wonderful!\u2019
\u2018They are,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Do you like them still, now you
have had a closer view?\u2019
\u2018They seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, so to speak,\u2019
answered Sam slowly. \u2018It don\u2019t seem to matter what I think
114 the fellowship of the ring
about them. They are quite different from what I expected \u2013
so old and young, and so gay and sad, as it were.\u2019
Frodo looked at Sam rather startled, half expecting to see
some outward sign of the odd change that seemed to have
come over him. It did not sound like the voice of the old Sam
Gamgee that he thought he knew. But it looked like the old
Sam Gamgee sitting there, except that his face was unusually
thoughtful.
\u2018Do you feel any need to leave the Shire now \u2013 now that
your wish to see them has come true already?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Yes, sir. I don\u2019t know how to say it, but after last night
I feel different. I seem to see ahead, in a kind of way. I know
we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but
I know I can\u2019t turn back. It isn\u2019t to see Elves now, nor
dragons, nor mountains, that I want \u2013 I don\u2019t rightly know
what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and
it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if
you understand me.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t altogether. But I understand that Gandalf chose
me a good companion. I am content. We will go together.\u2019
Frodo finished his breakfast in silence. Then standing up
he looked over the land ahead, and called to Pippin.
\u2018All ready to start?\u2019 he said as Pippin ran up. \u2018We must be
getting off at once. We slept late; and there are a good many
miles to go.\u2019
\u2018You slept late, you mean,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I was up long
before; and we are only waiting for you to finish eating and
thinking.\u2019
\u2018I have finished both now. And I am going to make for
Bucklebury Ferry as quickly as possible. I am not going out
of the way, back to the road we left last night: I am going to
cut straight across country from here.\u2019
\u2018Then you are going to fly,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018You won\u2019t cut
straight on foot anywhere in this country.\u2019
\u2018We can cut straighter than the road anyway,\u2019 answered
Frodo. \u2018The Ferry is east from Woodhall; but the hard road
curves away to the left \u2013 you can see a bend of it away north
a short cut to mushrooms 115
over there. It goes round the north end of the Marish so as
to strike the causeway from the Bridge above Stock. But that
is miles out of the way. We could save a quarter of the
distance if we made a line for the Ferry from where we stand.\u2019
\u2018Short cuts make long delays,\u2019 argued Pippin. \u2018The country
is rough round here, and there are bogs and all kinds of
difficulties down in the Marish \u2013 I know the land in these
parts. And if you are worrying about Black Riders, I can\u2019t
see that it is any worse meeting them on a road than in a
wood or a field.\u2019
\u2018It is less easy to find people in the woods and fields,\u2019
answered Frodo. \u2018And if you are supposed to be on the road,
there is some chance that you will be looked for on the road
and not off it.\u2019
\u2018All right!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018I will follow you into every bog
and ditch. But it is hard! I had counted on passing the Golden
Perch at Stock before sundown. The best beer in the Eastfarthing, or used to be: it is a long time since I tasted it.\u2019
\u2018That settles it!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Short cuts make delays, but
inns make longer ones. At all costs we must keep you away
from the Golden Perch. We want to get to Bucklebury before
dark. What do you say, Sam?\u2019
\u2018I will go along with you, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 said Sam (in spite
of private misgivings and a deep regret for the best beer in
the Eastfarthing).
\u2018Then if we are going to toil through bog and briar, let\u2019s
go now!\u2019 said Pippin.
It was already nearly as hot as it had been the day before;
but clouds were beginning to come up from the West. It
looked likely to turn to rain. The hobbits scrambled down a
steep green bank and plunged into the thick trees below.
Their course had been chosen to leave Woodhall to their left,
and to cut slanting through the woods that clustered along
the eastern side of the hills, until they reached the flats
beyond. Then they could make straight for the Ferry over
country that was open, except for a few ditches and fences.
116 the fellowship of the ring
Frodo reckoned they had eighteen miles to go in a straight line.
He soon found that the thicket was closer and more tangled
than it had appeared. There were no paths in the undergrowth, and they did not get on very fast. When they had
struggled to the bottom of the bank, they found a stream
running down from the hills behind in a deeply dug bed with
steep slippery sides overhung with brambles. Most inconveniently it cut across the line they had chosen. They could
not jump over it, nor indeed get across it at all without getting
wet, scratched, and muddy. They halted, wondering what to
do. \u2018First check!\u2019 said Pippin, smiling grimly.
Sam Gamgee looked back. Through an opening in the
trees he caught a glimpse of the top of the green bank from
which they had climbed down.
\u2018Look!\u2019 he said, clutching Frodo by the arm. They all
looked, and on the edge high above them they saw against
the sky a horse standing. Beside it stooped a black figure.
They at once gave up any idea of going back. Frodo led
the way, and plunged quickly into the thick bushes beside the
stream. \u2018Whew!\u2019 he said to Pippin. \u2018We were both right! The
short cut has gone crooked already; but we got under cover
only just in time. You\u2019ve got sharp ears, Sam: can you hear
anything coming?\u2019
They stood still, almost holding their breath as they
listened; but there was no sound of pursuit. \u2018I don\u2019t fancy
he would try bringing his horse down that bank,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018But I guess he knows we came down it. We had better be
going on.\u2019
Going on was not altogether easy. They had packs to carry,
and the bushes and brambles were reluctant to let them
through. They were cut off from the wind by the ridge
behind, and the air was still and stuffy. When they forced
their way at last into more open ground, they were hot and
tired and very scratched, and they were also no longer certain
of the direction in which they were going. The banks of the
stream sank, as it reached the levels and became broader and
shallower, wandering off towards the Marish and the River.
a short cut to mushrooms 117
\u2018Why, this is the Stock-brook!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018If we are going
to try and get back on to our course, we must cross at once
and bear right.\u2019
They waded the stream, and hurried over a wide open
space, rush-grown and treeless, on the further side. Beyond
that they came again to a belt of trees: tall oaks, for the most
part, with here and there an elm tree or an ash. The ground
was fairly level, and there was little undergrowth; but the
trees were too close for them to see far ahead. The leaves
blew upwards in sudden gusts of wind, and spots of rain
began to fall from the overcast sky. Then the wind died away
and the rain came streaming down. They trudged along as
fast as they could, over patches of grass, and through thick
drifts of old leaves; and all about them the rain pattered and
trickled. They did not talk, but kept glancing back, and from
side to side.
After half an hour Pippin said: \u2018I hope we have not turned
too much towards the south, and are not walking longwise
through this wood! It is not a very broad belt \u2013 I should have
said no more than a mile at the widest \u2013 and we ought to
have been through it by now.\u2019
\u2018It is no good our starting to go in zig-zags,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018That won\u2019t mend matters. Let us keep on as we are going!
I am not sure that I want to come out into the open yet.\u2019
They went on for perhaps another couple of miles. Then
the sun gleamed out of ragged clouds again and the rain
lessened. It was now past mid-day, and they felt it was high
time for lunch. They halted under an elm tree: its leaves
though fast turning yellow were still thick, and the ground at
its feet was fairly dry and sheltered. When they came to make
their meal, they found that the Elves had filled their bottles
with a clear drink, pale golden in colour: it had the scent of
a honey made of many flowers, and was wonderfully refreshing. Very soon they were laughing, and snapping their fingers
at rain, and at Black Riders. The last few miles, they felt,
would soon be behind them.
118 the fellowship of the ring
Frodo propped his back against the tree-trunk, and closed
his eyes. Sam and Pippin sat near, and they began to hum,
and then to sing softly:
Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go
To heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
And many miles be still to go,
But under a tall tree I will lie,
And let the clouds go sailing by.
Ho! Ho! Ho! they began again louder. They stopped short
suddenly. Frodo sprang to his feet. A long-drawn wail came
down the wind, like the cry of some evil and lonely creature.
It rose and fell, and ended on a high piercing note. Even as
they sat and stood, as if suddenly frozen, it was answered by
another cry, fainter and further off, but no less chilling to the
blood. There was then a silence, broken only by the sound
of the wind in the leaves.
\u2018And what do you think that was?\u2019 Pippin asked at last,
trying to speak lightly, but quavering a little. \u2018If it was a bird,
it was one that I never heard in the Shire before.\u2019
\u2018It was not bird or beast,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018It was a call, or a
signal \u2013 there were words in that cry, though I could not
catch them. But no hobbit has such a voice.\u2019
No more was said about it. They were all thinking of the
Riders, but no one spoke of them. They were now reluctant
either to stay or go on; but sooner or later they had got to get
across the open country to the Ferry, and it was best to go
sooner and in daylight. In a few moments they had shouldered their packs again and were off.
Before long the wood came to a sudden end. Wide grasslands stretched before them. They now saw that they had, in
fact, turned too much to the south. Away over the flats they
could glimpse the low hill of Bucklebury across the River,
but it was now to their left. Creeping cautiously out from the
a short cut to mushrooms 119
edge of the trees, they set off across the open as quickly as
they could.
At first they felt afraid, away from the shelter of the wood.
Far back behind them stood the high place where they had
breakfasted. Frodo half expected to see the small distant
figure of a horseman on the ridge dark against the sky; but
there was no sign of one. The sun escaping from the breaking
clouds, as it sank towards the hills they had left, was now
shining brightly again. Their fear left them, though they still
felt uneasy. But the land became steadily more tame and
well-ordered. Soon they came into well-tended fields and
meadows: there were hedges and gates and dikes for drainage.
Everything seemed quiet and peaceful, just an ordinary
corner of the Shire. Their spirits rose with every step. The
line of the River grew nearer; and the Black Riders began to
seem like phantoms of the woods now left far behind.
They passed along the edge of a huge turnip-field, and
came to a stout gate. Beyond it a rutted lane ran between low
well-laid hedges towards a distant clump of trees. Pippin
stopped.
\u2018I know these fields and this gate!\u2019 he said. \u2018This is Bamfurlong, old Farmer Maggot\u2019s land. That\u2019s his farm away
there in the trees.\u2019
\u2018One trouble after another!\u2019 said Frodo, looking nearly as
much alarmed as if Pippin had declared the lane was the
slot leading to a dragon\u2019s den. The others looked at him in
surprise.
\u2018What\u2019s wrong with old Maggot?\u2019 asked Pippin. \u2018He\u2019s a
good friend to all the Brandybucks. Of course he\u2019s a terror
to trespassers, and keeps ferocious dogs \u2013 but after all, folk
down here are near the border and have to be more on their
guard.\u2019
\u2018I know,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But all the same,\u2019 he added with a
shamefaced laugh, \u2018I am terrified of him and his dogs. I have
avoided his farm for years and years. He caught me several
times trespassing after mushrooms, when I was a youngster
at Brandy Hall. On the last occasion he beat me, and then
120 the fellowship of the ring
took me and showed me to his dogs. \u2018\u2018See, lads,\u2019\u2019 he said,
\u2018\u2018next time this young varmint sets foot on my land, you can
eat him. Now see him off!\u2019\u2019 They chased me all the way to
the Ferry. I have never got over the fright \u2013 though I daresay
the beasts knew their business and would not really have
touched me.\u2019
Pippin laughed. \u2018Well, it\u2019s time you made it up. Especially
if you are coming back to live in Buckland. Old Maggot is
really a stout fellow \u2013 if you leave his mushrooms alone. Let\u2019s
get into the lane and then we shan\u2019t be trespassing. If we
meet him, I\u2019ll do the talking. He is a friend of Merry\u2019s, and I
used to come here with him a good deal at one time.\u2019
They went along the lane, until they saw the thatched roofs
of a large house and farm-buildings peeping out among the
trees ahead. The Maggots, and the Puddifoots of Stock, and
most of the inhabitants of the Marish, were house-dwellers;
and this farm was stoutly built of brick and had a high wall
all round it. There was a wide wooden gate opening out of
the wall into the lane.
Suddenly as they drew nearer a terrific baying and barking
broke out, and a loud voice was heard shouting: \u2018Grip! Fang!
Wolf! Come on, lads!\u2019
Frodo and Sam stopped dead, but Pippin walked on a few
paces. The gate opened and three huge dogs came pelting
out into the lane, and dashed towards the travellers, barking
fiercely. They took no notice of Pippin; but Sam shrank
against the wall, while two wolvish-looking dogs sniffed at
him suspiciously, and snarled if he moved. The largest and
most ferocious of the three halted in front of Frodo, bristling
and growling.
Through the gate there now appeared a broad thick-set
hobbit with a round red face. \u2018Hallo! Hallo! And who may
you be, and what may you be wanting?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Good afternoon, Mr. Maggot!\u2019 said Pippin.
The farmer looked at him closely. \u2018Well, if it isn\u2019t Master
Pippin \u2013 Mr. Peregrin Took, I should say!\u2019 he cried, changing
a short cut to mushrooms 121
from a scowl to a grin. \u2018It\u2019s a long time since I saw you round
here. It\u2019s lucky for you that I know you. I was just going out
to set my dogs on any strangers. There are some funny things
going on today. Of course, we do get queer folk wandering
in these parts at times. Too near the River,\u2019 he said, shaking
his head. \u2018But this fellow was the most outlandish I have ever
set eyes on. He won\u2019t cross my land without leave a second
time, not if I can stop it.\u2019
\u2018What fellow do you mean?\u2019 asked Pippin.
\u2018Then you haven\u2019t seen him?\u2019 said the farmer. \u2018He went
up the lane towards the causeway not a long while back. He
was a funny customer and asking funny questions. But perhaps you\u2019ll come along inside, and we\u2019ll pass the news more
comfortable. I\u2019ve a drop of good ale on tap, if you and your
friends are willing, Mr. Took.\u2019
It seemed plain that the farmer would tell them more, if
allowed to do it in his own time and fashion, so they all
accepted the invitation. \u2018What about the dogs?\u2019 asked Frodo
anxiously.
The farmer laughed. \u2018They won\u2019t harm you \u2013 not unless I
tell \u2019em to. Here, Grip! Fang! Heel!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Heel, Wolf!\u2019
To the relief of Frodo and Sam, the dogs walked away and
let them go free.
Pippin introduced the other two to the farmer. \u2018Mr. Frodo
Baggins,\u2019 he said. \u2018You may not remember him, but he used
to live at Brandy Hall.\u2019 At the name Baggins the farmer
started, and gave Frodo a sharp glance. For a moment Frodo
thought that the memory of stolen mushrooms had been
aroused, and that the dogs would be told to see him off. But
Farmer Maggot took him by the arm.
\u2018Well, if that isn\u2019t queerer than ever!\u2019 he exclaimed. \u2018Mr.
Baggins is it? Come inside! We must have a talk.\u2019
They went into the farmer\u2019s kitchen, and sat by the wide
fire-place. Mrs. Maggot brought out beer in a huge jug, and
filled four large mugs. It was a good brew, and Pippin found
himself more than compensated for missing the Golden Perch.
Sam sipped his beer suspiciously. He had a natural mistrust
122 the fellowship of the ring
of the inhabitants of other parts of the Shire; and also he was
not disposed to be quick friends with anyone who had beaten
his master, however long ago.
After a few remarks about the weather and the agricultural
prospects (which were no worse than usual), Farmer Maggot
put down his mug and looked at them all in turn.
\u2018Now, Mr. Peregrin,\u2019 he said, \u2018where might you be coming
from, and where might you be going to? Were you coming
to visit me? For, if so, you had gone past my gate without
my seeing you.\u2019
\u2018Well, no,\u2019 answered Pippin. \u2018To tell you the truth, since
you have guessed it, we got into the lane from the other end:
we had come over your fields. But that was quite by accident.
We lost our way in the woods, back near Woodhall, trying to
take a short cut to the Ferry.\u2019
\u2018If you were in a hurry, the road would have served you
better,\u2019 said the farmer. \u2018But I wasn\u2019t worrying about that.
You have leave to walk over my land, if you have a mind,
Mr. Peregrin. And you, Mr. Baggins \u2013 though I daresay you
still like mushrooms.\u2019 He laughed. \u2018Ah yes, I recognized the
name. I recollect the time when young Frodo Baggins was
one of the worst young rascals of Buckland. But it wasn\u2019t
mushrooms I was thinking of. I had just heard the name
Baggins before you turned up. What do you think that funny
customer asked me?\u2019
They waited anxiously for him to go on. \u2018Well,\u2019 the farmer
continued, approaching his point with slow relish, \u2018he came
riding on a big black horse in at the gate, which happened to
be open, and right up to my door. All black he was himself,
too, and cloaked and hooded up, as if he did not want to be
known. \u2018\u2018Now what in the Shire can he want?\u2019\u2019 I thought to
myself. We don\u2019t see many of the Big Folk over the border;
and anyway I had never heard of any like this black fellow.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Good-day to you!\u2019\u2019 I says, going out to him. \u2018\u2018This lane
don\u2019t lead anywhere, and wherever you may be going, your
quickest way will be back to the road.\u2019\u2019 I didn\u2019t like the looks
of him; and when Grip came out, he took one sniff and let
a short cut to mushrooms 123
out a yelp as if he had been stung: he put down his tail and
bolted off howling. The black fellow sat quite still.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I come from yonder,\u2019\u2019 he said, slow and stiff-like,
pointing back west, over my fields, if you please. \u2018\u2018Have you
seen Baggins?\u2019\u2019 he asked in a queer voice, and bent down
towards me. I could not see any face, for his hood fell down
so low; and I felt a sort of shiver down my back. But I did
not see why he should come riding over my land so bold.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Be off!\u2019\u2019 I said. \u2018\u2018There are no Bagginses here. You\u2019re in
the wrong part of the Shire. You had better go back west to
Hobbiton \u2013 but you can go by road this time.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Baggins has left,\u2019\u2019 he answered in a whisper. \u2018\u2018He is
coming. He is not far away. I wish to find him. If he passes
will you tell me? I will come back with gold.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018No you won\u2019t,\u2019\u2019 I said. \u2018\u2018You\u2019ll go back where you
belong, double quick. I give you one minute before I call all
my dogs.\u2019\u2019
\u2018He gave a sort of hiss. It might have been laughing, and
it might not. Then he spurred his great horse right at me,
and I jumped out of the way only just in time. I called the
dogs, but he swung off, and rode through the gate and up
the lane towards the causeway like a bolt of thunder. What
do you think of that?\u2019
Frodo sat for a moment looking at the fire, but his only
thought was how on earth would they reach the Ferry. \u2018I
don\u2019t know what to think,\u2019 he said at last.
\u2018Then I\u2019ll tell you what to think,\u2019 said Maggot. \u2018You should
never have gone mixing yourself up with Hobbiton folk, Mr.
Frodo. Folk are queer up there.\u2019 Sam stirred in his chair, and
looked at the farmer with an unfriendly eye. \u2018But you were
always a reckless lad. When I heard you had left the Brandybucks and gone off to that old Mr. Bilbo, I said that you were
going to find trouble. Mark my words, this all comes of those
strange doings of Mr. Bilbo\u2019s. His money was got in some
strange fashion in foreign parts, they say. Maybe there is
some that want to know what has become of the gold and
jewels that he buried in the hill of Hobbiton, as I hear?\u2019
124 the fellowship of the ring
Frodo said nothing: the shrewd guesses of the farmer were
rather disconcerting.
\u2018Well, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 Maggot went on, \u2018I\u2019m glad that you\u2019ve
had the sense to come back to Buckland. My advice is: stay
there! And don\u2019t get mixed up with these outlandish folk.
You\u2019ll have friends in these parts. If any of these black fellows
come after you again, I\u2019ll deal with them. I\u2019ll say you\u2019re dead,
or have left the Shire, or anything you like. And that might
be true enough; for as like as not it is old Mr. Bilbo they want
news of.\u2019
\u2018Maybe you\u2019re right,\u2019 said Frodo, avoiding the farmer\u2019s eye
and staring at the fire.
Maggot looked at him thoughtfully. \u2018Well, I see you have
ideas of your own,\u2019 he said. \u2018It is as plain as my nose that no
accident brought you and that rider here on the same afternoon; and maybe my news was no great news to you, after
all. I am not asking you to tell me anything you have a mind
to keep to yourself; but I see you are in some kind of trouble.
Perhaps you are thinking it won\u2019t be too easy to get to the
Ferry without being caught?\u2019
\u2018I was thinking so,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But we have got to try and
get there; and it won\u2019t be done by sitting and thinking. So I
am afraid we must be going. Thank you very much indeed
for your kindness! I\u2019ve been in terror of you and your dogs
for over thirty years, Farmer Maggot, though you may laugh
to hear it. It\u2019s a pity: for I\u2019ve missed a good friend. And now
I\u2019m sorry to leave so soon. But I\u2019ll come back, perhaps, one
day \u2013 if I get a chance.\u2019
\u2018You\u2019ll be welcome when you come,\u2019 said Maggot. \u2018But
now I\u2019ve a notion. It\u2019s near sundown already, and we are
going to have our supper; for we mostly go to bed soon after
the Sun. If you and Mr. Peregrin and all could stay and have
a bite with us, we would be pleased!\u2019
\u2018And so should we!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But we must be going at
once, I\u2019m afraid. Even now it will be dark before we can
reach the Ferry.\u2019
\u2018Ah! but wait a minute! I was going to say: after a bit of
a short cut to mushrooms 125
supper, I\u2019ll get out a small waggon, and I\u2019ll drive you all to
the Ferry. That will save you a good step, and it might also
save you trouble of another sort.\u2019
Frodo now accepted the invitation gratefully, to the relief
of Pippin and Sam. The sun was already behind the western
hills, and the light was failing. Two of Maggot\u2019s sons and his
three daughters came in, and a generous supper was laid on
the large table. The kitchen was lit with candles and the fire
was mended. Mrs. Maggot bustled in and out. One or two
other hobbits belonging to the farm-household came in. In a
short while fourteen sat down to eat. There was beer in
plenty, and a mighty dish of mushrooms and bacon, besides
much other solid farmhouse fare. The dogs lay by the fire
and gnawed rinds and cracked bones.
When they had finished, the farmer and his sons went out
with a lantern and got the waggon ready. It was dark in the
yard, when the guests came out. They threw their packs on
board and climbed in. The farmer sat in the driving-seat, and
whipped up his two stout ponies. His wife stood in the light
of the open door.
\u2018You be careful of yourself, Maggot!\u2019 she called. \u2018Don\u2019t go
arguing with any foreigners, and come straight back!\u2019
\u2018I will!\u2019 said he, and drove out of the gate. There was now
no breath of wind stirring; the night was still and quiet, and
a chill was in the air. They went without lights and took it
slowly. After a mile or two the lane came to an end, crossing
a deep dike, and climbing a short slope up on to the highbanked causeway.
Maggot got down and took a good look either way, north
and south, but nothing could be seen in the darkness, and
there was not a sound in the still air. Thin strands of river-mist
were hanging above the dikes, and crawling over the fields.
\u2018It\u2019s going to be thick,\u2019 said Maggot; \u2018but I\u2019ll not light my
lanterns till I turn for home. We\u2019ll hear anything on the road
long before we meet it tonight.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
126 the fellowship of the ring
It was five miles or more from Maggot\u2019s lane to the Ferry.
The hobbits wrapped themselves up, but their ears were
strained for any sound above the creak of the wheels and the
slow clop of the ponies\u2019 hoofs. The waggon seemed slower
than a snail to Frodo. Beside him Pippin was nodding
towards sleep; but Sam was staring forwards into the rising
fog.
They reached the entrance to the Ferry lane at last. It was
marked by two tall white posts that suddenly loomed up on
their right. Farmer Maggot drew in his ponies and the waggon
creaked to a halt. They were just beginning to scramble out,
when suddenly they heard what they had all been dreading:
hoofs on the road ahead. The sound was coming towards
them.
Maggot jumped down and stood holding the ponies\u2019 heads,
and peering forward into the gloom. Clip-clop, clip-clop came
the approaching rider. The fall of the hoofs sounded loud in
the still, foggy air.
\u2018You\u2019d better be hidden, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 said Sam anxiously.
\u2018You get down in the waggon and cover up with blankets,
and we\u2019ll send this rider to the rightabouts!\u2019 He climbed out
and went to the farmer\u2019s side. Black Riders would have to
ride over him to get near the waggon.
Clop-clop, clop-clop. The rider was nearly on them.
\u2018Hallo there!\u2019 called Farmer Maggot. The advancing hoofs
stopped short. They thought they could dimly guess a dark
cloaked shape in the mist, a yard or two ahead.
\u2018Now then!\u2019 said the farmer, throwing the reins to Sam and
striding forward. \u2018Don\u2019t you come a step nearer! What do
you want, and where are you going?\u2019
\u2018I want Mr. Baggins. Have you seen him?\u2019 said a muffled
voice \u2013 but the voice was the voice of Merry Brandybuck. A
dark lantern was uncovered, and its light fell on the astonished
face of the farmer.
\u2018Mr. Merry!\u2019 he cried.
\u2018Yes, of course! Who did you think it was?\u2019 said Merry
coming forward. As he came out of the mist and their fears
a short cut to mushrooms 127
subsided, he seemed suddenly to diminish to ordinary hobbitsize. He was riding a pony, and a scarf was swathed round
his neck and over his chin to keep out the fog.
Frodo sprang out of the waggon to greet him. \u2018So there
you are at last!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018I was beginning to wonder if
you would turn up at all today, and I was just going back to
supper. When it grew foggy I came across and rode up
towards Stock to see if you had fallen in any ditches. But I\u2019m
blest if I know which way you have come. Where did you
find them, Mr. Maggot? In your duck-pond?\u2019
\u2018No, I caught \u2019em trespassing,\u2019 said the farmer, \u2018and nearly
set my dogs on \u2019em; but they\u2019ll tell you all the story, I\u2019ve no
doubt. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse me, Mr. Merry and Mr. Frodo
and all, I\u2019d best be turning for home. Mrs. Maggot will be
worriting with the night getting thick.\u2019
He backed the waggon into the lane and turned it. \u2018Well,
good night to you all,\u2019 he said. \u2018It\u2019s been a queer day, and no
mistake. But all\u2019s well as ends well; though perhaps we should
not say that until we reach our own doors. I\u2019ll not deny that
I\u2019ll be glad now when I do.\u2019 He lit his lanterns, and got up.
Suddenly he produced a large basket from under the seat. \u2018I
was nearly forgetting,\u2019 he said. \u2018Mrs. Maggot put this up for
Mr. Baggins, with her compliments.\u2019 He handed it down and
moved off, followed by a chorus of thanks and good-nights.
They watched the pale rings of light round his lanterns as
they dwindled into the foggy night. Suddenly Frodo laughed:
from the covered basket he held, the scent of mushrooms
was rising.
Chapter 5
A CONSPIRACY UNMASKED
\u2018Now we had better get home ourselves,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018There\u2019s
something funny about all this, I see; but it must wait till we
get in.\u2019
They turned down the Ferry lane, which was straight and
well-kept and edged with large white-washed stones. In a
hundred yards or so it brought them to the river-bank, where
there was a broad wooden landing-stage. A large flat ferryboat was moored beside it. The white bollards near the
water\u2019s edge glimmered in the light of two lamps on high
posts. Behind them the mists in the flat fields were now above
the hedges; but the water before them was dark, with only a
few curling wisps like steam among the reeds by the bank.
There seemed to be less fog on the further side.
Merry led the pony over a gangway on to the ferry, and
the others followed. Merry then pushed slowly off with a long
pole. The Brandywine flowed slow and broad before them.
On the other side the bank was steep, and up it a winding
path climbed from the further landing. Lamps were twinkling
there. Behind loomed up the Buck Hill; and out of it, through
stray shrouds of mist, shone many round windows, yellow
and red. They were the windows of Brandy Hall, the ancient
home of the Brandybucks.
Long ago Gorhendad Oldbuck, head of the Oldbuck
family, one of the oldest in the Marish or indeed in the Shire,
had crossed the river, which was the original boundary of
the land eastwards. He built (and excavated) Brandy Hall,
changed his name to Brandybuck, and settled down to
become master of what was virtually a small independent
country. His family grew and grew, and after his days con-
a conspiracy unmasked 129
tinued to grow, until Brandy Hall occupied the whole of the
low hill, and had three large front-doors, many side-doors,
and about a hundred windows. The Brandybucks and their
numerous dependants then began to burrow, and later to
build, all round about. That was the origin of Buckland, a
thickly inhabited strip between the river and the Old Forest, a
sort of colony from the Shire. Its chief village was Bucklebury,
clustering in the banks and slopes behind Brandy Hall.
The people in the Marish were friendly with the Bucklanders, and the authority of the Master of the Hall (as the
head of the Brandybuck family was called) was still acknowledged by the farmers between Stock and Rushey. But most
of the folk of the old Shire regarded the Bucklanders as
peculiar, half foreigners as it were. Though, as a matter of
fact, they were not very different from the other hobbits
of the Four Farthings. Except in one point: they were fond
of boats, and some of them could swim.
Their land was originally unprotected from the East; but
on that side they had built a hedge: the High Hay. It had
been planted many generations ago, and was now thick and
tall, for it was constantly tended. It ran all the way from
Brandywine Bridge, in a big loop curving away from the
river, to Haysend (where the Withywindle flowed out of the
Forest into the Brandywine): well over twenty miles from end
to end. But, of course, it was not a complete protection.
The Forest drew close to the hedge in many places. The
Bucklanders kept their doors locked after dark, and that also
was not usual in the Shire.
The ferry-boat moved slowly across the water. The Buckland shore drew nearer. Sam was the only member of the
party who had not been over the river before. He had a
strange feeling as the slow gurgling stream slipped by: his old
life lay behind in the mists, dark adventure lay in front. He
scratched his head, and for a moment had a passing wish that
Mr. Frodo could have gone on living quietly at Bag End.
The four hobbits stepped off the ferry. Merry was tying it
130 the fellowship of the ring
up, and Pippin was already leading the pony up the path,
when Sam (who had been looking back, as if to take farewell
of the Shire) said in a hoarse whisper:
\u2018Look back, Mr. Frodo! Do you see anything?\u2019
On the far stage, under the distant lamps, they could just
make out a figure: it looked like a dark black bundle left
behind. But as they looked it seemed to move and sway this
way and that, as if searching the ground. It then crawled, or
went crouching, back into the gloom beyond the lamps.
\u2018What in the Shire is that?\u2019 exclaimed Merry.
\u2018Something that is following us,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But don\u2019t ask
any more now! Let\u2019s get away at once!\u2019 They hurried up the
path to the top of the bank, but when they looked back the
far shore was shrouded in mist, and nothing could be seen.
\u2018Thank goodness you don\u2019t keep any boats on the westbank!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Can horses cross the river?\u2019
\u2018They can go ten miles north to Brandywine Bridge \u2013 or
they might swim,\u2019 answered Merry. \u2018Though I never heard
of any horse swimming the Brandywine. But what have
horses to do with it?\u2019
\u2018I\u2019ll tell you later. Let\u2019s get indoors and then we can talk.\u2019
\u2018All right! You and Pippin know your way; so I\u2019ll just ride
on and tell Fatty Bolger that you are coming. We\u2019ll see about
supper and things.\u2019
\u2018We had our supper early with Farmer Maggot,\u2019 said
Frodo; \u2018but we could do with another.\u2019
\u2018You shall have it! Give me that basket!\u2019 said Merry, and
rode ahead into the darkness.
It was some distance from the Brandywine to Frodo\u2019s new
house at Crickhollow. They passed Buck Hill and Brandy
Hall on their left, and on the outskirts of Bucklebury struck
the main road of Buckland that ran south from the Bridge.
Half a mile northward along this they came to a lane opening
on their right. This they followed for a couple of miles as it
climbed up and down into the country.
At last they came to a narrow gate in a thick hedge. Nothing
a conspiracy unmasked 131
could be seen of the house in the dark: it stood back from
the lane in the middle of a wide circle of lawn surrounded by
a belt of low trees inside the outer hedge. Frodo had chosen
it, because it stood in an out-of-the-way corner of the
country, and there were no other dwellings close by. You
could get in and out without being noticed. It had been built
a long while before by the Brandybucks, for the use of guests,
or members of the family that wished to escape from the
crowded life of Brandy Hall for a time. It was an oldfashioned countrified house, as much like a hobbit-hole as
possible: it was long and low, with no upper storey; and it
had a roof of turf, round windows, and a large round door.
As they walked up the green path from the gate no light
was visible; the windows were dark and shuttered. Frodo
knocked on the door, and Fatty Bolger opened it. A friendly
light streamed out. They slipped in quickly and shut themselves and the light inside. They were in a wide hall with
doors on either side; in front of them a passage ran back
down the middle of the house.
\u2018Well, what do you think of it?\u2019 asked Merry coming up
the passage. \u2018We have done our best in a short time to make
it look like home. After all Fatty and I only got here with the
last cart-load yesterday.\u2019
Frodo looked round. It did look like home. Many of his
own favourite things \u2013 or Bilbo\u2019s things (they reminded him
sharply of him in their new setting) \u2013 were arranged as nearly
as possible as they had been at Bag End. It was a pleasant,
comfortable, welcoming place; and he found himself wishing
that he was really coming here to settle down in quiet retirement. It seemed unfair to have put his friends to all this
trouble; and he wondered again how he was going to break
the news to them that he must leave them so soon, indeed at
once. Yet that would have to be done that very night, before
they all went to bed.
\u2018It\u2019s delightful!\u2019 he said with an effort. \u2018I hardly feel that I
have moved at all.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
132 the fellowship of the ring
The travellers hung up their cloaks, and piled their packs on
the floor. Merry led them down the passage and threw open a
door at the far end. Firelight came out, and a puff of steam.
\u2018A bath!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018O blessed Meriadoc!\u2019
\u2018Which order shall we go in?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Eldest first, or
quickest first? You\u2019ll be last either way, Master Peregrin.\u2019
\u2018Trust me to arrange things better than that!\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018We can\u2019t begin life at Crickhollow with a quarrel over baths.
In that room there are three tubs, and a copper full of boiling
water. There are also towels, mats and soap. Get inside, and
be quick!\u2019
Merry and Fatty went into the kitchen on the other side of
the passage, and busied themselves with the final preparations
for a late supper. Snatches of competing songs came from
the bathroom mixed with the sound of splashing and wallowing. The voice of Pippin was suddenly lifted up above the
others in one of Bilbo\u2019s favourite bath-songs.
Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!
O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain,
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.
O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.
O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!
a conspiracy unmasked 133
There was a terrific splash, and a shout of Whoa! from
Frodo. It appeared that a lot of Pippin\u2019s bath had imitated a
fountain and leaped on high.
Merry went to the door: \u2018What about supper and beer in
the throat?\u2019 he called. Frodo came out drying his hair.
\u2018There\u2019s so much water in the air that I\u2019m coming into the
kitchen to finish,\u2019 he said.
\u2018Lawks!\u2019 said Merry, looking in. The stone floor was swimming. \u2018You ought to mop all that up before you get anything
to eat, Peregrin,\u2019 he said. \u2018Hurry up, or we shan\u2019t wait for you.\u2019
They had supper in the kitchen on a table near the fire.
\u2018I suppose you three won\u2019t want mushrooms again?\u2019 said
Fredegar without much hope.
\u2018Yes we shall!\u2019 cried Pippin.
\u2018They\u2019re mine!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Given to me by Mrs. Maggot,
a queen among farmers\u2019 wives. Take your greedy hands
away, and I\u2019ll serve them.\u2019
Hobbits have a passion for mushrooms, surpassing even
the greediest likings of Big People. A fact which partly
explains young Frodo\u2019s long expeditions to the renowned
fields of the Marish, and the wrath of the injured Maggot.
On this occasion there was plenty for all, even according to
hobbit standards. There were also many other things to follow, and when they had finished even Fatty Bolger heaved a
sigh of content. They pushed back the table, and drew chairs
round the fire.
\u2018We\u2019ll clear up later,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Now tell me all about it!
I guess that you have been having adventures, which was not
quite fair without me. I want a full account; and most of all
I want to know what was the matter with old Maggot, and
why he spoke to me like that. He sounded almost as if he was
scared, if that is possible.\u2019
\u2018We have all been scared,\u2019 said Pippin after a pause, in
which Frodo stared at the fire and did not speak. \u2018You would
have been, too, if you had been chased for two days by Black
Riders.\u2019
134 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018And what are they?\u2019
\u2018Black figures riding on black horses,\u2019 answered Pippin. \u2018If
Frodo won\u2019t talk, I will tell you the whole tale from the
beginning.\u2019 He then gave a full account of their journey from
the time when they left Hobbiton. Sam gave various supporting nods and exclamations. Frodo remained silent.
\u2018I should think you were making it all up,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018if
I had not seen that black shape on the landing-stage \u2013 and
heard the queer sound in Maggot\u2019s voice. What do you make
of it all, Frodo?\u2019
\u2018Cousin Frodo has been very close,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018But the
time has come for him to open out. So far we have been
given nothing more to go on than Farmer Maggot\u2019s guess
that it has something to do with old Bilbo\u2019s treasure.\u2019
\u2018That was only a guess,\u2019 said Frodo hastily. \u2018Maggot does
not know anything.\u2019
\u2018Old Maggot is a shrewd fellow,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018A lot goes
on behind his round face that does not come out in his talk.
I\u2019ve heard that he used to go into the Old Forest at one time,
and he has the reputation of knowing a good many strange
things. But you can at least tell us, Frodo, whether you think
his guess good or bad.\u2019
\u2018I think,\u2019 answered Frodo slowly, \u2018that it was a good guess,
as far as it goes. There is a connexion with Bilbo\u2019s old adventures, and the Riders are looking, or perhaps one ought to
say searching, for him or for me. I also fear, if you want to
know, that it is no joke at all; and that I am not safe here or
anywhere else.\u2019 He looked round at the windows and walls,
as if he was afraid they would suddenly give way. The others
looked at him in silence, and exchanged meaning glances
among themselves.
\u2018It\u2019s coming out in a minute,\u2019 whispered Pippin to Merry.
Merry nodded.
\u2018Well!\u2019 said Frodo at last, sitting up and straightening his
back, as if he had made a decision. \u2018I can\u2019t keep it dark any
longer. I have got something to tell you all. But I don\u2019t know
quite how to begin.\u2019
a conspiracy unmasked 135
\u2018I think I could help you,\u2019 said Merry quietly, \u2018by telling
you some of it myself.\u2019
\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 said Frodo, looking at him anxiously.
\u2018Just this, my dear old Frodo: you are miserable, because
you don\u2019t know how to say good-bye. You meant to leave the
Shire, of course. But danger has come on you sooner than you
expected, and now you are making up your mind to go at once.
And you don\u2019t want to. We are very sorry for you.\u2019
Frodo opened his mouth and shut it again. His look of
surprise was so comical that they laughed. \u2018Dear old Frodo!\u2019
said Pippin. \u2018Did you really think you had thrown dust in all
our eyes? You have not been nearly careful or clever enough
for that! You have obviously been planning to go and saying
farewell to all your haunts all this year since April. We have
constantly heard you muttering: \u2018\u2018Shall I ever look down
into that valley again, I wonder\u2019\u2019, and things like that. And
pretending that you had come to the end of your money, and
actually selling your beloved Bag End to those SackvilleBagginses! And all those close talks with Gandalf.\u2019
\u2018Good heavens!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I thought I had been both
careful and clever. I don\u2019t know what Gandalf would say. Is
all the Shire discussing my departure then?\u2019
\u2018Oh no!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Don\u2019t worry about that! The secret
won\u2019t keep for long, of course; but at present it is, I think,
only known to us conspirators. After all, you must remember
that we know you well, and are often with you. We can
usually guess what you are thinking. I knew Bilbo, too. To
tell you the truth, I have been watching you rather closely
ever since he left. I thought you would go after him sooner
or later; indeed I expected you to go sooner, and lately we
have been very anxious. We have been terrified that you
might give us the slip, and go off suddenly, all on your own
like he did. Ever since this spring we have kept our eyes open,
and done a good deal of planning on our own account. You
are not going to escape so easily!\u2019
\u2018But I must go,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018It cannot be helped, dear
friends. It is wretched for us all, but it is no use your trying
136 the fellowship of the ring
to keep me. Since you have guessed so much, please help me
and do not hinder me!\u2019
\u2018You do not understand!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018You must go \u2013 and
therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you.
Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon\u2019s
throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but
you will need more than one companion in your dangerous
adventure.\u2019
\u2018My dear and most beloved hobbits!\u2019 said Frodo deeply
moved. \u2018But I could not allow it. I decided that long ago, too.
You speak of danger, but you do not understand. This is no
treasure-hunt, no there-and-back journey. I am flying from
deadly peril into deadly peril.\u2019
\u2018Of course we understand,\u2019 said Merry firmly. \u2018That is
why we have decided to come. We know the Ring is no
laughing-matter; but we are going to do our best to help you
against the Enemy.\u2019
\u2018The Ring!\u2019 said Frodo, now completely amazed.
\u2018Yes, the Ring,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018My dear old hobbit, you don\u2019t
allow for the inquisitiveness of friends. I have known about
the existence of the Ring for years \u2013 before Bilbo went away,
in fact; but since he obviously regarded it as secret, I kept the
knowledge in my head, until we formed our conspiracy. I did
not know Bilbo, of course, as well as I know you; I was too
young, and he was also more careful \u2013 but he was not careful enough. If you want to know how I first found out, I will
tell you.\u2019
\u2018Go on!\u2019 said Frodo faintly.
\u2018It was the Sackville-Bagginses that were his downfall, as you
might expect. One day, a year before the Party, I happened to
be walking along the road, when I saw Bilbo ahead. Suddenly
in the distance the S.-B.s appeared, coming towards us. Bilbo
slowed down, and then hey presto! he vanished. I was so
startled that I hardly had the wits to hide myself in a more
ordinary fashion; but I got through the hedge and walked
along the field inside. I was peeping through into the road,
after the S.-B.s had passed, and was looking straight at Bilbo
a conspiracy unmasked 137
when he suddenly reappeared. I caught a glint of gold as he
put something back in his trouser-pocket.
\u2018After that I kept my eyes open. In fact, I confess that I
spied. But you must admit that it was very intriguing, and
I was only in my teens. I must be the only one in the Shire,
besides you Frodo, that has ever seen the old fellow\u2019s secret
book.\u2019
\u2018You have read his book!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018Good heavens
above! Is nothing safe?\u2019
\u2018Not too safe, I should say,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018But I have only
had one rapid glance, and that was difficult to get. He never
left the book about. I wonder what became of it. I should like
another look. Have you got it, Frodo?\u2019
\u2018No. It was not at Bag End. He must have taken it away.\u2019
\u2018Well, as I was saying,\u2019 Merry proceeded, \u2018I kept my knowledge to myself, till this spring when things got serious. Then
we formed our conspiracy; and as we were serious, too, and
meant business, we have not been too scrupulous. You are
not a very easy nut to crack, and Gandalf is worse. But if you
want to be introduced to our chief investigator, I can produce
him.\u2019
\u2018Where is he?\u2019 said Frodo, looking round, as if he expected
a masked and sinister figure to come out of a cupboard.
\u2018Step forward, Sam!\u2019 said Merry; and Sam stood up with
a face scarlet up to the ears. \u2018Here\u2019s our collector of information! And he collected a lot, I can tell you, before he was
finally caught. After which, I may say, he seemed to regard
himself as on parole, and dried up.\u2019
\u2018Sam!\u2019 cried Frodo, feeling that amazement could go no
further, and quite unable to decide whether he felt angry,
amused, relieved, or merely foolish.
\u2018Yes, sir!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Begging your pardon, sir! But I meant
no wrong to you, Mr. Frodo, nor to Mr. Gandalf for that
matter. He has some sense, mind you; and when you said go
alone, he said no! take someone as you can trust.\u2019
\u2018But it does not seem that I can trust anyone,\u2019 said Frodo.
Sam looked at him unhappily. \u2018It all depends on what you
138 the fellowship of the ring
want,\u2019 put in Merry. \u2018You can trust us to stick to you through
thick and thin \u2013 to the bitter end. And you can trust us to
keep any secret of yours \u2013 closer than you keep it yourself.
But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go
off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway:
there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We
know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid \u2013
but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.\u2019
\u2018And after all, sir,\u2019 added Sam, \u2018you did ought to take the
Elves\u2019 advice. Gildor said you should take them as was willing, and you can\u2019t deny it.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t deny it,\u2019 said Frodo, looking at Sam, who was now
grinning. \u2018I don\u2019t deny it, but I\u2019ll never believe you are sleeping again, whether you snore or not. I shall kick you hard to
make sure.
\u2018You are a set of deceitful scoundrels!\u2019 he said, turning to
the others. \u2018But bless you!\u2019 he laughed, getting up and waving
his arms, \u2018I give in. I will take Gildor\u2019s advice. If the danger
were not so dark, I should dance for joy. Even so, I cannot
help feeling happy; happier than I have felt for a long time.
I had dreaded this evening.\u2019
\u2018Good! That\u2019s settled. Three cheers for Captain Frodo and
company!\u2019 they shouted; and they danced round him. Merry
and Pippin began a song, which they had apparently got
ready for the occasion.
It was made on the model of the dwarf-song that started
Bilbo on his adventure long ago, and went to the same tune:
Farewell we call to hearth and hall!
Though wind may blow and rain may fall,
We must away ere break of day
Far over wood and mountain tall.
To Rivendell, where Elves yet dwell
In glades beneath the misty fell,
Through moor and waste we ride in haste,
And whither then we cannot tell.
a conspiracy unmasked 139
With foes ahead, behind us dread,
Beneath the sky shall be our bed,
Until at last our toil be passed,
Our journey done, our errand sped.
We must away! We must away!
We ride before the break of day!
\u2018Very good!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018But in that case there are a lot of
things to do before we go to bed \u2013 under a roof, for tonight
at any rate.\u2019
\u2018Oh! That was poetry!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Do you really mean
to start before the break of day?\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 answered Frodo. \u2018I fear those Black Riders,
and I am sure it is unsafe to stay in one place long, especially
in a place to which it is known I was going. Also Gildor
advised me not to wait. But I should very much like to see
Gandalf. I could see that even Gildor was disturbed when he
heard that Gandalf had never appeared. It really depends on
two things. How soon could the Riders get to Bucklebury?
And how soon could we get off ? It will take a good deal of
preparation.\u2019
\u2018The answer to the second question,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018is that
we could get off in an hour. I have prepared practically everything. There are five ponies in a stable across the fields; stores
and tackle are all packed, except for a few extra clothes, and
the perishable food.\u2019
\u2018It seems to have been a very efficient conspiracy,\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018But what about the Black Riders? Would it be safe
to wait one day for Gandalf ?\u2019
\u2018That all depends on what you think the Riders would do,
if they found you here,\u2019 answered Merry. \u2018They could have
reached here by now, of course, if they were not stopped at
the North-gate, where the Hedge runs down to the riverbank, just this side of the Bridge. The gate-guards would not
let them through by night, though they might break through.
Even in the daylight they would try to keep them out, I think,
140 the fellowship of the ring
at any rate until they got a message through to the Master of
the Hall \u2013 for they would not like the look of the Riders,
and would certainly be frightened by them. But, of course,
Buckland cannot resist a determined attack for long. And it
is possible that in the morning even a Black Rider that rode
up and asked for Mr. Baggins would be let through. It is
pretty generally known that you are coming back to live at
Crickhollow.\u2019
Frodo sat for a while in thought. \u2018I have made up my
mind,\u2019 he said finally. \u2018I am starting tomorrow, as soon as it
is light. But I am not going by road: it would be safer to wait
here than that. If I go through the North-gate my departure
from Buckland will be known at once, instead of being secret
for several days at least, as it might be. And what is more,
the Bridge and the East Road near the borders will certainly
be watched, whether any Rider gets into Buckland or not.
We don\u2019t know how many there are; but there are at least
two, and possibly more. The only thing to do is to go off in
a quite unexpected direction.\u2019
\u2018But that can only mean going into the Old Forest!\u2019 said
Fredegar horrified. \u2018You can\u2019t be thinking of doing that. It is
quite as dangerous as Black Riders.\u2019
\u2018Not quite,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018It sounds very desperate, but I
believe Frodo is right. It is the only way of getting off without
being followed at once. With luck we might get a considerable
start.\u2019
\u2018But you won\u2019t have any luck in the Old Forest,\u2019 objected
Fredegar. \u2018No one ever has luck in there. You\u2019ll get lost.
People don\u2019t go in there.\u2019
\u2018Oh yes they do!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018The Brandybucks go in \u2013
occasionally when the fit takes them. We have a private
entrance. Frodo went in once, long ago. I have been in several
times: usually in daylight, of course, when the trees are sleepy
and fairly quiet.\u2019
\u2018Well, do as you think best!\u2019 said Fredegar. \u2018I am more
afraid of the Old Forest than of anything I know about: the
a conspiracy unmasked 141
stories about it are a nightmare; but my vote hardly counts,
as I am not going on the journey. Still, I am very glad someone
is stopping behind, who can tell Gandalf what you have done,
when he turns up, as I am sure he will before long.\u2019
Fond as he was of Frodo, Fatty Bolger had no desire to
leave the Shire, nor to see what lay outside it. His family
came from the Eastfarthing, from Budgeford in Bridgefields
in fact, but he had never been over the Brandywine Bridge.
His task, according to the original plans of the conspirators,
was to stay behind and deal with inquisitive folk, and to keep
up as long as possible the pretence that Mr. Baggins was still
living at Crickhollow. He had even brought along some old
clothes of Frodo\u2019s to help him in playing the part. They little
thought how dangerous that part might prove.
\u2018Excellent!\u2019 said Frodo, when he understood the plan. \u2018We
could not have left any message behind for Gandalf otherwise. I don\u2019t know whether these Riders can read or not, of
course, but I should not have dared to risk a written message,
in case they got in and searched the house. But if Fatty is
willing to hold the fort, and I can be sure of Gandalf knowing
the way we have gone, that decides me. I am going into the
Old Forest first thing tomorrow.\u2019
\u2018Well, that\u2019s that,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018On the whole I would rather
have our job than Fatty\u2019s \u2013 waiting here till Black Riders
come.\u2019
\u2018You wait till you are well inside the Forest,\u2019 said Fredegar.
\u2018You\u2019ll wish you were back here with me before this time
tomorrow.\u2019
\u2018It\u2019s no good arguing about it any more,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018We
have still got to tidy up and put the finishing touches to the
packing, before we get to bed. I shall call you all before the
break of day.\u2019
When at last he had got to bed, Frodo could not sleep for
some time. His legs ached. He was glad that he was riding in
the morning. Eventually he fell into a vague dream, in which
he seemed to be looking out of a high window over a dark
142 the fellowship of the ring
sea of tangled trees. Down below among the roots there was
the sound of creatures crawling and snuffling. He felt sure
they would smell him out sooner or later.
Then he heard a noise in the distance. At first he thought
it was a great wind coming over the leaves of the forest. Then
he knew that it was not leaves, but the sound of the Sea
far-off; a sound he had never heard in waking life, though it
had often troubled his dreams. Suddenly he found he was
out in the open. There were no trees after all. He was on a
dark heath, and there was a strange salt smell in the air.
Looking up he saw before him a tall white tower, standing
alone on a high ridge. A great desire came over him to climb
the tower and see the Sea. He started to struggle up the ridge
towards the tower: but suddenly a light came in the sky, and
there was a noise of thunder.
Chapter 6
THE OLD FOREST
Frodo woke suddenly. It was still dark in the room. Merry
was standing there with a candle in one hand, and banging
on the door with the other. \u2018All right! What is it?\u2019 said Frodo,
still shaken and bewildered.
\u2018What is it!\u2019 cried Merry. \u2018It is time to get up. It is half past
four and very foggy. Come on! Sam is already getting breakfast
ready. Even Pippin is up. I am just going to saddle the ponies,
and fetch the one that is to be the baggage-carrier. Wake that
sluggard Fatty! At least he must get up and see us off.\u2019
Soon after six o\u2019clock the five hobbits were ready to start.
Fatty Bolger was still yawning. They stole quietly out of the
house. Merry went in front leading a laden pony, and took
his way along a path that went through a spinney behind the
house, and then cut across several fields. The leaves of trees
were glistening, and every twig was dripping; the grass was
grey with cold dew. Everything was still, and far-away noises
seemed near and clear: fowls chattering in a yard, someone
closing a door of a distant house.
In their shed they found the ponies: sturdy little beasts of
the kind loved by hobbits, not speedy, but good for a long
day\u2019s work. They mounted, and soon they were riding off
into the mist, which seemed to open reluctantly before them
and close forbiddingly behind them. After riding for about
an hour, slowly and without talking, they saw the Hedge
looming suddenly ahead. It was tall and netted over with
silver cobwebs.
