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Page 1: The Fellowship of the Ring - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/cX9oU/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-j-r-r-tolkien.pdf · Two Towers, was published in England on 11 November 1954 and in the United
Page 2: The Fellowship of the Ring - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/cX9oU/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-j-r-r-tolkien.pdf · Two Towers, was published in England on 11 November 1954 and in the United
Page 3: The Fellowship of the Ring - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/cX9oU/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-j-r-r-tolkien.pdf · Two Towers, was published in England on 11 November 1954 and in the United

THEFELLOWSHIP

Page 4: The Fellowship of the Ring - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/cX9oU/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-j-r-r-tolkien.pdf · Two Towers, was published in England on 11 November 1954 and in the United

OFTHERING

Page 5: The Fellowship of the Ring - DropPDF1.droppdf.com/files/cX9oU/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-j-r-r-tolkien.pdf · Two Towers, was published in England on 11 November 1954 and in the United

BEINGTHEFIRSTPARTOF

THELORDOFTHERINGS

BY

J.R.R.TOLKIEN

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ThreeRingsfortheElven-kingsunderthesky,

SevenfortheDwarf-lordsintheirhallsofstone,

NineforMortalMendoomedtodie,

OnefortheDarkLordonhisdarkthrone

IntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.

OneRingtorulethemall,

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OneRingtofindthem,OneRingtobringthemallandinthedarknessbindthem

IntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.

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CONTENTS

COVERPAGETITLEPAGENOTEONTHETEXTNOTEONTHE50THANNIVERSARYEDITIONFOREWORDTOTHESECONDEDITION

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PROLOGUE

BOOKONE

CHAPTER1:ALONG-EXPECTEDPARTY

CHAPTER2:THESHADOWOFTHEPAST

CHAPTER3:THREEISCOMPANY

CHAPTER4:ASHORTCUTTOMUSHROOMS

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CHAPTER5:ACONSPIRACYUNMASKED

CHAPTER6:THEOLDFOREST

CHAPTER7:INTHEHOUSEOFTOMBOMBADIL

CHAPTER8:FOGONTHEBARROW-DOWNS

CHAPTER9:ATTHESIGN

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OFTHEPRANCINGPONY

CHAPTER10:STRIDER

CHAPTER11:AKNIFEINTHEDARK

CHAPTER12:FLIGHTTOTHEFORD

BOOKTWO

CHAPTER1:MANYMEETINGS

CHAPTER2:THE

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COUNCILOFELROND

CHAPTER3:THERINGGOESSOUTH

CHAPTER4:AJOURNEYINTHEDARK

CHAPTER5:THEBRIDGEOFKHAZAD-DÛM

CHAPTER6:LOTHLÓRIEN

CHAPTER7:THEMIRROROFGALADRIEL

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CHAPTER8:FAREWELLTOLÓRIEN

CHAPTER9:THEGREATRIVER

CHAPTER10:THEBREAKINGOFTHEFELLOWSHIP

MAPWORKSBYJ.R.R.TOLKIENCOPYRIGHT

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ABOUTTHEPUBLISHER

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NOTEONTHETEXT

J.R.R.Tolkien’sTheLordoftheRingsisoftenerroneously

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calledatrilogy,whenitisinfactasinglenovel,consistingofsixbooksplusappendices,sometimespublishedinthreevolumes.

Thefirstvolume,TheFellowshipoftheRing,waspublishedinGreatBritainbytheLondonfirmGeorgeAllen&Unwinon29July1954;anAmericaneditionfollowedon21Octoberofthesameyear,publishedby

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HoughtonMifflinCompanyofBoston.Intheproductionofthisfirstvolume,Tolkienexperiencedwhatbecameforhimacontinualproblem:printer’serrorsandcompositor’smistakes,includingwell-intentioned‘corrections’ofhissometimesidiosyncraticusage.These‘corrections’includethealteringofdwarvestodwarfs,elvishto

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elfish,furthertofarther,nasturtianstonasturtiums,tryandsaytotrytosayand(‘worstofall’toTolkien)elventoelfin.InaworksuchasTheLordoftheRings,containinginventedlanguagesanddelicatelyconstructednomenclatures,errorsandinconsistenciesimpedeboththeunderstandingandtheappreciationofserious

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readers–andTolkienhadmanysuchreadersfromveryearlyon.Evenbeforethepublicationofthethirdvolume,whichcontainedmuchhithertounrevealedinformationontheinventedlanguagesandwritingsystems,Tolkienreceivedmanylettersfromreaderswritteninthesesystems,inadditiontonumerousenquiriesonthefinerpoints

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oftheirusage.Thesecondvolume,The

TwoTowers,waspublishedinEnglandon11November1954andintheUnitedStateson21April1955.MeanwhileTolkienworkedtokeepapromisehehadmadeintheforewordtovolumeone:that‘anindexofnamesandstrangewords’wouldappearinthethirdvolume.Asoriginallyplanned,thisindex

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wouldcontainmuchetymologicalinformationonthelanguages,particularlyontheelventongues,withalargevocabulary.Itprovedthechiefcauseofthedelayinpublishingvolumethree,whichintheendcontainednoindexatall,onlyanapologyfromthepublisherforitsabsence.ForTolkienhadabandonedworkonitafterindexingvolumesoneand

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two,believingitssizeandthereforeitscosttoberuinous.

Volumethree,TheReturnoftheKing,finallyappearedinEnglandon20October1955andintheUnitedStateson5January1956.Withtheappearanceofthethirdvolume,TheLordoftheRingswaspublishedinitsentirety,anditsfirsteditiontextremainedvirtually

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unchangedforadecade.Tolkienhadmadeafewsmallcorrections,butfurthererrorsenteredTheFellowshipoftheRinginitsDecember1954secondimpressionwhentheprinter,havingdistributedthetypeafterthefirstprinting,resetthebookwithoutinformingtheauthororpublisher.Theseincludemisrepresentationsoftheoriginalprintedtext–thatis,

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wordsandphrasesthatreadacceptablyincontext,butwhichdepartfromTolkien’swordingasoriginallywrittenandpublished.

In1965,stemmingfromwhatthenappearedtobecopyrightproblemsintheUnitedStates,anAmericanpaperbackfirmpublishedanunauthorizedandnon-royalty-payingeditionofTheLordoftheRings.Forthis

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neweditionbyAceBooksthetextofthenarrativewasreset,thusintroducingnewtypographicalerrors;theappendices,however,werereproducedphotographicallyfromthehardcoveredition,andremainconsistentwithit.

Tolkiensettoworkonhisfirstrevisionofthetextsothatanewlyrevisedandauthorizededitioncouldsuccessfullycompeteonthe

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Americanmarket.ThisfirstrevisionofthetextwaspublishedinAmericainpaperbackbyBallantineBooks,underlicencefromHoughtonMifflin,inOctober1965.Inadditiontorevisionswithinthetextitself,Tolkienreplacedhisoriginalforewordwithanewone.Hewaspleasedtoremovetheoriginalforeword;inhischeckcopy,hewroteofit:

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‘confusing(asitdoes)realpersonalmatterswiththe“machinery”oftheTale,isaseriousmistake’.Tolkienalsoaddedanextensiontotheprologueandanindex–notthedetailedindexofnamespromisedinthefirstedition,but,rather,abaldindexwithonlynamesandpagereferences.Additionally,atthistimetheappendicesweregreatlyrevised.

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TolkienreceivedhiscopiesoftheBallantineeditioninlateJanuary1966,andinearlyFebruaryherecordedinhisdiarythathehad‘workedforsomehoursontheAppendicesinBallantineversion&foundmoreerrorsthanIatfirstexpected’.SoonafterthishesentasmallnumberoffurtherrevisionstoBallantinefortheappendices,includingthe

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nowwell-knownadditionof‘EstellaBolger’aswifeofMeriadocinthefamilytreesinAppendixC.Mostoftheserevisions,whichenteredvariouslyinthethirdandfourthimpressions(JuneandAugust1966)ofvolumethree,andwhichwerenotalwaysinsertedcorrectly(therebycausingfurtherconfusioninthetext),somehownevermadeitinto

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themainsequenceofrevisioninthethree-volumeBritishhardcoveredition,andforlongremainedanomalies.Tolkienoncewrote,concerningtherevisingofTheLordoftheRings,thatperhapshehadfailedtokeephisnotesinorder;thiserrantbranchofrevisionseemslikelytobeanexampleofthatdisorder–eitherinhisnotesorintheabilityofhis

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publisherstofollowthemwithutmostaccuracy.

TherevisedtextfirstappearedinGreatBritaininathree-volumehardcover‘SecondEdition’fromAllen&Unwinon27October1966.Butagaintherewereproblems.AlthoughtherevisionsTolkiensenttoAmericaofthetextitselfwereavailabletobeutilizedinthenewBritishedition,his

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extensiverevisionstotheappendiceswerelostafterbeingenteredintotheBallantineedition.Allen&UnwinwereforcedtoresettheappendicesusingthecopyaspublishedinthefirstBallantineedition.ThisdidnotincludeTolkien’ssecond,smallsetofrevisionssenttoBallantine;but,moresignificantly,itdidincludeagreatnumberoferrorsand

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omissions,manyofwhichwerenotdiscovereduntillongafterwards.Thus,intheappendices,aclosescrutinyofthefirsteditiontextandofthemuchlatercorrectedimpressionsofthesecondeditionisnecessarytodiscernwhetheranyparticularchangeinthiseditionisauthorialorerroneous.

InAmerica,therevisedtextappearedinhardcoverin

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thethree-volumeeditionpublishedbyHoughtonMifflinon27February1967.Thistextwasevidentlyphoto-offsetfromthe1966Allen&Unwinthree-volumehardcover,andisthusconsistentwithit.AsidefromthefirstprintingofthissecondHoughtonMifflinedition,whichhasa1967dateonthetitlepage,noneofthemanyreprintingsisdated.

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Aftertheinitialprintingsofthisedition,whichborea1966copyrightnotice,thedateofcopyrightwaschangedin1965tomatchthestatementintheBallantineedition.Thischangehascausedagreatdealofconfusionforlibrariansandotherresearcherswhohavetriedtosortoutthesequenceofpublicationoftheseeditions.

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Meanwhile,Tolkienspentmuchofthesummerof1966furtherrevisingthetext.InJunehelearnedthatanymorerevisionsweretoolateforinclusioninthe1966Allen&Unwinsecondedition,andherecordedinhisdiary:‘ButIamattemptingtocompletemywork[ontherevisions]–Icannotleaveitwhileitisallinmymind.Somuchtimehasbeenwastedinallmy

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workbythisconstantbreakingofthreads.’ThiswasthelastmajorsetofrevisionsTolkienhimselfmadetothetextduringhislifetime.Theywereaddedtothesecondimpression(1967)ofthethree-volumehard-coverAllen&Unwinsecondedition.Therevisionsthemselvesmostlyincludecorrectionsofnomenclatureandattemptsatconsistencyof

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usagethroughoutthethreevolumes.SomesmallalterationsweremadebyTolkieninthe1969one-volumeIndiapaperedition.

J.R.R.Tolkiendiedin1973.Histhirdsonandliteraryexecutor,ChristopherTolkien,sentalargenumberoffurthercorrectionsofmisprints,mainlyintheappendicesandindex,toAllen&Unwinforusein

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theireditionsin1974.Mostofthesecorrectionsweretypographical,andinlinewithhisfather’sexpressedintentinhisowncheckcopies.

Since1974,ChristopherTolkienhassentadditionalcorrections,aserrorshavebeendiscovered,totheBritishpublishersofTheLordoftheRings(Allen&Unwin,laterUnwinHyman,

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andnowHarperCollins),whohavetriedtobeconscientiousintheimpossibletaskofmaintainingatextualintegrityinwhichevereditionsofTheLordoftheRingstheyhavepublished.However,everytimethetexthasbeenresetforpublicationinanewformat(e.g.thevariouspaperbackeditionspublishedinEnglandinthe1970sand1980s),hugenumbersofnew

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misprintshavecreptin,thoughattimessomeoftheseerrorshavebeenobservedandcorrectedinlaterprintings.Still,throughouttheseyearsthethree-volumeBritishhardcovereditionhasretainedthehighesttextualintegrity.

IntheUnitedStates,thetextoftheBallantinepaperbackhasremainedunchangedformorethan

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threedecadesafterTolkienaddedhisfewrevisionsin1966.ThetextinalloftheHoughtonMifflineditionsremainedunchangedfrom1967until1987,whenHoughtonMifflinphoto-offsetthethencurrentthree-volumeBritishhardcovereditioninordertoupdatethetextusedintheireditions.Inthosenewreprintingsanumberoffurthercorrections

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(overseenbyChristopherTolkien)wereadded,andtheerrantBallantinebranchofrevision(includingthe‘EstellaBolger’addition)wasintegratedintothemainbranchoftextualdescent.Thismethodofcorrectioninvolvedacut-and-pasteprocesswithprintedversionsofthetext.Beginningwiththe1987HoughtonMifflinedition,anearlierversionof

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this‘NoteontheText’(datedOctober1986)wasaddedtoTheLordoftheRings.This‘Note’hasbeenreworkedthreetimessincethen–theversiondatedApril1993firstappearedin1994,andtheversiondatedApril2002cameoutlaterthatyear.Thepresent‘Note’replacesandsupersedesallpreviousversions.

Forthe1994British

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editionpublishedbyHarperCollins,thetextofTheLordoftheRingswasenteredintoword-processingfiles.Thisnextstageoftextualevolutioncameabouttoallowforagreateruniformityofthetextinallfutureeditions,butwithit,inevitably,camenewwrinkles.Somenewmisreadingsenteredintothetext,whileatthesametime

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otherswerefixed.Intheworstinstance,onelineoftheringinscriptioninthechapter‘TheShadowofthePast’ofTheFellowshipoftheRingwassimplydropped.Unforeseeableglitchesaroseinothereditionswhenthebasecomputerizedtextwastransferredintopage-makingortypesettingprograms–e.g.,inoneeditionofTheFellowshipoftheRing,the

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closingtwosentencesof‘TheCouncilofElrond’simplyandinexplicablydisappeared.Suchglitcheshavebeenverymuchtheexception,nottherule,andthetexthasotherwisemaintainedaconsistencyandintegritythroughoutitscomputerizedevolution.

The1994editionalsocontainedanumberofnewcorrections(againsupervised

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byChristopherTolkien),aswellasareconfiguredindexofnamesandpagereferences.The1994textwasfirstusedinAmericaneditionspublishedbyHoughtonMifflinin1999.Asmallnumberoffurthercorrectionswereaddedintothe2002three-volumeeditionillustratedbyAlanLee,publishedbyHarperCollinsinGreatBritainandHoughton

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MifflinintheUnitedStates.

ThetextualhistoryofTheLordoftheRings,merelyinitspublishedform,isavastandcomplexweb.InthisbriefnoteIhavegivenonlyaglimpseoftheoverallsequenceandstructure.Furtherdetailsontherevisionsandcorrectionsmadeovertheyearstothe

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publishedtextofTheLordoftheRings,andafulleraccountofitspublishinghistory,maybefoundinJ.R.R.Tolkien:ADescriptiveBibliography,byWayneG.Hammond,withtheassistanceofDouglasA.Anderson(1993).

ForthoseinterestedinobservingthegradualevolvingofTheLordoftheRingsfromitsearliestdrafts

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toitspublishedform,IhighlyrecommendChristopherTolkien’saccount,whichappearswithinfivevolumesofhistwelve-volumeseriesTheHistoryofMiddle-earth.VolumessixthroughninecontainthemajorpartofhisstudypertainingtoTheLordoftheRings:TheReturnoftheShadow(1988);TheTreasonofIsengard(1989);TheWaroftheRing(1990);

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andSauronDefeated(1992).Also,thefinalbookoftheseries,ThePeoplesofMiddle-earth(1996),coverstheevolutionoftheprologueandappendicestoTheLordoftheRings.Thesevolumescontainanengrossingover-the-shoulderaccountofthegrowthandwritingofTolkien’smasterpiece.

TheprocessofstudyingTolkien’smanuscriptsofThe

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LordoftheRingsinvolvedthedecipheringofversionswhereTolkienwrotefirstinpencilandthenininkatopthepencilleddraft.ChristopherTolkienhasdecribedhisfather’smethodofcompositioninTheReturnoftheShadow:‘Inthehandwritingthatheusedforrapiddraftsandsketches,notintendedtoendurelongbeforeheturnedtothem

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againandgavethemamoreworkableform,lettersaresolooselyformedthatawordwhichcannotbededucedorguessedatfromthecontextorfromlaterversionscanproveperfectlyopaqueafterlongexamination;andif,asheoftendid,heusedasoftpencilmuchhasnowbecomeblurredandfaint.’Thetruedifficultyofreadingsuchdouble-draftscanbeobserved

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inthefrontispiecetoTheWaroftheRing,whichreproducesincolourTolkien’sillustrationof‘Shelob’sLair’fromapageofTolkien’smanuscript.Lookingverycloselyatthehastyinkdraftalongsidetheillustration,onecanseeunderneathittheearlier,hastier,pencilleddraft.AlsoinTheWaroftheRing,ChristopherTolkienreproducesapagefromthe

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firstmanuscriptofthechapter‘TheTamingofSméagol’,andtheprintedtextcorrespondingtothistextisonthefacingpage(seepp.90–91).Oneisastonishedatanyone’sabilitytodeciphersuchtexts.

Thatdifficultyaside,justwhatdothesebookssignifytoordinaryreadersandtoTolkienscholars?Andwhatis‘thehistoryofthewriting’

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ofabook?Simply,thesevolumesshowingreatdetailthedevelopmentofthestoryofTheLordoftheRingsfromitsveryearliestdraftsandhastyprojectionsthroughitscompletion.Weseeintheearliestmaterialswhatisverymuchachildren’sbook,asequeltoTheHobbit,andasthestorygrowsthroughvarious‘phases’,thereisanincreaseinseriousnessand

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depth.Weseealternatebranchesofdevelopment,thegradualblendingandmergingofcertaincharacters,andtheslowemergenceofthenatureoftheringsandofthemotivationsofothercharacters.Someofthesevariousideasareabandonedaltogether,whileothersarereworkedintosomevariantformthatmayormaynotsurviveintothefinalversion.

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OnecouldmakeawholecatalogueofinterestingtidbitsfromChristopherTolkien’sstudy–suchasthefactthatStriderwascalledTrotteruntilaverylatestageinthewritingofthebook;thatTrotterwasatonetimeahobbit,sonamedbecauseheworewoodenshoes;thatTolkienatonepointconsideredaromancebetweenAragornandÉowyn;

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thatTolkienwroteanepiloguetothebook,tyinguplooseends,butitwasdroppedbeforepublication(andnowappearsinSauronDefeated);andsoon.ButthesedevelopmentsarebestappreciatedwhenreadwithinthecontextofChristopherTolkien’scommentaryratherthandiscussedseparately.

Themostsignificantachievementofthesevolumes

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isthattheyshowushowTolkienwroteandthought.Nowhereelsedoweseetheauthorialprocessitselfatworkinsuchdetail.Tolkien’shastiestcommentsaboutwherethestorymightproceed,orwhyitcanorcan’tgosuchandsuchaway–thesequeriestohimselfwerewrittenout:Tolkienisliterallythinkingonpaper.Thisgivesanadded

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dimensionofunderstandingtoTolkien’scommenttoStanleyUnwinina1963letterthat,whensufferingfromtroublewithhisshoulderandrightarm,‘Ifoundnotbeingabletouseapenorpencilasdefeatingasthelossofherbeakwouldbetoahen.’Andwe,asreadersofthesevolumes,cansharewithTolkienhimselfthewonderandbewildermentof

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newcharactersappearingasiffromnowhere,orofsomeothersuddenchangeordevelopment,attheverymomentoftheiremergenceintothestory.

Iknowofnootherinstanceinliteraturewherewehavesucha‘historyofthewriting’ofabook,toldmostlybytheauthorhimself,withallthehesitationsandfalsepathslaidoutbeforeus,

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sortedout,commentedupon,andserveduptoareaderlikeafeast.Weareshowninnumerableinstancesintheminutestdetailofthethought-processitselfatwork.Weseetheauthorfullyabsorbedincreationforitsownsake.Andthisisallthemoreexceptionalbecausethisisahistorynotonlyoftheunfoldingofastoryanditstext,butoftheevolutionofa

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world.Thereisanadditionalwealthofmaterialbeyondsimplenarrativetext.Therearemapsandillustrations.Therearelanguagesandwritingsystems,andthehistoriesofthepeopleswhospokeandwroteinthesesystems.Alloftheseadditionalmaterialsaddmultipledimensionsofcomplexitytoourappreciationoftheinvented

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worlditself.Fiftyyearsintothe

publishedlifeofTheLordoftheRings,itseemsextraordinarytomethatwehavenotonlysuchamasterfulworkofliteraturebutalsoasacompaniontoitanunparalleledaccountofitswriting.OurgratitudeasreadersgoestobothoftheTolkiens,fatherandson.

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DouglasA.AndersonMay2004

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NOTEONTHE50THANNIVERSARYEDITION

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InthiseditionofTheLordoftheRings,preparedforthefiftiethanniversaryofitspublication,betweenthreeandfourhundredemendationshavebeenmadefollowinganexhaustivereviewofpasteditionsandprintings.ThepresenttextisbasedonthesettingoftheHarperCollinsthree-volumehardcovereditionof2002,whichinturnwasarevision

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oftheHarperCollinsreseteditionof1994.AsDouglasA.Andersoncommentsinthepreceding‘NoteontheText’,eachofthoseeditionswasitselfcorrected,andeachalsointroducednewerrors.Atthesametime,othererrorssurvivedundetected,amongthemsomefivedozenwhichenteredaslongagoas1954,intheresettingofTheFellowshipoftheRing

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publishedasits‘secondimpression’.

ThattheprinterhadquietlyresetTheFellowshipoftheRing,andthatcopieshadbeenissuedwithoutproofhavingbeenreadbytheauthor,neverbecameknowntoTolkien;whilehispublisher,RaynerUnwin,learnedofitonlythirty-eightyearsafterthefact.Tolkienfoundafewofthe

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unauthorizedchangesintroducedinthesecondprintingwhen(probablywhilepreparingthesecondeditionin1965)hereadacopyofthetwelfthimpression(1962),butthoughttheerrorsnewlymade.These,amongothers,werecorrectedinthecourseofthereprinting.Thenin1992EricThompson,areaderwithakeeneyefor

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typographicdetail,noticedsmalldifferencesbetweenthefirstandsecondimpressionsofTheFellowshipoftheRingandcalledthemtotheattentionofthepresenteditors.Aboutone-sixthoftheerrorsthatenteredinthesecondprintingquicklycametolight.Manymorewererevealedonlyrecently,whenStevenM.Frisbyusedingeniousopticalaidsto

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makeacomparisonofcopiesofTheLordoftheRingsingreaterdetailthanwaspreviouslyaccomplished.WehavegladlymadefulluseofMrFrisby’sresults,whichhehasgenerouslysharedanddiscussed.

Inthecourseofitsfifty-yearhistoryTheLordoftheRingshashadmanysuchreaderswhohaverecordedchangesmadebetweenits

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variousappearancesinprint,bothtodocumentwhathasgonebeforeandtoaidintheachievementofanauthoritativetext.Errorsorpossibleerrorswerereportedtotheauthorhimselfortohispublishers,andinformationonthetextualhistoryoftheworkcirculatedamongTolkienenthusiastsatleastasearlyas1966,whenBanksMebanepublishedhis

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‘ProlegomenatoaVariorumTolkien’inthefanzineEntmoot.Mostnotablyinlateryears,DouglasA.AndersonhasbeenintheforefrontofeffortstoachieveanaccuratetextofTheLordoftheRings(andofTheHobbit);ChristinaScullhaspublished‘APreliminaryStudyofVariationsinEditionsofTheLordoftheRings’inBeyondBree(April

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andAugust1985);WayneG.HammondhascompiledextensivelistsoftextualchangesinJ.R.R.Tolkien:ADescriptiveBibliography(1993);andDavidBratmanhaspublishedanimportantarticle,‘ACorrigendatoTheLordoftheRings’,intheMarch1994numberofTheTolkienCollector.TheobservationsofDainisBisenieks,YuvalWelis,

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CharlesNoad,andotherreaders,senttousdirectlyorpostedinpublicforums,havealsobeenofservice.

EffortssuchasthesefollowtheexampleoftheauthorofTheLordoftheRingsduringhislifetime.Hisconcernforthetextualaccuracyandcoherenceofhisworkisevidentfromthemanyemendationshemadeinlaterprintings,andfrom

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noteshemadeforotheremendationswhichforonereasonoranotherhavenotpreviously(orhaveonlypartly)beenputintoeffect.Evenlateinlife,whensuchlaboursweariedhim,hisfeelingswereclear.On30October1967hewrotetoJoyHillatGeorgeAllen&Unwin,concerningareader’squeryhehadreceivedaboutpointsintheAppendicesto

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TheLordoftheRings:‘PersonallyIhaveceasedtobotherabouttheseminor“discrepancies”,sinceifthegenealogiesandcalendarsetc.lackverisimilitudeitisintheirgeneralexcessiveaccuracy:ascomparedwithrealannalsorgenealogies!Anywaytheslipswerefew,havenowmostlybeenremoved,andthediscoveryofwhatremainseemsan

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amusingpastime!Buterrorsinthetextareanothermatter’(italicsours).InfactTolkienhadnot‘ceasedtobother’,and‘slips’weredealtwithasopportunitiesarose.These,andtheindulgenceofhispublisher,allowedTolkienaluxuryfewauthorsenjoy:multiplechancesnotonlytocorrecthistextbuttoimproveit,andtofurtherdevelopthelanguages,geography,and

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peoplesofMiddle-earth.Thefiftiethanniversaryof

TheLordoftheRingsseemedanidealopportunitytoconsiderthelatest(2002)textinlightofinformationwehadgatheredinthecourseofdecadesofworkinTolkienstudies,withSteveFrisby’sresearchathand,andwithanelectroniccopyofTheLordoftheRings(suppliedbyHarperCollins)searchableby

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keywordorphrase.Thelatterespeciallyallowedustodeveloplistsofwordsthatvariedfromoneinstancetoanother,andinvestigatevariationsinusage,astheystoodinthecopy-textandrelativetoearliereditionsandprintings.OfcourseTolkienwroteTheLordoftheRingsoversolongaperiodoftime,someeighteenyears,thatinconsistenciesinitstext

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werealmostinevitable.ChristopherTolkienevenobservedtousthatsomeapparentinconsistenciesofforminhisfather’sworkmayevenhavebeendeliberate:forinstance,althoughTolkiencarefullydistinguishedhouse‘dwelling’fromHouse‘noblefamilyordynasty’,intwoinstancesheusedhouseinthelattersensebutinlowercase,perhapsbecauseacapital

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letterwouldhavedetractedfromtheimportanceoftheadjectivewithwhichthewordwaspaired(‘royalhouse’,‘goldenhouse’).Therecanbenodoubt,however,thatTolkienattemptedtocorrectinconsistency,nolessthanoutrighterror,wheneveritcametohisattention,anditwasouropinion,withtheadviceandagreementof

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ChristopherTolkien,thatanattemptshouldbemadetodosointheanniversaryedition,insofaraswecouldcarefullyandconservativelydistinguishwhattoemend.

Manyoftheemendationsinthepresenttextaretomarksofpunctuation,eithertocorrectrecenttypographicalerrorsortorepairsurvivingalterationsintroducedinthesecond

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printingofTheFellowshipoftheRing.Inthelatterrespectandineverycase,Tolkien’soriginalpunctuationisalwaysmorefelicitous–subtlepoints,whenoneiscomparingcommasandsemi-colons,butnolessapartoftheauthor’sintendedexpression.Distinctivewordssuchaschillratherthancold,andglisteredratherthanglistened,changedby

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typesetterslongagowithoutauthorization,likewisehavebeenrestored.Acontrolledamountofregularizationalsoseemedcalledfor,suchasnaughtratherthannought,achangeinstitutedbyTolkienbutnotcarriedthroughinallinstances;DarkPowerratherthandarkpowerwhenthereferenceisobviouslytoSauron(orMorgoth);Barrow-downsbyTolkien’s

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preferenceratherthanBarrowdowns;likewiseBree-hillratherthanBreeHill;accentedandmorecommonDrúadanratherthanDruadan;capitalizednamesofseasonswhenusedaspersonificationormetaphor,accordingtoTolkien’spredominantpracticeandtheinternallogicofthetext;andElvishratherthanelvishwhenusedasaseparateadjective,

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followingapreferenceTolkienmarkedinhiscopyofthesecondeditionofTheLordoftheRings.Inaddition,wehaveaddedasecondaccenttoNúmenórean(s),asTolkienoftenwrotethenameinmanuscriptandasitappearsinTheSilmarillionandotherposthumouspublications.

Theresult,nonetheless,stillincludesmanyvariations

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incapitalization,punctuation,andotherpointsofstyle.Notalloftheseareerroneous:theyincludewordssuchasSun,Moon,Hobbit,andMan(orsun,moon,hobbit,man),whichmaychangeformaccordingtomeaningorapplication,inrelationtoadjacentadjectives,orwhetherTolkienintendedpersonification,poetry,oremphasis.Hisintentcannot

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bedivinedwithconfidenceineverycase.ButitispossibletodiscernTolkien’spreferencesinmanyinstances,fromstatementshewroteinhischeckcopiesofTheLordoftheRingsorfromacloseanalysisofitstextinmanuscript,typescript,proof,andprint.Whenevertherehasbeenanydoubtwhatsoeverastotheauthor’sintentions,thetexthasbeenallowedto

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stand.Mostofthedemonstrable

errorsnotedbyChristopherTolkieninTheHistoryofMiddle-earthalsohavebeencorrected,suchasthedistancefromtheBrandywineBridgetotheFerry(tenmilesratherthantwenty)andthenumberofMerry’sponies(fiveratherthansix),shadowsofearlierdrafts.Butthoseinconsistenciesof

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content,suchasGimli’sfamous(anderroneous)statementinBookIII,Chapter7,‘TillnowIhavehewnnaughtbutwoodsinceIleftMoria’,whichwouldrequirerewritingtoemendratherthansimplecorrection,remainunchanged.

SomanynewemendationstoTheLordoftheRings,andsuchanextensivereviewofitstext,deservetobefully

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documented.Althoughmostreaderswillbecontentwiththetextalone,manywillwanttoknowmoreabouttheproblemsencounteredinpreparingthisnewedition,andtheirsolutions(wheresolutionshavebeenpossible),especiallywherethetexthasbeenemended,butalsowhereithasnot.Tothisend,andtoilluminatetheworkinotherrespects,wearepreparinga

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volumeofannotationstoTheLordoftheRingsforpublicationin2005.Thiswillallowustodiscuss,atalengthimpossibleinaprefatorynote,thevarioustextualcrucesofTheLordoftheRings,toidentifychangesthathavebeenmadetothepresenttext,andtoremarkonsignificantalterationstothepublishedworkthroughoutitshistory.Wewillalsoexplain

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archaicorunusualwordsandnamesinTheLordoftheRings,exploreliteraryandhistoricalinfluences,noteconnectionswithTolkien’sotherwritings,andcommentondifferencesbetweenitsdraftsandpublishedform,onquestionsoflanguage,andonmuchelsethatwehopewillinterestreadersandenhancetheirenjoymentofTolkien’smasterpiece.

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WayneG.Hammond&ChristinaScull

May2004

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FOREWORDTOTHESECONDEDITION

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Thistalegrewinthetelling,untilitbecameahistoryoftheGreatWaroftheRingandincludedmanyglimpsesoftheyetmoreancienthistorythatprecededit.ItwasbegunsoonafterTheHobbitwaswrittenandbeforeitspublicationin1937;butIdidnotgoonwiththissequel,forIwishedfirsttocompleteandsetinorderthemythologyandlegendsofthe

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ElderDays,whichhadthenbeentakingshapeforsomeyears.Idesiredtodothisformyownsatisfaction,andIhadlittlehopethatotherpeoplewouldbeinterestedinthiswork,especiallysinceitwasprimarilylinguisticininspirationandwasbeguninordertoprovidethenecessarybackgroundof‘history’forElvishtongues.

Whenthosewhoseadvice

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andopinionIsoughtcorrectedlittlehopetonohope,Iwentbacktothesequel,encouragedbyrequestsfromreadersformoreinformationconcerninghobbitsandtheiradventures.Butthestorywasdrawnirresistiblytowardstheolderworld,andbecameanaccount,asitwere,ofitsendandpassingawaybeforeitsbeginningandmiddlehad

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beentold.TheprocesshadbeguninthewritingofTheHobbit,inwhichtherewerealreadysomereferencestotheoldermatter:Elrond,Gondolin,theHigh-elves,andtheorcs,aswellasglimpsesthathadarisenunbiddenofthingshigherordeeperordarkerthanitssurface:Durin,Moria,Gandalf,theNecromancer,theRing.Thediscoveryofthesignificance

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oftheseglimpsesandoftheirrelationtotheancienthistoriesrevealedtheThirdAgeanditsculminationintheWaroftheRing.

Thosewhohadaskedformoreinformationabouthobbitseventuallygotit,buttheyhadtowaitalongtime;forthecompositionofTheLordoftheRingswentonatintervalsduringtheyears1936to1949,aperiodin

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whichIhadmanydutiesthatIdidnotneglect,andmanyotherinterestsasalearnerandteacherthatoftenabsorbedme.Thedelaywas,ofcourse,alsoincreasedbytheoutbreakofwarin1939,bytheendofwhichyearthetalehadnotyetreachedtheendofBookOne.InspiteofthedarknessofthenextfiveyearsIfoundthatthestorycouldnotnowbewholly

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abandoned,andIploddedon,mostlybynight,tillIstoodbyBalin’stombinMoria.ThereIhaltedforalongwhile.ItwasalmostayearlaterwhenIwentonandsocametoLothlórienandtheGreatRiverlatein1941.InthenextyearIwrotethefirstdraftsofthematterthatnowstandsasBookThree,andthebeginningsofchaptersIandIIIofBookFive;andthereas

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thebeaconsflaredinAnórienandThéodencametoHarrowdaleIstopped.Foresighthadfailedandtherewasnotimeforthought.

Itwasduring1944that,leavingthelooseendsandperplexitiesofawarwhichitwasmytasktoconduct,oratleasttoreport,IforcedmyselftotacklethejourneyofFrodotoMordor.Thesechapters,eventuallyto

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becomeBookFour,werewrittenandsentoutasaserialtomyson,Christopher,theninSouthAfricawiththeRAF.Nonethelessittookanotherfiveyearsbeforethetalewasbroughttoitspresentend;inthattimeIchangedmyhouse,mychair,andmycollege,andthedaysthoughlessdarkwerenolesslaborious.Thenwhenthe‘end’hadatlastbeenreached

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thewholestoryhadtoberevised,andindeedlargelyre-writtenbackwards.Andithadtobetyped,andre-typed:byme;thecostofprofessionaltypingbytheten-fingeredwasbeyondmymeans.

TheLordoftheRingshasbeenreadbymanypeoplesinceitfinallyappearedinprint;andIshouldliketosaysomethingherewith

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referencetothemanyopinionsorguessesthatIhavereceivedorhavereadconcerningthemotivesandmeaningofthetale.Theprimemotivewasthedesireofatale-tellertotryhishandatareallylongstorythatwouldholdtheattentionofreaders,amusethem,delightthem,andattimesmaybeexcitethemordeeplymovethem.AsaguideIhadonly

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myownfeelingsforwhatisappealingormoving,andformanytheguidewasinevitablyoftenatfault.Somewhohavereadthebook,oratanyratehavereviewedit,havefounditboring,absurd,orcontemptible;andIhavenocausetocomplain,sinceIhavesimilaropinionsoftheirworks,orofthekindsofwritingthattheyevidently

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prefer.Butevenfromthepointsofviewofmanywhohaveenjoyedmystorythereismuchthatfailstoplease.Itisperhapsnotpossibleinalongtaletopleaseeverybodyatallpoints,nortodispleaseeverybodyatthesamepoints;forIfindfromthelettersthatIhavereceivedthatthepassagesorchaptersthataretosomeablemishareallbyothersspeciallyapproved.

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Themostcriticalreaderofall,myself,nowfindsmanydefects,minorandmajor,butbeingfortunatelyundernoobligationeithertoreviewthebookortowriteitagain,hewillpassovertheseinsilence,exceptonethathasbeennotedbyothers:thebookistooshort.

Asforanyinnermeaningor‘message’,ithasintheintentionoftheauthornone.

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Itisneitherallegoricalnortopical.Asthestorygrewitputdownroots(intothepast)andthrewoutunexpectedbranches:butitsmainthemewassettledfromtheoutsetbytheinevitablechoiceoftheRingasthelinkbetweenitandTheHobbit.Thecrucialchapter,‘TheShadowofthePast’,isoneoftheoldestpartsofthetale.Itwaswrittenlongbeforethe

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foreshadowof1939hadyetbecomeathreatofinevitabledisaster,andfromthatpointthestorywouldhavedevelopedalongessentiallythesamelines,ifthatdisasterhadbeenaverted.Itssourcesarethingslongbeforeinmind,orinsomecasesalreadywritten,andlittleornothinginitwasmodifiedbythewarthatbeganin1939oritssequels.

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Therealwardoesnotresemblethelegendarywarinitsprocessoritsconclusion.Ifithadinspiredordirectedthedevelopmentofthelegend,thencertainlytheRingwouldhavebeenseizedandusedagainstSauron;hewouldnothavebeenannihilatedbutenslaved,andBarad-dûrwouldnothavebeendestroyedbutoccupied.Saruman,failingtoget

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possessionoftheRing,wouldintheconfusionandtreacheriesofthetimehavefoundinMordorthemissinglinksinhisownresearchesintoRing-lore,andbeforelonghewouldhavemadeaGreatRingofhisownwithwhichtochallengetheself-styledRulerofMiddle-earth.Inthatconflictbothsideswouldhaveheldhobbitsinhatredandcontempt:they

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wouldnotlonghavesurvivedevenasslaves.

Otherarrangementscouldbedevisedaccordingtothetastesorviewsofthosewholikeallegoryortopicalreference.ButIcordiallydislikeallegoryinallitsmanifestations,andalwayshavedonesosinceIgrewoldandwaryenoughtodetectitspresence.Imuchpreferhistory,trueorfeigned,with

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itsvariedapplicabilitytothethoughtandexperienceofreaders.Ithinkthatmanyconfuse‘applicability’with‘allegory’;buttheoneresidesinthefreedomofthereader,andtheotherinthepurposeddominationoftheauthor.

Anauthorcannotofcourseremainwhollyunaffectedbyhisexperience,butthewaysinwhichastory-germusesthesoilof

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experienceareextremelycomplex,andattemptstodefinetheprocessareatbestguessesfromevidencethatisinadequateandambiguous.Itisalsofalse,thoughnaturallyattractive,whenthelivesofanauthorandcritichaveoverlapped,tosupposethatthemovementsofthoughtortheeventsoftimescommontobothwerenecessarilythemostpowerfulinfluences.

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Onehasindeedpersonallytocomeundertheshadowofwartofeelfullyitsoppression;butastheyearsgobyitseemsnowoftenforgottenthattobecaughtinyouthby1914wasnolesshideousanexperiencethantobeinvolvedin1939andthefollowingyears.By1918allbutoneofmyclosefriendsweredead.Ortotakealessgrievousmatter:ithasbeen

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supposedbysomethat‘TheScouringoftheShire’reflectsthesituationinEnglandatthetimewhenIwasfinishingmytale.Itdoesnot.Itisanessentialpartoftheplot,foreseenfromtheoutset,thoughintheeventmodifiedbythecharacterofSarumanasdevelopedinthestorywithout,needIsay,anyallegoricalsignificanceorcontemporarypolitical

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referencewhatsoever.Ithasindeedsomebasisinexperience,thoughslender(fortheeconomicsituationwasentirelydifferent),andmuchfurtherback.ThecountryinwhichIlivedinchildhoodwasbeingshabbilydestroyedbeforeIwasten,indayswhenmotor-carswererareobjects(Ihadneverseenone)andmenwerestillbuildingsuburbanrailways.

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RecentlyIsawinapaperapictureofthelastdecrepitudeoftheoncethrivingcorn-millbesideitspoolthatlongagoseemedtomesoimportant.IneverlikedthelooksoftheYoungmiller,buthisfather,theOldmiller,hadablackbeard,andhewasnotnamedSandyman.

TheLordoftheRingsisnowissuedinanewedition,andtheopportunityhasbeen

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takenofrevisingit.Anumberoferrorsandinconsistenciesthatstillremainedinthetexthavebeencorrected,andanattempthasbeenmadetoprovideinformationonafewpointswhichattentivereadershaveraised.Ihaveconsideredalltheircommentsandenquiries,andifsomeseemtohavebeenpassedoverthatmaybebecauseIhavefailedtokeepmynotesinorder;but

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manyenquiriescouldonlybeansweredbyadditionalappendices,orindeedbytheproductionofanaccessoryvolumecontainingmuchofthematerialthatIdidnotincludeintheoriginaledition,inparticularmoredetailedlinguisticinformation.InthemeantimethiseditionoffersthisForeword,anadditiontothePrologue,somenotes,andanindexofthenamesof

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personsandplaces.Thisindexisinintentioncompleteinitemsbutnotinreferences,sinceforthepresentpurposeithasbeennecessarytoreduceitsbulk.Acompleteindex,makingfulluseofthematerialpreparedformebyMrs.N.Smith,belongsrathertotheaccessoryvolume.

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PROLOGUE

1ConcerningHobbits

ThisbookislargelyconcernedwithHobbits,andfromitspagesareadermaydiscovermuchoftheircharacterandalittleoftheirhistory.Furtherinformation

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willalsobefoundintheselectionfromtheRedBookofWestmarchthathasalreadybeenpublished,underthetitleofTheHobbit.ThatstorywasderivedfromtheearlierchaptersoftheRedBook,composedbyBilbohimself,thefirstHobbittobecomefamousintheworldatlarge,andcalledbyhimThereandBackAgain,sincetheytoldofhisjourneyinto

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theEastandhisreturn:anadventurewhichlaterinvolvedalltheHobbitsinthegreateventsofthatAgethatarehererelated.

Many,however,maywishtoknowmoreaboutthisremarkablepeoplefromtheoutset,whilesomemaynotpossesstheearlierbook.ForsuchreadersafewnotesonthemoreimportantpointsareherecollectedfromHobbit-

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lore,andthefirstadventureisbrieflyrecalled.

Hobbitsareanunobtrusivebutveryancientpeople,morenumerousformerlythantheyaretoday;fortheylovepeaceandquietandgoodtilledearth:awell-orderedandwell-farmedcountrysidewastheirfavouritehaunt.Theydonot

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anddidnotunderstandorlikemachinesmorecomplicatedthanaforge-bellows,awater-mill,orahand-loom,thoughtheywereskilfulwithtools.Eveninancientdaystheywere,asarule,shyof‘theBigFolk’,astheycallus,andnowtheyavoiduswithdismayandarebecominghardtofind.Theyarequickofhearingandsharp-eyed,andthoughtheyareinclined

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tobefatanddonothurryunnecessarily,theyarenonethelessnimbleanddeftintheirmovements.Theypossessedfromthefirsttheartofdisappearingswiftlyandsilently,whenlargefolkwhomtheydonotwishtomeetcomeblunderingby;andthisarttheyhavedevelopeduntiltoMenitmayseemmagical.ButHobbitshavenever,infact,studied

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magicofanykind,andtheirelusivenessisduesolelytoaprofessionalskillthatheredityandpractice,andaclosefriendshipwiththeearth,haverenderedinimitablebybiggerandclumsierraces.

Fortheyarealittlepeople,smallerthanDwarves:lessstoutandstocky,thatis,evenwhentheyarenotactuallymuch

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shorter.Theirheightisvariable,rangingbetweentwoandfourfeetofourmeasure.Theyseldomnowreachthreefeet;buttheyhavedwindled,theysay,andinancientdaystheyweretaller.AccordingtotheRedBook,BandobrasTook(Bullroarer),sonofIsumbrastheThird,wasfourfootfiveandabletorideahorse.HewassurpassedinallHobbit

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recordsonlybytwofamouscharactersofold;butthatcuriousmatterisdealtwithinthisbook.

AsfortheHobbitsoftheShire,withwhomthesetalesareconcerned,inthedaysoftheirpeaceandprosperitytheywereamerryfolk.Theydressedinbrightcolours,beingnotablyfondofyellowandgreen;buttheyseldomworeshoes,sincetheirfeet

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hadtoughleatherysolesandwerecladinathickcurlinghair,muchlikethehairoftheirheads,whichwascommonlybrown.Thus,theonlycraftlittlepractisedamongthemwasshoe-making;buttheyhadlongandskilfulfingersandcouldmakemanyotherusefulandcomelythings.Theirfaceswereasarulegood-naturedratherthanbeautiful,broad,

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bright-eyed,red-cheeked,withmouthsapttolaughter,andtoeatinganddrinking.Andlaughtheydid,andeat,anddrink,oftenandheartily,beingfondofsimplejestsatalltimes,andofsixmealsaday(whentheycouldgetthem).Theywerehospitableanddelightedinparties,andinpresents,whichtheygaveawayfreelyandeagerlyaccepted.

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ItisplainindeedthatinspiteoflaterestrangementHobbitsarerelativesofours:farnearertousthanElves,oreventhanDwarves.OfoldtheyspokethelanguagesofMen,aftertheirownfashion,andlikedanddislikedmuchthesamethingsasMendid.Butwhatexactlyourrelationshipiscannolongerbediscovered.ThebeginningofHobbitsliesfarbackinthe

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ElderDaysthatarenowlostandforgotten.OnlytheElvesstillpreserveanyrecordsofthatvanishedtime,andtheirtraditionsareconcernedalmostentirelywiththeirownhistory,inwhichMenappearseldomandHobbitsarenotmentionedatall.YetitisclearthatHobbitshad,infact,livedquietlyinMiddle-earthformanylongyearsbeforeotherfolkbecameevenaware

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ofthem.Andtheworldbeingafterallfullofstrangecreaturesbeyondcount,theselittlepeopleseemedofverylittleimportance.ButinthedaysofBilbo,andofFrodohisheir,theysuddenlybecame,bynowishoftheirown,bothimportantandrenowned,andtroubledthecounselsoftheWiseandtheGreat.

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Thosedays,theThirdAgeofMiddle-earth,arenowlongpast,andtheshapeofalllandshasbeenchanged;buttheregionsinwhichHobbitsthenlivedweredoubtlessthesameasthoseinwhichtheystilllinger:theNorth-WestoftheOldWorld,eastoftheSea.OftheiroriginalhometheHobbitsinBilbo’stimepreservednoknowledge.Aloveoflearning(otherthan

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genealogicallore)wasfarfromgeneralamongthem,butthereremainedstillafewintheolderfamilieswhostudiedtheirownbooks,andevengatheredreportsofoldtimesanddistantlandsfromElves,Dwarves,andMen.TheirownrecordsbeganonlyafterthesettlementoftheShire,andtheirmostancientlegendshardlylookedfurtherbackthantheirWandering

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Days.Itisclear,nonetheless,fromtheselegends,andfromtheevidenceoftheirpeculiarwordsandcustoms,thatlikemanyotherfolkHobbitshadinthedistantpastmovedwestward.TheirearliesttalesseemtoglimpseatimewhentheydweltintheuppervalesofAnduin,betweentheeavesofGreenwoodtheGreatandtheMistyMountains.Whytheylaterundertookthehard

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andperilouscrossingofthemountainsintoEriadorisnolongercertain.TheirownaccountsspeakofthemultiplyingofMenintheland,andofashadowthatfellontheforest,sothatitbecamedarkenedanditsnewnamewasMirkwood.

BeforethecrossingofthemountainstheHobbitshadalreadybecomedividedintothreesomewhatdifferent

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breeds:Harfoots,Stoors,andFallohides.TheHarfootswerebrownerofskin,smaller,andshorter,andtheywerebeardlessandbootless;theirhandsandfeetwereneatandnimble;andtheypreferredhighlandsandhillsides.TheStoorswerebroader,heavierinbuild;theirfeetandhandswerelarger;andtheypreferredflatlandsandriversides.The

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Fallohideswerefairerofskinandalsoofhair,andtheyweretallerandslimmerthantheothers;theywereloversoftreesandofwoodlands.