\u2018How are you going to get through this?\u2019 asked Fredegar.
\u2018Follow me!\u2019 said Merry, \u2018and you will see.\u2019 He turned to
the left along the Hedge, and soon they came to a point where
it bent inwards, running along the lip of a hollow. A cutting
144 the fellowship of the ring
had been made, at some distance from the Hedge, and went
sloping gently down into the ground. It had walls of brick at
the sides, which rose steadily, until suddenly they arched over
and formed a tunnel that dived deep under the Hedge and
came out in the hollow on the other side.
Here Fatty Bolger halted. \u2018Good-bye, Frodo!\u2019 he said. \u2018I
wish you were not going into the Forest. I only hope you will
not need rescuing before the day is out. But good luck to you
\u2013 today and every day!\u2019
\u2018If there are no worse things ahead than the Old Forest, I
shall be lucky,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Tell Gandalf to hurry along the
East Road: we shall soon be back on it and going as fast as
we can.\u2019 \u2018Good-bye!\u2019 they cried, and rode down the slope
and disappeared from Fredegar\u2019s sight into the tunnel.
It was dark and damp. At the far end it was closed by a
gate of thick-set iron bars. Merry got down and unlocked the
gate, and when they had all passed through he pushed it to
again. It shut with a clang, and the lock clicked. The sound
was ominous.
\u2018There!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018You have left the Shire, and are now
outside, and on the edge of the Old Forest.\u2019
\u2018Are the stories about it true?\u2019 asked Pippin.
\u2018I don\u2019t know what stories you mean,\u2019 Merry answered. \u2018If
you mean the old bogey-stories Fatty\u2019s nurses used to tell
him, about goblins and wolves and things of that sort, I
should say no. At any rate I don\u2019t believe them. But the
Forest is queer. Everything in it is very much more alive,
more aware of what is going on, so to speak, than things are
in the Shire. And the trees do not like strangers. They watch
you. They are usually content merely to watch you, as long
as daylight lasts, and don\u2019t do much. Occasionally the most
unfriendly ones may drop a branch, or stick a root out, or
grasp at you with a long trailer. But at night things can be
most alarming, or so I am told. I have only once or twice
been in here after dark, and then only near the hedge. I
thought all the trees were whispering to each other, passing
news and plots along in an unintelligible language; and the
the old forest 145
branches swayed and groped without any wind. They do say
the trees do actually move, and can surround strangers and
hem them in. In fact long ago they attacked the Hedge: they
came and planted themselves right by it, and leaned over it.
But the hobbits came and cut down hundreds of trees, and
made a great bonfire in the Forest, and burned all the ground
in a long strip east of the Hedge. After that the trees gave up
the attack, but they became very unfriendly. There is still a
wide bare space not far inside where the bonfire was made.\u2019
\u2018Is it only the trees that are dangerous?\u2019 asked Pippin.
\u2018There are various queer things living deep in the Forest,
and on the far side,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018or at least I have heard so;
but I have never seen any of them. But something makes
paths. Whenever one comes inside one finds open tracks; but
they seem to shift and change from time to time in a queer
fashion. Not far from this tunnel there is, or was for a long
time, the beginning of quite a broad path leading to the
Bonfire Glade, and then on more or less in our direction, east
and a little north. That is the path I am going to try and find.\u2019
The hobbits now left the tunnel-gate and rode across the
wide hollow. On the far side was a faint path leading up on
to the floor of the Forest, a hundred yards and more beyond
the Hedge; but it vanished as soon as it brought them under
the trees. Looking back they could see the dark line of the
Hedge through the stems of trees that were already thick
about them. Looking ahead they could see only tree-trunks
of innumerable sizes and shapes: straight or bent, twisted,
leaning, squat or slender, smooth or gnarled and branched;
and all the stems were green or grey with moss and slimy,
shaggy growths.
Merry alone seemed fairly cheerful. \u2018You had better lead
on and find that path,\u2019 Frodo said to him. \u2018Don\u2019t let us lose
one another, or forget which way the Hedge lies!\u2019
They picked a way among the trees, and their ponies
plodded along, carefully avoiding the many writhing and
interlacing roots. There was no undergrowth. The ground
146 the fellowship of the ring
was rising steadily, and as they went forward it seemed that
the trees became taller, darker, and thicker. There was no
sound, except an occasional drip of moisture falling through
the still leaves. For the moment there was no whispering or
movement among the branches; but they all got an uncomfortable feeling that they were being watched with disapproval, deepening to dislike and even enmity. The feeling
steadily grew, until they found themselves looking up quickly,
or glancing back over their shoulders, as if they expected a
sudden blow.
There was not as yet any sign of a path, and the trees
seemed constantly to bar their way. Pippin suddenly felt that
he could not bear it any longer, and without warning let out
a shout. \u2018Oi! Oi!\u2019 he cried. \u2018I am not going to do anything.
Just let me pass through, will you!\u2019
The others halted startled; but the cry fell as if muffled by
a heavy curtain. There was no echo or answer though the
wood seemed to become more crowded and more watchful
than before.
\u2018I should not shout, if I were you,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018It does
more harm than good.\u2019
Frodo began to wonder if it were possible to find a way
through, and if he had been right to make the others come
into this abominable wood. Merry was looking from side to
side, and seemed already uncertain which way to go. Pippin
noticed it. \u2018It has not taken you long to lose us,\u2019 he said. But at
that moment Merry gave a whistle of relief and pointed ahead.
\u2018Well, well!\u2019 he said. \u2018These trees do shift. There is the
Bonfire Glade in front of us (or I hope so), but the path to it
seems to have moved away!\u2019
The light grew clearer as they went forward. Suddenly they
came out of the trees and found themselves in a wide circular
space. There was sky above them, blue and clear to their
surprise, for down under the Forest-roof they had not been
able to see the rising morning and the lifting of the mist. The
sun was not, however, high enough yet to shine down into
the old forest 147
the clearing, though its light was on the tree-tops. The leaves
were all thicker and greener about the edges of the glade,
enclosing it with an almost solid wall. No tree grew there,
only rough grass and many tall plants: stalky and faded hemlocks and wood-parsley, fire-weed seeding into fluffy ashes,
and rampant nettles and thistles. A dreary place: but it
seemed a charming and cheerful garden after the close Forest.
The hobbits felt encouraged, and looked up hopefully at
the broadening daylight in the sky. At the far side of the glade
there was a break in the wall of trees, and a clear path beyond
it. They could see it running on into the wood, wide in places
and open above, though every now and again the trees drew
in and overshadowed it with their dark boughs. Up this path
they rode. They were still climbing gently, but they now went
much quicker, and with better heart; for it seemed to them
that the Forest had relented, and was going to let them pass
unhindered after all.
But after a while the air began to get hot and stuffy. The
trees drew close again on either side, and they could no longer
see far ahead. Now stronger than ever they felt again the
ill will of the wood pressing on them. So silent was it that
the fall of their ponies\u2019 hoofs, rustling on dead leaves and
occasionally stumbling on hidden roots, seemed to thud in
their ears. Frodo tried to sing a song to encourage them, but
his voice sank to a murmur.
O! Wanderers in the shadowed land
despair not! For though dark they stand,
all woods there be must end at last,
and see the open sun go past:
the setting sun, the rising sun,
the day\u2019s end, or the day begun.
For east or west all woods must fail\u2026
Fail \u2013 even as he said the word his voice faded into silence.
The air seemed heavy and the making of words wearisome.
Just behind them a large branch fell from an old overhanging
148 the fellowship of the ring
tree with a crash into the path. The trees seemed to close in
before them.
\u2018They do not like all that about ending and failing,\u2019 said
Merry. \u2018I should not sing any more at present. Wait till we do
get to the edge, and then we\u2019ll turn and give them a rousing
chorus!\u2019
He spoke cheerfully, and if he felt any great anxiety, he did
not show it. The others did not answer. They were depressed.
A heavy weight was settling steadily on Frodo\u2019s heart, and
he regretted now with every step forward that he had ever
thought of challenging the menace of the trees. He was,
indeed, just about to stop and propose going back (if that
was still possible), when things took a new turn. The path
stopped climbing, and became for a while nearly level. The
dark trees drew aside, and ahead they could see the path going
almost straight forward. Before them, but some distance off,
there stood a green hill-top, treeless, rising like a bald head
out of the encircling wood. The path seemed to be making
directly for it.
They now hurried forward again, delighted with the
thought of climbing out for a while above the roof of the
Forest. The path dipped, and then again began to climb
upwards, leading them at last to the foot of the steep hillside.
There it left the trees and faded into the turf. The wood stood
all round the hill like thick hair that ended sharply in a circle
round a shaven crown.
The hobbits led their ponies up, winding round and round
until they reached the top. There they stood and gazed about
them. The air was gleaming and sunlit, but hazy; and they
could not see to any great distance. Near at hand the mist
was now almost gone; though here and there it lay in hollows
of the wood, and to the south of them, out of a deep fold
cutting right across the Forest, the fog still rose like steam or
wisps of white smoke.
\u2018That,\u2019 said Merry, pointing with his hand, \u2018that is the line
of the Withywindle. It comes down out of the Downs and
the old forest 149
flows south-west through the midst of the Forest to join the
Brandywine below Haysend. We don\u2019t want to go that way!
The Withywindle valley is said to be the queerest part of the
whole wood \u2013 the centre from which all the queerness comes,
as it were.\u2019
The others looked in the direction that Merry pointed out,
but they could see little but mists over the damp and deep-cut
valley; and beyond it the southern half of the Forest faded
from view.
The sun on the hill-top was now getting hot. It must have
been about eleven o\u2019clock; but the autumn haze still prevented them from seeing much in other directions. In the
west they could not make out either the line of the Hedge or
the valley of the Brandywine beyond it. Northward, where
they looked most hopefully, they could see nothing that might
be the line of the great East Road, for which they were
making. They were on an island in a sea of trees, and the
horizon was veiled.
On the south-eastern side the ground fell very steeply, as
if the slopes of the hill were continued far down under the
trees, like island-shores that really are the sides of a mountain
rising out of deep waters. They sat on the green edge and
looked out over the woods below them, while they ate their
mid-day meal. As the sun rose and passed noon they
glimpsed far off in the east the grey-green lines of the Downs
that lay beyond the Old Forest on that side. That cheered
them greatly; for it was good to see a sight of anything beyond
the wood\u2019s borders, though they did not mean to go that way,
if they could help it: the Barrow-downs had as sinister a
reputation in hobbit-legend as the Forest itself.
At length they made up their minds to go on again. The path
that had brought them to the hill reappeared on the northward side; but they had not followed it far before they became
aware that it was bending steadily to the right. Soon it began
to descend rapidly and they guessed that it must actually
be heading towards the Withywindle valley: not at all the
150 the fellowship of the ring
direction they wished to take. After some discussion they
decided to leave this misleading path and strike northward;
for although they had not been able to see it from the hill-top,
the Road must lie that way, and it could not be many miles
off. Also northward, and to the left of the path, the land
seemed to be drier and more open, climbing up to slopes
where the trees were thinner, and pines and firs replaced the
oaks and ashes and other strange and nameless trees of the
denser wood.
At first their choice seemed to be good: they got along at
a fair speed, though whenever they got a glimpse of the sun
in an open glade they seemed unaccountably to have veered
eastwards. But after a time the trees began to close in again,
just where they had appeared from a distance to be thinner
and less tangled. Then deep folds in the ground were discovered unexpectedly, like the ruts of great giant-wheels or
wide moats and sunken roads long disused and choked with
brambles. These lay usually right across their line of march,
and could only be crossed by scrambling down and out again,
which was troublesome and difficult with their ponies. Each
time they climbed down they found the hollow filled with thick
bushes and matted undergrowth, which somehow would not
yield to the left, but only gave way when they turned to the
right; and they had to go some distance along the bottom
before they could find a way up the further bank. Each time
they clambered out, the trees seemed deeper and darker; and
always to the left and upwards it was most difficult to find a
way, and they were forced to the right and downwards.
After an hour or two they had lost all clear sense of direction, though they knew well enough that they had long ceased
to go northward at all. They were being headed off, and were
simply following a course chosen for them \u2013 eastwards and
southwards, into the heart of the Forest and not out of it.
The afternoon was wearing away when they scrambled and
stumbled into a fold that was wider and deeper than any they
had yet met. It was so steep and overhung that it proved
the old forest 151
impossible to climb out of it again, either forwards or backwards, without leaving their ponies and their baggage behind.
All they could do was to follow the fold \u2013 downwards. The
ground grew soft, and in places boggy; springs appeared in
the banks, and soon they found themselves following a brook
that trickled and babbled through a weedy bed. Then the
ground began to fall rapidly, and the brook growing strong
and noisy, flowed and leaped swiftly downhill. They were in
a deep dim-lit gully over-arched by trees high above them.
After stumbling along for some way along the stream, they
came quite suddenly out of the gloom. As if through a gate
they saw the sunlight before them. Coming to the opening
they found that they had made their way down through a
cleft in a high steep bank, almost a cliff. At its feet was a
wide space of grass and reeds; and in the distance could be
glimpsed another bank almost as steep. A golden afternoon
of late sunshine lay warm and drowsy upon the hidden land
between. In the midst of it there wound lazily a dark river of
brown water, bordered with ancient willows, arched over
with willows, blocked with fallen willows, and flecked with
thousands of faded willow-leaves. The air was thick with
them, fluttering yellow from the branches; for there was a
warm and gentle breeze blowing softly in the valley, and the
reeds were rustling, and the willow-boughs were creaking.
\u2018Well, now I have at least some notion of where we are!\u2019
said Merry. \u2018We have come almost in the opposite direction
to which we intended. This is the River Withywindle! I will
go on and explore.\u2019
He passed out into the sunshine and disappeared into the
long grasses. After a while he reappeared, and reported that
there was fairly solid ground between the cliff-foot and the
river; in some places firm turf went down to the water\u2019s edge.
\u2018What\u2019s more,\u2019 he said, \u2018there seems to be something like a
footpath winding along on this side of the river. If we turn
left and follow it, we shall be bound to come out on the east
side of the Forest eventually.\u2019
\u2018I dare say!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018That is, if the track goes on so
152 the fellowship of the ring
far, and does not simply lead us into a bog and leave us there.
Who made the track, do you suppose, and why? I am sure it
was not for our benefit. I am getting very suspicious of this
Forest and everything in it, and I begin to believe all the
stories about it. And have you any idea how far eastward we
should have to go?\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018I haven\u2019t. I don\u2019t know in the least how
far down the Withywindle we are, or who could possibly
come here often enough to make a path along it. But there is
no other way out that I can see or think of.\u2019
There being nothing else for it, they filed out, and Merry
led them to the path that he had discovered. Everywhere the
reeds and grasses were lush and tall, in places far above their
heads; but once found, the path was easy to follow, as it
turned and twisted, picking out the sounder ground among
the bogs and pools. Here and there it passed over other rills,
running down gullies into the Withywindle out of the higher
forest-lands, and at these points there were tree-trunks or
bundles of brushwood laid carefully across.
The hobbits began to feel very hot. There were armies of
flies of all kinds buzzing round their ears, and the afternoon
sun was burning on their backs. At last they came suddenly
into a thin shade; great grey branches reached across the
path. Each step forward became more reluctant than the last.
Sleepiness seemed to be creeping out of the ground and up
their legs, and falling softly out of the air upon their heads
and eyes.
Frodo felt his chin go down and his head nod. Just in front
of him Pippin fell forward on to his knees. Frodo halted. \u2018It\u2019s
no good,\u2019 he heard Merry saying. \u2018Can\u2019t go another step without rest. Must have nap. It\u2019s cool under the willows. Less flies!\u2019
Frodo did not like the sound of this. \u2018Come on!\u2019 he cried.
\u2018We can\u2019t have a nap yet. We must get clear of the Forest
first.\u2019 But the others were too far gone to care. Beside them
Sam stood yawning and blinking stupidly.
Suddenly Frodo himself felt sleep overwhelming him. His
the old forest 153
head swam. There now seemed hardly a sound in the air.
The flies had stopped buzzing. Only a gentle noise on the
edge of hearing, a soft fluttering as of a song half whispered,
seemed to stir in the boughs above. He lifted his heavy eyes
and saw leaning over him a huge willow-tree, old and hoary.
Enormous it looked, its sprawling branches going up like
reaching arms with many long-fingered hands, its knotted
and twisted trunk gaping in wide fissures that creaked faintly
as the boughs moved. The leaves fluttering against the bright
sky dazzled him, and he toppled over, lying where he fell
upon the grass.
Merry and Pippin dragged themselves forward and lay
down with their backs to the willow-trunk. Behind them the
great cracks gaped wide to receive them as the tree swayed
and creaked. They looked up at the grey and yellow leaves,
moving softly against the light, and singing. They shut their
eyes, and then it seemed that they could almost hear words,
cool words, saying something about water and sleep. They
gave themselves up to the spell and fell fast asleep at the foot
of the great grey willow.
Frodo lay for a while fighting with the sleep that was overpowering him; then with an effort he struggled to his feet
again. He felt a compelling desire for cool water. \u2018Wait for
me, Sam,\u2019 he stammered. \u2018Must bathe feet a minute.\u2019
Half in a dream he wandered forward to the riverward side
of the tree, where great winding roots grew out into the
stream, like gnarled dragonets straining down to drink. He
straddled one of these, and paddled his hot feet in the cool
brown water; and there he too suddenly fell asleep with his
back against the tree.
Sam sat down and scratched his head, and yawned like a
cavern. He was worried. The afternoon was getting late, and
he thought this sudden sleepiness uncanny. \u2018There\u2019s more
behind this than sun and warm air,\u2019 he muttered to himself.
\u2018I don\u2019t like this great big tree. I don\u2019t trust it. Hark at it
singing about sleep now! This won\u2019t do at all!\u2019
154 the fellowship of the ring
He pulled himself to his feet, and staggered off to see what
had become of the ponies. He found that two had wandered
on a good way along the path; and he had just caught them
and brought them back towards the others, when he heard
two noises; one loud, and the other soft but very clear. One
was the splash of something heavy falling into the water; the
other was a noise like the snick of a lock when a door quietly
closes fast.
He rushed back to the bank. Frodo was in the water close
to the edge, and a great tree-root seemed to be over him and
holding him down, but he was not struggling. Sam gripped
him by the jacket, and dragged him from under the root; and
then with difficulty hauled him on to the bank. Almost at
once he woke, and coughed and spluttered.
\u2018Do you know, Sam,\u2019 he said at length, \u2018the beastly tree
threw me in! I felt it. The big root just twisted round and
tipped me in!\u2019
\u2018You were dreaming I expect, Mr. Frodo,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018You
shouldn\u2019t sit in such a place, if you feel sleepy.\u2019
\u2018What about the others?\u2019 Frodo asked. \u2018I wonder what sort
of dreams they are having.\u2019
They went round to the other side of the tree, and then
Sam understood the click that he had heard. Pippin had
vanished. The crack by which he had laid himself had closed
together, so that not a chink could be seen. Merry was
trapped: another crack had closed about his waist; his legs
lay outside, but the rest of him was inside a dark opening,
the edges of which gripped like a pair of pincers.
Frodo and Sam beat first upon the tree-trunk where Pippin
had lain. They then struggled frantically to pull open the jaws
of the crack that held poor Merry. It was quite useless.
\u2018What a foul thing to happen!\u2019 cried Frodo wildly. \u2018Why did
we ever come into this dreadful Forest? I wish we were all back
at Crickhollow!\u2019 He kicked the tree with all his strength, heedless of his own feet. A hardly perceptible shiver ran through
the stem and up into the branches; the leaves rustled and
whispered, but with a sound now of faint and far-off laughter.
the old forest 155
\u2018I suppose we haven\u2019t got an axe among our luggage, Mr.
Frodo?\u2019 asked Sam.
\u2018I brought a little hatchet for chopping firewood,\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018That wouldn\u2019t be much use.\u2019
\u2018Wait a minute!\u2019 cried Sam, struck by an idea suggested by
firewood. \u2018We might do something with fire!\u2019
\u2018We might,\u2019 said Frodo doubtfully. \u2018We might succeed in
roasting Pippin alive inside.\u2019
\u2018We might try to hurt or frighten this tree to begin with,\u2019
said Sam fiercely. \u2018If it don\u2019t let them go, I\u2019ll have it down, if
I have to gnaw it.\u2019 He ran to the ponies and before long came
back with two tinder-boxes and a hatchet.
Quickly they gathered dry grass and leaves, and bits of
bark; and made a pile of broken twigs and chopped sticks.
These they heaped against the trunk on the far side of the
tree from the prisoners. As soon as Sam had struck a spark
into the tinder, it kindled the dry grass and a flurry of flame
and smoke went up. The twigs crackled. Little fingers of fire
licked against the dry scored rind of the ancient tree and
scorched it. A tremor ran through the whole willow. The
leaves seemed to hiss above their heads with a sound of pain
and anger. A loud scream came from Merry, and from far
inside the tree they heard Pippin give a muffled yell.
\u2018Put it out! Put it out!\u2019 cried Merry. \u2018He\u2019ll squeeze me in
two, if you don\u2019t. He says so!\u2019
\u2018Who? What?\u2019 shouted Frodo, rushing round to the other
side of the tree.
\u2018Put it out! Put it out!\u2019 begged Merry. The branches of the
willow began to sway violently. There was a sound as of a
wind rising and spreading outwards to the branches of all the
other trees round about, as though they had dropped a stone
into the quiet slumber of the river-valley and set up ripples
of anger that ran out over the whole Forest. Sam kicked at
the little fire and stamped out the sparks. But Frodo, without
any clear idea of why he did so, or what he hoped for, ran
along the path crying help! help! help! It seemed to him that
he could hardly hear the sound of his own shrill voice: it was
156 the fellowship of the ring
blown away from him by the willow-wind and drowned in a
clamour of leaves, as soon as the words left his mouth. He
felt desperate: lost and witless.
Suddenly he stopped. There was an answer, or so he
thought; but it seemed to come from behind him, away down
the path further back in the Forest. He turned round and
listened, and soon there could be no doubt: someone was
singing a song; a deep glad voice was singing carelessly and
happily, but it was singing nonsense:
Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!
Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!
Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!
Half hopeful and half afraid of some new danger, Frodo
and Sam now both stood still. Suddenly out of a long string
of nonsense-words (or so they seemed) the voice rose up
loud and clear and burst into this song:
Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My darling!
Light goes the weather-wind and the feathered starling.
Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,
Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,
There my pretty lady is, River-woman\u2019s daughter,
Slender as the willow-wand, clearer than the water.
Old Tom Bombadil water-lilies bringing
Comes hopping home again. Can you hear him singing?
Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! and merry-o,
Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!
Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!
Tom\u2019s in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.
Tom\u2019s going home again water-lilies bringing.
Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?
Frodo and Sam stood as if enchanted. The wind puffed
out. The leaves hung silently again on stiff branches. There
was another burst of song, and then suddenly, hopping and
the old forest 157
dancing along the path, there appeared above the reeds an
old battered hat with a tall crown and a long blue feather
stuck in the band. With another hop and a bound there came
into view a man, or so it seemed. At any rate he was too large
and heavy for a hobbit, if not quite tall enough for one of the
Big People, though he made noise enough for one, stumping
along with great yellow boots on his thick legs, and charging
through grass and rushes like a cow going down to drink. He
had a blue coat and a long brown beard; his eyes were blue
and bright, and his face was red as a ripe apple, but creased
into a hundred wrinkles of laughter. In his hands he carried
on a large leaf as on a tray a small pile of white water-lilies.
\u2018Help!\u2019 cried Frodo and Sam running towards him with
their hands stretched out.
\u2018Whoa! Whoa! steady there!\u2019 cried the old man, holding up
one hand, and they stopped short, as if they had been struck
stiff. \u2018Now, my little fellows, where be you a-going to, puffing
like a bellows? What\u2019s the matter here then? Do you know
who I am? I\u2019m Tom Bombadil. Tell me what\u2019s your trouble!
Tom\u2019s in a hurry now. Don\u2019t you crush my lilies!\u2019
\u2018My friends are caught in the willow-tree,\u2019 cried Frodo
breathlessly.
\u2018Master Merry\u2019s being squeezed in a crack!\u2019 cried Sam.
\u2018What?\u2019 shouted Tom Bombadil, leaping up in the air. \u2018Old
Man Willow? Naught worse than that, eh? That can soon be
mended. I know the tune for him. Old grey Willow-man! I\u2019ll
freeze his marrow cold, if he don\u2019t behave himself. I\u2019ll sing
his roots off. I\u2019ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch
away. Old Man Willow!\u2019
Setting down his lilies carefully on the grass, he ran to the
tree. There he saw Merry\u2019s feet still sticking out \u2013 the rest
had already been drawn further inside. Tom put his mouth
to the crack and began singing into it in a low voice. They
could not catch the words, but evidently Merry was aroused.
His legs began to kick. Tom sprang away, and breaking off
a hanging branch smote the side of the willow with it. \u2018You
let them out again, Old Man Willow!\u2019 he said. \u2018What be you
158 the fellowship of the ring
a-thinking of ? You should not be waking. Eat earth! Dig
deep! Drink water! Go to sleep! Bombadil is talking!\u2019 He
then seized Merry\u2019s feet and drew him out of the suddenly
widening crack.
There was a tearing creak and the other crack split open,
and out of it Pippin sprang, as if he had been kicked. Then
with a loud snap both cracks closed fast again. A shudder ran
through the tree from root to tip, and complete silence fell.
\u2018Thank you!\u2019 said the hobbits, one after the other.
Tom Bombadil burst out laughing. \u2018Well, my little fellows!\u2019
said he, stooping so that he peered into their faces. \u2018You shall
come home with me! The table is all laden with yellow cream,
honeycomb, and white bread and butter. Goldberry is waiting. Time enough for questions around the supper table. You
follow after me as quick as you are able!\u2019 With that he picked
up his lilies, and then with a beckoning wave of his hand
went hopping and dancing along the path eastward, still
singing loudly and nonsensically.
Too surprised and too relieved to talk, the hobbits followed
after him as fast as they could. But that was not fast enough.
Tom soon disappeared in front of them, and the noise of his
singing got fainter and further away. Suddenly his voice came
floating back to them in a loud halloo!
Hop along, my little friends, up the Withywindle!
Tom\u2019s going on ahead candles for to kindle.
Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.
When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open,
Out of the window-panes light will twinkle yellow.
Fear no alder black! Heed no hoary willow!
Fear neither root nor bough! Tom goes on before you.
Hey now! merry dol! We\u2019ll be waiting for you!
After that the hobbits heard no more. Almost at once the
sun seemed to sink into the trees behind them. They thought
of the slanting light of evening glittering on the Brandywine
River, and the windows of Bucklebury beginning to gleam
the old forest 159
with hundreds of lights. Great shadows fell across them;
trunks and branches of trees hung dark and threatening over
the path. White mists began to rise and curl on the surface
of the river and stray about the roots of the trees upon its
borders. Out of the very ground at their feet a shadowy steam
arose and mingled with the swiftly falling dusk.
It became difficult to follow the path, and they were very
tired. Their legs seemed leaden. Strange furtive noises ran
among the bushes and reeds on either side of them; and if
they looked up to the pale sky, they caught sight of queer
gnarled and knobbly faces that gloomed dark against the
twilight, and leered down at them from the high bank and
the edges of the wood. They began to feel that all this country
was unreal, and that they were stumbling through an ominous
dream that led to no awakening.
Just as they felt their feet slowing down to a standstill, they
noticed that the ground was gently rising. The water began
to murmur. In the darkness they caught the white glimmer
of foam, where the river flowed over a short fall. Then suddenly the trees came to an end and the mists were left behind.
They stepped out from the Forest, and found a wide sweep
of grass welling up before them. The river, now small and
swift, was leaping merrily down to meet them, glinting here
and there in the light of the stars, which were already shining
in the sky.
The grass under their feet was smooth and short, as if it
had been mown or shaven. The eaves of the Forest behind
were clipped, and trim as a hedge. The path was now plain
before them, well-tended and bordered with stone. It wound
up on to the top of a grassy knoll, now grey under the pale
starry night; and there, still high above them on a further
slope, they saw the twinkling lights of a house. Down again
the path went, and then up again, up a long smooth hillside
of turf, towards the light. Suddenly a wide yellow beam
flowed out brightly from a door that was opened. There was
Tom Bombadil\u2019s house before them, up, down, under hill.
Behind it a steep shoulder of the land lay grey and bare, and
160 the fellowship of the ring
beyond that the dark shapes of the Barrow-downs stalked
away into the eastern night.
They all hurried forward, hobbits and ponies. Already half
their weariness and all their fears had fallen from them. Hey!
Come merry dol! rolled out the song to greet them.
Hey! Come derry dol! Hop along, my hearties!
Hobbits! Ponies all! We are fond of parties.
Now let the fun begin! Let us sing together!
Then another clear voice, as young and as ancient as
Spring, like the song of a glad water flowing down into the
night from a bright morning in the hills, came falling like
silver to meet them:
Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on the heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!
And with that song the hobbits stood upon the threshold,
and a golden light was all about them.
Chapter 7
IN THE HOUSE OF TOM BOMBADIL
The four hobbits stepped over the wide stone threshold, and
stood still, blinking. They were in a long low room, filled with
the light of lamps swinging from the beams of the roof; and
on the table of dark polished wood stood many candles, tall
and yellow, burning brightly.
In a chair, at the far side of the room facing the outer
door, sat a woman. Her long yellow hair rippled down her
shoulders; her gown was green, green as young reeds, shot
with silver like beads of dew; and her belt was of gold, shaped
like a chain of flag-lilies set with the pale-blue eyes of forgetme-nots. About her feet in wide vessels of green and brown
earthenware, white water-lilies were floating, so that she
seemed to be enthroned in the midst of a pool.
\u2018Enter, good guests!\u2019 she said, and as she spoke they knew
that it was her clear voice they had heard singing. They came
a few timid steps further into the room, and began to bow
low, feeling strangely surprised and awkward, like folk that,
knocking at a cottage door to beg for a drink of water, have
been answered by a fair young elf-queen clad in living
flowers. But before they could say anything, she sprang lightly
up and over the lily-bowls, and ran laughing towards them;
and as she ran her gown rustled softly like the wind in the
flowering borders of a river.
\u2018Come dear folk!\u2019 she said, taking Frodo by the hand. \u2018Laugh
and be merry! I am Goldberry, daughter of the River.\u2019 Then
lightly she passed them and closing the door she turned her
back to it, with her white arms spread out across it. \u2018Let us shut
out the night!\u2019 she said. \u2018For you are still afraid, perhaps, of mist
and tree-shadows and deep water, and untame things. Fear
nothing! For tonight you are under the roof of Tom Bombadil.\u2019
162 the fellowship of the ring
The hobbits looked at her in wonder; and she looked at
each of them and smiled. \u2018Fair lady Goldberry!\u2019 said Frodo
at last, feeling his heart moved with a joy that he did not
understand. He stood as he had at times stood enchanted by
fair elven-voices; but the spell that was now laid upon him
was different: less keen and lofty was the delight, but deeper
and nearer to mortal heart; marvellous and yet not strange.
\u2018Fair lady Goldberry!\u2019 he said again. \u2018Now the joy that was
hidden in the songs we heard is made plain to me.
O slender as a willow-wand! O clearer than clear water!
O reed by the living pool! Fair River-daughter!
O spring-time and summer-time, and spring again after!
O wind on the waterfall, and the leaves\u2019 laughter!\u2019
Suddenly he stopped and stammered, overcome with surprise to hear himself saying such things. But Goldberry
laughed.
\u2018Welcome!\u2019 she said. \u2018I had not heard that folk of the Shire
were so sweet-tongued. But I see that you are an Elf-friend;
the light in your eyes and the ring in your voice tells it. This
is a merry meeting! Sit now, and wait for the Master of
the house! He will not be long. He is tending your tired
beasts.\u2019
The hobbits sat down gladly in low rush-seated chairs,
while Goldberry busied herself about the table; and their eyes
followed her, for the slender grace of her movement filled
them with quiet delight. From somewhere behind the house
came the sound of singing. Every now and again they caught,
among many a derry dol and a merry dol and a ring a ding
dillo the repeated words:
Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow;
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.
\u2018Fair lady!\u2019 said Frodo again after a while. \u2018Tell me, if my
asking does not seem foolish, who is Tom Bombadil?\u2019
in the house of tom bombadil 163
\u2018He is,\u2019 said Goldberry, staying her swift movements and
smiling.
Frodo looked at her questioningly. \u2018He is, as you have seen
him,\u2019 she said in answer to his look. \u2018He is the Master of
wood, water, and hill.\u2019
\u2018Then all this strange land belongs to him?\u2019
\u2018No indeed!\u2019 she answered, and her smile faded. \u2018That
would indeed be a burden,\u2019 she added in a low voice, as if to
herself. \u2018The trees and the grasses and all things growing or
living in the land belong each to themselves. Tom Bombadil
is the Master. No one has ever caught old Tom walking in
the forest, wading in the water, leaping on the hill-tops under
light and shadow. He has no fear. Tom Bombadil is master.\u2019
A door opened and in came Tom Bombadil. He had now
no hat and his thick brown hair was crowned with autumn
leaves. He laughed, and going to Goldberry, took her hand.
\u2018Here\u2019s my pretty lady!\u2019 he said, bowing to the hobbits.
\u2018Here\u2019s my Goldberry clothed all in silver-green with flowers
in her girdle! Is the table laden? I see yellow cream and
honeycomb, and white bread, and butter; milk, cheese, and
green herbs and ripe berries gathered. Is that enough for us?
Is the supper ready?\u2019
\u2018It is,\u2019 said Goldberry; \u2018but the guests perhaps are not?\u2019
Tom clapped his hands and cried: \u2018Tom, Tom! your guests
are tired, and you had near forgotten! Come now, my merry
friends, and Tom will refresh you! You shall clean grimy
hands, and wash your weary faces; cast off your muddy
cloaks and comb out your tangles!\u2019
He opened the door, and they followed him down a short
passage and round a sharp turn. They came to a low room
with a sloping roof (a penthouse, it seemed, built on to the
north end of the house). Its walls were of clean stone, but
they were mostly covered with green hanging mats and yellow
curtains. The floor was flagged, and strewn with fresh green
rushes. There were four deep mattresses, each piled with
white blankets, laid on the floor along one side. Against the
opposite wall was a long bench laden with wide earthenware
164 the fellowship of the ring
basins, and beside it stood brown ewers filled with water,
some cold, some steaming hot. There were soft green slippers
set ready beside each bed.
Before long, washed and refreshed, the hobbits were seated
at the table, two on each side, while at either end sat Goldberry and the Master. It was a long and merry meal. Though
the hobbits ate, as only famished hobbits can eat, there was
no lack. The drink in their drinking-bowls seemed to be clear
cold water, yet it went to their hearts like wine and set free
their voices. The guests became suddenly aware that they
were singing merrily, as if it was easier and more natural than
talking.
At last Tom and Goldberry rose and cleared the table
swiftly. The guests were commanded to sit quiet, and were
set in chairs, each with a footstool to his tired feet. There was
a fire in the wide hearth before them, and it was burning
with a sweet smell, as if it were built of apple-wood. When
everything was set in order, all the lights in the room were
put out, except one lamp and a pair of candles at each end
of the chimney-shelf. Then Goldberry came and stood before
them, holding a candle; and she wished them each a good
night and deep sleep.
\u2018Have peace now,\u2019 she said, \u2018until the morning! Heed no
nightly noises! For nothing passes door and window here
save moonlight and starlight and the wind off the hill-top.
Good night!\u2019 She passed out of the room with a glimmer and
a rustle. The sound of her footsteps was like a stream falling
gently away downhill over cool stones in the quiet of night.
Tom sat on a while beside them in silence, while each of
them tried to muster the courage to ask one of the many
questions he had meant to ask at supper. Sleep gathered on
their eyelids. At last Frodo spoke:
\u2018Did you hear me calling, Master, or was it just chance that
brought you at that moment?\u2019
Tom stirred like a man shaken out of a pleasant dream.
\u2018Eh, what?\u2019 said he. \u2018Did I hear you calling? Nay, I did not
in the house of tom bombadil 165
hear: I was busy singing. Just chance brought me then, if
chance you call it. It was no plan of mine, though I was
waiting for you. We heard news of you, and learned that you
were wandering. We guessed you\u2019d come ere long down to
the water: all paths lead that way, down to Withywindle. Old
grey Willow-man, he\u2019s a mighty singer; and it\u2019s hard for little
folk to escape his cunning mazes. But Tom had an errand
there, that he dared not hinder.\u2019 Tom nodded as if sleep was
taking him again; but he went on in a soft singing voice:
I had an errand there: gathering water-lilies,
green leaves and lilies white to please my pretty lady,
the last ere the year\u2019s end to keep them from the winter,
to flower by her pretty feet till the snows are melted.
Each year at summer\u2019s end I go to find them for her,
in a wide pool, deep and clear, far down Withywindle;
there they open first in spring and there they linger latest.
By that pool long ago I found the River-daughter,
fair young Goldberry sitting in the rushes.
Sweet was her singing then, and her heart was beating!
He opened his eyes and looked at them with a sudden glint
of blue:
And that proved well for you \u2013 for now I shall no longer
go down deep again along the forest-water,
not while the year is old. Nor shall I be passing
Old Man Willow\u2019s house this side of spring-time,
not till the merry spring, when the River-daughter
dances down the withy-path to bathe in the water.
He fell silent again; but Frodo could not help asking one
more question: the one he most desired to have answered.
\u2018Tell us, Master,\u2019 he said, \u2018about the Willow-man. What is
he? I have never heard of him before.\u2019
\u2018No, don\u2019t!\u2019 said Merry and Pippin together, sitting suddenly upright. \u2018Not now! Not until the morning!\u2019
166 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018That is right!\u2019 said the old man. \u2018Now is the time for
resting. Some things are ill to hear when the world\u2019s in
shadow. Sleep till the morning-light, rest on the pillow! Heed
no nightly noise! Fear no grey willow!\u2019 And with that he took
down the lamp and blew it out, and grasping a candle in
either hand he led them out of the room.
Their mattresses and pillows were soft as down, and the
blankets were of white wool. They had hardly laid themselves
on the deep beds and drawn the light covers over them before
they were asleep.
In the dead night, Frodo lay in a dream without light. Then
he saw the young moon rising; under its thin light there
loomed before him a black wall of rock, pierced by a dark
arch like a great gate. It seemed to Frodo that he was lifted
up, and passing over he saw that the rock-wall was a circle
of hills, and that within it was a plain, and in the midst of the
plain stood a pinnacle of stone, like a vast tower but not made
by hands. On its top stood the figure of a man. The moon as
it rose seemed to hang for a moment above his head and
glistened in his white hair as the wind stirred it. Up from the
dark plain below came the crying of fell voices, and the howling of many wolves. Suddenly a shadow, like the shape of
great wings, passed across the moon. The figure lifted his
arms and a light flashed from the staff that he wielded. A
mighty eagle swept down and bore him away. The voices
wailed and the wolves yammered. There was a noise like a
strong wind blowing, and on it was borne the sound of hoofs,
galloping, galloping, galloping from the East. \u2018Black Riders!\u2019
thought Frodo as he wakened, with the sound of the hoofs
still echoing in his mind. He wondered if he would ever again
have the courage to leave the safety of these stone walls. He
lay motionless, still listening; but all was now silent, and at
last he turned and fell asleep again or wandered into some
other unremembered dream.
At his side Pippin lay dreaming pleasantly; but a change
came over his dreams and he turned and groaned. Suddenly
in the house of tom bombadil 167
he woke, or thought he had waked, and yet still heard in the
darkness the sound that had disturbed his dream: tip-tap,
squeak: the noise was like branches fretting in the wind,
twig-fingers scraping wall and window: creak, creak, creak.
He wondered if there were willow-trees close to the house;
and then suddenly he had a dreadful feeling that he was not
in an ordinary house at all, but inside the willow and listening
to that horrible dry creaking voice laughing at him again. He
sat up, and felt the soft pillows yield to his hands, and he lay
down again relieved. He seemed to hear the echo of words
in his ears: \u2018Fear nothing! Have peace until the morning!
Heed no nightly noises!\u2019 Then he went to sleep again.
It was the sound of water that Merry heard falling into his
quiet sleep: water streaming down gently, and then spreading,
spreading irresistibly all round the house into a dark shoreless
pool. It gurgled under the walls, and was rising slowly but
surely. \u2018I shall be drowned!\u2019 he thought. \u2018It will find its way
in, and then I shall drown.\u2019 He felt that he was lying in a soft
slimy bog, and springing up he set his foot on the corner of
a cold hard flagstone. Then he remembered where he was
and lay down again. He seemed to hear or remember hearing:
\u2018Nothing passes doors or windows save moonlight and starlight and the wind off the hill-top.\u2019 A little breath of sweet air
moved the curtain. He breathed deep and fell asleep again.
As far as he could remember, Sam slept through the night
in deep content, if logs are contented.
They woke up, all four at once, in the morning light. Tom
was moving about the room whistling like a starling. When
he heard them stir he clapped his hands, and cried: \u2018Hey!
Come merry dol! derry dol! My hearties!\u2019 He drew back the
yellow curtains, and the hobbits saw that these had covered
the windows, at either end of the room, one looking east and
the other looking west.
They leapt up refreshed. Frodo ran to the eastern window,
and found himself looking into a kitchen-garden grey with
dew. He had half expected to see turf right up to the walls,
168 the fellowship of the ring
turf all pocked with hoof-prints. Actually his view was
screened by a tall line of beans on poles; but above and far
beyond them the grey top of the hill loomed up against the
sunrise. It was a pale morning: in the East, behind long clouds
like lines of soiled wool stained red at the edges, lay glimmering deeps of yellow. The sky spoke of rain to come; but the
light was broadening quickly, and the red flowers on the
beans began to glow against the wet green leaves.
Pippin looked out of the western window, down into a pool
of mist. The Forest was hidden under a fog. It was like
looking down on to a sloping cloud-roof from above. There
was a fold or channel where the mist was broken into many
plumes and billows: the valley of the Withywindle. The
stream ran down the hill on the left and vanished into the
white shadows. Near at hand was a flower-garden and a
clipped hedge silver-netted, and beyond that grey shaven
grass pale with dew-drops. There was no willow-tree to be
seen.
\u2018Good morning, merry friends!\u2019 cried Tom, opening the
eastern window wide. A cool air flowed in; it had a rainy
smell. \u2018Sun won\u2019t show her face much today, I\u2019m thinking. I
have been walking wide, leaping on the hill-tops, since the
grey dawn began, nosing wind and weather, wet grass underfoot, wet sky above me. I wakened Goldberry singing
under window; but naught wakes hobbit-folk in the early
morning. In the night little folk wake up in the darkness, and
sleep after light has come! Ring a ding dillo! Wake now, my
merry friends! Forget the nightly noises! Ring a ding dillo
del! derry del, my hearties! If you come soon you\u2019ll find
breakfast on the table. If you come late you\u2019ll get grass and
rain-water!\u2019
Needless to say \u2013 not that Tom\u2019s threat sounded very
serious \u2013 the hobbits came soon, and left the table late and
only when it was beginning to look rather empty. Neither
Tom nor Goldberry were there. Tom could be heard about
the house, clattering in the kitchen, and up and down the
stairs, and singing here and there outside. The room looked
in the house of tom bombadil 169
westward over the mist-clouded valley, and the window was
open. Water dripped down from the thatched eaves above.
Before they had finished breakfast the clouds had joined into
an unbroken roof, and a straight grey rain came softly and
steadily down. Behind its deep curtain the Forest was completely veiled.
As they looked out of the window there came falling gently
as if it was flowing down the rain out of the sky, the clear
voice of Goldberry singing up above them. They could hear
few words, but it seemed plain to them that the song was a
rain-song, as sweet as showers on dry hills, that told the tale
of a river from the spring in the highlands to the Sea far
below. The hobbits listened with delight; and Frodo was glad
in his heart, and blessed the kindly weather, because it
delayed them from departing. The thought of going had been
heavy upon him from the moment he awoke; but he guessed
now that they would not go further that day.
The upper wind settled in the West and deeper and wetter
clouds rolled up to spill their laden rain on the bare heads of
the Downs. Nothing could be seen all round the house but
falling water. Frodo stood near the open door and watched
the white chalky path turn into a little river of milk and go
bubbling away down into the valley. Tom Bombadil came
trotting round the corner of the house, waving his arms as if
he was warding off the rain \u2013 and indeed when he sprang
over the threshold he seemed quite dry, except for his boots.
These he took off and put in the chimney-corner. Then he
sat in the largest chair and called the hobbits to gather round
him.
\u2018This is Goldberry\u2019s washing day,\u2019 he said, \u2018and her
autumn-cleaning. Too wet for hobbit-folk \u2013 let them rest
while they are able! It\u2019s a good day for long tales, for questions
and for answers, so Tom will start the talking.\u2019
He then told them many remarkable stories, sometimes
half as if speaking to himself, sometimes looking at them
suddenly with a bright blue eye under his deep brows. Often
170 the fellowship of the ring
his voice would turn to song, and he would get out of his
chair and dance about. He told them tales of bees and flowers,
the ways of trees, and the strange creatures of the Forest,
about the evil things and good things, things friendly and
things unfriendly, cruel things and kind things, and secrets
hidden under brambles.
As they listened, they began to understand the lives of the
Forest, apart from themselves, indeed to feel themselves as
the strangers where all other things were at home. Moving
constantly in and out of his talk was Old Man Willow, and
Frodo learned now enough to content him, indeed more than
enough, for it was not comfortable lore. Tom\u2019s words laid
bare the hearts of trees and their thoughts, which were often
dark and strange, and filled with a hatred of things that go free
upon the earth, gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning:
destroyers and usurpers. It was not called the Old Forest
without reason, for it was indeed ancient, a survivor of vast
forgotten woods; and in it there lived yet, ageing no quicker
than the hills, the fathers of the fathers of trees, remembering
times when they were lords. The countless years had filled
them with pride and rooted wisdom, and with malice. But
none were more dangerous than the Great Willow: his heart
was rotten, but his strength was green; and he was cunning,
and a master of winds, and his song and thought ran through
the woods on both sides of the river. His grey thirsty spirit
drew power out of the earth and spread like fine root-threads
in the ground, and invisible twig-fingers in the air, till it had
under its dominion nearly all the trees of the Forest from the
Hedge to the Downs.
Suddenly Tom\u2019s talk left the woods and went leaping up
the young stream, over bubbling waterfalls, over pebbles and
worn rocks, and among small flowers in close grass and wet
crannies, wandering at last up on to the Downs. They heard
of the Great Barrows, and the green mounds, and the stonerings upon the hills and in the hollows among the hills. Sheep
were bleating in flocks. Green walls and white walls rose.
There were fortresses on the heights. Kings of little kingdoms
in the house of tom bombadil 171
fought together, and the young Sun shone like fire on the red
metal of their new and greedy swords. There was victory and
defeat; and towers fell, fortresses were burned, and flames
went up into the sky. Gold was piled on the biers of dead
kings and queens; and mounds covered them, and the stone
doors were shut; and the grass grew over all. Sheep walked
for a while biting the grass, but soon the hills were empty
again. A shadow came out of dark places far away, and the
bones were stirred in the mounds. Barrow-wights walked in
the hollow places with a clink of rings on cold fingers, and
gold chains in the wind. Stone rings grinned out of the ground
like broken teeth in the moonlight.
The hobbits shuddered. Even in the Shire the rumour of
the Barrow-wights of the Barrow-downs beyond the Forest
had been heard. But it was not a tale that any hobbit liked to
listen to, even by a comfortable fireside far away. These four
now suddenly remembered what the joy of this house had
driven from their minds: the house of Tom Bombadil nestled
under the very shoulder of those dreaded hills. They lost the
thread of his tale and shifted uneasily, looking aside at one
another.
When they caught his words again they found that he had
now wandered into strange regions beyond their memory and
beyond their waking thought, into times when the world was
wider, and the seas flowed straight to the western Shore; and
still on and back Tom went singing out into ancient starlight,
when only the Elf-sires were awake. Then suddenly he
stopped, and they saw that he nodded as if he was falling
asleep. The hobbits sat still before him, enchanted; and it
seemed as if, under the spell of his words, the wind had
gone, and the clouds had dried up, and the day had been
withdrawn, and darkness had come from East and West, and
all the sky was filled with the light of white stars.
Whether the morning and evening of one day or of many
days had passed Frodo could not tell. He did not feel either
hungry or tired, only filled with wonder. The stars shone
through the window and the silence of the heavens seemed
172 the fellowship of the ring
to be round him. He spoke at last out of his wonder and a
sudden fear of that silence:
\u2018Who are you, Master?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Eh, what?\u2019 said Tom sitting up, and his eyes glinting in
the gloom. \u2018Don\u2019t you know my name yet? That\u2019s the only
answer. Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless?
But you are young and I am old. Eldest, that\u2019s what I am.
Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river
and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first
acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the
little People arriving. He was here before the Kings and the
graves and the Barrow-wights. When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He
knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless \u2013 before
the Dark Lord came from Outside.\u2019
A shadow seemed to pass by the window, and the hobbits
glanced hastily through the panes. When they turned again,
Goldberry stood in the door behind, framed in light. She held
a candle, shielding its flame from the draught with her hand;
and the light flowed through it, like sunlight through a white
shell.
\u2018The rain has ended,\u2019 she said; \u2018and new waters are running
downhill, under the stars. Let us now laugh and be glad!\u2019
\u2018And let us have food and drink!\u2019 cried Tom. \u2018Long tales
are thirsty. And long listening\u2019s hungry work, morning, noon,
and evening!\u2019 With that he jumped out of his chair, and with
a bound took a candle from the chimney-shelf and lit it in
the flame that Goldberry held; then he danced about the
table. Suddenly he hopped through the door and disappeared.
Quickly he returned, bearing a large and laden tray. Then
Tom and Goldberry set the table; and the hobbits sat half in
wonder and half in laughter: so fair was the grace of Goldberry and so merry and odd the caperings of Tom. Yet in
some fashion they seemed to weave a single dance, neither
hindering the other, in and out of the room, and round about
the table; and with great speed food and vessels and lights
in the house of tom bombadil 173
were set in order. The boards blazed with candles, white and
yellow. Tom bowed to his guests. \u2018Supper is ready,\u2019 said
Goldberry; and now the hobbits saw that she was clothed all
in silver with a white girdle, and her shoes were like fishes\u2019
mail. But Tom was all in clean blue, blue as rain-washed
forget-me-nots, and he had green stockings.
It was a supper even better than before. The hobbits under
the spell of Tom\u2019s words may have missed one meal or many,
but when the food was before them it seemed at least a week
since they had eaten. They did not sing or even speak much
for a while, and paid close attention to business. But after a
time their hearts and spirits rose high again, and their voices
rang out in mirth and laughter.
After they had eaten, Goldberry sang many songs for them,
songs that began merrily in the hills and fell softly down into
silence; and in the silences they saw in their minds pools and
waters wider than any they had known, and looking into them
they saw the sky below them and the stars like jewels in the
depths. Then once more she wished them each good night
and left them by the fireside. But Tom now seemed wide
awake and plied them with questions.
He appeared already to know much about them and all
their families, and indeed to know much of all the history
and doings of the Shire down from days hardly remembered
among the hobbits themselves. It no longer surprised them;
but he made no secret that he owed his recent knowledge
largely to Farmer Maggot, whom he seemed to regard as a
person of more importance than they had imagined. \u2018There\u2019s
earth under his old feet, and clay on his fingers; wisdom in
his bones, and both his eyes are open,\u2019 said Tom. It was also
clear that Tom had dealings with the Elves, and it seemed
that in some fashion, news had reached him from Gildor
concerning the flight of Frodo.
Indeed so much did Tom know, and so cunning was his
questioning, that Frodo found himself telling him more about
Bilbo and his own hopes and fears than he had told before
174 the fellowship of the ring
even to Gandalf. Tom wagged his head up and down, and
there was a glint in his eyes when he heard of the Riders.
\u2018Show me the precious Ring!\u2019 he said suddenly in the midst
of the story: and Frodo, to his own astonishment, drew out
the chain from his pocket, and unfastening the Ring handed
it at once to Tom.
It seemed to grow larger as it lay for a moment on his big
brown-skinned hand. Then suddenly he put it to his eye and
laughed. For a second the hobbits had a vision, both comical
and alarming, of his bright blue eye gleaming through a circle
of gold. Then Tom put the Ring round the end of his little
finger and held it up to the candlelight. For a moment
the hobbits noticed nothing strange about this. Then they
gasped. There was no sign of Tom disappearing!