TheHarfootshadmuchtodowithDwarvesinancienttimes,andlonglivedinthefoothillsofthemountains.Theymovedwestwardearly,androamedoverEriadorasfarasWeathertopwhiletheotherswerestillin

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Wilderland.TheywerethemostnormalandrepresentativevarietyofHobbit,andfarthemostnumerous.Theywerethemostinclinedtosettleinoneplace,andlongestpreservedtheirancestralhabitoflivingintunnelsandholes.

TheStoorslingeredlongbythebanksoftheGreatRiverAnduin,andwerelessshyofMen.Theycamewest

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aftertheHarfootsandfollowedthecourseoftheLoudwatersouthwards;andtheremanyofthemlongdweltbetweenTharbadandthebordersofDunlandbeforetheymovednorthagain.

TheFallohides,theleastnumerous,wereanortherlybranch.TheyweremorefriendlywithElvesthantheotherHobbitswere,andhadmoreskillinlanguageand

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songthaninhandicrafts;andofoldtheypreferredhuntingtotilling.TheycrossedthemountainsnorthofRivendellandcamedowntheRiverHoarwell.InEriadortheysoonmingledwiththeotherkindsthathadprecededthem,butbeingsomewhatbolderandmoreadventurous,theywereoftenfoundasleadersorchieftainsamongclansofHarfootsorStoors.Evenin

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Bilbo’stimethestrongFallohidishstraincouldstillbenotedamongthegreaterfamilies,suchastheTooksandtheMastersofBuckland.

InthewestlandsofEriador,betweentheMistyMountainsandtheMountainsofLune,theHobbitsfoundbothMenandElves.Indeed,aremnantstilldweltthereoftheDúnedain,thekingsofMenthatcameovertheSea

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outofWesternesse;buttheyweredwindlingfastandthelandsoftheirNorthKingdomwerefallingfarandwideintowaste.Therewasroomandtospareforincomers,anderelongtheHobbitsbegantosettleinorderedcommunities.MostoftheirearliersettlementshadlongdisappearedandbeenforgotteninBilbo’stime;butoneofthefirsttobecome

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importantstillendured,thoughreducedinsize;thiswasatBreeandintheChetwoodthatlayroundabout,somefortymileseastoftheShire.

Itwasintheseearlydays,doubtless,thattheHobbitslearnedtheirlettersandbegantowriteafterthemanneroftheDúnedain,whohadintheirturnlongbeforelearnedtheartfromtheElves.Andin

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thosedaysalsotheyforgotwhateverlanguagestheyhadusedbefore,andspokeeveraftertheCommonSpeech,theWestronasitwasnamed,thatwascurrentthroughallthelandsofthekingsfromArnortoGondor,andaboutallthecoastsoftheSeafromBelfalastoLune.Yettheykeptafewwordsoftheirown,aswellastheirownnamesofmonthsanddays,

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andagreatstoreofpersonalnamesoutofthepast.

AboutthistimelegendamongtheHobbitsfirstbecomeshistorywithareckoningofyears.ForitwasintheonethousandsixhundredandfirstyearoftheThirdAgethattheFallohidebrothers,MarchoandBlanco,setoutfromBree;andhavingobtainedpermissionfromthehighkingatFornost,*they

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crossedthebrownriverBaranduinwithagreatfollowingofHobbits.TheypassedovertheBridgeofStonebows,thathadbeenbuiltinthedaysofthepoweroftheNorthKingdom,andtheytookallthelandbeyondtodwellin,betweentheriverandtheFarDowns.AllthatwasdemandedofthemwasthattheyshouldkeeptheGreatBridgeinrepair,andall

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otherbridgesandroads,speedtheking’smessengers,andacknowledgehislordship.

ThusbegantheShire-reckoning,fortheyearofthecrossingoftheBrandywine(astheHobbitsturnedthename)becameYearOneoftheShire,andalllaterdateswerereckonedfromit.*AtoncethewesternHobbitsfellinlovewiththeirnewland,

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andtheyremainedthere,andsoonpassedoncemoreoutofthehistoryofMenandofElves.Whiletherewasstillakingtheywereinnamehissubjects,buttheywere,infact,ruledbytheirownchieftainsandmeddlednotatallwitheventsintheworldoutside.TothelastbattleatFornostwiththeWitch-lordofAngmartheysentsomebowmentotheaidofthe

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king,orsotheymaintained,thoughnotalesofMenrecordit.ButinthatwartheNorthKingdomended;andthentheHobbitstookthelandfortheirown,andtheychosefromtheirownchiefsaThaintoholdtheauthorityofthekingthatwasgone.Thereforathousandyearstheywerelittletroubledbywars,andtheyprosperedandmultipliedaftertheDarkPlague(S.R.

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37)untilthedisasteroftheLongWinterandthefaminethatfollowedit.Manythousandsthenperished,buttheDaysofDearth(1158–60)wereatthetimeofthistalelongpastandtheHobbitshadagainbecomeaccustomedtoplenty.Thelandwasrichandkindly,andthoughithadlongbeendesertedwhentheyenteredit,ithadbeforebeenwelltilled,andtheretheking

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hadoncehadmanyfarms,cornlands,vineyards,andwoods.

FortyleaguesitstretchedfromtheFarDownstotheBrandywineBridge,andfiftyfromthenorthernmoorstothemarshesinthesouth.TheHobbitsnamedittheShire,astheregionoftheauthorityoftheirThain,andadistrictofwell-orderedbusiness;andthereinthatpleasantcorner

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oftheworldtheypliedtheirwell-orderedbusinessofliving,andtheyheededlessandlesstheworldoutsidewheredarkthingsmoved,untiltheycametothinkthatpeaceandplentyweretheruleinMiddle-earthandtherightofallsensiblefolk.TheyforgotorignoredwhatlittletheyhadeverknownoftheGuardians,andofthelaboursofthosethatmade

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possiblethelongpeaceoftheShire.Theywere,infact,sheltered,buttheyhadceasedtorememberit.

AtnotimehadHobbitsofanykindbeenwarlike,andtheyhadneverfoughtamongthemselves.Inoldendaystheyhad,ofcourse,beenoftenobligedtofighttomaintainthemselvesinahardworld;butinBilbo’stimethatwasveryancienthistory.

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Thelastbattle,beforethisstoryopens,andindeedtheonlyonethathadeverbeenfoughtwithinthebordersoftheShire,wasbeyondlivingmemory:theBattleofGreenfields,S.R.1147,inwhichBandobrasTookroutedaninvasionofOrcs.Eventheweathershadgrownmilder,andthewolvesthathadoncecomeraveningoutoftheNorthinbitterwhite

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winterswerenowonlyagrandfather’stale.So,thoughtherewasstillsomestoreofweaponsintheShire,thesewereusedmostlyastrophies,hangingabovehearthsoronwalls,orgatheredintothemuseumatMichelDelving.TheMathom-houseitwascalled;foranythingthatHobbitshadnoimmediateusefor,butwereunwillingtothrowaway,theycalleda

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mathom.Theirdwellingswereapttobecomerathercrowdedwithmathoms,andmanyofthepresentsthatpassedfromhandtohandwereofthatsort.

Nonetheless,easeandpeacehadleftthispeoplestillcuriouslytough.Theywere,ifitcametoit,difficulttodauntortokill;andtheywere,perhaps,sounwearyinglyfondofgood

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thingsnotleastbecausetheycould,whenputtoit,dowithoutthem,andcouldsurviveroughhandlingbygrief,foe,orweatherinawaythatastonishedthosewhodidnotknowthemwellandlookednofurtherthantheirbelliesandtheirwell-fedfaces.Thoughslowtoquarrel,andforsportkillingnothingthatlived,theyweredoughtyatbay,andatneed

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couldstillhandlearms.Theyshotwellwiththebow,fortheywerekeen-eyedandsureatthemark.Notonlywithbowsandarrows.IfanyHobbitstoopedforastone,itwaswelltogetquicklyundercover,asalltrespassingbeastsknewverywell.

AllHobbitshadoriginallylivedinholesintheground,orsotheybelieved,andinsuchdwellingstheystillfelt

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mostathome;butinthecourseoftimetheyhadbeenobligedtoadoptotherformsofabode.ActuallyintheShireinBilbo’sdaysitwas,asarule,onlytherichestandthepoorestHobbitsthatmaintainedtheoldcustom.Thepoorestwentonlivinginburrowsofthemostprimitivekind,mereholesindeed,withonlyonewindowornone;whilethewell-to-dostill

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constructedmoreluxuriousversionsofthesimplediggingsofold.Butsuitablesitesfortheselargeandramifyingtunnels(orsmialsastheycalledthem)werenoteverywheretobefound;andintheflatsandthelow-lyingdistrictstheHobbits,astheymultiplied,begantobuildaboveground.Indeed,eveninthehillyregionsandtheoldervillages,suchas

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HobbitonorTuckborough,orinthechieftownshipoftheShire,MichelDelvingontheWhiteDowns,therewerenowmanyhousesofwood,brick,orstone.Thesewerespeciallyfavouredbymillers,smiths,ropers,andcartwrights,andothersofthatsort;forevenwhentheyhadholestolivein,Hobbitshadlongbeenaccustomedtobuildshedsandworkshops.

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ThehabitofbuildingfarmhousesandbarnswassaidtohavebegunamongtheinhabitantsoftheMarishdownbytheBrandywine.TheHobbitsofthatquarter,theEastfarthing,wereratherlargeandheavy-legged,andtheyworedwarf-bootsinmuddyweather.ButtheywerewellknowntobeStoorsinalargepartoftheirblood,asindeedwasshownbythe

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downthatmanygrewontheirchins.NoHarfootorFallohidehadanytraceofabeard.Indeed,thefolkoftheMarish,andofBuckland,eastoftheRiver,whichtheyafterwardsoccupied,cameforthemostpartlaterintotheShireupfromsouth-away;andtheystillhadmanypeculiarnamesandstrangewordsnotfoundelsewhereintheShire.

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Itisprobablethatthecraftofbuilding,asmanyothercraftsbeside,wasderivedfromtheDúnedain.ButtheHobbitsmayhavelearneditdirectfromtheElves,theteachersofMenintheiryouth.FortheElvesoftheHighKindredhadnotyetforsakenMiddle-earth,andtheydweltstillatthattimeattheGreyHavensawaytothewest,andinotherplaces

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withinreachoftheShire.ThreeElf-towersofimmemorialagewerestilltobeseenontheTowerHillsbeyondthewesternmarches.Theyshonefaroffinthemoonlight.Thetallestwasfurthestaway,standingaloneuponagreenmound.TheHobbitsoftheWestfarthingsaidthatonecouldseetheSeafromthetopofthattower;butnoHobbithadever

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beenknowntoclimbit.Indeed,fewHobbitshadeverseenorsailedupontheSea,andfewerstillhadeverreturnedtoreportit.MostHobbitsregardedevenriversandsmallboatswithdeepmisgivings,andnotmanyofthemcouldswim.AndasthedaysoftheShirelengthenedtheyspokelessandlesswiththeElves,andgrewafraidofthem,anddistrustfulofthose

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thathaddealingswiththem;andtheSeabecameawordoffearamongthem,andatokenofdeath,andtheyturnedtheirfacesawayfromthehillsinthewest.

ThecraftofbuildingmayhavecomefromElvesorMen,buttheHobbitsuseditintheirownfashion.Theydidnotgoinfortowers.Theirhouseswereusuallylong,low,andcomfortable.The

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oldestkindwere,indeed,nomorethanbuiltimitationsofsmials,thatchedwithdrygrassorstraw,orroofedwithturves,andhavingwallssomewhatbulged.Thatstage,however,belongedtotheearlydaysoftheShire,andhobbit-buildinghadlongsincebeenaltered,improvedbydevices,learnedfromDwarves,ordiscoveredbythemselves.Apreferencefor

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roundwindows,andevenrounddoors,wasthechiefremainingpeculiarityofhobbit-architecture.

ThehousesandtheholesofShire-hobbitswereoftenlarge,andinhabitedbylargefamilies.(BilboandFrodoBagginswereasbachelorsveryexceptional,astheywerealsoinmanyotherways,suchastheirfriendshipwiththeElves.)Sometimes,

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asinthecaseoftheTooksofGreatSmials,ortheBrandybucksofBrandyHall,manygenerationsofrelativeslivedin(comparative)peacetogetherinoneancestralandmany-tunnelledmansion.AllHobbitswere,inanycase,clannishandreckoneduptheirrelationshipswithgreatcare.Theydrewlongandelaboratefamily-treeswithinnumerablebranches.In

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dealingwithHobbitsitisimportanttorememberwhoisrelatedtowhom,andinwhatdegree.Itwouldbeimpossibleinthisbooktosetoutafamily-treethatincludedeventhemoreimportantmembersofthemoreimportantfamiliesatthetimewhichthesetalestellof.ThegenealogicaltreesattheendoftheRedBookofWestmarchareasmallbook

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inthemselves,andallbutHobbitswouldfindthemexceedinglydull.Hobbitsdelightedinsuchthings,iftheywereaccurate:theylikedtohavebooksfilledwiththingsthattheyalreadyknew,setoutfairandsquarewithnocontradictions.

2ConcerningPipe-weed

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ThereisanotherastonishingthingaboutHobbitsofoldthatmustbementioned,anastonishinghabit:theyimbibedorinhaled,throughpipesofclayorwood,thesmokeoftheburningleavesofaherb,whichtheycalledpipe-weedorleaf,avarietyprobablyofNicotiana.Agreatdealofmysterysurroundstheoriginofthispeculiarcustom,or‘art’as

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theHobbitspreferredtocallit.AllthatcouldbediscoveredaboutitinantiquitywasputtogetherbyMeriadocBrandybuck(laterMasterofBuckland),andsinceheandthetobaccooftheSouthfarthingplayapartinthehistorythatfollows,hisremarksintheintroductiontohisHerbloreoftheShiremaybequoted.

‘This,’hesays,‘istheone

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artthatwecancertainlyclaimtobeourowninvention.WhenHobbitsfirstbegantosmokeisnotknown,allthelegendsandfamilyhistoriestakeitforgranted;foragesfolkintheShiresmokedvariousherbs,somefouler,somesweeter.ButallaccountsagreethatToboldHornblowerofLongbottomintheSouthfarthingfirstgrewthetruepipe-weedin

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hisgardensinthedaysofIsengrimtheSecond,abouttheyear1070ofShire-reckoning.Thebesthome-grownstillcomesfromthatdistrict,especiallythevarietiesnowknownasLongbottomLeaf,OldToby,andSouthernStar.

‘HowOldTobycamebytheplantisnotrecorded,fortohisdyingdayhewouldnottell.Heknewmuchabout

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herbs,buthewasnotraveller.ItissaidthatinhisyouthhewentoftentoBree,thoughhecertainlyneverwentfurtherfromtheShirethanthat.ItisthusquitepossiblethathelearnedofthisplantinBree,wherenow,atanyrate,itgrowswellonthesouthslopesofthehill.TheBree-hobbitsclaimtohavebeenthefirstactualsmokersofthepipe-weed.Theyclaim,of

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course,tohavedoneeverythingbeforethepeopleoftheShire,whomtheyrefertoas“colonists”;butinthiscasetheirclaimis,Ithink,likelytobetrue.AndcertainlyitwasfromBreethattheartofsmokingthegenuineweedspreadintherecentcenturiesamongDwarvesandsuchotherfolk,Rangers,Wizards,orwanderers,asstillpassedto

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andfrothroughthatancientroad-meeting.ThehomeandcentreoftheartisthustobefoundintheoldinnofBree,ThePrancingPony,thathasbeenkeptbythefamilyofButterburfromtimebeyondrecord.

‘Allthesame,observationsthatIhavemadeonmyownmanyjourneyssouthhaveconvincedmethattheweeditselfisnotnativeto

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ourpartsoftheworld,butcamenorthwardfromthelowerAnduin,whitheritwas,Isuspect,originallybroughtoverSeabytheMenofWesternesse.ItgrowsabundantlyinGondor,andthereisricherandlargerthanintheNorth,whereitisneverfoundwild,andflourishesonlyinwarmshelteredplaceslikeLongbottom.TheMenofGondorcallitsweetgalenas,

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andesteemitonlyforthefragranceofitsflowers.FromthatlanditmusthavebeencarrieduptheGreenwayduringthelongcenturiesbetweenthecomingofElendilandourowndays.ButeventheDúnedainofGondorallowusthiscredit:Hobbitsfirstputitintopipes.NoteventheWizardsfirstthoughtofthatbeforewedid.ThoughoneWizardthatI

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knewtookuptheartlongago,andbecameasskilfulinitasinallotherthingsthatheputhismindto.’

3OftheOrderingoftheShire

TheShirewasdividedintofourquarters,theFarthingsalreadyreferredto,North,South,East,andWest;and

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theseagaineachintoanumberoffolklands,whichstillborethenamesofsomeoftheoldleadingfamilies,althoughbythetimeofthishistorythesenameswerenolongerfoundonlyintheirproperfolklands.NearlyallTooksstilllivedintheTookland,butthatwasnottrueofmanyotherfamilies,suchastheBagginsesortheBoffins.Outsidethe

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FarthingsweretheEastandWestMarches:theBuckland(p.129);andtheWestmarchaddedtotheShireinS.R.1452.

TheShireatthistimehadhardlyany‘government’.Familiesforthemostpartmanagedtheirownaffairs.Growingfoodandeatingitoccupiedmostoftheirtime.Inothermatterstheywere,asarule,generousandnot

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greedy,butcontentedandmoderate,sothatestates,farms,workshops,andsmalltradestendedtoremainunchangedforgenerations.

Thereremained,ofcourse,theancienttraditionconcerningthehighkingatFornost,orNorburyastheycalledit,awaynorthoftheShire.Buttherehadbeennokingfornearlyathousandyears,andeventheruinsof

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Kings’Norburywerecoveredwithgrass.YettheHobbitsstillsaidofwildfolkandwickedthings(suchastrolls)thattheyhadnotheardoftheking.Fortheyattributedtothekingofoldalltheiressentiallaws;andusuallytheykeptthelawsoffreewill,becausetheywereTheRules(astheysaid),bothancientandjust.

ItistruethattheTook

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familyhadlongbeenpre-eminent;fortheofficeofThainhadpassedtothem(fromtheOld-bucks)somecenturiesbefore,andthechiefTookhadbornethattitleeversince.TheThainwasthemasteroftheShire-moot,andcaptainoftheShire-musterandtheHobbitry-in-arms;butasmusterandmootwereonlyheldintimesofemergency,whichnolongeroccurred,the

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Thainshiphadceasedtobemorethananominaldignity.TheTookfamilywasstill,indeed,accordedaspecialrespect,foritremainedbothnumerousandexceedinglywealthy,andwasliabletoproduceineverygenerationstrongcharactersofpeculiarhabitsandevenadventuroustemperament.Thelatterqualities,however,werenowrathertolerated(intherich)

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thangenerallyapproved.Thecustomendured,nonetheless,ofreferringtotheheadofthefamilyasTheTook,andofaddingtohisname,ifrequired,anumber:suchasIsengrimtheSecond,forinstance.

TheonlyrealofficialintheShireatthisdatewastheMayorofMichelDelving(oroftheShire),whowaselectedeverysevenyearsat

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theFreeFairontheWhiteDownsattheLithe,thatisatMidsummer.Asmayoralmosthisonlydutywastopresideatbanquets,givenontheShire-holidays,whichoccurredatfrequentintervals.ButtheofficesofPostmasterandFirstShirriffwereattachedtothemayoralty,sothathemanagedboththeMessengerServiceandtheWatch.Theseweretheonly

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Shire-services,andtheMessengerswerethemostnumerous,andmuchthebusierofthetwo.BynomeansallHobbitswerelettered,butthosewhowerewroteconstantlytoalltheirfriends(andaselectionoftheirrelations)wholivedfurtheroffthananafternoon’swalk.

TheShirriffswasthenamethattheHobbitsgaveto

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theirpolice,orthenearestequivalentthattheypossessed.Theyhad,ofcourse,nouniforms(suchthingsbeingquiteunknown),onlyafeatherintheircaps;andtheywereinpracticeratherhaywardsthanpolicemen,moreconcernedwiththestrayingsofbeaststhanofpeople.TherewereinalltheShireonlytwelveofthem,threeineachFarthing,

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forInsideWork.Aratherlargerbody,varyingatneed,wasemployedto‘beatthebounds’,andtoseethatOutsidersofanykind,greatorsmall,didnotmakethemselvesanuisance.

AtthetimewhenthisstorybeginstheBounders,astheywerecalled,hadbeengreatlyincreased.Thereweremanyreportsandcomplaintsofstrangepersonsand

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creaturesprowlingabouttheborders,oroverthem:thefirstsignthatallwasnotquiteasitshouldbe,andalwayshadbeenexceptintalesandlegendsoflongago.Fewheededthesign,andnotevenBilboyethadanynotionofwhatitportended.Sixtyyearshadpassedsincehesetoutonhismemorablejourney,andhewasoldevenforHobbits,whoreacheda

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hundredasoftenasnot;butmuchevidentlystillremainedoftheconsiderablewealththathehadbroughtback.Howmuchorhowlittleherevealedtonoone,noteventoFrodohisfavourite‘nephew’.Andhestillkeptsecrettheringthathehadfound.

4OftheFindingoftheRing

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AsistoldinTheHobbit,therecameonedaytoBilbo’sdoorthegreatWizard,GandalftheGrey,andthirteendwarveswithhim:noneother,indeed,thanThorinOakenshield,descendantofkings,andhistwelvecompanionsinexile.Withthemhesetout,tohisownlastingastonishment,onamorningofApril,itbeingthentheyear1341Shire-

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reckoning,onaquestofgreattreasure,thedwarf-hoardsoftheKingsundertheMountain,beneathEreborinDale,faroffintheEast.Thequestwassuccessful,andtheDragonthatguardedthehoardwasdestroyed.Yet,thoughbeforeallwaswontheBattleofFiveArmieswasfought,andThorinwasslain,andmanydeedsofrenownweredone,thematterwould

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scarcelyhaveconcernedlaterhistory,orearnedmorethananoteinthelongannalsoftheThirdAge,butforan‘accident’bytheway.ThepartywasassailedbyOrcsinahighpassoftheMistyMountainsastheywenttowardsWilderland;andsoithappenedthatBilbowaslostforawhileintheblackorc-minesdeepunderthemountains,andthere,ashe

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gropedinvaininthedark,heputhishandonaring,lyingonthefloorofatunnel.Heputitinhispocket.Itseemedthenlikemereluck.

Tryingtofindhiswayout,Bilbowentondowntotherootsofthemountains,untilhecouldgonofurther.Atthebottomofthetunnellayacoldlakefarfromthelight,andonanislandofrockinthewaterlivedGollum.He

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wasaloathsomelittlecreature:hepaddledasmallboatwithhislargeflatfeet,peeringwithpaleluminouseyesandcatchingblindfishwithhislongfingers,andeatingthemraw.Heateanylivingthing,evenorc,ifhecouldcatchitandstrangleitwithoutastruggle.Hepossessedasecrettreasurethathadcometohimlongagesago,whenhestilllived

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inthelight:aringofgoldthatmadeitswearerinvisible.Itwastheonethingheloved,his‘Precious’,andhetalkedtoit,evenwhenitwasnotwithhim.Forhekeptithiddensafeinaholeonhisisland,exceptwhenhewashuntingorspyingontheorcsofthemines.

MaybehewouldhaveattackedBilboatonce,iftheringhadbeenonhimwhen

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theymet;butitwasnot,andthehobbitheldinhishandanElvishknife,whichservedhimasasword.SotogaintimeGollumchallengedBilbototheRiddle-game,sayingthatifheaskedariddlewhichBilbocouldnotguess,thenhewouldkillhimandeathim;butifBilbodefeatedhim,thenhewoulddoasBilbowished:hewouldleadhimtoawayoutofthe

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tunnels.Sincehewaslostinthe

darkwithouthope,andcouldneithergoonnorback,Bilboacceptedthechallenge;andtheyaskedoneanothermanyriddles.IntheendBilbowonthegame,morebyluck(asitseemed)thanbywits;forhewasstumpedatlastforariddletoask,andcriedout,ashishandcameupontheringhehadpickedupand

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forgotten:WhathaveIgotinmypocket?ThisGollumfailedtoanswer,thoughhedemandedthreeguesses.

TheAuthorities,itistrue,differwhetherthislastquestionwasamere‘question’andnota‘riddle’accordingtothestrictrulesoftheGame;butallagreethat,afteracceptingitandtryingtoguesstheanswer,Gollumwasboundbyhispromise.

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AndBilbopressedhimtokeephisword;forthethoughtcametohimthatthisslimycreaturemightprovefalse,eventhoughsuchpromiseswereheldsacred,andofoldallbutthewickedestthingsfearedtobreakthem.ButafteragesaloneinthedarkGollum’sheartwasblack,andtreacherywasinit.Heslippedaway,andreturnedtohisisland,ofwhichBilbo

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knewnothing,notfaroffinthedarkwater.There,hethought,layhisring.Hewashungrynow,andangry,andoncehis‘Precious’waswithhimhewouldnotfearanyweaponatall.

Buttheringwasnotontheisland;hehadlostit,itwasgone.HisscreechsentashiverdownBilbo’sback,thoughhedidnotyetunderstandwhathad

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happened.ButGollumhadatlastleapedtoaguess,toolate.Whathasitgotinitspocketses?hecried.Thelightinhiseyeswaslikeagreenflameashespedbacktomurderthehobbitandrecoverhis‘Precious’.JustintimeBilbosawhisperil,andhefledblindlyupthepassageawayfromthewater;andoncemorehewassavedbyhisluck.Forasheranheput

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hishandinhispocket,andtheringslippedquietlyontohisfinger.SoitwasthatGollumpassedhimwithoutseeinghim,andwenttoguardthewayout,lestthe‘thief’shouldescape.WarilyBilbofollowedhim,ashewentalong,cursing,andtalkingtohimselfabouthis‘Precious’;fromwhichtalkatlastevenBilboguessedthetruth,andhopecametohiminthe

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darkness:hehimselfhadfoundthemarvellousringandachanceofescapefromtheorcsandfromGollum.

Atlengththeycametoahaltbeforeanunseenopeningthatledtothelowergatesofthemines,ontheeastwardsideofthemountains.ThereGollumcrouchedatbay,smellingandlistening;andBilbowastemptedtoslayhimwithhissword.Butpity

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stayedhim,andthoughhekeptthering,inwhichhisonlyhopelay,hewouldnotuseittohelphimkillthewretchedcreatureatadisadvantage.Intheend,gatheringhiscourage,heleapedoverGolluminthedark,andfledawaydownthepassage,pursuedbyhisenemy’scriesofhateanddespair:Thief,thief!Baggins!Wehatesitforever!

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NowitisacuriousfactthatthisisnotthestoryasBilbofirsttoldittohiscompanions.TothemhisaccountwasthatGollumhadpromisedtogivehimapresent,ifhewonthegame;butwhenGollumwenttofetchitfromhisislandhefoundthetreasurewasgone:amagicring,whichhadbeengiventohimlongagoonhisbirthday.Bilboguessedthat

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thiswastheveryringthathehadfound,andashehadwonthegame,itwasalreadyhisbyright.Butbeinginatightplace,hesaidnothingaboutit,andmadeGollumshowhimthewayout,asarewardinsteadofapresent.ThisaccountBilbosetdowninhismemoirs,andheseemsnevertohavealteredithimself,notevenaftertheCouncilofElrond.Evidentlyitstill

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appearedintheoriginalRedBook,asitdidinseveralofthecopiesandabstracts.Butmanycopiescontainthetrueaccount(asanalternative),derivednodoubtfromnotesbyFrodoorSamwise,bothofwhomlearnedthetruth,thoughtheyseemtohavebeenunwillingtodeleteanythingactuallywrittenbytheoldhobbithimself.

Gandalf,however,

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disbelievedBilbo’sfirststory,assoonasheheardit,andhecontinuedtobeverycuriousaboutthering.EventuallyhegotthetruetaleoutofBilboaftermuchquestioning,whichforawhilestrainedtheirfriendship;butthewizardseemedtothinkthetruthimportant.ThoughhedidnotsaysotoBilbo,healsothoughtitimportant,and

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disturbing,tofindthatthegoodhobbithadnottoldthetruthfromthefirst:quitecontrarytohishabit.Theideaofa‘present’wasnotmerehobbitlikeinvention,allthesame.ItwassuggestedtoBilbo,asheconfessed,byGollum’stalkthatheoverheard;forGollumdid,infact,calltheringhis‘birthday-present’,manytimes.ThatalsoGandalf

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thoughtstrangeandsuspicious;buthedidnotdiscoverthetruthinthispointformanymoreyears,aswillbeseeninthisbook.

OfBilbo’slateradventureslittlemoreneedbesaidhere.Withthehelpoftheringheescapedfromtheorc-guardsatthegateandrejoinedhiscompanions.He

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usedtheringmanytimesonhisquest,chieflyforthehelpofhisfriends;buthekeptitsecretfromthemaslongashecould.Afterhisreturntohishomeheneverspokeofitagaintoanyone,saveGandalfandFrodo;andnooneelseintheShireknewofitsexistence,orsohebelieved.OnlytoFrododidheshowtheaccountofhisJourneythathewaswriting.

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Hissword,Sting,Bilbohungoverhisfireplace,andhiscoatofmarvellousmail,thegiftoftheDwarvesfromtheDragon-hoard,helenttoamuseum,totheMichelDelvingMathom-houseinfact.ButhekeptinadraweratBagEndtheoldcloakandhoodthathehadwornonhistravels;andthering,securedbyafinechain,remainedinhispocket.

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HereturnedtohishomeatBagEndonJunethe22ndinhisfifty-secondyear(S.R.1342),andnothingverynotableoccurredintheShireuntilMr.Bagginsbeganthepreparationsforthecelebrationofhishundred-and-eleventhbirthday(S.R.1401).AtthispointthisHistorybegins.

NOTEONTHESHIRERECORDS

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AttheendoftheThirdAgethepartplayedbytheHobbitsinthegreateventsthatledtotheinclusionoftheShireintheReunitedKingdomawakenedamongthemamorewidespreadinterestintheirownhistory;andmanyoftheirtraditions,uptothattimestillmainlyoral,werecollectedandwrittendown.Thegreaterfamilieswerealsoconcernedwitheventsinthe

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Kingdomatlarge,andmanyoftheirmembersstudieditsancienthistoriesandlegends.BytheendofthefirstcenturyoftheFourthAgetherewerealreadytobefoundintheShireseverallibrariesthatcontainedmanyhistoricalbooksandrecords.

ThelargestofthesecollectionswereprobablyatUnder-towers,atGreatSmials,andatBrandyHall.

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ThisaccountoftheendoftheThirdAgeisdrawnmainlyfromtheRedBookofWestmarch.ThatmostimportantsourceforthehistoryoftheWaroftheRingwassocalledbecauseitwaslongpreservedatUndertowers,thehomeoftheFairbairns,WardensoftheWestmarch.*ItwasinoriginBilbo’sprivatediary,whichhetookwithhimto

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Rivendell.FrodobroughtitbacktotheShire,togetherwithmanylooseleavesofnotes,andduringS.R.1420–1henearlyfilleditspageswithhisaccountoftheWar.Butannexedtoitandpreservedwithit,probablyinasingleredcase,werethethreelargevolumes,boundinredleather,thatBilbogavetohimasapartinggift.Tothesefourvolumestherewasadded

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inWestmarchafifthcontainingcommentaries,genealogies,andvariousothermatterconcerningthehobbitmembersoftheFellowship.

TheoriginalRedBookhasnotbeenpreserved,butmanycopiesweremade,especiallyofthefirstvolume,fortheuseofthedescendantsofthechildrenofMasterSamwise.Themostimportant

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copy,however,hasadifferenthistory.ItwaskeptatGreatSmials,butitwaswritteninGondor,probablyattherequestofthegreat-grandsonofPeregrin,andcompletedinS.R.1592(F.A.172).Itssouthernscribeappendedthisnote:Findegil,King’sWriter,finishedthisworkinIV172.ItisanexactcopyinalldetailsoftheThain’sBookinMinasTirith.

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Thatbookwasacopy,madeattherequestofKingElessar,oftheRedBookofthePeriannath,andwasbroughttohimbytheThainPeregrinwhenheretiredtoGondorinIV64.

TheThain’sBookwasthusthefirstcopymadeoftheRedBookandcontainedmuchthatwaslateromittedorlost.InMinasTirithitreceivedmuchannotation,

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andmanycorrections,especiallyofnames,words,andquotationsintheElvishlanguages;andtherewasaddedtoitanabbreviatedversionofthosepartsofTheTaleofAragornandArwenwhichlieoutsidetheaccountoftheWar.ThefulltaleisstatedtohavebeenwrittenbyBarahir,grandsonoftheStewardFaramir,sometimeafterthepassingoftheKing.

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ButthechiefimportanceofFindegil’scopyisthatitalonecontainsthewholeofBilbo’s‘TranslationsfromtheElvish’.Thesethreevolumeswerefoundtobeaworkofgreatskillandlearninginwhich,between1403and1418,hehadusedallthesourcesavailabletohiminRivendell,bothlivingandwritten.ButsincetheywerelittleusedbyFrodo,

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beingalmostentirelyconcernedwiththeElderDays,nomoreissaidofthemhere.

SinceMeriadocandPeregrinbecametheheadsoftheirgreatfamilies,andatthesametimekeptuptheirconnexionswithRohanandGondor,thelibrariesatBuckleburyandTuckboroughcontainedmuchthatdidnotappearintheRedBook.In

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BrandyHallthereweremanyworksdealingwithEriadorandthehistoryofRohan.SomeofthesewerecomposedorbegunbyMeriadochimself,thoughintheShirehewaschieflyrememberedforhisHerbloreoftheShire,andforhisReckoningofYearsinwhichhediscussedtherelationofthecalendarsoftheShireandBreetothoseofRivendell,

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Gondor,andRohan.HealsowroteashorttreatiseonOldWordsandNamesintheShire,showingspecialinterestindiscoveringthekinshipwiththelanguageoftheRohirrimofsuch‘shire-words’asmathomandoldelementsinplacenames.

AtGreatSmialsthebookswereoflessinteresttoShire-folk,thoughmoreimportantforlargerhistory.Noneof

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themwaswrittenbyPeregrin,butheandhissuccessorscollectedmanymanuscriptswrittenbyscribesofGondor:mainlycopiesorsummariesofhistoriesorlegendsrelatingtoElendilandhisheirs.OnlyhereintheShireweretobefoundextensivematerialsforthehistoryofNúmenorandthearisingofSauron.ItwasprobablyatGreatSmialsthatTheTaleof

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Years*wasputtogether,withtheassistanceofmaterialcollectedbyMeriadoc.Thoughthedatesgivenareoftenconjectural,especiallyfortheSecondAge,theydeserveattention.ItisprobablethatMeriadocobtainedassistanceandinformationfromRivendell,whichhevisitedmorethanonce.There,thoughElrondhaddeparted,hissonslong

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remained,togetherwithsomeoftheHigh-elvenfolk.ItissaidthatCelebornwenttodwellthereafterthedepartureofGaladriel;butthereisnorecordofthedaywhenatlasthesoughttheGreyHavens,andwithhimwentthelastlivingmemoryoftheElderDaysinMiddle-earth.

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BOOKONE

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Chapter1

ALONG-EXPECTEDPARTY

WhenMr.BilboBagginsofBagEndannouncedthathewouldshortlybecelebratinghiseleventy-firstbirthday

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withapartyofspecialmagnificence,therewasmuchtalkandexcitementinHobbiton.

Bilbowasveryrichandverypeculiar,andhadbeenthewonderoftheShireforsixtyyears,eversincehisremarkabledisappearanceandunexpectedreturn.Thericheshehadbroughtbackfromhistravelshadnowbecomealocallegend,andit

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waspopularlybelieved,whatevertheoldfolkmightsay,thattheHillatBagEndwasfulloftunnelsstuffedwithtreasure.Andifthatwasnotenoughforfame,therewasalsohisprolongedvigourtomarvelat.Timeworeon,butitseemedtohavelittleeffectonMr.Baggins.Atninetyhewasmuchthesameasatfifty.Atninety-ninetheybegantocallhimwell-

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preserved;butunchangedwouldhavebeennearerthemark.Thereweresomethatshooktheirheadsandthoughtthiswastoomuchofagoodthing;itseemedunfairthatanyoneshouldpossess(apparently)perpetualyouthaswellas(reputedly)inexhaustiblewealth.

‘Itwillhavetobepaidfor,’theysaid.‘Itisn’tnatural,andtroublewillcome

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ofit!’

Butsofartroublehadnotcome;andasMr.Bagginswasgenerouswithhismoney,mostpeoplewerewillingtoforgivehimhisodditiesandhisgoodfortune.Heremainedonvisitingtermswithhisrelatives(except,ofcourse,theSackville-Bagginses),andhehadmany

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devotedadmirersamongthehobbitsofpoorandunimportantfamilies.Buthehadnoclosefriends,untilsomeofhisyoungercousinsbegantogrowup.

Theeldestofthese,andBilbo’sfavourite,wasyoungFrodoBaggins.WhenBilbowasninety-nineheadoptedFrodoashisheir,andbroughthimtoliveatBagEnd;andthehopesoftheSackville-

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Bagginseswerefinallydashed.BilboandFrodohappenedtohavethesamebirthday,September22nd.‘Youhadbettercomeandlivehere,Frodomylad,’saidBilbooneday;‘andthenwecancelebrateourbirthday-partiescomfortablytogether.’AtthattimeFrodowasstillinhistweens,asthehobbitscalledtheirresponsibletwentiesbetweenchildhood

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andcomingofageatthirty-three.

Twelvemoreyearspassed.EachyeartheBagginseshadgivenverylivelycombinedbirthday-partiesatBagEnd;butnowitwasunderstoodthatsomethingquiteexceptionalwasbeingplannedforthatautumn.Bilbowasgoingto

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beeleventy-one,111,arathercuriousnumber,andaveryrespectableageforahobbit(theOldTookhimselfhadonlyreached130);andFrodowasgoingtobethirty-three,33,animportantnumber:thedateofhis‘comingofage’.

TonguesbegantowaginHobbitonandBywater;andrumourofthecomingeventtravelledallovertheShire.Thehistoryandcharacterof

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Mr.BilboBagginsbecameonceagainthechieftopicofconversation;andtheolderfolksuddenlyfoundtheirreminiscencesinwelcomedemand.

NoonehadamoreattentiveaudiencethanoldHamGamgee,commonlyknownastheGaffer.HeheldforthatTheIvyBush,asmallinnontheBywaterroad;andhespokewithsomeauthority,

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forhehadtendedthegardenatBagEndforfortyyears,andhadhelpedoldHolmaninthesamejobbeforethat.Nowthathewashimselfgrowingoldandstiffinthejoints,thejobwasmainlycarriedonbyhisyoungestson,SamGamgee.BothfatherandsonwereonveryfriendlytermswithBilboandFrodo.TheylivedontheHillitself,inNumber3BagshotRowjust

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belowBagEnd.‘Averynicewell-spoken

gentlehobbitisMr.Bilbo,asI’vealwayssaid,’theGafferdeclared.Withperfecttruth:forBilbowasverypolitetohim,callinghim‘MasterHamfast’,andconsultinghimconstantlyuponthegrowingofvegetables–inthematterof‘roots’,especiallypotatoes,theGafferwasrecognizedastheleadingauthoritybyallin

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theneighbourhood(includinghimself).

‘ButwhataboutthisFrodothatliveswithhim?’askedOldNoakesofBywater.‘Bagginsishisname,buthe’smorethanhalfaBrandybuck,theysay.ItbeatsmewhyanyBagginsofHobbitonshouldgolookingforawifeawaythereinBuckland,wherefolksaresoqueer.’

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‘Andnowonderthey’requeer,’putinDaddyTwofoot(theGaffer’snext-doorneighbour),‘iftheyliveonthewrongsideoftheBrandywineRiver,andrightagintheOldForest.That’sadarkbadplace,ifhalfthetalesbetrue.’

‘You’reright,Dad!’saidtheGaffer.‘NotthattheBrandybucksofBucklandliveintheOldForest;but

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they’reaqueerbreed,seemingly.Theyfoolaboutwithboatsonthatbigriver–andthatisn’tnatural.Smallwonderthattroublecameofit,Isay.Butbethatasitmay,Mr.Frodoisasniceayounghobbitasyoucouldwishtomeet.VerymuchlikeMr.Bilbo,andinmorethanlooks.AfterallhisfatherwasaBaggins.AdecentrespectablehobbitwasMr.

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DrogoBaggins;therewasnevermuchtotellofhim,tillhewasdrownded.’

‘Drownded?’saidseveralvoices.Theyhadheardthisandotherdarkerrumoursbefore,ofcourse;buthobbitshaveapassionforfamilyhistory,andtheywerereadytohearitagain.

‘Well,sotheysay,’saidtheGaffer.‘Yousee:Mr.Drogo,hemarriedpoorMiss

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PrimulaBrandybuck.ShewasourMr.Bilbo’sfirstcousinonthemother’sside(hermotherbeingtheyoungestoftheOldTook’sdaughters);andMr.Drogowashissecondcousin.SoMr.Frodoishisfirstandsecondcousin,onceremovedeitherway,asthesayingis,ifyoufollowme.AndMr.DrogowasstayingatBrandyHallwithhisfather-in-law,

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oldMasterGorbadoc,asheoftendidafterhismarriage(himbeingpartialtohisvittles,andoldGorbadockeepingamightygeneroustable);andhewentoutboatingontheBrandywineRiver;andheandhiswifeweredrownded,andpoorMr.Frodoonlyachildandall.’

‘I’veheardtheywentonthewaterafterdinnerinthemoonlight,’saidOldNoakes;

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‘anditwasDrogo’sweightassunktheboat.’

‘AndIheardshepushedhimin,andhepulledherinafterhim,’saidSandyman,theHobbitonmiller.

‘Youshouldn’tlistentoallyouhear,Sandyman,’saidtheGaffer,whodidnotmuchlikethemiller.‘Thereisn’tnocalltogotalkingofpushingandpulling.Boatsarequitetrickyenoughforthosethat

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sitstillwithoutlookingfurtherforthecauseoftrouble.Anyway:therewasthisMr.Frodoleftanorphanandstranded,asyoumightsay,amongthosequeerBucklanders,beingbroughtupanyhowinBrandyHall.Aregularwarren,byallaccounts.OldMasterGorbadocneverhadfewerthanacoupleofhundredrelationsintheplace.Mr.

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Bilboneverdidakinderdeedthanwhenhebroughttheladbacktoliveamongdecentfolk.

‘ButIreckonitwasanastyknockforthoseSackville-Bagginses.TheythoughttheyweregoingtogetBagEnd,thattimewhenhewentoffandwasthoughttobedead.Andthenhecomesbackandordersthemoff;andhegoesonlivingand

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living,andneverlookingadayolder,blesshim!Andsuddenlyheproducesanheir,andhasallthepapersmadeoutproper.TheSackville-Bagginseswon’tneverseetheinsideofBagEndnow,oritistobehopednot.’

‘There’satidybitofmoneytuckedawayupthere,Iheartell,’saidastranger,avisitoronbusinessfromMichelDelvinginthe

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Westfarthing.‘Allthetopofyourhillisfulloftunnelspackedwithchestsofgoldandsilver,andjools,bywhatI’veheard.’

‘Thenyou’veheardmorethanIcanspeakto,’answeredtheGaffer.‘Iknownothingaboutjools.Mr.Bilboisfreewithhismoney,andthereseemsnolackofit;butIknowofnotunnel-making.IsawMr.Bilbo

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whenhecameback,amatterofsixtyyearsago,whenIwasalad.I’dnotlongcomeprenticetooldHolman(himbeingmydad’scousin),buthehadmeupatBagEndhelpinghimtokeepfolksfromtramplingandtrapessingalloverthegardenwhilethesalewason.AndinthemiddleofitallMr.BilbocomesuptheHillwithaponyandsomemightybigbags

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andacoupleofchests.Idon’tdoubttheyweremostlyfulloftreasurehehadpickedupinforeignparts,wheretherebemountainsofgold,theysay;buttherewasn’tenoughtofilltunnels.ButmyladSamwillknowmoreaboutthat.He’sinandoutofBagEnd.Crazyaboutstoriesoftheolddays,heis,andhelistenstoallMr.Bilbo’stales.Mr.Bilbohaslearnedhimhis

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letters–meaningnoharm,markyou,andIhopenoharmwillcomeofit.

‘ElvesandDragons!Isaystohim.Cabbagesandpotatoesarebetterformeandyou.Don’tgogettingmixedupinthebusinessofyourbetters,oryou’lllandintroubletoobigforyou,Isaystohim.AndImightsayittoothers,’headdedwithalookatthestrangerandthemiller.

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ButtheGafferdidnotconvincehisaudience.ThelegendofBilbo’swealthwasnowtoofirmlyfixedinthemindsoftheyoungergenerationofhobbits.

‘Ah,buthehaslikelyenoughbeenaddingtowhathebroughtatfirst,’arguedthemiller,voicingcommonopinion.‘He’softenawayfromhome.Andlookattheoutlandishfolkthatvisithim:

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dwarvescomingatnight,andthatoldwanderingconjuror,Gandalf,andall.Youcansaywhatyoulike,Gaffer,butBagEnd’saqueerplace,anditsfolkarequeerer.’

‘Andyoucansaywhatyoulike,aboutwhatyouknownomoreofthanyoudoofboating,Mr.Sandyman,’retortedtheGaffer,dislikingthemillerevenmorethanusual.‘Ifthat’sbeingqueer,

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thenwecoulddowithabitmorequeernessintheseparts.There’ssomenotfarawaythatwouldn’tofferapintofbeertoafriend,iftheylivedinaholewithgoldenwalls.ButtheydothingsproperatBagEnd.OurSamsaysthateveryone’sgoingtobeinvitedtotheparty,andthere’sgoingtobepresents,markyou,presentsforall–thisverymonthasis.’

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ThatverymonthwasSeptember,andasfineasyoucouldask.Adayortwolaterarumour(probablystartedbytheknowledgeableSam)wasspreadaboutthatthereweregoingtobefireworks–fireworks,whatismore,suchashadnotbeenseenintheShirefornighonacentury,notindeedsincetheOldTookdied.

DayspassedandTheDay

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drewnearer.Anodd-lookingwaggonladenwithodd-lookingpackagesrolledintoHobbitononeeveningandtoileduptheHilltoBagEnd.Thestartledhobbitspeeredoutoflamplitdoorstogapeatit.Itwasdrivenbyoutlandishfolk,singingstrangesongs:dwarveswithlongbeardsanddeephoods.AfewofthemremainedatBagEnd.Attheendofthesecondweekin

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SeptemberacartcameinthroughBywaterfromthedirectionofBrandywineBridgeinbroaddaylight.Anoldmanwasdrivingitallalone.Heworeatallpointedbluehat,alonggreycloak,andasilverscarf.Hehadalongwhitebeardandbushyeyebrowsthatstuckoutbeyondthebrimofhishat.Smallhobbit-childrenranafterthecartallthrough

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Hobbitonandrightupthehill.Ithadacargooffireworks,astheyrightlyguessed.AtBilbo’sfrontdoortheoldmanbegantounload:thereweregreatbundlesoffireworksofallsortsandshapes,eachlabelledwithalargeredGandtheelf-rune, .

ThatwasGandalf’smark,ofcourse,andtheoldmanwasGandalftheWizard,

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whosefameintheShirewasduemainlytohisskillwithfires,smokes,andlights.Hisrealbusinesswasfarmoredifficultanddangerous,buttheShire-folkknewnothingaboutit.Tothemhewasjustoneofthe‘attractions’attheParty.Hencetheexcitementofthehobbit-children.‘GforGrand!’theyshouted,andtheoldmansmiled.Theyknewhimbysight,thoughheonly

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appearedinHobbitonoccasionallyandneverstoppedlong;butneithertheynoranybuttheoldestoftheireldershadseenoneofhisfireworkdisplays–theynowbelongedtoalegendarypast.

Whentheoldman,helpedbyBilboandsomedwarves,hadfinishedunloading,Bilbogaveafewpenniesaway;butnotasinglesquiborcrackerwasforthcoming,tothe

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disappointmentoftheonlookers.

‘Runawaynow!’saidGandalf.‘Youwillgetplentywhenthetimecomes.’ThenhedisappearedinsidewithBilbo,andthedoorwasshut.Theyounghobbitsstaredatthedoorinvainforawhile,andthenmadeoff,feelingthatthedayofthepartywouldnevercome.

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InsideBagEnd,BilboandGandalfweresittingattheopenwindowofasmallroomlookingoutwestontothegarden.Thelateafternoonwasbrightandpeaceful.Theflowersglowedredandgolden:snap-dragonsandsunflowers,andnasturtianstrailingallovertheturfwallsandpeepinginattheroundwindows.

‘Howbrightyourgarden

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looks!’saidGandalf.‘Yes,’saidBilbo.‘Iam

veryfondindeedofit,andofallthedearoldShire;butIthinkIneedaholiday.’

‘Youmeantogoonwithyourplanthen?’

‘Ido.Imadeupmymindmonthsago,andIhaven’tchangedit.’

‘Verywell.Itisnogoodsayinganymore.Sticktoyourplan–yourwholeplan,

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mind–andIhopeitwillturnoutforthebest,foryou,andforallofus.’

‘Ihopeso.AnywayImeantoenjoymyselfonThursday,andhavemylittlejoke.’

‘Whowilllaugh,Iwonder?’saidGandalf,shakinghishead.

‘Weshallsee,’saidBilbo.

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ThenextdaymorecartsrolleduptheHill,andstillmorecarts.Theremighthavebeensomegrumblingabout‘dealinglocally’,butthatveryweekordersbegantopouroutofBagEndforeverykindofprovision,commodity,orluxurythatcouldbeobtainedinHobbitonorBywateroranywhereintheneighbourhood.People

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becameenthusiastic;andtheybegantotickoffthedaysonthecalendar;andtheywatchedeagerlyforthepostman,hopingforinvitations.

Beforelongtheinvitationsbeganpouringout,andtheHobbitonpost-officewasblocked,andtheBywaterpost-officewassnowedunder,andvoluntaryassistantpostmenwerecalledfor.

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TherewasaconstantstreamofthemgoinguptheHill,carryinghundredsofpolitevariationsonThankyou,Ishallcertainlycome.

AnoticeappearedonthegateatBagEnd:NOADMITTANCEEXCEPTONPARTYBUSINESS.Eventhosewhohad,orpretendedtohavePartyBusinesswereseldomallowedinside.Bilbowasbusy:writinginvitations,

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tickingoffanswers,packinguppresents,andmakingsomeprivatepreparationsofhisown.FromthetimeofGandalf’sarrivalheremainedhiddenfromview.

Onemorningthehobbitswoketofindthelargefield,southofBilbo’sfrontdoor,coveredwithropesandpolesfortentsandpavilions.Aspecialentrancewascutintothebankleadingtotheroad,

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andwidestepsandalargewhitegatewerebuiltthere.Thethreehobbit-familiesofBagshotRow,adjoiningthefield,wereintenselyinterestedandgenerallyenvied.OldGafferGamgeestoppedevenpretendingtoworkinhisgarden.

Thetentsbegantogoup.Therewasaspeciallylargepavilion,sobigthatthetreethatgrewinthefieldwas

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rightinsideit,andstoodproudlynearoneend,attheheadofthechieftable.Lanternswerehungonallitsbranches.Morepromisingstill(tothehobbits’mind):anenormousopen-airkitchenwaserectedinthenorthcornerofthefield.Adraughtofcooks,fromeveryinnandeating-houseformilesaround,arrivedtosupplementthedwarvesandotherodd

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folkthatwerequarteredatBagEnd.Excitementrosetoitsheight.

Thentheweathercloudedover.ThatwasonWednesdaytheeveoftheParty.Anxietywasintense.ThenThursday,Septemberthe22nd,actuallydawned.Thesungotup,thecloudsvanished,flagswereunfurledandthefunbegan.

BilboBagginscalleditaparty,butitwasreallya

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varietyofentertainmentsrolledintoone.Practicallyeverybodylivingnearwasinvited.Averyfewwereoverlookedbyaccident,butastheyturnedupallthesame,thatdidnotmatter.ManypeoplefromotherpartsoftheShirewerealsoasked;andtherewereevenafewfromoutsidetheborders.Bilbomettheguests(andadditions)atthenewwhite

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gateinperson.Hegaveawaypresentstoallandsundry–thelatterwerethosewhowentoutagainbyabackwayandcameinagainbythegate.Hobbitsgivepresentstootherpeopleontheirownbirthdays.Notveryexpensiveones,asarule,andnotsolavishlyasonthisoccasion;butitwasnotabadsystem.ActuallyinHobbitonandBywatereverydayintheyear

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wassomebody’sbirthday,sothateveryhobbitinthosepartshadafairchanceofatleastonepresentatleastonceaweek.Buttheynevergottiredofthem.

Onthisoccasionthepresentswereunusuallygood.Thehobbit-childrenweresoexcitedthatforawhiletheyalmostforgotabouteating.Thereweretoysthelikeofwhichtheyhad

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neverseenbefore,allbeautifulandsomeobviouslymagical.Manyofthemhadindeedbeenorderedayearbefore,andhadcomeallthewayfromtheMountainandfromDale,andwereofrealdwarf-make.

Wheneveryguesthadbeenwelcomedandwasfinallyinsidethegate,thereweresongs,dances,music,games,and,ofcourse,food

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anddrink.Therewerethreeofficialmeals:lunch,tea,anddinner(orsupper).Butlunchandteaweremarkedchieflybythefactthatatthosetimesalltheguestsweresittingdownandeatingtogether.Atothertimesthereweremerelylotsofpeopleeatinganddrinking–continuouslyfromelevensesuntilsix-thirty,whenthefireworksstarted.

Thefireworkswereby

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Gandalf:theywerenotonlybroughtbyhim,butdesignedandmadebyhim;andthespecialeffects,setpieces,andflightsofrocketswereletoffbyhim.Buttherewasalsoagenerousdistributionofsquibs,crackers,backarappers,sparklers,torches,dwarf-candles,elf-fountains,goblin-barkersandthunder-claps.Theywereallsuperb.TheartofGandalf

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improvedwithage.Therewererocketslikea

flightofscintillatingbirdssingingwithsweetvoices.Thereweregreentreeswithtrunksofdarksmoke:theirleavesopenedlikeawholespringunfoldinginamoment,andtheirshiningbranchesdroppedglowingflowersdownupontheastonishedhobbits,disappearingwithasweet

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scentjustbeforetheytouchedtheirupturnedfaces.Therewerefountainsofbutterfliesthatflewglitteringintothetrees;therewerepillarsofcolouredfiresthatroseandturnedintoeagles,orsailingships,oraphalanxofflyingswans;therewasaredthunderstormandashowerofyellowrain;therewasaforestofsilverspearsthatsprangsuddenlyintotheairwitha

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yelllikeanembattledarmy,andcamedownagainintotheWaterwithahisslikeahundredhotsnakes.Andtherewasalsoonelastsurprise,inhonourofBilbo,anditstartledthehobbitsexceedingly,asGandalfintended.Thelightswentout.Agreatsmokewentup.Itshapeditselflikeamountainseeninthedistance,andbegantoglowatthesummit.

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Itspoutedgreenandscarletflames.Outflewared-goldendragon–notlife-size,butterriblylife-like:firecamefromhisjaws,hiseyesglareddown;therewasaroar,andhewhizzedthreetimesovertheheadsofthecrowd.Theyallducked,andmanyfellflatontheirfaces.Thedragonpassedlikeanexpresstrain,turnedasomersault,andburstoverBywaterwitha

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deafeningexplosion.‘Thatisthesignalfor

supper!’saidBilbo.Thepainandalarmvanishedatonce,andtheprostratehobbitsleapedtotheirfeet.Therewasasplendidsupperforeveryone;foreveryone,thatis,exceptthoseinvitedtothespecialfamilydinner-party.Thiswasheldinthegreatpavilionwiththetree.Theinvitationswerelimitedto

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twelvedozen(anumberalsocalledbythehobbitsoneGross,thoughthewordwasnotconsideredpropertouseofpeople);andtheguestswereselectedfromallthefamiliestowhichBilboandFrodowererelated,withtheadditionofafewspecialunrelatedfriends(suchasGandalf).Manyyounghobbitswereincluded,andpresentbyparental

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permission;forhobbitswereeasy-goingwiththeirchildreninthematterofsittinguplate,especiallywhentherewasachanceofgettingthemafreemeal.Bringingupyounghobbitstookalotofprovender.

ThereweremanyBagginsesandBoffins,andalsomanyTooksandBrandybucks;therewerevariousGrubbs(relationsof

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BilboBaggins’grandmother),andvariousChubbs(connexionsofhisTookgrandfather);andaselectionofBurrowses,Bolgers,Bracegirdles,Brockhouses,Goodbodies,HornblowersandProudfoots.SomeofthesewereonlyverydistantlyconnectedwithBilbo,andsomehadhardlyeverbeeninHobbitonbefore,astheylivedinremotecornersofthe

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Shire.TheSackville-Bagginseswerenotforgotten.OthoandhiswifeLobeliawerepresent.TheydislikedBilboanddetestedFrodo,butsomagnificentwastheinvitationcard,writteningoldenink,thattheyhadfeltitwasimpossibletorefuse.Besides,theircousin,Bilbo,hadbeenspecializinginfoodformanyyearsandhistablehadahighreputation.

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Alltheonehundredandforty-fourguestsexpectedapleasantfeast;thoughtheyratherdreadedtheafter-dinnerspeechoftheirhost(aninevitableitem).Hewasliabletodraginbitsofwhathecalledpoetry;andsometimes,afteraglassortwo,wouldalludetotheabsurdadventuresofhismysteriousjourney.Theguestswerenotdisappointed:

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theyhadaverypleasantfeast,infactanengrossingentertainment:rich,abundant,varied,andprolonged.Thepurchaseofprovisionsfellalmosttonothingthroughoutthedistrictintheensuingweeks;butasBilbo’scateringhaddepletedthestocksofmostofthestores,cellarsandwarehousesformilesaround,thatdidnotmattermuch.

Afterthefeast(moreor

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less)cametheSpeech.Mostofthecompanywere,however,nowinatolerantmood,atthatdelightfulstagewhichtheycalled‘fillingupthecorners’.Theyweresippingtheirfavouritedrinks,andnibblingattheirfavouritedainties,andtheirfearswereforgotten.Theywerepreparedtolistentoanything,andtocheerateveryfullstop.

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MydearPeople,beganBilbo,risinginhisplace.‘Hear!Hear!Hear!’theyshouted,andkeptonrepeatingitinchorus,seemingreluctanttofollowtheirownadvice.Bilbolefthisplaceandwentandstoodonachairundertheilluminatedtree.Thelightofthelanternsfellonhisbeamingface;thegoldenbuttonsshoneonhis

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embroideredsilkwaistcoat.Theycouldallseehimstanding,wavingonehandintheair,theotherwasinhistrouser-pocket.

MydearBagginsesandBoffins,hebeganagain;andmydearTooksandBrandybucks,andGrubbs,andChubbs,andBurrowses,andHornblowers,andBolgers,Bracegirdles,Goodbodies,Brockhouses

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andProudfoots.‘ProudFEET!’shoutedanelderlyhobbitfromthebackofthepavilion.Hisname,ofcourse,wasProudfoot,andwellmerited;hisfeetwerelarge,exceptionallyfurry,andbothwereonthetable.

Proudfoots,repeatedBilbo.AlsomygoodSackville-BagginsesthatIwelcomebackatlasttoBagEnd.Todayismyone

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hundredandeleventhbirthday:Iameleventy-onetoday!‘Hurray!Hurray!ManyHappyReturns!’theyshouted,andtheyhammeredjoyouslyonthetables.Bilbowasdoingsplendidly.Thiswasthesortofstufftheyliked:shortandobvious.

IhopeyouareallenjoyingyourselvesasmuchasIam.Deafeningcheers.CriesofYes(andNo).Noises

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oftrumpetsandhorns,pipesandflutes,andothermusicalinstruments.Therewere,ashasbeensaid,manyyounghobbitspresent.Hundredsofmusicalcrackershadbeenpulled.Mostofthemborethemarkdaleonthem;whichdidnotconveymuchtomostofthehobbits,buttheyallagreedtheyweremarvellouscrackers.Theycontainedinstruments,small,butof

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perfectmakeandenchantingtones.Indeed,inonecornersomeoftheyoungTooksandBrandybucks,supposingUncleBilbotohavefinished(sincehehadplainlysaidallthatwasnecessary),nowgotupanimpromptuorchestra,andbeganamerrydance-tune.MasterEverardTookandMissMelilotBrandybuckgotonatableandwithbellsintheirhandsbegantodance

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theSpringle-ring:aprettydance,butrathervigorous.

ButBilbohadnotfinished.Seizingahornfromayoungsternearby,heblewthreeloudhoots.Thenoisesubsided.Ishallnotkeepyoulong,hecried.Cheersfromalltheassembly.IhavecalledyoualltogetherforaPurpose.Somethinginthewaythathesaidthismadeanimpression.Therewasalmost

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silence,andoneortwooftheTooksprickeduptheirears.

Indeed,forThreePurposes!Firstofall,totellyouthatIamimmenselyfondofyouall,andthateleventy-oneyearsistooshortatimetoliveamongsuchexcellentandadmirablehobbits.Tremendousoutburstofapproval.

Idon’tknowhalfofyouhalfaswellasIshouldlike;

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andIlikelessthanhalfofyouhalfaswellasyoudeserve.Thiswasunexpectedandratherdifficult.Therewassomescatteredclapping,butmostofthemweretryingtoworkitoutandseeifitcametoacompliment.

Secondly,tocelebratemybirthday.Cheersagain.Ishouldsay:OURbirthday.Foritis,ofcourse,alsothebirthdayofmyheirand

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nephew,Frodo.Hecomesofageandintohisinheritancetoday.Someperfunctoryclappingbytheelders;andsomeloudshoutsof‘Frodo!Frodo!JollyoldFrodo,’fromthejuniors.TheSackville-Bagginsesscowled,andwonderedwhatwasmeantby‘comingintohisinheritance’.

Togetherwescoreonehundredandforty-four.Yournumberswerechosentofit

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thisremarkabletotal:OneGross,ifImayusetheexpression.Nocheers.Thiswasridiculous.Manyoftheguests,andespeciallytheSackville-Bagginses,wereinsulted,feelingsuretheyhadonlybeenaskedtofilluptherequirednumber,likegoodsinapackage.‘OneGross,indeed!Vulgarexpression.’

Itisalso,ifImaybeallowedtorefertoancient

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history,theanniversaryofmyarrivalbybarrelatEsgarothontheLongLake;thoughthefactthatitwasmybirthdayslippedmymemoryonthatoccasion.Iwasonlyfifty-onethen,andbirthdaysdidnotseemsoimportant.Thebanquetwasverysplendid,however,thoughIhadabadcoldatthetime,Iremember,andcouldonlysay‘thagyouverybuch’.Inowrepeatit

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morecorrectly:Thankyouverymuchforcomingtomylittleparty.Obstinatesilence.Theyallfearedthatasongorsomepoetrywasnowimminent;andtheyweregettingbored.Whycouldn’thestoptalkingandletthemdrinkhishealth?ButBilbodidnotsingorrecite.Hepausedforamoment.

Thirdlyandfinally,hesaid,Iwishtomakean

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ANNOUNCEMENT.Hespokethislastwordsoloudlyandsuddenlythateveryonesatupwhostillcould.Iregrettoannouncethat–though,asIsaid,eleventy-oneyearsisfartooshortatimetospendamongyou–thisistheEND.Iamgoing.IamleavingNOW.GOOD-BYE!

Hesteppeddownand

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vanished.Therewasablindingflashoflight,andtheguestsallblinked.WhentheyopenedtheireyesBilbowasnowheretobeseen.Onehundredandforty-fourflabbergastedhobbitssatbackspeechless.OldOdoProudfootremovedhisfeetfromthetableandstamped.Thentherewasadeadsilence,untilsuddenly,afterseveraldeepbreaths,every

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Baggins,Boffin,Took,Brandybuck,Grubb,Chubb,Burrows,Bolger,Bracegirdle,Brockhouse,Goodbody,Hornblower,andProudfootbegantotalkatonce.

Itwasgenerallyagreedthatthejokewasinverybadtaste,andmorefoodanddrinkwereneededtocuretheguestsofshockandannoyance.‘He’smad.Ialwayssaidso,’wasprobably

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themostpopularcomment.EventheTooks(withafewexceptions)thoughtBilbo’sbehaviourwasabsurd.Forthemomentmostofthemtookitforgrantedthathisdisappearancewasnothingmorethanaridiculousprank.

ButoldRoryBrandybuckwasnotsosure.Neitheragenoranenormousdinnerhadcloudedhiswits,andhesaidtohisdaughter-in-law,

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Esmeralda:‘There’ssomethingfishyinthis,mydear!IbelievethatmadBagginsisoffagain.Sillyoldfool.Butwhyworry?Hehasn’ttakenthevittleswithhim.’HecalledloudlytoFrodotosendthewineroundagain.

Frodowastheonlyonepresentwhohadsaidnothing.ForsometimehehadsatsilentbesideBilbo’sempty

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chair,andignoredallremarksandquestions.Hehadenjoyedthejoke,ofcourse,eventhoughhehadbeenintheknow.Hehaddifficultyinkeepingfromlaughterattheindignantsurpriseoftheguests.Butatthesametimehefeltdeeplytroubled:herealizedsuddenlythathelovedtheoldhobbitdearly.Mostoftheguestswentoneatinganddrinkingand

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discussingBilboBaggins’oddities,pastandpresent;buttheSackville-Bagginseshadalreadydepartedinwrath.Frododidnotwanttohaveanymoretodowiththeparty.Hegaveordersformorewinetobeserved;thenhegotupanddrainedhisownglasssilentlytothehealthofBilbo,andslippedoutofthepavilion.

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AsforBilboBaggins,evenwhilehewasmakinghisspeech,hehadbeenfingeringthegoldenringinhispocket:hismagicringthathehadkeptsecretforsomanyyears.Ashesteppeddownheslippeditonhisfinger,andhewasneverseenbyanyhobbitinHobbitonagain.

Hewalkedbrisklybacktohishole,andstoodforamomentlisteningwitha

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smiletothedininthepavilion,andtothesoundsofmerrymakinginotherpartsofthefield.Thenhewentin.Hetookoffhispartyclothes,foldedupandwrappedintissue-paperhisembroideredsilkwaistcoat,andputitaway.Thenheputonquicklysomeolduntidygarments,andfastenedroundhiswaistawornleatherbelt.Onithehungashortswordina

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batteredblack-leatherscabbard.Fromalockeddrawer,smellingofmoth-balls,hetookoutanoldcloakandhood.Theyhadbeenlockedupasiftheywereveryprecious,buttheyweresopatchedandweatherstainedthattheiroriginalcolourcouldhardlybeguessed:itmighthavebeendarkgreen.Theywererathertoolargeforhim.Hethenwentintohis

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study,andfromalargestrong-boxtookoutabundlewrappedinoldcloths,andaleather-boundmanuscript;andalsoalargebulkyenvelope.Thebookandbundlehestuffedintothetopofaheavybagthatwasstandingthere,alreadynearlyfull.Intotheenvelopeheslippedhisgoldenring,anditsfinechain,andthensealedit,andaddressedittoFrodo.

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Atfirstheputitonthemantelpiece,butsuddenlyheremoveditandstuckitinhispocket.AtthatmomentthedooropenedandGandalfcamequicklyin.

‘Hullo!’saidBilbo.‘Iwonderedifyouwouldturnup.’

‘Iamgladtofindyouvisible,’repliedthewizard,sittingdowninachair,‘Iwantedtocatchyouandhave

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afewfinalwords.Isupposeyoufeelthateverythinghasgoneoffsplendidlyandaccordingtoplan?’

‘Yes,Ido,’saidBilbo.‘Thoughthatflashwassurprising:itquitestartledme,letalonetheothers.Alittleadditionofyourown,Isuppose?’

‘Itwas.Youhavewiselykeptthatringsecretalltheseyears,anditseemedtome

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necessarytogiveyourguestssomethingelsethatwouldseemtoexplainyoursuddenvanishment.’

‘Andwouldspoilmyjoke.Youareaninterferingoldbusybody,’laughedBilbo,‘butIexpectyouknowbest,asusual.’

‘Ido–whenIknowanything.ButIdon’tfeeltoosureaboutthiswholeaffair.Ithasnowcometothefinal

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point.Youhavehadyourjoke,andalarmedoroffendedmostofyourrelations,andgiventhewholeShiresomethingtotalkaboutforninedays,orninety-ninemorelikely.Areyougoinganyfurther?’

‘Yes,Iam.IfeelIneedaholiday,averylongholiday,asIhavetoldyoubefore.Probablyapermanentholiday:Idon’texpectIshall

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return.Infact,Idon’tmeanto,andIhavemadeallarrangements.

‘Iamold,Gandalf.Idon’tlookit,butIambeginningtofeelitinmyheartofhearts.Well-preservedindeed!’hesnorted.‘Why,Ifeelallthin,sortofstretched,ifyouknowwhatImean:likebutterthathasbeenscrapedovertoomuchbread.Thatcan’tberight.Ineedachange,or

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something.’Gandalflookedcuriously

andcloselyathim.‘No,itdoesnotseemright,’hesaidthoughtfully.‘No,afterallIbelieveyourplanisprobablythebest.’

‘Well,I’vemadeupmymind,anyway.Iwanttoseemountainsagain,Gandalf–mountains;andthenfindsomewherewhereIcanrest.Inpeaceandquiet,withouta

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lotofrelativespryingaround,andastringofconfoundedvisitorshangingonthebell.ImightfindsomewherewhereIcanfinishmybook.Ihavethoughtofaniceendingforit:andhelivedhappilyeveraftertotheendofhisdays.’

Gandalflaughed.‘Ihopehewill.Butnobodywillreadthebook,howeveritends.’

‘Oh,theymay,inyearstocome.Frodohasreadsome

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already,asfarasithasgone.You’llkeepaneyeonFrodo,won’tyou?’

‘Yes,Iwill–twoeyes,asoftenasIcansparethem.’

‘Hewouldcomewithme,ofcourse,ifIaskedhim.Infactheofferedtoonce,justbeforetheparty.Buthedoesnotreallywantto,yet.IwanttoseethewildcountryagainbeforeIdie,andtheMountains;butheisstillin

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lovewiththeShire,withwoodsandfieldsandlittlerivers.Heoughttobecomfortablehere.Iamleavingeverythingtohim,ofcourse,exceptafewoddments.Ihopehewillbehappy,whenhegetsusedtobeingonhisown.It’stimehewashisownmasternow.’

‘Everything?’saidGandalf.‘Theringaswell?Youagreedtothat,you

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remember.’‘Well,er,yes,Isuppose

so,’stammeredBilbo.‘Whereisit?’

‘Inanenvelope,ifyoumustknow,’saidBilboimpatiently.‘Thereonthemantelpiece.Well,no!Hereitisinmypocket!’Hehesitated.‘Isn’tthatoddnow?’hesaidsoftlytohimself.‘Yetafterall,whynot?Whyshouldn’titstay

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there?’Gandalflookedagainvery

hardatBilbo,andtherewasagleaminhiseyes.‘Ithink,Bilbo,’hesaidquietly,‘Ishouldleaveitbehind.Don’tyouwantto?’

‘Wellyes–andno.Nowitcomestoit,Idon’tlikepartingwithitatall,Imaysay.AndIdon’treallyseewhyIshould.Whydoyouwantmeto?’heasked,anda

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curiouschangecameoverhisvoice.Itwassharpwithsuspicionandannoyance.‘Youarealwaysbadgeringmeaboutmyring;butyouhaveneverbotheredmeabouttheotherthingsthatIgotonmyjourney.’

‘No,butIhadtobadgeryou,’saidGandalf.‘Iwantedthetruth.Itwasimportant.Magicringsare–well,magical;andtheyarerareand

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curious.Iwasprofessionallyinterestedinyourring,youmaysay;andIstillam.Ishouldliketoknowwhereitis,ifyougowanderingagain.AlsoIthinkyouhavehaditquitelongenough.Youwon’tneeditanymore,Bilbo,unlessIamquitemistaken.’

Bilboflushed,andtherewasanangrylightinhiseyes.Hiskindlyfacegrewhard.‘Whynot?’hecried.‘And

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whatbusinessisitofyours,anyway,toknowwhatIdowithmyownthings?Itismyown.Ifoundit.Itcametome.’

‘Yes,yes,’saidGandalf.‘Butthereisnoneedtogetangry.’

‘IfIamitisyourfault,’saidBilbo.‘Itismine,Itellyou.Myown.MyPrecious.Yes,myPrecious.’

Thewizard’sface

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remainedgraveandattentive,andonlyaflickerinhisdeepeyesshowedthathewasstartledandindeedalarmed.‘Ithasbeencalledthatbefore,’hesaid,‘butnotbyyou.’

‘ButIsayitnow.Andwhynot?EvenifGollumsaidthesameonce.It’snothisnow,butmine.AndIshallkeepit,Isay.’

Gandalfstoodup.He

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spokesternly.‘Youwillbeafoolifyoudo,Bilbo,’hesaid.‘Youmakethatclearerwitheverywordyousay.Ithasgotfartoomuchholdonyou.Letitgo!Andthenyoucangoyourself,andbefree.’

‘I’lldoasIchooseandgoasIplease,’saidBilboobstinately.

‘Now,now,mydearhobbit!’saidGandalf.‘Allyourlonglifewehavebeen

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friends,andyouowemesomething.Come!Doasyoupromised:giveitup!’

‘Well,ifyouwantmyringyourself,sayso!’criedBilbo.‘Butyouwon’tgetit.Iwon’tgivemyPreciousaway,Itellyou.’Hishandstrayedtothehiltofhissmallsword.

Gandalf’seyesflashed.‘Itwillbemyturntogetangrysoon,’hesaid.‘Ifyousaythatagain,Ishall.Then

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youwillseeGandalftheGreyuncloaked.’Hetookasteptowardsthehobbit,andheseemedtogrowtallandmenacing;hisshadowfilledthelittleroom.

Bilbobackedawaytothewall,breathinghard,hishandclutchingathispocket.Theystoodforawhilefacingoneanother,andtheairoftheroomtingled.Gandalf’seyesremainedbentonthehobbit.

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Slowlyhishandsrelaxed,andhebegantotremble.

‘Idon’tknowwhathascomeoveryou,Gandalf,’hesaid.‘Youhaveneverbeenlikethisbefore.Whatisitallabout?Itismineisn’tit?Ifoundit,andGollumwouldhavekilledme,ifIhadn’tkeptit.I’mnotathief,whateverhesaid.’

‘Ihavenevercalledyouone,’Gandalfanswered.‘And

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Iamnotoneeither.Iamnottryingtorobyou,buttohelpyou.Iwishyouwouldtrustme,asyouused.’Heturnedaway,andtheshadowpassed.Heseemedtodwindleagaintoanoldgreyman,bentandtroubled.

Bilbodrewhishandoverhiseyes.‘Iamsorry,’hesaid.‘ButIfeltsoqueer.Andyetitwouldbeareliefinawaynottobebotheredwithitany

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more.Ithasbeensogrowingonmymindlately.SometimesIhavefeltitwaslikeaneyelookingatme.AndIamalwayswantingtoputitonanddisappear,don’tyouknow;orwonderingifitissafe,andpullingitouttomakesure.Itriedlockingitup,butIfoundIcouldn’trestwithoutitinmypocket.Idon’tknowwhy.AndIdon’tseemabletomakeupmy

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mind.’‘Thentrustmine,’said

Gandalf.‘Itisquitemadeup.Goawayandleaveitbehind.Stoppossessingit.GiveittoFrodo,andIwilllookafterhim.’

Bilbostoodforamomenttenseandundecided.Presentlyhesighed.‘Allright,’hesaidwithaneffort.‘Iwill.’Thenheshruggedhisshoulders,andsmiledrather

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ruefully.‘Afterallthat’swhatthispartybusinesswasallabout,really:togiveawaylotsofbirthday-presents,andsomehowmakeiteasiertogiveitawayatthesametime.Ithasn’tmadeitanyeasierintheend,butitwouldbeapitytowasteallmypreparations.Itwouldquitespoilthejoke.’

‘IndeeditwouldtakeawaytheonlypointIeversawintheaffair,’said

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Gandalf.‘Verywell,’saidBilbo,‘it

goestoFrodowithalltherest.’Hedrewadeepbreath.‘AndnowIreallymustbestarting,orsomebodyelsewillcatchme.Ihavesaidgood-bye,andIcouldn’tbeartodoitalloveragain.’Hepickeduphisbagandmovedtothedoor.

‘Youhavestillgottheringinyourpocket,’saidthe

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wizard.‘Well,soIhave!’cried

Bilbo.‘Andmywillandalltheotherdocumentstoo.Youhadbettertakeitanddeliveritforme.Thatwillbesafest.’

‘No,don’tgivetheringtome,’saidGandalf.‘Putitonthemantelpiece.Itwillbesafeenoughthere,tillFrodocomes.Ishallwaitforhim.’

Bilbotookouttheenvelope,butjustashewas

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abouttosetitbytheclock,hishandjerkedback,andthepacketfellonthefloor.Beforehecouldpickitup,thewizardstoopedandseizeditandsetitinitsplace.Aspasmofangerpassedswiftlyoverthehobbit’sfaceagain.Suddenlyitgavewaytoalookofreliefandalaugh.

‘Well,that’sthat,’hesaid.‘NowI’moff!’

Theywentoutintothe

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hall.Bilbochosehisfavouritestickfromthestand;thenhewhistled.Threedwarvescameoutofdifferentroomswheretheyhadbeenbusy.

‘Iseverythingready?’askedBilbo.‘Everythingpackedandlabelled?’

‘Everything,’theyanswered.

‘Well,let’sstartthen!’Hesteppedoutofthefront-door.

Itwasafinenight,andthe

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blackskywasdottedwithstars.Helookedup,sniffingtheair.‘Whatfun!Whatfuntobeoffagain,offontheRoadwithdwarves!ThisiswhatIhavereallybeenlongingfor,foryears!Good-bye!’hesaid,lookingathisoldhomeandbowingtothedoor.‘Good-bye,Gandalf!’

‘Good-bye,forthepresent,Bilbo.Takecareofyourself!Youareoldenough,

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andperhapswiseenough.’‘Takecare!Idon’tcare.

Don’tyouworryaboutme!IamashappynowasIhaveeverbeen,andthatissayingagreatdeal.Butthetimehascome.Iambeingsweptoffmyfeetatlast,’headded,andtheninalowvoice,asiftohimself,hesangsoftlyinthedark:

TheRoadgoesever

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onandonDownfromthedoorwhereitbegan.

NowfaraheadtheRoadhasgone,AndImustfollow,ifIcan,

Pursuingitwitheagerfeet,Untilitjoinssomelargerway

Wheremanypaths

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anderrandsmeet.Andwhitherthen?Icannotsay.

Hepaused,silentforamoment.Thenwithoutanotherwordheturnedawayfromthelightsandvoicesinthefieldandtents,andfollowedbyhisthreecompanionswentroundintohisgarden,andtrotteddownthelongslopingpath.He

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jumpedoveralowplaceinthehedgeatthebottom,andtooktothemeadows,passingintothenightlikearustleofwindinthegrass.

Gandalfremainedforawhilestaringafterhimintothedarkness.‘Good-bye,mydearBilbo–untilournextmeeting!’hesaidsoftlyandwentbackindoors.

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Frodocameinsoonafterwards,andfoundhimsittinginthedark,deepinthought.‘Hashegone?’heasked.

‘Yes,’answeredGandalf,‘hehasgoneatlast.’

‘Iwish–Imean,Ihopeduntilthiseveningthatitwasonlyajoke,’saidFrodo.‘ButIknewinmyheartthathereallymeanttogo.Healwaysusedtojokeaboutserious

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things.IwishIhadcomebacksooner,justtoseehimoff.’

‘Ithinkreallyhepreferredslippingoffquietlyintheend,’saidGandalf.‘Don’tbetootroubled.He’llbeallright–now.Heleftapacketforyou.Thereitis!’

Frodotooktheenvelopefromthemantelpiece,andglancedatit,butdidnotopenit.

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‘You’llfindhiswillandalltheotherdocumentsinthere,Ithink,’saidthewizard.‘YouarethemasterofBagEndnow.Andalso,Ifancy,you’llfindagoldenring.’

‘Thering!’exclaimedFrodo.‘Hasheleftmethat?Iwonderwhy.Still,itmaybeuseful.’

‘Itmay,anditmaynot,’saidGandalf.‘Ishouldnot

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makeuseofit,ifIwereyou.Butkeepitsecret,andkeepitsafe!NowIamgoingtobed.’

AsmasterofBagEndFrodofeltithispainfuldutytosaygood-byetotheguests.Rumoursofstrangeeventshadbynowspreadalloverthefield,butFrodowouldonlysaynodoubteverythingwillbeclearedupinthe

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morning.Aboutmidnightcarriagescamefortheimportantfolk.Onebyonetheyrolledaway,filledwithfullbutveryunsatisfiedhobbits.Gardenerscamebyarrangement,andremovedinwheelbarrowsthosethathadinadvertentlyremainedbehind.

Nightslowlypassed.Thesunrose.Thehobbitsroseratherlater.Morningwenton.

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Peoplecameandbegan(byorders)toclearawaythepavilionsandthetablesandthechairs,andthespoonsandknivesandbottlesandplates,andthelanterns,andthefloweringshrubsinboxes,andthecrumbsandcracker-paper,theforgottenbagsandglovesandhandkerchiefs,andtheuneatenfood(averysmallitem).Thenanumberofotherpeoplecame(without

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orders):Bagginses,andBoffins,andBolgers,andTooks,andothergueststhatlivedorwerestayingnear.Bymid-day,wheneventhebest-fedwereoutandaboutagain,therewasalargecrowdatBagEnd,uninvitedbutnotunexpected.

Frodowaswaitingonthestep,smiling,butlookingrathertiredandworried.Hewelcomedallthecallers,but

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hehadnotmuchmoretosaythanbefore.Hisreplytoallinquirieswassimplythis:‘Mr.BilboBagginshasgoneaway;asfarasIknow,forgood.’Someofthevisitorsheinvitedtocomeinside,asBilbohadleft‘messages’forthem.

Insideinthehalltherewaspiledalargeassortmentofpackagesandparcelsandsmallarticlesoffurniture.On

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everyitemtherewasalabeltied.Therewereseverallabelsofthissort:

ForADELARDTOOK,forhisVERYOWN,fromBilbo;onanumbrella.Adelardhadcarriedoffmanyunlabelledones.

ForDORABAGGINSinmemoryofaLONGcorrespondence,withlovefromBilbo;onalargewaste-paperbasket.Dorawas

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Drogo’ssisterandtheeldestsurvivingfemalerelativeofBilboandFrodo;shewasninety-nine,andhadwrittenreamsofgoodadviceformorethanhalfacentury.

ForMILOBURROWS,hopingitwillbeuseful,fromB.B.;onagoldpenandink-bottle.Miloneveransweredletters.

ForANGELICA’Suse,fromUncleBilbo;onaround

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convexmirror.ShewasayoungBaggins,andtooobviouslyconsideredherfaceshapely.

ForthecollectionofHUGOBRACEGIRDLE,fromacontributor;onan(empty)book-case.Hugowasagreatborrowerofbooks,andworsethanusualatreturningthem.

ForLOBELIASACKVILLE-BAGGINS,asa

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PRESENT;onacaseofsilverspoons.Bilbobelievedthatshehadacquiredagoodmanyofhisspoons,whilehewasawayonhisformerjourney.Lobeliaknewthatquitewell.Whenshearrivedlaterintheday,shetookthepointatonce,butshealsotookthespoons.

Thisisonlyasmall

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selectionoftheassembledpresents.Bilbo’sresidencehadgotratherclutteredupwiththingsinthecourseofhislonglife.Itwasatendencyofhobbit-holestogetclutteredup:forwhichthecustomofgivingsomanybirthday-presentswaslargelyresponsible.Not,ofcourse,thatthebirthday-presentswerealwaysnew;therewereoneortwooldmathomsof

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forgottenusesthathadcirculatedallaroundthedistrict;butBilbohadusuallygivennewpresents,andkeptthosethathereceived.Theoldholewasnowbeingclearedalittle.

Everyoneofthevariouspartinggiftshadlabels,writtenoutpersonallybyBilbo,andseveralhadsomepoint,orsomejoke.But,ofcourse,mostofthethings

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weregivenwheretheywouldbewantedandwelcome.Thepoorerhobbits,andespeciallythoseofBagshotRow,didverywell.OldGafferGamgeegottwosacksofpotatoes,anewspade,awoollenwaistcoat,andabottleofointmentforcreakingjoints.OldRoryBrandybuck,inreturnformuchhospitality,gotadozenbottlesofOldWinyards:a

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strongredwinefromtheSouthfarthing,andnowquitemature,asithadbeenlaiddownbyBilbo’sfather.RoryquiteforgaveBilbo,andvotedhimacapitalfellowafterthefirstbottle.

TherewasplentyofeverythingleftforFrodo.And,ofcourse,allthechieftreasures,aswellasthebooks,pictures,andmorethanenoughfurniture,were

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leftinhispossession.Therewas,however,nosignnormentionofmoneyorjewellery:notapenny-pieceoraglassbeadwasgivenaway.

Frodohadaverytryingtimethatafternoon.Afalserumourthatthewholehouseholdwasbeingdistributedfreespreadlike

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wildfire;andbeforelongtheplacewaspackedwithpeoplewhohadnobusinessthere,butcouldnotbekeptout.Labelsgottornoffandmixed,andquarrelsbrokeout.Somepeopletriedtodoswapsanddealsinthehall;andotherstriedtomakeoffwithminoritemsnotaddressedtothem,orwithanythingthatseemedunwantedorunwatched.The

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roadtothegatewasblockedwithbarrowsandhandcarts.

InthemiddleofthecommotiontheSackville-Bagginsesarrived.FrodohadretiredforawhileandlefthisfriendMerryBrandybucktokeepaneyeonthings.WhenOtholoudlydemandedtoseeFrodo,Merrybowedpolitely.

‘Heisindisposed,’hesaid.‘Heisresting.’

‘Hiding,youmean,’said

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Lobelia.‘Anywaywewanttoseehimandwemeantoseehim.Justgoandtellhimso!’

Merryleftthemalongwhileinthehall,andtheyhadtimetodiscovertheirpartinggiftofspoons.Itdidnotimprovetheirtempers.Eventuallytheywereshownintothestudy.Frodowassittingatatablewithalotofpapersinfrontofhim.Helookedindisposed–tosee

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Sackville-Bagginsesatanyrate;andhestoodup,fidgetingwithsomethinginhispocket.Buthespokequitepolitely.

TheSackville-Bagginseswereratheroffensive.Theybeganbyofferinghimbadbargain-prices(asbetweenfriends)forvariousvaluableandunlabelledthings.WhenFrodorepliedthatonlythethingsspeciallydirectedby

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Bilbowerebeinggivenaway,theysaidthewholeaffairwasveryfishy.

‘Onlyonethingiscleartome,’saidOtho,‘andthatisthatyouaredoingexceedinglywelloutofit.Iinsistonseeingthewill.’

OthowouldhavebeenBilbo’sheir,butfortheadoptionofFrodo.Hereadthewillcarefullyandsnorted.Itwas,unfortunately,very

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clearandcorrect(accordingtothelegalcustomsofhobbits,whichdemandamongotherthingssevensignaturesofwitnessesinredink).

‘Foiledagain!’hesaidtohiswife.‘Andafterwaitingsixtyyears.Spoons?Fiddlesticks!’HesnappedhisfingersunderFrodo’snoseandstumpedoff.ButLobeliawasnotsoeasilygotridof.A

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littlelaterFrodocameoutofthestudytoseehowthingsweregoingon,andfoundherstillabouttheplace,investigatingnooksandcorners,andtappingthefloors.Heescortedherfirmlyoffthepremises,afterhehadrelievedherofseveralsmall(butrathervaluable)articlesthathadsomehowfalleninsideherumbrella.Herfacelookedasifshewasinthe

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throesofthinkingoutareallycrushingpartingremark;butallshefoundtosay,turningroundonthestep,was:

‘You’lllivetoregretit,youngfellow!Whydidn’tyougotoo?Youdon’tbelonghere;you’renoBaggins–you–you’reaBrandybuck!’

‘Didyouhearthat,Merry?Thatwasaninsult,ifyoulike,’saidFrodoasheshutthedooronher.

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‘Itwasacompliment,’saidMerryBrandybuck,‘andso,ofcourse,nottrue.’

Thentheywentroundthehole,andevictedthreeyounghobbits(twoBoffinsandaBolger)whowereknockingholesinthewallsofoneofthecellars.FrodoalsohadatusslewithyoungSanchoProudfoot(oldOdo

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Proudfoot’sgrandson),whohadbegunanexcavationinthelargerpantry,wherehethoughttherewasanecho.ThelegendofBilbo’sgoldexcitedbothcuriosityandhope;forlegendarygold(mysteriouslyobtained,ifnotpositivelyill-gotten),is,aseveryoneknows,anyone’sforthefinding–unlessthesearchisinterrupted.

Whenhehadovercome

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Sanchoandpushedhimout,Frodocollapsedonachairinthehall.‘It’stimetoclosetheshop,Merry,’hesaid.‘Lockthedoor,anddon’topenittoanyonetoday,noteveniftheybringabatteringram.’Thenhewenttorevivehimselfwithabelatedcupoftea.

Hehadhardlysatdown,whentherecameasoftknockatthefront-door.‘Lobelia

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againmostlikely,’hethought.‘Shemusthavethoughtofsomethingreallynasty,andhavecomebackagaintosayit.Itcanwait.’

Hewentonwithhistea.Theknockwasrepeated,muchlouder,buthetooknonotice.Suddenlythewizard’sheadappearedatthewindow.

‘Ifyoudon’tletmein,Frodo,Ishallblowyourdoorrightdownyourholeandout

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throughthehill,’hesaid.‘MydearGandalf!Halfa

minute!’criedFrodo,runningoutoftheroomtothedoor.‘Comein!Comein!IthoughtitwasLobelia.’

‘ThenIforgiveyou.ButIsawhersometimeago,drivingapony-traptowardsBywaterwithafacethatwouldhavecurdlednewmilk.’

‘Shehadalreadynearly

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curdledme.Honestly,InearlytriedonBilbo’sring.Ilongedtodisappear.’

‘Don’tdothat!’saidGandalf,sittingdown.‘Dobecarefulofthatring,Frodo!Infact,itispartlyaboutthatthatIhavecometosayalastword.’

‘Well,whataboutit?’‘Whatdoyouknow

already?’‘OnlywhatBilbotoldme.

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Ihaveheardhisstory:howhefoundit,andhowheusedit:onhisjourney,Imean.’

‘Whichstory,Iwonder,’saidGandalf.

‘Oh,notwhathetoldthedwarvesandputinhisbook,’saidFrodo.‘HetoldmethetruestorysoonafterIcametolivehere.Hesaidyouhadpesteredhimtillhetoldyou,soIhadbetterknowtoo.“Nosecretsbetweenus,Frodo,”

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hesaid;“buttheyarenottogoanyfurther.It’smineanyway.”’

‘That’sinteresting,’saidGandalf.‘Well,whatdidyouthinkofitall?’

‘Ifyoumean,inventingallthatabouta“present”,well,Ithoughtthetruestorymuchmorelikely,andIcouldn’tseethepointofalteringitatall.ItwasveryunlikeBilbotodoso,anyway;andI

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thoughtitratherodd.’‘SodidI.Butoddthings

mayhappentopeoplethathavesuchtreasures–iftheyusethem.Letitbeawarningtoyoutobeverycarefulwithit.Itmayhaveotherpowersthanjustmakingyouvanishwhenyouwishto.’

‘Idon’tunderstand,’saidFrodo.

‘NeitherdoI,’answeredthewizard.‘Ihavemerely

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beguntowonderaboutthering,especiallysincelastnight.Noneedtoworry.Butifyoutakemyadviceyouwilluseitveryseldom,ornotatall.AtleastIbegyounottouseitinanywaythatwillcausetalkorrousesuspicion.Isayagain:keepitsafe,andkeepitsecret!’

‘Youareverymysterious!Whatareyouafraidof?’

‘Iamnotcertain,soIwill

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saynomore.ImaybeabletotellyousomethingwhenIcomeback.Iamgoingoffatonce:sothisisgood-byeforthepresent.’Hegotup.

‘Atonce!’criedFrodo.‘Why,Ithoughtyouwerestayingonforatleastaweek.Iwaslookingforwardtoyourhelp.’

‘Ididmeanto–butIhavehadtochangemymind.Imaybeawayforagood

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while;butI’llcomeandseeyouagain,assoonasIcan.Expectmewhenyouseeme!Ishallslipinquietly.Ishan’toftenbevisitingtheShireopenlyagain.IfindthatIhavebecomeratherunpopular.TheysayIamanuisanceandadisturberofthepeace.SomepeopleareactuallyaccusingmeofspiritingBilboaway,orworse.Ifyouwanttoknow,

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thereissupposedtobeaplotbetweenyouandmetogetholdofhiswealth.’

‘Somepeople!’exclaimedFrodo.‘YoumeanOthoandLobelia.Howabominable!IwouldgivethemBagEndandeverythingelse,ifIcouldgetBilbobackandgoofftrampinginthecountrywithhim.IlovetheShire.ButIbegintowish,somehow,thatIhadgonetoo.IwonderifI

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shalleverseehimagain.’‘SodoI,’saidGandalf.

‘AndIwondermanyotherthings.Good-byenow!Takecareofyourself!Lookoutforme,especiallyatunlikelytimes!Good-bye!’

Frodosawhimtothedoor.Hegaveafinalwaveofhishand,andwalkedoffatasurprisingpace;butFrodothoughttheoldwizardlookedunusuallybent,almostasif

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hewascarryingagreatweight.Theeveningwasclosingin,andhiscloakedfigurequicklyvanishedintothetwilight.Frododidnotseehimagainforalongtime.

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Chapter2

THESHADOWOFTHEPAST

Thetalkdidnotdiedowninnineorevenninety-ninedays.TheseconddisappearanceofMr.BilboBagginswas

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discussedinHobbiton,andindeedallovertheShire,forayearandaday,andwasrememberedmuchlongerthanthat.Itbecameafireside-storyforyounghobbits;andeventuallyMadBaggins,whousedtovanishwithabangandaflashandreappearwithbagsofjewelsandgold,becameafavouritecharacteroflegendandlivedonlongafterallthetrue

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eventswereforgotten.Butinthemeantime,the

generalopinionintheneighbourhoodwasthatBilbo,whohadalwaysbeenrathercracked,hadatlastgonequitemad,andhadrunoffintotheBlue.Therehehadundoubtedlyfallenintoapoolorariverandcometoatragic,buthardlyanuntimely,end.TheblamewasmostlylaidonGandalf.

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‘IfonlythatdrattedwizardwillleaveyoungFrodoalone,perhapshe’llsettledownandgrowsomehobbit-sense,’theysaid.AndtoallappearancethewizarddidleaveFrodoalone,andhedidsettledown,butthegrowthofhobbit-sensewasnotverynoticeable.Indeed,heatoncebegantocarryonBilbo’sreputationforoddity.Herefusedtogointo

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mourning;andthenextyearhegaveapartyinhonourofBilbo’shundred-and-twelfthbirthday,whichhecalledaHundred-weightFeast.Butthatwasshortofthemark,fortwentyguestswereinvitedandtherewereseveralmealsatwhichitsnowedfoodandraineddrink,ashobbitssay.

Somepeoplewererathershocked;butFrodokeptupthecustomofgivingBilbo’s

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BirthdayPartyyearafteryearuntiltheygotusedtoit.HesaidthathedidnotthinkBilbowasdead.Whentheyasked:‘Whereishethen?’heshruggedhisshoulders.