Tom laughed again, and then he spun the Ring in the air
\u2013 and it vanished with a flash. Frodo gave a cry \u2013 and Tom
leaned forward and handed it back to him with a smile.
Frodo looked at it closely, and rather suspiciously (like one
who has lent a trinket to a juggler). It was the same Ring, or
looked the same and weighed the same: for that Ring had
always seemed to Frodo to weigh strangely heavy in the hand.
But something prompted him to make sure. He was perhaps
a trifle annoyed with Tom for seeming to make so light of
what even Gandalf thought so perilously important. He
waited for an opportunity, when the talk was going again,
and Tom was telling an absurd story about badgers and their
queer ways \u2013 then he slipped the Ring on.
Merry turned towards him to say something and gave a
start, and checked an exclamation. Frodo was delighted (in
a way): it was his own ring all right, for Merry was staring
blankly at his chair, and obviously could not see him. He got
up and crept quietly away from the fireside towards the outer
door.
\u2018Hey there!\u2019 cried Tom, glancing towards him with a most
seeing look in his shining eyes. \u2018Hey! Come Frodo, there!
Where be you a-going? Old Tom Bombadil\u2019s not as blind as
that yet. Take off your golden ring! Your hand\u2019s more fair
in the house of tom bombadil 175
without it. Come back! Leave your game and sit down beside
me! We must talk a while more, and think about the morning.
Tom must teach the right road, and keep your feet from
wandering.\u2019
Frodo laughed (trying to feel pleased), and taking off the
Ring he came and sat down again. Tom now told them that
he reckoned the Sun would shine tomorrow, and it would be
a glad morning, and setting out would be hopeful. But they
would do well to start early; for weather in that country was
a thing that even Tom could not be sure of for long, and it
would change sometimes quicker than he could change his
jacket. \u2018I am no weather-master,\u2019 said he; \u2018nor is aught that
goes on two legs.\u2019
By his advice they decided to make nearly due North from
his house, over the western and lower slopes of the Downs:
they might hope in that way to strike the East Road in a day\u2019s
journey, and avoid the Barrows. He told them not to be afraid
\u2013 but to mind their own business.
\u2018Keep to the green grass. Don\u2019t you go a-meddling with
old stone or cold Wights or prying in their houses, unless you
be strong folk with hearts that never falter!\u2019 He said this more
than once; and he advised them to pass barrows by on the
west-side, if they chanced to stray near one. Then he taught
them a rhyme to sing, if they should by ill-luck fall into any
danger or difficulty the next day.
Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!
By water, wood and hill, by the reed and willow,
By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!
Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us!
When they had sung this altogether after him, he clapped
them each on the shoulder with a laugh, and taking candles
led them back to their bedroom.
Chapter 8
FOG ON THE BARROW-DOWNS
That night they heard no noises. But either in his dreams or
out of them, he could not tell which, Frodo heard a sweet
singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like
a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger
to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled
back, and a far green country opened before him under a
swift sunrise.
The vision melted into waking; and there was Tom whistling like a tree-full of birds; and the sun was already slanting
down the hill and through the open window. Outside everything was green and pale gold.
After breakfast, which they again ate alone, they made
ready to say farewell, as nearly heavy of heart as was possible
on such a morning: cool, bright, and clean under a washed
autumn sky of thin blue. The air came fresh from the Northwest. Their quiet ponies were almost frisky, sniffing and
moving restlessly. Tom came out of the house and waved his
hat and danced upon the doorstep, bidding the hobbits to
get up and be off and go with good speed.
They rode off along a path that wound away from behind
the house, and went slanting up towards the north end of the
hill-brow under which it sheltered. They had just dismounted
to lead their ponies up the last steep slope, when suddenly
Frodo stopped.
\u2018Goldberry!\u2019 he cried. \u2018My fair lady, clad all in silver green!
We have never said farewell to her, nor seen her since the
evening!\u2019 He was so distressed that he turned back; but at
that moment a clear call came rippling down. There on the
hill-brow she stood beckoning to them: her hair was flying
loose, and as it caught the sun it shone and shimmered. A
fog on the barrow-downs 177
light like the glint of water on dewy grass flashed from under
her feet as she danced.
They hastened up the last slope, and stood breathless
beside her. They bowed, but with a wave of her arm she bade
them look round; and they looked out from the hill-top over
lands under the morning. It was now as clear and far-seen as
it had been veiled and misty when they stood upon the knoll
in the Forest, which could now be seen rising pale and green
out of the dark trees in the West. In that direction the land
rose in wooded ridges, green, yellow, russet under the sun,
beyond which lay hidden the valley of the Brandywine. To
the South, over the line of the Withywindle, there was a
distant glint like pale glass where the Brandywine River made
a great loop in the lowlands and flowed away out of the
knowledge of the hobbits. Northward beyond the dwindling
downs the land ran away in flats and swellings of grey and
green and pale earth-colours, until it faded into a featureless
and shadowy distance. Eastward the Barrow-downs rose,
ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of
eyesight into a guess: it was no more than a guess of blue and
a remote white glimmer blending with the hem of the sky,
but it spoke to them, out of memory and old tales, of the
high and distant mountains.
They took a deep draught of the air, and felt that a skip and
a few stout strides would bear them wherever they wished. It
seemed fainthearted to go jogging aside over the crumpled
skirts of the downs towards the Road, when they should be
leaping, as lusty as Tom, over the stepping stones of the hills
straight towards the Mountains.
Goldberry spoke to them and recalled their eyes and
thoughts. \u2018Speed now, fair guests!\u2019 she said. \u2018And hold to
your purpose! North with the wind in the left eye and a
blessing on your footsteps! Make haste while the Sun shines!\u2019
And to Frodo she said: \u2018Farewell, Elf-friend, it was a merry
meeting!\u2019
But Frodo found no words to answer. He bowed low, and
mounted his pony, and followed by his friends jogged slowly
178 the fellowship of the ring
down the gentle slope behind the hill. Tom Bombadil\u2019s house
and the valley, and the Forest were lost to view. The air grew
warmer between the green walls of hillside and hillside, and
the scent of turf rose strong and sweet as they breathed.
Turning back, when they reached the bottom of the green
hollow, they saw Goldberry, now small and slender like a
sunlit flower against the sky: she was standing still watching
them, and her hands were stretched out towards them. As
they looked she gave a clear call, and lifting up her hand she
turned and vanished behind the hill.
Their way wound along the floor of the hollow, and round
the green feet of a steep hill into another deeper and broader
valley, and then over the shoulders of further hills, and down
their long limbs, and up their smooth sides again, up on to
new hill-tops and down into new valleys. There was no tree
nor any visible water: it was a country of grass and short
springy turf, silent except for the whisper of the air over the
edges of the land, and high lonely cries of strange birds. As
they journeyed the sun mounted, and grew hot. Each time
they climbed a ridge the breeze seemed to have grown less.
When they caught a glimpse of the country westward the
distant Forest seemed to be smoking, as if the fallen rain was
steaming up again from leaf and root and mould. A shadow
now lay round the edge of sight, a dark haze above which the
upper sky was like a blue cap, hot and heavy.
About mid-day they came to a hill whose top was wide
and flattened, like a shallow saucer with a green mounded
rim. Inside there was no air stirring, and the sky seemed near
their heads. They rode across and looked northwards. Then
their hearts rose; for it seemed plain that they had come
further already than they had expected. Certainly the distances had now all become hazy and deceptive, but there
could be no doubt that the Downs were coming to an end.
A long valley lay below them winding away northwards, until
it came to an opening between two steep shoulders. Beyond,
there seemed to be no more hills. Due north they faintly
fog on the barrow-downs 179
glimpsed a long dark line. \u2018That is a line of trees,\u2019 said Merry,
\u2018and that must mark the Road. All along it for many leagues
east of the Bridge there are trees growing. Some say they
were planted in the old days.\u2019
\u2018Splendid!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018If we make as good going this
afternoon as we have done this morning, we shall have left
the Downs before the Sun sets and be jogging on in search
of a camping place.\u2019 But even as he spoke he turned his
glance eastwards, and he saw that on that side the hills were
higher and looked down upon them; and all those hills were
crowned with green mounds, and on some were standing
stones, pointing upwards like jagged teeth out of green gums.
That view was somehow disquieting; so they turned from
the sight and went down into the hollow circle. In the midst
of it there stood a single stone, standing tall under the sun
above, and at this hour casting no shadow. It was shapeless
and yet significant: like a landmark, or a guarding finger, or
more like a warning. But they were now hungry, and the sun
was still at the fearless noon; so they set their backs against
the east side of the stone. It was cool, as if the sun had had
no power to warm it; but at that time this seemed pleasant.
There they took food and drink, and made as good a noonmeal under the open sky as anyone could wish; for the food
came from \u2018down under Hill\u2019. Tom had provided them with
plenty for the comfort of the day. Their ponies unburdened
strayed upon the grass.
Riding over the hills, and eating their fill, the warm sun
and the scent of turf, lying a little too long, stretching out
their legs and looking at the sky above their noses: these
things are, perhaps, enough to explain what happened. However that may be: they woke suddenly and uncomfortably
from a sleep they had never meant to take. The standing
stone was cold, and it cast a long pale shadow that stretched
eastward over them. The sun, a pale and watery yellow, was
gleaming through the mist just above the west wall of the
hollow in which they lay; north, south, and east, beyond the
180 the fellowship of the ring
wall the fog was thick, cold and white. The air was silent,
heavy and chill. Their ponies were standing crowded together
with their heads down.
The hobbits sprang to their feet in alarm, and ran to the
western rim. They found that they were upon an island in
the fog. Even as they looked out in dismay towards the setting
sun, it sank before their eyes into a white sea, and a cold grey
shadow sprang up in the East behind. The fog rolled up to
the walls and rose above them, and as it mounted it bent over
their heads until it became a roof: they were shut in a hall of
mist whose central pillar was the standing stone.
They felt as if a trap was closing about them; but they did
not quite lose heart. They still remembered the hopeful view
they had had of the line of the Road ahead, and they still
knew in which direction it lay. In any case, they now had so
great a dislike for that hollow place about the stone that no
thought of remaining there was in their minds. They packed
up as quickly as their chilled fingers would work.
Soon they were leading their ponies in single file over the
rim and down the long northward slope of the hill, down into
a foggy sea. As they went down the mist became colder
and damper, and their hair hung lank and dripping on their
foreheads. When they reached the bottom it was so chill that
they halted and got out cloaks and hoods, which soon became
bedewed with grey drops. Then, mounting their ponies, they
went slowly on again, feeling their way by the rise and fall of
the ground. They were steering, as well as they could guess,
for the gate-like opening at the far northward end of the long
valley which they had seen in the morning. Once they were
through the gap, they had only to keep on in anything like a
straight line and they were bound in the end to strike the
Road. Their thoughts did not go beyond that, except for a
vague hope that perhaps away beyond the Downs there might
be no fog.
Their going was very slow. To prevent their getting separated and wandering in different directions they went in file,
fog on the barrow-downs 181
with Frodo leading. Sam was behind him, and after him came
Pippin, and then Merry. The valley seemed to stretch on
endlessly. Suddenly Frodo saw a hopeful sign. On either side
ahead a darkness began to loom through the mist; and he
guessed that they were at last approaching the gap in the
hills, the north-gate of the Barrow-downs. If they could pass
that, they would be free.
\u2018Come on! Follow me!\u2019 he called back over his shoulder,
and he hurried forward. But his hope soon changed to bewilderment and alarm. The dark patches grew darker, but they
shrank; and suddenly he saw, towering ominous before him
and leaning slightly towards one another like the pillars of
a headless door, two huge standing stones. He could not
remember having seen any sign of these in the valley, when
he looked out from the hill in the morning. He had passed
between them almost before he was aware: and even as he
did so darkness seemed to fall round him. His pony reared
and snorted, and he fell off. When he looked back he found
that he was alone: the others had not followed him.
\u2018Sam!\u2019 he called. \u2018Pippin! Merry! Come along! Why don\u2019t
you keep up?\u2019
There was no answer. Fear took him, and he ran back past
the stones shouting wildly: \u2018Sam! Sam! Merry! Pippin!\u2019 The
pony bolted into the mist and vanished. From some way off,
or so it seemed, he thought he heard a cry: \u2018Hoy! Frodo!
Hoy!\u2019 It was away eastward, on his left as he stood under the
great stones, staring and straining into the gloom. He plunged
off in the direction of the call, and found himself going steeply
uphill.
As he struggled on he called again, and kept on calling
more and more frantically; but he heard no answer for some
time, and then it seemed faint and far ahead and high above
him. \u2018Frodo! Hoy!\u2019 came the thin voices out of the mist: and
then a cry that sounded like help, help! often repeated, ending
with a last help! that trailed off into a long wail suddenly cut
short. He stumbled forward with all the speed he could
towards the cries; but the light was now gone, and clinging
182 the fellowship of the ring
night had closed about him, so that it was impossible to be
sure of any direction. He seemed all the time to be climbing
up and up.
Only the change in the level of the ground at his feet told
him when he at last came to the top of a ridge or hill. He was
weary, sweating and yet chilled. It was wholly dark.
\u2018Where are you?\u2019 he cried out miserably.
There was no reply. He stood listening. He was suddenly
aware that it was getting very cold, and that up here a wind
was beginning to blow, an icy wind. A change was coming
in the weather. The mist was flowing past him now in shreds
and tatters. His breath was smoking, and the darkness was
less near and thick. He looked up and saw with surprise
that faint stars were appearing overhead amid the strands of
hurrying cloud and fog. The wind began to hiss over the
grass.
He imagined suddenly that he caught a muffled cry, and
he made towards it; and even as he went forward the mist was
rolled up and thrust aside, and the starry sky was unveiled. A
glance showed him that he was now facing southwards and
was on a round hill-top, which he must have climbed from
the north. Out of the east the biting wind was blowing. To
his right there loomed against the westward stars a dark black
shape. A great barrow stood there.
\u2018Where are you?\u2019 he cried again, both angry and afraid.
\u2018Here!\u2019 said a voice, deep and cold, that seemed to come
out of the ground. \u2018I am waiting for you!\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Frodo; but he did not run away. His knees gave,
and he fell on the ground. Nothing happened, and there was
no sound. Trembling he looked up, in time to see a tall dark
figure like a shadow against the stars. It leaned over him. He
thought there were two eyes, very cold though lit with a pale
light that seemed to come from some remote distance. Then
a grip stronger and colder than iron seized him. The icy
touch froze his bones, and he remembered no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
fog on the barrow-downs 183
When he came to himself again, for a moment he could
recall nothing except a sense of dread. Then suddenly he
knew that he was imprisoned, caught hopelessly; he was in a
barrow. A Barrow-wight had taken him, and he was probably
already under the dreadful spells of the Barrow-wights about
which whispered tales spoke. He dared not move, but lay as
he found himself: flat on his back upon a cold stone with his
hands on his breast.
But though his fear was so great that it seemed to be part
of the very darkness that was round him, he found himself
as he lay thinking about Bilbo Baggins and his stories, of their
jogging along together in the lanes of the Shire and talking
about roads and adventures. There is a seed of courage
hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest
and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate
danger to make it grow. Frodo was neither very fat nor very
timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo (and
Gandalf ) had thought him the best hobbit in the Shire. He
thought he had come to the end of his adventure, and a
terrible end, but the thought hardened him. He found himself
stiffening, as if for a final spring; he no longer felt limp like a
helpless prey.
As he lay there, thinking and getting a hold of himself, he
noticed all at once that the darkness was slowly giving way:
a pale greenish light was growing round him. It did not at
first show him what kind of a place he was in, for the light
seemed to be coming out of himself, and from the floor beside
him, and had not yet reached the roof or wall. He turned, and
there in the cold glow he saw lying beside him Sam, Pippin,
and Merry. They were on their backs, and their faces looked
deathly pale; and they were clad in white. About them lay
many treasures, of gold maybe, though in that light they
looked cold and unlovely. On their heads were circlets, gold
chains were about their waists, and on their fingers were many
rings. Swords lay by their sides, and shields were at their feet.
But across their three necks lay one long naked sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
184 the fellowship of the ring
Suddenly a song began: a cold murmur, rising and falling.
The voice seemed far away and immeasurably dreary, sometimes high in the air and thin, sometimes like a low moan
from the ground. Out of the formless stream of sad but
horrible sounds, strings of words would now and again shape
themselves: grim, hard, cold words, heartless and miserable.
The night was railing against the morning of which it was
bereaved, and the cold was cursing the warmth for which it
hungered. Frodo was chilled to the marrow. After a while the
song became clearer, and with dread in his heart he perceived
that it had changed into an incantation:
Cold be hand and heart and bone,
and cold be sleep under stone:
never more to wake on stony bed,
never, till the Sun fails and the Moon is dead.
In the black wind the stars shall die,
and still on gold here let them lie,
till the dark lord lifts his hand
over dead sea and withered land.
He heard behind his head a creaking and scraping sound.
Raising himself on one arm he looked, and saw now in the
pale light that they were in a kind of passage which behind
them turned a corner. Round the corner a long arm was
groping, walking on its fingers towards Sam, who was lying
nearest, and towards the hilt of the sword that lay upon him.
At first Frodo felt as if he had indeed been turned into
stone by the incantation. Then a wild thought of escape came
to him. He wondered if he put on the Ring, whether the
Barrow-wight would miss him, and he might find some way
out. He thought of himself running free over the grass, grieving for Merry, and Sam, and Pippin, but free and alive himself. Gandalf would admit that there had been nothing else
he could do.
But the courage that had been awakened in him was now
too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily. He
fog on the barrow-downs 185
wavered, groping in his pocket, and then fought with himself
again; and as he did so the arm crept nearer. Suddenly resolve
hardened in him, and he seized a short sword that lay beside
him, and kneeling he stooped low over the bodies of his
companions. With what strength he had he hewed at the
crawling arm near the wrist, and the hand broke off; but at
the same moment the sword splintered up to the hilt. There
was a shriek and the light vanished. In the dark there was a
snarling noise.
Frodo fell forward over Merry, and Merry\u2019s face felt cold.
All at once back into his mind, from which it had disappeared
with the first coming of the fog, came the memory of the
house down under the Hill, and of Tom singing. He remembered the rhyme that Tom had taught them. In a small
desperate voice he began: Ho! Tom Bombadil! and with that
name his voice seemed to grow strong: it had a full and
lively sound, and the dark chamber echoed as if to drum and
trumpet.
Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!
By water, wood and hill, by the reed and willow,
By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!
Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us!
There was a sudden deep silence, in which Frodo could
hear his heart beating. After a long slow moment he heard
plain, but far away, as if it was coming down through the
ground or through thick walls, an answering voice singing:
Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow,
Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.
None has ever caught him yet, for Tom, he is the master:
His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.
There was a loud rumbling sound, as of stones rolling and
falling, and suddenly light streamed in, real light, the plain
light of day. A low door-like opening appeared at the end of
186 the fellowship of the ring
the chamber beyond Frodo\u2019s feet; and there was Tom\u2019s head
(hat, feather, and all) framed against the light of the sun
rising red behind him. The light fell upon the floor, and upon
the faces of the three hobbits lying beside Frodo. They did
not stir, but the sickly hue had left them. They looked now
as if they were only very deeply asleep.
Tom stooped, removed his hat, and came into the dark
chamber, singing:
Get out, you old Wight! Vanish in the sunlight!
Shrivel like the cold mist, like the winds go wailing,
Out into the barren lands far beyond the mountains!
Come never here again! Leave your barrow empty!
Lost and forgotten be, darker than the darkness,
Where gates stand for ever shut, till the world is mended.
At these words there was a cry and part of the inner end
of the chamber fell in with a crash. Then there was a long
trailing shriek, fading away into an unguessable distance; and
after that silence.
\u2018Come, friend Frodo!\u2019 said Tom. \u2018Let us get out on to
clean grass! You must help me bear them.\u2019
Together they carried out Merry, Pippin, and Sam. As
Frodo left the barrow for the last time he thought he saw a
severed hand wriggling still, like a wounded spider, in a heap
of fallen earth. Tom went back in again, and there was a
sound of much thumping and stamping. When he came out
he was bearing in his arms a great load of treasure: things of
gold, silver, copper, and bronze; many beads and chains and
jewelled ornaments. He climbed the green barrow and laid
them all on top in the sunshine.
There he stood, with his hat in his hand and the wind in
his hair, and looked down upon the three hobbits, that had
been laid on their backs upon the grass at the west side of
the mound. Raising his right hand he said in a clear and
commanding voice:
fog on the barrow-downs 187
Wake now my merry lads! Wake and hear me calling!
Warm now be heart and limb! The cold stone is fallen;
Dark door is standing wide; dead hand is broken.
Night under Night is flown, and the Gate is open!
To Frodo\u2019s great joy the hobbits stirred, stretched their
arms, rubbed their eyes, and then suddenly sprang up. They
looked about in amazement, first at Frodo, and then at Tom
standing large as life on the barrow-top above them; and then
at themselves in their thin white rags, crowned and belted
with pale gold, and jingling with trinkets.
\u2018What in the name of wonder?\u2019 began Merry, feeling the
golden circlet that had slipped over one eye. Then he
stopped, and a shadow came over his face, and he closed his
eyes. \u2018Of course, I remember!\u2019 he said. \u2018The men of Carn
Du\u02c6m came on us at night, and we were worsted. Ah! the
spear in my heart!\u2019 He clutched at his breast. \u2018No! No!\u2019 he
said, opening his eyes. \u2018What am I saying? I have been dreaming. Where did you get to, Frodo?\u2019
\u2018I thought that I was lost,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but I don\u2019t want
to speak of it. Let us think of what we are to do now! Let us
go on!\u2019
\u2018Dressed up like this, sir?\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Where are my
clothes?\u2019 He flung his circlet, belt, and rings on the grass, and
looked round helplessly, as if he expected to find his cloak,
jacket, and breeches, and other hobbit-garments lying somewhere to hand.
\u2018You won\u2019t find your clothes again,\u2019 said Tom, bounding
down from the mound, and laughing as he danced round
them in the sunlight. One would have thought that nothing
dangerous or dreadful had happened; and indeed the horror
faded out of their hearts as they looked at him, and saw the
merry glint in his eyes.
\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 asked Pippin, looking at him, half
puzzled and half amused. \u2018Why not?\u2019
But Tom shook his head, saying: \u2018You\u2019ve found yourselves again, out of the deep water. Clothes are but little loss,
188 the fellowship of the ring
if you escape from drowning. Be glad, my merry friends,
and let the warm sunlight heat now heart and limb! Cast off
these cold rags! Run naked on the grass, while Tom goes
a-hunting!\u2019
He sprang away down hill, whistling and calling. Looking
down after him Frodo saw him running away southwards
along the green hollow between their hill and the next, still
whistling and crying:
Hey! now! Come hoy now! Whither do you wander?
Up, down, near or far, here, there or yonder?
Sharp-ears, Wise-nose, Swish-tail and Bumpkin,
White-socks my little lad, and old Fatty Lumpkin!
So he sang, running fast, tossing up his hat and catching
it, until he was hidden by a fold of the ground: but for some
time his hey now! hoy now! came floating back down the wind,
which had shifted round towards the south.
The air was growing very warm again. The hobbits ran
about for a while on the grass, as he told them. Then they
lay basking in the sun with the delight of those that have been
wafted suddenly from bitter winter to a friendly clime, or of
people that, after being long ill and bedridden, wake one day
to find that they are unexpectedly well and the day is again
full of promise.
By the time that Tom returned they were feeling strong
(and hungry). He reappeared, hat first, over the brow of the
hill, and behind him came in an obedient line six ponies:
their own five and one more. The last was plainly old Fatty
Lumpkin: he was larger, stronger, fatter (and older) than
their own ponies. Merry, to whom the others belonged, had
not, in fact, given them any such names, but they answered
to the new names that Tom had given them for the rest of
their lives. Tom called them one by one and they climbed
over the brow and stood in a line. Then Tom bowed to the
hobbits.
fog on the barrow-downs 189
\u2018Here are your ponies, now!\u2019 he said. \u2018They\u2019ve more sense
(in some ways) than you wandering hobbits have \u2013 more
sense in their noses. For they sniff danger ahead which you
walk right into; and if they run to save themselves, then they
run the right way. You must forgive them all; for though their
hearts are faithful, to face fear of Barrow-wights is not what
they were made for. See, here they come again, bringing all
their burdens!\u2019
Merry, Sam, and Pippin now clothed themselves in spare
garments from their packs; and they soon felt too hot, for
they were obliged to put on some of the thicker and warmer
things that they had brought against the oncoming of winter.
\u2018Where does that other old animal, that Fatty Lumpkin,
come from?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018He\u2019s mine,\u2019 said Tom. \u2018My four-legged friend; though I
seldom ride him, and he wanders often far, free upon the
hillsides. When your ponies stayed with me, they got to know
my Lumpkin; and they smelt him in the night, and quickly
ran to meet him. I thought he\u2019d look for them and with his
words of wisdom take all their fear away. But now, my jolly
Lumpkin, old Tom\u2019s going to ride. Hey! he\u2019s coming with
you, just to set you on the road; so he needs a pony. For you
cannot easily talk to hobbits that are riding, when you\u2019re on
your own legs trying to trot beside them.\u2019
The hobbits were delighted to hear this, and thanked Tom
many times; but he laughed, and said that they were so good
at losing themselves that he would not feel happy till he had
seen them safe over the borders of his land. \u2018I\u2019ve got things
to do,\u2019 he said: \u2018my making and my singing, my talking and
my walking, and my watching of the country. Tom can\u2019t be
always near to open doors and willow-cracks. Tom has his
house to mind, and Goldberry is waiting.\u2019
It was still fairly early by the sun, something between nine
and ten, and the hobbits turned their minds to food. Their
last meal had been lunch beside the standing stone the day
before. They breakfasted now off the remainder of Tom\u2019s
190 the fellowship of the ring
provisions, meant for their supper, with additions that Tom
had brought with him. It was not a large meal (considering
hobbits and the circumstances), but they felt much better for
it. While they were eating Tom went up to the mound, and
looked through the treasures. Most of these he made into a
pile that glistered and sparkled on the grass. He bade them
lie there \u2018free to all finders, birds, beasts, Elves or Men, and
all kindly creatures\u2019; for so the spell of the mound should be
broken and scattered and no Wight ever come back to it. He
chose for himself from the pile a brooch set with blue stones,
many-shaded like flax-flowers or the wings of blue butterflies.
He looked long at it, as if stirred by some memory, shaking
his head, and saying at last:
\u2018Here is a pretty toy for Tom and for his lady! Fair was
she who long ago wore this on her shoulder. Goldberry shall
wear it now, and we will not forget her!\u2019
For each of the hobbits he chose a dagger, long, leafshaped, and keen, of marvellous workmanship, damasked
with serpent-forms in red and gold. They gleamed as he
drew them from their black sheaths, wrought of some strange
metal, light and strong, and set with many fiery stones.
Whether by some virtue in these sheaths or because of the
spell that lay on the mound, the blades seemed untouched
by time, unrusted, sharp, glittering in the sun.
\u2018Old knives are long enough as swords for hobbit-people,\u2019
he said. \u2018Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go
walking, east, south, or far away into dark and danger.\u2019 Then
he told them that these blades were forged many long years
ago by Men of Westernesse: they were foes of the Dark Lord,
but they were overcome by the evil king of Carn Du\u02c6m in the
Land of Angmar.
\u2018Few now remember them,\u2019 Tom murmured, \u2018yet still
some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.\u2019
The hobbits did not understand his words, but as he spoke
they had a vision as it were of a great expanse of years behind
them, like a vast shadowy plain over which there strode
fog on the barrow-downs 191
shapes of Men, tall and grim with bright swords, and last
came one with a star on his brow. Then the vision faded, and
they were back in the sunlit world. It was time to start again.
They made ready, packing their bags and lading their ponies.
Their new weapons they hung on their leather belts under
their jackets, feeling them very awkward, and wondering if
they would be of any use. Fighting had not before occurred
to any of them as one of the adventures in which their flight
would land them.
At last they set off. They led their ponies down the hill;
and then mounting they trotted quickly along the valley. They
looked back and saw the top of the old mound on the hill,
and from it the sunlight on the gold went up like a yellow
flame. Then they turned a shoulder of the Downs and it was
hidden from view.
Though Frodo looked about him on every side he saw no
sign of the great stones standing like a gate, and before long
they came to the northern gap and rode swiftly through, and
the land fell away before them. It was a merry journey with
Tom Bombadil trotting gaily beside them, or before them,
on Fatty Lumpkin, who could move much faster than his
girth promised. Tom sang most of the time, but it was chiefly
nonsense, or else perhaps a strange language unknown to the
hobbits, an ancient language whose words were mainly those
of wonder and delight.
They went forward steadily, but they soon saw that the
Road was further away than they had imagined. Even without
a fog, their sleep at mid-day would have prevented them from
reaching it until after nightfall on the day before. The dark
line they had seen was not a line of trees but a line of bushes
growing on the edge of a deep dike with a steep wall on the
further side. Tom said that it had once been the boundary of
a kingdom, but a very long time ago. He seemed to remember
something sad about it, and would not say much.
They climbed down and out of the dike and through a gap
in the wall, and then Tom turned due north, for they had
192 the fellowship of the ring
been bearing somewhat to the west. The land was now open
and fairly level, and they quickened their pace, but the sun
was already sinking low when at last they saw a line of tall
trees ahead, and they knew that they had come back to the
Road after many unexpected adventures. They galloped their
ponies over the last furlongs, and halted under the long
shadows of the trees. They were on the top of a sloping bank,
and the Road, now dim as evening drew on, wound away
below them. At this point it ran nearly from South-west to
North-east, and on their right it fell quickly down into a wide
hollow. It was rutted and bore many signs of the recent heavy
rain; there were pools and pot-holes full of water.
They rode down the bank and looked up and down. There
was nothing to be seen. \u2018Well, here we are again at last!\u2019 said
Frodo. \u2018I suppose we haven\u2019t lost more than two days by my
short cut through the Forest! But perhaps the delay will prove
useful \u2013 it may have put them off our trail.\u2019
The others looked at him. The shadow of the fear of the
Black Riders came suddenly over them again. Ever since they
had entered the Forest they had thought chiefly of getting
back to the Road; only now when it lay beneath their feet did
they remember the danger which pursued them, and was
more than likely to be lying in wait for them upon the Road
itself. They looked anxiously back towards the setting sun,
but the Road was brown and empty.
\u2018Do you think,\u2019 asked Pippin hesitatingly, \u2018do you think we
may be pursued, tonight?\u2019
\u2018No, I hope not tonight,\u2019 answered Tom Bombadil; \u2018nor
perhaps the next day. But do not trust my guess; for I cannot
tell for certain. Out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not
master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond his
country.\u2019
All the same the hobbits wished he was coming with them.
They felt that he would know how to deal with Black Riders,
if anyone did. They would soon now be going forward into
lands wholly strange to them, and beyond all but the most
vague and distant legends of the Shire, and in the gathering
fog on the barrow-downs 193
twilight they longed for home. A deep loneliness and sense
of loss was on them. They stood silent, reluctant to make the
final parting, and only slowly became aware that Tom was
wishing them farewell, and telling them to have good heart
and to ride on till dark without halting.
\u2018Tom will give you good advice, till this day is over (after
that your own luck must go with you and guide you): four
miles along the Road you\u2019ll come upon a village, Bree under
Bree-hill, with doors looking westward. There you\u2019ll find an
old inn that is called The Prancing Pony. Barliman Butterbur
is the worthy keeper. There you can stay the night, and
afterwards the morning will speed you upon your way. Be
bold, but wary! Keep up your merry hearts, and ride to meet
your fortune!\u2019
They begged him to come at least as far as the inn and
drink once more with them; but he laughed and refused,
saying:
Tom\u2019s country ends here: he will not pass the borders.
Tom has his house to mind, and Goldberry is waiting!
Then he turned, tossed up his hat, leaped on Lumpkin\u2019s
back, and rode up over the bank and away singing into the
dusk.
The hobbits climbed up and watched him until he was out
of sight.
\u2018I am sorry to take leave of Master Bombadil,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018He\u2019s a caution and no mistake. I reckon we may go a good
deal further and see naught better, nor queerer. But I won\u2019t
deny I\u2019ll be glad to see this Prancing Pony he spoke of. I hope
it\u2019ll be like The Green Dragon away back home! What sort of
folk are they in Bree?\u2019
\u2018There are hobbits in Bree,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018as well as Big
Folk. I daresay it will be homelike enough. The Pony is a good
inn by all accounts. My people ride out there now and again.\u2019
\u2018It may be all we could wish,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018but it is outside
the Shire all the same. Don\u2019t make yourselves too much at
194 the fellowship of the ring
home! Please remember \u2013 all of you \u2013 that the name of
Baggins must not be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any
name must be given.\u2019
They now mounted their ponies and rode off silently into
the evening. Darkness came down quickly, as they plodded
slowly downhill and up again, until at last they saw lights
twinkling some distance ahead.
Before them rose Bree-hill barring the way, a dark mass
against misty stars; and under its western flank nestled a large
village. Towards it they now hurried desiring only to find a
fire, and a door between them and the night.
Chapter 9
AT THE SIGN OF THE PRANCING PONY
Bree was the chief village of the Bree-land, a small inhabited
region, like an island in the empty lands round about. Besides
Bree itself, there was Staddle on the other side of the hill,
Combe in a deep valley a little further eastward, and Archet
on the edge of the Chetwood. Lying round Bree-hill and the
villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodland
only a few miles broad.
The Men of Bree were brown-haired, broad, and rather
short, cheerful and independent: they belonged to nobody
but themselves; but they were more friendly and familiar with
Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, and other inhabitants of the world
about them than was (or is) usual with Big People. According
to their own tales they were the original inhabitants and were
the descendants of the first Men that ever wandered into the
West of the middle-world. Few had survived the turmoils of
the Elder Days; but when the Kings returned again over the
Great Sea they had found the Bree-men still there, and they
were still there now, when the memory of the old Kings had
faded into the grass.
In those days no other Men had settled dwellings so far
west, or within a hundred leagues of the Shire. But in the
wild lands beyond Bree there were mysterious wanderers.
The Bree-folk called them Rangers, and knew nothing of
their origin. They were taller and darker than the Men of
Bree and were believed to have strange powers of sight
and hearing, and to understand the languages of beasts
and birds. They roamed at will southwards, and eastwards
even as far as the Misty Mountains; but they were now
few and rarely seen. When they appeared they brought
news from afar, and told strange forgotten tales which were
196 the fellowship of the ring
eagerly listened to; but the Bree-folk did not make friends
of them.
There were also many families of hobbits in the Bree-land;
and they claimed to be the oldest settlement of Hobbits in the
world, one that was founded long before even the Brandywine was crossed and the Shire colonized. They lived mostly
in Staddle though there were some in Bree itself, especially
on the higher slopes of the hill, above the houses of the Men.
The Big Folk and the Little Folk (as they called one another)
were on friendly terms, minding their own affairs in their
own ways, but both rightly regarding themselves as necessary
parts of the Bree-folk. Nowhere else in the world was this
peculiar (but excellent) arrangement to be found.
The Bree-folk, Big and Little, did not themselves travel
much; and the affairs of the four villages were their chief
concern. Occasionally the Hobbits of Bree went as far as
Buckland, or the Eastfarthing; but though their little land was
not much further than a day\u2019s riding east of the Brandywine
Bridge, the Hobbits of the Shire now seldom visited it. An
occasional Bucklander or adventurous Took would come out
to the Inn for a night or two, but even that was becoming
less and less usual. The Shire-hobbits referred to those of
Bree, and to any others that lived beyond the borders, as
Outsiders, and took very little interest in them, considering
them dull and uncouth. There were probably many more
Outsiders scattered about in the West of the World in those
days than the people of the Shire imagined. Some, doubtless,
were no better than tramps, ready to dig a hole in any bank
and stay only as long as it suited them. But in the Bree-land,
at any rate, the hobbits were decent and prosperous, and no
more rustic than most of their distant relatives Inside. It was
not yet forgotten that there had been a time when there was
much coming and going between the Shire and Bree. There
was Bree-blood in the Brandybucks by all accounts.
The village of Bree had some hundred stone houses of the
Big Folk, mostly above the Road, nestling on the hillside with
at the sign of the prancing pony 197
windows looking west. On that side, running in more than
half a circle from the hill and back to it, there was a deep dike
with a thick hedge on the inner side. Over this the Road
crossed by a causeway; but where it pierced the hedge it was
barred by a great gate. There was another gate in the southern
corner where the Road ran out of the village. The gates were
closed at nightfall; but just inside them were small lodges for
the gatekeepers.
Down on the Road, where it swept to the right to go round
the foot of the hill, there was a large inn. It had been built
long ago when the traffic on the roads had been far greater.
For Bree stood at an old meeting of ways; another ancient
road crossed the East Road just outside the dike at the western
end of the village, and in former days Men and other folk
of various sorts had travelled much on it. Strange as News
from Bree was still a saying in the Eastfarthing, descending
from those days, when news from North, South, and East
could be heard in the inn, and when the Shire-hobbits
used to go more often to hear it. But the Northern Lands
had long been desolate, and the North Road was now seldom
used: it was grass-grown, and the Bree-folk called it the
Greenway.
The Inn of Bree was still there, however, and the innkeeper
was an important person. His house was a meeting place for
the idle, talkative, and inquisitive among the inhabitants, large
and small, of the four villages; and a resort of Rangers and
other wanderers, and for such travellers (mostly dwarves) as
still journeyed on the East Road, to and from the Mountains.
It was dark, and white stars were shining, when Frodo and
his companions came at last to the Greenway-crossing and
drew near the village. They came to the West-gate and found
it shut; but at the door of the lodge beyond it, there was a
man sitting. He jumped up and fetched a lantern and looked
over the gate at them in surprise.
\u2018What do you want, and where do you come from?\u2019 he
asked gruffly.
198 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018We are making for the inn here,\u2019 answered Frodo. \u2018We
are journeying east and cannot go further tonight.\u2019
\u2018Hobbits! Four hobbits! And what\u2019s more, out of the Shire
by their talk,\u2019 said the gatekeeper, softly as if speaking to
himself. He stared at them darkly for a moment, and then
slowly opened the gate and let them ride through.
\u2018We don\u2019t often see Shire-folk riding on the Road at night,\u2019
he went on, as they halted a moment by his door. \u2018You\u2019ll
pardon my wondering what business takes you away east of
Bree! What may your names be, might I ask?\u2019
\u2018Our names and our business are our own, and this does
not seem a good place to discuss them,\u2019 said Frodo, not liking
the look of the man or the tone of his voice.
\u2018Your business is your own, no doubt,\u2019 said the man; \u2018but
it\u2019s my business to ask questions after nightfall.\u2019
\u2018We are hobbits from Buckland, and we have a fancy to
travel and to stay at the inn here,\u2019 put in Merry. \u2018I am Mr.
Brandybuck. Is that enough for you? The Bree-folk used to
be fair-spoken to travellers, or so I had heard.\u2019
\u2018All right, all right!\u2019 said the man. \u2018I meant no offence. But
you\u2019ll find maybe that more folk than old Harry at the gate
will be asking you questions. There\u2019s queer folk about. If you
go on to The Pony, you\u2019ll find you\u2019re not the only guests.\u2019
He wished them good night, and they said no more; but
Frodo could see in the lantern-light that the man was still
eyeing them curiously. He was glad to hear the gate clang to
behind them, as they rode forward. He wondered why the
man was so suspicious, and whether anyone had been asking
for news of a party of hobbits. Could it have been Gandalf ?
He might have arrived, while they were delayed in the Forest
and the Downs. But there was something in the look and the
voice of the gatekeeper that made him uneasy.
The man stared after the hobbits for a moment, and then
he went back to his house. As soon as his back was turned, a
dark figure climbed quickly in over the gate and melted into
the shadows of the village street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
at the sign of the prancing pony 199
The hobbits rode on up a gentle slope, passing a few
detached houses, and drew up outside the inn. The houses
looked large and strange to them. Sam stared up at the inn with
its three storeys and many windows, and felt his heart sink.
He had imagined himself meeting giants taller than trees, and
other creatures even more terrifying, some time or other in the
course of his journey; but at the moment he was finding his
first sight of Men and their tall houses quite enough, indeed
too much for the dark end of a tiring day. He pictured black
horses standing all saddled in the shadows of the inn-yard,
and Black Riders peering out of dark upper windows.
\u2018We surely aren\u2019t going to stay here for the night, are we,
sir?\u2019 he exclaimed. \u2018If there are hobbit-folk in these parts,
why don\u2019t we look for some that would be willing to take us
in? It would be more homelike.\u2019
\u2018What\u2019s wrong with the inn?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Tom Bombadil
recommended it. I expect it\u2019s homelike enough inside.\u2019
Even from the outside the inn looked a pleasant house to
familiar eyes. It had a front on the Road, and two wings
running back on land partly cut out of the lower slopes of
the hill, so that at the rear the second-floor windows were
level with the ground. There was a wide arch leading to a
courtyard between the two wings, and on the left under the
arch there was a large doorway reached by a few broad steps.
The door was open and light streamed out of it. Above the
arch there was a lamp, and beneath it swung a large signboard: a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the
door was painted in white letters: the prancing pony by
barliman butterbur. Many of the lower windows showed
lights behind thick curtains.
As they hesitated outside in the gloom, someone began
singing a merry song inside, and many cheerful voices joined
loudly in the chorus. They listened to this encouraging sound
for a moment and then got off their ponies. The song ended
and there was a burst of laughter and clapping.
They led their ponies under the arch, and leaving them
standing in the yard they climbed up the steps. Frodo went
200 the fellowship of the ring
forward and nearly bumped into a short fat man with a bald
head and a red face. He had a white apron on, and was
bustling out of one door and in through another, carrying a
tray laden with full mugs.
\u2018Can we\u2014\u2014\u2019 began Frodo.
\u2018Half a minute, if you please!\u2019 shouted the man over his
shoulder, and vanished into a babel of voices and a cloud of
smoke. In a moment he was out again, wiping his hands on
his apron.
\u2018Good evening, little master!\u2019 he said, bending down. \u2018What
may you be wanting?\u2019
\u2018Beds for four, and stabling for five ponies, if that can be
managed. Are you Mr. Butterbur?\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s right! Barliman is my name. Barliman Butterbur at
your service! You\u2019re from the Shire, eh?\u2019 he said, and then
suddenly he clapped his hand to his forehead, as if trying to
remember something. \u2018Hobbits!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Now what does
that remind me of ? Might I ask your names, sirs?\u2019
\u2018Mr. Took and Mr. Brandybuck,\u2019 said Frodo; \u2018and this is
Sam Gamgee. My name is Underhill.\u2019
\u2018There now!\u2019 said Mr. Butterbur, snapping his fingers. \u2018It\u2019s
gone again! But it\u2019ll come back, when I have time to think.
I\u2019m run off my feet; but I\u2019ll see what I can do for you. We
don\u2019t often get a party out of the Shire nowadays, and I
should be sorry not to make you welcome. But there is such
a crowd already in the house tonight as there hasn\u2019t been for
long enough. It never rains but it pours, we say in Bree.\u2019
\u2018Hi! Nob!\u2019 he shouted. \u2018Where are you, you woolly-footed
slowcoach? Nob!\u2019
\u2018Coming, sir! Coming!\u2019 A cheery-looking hobbit bobbed
out of a door, and seeing the travellers, stopped short and
stared at them with great interest.
\u2018Where\u2019s Bob?\u2019 asked the landlord. \u2018You don\u2019t know? Well,
find him! Double sharp! I haven\u2019t got six legs, nor six eyes
neither! Tell Bob there\u2019s five ponies that have to be stabled.
He must find room somehow.\u2019 Nob trotted off with a grin
and a wink.
at the sign of the prancing pony 201
\u2018Well now, what was I going to say?\u2019 said Mr. Butterbur,
tapping his forehead. \u2018One thing drives out another, so to
speak. I\u2019m that busy tonight, my head is going round. There\u2019s
a party that came up the Greenway from down South last
night \u2013 and that was strange enough to begin with. Then
there\u2019s a travelling company of dwarves going West come in
this evening. And now there\u2019s you. If you weren\u2019t hobbits, I
doubt if we could house you. But we\u2019ve got a room or two
in the north wing that were made special for hobbits, when
this place was built. On the ground floor as they usually
prefer; round windows and all as they like it. I hope you\u2019ll be
comfortable. You\u2019ll be wanting supper, I don\u2019t doubt. As
soon as may be. This way now!\u2019
He led them a short way down a passage, and opened
a door. \u2018Here is a nice little parlour!\u2019 he said. \u2018I hope it will
suit. Excuse me now. I\u2019m that busy. No time for talking. I
must be trotting. It\u2019s hard work for two legs, but I don\u2019t get
thinner. I\u2019ll look in again later. If you want anything, ring the
hand-bell, and Nob will come. If he don\u2019t come, ring and
shout!\u2019
Off he went at last, and left them feeling rather breathless.
He seemed capable of an endless stream of talk, however
busy he might be. They found themselves in a small and cosy
room. There was a bit of bright fire burning on the hearth,
and in front of it were some low and comfortable chairs.
There was a round table, already spread with a white cloth,
and on it was a large hand-bell. But Nob, the hobbit servant,
came bustling in long before they thought of ringing. He
brought candles and a tray full of plates.
\u2018Will you be wanting anything to drink, masters?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018And shall I show you the bedrooms, while your supper is
got ready?\u2019
They were washed and in the middle of good deep mugs
of beer when Mr. Butterbur and Nob came in again. In a
twinkling the table was laid. There was hot soup, cold meats,
a blackberry tart, new loaves, slabs of butter, and half a ripe
cheese: good plain food, as good as the Shire could show,
202 the fellowship of the ring
and homelike enough to dispel the last of Sam\u2019s misgivings
(already much relieved by the excellence of the beer).
The landlord hovered round for a little, and then prepared
to leave them. \u2018I don\u2019t know whether you would care to join
the company, when you have supped,\u2019 he said, standing
at the door. \u2018Perhaps you would rather go to your beds. Still
the company would be very pleased to welcome you, if
you had a mind. We don\u2019t get Outsiders \u2013 travellers from
the Shire, I should say, begging your pardon \u2013 often; and we
like to hear a bit of news, or any story or song you may
have in mind. But as you please! Ring the bell, if you lack
anything!\u2019
So refreshed and encouraged did they feel at the end of
their supper (about three quarters of an hour\u2019s steady going,
not hindered by unnecessary talk) that Frodo, Pippin, and
Sam decided to join the company. Merry said it would be
too stuffy. \u2018I shall sit here quietly by the fire for a bit, and
perhaps go out later for a sniff of the air. Mind your Ps and
Qs, and don\u2019t forget that you are supposed to be escaping in
secret, and are still on the high-road and not very far from
the Shire!\u2019
\u2018All right!\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Mind yourself! Don\u2019t get lost, and
don\u2019t forget that it is safer indoors!\u2019
The company was in the big common-room of the inn.
The gathering was large and mixed, as Frodo discovered,
when his eyes got used to the light. This came chiefly from
a blazing log-fire, for the three lamps hanging from the beams
were dim, and half veiled in smoke. Barliman Butterbur was
standing near the fire, talking to a couple of dwarves and one
or two strange-looking men. On the benches were various
folk: men of Bree, a collection of local hobbits (sitting
chattering together), a few more dwarves, and other vague
figures difficult to make out away in the shadows and corners.
As soon as the Shire-hobbits entered, there was a chorus
of welcome from the Bree-landers. The strangers, especially
those that had come up the Greenway, stared at them
at the sign of the prancing pony 203
curiously. The landlord introduced the newcomers to the
Bree-folk, so quickly that, though they caught many names,
they were seldom sure who the names belonged to. The Men
of Bree seemed all to have rather botanical (and to the Shirefolk rather odd) names, like Rushlight, Goatleaf, Heathertoes, Appledore, Thistlewool and Ferny (not to mention
Butterbur). Some of the hobbits had similar names. The
Mugworts, for instance, seemed numerous. But most of them
had natural names, such as Banks, Brockhouse, Longholes,
Sandheaver, and Tunnelly, many of which were used in the
Shire. There were several Underhills from Staddle, and as
they could not imagine sharing a name without being related,
they took Frodo to their hearts as a long-lost cousin.
The Bree-hobbits were, in fact, friendly and inquisitive,
and Frodo soon found that some explanation of what he was
doing would have to be given. He gave out that he was
interested in history and geography (at which there was much
wagging of heads, although neither of these words were
much used in the Bree-dialect). He said he was thinking of
writing a book (at which there was silent astonishment), and
that he and his friends wanted to collect information about
hobbits living outside the Shire, especially in the eastern
lands.
At this a chorus of voices broke out. If Frodo had really
wanted to write a book, and had had many ears, he would
have learned enough for several chapters in a few minutes.
And if that was not enough, he was given a whole list of
names, beginning with \u2018Old Barliman here\u2019, to whom he
could go for further information. But after a time, as Frodo
did not show any sign of writing a book on the spot, the
hobbits returned to their questions about doings in the
Shire. Frodo did not prove very communicative, and he soon
found himself sitting alone in a corner, listening and looking
around.
The Men and Dwarves were mostly talking of distant
events and telling news of a kind that was becoming only too
familiar. There was trouble away in the South, and it seemed
204 the fellowship of the ring
that the Men who had come up the Greenway were on the
move, looking for lands where they could find some peace.
The Bree-folk were sympathetic, but plainly not very ready
to take a large number of strangers into their little land. One
of the travellers, a squint-eyed ill-favoured fellow, was foretelling that more and more people would be coming north in
the near future. \u2018If room isn\u2019t found for them, they\u2019ll find it
for themselves. They\u2019ve a right to live, same as other folk,\u2019
he said loudly. The local inhabitants did not look pleased at
the prospect.
The hobbits did not pay much attention to all this, as it
did not at the moment seem to concern hobbits. Big Folk
could hardly beg for lodgings in hobbit-holes. They were
more interested in Sam and Pippin, who were now feeling
quite at home, and were chatting gaily about events in the
Shire. Pippin roused a good deal of laughter with an account
of the collapse of the roof of the Town Hole in Michel
Delving: Will Whitfoot, the Mayor, and the fattest hobbit in
the Westfarthing, had been buried in chalk, and came out
like a floured dumpling. But there were several questions
asked that made Frodo a little uneasy. One of the Breelanders, who seemed to have been in the Shire several times,
wanted to know where the Underhills lived and who they
were related to.
Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weatherbeaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also
listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in
front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously
carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high
boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen
much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained
cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him,
and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that
overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be
seen as he watched the hobbits.
\u2018Who is that?\u2019 Frodo asked, when he got a chance to whisper to Mr. Butterbur. \u2018I don\u2019t think you introduced him?\u2019
at the sign of the prancing pony 205
\u2018Him?\u2019 said the landlord in an answering whisper, cocking
an eye without turning his head. \u2018I don\u2019t rightly know. He is
one of the wandering folk \u2013 Rangers we call them. He seldom
talks: not but what he can tell a rare tale when he has the
mind. He disappears for a month, or a year, and then he
pops up again. He was in and out pretty often last spring;
but I haven\u2019t seen him about lately. What his right name is
I\u2019ve never heard: but he\u2019s known round here as Strider. Goes
about at a great pace on his long shanks; though he don\u2019t tell
nobody what cause he has to hurry. But there\u2019s no accounting
for East and West, as we say in Bree, meaning the Rangers
and the Shire-folk, begging your pardon. Funny you should
ask about him.\u2019 But at that moment Mr. Butterbur was called
away by a demand for more ale and his last remark remained
unexplained.
Frodo found that Strider was now looking at him, as if he
had heard or guessed all that had been said. Presently, with
a wave of his hand and a nod, he invited Frodo to come over
and sit by him. As Frodo drew near he threw back his hood,
showing a shaggy head of dark hair flecked with grey, and in
a pale stern face a pair of keen grey eyes.
\u2018I am called Strider,\u2019 he said in a low voice. \u2018I am very
pleased to meet you, Master \u2013 Underhill, if old Butterbur got
your name right.\u2019
\u2018He did,\u2019 said Frodo stiffly. He felt far from comfortable
under the stare of those keen eyes.
\u2018Well, Master Underhill,\u2019 said Strider, \u2018if I were you, I
should stop your young friends from talking too much. Drink,
fire, and chance-meeting are pleasant enough, but, well \u2013 this
isn\u2019t the Shire. There are queer folk about. Though I say it
as shouldn\u2019t, you may think,\u2019 he added with a wry smile,
seeing Frodo\u2019s glance. \u2018And there have been even stranger
travellers through Bree lately,\u2019 he went on, watching Frodo\u2019s
face.
Frodo returned his gaze but said nothing; and Strider made
no further sign. His attention seemed suddenly to be fixed on
Pippin. To his alarm Frodo became aware that the ridiculous
206 the fellowship of the ring
young Took, encouraged by his success with the fat Mayor of
Michel Delving, was now actually giving a comic account of
Bilbo\u2019s farewell party. He was already giving an imitation
of the Speech, and was drawing near to the astonishing
Disappearance.
Frodo was annoyed. It was a harmless enough tale for most
of the local hobbits, no doubt: just a funny story about those
funny people away beyond the River; but some (old
Butterbur, for instance) knew a thing or two, and had probably heard rumours long ago about Bilbo\u2019s vanishing. It
would bring the name of Baggins to their minds, especially if
there had been inquiries in Bree after that name.
Frodo fidgeted, wondering what to do. Pippin was evidently much enjoying the attention he was getting, and had
become quite forgetful of their danger. Frodo had a sudden
fear that in his present mood he might even mention the
Ring; and that might well be disastrous.
\u2018You had better do something quick!\u2019 whispered Strider in
his ear.
Frodo jumped up and stood on a table, and began to talk.
The attention of Pippin\u2019s audience was disturbed. Some of
the hobbits looked at Frodo and laughed and clapped, thinking that Mr. Underhill had taken as much ale as was good
for him.
Frodo suddenly felt very foolish, and found himself (as
was his habit when making a speech) fingering the things in
his pocket. He felt the Ring on its chain, and quite unaccountably the desire came over him to slip it on and vanish
out of the silly situation. It seemed to him, somehow, as if
the suggestion came to him from outside, from someone or
something in the room. He resisted the temptation firmly,
and clasped the Ring in his hand, as if to keep a hold on it
and prevent it from escaping or doing any mischief. At any
rate it gave him no inspiration. He spoke \u2018a few suitable
words\u2019, as they would have said in the Shire: We are all very
much gratified by the kindness of your reception, and I venture
to hope that my brief visit will help to renew the old ties of
at the sign of the prancing pony 207
friendship between the Shire and Bree; and then he hesitated
and coughed.
Everyone in the room was now looking at him. \u2018A song!\u2019
shouted one of the hobbits. \u2018A song! A song!\u2019 shouted all the
others. \u2018Come on now, master, sing us something that we
haven\u2019t heard before!\u2019
For a moment Frodo stood gaping. Then in desperation
he began a ridiculous song that Bilbo had been rather fond
of (and indeed rather proud of, for he had made up the words
himself ). It was about an inn; and that is probably why it
came into Frodo\u2019s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a
few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered.
There is an inn, a merry old inn
beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon himself came down
one night to drink his fill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat
that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow,
Now squeaking high, now purring low,
now sawing in the middle.
The landlord keeps a little dog
that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there\u2019s good cheer among the guests,
He cocks an ear at all the jests
and laughs until he chokes.
They also keep a horne\u00b4d cow
as proud as any queen;
But music turns her head like ale,
And makes her wave her tufted tail
and dance upon the green.
208 the fellowship of the ring
And O! the rows of silver dishes
and the store of silver spoons!
For Sunday* there\u2019s a special pair,
And these they polish up with care
on Saturday afternoons.
The Man in the Moon was drinking deep,
and the cat began to wail;
A dish and a spoon on the table danced,
The cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.
The Man in the Moon took another mug,
and then rolled beneath his chair;
And there he dozed and dreamed of ale,
Till in the sky the stars were pale,
and dawn was in the air.
Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat:
\u2018The white horses of the Moon,
They neigh and champ their silver bits;
But their master\u2019s been and drowned his wits,
and the Sun\u2019ll be rising soon!\u2019
So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
\u2018It\u2019s after three!\u2019 he said.
They rolled the Man slowly up the hill
and bundled him into the Moon,
While his horses galloped up in rear,
And the cow came capering like a deer,
and a dish ran up with the spoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
232 the fellowship of the ring
In the early night Frodo woke from deep sleep, suddenly,
as if some sound or presence had disturbed him. He saw that
Strider was sitting alert in his chair: his eyes gleamed in the
light of the fire, which had been tended and was burning
brightly; but he made no sign or movement.
Frodo soon went to sleep again; but his dreams were again
troubled with the noise of wind and of galloping hoofs. The
wind seemed to be curling round the house and shaking it;
and far off he heard a horn blowing wildly. He opened his
eyes, and heard a cock crowing lustily in the inn-yard. Strider
had drawn the curtains and pushed back the shutters with a
clang. The first grey light of day was in the room, and a cold
air was coming through the open window.
As soon as Strider had roused them all, he led the way to
their bedrooms. When they saw them they were glad that
they had taken his advice: the windows had been forced open
and were swinging, and the curtains were flapping; the beds
were tossed about, and the bolsters slashed and flung upon
the floor; the brown mat was torn to pieces.
Strider immediately went to fetch the landlord. Poor Mr.
Butterbur looked sleepy and frightened. He had hardly closed
his eyes all night (so he said), but he had never heard a sound.
\u2018Never has such a thing happened in my time!\u2019 he cried,
raising his hands in horror. \u2018Guests unable to sleep in their
beds, and good bolsters ruined and all! What are we coming
to?\u2019
\u2018Dark times,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018But for the present you may be
left in peace, when you have got rid of us. We will leave at
once. Never mind about breakfast: a drink and a bite standing
will have to do. We shall be packed in a few minutes.\u2019
Mr. Butterbur hurried off to see that their ponies were got
ready, and to fetch them a \u2018bite\u2019. But very soon he came back
in dismay. The ponies had vanished! The stable-doors had
all been opened in the night, and they were gone: not only
Merry\u2019s ponies, but every other horse and beast in the place.
Frodo was crushed by the news. How could they hope to
reach Rivendell on foot, pursued by mounted enemies? They
a knife in the dark 233
might as well set out for the Moon. Strider sat silent for a
while, looking at the hobbits, as if he was weighing up their
strength and courage.
\u2018Ponies would not help us to escape horsemen,\u2019 he said at
last, thoughtfully, as if he guessed what Frodo had in mind.
\u2018We should not go much slower on foot, not on the roads
that I mean to take. I was going to walk in any case. It is the
food and stores that trouble me. We cannot count on getting
anything to eat between here and Rivendell, except what we
take with us; and we ought to take plenty to spare; for we
may be delayed, or forced to go round-about, far out of the
direct way. How much are you prepared to carry on your
backs?\u2019
\u2018As much as we must,\u2019 said Pippin with a sinking heart,
but trying to show that he was tougher than he looked (or
felt).
\u2018I can carry enough for two,\u2019 said Sam defiantly.
\u2018Can\u2019t anything be done, Mr. Butterbur?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018Can\u2019t we get a couple of ponies in the village, or even one
just for the baggage? I don\u2019t suppose we could hire them,
but we might be able to buy them,\u2019 he added, doubtfully,
wondering if he could afford it.
\u2018I doubt it,\u2019 said the landlord unhappily. \u2018The two or three
riding-ponies that there were in Bree were stabled in my yard,
and they\u2019re gone. As for other animals, horses or ponies for
draught or what not, there are very few of them in Bree, and
they won\u2019t be for sale. But I\u2019ll do what I can. I\u2019ll rout out Bob
and send him round as soon as may be.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Strider reluctantly, \u2018you had better do that. I am
afraid we shall have to try to get one pony at least. But so
ends all hope of starting early, and slipping away quietly! We
might as well have blown a horn to announce our departure.
That was part of their plan, no doubt.\u2019
\u2018There is one crumb of comfort,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018and more
than a crumb, I hope: we can have breakfast while we wait \u2013
and sit down to it. Let\u2019s get hold of Nob!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
234 the fellowship of the ring
In the end there was more than three hours\u2019 delay. Bob
came back with the report that no horse or pony was to be
got for love or money in the neighbourhood \u2013 except one:
Bill Ferny had one that he might possibly sell. \u2018A poor old
half-starved creature it is,\u2019 said Bob; \u2018but he won\u2019t part with
it for less than thrice its worth, seeing how you\u2019re placed, not
if I knows Bill Ferny.\u2019
\u2018Bill Ferny?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018Isn\u2019t there some trick? Wouldn\u2019t
the beast bolt back to him with all our stuff, or help in tracking
us, or something?\u2019
\u2018I wonder,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018But I cannot imagine any animal
running home to him, once it got away. I fancy this is only
an afterthought of kind Master Ferny\u2019s: just a way of increasing his profits from the affair. The chief danger is that the
poor beast is probably at death\u2019s door. But there does not
seem any choice. What does he want for it?\u2019
Bill Ferny\u2019s price was twelve silver pennies; and that was
indeed at least three times the pony\u2019s value in those parts. It
proved to be a bony, underfed, and dispirited animal; but
it did not look like dying just yet. Mr. Butterbur paid for it
himself, and offered Merry another eighteen pence as some
compensation for the lost animals. He was an honest man,
and well-off as things were reckoned in Bree; but thirty silver
pennies was a sore blow to him, and being cheated by Bill
Ferny made it harder to bear.
As a matter of fact he came out on the right side in the
end. It turned out later that only one horse had been actually
stolen. The others had been driven off, or had bolted in
terror, and were found wandering in different corners of
the Bree-land. Merry\u2019s ponies had escaped altogether, and
eventually (having a good deal of sense) they made their way
to the Downs in search of Fatty Lumpkin. So they came
under the care of Tom Bombadil for a while, and were welloff. But when news of the events at Bree came to Tom\u2019s ears,
he sent them to Mr. Butterbur, who thus got five good beasts
at a very fair price. They had to work harder in Bree, but
Bob treated them well; so on the whole they were lucky: they
a knife in the dark 235
missed a dark and dangerous journey. But they never came
to Rivendell.
However, in the meanwhile for all Mr. Butterbur knew his
money was gone for good, or for bad. And he had other
troubles. For there was a great commotion as soon as the
remaining guests were astir and heard news of the raid on
the inn. The southern travellers had lost several horses and
blamed the innkeeper loudly, until it became known that one
of their own number had also disappeared in the night, none
other than Bill Ferny\u2019s squint-eyed companion. Suspicion fell
on him at once.
\u2018If you pick up with a horse-thief, and bring him to my
house,\u2019 said Butterbur angrily, \u2018you ought to pay for all the
damage yourselves and not come shouting at me. Go and ask
Ferny where your handsome friend is!\u2019 But it appeared that
he was nobody\u2019s friend, and nobody could recollect when he
had joined their party.
After their breakfast the hobbits had to re-pack, and get
together further supplies for the longer journey they were
now expecting. It was close on ten o\u2019clock before they at last
got off. By that time the whole of Bree was buzzing with
excitement. Frodo\u2019s vanishing trick; the appearance of the
black horsemen; the robbing of the stables; and not least
the news that Strider the Ranger had joined the mysterious
hobbits, made such a tale as would last for many uneventful
years. Most of the inhabitants of Bree and Staddle, and many
even from Combe and Archet, were crowded in the road to
see the travellers start. The other guests in the inn were at
the doors or hanging out of the windows.
Strider had changed his mind, and had decided to leave
Bree by the main road. Any attempt to set off across country
at once would only make matters worse: half the inhabitants
would follow them, to see what they were up to, and to
prevent them from trespassing.
They said farewell to Nob and Bob, and took leave of Mr.
Butterbur with many thanks. \u2018I hope we shall meet again
236 the fellowship of the ring
some day, when things are merry once more,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I
should like nothing better than to stay in your house in peace
for a while.\u2019
They tramped off, anxious and downhearted, under the
eyes of the crowd. Not all the faces were friendly, nor all the
words that were shouted. But Strider seemed to be held in
awe by most of the Bree-landers, and those that he stared at
shut their mouths and drew away. He walked in front with
Frodo; next came Merry and Pippin; and last came Sam
leading the pony, which was laden with as much of their
baggage as they had the heart to give it; but already it looked
less dejected, as if it approved of the change in its fortunes.
Sam was chewing an apple thoughtfully. He had a pocket full
of them: a parting present from Nob and Bob. \u2018Apples for
walking, and a pipe for sitting,\u2019 he said. \u2018But I reckon I\u2019ll miss
them both before long.\u2019
The hobbits took no notice of the inquisitive heads that
peeped out of doors, or popped over walls and fences, as
they passed. But as they drew near to the further gate, Frodo
saw a dark ill-kept house behind a thick hedge: the last house
in the village. In one of the windows he caught a glimpse of
a sallow face with sly, slanting eyes; but it vanished at once.
\u2018So that\u2019s where that southerner is hiding!\u2019 he thought. \u2018He
looks more than half like a goblin.\u2019
Over the hedge another man was staring boldly. He had
heavy black brows, and dark scornful eyes; his large mouth
curled in a sneer. He was smoking a short black pipe. As they
approached he took it out of his mouth and spat.
\u2018Morning, Longshanks!\u2019 he said. \u2018Off early? Found some
friends at last?\u2019 Strider nodded, but did not answer.
\u2018Morning, my little friends!\u2019 he said to the others. \u2018I suppose you know who you\u2019ve taken up with? That\u2019s Stick-atnaught Strider, that is! Though I\u2019ve heard other names not
so pretty. Watch out tonight! And you, Sammie, don\u2019t go
ill-treating my poor old pony! Pah!\u2019 He spat again.
Sam turned quickly. \u2018And you, Ferny,\u2019 he said, \u2018put your
ugly face out of sight, or it will get hurt.\u2019 With a sudden flick,
a knife in the dark 237
quick as lightning, an apple left his hand and hit Bill square
on the nose. He ducked too late, and curses came from
behind the hedge. \u2018Waste of a good apple,\u2019 said Sam regretfully, and strode on.
At last they left the village behind. The escort of children
and stragglers that had followed them got tired and turned
back at the South-gate. Passing through, they kept on along
the Road for some miles. It bent to the left, curving back into
its eastward line as it rounded the feet of Bree-hill, and then
it began to run swiftly downwards into wooded country. To
their left they could see some of the houses and hobbit-holes
of Staddle on the gentler south-eastern slopes of the hill;
down in a deep hollow away north of the Road there were
wisps of rising smoke that showed where Combe lay; Archet
was hidden in the trees beyond.
After the Road had run down some way, and had left
Bree-hill standing tall and brown behind, they came on a
narrow track that led off towards the North. \u2018This is where
we leave the open and take to cover,\u2019 said Strider.
\u2018Not a \u2018\u2018short cut\u2019\u2019, I hope,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Our last short cut
through woods nearly ended in disaster.\u2019
\u2018Ah, but you had not got me with you then,\u2019 laughed
Strider. \u2018My cuts, short or long, don\u2019t go wrong.\u2019 He took a
look up and down the Road. No one was in sight; and he led
the way quickly down towards the wooded valley.
His plan, as far as they could understand it without knowing the country, was to go towards Archet at first, but to bear
right and pass it on the east, and then to steer as straight as
he could over the wild lands to Weathertop Hill. In that way
they would, if all went well, cut off a great loop of the Road,
which further on bent southwards to avoid the Midgewater
Marshes. But, of course, they would have to pass through
the marshes themselves, and Strider\u2019s description of them
was not encouraging.
However, in the meanwhile, walking was not unpleasant.
Indeed, if it had not been for the disturbing events of the
238 the fellowship of the ring
night before, they would have enjoyed this part of the journey
better than any up to that time. The sun was shining, clear
but not too hot. The woods in the valley were still leafy and
full of colour, and seemed peaceful and wholesome. Strider
guided them confidently among the many crossing paths,
although left to themselves they would soon have been at a
loss. He was taking a wandering course with many turns and
doublings, to put off any pursuit.
\u2018Bill Ferny will have watched where we left the Road, for
certain,\u2019 he said; \u2018though I don\u2019t think he will follow us himself. He knows the land round here well enough, but he knows
he is not a match for me in a wood. It is what he may tell
others that I am afraid of. I don\u2019t suppose they are far away.
If they think we have made for Archet, so much the better.\u2019
Whether because of Strider\u2019s skill or for some other reason,
they saw no sign and heard no sound of any other living thing
all that day: neither two-footed, except birds; nor four-footed,
except one fox and a few squirrels. The next day they began
to steer a steady course eastwards; and still all was quiet and
peaceful. On the third day out from Bree they came out of the
Chetwood. The land had been falling steadily, ever since they
turned aside from the Road, and they now entered a wide flat
expanse of country,muchmore difficult tomanage. They were
far beyond the borders of the Bree-land, out in the pathless
wilderness, and drawing near to the Midgewater Marshes.
The ground now became damp, and in places boggy and
here and there they came upon pools, and wide stretches of
reeds and rushes filled with the warbling of little hidden birds.
They had to pick their way carefully to keep both dry-footed
and on their proper course. At first they made fair progress,
but as they went on, their passage became slower and more
dangerous. The marshes were bewildering and treacherous,
and there was no permanent trail even for Rangers to find
through their shifting quagmires. The flies began to torment
them, and the air was full of clouds of tiny midges that crept
up their sleeves and breeches and into their hair.
a knife in the dark 239
\u2018I am being eaten alive!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018Midgewater! There
are more midges than water!\u2019
\u2018What do they live on when they can\u2019t get hobbit?\u2019 asked
Sam, scratching his neck.
They spent a miserable day in this lonely and unpleasant
country. Their camping-place was damp, cold, and uncomfortable; and the biting insects would not let them sleep.
There were also abominable creatures haunting the reeds and
tussocks that from the sound of them were evil relatives of the
cricket. There were thousands of them, and they squeaked all
round, neek-breek, breek-neek, unceasingly all the night, until
the hobbits were nearly frantic.
The next day, the fourth, was little better, and the night
almost as comfortless. Though the Neekerbreekers (as Sam
called them) had been left behind, the midges still pursued
them.
As Frodo lay, tired but unable to close his eyes, it seemed
to him that far away there came a light in the eastern sky: it
flashed and faded many times. It was not the dawn, for that
was still some hours off.
\u2018What is the light?\u2019 he said to Strider, who had risen, and
was standing, gazing ahead into the night.
\u2018I do not know,\u2019 Strider answered. \u2018It is too distant to make
out. It is like lightning that leaps up from the hill-tops.\u2019
Frodo lay down again, but for a long while he could still
see the white flashes, and against them the tall dark figure of
Strider, standing silent and watchful. At last he passed into
uneasy sleep.
They had not gone far on the fifth day when they left the
last straggling pools and reed-beds of the marshes behind
them. The land before them began steadily to rise again.
Away in the distance eastward they could now see a line of
hills. The highest of them was at the right of the line and a
little separated from the others. It had a conical top, slightly
flattened at the summit.
\u2018That is Weathertop,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018The Old Road, which
240 the fellowship of the ring
we have left far away on our right, runs to the south of it and
passes not far from its foot. We might reach it by noon
tomorrow, if we go straight towards it. I suppose we had
better do so.\u2019
\u2018What do you mean?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018I mean: when we do get there, it is not certain what we
shall find. It is close to the Road.\u2019
\u2018But surely we were hoping to find Gandalf there?\u2019
\u2018Yes; but the hope is faint. If he comes this way at all, he
may not pass through Bree, and so he may not know what
we are doing. And anyway, unless by luck we arrive almost
together, we shall miss one another; it will not be safe for him
or for us to wait there long. If the Riders fail to find us in
the wilderness, they are likely to make for Weathertop themselves. It commands a wide view all round. Indeed, there are
many birds and beasts in this country that could see us, as
we stand here, from that hill-top. Not all the birds are to be
trusted, and there are other spies more evil than they are.\u2019
The hobbits looked anxiously at the distant hills. Sam
looked up into the pale sky, fearing to see hawks or eagles
hovering over them with bright unfriendly eyes. \u2018You do
make me feel uncomfortable and lonesome, Strider!\u2019 he said.
\u2018What do you advise us to do?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018I think,\u2019 answered Strider slowly, as if he was not quite
sure, \u2018I think the best thing is to go as straight eastward from
here as we can, to make for the line of hills, not for
Weathertop. There we can strike a path I know that runs at
their feet; it will bring us to Weathertop from the north and
less openly. Then we shall see what we shall see.\u2019
All that day they plodded along, until the cold and early
evening came down. The land became drier and more barren;
but mists and vapours lay behind them on the marshes. A
few melancholy birds were piping and wailing, until the round
red sun sank slowly into the western shadows; then an empty
silence fell. The hobbits thought of the soft light of sunset
glancing through the cheerful windows of Bag End far away.
a knife in the dark 241
At the day\u2019s end they came to a stream that wandered
down from the hills to lose itself in the stagnant marshland,
and they went up along its banks while the light lasted. It was
already night when at last they halted and made their camp
under some stunted alder-trees by the shores of the stream.
Ahead there loomed now against the dusky sky the bleak and
treeless backs of the hills. That night they set a watch, and
Strider, it seemed, did not sleep at all. The moon was waxing,
and in the early night-hours a cold grey light lay on the land.
Next morning they set out again soon after sunrise. There
was a frost in the air, and the sky was a pale clear blue. The
hobbits felt refreshed, as if they had had a night of unbroken
sleep. Already they were getting used to much walking on
short commons \u2013 shorter at any rate than what in the Shire
they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their
legs. Pippin declared that Frodo was looking twice the hobbit
that he had been.
\u2018Very odd,\u2019 said Frodo, tightening his belt, \u2018considering
that there is actually a good deal less of me. I hope the
thinning process will not go on indefinitely, or I shall become
a wraith.\u2019
\u2018Do not speak of such things!\u2019 said Strider quickly, and
with surprising earnestness.
The hills drew nearer. They made an undulating ridge,
often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there
falling again to low clefts or passes leading into the eastern
land beyond. Along the crest of the ridge the hobbits could
see what looked to be the remains of green-grown walls and
dikes, and in the clefts there still stood the ruins of old works
of stone. By night they had reached the feet of the westward
slopes, and there they camped. It was the night of the fifth
of October, and they were six days out from Bree.
In the morning they found, for the first time since they had
left the Chetwood, a track plain to see. They turned right
and followed it southwards. It ran cunningly, taking a line
that seemed chosen so as to keep as much hidden as possible
242 the fellowship of the ring
from the view, both of the hill-tops above and of the flats to
the west. It dived into dells, and hugged steep banks; and
where it passed over flatter and more open ground on either
side of it there were lines of large boulders and hewn stones
that screened the travellers almost like a hedge.
\u2018I wonder who made this path, and what for,\u2019 said Merry,
as they walked along one of these avenues, where the stones
were unusually large and closely set. \u2018I am not sure that I like
it: it has a \u2013 well, rather a barrow-wightish look. Is there any
barrow on Weathertop?\u2019
\u2018No. There is no barrow on Weathertop, nor on any of
these hills,\u2019 answered Strider. \u2018The Men of the West did not
live here; though in their latter days they defended the hills
for a while against the evil that came out of Angmar. This
path was made to serve the forts along the walls. But long
before, in the first days of the North Kingdom, they built a
great watch-tower on Weathertop, Amon Su\u02c6l they called it.
It was burned and broken, and nothing remains of it now but
a tumbled ring, like a rough crown on the old hill\u2019s head. Yet
once it was tall and fair. It is told that Elendil stood there
watching for the coming of Gil-galad out of the West, in the
days of the Last Alliance.\u2019
The hobbits gazed at Strider. It seemed that he was learned
in old lore, as well as in the ways of the wild. \u2018Who was
Gil-galad?\u2019 asked Merry; but Strider did not answer, and
seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly a low voice
murmured:
Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.
His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven\u2019s field
were mirrored in his silver shield.
a knife in the dark 243
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.
The others turned in amazement, for the voice was Sam\u2019s.
\u2018Don\u2019t stop!\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018That\u2019s all I know,\u2019 stammered Sam, blushing. \u2018I learned it
from Mr. Bilbo when I was a lad. He used to tell me tales
like that, knowing how I was always one for hearing about
Elves. It was Mr. Bilbo as taught me my letters. He was
mighty book-learned was dear old Mr. Bilbo. And he wrote
poetry. He wrote what I have just said.\u2019
\u2018He did not make it up,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018It is part of the lay
that is called The Fall of Gil-galad, which is in an ancient
tongue. Bilbo must have translated it. I never knew that.\u2019
\u2018There was a lot more,\u2019 said Sam, \u2018all about Mordor. I
didn\u2019t learn that part, it gave me the shivers. I never thought
I should be going that way myself!\u2019
\u2018Going to Mordor!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018I hope it won\u2019t come to
that!\u2019
\u2018Do not speak that name so loudly!\u2019 said Strider.
It was already mid-day when they drew near the southern
end of the path, and saw before them, in the pale clear light
of the October sun, a grey-green bank, leading up like a
bridge on to the northward slope of the hill. They decided
to make for the top at once, while the daylight was broad.
Concealment was no longer possible, and they could only
hope that no enemy or spy was observing them. Nothing was
to be seen moving on the hill. If Gandalf was anywhere about,
there was no sign of him.
On the western flank of Weathertop they found a sheltered
hollow, at the bottom of which there was a bowl-shaped dell
with grassy sides. There they left Sam and Pippin with the
pony and their packs and luggage. The other three went on.
After half an hour\u2019s plodding climb Strider reached the crown
244 the fellowship of the ring
of the hill; Frodo and Merry followed, tired and breathless.
The last slope had been steep and rocky.
On the top they found, as Strider had said, a wide ring of
ancient stone-work, now crumbling or covered with age-long
grass. But in the centre a cairn of broken stones had been
piled. They were blackened as if with fire. About them the
turf was burned to the roots and all within the ring the grass
was scorched and shrivelled, as if flames had swept the hilltop; but there was no sign of any living thing.
Standing upon the rim of the ruined circle, they saw all
round below them a wide prospect, for the most part of lands
empty and featureless, except for patches of woodland away
to the south, beyond which they caught here and there the
glint of distant water. Beneath them on this southern side
there ran like a ribbon the Old Road, coming out of the West
and winding up and down, until it faded behind a ridge of
dark land to the east. Nothing was moving on it. Following
its line eastward with their eyes they saw the Mountains: the
nearer foothills were brown and sombre; behind them stood
taller shapes of grey, and behind those again were high white
peaks glimmering among the clouds.
\u2018Well, here we are!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018And very cheerless and
uninviting it looks! There is no water and no shelter. And no
sign of Gandalf. But I don\u2019t blame him for not waiting \u2013 if
he ever came here.\u2019
\u2018I wonder,\u2019 said Strider, looking round thoughtfully. \u2018Even
if he was a day or two behind us at Bree, he could have
arrived here first. He can ride very swiftly when need presses.\u2019
Suddenly he stooped and looked at the stone on the top of
the cairn; it was flatter than the others, and whiter, as if it
had escaped the fire. He picked it up and examined it, turning
it in his fingers. \u2018This has been handled recently,\u2019 he said.
\u2018What do you think of these marks?\u2019
On the flat under-side Frodo saw some scratches: .
\u2018There seems to be a stroke, a dot, and three more strokes,\u2019
he said.
\u2018The stroke on the left might be a G-rune with thin
a knife in the dark 245
branches,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018It might be a sign left by Gandalf,
though one cannot be sure. The scratches are fine, and they
certainly look fresh. But the marks might mean something
quite different, and have nothing to do with us. Rangers use
runes, and they come here sometimes.\u2019
\u2018What could they mean, even if Gandalf made them?\u2019
asked Merry.
\u2018I should say,\u2019 answered Strider, \u2018that they stood for G3,
and were a sign that Gandalf was here on October the third:
that is three days ago now. It would also show that he was in
a hurry and danger was at hand, so that he had no time or
did not dare to write anything longer or plainer. If that is so,
we must be wary.\u2019
\u2018I wish we could feel sure that he made the marks, whatever
they may mean,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018It would be a great comfort to
know that he was on the way, in front of us or behind us.\u2019
\u2018Perhaps,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018For myself, I believe that he was
here, and was in danger. There have been scorching flames
here; and now the light that we saw three nights ago in the
eastern sky comes back to my mind. I guess that he was
attacked on this hill-top, but with what result I cannot tell.
He is here no longer, and we must now look after ourselves
and make our own way to Rivendell, as best we can.\u2019
\u2018How far is Rivendell?\u2019 asked Merry, gazing round wearily.
The world looked wild and wide from Weathertop.
\u2018I don\u2019t know if the Road has ever been measured in miles
beyond the Forsaken Inn, a day\u2019s journey east of Bree,\u2019
answered Strider. \u2018Some say it is so far, and some say otherwise. It is a strange road, and folk are glad to reach their
journey\u2019s end, whether the time is long or short. But I know
how long it would take me on my own feet, with fair weather
and no ill fortune: twelve days from here to the Ford of
Bruinen, where the Road crosses the Loudwater that runs
out of Rivendell. We have at least a fortnight\u2019s journey before
us, for I do not think we shall be able to use the Road.\u2019
\u2018A fortnight!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018A lot may happen in that time.\u2019
\u2018It may,\u2019 said Strider.
246 the fellowship of the ring
They stood for a while silent on the hill-top, near its southward edge. In that lonely place Frodo for the first time fully
realized his homelessness and danger. He wished bitterly that
his fortune had left him in the quiet and beloved Shire. He
stared down at the hateful Road, leading back westward \u2013 to
his home. Suddenly he was aware that two black specks were
moving slowly along it, going westward; and looking again
he saw that three others were creeping eastward to meet
them. He gave a cry and clutched Strider\u2019s arm.
\u2018Look,\u2019 he said, pointing downwards.
At once Strider flung himself on the ground behind the
ruined circle, pulling Frodo down beside him. Merry threw
himself alongside.
\u2018What is it?\u2019 he whispered.
\u2018I do not know, but I fear the worst,\u2019 answered Strider.
Slowly they crawled up to the edge of the ring again, and
peered through a cleft between two jagged stones. The light
was no longer bright, for the clear morning had faded, and
clouds creeping out of the East had now overtaken the sun,
as it began to go down. They could all see the black specks,
but neither Frodo nor Merry could make out their shapes for
certain; yet something told them that there, far below, were
Black Riders assembling on the Road beyond the foot of the
hill.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Strider, whose keener sight left him in no doubt.
\u2018The enemy is here!\u2019
Hastily they crept away and slipped down the north side
of the hill to find their companions.
Sam and Peregrin had not been idle. They had explored
the small dell and the surrounding slopes. Not far away they
found a spring of clear water in the hillside, and near it
footprints not more than a day or two old. In the dell itself
they found recent traces of a fire, and other signs of a hasty
camp. There were some fallen rocks on the edge of the dell
nearest to the hill. Behind them Sam came upon a small store
of firewood neatly stacked.
a knife in the dark 247
\u2018I wonder if old Gandalf has been here,\u2019 he said to Pippin.
\u2018Whoever it was put this stuff here meant to come back it
seems.\u2019
Strider was greatly interested in these discoveries. \u2018I wish I
had waited and explored the ground down here myself,\u2019 he
said, hurrying off to the spring to examine the footprints.
\u2018It is just as I feared,\u2019 he said, when he came back. \u2018Sam
and Pippin have trampled the soft ground, and the marks are
spoilt or confused. Rangers have been here lately. It is they
who left the firewood behind. But there are also several newer
tracks that were not made by Rangers. At least one set was
made, only a day or two ago, by heavy boots. At least one. I
cannot now be certain, but I think there were many booted
feet.\u2019 He paused and stood in anxious thought.
Each of the hobbits saw in his mind a vision of the cloaked
and booted Riders. If the horsemen had already found the dell,
the sooner Strider led them somewhere else the better. Sam
viewed the hollow with great dislike, now that he had heard
news of their enemies on the Road, only a few miles away.
\u2018Hadn\u2019t we better clear out quick, Mr. Strider?\u2019 he asked
impatiently. \u2018It is getting late, and I don\u2019t like this hole: it
makes my heart sink somehow.\u2019
\u2018Yes, we certainly must decide what to do at once,\u2019
answered Strider, looking up and considering the time and
the weather. \u2018Well, Sam,\u2019 he said at last, \u2018I do not like this
place either; but I cannot think of anywhere better that we
could reach before nightfall. At least we are out of sight for
the moment, and if we moved we should be much more likely
to be seen by spies. All we could do would be to go right out
of our way back north on this side of the line of hills, where
the land is all much the same as it is here. The Road is
watched, but we should have to cross it, if we tried to take
cover in the thickets away to the south. On the north side of
the Road beyond the hills the country is bare and flat for
miles.\u2019
\u2018Can the Riders see?\u2019 asked Merry. \u2018I mean, they seem
usually to have used their noses rather than their eyes,
248 the fellowship of the ring
smelling for us, if smelling is the right word, at least in the
daylight. But you made us lie down flat when you saw them
down below; and now you talk of being seen, if we move.\u2019
\u2018I was too careless on the hill-top,\u2019 answered Strider. \u2018I was
very anxious to find some sign of Gandalf; but it was a
mistake for three of us to go up and stand there so long. For
the black horses can see, and the Riders can use men and
other creatures as spies, as we found at Bree. They themselves
do not see the world of light as we do, but our shapes cast
shadows in their minds, which only the noon sun destroys;
and in the dark they perceive many signs and forms that are
hidden from us: then they are most to be feared. And at all
times they smell the blood of living things, desiring and hating
it. Senses, too, there are other than sight or smell. We can
feel their presence \u2013 it troubled our hearts, as soon as we
came here, and before we saw them; they feel ours more
keenly. Also,\u2019 he added, and his voice sank to a whisper, \u2018the
Ring draws them.\u2019
\u2018Is there no escape then?\u2019 said Frodo, looking round wildly.
\u2018If I move I shall be seen and hunted! If I stay, I shall draw
them to me!\u2019
Strider laid his hand on his shoulder. \u2018There is still hope,\u2019 he
said. \u2018You are not alone. Let us take this wood that is set ready
for the fire as a sign. There is little shelter or defence here, but
fire shall serve for both. Sauron can put fire to his evil uses, as
he can all things, but these Riders do not love it, and fear those
who wield it. Fire is our friend in the wilderness.\u2019
\u2018Maybe,\u2019 muttered Sam. \u2018It is also as good a way of saying
\u2018\u2018here we are\u2019\u2019 as I can think of, bar shouting.\u2019
Down in the lowest and most sheltered corner of the dell
they lit a fire, and prepared a meal. The shades of evening
began to fall, and it grew cold. They were suddenly aware
of great hunger, for they had not eaten anything since breakfast; but they dared not make more than a frugal supper.
The lands ahead were empty of all save birds and beasts,
unfriendly places deserted by all the races of the world.
a knife in the dark 249
Rangers passed at times beyond the hills, but they were few
and did not stay. Other wanderers were rare, and of evil sort:
trolls might stray down at times out of the northern valleys
of the Misty Mountains. Only on the Road would travellers
be found, most often dwarves, hurrying along on business of
their own, and with no help and few words to spare for
strangers.
\u2018I don\u2019t see how our food can be made to last,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018We have been careful enough in the last few days, and this
supper is no feast; but we have used more than we ought, if
we have two weeks still to go, and perhaps more.\u2019
\u2018There is food in the wild,\u2019 said Strider; \u2018berry, root, and
herb; and I have some skill as a hunter at need. You need not
be afraid of starving before winter comes. But gathering and
catching food is long and weary work, and we need haste. So
tighten your belts, and think with hope of the tables of
Elrond\u2019s house!\u2019
The cold increased as darkness came on. Peering out from
the edge of the dell they could see nothing but a grey land
now vanishing quickly into shadow. The sky above had
cleared again and was slowly filled with twinkling stars. Frodo
and his companions huddled round the fire, wrapped in every
garment and blanket they possessed; but Strider was content
with a single cloak, and sat a little apart, drawing thoughtfully
at his pipe.
As night fell and the light of the fire began to shine out
brightly he began to tell them tales to keep their minds from
fear. He knew many histories and legends of long ago, of
Elves and Men and the good and evil deeds of the Elder
Days. They wondered how old he was, and where he had
learned all this lore.
\u2018Tell us of Gil-galad,\u2019 said Merry suddenly, when he
paused at the end of a story of the Elf-kingdoms. \u2018Do you
know any more of that old lay that you spoke of ?\u2019
\u2018I do indeed,\u2019 answered Strider. \u2018So also does Frodo, for it
concerns us closely.\u2019 Merry and Pippin looked at Frodo, who
was staring into the fire.
250 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018I know only the little that Gandalf has told me,\u2019 said Frodo
slowly. \u2018Gil-galad was the last of the great Elf-kings of
Middle-earth. Gil-galad is Starlight in their tongue. With
Elendil, the Elf-friend, he went to the land of\u2014\u2014\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Strider interrupting, \u2018I do not think that tale
should be told now with the servants of the Enemy at hand.
If we win through to the house of Elrond, you may hear it
there, told in full.\u2019
\u2018Then tell us some other tale of the old days,\u2019 begged Sam;
\u2018a tale about the Elves before the fading time. I would dearly
like to hear more about Elves; the dark seems to press round
so close.\u2019
\u2018I will tell you the tale of Tinu\u00b4viel,\u2019 said Strider, \u2018in brief \u2013
for it is a long tale of which the end is not known; and there
are none now, except Elrond, that remember it aright as it
was told of old. It is a fair tale, though it is sad, as are all the
tales of Middle-earth, and yet it may lift up your hearts.\u2019 He
was silent for some time, and then he began not to speak but
to chant softly:
The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinu\u00b4viel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.
There Beren came from mountains cold,
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.
a knife in the dark 251
Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.
He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beechen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.
He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.
When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.
252 the fellowship of the ring
Again she fled, but swift he came.
Tinu\u00b4viel! Tinu\u00b4viel!
He called her by her Elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinu\u00b4viel
That in his arms lay glistening.
As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinu\u00b4viel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.
Long was the way that fate them bore,
O\u2019er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless.
Strider sighed and paused before he spoke again. \u2018That is
a song,\u2019 he said, \u2018in the mode that is called ann-thennath
among the Elves, but is hard to render in our Common
Speech, and this is but a rough echo of it. It tells of the
meeting of Beren son of Barahir and Lu\u00b4thien Tinu\u00b4viel. Beren
was a mortal man, but Lu\u00b4thien was the daughter of Thingol,
a King of Elves upon Middle-earth when the world was
young; and she was the fairest maiden that has ever been
among all the children of this world. As the stars above the
mists of the Northern lands was her loveliness, and in her
a knife in the dark 253
face was a shining light. In those days the Great Enemy,
of whom Sauron of Mordor was but a servant, dwelt in
Angband in the North, and the Elves of the West coming
back to Middle-earth made war upon him to regain the
Silmarils which he had stolen; and the fathers of Men aided
the Elves. But the Enemy was victorious and Barahir was
slain, and Beren escaping through great peril came over the
Mountains of Terror into the hidden Kingdom of Thingol in
the forest of Neldoreth. There he beheld Lu\u00b4thien singing and
dancing in a glade beside the enchanted river Esgalduin; and
he named her Tinu\u00b4viel, that is Nightingale in the language
of old. Many sorrows befell them afterwards, and they were
parted long. Tinu\u00b4viel rescued Beren from the dungeons of
Sauron, and together they passed through great dangers, and
cast down even the Great Enemy from his throne, and took
from his iron crown one of the three Silmarils, brightest of
all jewels, to be the bride-price of Lu\u00b4thien to Thingol her
father. Yet at the last Beren was slain by the Wolf that came
from the gates of Angband, and he died in the arms of
Tinu\u00b4viel. But she chose mortality, and to die from the world,
so that she might follow him; and it is sung that they met
again beyond the Sundering Seas, and after a brief time walking alive once more in the green woods, together they passed,
long ago, beyond the confines of this world. So it is that
Lu\u00b4thien Tinu\u00b4viel alone of the Elf-kindred has died indeed
and left the world, and they have lost her whom they most
loved. But from her the lineage of the Elf-lords of old
descended among Men. There live still those of whom
Lu\u00b4thien was the foremother, and it is said that her line shall
never fail. Elrond of Rivendell is of that Kin. For of Beren
and Lu\u00b4thien was born Dior Thingol\u2019s heir; and of him Elwing
the White whom Ea\u00a8rendil wedded, he that sailed his ship out
of the mists of the world into the seas of heaven with the
Silmaril upon his brow. And of Ea\u00a8rendil came the Kings of
Nu\u00b4menor, that is Westernesse.\u2019
As Strider was speaking they watched his strange eager
face, dimly lit in the red glow of the wood-fire. His eyes
254 the fellowship of the ring
shone, and his voice was rich and deep. Above him was a
black starry sky. Suddenly a pale light appeared over the
crown of Weathertop behind him. The waxing moon was
climbing slowly above the hill that overshadowed them, and
the stars above the hill-top faded.
The story ended. The hobbits moved and stretched.
\u2018Look!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018The Moon is rising: it must be getting
late.\u2019
The others looked up. Even as they did so, they saw on
the top of the hill something small and dark against the glimmer of the moonrise. It was perhaps only a large stone or
jutting rock shown up by the pale light.
Sam and Merry got up and walked away from the fire.
Frodo and Pippin remained seated in silence. Strider was
watching the moonlight on the hill intently. All seemed quiet
and still, but Frodo felt a cold dread creeping over his heart,
now that Strider was no longer speaking. He huddled closer
to the fire. At that moment Sam came running back from the
edge of the dell.
\u2018I don\u2019t know what it is,\u2019 he said, \u2018but I suddenly felt afraid.
I durstn\u2019t go outside this dell for any money; I felt that something was creeping up the slope.\u2019
\u2018Did you see anything?\u2019 asked Frodo, springing to his feet.
\u2018No, sir. I saw nothing, but I didn\u2019t stop to look.\u2019
\u2018I saw something,\u2019 said Merry; \u2018or I thought I did \u2013 away
westwards where the moonlight was falling on the flats
beyond the shadow of the hill-tops, I thought there were two
or three black shapes. They seemed to be moving this way.\u2019
\u2018Keep close to the fire, with your faces outward!\u2019 cried
Strider. \u2018Get some of the longer sticks ready in your hands!\u2019
For a breathless time they sat there, silent and alert, with
their backs turned to the wood-fire, each gazing into the
shadows that encircled them. Nothing happened. There was
no sound or movement in the night. Frodo stirred, feeling
that he must break the silence: he longed to shout out aloud.
\u2018Hush!\u2019 whispered Strider. \u2018What\u2019s that?\u2019 gasped Pippin at
the same moment.
a knife in the dark 255
Over the lip of the little dell, on the side away from the
hill, they felt, rather than saw, a shadow rise, one shadow or
more than one. They strained their eyes, and the shadows
seemed to grow. Soon there could be no doubt: three or four
tall black figures were standing there on the slope, looking
down on them. So black were they that they seemed like
black holes in the deep shade behind them. Frodo thought
that he heard a faint hiss as of venomous breath and felt a
thin piercing chill. Then the shapes slowly advanced.
Terror overcame Pippin and Merry, and they threw themselves flat on the ground. Sam shrank to Frodo\u2019s side. Frodo
was hardly less terrified than his companions; he was quaking
as if he was bitter cold, but his terror was swallowed up in a
sudden temptation to put on the Ring. The desire to do this
laid hold of him, and he could think of nothing else. He
did not forget the Barrow, nor the message of Gandalf;
but something seemed to be compelling him to disregard
all warnings, and he longed to yield. Not with the hope of
escape, or of doing anything, either good or bad: he simply
felt that he must take the Ring and put it on his finger. He
could not speak. He felt Sam looking at him, as if he knew
that his master was in some great trouble, but he could not
turn towards him. He shut his eyes and struggled for a while;
but resistance became unbearable, and at last he slowly drew
out the chain, and slipped the Ring on the forefinger of his
left hand.
Immediately, though everything else remained as before,
dim and dark, the shapes became terribly clear. He was able
to see beneath their black wrappings. There were five tall
figures: two standing on the lip of the dell, three advancing.
In their white faces burned keen and merciless eyes; under
their mantles were long grey robes; upon their grey hairs were
helms of silver; in their haggard hands were swords of steel.
Their eyes fell on him and pierced him, as they rushed
towards him. Desperate, he drew his own sword, and it
seemed to him that it flickered red, as if it was a firebrand.
Two of the figures halted. The third was taller than the others:
256 the fellowship of the ring
his hair was long and gleaming and on his helm was a crown.
In one hand he held a long sword, and in the other a knife;
both the knife and the hand that held it glowed with a pale
light. He sprang forward and bore down on Frodo.
At that moment Frodo threw himself forward on the
ground, and he heard himself crying aloud: O Elbereth!
Gilthoniel! At the same time he struck at the feet of his enemy.
A shrill cry rang out in the night; and he felt a pain like a dart
of poisoned ice pierce his left shoulder. Even as he swooned
he caught, as through a swirling mist, a glimpse of Strider
leaping out of the darkness with a flaming brand of wood in
either hand. With a last effort Frodo, dropping his sword,
slipped the Ring from his finger and closed his right hand
tight upon it.
Chapter 12
FLIGHT TO THE FORD
When Frodo came to himself he was still clutching the Ring
desperately. He was lying by the fire, which was now piled
high and burning brightly. His three companions were bending over him.
\u2018What has happened? Where is the pale king?\u2019 he asked
wildly.
They were too overjoyed to hear him speak to answer for
a while; nor did they understand his question. At length he
gathered from Sam that they had seen nothing but the vague
shadowy shapes coming towards them. Suddenly to his
horror Sam found that his master had vanished; and at that
moment a black shadow rushed past him, and he fell. He
heard Frodo\u2019s voice, but it seemed to come from a great
distance, or from under the earth, crying out strange words.
They saw nothing more, until they stumbled over the body
of Frodo, lying as if dead, face downwards on the grass with
his sword beneath him. Strider ordered them to pick him up
and lay him near the fire, and then he disappeared. That was
now a good while ago.
Sam plainly was beginning to have doubts again about
Strider; but while they were talking he returned, appearing
suddenly out of the shadows. They started, and Sam drew
his sword and stood over Frodo; but Strider knelt down
swiftly at his side.
\u2018I am not a Black Rider, Sam,\u2019 he said gently, \u2018nor in league
with them. I have been trying to discover something of their
movements; but I have found nothing. I cannot think why
they have gone and do not attack again. But there is no feeling
of their presence anywhere at hand.\u2019
When he heard what Frodo had to tell, he became full of
258 the fellowship of the ring
concern, and shook his head and sighed. Then he ordered
Pippin and Merry to heat as much water as they could in
their small kettles, and to bathe the wound with it. \u2018Keep the
fire going well, and keep Frodo warm!\u2019 he said. Then he
got up and walked away, and called Sam to him. \u2018I think I
understand things better now,\u2019 he said in a low voice. \u2018There
seem only to have been five of the enemy. Why they were
not all here, I don\u2019t know; but I don\u2019t think they expected to
be resisted. They have drawn off for the time being. But not
far, I fear. They will come again another night, if we cannot
escape. They are only waiting, because they think that their
purpose is almost accomplished, and that the Ring cannot fly
much further. I fear, Sam, that they believe your master has
a deadly wound that will subdue him to their will. We shall
see!\u2019
Sam choked with tears. \u2018Don\u2019t despair!\u2019 said Strider. \u2018You
must trust me now. Your Frodo is made of sterner stuff than
I had guessed, though Gandalf hinted that it might prove so.
He is not slain, and I think he will resist the evil power of the
wound longer than his enemies expect. I will do all I can to
help and heal him. Guard him well, while I am away!\u2019 He
hurried off and disappeared again into the darkness.
Frodo dozed, though the pain of his wound was slowly
growing, and a deadly chill was spreading from his shoulder
to his arm and side. His friends watched over him, warming
him, and bathing his wound. The night passed slowly and
wearily. Dawn was growing in the sky, and the dell was filling
with grey light, when Strider at last returned.
\u2018Look!\u2019 he cried; and stooping he lifted from the ground a
black cloak that had lain there hidden by the darkness. A foot
above the lower hem there was a slash. \u2018This was the stroke
of Frodo\u2019s sword,\u2019 he said. \u2018The only hurt that it did to his
enemy, I fear; for it is unharmed, but all blades perish that
pierce that dreadful King. More deadly to him was the name
of Elbereth.\u2019
\u2018And more deadly to Frodo was this!\u2019 He stooped again
flight to the ford 259
and lifted up a long thin knife. There was a cold gleam in it.
As Strider raised it they saw that near the end its edge was
notched and the point was broken off. But even as he held it
up in the growing light, they gazed in astonishment, for the
blade seemed to melt, and vanished like a smoke in the air,
leaving only the hilt in Strider\u2019s hand. \u2018Alas!\u2019 he cried. \u2018It was
this accursed knife that gave the wound. Few now have the
skill in healing to match such evil weapons. But I will do what
I can.\u2019
He sat down on the ground, and taking the dagger-hilt laid
it on his knees, and he sang over it a slow song in a strange
tongue. Then setting it aside, he turned to Frodo and in a
soft tone spoke words the others could not catch. From the
pouch at his belt he drew out the long leaves of a plant.
\u2018These leaves,\u2019 he said, \u2018I have walked far to find; for
this plant does not grow in the bare hills; but in the thickets
away south of the Road I found it in the dark by the scent
of its leaves.\u2019 He crushed a leaf in his fingers, and it gave out
a sweet and pungent fragrance. \u2018It is fortunate that I could
find it, for it is a healing plant that the Men of the West
brought to Middle-earth. Athelas they named it, and it grows
now sparsely and only near places where they dwelt or
camped of old; and it is not known in the North, except to
some of those who wander in the Wild. It has great virtues,
but over such a wound as this its healing powers may be
small.\u2019
He threw the leaves into boiling water and bathed Frodo\u2019s
shoulder. The fragrance of the steam was refreshing, and
those that were unhurt felt their minds calmed and cleared.
The herb had also some power over the wound, for Frodo
felt the pain and also the sense of frozen cold lessen in his
side; but the life did not return to his arm, and he could not
raise or use his hand. He bitterly regretted his foolishness,
and reproached himself for weakness of will; for he now
perceived that in putting on the Ring he obeyed not his
own desire but the commanding wish of his enemies. He
wondered if he would remain maimed for life, and how they
260 the fellowship of the ring
would now manage to continue their journey. He felt too
weak to stand.
The others were discussing this very question. They
quickly decided to leave Weathertop as soon as possible. \u2018I
think now,\u2019 said Strider, \u2018that the enemy has been watching
this place for some days. If Gandalf ever came here, then he
must have been forced to ride away, and he will not return.
In any case we are in great peril here after dark, since the
attack of last night, and we can hardly meet greater danger
wherever we go.\u2019
As soon as the daylight was full, they had some hurried
food and packed. It was impossible for Frodo to walk, so they
divided the greater part of their baggage among the four of
them, and put Frodo on the pony. In the last few days the
poor beast had improved wonderfully; it already seemed fatter and stronger, and had begun to show an affection for its
new masters, especially for Sam. Bill Ferny\u2019s treatment must
have been very hard for the journey in the wild to seem so
much better than its former life.
They started off in a southerly direction. This would mean
crossing the Road, but it was the quickest way to more
wooded country. And they needed fuel; for Strider said that
Frodo must be kept warm, especially at night, while fire
would be some protection for them all. It was also his plan
to shorten their journey by cutting across another great loop
of the Road: east beyond Weathertop it changed its course
and took a wide bend northwards.
They made their way slowly and cautiously round the
south-western slopes of the hill, and came in a little while to
the edge of the Road. There was no sign of the Riders. But
even as they were hurrying across they heard far away two
cries: a cold voice calling and a cold voice answering. Trembling they sprang forward, and made for the thickets that lay
ahead. The land before them sloped away southwards, but it
was wild and pathless; bushes and stunted trees grew in dense
patches with wide barren spaces in between. The grass was
flight to the ford 261
scanty, coarse, and grey; and the leaves in the thickets were
faded and falling. It was a cheerless land, and their journey
was slow and gloomy. They spoke little as they trudged
along. Frodo\u2019s heart was grieved as he watched them walking
beside him with their heads down, and their backs bowed
under their burdens. Even Strider seemed tired and heavyhearted.