Helivedalone,asBilbohaddone;buthehadagoodmanyfriends,especiallyamongtheyoungerhobbits(mostlydescendantsoftheOldTook)whohadaschildrenbeenfondofBilbo

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andofteninandoutofBagEnd.FolcoBoffinandFredegarBolgerweretwoofthese;buthisclosestfriendswerePeregrinTook(usuallycalledPippin),andMerryBrandybuck(hisrealnamewasMeriadoc,butthatwasseldomremembered).FrodowenttrampingovertheShirewiththem;butmoreoftenhewanderedbyhimself,andtotheamazementofsensible

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folkhewassometimesseenfarfromhomewalkinginthehillsandwoodsunderthestarlight.MerryandPippinsuspectedthathevisitedtheElvesattimes,asBilbohaddone.

Astimewenton,peoplebegantonoticethatFrodoalsoshowedsignsofgood‘preservation’:outwardlyhe

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retainedtheappearanceofarobustandenergetichobbitjustoutofhistweens.‘Somefolkhavealltheluck,’theysaid;butitwasnotuntilFrodoapproachedtheusuallymoresoberageoffiftythattheybegantothinkitqueer.

Frodohimself,afterthefirstshock,foundthatbeinghisownmasterandtheMr.BagginsofBagEndwasratherpleasant.Forsome

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yearshewasquitehappyanddidnotworrymuchaboutthefuture.ButhalfunknowntohimselftheregretthathehadnotgonewithBilbowassteadilygrowing.Hefoundhimselfwonderingattimes,especiallyintheautumn,aboutthewildlands,andstrangevisionsofmountainsthathehadneverseencameintohisdreams.Hebegantosaytohimself:‘PerhapsI

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shallcrosstheRivermyselfoneday.’Towhichtheotherhalfofhismindalwaysreplied:‘Notyet.’

Soitwenton,untilhisfortieswererunningout,andhisfiftiethbirthdaywasdrawingnear:fiftywasanumberthathefeltwassomehowsignificant(orominous);itwasatanyrateatthatagethatadventurehadsuddenlybefallenBilbo.

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Frodobegantofeelrestless,andtheoldpathsseemedtoowell-trodden.Helookedatmaps,andwonderedwhatlaybeyondtheiredges:mapsmadeintheShireshowedmostlywhitespacesbeyonditsborders.Hetooktowanderingfurtherafieldandmoreoftenbyhimself;andMerryandhisotherfriendswatchedhimanxiously.Oftenhewasseenwalkingand

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talkingwiththestrangewayfarersthatbeganatthistimetoappearintheShire.

Therewererumoursofstrangethingshappeningintheworldoutside;andasGandalfhadnotatthattimeappearedorsentanymessageforseveralyears,Frodogatheredallthenewshecould.Elves,whoseldom

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walkedintheShire,couldnowbeseenpassingwestwardthroughthewoodsintheevening,passingandnotreturning;buttheywereleavingMiddle-earthandwerenolongerconcernedwithitstroubles.Therewere,however,dwarvesontheroadinunusualnumbers.TheancientEast–WestRoadranthroughtheShiretoitsendattheGreyHavens,and

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dwarveshadalwaysuseditontheirwaytotheirminesintheBlueMountains.Theywerethehobbits’chiefsourceofnewsfromdistantparts–iftheywantedany:asaruledwarvessaidlittleandhobbitsaskednomore.ButnowFrodooftenmetstrangedwarvesoffarcountries,seekingrefugeintheWest.Theyweretroubled,andsomespokeinwhispersofthe

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EnemyandoftheLandofMordor.

Thatnamethehobbitsonlyknewinlegendsofthedarkpast,likeashadowinthebackgroundoftheirmemories;butitwasominousanddisquieting.ItseemedthattheevilpowerinMirkwoodhadbeendrivenoutbytheWhiteCouncilonlytoreappearingreaterstrengthintheold

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strongholdsofMordor.TheDarkTowerhadbeenrebuilt,itwassaid.Fromtherethepowerwasspreadingfarandwide,andawayfareastandsouththerewerewarsandgrowingfear.Orcsweremultiplyingagaininthemountains.Trollswereabroad,nolongerdull-witted,butcunningandarmedwithdreadfulweapons.Andthereweremurmuredhintsof

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creaturesmoreterriblethanallthese,buttheyhadnoname.

Littleofallthis,ofcourse,reachedtheearsofordinaryhobbits.Buteventhedeafestandmoststay-at-homebegantohearqueertales;andthosewhosebusinesstookthemtotheborderssawstrangethings.

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TheconversationinTheGreenDragonatBywater,oneeveninginthespringofFrodo’sfiftiethyear,showedthateveninthecomfortableheartoftheShirerumourshadbeenheard,thoughmosthobbitsstilllaughedatthem.

SamGamgeewassittinginonecornernearthefire,andoppositehimwasTedSandyman,themiller’sson;andtherewerevariousother

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rustichobbitslisteningtotheirtalk.

‘Queerthingsyoudohearthesedays,tobesure,’saidSam.

‘Ah,’saidTed,‘youdo,ifyoulisten.ButIcanhearfireside-talesandchildren’sstoriesathome,ifIwantto.’

‘Nodoubtyoucan,’retortedSam,‘andIdaresaythere’smoretruthinsomeofthemthanyoureckon.Who

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inventedthestoriesanyway?Takedragonsnow.’

‘Nothank’ee,’saidTed,‘Iwon’t.IheardtellofthemwhenIwasayoungster,butthere’snocalltobelieveinthemnow.There’sonlyoneDragoninBywater,andthat’sGreen,’hesaid,gettingagenerallaugh.

‘Allright,’saidSam,laughingwiththerest.‘ButwhatabouttheseTree-men,

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thesegiants,asyoumightcallthem?TheydosaythatonebiggerthanatreewasseenupawaybeyondtheNorthMoorsnotlongback.’

‘Who’sthey?’‘MycousinHalforone.

HeworksforMr.BoffinatOverhillandgoesuptotheNorthfarthingforthehunting.Hesawone.’

‘Sayshedid,perhaps.YourHal’salwayssaying

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he’sseenthings;andmaybeheseesthingsthatain’tthere.’

‘Butthisonewasasbigasanelmtree,andwalking–walkingsevenyardstoastride,ifitwasaninch.’

‘ThenIbetitwasn’taninch.Whathesawwasanelmtree,aslikeasnot.’

‘Butthisonewaswalking,Itellyou;andthereain’tnoelmtreeontheNorthMoors.’

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‘ThenHalcan’thaveseenone,’saidTed.Therewassomelaughingandclapping:theaudienceseemedtothinkthatTedhadscoredapoint.

‘Allthesame,’saidSam,‘youcan’tdenythatothersbesidesourHalfasthaveseenqueerfolkcrossingtheShire–crossingit,mindyou:therearemorethatareturnedbackattheborders.TheBoundershaveneverbeensobusy

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before.‘AndI’veheardtellthat

Elvesaremovingwest.Theydosaytheyaregoingtotheharbours,outawaybeyondtheWhiteTowers.’Samwavedhisarmvaguely:neitherhenoranyofthemknewhowfaritwastotheSea,pasttheoldtowersbeyondthewesternbordersoftheShire.Butitwasanoldtraditionthatawayoverthere

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stoodtheGreyHavens,fromwhichattimeselven-shipssetsail,nevertoreturn.

‘Theyaresailing,sailing,sailingovertheSea,theyaregoingintotheWestandleavingus,’saidSam,halfchantingthewords,shakinghisheadsadlyandsolemnly.ButTedlaughed.

‘Well,thatisn’tanythingnew,ifyoubelievetheoldtales.AndIdon’tseewhatit

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matterstomeoryou.Letthemsail!ButIwarrantyouhaven’tseenthemdoingit;noranyoneelseintheShire.’

‘Well,Idon’tknow,’saidSamthoughtfully.HebelievedhehadonceseenanElfinthewoods,andstillhopedtoseemoreoneday.Ofallthelegendsthathehadheardinhisearlyyearssuchfragmentsoftalesandhalf-rememberedstoriesaboutthe

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Elvesasthehobbitsknew,hadalwaysmovedhimmostdeeply.‘Therearesome,evenintheseparts,asknowtheFairFolkandgetnewsofthem,’hesaid.‘There’sMr.Bagginsnow,thatIworkfor.HetoldmethattheyweresailingandheknowsabitaboutElves.AndoldMr.Bilboknewmore:many’sthetalkIhadwithhimwhenIwasalittlelad.’

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‘Oh,they’rebothcracked,’saidTed.‘LeastwaysoldBilbowascracked,andFrodo’scracking.Ifthat’swhereyougetyournewsfrom,you’llneverwantformoonshine.Well,friends,I’moffhome.Yourgoodhealth!’Hedrainedhismugandwentoutnoisily.

Samsatsilentandsaidnomore.Hehadagooddealto

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thinkabout.Foronething,therewasalottodoupintheBagEndgarden,andhewouldhaveabusydaytomorrow,iftheweathercleared.Thegrasswasgrowingfast.ButSamhadmoreonhismindthangardening.Afterawhilehesighed,andgotupandwentout.

ItwasearlyAprilandtheskywasnowclearingafter

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heavyrain.Thesunwasdown,andacoolpaleeveningwasquietlyfadingintonight.HewalkedhomeundertheearlystarsthroughHobbitonanduptheHill,whistlingsoftlyandthoughtfully.

ItwasjustatthistimethatGandalfreappearedafterhislongabsence.Forthreeyears

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afterthePartyhehadbeenaway.ThenhepaidFrodoabriefvisit,andaftertakingagoodlookathimhewentoffagain.Duringthenextyearortwohehadturnedupfairlyoften,comingunexpectedlyafterdusk,andgoingoffwithoutwarningbeforesunrise.Hewouldnotdiscusshisownbusinessandjourneys,andseemedchieflyinterestedinsmallnews

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aboutFrodo’shealthanddoings.

Thensuddenlyhisvisitshadceased.ItwasovernineyearssinceFrodohadseenorheardofhim,andhehadbeguntothinkthatthewizardwouldneverreturnandhadgivenupallinterestinhobbits.Butthatevening,asSamwaswalkinghomeandtwilightwasfading,therecametheoncefamiliartapon

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thestudywindow.Frodowelcomedhisold

friendwithsurpriseandgreatdelight.Theylookedhardatoneanother.

‘Allwelleh?’saidGandalf.‘Youlookthesameasever,Frodo!’

‘Sodoyou,’Frodoreplied;butsecretlyhethoughtthatGandalflookedolderandmorecareworn.Hepressedhimfornewsof

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himselfandofthewideworld,andsoontheyweredeepintalk,andtheystayedupfarintothenight.

Nextmorningafteralatebreakfast,thewizardwassittingwithFrodobytheopenwindowofthestudy.Abrightfirewasonthehearth,butthesunwaswarm,andthewindwasintheSouth.Everything

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lookedfresh,andthenewgreenofspringwasshimmeringinthefieldsandonthetipsofthetrees’fingers.

Gandalfwasthinkingofaspring,nearlyeightyyearsbefore,whenBilbohadrunoutofBagEndwithoutahandkerchief.Hishairwasperhapswhiterthanithadbeenthen,andhisbeardandeyebrowswereperhaps

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longer,andhisfacemorelinedwithcareandwisdom;buthiseyeswereasbrightasever,andhesmokedandblewsmoke-ringswiththesamevigouranddelight.

Hewassmokingnowinsilence,forFrodowassittingstill,deepinthought.EveninthelightofmorninghefeltthedarkshadowofthetidingsthatGandalfhadbrought.Atlasthebrokethesilence.

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‘Lastnightyoubegantotellmestrangethingsaboutmyring,Gandalf,’hesaid.‘Andthenyoustopped,becauseyousaidthatsuchmatterswerebestleftuntildaylight.Don’tyouthinkyouhadbetterfinishnow?Yousaytheringisdangerous,farmoredangerousthanIguess.Inwhatway?’

‘Inmanyways,’answeredthewizard.‘Itisfarmore

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powerfulthanIeverdaredtothinkatfirst,sopowerfulthatintheenditwouldutterlyovercomeanyoneofmortalracewhopossessedit.Itwouldpossesshim.

‘InEregionlongagomanyElven-ringsweremade,magicringsasyoucallthem,andtheywere,ofcourse,ofvariouskinds:somemorepotentandsomeless.Thelesserringswereonlyessays

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inthecraftbeforeitwasfull-grown,andtotheElven-smithstheywerebuttrifles–yetstilltomyminddangerousformortals.ButtheGreatRings,theRingsofPower,theywereperilous.

‘Amortal,Frodo,whokeepsoneoftheGreatRings,doesnotdie,buthedoesnotgroworobtainmorelife,hemerelycontinues,untilatlasteveryminuteisaweariness.

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AndifheoftenusestheRingtomakehimselfinvisible,hefades:hebecomesintheendinvisiblepermanently,andwalksinthetwilightundertheeyeoftheDarkPowerthatrulestheRings.

Yes,soonerorlater–later,ifheisstrongorwell-meaningtobeginwith,butneitherstrengthnorgoodpurposewilllast–soonerorlatertheDarkPowerwill

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devourhim.’‘Howterrifying!’said

Frodo.Therewasanotherlongsilence.ThesoundofSamGamgeecuttingthelawncameinfromthegarden.

‘Howlonghaveyouknownthis?’askedFrodoatlength.‘AndhowmuchdidBilboknow?’

‘Bilboknewnomorethan

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hetoldyou,Iamsure,’saidGandalf.‘Hewouldcertainlyneverhavepassedontoyouanythingthathethoughtwouldbeadanger,eventhoughIpromisedtolookafteryou.Hethoughttheringwasverybeautiful,andveryusefulatneed;andifanythingwaswrongorqueer,itwashimself.Hesaidthatitwas“growingonhismind”,andhewasalwaysworrying

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aboutit;buthedidnotsuspectthattheringitselfwastoblame.Thoughhehadfoundoutthatthethingneededlookingafter;itdidnotseemalwaysofthesamesizeorweight;itshrankorexpandedinanoddway,andmightsuddenlyslipoffafingerwhereithadbeentight.’

‘Yes,hewarnedmeofthatinhislastletter,’said

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Frodo,‘soIhavealwayskeptitonitschain.’

‘Verywise,’saidGandalf.‘Butasforhislonglife,Bilboneverconnecteditwiththeringatall.Hetookallthecreditforthattohimself,andhewasveryproudofit.Thoughhewasgettingrestlessanduneasy.Thinandstretchedhesaid.Asignthattheringwasgettingcontrol.’

‘Howlonghaveyou

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knownallthis?’askedFrodoagain.

‘Known?’saidGandalf.‘IhaveknownmuchthatonlytheWiseknow,Frodo.Butifyoumean“knownaboutthisring”,well,Istilldonotknow,onemightsay.Thereisalasttesttomake.ButInolongerdoubtmyguess.

‘WhendidIfirstbegintoguess?’hemused,searchingbackinmemory.‘Letmesee

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–itwasintheyearthattheWhiteCouncildrovetheDarkPowerfromMirkwood,justbeforetheBattleofFiveArmies,thatBilbofoundhisring.Ashadowfellonmyheartthen,thoughIdidnotknowyetwhatIfeared.IwonderedoftenhowGollumcamebyaGreatRing,asplainlyitwas–thatatleastwasclearfromthefirst.ThenIheardBilbo’sstrangestory

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ofhowhehad“won”it,andIcouldnotbelieveit.WhenIatlastgotthetruthoutofhim,Isawatoncethathehadbeentryingtoputhisclaimtotheringbeyonddoubt.MuchlikeGollumwithhis“birthday-present”.Theliesweretoomuchalikeformycomfort.Clearlytheringhadanunwholesomepowerthatsettoworkonitskeeperatonce.Thatwasthefirstreal

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warningIhadthatallwasnotwell.ItoldBilbooftenthatsuchringswerebetterleftunused;butheresentedit,andsoongotangry.TherewaslittleelsethatIcoulddo.Icouldnottakeitfromhimwithoutdoinggreaterharm;andIhadnorighttodosoanyway.Icouldonlywatchandwait.ImightperhapshaveconsultedSarumantheWhite,butsomethingalways

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heldmeback.’‘Whoishe?’askedFrodo.

‘Ihaveneverheardofhimbefore.’

‘Maybenot,’answeredGandalf.‘Hobbitsare,orwere,noconcernofhis.YetheisgreatamongtheWise.HeisthechiefofmyorderandtheheadoftheCouncil.Hisknowledgeisdeep,buthispridehasgrownwithit,andhetakesillanymeddling.

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TheloreoftheElven-rings,greatandsmall,ishisprovince.Hehaslongstudiedit,seekingthelostsecretsoftheirmaking;butwhentheRingsweredebatedintheCouncil,allthathewouldrevealtousofhisring-loretoldagainstmyfears.Somydoubtslept–butuneasily.StillIwatchedandIwaited.

‘AndallseemedwellwithBilbo.Andtheyearspassed.

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Yes,theypassed,andtheyseemednottotouchhim.Heshowednosignsofage.Theshadowfellonmeagain.ButIsaidtomyself:“Afterallhecomesofalong-livedfamilyonhismother’sside.Thereistimeyet.Wait!”

‘AndIwaited.Untilthatnightwhenheleftthishouse.HesaidanddidthingsthenthatfilledmewithafearthatnowordsofSarumancould

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allay.Iknewatlastthatsomethingdarkanddeadlywasatwork.AndIhavespentmostoftheyearssincetheninfindingoutthetruthofit.’

‘Therewasn’tanypermanentharmdone,wasthere?’askedFrodoanxiously.‘Hewouldgetallrightintime,wouldn’the?Beabletorestinpeace,Imean?’

‘Hefeltbetteratonce,’

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saidGandalf.‘ButthereisonlyonePowerinthisworldthatknowsallabouttheRingsandtheireffects;andasfarasIknowthereisnoPowerintheworldthatknowsallabouthobbits.AmongtheWiseIamtheonlyonethatgoesinforhobbit-lore:anobscurebranchofknowledge,butfullofsurprises.Softasbuttertheycanbe,andyet

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sometimesastoughasoldtree-roots.IthinkitlikelythatsomewouldresisttheRingsfarlongerthanmostoftheWisewouldbelieve.Idon’tthinkyouneedworryaboutBilbo.

‘Ofcourse,hepossessedtheringformanyyears,andusedit,soitmighttakealongwhilefortheinfluencetowearoff–beforeitwassafeforhimtoseeitagain,for

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instance.Otherwise,hemightliveonforyears,quitehappily:juststopashewaswhenhepartedwithit.Forhegaveitupintheendofhisownaccord:animportantpoint.No,IwasnottroubledaboutdearBilboanymore,oncehehadletthethinggo.ItisforyouthatIfeelresponsible.

‘EversinceBilboleftIhavebeendeeplyconcerned

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aboutyou,andaboutallthesecharming,absurd,helplesshobbits.Itwouldbeagrievousblowtotheworld,iftheDarkPowerovercametheShire;ifallyourkind,jolly,stupidBolgers,Hornblowers,Boffins,Bracegirdles,andtherest,nottomentiontheridiculousBagginses,becameenslaved.’

Frodoshuddered.‘Butwhyshouldwebe?’heasked.

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‘Andwhyshouldhewantsuchslaves?’

‘Totellyouthetruth,’repliedGandalf,‘Ibelievethathitherto–hitherto,markyou–hehasentirelyoverlookedtheexistenceofhobbits.Youshouldbethankful.Butyoursafetyhaspassed.Hedoesnotneedyou–hehasmanymoreusefulservants–buthewon’tforgetyouagain.Andhobbitsas

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miserableslaveswouldpleasehimfarmorethanhobbitshappyandfree.Thereissuchathingasmaliceandrevenge.’

‘Revenge?’saidFrodo.‘Revengeforwhat?Istilldon’tunderstandwhatallthishastodowithBilboandmyself,andourring.’

‘Ithaseverythingtodowithit,’saidGandalf.‘Youdonotknowtherealperilyet;

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butyoushall.IwasnotsureofitmyselfwhenIwaslasthere;butthetimehascometospeak.Givemetheringforamoment.’

Frodotookitfromhisbreeches-pocket,whereitwasclaspedtoachainthathungfromhisbelt.Heunfasteneditandhandeditslowlytothewizard.Itfeltsuddenlyvery

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heavy,asifeitheritorFrodohimselfwasinsomewayreluctantforGandalftotouchit.

Gandalfhelditup.Itlookedtobemadeofpureandsolidgold.‘Canyouseeanymarkingsonit?’heasked.

‘No,’saidFrodo.‘Therearenone.Itisquiteplain,anditnevershowsascratchorsignofwear.’

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‘Wellthen,look!’ToFrodo’sastonishmentanddistressthewizardthrewitsuddenlyintothemiddleofaglowingcornerofthefire.Frodogaveacryandgropedforthetongs;butGandalfheldhimback.

‘Wait!’hesaidinacommandingvoice,givingFrodoaquicklookfromunderhisbristlingbrows.

Noapparentchangecame

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overthering.AfterawhileGandalfgotup,closedtheshuttersoutsidethewindow,anddrewthecurtains.Theroombecamedarkandsilent,thoughtheclackofSam’sshears,nownearertothewindows,couldstillbeheardfaintlyfromthegarden.Foramomentthewizardstoodlookingatthefire;thenhestoopedandremovedtheringtothehearthwiththetongs,

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andatoncepickeditup.Frodogasped.

‘Itisquitecool,’saidGandalf.‘Takeit!’Frodoreceiveditonhisshrinkingpalm:itseemedtohavebecomethickerandheavierthanever.

‘Holditup!’saidGandalf.‘Andlookclosely!’

AsFrododidso,henowsawfinelines,finerthanthefinestpen-strokes,running

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alongthering,outsideandinside:linesoffirethatseemedtoformthelettersofaflowingscript.Theyshonepiercinglybright,andyetremote,asifoutofagreatdepth.

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‘Icannotreadthefieryletters,’saidFrodoinaquaveringvoice.

‘No,’saidGandalf,‘butIcan.ThelettersareElvish,ofanancientmode,butthelanguageisthatofMordor,whichIwillnotutterhere.ButthisintheCommonTongueiswhatissaid,closeenough:

OneRingtorule

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themall,OneRingtofindthem,OneRingtobringthemallandinthedarknessbindthem.

ItisonlytwolinesofaverselongknowninElven-lore:

ThreeRingsfortheElven-kingsunder

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thesky,SevenfortheDwarf-lordsintheirhallsofstone,

NineforMortalMendoomedtodie,OnefortheDarkLordonhisdarkthrone

IntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.

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OneRingtorulethemall,OneRingtofindthem,

OneRingtobringthemallandinthedarknessbindthemIntheLandofMordorwheretheShadowslie.’

Hepaused,andthensaidslowlyinadeepvoice:‘This

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istheMaster-ring,theOneRingtorulethemall.ThisistheOneRingthathelostmanyagesago,tothegreatweakeningofhispower.Hegreatlydesiresit–buthemustnotgetit.’

Frodosatsilentandmotionless.Fearseemedtostretchoutavasthand,likeadarkcloudrisingintheEastandloominguptoengulfhim.‘Thisring!’he

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stammered.‘How,howonearthdiditcometome?’

‘Ah!’saidGandalf.‘Thatisaverylongstory.ThebeginningsliebackintheBlackYears,whichonlythelore-mastersnowremember.IfIweretotellyouallthattale,weshouldstillbesittingherewhenSpringhadpassedintoWinter.

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‘ButlastnightItoldyouofSaurontheGreat,theDarkLord.Therumoursthatyouhaveheardaretrue:hehasindeedarisenagainandlefthisholdinMirkwoodandreturnedtohisancientfastnessintheDarkTowerofMordor.Thatnameevenyouhobbitshaveheardof,likeashadowonthebordersofoldstories.Alwaysafteradefeatandarespite,theShadow

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takesanothershapeandgrowsagain.’

‘Iwishitneednothavehappenedinmytime,’saidFrodo.

‘SodoI,’saidGandalf,‘andsodoallwholivetoseesuchtimes.Butthatisnotforthemtodecide.Allwehavetodecideiswhattodowiththetimethatisgivenus.Andalready,Frodo,ourtimeisbeginningtolookblack.The

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Enemyisfastbecomingverystrong.Hisplansarefarfromripe,Ithink,buttheyareripening.Weshallbehardputtoit.Weshouldbeveryhardputtoit,evenifitwerenotforthisdreadfulchance.

‘TheEnemystilllacksonethingtogivehimstrengthandknowledgetobeatdownallresistance,breakthelastdefences,andcoverallthelandsinaseconddarkness.

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HelackstheOneRing.‘TheThree,fairestofall,

theElf-lordshidfromhim,andhishandnevertouchedthemorsulliedthem.SeventheDwarf-kingspossessed,butthreehehasrecovered,andtheothersthedragonshaveconsumed.NinehegavetoMortalMen,proudandgreat,andsoensnaredthem.LongagotheyfellunderthedominionoftheOne,and

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theybecameRingwraiths,shadowsunderhisgreatShadow,hismostterribleservants.Longago.ItismanyayearsincetheNinewalkedabroad.Yetwhoknows?AstheShadowgrowsoncemore,theytoomaywalkagain.Butcome!WewillnotspeakofsuchthingseveninthemorningoftheShire.

‘Soitisnow:theNinehehasgatheredtohimself;the

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Sevenalso,orelsetheyaredestroyed.TheThreearehiddenstill.Butthatnolongertroubleshim.HeonlyneedstheOne;forhemadethatRinghimself,itishis,andheletagreatpartofhisownformerpowerpassintoit,sothathecouldrulealltheothers.Ifherecoversit,thenhewillcommandthemallagain,wherevertheybe,eventheThree,andallthathas

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beenwroughtwiththemwillbelaidbare,andhewillbestrongerthanever.

‘Andthisisthedreadfulchance,Frodo.HebelievedthattheOnehadperished;thattheElveshaddestroyedit,asshouldhavebeendone.Butheknowsnowthatithasnotperished,thatithasbeenfound.Soheisseekingit,seekingit,andallhisthoughtisbentonit.Itishisgreat

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hopeandourgreatfear.’‘Why,whywasn’tit

destroyed?’criedFrodo.‘AndhowdidtheEnemyevercometoloseit,ifhewassostrong,anditwassoprecioustohim?’HeclutchedtheRinginhishand,asifhesawalreadydarkfingersstretchingouttoseizeit.

‘Itwastakenfromhim,’saidGandalf.‘ThestrengthoftheElvestoresisthimwas

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greaterlongago;andnotallMenwereestrangedfromthem.TheMenofWesternessecametotheiraid.Thatisachapterofancienthistorywhichitmightbegoodtorecall;fortherewassorrowthentoo,andgatheringdark,butgreatvalour,andgreatdeedsthatwerenotwhollyvain.Oneday,perhaps,Iwilltellyouallthetale,oryoushallhear

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ittoldinfullbyonewhoknowsitbest.

‘Butforthemoment,sincemostofallyouneedtoknowhowthisthingcametoyou,andthatwillbetaleenough,thisisallthatIwillsay.ItwasGil-galad,Elven-kingandElendilofWesternessewhooverthrewSauron,thoughtheythemselvesperishedinthedeed;andIsildurElendil’ssoncutthe

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RingfromSauron’shandandtookitforhisown.ThenSauronwasvanquishedandhisspiritfledandwashiddenforlongyears,untilhisshadowtookshapeagaininMirkwood.

‘ButtheRingwaslost.ItfellintotheGreatRiver,Anduin,andvanished.ForIsildurwasmarchingnorthalongtheeastbanksoftheRiver,andneartheGladden

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FieldshewaswaylaidbytheOrcsoftheMountains,andalmostallhisfolkwereslain.Heleapedintothewaters,buttheRingslippedfromhisfingerasheswam,andthentheOrcssawhimandkilledhimwitharrows.’

Gandalfpaused.‘AndthereinthedarkpoolsamidtheGladdenFields,’hesaid,‘theRingpassedoutofknowledgeandlegend;and

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evensomuchofitshistoryisknownnowonlytoafew,andtheCounciloftheWisecoulddiscovernomore.ButatlastIcancarryonthestory,Ithink.

‘Longafter,butstillverylongago,therelivedbythebanksoftheGreatRiverontheedgeofWilderlandaclever-handedandquiet-

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footedlittlepeople.Iguesstheywereofhobbit-kind;akintothefathersofthefathersoftheStoors,fortheylovedtheRiver,andoftenswaminit,ormadelittleboatsofreeds.Therewasamongthemafamilyofhighrepute,foritwaslargeandwealthierthanmost,anditwasruledbyagrandmotherofthefolk,sternandwiseinoldlore,suchastheyhad.

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Themostinquisitiveandcurious-mindedofthatfamilywascalledSméagol.Hewasinterestedinrootsandbeginnings;hedivedintodeeppools;heburrowedundertreesandgrowingplants;hetunnelledintogreenmounds;andheceasedtolookupatthehill-tops,ortheleavesontrees,ortheflowersopeningintheair:hisheadandhiseyeswere

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downward.‘Hehadafriendcalled

Déagol,ofsimilarsort,sharper-eyedbutnotsoquickandstrong.OnatimetheytookaboatandwentdowntotheGladdenFields,wherethereweregreatbedsofirisandfloweringreeds.ThereSméagolgotoutandwentnosingaboutthebanksbutDéagolsatintheboatandfished.Suddenlyagreatfish

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tookhishook,andbeforeheknewwherehewas,hewasdraggedoutanddownintothewater,tothebottom.Thenheletgoofhisline,forhethoughthesawsomethingshiningintheriver-bed;andholdinghisbreathhegrabbedatit.

‘Thenuphecamespluttering,withweedsinhishairandahandfulofmud;andheswamtothebank.

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Andbehold!whenhewashedthemudaway,thereinhishandlayabeautifulgoldenring;anditshoneandglitteredinthesun,sothathisheartwasglad.ButSméagolhadbeenwatchinghimfrombehindatree,andasDéagolgloatedoverthering,Sméagolcamesoftlyupbehind.

‘“Giveusthat,Déagol,mylove,”saidSméagol,over

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hisfriend’sshoulder.‘“Why?”saidDéagol.‘“Becauseit’smy

birthday,mylove,andIwantsit,”saidSméagol.

‘“Idon’tcare,”saidDéagol.“Ihavegivenyouapresentalready,morethanIcouldafford.Ifoundthis,andI’mgoingtokeepit.”

‘“Oh,areyouindeed,mylove,”saidSméagol;andhecaughtDéagolbythethroat

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andstrangledhim,becausethegoldlookedsobrightandbeautiful.Thenheputtheringonhisfinger.

‘NooneeverfoundoutwhathadbecomeofDéagol;hewasmurderedfarfromhome,andhisbodywascunninglyhidden.ButSméagolreturnedalone;andhefoundthatnoneofhisfamilycouldseehim,whenhewaswearingthering.He

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wasverypleasedwithhisdiscoveryandheconcealedit;andheusedittofindoutsecrets,andheputhisknowledgetocrookedandmalicioususes.Hebecamesharp-eyedandkeen-earedforallthatwashurtful.Theringhadgivenhimpoweraccordingtohisstature.Itisnottobewonderedatthathebecameveryunpopularandwasshunned(whenvisible)

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byallhisrelations.Theykickedhim,andhebittheirfeet.Hetooktothieving,andgoingaboutmutteringtohimself,andgurglinginhisthroat.SotheycalledhimGollum,andcursedhim,andtoldhimtogofaraway;andhisgrandmother,desiringpeace,expelledhimfromthefamilyandturnedhimoutofherhole.

‘Hewanderedin

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loneliness,weepingalittleforthehardnessoftheworld,andhejourneyeduptheRiver,tillhecametoastreamthatfloweddownfromthemountains,andhewentthatway.Hecaughtfishindeeppoolswithinvisiblefingersandatethemraw.Onedayitwasveryhot,andashewasbendingoverapool,hefeltaburningonthebackofhishead,andadazzlinglight

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fromthewaterpainedhisweteyes.Hewonderedatit,forhehadalmostforgottenabouttheSun.Thenforthelasttimehelookedupandshookhisfistather.

‘Butasheloweredhiseyes,hesawfaraheadthetopsoftheMistyMountains,outofwhichthestreamcame.Andhethoughtsuddenly:“Itwouldbecoolandshadyunderthosemountains.The

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Suncouldnotwatchmethere.Therootsofthosemountainsmustberootsindeed;theremustbegreatsecretsburiedtherewhichhavenotbeendiscoveredsincethebeginning.”

‘Sohejourneyedbynightupintothehighlands,andhefoundalittlecaveoutofwhichthedarkstreamran;andhewormedhiswaylikeamaggotintotheheartofthe

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hills,andvanishedoutofallknowledge.TheRingwentintotheshadowswithhim,andeventhemaker,whenhispowerhadbeguntogrowagain,couldlearnnothingofit.’

‘Gollum!’criedFrodo.‘Gollum?DoyoumeanthatthisistheveryGollum-creaturethatBilbomet?How

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loathsome!’‘Ithinkitisasadstory,’

saidthewizard,‘anditmighthavehappenedtoothers,eventosomehobbitsthatIhaveknown.’

‘Ican’tbelievethatGollumwasconnectedwithhobbits,howeverdistantly,’saidFrodowithsomeheat.‘Whatanabominablenotion!’

‘Itistrueallthesame,’repliedGandalf.‘Abouttheir

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origins,atanyrate,Iknowmorethanhobbitsdothemselves.AndevenBilbo’sstorysuggeststhekinship.Therewasagreatdealinthebackgroundoftheirmindsandmemoriesthatwasverysimilar.Theyunderstoodoneanotherremarkablywell,verymuchbetterthanahobbitwouldunderstand,say,aDwarf,oranOrc,orevenanElf.Thinkoftheriddlesthey

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bothknew,foronething.’‘Yes,’saidFrodo.

‘Thoughotherfolksbesideshobbitsaskriddles,andofmuchthesamesort.Andhobbitsdon’tcheat.Gollummeanttocheatallthetime.HewasjusttryingtoputpoorBilbooffhisguard.AndIdaresayitamusedhiswickednesstostartagamewhichmightendinprovidinghimwithaneasyvictim,but

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ifhelostwouldnothurthim.’‘Onlytootrue,Ifear,’said

Gandalf.‘Buttherewassomethingelseinit,Ithink,whichyoudon’tseeyet.EvenGollumwasnotwhollyruined.HehadprovedtougherthanevenoneoftheWisewouldhaveguessed–asahobbitmight.Therewasalittlecornerofhismindthatwasstillhisown,andlightcamethroughit,asthrougha

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chinkinthedark:lightoutofthepast.Itwasactuallypleasant,Ithink,tohearakindlyvoiceagain,bringingupmemoriesofwind,andtrees,andsunonthegrass,andsuchforgottenthings.

‘Butthat,ofcourse,wouldonlymaketheevilpartofhimangrierintheend–unlessitcouldbeconquered.Unlessitcouldbecured.’Gandalfsighed.‘Alas!there

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islittlehopeofthatforhim.Yetnotnohope.No,notthoughhepossessedtheRingsolong,almostasfarbackashecanremember.Foritwaslongsincehehadwornitmuch:intheblackdarknessitwasseldomneeded.Certainlyhehadnever“faded”.Heisthinandtoughstill.Butthethingwaseatinguphismind,ofcourse,andthetormenthadbecomealmost

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unbearable.‘Allthe“greatsecrets”

underthemountainshadturnedouttobejustemptynight:therewasnothingmoretofindout,nothingworthdoing,onlynastyfurtiveeatingandresentfulremembering.Hewasaltogetherwretched.Hehatedthedark,andhehatedlightmore:hehatedeverything,andtheRingmostofall.’

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‘Whatdoyoumean?’saidFrodo.‘SurelytheRingwashisPreciousandtheonlythinghecaredfor?Butifhehatedit,whydidn’thegetridofit,orgoawayandleaveit?’

‘Yououghttobegintounderstand,Frodo,afterallyouhaveheard,’saidGandalf.‘Hehateditandlovedit,ashehatedandlovedhimself.Hecouldnot

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getridofit.Hehadnowillleftinthematter.

‘ARingofPowerlooksafteritself,Frodo.Itmayslipofftreacherously,butitskeeperneverabandonsit.Atmostheplayswiththeideaofhandingitontosomeoneelse’scare–andthatonlyatanearlystage,whenitfirstbeginstogrip.ButasfarasIknowBilboaloneinhistoryhasevergonebeyond

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playing,andreallydoneit.Heneededallmyhelp,too.Andevensohewouldneverhavejustforsakenit,orcastitaside.ItwasnotGollum,Frodo,buttheRingitselfthatdecidedthings.TheRinglefthim.’

‘What,justintimetomeetBilbo?’saidFrodo.‘Wouldn’tanOrchavesuiteditbetter?’

‘Itisnolaughingmatter,’

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saidGandalf.‘Notforyou.ItwasthestrangesteventinthewholehistoryoftheRingsofar:Bilbo’sarrivaljustatthattime,andputtinghishandonit,blindly,inthedark.

‘Therewasmorethanonepoweratwork,Frodo.TheRingwastryingtogetbacktoitsmaster.IthadslippedfromIsildur’shandandbetrayedhim;thenwhenachancecameitcaughtpoorDéagol,

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andhewasmurdered;andafterthatGollum,andithaddevouredhim.Itcouldmakenofurtheruseofhim:hewastoosmallandmean;andaslongasitstayedwithhimhewouldneverleavehisdeeppoolagain.Sonow,whenitsmasterwasawakeoncemoreandsendingouthisdarkthoughtfromMirkwood,itabandonedGollum.Onlytobepickedupbythemost

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unlikelypersonimaginable:BilbofromtheShire!

‘Behindthattherewassomethingelseatwork,beyondanydesignoftheRing-maker.IcanputitnoplainerthanbysayingthatBilbowasmeanttofindtheRing,andnotbyitsmaker.Inwhichcaseyoualsoweremeanttohaveit.Andthatmaybeanencouragingthought.’

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‘Itisnot,’saidFrodo.‘ThoughIamnotsurethatIunderstandyou.ButhowhaveyoulearnedallthisabouttheRing,andaboutGollum?Doyoureallyknowitall,orareyoujustguessingstill?’

GandalflookedatFrodo,andhiseyesglinted.‘IknewmuchandIhavelearnedmuch,’heanswered.‘ButIamnotgoingtogivean

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accountofallmydoingstoyou.ThehistoryofElendilandIsildurandtheOneRingisknowntoalltheWise.YourringisshowntobethatOneRingbythefire-writingalone,apartfromanyotherevidence.’

‘Andwhendidyoudiscoverthat?’askedFrodo,interrupting.

‘Justnowinthisroom,ofcourse,’answeredthewizard

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sharply.‘ButIexpectedtofindit.Ihavecomebackfromdarkjourneysandlongsearchtomakethatfinaltest.Itisthelastproof,andallisnowonlytooclear.MakingoutGollum’spart,andfittingitintothegapinthehistory,requiredsomethought.ImayhavestartedwithguessesaboutGollum,butIamnotguessingnow.Iknow.Ihaveseenhim.’

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‘YouhaveseenGollum?’exclaimedFrodoinamazement.

‘Yes.Theobviousthingtodo,ofcourse,ifonecould.Itriedlongago;butIhavemanageditatlast.’

‘ThenwhathappenedafterBilboescapedfromhim?Doyouknowthat?’

‘Notsoclearly.WhatIhavetoldyouiswhatGollumwaswillingtotell–though

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not,ofcourse,inthewayIhavereportedit.Gollumisaliar,andyouhavetosifthiswords.Forinstance,hecalledtheRinghis“birthday-present”,andhestucktothat.Hesaiditcamefromhisgrandmother,whohadlotsofbeautifulthingsofthatkind.Aridiculousstory.IhavenodoubtthatSméagol’sgrandmotherwasamatriarch,agreatpersoninherway,but

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totalkofherpossessingmanyElven-ringswasabsurd,andasforgivingthemaway,itwasalie.Butaliewithagrainoftruth.

‘ThemurderofDéagolhauntedGollum,andhehadmadeupadefence,repeatingittohis“Precious”overandoveragain,ashegnawedbonesinthedark,untilhealmostbelievedit.Itwashisbirthday.Déagoloughtto

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havegiventheringtohim.Ithadobviouslyturnedupjustsoastobeapresent.Itwashisbirthday-present,andsoon,andon.

‘IenduredhimaslongasIcould,butthetruthwasdesperatelyimportant,andintheendIhadtobeharsh.Iputthefearoffireonhim,andwrungthetruestoryoutofhim,bitbybit,togetherwithmuchsnivellingand

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snarling.Hethoughthewasmisunderstoodandill-used.Butwhenhehadatlasttoldmehishistory,asfarastheendoftheRiddle-gameandBilbo’sescape,hewouldnotsayanymore,exceptindarkhints.Someotherfearwasonhimgreaterthanmine.Hemutteredthathewasgoingtogethisownback.Peoplewouldseeifhewouldstandbeingkicked,anddriveninto

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aholeandthenrobbed.Gollumhadgoodfriendsnow,goodfriendsandverystrong.Theywouldhelphim.Bagginswouldpayforit.Thatwashischiefthought.HehatedBilboandcursedhisname.Whatismore,heknewwherehecamefrom.’

‘Buthowdidhefindthatout?’askedFrodo.

‘Well,asforthename,Bilboveryfoolishlytold

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Gollumhimself;andafterthatitwouldnotbedifficulttodiscoverhiscountry,onceGollumcameout.Ohyes,hecameout.HislongingfortheRingprovedstrongerthanhisfearoftheOrcs,orevenofthelight.Afterayearortwoheleftthemountains.Yousee,thoughstillboundbydesireofit,theRingwasnolongerdevouringhim;hebegantorevivealittle.He

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feltold,terriblyold,yetlesstimid,andhewasmortallyhungry.

‘Light,lightofSunandMoon,hestillfearedandhated,andhealwayswill,Ithink;buthewascunning.Hefoundhecouldhidefromdaylightandmoonshine,andmakehiswayswiftlyandsoftlybydeadofnightwithhispalecoldeyes,andcatchsmallfrightenedorunwary

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things.Hegrewstrongerandbolderwithnewfoodandnewair.HefoundhiswayintoMirkwood,asonewouldexpect.’

‘Isthatwhereyoufoundhim?’askedFrodo.

‘Isawhimthere,’answeredGandalf,‘butbeforethathehadwanderedfar,followingBilbo’strail.Itwasdifficulttolearnanythingfromhimforcertain,forhis

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talkwasconstantlyinterruptedbycursesandthreats.“Whathaditgotinitspocketses?”hesaid.“Itwouldn’tsay,noprecious.Littlecheat.Notafairquestion.Itcheatedfirst,itdid.Itbroketherules.Weoughttohavesqueezedit,yesprecious.Andwewill,precious!”

‘Thatisasampleofhistalk.Idon’tsupposeyou

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wantanymore.Ihadwearydaysofit.ButfromhintsdroppedamongthesnarlsIgatheredthathispaddingfeethadtakenhimatlasttoEsgaroth,andeventothestreetsofDale,listeningsecretlyandpeering.Well,thenewsofthegreateventswentfarandwideinWilderland,andmanyhadheardBilbo’snameandknewwherehecamefrom.Wehad

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madenosecretofourreturnjourneytohishomeintheWest.Gollum’ssharpearswouldsoonlearnwhathewanted.’

‘Thenwhydidn’thetrackBilbofurther?’askedFrodo.‘Whydidn’thecometotheShire?’

‘Ah,’saidGandalf,‘nowwecometoit.IthinkGollumtriedto.Hesetoutandcamebackwestward,asfarasthe

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GreatRiver.Butthenheturnedaside.Hewasnotdauntedbythedistance,Iamsure.No,somethingelsedrewhimaway.Somyfriendsthink,thosethathuntedhimforme.

‘TheWood-elvestrackedhimfirst,aneasytaskforthem,forhistrailwasstillfreshthen.ThroughMirkwoodandbackagainitledthem,thoughtheynever

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caughthim.Thewoodwasfulloftherumourofhim,dreadfultalesevenamongbeastsandbirds.TheWoodmensaidthattherewassomenewterrorabroad,aghostthatdrankblood.Itclimbedtreestofindnests;itcreptintoholestofindtheyoung;itslippedthroughwindowstofindcradles.

‘ButatthewesternedgeofMirkwoodthetrailturned

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away.ItwanderedoffsouthwardsandpassedoutoftheWood-elves’ken,andwaslost.AndthenImadeagreatmistake.Yes,Frodo,andnotthefirst;thoughIfearitmayprovetheworst.Iletthematterbe.Ilethimgo;forIhadmuchelsetothinkofatthattime,andIstilltrustedtheloreofSaruman.

‘Well,thatwasyearsago.Ihavepaidforitsincewith

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manydarkanddangerousdays.ThetrailwaslongcoldwhenItookitupagain,afterBilbolefthere.Andmysearchwouldhavebeeninvain,butforthehelpthatIhadfromafriend:Aragorn,thegreatesttravellerandhuntsmanofthisageoftheworld.TogetherwesoughtforGollumdownthewholelengthofWilderland,withouthope,andwithoutsuccess.

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Butatlast,whenIhadgivenupthechaseandturnedtootherpaths,Gollumwasfound.Myfriendreturnedoutofgreatperilsbringingthemiserablecreaturewithhim.

‘Whathehadbeendoinghewouldnotsay.Heonlyweptandcalleduscruel,withmanyagolluminhisthroat;andwhenwepressedhimhewhinedandcringed,andrubbedhislonghands,licking

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hisfingersasiftheypainedhim,asifherememberedsomeoldtorture.ButIamafraidthereisnopossibledoubt:hehadmadehisslow,sneakingway,stepbystep,milebymile,south,downatlasttotheLandofMordor.’

Aheavysilencefellintheroom.Frodocouldhearhisheartbeating.Evenoutside

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everythingseemedstill.NosoundofSam’sshearscouldnowbeheard.

‘Yes,toMordor,’saidGandalf.‘Alas!Mordordrawsallwickedthings,andtheDarkPowerwasbendingallitswilltogatherthemthere.TheRingoftheEnemywouldleaveitsmark,too,leavehimopentothesummons.Andallfolkwerewhisperingthenofthenew

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ShadowintheSouth,anditshatredoftheWest.Therewerehisfinenewfriends,whowouldhelphiminhisrevenge!

‘Wretchedfool!Inthatlandhewouldlearnmuch,toomuchforhiscomfort.Andsoonerorlaterashelurkedandpriedonthebordershewouldbecaught,andtaken–forexamination.Thatwasthewayofit,Ifear.

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Whenhewasfoundhehadalreadybeentherelong,andwasonhiswayback.Onsomeerrandofmischief.Butthatdoesnotmattermuchnow.Hisworstmischiefwasdone.

‘Yes,alas!throughhimtheEnemyhaslearnedthattheOnehasbeenfoundagain.HeknowswhereIsildurfell.HeknowswhereGollumfoundhisring.He

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knowsthatitisaGreatRing,foritgavelonglife.HeknowsthatitisnotoneoftheThree,fortheyhaveneverbeenlost,andtheyendurenoevil.HeknowsthatitisnotoneoftheSeven,ortheNine,fortheyareaccountedfor.HeknowsthatitistheOne.Andhehasatlastheard,Ithink,ofhobbitsandtheShire.

‘TheShire–hemaybeseekingforitnow,ifhehas

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notalreadyfoundoutwhereitlies.Indeed,Frodo,Ifearthathemayeventhinkthatthelong-unnoticednameofBagginshasbecomeimportant.’

‘Butthisisterrible!’criedFrodo.‘FarworsethantheworstthatIimaginedfromyourhintsandwarnings.OGandalf,bestoffriends,whatamItodo?FornowIamreallyafraid.WhatamIto

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do?WhatapitythatBilbodidnotstabthatvilecreature,whenhehadachance!’

‘Pity?ItwasPitythatstayedhishand.Pity,andMercy:nottostrikewithoutneed.Andhehasbeenwellrewarded,Frodo.Besurethathetooksolittlehurtfromtheevil,andescapedintheend,becausehebeganhisownershipoftheRingso.WithPity.’

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‘Iamsorry,’saidFrodo.‘ButIamfrightened;andIdonotfeelanypityforGollum.’

‘Youhavenotseenhim,’Gandalfbrokein.

‘No,andIdon’twantto,’saidFrodo.‘Ican’tunderstandyou.Doyoumeantosaythatyou,andtheElves,havelethimliveonafterallthosehorribledeeds?NowatanyrateheisasbadasanOrc,andjustanenemy.He

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deservesdeath.’‘Deservesit!Idaresayhe

does.Manythatlivedeservedeath.Andsomethatdiedeservelife.Canyougiveittothem?Thendonotbetooeagertodealoutdeathinjudgement.Foreventheverywisecannotseeallends.IhavenotmuchhopethatGollumcanbecuredbeforehedies,butthereisachanceofit.Andheisboundupwith

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thefateoftheRing.Myhearttellsmethathehassomeparttoplayyet,forgoodorill,beforetheend;andwhenthatcomes,thepityofBilbomayrulethefateofmany–yoursnotleast.Inanycasewedidnotkillhim:heisveryoldandverywretched.TheWood-elveshavehiminprison,buttheytreathimwithsuchkindnessastheycanfindintheirwisehearts.’