Before the first day\u2019s march was over Frodo\u2019s pain began
to grow again, but he did not speak of it for a long time. Four
days passed, without the ground or the scene changing
much, except that behind them Weathertop slowly sank, and
before them the distant mountains loomed a little nearer. Yet
since that far cry they had seen and heard no sign that the
enemy had marked their flight or followed them. They
dreaded the dark hours, and kept watch in pairs by night,
expecting at any time to see black shapes stalking in the
grey night, dimly lit by the cloud-veiled moon; but they saw
nothing, and heard no sound but the sigh of withered leaves
and grass. Not once did they feel the sense of present evil
that had assailed them before the attack in the dell. It seemed
too much to hope that the Riders had already lost their trail
again. Perhaps they were waiting to make some ambush in a
narrow place?
At the end of the fifth day the ground began once more to
rise slowly out of the wide shallow valley into which they had
descended. Strider now turned their course again northeastwards, and on the sixth day they reached the top of a
long slow-climbing slope, and saw far ahead a huddle of
wooded hills. Away below them they could see the Road
sweeping round the feet of the hills; and to their right a grey
river gleamed pale in the thin sunshine. In the distance they
glimpsed yet another river in a stony valley half-veiled in
mist.
\u2018I am afraid we must go back to the Road here for a while,\u2019
said Strider. \u2018We have now come to the River Hoarwell, that
the Elves call Mitheithel. It flows down out of the Ettenmoors,
the troll-fells north of Rivendell, and joins the Loudwater
262 the fellowship of the ring
away in the South. Some call it the Greyflood after that. It is
a great water before it finds the Sea. There is no way over it
below its sources in the Ettenmoors, except by the Last
Bridge on which the Road crosses.\u2019
\u2018What is that other river we can see far away there?\u2019 asked
Merry.
\u2018That is Loudwater, the Bruinen of Rivendell,\u2019 answered
Strider. \u2018The Road runs along the edge of the hills for many
miles from the Bridge to the Ford of Bruinen. But I have not
yet thought how we shall cross that water. One river at a
time! We shall be fortunate indeed if we do not find the Last
Bridge held against us.\u2019
Next day, early in the morning, they came down again to
the borders of the Road. Sam and Strider went forward, but
they found no sign of any travellers or riders. Here under the
shadow of the hills there had been some rain. Strider judged
that it had fallen two days before, and had washed away all
footprints. No horseman had passed since then, as far as he
could see.
They hurried along with all the speed they could make,
and after a mile or two they saw the Last Bridge ahead, at
the bottom of a short steep slope. They dreaded to see black
figures waiting there, but they saw none. Strider made them
take cover in a thicket at the side of the Road, while he went
forward to explore.
Before long he came hurrying back. \u2018I can see no sign of
the enemy,\u2019 he said, \u2018and I wonder very much what that
means. But I have found something very strange.\u2019
He held out his hand, and showed a single pale-green jewel.
\u2018I found it in the mud in the middle of the Bridge,\u2019 he said.
\u2018It is a beryl, an elf-stone. Whether it was set there, or let fall
by chance, I cannot say; but it brings hope to me. I will take
it as a sign that we may pass the Bridge; but beyond that I
dare not keep to the Road, without some clearer token.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
flight to the ford 263
At once they went on again. They crossed the Bridge in
safety, hearing no sound but the water swirling against its
three great arches. A mile further on they came to a narrow
ravine that led away northwards through the steep lands on
the left of the Road. Here Strider turned aside, and soon they
were lost in a sombre country of dark trees winding among
the feet of sullen hills.
The hobbits were glad to leave the cheerless lands and
the perilous Road behind them; but this new country seemed
threatening and unfriendly. As they went forward the hills
about them steadily rose. Here and there upon heights and
ridges they caught glimpses of ancient walls of stone, and
the ruins of towers: they had an ominous look. Frodo, who
was not walking, had time to gaze ahead and to think. He
recalled Bilbo\u2019s account of his journey and the threatening
towers on the hills north of the Road, in the country near
the Trolls\u2019 wood where his first serious adventure had
happened. Frodo guessed that they were now in the same
region, and wondered if by chance they would pass near
the spot.
\u2018Who lives in this land?\u2019 he asked. \u2018And who built these
towers? Is this troll-country?\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Strider. \u2018Trolls do not build. No one lives in this
land. Men once dwelt here, ages ago; but none remain now.
They became an evil people, as legends tell, for they fell
under the shadow of Angmar. But all were destroyed in the
war that brought the North Kingdom to its end. But that is
now so long ago that the hills have forgotten them, though a
shadow still lies on the land.\u2019
\u2018Where did you learn such tales, if all the land is empty
and forgetful?\u2019 asked Peregrin. \u2018The birds and beasts do not
tell tales of that sort.\u2019
\u2018The heirs of Elendil do not forget all things past,\u2019 said
Strider; \u2018and many more things than I can tell are remembered in Rivendell.\u2019
\u2018Have you often been to Rivendell?\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018I have,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018I dwelt there once, and still I return
264 the fellowship of the ring
when I may. There my heart is; but it is not my fate to sit in
peace, even in the fair house of Elrond.\u2019
The hills now began to shut them in. The Road behind
held on its way to the River Bruinen, but both were now
hidden from view. The travellers came into a long valley;
narrow, deeply cloven, dark and silent. Trees with old and
twisted roots hung over cliffs, and piled up behind into
mounting slopes of pine-wood.
The hobbits grew very weary. They advanced slowly, for
they had to pick their way through a pathless country, encumbered by fallen trees and tumbled rocks. As long as they could
they avoided climbing for Frodo\u2019s sake, and because it was
in fact difficult to find any way up out of the narrow dales.
They had been two days in this country when the weather
turned wet. The wind began to blow steadily out of the West
and pour the water of the distant seas on the dark heads of
the hills in fine drenching rain. By nightfall they were all
soaked, and their camp was cheerless, for they could not get
any fire to burn. The next day the hills rose still higher and
steeper before them, and they were forced to turn away northwards out of their course. Strider seemed to be getting anxious: they were nearly ten days out from Weathertop, and
their stock of provisions was beginning to run low. It went
on raining.
That night they camped on a stony shelf with a rock-wall
behind them, in which there was a shallow cave, a mere scoop
in the cliff. Frodo was restless. The cold and wet had made
his wound more painful than ever, and the ache and sense of
deadly chill took away all sleep. He lay tossing and turning
and listening fearfully to the stealthy night-noises: wind in
chinks of rock, water dripping, a crack, the sudden rattling
fall of a loosened stone. He felt that black shapes were
advancing to smother him; but when he sat up he saw nothing
but the back of Strider sitting hunched up, smoking his pipe,
and watching. He lay down again and passed into an uneasy
dream, in which he walked on the grass in his garden in the
flight to the ford 265
Shire, but it seemed faint and dim, less clear than the tall
black shadows that stood looking over the hedge.
In the morning he woke to find that the rain had stopped.
The clouds were still thick, but they were breaking, and pale
strips of blue appeared between them. The wind was shifting
again. They did not start early. Immediately after their cold
and comfortless breakfast Strider went off alone, telling the
others to remain under the shelter of the cliff, until he came
back. He was going to climb up, if he could, and get a look
at the lie of the land.
When he returned he was not reassuring. \u2018We have come
too far to the north,\u2019 he said, \u2018and we must find some way to
turn back southwards again. If we keep on as we are going
we shall get up into the Ettendales far north of Rivendell.
That is troll-country, and little known to me. We could perhaps find our way through and come round to Rivendell
from the north; but it would take too long, for I do not know
the way, and our food would not last. So somehow or other
we must find the Ford of Bruinen.\u2019
The rest of that day they spent scrambling over rocky
ground. They found a passage between two hills that led
them into a valley running south-east, the direction that they
wished to take; but towards the end of the day they found
their road again barred by a ridge of high land; its dark edge
against the sky was broken into many bare points like teeth
of a blunted saw. They had a choice between going back or
climbing over it.
They decided to attempt the climb, but it proved very
difficult. Before long Frodo was obliged to dismount and
struggle along on foot. Even so they often despaired of getting
their pony up, or indeed of finding a path for themselves,
burdened as they were. The light was nearly gone, and they
were all exhausted, when at last they reached the top. They
had climbed on to a narrow saddle between two higher points,
and the land fell steeply away again, only a short distance
ahead. Frodo threw himself down, and lay on the ground
266 the fellowship of the ring
shivering. His left arm was lifeless, and his side and shoulder
felt as if icy claws were laid upon them. The trees and rocks
about him seemed shadowy and dim.
\u2018We cannot go any further,\u2019 said Merry to Strider. \u2018I am
afraid this has been too much for Frodo. I am dreadfully
anxious about him. What are we to do? Do you think they
will be able to cure him in Rivendell, if we ever get there?\u2019
\u2018We shall see,\u2019 answered Strider. \u2018There is nothing more
that I can do in the wilderness; and it is chiefly because of
his wound that I am so anxious to press on. But I agree that
we can go no further tonight.\u2019
\u2018What is the matter with my master?\u2019 asked Sam in a low
voice, looking appealingly at Strider. \u2018His wound was small,
and it is already closed. There\u2019s nothing to be seen but a cold
white mark on his shoulder.\u2019
\u2018Frodo has been touched by the weapons of the Enemy,\u2019
said Strider, \u2018and there is some poison or evil at work that
is beyond my skill to drive out. But do not give up hope,
Sam!\u2019
Night was cold up on the high ridge. They lit a small fire
down under the gnarled roots of an old pine, that hung over
a shallow pit: it looked as if stone had once been quarried
there. They sat huddled together. The wind blew chill
through the pass, and they heard the tree-tops lower down
moaning and sighing. Frodo lay half in a dream, imagining
that endless dark wings were sweeping by above him, and
that on the wings rode pursuers that sought him in all the
hollows of the hills.
The morning dawned bright and fair; the air was clean,
and the light pale and clear in a rain-washed sky. Their hearts
were encouraged, but they longed for the sun to warm their
cold stiff limbs. As soon as it was light, Strider took Merry
with him and went to survey the country from the height to
the east of the pass. The sun had risen and was shining
brightly when he returned with more comforting news. They
were now going more or less in the right direction. If they
flight to the ford 267
went on, down the further side of the ridge, they would
have the Mountains on their left. Some way ahead Strider
had caught a glimpse of the Loudwater again, and he knew
that, though it was hidden from view, the Road to the Ford
was not far from the River and lay on the side nearest to
them.
\u2018We must make for the Road again,\u2019 he said. \u2018We cannot
hope to find a path through these hills. Whatever danger may
beset it, the Road is our only way to the Ford.\u2019
As soon as they had eaten they set out again. They climbed
slowly down the southern side of the ridge; but the way was
much easier than they had expected, for the slope was far
less steep on this side, and before long Frodo was able to
ride again. Bill Ferny\u2019s poor old pony was developing an
unexpected talent for picking out a path, and for sparing its
rider as many jolts as possible. The spirits of the party rose
again. Even Frodo felt better in the morning light, but every
now and again a mist seemed to obscure his sight, and he
passed his hands over his eyes.
Pippin was a little ahead of the others. Suddenly he turned
round and called to them. \u2018There is a path here!\u2019 he cried.
When they came up with him, they saw that he had made
no mistake: there were clearly the beginnings of a path, that
climbed with many windings out of the woods below and
faded away on the hill-top behind. In places it was now faint
and overgrown, or choked with fallen stones and trees; but
at one time it seemed to have been much used. It was a path
made by strong arms and heavy feet. Here and there old trees
had been cut or broken down, and large rocks cloven or
heaved aside to make a way.
They followed the track for some while, for it offered much
the easiest way down, but they went cautiously, and their
anxiety increased as they came into the dark woods, and the
path grew plainer and broader. Suddenly coming out of a
belt of fir-trees it ran steeply down a slope, and turned sharply
to the left round the corner of a rocky shoulder of the hill.
268 the fellowship of the ring
When they came to the corner they looked round and saw
that the path ran on over a level strip under the face of a low
cliff overhung with trees. In the stony wall there was a door
hanging crookedly ajar upon one great hinge.
Outside the door they all halted. There was a cave or
rock-chamber behind, but in the gloom inside nothing could
be seen. Strider, Sam, and Merry pushing with all their
strength managed to open the door a little wider, and then
Strider and Merry went in. They did not go far, for on the
floor lay many old bones, and nothing else was to be seen
near the entrance except some great empty jars and broken
pots.
\u2018Surely this is a troll-hole, if ever there was one!\u2019 said
Pippin. \u2018Come out, you two, and let us get away. Now we
know who made the path \u2013 and we had better get off it quick.\u2019
\u2018There is no need, I think,\u2019 said Strider, coming out. \u2018It is
certainly a troll-hole, but it seems to have been long forsaken.
I don\u2019t think we need be afraid. But let us go on down warily,
and we shall see.\u2019
The path went on again from the door, and turning to the
right again across the level space plunged down a thick
wooded slope. Pippin, not liking to show Strider that he was
still afraid, went on ahead with Merry. Sam and Strider came
behind, one on each side of Frodo\u2019s pony, for the path was
now broad enough for four or five hobbits to walk abreast.
But they had not gone very far before Pippin came running
back, followed by Merry. They both looked terrified.
\u2018There are trolls!\u2019 Pippin panted. \u2018Down in a clearing in
the woods not far below. We got a sight of them through the
tree-trunks. They are very large!\u2019
\u2018We will come and look at them,\u2019 said Strider, picking up
a stick. Frodo said nothing, but Sam looked scared.
The sun was now high, and it shone down through the
half-stripped branches of the trees, and lit the clearing with
bright patches of light. They halted suddenly on the edge,
and peered through the tree-trunks, holding their breath.
flight to the ford 269
There stood the trolls: three large trolls. One was stooping,
and the other two stood staring at him.
Strider walked forward unconcernedly. \u2018Get up, old stone!\u2019
he said, and broke his stick upon the stooping troll.
Nothing happened. There was a gasp of astonishment
from the hobbits, and then even Frodo laughed. \u2018Well!\u2019 he
said. \u2018We are forgetting our family history! These must be
the very three that were caught by Gandalf, quarrelling over
the right way to cook thirteen dwarves and one hobbit.\u2019
\u2018I had no idea we were anywhere near the place!\u2019 said
Pippin. He knew the story well. Bilbo and Frodo had told it
often; but as a matter of fact he had never more than half
believed it. Even now he looked at the stone trolls with suspicion, wondering if some magic might not suddenly bring
them to life again.
\u2018You are forgetting not only your family history, but all
you ever knew about trolls,\u2019 said Strider. \u2018It is broad daylight
with a bright sun, and yet you come back trying to scare me
with a tale of live trolls waiting for us in this glade! In any
case you might have noticed that one of them has an old
bird\u2019s nest behind his ear. That would be a most unusual
ornament for a live troll!\u2019
They all laughed. Frodo felt his spirits reviving: the reminder of Bilbo\u2019s first successful adventure was heartening.
The sun, too, was warm and comforting, and the mist before
his eyes seemed to be lifting a little. They rested for some
time in the glade, and took their mid-day meal right under
the shadow of the trolls\u2019 large legs.
\u2018Won\u2019t somebody give us a bit of a song, while the sun is
high?\u2019 said Merry, when they had finished. \u2018We haven\u2019t had
a song or a tale for days.\u2019
\u2018Not since Weathertop,\u2019 said Frodo. The others looked at
him. \u2018Don\u2019t worry about me!\u2019 he added. \u2018I feel much better,
but I don\u2019t think I could sing. Perhaps Sam could dig something out of his memory.\u2019
\u2018Come on, Sam!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018There\u2019s more stored in your
head than you let on about.\u2019
270 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018I don\u2019t know about that,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018But how would this
suit? It ain\u2019t what I call proper poetry, if you understand me:
just a bit of nonsense. But these old images here brought it
to my mind.\u2019 Standing up, with his hands behind his back,
as if he was at school, he began to sing to an old tune.
Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,
And munched and mumbled a bare old bone;
For many a year he had gnawed it near,
For meat was hard to come by.
Done by! Gum by!
In a cave in the hills he dwelt alone,
And meat was hard to come by.
Up came Tom with his big boots on.
Said he to Troll: \u2018Pray, what is yon?
For it looks like the shin o\u2019 my nuncle Tim,
As should be a-lyin\u2019 in graveyard.
Caveyard! Paveyard!
This many a year has Tim been gone,
And I thought he were lyin\u2019 in graveyard.\u2019
\u2018My lad,\u2019 said Troll, \u2018this bone I stole.
But what be bones that lie in a hole?
Thy nuncle was dead as a lump o\u2019 lead,
Afore I found his shinbone.
Tinbone! Thinbone!
He can spare a share for a poor old troll,
For he don\u2019t need his shinbone.\u2019
Said Tom: \u2018I don\u2019t see why the likes o\u2019 thee
Without axin\u2019 leave should go makin\u2019 free
With the shank or the shin o\u2019 my father\u2019s kin;
So hand the old bone over!
Rover! Trover!
Though dead he be, it belongs to he;
So hand the old bone over!\u2019
flight to the ford 271
\u2018For a couple o\u2019 pins,\u2019 says Troll, and grins,
\u2018I\u2019ll eat thee too, and gnaw thy shins.
A bit o\u2019 fresh meat will go down sweet!
I\u2019ll try my teeth on thee now.
Hee now! See now!
I\u2019m tired o\u2019 gnawing old bones and skins;
I\u2019ve a mind to dine on thee now.\u2019
But just as he thought his dinner was caught,
He found his hands had hold of naught.
Before he could mind, Tom slipped behind
And gave him the boot to larn him.
Warn him! Darn him!
A bump o\u2019 the boot on the seat, Tom thought,
Would be the way to larn him.
But harder than stone is the flesh and bone
Of a troll that sits in the hills alone.
As well set your boot to the mountain\u2019s root,
For the seat of a troll don\u2019t feel it.
Peel it! Heal it!
Old Troll laughed, when he heard Tom groan,
And he knew his toes could feel it.
Tom\u2019s leg is game, since home he came,
And his bootless foot is lasting lame;
But Troll don\u2019t care, and he\u2019s still there
With the bone he boned from its owner.
Doner! Boner!
Troll\u2019s old seat is still the same,
And the bone he boned from its owner!
\u2018Well, that\u2019s a warning to us all!\u2019 laughed Merry. \u2018It is as
well you used a stick, and not your hand, Strider!\u2019
\u2018Where did you come by that, Sam?\u2019 asked Pippin. \u2018I\u2019ve
never heard those words before.\u2019
Sam muttered something inaudible. \u2018It\u2019s out of his own
272 the fellowship of the ring
head, of course,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I am learning a lot about Sam
Gamgee on this journey. First he was a conspirator, now he\u2019s
a jester. He\u2019ll end up by becoming a wizard \u2013 or a warrior!\u2019
\u2018I hope not,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018I don\u2019t want to be neither!\u2019
In the afternoon they went on down the woods. They were
probably following the very track that Gandalf, Bilbo, and
the dwarves had used many years before. After a few miles
they came out on the top of a high bank above the Road. At
this point the Road had left the Hoarwell far behind in its
narrow valley, and now clung close to the feet of the hills,
rolling and winding eastward among woods and heathercovered slopes towards the Ford and the Mountains. Not far
down the bank Strider pointed out a stone in the grass. On
it roughly cut and now much weathered could still be seen
dwarf-runes and secret marks.
\u2018There!\u2019 said Merry. \u2018That must be the stone that marked
the place where the trolls\u2019 gold was hidden. How much is left
of Bilbo\u2019s share, I wonder, Frodo?\u2019
Frodo looked at the stone, and wished that Bilbo had
brought home no treasure more perilous, nor less easy to part
with. \u2018None at all,\u2019 he said. \u2018Bilbo gave it all away. He told
me he did not feel it was really his, as it came from robbers.\u2019
The Road lay quiet under the long shadows of early
evening. There was no sign of any other travellers to be seen.
As there was now no other possible course for them to take,
they climbed down the bank, and turning left went off as fast
as they could. Soon a shoulder of the hills cut off the light of
the fast westering sun. A cold wind flowed down to meet
them from the mountains ahead.
They were beginning to look out for a place off the Road,
where they could camp for the night, when they heard a
sound that brought sudden fear back into their hearts: the
noise of hoofs behind them. They looked back, but they could
not see far because of the many windings and rollings of the
Road. As quickly as they could they scrambled off the beaten
flight to the ford 273
way and up into the deep heather and bilberry brushwood
on the slopes above, until they came to a small patch of
thick-growing hazels. As they peered out from among the
bushes, they could see the Road, faint and grey in the failing
light, some thirty feet below them. The sound of hoofs drew
nearer. They were going fast, with a light clippety-clippety-clip.
Then faintly, as if it was blown away from them by the breeze,
they seemed to catch a dim ringing, as of small bells tinkling.
\u2018That does not sound like a Black Rider\u2019s horse!\u2019 said
Frodo, listening intently. The other hobbits agreed hopefully
that it did not, but they all remained full of suspicion. They
had been in fear of pursuit for so long that any sound from
behind seemed ominous and unfriendly. But Strider was now
leaning forward, stooped to the ground, with a hand to his
ear, and a look of joy on his face.
The light faded, and the leaves on the bushes rustled softly.
Clearer and nearer now the bells jingled, and clippety-clip
came the quick trotting feet. Suddenly into view below came
a white horse, gleaming in the shadows, running swiftly. In
the dusk its headstall flickered and flashed, as if it were studded with gems like living stars. The rider\u2019s cloak streamed
behind him, and his hood was thrown back; his golden hair
flowed shimmering in the wind of his speed. To Frodo it
appeared that a white light was shining through the form and
raiment of the rider, as if through a thin veil.
Strider sprang from hiding and dashed down towards the
Road, leaping with a cry through the heather; but even before
he had moved or called, the rider had reined in his horse and
halted, looking up towards the thicket where they stood.
When he saw Strider, he dismounted and ran to meet him
calling out: Ai na vedui Du\u00b4nadan! Mae govannen! His speech
and clear ringing voice left no doubt in their hearts: the rider
was of the Elven-folk. No others that dwelt in the wide world
had voices so fair to hear. But there seemed to be a note of
haste or fear in his call, and they saw that he was now speaking
quickly and urgently to Strider.
Soon Strider beckoned to them, and the hobbits left the
274 the fellowship of the ring
bushes and hurried down to the Road. \u2018This is Glorfindel,
who dwells in the house of Elrond,\u2019 said Strider.
\u2018Hail, and well met at last!\u2019 said the Elf-lord to Frodo. \u2018I
was sent from Rivendell to look for you. We feared that you
were in danger upon the road.\u2019
\u2018Then Gandalf has reached Rivendell?\u2019 cried Frodo
joyfully.
\u2018No. He had not when I departed; but that was nine days
ago,\u2019 answered Glorfindel. \u2018Elrond received news that
troubled him. Some of my kindred, journeying in your land
beyond the Baranduin,* learned that things were amiss, and
sent messages as swiftly as they could. They said that the
Nine were abroad, and that you were astray bearing a great
burden without guidance, for Gandalf had not returned.
There are few even in Rivendell that can ride openly against
the Nine; but such as there were, Elrond sent out north, west,
and south. It was thought that you might turn far aside to
avoid pursuit, and become lost in the Wilderness.
\u2018It was my lot to take the Road, and I came to the Bridge
of Mitheithel, and left a token there, nigh on seven days ago.
Three of the servants of Sauron were upon the Bridge, but
they withdrew and I pursued them westward. I came also
upon two others, but they turned away southward. Since then
I have searched for your trail. Two days ago I found it, and
followed it over the Bridge; and today I marked where you
descended from the hills again. But come! There is no time
for further news. Since you are here we must risk the peril of
the Road and go. There are five behind us, and when they
find your trail upon the Road they will ride after us like the
wind. And they are not all. Where the other four may be, I
do not know. I fear that we may find the Ford is already held
against us.\u2019
While Glorfindel was speaking the shades of evening deepened. Frodo felt a great weariness come over him. Ever since
the sun began to sink the mist before his eyes had darkened,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
334 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018At the end of June I was in the Shire, but a cloud of anxiety
was on my mind, and I rode to the southern borders of the
little land; for I had a foreboding of some danger, still hidden
from me but drawing near. There messages reached me telling me of war and defeat in Gondor, and when I heard of
the Black Shadow a chill smote my heart. But I found nothing
save a few fugitives from the South; yet it seemed to me that
on them sat a fear of which they would not speak. I turned
then east and north and journeyed along the Greenway; and
not far from Bree I came upon a traveller sitting on a bank
beside the road with his grazing horse beside him. It was
Radagast the Brown, who at one time dwelt at Rhosgobel,
near the borders of Mirkwood. He is one of my order, but I
had not seen him for many a year.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Gandalf!\u2019\u2019 he cried. \u2018\u2018I was seeking you. But I am a
stranger in these parts. All I knew was that you might be
found in a wild region with the uncouth name of Shire.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Your information was correct,\u2019\u2019 I said. \u2018\u2018But do not put
it that way, if you meet any of the inhabitants. You are near
the borders of the Shire now. And what do you want with
me? It must be pressing. You were never a traveller, unless
driven by great need.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I have an urgent errand,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018My news is evil.\u2019\u2019
Then he looked about him, as if the hedges might have ears.
\u2018\u2018Nazgu\u02c6l,\u2019\u2019 he whispered. \u2018\u2018The Nine are abroad again. They
have crossed the River secretly and are moving westward.
They have taken the guise of riders in black.\u2019\u2019
\u2018I knew then what I had dreaded without knowing it.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018The Enemy must have some great need or purpose,\u2019\u2019
said Radagast; \u2018\u2018but what it is that makes him look to these
distant and desolate parts, I cannot guess.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018What do you mean?\u2019\u2019 said I.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I have been told that wherever they go the Riders ask for
news of a land called Shire.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018The Shire,\u2019\u2019 I said; but my heart sank. For even the Wise
might fear to withstand the Nine, when they are gathered
together under their fell chieftain. A great king and sorcerer
the council of elrond 335
he was of old, and now he wields a deadly fear. \u2018\u2018Who told
you, and who sent you?\u2019\u2019 I asked.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Saruman the White,\u2019\u2019 answered Radagast. \u2018\u2018And he told
me to say that if you feel the need, he will help; but you must
seek his aid at once, or it will be too late.\u2019\u2019
\u2018And that message brought me hope. For Saruman the
White is the greatest of my order. Radagast is, of course, a
worthy Wizard, a master of shapes and changes of hue; and
he has much lore of herbs and beasts, and birds are especially
his friends. But Saruman has long studied the arts of the
Enemy himself, and thus we have often been able to forestall
him. It was by the devices of Saruman that we drove him from
Dol Guldur. It might be that he had found some weapons that
would drive back the Nine.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I will go to Saruman,\u2019\u2019 I said.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Then you must go now,\u2019\u2019 said Radagast; \u2018\u2018for I have
wasted time in looking for you, and the days are running
short. I was told to find you before Midsummer, and that is
now here. Even if you set out from this spot, you will hardly
reach him before the Nine discover the land that they seek. I
myself shall turn back at once.\u2019\u2019 And with that he mounted
and would have ridden straight off.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Stay a moment!\u2019\u2019 I said. \u2018\u2018We shall need your help, and
the help of all things that will give it. Send out messages to
all the beasts and birds that are your friends. Tell them to
bring news of anything that bears on this matter to Saruman
and Gandalf. Let messages be sent to Orthanc.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I will do that,\u2019\u2019 he said, and rode off as if the Nine were
after him.
\u2018I could not follow him then and there. I had ridden very
far already that day, and I was as weary as my horse; and I
needed to consider matters. I stayed the night in Bree, and
decided that I had no time to return to the Shire. Never did
I make a greater mistake!
\u2018However, I wrote a message to Frodo, and trusted to my
friend the innkeeper to send it to him. I rode away at dawn;
336 the fellowship of the ring
and I came at long last to the dwelling of Saruman. That is
far south in Isengard, in the end of the Misty Mountains, not
far from the Gap of Rohan. And Boromir will tell you that
that is a great open vale that lies between the Misty Mountains
and the northmost foothills of Ered Nimrais, the White
Mountains of his home. But Isengard is a circle of sheer rocks
that enclose a valley as with a wall, and in the midst of that
valley is a tower of stone called Orthanc. It was not made by
Saruman, but by the Men of Nu\u00b4menor long ago; and it is
very tall and has many secrets; yet it looks not to be a work
of craft. It cannot be reached save by passing the circle of
Isengard; and in that circle there is only one gate.
\u2018Late one evening I came to the gate, like a great arch in
the wall of rock; and it was strongly guarded. But the keepers
of the gate were on the watch for me and told me that
Saruman awaited me. I rode under the arch, and the gate
closed silently behind me, and suddenly I was afraid, though
I knew no reason for it.
\u2018But I rode to the foot of Orthanc, and came to the stair of
Saruman; and there he met me and led me up to his high
chamber. He wore a ring on his finger.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018So you have come, Gandalf,\u2019\u2019 he said to me gravely; but
in his eyes there seemed to be a white light, as if a cold
laughter was in his heart.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Yes, I have come,\u2019\u2019 I said. \u2018\u2018I have come for your aid,
Saruman the White.\u2019\u2019 And that title seemed to anger him.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Have you indeed, Gandalf the Grey!\u2019\u2019 he scoffed. \u2018\u2018For
aid? It has seldom been heard of that Gandalf the Grey sought
for aid, one so cunning and so wise, wandering about the
lands, and concerning himself in every business, whether it
belongs to him or not.\u2019\u2019
\u2018I looked at him and wondered. \u2018\u2018But if I am not deceived,\u2019\u2019
said I, \u2018\u2018things are now moving which will require the union
of all our strength.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018That may be so,\u2019\u2019 he said, \u2018\u2018but the thought is late in
coming to you. How long, I wonder, have you concealed
from me, the head of the Council, a matter of greatest import?
the council of elrond 337
What brings you now from your lurking-place in the Shire?\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018The Nine have come forth again,\u2019\u2019 I answered. \u2018\u2018They
have crossed the River. So Radagast said to me.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Radagast the Brown!\u2019\u2019 laughed Saruman, and he no
longer concealed his scorn. \u2018\u2018Radagast the Bird-tamer! Radagast the Simple! Radagast the Fool! Yet he had just the wit
to play the part that I set him. For you have come, and that
was all the purpose of my message. And here you will stay,
Gandalf the Grey, and rest from journeys. For I am Saruman
the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!\u2019\u2019
\u2018I looked then and saw that his robes, which had seemed
white, were not so, but were woven of all colours, and if he
moved they shimmered and changed hue so that the eye was
bewildered.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I liked white better,\u2019\u2019 I said.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018White!\u2019\u2019 he sneered. \u2018\u2018It serves as a beginning. White
cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and
the white light can be broken.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018In which case it is no longer white,\u2019\u2019 said I. \u2018\u2018And he that
breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of
wisdom.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018You need not speak to me as to one of the fools that you
take for friends,\u2019\u2019 said he. \u2018\u2018I have not brought you hither to
be instructed by you, but to give you a choice.\u2019\u2019
\u2018He drew himself up then and began to declaim, as if he
were making a speech long rehearsed. \u2018\u2018The Elder Days are
gone. The Middle Days are passing. The Younger Days are
beginning. The time of the Elves is over, but our time is at
hand: the world of Men, which we must rule. But we must
have power, power to order all things as we will, for that good
which only the Wise can see.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018And listen, Gandalf, my old friend and helper!\u2019\u2019 he said,
coming near and speaking now in a softer voice. \u2018\u2018I said we,
for we it may be, if you will join with me. A new Power is
rising. Against it the old allies and policies will not avail us at
all. There is no hope left in Elves or dying Nu\u00b4menor. This
then is one choice before you, before us. We may join with
338 the fellowship of the ring
that Power. It would be wise, Gandalf. There is hope that
way. Its victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for
those that aided it. As the Power grows, its proved friends
will also grow; and the Wise, such as you and I, may with
patience come at last to direct its courses, to control it. We
can bide our time, we can keep our thoughts in our hearts,
deploring maybe evils done by the way, but approving the
high and ultimate purpose: Knowledge, Rule, Order; all the
things that we have so far striven in vain to accomplish,
hindered rather than helped by our weak or idle friends.
There need not be, there would not be, any real change in
our designs, only in our means.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Saruman,\u2019\u2019 I said, \u2018\u2018I have heard speeches of this kind
before, but only in the mouths of emissaries sent from
Mordor to deceive the ignorant. I cannot think that you
brought me so far only to weary my ears.\u2019\u2019
\u2018He looked at me sidelong, and paused a while considering.
\u2018\u2018Well, I see that this wise course does not commend itself
to you,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018Not yet? Not if some better way can be
contrived?\u2019\u2019
\u2018He came and laid his long hand on my arm. \u2018\u2018And why
not, Gandalf ?\u2019\u2019 he whispered. \u2018\u2018Why not? The Ruling Ring?
If we could command that, then the Power would pass to us.
That is in truth why I brought you here. For I have many
eyes in my service, and I believe that you know where this
precious thing now lies. Is it not so? Or why do the Nine ask
for the Shire, and what is your business there?\u2019\u2019 As he said
this a lust which he could not conceal shone suddenly in his
eyes.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Saruman,\u2019\u2019 I said, standing away from him, \u2018\u2018only one
hand at a time can wield the One, and you know that well,
so do not trouble to say we! But I would not give it, nay, I
would not give even news of it to you, now that I learn your
mind. You were head of the Council, but you have unmasked
yourself at last. Well, the choices are, it seems, to submit to
Sauron, or to yourself. I will take neither. Have you others to
offer?\u2019\u2019
the council of elrond 339
\u2018He was cold now and perilous. \u2018\u2018Yes,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018I did not
expect you to show wisdom, even in your own behalf; but
I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, and so saving
yourself much trouble and pain. The third choice is to stay
here, until the end.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Until what end?\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Until you reveal to me where the One may be found. I
may find means to persuade you. Or until it is found in your
despite, and the Ruler has time to turn to lighter matters: to
devise, say, a fitting reward for the hindrance and insolence
of Gandalf the Grey.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018That may not prove to be one of the lighter matters,\u2019\u2019
said I. He laughed at me, for my words were empty, and he
knew it.
\u2018They took me and they set me alone on the pinnacle of
Orthanc, in the place where Saruman was accustomed to
watch the stars. There is no descent save by a narrow stair
of many thousand steps, and the valley below seems far away.
I looked on it and saw that, whereas it had once been green
and fair, it was now filled with pits and forges. Wolves and
orcs were housed in Isengard, for Saruman was mustering a
great force on his own account, in rivalry of Sauron and not
in his service, yet. Over all his works a dark smoke hung and
wrapped itself about the sides of Orthanc. I stood alone on
an island in the clouds; and I had no chance of escape, and
my days were bitter. I was pierced with cold, and I had but
little room in which to pace to and fro, brooding on the
coming of the Riders to the North.
\u2018That the Nine had indeed arisen I felt assured, apart from
the words of Saruman which might be lies. Long ere I came
to Isengard I had heard tidings by the way that could not be
mistaken. Fear was ever in my heart for my friends in the
Shire; but still I had some hope. I hoped that Frodo had set
forth at once, as my letter had urged, and that he had reached
Rivendell before the deadly pursuit began. And both my fear
and my hope proved ill-founded. For my hope was founded
340 the fellowship of the ring
on a fat man in Bree; and my fear was founded on the
cunning of Sauron. But fat men who sell ale have many calls
to answer; and the power of Sauron is still less than fear
makes it. But in the circle of Isengard, trapped and alone, it
was not easy to think that the hunters before whom all have
fled or fallen would falter in the Shire far away.\u2019
\u2018I saw you!\u2019 cried Frodo. \u2018You were walking backwards
and forwards. The moon shone in your hair.\u2019
Gandalf paused astonished and looked at him. \u2018It was only
a dream,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018but it suddenly came back to me. I
had quite forgotten it. It came some time ago; after I left the
Shire, I think.\u2019
\u2018Then it was late in coming,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018as you will see.
I was in an evil plight. And those who know me will agree
that I have seldom been in such need, and do not bear such
misfortune well. Gandalf the Grey caught like a fly in a spider\u2019s treacherous web! Yet even the most subtle spiders may
leave a weak thread.
\u2018At first I feared, as Saruman no doubt intended, that Radagast had also fallen. Yet I had caught no hint of anything
wrong in his voice or in his eye at our meeting. If I had, I
should never have gone to Isengard, or I should have gone
more warily. So Saruman guessed, and he had concealed
his mind and deceived his messenger. It would have been
useless in any case to try and win over the honest Radagast
to treachery. He sought me in good faith, and so persuaded
me.
\u2018That was the undoing of Saruman\u2019s plot. For Radagast
knew no reason why he should not do as I asked; and he rode
away towards Mirkwood where he had many friends of old.
And the Eagles of the Mountains went far and wide, and they
saw many things: the gathering of wolves and the mustering
of Orcs; and the Nine Riders going hither and thither in the
lands; and they heard news of the escape of Gollum. And
they sent a messenger to bring these tidings to me.
\u2018So it was that when summer waned, there came a night
of moon, and Gwaihir the Windlord, swiftest of the Great
the council of elrond 341
Eagles, came unlooked-for to Orthanc; and he found me
standing on the pinnacle. Then I spoke to him and he bore
me away, before Saruman was aware. I was far from Isengard,
ere the wolves and orcs issued from the gate to pursue me.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018How far can you bear me?\u2019\u2019 I said to Gwaihir.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Many leagues,\u2019\u2019 said he, \u2018\u2018but not to the ends of the
earth. I was sent to bear tidings not burdens.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Then I must have a steed on land,\u2019\u2019 I said, \u2018\u2018and a steed
surpassingly swift, for I have never had such need of haste
before.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Then I will bear you to Edoras, where the Lord of Rohan
sits in his halls,\u2019\u2019 he said; \u2018\u2018for that is not very far off.\u2019\u2019 And I
was glad, for in the Riddermark of Rohan the Rohirrim, the
Horse-lords, dwell, and there are no horses like those that are
bred in that great vale between the Misty Mountains and the
White.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Are the Men of Rohan still to be trusted, do you think?\u2019\u2019
I said to Gwaihir, for the treason of Saruman had shaken my
faith.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018They pay a tribute of horses,\u2019\u2019 he answered, \u2018\u2018and send
many yearly to Mordor, or so it is said; but they are not yet
under the yoke. But if Saruman has become evil, as you say,
then their doom cannot be long delayed.\u2019\u2019
\u2018He set me down in the land of Rohan ere dawn; and now
I have lengthened my tale over long. The rest must be more
brief. In Rohan I found evil already at work: the lies of
Saruman; and the king of the land would not listen to my
warnings. He bade me take a horse and be gone; and I chose
one much to my liking, but little to his. I took the best horse
in his land, and I have never seen the like of him.\u2019
\u2018Then he must be a noble beast indeed,\u2019 said Aragorn; \u2018and
it grieves me more than many tidings that might seem worse
to learn that Sauron levies such tribute. It was not so when
last I was in that land.\u2019
\u2018Nor is it now, I will swear,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018It is a lie that
comes from the Enemy. I know the Men of Rohan, true and
342 the fellowship of the ring
valiant, our allies, dwelling still in the lands that we gave them
long ago.\u2019
\u2018The shadow of Mordor lies on distant lands,\u2019 answered
Aragorn. \u2018Saruman has fallen under it. Rohan is beset. Who
knows what you will find there, if ever you return?\u2019
\u2018Not this at least,\u2019 said Boromir, \u2018that they will buy their
lives with horses. They love their horses next to their kin.
And not without reason, for the horses of the Riddermark
come from the fields of the North, far from the Shadow, and
their race, as that of their masters, is descended from the free
days of old.\u2019
\u2018True indeed!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018And there is one among them
that might have been foaled in the morning of the world. The
horses of the Nine cannot vie with him; tireless, swift as the
flowing wind. Shadowfax they called him. By day his coat
glistens like silver; and by night it is like a shade, and he
passes unseen. Light is his footfall! Never before had any
man mounted him, but I took him and I tamed him, and so
speedily he bore me that I reached the Shire when Frodo was
on the Barrow-downs, though I set out from Rohan only
when he set out from Hobbiton.
\u2018But fear grew in me as I rode. Ever as I came north I
heard tidings of the Riders, and though I gained on them day
by day, they were ever before me. They had divided their
forces, I learned: some remained on the eastern borders, not
far from the Greenway, and some invaded the Shire from the
south. I came to Hobbiton and Frodo had gone; but I had
words with old Gamgee. Many words and few to the point.
He had much to say about the shortcomings of the new
owners of Bag End.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018I can\u2019t abide changes,\u2019\u2019 said he, \u2018\u2018not at my time of life,
and least of all changes for the worst.\u2019\u2019 \u2018\u2018Changes for the
worst,\u2019\u2019 he repeated many times.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Worst is a bad word,\u2019\u2019 I said to him, \u2018\u2018and I hope you do
not live to see it.\u2019\u2019 But amidst his talk I gathered at last that
Frodo had left Hobbiton less than a week before, and that a
black horseman had come to the Hill the same evening. Then
the council of elrond 343
I rode on in fear. I came to Buckland and found it in uproar,
as busy as a hive of ants that has been stirred with a stick. I
came to the house at Crickhollow, and it was broken open
and empty; but on the threshold there lay a cloak that had
been Frodo\u2019s. Then for a while hope left me, and I did not
wait to gather news, or I might have been comforted; but I
rode on the trail of the Riders. It was hard to follow, for it
went many ways, and I was at a loss. But it seemed to me
that one or two had ridden towards Bree; and that way I went,
for I thought of words that might be said to the innkeeper.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Butterbur they call him,\u2019\u2019 thought I. \u2018\u2018If this delay
was his fault, I will melt all the butter in him. I will roast the
old fool over a slow fire.\u2019\u2019 He expected no less, and when
he saw my face he fell down flat and began to melt on the
spot.\u2019
\u2018What did you do to him?\u2019 cried Frodo in alarm. \u2018He was
really very kind to us and did all that he could.\u2019
Gandalf laughed. \u2018Don\u2019t be afraid!\u2019 he said. \u2018I did not bite,
and I barked very little. So overjoyed was I by the news that
I got out of him, when he stopped quaking, that I embraced
the old fellow. How it had happened I could not then guess,
but I learned that you had been in Bree the night before, and
had gone off that morning with Strider.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Strider!\u2019\u2019 I cried, shouting for joy.
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Yes, sir, I am afraid so, sir,\u2019\u2019 said Butterbur, mistaking
me. \u2018\u2018He got at them, in spite of all that I could do, and they
took up with him. They behaved very queer all the time they
were here: wilful, you might say.\u2019\u2019
\u2018 \u2018\u2018Ass! Fool! Thrice worthy and beloved Barliman!\u2019\u2019 said I.
\u2018\u2018It\u2019s the best news I have had since Midsummer; it\u2019s worth
a gold piece at the least. May your beer be laid under an
enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!\u2019\u2019 said
I. \u2018\u2018Now I can take a night\u2019s rest, the first since I have forgotten when.\u2019\u2019
\u2018So I stayed there that night, wondering much what had
become of the Riders; for only of two had there yet been any
344 the fellowship of the ring
news in Bree, it seemed. But in the night we heard more.
Five at least came from the west, and they threw down the
gates and passed through Bree like a howling wind; and
the Bree-folk are still shivering and expecting the end of the
world. I got up before dawn and went after them.
\u2018I do not know, but it seems clear to me that this is what
happened. Their Captain remained in secret away south of
Bree, while two rode ahead through the village, and four
more invaded the Shire. But when these were foiled in Bree
and at Crickhollow, they returned to their Captain with tidings, and so left the Road unguarded for a while, except by
their spies. The Captain then sent some eastward straight
across country, and he himself with the rest rode along the
Road in great wrath.
\u2018I galloped to Weathertop like a gale, and I reached it before
sundown on my second day from Bree \u2013 and they were there
before me. They drew away from me, for they felt the coming
of my anger and they dared not face it while the Sun was in
the sky. But they closed round at night, and I was besieged
on the hill-top, in the old ring of Amon Su\u02c6l. I was hard put
to it indeed: such light and flame cannot have been seen on
Weathertop since the war-beacons of old.
\u2018At sunrise I escaped and fled towards the north. I could
not hope to do more. It was impossible to find you, Frodo,
in the wilderness, and it would have been folly to try with all
the Nine at my heels. So I had to trust to Aragorn. But I
hoped to draw some of them off, and yet reach Rivendell
ahead of you and send out help. Four Riders did indeed
follow me, but they turned back after a while and made for
the Ford, it seems. That helped a little, for there were only
five, not nine, when your camp was attacked.
\u2018I reached here at last by a long hard road, up the Hoarwell
and through the Ettenmoors, and down from the north. It
took me nearly fifteen days from Weathertop, for I could
not ride among the rocks of the troll-fells, and Shadowfax
departed. I sent him back to his master; but a great friendship
has grown between us, and if I have need he will come at my
the council of elrond 345
call. But so it was that I came to Rivendell only two days
before the Ring, and news of its peril had already been
brought here \u2013 which proved well indeed.
\u2018And that, Frodo, is the end of my account. May Elrond
and the others forgive the length of it. But such a thing has
not happened before, that Gandalf broke tryst and did not
come when he promised. An account to the Ring-bearer of
so strange an event was required, I think.
\u2018Well, the Tale is now told, from first to last. Here we all
are, and here is the Ring. But we have not yet come any
nearer to our purpose. What shall we do with it?\u2019
There was a silence. At last Elrond spoke again.
\u2018This is grievous news concerning Saruman,\u2019 he said; \u2018for
we trusted him and he is deep in all our counsels. It is perilous
to study too deeply the arts of the Enemy, for good or for ill.
But such falls and betrayals, alas, have happened before. Of
the tales that we have heard this day the tale of Frodo was
most strange to me. I have known few hobbits, save Bilbo
here; and it seems to me that he is perhaps not so alone and
singular as I had thought him. The world has changed much
since I last was on the westward roads.
\u2018The Barrow-wights we know by many names; and of the
Old Forest many tales have been told: all that now remains
is but an outlier of its northern march. Time was when a
squirrel could go from tree to tree from what is now the Shire
to Dunland west of Isengard. In those lands I journeyed once,
and many things wild and strange I knew. But I had forgotten
Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the
woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the
old. That was not then his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we called
him, oldest and fatherless. But many another name he has
since been given by other folk: Forn by the Dwarves, Orald
by Northern Men, and other names beside. He is a strange
creature, but maybe I should have summoned him to our
Council.\u2019
\u2018He would not have come,\u2019 said Gandalf.
346 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Could we not still send messages to him and obtain his
help?\u2019 asked Erestor. \u2018It seems that he has a power even over
the Ring.\u2019
\u2018No, I should not put it so,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Say rather that
the Ring has no power over him. He is his own master. But
he cannot alter the Ring itself, nor break its power over others.
And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds
that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps
for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.\u2019
\u2018But within those bounds nothing seems to dismay him,\u2019
said Erestor. \u2018Would he not take the Ring and keep it there,
for ever harmless?\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018not willingly. He might do so, if all the
free folk of the world begged him, but he would not understand the need. And if he were given the Ring, he would soon
forget it, or most likely throw it away. Such things have no
hold on his mind. He would be a most unsafe guardian; and
that alone is answer enough.\u2019
\u2018But in any case,\u2019 said Glorfindel, \u2018to send the Ring to him
would only postpone the day of evil. He is far away. We
could not now take it back to him, unguessed, unmarked by
any spy. And even if we could, soon or late the Lord of the
Rings would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his
power towards it. Could that power be defied by Bombadil
alone? I think not. I think that in the end, if all else is conquered, Bombadil will fall, Last as he was First; and then
Night will come.\u2019
\u2018I know little of Iarwain save the name,\u2019 said Galdor; \u2018but
Glorfindel, I think, is right. Power to defy our Enemy is not
in him, unless such power is in the earth itself. And yet we
see that Sauron can torture and destroy the very hills.
What power still remains lies with us, here in Imladris, or
with C\u0131\u00b4rdan at the Havens, or in Lo\u00b4rien. But have they the
strength, have we here the strength to withstand the Enemy,
the coming of Sauron at the last, when all else is overthrown?\u2019
\u2018I have not the strength,\u2019 said Elrond; \u2018neither have they.\u2019
\u2018Then if the Ring cannot be kept from him for ever by
the council of elrond 347
strength,\u2019 said Glorfindel, \u2018two things only remain for us to
attempt: to send it over the Sea, or to destroy it.\u2019
\u2018But Gandalf has revealed to us that we cannot destroy it
by any craft that we here possess,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018And they
who dwell beyond the Sea would not receive it: for good or
ill it belongs to Middle-earth; it is for us who still dwell here
to deal with it.\u2019
\u2018Then,\u2019 said Glorfindel, \u2018let us cast it into the deeps, and
so make the lies of Saruman come true. For it is clear now
that even at the Council his feet were already on a crooked
path. He knew that the Ring was not lost for ever, but wished
us to think so; for he began to lust for it for himself. Yet oft
in lies truth is hidden: in the Sea it would be safe.\u2019
\u2018Not safe for ever,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018There are many things
in the deep waters; and seas and lands may change. And it is
not our part here to take thought only for a season, or for a
few lives of Men, or for a passing age of the world. We should
seek a final end of this menace, even if we do not hope to
make one.\u2019
\u2018And that we shall not find on the roads to the Sea,\u2019 said
Galdor. \u2018If the return to Iarwain be thought too dangerous,
then flight to the Sea is now fraught with gravest peril. My
heart tells me that Sauron will expect us to take the western
way, when he learns what has befallen. He soon will. The
Nine have been unhorsed indeed, but that is but a respite,
ere they find new steeds and swifter. Only the waning might
of Gondor stands now between him and a march in power
along the coasts into the North; and if he comes, assailing
the White Towers and the Havens, hereafter the Elves may
have no escape from the lengthening shadows of Middleearth.\u2019
\u2018Long yet will that march be delayed,\u2019 said Boromir.
\u2018Gondor wanes, you say. But Gondor stands, and even the
end of its strength is still very strong.\u2019
\u2018And yet its vigilance can no longer keep back the Nine,\u2019
said Galdor. \u2018And other roads he may find that Gondor does
not guard.\u2019
348 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Then,\u2019 said Erestor, \u2018there are but two courses, as Glorfindel already has declared: to hide the Ring for ever; or to
unmake it. But both are beyond our power. Who will read
this riddle for us?\u2019
\u2018None here can do so,\u2019 said Elrond gravely. \u2018At least none
can foretell what will come to pass, if we take this road or
that. But it seems to me now clear which is the road that we
must take. The westward road seems easiest. Therefore it
must be shunned. It will be watched. Too often the Elves
have fled that way. Now at this last we must take a hard road,
a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk
into peril \u2013 to Mordor. We must send the Ring to the Fire.\u2019
Silence fell again. Frodo, even in that fair house, looking
out upon a sunlit valley filled with the noise of clear waters,
felt a dead darkness in his heart. Boromir stirred, and Frodo
looked at him. He was fingering his great horn and frowning.
At length he spoke.
\u2018I do not understand all this,\u2019 he said. \u2018Saruman is a traitor,
but did he not have a glimpse of wisdom? Why do you speak
ever of hiding and destroying? Why should we not think that
the Great Ring has come into our hands to serve us in the
very hour of need? Wielding it the Free Lords of the Free
may surely defeat the Enemy. That is what he most fears,
I deem.
\u2018The Men of Gondor are valiant, and they will never submit; but they may be beaten down. Valour needs first
strength, and then a weapon. Let the Ring be your weapon,
if it has such power as you say. Take it and go forth to
victory!\u2019
\u2018Alas, no,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018We cannot use the Ruling Ring.
That we now know too well. It belongs to Sauron and was
made by him alone, and is altogether evil. Its strength,
Boromir, is too great for anyone to wield at will, save only
those who have already a great power of their own. But for
them it holds an even deadlier peril. The very desire of it
corrupts the heart. Consider Saruman. If any of the Wise
the council of elrond 349
should with this Ring overthrow the Lord of Mordor, using
his own arts, he would then set himself on Sauron\u2019s throne,
and yet another Dark Lord would appear. And that is another
reason why the Ring should be destroyed: as long as it is in
the world it will be a danger even to the Wise. For nothing is
evil in the beginning. Even Sauron was not so. I fear to take
the Ring to hide it. I will not take the Ring to wield it.\u2019
\u2018Nor I,\u2019 said Gandalf.
Boromir looked at them doubtfully, but he bowed his head.
\u2018So be it,\u2019 he said. \u2018Then in Gondor we must trust to such
weapons as we have. And at the least, while the Wise ones
guard this Ring, we will fight on. Mayhap the Sword-thatwas-Broken may still stem the tide \u2013 if the hand that wields
it has inherited not an heirloom only, but the sinews of the
Kings of Men.\u2019
\u2018Who can tell?\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But we will put it to the test
one day.\u2019
\u2018May the day not be too long delayed,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018For
though I do not ask for aid, we need it. It would comfort us
to know that others fought also with all the means that they
have.\u2019
\u2018Then be comforted,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018For there are other
powers and realms that you know not, and they are hidden
from you. Anduin the Great flows past many shores, ere it
comes to Argonath and the Gates of Gondor.\u2019
\u2018Still it might be well for all,\u2019 said Glo\u00b4in the Dwarf, \u2018if all
these strengths were joined, and the powers of each were
used in league. Other rings there may be, less treacherous,
that might be used in our need. The Seven are lost to us \u2013 if
Balin has not found the ring of Thro\u00b4r, which was the last;
naught has been heard of it since Thro\u00b4r perished in Moria.
Indeed I may now reveal that it was partly in hope to find
that ring that Balin went away.\u2019
\u2018Balin will find no ring in Moria,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Thro\u00b4r
gave it to Thra\u00b4in his son, but not Thra\u00b4in to Thorin. It was
taken with torment from Thra\u00b4in in the dungeons of Dol
Guldur. I came too late.\u2019
350 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Ah, alas!\u2019 cried Glo\u00b4in. \u2018When will the day come of our
revenge? But still there are the Three. What of the Three
Rings of the Elves? Very mighty Rings, it is said. Do not the
Elf-lords keep them? Yet they too were made by the Dark
Lord long ago. Are they idle? I see Elf-lords here. Will they
not say?\u2019
The Elves returned no answer. \u2018Did you not hear me,
Glo\u00b4in?\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018The Three were not made by Sauron,
nor did he ever touch them. But of them it is not permitted
to speak. So much only in this hour of doubt I may now say.
They are not idle. But they were not made as weapons of
war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made
them did not desire strength or domination or hoarded
wealth, but understanding, making, and healing, to preserve
all things unstained. These things the Elves of Middle-earth
have in some measure gained, though with sorrow. But all
that has been wrought by those who wield the Three will turn
to their undoing, and their minds and hearts will become
revealed to Sauron, if he regains the One. It would be better
if the Three had never been. That is his purpose.\u2019
\u2018But what then would happen, if the Ruling Ring were
destroyed, as you counsel?\u2019 asked Glo\u00b4in.
\u2018We know not for certain,\u2019 answered Elrond sadly. \u2018Some
hope that the Three Rings, which Sauron has never touched,
would then become free, and their rulers might heal the hurts
of the world that he has wrought. But maybe when the One
has gone, the Three will fail, and many fair things will fade
and be forgotten. That is my belief.\u2019
\u2018Yet all the Elves are willing to endure this chance,\u2019 said
Glorfindel, \u2018if by it the power of Sauron may be broken, and
the fear of his dominion be taken away for ever.\u2019
\u2018Thus we return once more to the destroying of the Ring,\u2019
said Erestor, \u2018and yet we come no nearer. What strength have
we for the finding of the Fire in which it was made? That is
the path of despair. Of folly I would say, if the long wisdom
of Elrond did not forbid me.\u2019
\u2018Despair, or folly?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018It is not despair, for
the council of elrond 351
despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.
We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other
courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to
those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a
veil before the eyes of the Enemy! For he is very wise, and
weighs all things to a nicety in the scales of his malice. But
the only measure that he knows is desire, desire for power;
and so he judges all hearts. Into his heart the thought will not
enter that any will refuse it, that having the Ring we may
seek to destroy it. If we seek this, we shall put him out of
reckoning.\u2019
\u2018At least for a while,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018The road must be trod,
but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will
carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the
weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the
course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small
hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great
are elsewhere.\u2019
\u2018Very well, very well, Master Elrond!\u2019 said Bilbo suddenly.
\u2018Say no more! It is plain enough what you are pointing at.
Bilbo the silly hobbit started this affair, and Bilbo had better
finish it, or himself. I was very comfortable here, and getting
on with my book. If you want to know, I am just writing an
ending for it. I had thought of putting: and he lived happily
ever afterwards to the end of his days. It is a good ending, and
none the worse for having been used before. Now I shall have
to alter that: it does not look like coming true; and anyway
there will evidently have to be several more chapters, if I live
to write them. It is a frightful nuisance. When ought I to
start?\u2019
Boromir looked in surprise at Bilbo, but the laughter died
on his lips when he saw that all the others regarded the old
hobbit with grave respect. Only Glo\u00b4in smiled, but his smile
came from old memories.
\u2018Of course, my dear Bilbo,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018If you had really
started this affair, you might be expected to finish it. But you
352 the fellowship of the ring
know well enough now that starting is too great a claim for
any, and that only a small part is played in great deeds by
any hero. You need not bow! Though the word was meant,
and we do not doubt that under jest you are making a valiant
offer. But one beyond your strength, Bilbo. You cannot take
this thing back. It has passed on. If you need my advice any
longer, I should say that your part is ended, unless as a
recorder. Finish your book, and leave the ending unaltered!
There is still hope for it. But get ready to write a sequel, when
they come back.\u2019
Bilbo laughed. \u2018I have never known you give me pleasant
advice before,\u2019 he said. \u2018As all your unpleasant advice has
been good, I wonder if this advice is not bad. Still, I don\u2019t
suppose I have the strength or luck left to deal with the Ring.
It has grown, and I have not. But tell me: what do you mean
by they?\u2019
\u2018The messengers who are sent with the Ring.\u2019
\u2018Exactly! And who are they to be? That seems to me what
this Council has to decide, and all that it has to decide.
Elves may thrive on speech alone, and Dwarves endure great
weariness; but I am only an old hobbit, and I miss my meal
at noon. Can\u2019t we think of some names now? Or put it off
till after dinner?\u2019
No one answered. The noon-bell rang. Still no one spoke.
Frodo glanced at all the faces, but they were not turned to
him. All the Council sat with downcast eyes, as if in deep
thought. A great dread fell on him, as if he was awaiting the
pronouncement of some doom that he had long foreseen and
vainly hoped might after all never be spoken. An overwhelming longing to rest and remain at peace by Bilbo\u2019s side in
Rivendell filled all his heart. At last with an effort he spoke,
and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will
was using his small voice.
\u2018I will take the Ring,\u2019 he said, \u2018though I do not know the
way.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the council of elrond 353
Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt
his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. \u2018If I
understand aright all that I have heard,\u2019 he said, \u2018I think that
this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not
find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk,
when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers
and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have
foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to
know it, until the hour has struck?
\u2018But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it
on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I
will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty
Elf-friends of old, Hador, and Hu\u00b4rin, and Tu\u00b4rin, and Beren
himself were assembled together, your seat should be among
them.\u2019
\u2018But you won\u2019t send him off alone surely, Master?\u2019 cried
Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and jumping up
from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the
floor.
\u2018No indeed!\u2019 said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile.
\u2018You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate
you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council
and you are not.\u2019
Sam sat down, blushing and muttering. \u2018A nice pickle we
have landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo!\u2019 he said, shaking his
head.
Chapter 3
THE RING GOES SOUTH
Later that day the hobbits held a meeting of their own in
Bilbo\u2019s room. Merry and Pippin were indignant when they
heard that Sam had crept into the Council, and had been
chosen as Frodo\u2019s companion.
\u2018It\u2019s most unfair,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018Instead of throwing him
out, and clapping him in chains, Elrond goes and rewards
him for his cheek!\u2019
\u2018Rewards!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I can\u2019t imagine a more severe punishment. You are not thinking what you are saying: condemned to go on this hopeless journey, a reward? Yesterday
I dreamed that my task was done, and I could rest here, a
long while, perhaps for good.\u2019
\u2018I don\u2019t wonder,\u2019 said Merry, \u2018and I wish you could. But
we are envying Sam, not you. If you have to go, then it will
be a punishment for any of us to be left behind, even in
Rivendell. We have come a long way with you and been
through some stiff times. We want to go on.\u2019
\u2018That\u2019s what I meant,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018We hobbits ought to
stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me
up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party.\u2019
\u2018Then you certainly will not be chosen, Peregrin Took!\u2019
said Gandalf, looking in through the window, which was near
the ground. \u2018But you are all worrying yourselves unnecessarily. Nothing is decided yet.\u2019
\u2018Nothing decided!\u2019 cried Pippin. \u2018Then what were you all
doing? You were shut up for hours.\u2019
\u2018Talking,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018There was a deal of talk, and everyone had an eye-opener. Even old Gandalf. I think Legolas\u2019s
bit of news about Gollum caught even him on the hop,
though he passed it off.\u2019
the ring goes south 355
\u2018You were wrong,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You were inattentive. I
had already heard of it from Gwaihir. If you want to know,
the only real eye-openers, as you put it, were you and Frodo;
and I was the only one that was not surprised.\u2019
\u2018Well, anyway,\u2019 said Bilbo, \u2018nothing was decided beyond
choosing poor Frodo and Sam. I was afraid all the time that
it might come to that, if I was let off. But if you ask me,
Elrond will send out a fair number, when the reports come
in. Have they started yet, Gandalf ?\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018Some of the scouts have been sent
out already. More will go tomorrow. Elrond is sending Elves,
and they will get in touch with the Rangers, and maybe with
Thranduil\u2019s folk in Mirkwood. And Aragorn has gone with
Elrond\u2019s sons. We shall have to scour the lands all round for
many long leagues before any move is made. So cheer up,
Frodo! You will probably make quite a long stay here.\u2019
\u2018Ah!\u2019 said Sam gloomily. \u2018We\u2019ll just wait long enough for
winter to come.\u2019
\u2018That can\u2019t be helped,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018It\u2019s your fault partly,
Frodo my lad: insisting on waiting for my birthday. A funny
way of honouring it, I can\u2019t help thinking. Not the day I
should have chosen for letting the S.-B.s into Bag End. But
there it is: you can\u2019t wait now till spring; and you can\u2019t go till
the reports come back.
When winter first begins to bite
and stones crack in the frosty night,
when pools are black and trees are bare,
\u2019tis evil in the Wild to fare.
But that I am afraid will be just your luck.\u2019
\u2018I am afraid it will,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018We can\u2019t start until we
have found out about the Riders.\u2019
\u2018I thought they were all destroyed in the flood,\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018You cannot destroy Ringwraiths like that,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018The power of their master is in them, and they stand or fall
by him. We hope that they were all unhorsed and unmasked,
356 the fellowship of the ring
and so made for a while less dangerous; but we must find out
for certain. In the meantime you should try and forget your
troubles, Frodo. I do not know if I can do anything to help
you; but I will whisper this in your ears. Someone said that
intelligence would be needed in the party. He was right. I
think I shall come with you.\u2019
So great was Frodo\u2019s delight at this announcement that
Gandalf left the window-sill, where he had been sitting, and
took off his hat and bowed. \u2018I only said I think I shall come.
Do not count on anything yet. In this matter Elrond will have
much to say, and your friend the Strider. Which reminds me,
I want to see Elrond. I must be off.\u2019
\u2018How long do you think I shall have here?\u2019 said Frodo to
Bilbo when Gandalf had gone.
\u2018Oh, I don\u2019t know. I can\u2019t count days in Rivendell,\u2019 said
Bilbo. \u2018But quite long, I should think. We can have many a
good talk. What about helping me with my book, and making
a start on the next? Have you thought of an ending?\u2019
\u2018Yes, several, and all are dark and unpleasant,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018Oh, that won\u2019t do!\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018Books ought to have good
endings. How would this do: and they all settled down and
lived together happily ever after?\u2019
\u2018It will do well, if it ever comes to that,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018Ah!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018And where will they live? That\u2019s what I
often wonder.\u2019
For a while the hobbits continued to talk and think of the
past journey and of the perils that lay ahead; but such was
the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and
anxiety was lifted from their minds. The future, good or ill,
was not forgotten, but ceased to have any power over the
present. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were
content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in
every meal, and in every word and song.
So the days slipped away, as each morning dawned bright
and fair, and each evening followed cool and clear. But
autumn was waning fast; slowly the golden light faded to pale
the ring goes south 357
silver, and the lingering leaves fell from the naked trees. A
wind began to blow chill from the Misty Mountains to the
east. The Hunter\u2019s Moon waxed round in the night sky, and
put to flight all the lesser stars. But low in the South one star
shone red. Every night, as the Moon waned again, it shone
brighter and brighter. Frodo could see it from his window,
deep in the heavens, burning like a watchful eye that glared
above the trees on the brink of the valley.
The hobbits had been nearly two months in the house of
Elrond, and November had gone by with the last shreds of
autumn, and December was passing, when the scouts began
to return. Some had gone north beyond the springs of the
Hoarwell into the Ettenmoors; and others had gone west, and
with the help of Aragorn and the Rangers had searched the
lands far down the Greyflood, as far as Tharbad, where the
old North Road crossed the river by a ruined town. Many
had gone east and south; and some of these had crossed the
Mountains and entered Mirkwood, while others had climbed
the pass at the sources of the Gladden River, and had come
down into Wilderland and over the Gladden Fields and so at
length had reached the old home of Radagast at Rhosgobel.
Radagast was not there; and they had returned over the high
pass that was called the Redhorn Gate. The sons of Elrond,
Elladan and Elrohir, were the last to return; they had made a
great journey, passing down the Silverlode into a strange
country, but of their errand they would not speak to any save
to Elrond.
In no region had the messengers discovered any signs or
tidings of the Riders or other servants of the Enemy. Even
from the Eagles of the Misty Mountains they had learned no
fresh news. Nothing had been seen or heard of Gollum; but
the wild wolves were still gathering, and were hunting again
far up the Great River. Three of the black horses had been
found at once drowned in the flooded Ford. On the rocks of
the rapids below it searchers discovered the bodies of five
more, and also a long black cloak, slashed and tattered. Of
358 the fellowship of the ring
the Black Riders no other trace was to be seen, and nowhere
was their presence to be felt. It seemed that they had vanished
from the North.
\u2018Eight out of the Nine are accounted for at least,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018It is rash to be too sure, yet I think that we may
hope now that the Ringwraiths were scattered, and have been
obliged to return as best they could to their Master in Mordor,
empty and shapeless.
\u2018If that is so, it will be some time before they can begin the
hunt again. Of course the Enemy has other servants, but they
will have to journey all the way to the borders of Rivendell
before they can pick up our trail. And if we are careful that
will be hard to find. But we must delay no longer.\u2019
Elrond summoned the hobbits to him. He looked gravely
at Frodo. \u2018The time has come,\u2019 he said. \u2018If the Ring is to set
out, it must go soon. But those who go with it must not count
on their errand being aided by war or force. They must pass
into the domain of the Enemy far from aid. Do you still hold
to your word, Frodo, that you will be the Ring-bearer?\u2019
\u2018I do,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I will go with Sam.\u2019
\u2018Then I cannot help you much, not even with counsel,\u2019
said Elrond. \u2018I can foresee very little of your road; and how
your task is to be achieved I do not know. The Shadow has
crept now to the feet of the Mountains, and draws nigh even
to the borders of the Greyflood; and under the Shadow all is
dark to me. You will meet many foes, some open, and some
disguised; and you may find friends upon your way when
you least look for it. I will send out messages, such as I can
contrive, to those whom I know in the wide world; but so
perilous are the lands now become that some may well miscarry, or come no quicker than you yourself.
\u2018And I will choose you companions to go with you, as far
as they will or fortune allows. The number must be few, since
your hope is in speed and secrecy. Had I a host of Elves in
armour of the Elder Days, it would avail little, save to arouse
the power of Mordor.
the ring goes south 359
\u2018The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine
Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil.
With you and your faithful servant, Gandalf will go; for this
shall be his great task, and maybe the end of his labours.
\u2018For the rest, they shall represent the other Free Peoples of
the World: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Legolas shall be for
the Elves; and Gimli son of Glo\u00b4in for the Dwarves. They are
willing to go at least to the passes of the Mountains, and
maybe beyond. For men you shall have Aragorn son of
Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely.\u2019
\u2018Strider!\u2019 cried Frodo.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 he said with a smile. \u2018I ask leave once again to be
your companion, Frodo.\u2019
\u2018I would have begged you to come,\u2019 said Frodo, \u2018only I
thought you were going to Minas Tirith with Boromir.\u2019
\u2018I am,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018And the Sword-that-was-Broken
shall be re-forged ere I set out to war. But your road and our
road lie together for many hundreds of miles. Therefore Boromir will also be in the Company. He is a valiant
man.\u2019
\u2018There remain two more to be found,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018These
I will consider. Of my household I may find some that it
seems good to me to send.\u2019
\u2018But that will leave no place for us!\u2019 cried Pippin in dismay.
\u2018We don\u2019t want to be left behind. We want to go with Frodo.\u2019
\u2018That is because you do not understand and cannot
imagine what lies ahead,\u2019 said Elrond.
\u2018Neither does Frodo,\u2019 said Gandalf, unexpectedly supporting Pippin. \u2018Nor do any of us see clearly. It is true that if
these hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to
go. But they would still wish to go, or wish that they dared,
and be shamed and unhappy. I think, Elrond, that in this
matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than
to great wisdom. Even if you chose for us an Elf-lord, such
as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open
the road to the Fire by the power that is in him.\u2019
\u2018You speak gravely,\u2019 said Elrond, \u2018but I am in doubt. The
360 the fellowship of the ring
Shire, I forebode, is not free now from peril; and these two
I had thought to send back there as messengers, to do what
they could, according to the fashion of their country, to warn
the people of their danger. In any case, I judge that the
younger of these two, Peregrin Took, should remain. My
heart is against his going.\u2019
\u2018Then, Master Elrond, you will have to lock me in prison,
or send me home tied in a sack,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018For otherwise
I shall follow the Company.\u2019
\u2018Let it be so then. You shall go,\u2019 said Elrond, and he sighed.
\u2018Now the tale of Nine is filled. In seven days the Company
must depart.\u2019
The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths,
and on its blade was traced a device of seven stars set between
the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun, and about them was
written many runes; for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going
to war upon the marches of Mordor. Very bright was that
sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun
shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, and
its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name
and called it Andu\u00b4ril, Flame of the West.
Aragorn and Gandalf walked together or sat speaking of
their road and the perils they would meet; and they pondered
the storied and figured maps and books of lore that were in
the house of Elrond. Sometimes Frodo was with them; but
he was content to lean on their guidance, and he spent as
much time as he could with Bilbo.
In those last days the hobbits sat together in the evening in
the Hall of Fire, and there among many tales they heard told
in full the lay of Beren and Lu\u00b4thien and the winning of the
Great Jewel; but in the day, while Merry and Pippin were
out and about, Frodo and Sam were to be found with Bilbo
in his own small room. Then Bilbo would read passages from
his book (which still seemed very incomplete), or scraps of
his verses, or would take notes of Frodo\u2019s adventures.
On the morning of the last day Frodo was alone with Bilbo,
the ring goes south 361
and the old hobbit pulled out from under his bed a wooden
box. He lifted the lid and fumbled inside.
\u2018Here is your sword,\u2019 he said. \u2018But it was broken, you know.
I took it to keep it safe but I\u2019ve forgotten to ask if the smiths
could mend it. No time now. So I thought, perhaps, you
would care to have this, don\u2019t you know?\u2019
He took from the box a small sword in an old shabby
leathern scabbard. Then he drew it, and its polished and
well-tended blade glittered suddenly, cold and bright. \u2018This
is Sting,\u2019 he said, and thrust it with little effort deep into
a wooden beam. \u2018Take it, if you like. I shan\u2019t want it again,
I expect.\u2019
Frodo accepted it gratefully.
\u2018Also there is this!\u2019 said Bilbo, bringing out a parcel which
seemed to be rather heavy for its size. He unwound several
folds of old cloth, and held up a small shirt of mail. It was
close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as
ice, and harder than steel. It shone like moonlit silver, and
was studded with white gems. With it was a belt of pearl and
crystal.
\u2018It\u2019s a pretty thing, isn\u2019t it?\u2019 said Bilbo, moving it in the
light. \u2018And useful. It is my dwarf-mail that Thorin gave me.
I got it back from Michel Delving before I started, and packed
it with my luggage. I brought all the mementoes of my Journey away with me, except the Ring. But I did not expect to
use this, and I don\u2019t need it now, except to look at sometimes.
You hardly feel any weight when you put it on.\u2019
\u2018I should look \u2013 well, I don\u2019t think I should look right in it,\u2019
said Frodo.
\u2018Just what I said myself,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018But never mind about
looks. You can wear it under your outer clothes. Come on!
You must share this secret with me. Don\u2019t tell anybody else!
But I should feel happier if I knew you were wearing it. I
have a fancy it would turn even the knives of the Black
Riders,\u2019 he ended in a low voice.
\u2018Very well, I will take it,\u2019 said Frodo. Bilbo put it on him,
and fastened Sting upon the glittering belt; and then Frodo
362 the fellowship of the ring
put over the top his old weather-stained breeches, tunic, and
jacket.
\u2018Just a plain hobbit you look,\u2019 said Bilbo. \u2018But there is more
about you now than appears on the surface. Good luck to
you!\u2019 He turned away and looked out of the window, trying
to hum a tune.
\u2018I cannot thank you as I should, Bilbo, for this, and for all
your past kindnesses,\u2019 said Frodo.
\u2018Don\u2019t try!\u2019 said the old hobbit, turning round and slapping
him on the back. \u2018Ow!\u2019 he cried. \u2018You are too hard now to
slap! But there you are: Hobbits must stick together, and
especially Bagginses. All I ask in return is: take as much care
of yourself as you can, and bring back all the news you can,
and any old songs and tales you can come by. I\u2019ll do my best
to finish my book before you return. I should like to write the
second book, if I am spared.\u2019 He broke off and turned to the
window again, singing softly.
I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.
For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.
the ring goes south 363
I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.
It was a cold grey day near the end of December. The East
Wind was streaming through the bare branches of the trees,
and seething in the dark pines on the hills. Ragged clouds
were hurrying overhead, dark and low. As the cheerless
shadows of the early evening began to fall the Company
made ready to set out. They were to start at dusk, for Elrond
counselled them to journey under cover of night as often as
they could, until they were far from Rivendell.
\u2018You should fear the many eyes of the servants of Sauron,\u2019
he said. \u2018I do not doubt that news of the discomfiture of the
Riders has already reached him, and he will be filled with
wrath. Soon now his spies on foot and wing will be abroad
in the northern lands. Even of the sky above you must beware
as you go on your way.\u2019
The Company took little gear of war, for their hope was
in secrecy not in battle. Aragorn had Andu\u00b4ril but no other
weapon, and he went forth clad only in rusty green and
brown, as a Ranger of the wilderness. Boromir had a long
sword, in fashion like Andu\u00b4ril but of less lineage, and he bore
also a shield and his war-horn.
\u2018Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills,\u2019 he
said, \u2018and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!\u2019 Putting it to
his lips he blew a blast, and the echoes leapt from rock to
rock, and all that heard that voice in Rivendell sprang to their
feet.
\u2018Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir,\u2019
364 the fellowship of the ring
said Elrond, \u2018until you stand once more on the borders of
your land, and dire need is on you.\u2019
\u2018Maybe,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018But always I have let my horn cry
at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the
shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night.\u2019
Gimli the dwarf alone wore openly a short shirt of steelrings, for dwarves make light of burdens; and in his belt was
a broad-bladed axe. Legolas had a bow and a quiver, and at
his belt a long white knife. The younger hobbits wore the
swords that they had taken from the barrow; but Frodo took
only Sting; and his mail-coat, as Bilbo wished, remained
hidden. Gandalf bore his staff, but girt at his side was the
elven-sword Glamdring, the mate of Orcrist that lay now
upon the breast of Thorin under the Lonely Mountain.
All were well furnished by Elrond with thick warm clothes,
and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur. Spare food
and clothes and blankets and other needs were laden on a
pony, none other than the poor beast that they had brought
from Bree.
The stay in Rivendell had worked a great wonder of change
on him: he was glossy and seemed to have the vigour of youth.
It was Sam who had insisted on choosing him, declaring that
Bill (as he called him) would pine, if he did not come.
\u2018That animal can nearly talk,\u2019 he said, \u2018and would talk, if
he stayed here much longer. He gave me a look as plain as
Mr. Pippin could speak it: if you don\u2019t let me go with you,
Sam, I\u2019ll follow on my own.\u2019 So Bill was going as the beast
of burden, yet he was the only member of the Company that
did not seem depressed.
Their farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire,
and they were only waiting now for Gandalf, who had not
yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from
the open doors, and soft lights were glowing in many
windows. Bilbo huddled in a cloak stood silent on the doorstep beside Frodo. Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his
knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him.
the ring goes south 365
The others could be seen as grey shapes in the darkness.
Sam was standing by the pony, sucking his teeth, and
staring moodily into the gloom where the river roared stonily
below; his desire for adventure was at its lowest ebb.
\u2018Bill, my lad,\u2019 he said, \u2018you oughtn\u2019t to have took up with
us. You could have stayed here and et the best hay till the
new grass comes.\u2019 Bill swished his tail and said nothing.
Sam eased the pack on his shoulders, and went over
anxiously in his mind all the things that he had stowed
in it, wondering if he had forgotten anything: his chief
treasure, his cooking gear; and the little box of salt that
he always carried and refilled when he could; a good supply
of pipe-weed (but not near enough, I\u2019ll warrant); flint
and tinder; woollen hose; linen; various small belongings of
his master\u2019s that Frodo had forgotten and Sam had stowed
to bring them out in triumph when they were called for. He
went through them all.
\u2018Rope!\u2019 he muttered. \u2018No rope! And only last night you
said to yourself: \u2018\u2018Sam, what about a bit of rope? You\u2019ll want
it, if you haven\u2019t got it.\u2019\u2019 Well, I\u2019ll want it. I can\u2019t get it now.\u2019
At that moment Elrond came out with Gandalf, and he
called the Company to him. \u2018This is my last word,\u2019 he said
in a low voice. \u2018The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest
of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to
cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the
Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the
Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need.
The others go with him as free companions, to help him on
his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into
other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less
easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you
to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the
strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each
may meet upon the road.\u2019
\u2018Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,\u2019
said Gimli.
366 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Maybe,\u2019 said Elrond, \u2018but let him not vow to walk in the
dark, who has not seen the nightfall.\u2019
\u2018Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,\u2019 said
Gimli.
\u2018Or break it,\u2019 said Elrond. \u2018Look not too far ahead! But go
now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves
and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine
upon your faces!\u2019
\u2018Good \u2026 good luck!\u2019 cried Bilbo, stuttering with the cold.
\u2018I don\u2019t suppose you will be able to keep a diary, Frodo my
lad, but I shall expect a full account when you get back. And
don\u2019t be too long! Farewell!\u2019
Many others of Elrond\u2019s household stood in the shadows
and watched them go, bidding them farewell with soft voices.
There was no laughter, and no song or music. At last they
turned away and faded silently into the dusk.
They crossed the bridge and wound slowly up the long
steep paths that led out of the cloven vale of Rivendell; and
they came at length to the high moor where the wind hissed
through the heather. Then with one glance at the Last
Homely House twinkling below them they strode away far
into the night.
At the Ford of Bruinen they left the Road and turning
southwards went on by narrow paths among the folded lands.
Their purpose was to hold this course west of the Mountains
for many miles and days. The country was much rougher
and more barren than in the green vale of the Great River in
Wilderland on the other side of the range, and their going
would be slow; but they hoped in this way to escape the
notice of unfriendly eyes. The spies of Sauron had hitherto
seldom been seen in this empty country, and the paths were
little known except to the people of Rivendell.
Gandalf walked in front, and with him went Aragorn, who
knew this land even in the dark. The others were in file
behind, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard.
the ring goes south 367
The first part of their journey was hard and dreary, and Frodo
remembered little of it, save the wind. For many sunless
days an icy blast came from the Mountains in the east, and
no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers.
Though the Company was well clad, they seldom felt warm,
either moving or at rest. They slept uneasily during the
middle of the day, in some hollow of the land, or hidden
under the tangled thorn-bushes that grew in thickets in many
places. In the late afternoon they were roused by the watch,
and took their chief meal: cold and cheerless as a rule, for
they could seldom risk the lighting of a fire. In the evening
they went on again, always as nearly southward as they could
find a way.
At first it seemed to the hobbits that although they walked
and stumbled until they were weary, they were creeping forward like snails, and getting nowhere. Each day the land
looked much the same as it had the day before. Yet steadily
the mountains were drawing nearer. South of Rivendell they
rose ever higher, and bent westwards; and about the feet of
the main range there was tumbled an ever wider land of bleak
hills, and deep valleys filled with turbulent waters. Paths were
few and winding, and led them often only to the edge of
some sheer fall, or down into treacherous swamps.
They had been a fortnight on the way when the weather
changed. The wind suddenly fell and then veered round to
the south. The swift-flowing clouds lifted and melted away,
and the sun came out, pale and bright. There came a cold
clear dawn at the end of a long stumbling night-march. The
travellers reached a low ridge crowned with ancient hollytrees whose grey-green trunks seemed to have been built out
of the very stone of the hills. Their dark leaves shone and
their berries glowed red in the light of the rising sun.
Away in the south Frodo could see the dim shapes of lofty
mountains that seemed now to stand across the path that the
Company was taking. At the left of this high range rose three
peaks; the tallest and nearest stood up like a tooth tipped with
368 the fellowship of the ring
snow; its great, bare, northern precipice was still largely in
the shadow, but where the sunlight slanted upon it, it glowed
red.
Gandalf stood at Frodo\u2019s side and looked out under his
hand. \u2018We have done well,\u2019 he said. \u2018We have reached the
borders of the country that Men call Hollin; many Elves lived
here in happier days, when Eregion was its name. Five-andforty leagues as the crow flies we have come, though many
long miles further our feet have walked. The land and the
weather will be milder now, but perhaps all the more
dangerous.\u2019
\u2018Dangerous or not, a real sunrise is mighty welcome,\u2019 said
Frodo, throwing back his hood and letting the morning light
fall on his face.
\u2018But the mountains are ahead of us,\u2019 said Pippin. \u2018We must
have turned eastwards in the night.\u2019
\u2018No,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But you see further ahead in the clear
light. Beyond those peaks the range bends round south-west.
There are many maps in Elrond\u2019s house, but I suppose you
never thought to look at them?\u2019
\u2018Yes I did, sometimes,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018but I don\u2019t remember
them. Frodo has a better head for that sort of thing.\u2019
\u2018I need no map,\u2019 said Gimli, who had come up with
Legolas, and was gazing out before him with a strange light
in his deep eyes. \u2018There is the land where our fathers worked
of old, and we have wrought the image of those mountains
into many works of metal and of stone, and into many
songs and tales. They stand tall in our dreams: Baraz, Zirak,
Shathu\u02c6r.
\u2018Only once before have I seen them from afar in waking
life, but I know them and their names, for under them lies
Khazad-du\u02c6m, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black
Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue. Yonder stands Barazinbar,
the Redhorn, cruel Caradhras; and beyond him are Silvertine
and Cloudyhead: Celebdil the White, and Fanuidhol the
Grey, that we call Zirakzigil and Bundushathu\u02c6r.
\u2018There the Misty Mountains divide, and between their
the ring goes south 369
arms lies the deep-shadowed valley which we cannot forget: Azanulbizar, the Dimrill Dale, which the Elves call
Nanduhirion.\u2019
\u2018It is for the Dimrill Dale that we are making,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018If we climb the pass that is called the Redhorn Gate, under
the far side of Caradhras, we shall come down by the Dimrill
Stair into the deep vale of the Dwarves. There lies the
Mirrormere, and there the River Silverlode rises in its icy
springs.\u2019
\u2018Dark is the water of Kheled-za\u02c6ram,\u2019 said Gimli, \u2018and cold
are the springs of Kibil-na\u02c6la. My heart trembles at the thought
that I may see them soon.\u2019
\u2018May you have joy of the sight, my good dwarf!\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018But whatever you may do, we at least cannot stay
in that valley. We must go down the Silverlode into the secret
woods, and so to the Great River, and then\u2014\u2014\u2019
He paused.
\u2018Yes, and where then?\u2019 asked Merry.
\u2018To the end of the journey \u2013 in the end,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018We
cannot look too far ahead. Let us be glad that the first stage
is safely over. I think we will rest here, not only today but
tonight as well. There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much
evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves,
if once they dwelt there.\u2019
\u2018That is true,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018But the Elves of this land were
of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and
the grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones
lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high
they builded us; but they are gone. They are gone. They sought
the Havens long ago.\u2019
That morning they lit a fire in a deep hollow shrouded by
great bushes of holly, and their supper-breakfast was merrier
than it had been since they set out. They did not hurry to
bed afterwards, for they expected to have all the night to
sleep in, and they did not mean to go on again until the
evening of the next day. Only Aragorn was silent and restless.
370 the fellowship of the ring
After a while he left the Company and wandered on to the
ridge; there he stood in the shadow of a tree, looking out
southwards and westwards, with his head posed as if he was
listening. Then he returned to the brink of the dell and looked
down at the others laughing and talking.
\u2018What is the matter, Strider?\u2019 Merry called up. \u2018What are
you looking for? Do you miss the East Wind?\u2019
\u2018No indeed,\u2019 he answered. \u2018But I miss something. I have
been in the country of Hollin in many seasons. No folk dwell
here now, but many other creatures live here at all times,
especially birds. Yet now all things but you are silent. I can
feel it. There is no sound for miles about us, and your voices
seem to make the ground echo. I do not understand it.\u2019
Gandalf looked up with sudden interest. \u2018But what do you
guess is the reason?\u2019 he asked. \u2018Is there more in it than surprise at seeing four hobbits, not to mention the rest of us,
where people are so seldom seen or heard?\u2019
\u2018I hope that is it,\u2019 answered Aragorn. \u2018But I have a sense of
watchfulness, and of fear, that I have never had here before.\u2019
\u2018Then we must be more careful,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018If you
bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him,
especially if the Ranger is Aragorn. We must stop talking
aloud, rest quietly, and set the watch.\u2019
It was Sam\u2019s turn that day to take the first watch, but
Aragorn joined him. The others fell asleep. Then the silence
grew until even Sam felt it. The breathing of the sleepers
could be plainly heard. The swish of the pony\u2019s tail and the
occasional movements of his feet became loud noises. Sam
could hear his own joints creaking, if he stirred. Dead silence
was around him, and over all hung a clear blue sky, as the
Sun rode up from the East. Away in the South a dark patch
appeared, and grew, and drove north like flying smoke in the
wind.
\u2018What\u2019s that, Strider? It don\u2019t look like a cloud,\u2019 said Sam
in a whisper to Aragorn. He made no answer, he was gazing
intently at the sky; but before long Sam could see for himself
the ring goes south 371
what was approaching. Flocks of birds, flying at great speed,
were wheeling and circling, and traversing all the land as if
they were searching for something; and they were steadily
drawing nearer.
\u2018Lie flat and still!\u2019 hissed Aragorn, pulling Sam down into
the shade of a holly-bush; for a whole regiment of birds had
broken away suddenly from the main host, and came, flying
low, straight towards the ridge. Sam thought they were a kind
of crow of large size. As they passed overhead, in so dense a
throng that their shadow followed them darkly over the
ground below, one harsh croak was heard.
Not until they had dwindled into the distance, north and
west, and the sky was again clear would Aragorn rise. Then
he sprang up and went and wakened Gandalf.
\u2018Regiments of black crows are flying over all the land
between the Mountains and the Greyflood,\u2019 he said, \u2018and
they have passed over Hollin. They are not natives here; they
are crebain out of Fangorn and Dunland. I do not know what
they are about: possibly there is some trouble away south
from which they are fleeing; but I think they are spying out
the land. I have also glimpsed many hawks flying high up in
the sky. I think we ought to move again this evening. Hollin
is no longer wholesome for us: it is being watched.\u2019
\u2018And in that case so is the Redhorn Gate,\u2019 said Gandalf;
\u2018and how we can get over that without being seen, I cannot
imagine. But we will think of that when we must. As for
moving as soon as it is dark, I am afraid that you are right.\u2019
\u2018Luckily our fire made little smoke, and had burned low
before the crebain came,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018It must be put out
and not lit again.\u2019
\u2018Well if that isn\u2019t a plague and a nuisance!\u2019 said Pippin.
The news: no fire, and a move again by night, had been
broken to him, as soon as he woke in the late afternoon. \u2018All
because of a pack of crows! I had looked forward to a real
good meal tonight: something hot.\u2019
\u2018Well, you can go on looking forward,\u2019 said Gandalf.
372 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018There may be many unexpected feasts ahead for you. For
myself I should like a pipe to smoke in comfort, and warmer
feet. However, we are certain of one thing at any rate: it will
get warmer as we get south.\u2019
\u2018Too warm, I shouldn\u2019t wonder,\u2019 muttered Sam to Frodo.
\u2018But I\u2019m beginning to think it\u2019s time we got a sight of that
Fiery Mountain, and saw the end of the Road, so to speak. I
thought at first that this here Redhorn, or whatever its name
is, might be it, till Gimli spoke his piece. A fair jaw-cracker
dwarf-language must be!\u2019 Maps conveyed nothing to Sam\u2019s
mind, and all distances in these strange lands seemed so vast
that he was quite out of his reckoning.
All that day the Company remained in hiding. The dark
birds passed over now and again; but as the westering Sun
grew red they disappeared southwards. At dusk the Company
set out, and turning now half east they steered their course
towards Caradhras, which far away still glowed faintly red in
the last light of the vanished Sun. One by one white stars
sprang forth as the sky faded.
Guided by Aragorn they struck a good path. It looked to
Frodo like the remains of an ancient road, that had once been
broad and well planned, from Hollin to the mountain-pass.
The Moon, now at the full, rose over the mountains, and cast
a pale light in which the shadows of stones were black. Many
of them looked to have been worked by hands, though now
they lay tumbled and ruinous in a bleak, barren land.
It was the cold chill hour before the first stir of dawn, and
the moon was low. Frodo looked up at the sky. Suddenly
he saw or felt a shadow pass over the high stars, as if for a
moment they faded and then flashed out again. He shivered.
\u2018Did you see anything pass over?\u2019 he whispered to Gandalf,
who was just ahead.
\u2018No, but I felt it, whatever it was,\u2019 he answered. \u2018It may be
nothing, only a wisp of thin cloud.\u2019
\u2018It was moving fast then,\u2019 muttered Aragorn, \u2018and not with
the wind.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
the ring goes south 373
Nothing further happened that night. The next morning
dawned even brighter than before. But the air was chill again;
already the wind was turning back towards the east. For two
more nights they marched on, climbing steadily but ever
more slowly as their road wound up into the hills, and the
mountains towered up, nearer and nearer. On the third morning Caradhras rose before them, a mighty peak, tipped with
snow like silver, but with sheer naked sides, dull red as if
stained with blood.
There was a black look in the sky, and the sun was wan.
The wind had gone now round to the north-east. Gandalf
snuffed the air and looked back.
\u2018Winter deepens behind us,\u2019 he said quietly to Aragorn.
\u2018The heights away north are whiter than they were; snow is
lying far down their shoulders. Tonight we shall be on our
way high up towards the Redhorn Gate. We may well be
seen by watchers on that narrow path, and waylaid by some
evil; but the weather may prove a more deadly enemy than
any. What do you think of your course now, Aragorn?\u2019
Frodo overheard these words, and understood that
Gandalf and Aragorn were continuing some debate that had
begun long before. He listened anxiously.
\u2018I think no good of our course from beginning to end,
as you know well, Gandalf,\u2019 answered Aragorn. \u2018And perils
known and unknown will grow as we go on. But we must go
on; and it is no good our delaying the passage of the mountains. Further south there are no passes, till one comes to the
Gap of Rohan. I do not trust that way since your news of
Saruman. Who knows which side now the marshals of the
Horse-lords serve?\u2019
\u2018Who knows indeed!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there is another
way, and not by the pass of Caradhras: the dark and secret
way that we have spoken of.\u2019
\u2018But let us not speak of it again! Not yet. Say nothing to
the others, I beg, not until it is plain that there is no other
way.\u2019
\u2018We must decide before we go further,\u2019 answered Gandalf.
374 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018Then let us weigh the matter in our minds, while the
others rest and sleep,\u2019 said Aragorn.
In the late afternoon, while the others were finishing their
breakfast, Gandalf and Aragorn went aside together and
stood looking at Caradhras. Its sides were now dark and
sullen, and its head was in grey cloud. Frodo watched them,
wondering which way the debate would go. When they
returned to the Company Gandalf spoke, and then he knew
that it had been decided to face the weather and the high
pass. He was relieved. He could not guess what was the other
dark and secret way, but the very mention of it had seemed
to fill Aragorn with dismay, and Frodo was glad that it had
been abandoned.
\u2018From signs that we have seen lately,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018I fear
that the Redhorn Gate may be watched; and also I have
doubts of the weather that is coming up behind. Snow may
come. We must go with all the speed that we can. Even so it
will take us more than two marches before we reach the top
of the pass. Dark will come early this evening. We must leave
as soon as you can get ready.\u2019
\u2018I will add a word of advice, if I may,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018I was
born under the shadow of the White Mountains and know
something of journeys in the high places. We shall meet bitter
cold, if no worse, before we come down on the other side. It
will not help us to keep so secret that we are frozen to death.
When we leave here, where there are still a few trees and
bushes, each of us should carry a faggot of wood, as large as
he can bear.\u2019
\u2018And Bill could take a bit more, couldn\u2019t you, lad?\u2019 said
Sam. The pony looked at him mournfully.
\u2018Very well,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But we must not use the wood
\u2013 not unless it is a choice between fire and death.\u2019
The Company set out again, with good speed at first; but
soon their way became steep and difficult. The twisting
and climbing road had in many places almost disappeared,
the ring goes south 375
and was blocked with many fallen stones. The night grew
deadly dark under great clouds. A bitter wind swirled among
the rocks. By midnight they had climbed to the knees of the
great mountains. The narrow path now wound under a sheer
wall of cliffs to the left, above which the grim flanks of
Caradhras towered up invisible in the gloom; on the right
was a gulf of darkness where the land fell suddenly into a
deep ravine.
Laboriously they climbed a sharp slope and halted for a
moment at the top. Frodo felt a soft touch on his face. He
put out his arm and saw the dim white flakes of snow settling
on his sleeve.
They went on. But before long the snow was falling fast,
filling all the air, and swirling into Frodo\u2019s eyes. The dark
bent shapes of Gandalf and Aragorn only a pace or two ahead
could hardly be seen.
\u2018I don\u2019t like this at all,\u2019 panted Sam just behind. \u2018Snow\u2019s
all right on a fine morning, but I like to be in bed while it\u2019s
falling. I wish this lot would go off to Hobbiton! Folk might
welcome it there.\u2019 Except on the high moors of the Northfarthing a heavy fall was rare in the Shire, and was regarded
as a pleasant event and a chance for fun. No living hobbit
(save Bilbo) could remember the Fell Winter of 1311, when
white wolves invaded the Shire over the frozen Brandywine.
Gandalf halted. Snow was thick on his hood and shoulders;
it was already ankle-deep about his boots.
\u2018This is what I feared,\u2019 he said. \u2018What do you say now,
Aragorn?\u2019
\u2018That I feared it too,\u2019 Aragorn answered, \u2018but less than
other things. I knew the risk of snow, though it seldom falls
heavily so far south, save high up in the mountains. But we
are not high yet; we are still far down, where the paths are
usually open all the winter.\u2019
\u2018I wonder if this is a contrivance of the Enemy,\u2019 said
Boromir. \u2018They say in my land that he can govern the storms
in the Mountains of Shadow that stand upon the borders of
Mordor. He has strange powers and many allies.\u2019
376 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018His arm has grown long indeed,\u2019 said Gimli, \u2018if he can
draw snow down from the North to trouble us here three
hundred leagues away.\u2019
\u2018His arm has grown long,\u2019 said Gandalf.
While they were halted, the wind died down, and the
snow slackened until it almost ceased. They tramped on
again. But they had not gone more than a furlong when
the storm returned with fresh fury. The wind whistled and
the snow became a blinding blizzard. Soon even Boromir
found it hard to keep going. The hobbits, bent nearly double,
toiled along behind the taller folk, but it was plain that they
could not go much further, if the snow continued. Frodo\u2019s
feet felt like lead. Pippin was dragging behind. Even Gimli,
as stout as any dwarf could be, was grumbling as he
trudged.
The Company halted suddenly, as if they had come to an
agreement without any words being spoken. They heard eerie
noises in the darkness round them. It may have been only a
trick of the wind in the cracks and gullies of the rocky wall,
but the sounds were those of shrill cries, and wild howls of
laughter. Stones began to fall from the mountain-side, whistling over their heads, or crashing on the path beside them.
Every now and again they heard a dull rumble, as a great
boulder rolled down from hidden heights above.
\u2018We cannot go further tonight,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018Let those
call it the wind who will; there are fell voices on the air; and
these stones are aimed at us.\u2019
\u2018I do call it the wind,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But that does not
make what you say untrue. There are many evil and
unfriendly things in the world that have little love for those
that go on two legs, and yet are not in league with Sauron,
but have purposes of their own. Some have been in this world
longer than he.\u2019
\u2018Caradhras was called the Cruel, and had an ill name,\u2019 said
Gimli, \u2018long years ago, when rumour of Sauron had not been
heard in these lands.\u2019
the ring goes south 377
\u2018It matters little who is the enemy, if we cannot beat off his
attack,\u2019 said Gandalf.
\u2018But what can we do?\u2019 cried Pippin miserably. He was
leaning on Merry and Frodo, and he was shivering.
\u2018Either stop where we are, or go back,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018It is
no good going on. Only a little higher, if I remember rightly,
this path leaves the cliff and runs into a wide shallow trough
at the bottom of a long hard slope. We should have no shelter
there from snow, or stones \u2013 or anything else.\u2019
\u2018And it is no good going back while the storm holds,\u2019 said
Aragorn. \u2018We have passed no place on the way up that offered
more shelter than this cliff-wall we are under now.\u2019
\u2018Shelter!\u2019 muttered Sam. \u2018If this is shelter, then one wall
and no roof make a house.\u2019
The Company now gathered together as close to the cliff
as they could. It faced southwards, and near the bottom it
leaned out a little, so that they hoped it would give them
some protection from the northerly wind and from the falling
stones. But eddying blasts swirled round them from every
side, and the snow flowed down in ever denser clouds.
They huddled together with their backs to the wall. Bill the
pony stood patiently but dejectedly in front of the hobbits,
and screened them a little; but before long the drifting snow
was above his hocks, and it went on mounting. If they had
had no larger companions the hobbits would soon have been
entirely buried.
A great sleepiness came over Frodo; he felt himself sinking
fast into a warm and hazy dream. He thought a fire was
heating his toes, and out of the shadows on the other side of
the hearth he heard Bilbo\u2019s voice speaking. I don\u2019t think much
of your diary, he said. Snowstorms on January the twelfth: there
was no need to come back to report that!
But I wanted rest and sleep, Bilbo, Frodo answered with an
effort, when he felt himself shaken, and he came back painfully to wakefulness. Boromir had lifted him off the ground
out of a nest of snow.
378 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018This will be the death of the halflings, Gandalf,\u2019 said
Boromir. \u2018It is useless to sit here until the snow goes over our
heads. We must do something to save ourselves.\u2019
\u2018Give them this,\u2019 said Gandalf, searching in his pack and
drawing out a leathern flask. \u2018Just a mouthful each \u2013 for all
of us. It is very precious. It is miruvor, the cordial of Imladris.
Elrond gave it to me at our parting. Pass it round!\u2019
As soon as Frodo had swallowed a little of the warm and
fragrant liquor he felt a new strength of heart, and the
heavy drowsiness left his limbs. The others also revived and
found fresh hope and vigour. But the snow did not relent. It
whirled about them thicker than ever, and the wind blew
louder.
\u2018What do you say to fire?\u2019 asked Boromir suddenly. \u2018The
choice seems near now between fire and death, Gandalf.
Doubtless we shall be hidden from all unfriendly eyes when
the snow has covered us, but that will not help us.\u2019
\u2018You may make a fire, if you can,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018If
there are any watchers that can endure this storm, then they
can see us, fire or no.\u2019
But though they had brought wood and kindlings by the
advice of Boromir, it passed the skill of Elf or even Dwarf to
strike a flame that would hold amid the swirling wind or catch
in the wet fuel. At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a
hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and
then with a word of command, naur an edraith ammen! he
thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great
spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood
flared and sputtered.
\u2018If there are any to see, then I at least am revealed to them,\u2019
he said. \u2018I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can
read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.\u2019
But the Company cared no longer for watchers or unfriendly eyes. Their hearts were rejoiced to see the light of
the fire. The wood burned merrily; and though all round it
the snow hissed, and pools of slush crept under their feet,
they warmed their hands gladly at the blaze. There they
the ring goes south 379
stood, stooping in a circle round the little dancing and blowing flames. A red light was on their tired and anxious faces;
behind them the night was like a black wall.
But the wood was burning fast, and the snow still fell.
The fire burned low, and the last faggot was thrown on.
\u2018The night is getting old,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018The dawn is not
far off.\u2019
\u2018If any dawn can pierce these clouds,\u2019 said Gimli.
Boromir stepped out of the circle and stared up into the
blackness. \u2018The snow is growing less,\u2019 he said, \u2018and the wind
is quieter.\u2019
Frodo gazed wearily at the flakes still falling out of the dark
to be revealed white for a moment in the light of the dying
fire; but for a long time he could see no sign of their slackening. Then suddenly, as sleep was beginning to creep over
him again, he was aware that the wind had indeed fallen, and
the flakes were becoming larger and fewer. Very slowly a dim
light began to grow. At last the snow stopped altogether.
As the light grew stronger it showed a silent shrouded
world. Below their refuge were white humps and domes and
shapeless deeps beneath which the path that they had trodden
was altogether lost; but the heights above were hidden in
great clouds still heavy with the threat of snow.
Gimli looked up and shook his head. \u2018Caradhras has not
forgiven us,\u2019 he said. \u2018He has more snow yet to fling at us, if
we go on. The sooner we go back and down the better.\u2019
To this all agreed, but their retreat was now difficult. It
might well prove impossible. Only a few paces from the ashes
of their fire the snow lay many feet deep, higher than the
heads of the hobbits; in places it had been scooped and piled
by the wind into great drifts against the cliff.
\u2018If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he
might melt a path for you,\u2019 said Legolas. The storm had
troubled him little, and he alone of the Company remained
still light of heart.
\u2018If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun
380 the fellowship of the ring
to save us,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018But I must have something to
work on. I cannot burn snow.\u2019
\u2018Well,\u2019 said Boromir, \u2018when heads are at a loss bodies must
serve, as we say in my country. The strongest of us must
seek a way. See! Though all is now snow-clad, our path, as
we came up, turned about that shoulder of rock down yonder.
It was there that the snow first began to burden us. If we
could reach that point, maybe it would prove easier beyond.
It is no more than a furlong off, I guess.\u2019
\u2018Then let us force a path thither, you and I!\u2019 said Aragorn.
Aragorn was the tallest of the Company, but Boromir, little
less in height, was broader and heavier in build. He led the
way, and Aragorn followed him. Slowly they moved off, and
were soon toiling heavily. In places the snow was breast-high,
and often Boromir seemed to be swimming or burrowing
with his great arms rather than walking.
Legolas watched them for a while with a smile upon his
lips, and then he turned to the others. \u2018The strongest must
seek a way, say you? But I say: let a ploughman plough, but
choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over
grass and leaf, or over snow \u2013 an Elf.\u2019
With that he sprang forth nimbly, and then Frodo noticed
as if for the first time, though he had long known it, that the
Elf had no boots, but wore only light shoes, as he always did,
and his feet made little imprint in the snow.
\u2018Farewell!\u2019 he said to Gandalf. \u2018I go to find the Sun!\u2019 Then
swift as a runner over firm sand he shot away, and quickly
overtaking the toiling men, with a wave of his hand he passed
them, and sped into the distance, and vanished round the
rocky turn.
The others waited huddled together, watching until
Boromir and Aragorn dwindled into black specks in the
whiteness. At length they too passed from sight. The time
dragged on. The clouds lowered, and now a few flakes of
snow came curling down again.
An hour, maybe, went by, though it seemed far longer,
the ring goes south 381
and then at last they saw Legolas coming back. At the same
time Boromir and Aragorn reappeared round the bend far
behind him and came labouring up the slope.