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‘Allthesame,’saidFrodo,‘evenifBilbocouldnotkillGollum,IwishhehadnotkepttheRing.Iwishhehadneverfoundit,andthatIhadnotgotit!Whydidyouletmekeepit?Whydidn’tyoumakemethrowitaway,or,ordestroyit?’

‘Letyou?Makeyou?’saidthewizard.‘Haven’tyoubeenlisteningtoallthatIhavesaid?Youarenot

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thinkingofwhatyouaresaying.Butasforthrowingitaway,thatwasobviouslywrong.TheseRingshaveawayofbeingfound.Inevilhandsitmighthavedonegreatevil.Worstofall,itmighthavefallenintothehandsoftheEnemy.Indeeditcertainlywould;forthisistheOne,andheisexertingallhispowertofinditordrawittohimself.

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‘Ofcourse,mydearFrodo,itwasdangerousforyou;andthathastroubledmedeeply.ButtherewassomuchatstakethatIhadtotakesomerisk–thoughevenwhenIwasfarawaytherehasneverbeenadaywhentheShirehasnotbeenguardedbywatchfuleyes.Aslongasyouneverusedit,IdidnotthinkthattheRingwouldhaveanylastingeffect

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onyou,notforevil,notatanyrateforaverylongtime.Andyoumustrememberthatnineyearsago,whenIlastsawyou,Istillknewlittleforcertain.’

‘Butwhynotdestroyit,asyousayshouldhavebeendonelongago?’criedFrodoagain.‘Ifyouhadwarnedme,orevensentmeamessage,Iwouldhavedoneawaywithit.’

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‘Wouldyou?Howwouldyoudothat?Haveyouevertried?’

‘No.ButIsupposeonecouldhammeritormeltit.’

‘Try!’saidGandalf.‘Trynow!’

FrododrewtheRingoutofhispocketagainandlookedatit.Itnowappearedplainandsmooth,without

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markordevicethathecouldsee.Thegoldlookedveryfairandpure,andFrodothoughthowrichandbeautifulwasitscolour,howperfectwasitsroundness.Itwasanadmirablethingandaltogetherprecious.Whenhetookitouthehadintendedtoflingitfromhimintotheveryhottestpartofthefire.Buthefoundnowthathecouldnotdoso,notwithoutagreat

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struggle.HeweighedtheRinginhishand,hesitating,andforcinghimselftorememberallthatGandalfhadtoldhim;andthenwithaneffortofwillhemadeamovement,asiftocastitaway–buthefoundthathehadputitbackinhispocket.

Gandalflaughedgrimly.‘Yousee?Alreadyyoutoo,Frodo,cannoteasilyletitgo,norwilltodamageit.AndI

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couldnot“make”you–exceptbyforce,whichwouldbreakyourmind.ButasforbreakingtheRing,forceisuseless.Evenifyoutookitandstruckitwithaheavysledge-hammer,itwouldmakenodintinit.Itcannotbeunmadebyyourhands,orbymine.

‘Yoursmallfire,ofcourse,wouldnotmeltevenordinarygold.ThisRinghas

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alreadypassedthroughitunscathed,andevenunheated.Butthereisnosmith’sforgeinthisShirethatcouldchangeitatall.NoteventheanvilsandfurnacesoftheDwarvescoulddothat.Ithasbeensaidthatdragon-firecouldmeltandconsumetheRingsofPower,butthereisnotnowanydragonleftonearthinwhichtheoldfireishotenough;norwasthere

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everanydragon,notevenAncalagontheBlack,whocouldhaveharmedtheOneRing,theRulingRing,forthatwasmadebySauronhimself.

‘Thereisonlyoneway:tofindtheCracksofDoominthedepthsofOrodruin,theFire-mountain,andcasttheRinginthere,ifyoureallywishtodestroyit,toputitbeyondthegraspofthe

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Enemyforever.’‘Idoreallywishto

destroyit!’criedFrodo.‘Or,well,tohaveitdestroyed.Iamnotmadeforperilousquests.IwishIhadneverseentheRing!Whydiditcometome?WhywasIchosen?’

‘Suchquestionscannotbeanswered,’saidGandalf.‘Youmaybesurethatitwasnotforanymeritthatothers

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donotpossess:notforpowerorwisdom,atanyrate.Butyouhavebeenchosen,andyoumustthereforeusesuchstrengthandheartandwitsasyouhave.’

‘ButIhavesolittleofanyofthesethings!Youarewiseandpowerful.WillyounottaketheRing?’

‘No!’criedGandalf,springingtohisfeet.‘WiththatpowerIshouldhave

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powertoogreatandterrible.AndovermetheRingwouldgainapowerstillgreaterandmoredeadly.’Hiseyesflashedandhisfacewaslitasbyafirewithin.‘Donottemptme!ForIdonotwishtobecomeliketheDarkLordhimself.YetthewayoftheRingtomyheartisbypity,pityforweaknessandthedesireofstrengthtodogood.Donottemptme!Idarenot

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takeit,noteventokeepitsafe,unused.Thewishtowielditwouldbetoogreatformystrength.Ishallhavesuchneedofit.Greatperilsliebeforeme.’

Hewenttothewindowanddrewasidethecurtainsandtheshutters.Sunlightstreamedbackagainintotheroom.Sampassedalongthepathoutsidewhistling.‘Andnow,’saidthewizard,turning

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backtoFrodo,‘thedecisionlieswithyou.ButIwillalwayshelpyou.’HelaidhishandonFrodo’sshoulder.‘Iwillhelpyoubearthisburden,aslongasitisyourstobear.Butwemustdosomething,soon.TheEnemyismoving.’

Therewasalongsilence.Gandalfsatdownagainand

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puffedathispipe,asiflostinthought.Hiseyesseemedclosed,butunderthelidshewaswatchingFrodointently.Frodogazedfixedlyattheredembersonthehearth,untiltheyfilledallhisvision,andheseemedtobelookingdownintoprofoundwellsoffire.HewasthinkingofthefabledCracksofDoomandtheterroroftheFieryMountain.

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‘Well!’saidGandalfatlast.‘Whatareyouthinkingabout?Haveyoudecidedwhattodo?’

‘No!’answeredFrodo,comingbacktohimselfoutofdarkness,andfindingtohissurprisethatitwasnotdark,andthatoutofthewindowhecouldseethesunlitgarden.‘Orperhaps,yes.AsfarasIunderstandwhatyouhavesaid,IsupposeImustkeep

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theRingandguardit,atleastforthepresent,whateveritmaydotome.’

‘Whateveritmaydo,itwillbeslow,slowtoevil,ifyoukeepitwiththatpurpose,’saidGandalf.

‘Ihopeso,’saidFrodo.‘ButIhopethatyoumayfindsomeotherbetterkeepersoon.ButinthemeanwhileitseemsthatIamadanger,adangertoallthatlivenear

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me.IcannotkeeptheRingandstayhere.IoughttoleaveBagEnd,leavetheShire,leaveeverythingandgoaway.’Hesighed.

‘IshouldliketosavetheShire,ifIcould–thoughtherehavebeentimeswhenIthoughttheinhabitantstoostupidanddullforwords,andhavefeltthatanearthquakeoraninvasionofdragonsmightbegoodforthem.ButI

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don’tfeellikethatnow.IfeelthataslongastheShireliesbehind,safeandcomfortable,Ishallfindwanderingmorebearable:Ishallknowthatsomewherethereisafirmfoothold,evenifmyfeetcannotstandthereagain.

‘Ofcourse,Ihavesometimesthoughtofgoingaway,butIimaginedthatasakindofholiday,aseriesofadventureslikeBilbo’sor

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better,endinginpeace.Butthiswouldmeanexile,aflightfromdangerintodanger,drawingitafterme.AndIsupposeImustgoalone,ifIamtodothatandsavetheShire.ButIfeelverysmall,andveryuprooted,andwell–desperate.TheEnemyissostrongandterrible.’

HedidnottellGandalf,butashewasspeakingagreatdesiretofollowBilbo

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flamedupinhisheart–tofollowBilbo,andevenperhapstofindhimagain.Itwassostrongthatitovercamehisfear:hecouldalmosthaverunoutthereandthendowntheroadwithouthishat,asBilbohaddoneonasimilarmorninglongago.

‘MydearFrodo!’exclaimedGandalf.‘Hobbitsreallyareamazingcreatures,asIhavesaidbefore.Youcan

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learnallthatthereistoknowabouttheirwaysinamonth,andyetafterahundredyearstheycanstillsurpriseyouatapinch.Ihardlyexpectedtogetsuchananswer,notevenfromyou.ButBilbomadenomistakeinchoosinghisheir,thoughhelittlethoughthowimportantitwouldprove.Iamafraidyouareright.TheRingwillnotbeabletostayhiddenintheShiremuch

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longer;andforyourownsake,aswellasforothers,youwillhavetogo,andleavethenameofBagginsbehindyou.Thatnamewillnotbesafetohave,outsidetheShireorintheWild.Iwillgiveyouatravellingnamenow.Whenyougo,goasMr.Underhill.

‘ButIdon’tthinkyouneedgoalone.Notifyouknowofanyoneyoucantrust,andwhowouldbe

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willingtogobyyourside–andthatyouwouldbewillingtotakeintounknownperils.Butifyoulookforacompanion,becarefulinchoosing!Andbecarefulofwhatyousay,eventoyourclosestfriends!Theenemyhasmanyspiesandmanywaysofhearing.’

Suddenlyhestoppedasiflistening.Frodobecameawarethatallwasveryquiet,

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insideandoutside.Gandalfcrepttoonesideofthewindow.Thenwithadarthesprangtothesill,andthrustalongarmoutanddownwards.Therewasasquawk,andupcameSamGamgee’scurlyheadhauledbyoneear.

‘Well,well,blessmybeard!’saidGandalf.‘SamGamgeeisit?Nowwhatmayyoubedoing?’

‘Lorblessyou,Mr.

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Gandalf,sir!’saidSam.‘Nothing!LeastwaysIwasjusttrimmingthegrass-borderunderthewindow,ifyoufollowme.’Hepickeduphisshearsandexhibitedthemasevidence.

‘Idon’t,’saidGandalfgrimly.‘ItissometimesinceIlastheardthesoundofyourshears.Howlonghaveyoubeeneavesdropping?’

‘Eavesdropping,sir?I

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don’tfollowyou,beggingyourpardon.Thereain’tnoeavesatBagEnd,andthat’safact.’

‘Don’tbeafool!Whathaveyouheard,andwhydidyoulisten?’Gandalf’seyesflashedandhisbrowsstuckoutlikebristles.

‘Mr.Frodo,sir!’criedSamquaking.‘Don’tlethimhurtme,sir!Don’tlethimturnmeintoanything

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unnatural!Myolddadwouldtakeonso.Imeantnoharm,onmyhonour,sir!’

‘Hewon’thurtyou,’saidFrodo,hardlyabletokeepfromlaughing,althoughhewashimselfstartledandratherpuzzled.‘Heknows,aswellasIdo,thatyoumeannoharm.Butjustyouupandanswerhisquestionsstraightaway!’

‘Well,sir,’saidSam

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ditheringalittle.‘IheardadealthatIdidn’trightlyunderstand,aboutanenemy,andrings,andMr.Bilbo,sir,anddragons,andafierymountain,and–andElves,sir.IlistenedbecauseIcouldn’thelpmyself,ifyouknowwhatImean.Lorblessme,sir,butIdolovetalesofthatsort.AndIbelievethemtoo,whateverTedmaysay.Elves,sir!Iwoulddearly

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lovetoseethem.Couldn’tyoutakemetoseeElves,sir,whenyougo?’

SuddenlyGandalflaughed.‘Comeinside!’heshouted,andputtingoutbothhisarmsheliftedtheastonishedSam,shears,grass-clippingsandall,rightthroughthewindowandstoodhimonthefloor.‘TakeyoutoseeElves,eh?’hesaid,eyeingSamclosely,butwith

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asmileflickeringonhisface.‘SoyouheardthatMr.Frodoisgoingaway?’

‘Idid,sir.Andthat’swhyIchoked:whichyouheardseemingly.Itriednotto,sir,butitburstoutofme:Iwassoupset.’

‘Itcan’tbehelped,Sam,’saidFrodosadly.HehadsuddenlyrealizedthatflyingfromtheShirewouldmeanmorepainfulpartingsthan

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merelysayingfarewelltothefamiliarcomfortsofBagEnd.‘Ishallhavetogo.But’–andherehelookedhardatSam–‘ifyoureallycareaboutme,youwillkeepthatdeadsecret.See?Ifyoudon’t,ifyouevenbreatheawordofwhatyou’veheardhere,thenIhopeGandalfwillturnyouintoaspottedtoadandfillthegardenfullofgrass-snakes.’

Samfellonhisknees,

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trembling.‘Getup,Sam!’saidGandalf.‘Ihavethoughtofsomethingbetterthanthat.Somethingtoshutyourmouth,andpunishyouproperlyforlistening.YoushallgoawaywithMr.Frodo!’

‘Me,sir!’criedSam,springinguplikeadoginvitedforawalk.‘MegoandseeElvesandall!Hooray!’heshouted,and

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thenburstintotears.

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Chapter3

THREEISCOMPANY

‘Yououghttogoquietly,andyououghttogosoon,’saidGandalf.Twoorthreeweekshadpassed,andstillFrodo

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madenosignofgettingreadytogo.

‘Iknow.Butitisdifficulttodoboth,’heobjected.‘IfIjustvanishlikeBilbo,thetalewillbeallovertheShireinnotime.’

‘Ofcourseyoumustn’tvanish!’saidGandalf.‘Thatwouldn’tdoatall!Isaidsoon,notinstantly.IfyoucanthinkofanywayofslippingoutoftheShirewithoutits

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beinggenerallyknown,itwillbeworthalittledelay.Butyoumustnotdelaytoolong.’

‘Whatabouttheautumn,onorafterOurBirthday?’askedFrodo.‘IthinkIcouldprobablymakesomearrangementsbythen.’

Totellthetruth,hewasveryreluctanttostart,nowthatithadcometothepoint:BagEndseemedamoredesirableresidencethanit

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hadforyears,andhewantedtosavourasmuchashecouldofhislastsummerintheShire.Whenautumncame,heknewthatpartatleastofhisheartwouldthinkmorekindlyofjourneying,asitalwaysdidatthatseason.Hehadindeedprivatelymadeuphismindtoleaveonhisfiftiethbirthday:Bilbo’sonehundredandtwenty-eighth.Itseemedsomehowtheproper

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dayonwhichtosetoutandfollowhim.FollowingBilbowasuppermostinhismind,andtheonethingthatmadethethoughtofleavingbearable.HethoughtaslittleaspossibleabouttheRing,andwhereitmightleadhimintheend.ButhedidnottellallhisthoughtstoGandalf.Whatthewizardguessedwasalwaysdifficulttotell.

HelookedatFrodoand

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smiled.‘Verywell,’hesaid.‘Ithinkthatwilldo–butitmustnotbeanylater.Iamgettingveryanxious.Inthemeanwhile,dotakecare,anddon’tletoutanyhintofwhereyouaregoing!AndseethatSamGamgeedoesnottalk.Ifhedoes,Ireallyshallturnhimintoatoad.’

‘AsforwhereIamgoing,’saidFrodo,‘itwouldbedifficulttogivethataway,for

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Ihavenoclearideamyself,yet.’

‘Don’tbeabsurd!’saidGandalf.‘Iamnotwarningyouagainstleavinganaddressatthepost-office!ButyouareleavingtheShire–andthatshouldnotbeknown,untilyouarefaraway.Andyoumustgo,oratleastsetout,eitherNorth,South,WestorEast–andthedirectionshouldcertainlynotbe

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known.’‘Ihavebeensotakenup

withthethoughtsofleavingBagEnd,andofsayingfarewell,thatIhaveneverevenconsideredthedirection,’saidFrodo.‘ForwhereamItogo?AndbywhatshallIsteer?Whatistobemyquest?Bilbowenttofindatreasure,thereandbackagain;butIgotoloseone,andnotreturn,asfarasIcan

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see.’‘Butyoucannotseevery

far,’saidGandalf.‘Neithercan

I.ItmaybeyourtasktofindtheCracksofDoom;butthatquestmaybeforothers:Idonotknow.Atanyrateyouarenotreadyforthatlongroadyet.’

‘Noindeed!’saidFrodo.‘ButinthemeantimewhatcourseamItotake?’

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‘Towardsdanger;butnottoorashly,nortoostraight,’answeredthewizard.‘Ifyouwantmyadvice,makeforRivendell.Thatjourneyshouldnotprovetooperilous,thoughtheRoadislesseasythanitwas,anditwillgrowworseastheyearfails.’

‘Rivendell!’saidFrodo.‘Verygood:Iwillgoeast,andIwillmakeforRivendell.IwilltakeSamtovisitthe

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Elves;hewillbedelighted.’Hespokelightly;buthisheartwasmovedsuddenlywithadesiretoseethehouseofElrondHalfelven,andbreathetheairofthatdeepvalleywheremanyoftheFairFolkstilldweltinpeace.

Onesummer’seveninganastonishingpieceofnewsreachedtheIvyBushand

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GreenDragon.GiantsandotherportentsonthebordersoftheShirewereforgottenformoreimportantmatters:Mr.FrodowassellingBagEnd,indeedhehadalreadysoldit–totheSackville-Bagginses!

‘Foranicebit,too,’saidsome.‘Atabargainprice,’saidothers,‘andthat’smorelikelywhenMistressLobelia’sthebuyer.’(Otho

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haddiedsomeyearsbefore,attheripebutdisappointedageof102.)

JustwhyMr.Frodowassellinghisbeautifulholewasevenmoredebatablethantheprice.Afewheldthetheory–supportedbythenodsandhintsofMr.Bagginshimself–thatFrodo’smoneywasrunningout:hewasgoingtoleaveHobbitonandliveinaquietwayontheproceedsof

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thesaledowninBucklandamonghisBrandybuckrelations.‘AsfarfromtheSackville-Bagginsesasmaybe,’someadded.ButsofirmlyfixedhadthenotionoftheimmeasurablewealthoftheBagginsesofBagEndbecomethatmostfoundthishardtobelieve,harderthananyotherreasonorunreasonthattheirfancycouldsuggest:tomostitsuggestedadark

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andyetunrevealedplotbyGandalf.Thoughhekepthimselfveryquietanddidnotgoaboutbyday,itwaswellknownthathewas‘hidingupintheBagEnd’.Buthoweveraremovalmightfitinwiththedesignsofhiswizardry,therewasnodoubtaboutthefact:FrodoBagginswasgoingbacktoBuckland.

‘Yes,Ishallbemovingthisautumn,’hesaid.‘Merry

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Brandybuckislookingoutforanicelittleholeforme,orperhapsasmallhouse.’

AsamatteroffactwithMerry’shelphehadalreadychosenandboughtalittlehouseatCrickhollowinthecountrybeyondBucklebury.ToallbutSamhepretendedhewasgoingtosettledowntherepermanently.Thedecisiontosetouteastwardshadsuggestedtheideato

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him;forBucklandwasontheeasternbordersoftheShire,andashehadlivedthereinchildhoodhisgoingbackwouldatleastseemcredible.

GandalfstayedintheShireforovertwomonths.Thenoneevening,attheendofJune,soonafterFrodo’splanhadbeenfinallyarranged,hesuddenly

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announcedthathewasgoingoffagainnextmorning.‘Onlyforashortwhile,Ihope,’hesaid.‘ButIamgoingdownbeyondthesouthernborderstogetsomenews,ifIcan.IhavebeenidlelongerthanIshould.’

Hespokelightly,butitseemedtoFrodothathelookedratherworried.‘Hasanythinghappened?’heasked.

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‘Wellno;butIhaveheardsomethingthathasmademeanxiousandneedslookinginto.IfIthinkitnecessaryafterallforyoutogetoffatonce,Ishallcomebackimmediately,oratleastsendword.Inthemeanwhilesticktoyourplan;butbemorecarefulthanever,especiallyoftheRing.Letmeimpressonyouoncemore:don’tuseit!’

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Hewentoffatdawn.‘Imaybebackanyday,’hesaid.‘AttheverylatestIshallcomebackforthefarewellparty.IthinkafterallyoumayneedmycompanyontheRoad.’

AtfirstFrodowasagooddealdisturbed,andwonderedoftenwhatGandalfcouldhaveheard;buthisuneasinessworeoff,andinthefineweatherheforgothis

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troublesforawhile.TheShirehadseldomseensofairasummer,orsorichanautumn:thetreeswereladenwithapples,honeywasdrippinginthecombs,andthecornwastallandfull.

AutumnwaswellunderwaybeforeFrodobegantoworryaboutGandalfagain.Septemberwaspassingandtherewasstillnonewsofhim.TheBirthday,andthe

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removal,drewnearer,andstillhedidnotcome,orsendword.BagEndbegantobebusy.SomeofFrodo’sfriendscametostayandhelphimwiththepacking:therewasFredegarBolgerandFolcoBoffin,andofcoursehisspecialfriendsPippinTookandMerryBrandybuck.Betweenthemtheyturnedthewholeplaceupside-down.

OnSeptember20thtwo

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coveredcartswentoffladentoBuckland,conveyingthefurnitureandgoodsthatFrodohadnotsoldtohisnewhome,bywayoftheBrandywineBridge.ThenextdayFrodobecamereallyanxious,andkeptaconstantlook-outforGandalf.Thursday,hisbirthdaymorning,dawnedasfairandclearasithadlongagoforBilbo’sgreatparty.Still

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Gandalfdidnotappear.IntheeveningFrodogavehisfarewellfeast:itwasquitesmall,justadinnerforhimselfandhisfourhelpers;buthewastroubledandfeltinnomoodforit.Thethoughtthathewouldsosoonhavetopartwithhisyoungfriendsweighedonhisheart.Hewonderedhowhewouldbreakittothem.

Thefouryoungerhobbits

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were,however,inhighspirits,andthepartysoonbecameverycheerfulinspiteofGandalf’sabsence.Thedining-roomwasbareexceptforatableandchairs,butthefoodwasgood,andtherewasgoodwine:Frodo’swinehadnotbeenincludedinthesaletotheSackville-Bagginses.

‘Whateverhappenstotherestofmystuff,whentheS.-B.sgettheirclawsonit,at

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anyrateIhavefoundagoodhomeforthis!’saidFrodo,ashedrainedhisglass.ItwasthelastdropofOldWinyards.

Whentheyhadsungmanysongs,andtalkedofmanythingstheyhaddonetogether,theytoastedBilbo’sbirthday,andtheydrankhishealthandFrodo’stogetheraccordingtoFrodo’scustom.Thentheywentoutforasniffofair,and

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glimpseofthestars,andthentheywenttobed.Frodo’spartywasover,andGandalfhadnotcome.

Thenextmorningtheywerebusypackinganothercartwiththeremainderoftheluggage.Merrytookchargeofthis,anddroveoffwithFatty(thatisFredegarBolger).‘Someonemustget

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thereandwarmthehousebeforeyouarrive,’saidMerry.‘Well,seeyoulater–thedayaftertomorrow,ifyoudon’tgotosleepontheway!’

Folcowenthomeafterlunch,butPippinremainedbehind.Frodowasrestlessandanxious,listeninginvainforasoundofGandalf.Hedecidedtowaituntilnightfall.Afterthat,ifGandalfwantedhimurgently,hewouldgoto

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Crickhollow,andmightevengettherefirst.ForFrodowasgoingonfoot.Hisplan–forpleasureandalastlookattheShireasmuchasanyotherreason–wastowalkfromHobbitontoBuckleburyFerry,takingitfairlyeasy.

‘Ishallgetmyselfabitintotraining,too,’hesaid,lookingathimselfinadustymirrorinthehalf-emptyhall.Hehadnotdoneany

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strenuouswalkingforalongtime,andthereflectionlookedratherflabby,hethought.

Afterlunch,theSackville-Bagginses,Lobeliaandhersandy-hairedson,Lotho,turnedup,muchtoFrodo’sannoyance.‘Oursatlast!’saidLobelia,asshesteppedinside.Itwasnotpolite;norstrictlytrue,forthesaleofBagEnddidnottakeeffect

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untilmidnight.ButLobeliacanperhapsbeforgiven:shehadbeenobligedtowaitaboutseventy-sevenyearslongerforBagEndthansheoncehoped,andshewasnowahundredyearsold.Anyway,shehadcometoseethatnothingshehadpaidforhadbeencarriedoff;andshewantedthekeys.Ittookalongwhiletosatisfyher,asshehadbroughtacomplete

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inventorywithherandwentrightthroughit.IntheendshedepartedwithLothoandthesparekeyandthepromisethattheotherkeywouldbeleftattheGamgees’inBagshotRow.Shesnorted,andshowedplainlythatshethoughttheGamgeescapableofplunderingtheholeduringthenight.Frododidnotofferheranytea.

Hetookhisownteawith

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PippinandSamGamgeeinthekitchen.IthadbeenofficiallyannouncedthatSamwascomingtoBuckland‘todoforMr.Frodoandlookafterhisbitofgarden’;anarrangementthatwasapprovedbytheGaffer,thoughitdidnotconsolehimfortheprospectofhavingLobeliaasaneighbour.

‘OurlastmealatBagEnd!’saidFrodo,pushing

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backhischair.TheyleftthewashingupforLobelia.PippinandSamstrappeduptheirthreepacksandpiledthemintheporch.Pippinwentoutforalaststrollinthegarden.Samdisappeared.

Thesunwentdown.BagEndseemedsadandgloomyanddishevelled.Frodowanderedroundthefamiliar

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rooms,andsawthelightofthesunsetfadeonthewalls,andshadowscreepoutofthecorners.Itgrewslowlydarkindoors.Hewentoutandwalkeddowntothegateatthebottomofthepath,andthenonashortwaydowntheHillRoad.HehalfexpectedtoseeGandalfcomestridingupthroughthedusk.

Theskywasclearandthestarsweregrowingbright.

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‘It’sgoingtobeafinenight,’hesaidaloud.‘That’sgoodforabeginning.Ifeellikewalking.Ican’tbearanymorehangingabout.Iamgoingtostart,andGandalfmustfollowme.’Heturnedtogoback,andthenstopped,forheheardvoices,justroundthecornerbytheendofBagshotRow.OnevoicewascertainlytheoldGaffer’s;theotherwas

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strange,andsomehowunpleasant.Hecouldnotmakeoutwhatitsaid,butheheardtheGaffer’sanswers,whichwererathershrill.Theoldmanseemedputout.

‘No,Mr.Bagginshasgoneaway.Wentthismorning,andmySamwentwithhim:anywayallhisstuffwent.Yes,soldoutandgone,Itell’ee.Why?Why’snoneofmybusiness,oryours.

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Whereto?Thatain’tnosecret.He’smovedtoBuckleburyorsomesuchplace,awaydownyonder.Yesitis–atidyway.I’veneverbeensofarmyself;they’requeerfolksinBuckland.No,Ican’tgivenomessage.Goodnighttoyou!’

FootstepswentawaydowntheHill.Frodowonderedvaguelywhythefactthattheydidnotcomeon

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uptheHillseemedagreatrelief.‘Iamsickofquestionsandcuriosityaboutmydoings,Isuppose,’hethought.‘Whataninquisitivelottheyallare!’HehadhalfamindtogoandasktheGafferwhotheinquirerwas;buthethoughtbetter(orworse)ofit,andturnedandwalkedquicklybacktoBagEnd.

Pippinwassittingonhispackintheporch.Samwas

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notthere.Frodosteppedinsidethedarkdoor.‘Sam!’hecalled.‘Sam!Time!’

‘Coming,sir!’cametheanswerfromfarwithin,followedsoonbySamhimself,wipinghismouth.Hehadbeensayingfarewelltothebeer-barrelinthecellar.

‘Allaboard,Sam?’saidFrodo.

‘Yes,sir.I’lllastforabitnow,sir.’

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Frodoshutandlockedtherounddoor,andgavethekeytoSam.‘Rundownwiththistoyourhome,Sam!’hesaid.‘ThencutalongtheRowandmeetusasquickasyoucanatthegateinthelanebeyondthemeadows.Wearenotgoingthroughthevillagetonight.Toomanyearsprickingandeyesprying.’Samranoffatfullspeed.

‘Well,nowwe’reoffat

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last!’saidFrodo.Theyshoulderedtheirpacksandtookuptheirsticks,andwalkedroundthecornertothewestsideofBagEnd.‘Good-bye!’saidFrodo,lookingatthedarkblankwindows.Hewavedhishand,andthenturnedand(followingBilbo,ifhehadknownit)hurriedafterPeregrindownthegarden-path.Theyjumpedoverthe

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lowplaceinthehedgeatthebottomandtooktothefields,passingintothedarknesslikearustleinthegrasses.

AtthebottomoftheHillonitswesternsidetheycametothegateopeningontoanarrowlane.Theretheyhaltedandadjustedthestrapsoftheirpacks.PresentlySamappeared,trottingquicklyand

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breathinghard;hisheavypackwashoistedhighonhisshoulders,andhehadputonhisheadatallshapelessfeltbag,whichhecalledahat.Inthegloomhelookedverymuchlikeadwarf.

‘Iamsureyouhavegivenmealltheheavieststuff,’saidFrodo.‘Ipitysnails,andallthatcarrytheirhomesontheirbacks.’

‘Icouldtakealotmore

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yet,sir.Mypacketisquitelight,’saidSamstoutlyanduntruthfully.

‘Noyoudon’t,Sam!’saidPippin.‘Itisgoodforhim.He’sgotnothingexceptwhatheorderedustopack.He’sbeenslacklately,andhe’llfeeltheweightlesswhenhe’swalkedoffsomeofhisown.’

‘Bekindtoapooroldhobbit!’laughedFrodo.‘Ishallbeasthinasawillow-

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wand,I’msure,beforeIgettoBuckland.ButIwastalkingnonsense.Isuspectyouhavetakenmorethanyourshare,Sam,andIshalllookintoitatournextpacking.’Hepickeduphisstickagain.‘Well,wealllikewalkinginthedark,’hesaid,‘solet’sputsomemilesbehindusbeforebed.’

Forashortwaytheyfollowedthelanewestwards.

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Thenleavingittheyturnedleftandtookquietlytothefieldsagain.Theywentinsinglefilealonghedgerowsandthebordersofcoppices,andnightfelldarkaboutthem.Intheirdarkcloakstheywereasinvisibleasiftheyallhadmagicrings.Sincetheywereallhobbits,andweretryingtobesilent,theymadenonoisethatevenhobbitswouldhear.Eventhe

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wildthingsinthefieldsandwoodshardlynoticedtheirpassing.

AftersometimetheycrossedtheWater,westofHobbiton,byanarrowplank-bridge.Thestreamwastherenomorethanawindingblackribbon,borderedwithleaningalder-trees.AmileortwofurthersouththeyhastilycrossedthegreatroadfromtheBrandywineBridge;they

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werenowintheTooklandandbendingsouth-eastwardstheymadefortheGreenHillCountry.AstheybegantoclimbitsfirstslopestheylookedbackandsawthelampsinHobbitonfarofftwinklinginthegentlevalleyoftheWater.Soonitdisappearedinthefoldsofthedarkenedland,andwasfollowedbyBywaterbesideitsgreypool.Whenthelight

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ofthelastfarmwasfarbehind,peepingamongthetrees,Frodoturnedandwavedahandinfarewell.

‘IwonderifIshalleverlookdownintothatvalleyagain,’hesaidquietly.

Whentheyhadwalkedforaboutthreehourstheyrested.Thenightwasclear,cool,andstarry,butsmoke-likewispsofmistwerecreepingupthehill-sidesfromthestreams

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anddeepmeadows.Thin-cladbirches,swayinginalightwindabovetheirheads,madeablacknetagainstthepalesky.Theyateaveryfrugalsupper(forhobbits),andthenwentonagain.Soontheystruckanarrowroad,thatwentrollingupanddown,fadinggreyintothedarknessahead:theroadtoWoodhall,andStock,andtheBuckleburyFerry.Itclimbed

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awayfromthemainroadintheWater-valley,andwoundovertheskirtsoftheGreenHillstowardsWoodyEnd,awildcorneroftheEastfarthing.

Afterawhiletheyplungedintoadeeplycloventrackbetweentalltreesthatrustledtheirdryleavesinthenight.Itwasverydark.Atfirsttheytalked,orhummedatunesoftlytogether,beingnowfar

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awayfrominquisitiveears.Thentheymarchedoninsilence,andPippinbegantolagbehind.Atlast,astheybegantoclimbasteepslope,hestoppedandyawned.

‘Iamsosleepy,’hesaid,‘thatsoonIshallfalldownontheroad.Areyougoingtosleeponyourlegs?Itisnearlymidnight.’

‘Ithoughtyoulikedwalkinginthedark,’said

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Frodo.‘Butthereisnogreathurry.Merryexpectsussometimethedayaftertomorrow;butthatleavesusnearlytwodaysmore.We’llhaltatthefirstlikelyspot.’

‘Thewind’sintheWest,’saidSam.‘Ifwegettotheothersideofthishill,weshallfindaspotthatisshelteredandsnugenough,sir.Thereisadryfir-woodjustahead,ifIrememberrightly.’Samknew

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thelandwellwithintwentymilesofHobbiton,butthatwasthelimitofhisgeography.

Justoverthetopofthehilltheycameonthepatchoffir-wood.Leavingtheroadtheywentintothedeepresin-scenteddarknessofthetrees,andgathereddeadsticksandconestomakeafire.Soontheyhadamerrycrackleofflameatthefootofalarge

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fir-treeandtheysatrounditforawhile,untiltheybegantonod.Then,eachinanangleofthegreattree’sroots,theycurledupintheircloaksandblankets,andweresoonfastasleep.Theysetnowatch;evenFrodofearednodangeryet,fortheywerestillintheheartoftheShire.Afewcreaturescameandlookedatthemwhenthefirehaddiedaway.Afoxpassingthrough

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thewoodonbusinessofhisownstoppedseveralminutesandsniffed.

‘Hobbits!’hethought.‘Well,whatnext?Ihaveheardofstrangedoingsinthisland,butIhaveseldomheardofahobbitsleepingoutofdoorsunderatree.Threeofthem!There’ssomethingmightyqueerbehindthis.’Hewasquiteright,butheneverfoundoutanymoreaboutit.

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Themorningcame,paleandclammy.Frodowokeupfirst,andfoundthatatree-roothadmadeaholeinhisback,andthathisneckwasstiff.‘Walkingforpleasure!Whydidn’tIdrive?’hethought,asheusuallydidatthebeginningofanexpedition.‘AndallmybeautifulfeatherbedsaresoldtotheSackville-Bagginses!Thesetree-rootswoulddo

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themgood.’Hestretched.‘Wakeup,hobbits!’hecried.‘It’sabeautifulmorning.’

‘What’sbeautifulaboutit?’saidPippin,peeringovertheedgeofhisblanketwithoneeye.‘Sam!Getbreakfastreadyforhalf-pastnine!Haveyougotthebath-waterhot?’

Samjumpedup,lookingratherbleary.‘No,sir,Ihaven’t,sir!’hesaid.

Frodostrippedthe

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blanketsfromPippinandrolledhimover,andthenwalkedofftotheedgeofthewood.Awayeastwardthesunwasrisingredoutofthemiststhatlaythickontheworld.Touchedwithgoldandredtheautumntreesseemedtobesailingrootlessinashadowysea.Alittlebelowhimtothelefttheroadrandownsteeplyintoahollowanddisappeared.

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WhenhereturnedSamandPippinhadgotagoodfiregoing.‘Water!’shoutedPippin.‘Where’sthewater?’

‘Idon’tkeepwaterinmypockets,’saidFrodo.‘Wethoughtyouhadgonetofindsome,’saidPippin,busysettingoutthefood,andcups.‘Youhadbettergonow.’

‘Youcancometoo,’saidFrodo,‘andbringallthewaterbottles.’Therewasa

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streamatthefootofthehill.Theyfilledtheirbottlesandthesmallcampingkettleatalittlefallwherethewaterfellafewfeetoveranoutcropofgreystone.Itwasicycold;andtheysplutteredandpuffedastheybathedtheirfacesandhands.

Whentheirbreakfastwasover,andtheirpacksalltrussedupagain,itwasafterteno’clock,andthedaywas

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beginningtoturnfineandhot.Theywentdowntheslope,andacrossthestreamwhereitdivedundertheroad,andupthenextslope,andupanddownanothershoulderofthehills;andbythattimetheircloaks,blankets,water,food,andothergearalreadyseemedaheavyburden.

Theday’smarchpromisedtobewarmandtiringwork.Aftersomemiles,however,

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theroadceasedtorollupanddown:itclimbedtothetopofasteepbankinawearyzig-zaggingsortofway,andthenpreparedtogodownforthelasttime.Infrontofthemtheysawthelowerlandsdottedwithsmallclumpsoftreesthatmeltedawayinthedistancetoabrownwoodlandhaze.TheywerelookingacrosstheWoodyEndtowardstheBrandywine

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River.Theroadwoundawaybeforethemlikeapieceofstring.

‘Theroadgoesonforever,’saidPippin;‘butIcan’twithoutarest.Itishightimeforlunch.’Hesatdownonthebankatthesideoftheroadandlookedawayeastintothehaze,beyondwhichlaytheRiver,andtheendoftheShireinwhichhehadspentallhislife.Samstood

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byhim.Hisroundeyeswerewideopen–forhewaslookingacrosslandshehadneverseentoanewhorizon.

‘DoElvesliveinthosewoods?’heasked.

‘NotthatIeverheard,’saidPippin.Frodowassilent.Hetoowasgazingeastwardalongtheroad,asifhehadneverseenitbefore.Suddenlyhespoke,aloudbutasiftohimself,saying

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slowly:

TheRoadgoeseveronandonDownfromthedoorwhereitbegan.

NowfaraheadtheRoadhasgone,AndImustfollow,ifIcan,

Pursuingitwithwearyfeet,

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Untilitjoinssomelargerway,

Wheremanypathsanderrandsmeet.Andwhitherthen?Icannotsay.

‘ThatsoundslikeabitofoldBilbo’srhyming,’saidPippin.‘Orisitoneofyourimitations?Itdoesnotsoundaltogetherencouraging.’

‘Idon’tknow,’said

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Frodo.‘Itcametomethen,asifIwasmakingitup;butImayhavehearditlongago.CertainlyitremindsmeverymuchofBilbointhelastyears,beforehewentaway.HeusedoftentosaytherewasonlyoneRoad;thatitwaslikeagreatriver:itsspringswereateverydoorstep,andeverypathwasitstributary.“It’sadangerousbusiness,Frodo,goingoutof

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yourdoor,”heusedtosay.“YoustepintotheRoad,andifyoudon’tkeepyourfeet,thereisnoknowingwhereyoumightbesweptoffto.DoyourealizethatthisistheverypaththatgoesthroughMirkwood,andthatifyouletit,itmighttakeyoutotheLonelyMountainorevenfurtherandtoworseplaces?”Heusedtosaythatonthepathoutsidethefrontdoorat

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BagEnd,especiallyafterhehadbeenoutforalongwalk.’

‘Well,theRoadwon’tsweepmeanywhereforanhouratleast,’saidPippin,unslinginghispack.Theothersfollowedhisexample,puttingtheirpacksagainstthebankandtheirlegsoutintotheroad.Afteraresttheyhadagoodlunch,andthenmorerest.

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Thesunwasbeginningtogetlowandthelightofafternoonwasonthelandastheywentdownthehill.Sofartheyhadnotmetasoulontheroad.Thiswaywasnotmuchused,beinghardlyfitforcarts,andtherewaslittletraffictotheWoodyEnd.TheyhadbeenjoggingalongagainforanhourormorewhenSamstoppedamomentasiflistening.Theywere

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nowonlevelground,andtheroadaftermuchwindinglaystraightaheadthroughgrass-landsprinkledwithtalltrees,outliersoftheapproachingwoods.

‘Icanhearaponyorahorsecomingalongtheroadbehind,’saidSam.

Theylookedback,buttheturnoftheroadpreventedthemfromseeingfar.‘IwonderifthatisGandalf

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comingafterus,’saidFrodo;butevenashesaidit,hehadafeelingthatitwasnotso,andasuddendesiretohidefromtheviewoftheridercameoverhim.

‘Itmaynotmattermuch,’hesaidapologetically,‘butIwouldrathernotbeseenontheroad–byanyone.Iamsickofmydoingsbeingnoticedanddiscussed.AndifitisGandalf,’headdedasan

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afterthought,‘wecangivehimalittlesurprise,topayhimoutforbeingsolate.Let’sgetoutofsight!’

Theothertworanquicklytotheleftanddownintoalittlehollownotfarfromtheroad.Theretheylayflat.Frodohesitatedforasecond:curiosityorsomeotherfeelingwasstrugglingwithhisdesiretohide.Thesoundofhoofsdrewnearer.Justin

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timehethrewhimselfdowninapatchoflonggrassbehindatreethatovershadowedtheroad.Thenheliftedhisheadandpeeredcautiouslyaboveoneofthegreatroots.

Roundthecornercameablackhorse,nohobbit-ponybutafull-sizedhorse;andonitsatalargeman,whoseemedtocrouchinthesaddle,wrappedinagreat

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blackcloakandhood,sothatonlyhisbootsinthehighstirrupsshowedbelow;hisfacewasshadowedandinvisible.

WhenitreachedthetreeandwaslevelwithFrodothehorsestopped.Theridingfiguresatquitestillwithitsheadbowed,asiflistening.Frominsidethehoodcameanoiseasofsomeonesniffingtocatchanelusivescent;the

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headturnedfromsidetosideoftheroad.

AsuddenunreasoningfearofdiscoverylaidholdofFrodo,andhethoughtofhisRing.Hehardlydaredtobreathe,andyetthedesiretogetitoutofhispocketbecamesostrongthathebeganslowlytomovehishand.Hefeltthathehadonlytoslipiton,andthenhewouldbesafe.Theadviceof

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Gandalfseemedabsurd.BilbohadusedtheRing.‘AndIamstillintheShire,’hethought,ashishandtouchedthechainonwhichithung.Atthatmomenttheridersatup,andshookthereins.Thehorsesteppedforward,walkingslowlyatfirst,andthenbreakingintoaquicktrot.

Frodocrawledtotheedgeoftheroadandwatchedthe

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rider,untilhedwindledintothedistance.Hecouldnotbequitesure,butitseemedtohimthatsuddenly,beforeitpassedoutofsight,thehorseturnedasideandwentintothetreesontheright.

‘Well,Icallthatveryqueer,andindeeddisturbing,’saidFrodotohimself,ashewalkedtowardshiscompanions.PippinandSamhadremainedflatinthegrass,

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andhadseennothing;soFrododescribedtheriderandhisstrangebehaviour.

‘Ican’tsaywhy,butIfeltcertainhewaslookingorsmellingforme;andalsoIfeltcertainthatIdidnotwanthimtodiscoverme.I’veneverseenorfeltanythinglikeitintheShirebefore.’

‘ButwhathasoneoftheBigPeoplegottodowithus?’saidPippin.‘Andwhatis

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hedoinginthispartoftheworld?’

‘TherearesomeMenabout,’saidFrodo.‘DownintheSouthfarthingtheyhavehadtroublewithBigPeople,Ibelieve.ButIhaveneverheardofanythinglikethisrider.Iwonderwherehecomesfrom.’

‘Beggingyourpardon,’putinSamsuddenly,‘Iknowwherehecomesfrom.It’s

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fromHobbitonthatthishereblackridercomes,unlessthere’smorethanone.AndIknowwherehe’sgoingto.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’saidFrodosharply,lookingathiminastonishment.‘Whydidn’tyouspeakupbefore?’

‘Ihaveonlyjustremembered,sir.Itwaslikethis:whenIgotbacktoourholeyesterdayeveningwiththekey,mydad,hesaysto

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me:Hallo,Sam!hesays.IthoughtyouwereawaywithMr.Frodothismorning.There’sbeenastrangecustomeraskingforMr.BagginsofBagEnd,andhe’sonlyjustgone.I’vesenthimontoBucklebury.NotthatIlikedthesoundofhim.Heseemedmightyputout,whenItoldhimMr.Bagginshadlefthisoldhomeforgood.Hissedatme,hedid.Itgave

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mequiteashudder.Whatsortofafellowwashe?saysItotheGaffer.Idon’tknow,sayshe;buthewasn’tahobbit.Hewastallandblack-like,andhestoopedoverme.IreckonitwasoneoftheBigFolkfromforeignparts.Hespokefunny.

‘Icouldn’tstaytohearmore,sir,sinceyouwerewaiting;andIdidn’tgivemuchheedtoitmyself.The

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Gafferisgettingold,andmorethanabitblind,anditmusthavebeenneardarkwhenthisfellowcomeuptheHillandfoundhimtakingtheairattheendofourRow.Ihopehehasn’tdonenoharm,sir,norme.’

‘TheGaffercan’tbeblamedanyway,’saidFrodo.‘AsamatteroffactIheardhimtalkingtoastranger,whoseemedtobeinquiringfor

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me,andInearlywentandaskedhimwhoitwas.IwishIhad,oryouhadtoldmeaboutitbefore.Imighthavebeenmorecarefulontheroad.’

‘Still,theremaybenoconnexionbetweenthisriderandtheGaffer’sstranger,’saidPippin.‘WeleftHobbitonsecretlyenough,andIdon’tseehowhecouldhavefollowedus.’

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‘Whataboutthesmelling,sir?’saidSam.‘AndtheGaffersaidhewasablackchap.’

‘IwishIhadwaitedforGandalf,’Frodomuttered.‘Butperhapsitwouldonlyhavemademattersworse.’

‘Thenyouknoworguesssomethingaboutthisrider?’saidPippin,whohadcaughtthemutteredwords.

‘Idon’tknow,andI

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wouldrathernotguess,’saidFrodo.

‘Allright,cousinFrodo!Youcankeepyoursecretforthepresent,ifyouwanttobemysterious.Inthemeanwhilewhatarewetodo?Ishouldlikeabiteandasup,butsomehowIthinkwehadbettermoveonfromhere.Yourtalkofsniffingriderswithinvisiblenoseshasunsettledme.’

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‘Yes,Ithinkwewillmoveonnow,’saidFrodo;‘butnotontheroad–incasethatridercomesback,oranotherfollowshim.Weoughttodoagoodstepmoretoday.Bucklandisstillmilesaway.’

Theshadowsofthetreeswerelongandthinonthegrass,astheystartedoffagain.Theynowkepta

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stone’sthrowtotheleftoftheroad,andkeptoutofsightofitasmuchastheycould.Butthishinderedthem;forthegrasswasthickandtussocky,andthegrounduneven,andthetreesbegantodrawtogetherintothickets.

Thesunhadgonedownredbehindthehillsattheirbacks,andeveningwascomingonbeforetheycamebacktotheroadattheendof

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thelongleveloverwhichithadrunstraightforsomemiles.AtthatpointitbentleftandwentdownintothelowlandsoftheYalemakingforStock;butalanebranchedright,windingthroughawoodofancientoak-treesonitswaytoWoodhall.‘Thatisthewayforus,’saidFrodo.

Notfarfromtheroad-meetingtheycameonthehugehulkofatree:itwas

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stillaliveandhadleavesonthesmallbranchesthatithadputoutroundthebrokenstumpsofitslong-fallenlimbs;butitwashollow,andcouldbeenteredbyagreatcrackonthesideawayfromtheroad.Thehobbitscreptinside,andsatthereuponafloorofoldleavesanddecayedwood.Theyrestedandhadalightmeal,talkingquietlyandlisteningfrom

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timetotime.Twilightwasaboutthem

astheycreptbacktothelane.TheWestwindwassighinginthebranches.Leaveswerewhispering.Soontheroadbegantofallgentlybutsteadilyintothedusk.AstarcameoutabovethetreesinthedarkeningEastbeforethem.Theywentabreastandinstep,tokeepuptheirspirits.Afteratime,asthe

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starsgrewthickerandbrighter,thefeelingofdisquietleftthem,andtheynolongerlistenedforthesoundofhoofs.Theybegantohumsoftly,ashobbitshaveawayofdoingastheywalkalong,especiallywhentheyaredrawingneartohomeatnight.Withmosthobbitsitisasupper-songorabed-song;butthesehobbitshummedawalking-song(thoughnot,of

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course,withoutanymentionofsupperandbed).BilboBagginshadmadethewords,toatunethatwasasoldasthehills,andtaughtittoFrodoastheywalkedinthelanesoftheWater-valleyandtalkedaboutAdventure.