\u2018Well,\u2019 cried Legolas as he ran up, \u2018I have not brought the
Sun. She is walking in the blue fields of the South, and a little
wreath of snow on this Redhorn hillock troubles her not at
all. But I have brought back a gleam of good hope for those
who are doomed to go on feet. There is the greatest wind-drift
of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were
almost buried. They despaired, until I returned and told them
that the drift was little wider than a wall. And on the other
side the snow suddenly grows less, while further down it is
no more than a white coverlet to cool a hobbit\u2019s toes.\u2019
\u2018Ah, it is as I said,\u2019 growled Gimli. \u2018It was no ordinary
storm. It is the ill will of Caradhras. He does not love Elves
and Dwarves, and that drift was laid to cut off our escape.\u2019
\u2018But happily your Caradhras has forgotten that you have
Men with you,\u2019 said Boromir, who came up at that moment.
\u2018And doughty Men too, if I may say it; though lesser men
with spades might have served you better. Still, we have
thrust a lane through the drift; and for that all here may be
grateful who cannot run as light as Elves.\u2019
\u2018But how are we to get down there, even if you have cut
through the drift?\u2019 said Pippin, voicing the thought of all the
hobbits.
\u2018Have hope!\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018I am weary, but I still have
some strength left, and Aragorn too. We will bear the little
folk. The others no doubt will make shift to tread the path
behind us. Come, Master Peregrin! I will begin with you.\u2019
He lifted up the hobbit. \u2018Cling to my back! I shall need my
arms,\u2019 he said and strode forward. Aragorn with Merry came
behind. Pippin marvelled at his strength, seeing the passage
that he had already forced with no other tool than his great
limbs. Even now, burdened as he was, he was widening the
track for those who followed, thrusting the snow aside as
he went.
They came at length to the great drift. It was flung across
382 the fellowship of the ring
the mountain-path like a sheer and sudden wall, and its crest,
sharp as if shaped with knives, reared up more than twice the
height of Boromir; but through the middle a passage had
been beaten, rising and falling like a bridge. On the far side
Merry and Pippin were set down, and there they waited with
Legolas for the rest of the Company to arrive.
After a while Boromir returned carrying Sam. Behind in
the narrow but now well-trodden track came Gandalf, leading
Bill with Gimli perched among the baggage. Last came
Aragorn carrying Frodo. They passed through the lane; but
hardly had Frodo touched the ground when with a deep
rumble there rolled down a fall of stones and slithering snow.
The spray of it half blinded the Company as they crouched
against the cliff, and when the air cleared again they saw that
the path was blocked behind them.
\u2018Enough, enough!\u2019 cried Gimli. \u2018We are departing as quickly
as we may!\u2019 And indeed with that last stroke the malice of the
mountain seemed to be expended, as if Caradhras was satisfied
that the invaders had been beaten off and would not dare to
return. The threat of snow lifted; the clouds began to break
and the light grew broader.
As Legolas had reported, they found that the snow became
steadily more shallow as they went down, so that even the
hobbits could trudge along. Soon they all stood once more
on the flat shelf at the head of the steep slope where they had
felt the first flakes of snow the night before.
The morning was now far advanced. From the high place
they looked back westwards over the lower lands. Far away
in the tumble of country that lay at the foot of the mountain
was the dell from which they had started to climb the pass.
Frodo\u2019s legs ached. He was chilled to the bone and hungry;
and his head was dizzy as he thought of the long and painful
march downhill. Black specks swam before his eyes. He
rubbed them, but the black specks remained. In the distance
below him, but still high above the lower foothills, dark dots
were circling in the air.
\u2018The birds again!\u2019 said Aragorn, pointing down.
the ring goes south 383
\u2018That cannot be helped now,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Whether they
are good or evil, or have nothing to do with us at all, we must
go down at once. Not even on the knees of Caradhras will
we wait for another night-fall!\u2019
A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned
their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down
the slope. Caradhras had defeated them.
Chapter 4
A JOURNEY IN THE DARK
It was evening, and the grey light was again waning fast,
when they halted for the night. They were very weary. The
mountains were veiled in deepening dusk, and the wind was
cold. Gandalf spared them one more mouthful each of the
miruvor of Rivendell. When they had eaten some food he
called a council.
\u2018We cannot, of course, go on again tonight,\u2019 he said. \u2018The
attack on the Redhorn Gate has tired us out, and we must
rest here for a while.\u2019
\u2018And then where are we to go?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018We still have our journey and our errand before us,\u2019
answered Gandalf. \u2018We have no choice but to go on, or to
return to Rivendell.\u2019
Pippin\u2019s face brightened visibly at the mere mention of
return to Rivendell; Merry and Sam looked up hopefully. But
Aragorn and Boromir made no sign. Frodo looked troubled.
\u2018I wish I was back there,\u2019 he said. \u2018But how can I return
without shame \u2013 unless there is indeed no other way, and we
are already defeated?\u2019
\u2018You are right, Frodo,\u2019 said Gandalf: \u2018to go back is to admit
defeat, and face worse defeat to come. If we go back now,
then the Ring must remain there: we shall not be able to set
out again. Then sooner or later Rivendell will be besieged,
and after a brief and bitter time it will be destroyed. The
Ringwraiths are deadly enemies, but they are only shadows
yet of the power and terror they would possess if the Ruling
Ring was on their master\u2019s hand again.\u2019
\u2018Then we must go on, if there is a way,\u2019 said Frodo with a
sigh. Sam sank back into gloom.
\u2018There is a way that we may attempt,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I
a journey in the dark 385
thought from the beginning, when first I considered this journey, that we should try it. But it is not a pleasant way, and I
have not spoken of it to the Company before. Aragorn was
against it, until the pass over the mountains had at least been
tried.\u2019
\u2018If it is a worse road than the Redhorn Gate, then it must
be evil indeed,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018But you had better tell us about
it, and let us know the worst at once.\u2019
\u2018The road that I speak of leads to the Mines of Moria,\u2019 said
Gandalf. Only Gimli lifted up his head; a smouldering fire
was in his eyes. On all the others a dread fell at the mention
of that name. Even to the hobbits it was a legend of vague
fear.
\u2018The road may lead to Moria, but how can we hope that it
will lead through Moria?\u2019 said Aragorn darkly.
\u2018It is a name of ill omen,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018Nor do I see the
need to go there. If we cannot cross the mountains, let us
journey southwards, until we come to the Gap of Rohan,
where men are friendly to my people, taking the road that I
followed on my way hither. Or we might pass by and cross
the Isen into Langstrand and Lebennin, and so come to
Gondor from the regions nigh to the sea.\u2019
\u2018Things have changed since you came north, Boromir,\u2019
answered Gandalf. \u2018Did you not hear what I told you of
Saruman? With him I may have business of my own ere all
is over. But the Ring must not come near Isengard, if that
can by any means be prevented. The Gap of Rohan is closed
to us while we go with the Bearer.
\u2018As for the longer road: we cannot afford the time. We
might spend a year in such a journey, and we should pass
through many lands that are empty and harbourless. Yet they
would not be safe. The watchful eyes both of Saruman and
of the Enemy are on them. When you came north, Boromir,
you were in the Enemy\u2019s eyes only one stray wanderer from
the South and a matter of small concern to him: his mind
was busy with the pursuit of the Ring. But you return now
as a member of the Ring\u2019s Company, and you are in peril as
386 the fellowship of the ring
long as you remain with us. The danger will increase with
every league that we go south under the naked sky.
\u2018Since our open attempt on the mountain-pass our plight
has become more desperate, I fear. I see now little hope,
if we do not soon vanish from sight for a while, and cover
our trail. Therefore I advise that we should go neither over
the mountains, nor round them, but under them. That is
a road at any rate that the Enemy will least expect us to
take.\u2019
\u2018We do not know what he expects,\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018He may
watch all roads, likely and unlikely. In that case to enter Moria
would be to walk into a trap, hardly better than knocking at
the gates of the Dark Tower itself. The name of Moria is
black.\u2019
\u2018You speak of what you do not know, when you liken
Moria to the stronghold of Sauron,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018I
alone of you have ever been in the dungeons of the Dark
Lord, and only in his older and lesser dwelling in Dol Guldur.
Those who pass the gates of Barad-du\u02c6r do not return. But I
would not lead you into Moria if there were no hope of
coming out again. If there are Orcs there, it may prove ill for
us, that is true. But most of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains
were scattered or destroyed in the Battle of Five Armies. The
Eagles report that Orcs are gathering again from afar; but
there is a hope that Moria is still free.
\u2018There is even a chance that Dwarves are there, and that
in some deep hall of his fathers, Balin son of Fundin may be
found. However it may prove, one must tread the path that
need chooses!\u2019
\u2018I will tread the path with you, Gandalf!\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018I will
go and look on the halls of Durin, whatever may wait there
\u2013 if you can find the doors that are shut.\u2019
\u2018Good, Gimli!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018You encourage me. We will
seek the hidden doors together. And we will come through.
In the ruins of the Dwarves, a dwarf\u2019s head will be less easy
to bewilder than Elves or Men or Hobbits. Yet it will not be
the first time that I have been to Moria. I sought there long
a journey in the dark 387
for Thra\u00b4in son of Thro\u00b4r after he was lost. I passed through,
and I came out again alive!\u2019
\u2018I too once passed the Dimrill Gate,\u2019 said Aragorn quietly;
\u2018but though I also came out again, the memory is very evil. I
do not wish to enter Moria a second time.\u2019
\u2018And I don\u2019t wish to enter it even once,\u2019 said Pippin.
\u2018Nor me,\u2019 muttered Sam.
\u2018Of course not!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Who would? But the question is: who will follow me, if I lead you there?\u2019
\u2018I will,\u2019 said Gimli eagerly.
\u2018I will,\u2019 said Aragorn heavily. \u2018You followed my lead almost
to disaster in the snow, and have said no word of blame. I
will follow your lead now \u2013 if this last warning does not move
you. It is not of the Ring, nor of us others that I am thinking
now, but of you, Gandalf. And I say to you: if you pass the
doors of Moria, beware!\u2019
\u2018I will not go,\u2019 said Boromir; \u2018not unless the vote of
the whole Company is against me. What do Legolas and the
little folk say? The Ring-bearer\u2019s voice surely should be
heard?\u2019
\u2018I do not wish to go to Moria,\u2019 said Legolas.
The hobbits said nothing. Sam looked at Frodo. At last
Frodo spoke. \u2018I do not wish to go,\u2019 he said; \u2018but neither do I
wish to refuse the advice of Gandalf. I beg that there should
be no vote, until we have slept on it. Gandalf will get votes
easier in the light of the morning than in this cold gloom.
How the wind howls!\u2019
At these words all fell into silent thought. They heard the
wind hissing among the rocks and trees, and there was a
howling and wailing round them in the empty spaces of the
night.
Suddenly Aragorn leapt to his feet. \u2018How the wind howls!\u2019
he cried. \u2018It is howling with wolf-voices. The Wargs have
come west of the Mountains!\u2019
\u2018Need we wait until morning then?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018It is as
I said. The hunt is up! Even if we live to see the dawn, who
388 the fellowship of the ring
now will wish to journey south by night with the wild wolves
on his trail?\u2019
\u2018How far is Moria?\u2019 asked Boromir.
\u2018There was a door south-west of Caradhras, some fifteen
miles as the crow flies, and maybe twenty as the wolf runs,\u2019
answered Gandalf grimly.
\u2018Then let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can,\u2019
said Boromir. \u2018The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc
that one fears.\u2019
\u2018True!\u2019 said Aragorn, loosening his sword in its sheath.
\u2018But where the warg howls, there also the orc prowls.\u2019
\u2018I wish I had taken Elrond\u2019s advice,\u2019 muttered Pippin to
Sam. \u2018I am no good after all. There is not enough of the
breed of Bandobras the Bullroarer in me: these howls freeze
my blood. I don\u2019t ever remember feeling so wretched.\u2019
\u2018My heart\u2019s right down in my toes, Mr. Pippin,\u2019 said Sam.
\u2018But we aren\u2019t etten yet, and there are some stout folk here
with us. Whatever may be in store for old Gandalf, I\u2019ll wager
it isn\u2019t a wolf\u2019s belly.\u2019
For their defence in the night the Company climbed to the
top of the small hill under which they had been sheltering. It
was crowned with a knot of old and twisted trees, about
which lay a broken circle of boulder-stones. In the midst of
this they lit a fire, for there was no hope that darkness and
silence would keep their trail from discovery by the hunting
packs.
Round the fire they sat, and those that were not on guard
dozed uneasily. Poor Bill the pony trembled and sweated
where he stood. The howling of the wolves was now all round
them, sometimes nearer and sometimes further off. In the
dead of night many shining eyes were seen peering over the
brow of the hill. Some advanced almost to the ring of stones.
At a gap in the circle a great dark wolf-shape could be
seen halted, gazing at them. A shuddering howl broke from
him, as if he were a captain summoning his pack to the
assault.
a journey in the dark 389
Gandalf stood up and strode forward, holding his staff
aloft. \u2018Listen, Hound of Sauron!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Gandalf is here.
Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to
snout, if you come within this ring.\u2019
The wolf snarled and sprang towards them with a great
leap. At that moment there was a sharp twang. Legolas had
loosed his bow. There was a hideous yell, and the leaping
shape thudded to the ground; the Elvish arrow had pierced
its throat. The watching eyes were suddenly extinguished.
Gandalf and Aragorn strode forward, but the hill was
deserted; the hunting packs had fled. All about them the
darkness grew silent, and no cry came on the sighing wind.
The night was old, and westward the waning moon was
setting, gleaming fitfully through the breaking clouds. Suddenly Frodo started from sleep. Without warning a storm of
howls broke out fierce and wild all about the camp. A great
host of Wargs had gathered silently and was now attacking
them from every side at once.
\u2018Fling fuel on the fire!\u2019 cried Gandalf to the hobbits. \u2018Draw
your blades, and stand back to back!\u2019
In the leaping light, as the fresh wood blazed up, Frodo
saw many grey shapes spring over the ring of stones. More
and more followed. Through the throat of one huge leader
Aragorn passed his sword with a thrust; with a great sweep
Boromir hewed the head off another. Beside them Gimli
stood with his stout legs apart, wielding his dwarf-axe. The
bow of Legolas was singing.
In the wavering firelight Gandalf seemed suddenly to grow:
he rose up, a great menacing shape like the monument of
some ancient king of stone set upon a hill. Stooping like a
cloud, he lifted a burning branch and strode to meet the
wolves. They gave back before him. High in the air he tossed
the blazing brand. It flared with a sudden white radiance like
lightning; and his voice rolled like thunder.
\u2018Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!\u2019 he cried.
There was a roar and a crackle, and the tree above him
390 the fellowship of the ring
burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The fire leapt
from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with
dazzling light. The swords and knives of the defenders shone
and flickered. The last arrow of Legolas kindled in the air
as it flew, and plunged burning into the heart of a great
wolf-chieftain. All the others fled.
Slowly the fire died till nothing was left but falling ash and
sparks; a bitter smoke curled above the burned tree-stumps,
and blew darkly from the hill, as the first light of dawn came
dimly in the sky. Their enemies were routed and did not
return.
\u2018What did I tell you, Mr. Pippin?\u2019 said Sam, sheathing his
sword. \u2018Wolves won\u2019t get him. That was an eye-opener, and
no mistake! Nearly singed the hair off my head!\u2019
When the full light of the morning came no signs of
the wolves were to be found, and they looked in vain for the
bodies of the dead. No trace of the fight remained but the
charred trees and the arrows of Legolas lying on the hill-top.
All were undamaged save one of which only the point was
left.
\u2018It is as I feared,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018These were no ordinary
wolves hunting for food in the wilderness. Let us eat quickly
and go!\u2019
That day the weather changed again, almost as if it was
at the command of some power that had no longer any use
for snow, since they had retreated from the pass, a power
that wished now to have a clear light in which things that
moved in the wild could be seen from far away. The wind
had been turning through north to north-west during the
night, and now it failed. The clouds vanished southwards
and the sky was opened, high and blue. As they stood upon
the hillside, ready to depart, a pale sunlight gleamed over the
mountain-tops.
\u2018We must reach the doors before sunset,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018or
I fear we shall not reach them at all. It is not far, but our path
may be winding, for here Aragorn cannot guide us; he has
a journey in the dark 391
seldom walked in this country, and only once have I been
under the west wall of Moria, and that was long ago.
\u2018There it lies,\u2019 he said, pointing away south-eastwards to
where the mountains\u2019 sides fell sheer into the shadows at their
feet. In the distance could be dimly seen a line of bare cliffs,
and in their midst, taller than the rest, one great grey wall.
\u2018When we left the pass I led you southwards, and not back
to our starting point, as some of you may have noticed. It is
well that I did so, for now we have several miles less to cross,
and haste is needed. Let us go!\u2019
\u2018I do not know which to hope,\u2019 said Boromir grimly: \u2018that
Gandalf will find what he seeks, or that coming to the cliff
we shall find the gates lost for ever. All choices seem ill, and
to be caught between wolves and the wall the likeliest chance.
Lead on!\u2019
Gimli now walked ahead by the wizard\u2019s side, so eager was
he to come to Moria. Together they led the Company back
towards the mountains. The only road of old to Moria from
the west had lain along the course of a stream, the Sirannon,
that ran out from the feet of the cliffs near where the doors
had stood. But either Gandalf was astray, or else the land
had changed in recent years; for he did not strike the stream
where he looked to find it, only a few miles southwards from
their start.
The morning was passing towards noon, and still the Company wandered and scrambled in a barren country of red
stones. Nowhere could they see any gleam of water or hear
any sound of it. All was bleak and dry. Their hearts sank.
They saw no living thing, and not a bird was in the sky; but
what the night would bring, if it caught them in that lost land,
none of them cared to think.
Suddenly Gimli, who had pressed on ahead, called back to
them. He was standing on a knoll and pointing to the right.
Hurrying up they saw below them a deep and narrow channel. It was empty and silent, and hardly a trickle of water
flowed among the brown and red-stained stones of its bed;
392 the fellowship of the ring
but on the near side there was a path, much broken and
decayed, that wound its way among the ruined walls and
paving-stones of an ancient highroad.
\u2018Ah! Here it is at last!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018This is where the
stream ran: Sirannon, the Gate-stream, they used to call it.
But what has happened to the water, I cannot guess; it used
to be swift and noisy. Come! We must hurry on. We are late.\u2019
The Company were footsore and tired; but they trudged
doggedly along the rough and winding track for many miles.
The sun turned from the noon and began to go west. After
a brief halt and a hasty meal they went on again. Before them
the mountains frowned, but their path lay in a deep trough
of land and they could see only the higher shoulders and the
far eastward peaks.
At length they came to a sharp bend. There the road,
which had been veering southwards between the brink of the
channel and a steep fall of the land to the left, turned and
went due east again. Rounding the corner they saw before
them a low cliff, some five fathoms high, with a broken and
jagged top. Over it a trickling water dripped, through a wide
cleft that seemed to have been carved out by a fall that had
once been strong and full.
\u2018Indeed things have changed!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there is
no mistaking the place. There is all that remains of the Stair
Falls. If I remember right, there was a flight of steps cut in
the rock at their side, but the main road wound away left and
climbed with several loops up to the level ground at the top.
There used to be a shallow valley beyond the falls right up
to the Walls of Moria, and the Sirannon flowed through it
with the road beside it. Let us go and see what things are like
now!\u2019
They found the stone steps without difficulty, and Gimli
sprang swiftly up them, followed by Gandalf and Frodo.
When they reached the top they saw that they could go no
further that way, and the reason for the drying up of the
Gate-stream was revealed. Behind them the sinking Sun filled
a journey in the dark 393
the cool western sky with glimmering gold. Before them
stretched a dark still lake. Neither sky nor sunset was reflected
on its sullen surface. The Sirannon had been dammed and
had filled all the valley. Beyond the ominous water were
reared vast cliffs, their stern faces pallid in the fading light:
final and impassable. No sign of gate or entrance, not a fissure
or crack could Frodo see in the frowning stone.
\u2018There are the Walls of Moria,\u2019 said Gandalf, pointing
across the water. \u2018And there the Gate stood once upon a
time, the Elven Door at the end of the road from Hollin by
which we have come. But this way is blocked. None of the
Company, I guess, will wish to swim this gloomy water at the
end of the day. It has an unwholesome look.\u2019
\u2018We must find a way round the northern edge,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018The first thing for the Company to do is to climb up by the
main path and see where that will lead us. Even if there were
no lake, we could not get our baggage-pony up this stair.\u2019
\u2018But in any case we cannot take the poor beast into the
Mines,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018The road under the mountains is a
dark road, and there are places narrow and steep which he
cannot tread, even if we can.\u2019
\u2018Poor old Bill!\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I had not thought of that. And
poor Sam! I wonder what he will say?\u2019
\u2018I am sorry,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Poor Bill has been a useful
companion, and it goes to my heart to turn him adrift now.
I would have travelled lighter and brought no animal, least of
all this one that Sam is fond of, if I had had my way. I feared
all along that we should be obliged to take this road.\u2019
The day was drawing to its end, and cold stars were glinting
in the sky high above the sunset, when the Company, with
all the speed they could, climbed up the slopes and reached
the side of the lake. In breadth it looked to be no more than
two or three furlongs at the widest point. How far it stretched
away southward they could not see in the failing light; but its
northern end was no more than half a mile from where they
stood, and between the stony ridges that enclosed the valley
394 the fellowship of the ring
and the water\u2019s edge there was a rim of open ground. They
hurried forward, for they had still a mile or two to go before
they could reach the point on the far shore that Gandalf was
making for; and then he had still to find the doors.
When they came to the northernmost corner of the lake
they found a narrow creek that barred their way. It was green
and stagnant, thrust out like a slimy arm towards the enclosing hills. Gimli strode forward undeterred, and found that
the water was shallow, no more than ankle-deep at the edge.
Behind him they walked in file, threading their way with care,
for under the weedy pools were sliding and greasy stones,
and footing was treacherous. Frodo shuddered with disgust
at the touch of the dark unclean water on his feet.
As Sam, the last of the Company, led Bill up on to the dry
ground on the far side, there came a soft sound: a swish,
followed by a plop, as if a fish had disturbed the still surface
of the water. Turning quickly they saw ripples, black-edged
with shadow in the waning light: great rings were widening
outwards from a point far out in the lake. There was a bubbling noise, and then silence. The dusk deepened, and the
last gleams of the sunset were veiled in cloud.
Gandalf now pressed on at a great pace, and the others
followed as quickly as they could. They reached the strip of
dry land between the lake and the cliffs: it was narrow, often
hardly a dozen yards across, and encumbered with fallen rock
and stones; but they found a way, hugging the cliff, and
keeping as far from the dark water as they might. A mile
southwards along the shore they came upon holly trees.
Stumps and dead boughs were rotting in the shallows, the
remains it seemed of old thickets, or of a hedge that had once
lined the road across the drowned valley. But close under the
cliff there stood, still strong and living, two tall trees, larger
than any trees of holly that Frodo had ever seen or imagined.
Their great roots spread from the wall to the water. Under
the looming cliffs they had looked like mere bushes, when
seen far off from the top of the Stair; but now they towered
overhead, stiff, dark, and silent, throwing deep night-shadows
a journey in the dark 395
about their feet, standing like sentinel pillars at the end of the
road.
\u2018Well, here we are at last!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Here the Elvenway from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of
that land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their
domain; for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in
their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier
days, when there was still close friendship at times between
folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves.\u2019
\u2018It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship
waned,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves,\u2019 said
Legolas.
\u2018I have heard both,\u2019 said Gandalf; \u2018and I will not give
judgement now. But I beg you two, Legolas and Gimli, at
least to be friends, and to help me. I need you both. The
doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the
better. Night is at hand!\u2019
Turning to the others he said: \u2018While I am searching, will
you each make ready to enter the Mines? For here I fear we
must say farewell to our good beast of burden. You must lay
aside much of the stuff that we brought against bitter weather:
you will not need it inside, nor, I hope, when we come
through and journey on down into the South. Instead each
of us must take a share of what the pony carried, especially
the food and the water-skins.\u2019
\u2018But you can\u2019t leave poor old Bill behind in this forsaken
place, Mr. Gandalf!\u2019 cried Sam, angry and distressed. \u2018I
won\u2019t have it, and that\u2019s flat. After he has come so far and
all!\u2019
\u2018I am sorry, Sam,\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018But when the Door
opens I do not think you will be able to drag your Bill inside,
into the long dark of Moria. You will have to choose between
Bill and your master.\u2019
\u2018He\u2019d follow Mr. Frodo into a dragon\u2019s den, if I led him,\u2019
protested Sam. \u2018It\u2019d be nothing short of murder to turn him
loose with all these wolves about.\u2019
396 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018It will be short of murder, I hope,\u2019 said Gandalf. He laid
his hand on the pony\u2019s head, and spoke in a low voice. \u2018Go
with words of guard and guiding on you,\u2019 he said. \u2018You are
a wise beast, and have learned much in Rivendell. Make your
ways to places where you can find grass, and so come in time
to Elrond\u2019s house, or wherever you wish to go.
\u2018There, Sam! He will have quite as much chance of escaping wolves and getting home as we have.\u2019
Sam stood sullenly by the pony and returned no answer.
Bill, seeming to understand well what was going on, nuzzled
up to him, putting his nose to Sam\u2019s ear. Sam burst into
tears, and fumbled with the straps, unlading all the pony\u2019s
packs and throwing them on the ground. The others sorted
out the goods, making a pile of all that could be left behind,
and dividing up the rest.
When this was done they turned to watch Gandalf. He
appeared to have done nothing. He was standing between
the two trees gazing at the blank wall of the cliff, as if he
would bore a hole into it with his eyes. Gimli was wandering
about, tapping the stone here and there with his axe. Legolas
was pressed against the rock, as if listening.
\u2018Well, here we are and all ready,\u2019 said Merry; \u2018but where
are the Doors? I can\u2019t see any sign of them.\u2019
\u2018Dwarf-doors are not made to be seen when shut,\u2019 said
Gimli. \u2018They are invisible, and their own makers cannot find
them or open them, if their secret is forgotten.\u2019
\u2018But this Door was not made to be a secret known only to
Dwarves,\u2019 said Gandalf, coming suddenly to life and turning
round. \u2018Unless things are altogether changed, eyes that know
what to look for may discover the signs.\u2019
He walked forward to the wall. Right between the shadow
of the trees there was a smooth space, and over this he passed
his hands to and fro, muttering words under his breath. Then
he stepped back.
\u2018Look!\u2019 he said. \u2018Can you see anything now?\u2019
The Moon now shone upon the grey face of the rock; but
they could see nothing else for a while. Then slowly on the
a journey in the dark 397
surface, where the wizard\u2019s hands had passed, faint lines
appeared, like slender veins of silver running in the stone. At
first they were no more than pale gossamer-threads, so fine
that they only twinkled fitfully where the Moon caught them,
but steadily they grew broader and clearer, until their design
could be guessed.
At the top, as high as Gandalf could reach, was an arch of
interlacing letters in an Elvish character. Below, though the
threads were in places blurred or broken, the outline could
be seen of an anvil and a hammer surmounted by a crown
with seven stars. Beneath these again were two trees, each
bearing crescent moons. More clearly than all else there shone
forth in the middle of the door a single star with many rays.
\u2018There are the emblems of Durin!\u2019 cried Gimli.
\u2018And there is the Tree of the High Elves!\u2019 said Legolas.
\u2018And the Star of the House of Fe\u00a8anor,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018They
are wrought of ithildin that mirrors only starlight and moonlight, and sleeps until it is touched by one who speaks words
now long forgotten in Middle-earth. It is long since I heard
them, and I thought deeply before I could recall them to my
mind.\u2019
\u2018What does the writing say?\u2019 asked Frodo, who was trying
to decipher the inscription on the arch. \u2018I thought I knew the
elf-letters, but I cannot read these.\u2019
\u2018The words are in the elven-tongue of the West of Middleearth in the Elder Days,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018But they do not
say anything of importance to us. They say only: The Doors of
Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. And underneath
small and faint is written: I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of
Hollin drew these signs.\u2019
\u2018What does it mean by speak, friend, and enter?\u2019 asked
Merry.
\u2018That is plain enough,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018If you are a friend,
speak the password, and the doors will open, and you can
enter.\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018these doors are probably governed by
words. Some dwarf-gates will open only at special times, or
398 the fellowship of the ring
a journey in the dark 399
for particular persons; and some have locks and keys that are
still needed when all necessary times and words are known.
These doors have no key. In the days of Durin they were not
secret. They usually stood open and doorwards sat here. But
if they were shut, any who knew the opening word could
speak it and pass in. At least so it is recorded, is it not, Gimli?\u2019
\u2018It is,\u2019 said the dwarf. \u2018But what the word was is not
remembered. Narvi and his craft and all his kindred have
vanished from the earth.\u2019
\u2018But do not you know the word, Gandalf ?\u2019 asked Boromir
in surprise.
\u2018No!\u2019 said the wizard.
The others looked dismayed; only Aragorn, who knew
Gandalf well, remained silent and unmoved.
\u2018Then what was the use of bringing us to this accursed
spot?\u2019 cried Boromir, glancing back with a shudder at the
dark water. \u2018You told us that you had once passed through
the Mines. How could that be, if you did not know how to
enter?\u2019
\u2018The answer to your first question, Boromir,\u2019 said the wizard, \u2018is that I do not know the word \u2013 yet. But we shall soon
see. And,\u2019 he added, with a glint in his eyes under their
bristling brows, \u2018you may ask what is the use of my deeds
when they are proved useless. As for your other question: do
you doubt my tale? Or have you no wits left? I did not enter
this way. I came from the East.
\u2018If you wish to know, I will tell you that these doors open
outwards. From the inside you may thrust them open with
your hands. From the outside nothing will move them save
the spell of command. They cannot be forced inwards.\u2019
\u2018What are you going to do then?\u2019 asked Pippin, undaunted
by the wizard\u2019s bristling brows.
\u2018Knock on the doors with your head, Peregrin Took,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018But if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed
a little peace from foolish questions, I will seek for the opening
words.
\u2018I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves or Men
400 the fellowship of the ring
or Orcs, that was ever used for such a purpose. I can still
remember ten score of them without searching in my mind.
But only a few trials, I think, will be needed; and I shall not
have to call on Gimli for words of the secret dwarf-tongue
that they teach to none. The opening words were Elvish, like
the writing on the arch: that seems certain.\u2019
He stepped up to the rock again, and lightly touched with
his staff the silver star in the middle beneath the sign of the
anvil.
Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!
Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!
he said in a commanding voice. The silver lines faded, but
the blank grey stone did not stir.
Many times he repeated these words in different order, or
varied them. Then he tried other spells, one after another,
speaking now faster and louder, now soft and slow. Then
he spoke many single words of Elvish speech. Nothing happened. The cliff towered into the night, the countless stars
were kindled, the wind blew cold, and the doors stood fast.
Again Gandalf approached the wall, and lifting up his arms
he spoke in tones of command and rising wrath. Edro, edro!
he cried, and struck the rock with his staff. Open, open! he
shouted, and followed it with the same command in every
language that had ever been spoken in the West of Middleearth. Then he threw his staff on the ground, and sat down
in silence.
At that moment from far off the wind bore to their listening
ears the howling of wolves. Bill the pony started in fear, and
Sam sprang to his side and whispered softly to him.
\u2018Do not let him run away!\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018It seems that we
shall need him still, if the wolves do not find us. How I hate
this foul pool!\u2019 He stooped and picking up a large stone he
cast it far into the dark water.
The stone vanished with a soft slap; but at the same instant
a journey in the dark 401
there was a swish and a bubble. Great rippling rings formed
on the surface out beyond where the stone had fallen, and
they moved slowly towards the foot of the cliff.
\u2018Why did you do that, Boromir?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I hate this
place, too, and I am afraid. I don\u2019t know of what: not of
wolves, or the dark behind the doors, but of something else.
I am afraid of the pool. Don\u2019t disturb it!\u2019
\u2018I wish we could get away!\u2019 said Merry.
\u2018Why doesn\u2019t Gandalf do something quick?\u2019 said Pippin.
Gandalf took no notice of them. He sat with his head
bowed, either in despair or in anxious thought. The mournful
howling of the wolves was heard again. The ripples on the
water grew and came closer; some were already lapping on
the shore.
With a suddenness that startled them all the wizard sprang
to his feet. He was laughing! \u2018I have it!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Of course,
of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see
the answer.\u2019
Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a
clear voice: Mellon!
The star shone out briefly and faded again. Then silently
a great doorway was outlined, though not a crack or joint had
been visible before. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung
outwards inch by inch, until both doors lay back against the
wall. Through the opening a shadowy stair could be seen
climbing steeply up; but beyond the lower steps the darkness
was deeper than the night. The Company stared in wonder.
\u2018I was wrong after all,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and Gimli too. Merry,
of all people, was on the right track. The opening word was
inscribed on the archway all the time! The translation should
have been: Say \u2018\u2018Friend\u2019\u2019 and enter. I had only to speak the
Elvish word for friend and the doors opened. Quite simple.
Too simple for a learned lore-master in these suspicious days.
Those were happier times. Now let us go!\u2019
He strode forward and set his foot on the lowest step.
But at that moment several things happened. Frodo felt
402 the fellowship of the ring
something seize him by the ankle, and he fell with a cry. Bill
the pony gave a wild neigh of fear, and turned tail and dashed
away along the lakeside into the darkness. Sam leaped after
him, and then hearing Frodo\u2019s cry he ran back again, weeping
and cursing. The others swung round and saw the waters of
the lake seething, as if a host of snakes were swimming up
from the southern end.
Out from the water a long sinuous tentacle had crawled; it
was pale-green and luminous and wet. Its fingered end had
hold of Frodo\u2019s foot, and was dragging him into the water.
Sam on his knees was now slashing at it with a knife.
The arm let go of Frodo, and Sam pulled him away, crying
out for help. Twenty other arms came rippling out. The dark
water boiled, and there was a hideous stench.
\u2018Into the gateway! Up the stairs! Quick!\u2019 shouted Gandalf
leaping back. Rousing them from the horror that seemed to
have rooted all but Sam to the ground where they stood, he
drove them forward.
They were just in time. Sam and Frodo were only a few
steps up, and Gandalf had just begun to climb, when the
groping tentacles writhed across the narrow shore and fingered the cliff-wall and the doors. One came wriggling over
the threshold, glistening in the starlight. Gandalf turned and
paused. If he was considering what word would close the
gate again from within, there was no need. Many coiling arms
seized the doors on either side, and with horrible strength,
swung them round. With a shattering echo they slammed,
and all light was lost. A noise of rending and crashing came
dully through the ponderous stone.
Sam, clinging to Frodo\u2019s arm, collapsed on a step in the black
darkness. \u2018Poor old Bill!\u2019 he said in a choking voice. \u2018Poor old
Bill!Wolves and snakes! But the snakes were too much for him.
I had to choose, Mr. Frodo. I had to come with you.\u2019
They heard Gandalf go back down the steps and thrust his
staff against the doors. There was a quiver in the stone and
the stairs trembled, but the doors did not open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a journey in the dark 403
\u2018Well, well!\u2019 said the wizard. \u2018The passage is blocked
behind us now, and there is only one way out \u2013 on the other
side of the mountains. I fear from the sounds that boulders
have been piled up, and the trees uprooted and thrown across
the gate. I am sorry; for the trees were beautiful, and had
stood so long.\u2019
\u2018I felt that something horrible was near from the moment
that my foot first touched the water,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018What was
the thing, or were there many of them?\u2019
\u2018I do not know,\u2019 answered Gandalf; \u2018but the arms were all
guided by one purpose. Something has crept, or has been
driven out of dark waters under the mountains. There are
older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the
world.\u2019 He did not speak aloud his thought that whatever it
was that dwelt in the lake, it had seized on Frodo first among
all the Company.
Boromir muttered under his breath, but the echoing stone
magnified the sound to a hoarse whisper that all could hear:
\u2018In the deep places of the world! And thither we are going
against my wish. Who will lead us now in this deadly dark?\u2019
\u2018I will,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and Gimli shall walk with me. Follow
my staff!\u2019
As the wizard passed on ahead up the great steps, he held
his staff aloft, and from its tip there came a faint radiance.
The wide stairway was sound and undamaged. Two hundred
steps they counted, broad and shallow; and at the top they
found an arched passage with a level floor leading on into the
dark.
\u2018Let us sit and rest and have something to eat, here on the
landing, since we can\u2019t find a dining-room!\u2019 said Frodo. He
had begun to shake off the terror of the clutching arm, and
suddenly he felt extremely hungry.
The proposal was welcomed by all; and they sat down on
the upper steps, dim figures in the gloom. After they had
eaten, Gandalf gave them each a third sip of the miruvor of
Rivendell.
404 the fellowship of the ring
\u2018It will not last much longer, I am afraid,\u2019 he said; \u2018but I
think we need it after that horror at the gate. And unless we
have great luck, we shall need all that is left before we see the
other side! Go carefully with the water, too! There are many
streams and wells in the Mines, but they should not be
touched. We may not have a chance of filling our skins and
bottles till we come down into Dimrill Dale.\u2019
\u2018How long is that going to take us?\u2019 asked Frodo.
\u2018I cannot say,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018It depends on many
chances. But going straight, without mishap or losing our
way, we shall take three or four marches, I expect. It cannot
be less than forty miles from West-door to East-gate in a
direct line, and the road may wind much.\u2019
After only a brief rest they started on their way again. All
were eager to get the journey over as quickly as possible, and
were willing, tired as they were, to go on marching still for
several hours. Gandalf walked in front as before. In his left
hand he held up his glimmering staff, the light of which just
showed the ground before his feet; in his right he held his
sword Glamdring. Behind him came Gimli, his eyes glinting
in the dim light as he turned his head from side to side.
Behind the dwarf walked Frodo, and he had drawn the short
sword, Sting. No gleam came from the blades of Sting or of
Glamdring; and that was some comfort, for being the work
of Elvish smiths in the Elder Days these swords shone with
a cold light, if any Orcs were near at hand. Behind Frodo
went Sam, and after him Legolas, and the young hobbits,
and Boromir. In the dark at the rear, grim and silent, walked
Aragorn.
The passage twisted round a few turns, and then began to
descend. It went steadily down for a long while before it
became level once again. The air grew hot and stifling, but it
was not foul, and at times they felt currents of cooler air upon
their faces, issuing from half-guessed openings in the walls.
There were many of these. In the pale ray of the wizard\u2019s
staff, Frodo caught glimpses of stairs and arches, and of other
a journey in the dark 405
passages and tunnels, sloping up, or running steeply down,
or opening blankly dark on either side. It was bewildering
beyond hope of remembering.
Gimli aided Gandalf very little, except by his stout courage.
At least he was not, as were most of the others, troubled by
the mere darkness in itself. Often the wizard consulted him
at points where the choice of way was doubtful; but it was
always Gandalf who had the final word. The Mines of Moria
were vast and intricate beyond the imagination of Gimli,
Glo\u00b4in\u2019s son, dwarf of the mountain-race though he was. To
Gandalf the far-off memories of a journey long before were
now of little help, but even in the gloom and despite all
windings of the road he knew whither he wished to go, and
he did not falter, as long as there was a path that led towards
his goal.
\u2018Do not be afraid!\u2019 said Aragorn. There was a pause longer
than usual, and Gandalf and Gimli were whispering together;
the others were crowded behind, waiting anxiously. \u2018Do not
be afraid! I have been with him on many a journey, if never
on one so dark; and there are tales in Rivendell of greater
deeds of his than any that I have seen. He will not go astray
\u2013 if there is any path to find. He has led us in here against
our fears, but he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to
himself. He is surer of finding the way home in a blind night
than the cats of Queen Beru\u00b4thiel.\u2019
It was well for the Company that they had such a guide.
They had no fuel nor any means of making torches; in the
desperate scramble at the doors many things had been left
behind. But without any light they would soon have come to
grief. There were not only many roads to choose from, there
were also in many places holes and pitfalls, and dark wells
beside the path in which their passing feet echoed. There
were fissures and chasms in the walls and floor, and every
now and then a crack would open right before their feet. The
widest was more than seven feet across, and it was long
before Pippin could summon enough courage to leap over
406 the fellowship of the ring
the dreadful gap. The noise of churning water came up from
far below, as if some great mill-wheel was turning in the
depths.
\u2018Rope!\u2019 muttered Sam. \u2018I knew I\u2019d want it, if I hadn\u2019t got it!\u2019
As these dangers became more frequent their march
became slower. Already they seemed to have been tramping
on, on, endlessly to the mountains\u2019 roots. They were more
than weary, and yet there seemed no comfort in the thought
of halting anywhere. Frodo\u2019s spirits had risen for a while after
his escape, and after food and a draught of the cordial; but
now a deep uneasiness, growing to dread, crept over him
again. Though he had been healed in Rivendell of the knifestroke, that grim wound had not been without effect. His
senses were sharper and more aware of things that could not
be seen. One sign of change that he soon had noticed was
that he could see more in the dark than any of his companions, save perhaps Gandalf. And he was in any case the
bearer of the Ring: it hung upon its chain against his breast,
and at whiles it seemed a heavy weight. He felt the certainty
of evil ahead and of evil following; but he said nothing. He
gripped tighter on the hilt of his sword and went on doggedly.
The Company behind him spoke seldom, and then only in
hurried whispers. There was no sound but the sound of their
own feet: the dull stump of Gimli\u2019s dwarf-boots; the heavy
tread of Boromir; the light step of Legolas; the soft, scarceheard patter of hobbit-feet; and in the rear the slow firm
footfalls of Aragorn with his long stride. When they halted
for a moment they heard nothing at all, unless it were
occasionally a faint trickle and drip of unseen water. Yet
Frodo began to hear, or to imagine that he heard, something
else: like the faint fall of soft bare feet. It was never loud
enough, or near enough, for him to feel certain that he heard
it; but once it had started it never stopped, while the Company
was moving. But it was not an echo, for when they halted it
pattered on for a little all by itself, and then grew still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a journey in the dark 407
It was after nightfall when they had entered the Mines.
They had been going for several hours with only brief halts,
when Gandalf came to his first serious check. Before him
stood a wide dark arch opening into three passages: all led in
the same general direction, eastwards; but the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the
middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level but very
narrow.
\u2018I have no memory of this place at all!\u2019 said Gandalf, standing uncertainly under the arch. He held up his staff in the
hope of finding some marks or inscription that might help
his choice; but nothing of the kind was to be seen. \u2018I am too
weary to decide,\u2019 he said, shaking his head. \u2018And I expect
that you are all as weary as I am, or wearier. We had better
halt here for what is left of the night. You know what I mean!
In here it is ever dark; but outside the late Moon is riding
westward and the middle-night has passed.\u2019
\u2018Poor old Bill!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018I wonder where he is. I hope
those wolves haven\u2019t got him yet.\u2019
To the left of the great arch they found a stone door: it
was half closed, but swung back easily to a gentle thrust.
Beyond there seemed to lie a wide chamber cut in the rock.
\u2018Steady! Steady!\u2019 cried Gandalf, as Merry and Pippin
pushed forward, glad to find a place where they could rest
with at least more feeling of shelter than in the open passage.
\u2018Steady! You do not know what is inside yet. I will go first.\u2019
He went in cautiously, and the others filed behind. \u2018There!\u2019
he said, pointing with his staff to the middle of the floor.
Before his feet they saw a large round hole like the mouth of
a well. Broken and rusty chains lay at the edge and trailed
down into the black pit. Fragments of stone lay near.
\u2018One of you might have fallen in and still be wondering
when you were going to strike the bottom,\u2019 said Aragorn to
Merry. \u2018Let the guide go first while you have one.\u2019
\u2018This seems to have been a guardroom, made for the
watching of the three passages,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018That hole was
plainly a well for the guards\u2019 use, covered with a stone lid.
408 the fellowship of the ring
But the lid is broken, and we must all take care in the dark.\u2019
Pippin felt curiously attracted by the well. While the others
were unrolling blankets and making beds against the walls of
the chamber, as far as possible from the hole in the floor, he
crept to the edge and peered over. A chill air seemed to strike
his face, rising from invisible depths. Moved by a sudden
impulse he groped for a loose stone, and let it drop. He felt
his heart beat many times before there was any sound. Then
far below, as if the stone had fallen into deep water in some
cavernous place, there came a plunk, very distant, but magnified and repeated in the hollow shaft.
\u2018What\u2019s that?\u2019 cried Gandalf. He was relieved when Pippin
confessed what he had done; but he was angry, and Pippin
could see his eye glinting. \u2018Fool of a Took!\u2019 he growled.
\u2018This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw
yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!\u2019
Nothing more was heard for several minutes; but then
there came out of the depths faint knocks: tom-tap, tap-tom.
They stopped, and when the echoes had died away, they
were repeated: tap-tom, tom-tap, tap-tap, tom. They sounded
disquietingly like signals of some sort; but after a while the
knocking died away and was not heard again.
\u2018That was the sound of a hammer, or I have never heard
one,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Gandalf, \u2018and I do not like it. It may have
nothing to do with Peregrin\u2019s foolish stone; but probably
something has been disturbed that would have been better
left quiet. Pray, do nothing of the kind again! Let us hope we
shall get some rest without further trouble. You, Pippin, can
go on the first watch, as a reward,\u2019 he growled, as he rolled
himself in a blanket.
Pippin sat miserably by the door in the pitch dark; but he
kept on turning round, fearing that some unknown thing
would crawl up out of the well. He wished he could cover
the hole, if only with a blanket, but he dared not move or go
near it, even though Gandalf seemed to be asleep.
a journey in the dark 409
Actually Gandalf was awake, though lying still and silent.
He was deep in thought, trying to recall every memory of
his former journey in the Mines, and considering anxiously
the next course that he should take; a false turn now might
be disastrous. After an hour he rose up and came over to
Pippin.
\u2018Get into a corner and have a sleep, my lad,\u2019 he said in a
kindly tone. \u2018You want to sleep, I expect. I cannot get a wink,
so I may as well do the watching.\u2019
\u2018I know what is the matter with me,\u2019 he muttered, as he sat
down by the door. \u2018I need smoke! I have not tasted it since
the morning before the snowstorm.\u2019
The last thing that Pippin saw, as sleep took him, was a
dark glimpse of the old wizard huddled on the floor, shielding
a glowing chip in his gnarled hands between his knees. The
flicker for a moment showed his sharp nose, and the puff of
smoke.
It was Gandalf who roused them all from sleep. He had
sat and watched all alone for about six hours, and had let the
others rest. \u2018And in the watches I have made up my mind,\u2019
he said. \u2018I do not like the feel of the middle way; and I do not
like the smell of the left-hand way: there is foul air down
there, or I am no guide. I shall take the right-hand passage.
It is time we began to climb up again.\u2019
For eight dark hours, not counting two brief halts, they
marched on; and they met no danger, and heard nothing,
and saw nothing but the faint gleam of the wizard\u2019s light,
bobbing like a will-o\u2019-the-wisp in front of them. The passage
they had chosen wound steadily upwards. As far as they
could judge it went in great mounting curves, and as it rose
it grew loftier and wider. There were now no openings to
other galleries or tunnels on either side, and the floor was
level and sound, without pits or cracks. Evidently they had
struck what once had been an important road; and they went
forward quicker than they had done on their first march.
In this way they advanced some fifteen miles, measured in
410 the fellowship of the ring
a direct line east, though they must have actually walked
twenty miles or more. As the road climbed upwards, Frodo\u2019s
spirits rose a little; but he still felt oppressed, and still at times
he heard, or thought he heard, away behind the Company
and beyond the fall and patter of their feet, a following footstep that was not an echo.
They had marched as far as the hobbits could endure
without a rest, and all were thinking of a place where they
could sleep, when suddenly the walls to right and left vanished. They seemed to have passed through some arched
doorway into a black and empty space. There was a great
draught of warmer air behind them, and before them the
darkness was cold on their faces. They halted and crowded
anxiously together.
Gandalf seemed pleased. \u2018I chose the right way,\u2019 he said.
\u2018At last we are coming to the habitable parts, and I guess that
we are not far now from the eastern side. But we are high
up, a good deal higher than the Dimrill Gate, unless I am
mistaken. From the feeling of the air we must be in a wide
hall. I will now risk a little real light.\u2019
He raised his staff, and for a brief instant there was a blaze
like a flash of lightning. Great shadows sprang up and fled,
and for a second they saw a vast roof far above their heads
upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before them
and on either side stretched a huge empty hall; its black walls,
polished and smooth as glass, flashed and glittered. Three
other entrances they saw, dark black arches: one straight
before them eastwards, and one on either side. Then the light
went out.
\u2018That is all that I shall venture on for the present,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018There used to be great windows on the mountainside, and shafts leading out to the light in the upper reaches
of the Mines. I think we have reached them now, but it is
night outside again, and we cannot tell until morning. If I
am right, tomorrow we may actually see the morning peeping
in. But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let
a journey in the dark 411
us rest, if we can. Things have gone well so far, and the
greater part of the dark road is over. But we are not through
yet, and it is a long way down to the Gates that open on the
world.\u2019
The Company spent that night in the great cavernous hall,
huddled close together in a corner to escape the draught:
there seemed to be a steady inflow of chill air through the
eastern archway. All about them as they lay hung the darkness, hollow and immense, and they were oppressed by the
loneliness and vastness of the dolven halls and endlessly
branching stairs and passages. The wildest imaginings that
dark rumour had ever suggested to the hobbits fell altogether
short of the actual dread and wonder of Moria.
\u2018There must have been a mighty crowd of dwarves here at
one time,\u2019 said Sam; \u2018and every one of them busier than
badgers for five hundred years to make all this, and most in
hard rock too! What did they do it all for? They didn\u2019t live
in these darksome holes surely?\u2019
\u2018These are not holes,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018This is the great realm
and city of the Dwarrowdelf. And of old it was not darksome,
but full of light and splendour, as is still remembered in our
songs.\u2019
He rose and standing in the dark he began to chant in a
deep voice, while the echoes ran away into the roof.
The world was young, the mountains green,
No stain yet on the Moon was seen,
No words were laid on stream or stone
When Durin woke and walked alone.
He named the nameless hills and dells;
He drank from yet untasted wells;
He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,
And saw a crown of stars appear,
As gems upon a silver thread,
Above the shadow of his head.
412 the fellowship of the ring
The world was fair, the mountains tall,
In Elder Days before the fall
Of mighty kings in Nargothrond
And Gondolin, who now beyond
The Western Seas have passed away:
The world was fair in Durin\u2019s Day.
A king he was on carven throne
In many-pillared halls of stone
With golden roof and silver floor,
And runes of power upon the door.
The light of sun and star and moon
In shining lamps of crystal hewn
Undimmed by cloud or shade of night
There shone for ever fair and bright.
There hammer on the anvil smote,
There chisel clove, and graver wrote;
There forged was blade, and bound was hilt;
The delver mined, the mason built.
There beryl, pearl, and opal pale,
And metal wrought like fishes\u2019 mail,
Buckler and corslet, axe and sword,
And shining spears were laid in hoard.
Unwearied then were Durin\u2019s folk;
Beneath the mountains music woke:
The harpers harped, the minstrels sang,
And at the gates the trumpets rang.
The world is grey, the mountains old,
The forge\u2019s fire is ashen-cold;
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls:
The darkness dwells in Durin\u2019s halls;
The shadow lies upon his tomb
In Moria, in Khazad-du\u02c6m.
But still the sunken stars appear
a journey in the dark 413
In dark and windless Mirrormere;
There lies his crown in water deep,
Till Durin wakes again from sleep.
\u2018I like that!\u2019 said Sam. \u2018I should like to learn it. In Moria,
in Khazad-du\u02c6m! But it makes the darkness seem heavier,
thinking of all those lamps. Are there piles of jewels and gold
lying about here still?\u2019
Gimli was silent. Having sung his song he would say no
more.
\u2018Piles of jewels?\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018No. The Orcs have often
plundered Moria; there is nothing left in the upper halls. And
since the dwarves fled, no one dares to seek the shafts and
treasuries down in the deep places: they are drowned in water
\u2013 or in a shadow of fear.\u2019
\u2018Then what do the dwarves want to come back for?\u2019 asked
Sam.
\u2018For mithril,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018The wealth of Moria was
not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron,
their servant. Such things they found here, it is true, especially
iron; but they did not need to delve for them: all things that
they desired they could obtain in traffic. For here alone in
the world was found Moria-silver, or true-silver as some have
called it: mithril is the Elvish name. The Dwarves have a
name which they do not tell. Its worth was ten times that of
gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground,
and even the Orcs dare not delve here for it. The lodes lead
away north towards Caradhras, and down to darkness. The
Dwarves tell no tale; but even as mithril was the foundation
of their wealth, so also it was their destruction: they delved
too greedily and too deep, and disturbed that from which
they fled, Durin\u2019s Bane. Of what they brought to light the
Orcs have gathered nearly all, and given it in tribute to
Sauron, who covets it.