Uponthehearththefireisred,Beneaththeroofthereisabed;

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Butnotyetwearyareourfeet,StillroundthecornerwemaymeetAsuddentreeorstandingstoneThatnonehaveseenbutwealone.Treeandflowerandleafandgrass,Letthempass!Letthempass!

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Hillandwaterundersky,Passthemby!Passthemby!

StillroundthecornertheremaywaitAnewroadorasecretgate,Andthoughwepassthembytoday,Tomorrowwemaycomethisway

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AndtakethehiddenpathsthatrunTowardstheMoonortotheSun.Apple,thorn,andnutandsloe,Letthemgo!Letthemgo!Sandandstoneandpoolanddell,Fareyouwell!Fareyouwell!

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Homeisbehind,theworldahead,AndtherearemanypathstotreadThroughshadowstotheedgeofnight,Untilthestarsareallalight.Thenworldbehindandhomeahead,We’llwanderbacktohomeandbed.Mistandtwilight,

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cloudandshade,Awayshallfade!Awayshallfade!Fireandlamp,andmeatandbread,Andthentobed!Andthentobed!

Thesongended.‘Andnowtobed!Andnowtobed!’sangPippininahighvoice.

‘Hush!’saidFrodo.‘I

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thinkIhearhoofsagain.’Theystoppedsuddenly

andstoodassilentastree-shadows,listening.Therewasasoundofhoofsinthelane,somewaybehind,butcomingslowandcleardownthewind.Quicklyandquietlytheyslippedoffthepath,andranintothedeepershadeundertheoak-trees.

‘Don’tletusgotoofar!’saidFrodo.‘Idon’twantto

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beseen,butIwanttoseeifitisanotherBlackRider.’

‘Verywell!’saidPippin.‘Butdon’tforgetthesniffing!’

Thehoofsdrewnearer.Theyhadnotimetofindanyhiding-placebetterthanthegeneraldarknessunderthetrees;SamandPippincrouchedbehindalargetree-bole,whileFrodocreptbackafewyardstowardsthelane.

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Itshowedgreyandpale,alineoffadinglightthroughthewood.Aboveitthestarswerethickinthedimsky,buttherewasnomoon.

Thesoundofhoofsstopped.AsFrodowatchedhesawsomethingdarkpassacrossthelighterspacebetweentwotrees,andthenhalt.Itlookedliketheblackshadeofahorseledbyasmallerblackshadow.The

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blackshadowstoodclosetothepointwheretheyhadleftthepath,anditswayedfromsidetoside.Frodothoughtheheardthesoundofsnuffling.Theshadowbenttotheground,andthenbegantocrawltowardshim.

OncemorethedesiretoslipontheRingcameoverFrodo;butthistimeitwasstrongerthanbefore.Sostrongthat,almostbeforehe

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realizedwhathewasdoing,hishandwasgropinginhispocket.Butatthatmomenttherecameasoundlikemingledsongandlaughter.Clearvoicesroseandfellinthestarlitair.Theblackshadowstraightenedupandretreated.Itclimbedontotheshadowyhorseandseemedtovanishacrossthelaneintothedarknessontheotherside.Frodobreathedagain.

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‘Elves!’exclaimedSaminahoarsewhisper.‘Elves,sir!’Hewouldhaveburstoutofthetreesanddashedofftowardsthevoices,iftheyhadnotpulledhimback.

‘Yes,itisElves,’saidFrodo.‘OnecanmeetthemsometimesintheWoodyEnd.Theydon’tliveintheShire,buttheywanderintoitinspringandautumn,outoftheirownlandsawaybeyond

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theTowerHills.Iamthankfulthattheydo!Youdidnotsee,butthatBlackRiderstoppedjusthereandwasactuallycrawlingtowardsuswhenthesongbegan.Assoonasheheardthevoicesheslippedaway.’

‘WhatabouttheElves?’saidSam,tooexcitedtotroubleabouttherider.‘Can’twegoandseethem?’

‘Listen!Theyarecoming

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thisway,’saidFrodo.‘Wehaveonlytowait.’

Thesingingdrewnearer.Oneclearvoicerosenowabovetheothers.Itwassinginginthefairelven-tongue,ofwhichFrodoknewonlyalittle,andtheothersknewnothing.Yetthesoundblendingwiththemelodyseemedtoshapeitselfintheirthoughtintowordswhichtheyonlypartlyunderstood.

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ThiswasthesongasFrodoheardit:

Snow-white!Snow-white!OLadyclear!OQueenbeyondtheWesternSeas

OLighttousthatwanderhereAmidtheworldofwoventrees!

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Gilthoniel!OElbereth!Cleararethyeyesandbrightthybreath!

Snow-white!Snow-white!WesingtotheeInafarlandbeyondtheSea.

OstarsthatintheSunlessYear

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Withshininghandbyherweresown,

InwindyfieldsnowbrightandclearWeseeyoursilverblossomblown!

OElbereth!Gilthoniel!Westillremember,wewhodwell

Inthisfarland

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beneaththetrees,ThystarlightontheWesternSeas.

Thesongended.‘TheseareHighElves!TheyspokethenameofElbereth!’saidFrodoinamazement.‘FewofthatfairestfolkareeverseenintheShire.NotmanynowremaininMiddle-earth,eastoftheGreatSea.Thisisindeedastrangechance!’

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Thehobbitssatinshadowbythewayside.BeforelongtheElvescamedownthelanetowardsthevalley.Theypassedslowly,andthehobbitscouldseethestarlightglimmeringontheirhairandintheireyes.Theyborenolights,yetastheywalkedashimmer,likethelightofthemoonabovetherimofthehillsbeforeitrises,seemedtofallabouttheirfeet.They

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werenowsilent,andasthelastElfpassedheturnedandlookedtowardsthehobbitsandlaughed.

‘Hail,Frodo!’hecried.‘Youareabroadlate.Orareyouperhapslost?’Thenhecalledaloudtotheothers,andallthecompanystoppedandgatheredround.

‘Thisisindeedwonderful!’theysaid.‘Threehobbitsinawoodatnight!

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WehavenotseensuchathingsinceBilbowentaway.Whatisthemeaningofit?’

‘Themeaningofit,fairpeople,’saidFrodo,‘issimplythatweseemtobegoingthesamewayasyouare.Ilikewalkingunderthestars.ButIwouldwelcomeyourcompany.’

‘Butwehavenoneedofothercompany,andhobbitsaresodull,’theylaughed.

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‘Andhowdoyouknowthatwegothesamewayasyou,foryoudonotknowwhitherwearegoing?’

‘Andhowdoyouknowmyname?’askedFrodoinreturn.

‘Weknowmanythings,’theysaid.‘WehaveseenyouoftenbeforewithBilbo,thoughyoumaynothaveseenus.’

‘Whoareyou,andwhois

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yourlord?’askedFrodo.‘IamGildor,’answered

theirleader,theElfwhohadfirsthailedhim.‘GildorInglorionoftheHouseofFinrod.WeareExiles,andmostofourkindredhavelongagodepartedandwetooarenowonlytarryinghereawhile,erewereturnovertheGreatSea.ButsomeofourkinsfolkdwellstillinpeaceinRivendell.Comenow,Frodo,

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telluswhatyouaredoing?Forweseethatthereissomeshadowoffearuponyou.’

‘OWisePeople!’interruptedPippineagerly.‘TellusabouttheBlackRiders!’

‘BlackRiders?’theysaidinlowvoices.‘WhydoyouaskaboutBlackRiders?’

‘BecausetwoBlackRidershaveovertakenustoday,oronehasdoneso

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twice,’saidPippin;‘onlyalittlewhileagoheslippedawayasyoudrewnear.’

TheElvesdidnotansweratonce,butspoketogethersoftlyintheirowntongue.AtlengthGildorturnedtothehobbits.‘Wewillnotspeakofthishere,’hesaid.‘Wethinkyouhadbestcomenowwithus.Itisnotourcustom,butforthistimewewilltakeyouonourroad,andyou

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shalllodgewithustonight,ifyouwill.’

‘OFairFolk!Thisisgoodfortunebeyondmyhope,’saidPippin.Samwasspeechless.‘Ithankyouindeed,GildorInglorion,’saidFrodobowing.‘Elensílalúmenn’omentielvo,astarshinesonthehourofourmeeting,’headdedintheHigh-elvenspeech.

‘Becareful,friends!’cried

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Gildorlaughing.‘Speaknosecrets!HereisascholarintheAncientTongue.Bilbowasagoodmaster.Hail,Elf-friend!’hesaid,bowingtoFrodo.‘Comenowwithyourfriendsandjoinourcompany!Youhadbestwalkinthemiddlesothatyoumaynotstray.Youmaybewearybeforewehalt.’

‘Why?Whereareyougoing?’askedFrodo.

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‘FortonightwegotothewoodsonthehillsaboveWoodhall.Itissomemiles,butyoushallhaverestattheendofit,anditwillshortenyourjourneytomorrow.’

Theynowmarchedonagaininsilence,andpassedlikeshadowsandfaintlights:forElves(evenmorethanhobbits)couldwalkwhentheywishedwithoutsoundorfootfall.Pippinsoonbeganto

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feelsleepy,andstaggeredonceortwice;buteachtimeatallElfathissideputouthisarmandsavedhimfromafall.SamwalkedalongatFrodo’sside,asifinadream,withanexpressiononhisfacehalfoffearandhalfofastonishedjoy.

Thewoodsoneithersidebecamedenser;thetreeswere

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nowyoungerandthicker;andasthelanewentlower,runningdownintoafoldofthehills,thereweremanydeepbrakesofhazelontherisingslopesateitherhand.AtlasttheElvesturnedasidefromthepath.Agreenridelayalmostunseenthroughthethicketsontheright;andthistheyfollowedasitwoundawaybackupthewoodedslopesontothetopofa

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shoulderofthehillsthatstoodoutintothelowerlandoftheriver-valley.Suddenlytheycameoutoftheshadowofthetrees,andbeforethemlayawidespaceofgrass,greyunderthenight.Onthreesidesthewoodspresseduponit;buteastwardthegroundfellsteeplyandthetopsofthedarktrees,growingatthebottomoftheslope,werebelowtheirfeet.Beyond,the

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lowlandslaydimandflatunderthestars.NearerathandafewlightstwinkledinthevillageofWoodhall.

TheElvessatonthegrassandspoketogetherinsoftvoices;theyseemedtotakenofurthernoticeofthehobbits.Frodoandhiscompanionswrappedthemselvesincloaksandblankets,anddrowsinessstoleoverthem.Thenight

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grewon,andthelightsinthevalleywentout.Pippinfellasleep,pillowedonagreenhillock.

AwayhighintheEastswungRemmirath,theNettedStars,andslowlyabovethemistsredBorgilrose,glowinglikeajeweloffire.Thenbysomeshiftofairsallthemistwasdrawnawaylikeaveil,andthereleanedup,asheclimbedovertherimof

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theworld,theSwordsmanoftheSky,Menelvagorwithhisshiningbelt.TheElvesallburstintosong.Suddenlyunderthetreesafiresprangupwitharedlight.

‘Come!’theElvescalledtothehobbits.‘Come!Nowisthetimeforspeechandmerriment!’

Pippinsatupandrubbedhiseyes.Heshivered.‘Thereisafireinthehall,andfood

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forhungryguests,’saidanElfstandingbeforehim.

Atthesouthendofthegreenswardtherewasanopening.Therethegreenfloorranonintothewood,andformedawidespacelikeahall,roofedbytheboughsoftrees.Theirgreattrunksranlikepillarsdowneachside.Inthemiddletherewasawood-fireblazing,anduponthetree-pillarstorcheswith

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lightsofgoldandsilverwereburningsteadily.TheElvessatroundthefireuponthegrassoruponthesawnringsofoldtrunks.Somewenttoandfrobearingcupsandpouringdrink;othersbroughtfoodonheapedplatesanddishes.

‘Thisispoorfare,’theysaidtothehobbits;‘forwearelodginginthegreenwoodfarfromourhalls.Ifeveryou

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areourguestsathome,wewilltreatyoubetter.’

‘Itseemstomegoodenoughforabirthday-party,’saidFrodo.

Pippinafterwardsrecalledlittleofeitherfoodordrink,forhismindwasfilledwiththelightupontheelf-faces,andthesoundofvoicessovariousandsobeautifulthathefeltinawakingdream.Butherememberedthatthere

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wasbread,surpassingthesavourofafairwhiteloaftoonewhoisstarving;andfruitssweetaswildberriesandricherthanthetendedfruitsofgardens;hedrainedacupthatwasfilledwithafragrantdraught,coolasaclearfountain,goldenasasummerafternoon.

Samcouldneverdescribeinwords,norpictureclearlytohimself,whathefeltor

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thoughtthatnight,thoughitremainedinhismemoryasoneofthechiefeventsofhislife.Thenearestheevergotwastosay:‘Well,sir,ifIcouldgrowappleslikethat,Iwouldcallmyselfagardener.Butitwasthesingingthatwenttomyheart,ifyouknowwhatImean.’

Frodosat,eating,drinking,andtalkingwithdelight;buthismindwas

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chieflyonthewordsspoken.Heknewalittleoftheelf-speechandlistenedeagerly.Nowandagainhespoketothosethatservedhimandthankedthemintheirownlanguage.Theysmiledathimandsaidlaughing:‘Hereisajewelamonghobbits!’

AfterawhilePippinfellfastasleep,andwasliftedupandborneawaytoabowerunderthetrees;therehewas

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laiduponasoftbedandslepttherestofthenightaway.Samrefusedtoleavehismaster.WhenPippinhadgone,hecameandsatcurledupatFrodo’sfeet,whereatlasthenoddedandclosedhiseyes.Frodoremainedlongawake,talkingwithGildor.

Theyspokeofmanythings,oldandnew,and

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FrodoquestionedGildormuchabouthappeningsinthewideworldoutsidetheShire.Thetidingsweremostlysadandominous:ofgatheringdarkness,thewarsofMen,andtheflightoftheElves.AtlastFrodoaskedthequestionthatwasnearesttohisheart:

‘Tellme,Gildor,haveyoueverseenBilbosinceheleftus?’

Gildorsmiled.‘Yes,’he

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answered.‘Twice.Hesaidfarewelltousonthisveryspot.ButIsawhimonceagain,farfromhere.’HewouldsaynomoreaboutBilbo,andFrodofellsilent.

‘Youdonotaskmeortellmemuchthatconcernsyourself,Frodo,’saidGildor.‘ButIalreadyknowalittle,andIcanreadmoreinyourfaceandinthethoughtbehindyourquestions.You

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areleavingtheShire,andyetyoudoubtthatyouwillfindwhatyouseek,oraccomplishwhatyouintend,orthatyouwilleverreturn.Isnotthatso?’

‘Itis,’saidFrodo;‘butIthoughtmygoingwasasecretknownonlytoGandalfandmyfaithfulSam.’HelookeddownatSam,whowassnoringgently.

‘Thesecretwillnotreach

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theEnemyfromus,’saidGildor.

‘TheEnemy?’saidFrodo.‘ThenyouknowwhyIamleavingtheShire?’

‘IdonotknowforwhatreasontheEnemyispursuingyou,’answeredGildor;‘butIperceivethatheis–strangeindeedthoughthatseemstome.AndIwarnyouthatperilisnowbothbeforeyouandbehindyou,anduponeither

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side.’‘YoumeantheRiders?I

fearedthattheywereservantsoftheEnemy.WhataretheBlackRiders?’

‘HasGandalftoldyounothing?’

‘Nothingaboutsuchcreatures.’

‘ThenIthinkitisnotformetosaymore–lestterrorshouldkeepyoufromyourjourney.Foritseemstome

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thatyouhavesetoutonlyjustintime,ifindeedyouareintime.Youmustnowmakehaste,andneitherstaynorturnback;fortheShireisnolongeranyprotectiontoyou.’

‘Icannotimaginewhatinformationcouldbemoreterrifyingthanyourhintsandwarnings,’exclaimedFrodo.‘Iknewthatdangerlayahead,ofcourse;butIdidnotexpecttomeetitinourown

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Shire.Can’tahobbitwalkfromtheWatertotheRiverinpeace?’

‘ButitisnotyourownShire,’saidGildor.‘Othersdweltherebeforehobbitswere;andotherswilldwellhereagainwhenhobbitsarenomore.Thewideworldisallaboutyou:youcanfenceyourselvesin,butyoucannotforeverfenceitout.’

‘Iknow–andyetithas

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alwaysseemedsosafeandfamiliar.WhatcanIdonow?MyplanwastoleavetheShiresecretly,andmakemywaytoRivendell;butnowmyfootstepsaredogged,beforeeverIgettoBuckland.’

‘Ithinkyoushouldstillfollowthatplan,’saidGildor.‘IdonotthinktheRoadwillprovetoohardforyourcourage.Butifyoudesire

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clearercounsel,youshouldaskGandalf.Idonotknowthereasonforyourflight,andthereforeIdonotknowbywhatmeansyourpursuerswillassailyou.ThesethingsGandalfmustknow.IsupposethatyouwillseehimbeforeyouleavetheShire?’

‘Ihopeso.Butthatisanotherthingthatmakesmeanxious.IhavebeenexpectingGandalfformany

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days.HewastohavecometoHobbitonatthelatesttwonightsago;buthehasneverappeared.NowIamwonderingwhatcanhavehappened.ShouldIwaitforhim?’

Gildorwassilentforamoment.‘Idonotlikethisnews,’hesaidatlast.‘ThatGandalfshouldbelate,doesnotbodewell.Butitissaid:Donotmeddleintheaffairs

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ofWizards,fortheyaresubtleandquicktoanger.Thechoiceisyours:togoorwait.’

‘Anditisalsosaid,’answeredFrodo:‘GonottotheElvesforcounsel,fortheywillsaybothnoandyes.’

‘Isitindeed?’laughedGildor.‘Elvesseldomgiveunguardedadvice,foradviceisadangerousgift,evenfromthewisetothewise,andall

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coursesmayrunill.Butwhatwouldyou?Youhavenottoldmeallconcerningyourself;andhowthenshallIchoosebetterthanyou?Butifyoudemandadvice,Iwillforfriendship’ssakegiveit.Ithinkyoushouldnowgoatonce,withoutdelay;andifGandalfdoesnotcomebeforeyousetout,thenIalsoadvisethis:donotgoalone.Takesuchfriendsasaretrustyand

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willing.Nowyoushouldbegrateful,forIdonotgivethiscounselgladly.TheElveshavetheirownlaboursandtheirownsorrows,andtheyarelittleconcernedwiththewaysofhobbits,orofanyothercreaturesuponearth.Ourpathscrosstheirsseldom,bychanceorpurpose.Inthismeetingtheremaybemorethanchance;butthepurposeisnotcleartome,andIfear

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tosaytoomuch.’‘Iamdeeplygrateful,’

saidFrodo;‘butIwishyouwouldtellmeplainlywhattheBlackRidersare.IfItakeyouradviceImaynotseeGandalfforalongwhile,andIoughttoknowwhatisthedangerthatpursuesme.’

‘IsitnotenoughtoknowthattheyareservantsoftheEnemy?’answeredGildor.‘Fleethem!Speaknowords

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tothem!Theyaredeadly.Asknomoreofme!Butmyheartforbodesthat,ereallisended,you,FrodosonofDrogo,willknowmoreofthesefellthingsthanGildorInglorion.MayElberethprotectyou!’

‘ButwhereshallIfindcourage?’askedFrodo.‘ThatiswhatIchieflyneed.’

‘Courageisfoundinunlikelyplaces,’saidGildor.

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‘Beofgoodhope!Sleepnow!Inthemorningweshallhavegone;butwewillsendourmessagesthroughthelands.TheWanderingCompaniesshallknowofyourjourney,andthosethathavepowerforgoodshallbeonthewatch.InameyouElf-friend;andmaythestarsshineupontheendofyourroad!Seldomhavewehadsuchdelightinstrangers,anditisfairtohear

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wordsoftheAncientSpeechfromthelipsofotherwanderersintheworld.’

Frodofeltsleepcominguponhim,evenasGildorfinishedspeaking.‘Iwillsleepnow,’hesaid;andtheElfledhimtoabowerbesidePippin,andhethrewhimselfuponabedandfellatonceintoadreamlessslumber.

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Chapter4

ASHORTCUTTOMUSHROOMS

InthemorningFrodowokerefreshed.Hewaslyinginabowermadebyalivingtreewithbrancheslacedand

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droopingtotheground;hisbedwasoffernandgrass,deepandsoftandstrangelyfragrant.Thesunwasshiningthroughtheflutteringleaves,whichwerestillgreenuponthetree.Hejumpedupandwentout.

Samwassittingonthegrassneartheedgeofthewood.Pippinwasstandingstudyingtheskyandweather.Therewasnosignofthe

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Elves.‘Theyhaveleftusfruit

anddrink,andbread,’saidPippin.‘Comeandhaveyourbreakfast.Thebreadtastesalmostasgoodasitdidlastnight.Ididnotwanttoleaveyouany,butSaminsisted.’

FrodosatdownbesideSamandbegantoeat.‘Whatistheplanfortoday?’askedPippin.

‘TowalktoBuckleburyas

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quicklyaspossible,’answeredFrodo,andgavehisattentiontothefood.

‘DoyouthinkweshallseeanythingofthoseRiders?’askedPippincheerfully.Underthemorningsuntheprospectofseeingawholetroopofthemdidnotseemveryalarmingtohim.

‘Yes,probably,’saidFrodo,notlikingthereminder.‘ButIhopetoget

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acrosstheriverwithouttheirseeingus.’

‘DidyoufindoutanythingaboutthemfromGildor?’

‘Notmuch–onlyhintsandriddles,’saidFrodoevasively.

‘Didyouaskaboutthesniffing?’

‘Wedidn’tdiscussit,’saidFrodowithhismouthfull.

‘Youshouldhave.Iamsureitisveryimportant.’

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‘InthatcaseIamsureGildorwouldhaverefusedtoexplainit,’saidFrodosharply.‘Andnowleavemeinpeaceforabit!Idon’twanttoanswerastringofquestionswhileIameating.Iwanttothink!’

‘Goodheavens!’saidPippin.‘Atbreakfast?’Hewalkedawaytowardstheedgeofthegreen.

FromFrodo’smindthe

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brightmorning–treacherouslybright,hethought–hadnotbanishedthefearofpursuit;andheponderedthewordsofGildor.ThemerryvoiceofPippincametohim.Hewasrunningonthegreenturfandsinging.

‘No!Icouldnot!’hesaidtohimself.‘ItisonethingtotakemyyoungfriendswalkingovertheShirewithme,untilwearehungryand

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weary,andfoodandbedaresweet.Totakethemintoexile,wherehungerandwearinessmayhavenocure,isquiteanother–eveniftheyarewillingtocome.Theinheritanceisminealone.Idon’tthinkIoughteventotakeSam.’HelookedatSamGamgee,anddiscoveredthatSamwaswatchinghim.

‘Well,Sam!’hesaid.‘Whataboutit?Iamleaving

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theShireassoonaseverIcan–infactIhavemadeupmymindnownoteventowaitadayatCrickhollow,ifitcanbehelped.’

‘Verygood,sir!’‘Youstillmeantocome

withme?’‘Ido.’‘Itisgoingtobevery

dangerous,Sam.Itisalreadydangerous.Mostlikelyneitherofuswillcomeback.’

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‘Ifyoudon’tcomeback,sir,thenIshan’t,that’scertain,’saidSam.‘Don’tyouleavehim!theysaidtome.Leavehim!Isaid.Inevermeanto.Iamgoingwithhim,ifheclimbstotheMoon;andifanyofthoseBlackRiderstrytostophim,they’llhaveSamGamgeetoreckonwith,Isaid.Theylaughed.’

‘Whoarethey,andwhatareyoutalkingabout?’

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‘TheElves,sir.Wehadsometalklastnight;andtheyseemedtoknowyouweregoingaway,soIdidn’tseetheuseofdenyingit.Wonderfulfolk,Elves,sir!Wonderful!’

‘Theyare,’saidFrodo.‘Doyoulikethemstill,nowyouhavehadacloserview?’

‘Theyseemabitabovemylikesanddislikes,sotospeak,’answeredSamslowly.

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‘Itdon’tseemtomatterwhatIthinkaboutthem.TheyarequitedifferentfromwhatIexpected–sooldandyoung,andsogayandsad,asitwere.’

FrodolookedatSamratherstartled,halfexpectingtoseesomeoutwardsignoftheoddchangethatseemedtohavecomeoverhim.ItdidnotsoundlikethevoiceoftheoldSamGamgeethathe

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thoughtheknew.ButitlookedliketheoldSamGamgeesittingthere,exceptthathisfacewasunusuallythoughtful.

‘DoyoufeelanyneedtoleavetheShirenow–nowthatyourwishtoseethemhascometruealready?’heasked.

‘Yes,sir.Idon’tknowhowtosayit,butafterlastnightIfeeldifferent.Iseem

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toseeahead,inakindofway.Iknowwearegoingtotakeaverylongroad,intodarkness;butIknowIcan’tturnback.Itisn’ttoseeElvesnow,nordragons,normountains,thatIwant–Idon’trightlyknowwhatIwant:butIhavesomethingtodobeforetheend,anditliesahead,notintheShire.Imustseeitthrough,sir,ifyouunderstandme.’

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‘Idon’taltogether.ButIunderstandthatGandalfchosemeagoodcompanion.Iamcontent.Wewillgotogether.’

Frodofinishedhisbreakfastinsilence.Thenstandinguphelookedoverthelandahead,andcalledtoPippin.

‘Allreadytostart?’hesaidasPippinranup.‘Wemustbegettingoffatonce.

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Wesleptlate;andthereareagoodmanymilestogo.’

‘Yousleptlate,youmean,’saidPippin.‘Iwasuplongbefore;andweareonlywaitingforyoutofinisheatingandthinking.’

‘Ihavefinishedbothnow.AndIamgoingtomakeforBuckleburyFerryasquicklyaspossible.Iamnotgoingoutoftheway,backtotheroadweleftlastnight:Iam

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goingtocutstraightacrosscountryfromhere.’

‘Thenyouaregoingtofly,’saidPippin.‘Youwon’tcutstraightonfootanywhereinthiscountry.’

‘Wecancutstraighterthantheroadanyway,’answeredFrodo.‘TheFerryiseastfromWoodhall;butthehardroadcurvesawaytotheleft–youcanseeabendofitawaynorthoverthere.It

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goesroundthenorthendoftheMarishsoastostrikethecausewayfromtheBridgeaboveStock.Butthatismilesoutoftheway.WecouldsaveaquarterofthedistanceifwemadealinefortheFerryfromwherewestand.’

‘Shortcutsmakelongdelays,’arguedPippin.‘Thecountryisroughroundhere,andtherearebogsandallkindsofdifficultiesdownin

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theMarish–Iknowthelandintheseparts.AndifyouareworryingaboutBlackRiders,Ican’tseethatitisanyworsemeetingthemonaroadthaninawoodorafield.’

‘Itislesseasytofindpeopleinthewoodsandfields,’answeredFrodo.‘Andifyouaresupposedtobeontheroad,thereissomechancethatyouwillbelookedforontheroadandnotoffit.’

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‘Allright!’saidPippin.‘Iwillfollowyouintoeverybogandditch.Butitishard!IhadcountedonpassingtheGoldenPerchatStockbeforesundown.ThebestbeerintheEastfarthing,orusedtobe:itisalongtimesinceItastedit.’

‘Thatsettlesit!’saidFrodo.‘Shortcutsmakedelays,butinnsmakelongerones.Atallcostswemust

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keepyouawayfromtheGoldenPerch.WewanttogettoBuckleburybeforedark.Whatdoyousay,Sam?’

‘Iwillgoalongwithyou,Mr.Frodo,’saidSam(inspiteofprivatemisgivingsandadeepregretforthebestbeerintheEastfarthing).

‘Thenifwearegoingtotoilthroughbogandbriar,let’sgonow!’saidPippin.

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Itwasalreadynearlyashotasithadbeenthedaybefore;butcloudswerebeginningtocomeupfromtheWest.Itlookedlikelytoturntorain.Thehobbitsscrambleddownasteepgreenbankandplungedintothethicktreesbelow.TheircoursehadbeenchosentoleaveWoodhalltotheirleft,andtocutslantingthroughthewoodsthatclustered

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alongtheeasternsideofthehills,untiltheyreachedtheflatsbeyond.ThentheycouldmakestraightfortheFerryovercountrythatwasopen,exceptforafewditchesandfences.Frodoreckonedtheyhadeighteenmilestogoinastraightline.

Hesoonfoundthatthethicketwascloserandmoretangledthanithadappeared.Therewerenopathsinthe

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undergrowth,andtheydidnotgetonveryfast.Whentheyhadstruggledtothebottomofthebank,theyfoundastreamrunningdownfromthehillsbehindinadeeplydugbedwithsteepslipperysidesoverhungwithbrambles.Mostinconvenientlyitcutacrossthelinetheyhadchosen.Theycouldnotjumpoverit,norindeedgetacrossitatallwithoutgettingwet,

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scratched,andmuddy.Theyhalted,wonderingwhattodo.‘Firstcheck!’saidPippin,smilinggrimly.

SamGamgeelookedback.Throughanopeninginthetreeshecaughtaglimpseofthetopofthegreenbankfromwhichtheyhadclimbeddown.

‘Look!’hesaid,clutchingFrodobythearm.Theyalllooked,andontheedgehigh

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abovethemtheysawagainsttheskyahorsestanding.Besideitstoopedablackfigure.

Theyatoncegaveupanyideaofgoingback.Frodoledtheway,andplungedquicklyintothethickbushesbesidethestream.‘Whew!’hesaidtoPippin.‘Wewerebothright!Theshortcuthasgonecrookedalready;butwegotundercoveronlyjustintime.

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You’vegotsharpears,Sam:canyouhearanythingcoming?’

Theystoodstill,almostholdingtheirbreathastheylistened;buttherewasnosoundofpursuit.‘Idon’tfancyhewouldtrybringinghishorsedownthatbank,’saidSam.‘ButIguessheknowswecamedownit.Wehadbetterbegoingon.’

Goingonwasnot

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altogethereasy.Theyhadpackstocarry,andthebushesandbrambleswerereluctanttoletthemthrough.Theywerecutofffromthewindbytheridgebehind,andtheairwasstillandstuffy.Whentheyforcedtheirwayatlastintomoreopenground,theywerehotandtiredandveryscratched,andtheywerealsonolongercertainofthedirectioninwhichtheywere

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going.Thebanksofthestreamsank,asitreachedthelevelsandbecamebroaderandshallower,wanderingofftowardstheMarishandtheRiver.

‘Why,thisistheStock-brook!’saidPippin.‘Ifwearegoingtotryandgetbackontoourcourse,wemustcrossatonceandbearright.’

Theywadedthestream,andhurriedoverawideopen

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space,rush-grownandtreeless,onthefurtherside.Beyondthattheycameagaintoabeltoftrees:talloaks,forthemostpart,withhereandthereanelmtreeoranash.Thegroundwasfairlylevel,andtherewaslittleundergrowth;butthetreesweretoocloseforthemtoseefarahead.Theleavesblewupwardsinsuddengustsofwind,andspotsofrainbegan

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tofallfromtheovercastsky.Thenthewinddiedawayandtheraincamestreamingdown.Theytrudgedalongasfastastheycould,overpatchesofgrass,andthroughthickdriftsofoldleaves;andallaboutthemtherainpatteredandtrickled.Theydidnottalk,butkeptglancingback,andfromsidetoside.

AfterhalfanhourPippinsaid:‘Ihopewehavenot

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turnedtoomuchtowardsthesouth,andarenotwalkinglongwisethroughthiswood!Itisnotaverybroadbelt–Ishouldhavesaidnomorethanamileatthewidest–andweoughttohavebeenthroughitbynow.’

‘Itisnogoodourstartingtogoinzig-zags,’saidFrodo.‘Thatwon’tmendmatters.Letuskeeponaswearegoing!IamnotsurethatI

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wanttocomeoutintotheopenyet.’

Theywentonforperhapsanothercoupleofmiles.Thenthesungleamedoutofraggedcloudsagainandtherainlessened.Itwasnowpastmid-day,andtheyfeltitwashightimeforlunch.Theyhaltedunderanelmtree:itsleavesthoughfastturning

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yellowwerestillthick,andthegroundatitsfeetwasfairlydryandsheltered.Whentheycametomaketheirmeal,theyfoundthattheElveshadfilledtheirbottleswithacleardrink,palegoldenincolour:ithadthescentofahoneymadeofmanyflowers,andwaswonderfullyrefreshing.Verysoontheywerelaughing,andsnappingtheirfingersatrain,

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andatBlackRiders.Thelastfewmiles,theyfelt,wouldsoonbebehindthem.

Frodoproppedhisbackagainstthetree-trunk,andclosedhiseyes.SamandPippinsatnear,andtheybegantohum,andthentosingsoftly:

Ho!Ho!Ho!tothebottleIgoTohealmyheartand

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drownmywoe.Rainmayfallandwindmayblow,Andmanymilesbestilltogo,ButunderatalltreeIwilllie,Andletthecloudsgosailingby.

Ho!Ho!Ho!theybeganagainlouder.Theystoppedshortsuddenly.Frodosprang

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tohisfeet.Along-drawnwailcamedownthewind,likethecryofsomeevilandlonelycreature.Itroseandfell,andendedonahighpiercingnote.Evenastheysatandstood,asifsuddenlyfrozen,itwasansweredbyanothercry,fainterandfurtheroff,butnolesschillingtotheblood.Therewasthenasilence,brokenonlybythesoundofthewindintheleaves.

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‘Andwhatdoyouthinkthatwas?’Pippinaskedatlast,tryingtospeaklightly,butquaveringalittle.‘Ifitwasabird,itwasonethatIneverheardintheShirebefore.’

‘Itwasnotbirdorbeast,’saidFrodo.‘Itwasacall,orasignal–therewerewordsinthatcry,thoughIcouldnotcatchthem.Butnohobbithassuchavoice.’

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Nomorewassaidaboutit.TheywereallthinkingoftheRiders,butnoonespokeofthem.Theywerenowreluctanteithertostayorgoon;butsoonerorlatertheyhadgottogetacrosstheopencountrytotheFerry,anditwasbesttogosoonerandindaylight.Inafewmomentstheyhadshoulderedtheirpacksagainandwereoff.

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Beforelongthewoodcametoasuddenend.Widegrasslandsstretchedbeforethem.Theynowsawthattheyhad,infact,turnedtoomuchtothesouth.AwayovertheflatstheycouldglimpsethelowhillofBuckleburyacrosstheRiver,butitwasnowtotheirleft.Creepingcautiouslyoutfromtheedgeofthetrees,theysetoffacrosstheopenasquicklyastheycould.

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Atfirsttheyfeltafraid,awayfromtheshelterofthewood.Farbackbehindthemstoodthehighplacewheretheyhadbreakfasted.Frodohalfexpectedtoseethesmalldistantfigureofahorsemanontheridgedarkagainstthesky;buttherewasnosignofone.Thesunescapingfromthebreakingclouds,asitsanktowardsthehillstheyhadleft,wasnowshiningbrightly

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again.Theirfearleftthem,thoughtheystillfeltuneasy.Butthelandbecamesteadilymoretameandwell-ordered.Soontheycameintowell-tendedfieldsandmeadows:therewerehedgesandgatesanddikesfordrainage.Everythingseemedquietandpeaceful,justanordinarycorneroftheShire.Theirspiritsrosewitheverystep.ThelineoftheRivergrew

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nearer;andtheBlackRidersbegantoseemlikephantomsofthewoodsnowleftfarbehind.

Theypassedalongtheedgeofahugeturnip-field,andcametoastoutgate.Beyonditaruttedlaneranbetweenlowwell-laidhedgestowardsadistantclumpoftrees.Pippinstopped.

‘Iknowthesefieldsandthisgate!’hesaid.‘Thisis

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Bamfurlong,oldFarmerMaggot’sland.That’shisfarmawaythereinthetrees.’

‘Onetroubleafteranother!’saidFrodo,lookingnearlyasmuchalarmedasifPippinhaddeclaredthelanewastheslotleadingtoadragon’sden.Theotherslookedathiminsurprise.

‘What’swrongwitholdMaggot?’askedPippin.‘He’sagoodfriendtoallthe

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Brandybucks.Ofcoursehe’saterrortotrespassers,andkeepsferociousdogs–butafterall,folkdownhereareneartheborderandhavetobemoreontheirguard.’

‘Iknow,’saidFrodo.‘Butallthesame,’headdedwithashamefacedlaugh,‘Iamterrifiedofhimandhisdogs.Ihaveavoidedhisfarmforyearsandyears.Hecaughtmeseveraltimestrespassing

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aftermushrooms,whenIwasayoungsteratBrandyHall.Onthelastoccasionhebeatme,andthentookmeandshowedmetohisdogs.“See,lads,”hesaid,“nexttimethisyoungvarmintsetsfootonmyland,youcaneathim.Nowseehimoff!”TheychasedmeallthewaytotheFerry.Ihavenevergotoverthefright–thoughIdaresaythebeastsknewtheirbusiness

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andwouldnotreallyhavetouchedme.’

Pippinlaughed.‘Well,it’stimeyoumadeitup.EspeciallyifyouarecomingbacktoliveinBuckland.OldMaggotisreallyastoutfellow–ifyouleavehismushroomsalone.Let’sgetintothelaneandthenweshan’tbetrespassing.Ifwemeethim,I’lldothetalking.HeisafriendofMerry’s,and

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Iusedtocomeherewithhimagooddealatonetime.’

Theywentalongthelane,untiltheysawthethatchedroofsofalargehouseandfarm-buildingspeepingoutamongthetreesahead.TheMaggots,andthePuddifootsofStock,andmostoftheinhabitantsoftheMarish,werehouse-dwellers;andthis

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farmwasstoutlybuiltofbrickandhadahighwallallroundit.Therewasawidewoodengateopeningoutofthewallintothelane.

Suddenlyastheydrewneareraterrificbayingandbarkingbrokeout,andaloudvoicewasheardshouting:‘Grip!Fang!Wolf!Comeon,lads!’

FrodoandSamstoppeddead,butPippinwalkedona

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fewpaces.Thegateopenedandthreehugedogscamepeltingoutintothelane,anddashedtowardsthetravellers,barkingfiercely.TheytooknonoticeofPippin;butSamshrankagainstthewall,whiletwowolvish-lookingdogssniffedathimsuspiciously,andsnarledifhemoved.ThelargestandmostferociousofthethreehaltedinfrontofFrodo,bristlingandgrowling.

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Throughthegatetherenowappearedabroadthick-sethobbitwitharoundredface.‘Hallo!Hallo!Andwhomayyoube,andwhatmayyoubewanting?’heasked.

‘Goodafternoon,Mr.Maggot!’saidPippin.

Thefarmerlookedathimclosely.‘Well,ifitisn’tMasterPippin–Mr.PeregrinTook,Ishouldsay!’hecried,changingfromascowltoa

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grin.‘It’salongtimesinceIsawyouroundhere.It’sluckyforyouthatIknowyou.Iwasjustgoingouttosetmydogsonanystrangers.Therearesomefunnythingsgoingontoday.Ofcourse,wedogetqueerfolkwanderinginthesepartsattimes.TooneartheRiver,’hesaid,shakinghishead.‘ButthisfellowwasthemostoutlandishIhaveeverset

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eyeson.Hewon’tcrossmylandwithoutleaveasecondtime,notifIcanstopit.’

‘Whatfellowdoyoumean?’askedPippin.

‘Thenyouhaven’tseenhim?’saidthefarmer.‘Hewentupthelanetowardsthecausewaynotalongwhileback.Hewasafunnycustomerandaskingfunnyquestions.Butperhapsyou’llcomealonginside,andwe’ll

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passthenewsmorecomfortable.I’veadropofgoodaleontap,ifyouandyourfriendsarewilling,Mr.Took.’

Itseemedplainthatthefarmerwouldtellthemmore,ifallowedtodoitinhisowntimeandfashion,sotheyallacceptedtheinvitation.‘Whataboutthedogs?’askedFrodoanxiously.

Thefarmerlaughed.

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‘Theywon’tharmyou–notunlessItell’emto.Here,Grip!Fang!Heel!’hecried.‘Heel,Wolf!’TothereliefofFrodoandSam,thedogswalkedawayandletthemgofree.

Pippinintroducedtheothertwotothefarmer.‘Mr.FrodoBaggins,’hesaid.‘Youmaynotrememberhim,butheusedtoliveatBrandyHall.’AtthenameBaggins

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thefarmerstarted,andgaveFrodoasharpglance.ForamomentFrodothoughtthatthememoryofstolenmushroomshadbeenaroused,andthatthedogswouldbetoldtoseehimoff.ButFarmerMaggottookhimbythearm.

‘Well,ifthatisn’tqueererthanever!’heexclaimed.‘Mr.Bagginsisit?Comeinside!Wemusthaveatalk.’

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Theywentintothefarmer’skitchen,andsatbythewidefire-place.Mrs.Maggotbroughtoutbeerinahugejug,andfilledfourlargemugs.Itwasagoodbrew,andPippinfoundhimselfmorethancompensatedformissingtheGoldenPerch.Samsippedhisbeersuspiciously.HehadanaturalmistrustoftheinhabitantsofotherpartsoftheShire;and

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alsohewasnotdisposedtobequickfriendswithanyonewhohadbeatenhismaster,howeverlongago.

Afterafewremarksabouttheweatherandtheagriculturalprospects(whichwerenoworsethanusual),FarmerMaggotputdownhismugandlookedatthemallinturn.

‘Now,Mr.Peregrin,’hesaid,‘wheremightyoube

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comingfrom,andwheremightyoubegoingto?Wereyoucomingtovisitme?For,ifso,youhadgonepastmygatewithoutmyseeingyou.’

‘Well,no,’answeredPippin.‘Totellyouthetruth,sinceyouhaveguessedit,wegotintothelanefromtheotherend:wehadcomeoveryourfields.Butthatwasquitebyaccident.Welostourwayinthewoods,backnear

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Woodhall,tryingtotakeashortcuttotheFerry.’

‘Ifyouwereinahurry,theroadwouldhaveservedyoubetter,’saidthefarmer.‘ButIwasn’tworryingaboutthat.Youhaveleavetowalkovermyland,ifyouhaveamind,Mr.Peregrin.Andyou,Mr.Baggins–thoughIdaresayyoustilllikemushrooms.’Helaughed.‘Ahyes,Irecognizedthe

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name.IrecollectthetimewhenyoungFrodoBagginswasoneoftheworstyoungrascalsofBuckland.Butitwasn’tmushroomsIwasthinkingof.IhadjustheardthenameBagginsbeforeyouturnedup.Whatdoyouthinkthatfunnycustomeraskedme?’

Theywaitedanxiouslyforhimtogoon.‘Well,’thefarmercontinued,

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approachinghispointwithslowrelish,‘hecameridingonabigblackhorseinatthegate,whichhappenedtobeopen,andrightuptomydoor.Allblackhewashimself,too,andcloakedandhoodedup,asifhedidnotwanttobeknown.“NowwhatintheShirecanhewant?”Ithoughttomyself.Wedon’tseemanyoftheBigFolkovertheborder;and

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anywayIhadneverheardofanylikethisblackfellow.

‘“Good-daytoyou!”Isays,goingouttohim.“Thislanedon’tleadanywhere,andwhereveryoumaybegoing,yourquickestwaywillbebacktotheroad.”Ididn’tlikethelooksofhim;andwhenGripcameout,hetookonesniffandletoutayelpasifhehadbeenstung:heputdownhistailandboltedoff

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howling.Theblackfellowsatquitestill.

‘“Icomefromyonder,”hesaid,slowandstiff-like,pointingbackwest,overmyfields,ifyouplease.“HaveyouseenBaggins?”heaskedinaqueervoice,andbentdowntowardsme.Icouldnotseeanyface,forhishoodfelldownsolow;andIfeltasortofshiverdownmyback.ButIdidnotseewhyheshould

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comeridingovermylandsobold.

‘“Beoff!”Isaid.“TherearenoBagginseshere.You’reinthewrongpartoftheShire.YouhadbettergobackwesttoHobbiton–butyoucangobyroadthistime.”

‘“Bagginshasleft,”heansweredinawhisper.“Heiscoming.Heisnotfaraway.Iwishtofindhim.Ifhepasseswillyoutellme?Iwillcome

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backwithgold.”‘“Noyouwon’t,”Isaid.

“You’llgobackwhereyoubelong,doublequick.IgiveyouoneminutebeforeIcallallmydogs.”

‘Hegaveasortofhiss.Itmighthavebeenlaughing,anditmightnot.Thenhespurredhisgreathorserightatme,andIjumpedoutofthewayonlyjustintime.Icalledthedogs,butheswungoff,

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androdethroughthegateandupthelanetowardsthecausewaylikeaboltofthunder.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?’

Frodosatforamomentlookingatthefire,buthisonlythoughtwashowonearthwouldtheyreachtheFerry.‘Idon’tknowwhattothink,’hesaidatlast.

‘ThenI’lltellyouwhattothink,’saidMaggot.‘You

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shouldneverhavegonemixingyourselfupwithHobbitonfolk,Mr.Frodo.Folkarequeerupthere.’Samstirredinhischair,andlookedatthefarmerwithanunfriendlyeye.‘Butyouwerealwaysarecklesslad.WhenIheardyouhadlefttheBrandybucksandgoneofftothatoldMr.Bilbo,Isaidthatyouweregoingtofindtrouble.Markmywords,this

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allcomesofthosestrangedoingsofMr.Bilbo’s.Hismoneywasgotinsomestrangefashioninforeignparts,theysay.MaybethereissomethatwanttoknowwhathasbecomeofthegoldandjewelsthatheburiedinthehillofHobbiton,asIhear?’

Frodosaidnothing:theshrewdguessesofthefarmerwereratherdisconcerting.

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‘Well,Mr.Frodo,’Maggotwenton,‘I’mgladthatyou’vehadthesensetocomebacktoBuckland.Myadviceis:staythere!Anddon’tgetmixedupwiththeseoutlandishfolk.You’llhavefriendsintheseparts.Ifanyoftheseblackfellowscomeafteryouagain,I’lldealwiththem.I’llsayyou’redead,orhavelefttheShire,oranythingyoulike.Andthat

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mightbetrueenough;foraslikeasnotitisoldMr.Bilbotheywantnewsof.’

‘Maybeyou’reright,’saidFrodo,avoidingthefarmer’seyeandstaringatthefire.

Maggotlookedathimthoughtfully.‘Well,Iseeyouhaveideasofyourown,’hesaid.‘Itisasplainasmynosethatnoaccidentbroughtyouandthatriderhereonthesameafternoon;andmaybe

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mynewswasnogreatnewstoyou,afterall.Iamnotaskingyoutotellmeanythingyouhaveamindtokeeptoyourself;butIseeyouareinsomekindoftrouble.Perhapsyouarethinkingitwon’tbetooeasytogettotheFerrywithoutbeingcaught?’

‘Iwasthinkingso,’saidFrodo.‘Butwehavegottotryandgetthere;anditwon’t

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bedonebysittingandthinking.SoIamafraidwemustbegoing.Thankyouverymuchindeedforyourkindness!I’vebeeninterrorofyouandyourdogsforoverthirtyyears,FarmerMaggot,thoughyoumaylaughtohearit.It’sapity:forI’vemissedagoodfriend.AndnowI’msorrytoleavesosoon.ButI’llcomeback,perhaps,oneday–ifIgetachance.’

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‘You’llbewelcomewhenyoucome,’saidMaggot.‘ButnowI’veanotion.It’snearsundownalready,andwearegoingtohaveoursupper;forwemostlygotobedsoonaftertheSun.IfyouandMr.Peregrinandallcouldstayandhaveabitewithus,wewouldbepleased!’

‘Andsoshouldwe!’saidFrodo.‘Butwemustbegoingatonce,I’mafraid.Evennow

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itwillbedarkbeforewecanreachtheFerry.’

‘Ah!butwaitaminute!Iwasgoingtosay:afterabitofsupper,I’llgetoutasmallwaggon,andI’lldriveyoualltotheFerry.Thatwillsaveyouagoodstep,anditmightalsosaveyoutroubleofanothersort.’

Frodonowacceptedtheinvitationgratefully,tothereliefofPippinandSam.The

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sunwasalreadybehindthewesternhills,andthelightwasfailing.TwoofMaggot’ssonsandhisthreedaughterscamein,andageneroussupperwaslaidonthelargetable.Thekitchenwaslitwithcandlesandthefirewasmended.Mrs.Maggotbustledinandout.Oneortwootherhobbitsbelongingtothefarm-householdcamein.Inashortwhilefourteensatdown

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toeat.Therewasbeerinplenty,andamightydishofmushroomsandbacon,besidesmuchothersolidfarmhousefare.Thedogslaybythefireandgnawedrindsandcrackedbones.

Whentheyhadfinished,thefarmerandhissonswentoutwithalanternandgotthewaggonready.Itwasdarkintheyard,whentheguestscameout.Theythrewtheir

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packsonboardandclimbedin.Thefarmersatinthedriving-seat,andwhippeduphistwostoutponies.Hiswifestoodinthelightoftheopendoor.

‘Youbecarefulofyourself,Maggot!’shecalled.‘Don’tgoarguingwithanyforeigners,andcomestraightback!’

‘Iwill!’saidhe,anddroveoutofthegate.Therewas

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nownobreathofwindstirring;thenightwasstillandquiet,andachillwasintheair.Theywentwithoutlightsandtookitslowly.Afteramileortwothelanecametoanend,crossingadeepdike,andclimbingashortslopeupontothehigh-bankedcauseway.

Maggotgotdownandtookagoodlookeitherway,northandsouth,butnothing

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couldbeseeninthedarkness,andtherewasnotasoundinthestillair.Thinstrandsofriver-mistwerehangingabovethedikes,andcrawlingoverthefields.

‘It’sgoingtobethick,’saidMaggot;‘butI’llnotlightmylanternstillIturnforhome.We’llhearanythingontheroadlongbeforewemeetittonight.’

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ItwasfivemilesormorefromMaggot’slanetotheFerry.Thehobbitswrappedthemselvesup,buttheirearswerestrainedforanysoundabovethecreakofthewheelsandtheslowclopoftheponies’hoofs.ThewaggonseemedslowerthanasnailtoFrodo.BesidehimPippinwasnoddingtowardssleep;butSamwasstaringforwardsintotherisingfog.

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TheyreachedtheentrancetotheFerrylaneatlast.Itwasmarkedbytwotallwhitepoststhatsuddenlyloomedupontheirright.FarmerMaggotdrewinhisponiesandthewaggoncreakedtoahalt.Theywerejustbeginningtoscrambleout,whensuddenlytheyheardwhattheyhadallbeendreading:hoofsontheroadahead.Thesoundwascoming

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towardsthem.Maggotjumpeddownand

stoodholdingtheponies’heads,andpeeringforwardintothegloom.Clip-clop,clip-clopcametheapproachingrider.Thefallofthehoofssoundedloudinthestill,foggyair.

‘You’dbetterbehidden,Mr.Frodo,’saidSamanxiously.‘Yougetdowninthewaggonandcoverupwith

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blankets,andwe’llsendthisridertotherightabouts!’Heclimbedoutandwenttothefarmer’sside.BlackRiderswouldhavetorideoverhimtogetnearthewaggon.

Clop-clop,clop-clop.Theriderwasnearlyonthem.

‘Hallothere!’calledFarmerMaggot.Theadvancinghoofsstoppedshort.Theythoughttheycoulddimlyguessadark

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cloakedshapeinthemist,ayardortwoahead.

‘Nowthen!’saidthefarmer,throwingthereinstoSamandstridingforward.‘Don’tyoucomeastepnearer!Whatdoyouwant,andwhereareyougoing?’

‘IwantMr.Baggins.Haveyouseenhim?’saidamuffledvoice–butthevoicewasthevoiceofMerryBrandybuck.Adarklanternwas

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uncovered,anditslightfellontheastonishedfaceofthefarmer.

‘Mr.Merry!’hecried.‘Yes,ofcourse!Whodid

youthinkitwas?’saidMerrycomingforward.Ashecameoutofthemistandtheirfearssubsided,heseemedsuddenlytodiminishtoordinaryhobbit-size.Hewasridingapony,andascarfwasswathedroundhisneckand

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overhischintokeepoutthefog.

Frodosprangoutofthewaggontogreethim.‘Sothereyouareatlast!’saidMerry.‘Iwasbeginningtowonderifyouwouldturnupatalltoday,andIwasjustgoingbacktosupper.WhenitgrewfoggyIcameacrossandrodeuptowardsStocktoseeifyouhadfalleninanyditches.ButI’mblestifI

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knowwhichwayyouhavecome.Wheredidyoufindthem,Mr.Maggot?Inyourduck-pond?’

‘No,Icaught’emtrespassing,’saidthefarmer,‘andnearlysetmydogson’em;butthey’lltellyouallthestory,I’venodoubt.Now,ifyou’llexcuseme,Mr.MerryandMr.Frodoandall,I’dbestbeturningforhome.Mrs.Maggotwillbe

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worritingwiththenightgettingthick.’

Hebackedthewaggonintothelaneandturnedit.‘Well,goodnighttoyouall,’hesaid.‘It’sbeenaqueerday,andnomistake.Butall’swellasendswell;thoughperhapsweshouldnotsaythatuntilwereachourowndoors.I’llnotdenythatI’llbegladnowwhenIdo.’Helithislanterns,andgotup.

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Suddenlyheproducedalargebasketfromundertheseat.‘Iwasnearlyforgetting,’hesaid.‘Mrs.MaggotputthisupforMr.Baggins,withhercompliments.’Hehandeditdownandmovedoff,followedbyachorusofthanksandgood-nights.

Theywatchedthepaleringsoflightroundhislanternsastheydwindledintothefoggynight.Suddenly

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Frodolaughed:fromthecoveredbasketheheld,thescentofmushroomswasrising.

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Chapter5

ACONSPIRACYUNMASKED

‘Nowwehadbettergethomeourselves,’saidMerry.‘There’ssomethingfunnyaboutallthis,Isee;butit

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mustwaittillwegetin.’Theyturneddownthe

Ferrylane,whichwasstraightandwell-keptandedgedwithlargewhite-washedstones.Inahundredyardsorsoitbroughtthemtotheriver-bank,wheretherewasabroadwoodenlanding-stage.Alargeflatferry-boatwasmooredbesideit.Thewhitebollardsnearthewater’sedgeglimmeredinthelightoftwo

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lampsonhighposts.Behindthemthemistsintheflatfieldswerenowabovethehedges;butthewaterbeforethemwasdark,withonlyafewcurlingwispslikesteamamongthereedsbythebank.Thereseemedtobelessfogonthefurtherside.

Merryledtheponyoveragangwayontotheferry,andtheothersfollowed.Merrythenpushedslowlyoffwitha

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longpole.TheBrandywineflowedslowandbroadbeforethem.Ontheothersidethebankwassteep,andupitawindingpathclimbedfromthefurtherlanding.Lampsweretwinklingthere.BehindloomeduptheBuckHill;andoutofit,throughstrayshroudsofmist,shonemanyroundwindows,yellowandred.TheywerethewindowsofBrandyHall,theancient

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homeoftheBrandybucks.

LongagoGorhendadOldbuck,headoftheOldbuckfamily,oneoftheoldestintheMarishorindeedintheShire,hadcrossedtheriver,whichwastheoriginalboundaryofthelandeastwards.Hebuilt(andexcavated)BrandyHall,changedhisnameto

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Brandybuck,andsettleddowntobecomemasterofwhatwasvirtuallyasmallindependentcountry.Hisfamilygrewandgrew,andafterhisdayscontinuedtogrow,untilBrandyHalloccupiedthewholeofthelowhill,andhadthreelargefront-doors,manyside-doors,andaboutahundredwindows.TheBrandybucksandtheirnumerousdependantsthen

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begantoburrow,andlatertobuild,allroundabout.ThatwastheoriginofBuckland,athicklyinhabitedstripbetweentheriverandtheOldForest,asortofcolonyfromtheShire.ItschiefvillagewasBucklebury,clusteringinthebanksandslopesbehindBrandyHall.

ThepeopleintheMarishwerefriendlywiththeBucklanders,andthe

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authorityoftheMasteroftheHall(astheheadoftheBrandybuckfamilywascalled)wasstillacknowledgedbythefarmersbetweenStockandRushey.ButmostofthefolkoftheoldShireregardedtheBucklandersaspeculiar,halfforeignersasitwere.Though,asamatteroffact,theywerenotverydifferentfromtheotherhobbitsoftheFour

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Farthings.Exceptinonepoint:theywerefondofboats,andsomeofthemcouldswim.

TheirlandwasoriginallyunprotectedfromtheEast;butonthatsidetheyhadbuiltahedge:theHighHay.Ithadbeenplantedmanygenerationsago,andwasnowthickandtall,foritwasconstantlytended.ItranallthewayfromBrandywine

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Bridge,inabigloopcurvingawayfromtheriver,toHaysend(wheretheWithywindleflowedoutoftheForestintotheBrandywine):wellovertwentymilesfromendtoend.But,ofcourse,itwasnotacompleteprotection.TheForestdrewclosetothehedgeinmanyplaces.TheBucklanderskepttheirdoorslockedafterdark,andthat

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alsowasnotusualintheShire.

Theferry-boatmovedslowlyacrossthewater.TheBucklandshoredrewnearer.Samwastheonlymemberofthepartywhohadnotbeenovertheriverbefore.Hehadastrangefeelingastheslowgurglingstreamslippedby:hisoldlifelaybehindinthe

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mists,darkadventurelayinfront.Hescratchedhishead,andforamomenthadapassingwishthatMr.FrodocouldhavegoneonlivingquietlyatBagEnd.

Thefourhobbitssteppedofftheferry.Merrywastyingitup,andPippinwasalreadyleadingtheponyupthepath,whenSam(whohadbeenlookingback,asiftotakefarewelloftheShire)saidin

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ahoarsewhisper:‘Lookback,Mr.Frodo!

Doyouseeanything?’Onthefarstage,underthe

distantlamps,theycouldjustmakeoutafigure:itlookedlikeadarkblackbundleleftbehind.Butastheylookeditseemedtomoveandswaythiswayandthat,asifsearchingtheground.Itthencrawled,orwentcrouching,backintothegloombeyond

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thelamps.‘WhatintheShireis

that?’exclaimedMerry.‘Somethingthatis

followingus,’saidFrodo.‘Butdon’taskanymorenow!Let’sgetawayatonce!’Theyhurriedupthepathtothetopofthebank,butwhentheylookedbackthefarshorewasshroudedinmist,andnothingcouldbeseen.

‘Thankgoodnessyou

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don’tkeepanyboatsonthewest-bank!’saidFrodo.‘Canhorsescrosstheriver?’

‘TheycangotenmilesnorthtoBrandywineBridge–ortheymightswim,’answeredMerry.‘ThoughIneverheardofanyhorseswimmingtheBrandywine.Butwhathavehorsestodowithit?’

‘I’lltellyoulater.Let’sgetindoorsandthenwecan

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talk.’‘Allright!YouandPippin

knowyourway;soI’lljustrideonandtellFattyBolgerthatyouarecoming.We’llseeaboutsupperandthings.’

‘WehadoursupperearlywithFarmerMaggot,’saidFrodo;‘butwecoulddowithanother.’

‘Youshallhaveit!Givemethatbasket!’saidMerry,androdeaheadintothe

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darkness.

ItwassomedistancefromtheBrandywinetoFrodo’snewhouseatCrickhollow.TheypassedBuckHillandBrandyHallontheirleft,andontheoutskirtsofBuckleburystruckthemainroadofBucklandthatransouthfromtheBridge.Halfamilenorthwardalongthis

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theycametoalaneopeningontheirright.Thistheyfollowedforacoupleofmilesasitclimbedupanddownintothecountry.

Atlasttheycametoanarrowgateinathickhedge.Nothingcouldbeseenofthehouseinthedark:itstoodbackfromthelaneinthemiddleofawidecircleoflawnsurroundedbyabeltoflowtreesinsidetheouter

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hedge.Frodohadchosenit,becauseitstoodinanout-of-the-waycornerofthecountry,andtherewerenootherdwellingscloseby.Youcouldgetinandoutwithoutbeingnoticed.IthadbeenbuiltalongwhilebeforebytheBrandybucks,fortheuseofguests,ormembersofthefamilythatwishedtoescapefromthecrowdedlifeofBrandyHallforatime.Itwas

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anold-fashionedcountrifiedhouse,asmuchlikeahobbit-holeaspossible:itwaslongandlow,withnoupperstorey;andithadaroofofturf,roundwindows,andalargerounddoor.

Astheywalkedupthegreenpathfromthegatenolightwasvisible;thewindowsweredarkandshuttered.Frodoknockedonthedoor,andFattyBolger

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openedit.Afriendlylightstreamedout.Theyslippedinquicklyandshutthemselvesandthelightinside.Theywereinawidehallwithdoorsoneitherside;infrontofthemapassageranbackdownthemiddleofthehouse.

‘Well,whatdoyouthinkofit?’askedMerrycomingupthepassage.‘Wehavedoneourbestinashorttime

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tomakeitlooklikehome.AfterallFattyandIonlygotherewiththelastcart-loadyesterday.’

Frodolookedround.Itdidlooklikehome.Manyofhisownfavouritethings–orBilbo’sthings(theyremindedhimsharplyofhimintheirnewsetting)–werearrangedasnearlyaspossibleastheyhadbeenatBagEnd.Itwasapleasant,comfortable,

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welcomingplace;andhefoundhimselfwishingthathewasreallycomingheretosettledowninquietretirement.Itseemedunfairtohaveputhisfriendstoallthistrouble;andhewonderedagainhowhewasgoingtobreakthenewstothemthathemustleavethemsosoon,indeedatonce.Yetthatwouldhavetobedonethatverynight,beforetheyall

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wenttobed.‘It’sdelightful!’hesaid

withaneffort.‘IhardlyfeelthatIhavemovedatall.’

Thetravellershunguptheircloaks,andpiledtheirpacksonthefloor.Merryledthemdownthepassageandthrewopenadooratthefarend.Firelightcameout,andapuffofsteam.

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‘Abath!’criedPippin.‘OblessedMeriadoc!’

‘Whichordershallwegoin?’saidFrodo.‘Eldestfirst,orquickestfirst?You’llbelasteitherway,MasterPeregrin.’

‘Trustmetoarrangethingsbetterthanthat!’saidMerry.‘Wecan’tbeginlifeatCrickhollowwithaquarreloverbaths.Inthatroomtherearethreetubs,andacopper

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fullofboilingwater.Therearealsotowels,matsandsoap.Getinside,andbequick!’

MerryandFattywentintothekitchenontheothersideofthepassage,andbusiedthemselveswiththefinalpreparationsforalatesupper.Snatchesofcompetingsongscamefromthebathroommixedwiththesoundofsplashingandwallowing.The

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voiceofPippinwassuddenlyliftedupabovetheothersinoneofBilbo’sfavouritebath-songs.

Singhey!forthebathatcloseofdaythatwashesthewearymudaway!Aloonishethatwillnotsing:O!WaterHotisanoblething!

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O!Sweetisthesoundoffallingrain,andthebrookthatleapsfromhilltoplain;butbetterthanrainorripplingstreamsisWaterHotthatsmokesandsteams.

O!Watercoldwemaypouratneeddownathirstythroat

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andbegladindeed;butbetterisBeer,ifdrinkwelack,andWaterHotpoureddowntheback.

O!Waterisfairthatleapsonhighinafountainwhitebeneaththesky;butneverdidfountainsoundso

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sweetassplashingHotWaterwithmyfeet!

Therewasaterrificsplash,andashoutofWhoa!fromFrodo.ItappearedthatalotofPippin’sbathhadimitatedafountainandleapedonhigh.

Merrywenttothedoor:‘Whataboutsupperandbeerinthethroat?’hecalled.

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Frodocameoutdryinghishair.

‘There’ssomuchwaterintheairthatI’mcomingintothekitchentofinish,’hesaid.

‘Lawks!’saidMerry,lookingin.Thestonefloorwasswimming.‘Yououghttomopallthatupbeforeyougetanythingtoeat,Peregrin,’hesaid.‘Hurryup,orweshan’twaitforyou.’

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Theyhadsupperinthekitchenonatablenearthefire.‘Isupposeyouthreewon’twantmushroomsagain?’saidFredegarwithoutmuchhope.

‘Yesweshall!’criedPippin.

‘They’remine!’saidFrodo.‘GiventomebyMrs.Maggot,aqueenamongfarmers’wives.Takeyourgreedyhandsaway,andI’ll

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servethem.’Hobbitshaveapassionfor

mushrooms,surpassingeventhegreediestlikingsofBigPeople.AfactwhichpartlyexplainsyoungFrodo’slongexpeditionstotherenownedfieldsoftheMarish,andthewrathoftheinjuredMaggot.Onthisoccasiontherewasplentyforall,evenaccordingtohobbitstandards.Therewerealsomanyotherthings

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tofollow,andwhentheyhadfinishedevenFattyBolgerheavedasighofcontent.Theypushedbackthetable,anddrewchairsroundthefire.

‘We’llclearuplater,’saidMerry.‘Nowtellmeallaboutit!Iguessthatyouhavebeenhavingadventures,whichwasnotquitefairwithoutme.Iwantafullaccount;andmostofallIwanttoknowwhat

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wasthematterwitholdMaggot,andwhyhespoketomelikethat.Hesoundedalmostasifhewasscared,ifthatispossible.’

‘Wehaveallbeenscared,’saidPippinafterapause,inwhichFrodostaredatthefireanddidnotspeak.‘Youwouldhavebeen,too,ifyouhadbeenchasedfortwodaysbyBlackRiders.’

‘Andwhatarethey?’

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‘Blackfiguresridingonblackhorses,’answeredPippin.‘IfFrodowon’ttalk,Iwilltellyouthewholetalefromthebeginning.’HethengaveafullaccountoftheirjourneyfromthetimewhentheyleftHobbiton.Samgavevarioussupportingnodsandexclamations.Frodoremainedsilent.

‘Ishouldthinkyouweremakingitallup,’saidMerry,

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‘ifIhadnotseenthatblackshapeonthelanding-stage–andheardthequeersoundinMaggot’svoice.Whatdoyoumakeofitall,Frodo?’

‘CousinFrodohasbeenveryclose,’saidPippin.‘Butthetimehascomeforhimtoopenout.SofarwehavebeengivennothingmoretogoonthanFarmerMaggot’sguessthatithassomethingtodowitholdBilbo’streasure.’

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‘Thatwasonlyaguess,’saidFrodohastily.‘Maggotdoesnotknowanything.’

‘OldMaggotisashrewdfellow,’saidMerry.‘Alotgoesonbehindhisroundfacethatdoesnotcomeoutinhistalk.I’veheardthatheusedtogointotheOldForestatonetime,andhehasthereputationofknowingagoodmanystrangethings.Butyoucanatleasttellus,Frodo,

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whetheryouthinkhisguessgoodorbad.’

‘Ithink,’answeredFrodoslowly,‘thatitwasagoodguess,asfarasitgoes.ThereisaconnexionwithBilbo’soldadventures,andtheRidersarelooking,orperhapsoneoughttosaysearching,forhimorforme.Ialsofear,ifyouwanttoknow,thatitisnojokeatall;andthatIamnotsafehereoranywhere

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else.’Helookedroundatthewindowsandwalls,asifhewasafraidtheywouldsuddenlygiveway.Theotherslookedathiminsilence,andexchangedmeaningglancesamongthemselves.

‘It’scomingoutinaminute,’whisperedPippintoMerry.Merrynodded.

‘Well!’saidFrodoatlast,sittingupandstraightening

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hisback,asifhehadmadeadecision.‘Ican’tkeepitdarkanylonger.Ihavegotsomethingtotellyouall.ButIdon’tknowquitehowtobegin.’

‘IthinkIcouldhelpyou,’saidMerryquietly,‘bytellingyousomeofitmyself.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’saidFrodo,lookingathimanxiously.

‘Justthis,mydearold

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Frodo:youaremiserable,becauseyoudon’tknowhowtosaygood-bye.YoumeanttoleavetheShire,ofcourse.Butdangerhascomeonyousoonerthanyouexpected,andnowyouaremakingupyourmindtogoatonce.Andyoudon’twantto.Weareverysorryforyou.’

Frodoopenedhismouthandshutitagain.Hislookofsurprisewassocomicalthat

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theylaughed.‘DearoldFrodo!’saidPippin.‘Didyoureallythinkyouhadthrowndustinalloureyes?Youhavenotbeennearlycarefulorcleverenoughforthat!YouhaveobviouslybeenplanningtogoandsayingfarewelltoallyourhauntsallthisyearsinceApril.Wehaveconstantlyheardyoumuttering:“ShallIeverlookdownintothatvalleyagain,I

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wonder”,andthingslikethat.Andpretendingthatyouhadcometotheendofyourmoney,andactuallysellingyourbelovedBagEndtothoseSackville-Bagginses!AndallthoseclosetalkswithGandalf.’

‘Goodheavens!’saidFrodo.‘IthoughtIhadbeenbothcarefulandclever.Idon’tknowwhatGandalfwouldsay.IsalltheShire

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discussingmydeparturethen?’

‘Ohno!’saidMerry.‘Don’tworryaboutthat!Thesecretwon’tkeepforlong,ofcourse;butatpresentitis,Ithink,onlyknowntousconspirators.Afterall,youmustrememberthatweknowyouwell,andareoftenwithyou.Wecanusuallyguesswhatyouarethinking.IknewBilbo,too.Totellyouthe

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truth,Ihavebeenwatchingyourathercloselyeversinceheleft.Ithoughtyouwouldgoafterhimsoonerorlater;indeedIexpectedyoutogosooner,andlatelywehavebeenveryanxious.Wehavebeenterrifiedthatyoumightgiveustheslip,andgooffsuddenly,allonyourownlikehedid.Eversincethisspringwehavekeptoureyesopen,anddoneagooddealof

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planningonourownaccount.Youarenotgoingtoescapesoeasily!’

‘ButImustgo,’saidFrodo.‘Itcannotbehelped,dearfriends.Itiswretchedforusall,butitisnouseyourtryingtokeepme.Sinceyouhaveguessedsomuch,pleasehelpmeanddonothinderme!’

‘Youdonotunderstand!’saidPippin.‘Youmustgo–

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andthereforewemust,too.MerryandIarecomingwithyou.Samisanexcellentfellow,andwouldjumpdownadragon’sthroattosaveyou,ifhedidnottripoverhisownfeet;butyouwillneedmorethanonecompanioninyourdangerousadventure.’

‘Mydearandmostbelovedhobbits!’saidFrododeeplymoved.‘ButIcouldnotallowit.Idecidedthat

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longago,too.Youspeakofdanger,butyoudonotunderstand.Thisisnotreasure-hunt,nothere-and-backjourney.Iamflyingfromdeadlyperilintodeadlyperil.’

‘Ofcourseweunderstand,’saidMerryfirmly.‘Thatiswhywehavedecidedtocome.WeknowtheRingisnolaughing-matter;butwearegoingtodo

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ourbesttohelpyouagainsttheEnemy.’

‘TheRing!’saidFrodo,nowcompletelyamazed.

‘Yes,theRing,’saidMerry.‘Mydearoldhobbit,youdon’tallowfortheinquisitivenessoffriends.IhaveknownabouttheexistenceoftheRingforyears–beforeBilbowentaway,infact;butsinceheobviouslyregardeditas

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secret,Ikepttheknowledgeinmyhead,untilweformedourconspiracy.IdidnotknowBilbo,ofcourse,aswellasIknowyou;Iwastooyoung,andhewasalsomorecareful–buthewasnotcarefulenough.IfyouwanttoknowhowIfirstfoundout,Iwilltellyou.’

‘Goon!’saidFrodofaintly.

‘ItwastheSackville-

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Bagginsesthatwerehisdownfall,asyoumightexpect.Oneday,ayearbeforetheParty,Ihappenedtobewalkingalongtheroad,whenIsawBilboahead.SuddenlyinthedistancetheS.-B.sappeared,comingtowardsus.Bilbosloweddown,andthenheypresto!hevanished.IwassostartledthatIhardlyhadthewitstohidemyselfinamore

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ordinaryfashion;butIgotthroughthehedgeandwalkedalongthefieldinside.Iwaspeepingthroughintotheroad,aftertheS.-B.shadpassed,andwaslookingstraightatBilbowhenhesuddenlyreappeared.Icaughtaglintofgoldasheputsomethingbackinhistrouser-pocket.

‘AfterthatIkeptmyeyesopen.Infact,IconfessthatIspied.Butyoumustadmit

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thatitwasveryintriguing,andIwasonlyinmyteens.ImustbetheonlyoneintheShire,besidesyouFrodo,thathaseverseentheoldfellow’ssecretbook.’

‘Youhavereadhisbook!’criedFrodo.‘Goodheavensabove!Isnothingsafe?’

‘Nottoosafe,Ishouldsay,’saidMerry.‘ButIhaveonlyhadonerapidglance,andthatwasdifficulttoget.

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Heneverleftthebookabout.Iwonderwhatbecameofit.Ishouldlikeanotherlook.Haveyougotit,Frodo?’

‘No.ItwasnotatBagEnd.Hemusthavetakenitaway.’

‘Well,asIwassaying,’Merryproceeded,‘Ikeptmyknowledgetomyself,tillthisspringwhenthingsgotserious.Thenweformedourconspiracy;andaswewere

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serious,too,andmeantbusiness,wehavenotbeentooscrupulous.Youarenotaveryeasynuttocrack,andGandalfisworse.Butifyouwanttobeintroducedtoourchiefinvestigator,Icanproducehim.’

‘Whereishe?’saidFrodo,lookinground,asifheexpectedamaskedandsinisterfiguretocomeoutofacupboard.

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‘Stepforward,Sam!’saidMerry;andSamstoodupwithafacescarletuptotheears.‘Here’sourcollectorofinformation!Andhecollectedalot,Icantellyou,beforehewasfinallycaught.Afterwhich,Imaysay,heseemedtoregardhimselfasonparole,anddriedup.’

‘Sam!’criedFrodo,feelingthatamazementcouldgonofurther,andquite

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unabletodecidewhetherhefeltangry,amused,relieved,ormerelyfoolish.

‘Yes,sir!’saidSam.‘Beggingyourpardon,sir!ButImeantnowrongtoyou,Mr.Frodo,nortoMr.Gandalfforthatmatter.Hehassomesense,mindyou;andwhenyousaidgoalone,hesaidno!takesomeoneasyoucantrust.’

‘Butitdoesnotseemthat

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Icantrustanyone,’saidFrodo.

Samlookedathimunhappily.‘Italldependsonwhatyouwant,’putinMerry.‘Youcantrustustosticktoyouthroughthickandthin–tothebitterend.Andyoucantrustustokeepanysecretofyours–closerthanyoukeepityourself.Butyoucannottrustustoletyoufacetroublealone,andgooffwithouta

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word.Weareyourfriends,Frodo.Anyway:thereitis.WeknowmostofwhatGandalfhastoldyou.WeknowagooddealabouttheRing.Wearehorriblyafraid–butwearecomingwithyou;orfollowingyoulikehounds.’

‘Andafterall,sir,’addedSam,‘youdidoughttotaketheElves’advice.Gildorsaidyoushouldtakethemaswas

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willing,andyoucan’tdenyit.’

‘Idon’tdenyit,’saidFrodo,lookingatSam,whowasnowgrinning.‘Idon’tdenyit,butI’llneverbelieveyouaresleepingagain,whetheryousnoreornot.Ishallkickyouhardtomakesure.

‘Youareasetofdeceitfulscoundrels!’hesaid,turningtotheothers.‘Butblessyou!’

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helaughed,gettingupandwavinghisarms,‘Igivein.IwilltakeGildor’sadvice.Ifthedangerwerenotsodark,Ishoulddanceforjoy.Evenso,Icannothelpfeelinghappy;happierthanIhavefeltforalongtime.Ihaddreadedthisevening.’

‘Good!That’ssettled.ThreecheersforCaptainFrodoandcompany!’theyshouted;andtheydanced

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roundhim.MerryandPippinbeganasong,whichtheyhadapparentlygotreadyfortheoccasion.

Itwasmadeonthemodelofthedwarf-songthatstartedBilboonhisadventurelongago,andwenttothesametune:

Farewellwecalltohearthandhall!Thoughwindmay

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blowandrainmayfall,WemustawayerebreakofdayFaroverwoodandmountaintall.

ToRivendell,whereElvesyetdwellIngladesbeneaththemistyfell,Throughmoorandwasteweridein

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haste,Andwhitherthenwecannottell.

Withfoesahead,behindusdread,Beneaththeskyshallbeourbed,Untilatlastourtoilbepassed,Ourjourneydone,ourerrandsped.

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Wemustaway!Wemustaway!Weridebeforethebreakofday!

‘Verygood!’saidFrodo.‘Butinthatcasetherearealotofthingstodobeforewegotobed–underaroof,fortonightatanyrate.’

‘Oh!Thatwaspoetry!’saidPippin.‘Doyoureallymeantostartbeforethebreak

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ofday?’‘Idon’tknow,’answered

Frodo.‘IfearthoseBlackRiders,andIamsureitisunsafetostayinoneplacelong,especiallyinaplacetowhichitisknownIwasgoing.AlsoGildoradvisedmenottowait.ButIshouldverymuchliketoseeGandalf.IcouldseethatevenGildorwasdisturbedwhenheheardthatGandalfhadnever

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appeared.Itreallydependsontwothings.HowsooncouldtheRidersgettoBucklebury?Andhowsooncouldwegetoff?Itwilltakeagooddealofpreparation.’

‘Theanswertothesecondquestion,’saidMerry,‘isthatwecouldgetoffinanhour.Ihavepreparedpracticallyeverything.Therearefiveponiesinastableacrossthefields;storesandtackleare

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allpacked,exceptforafewextraclothes,andtheperishablefood.’

‘Itseemstohavebeenaveryefficientconspiracy,’saidFrodo.‘ButwhatabouttheBlackRiders?WoulditbesafetowaitonedayforGandalf?’

‘ThatalldependsonwhatyouthinktheRiderswoulddo,iftheyfoundyouhere,’answeredMerry.‘Theycould

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havereachedherebynow,ofcourse,iftheywerenotstoppedattheNorth-gate,wheretheHedgerunsdowntotheriverbank,justthissideoftheBridge.Thegate-guardswouldnotletthemthroughbynight,thoughtheymightbreakthrough.Eveninthedaylighttheywouldtrytokeepthemout,Ithink,atanyrateuntiltheygotamessagethroughtotheMasterofthe

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Hall–fortheywouldnotlikethelookoftheRiders,andwouldcertainlybefrightenedbythem.But,ofcourse,Bucklandcannotresistadeterminedattackforlong.AnditispossiblethatinthemorningevenaBlackRiderthatrodeupandaskedforMr.Bagginswouldbeletthrough.ItisprettygenerallyknownthatyouarecomingbacktoliveatCrickhollow.’

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Frodosatforawhileinthought.‘Ihavemadeupmymind,’hesaidfinally.‘Iamstartingtomorrow,assoonasitislight.ButIamnotgoingbyroad:itwouldbesafertowaitherethanthat.IfIgothroughtheNorth-gatemydeparturefromBucklandwillbeknownatonce,insteadofbeingsecretforseveraldaysatleast,asitmightbe.Andwhatismore,theBridgeand

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theEastRoadneartheborderswillcertainlybewatched,whetheranyRidergetsintoBucklandornot.Wedon’tknowhowmanythereare;butthereareatleasttwo,andpossiblymore.Theonlythingtodoistogooffinaquiteunexpecteddirection.’

‘ButthatcanonlymeangoingintotheOldForest!’saidFredegarhorrified.‘Youcan’tbethinkingofdoing

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that.ItisquiteasdangerousasBlackRiders.’

‘Notquite,’saidMerry.‘Itsoundsverydesperate,butIbelieveFrodoisright.Itistheonlywayofgettingoffwithoutbeingfollowedatonce.Withluckwemightgetaconsiderablestart.’

‘Butyouwon’thaveanyluckintheOldForest,’objectedFredegar.‘Nooneeverhasluckinthere.You’ll

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getlost.Peopledon’tgointhere.’

‘Ohyestheydo!’saidMerry.‘TheBrandybucksgoin–occasionallywhenthefittakesthem.Wehaveaprivateentrance.Frodowentinonce,longago.Ihavebeeninseveraltimes:usuallyindaylight,ofcourse,whenthetreesaresleepyandfairlyquiet.’

‘Well,doasyouthink

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best!’saidFredegar.‘IammoreafraidoftheOldForestthanofanythingIknowabout:thestoriesaboutitareanightmare;butmyvotehardlycounts,asIamnotgoingonthejourney.Still,Iamverygladsomeoneisstoppingbehind,whocantellGandalfwhatyouhavedone,whenheturnsup,asIamsurehewillbeforelong.’

FondashewasofFrodo,

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FattyBolgerhadnodesiretoleavetheShire,nortoseewhatlayoutsideit.HisfamilycamefromtheEastfarthing,fromBudgefordinBridgefieldsinfact,buthehadneverbeenovertheBrandywineBridge.Histask,accordingtotheoriginalplansoftheconspirators,wastostaybehindanddealwithinquisitivefolk,andtokeepupaslongaspossiblethe

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pretencethatMr.BagginswasstilllivingatCrickhollow.HehadevenbroughtalongsomeoldclothesofFrodo’stohelphiminplayingthepart.Theylittlethoughthowdangerousthatpartmightprove.

‘Excellent!’saidFrodo,whenheunderstoodtheplan.‘WecouldnothaveleftanymessagebehindforGandalfotherwise.Idon’tknow

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whethertheseRiderscanreadornot,ofcourse,butIshouldnothavedaredtoriskawrittenmessage,incasetheygotinandsearchedthehouse.ButifFattyiswillingtoholdthefort,andIcanbesureofGandalfknowingthewaywehavegone,thatdecidesme.IamgoingintotheOldForestfirstthingtomorrow.’

‘Well,that’sthat,’saidPippin.‘OnthewholeI

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wouldratherhaveourjobthanFatty’s–waitingheretillBlackRiderscome.’

‘YouwaittillyouarewellinsidetheForest,’saidFredegar.‘You’llwishyouwerebackherewithmebeforethistimetomorrow.’

‘It’snogoodarguingaboutitanymore,’saidMerry.‘Wehavestillgottotidyupandputthefinishingtouchestothepacking,before

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wegettobed.Ishallcallyouallbeforethebreakofday.’

Whenatlasthehadgottobed,Frodocouldnotsleepforsometime.Hislegsached.Hewasgladthathewasridinginthemorning.Eventuallyhefellintoavaguedream,inwhichheseemedtobelookingoutofahighwindowoveradarksea

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oftangledtrees.Downbelowamongtherootstherewasthesoundofcreaturescrawlingandsnuffling.Hefeltsuretheywouldsmellhimoutsoonerorlater.

Thenheheardanoiseinthedistance.Atfirsthethoughtitwasagreatwindcomingovertheleavesoftheforest.Thenheknewthatitwasnotleaves,butthesoundoftheSeafar-off;asoundhe

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hadneverheardinwakinglife,thoughithadoftentroubledhisdreams.Suddenlyhefoundhewasoutintheopen.Therewerenotreesafterall.Hewasonadarkheath,andtherewasastrangesaltsmellintheair.Lookinguphesawbeforehimatallwhitetower,standingaloneonahighridge.Agreatdesirecameoverhimtoclimbthetower

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andseetheSea.Hestartedtostruggleuptheridgetowardsthetower:butsuddenlyalightcameinthesky,andtherewasanoiseofthunder.

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Chapter6

THEOLDFOREST

Frodowokesuddenly.Itwasstilldarkintheroom.Merrywasstandingtherewithacandleinonehand,andbangingonthedoorwiththe

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other.‘Allright!Whatisit?’saidFrodo,stillshakenandbewildered.

‘Whatisit!’criedMerry.‘Itistimetogetup.Itishalfpastfourandveryfoggy.Comeon!Samisalreadygettingbreakfastready.EvenPippinisup.Iamjustgoingtosaddletheponies,andfetchtheonethatistobethebaggage-carrier.WakethatsluggardFatty!Atleasthe

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mustgetupandseeusoff.’Soonaftersixo’clockthe

fivehobbitswerereadytostart.FattyBolgerwasstillyawning.Theystolequietlyoutofthehouse.Merrywentinfrontleadingaladenpony,andtookhiswayalongapaththatwentthroughaspinneybehindthehouse,andthencutacrossseveralfields.Theleavesoftreeswereglistening,andeverytwig

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wasdripping;thegrasswasgreywithcolddew.Everythingwasstill,andfar-awaynoisesseemednearandclear:fowlschatteringinayard,someoneclosingadoorofadistanthouse.

Intheirshedtheyfoundtheponies:sturdylittlebeastsofthekindlovedbyhobbits,notspeedy,butgoodforalongday’swork.Theymounted,andsoontheywere

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ridingoffintothemist,whichseemedtoopenreluctantlybeforethemandcloseforbiddinglybehindthem.Afterridingforaboutanhour,slowlyandwithouttalking,theysawtheHedgeloomingsuddenlyahead.Itwastallandnettedoverwithsilvercobwebs.

‘Howareyougoingtogetthroughthis?’askedFredegar.

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‘Followme!’saidMerry,‘andyouwillsee.’HeturnedtotheleftalongtheHedge,andsoontheycametoapointwhereitbentinwards,runningalongthelipofahollow.Acuttinghadbeenmade,atsomedistancefromtheHedge,andwentslopinggentlydownintotheground.Ithadwallsofbrickatthesides,whichrosesteadily,untilsuddenlytheyarched

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overandformedatunnelthatdiveddeepundertheHedgeandcameoutinthehollowontheotherside.

HereFattyBolgerhalted.‘Good-bye,Frodo!’hesaid.‘IwishyouwerenotgoingintotheForest.Ionlyhopeyouwillnotneedrescuingbeforethedayisout.Butgoodlucktoyou–todayandeveryday!’

‘Iftherearenoworse

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thingsaheadthantheOldForest,Ishallbelucky,’saidFrodo.‘TellGandalftohurryalongtheEastRoad:weshallsoonbebackonitandgoingasfastaswecan.’‘Good-bye!’theycried,androdedowntheslopeanddisappearedfromFredegar’ssightintothetunnel.

Itwasdarkanddamp.Atthefarenditwasclosedbyagateofthick-setironbars.

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Merrygotdownandunlockedthegate,andwhentheyhadallpassedthroughhepushedittoagain.Itshutwithaclang,andthelockclicked.Thesoundwasominous.

‘There!’saidMerry.‘YouhavelefttheShire,andarenowoutside,andontheedgeoftheOldForest.’

‘Arethestoriesaboutittrue?’askedPippin.

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‘Idon’tknowwhatstoriesyoumean,’Merryanswered.‘Ifyoumeantheoldbogey-storiesFatty’snursesusedtotellhim,aboutgoblinsandwolvesandthingsofthatsort,Ishouldsayno.AtanyrateIdon’tbelievethem.ButtheForestisqueer.Everythinginitisverymuchmorealive,moreawareofwhatisgoingon,sotospeak,thanthingsareintheShire.Andthetrees

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donotlikestrangers.Theywatchyou.Theyareusuallycontentmerelytowatchyou,aslongasdaylightlasts,anddon’tdomuch.Occasionallythemostunfriendlyonesmaydropabranch,orstickarootout,orgraspatyouwithalongtrailer.Butatnightthingscanbemostalarming,orsoIamtold.Ihaveonlyonceortwicebeeninhereafterdark,andthenonlynear

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thehedge.Ithoughtallthetreeswerewhisperingtoeachother,passingnewsandplotsalonginanunintelligiblelanguage;andthebranchesswayedandgropedwithoutanywind.Theydosaythetreesdoactuallymove,andcansurroundstrangersandhemthemin.InfactlongagotheyattackedtheHedge:theycameandplantedthemselvesrightbyit,andleanedoverit.

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Butthehobbitscameandcutdownhundredsoftrees,andmadeagreatbonfireintheForest,andburnedallthegroundinalongstripeastoftheHedge.Afterthatthetreesgaveuptheattack,buttheybecameveryunfriendly.Thereisstillawidebarespacenotfarinsidewherethebonfirewasmade.’

‘Isitonlythetreesthataredangerous?’askedPippin.

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‘TherearevariousqueerthingslivingdeepintheForest,andonthefarside,’saidMerry,‘oratleastIhaveheardso;butIhaveneverseenanyofthem.Butsomethingmakespaths.Wheneveronecomesinsideonefindsopentracks;buttheyseemtoshiftandchangefromtimetotimeinaqueerfashion.Notfarfromthistunnelthereis,orwasfora

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longtime,thebeginningofquiteabroadpathleadingtotheBonfireGlade,andthenonmoreorlessinourdirection,eastandalittlenorth.ThatisthepathIamgoingtotryandfind.’

Thehobbitsnowleftthetunnel-gateandrodeacrossthewidehollow.Onthefarsidewasafaintpathleading

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upontotheflooroftheForest,ahundredyardsandmorebeyondtheHedge;butitvanishedassoonasitbroughtthemunderthetrees.LookingbacktheycouldseethedarklineoftheHedgethroughthestemsoftreesthatwerealreadythickaboutthem.Lookingaheadtheycouldseeonlytree-trunksofinnumerablesizesandshapes:straightorbent,twisted,

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leaning,squatorslender,smoothorgnarledandbranched;andallthestemsweregreenorgreywithmossandslimy,shaggygrowths.

Merryaloneseemedfairlycheerful.‘Youhadbetterleadonandfindthatpath,’Frodosaidtohim.‘Don’tletusloseoneanother,orforgetwhichwaytheHedgelies!’

Theypickedawayamongthetrees,andtheirponies

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ploddedalong,carefullyavoidingthemanywrithingandinterlacingroots.Therewasnoundergrowth.Thegroundwasrisingsteadily,andastheywentforwarditseemedthatthetreesbecametaller,darker,andthicker.Therewasnosound,exceptanoccasionaldripofmoisturefallingthroughthestillleaves.Forthemomenttherewasnowhisperingor

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movementamongthebranches;buttheyallgotanuncomfortablefeelingthattheywerebeingwatchedwithdisapproval,deepeningtodislikeandevenenmity.Thefeelingsteadilygrew,untiltheyfoundthemselveslookingupquickly,orglancingbackovertheirshoulders,asiftheyexpectedasuddenblow.

Therewasnotasyetany

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signofapath,andthetreesseemedconstantlytobartheirway.Pippinsuddenlyfeltthathecouldnotbearitanylonger,andwithoutwarningletoutashout.‘Oi!Oi!’hecried.‘Iamnotgoingtodoanything.Justletmepassthrough,willyou!’

Theothershaltedstartled;butthecryfellasifmuffledbyaheavycurtain.Therewasnoechooranswerthoughthe

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woodseemedtobecomemorecrowdedandmorewatchfulthanbefore.

‘Ishouldnotshout,ifIwereyou,’saidMerry.‘Itdoesmoreharmthangood.’

Frodobegantowonderifitwerepossibletofindawaythrough,andifhehadbeenrighttomaketheotherscomeintothisabominablewood.Merrywaslookingfromsidetoside,andseemedalready

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uncertainwhichwaytogo.Pippinnoticedit.‘Ithasnottakenyoulongtoloseus,’hesaid.ButatthatmomentMerrygaveawhistleofreliefandpointedahead.

‘Well,well!’hesaid.‘Thesetreesdoshift.ThereistheBonfireGladeinfrontofus(orIhopeso),butthepathtoitseemstohavemovedaway!’

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Thelightgrewclearerastheywentforward.Suddenlytheycameoutofthetreesandfoundthemselvesinawidecircularspace.Therewasskyabovethem,blueandcleartotheirsurprise,fordownundertheForest-rooftheyhadnotbeenabletoseetherisingmorningandtheliftingofthemist.Thesunwasnot,however,highenoughyettoshinedownintotheclearing,

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thoughitslightwasonthetree-tops.Theleaveswereallthickerandgreenerabouttheedgesoftheglade,enclosingitwithanalmostsolidwall.Notreegrewthere,onlyroughgrassandmanytallplants:stalkyandfadedhemlocksandwood-parsley,fire-weedseedingintofluffyashes,andrampantnettlesandthistles.Adrearyplace:butitseemedacharmingand

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cheerfulgardenafterthecloseForest.

Thehobbitsfeltencouraged,andlookeduphopefullyatthebroadeningdaylightinthesky.Atthefarsideofthegladetherewasabreakinthewalloftrees,andaclearpathbeyondit.Theycouldseeitrunningonintothewood,wideinplacesandopenabove,thougheverynowandagainthetreesdrew

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inandovershadoweditwiththeirdarkboughs.Upthispaththeyrode.Theywerestillclimbinggently,buttheynowwentmuchquicker,andwithbetterheart;foritseemedtothemthattheForesthadrelented,andwasgoingtoletthempassunhinderedafterall.

Butafterawhiletheairbegantogethotandstuffy.Thetreesdrewcloseagainon

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eitherside,andtheycouldnolongerseefarahead.Nowstrongerthanevertheyfeltagaintheillwillofthewoodpressingonthem.Sosilentwasitthatthefalloftheirponies’hoofs,rustlingondeadleavesandoccasionallystumblingonhiddenroots,seemedtothudintheirears.Frodotriedtosingasongtoencouragethem,buthisvoicesanktoamurmur.

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O!Wanderersintheshadowedlanddespairnot!Forthoughdarktheystand,allwoodstherebemustendatlast,andseetheopensungopast:thesettingsun,therisingsuntheday’send,orthedaybegun.

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Foreastorwestallwoodsmustfail...

Fail–evenashesaidthewordhisvoicefadedintosilence.Theairseemedheavyandthemakingofwordswearisome.Justbehindthemalargebranchfellfromanoldoverhangingtreewithacrashintothepath.Thetreesseemedtocloseinbeforethem.

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‘Theydonotlikeallthataboutendingandfailing,’saidMerry.‘Ishouldnotsinganymoreatpresent.Waittillwedogettotheedge,andthenwe’llturnandgivethemarousingchorus!’

Hespokecheerfully,andifhefeltanygreatanxiety,hedidnotshowit.Theothersdidnotanswer.Theyweredepressed.Aheavyweightwassettlingsteadilyon

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Frodo’sheart,andheregrettednowwitheverystepforwardthathehadeverthoughtofchallengingthemenaceofthetrees.Hewas,indeed,justabouttostopandproposegoingback(ifthatwasstillpossible),whenthingstookanewturn.Thepathstoppedclimbing,andbecameforawhilenearlylevel.Thedarktreesdrewaside,andaheadtheycould

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seethepathgoingalmoststraightforward.Beforethem,butsomedistanceoff,therestoodagreenhill-top,treeless,risinglikeabaldheadoutoftheencirclingwood.Thepathseemedtobemakingdirectlyforit.

Theynowhurriedforwardagain,delightedwiththethoughtofclimbingoutfora

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whileabovetheroofoftheForest.Thepathdipped,andthenagainbegantoclimbupwards,leadingthematlasttothefootofthesteephillside.Thereitleftthetreesandfadedintotheturf.Thewoodstoodallroundthehilllikethickhairthatendedsharplyinacircleroundashavencrown.

Thehobbitsledtheirponiesup,windingroundand

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rounduntiltheyreachedthetop.Theretheystoodandgazedaboutthem.Theairwasgleamingandsunlit,buthazy;andtheycouldnotseetoanygreatdistance.Nearathandthemistwasnowalmostgone;thoughhereandthereitlayinhollowsofthewood,andtothesouthofthem,outofadeepfoldcuttingrightacrosstheForest,thefogstillroselikesteamorwispsof

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whitesmoke.‘That,’saidMerry,

pointingwithhishand,‘thatisthelineoftheWithywindle.ItcomesdownoutoftheDownsandflowssouth-westthroughthemidstoftheForesttojointheBrandywinebelowHaysend.Wedon’twanttogothatway!TheWithywindlevalleyissaidtobethequeerestpartofthewholewood–the

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centrefromwhichallthequeernesscomes,asitwere.’