\u2018Mithril! All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper,
and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a
metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty
414 the fellowship of the ring
was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of mithril
did not tarnish or grow dim. The Elves dearly loved it, and
among many uses they made of it ithildin, starmoon, which
you saw upon the doors. Bilbo had a corslet of mithril-rings
that Thorin gave him. I wonder what has become of it?
Gathering dust still in Michel Delving Mathom-house, I
suppose.\u2019
\u2018What?\u2019 cried Gimli, startled out of his silence. \u2018A corslet
of Moria-silver? That was a kingly gift!\u2019
\u2018Yes,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018I never told him, but its worth was
greater than the value of the whole Shire and everything in it.\u2019
Frodo said nothing, but he put his hand under his tunic
and touched the rings of his mail-shirt. He felt staggered to
think that he had been walking about with the price of the
Shire under his jacket. Had Bilbo known? He felt no doubt
that Bilbo knew quite well. It was indeed a kingly gift. But
now his thoughts had been carried away from the dark Mines,
to Rivendell, to Bilbo, and to Bag End in the days while Bilbo
was still there. He wished with all his heart that he was back
there, and in those days, mowing the lawn, or pottering
among the flowers, and that he had never heard of Moria, or
mithril \u2013 or the Ring.
A deep silence fell. One by one the others fell asleep. Frodo
was on guard. As if it were a breath that came in through
unseen doors out of deep places, dread came over him. His
hands were cold and his brow damp. He listened. All his
mind was given to listening and nothing else for two slow
hours; but he heard no sound, not even the imagined echo
of a footfall.
His watch was nearly over, when, far off where he guessed
that the western archway stood, he fancied that he could see
two pale points of light, almost like luminous eyes. He started.
His head had nodded. \u2018I must have nearly fallen asleep on
guard,\u2019 he thought. \u2018I was on the edge of a dream.\u2019 He stood
up and rubbed his eyes, and remained standing, peering into
the dark, until he was relieved by Legolas.
a journey in the dark 415
When he lay down he quickly went to sleep, but it seemed
to him that the dream went on: he heard whispers, and saw
the two pale points of light approaching, slowly. He woke
and found that the others were speaking softly near him, and
that a dim light was falling on his face. High up above the
eastern archway through a shaft near the roof came a long
pale gleam; and across the hall through the northern arch
light also glimmered faint and distantly.
Frodo sat up. \u2018Good morning!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018For morning
it is again at last. I was right, you see. We are high up on the
east side of Moria. Before today is over we ought to find
the Great Gates and see the waters of Mirrormere lying in
the Dimrill Dale before us.\u2019
\u2018I shall be glad,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018I have looked on Moria, and
it is very great, but it has become dark and dreadful; and we
have found no sign of my kindred. I doubt now that Balin
ever came here.\u2019
After they had breakfasted Gandalf decided to go on again
at once. \u2018We are tired, but we shall rest better when we are
outside,\u2019 he said. \u2018I think that none of us will wish to spend
another night in Moria.\u2019
\u2018No indeed!\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018Which way shall we take?
Yonder eastward arch?\u2019
\u2018Maybe,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But I do not know yet exactly
where we are. Unless I am quite astray, I guess that we are
above and to the north of the Great Gates; and it may not be
easy to find the right road down to them. The eastern arch
will probably prove to be the way that we must take; but
before we make up our minds we ought to look about us. Let
us go towards that light in the north door. If we could find a
window it would help, but I fear that the light comes only
down deep shafts.\u2019
Following his lead the Company passed under the northern
arch. They found themselves in a wide corridor. As they went
along it the glimmer grew stronger, and they saw that it came
through a doorway on their right. It was high and flat-topped,
416 the fellowship of the ring
and the stone door was still upon its hinges, standing half
open. Beyond it was a large square chamber. It was dimly lit,
but to their eyes, after so long a time in the dark, it seemed
dazzlingly bright, and they blinked as they entered.
Their feet disturbed a deep dust upon the floor, and
stumbled among things lying in the doorway whose shapes
they could not at first make out. The chamber was lit by a
wide shaft high in the further eastern wall; it slanted upwards
and, far above, a small square patch of blue sky could be
seen. The light of the shaft fell directly on a table in the
middle of the room: a single oblong block, about two feet
high, upon which was laid a great slab of white stone.
\u2018It looks like a tomb,\u2019 muttered Frodo, and bent forwards
with a curious sense of foreboding, to look more closely at it.
Gandalf came quickly to his side. On the slab runes were
deeply graven:
a journey in the dark 417
\u2018These are Daeron\u2019s Runes, such as were used of old in
Moria,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Here is written in the tongues of Men
and Dwarves:
balin son of fundin
lord of moria.\u2019
\u2018He is dead then,\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I feared it was so.\u2019 Gimli
cast his hood over his face.
Chapter 5
THE BRIDGE OF KHAZAD-DU\u02c6 M
The Company of the Ring stood silent beside the tomb of
Balin. Frodo thought of Bilbo and his long friendship with
the dwarf, and of Balin\u2019s visit to the Shire long ago. In that
dusty chamber in the mountains it seemed a thousand years
ago and on the other side of the world.
At length they stirred and looked up, and began to search
for anything that would give them tidings of Balin\u2019s fate, or
show what had become of his folk. There was another smaller
door on the other side of the chamber, under the shaft. By
both the doors they could now see that many bones were
lying, and among them were broken swords and axe-heads,
and cloven shields and helms. Some of the swords were
crooked: orc-scimitars with blackened blades.
There were many recesses cut in the rock of the walls, and
in them were large iron-bound chests of wood. All had
been broken and plundered; but beside the shattered lid of
one there lay the remains of a book. It had been slashed
and stabbed and partly burned, and it was so stained with
black and other dark marks like old blood that little of it
could be read. Gandalf lifted it carefully, but the leaves
cracked and broke as he laid it on the slab. He pored over
it for some time without speaking. Frodo and Gimli standing at his side could see, as he gingerly turned the leaves,
that they were written by many different hands, in runes,
both of Moria and of Dale, and here and there in Elvish
script.
At last Gandalf looked up. \u2018It seems to be a record of the
fortunes of Balin\u2019s folk,\u2019 he said. \u2018I guess that it began with
their coming to Dimrill Dale nigh on thirty years ago: the
pages seem to have numbers referring to the years after their
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 419
arrival. The top page is marked one \u2013 three, so at least two
are missing from the beginning. Listen to this!
\u2018We drove out orcs from the great gate and guard \u2013 I think;
the next word is blurred and burned: probably room \u2013 we slew
many in the bright \u2013 I think \u2013 sun in the dale. Flo\u00b4i was killed by
an arrow. He slew the great. Then there is a blur followed by
Flo\u00b4i under grass near Mirror mere. The next line or two I
cannot read. Then comes We have taken the twentyfirst hall
of North end to dwell in. There is I cannot read what. A shaft
is mentioned. Then Balin has set up his seat in the Chamber of
Mazarbul.\u2019
\u2018The Chamber of Records,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018I guess that is
where we now stand.\u2019
\u2018Well, I can read no more for a long way,\u2019 said Gandalf,
\u2018except the word gold, and Durin\u2019s Axe and something helm.
Then Balin is now lord of Moria. That seems to end a chapter.
After some stars another hand begins, and I can see we found
truesilver, and later the word wellforged, and then something,
I have it! mithril; and the last two lines O\u00b4 in to seek for the upper
armouries of Third Deep, something go westwards, a blur, to
Hollin gate.\u2019
Gandalf paused and set a few leaves aside. \u2018There are
several pages of the same sort, rather hastily written and
much damaged,\u2019 he said; \u2018but I can make little of them in this
light. Now there must be a number of leaves missing, because
they begin to be numbered five, the fifth year of the colony,
I suppose. Let me see! No, they are too cut and stained; I
cannot read them. We might do better in the sunlight. Wait!
Here is something: a large bold hand using an Elvish script.\u2019
\u2018That would be Ori\u2019s hand,\u2019 said Gimli, looking over the
wizard\u2019s arm. \u2018He could write well and speedily, and often
used the Elvish characters.\u2019
\u2018I fear he had ill tidings to record in a fair hand,\u2019 said
Gandalf. \u2018The first clear word is sorrow, but the rest of the
line is lost, unless it ends in estre. Yes, it must be yestre
followed by day being the tenth of novembre Balin lord of Moria
420 the fellowship of the ring
fell in Dimrill Dale. He went alone to look in Mirror mere. an
orc shot him from behind a stone. we slew the orc, but many more
. . . up from east up the Silverlode. The remainder of the page
is so blurred that I can hardly make anything out, but I think
I can read we have barred the gates, and then can hold them
long if, and then perhaps horrible and suffer. Poor Balin! He
seems to have kept the title that he took for less than five
years. I wonder what happened afterwards; but there is no
time to puzzle out the last few pages. Here is the last page of
all.\u2019 He paused and sighed.
\u2018It is grim reading,\u2019 he said. \u2018I fear their end was cruel.
Listen! We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken
the Bridge and second hall. Fra\u00b4r and Lo\u00b4ni and Na\u00b4li fell there.
Then there are four lines smeared so that I can only read
went 5 days ago. The last lines run the pool is up to the wall
at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took O\u00b4 in. We cannot
get out. The end comes, and then drums, drums in the deep.I
wonder what that means. The last thing written is in a trailing
scrawl of elf-letters: they are coming. There is nothing more.\u2019
Gandalf paused and stood in silent thought.
A sudden dread and a horror of the chamber fell on the
Company. \u2018We cannot get out,\u2019 muttered Gimli. \u2018It was well
for us that the pool had sunk a little, and that the Watcher
was sleeping down at the southern end.\u2019
Gandalf raised his head and looked round. \u2018They seem to
have made a last stand by both doors,\u2019 he said; \u2018but there
were not many left by that time. So ended the attempt to
retake Moria! It was valiant but foolish. The time is not come
yet. Now, I fear, we must say farewell to Balin son of Fundin.
Here he must lie in the halls of his fathers. We will take this
book, the Book of Mazarbul, and look at it more closely later.
You had better keep it, Gimli, and take it back to Da\u00b4in, if
you get a chance. It will interest him, though it will grieve
him deeply. Come, let us go! The morning is passing.\u2019
\u2018Which way shall we go?\u2019 asked Boromir.
\u2018Back to the hall,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018But our visit to this
room has not been in vain. I now know where we are. This
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 421
must be, as Gimli says, the Chamber of Mazarbul; and the
hall must be the twenty-first of the North-end. Therefore we
should leave by the eastern arch of the hall, and bear right
and south, and go downwards. The Twenty-first Hall should
be on the Seventh Level, that is six above the level of the
Gates. Come now! Back to the hall!\u2019
Gandalf had hardly spoken these words, when there came
a great noise: a rolling Boom that seemed to come from depths
far below, and to tremble in the stone at their feet. They
sprang towards the door in alarm. Doom, doom it rolled again,
as if huge hands were turning the very caverns of Moria into a
vast drum. Then there came an echoing blast: a great horn was
blown in the hall, and answering horns and harsh cries were
heard further off. There was a hurrying sound of many feet.
\u2018They are coming!\u2019 cried Legolas.
\u2018We cannot get out,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018Trapped!\u2019 cried Gandalf. \u2018Why did I delay? Here we are,
caught, just as they were before. But I was not here then. We
will see what\u2014\u2014\u2019
Doom, doom came the drum-beat and the walls shook.
\u2018Slam the doors and wedge them!\u2019 shouted Aragorn. \u2018And
keep your packs on as long as you can: we may get a chance
to cut our way out yet.\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018We must not get shut in. Keep the
east door ajar! We will go that way, if we get a chance.\u2019
Another harsh horn-call and shrill cries rang out. Feet were
coming down the corridor. There was a ring and clatter as
the Company drew their swords. Glamdring shone with a
pale light, and Sting glinted at the edges. Boromir set his
shoulder against the western door.
\u2018Wait a moment! Do not close it yet!\u2019 said Gandalf. He
sprang forward to Boromir\u2019s side and drew himself up to his
full height.
\u2018Who comes hither to disturb the rest of Balin Lord of
Moria?\u2019 he cried in a loud voice.
There was a rush of hoarse laughter, like the fall of sliding
422 the fellowship of the ring
stones into a pit; amid the clamour a deep voice was raised
in command. Doom, boom, doom went the drums in the deep.
With a quick movement Gandalf stepped before the narrow opening of the door and thrust forward his staff. There
was a dazzling flash that lit the chamber and the passage
outside. For an instant the wizard looked out. Arrows whined
and whistled down the corridor as he sprang back.
\u2018There are Orcs, very many of them,\u2019 he said. \u2018And some
are large and evil: black Uruks of Mordor. For the moment
they are hanging back, but there is something else there. A
great cave-troll, I think, or more than one. There is no hope
of escape that way.\u2019
\u2018And no hope at all, if they come at the other door as well,\u2019
said Boromir.
\u2018There is no sound outside here yet,\u2019 said Aragorn, who
was standing by the eastern door listening. \u2018The passage on
this side plunges straight down a stair: it plainly does not lead
back towards the hall. But it is no good flying blindly this
way with the pursuit just behind. We cannot block the door.
Its key is gone and the lock is broken, and it opens inwards.
We must do something to delay the enemy first. We will
make them fear the Chamber of Mazarbul!\u2019 he said grimly,
feeling the edge of his sword, Andu\u00b4ril.
Heavy feet were heard in the corridor. Boromir flung himself against the door and heaved it to; then he wedged it with
broken sword-blades and splinters of wood. The Company
retreated to the other side of the chamber. But they had no
chance to fly yet. There was a blow on the door that made it
quiver; and then it began to grind slowly open, driving back
the wedges. A huge arm and shoulder, with a dark skin of
greenish scales, was thrust through the widening gap. Then
a great, flat, toeless foot was forced through below. There
was a dead silence outside.
Boromir leaped forward and hewed at the arm with all his
might; but his sword rang, glanced aside, and fell from his
shaken hand. The blade was notched.
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 423
Suddenly, and to his own surprise, Frodo felt a hot wrath
blaze up in his heart. \u2018The Shire!\u2019 he cried, and springing
beside Boromir, he stooped, and stabbed with Sting at the
hideous foot. There was a bellow, and the foot jerked back,
nearly wrenching Sting from Frodo\u2019s arm. Black drops
dripped from the blade and smoked on the floor. Boromir
hurled himself against the door and slammed it again.
\u2018One for the Shire!\u2019 cried Aragorn. \u2018The hobbit\u2019s bite is
deep! You have a good blade, Frodo son of Drogo!\u2019
There was a crash on the door, followed by crash after
crash. Rams and hammers were beating against it. It cracked
and staggered back, and the opening grew suddenly wide.
Arrows came whistling in, but struck the northern wall, and
fell harmlessly to the floor. There was a horn-blast and a rush
of feet, and orcs one after another leaped into the chamber.
How many there were the Company could not count. The
affray was sharp, but the orcs were dismayed by the fierceness
of the defence. Legolas shot two through the throat. Gimli
hewed the legs from under another that had sprung up on
Balin\u2019s tomb. Boromir and Aragorn slew many. When thirteen had fallen the rest fled shrieking, leaving the defenders
unharmed, except for Sam who had a scratch along the scalp.
A quick duck had saved him; and he had felled his orc: a
sturdy thrust with his Barrow-blade. A fire was smouldering
in his brown eyes that would have made Ted Sandyman step
backwards, if he had seen it.
\u2018Now is the time!\u2019 cried Gandalf. \u2018Let us go, before the
troll returns!\u2019
But even as they retreated, and before Pippin and Merry
had reached the stair outside, a huge orc-chieftain, almost
man-high, clad in black mail from head to foot, leaped into
the chamber; behind him his followers clustered in the doorway. His broad flat face was swart, his eyes were like coals,
and his tongue was red; he wielded a great spear. With a
thrust of his huge hide shield he turned Boromir\u2019s sword and
bore him backwards, throwing him to the ground. Diving
under Aragorn\u2019s blow with the speed of a striking snake he
424 the fellowship of the ring
charged into the Company and thrust with his spear straight
at Frodo. The blow caught him on the right side, and Frodo
was hurled against the wall and pinned. Sam, with a cry,
hacked at the spear-shaft, and it broke. But even as the orc
flung down the truncheon and swept out his scimitar, Andu\u00b4ril
came down upon his helm. There was a flash like flame and
the helm burst asunder. The orc fell with cloven head. His
followers fled howling, as Boromir and Aragorn sprang at
them.
Doom, doom went the drums in the deep. The great voice
rolled out again.
\u2018Now!\u2019 shouted Gandalf. \u2018Now is the last chance. Run
for it!\u2019
Aragorn picked up Frodo where he lay by the wall and
made for the stair, pushing Merry and Pippin in front of him.
The others followed; but Gimli had to be dragged away by
Legolas: in spite of the peril he lingered by Balin\u2019s tomb with
his head bowed. Boromir hauled the eastern door to, grinding
upon its hinges: it had great iron rings on either side, but
could not be fastened.
\u2018I am all right,\u2019 gasped Frodo. \u2018I can walk. Put me down!\u2019
Aragorn nearly dropped him in his amazement. \u2018I thought
you were dead!\u2019 he cried.
\u2018Not yet!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018But there is no time for wonder.
Off you go, all of you, down the stairs! Wait a few minutes
for me at the bottom, but if I do not come soon, go on! Go
quickly and choose paths leading right and downwards.\u2019
\u2018We cannot leave you to hold the door alone!\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018Do as I say!\u2019 said Gandalf fiercely. \u2018Swords are no more
use here. Go!\u2019
The passage was lit by no shaft and was utterly dark. They
groped their way down a long flight of steps, and then looked
back; but they could see nothing, except high above them the
faint glimmer of the wizard\u2019s staff. He seemed to be still
standing on guard by the closed door. Frodo breathed heavily
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 425
and leaned against Sam, who put his arms about him. They
stood peering up the stairs into the darkness. Frodo thought
he could hear the voice of Gandalf above, muttering words
that ran down the sloping roof with a sighing echo. He could
not catch what was said. The walls seemed to be trembling.
Every now and again the drum-beats throbbed and rolled:
doom, doom.
Suddenly at the top of the stair there was a stab of white
light. Then there was a dull rumble and a heavy thud. The
drum-beats broke out wildly: doom-boom, doom-boom, and
then stopped. Gandalf came flying down the steps and fell to
the ground in the midst of the Company.
\u2018Well, well! That\u2019s over!\u2019 said the wizard struggling to his
feet. \u2018I have done all that I could. But I have met my match,
and have nearly been destroyed. But don\u2019t stand here! Go
on! You will have to do without light for a while: I am rather
shaken. Go on! Go on! Where are you, Gimli? Come ahead
with me! Keep close behind, all of you!\u2019
They stumbled after him wondering what had happened.
Doom, doom went the drum-beats again: they now sounded
muffled and far away, but they were following. There was no
other sound of pursuit, neither tramp of feet, nor any voice.
Gandalf took no turns, right or left, for the passage seemed
to be going in the direction that he desired. Every now and
again it descended a flight of steps, fifty or more, to a lower
level. At the moment that was their chief danger; for in the
dark they could not see a descent, until they came on it and
put their feet out into emptiness. Gandalf felt the ground
with his staff like a blind man.
At the end of an hour they had gone a mile, or maybe a
little more, and had descended many flights of stairs. There
was still no sound of pursuit. Almost they began to hope
that they would escape. At the bottom of the seventh flight
Gandalf halted.
\u2018It is getting hot!\u2019 he gasped. \u2018We ought to be down at least
to the level of the Gates now. Soon I think we should look
426 the fellowship of the ring
for a left-hand turn to take us east. I hope it is not far. I am
very weary. I must rest here a moment, even if all the orcs
ever spawned are after us.\u2019
Gimli took his arm and helped him down to a seat on the
step. \u2018What happened away up there at the door?\u2019 he asked.
\u2018Did you meet the beater of the drums?\u2019
\u2018I do not know,\u2019 answered Gandalf. \u2018But I found myself
suddenly faced by something that I have not met before. I
could think of nothing to do but to try and put a shutting-spell
on the door. I know many; but to do things of that kind
rightly requires time, and even then the door can be broken
by strength.
\u2018As I stood there I could hear orc-voices on the other side:
at any moment I thought they would burst it open. I could
not hear what was said; they seemed to be talking in their
own hideous language. All I caught was gha\u02c6sh: that is \u2018\u2018fire\u2019\u2019.
Then something came into the chamber \u2013 I felt it through
the door, and the orcs themselves were afraid and fell silent.
It laid hold of the iron ring, and then it perceived me and my
spell.
\u2018What it was I cannot guess, but I have never felt such a
challenge. The counter-spell was terrible. It nearly broke me.
For an instant the door left my control and began to open! I
had to speak a word of Command. That proved too great a
strain. The door burst in pieces. Something dark as a cloud
was blocking out all the light inside, and I was thrown backwards down the stairs. All the wall gave way, and the roof of
the chamber as well, I think.
\u2018I am afraid Balin is buried deep, and maybe something
else is buried there too. I cannot say. But at least the passage
behind us was completely blocked. Ah! I have never felt so
spent, but it is passing. And now what about you, Frodo?
There was not time to say so, but I have never been more
delighted in my life than when you spoke. I feared that it was
a brave but dead hobbit that Aragorn was carrying.\u2019
\u2018What about me?\u2019 said Frodo. \u2018I am alive, and whole I
think. I am bruised and in pain, but it is not too bad.\u2019
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 427
\u2018Well,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018I can only say that hobbits are made
of a stuff so tough that I have never met the like of it. Had I
known, I would have spoken softer in the Inn at Bree! That
spear-thrust would have skewered a wild boar!\u2019
\u2018Well, it did not skewer me, I am glad to say,\u2019 said Frodo;
\u2018though I feel as if I had been caught between a hammer and
an anvil.\u2019 He said no more. He found breathing painful.
\u2018You take after Bilbo,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018There is more about
you than meets the eye, as I said of him long ago.\u2019 Frodo
wondered if the remark meant more than it said.
They now went on again. Before long Gimli spoke. He
had keen eyes in the dark. \u2018I think,\u2019 he said, \u2018that there is a
light ahead. But it is not daylight. It is red. What can it be?\u2019
\u2018Gha\u02c6sh!\u2019 muttered Gandalf. \u2018I wonder if that is what they
meant: that the lower levels are on fire? Still, we can only
go on.\u2019
Soon the light became unmistakable, and could be seen by
all. It was flickering and glowing on the walls away down the
passage before them. They could now see their way: in front
the road sloped down swiftly, and some way ahead there
stood a low archway; through it the growing light came. The
air became very hot.
When they came to the arch Gandalf went through, signing
to them to wait. As he stood just beyond the opening they
saw his face lit by a red glow. Quickly he stepped back.
\u2018There is some new devilry here,\u2019 he said, \u2018devised for our
welcome, no doubt. But I know now where we are: we have
reached the First Deep, the level immediately below the
Gates. This is the Second Hall of Old Moria; and the Gates
are near: away beyond the eastern end, on the left, not more
than a quarter of a mile. Across the Bridge, up a broad stair,
along a wide road, through the First Hall, and out! But come
and look!\u2019
They peered out. Before them was another cavernous hall.
It was loftier and far longer than the one in which they had
slept. They were near its eastern end; westward it ran away
428 the fellowship of the ring
into darkness. Down the centre stalked a double line of towering pillars. They were carved like boles of mighty trees whose
boughs upheld the roof with a branching tracery of stone.
Their stems were smooth and black, but a red glow was
darkly mirrored in their sides. Right across the floor, close to
the feet of two huge pillars a great fissure had opened. Out
of it a fierce red light came, and now and again flames licked
at the brink and curled about the bases of the columns. Wisps
of dark smoke wavered in the hot air.
\u2018If we had come by the main road down from the upper
halls, we should have been trapped here,\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018Let
us hope that the fire now lies between us and pursuit. Come!
There is no time to lose.\u2019
Even as he spoke they heard again the pursuing drum-beat:
Doom, doom, doom. Away beyond the shadows at the western
end of the hall there came cries and horn-calls. Doom, doom:
the pillars seemed to tremble and the flames to quiver.
\u2018Now for the last race!\u2019 said Gandalf. \u2018If the sun is shining
outside, we may still escape. After me!\u2019
He turned left and sped across the smooth floor of the hall.
The distance was greater than it had looked. As they ran they
heard the beat and echo of many hurrying feet behind. A
shrill yell went up: they had been seen. There was a ring and
clash of steel. An arrow whistled over Frodo\u2019s head.
Boromir laughed. \u2018They did not expect this,\u2019 he said. \u2018The
fire has cut them off. We are on the wrong side!\u2019
\u2018Look ahead!\u2019 called Gandalf. \u2018The Bridge is near. lt is
dangerous and narrow.\u2019
Suddenly Frodo saw before him a black chasm. At the end
of the hall the floor vanished and fell to an unknown depth.
The outer door could only be reached by a slender bridge of
stone, without kerb or rail, that spanned the chasm with one
curving spring of fifty feet. It was an ancient defence of the
Dwarves against any enemy that might capture the First Hall
and the outer passages. They could only pass across it in
single file. At the brink Gandalf halted and the others came
up in a pack behind.
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 429
\u2018Lead the way, Gimli!\u2019 he said. \u2018Pippin and Merry next.
Straight on, and up the stair beyond the door!\u2019
Arrows fell among them. One struck Frodo and sprang
back. Another pierced Gandalf\u2019s hat and stuck there like a
black feather. Frodo looked behind. Beyond the fire he saw
swarming black figures: there seemed to be hundreds of orcs.
They brandished spears and scimitars which shone red as
blood in the firelight. Doom, doom rolled the drum-beats,
growing louder and louder, doom, doom.
Legolas turned and set an arrow to the string, though it
was a long shot for his small bow. He drew, but his hand fell,
and the arrow slipped to the ground. He gave a cry of dismay
and fear. Two great trolls appeared; they bore great slabs of
stone, and flung them down to serve as gangways over the
fire. But it was not the trolls that had filled the Elf with terror.
The ranks of the orcs had opened, and they crowded away,
as if they themselves were afraid. Something was coming up
behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a
great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of
man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror
seemed to be in it and to go before it.
It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a
cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the
fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about
it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane
kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade
like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many
thongs.
\u2018Ai! ai!\u2019 wailed Legolas. \u2018A Balrog! A Balrog is come!\u2019
Gimli stared with wide eyes. \u2018Durin\u2019s Bane!\u2019 he cried, and
letting his axe fall he covered his face.
\u2018A Balrog,\u2019 muttered Gandalf. \u2018Now I understand.\u2019 He
faltered and leaned heavily on his staff. \u2018What an evil fortune!
And I am already weary.\u2019
The dark figure streaming with fire raced towards them.
The orcs yelled and poured over the stone gangways. Then
430 the fellowship of the ring
Boromir raised his horn and blew. Loud the challenge rang
and bellowed, like the shout of many throats under the
cavernous roof. For a moment the orcs quailed and the fiery
shadow halted. Then the echoes died as suddenly as a flame
blown out by a dark wind, and the enemy advanced again.
\u2018Over the bridge!\u2019 cried Gandalf, recalling his strength.
\u2018Fly! This is a foe beyond any of you. I must hold the narrow
way. Fly!\u2019 Aragorn and Boromir did not heed the command,
but still held their ground, side by side, behind Gandalf at
the far end of the bridge. The others halted just within the
doorway at the hall\u2019s end, and turned, unable to leave their
leader to face the enemy alone.
The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the
middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but
in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His
enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it
reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the
thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But
Gandalf stood firm.
\u2018You cannot pass,\u2019 he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead
silence fell. \u2018I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the
flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail
you, flame of Udu\u02c6n. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot
pass.\u2019
The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die,
but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the
bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and
its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf
could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small,
and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before
the onset of a storm.
From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming.
Glamdring glittered white in answer.
There was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire. The
Balrog fell back, and its sword flew up in molten fragments.
The wizard swayed on the bridge, stepped back a pace, and
then again stood still.
the bridge of khazad-du\u02c6 m 431
\u2018You cannot pass!\u2019 he said.
With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its
whip whirled and hissed.
\u2018He cannot stand alone!\u2019 cried Aragorn suddenly and ran
back along the bridge. \u2018Elendil!\u2019 he shouted. \u2018I am with you,
Gandalf!\u2019
\u2018Gondor!\u2019 cried Boromir and leaped after him.
At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff, and crying aloud
he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and
fell from his hand. A blinding sheet of white flame sprang
up. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrog\u2019s feet it broke,
and the stone upon which it stood crashed into the gulf, while
the rest remained, poised, quivering like a tongue of rock
thrust out into emptiness.
With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow
plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its
whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard\u2019s
knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell,
grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. \u2018Fly, you
fools!\u2019 he cried, and was gone.
The fires went out, and blank darkness fell. The Company
stood rooted with horror staring into the pit. Even as Aragorn
and Boromir came flying back, the rest of the bridge cracked
and fell. With a cry Aragorn roused them.
\u2018Come! I will lead you now!\u2019 he called. \u2018We must obey his
last command. Follow me!\u2019
They stumbled wildly up the great stairs beyond the door,
Aragorn leading, Boromir at the rear. At the top was a wide
echoing passage. Along this they fled. Frodo heard Sam at
his side weeping, and then he found that he himself was
weeping as he ran. Doom, doom, doom the drum-beats rolled
behind, mournful now and slow; doom!
They ran on. The light grew before them; great shafts
pierced the roof. They ran swifter. They passed into a hall,
bright with daylight from its high windows in the east. They
fled across it. Through its huge broken doors they passed,
432 the fellowship of the ring
and suddenly before them the Great Gates opened, an arch
of blazing light.
There was a guard of orcs crouching in the shadows behind
the great door-posts towering on either side, but the gates
were shattered and cast down. Aragorn smote to the ground
the captain that stood in his path, and the rest fled in terror
of his wrath. The Company swept past them and took no
heed of them. Out of the Gates they ran and sprang down
the huge and age-worn steps, the threshold of Moria.
Thus, at last, they came beyond hope under the sky and
felt the wind on their faces.
They did not halt until they were out of bowshot from the
walls. Dimrill Dale lay about them. The shadow of the Misty
Mountains lay upon it, but eastwards there was a golden light
on the land. It was but one hour after noon. The sun was
shining; the clouds were white and high.
They looked back. Dark yawned the archway of the Gates
under the mountain-shadow. Faint and far beneath the earth
rolled the slow drum-beats: doom. A thin black smoke trailed
out. Nothing else was to be seen; the dale all around was
empty. Doom. Grief at last wholly overcame them, and they
wept long: some standing and silent, some cast upon the
ground. Doom, doom. The drum-beats faded.
Chapter 6
LOTHLO\u00b4 RIEN
\u2018Alas! I fear we cannot stay here longer,\u2019 said Aragorn. He
looked towards the mountains and held up his sword. \u2018Farewell, Gandalf!\u2019 he cried. \u2018Did I not say to you: if you pass the
doors of Moria, beware? Alas that I spoke true! What hope
have we without you?\u2019
He turned to the Company. \u2018We must do without hope,\u2019
he said. \u2018At least we may yet be avenged. Let us gird ourselves
and weep no more! Come! We have a long road, and much
to do.\u2019
They rose and looked about them. Northward the dale ran
up into a glen of shadows between two great arms of the
mountains, above which three white peaks were shining:
Celebdil, Fanuidhol, Caradhras, the Mountains of Moria. At
the head of the glen a torrent flowed like a white lace over
an endless ladder of short falls, and a mist of foam hung in
the air about the mountains\u2019 feet.
\u2018Yonder is the Dimrill Stair,\u2019 said Aragorn, pointing to the
falls. \u2018Down the deep-cloven way that climbs beside the
torrent we should have come, if fortune had been kinder.\u2019
\u2018Or Caradhras less cruel,\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018There he stands
smiling in the sun!\u2019 He shook his fist at the furthest of the
snow-capped peaks and turned away.
To the east the outflung arm of the mountains marched to
a sudden end, and far lands could be descried beyond them,
wide and vague. To the south the Misty Mountains receded
endlessly as far as sight could reach. Less than a mile away,
and a little below them, for they still stood high up on the
west side of the dale, there lay a mere. It was long and oval,
shaped like a great spear-head thrust deep into the northern
glen; but its southern end was beyond the shadows under the
434 the fellowship of the ring
sunlit sky. Yet its waters were dark: a deep blue like clear
evening sky seen from a lamp-lit room. Its face was still and
unruffled. About it lay a smooth sward, shelving down on all
sides to its bare unbroken rim.
\u2018There lies the Mirrormere, deep Kheled-za\u02c6ram!\u2019 said
Gimli sadly. \u2018I remember that he said: \u2018\u2018May you have joy of
the sight! But we cannot linger there.\u2019\u2019 Now long shall I
journey ere I have joy again. It is I that must hasten away,
and he that must remain.\u2019
The Company now went down the road from the Gates.
It was rough and broken, fading to a winding track between
heather and whin that thrust amid the cracking stones. But
still it could be seen that once long ago a great paved way had
wound upwards from the lowlands to the Dwarf-kingdom. In
places there were ruined works of stone beside the path, and
mounds of green topped with slender birches, or fir-trees
sighing in the wind. An eastward bend led them hard by the
sward of Mirrormere, and there not far from the roadside
stood a single column broken at the top.
\u2018That is Durin\u2019s Stone!\u2019 cried Gimli. \u2018I cannot pass without
turning aside for a moment to look at the wonder of the dale!\u2019
\u2018Be swift then!\u2019 said Aragorn, looking back towards the
Gates. \u2018The Sun sinks early. The Orcs will not, maybe, come
out till after dusk, but we must be far away before nightfall.
The Moon is almost spent, and it will be dark tonight.\u2019
\u2018Come with me, Frodo!\u2019 cried the dwarf, springing from
the road. \u2018I would not have you go without seeing Kheledza\u02c6ram.\u2019 He ran down the long green slope. Frodo followed
slowly, drawn by the still blue water in spite of hurt and
weariness; Sam came up behind.
Beside the standing stone Gimli halted and looked up. It
was cracked and weather-worn, and the faint runes upon its
side could not be read. \u2018This pillar marks the spot where
Durin first looked in the Mirrormere,\u2019 said the dwarf. \u2018Let us
look ourselves once, ere we go!\u2019
They stooped over the dark water. At first they could see
lothlo\u00b4 rien 435
nothing. Then slowly they saw the forms of the encircling
mountains mirrored in a profound blue, and the peaks were
like plumes of white flame above them; beyond there was a
space of sky. There like jewels sunk in the deep shone glinting
stars, though sunlight was in the sky above. Of their own
stooping forms no shadow could be seen.
\u2018O Kheled-za\u02c6ram fair and wonderful!\u2019 said Gimli. \u2018There
lies the Crown of Durin till he wakes. Farewell!\u2019 He bowed,
and turned away, and hastened back up the greensward to
the road again.
\u2018What did you see?\u2019 said Pippin to Sam, but Sam was too
deep in thought to answer.
The road now turned south and went quickly downwards,
running out from between the arms of the dale. Some way
below the mere they came on a deep well of water, clear as
crystal, from which a freshet fell over a stone lip and ran
glistening and gurgling down a steep rocky channel.
\u2018Here is the spring from which the Silverlode rises,\u2019 said
Gimli. \u2018Do not drink of it! It is icy cold.\u2019
\u2018Soon it becomes a swift river, and it gathers water from
many other mountain-streams,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Our road
leads beside it for many miles. For I shall take you by the
road that Gandalf chose, and first I hope to come to the
woods where the Silverlode flows into the Great River \u2013 out
yonder.\u2019 They looked as he pointed, and before them they
could see the stream leaping down to the trough of the valley,
and then running on and away into the lower lands, until it
was lost in a golden haze.
\u2018There lie the woods of Lothlo\u00b4rien!\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018That is
the fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no
trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves
fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the
new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden
with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and
golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of
the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood
436 the fellowship of the ring
say. My heart would be glad if I were beneath the eaves of
that wood, and it were springtime!\u2019
\u2018My heart will be glad, even in the winter,\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018But it lies many miles away. Let us hasten!\u2019
For some time Frodo and Sam managed to keep up with
the others; but Aragorn was leading them at a great pace,
and after a while they lagged behind. They had eaten nothing
since the early morning. Sam\u2019s cut was burning like fire, and
his head felt light. In spite of the shining sun the wind seemed
chill after the warm darkness of Moria. He shivered. Frodo
felt every step more painful and he gasped for breath.
At last Legolas turned, and seeing them now far behind,
he spoke to Aragorn. The others halted, and Aragorn ran
back, calling to Boromir to come with him.
\u2018I am sorry, Frodo!\u2019 he cried, full of concern. \u2018So much has
happened this day and we have such need of haste, that I
have forgotten that you were hurt; and Sam too. You should
have spoken. We have done nothing to ease you, as we ought,
though all the orcs of Moria were after us. Come now! A
little further on there is a place where we can rest for a little.
There I will do what I can for you. Come, Boromir! We will
carry them.\u2019
Soon afterwards they came upon another stream that ran
down from the west, and joined its bubbling water with
the hurrying Silverlode. Together they plunged over a fall
of green-hued stone, and foamed down into a dell. About
it stood fir-trees, short and bent, and its sides were steep
and clothed with harts-tongue and shrubs of whortle-berry.
At the bottom there was a level space through which the
stream flowed noisily over shining pebbles. Here they rested.
It was now nearly three hours after noon, and they had come
only a few miles from the Gates. Already the sun was
westering.
While Gimli and the two younger hobbits kindled a fire of
brush- and fir-wood, and drew water, Aragorn tended Sam
and Frodo. Sam\u2019s wound was not deep, but it looked ugly,
lothlo\u00b4 rien 437
and Aragorn\u2019s face was grave as he examined it. After a
moment he looked up with relief.
\u2018Good luck, Sam!\u2019 he said. \u2018Many have received worse than
this in payment for the slaying of their first orc. The cut is
not poisoned, as the wounds of orc-blades too often are. It
should heal well when I have tended it. Bathe it when Gimli
has heated water.\u2019
He opened his pouch and drew out some withered leaves.
\u2018They are dry, and some of their virtue has gone,\u2019 he said,
\u2018but here I have still some of the leaves of athelas that I
gathered near Weathertop. Crush one in the water, and wash
the wound clean, and I will bind it. Now it is your turn,
Frodo!\u2019
\u2018I am all right,\u2019 said Frodo, reluctant to have his garments
touched. \u2018All I needed was some food and a little rest.\u2019
\u2018No!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018We must have a look and see what
the hammer and the anvil have done to you. I still marvel
that you are alive at all.\u2019 Gently he stripped off Frodo\u2019s
old jacket and worn tunic, and gave a gasp of wonder.
Then he laughed. The silver corslet shimmered before his
eyes like the light upon a rippling sea. Carefully he took it
off and held it up, and the gems on it glittered like stars, and
the sound of the shaken rings was like the tinkle of rain in a
pool.
\u2018Look, my friends!\u2019 he called. \u2018Here\u2019s a pretty hobbit-skin
to wrap an elven-princeling in! If it were known that hobbits
had such hides, all the hunters of Middle-earth would be
riding to the Shire.\u2019
\u2018And all the arrows of all the hunters in the world would
be in vain,\u2019 said Gimli, gazing at the mail in wonder. \u2018It is a
mithril-coat. Mithril! I have never seen or heard tell of one
so fair. Is this the coat that Gandalf spoke of ? Then he
undervalued it. But it was well given!\u2019
\u2018I have often wondered what you and Bilbo were doing, so
close in his little room,\u2019 said Merry. \u2018Bless the old hobbit! I
love him more than ever. I hope we get a chance of telling
him about it!\u2019
438 the fellowship of the ring
There was a dark and blackened bruise on Frodo\u2019s right
side and breast. Under the mail there was a shirt of soft
leather, but at one point the rings had been driven through it
into the flesh. Frodo\u2019s left side also was scored and bruised
where he had been hurled against the wall. While the others
set the food ready, Aragorn bathed the hurts with water in
which athelas was steeped. The pungent fragrance filled the
dell, and all those who stooped over the steaming water felt
refreshed and strengthened. Soon Frodo felt the pain leave
him, and his breath grew easy: though he was stiff and sore
to the touch for many days. Aragorn bound some soft pads
of cloth at his side.
\u2018The mail is marvellously light,\u2019 he said. \u2018Put it on again,
if you can bear it. My heart is glad to know that you have
such a coat. Do not lay it aside, even in sleep, unless fortune
brings you where you are safe for a while; and that will seldom
chance while your quest lasts.\u2019
When they had eaten, the Company got ready to go on.
They put out the fire and hid all traces of it. Then climbing
out of the dell they took to the road again. They had not gone
far before the sun sank behind the westward heights and great
shadows crept down the mountain-sides. Dusk veiled their
feet, and mist rose in the hollows. Away in the east the
evening light lay pale upon the dim lands of distant plain
and wood. Sam and Frodo now feeling eased and greatly
refreshed were able to go at a fair pace, and with only one
brief halt Aragorn led the Company on for nearly three more
hours.
It was dark. Deep night had fallen. There were many clear
stars, but the fast-waning moon would not be seen till late.
Gimli and Frodo were at the rear, walking softly and not
speaking, listening for any sound upon the road behind. At
length Gimli broke the silence.
\u2018Not a sound but the wind,\u2019 he said. \u2018There are no goblins
near, or my ears are made of wood. It is to be hoped that the
Orcs will be content with driving us from Moria. And maybe
lothlo\u00b4 rien 439
that was all their purpose, and they had nothing else to do
with us \u2013 with the Ring. Though Orcs will often pursue foes
for many leagues into the plain, if they have a fallen captain
to avenge.\u2019
Frodo did not answer. He looked at Sting, and the blade
was dull. Yet he had heard something, or thought he had. As
soon as the shadows had fallen about them and the road
behind was dim, he had heard again the quick patter of feet.
Even now he heard it. He turned swiftly. There were two
tiny gleams of light behind, or for a moment he thought he
saw them, but at once they slipped aside and vanished.
\u2018What is it?\u2019 said the dwarf.
\u2018I don\u2019t know,\u2019 answered Frodo. \u2018I thought I heard feet,
and I thought I saw a light \u2013 like eyes. I have thought so
often, since we first entered Moria.\u2019
Gimli halted and stooped to the ground. \u2018I hear nothing
but the night-speech of plant and stone,\u2019 he said. \u2018Come! Let
us hurry! The others are out of sight.\u2019
The night-wind blew chill up the valley to meet them.
Before them a wide grey shadow loomed, and they heard an
endless rustle of leaves like poplars in the breeze.
\u2018Lothlo\u00b4rien!\u2019 cried Legolas. \u2018Lothlo\u00b4rien! We have come to
the eaves of the Golden Wood. Alas that it is winter!\u2019
Under the night the trees stood tall before them, arched
over the road and stream that ran suddenly beneath their
spreading boughs. In the dim light of the stars their stems
were grey, and their quivering leaves a hint of fallow gold.
\u2018Lothlo\u00b4rien!\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018Glad I am to hear again the
wind in the trees! We are still little more than five leagues
from the Gates, but we can go no further. Here let us hope
that the virtue of the Elves will keep us tonight from the peril
that comes behind.\u2019
\u2018If Elves indeed still dwell here in the darkening world,\u2019
said Gimli.
\u2018It is long since any of my own folk journeyed hither
back to the land whence we wandered in ages long ago,\u2019
440 the fellowship of the ring
said Legolas, \u2018but we hear that Lo\u00b4rien is not yet deserted,
for there is a secret power here that holds evil from the
land. Nevertheless its folk are seldom seen, and maybe they
dwell now deep in the woods and far from the northern
border.\u2019
\u2018Indeed deep in the wood they dwell,\u2019 said Aragorn, and
sighed as if some memory stirred in him. \u2018We must fend for
ourselves tonight. We will go forward a short way, until the
trees are all about us, and then we will turn aside from the
path and seek a place to rest in.\u2019
He stepped forward; but Boromir stood irresolute and did
not follow. \u2018Is there no other way?\u2019 he said.
\u2018What other fairer way would you desire?\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018A plain road, though it led through a hedge of swords,\u2019
said Boromir. \u2018By strange paths has this Company been led,
and so far to evil fortune. Against my will we passed under
the shades of Moria, to our loss. And now we must enter the
Golden Wood, you say. But of that perilous land we have
heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once
go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed.\u2019
\u2018Say not unscathed, but if you say unchanged, then maybe
you will speak the truth,\u2019 said Aragorn. \u2018But lore wanes in
Gondor, Boromir, if in the city of those who once were wise
they now speak evil of Lothlo\u00b4rien. Believe what you will,
there is no other way for us \u2013 unless you would go back to
Moria-gate, or scale the pathless mountains, or swim the
Great River all alone.\u2019
\u2018Then lead on!\u2019 said Boromir. \u2018But it is perilous.\u2019
\u2018Perilous indeed,\u2019 said Aragorn, \u2018fair and perilous; but only
evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them.
Follow me!\u2019
They had gone little more than a mile into the forest when
they came upon another stream flowing down swiftly from
the tree-clad slopes that climbed back westward towards the
mountains. They heard it splashing over a fall away among
the shadows on their right. Its dark hurrying waters ran across
lothlo\u00b4 rien 441
the path before them, and joined the Silverlode in a swirl of
dim pools among the roots of trees.
\u2018Here is Nimrodel!\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018Of this stream the Silvan
Elves made many songs long ago, and still we sing them in
the North, remembering the rainbow on its falls, and the
golden flowers that floated in its foam. All is dark now and
the Bridge of Nimrodel is broken down. I will bathe my feet,
for it is said that the water is healing to the weary.\u2019 He went
forward and climbed down the deep-cloven bank and stepped
into the stream.
\u2018Follow me!\u2019 he cried. \u2018The water is not deep. Let us wade
across! On the further bank we can rest, and the sound of
the falling water may bring us sleep and forgetfulness of
grief.\u2019
One by one they climbed down and followed Legolas. For
a moment Frodo stood near the brink and let the water flow
over his tired feet. It was cold but its touch was clean, and as
he went on and it mounted to his knees, he felt that the stain
of travel and all weariness was washed from his limbs.
When all the Company had crossed, they sat and rested
and ate a little food; and Legolas told them tales of Lothlo\u00b4rien
that the Elves of Mirkwood still kept in their hearts, of sunlight and starlight upon the meadows by the Great River
before the world was grey.
At length a silence fell, and they heard the music of the
waterfall running sweetly in the shadows. Almost Frodo
fancied that he could hear a voice singing, mingled with
the sound of the water.
\u2018Do you hear the voice of Nimrodel?\u2019 asked Legolas. \u2018I will
sing you a song of the maiden Nimrodel, who bore the same
name as the stream beside which she lived long ago. It is a
fair song in our woodland tongue; but this is how it runs in
the Westron Speech, as some in Rivendell now sing it.\u2019 In a
soft voice hardly to be heard amid the rustle of the leaves
above them he began:
442 the fellowship of the ring
An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.
A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lo\u00b4rien the fair.
Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.
Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.
Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed.
The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.
A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.
lothlo\u00b4 rien 443
When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.
Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.
Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlo\u00b4rien.
From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into the water deep,
As mew upon the wing.
The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.
But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore.
The voice of Legolas faltered, and the song ceased. \u2018I cannot sing any more,\u2019 he said. \u2018That is but a part, for I have
forgotten much. It is long and sad, for it tells how sorrow
came upon Lothlo\u00b4rien, Lo\u00b4rien of the Blossom, when the
Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains.\u2019
\u2018But the Dwarves did not make the evil,\u2019 said Gimli.
\u2018I said not so; yet evil came,\u2019 answered Legolas sadly. \u2018Then
444 the fellowship of the ring
many of the Elves of Nimrodel\u2019s kindred left their dwellings
and departed, and she was lost far in the South, in the passes
of the White Mountains; and she came not to the ship where
Amroth her lover waited for her. But in the spring when the
wind is in the new leaves the echo of her voice may still be
heard by the falls that bear her name. And when the wind is
in the South the voice of Amroth comes up from the sea; for
Nimrodel flows into Silverlode, that Elves call Celebrant, and
Celebrant into Anduin the Great, and Anduin flows into the
Bay of Belfalas whence the Elves of Lo\u00b4rien set sail. But
neither Nimrodel nor Amroth came ever back.
\u2018It is told that she had a house built in the branches of a
tree that grew near the falls; for that was the custom of the
Elves of Lo\u00b4rien, to dwell in the trees, and maybe it is so still.
Therefore they were called the Galadhrim, the Tree-people.
Deep in their forest the trees are very great. The people of
the woods did not delve in the ground like Dwarves, nor
build strong places of stone before the Shadow came.\u2019
\u2018And even in these latter days dwelling in the trees might
be thought safer than sitting on the ground,\u2019 said Gimli. He
looked across the stream to the road that led back to Dimrill
Dale, and then up into the roof of dark boughs above.
\u2018Your words bring good counsel, Gimli,\u2019 said Aragorn.
\u2018We cannot build a house, but tonight we will do as the
Galadhrim and seek refuge in the tree-tops, if we can. We
have sat here beside the road already longer than was wise.\u2019
The Company now turned aside from the path, and went
into the shadow of the deeper woods, westward along the
mountain-stream away from Silverlode. Not far from the falls
of Nimrodel they found a cluster of trees, some of which
overhung the stream. Their great grey trunks were of mighty
girth, but their height could not be guessed.
\u2018I will climb up,\u2019 said Legolas. \u2018I am at home among trees,
by root or bough, though these trees are of a kind strange to
me, save as a name in song. Mellyrn they are called, and are
those that bear the yellow blossom, but I have never climbed
lothlo\u00b4 rien 445
in one. I will see now what is their shape and way of growth.\u2019
\u2018Whatever it may be,\u2019 said Pippin, \u2018they will be marvellous
trees indeed if they can offer any rest at night, except to birds.
I cannot sleep on a perch!\u2019
\u2018Then dig a hole in the ground,\u2019 said Legolas, \u2018if that is more
after the fashion of your kind. But you must dig swift and deep,
if you wish to hide from Orcs.\u2019 He sprang lightly up from the
ground and caught a branch that grew from the trunk high
above his head. But even as he swung there for a moment, a
voice spoke suddenly from the tree-shadows above him.
\u2018Daro!\u2019 it said in commanding tone, and Legolas dropped
back to earth in surprise and fear. He shrank against the bole
of the tree.
\u2018Stand still!\u2019 he whispered to the others. \u2018Do not move or
speak!\u2019
There was a sound of soft laughter over their heads, and
then another clear voice spoke in an elven-tongue. Frodo
could understand little of what was said, for the speech that
the Silvan folk east of the mountains used among themselves
was unlike that of the West. Legolas looked up and answered
in the same language.*
\u2018Who are they, and what do they say?\u2019 asked Merry.
\u2018They\u2019re Elves,\u2019 said Sam. \u2018Can\u2019t you hear their voices?\u2019
\u2018Yes, they are Elves,\u2019 said Legolas; \u2018and they say that you
breathe so loud that they could shoot you in the dark.\u2019 Sam
hastily put his hand over his mouth. \u2018But they say also that
you need have no fear. They have been aware of us for a
long while. They heard my voice across the Nimrodel, and
knew that I was one of their Northern kindred, and therefore
they did not hinder our crossing; and afterwards they heard
my song. Now they bid me climb up with Frodo; for they
seem to have had some tidings of him and of our journey.
The others they ask to wait a little, and to keep watch at the
foot of the tree, until they have decided what is to be done.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter 1 When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that hewould shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday witha party of special magnificence, there was much talk andexcitement in Hobbiton.Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been thewonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkabledisappearance and unexpected return. The riches […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":179,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-160","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"kubio_ai_page_context":{"short_desc":"","purpose":"general"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237.jpg",1920,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237.jpg",1920,1080,false],"tp-image-grid":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237.jpg",700,394,false],"kubio-fullhd":["https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/675237.jpg",1920,1080,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Chapter 1 When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that hewould shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday witha party of special magnificence, there was much talk andexcitement in Hobbiton.Bilbo was very rich and very peculiar, and had been thewonder of the Shire for sixty years, ever since his remarkabledisappearance and unexpected return. The riches…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":178,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/160\/revisions\/178"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saeed.a-zo.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}