TheotherslookedinthedirectionthatMerrypointedout,buttheycouldseelittlebutmistsoverthedampanddeep-cutvalley;andbeyonditthesouthernhalfoftheForestfadedfromview.

Thesunonthehill-topwasnowgettinghot.Itmusthavebeenabouteleveno’clock;buttheautumnhaze

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stillpreventedthemfromseeingmuchinotherdirections.InthewesttheycouldnotmakeouteitherthelineoftheHedgeorthevalleyoftheBrandywinebeyondit.Northward,wheretheylookedmosthopefully,theycouldseenothingthatmightbethelineofthegreatEastRoad,forwhichtheyweremaking.Theywereonanislandinaseaoftrees,and

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thehorizonwasveiled.Onthesouth-easternside

thegroundfellverysteeply,asiftheslopesofthehillwerecontinuedfardownunderthetrees,likeisland-shoresthatreallyarethesidesofamountainrisingoutofdeepwaters.Theysatonthegreenedgeandlookedoutoverthewoodsbelowthem,whiletheyatetheirmid-daymeal.Asthesunroseand

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passednoontheyglimpsedfaroffintheeastthegrey-greenlinesoftheDownsthatlaybeyondtheOldForestonthatside.Thatcheeredthemgreatly;foritwasgoodtoseeasightofanythingbeyondthewood’sborders,thoughtheydidnotmeantogothatway,iftheycouldhelpit:theBarrow-downshadassinisterareputationinhobbit-legendastheForestitself.

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Atlengththeymadeuptheirmindstogoonagain.Thepaththathadbroughtthemtothehillreappearedonthenorthwardside;buttheyhadnotfolloweditfarbeforetheybecameawarethatitwasbendingsteadilytotheright.SoonitbegantodescendrapidlyandtheyguessedthatitmustactuallybeheadingtowardstheWithywindlevalley:notatallthedirection

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theywishedtotake.Aftersomediscussiontheydecidedtoleavethismisleadingpathandstrikenorthward;foralthoughtheyhadnotbeenabletoseeitfromthehill-top,theRoadmustliethatway,anditcouldnotbemanymilesoff.Alsonorthward,andtotheleftofthepath,thelandseemedtobedrierandmoreopen,climbinguptoslopeswherethetreeswere

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thinner,andpinesandfirsreplacedtheoaksandashesandotherstrangeandnamelesstreesofthedenserwood.

Atfirsttheirchoiceseemedtobegood:theygotalongatafairspeed,thoughwhenevertheygotaglimpseofthesuninanopengladetheyseemedunaccountablytohaveveeredeastwards.Butafteratimethetreesbeganto

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closeinagain,justwheretheyhadappearedfromadistancetobethinnerandlesstangled.Thendeepfoldsinthegroundwerediscoveredunexpectedly,liketherutsofgreatgiant-wheelsorwidemoatsandsunkenroadslongdisusedandchokedwithbrambles.Theselayusuallyrightacrosstheirlineofmarch,andcouldonlybecrossedbyscramblingdown

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andoutagain,whichwastroublesomeanddifficultwiththeirponies.Eachtimetheyclimbeddowntheyfoundthehollowfilledwiththickbushesandmattedundergrowth,whichsomehowwouldnotyieldtotheleft,butonlygavewaywhentheyturnedtotheright;andtheyhadtogosomedistancealongthebottombeforetheycouldfindaway

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upthefurtherbank.Eachtimetheyclamberedout,thetreesseemeddeeperanddarker;andalwaystotheleftandupwardsitwasmostdifficulttofindaway,andtheywereforcedtotherightanddownwards.

Afteranhourortwotheyhadlostallclearsenseofdirection,thoughtheyknew

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wellenoughthattheyhadlongceasedtogonorthwardatall.Theywerebeingheadedoff,andweresimplyfollowingacoursechosenforthem–eastwardsandsouthwards,intotheheartoftheForestandnotoutofit.

Theafternoonwaswearingawaywhentheyscrambledandstumbledintoafoldthatwaswideranddeeperthananytheyhadyet

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met.Itwassosteepandoverhungthatitprovedimpossibletoclimboutofitagain,eitherforwardsorbackwards,withoutleavingtheirponiesandtheirbaggagebehind.Alltheycoulddowastofollowthefold–downwards.Thegroundgrewsoft,andinplacesboggy;springsappearedinthebanks,andsoontheyfoundthemselvesfollowingabrook

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thattrickledandbabbledthroughaweedybed.Thenthegroundbegantofallrapidly,andthebrookgrowingstrongandnoisy,flowedandleapedswiftlydownhill.Theywereinadeepdim-litgullyover-archedbytreeshighabovethem.

Afterstumblingalongforsomewayalongthestream,theycamequitesuddenlyout

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ofthegloom.Asifthroughagatetheysawthesunlightbeforethem.Comingtotheopeningtheyfoundthattheyhadmadetheirwaydownthroughacleftinahighsteepbank,almostacliff.Atitsfeetwasawidespaceofgrassandreeds;andinthedistancecouldbeglimpsedanotherbankalmostassteep.Agoldenafternoonoflatesunshinelaywarmand

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drowsyuponthehiddenlandbetween.Inthemidstofittherewoundlazilyadarkriverofbrownwater,borderedwithancientwillows,archedoverwithwillows,blockedwithfallenwillows,andfleckedwiththousandsoffadedwillow-leaves.Theairwasthickwiththem,flutteringyellowfromthebranches;fortherewasawarmandgentlebreeze

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blowingsoftlyinthevalley,andthereedswererustling,andthewillow-boughswerecreaking.

‘Well,nowIhaveatleastsomenotionofwhereweare!’saidMerry.‘Wehavecomealmostintheoppositedirectiontowhichweintended.ThisistheRiverWithywindle!Iwillgoonandexplore.’

Hepassedoutintothe

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sunshineanddisappearedintothelonggrasses.Afterawhilehereappeared,andreportedthattherewasfairlysolidgroundbetweenthecliff-footandtheriver;insomeplacesfirmturfwentdowntothewater’sedge.‘What’smore,’hesaid,‘thereseemstobesomethinglikeafootpathwindingalongonthissideoftheriver.Ifweturnleftandfollowit,we

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shallbeboundtocomeoutontheeastsideoftheForesteventually.’

‘Idaresay!’saidPippin.‘Thatis,ifthetrackgoesonsofar,anddoesnotsimplyleadusintoabogandleaveusthere.Whomadethetrack,doyousuppose,andwhy?Iamsureitwasnotforourbenefit.IamgettingverysuspiciousofthisForestandeverythinginit,andIbegin

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tobelieveallthestoriesaboutit.Andhaveyouanyideahowfareastwardweshouldhavetogo?’

‘No,’saidMerry,‘Ihaven’t.Idon’tknowintheleasthowfardowntheWithywindleweare,orwhocouldpossiblycomehereoftenenoughtomakeapathalongit.ButthereisnootherwayoutthatIcanseeorthinkof.’

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Therebeingnothingelseforit,theyfiledout,andMerryledthemtothepaththathehaddiscovered.Everywherethereedsandgrasseswerelushandtall,inplacesfarabovetheirheads;butoncefound,thepathwaseasytofollow,asitturnedandtwisted,pickingoutthesoundergroundamongthebogsandpools.Hereandthereitpassedoverother

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rills,runningdowngulliesintotheWithywindleoutofthehigherforest-lands,andatthesepointsthereweretree-trunksorbundlesofbrushwoodlaidcarefullyacross.

Thehobbitsbegantofeelveryhot.Therewerearmiesoffliesofallkindsbuzzingroundtheirears,andthe

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afternoonsunwasburningontheirbacks.Atlasttheycamesuddenlyintoathinshade;greatgreybranchesreachedacrossthepath.Eachstepforwardbecamemorereluctantthanthelast.Sleepinessseemedtobecreepingoutofthegroundanduptheirlegs,andfallingsoftlyoutoftheairupontheirheadsandeyes.

Frodofelthischingo

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downandhisheadnod.JustinfrontofhimPippinfellforwardontohisknees.Frodohalted.‘It’snogood,’heheardMerrysaying.‘Can’tgoanotherstepwithoutrest.Musthavenap.It’scoolunderthewillows.Lessflies!’

Frododidnotlikethesoundofthis.‘Comeon!’hecried.‘Wecan’thaveanapyet.Wemustgetclearofthe

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Forestfirst.’Buttheothersweretoofargonetocare.BesidethemSamstoodyawningandblinkingstupidly.

SuddenlyFrodohimselffeltsleepoverwhelminghim.Hisheadswam.Therenowseemedhardlyasoundintheair.Theflieshadstoppedbuzzing.Onlyagentlenoiseontheedgeofhearing,asoftflutteringasofasonghalf

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whispered,seemedtostirintheboughsabove.Heliftedhisheavyeyesandsawleaningoverhimahugewillow-tree,oldandhoary.Enormousitlooked,itssprawlingbranchesgoinguplikereachingarmswithmanylong-fingeredhands,itsknottedandtwistedtrunkgapinginwidefissuresthatcreakedfaintlyastheboughsmoved.Theleavesfluttering

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againstthebrightskydazzledhim,andhetoppledover,lyingwherehefelluponthegrass.

MerryandPippindraggedthemselvesforwardandlaydownwiththeirbackstothewillow-trunk.Behindthemthegreatcracksgapedwidetoreceivethemasthetreeswayedandcreaked.Theylookedupatthegreyandyellowleaves,movingsoftly

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againstthelight,andsinging.Theyshuttheireyes,andthenitseemedthattheycouldalmosthearwords,coolwords,sayingsomethingaboutwaterandsleep.Theygavethemselvesuptothespellandfellfastasleepatthefootofthegreatgreywillow.

Frodolayforawhilefightingwiththesleepthatwasoverpoweringhim;thenwithanefforthestruggledto

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hisfeetagain.Hefeltacompellingdesireforcoolwater.‘Waitforme,Sam,’hestammered.‘Mustbathefeetaminute.’

Halfinadreamhewanderedforwardtotheriverwardsideofthetree,wheregreatwindingrootsgrewoutintothestream,likegnarleddragonetsstrainingdowntodrink.Hestraddledoneofthese,andpaddledhis

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hotfeetinthecoolbrownwater;andtherehetoosuddenlyfellasleepwithhisbackagainstthetree.

Samsatdownandscratchedhishead,andyawnedlikeacavern.Hewasworried.Theafternoonwasgettinglate,andhethoughtthissuddensleepinessuncanny.‘There’smore

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behindthisthansunandwarmair,’hemutteredtohimself.‘Idon’tlikethisgreatbigtree.Idon’ttrustit.Harkatitsingingaboutsleepnow!Thiswon’tdoatall!’

Hepulledhimselftohisfeet,andstaggeredofftoseewhathadbecomeoftheponies.Hefoundthattwohadwanderedonagoodwayalongthepath;andhehadjustcaughtthemandbrought

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thembacktowardstheothers,whenheheardtwonoises;oneloud,andtheothersoftbutveryclear.Onewasthesplashofsomethingheavyfallingintothewater;theotherwasanoiselikethesnickofalockwhenadoorquietlyclosesfast.

Herushedbacktothebank.Frodowasinthewaterclosetotheedge,andagreattree-rootseemedtobeover

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himandholdinghimdown,buthewasnotstruggling.Samgrippedhimbythejacket,anddraggedhimfromundertheroot;andthenwithdifficultyhauledhimontothebank.Almostatoncehewoke,andcoughedandspluttered.

‘Doyouknow,Sam,’hesaidatlength,‘thebeastlytreethrewmein!Ifeltit.Thebigrootjusttwistedround

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andtippedmein!’‘YouweredreamingI

expect,Mr.Frodo,’saidSam.‘Youshouldn’tsitinsuchaplace,ifyoufeelsleepy.’

‘Whatabouttheothers?’Frodoasked.‘Iwonderwhatsortofdreamstheyarehaving.’

Theywentroundtotheothersideofthetree,andthenSamunderstoodtheclickthathehadheard.

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Pippinhadvanished.Thecrackbywhichhehadlaidhimselfhadclosedtogether,sothatnotachinkcouldbeseen.Merrywastrapped:anothercrackhadclosedabouthiswaist;hislegslayoutside,buttherestofhimwasinsideadarkopening,theedgesofwhichgrippedlikeapairofpincers.

FrodoandSambeatfirstuponthetree-trunkwhere

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Pippinhadlain.TheythenstruggledfranticallytopullopenthejawsofthecrackthatheldpoorMerry.Itwasquiteuseless.

‘Whatafoulthingtohappen!’criedFrodowildly.‘WhydidweevercomeintothisdreadfulForest?IwishwewereallbackatCrickhollow!’Hekickedthetreewithallhisstrength,heedlessofhisownfeet.A

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hardlyperceptibleshiverranthroughthestemandupintothebranches;theleavesrustledandwhispered,butwithasoundnowoffaintandfar-offlaughter.

‘Isupposewehaven’tgotanaxeamongourluggage,Mr.Frodo?’askedSam.

‘Ibroughtalittlehatchetforchoppingfirewood,’saidFrodo.‘Thatwouldn’tbemuchuse.’

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‘Waitaminute!’criedSam,struckbyanideasuggestedbyfirewood.‘Wemightdosomethingwithfire!’

‘Wemight,’saidFrododoubtfully.‘WemightsucceedinroastingPippinaliveinside.’

‘Wemighttrytohurtorfrightenthistreetobeginwith,’saidSamfiercely.‘Ifitdon’tletthemgo,I’llhaveit

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down,ifIhavetognawit.’Herantotheponiesandbeforelongcamebackwithtwotinder-boxesandahatchet.

Quicklytheygathereddrygrassandleaves,andbitsofbark;andmadeapileofbrokentwigsandchoppedsticks.Thesetheyheapedagainstthetrunkonthefarsideofthetreefromtheprisoners.AssoonasSam

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hadstruckasparkintothetinder,itkindledthedrygrassandaflurryofflameandsmokewentup.Thetwigscrackled.Littlefingersoffirelickedagainstthedryscoredrindoftheancienttreeandscorchedit.Atremorranthroughthewholewillow.Theleavesseemedtohissabovetheirheadswithasoundofpainandanger.Aloudscreamcamefrom

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Merry,andfromfarinsidethetreetheyheardPippingiveamuffledyell.

‘Putitout!Putitout!’criedMerry.‘He’llsqueezemeintwo,ifyoudon’t.Hesaysso!’

‘Who?What?’shoutedFrodo,rushingroundtotheothersideofthetree.

‘Putitout!Putitout!’beggedMerry.Thebranchesofthewillowbegantosway

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violently.Therewasasoundasofawindrisingandspreadingoutwardstothebranchesofalltheothertreesroundabout,asthoughtheyhaddroppedastoneintothequietslumberoftheriver-valleyandsetupripplesofangerthatranoutoverthewholeForest.Samkickedatthelittlefireandstampedoutthesparks.ButFrodo,withoutanyclearideaofwhy

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hedidso,orwhathehopedfor,ranalongthepathcryinghelp!help!help!Itseemedtohimthathecouldhardlyhearthesoundofhisownshrillvoice:itwasblownawayfromhimbythewillow-windanddrownedinaclamourofleaves,assoonasthewordslefthismouth.Hefeltdesperate:lostandwitless.

Suddenlyhestopped.Therewasananswer,orsohe

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thought;butitseemedtocomefrombehindhim,awaydownthepathfurtherbackintheForest.Heturnedroundandlistened,andsoontherecouldbenodoubt:someonewassingingasong;adeepgladvoicewassingingcarelesslyandhappily,butitwassingingnonsense:

Heydol!merrydol!ringadongdillo!

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Ringadong!hopalong!fallalthewillow!TomBom,jollyTom,TomBombadillo!

Halfhopefulandhalfafraidofsomenewdanger,FrodoandSamnowbothstoodstill.Suddenlyoutofalongstringofnonsense-words(orsotheyseemed)thevoiceroseuploudandclearand

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burstintothissong:

Hey!Comemerrydol!derrydol!Mydarling!Lightgoestheweather-windandthefeatheredstarling.DownalongunderHill,shininginthesunlight,Waitingonthe

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doorstepforthecoldstarlight,Theremyprettyladyis,River-woman’sdaughter,Slenderasthewillow-wand,clearerthanthewater.OldTomBombadilwater-liliesbringingComeshoppinghome

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again.Canyouhearhimsinging?Hey!Comemerrydol!derrydol!andmerry-o,Goldberry,Goldberry,merryyellowberry-o!PooroldWillow-man,youtuckyourrootsaway!Tom’sinahurrynow.Eveningwill

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followday.Tom’sgoinghomeagainwater-liliesbringing.Hey!Comederrydol!Canyouhearmesinging?

FrodoandSamstoodasifenchanted.Thewindpuffedout.Theleaveshungsilentlyagainonstiffbranches.Therewasanotherburstofsong,

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andthensuddenly,hoppinganddancingalongthepath,thereappearedabovethereedsanoldbatteredhatwithatallcrownandalongbluefeatherstuckintheband.Withanotherhopandaboundtherecameintoviewaman,orsoitseemed.Atanyratehewastoolargeandheavyforahobbit,ifnotquitetallenoughforoneoftheBigPeople,thoughhe

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madenoiseenoughforone,stumpingalongwithgreatyellowbootsonhisthicklegs,andchargingthroughgrassandrusheslikeacowgoingdowntodrink.Hehadabluecoatandalongbrownbeard;hiseyeswereblueandbright,andhisfacewasredasaripeapple,butcreasedintoahundredwrinklesoflaughter.Inhishandshecarriedonalargeleafasona

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trayasmallpileofwhitewater-lilies.

‘Help!’criedFrodoandSamrunningtowardshimwiththeirhandsstretchedout.

‘Whoa!Whoa!steadythere!’criedtheoldman,holdinguponehand,andtheystoppedshort,asiftheyhadbeenstruckstiff.‘Now,mylittlefellows,wherebeyoua-goingto,puffinglikeabellows?What’sthematter

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herethen?DoyouknowwhoIam?I’mTomBombadil.Tellmewhat’syourtrouble!Tom’sinahurrynow.Don’tyoucrushmylilies!’

‘Myfriendsarecaughtinthewillow-tree,’criedFrodobreathlessly.

‘MasterMerry’sbeingsqueezedinacrack!’criedSam.‘What?’shoutedTomBombadil,leapingupintheair.‘OldManWillow?

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Naughtworsethanthat,eh?Thatcansoonbemended.Iknowthetuneforhim.OldgreyWillow-man!I’llfreezehismarrowcold,ifhedon’tbehavehimself.I’llsinghisrootsoff.I’llsingawindupandblowleafandbranchaway.OldManWillow!’

Settingdownhisliliescarefullyonthegrass,herantothetree.TherehesawMerry’sfeetstillstickingout

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–theresthadalreadybeendrawnfurtherinside.Tomputhismouthtothecrackandbegansingingintoitinalowvoice.Theycouldnotcatchthewords,butevidentlyMerrywasaroused.Hislegsbegantokick.Tomsprangaway,andbreakingoffahangingbranchsmotethesideofthewillowwithit.‘Youletthemoutagain,OldManWillow!’hesaid.‘What

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beyoua-thinkingof?Youshouldnotbewaking.Eatearth!Digdeep!Drinkwater!Gotosleep!Bombadilistalking!’HethenseizedMerry’sfeetanddrewhimoutofthesuddenlywideningcrack.

Therewasatearingcreakandtheothercracksplitopen,andoutofitPippinsprang,asifhehadbeenkicked.Thenwithaloudsnapbothcracks

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closedfastagain.Ashudderranthroughthetreefromroottotip,andcompletesilencefell.

‘Thankyou!’saidthehobbits,oneaftertheother.

TomBombadilburstoutlaughing.‘Well,mylittlefellows!’saidhe,stoopingsothathepeeredintotheirfaces.‘Youshallcomehomewithme!Thetableisallladenwithyellowcream,

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honeycomb,andwhitebreadandbutter.Goldberryiswaiting.Timeenoughforquestionsaroundthesuppertable.Youfollowaftermeasquickasyouareable!’Withthathepickeduphislilies,andthenwithabeckoningwaveofhishandwenthoppinganddancingalongthepatheastward,stillsingingloudlyandnonsensically.

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Toosurprisedandtoorelievedtotalk,thehobbitsfollowedafterhimasfastastheycould.Butthatwasnotfastenough.Tomsoondisappearedinfrontofthem,andthenoiseofhissinginggotfainterandfurtheraway.Suddenlyhisvoicecamefloatingbacktotheminaloudhalloo!

Hopalong,mylittle

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friends,uptheWithywindle!Tom’sgoingonaheadcandlesfortokindle.DownwestsinkstheSun:soonyouwillbegroping.Whenthenight-shadowsfall,thenthedoorwillopen,Outofthewindow-paneslightwill

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twinkleyellow.Fearnoalderblack!Heednohoarywillow!Fearneitherrootnorbough!Tomgoesonbeforeyou.Heynow!merrydol!We’llbewaitingforyou!

Afterthatthehobbitsheardnomore.Almostat

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oncethesunseemedtosinkintothetreesbehindthem.TheythoughtoftheslantinglightofeveningglitteringontheBrandywineRiver,andthewindowsofBuckleburybeginningtogleamwithhundredsoflights.Greatshadowsfellacrossthem;trunksandbranchesoftreeshungdarkandthreateningoverthepath.Whitemistsbegantoriseandcurlonthe

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surfaceoftheriverandstrayabouttherootsofthetreesuponitsborders.Outoftheverygroundattheirfeetashadowysteamaroseandmingledwiththeswiftlyfallingdusk.

Itbecamedifficulttofollowthepath,andtheywereverytired.Theirlegsseemedleaden.Strangefurtivenoisesranamongthebushesandreedsoneither

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sideofthem;andiftheylookeduptothepalesky,theycaughtsightofqueergnarledandknobblyfacesthatgloomeddarkagainstthetwilight,andleereddownatthemfromthehighbankandtheedgesofthewood.Theybegantofeelthatallthiscountrywasunreal,andthattheywerestumblingthroughanominousdreamthatledtonoawakening.

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Justastheyfelttheirfeetslowingdowntoastandstill,theynoticedthatthegroundwasgentlyrising.Thewaterbegantomurmur.Inthedarknesstheycaughtthewhiteglimmeroffoam,wheretheriverflowedoverashortfall.Thensuddenlythetreescametoanendandthemistswereleftbehind.TheysteppedoutfromtheForest,andfoundawidesweepof

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grasswellingupbeforethem.Theriver,nowsmallandswift,wasleapingmerrilydowntomeetthem,glintinghereandthereinthelightofthestars,whichwerealreadyshininginthesky.

Thegrassundertheirfeetwassmoothandshort,asifithadbeenmownorshaven.TheeavesoftheForestbehindwereclipped,andtrimasahedge.Thepathwasnow

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plainbeforethem,well-tendedandborderedwithstone.Itwoundupontothetopofagrassyknoll,nowgreyunderthepalestarrynight;andthere,stillhighabovethemonafurtherslope,theysawthetwinklinglightsofahouse.Downagainthepathwent,andthenupagain,upalongsmoothhillsideofturf,towardsthelight.Suddenlyawideyellow

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beamflowedoutbrightlyfromadoorthatwasopened.TherewasTomBombadil’shousebeforethem,up,down,underhill.Behinditasteepshoulderofthelandlaygreyandbare,andbeyondthatthedarkshapesoftheBarrow-downsstalkedawayintotheeasternnight.

Theyallhurriedforward,hobbitsandponies.Alreadyhalftheirwearinessandall

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theirfearshadfallenfromthem.Hey!Comemerrydol!rolledoutthesongtogreetthem.

Hey!Comederrydol!Hopalong,myhearties!Hobbits!Poniesall!Wearefondofparties.Nowletthefunbegin!Letussing

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together!

Thenanotherclearvoice,asyoungandasancientasSpring,likethesongofagladwaterflowingdownintothenightfromabrightmorninginthehills,camefallinglikesilvertomeetthem:

Nowletthesongbegin!Letussing

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togetherOfsun,stars,moonandmist,rainandcloudyweather,Lightonthebuddingleaf,dewonthefeather,Windontheopenhill,bellsontheheather,Reedsbytheshadypool,liliesonthewater:

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OldTomBombadilandtheRiver-daughter!

Andwiththatsongthehobbitsstooduponthethreshold,andagoldenlightwasallaboutthem.

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Chapter7

INTHEHOUSEOFTOMBOMBADIL

Thefourhobbitssteppedoverthewidestonethreshold,andstoodstill,blinking.Theywereinalonglowroom,

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filledwiththelightoflampsswingingfromthebeamsoftheroof;andonthetableofdarkpolishedwoodstoodmanycandles,tallandyellow,burningbrightly.

Inachair,atthefarsideoftheroomfacingtheouterdoor,satawoman.Herlongyellowhairrippleddownhershoulders;hergownwasgreen,greenasyoungreeds,shotwithsilverlikebeadsof

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dew;andherbeltwasofgold,shapedlikeachainofflag-liliessetwiththepale-blueeyesofforget-me-nots.Aboutherfeetinwidevesselsofgreenandbrownearthenware,whitewater-lilieswerefloating,sothatsheseemedtobeenthronedinthemidstofapool.

‘Enter,goodguests!’shesaid,andasshespoketheyknewthatitwasherclear

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voicetheyhadheardsinging.Theycameafewtimidstepsfurtherintotheroom,andbegantobowlow,feelingstrangelysurprisedandawkward,likefolkthat,knockingatacottagedoortobegforadrinkofwater,havebeenansweredbyafairyoungelf-queencladinlivingflowers.Butbeforetheycouldsayanything,shespranglightlyupandoverthe

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lily-bowls,andranlaughingtowardsthem;andassheranhergownrustledsoftlylikethewindinthefloweringbordersofariver.

‘Comedearfolk!’shesaid,takingFrodobythehand.‘Laughandbemerry!IamGoldberry,daughteroftheRiver.’Thenlightlyshepassedthemandclosingthedoorsheturnedherbacktoit,withherwhitearmsspread

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outacrossit.‘Letusshutoutthenight!’shesaid.‘Foryouarestillafraid,perhaps,ofmistandtree-shadowsanddeepwater,anduntamethings.Fearnothing!FortonightyouareundertheroofofTomBombadil.’

Thehobbitslookedatherinwonder;andshelookedateachofthemandsmiled.‘FairladyGoldberry!’saidFrodoatlast,feelinghisheart

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movedwithajoythathedidnotunderstand.Hestoodashehadattimesstoodenchantedbyfairelven-voices;butthespellthatwasnowlaiduponhimwasdifferent:lesskeenandloftywasthedelight,butdeeperandnearertomortalheart;marvellousandyetnotstrange.‘FairladyGoldberry!’hesaidagain.‘Nowthejoythatwashidden

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inthesongsweheardismadeplaintome.

Oslenderasawillow-wand!Oclearerthanclearwater!Oreedbythelivingpool!FairRiver-daughter!Ospring-timeandsummer-time,andspringagainafter!

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Owindonthewaterfall,andtheleaves’laughter!’

Suddenlyhestoppedandstammered,overcomewithsurprisetohearhimselfsayingsuchthings.ButGoldberrylaughed.

‘Welcome!’shesaid.‘IhadnotheardthatfolkoftheShireweresosweet-tongued.ButIseethatyouareanElf-

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friend;thelightinyoureyesandtheringinyourvoicetellsit.Thisisamerrymeeting!Sitnow,andwaitfortheMasterofthehouse!Hewillnotbelong.Heistendingyourtiredbeasts.’

Thehobbitssatdowngladlyinlowrush-seatedchairs,whileGoldberrybusiedherselfaboutthetable;andtheireyesfollowedher,fortheslendergraceofher

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movementfilledthemwithquietdelight.Fromsomewherebehindthehousecamethesoundofsinging.Everynowandagaintheycaught,amongmanyaderrydolandamerrydolandaringadingdillotherepeatedwords:

OldTomBombadilisamerryfellow;Brightbluehisjacket

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is,andhisbootsareyellow.

‘Fairlady!’saidFrodoagainafterawhile.‘Tellme,ifmyaskingdoesnotseemfoolish,whoisTomBombadil?’

‘Heis,’saidGoldberry,stayingherswiftmovementsandsmiling.

Frodolookedatherquestioningly.‘Heis,asyou

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haveseenhim,’shesaidinanswertohislook.‘HeistheMasterofwood,water,andhill.’

‘Thenallthisstrangelandbelongstohim?’

‘Noindeed!’sheanswered,andhersmilefaded.‘Thatwouldindeedbeaburden,’sheaddedinalowvoice,asiftoherself.‘Thetreesandthegrassesandallthingsgrowingorlivingin

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thelandbelongeachtothemselves.TomBombadilistheMaster.NoonehasevercaughtoldTomwalkingintheforest,wadinginthewater,leapingonthehill-topsunderlightandshadow.Hehasnofear.TomBombadilismaster.’

AdooropenedandincameTomBombadil.Hehadnownohatandhisthickbrownhairwascrownedwith

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autumnleaves.Helaughed,andgoingtoGoldberry,tookherhand.

‘Here’smyprettylady!’hesaid,bowingtothehobbits.‘Here’smyGoldberryclothedallinsilver-greenwithflowersinhergirdle!Isthetableladen?Iseeyellowcreamandhoneycomb,andwhitebread,andbutter;milk,cheese,andgreenherbsandripeberries

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gathered.Isthatenoughforus?Isthesupperready?’

‘Itis,’saidGoldberry;‘buttheguestsperhapsarenot?’

Tomclappedhishandsandcried:‘Tom,Tom!yourguestsaretired,andyouhadnearforgotten!Comenow,mymerryfriends,andTomwillrefreshyou!Youshallcleangrimyhands,andwashyourwearyfaces;castoff

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yourmuddycloaksandcomboutyourtangles!’

Heopenedthedoor,andtheyfollowedhimdownashortpassageandroundasharpturn.Theycametoalowroomwithaslopingroof(apenthouse,itseemed,builtontothenorthendofthehouse).Itswallswereofcleanstone,buttheyweremostlycoveredwithgreenhangingmatsandyellow

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curtains.Thefloorwasflagged,andstrewnwithfreshgreenrushes.Therewerefourdeepmattresses,eachpiledwithwhiteblankets,laidontheflooralongoneside.Againsttheoppositewallwasalongbenchladenwithwideearthenwarebasins,andbesideitstoodbrownewersfilledwithwater,somecold,somesteaminghot.There

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weresoftgreenslipperssetreadybesideeachbed.

Beforelong,washedandrefreshed,thehobbitswereseatedatthetable,twooneachside,whileateitherendsatGoldberryandtheMaster.Itwasalongandmerrymeal.Thoughthehobbitsate,asonlyfamishedhobbitscaneat,therewasnolack.The

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drinkintheirdrinking-bowlsseemedtobeclearcoldwater,yetitwenttotheirheartslikewineandsetfreetheirvoices.Theguestsbecamesuddenlyawarethattheyweresingingmerrily,asifitwaseasierandmorenaturalthantalking.

AtlastTomandGoldberryroseandclearedthetableswiftly.Theguestswerecommandedtositquiet,

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andweresetinchairs,eachwithafootstooltohistiredfeet.Therewasafireinthewidehearthbeforethem,anditwasburningwithasweetsmell,asifitwerebuiltofapple-wood.Wheneverythingwassetinorder,allthelightsintheroomwereputout,exceptonelampandapairofcandlesateachendofthechimney-shelf.ThenGoldberrycameandstood

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beforethem,holdingacandle;andshewishedthemeachagoodnightanddeepsleep.

‘Havepeacenow,’shesaid,‘untilthemorning!Heednonightlynoises!Fornothingpassesdoorandwindowheresavemoonlightandstarlightandthewindoffthehill-top.Goodnight!’Shepassedoutoftheroomwithaglimmerandarustle.The

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soundofherfootstepswaslikeastreamfallinggentlyawaydownhillovercoolstonesinthequietofnight.

Tomsatonawhilebesidetheminsilence,whileeachofthemtriedtomusterthecouragetoaskoneofthemanyquestionshehadmeanttoaskatsupper.Sleepgatheredontheireyelids.AtlastFrodospoke:

‘Didyouhearmecalling,

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Master,orwasitjustchancethatbroughtyouatthatmoment?’

Tomstirredlikeamanshakenoutofapleasantdream.‘Eh,what?’saidhe.‘DidIhearyoucalling?Nay,Ididnothear:Iwasbusysinging.Justchancebroughtmethen,ifchanceyoucallit.Itwasnoplanofmine,thoughIwaswaitingforyou.Weheardnewsofyou,and

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learnedthatyouwerewandering.Weguessedyou’dcomeerelongdowntothewater:allpathsleadthatway,downtoWithywindle.OldgreyWillow-man,he’samightysinger;andit’shardforlittlefolktoescapehiscunningmazes.ButTomhadanerrandthere,thathedarednothinder.’Tomnoddedasifsleepwastakinghimagain;buthewentoninasoft

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singingvoice:

Ihadanerrandthere:gatheringwater-lilies,greenleavesandlilieswhitetopleasemyprettylady,thelasteretheyear’sendtokeepthemfromthewinter,toflowerbyher

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prettyfeettillthesnowsaremelted.Eachyearatsummer’sendIgotofindthemforher,inawidepool,deepandclear,fardownWithywindle;theretheyopenfirstinspringandtheretheylingerlatest.BythatpoollongagoIfoundtheRiver-

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daughter,fairyoungGoldberrysittingintherushes.Sweetwashersingingthen,andherheartwasbeating!

Heopenedhiseyesandlookedatthemwithasuddenglintofblue:

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Andthatprovedwellforyou–fornowIshallnolongergodowndeepagainalongtheforest-water,notwhiletheyearisold.NorshallIbepassingOldManWillow’shousethissideofspring-time,nottillthemerry

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spring,whentheRiver-daughterdancesdownthewithy-pathtobatheinthewater.

Hefellsilentagain;butFrodocouldnothelpaskingonemorequestion:theonehemostdesiredtohaveanswered.‘Tellus,Master,’hesaid,‘abouttheWillow-man.Whatishe?Ihave

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neverheardofhimbefore.’‘No,don’t!’saidMerry

andPippintogether,sittingsuddenlyupright.‘Notnow!Notuntilthemorning!’

‘Thatisright!’saidtheoldman.‘Nowisthetimeforresting.Somethingsareilltohearwhentheworld’sinshadow.Sleeptillthemorning-light,restonthepillow!Heednonightlynoise!Fearnogreywillow!’

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Andwiththathetookdownthelampandblewitout,andgraspingacandleineitherhandheledthemoutoftheroom.

Theirmattressesandpillowsweresoftasdown,andtheblanketswereofwhitewool.Theyhadhardlylaidthemselvesonthedeepbedsanddrawnthelightcoversoverthembeforetheywereasleep.

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Inthedeadnight,Frodolayinadreamwithoutlight.Thenhesawtheyoungmoonrising;underitsthinlightthereloomedbeforehimablackwallofrock,piercedbyadarkarchlikeagreatgate.ItseemedtoFrodothathewasliftedup,andpassingoverhesawthattherock-wallwasacircleofhills,andthatwithinitwasaplain,andinthemidstoftheplainstooda

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pinnacleofstone,likeavasttowerbutnotmadebyhands.Onitstopstoodthefigureofaman.Themoonasitroseseemedtohangforamomentabovehisheadandglistenedinhiswhitehairasthewindstirredit.Upfromthedarkplainbelowcamethecryingoffellvoices,andthehowlingofmanywolves.Suddenlyashadow,liketheshapeofgreatwings,passed

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acrossthemoon.Thefigureliftedhisarmsandalightflashedfromthestaffthathewielded.Amightyeaglesweptdownandborehimaway.Thevoiceswailedandthewolvesyammered.Therewasanoiselikeastrongwindblowing,andonitwasbornethesoundofhoofs,galloping,galloping,gallopingfromtheEast.‘BlackRiders!’thoughtFrodoashewakened,with

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thesoundofthehoofsstillechoinginhismind.Hewonderedifhewouldeveragainhavethecouragetoleavethesafetyofthesestonewalls.Helaymotionless,stilllistening;butallwasnowsilent,andatlastheturnedandfellasleepagainorwanderedintosomeotherunremembereddream.

AthissidePippinlaydreamingpleasantly;buta

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changecameoverhisdreamsandheturnedandgroaned.Suddenlyhewoke,orthoughthehadwaked,andyetstillheardinthedarknessthesoundthathaddisturbedhisdream:tip-tap,squeak:thenoisewaslikebranchesfrettinginthewind,twig-fingersscrapingwallandwindow:creak,creak,creak.Hewonderediftherewerewillow-treesclosetothe

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house;andthensuddenlyhehadadreadfulfeelingthathewasnotinanordinaryhouseatall,butinsidethewillowandlisteningtothathorribledrycreakingvoicelaughingathimagain.Hesatup,andfeltthesoftpillowsyieldtohishands,andhelaydownagainrelieved.Heseemedtoheartheechoofwordsinhisears:‘Fearnothing!Havepeaceuntilthemorning!

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Heednonightlynoises!’Thenhewenttosleepagain.

ItwasthesoundofwaterthatMerryheardfallingintohisquietsleep:waterstreamingdowngently,andthenspreading,spreadingirresistiblyallroundthehouseintoadarkshorelesspool.Itgurgledunderthewalls,andwasrisingslowlybutsurely.‘Ishallbedrowned!’hethought.‘Itwill

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finditswayin,andthenIshalldrown.’Hefeltthathewaslyinginasoftslimybog,andspringinguphesethisfootonthecornerofacoldhardflagstone.Thenherememberedwherehewasandlaydownagain.Heseemedtohearorrememberhearing:‘Nothingpassesdoorsorwindowssavemoonlightandstarlightandthewindoffthehill-top.’A

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littlebreathofsweetairmovedthecurtain.Hebreatheddeepandfellasleepagain.

Asfarashecouldremember,Samsleptthroughthenightindeepcontent,iflogsarecontented.

Theywokeup,allfouratonce,inthemorninglight.Tomwasmovingaboutthe

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roomwhistlinglikeastarling.Whenheheardthemstirheclappedhishands,andcried:‘Hey!Comemerrydol!derrydol!Myhearties!’Hedrewbacktheyellowcurtains,andthehobbitssawthatthesehadcoveredthewindows,ateitherendoftheroom,onelookingeastandtheotherlookingwest.

Theyleaptuprefreshed.Frodorantotheeastern

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window,andfoundhimselflookingintoakitchen-gardengreywithdew.Hehadhalfexpectedtoseeturfrightuptothewalls,turfallpockedwithhoof-prints.Actuallyhisviewwasscreenedbyatalllineofbeansonpoles;butaboveandfarbeyondthemthegreytopofthehillloomedupagainstthesunrise.Itwasapalemorning:intheEast,behind

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longcloudslikelinesofsoiledwoolstainedredattheedges,layglimmeringdeepsofyellow.Theskyspokeofraintocome;butthelightwasbroadeningquickly,andtheredflowersonthebeansbegantoglowagainstthewetgreenleaves.

Pippinlookedoutofthewesternwindow,downintoapoolofmist.TheForestwashiddenunderafog.Itwas

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likelookingdownontoaslopingcloud-rooffromabove.Therewasafoldorchannelwherethemistwasbrokenintomanyplumesandbillows:thevalleyoftheWithywindle.Thestreamrandownthehillontheleftandvanishedintothewhiteshadows.Nearathandwasaflower-gardenandaclippedhedgesilver-netted,andbeyondthatgreyshavengrass

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palewithdew-drops.Therewasnowillow-treetobeseen.

‘Goodmorning,merryfriends!’criedTom,openingtheeasternwindowwide.Acoolairflowedin;ithadarainysmell.‘Sunwon’tshowherfacemuchtoday,I’mthinking.Ihavebeenwalkingwide,leapingonthehill-tops,sincethegreydawnbegan,nosingwindandweather,wet

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grassunderfoot,wetskyaboveme.IwakenedGoldberrysingingunderwindow;butnaughtwakeshobbit-folkintheearlymorning.Inthenightlittlefolkwakeupinthedarkness,andsleepafterlighthascome!Ringadingdillo!Wakenow,mymerryfriends!Forgetthenightlynoises!Ringadingdillodel!derrydel,myhearties!Ifyoucome

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soonyou’llfindbreakfastonthetable.Ifyoucomelateyou’llgetgrassandrain-water!’

Needlesstosay–notthatTom’sthreatsoundedveryserious–thehobbitscamesoon,andleftthetablelateandonlywhenitwasbeginningtolookratherempty.NeitherTomnorGoldberrywerethere.Tomcouldbeheardaboutthe

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house,clatteringinthekitchen,andupanddownthestairs,andsinginghereandthereoutside.Theroomlookedwestwardoverthemist-cloudedvalley,andthewindowwasopen.Waterdrippeddownfromthethatchedeavesabove.Beforetheyhadfinishedbreakfastthecloudshadjoinedintoanunbrokenroof,andastraightgreyraincamesoftlyand

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steadilydown.BehinditsdeepcurtaintheForestwascompletelyveiled.

Astheylookedoutofthewindowtherecamefallinggentlyasifitwasflowingdowntherainoutofthesky,theclearvoiceofGoldberrysingingupabovethem.Theycouldhearfewwords,butitseemedplaintothemthatthesongwasarain-song,assweetasshowersondryhills,

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thattoldthetaleofariverfromthespringinthehighlandstotheSeafarbelow.Thehobbitslistenedwithdelight;andFrodowasgladinhisheart,andblessedthekindlyweather,becauseitdelayedthemfromdeparting.Thethoughtofgoinghadbeenheavyuponhimfromthemomentheawoke;butheguessednowthattheywouldnotgofurtherthatday.

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TheupperwindsettledintheWestanddeeperandwettercloudsrolleduptospilltheirladenrainonthebareheadsoftheDowns.Nothingcouldbeseenallroundthehousebutfallingwater.Frodostoodneartheopendoorandwatchedthewhitechalkypathturnintoalittleriverofmilkandgobubblingawaydownintothevalley.TomBombadilcame

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trottingroundthecornerofthehouse,wavinghisarmsasifhewaswardingofftherain–andindeedwhenhesprangoverthethresholdheseemedquitedry,exceptforhisboots.Thesehetookoffandputinthechimney-corner.Thenhesatinthelargestchairandcalledthehobbitstogatherroundhim.

‘ThisisGoldberry’swashingday,’hesaid,‘and

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herautumn-cleaning.Toowetforhobbit-folk–letthemrestwhiletheyareable!It’sagooddayforlongtales,forquestionsandforanswers,soTomwillstartthetalking.’

Hethentoldthemmanyremarkablestories,sometimeshalfasifspeakingtohimself,sometimeslookingatthemsuddenlywithabrightblueeyeunderhisdeepbrows.Oftenhis

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voicewouldturntosong,andhewouldgetoutofhischairanddanceabout.Hetoldthemtalesofbeesandflowers,thewaysoftrees,andthestrangecreaturesoftheForest,abouttheevilthingsandgoodthings,thingsfriendlyandthingsunfriendly,cruelthingsandkindthings,andsecretshiddenunderbrambles.

Astheylistened,they

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begantounderstandthelivesoftheForest,apartfromthemselves,indeedtofeelthemselvesasthestrangerswhereallotherthingswereathome.MovingconstantlyinandoutofhistalkwasOldManWillow,andFrodolearnednowenoughtocontenthim,indeedmorethanenough,foritwasnotcomfortablelore.Tom’swordslaidbaretheheartsof

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treesandtheirthoughts,whichwereoftendarkandstrange,andfilledwithahatredofthingsthatgofreeupontheearth,gnawing,biting,breaking,hacking,burning:destroyersandusurpers.ItwasnotcalledtheOldForestwithoutreason,foritwasindeedancient,asurvivorofvastforgottenwoods;andinittherelivedyet,ageingnoquickerthan

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thehills,thefathersofthefathersoftrees,rememberingtimeswhentheywerelords.Thecountlessyearshadfilledthemwithprideandrootedwisdom,andwithmalice.ButnoneweremoredangerousthantheGreatWillow:hisheartwasrotten,buthisstrengthwasgreen;andhewascunning,andamasterofwinds,andhissongandthoughtranthroughthe

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woodsonbothsidesoftheriver.Hisgreythirstyspiritdrewpoweroutoftheearthandspreadlikefineroot-threadsintheground,andinvisibletwig-fingersintheair,tillithadunderitsdominionnearlyallthetreesoftheForestfromtheHedgetotheDowns.

SuddenlyTom’stalkleftthewoodsandwentleapinguptheyoungstream,over

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bubblingwaterfalls,overpebblesandwornrocks,andamongsmallflowersinclosegrassandwetcrannies,wanderingatlastupontotheDowns.TheyheardoftheGreatBarrows,andthegreenmounds,andthestone-ringsuponthehillsandinthehollowsamongthehills.Sheepwerebleatinginflocks.Greenwallsandwhitewallsrose.Therewerefortresseson

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theheights.Kingsoflittlekingdomsfoughttogether,andtheyoungSunshonelikefireontheredmetaloftheirnewandgreedyswords.Therewasvictoryanddefeat;andtowersfell,fortresseswereburned,andflameswentupintothesky.Goldwaspiledonthebiersofdeadkingsandqueens;andmoundscoveredthem,andthestonedoorswereshut;

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andthegrassgrewoverall.Sheepwalkedforawhilebitingthegrass,butsoonthehillswereemptyagain.Ashadowcameoutofdarkplacesfaraway,andtheboneswerestirredinthemounds.Barrow-wightswalkedinthehollowplaceswithaclinkofringsoncoldfingers,andgoldchainsinthewind.Stoneringsgrinnedoutofthegroundlikebroken

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teethinthemoonlight.Thehobbitsshuddered.

EvenintheShiretherumouroftheBarrow-wightsoftheBarrow-downsbeyondtheForesthadbeenheard.Butitwasnotatalethatanyhobbitlikedtolistento,evenbyacomfortablefiresidefaraway.Thesefournowsuddenlyrememberedwhatthejoyofthishousehaddrivenfromtheirminds:thehouseofTom

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Bombadilnestledundertheveryshoulderofthosedreadedhills.Theylostthethreadofhistaleandshifteduneasily,lookingasideatoneanother.

Whentheycaughthiswordsagaintheyfoundthathehadnowwanderedintostrangeregionsbeyondtheirmemoryandbeyondtheirwakingthought,intotimeswhentheworldwaswider,

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andtheseasflowedstraighttothewesternShore;andstillonandbackTomwentsingingoutintoancientstarlight,whenonlytheElf-sireswereawake.Thensuddenlyhestopped,andtheysawthathenoddedasifhewasfallingasleep.Thehobbitssatstillbeforehim,enchanted;anditseemedasif,underthespellofhiswords,thewindhadgone,

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andthecloudshaddriedup,andthedayhadbeenwithdrawn,anddarknesshadcomefromEastandWest,andalltheskywasfilledwiththelightofwhitestars.

WhetherthemorningandeveningofonedayorofmanydayshadpassedFrodocouldnottell.Hedidnotfeeleitherhungryortired,onlyfilledwithwonder.Thestarsshonethroughthewindow

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andthesilenceoftheheavensseemedtoberoundhim.Hespokeatlastoutofhiswonderandasuddenfearofthatsilence:

‘Whoareyou,Master?’heasked.

‘Eh,what?’saidTomsittingup,andhiseyesglintinginthegloom.‘Don’tyouknowmynameyet?That’stheonlyanswer.Tellme,whoareyou,alone,

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yourselfandnameless?ButyouareyoungandIamold.Eldest,that’swhatIam.Markmywords,myfriends:Tomwasherebeforetheriverandthetrees;Tomremembersthefirstraindropandthefirstacorn.HemadepathsbeforetheBigPeople,andsawthelittlePeoplearriving.HewasherebeforetheKingsandthegravesandtheBarrow-wights.Whenthe

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Elvespassedwestward,Tomwasherealready,beforetheseaswerebent.Heknewthedarkunderthestarswhenitwasfearless–beforetheDarkLordcamefromOutside.’

Ashadowseemedtopassbythewindow,andthehobbitsglancedhastilythroughthepanes.Whentheyturnedagain,Goldberrystoodinthedoorbehind,framedin

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light.Sheheldacandle,shieldingitsflamefromthedraughtwithherhand;andthelightflowedthroughit,likesunlightthroughawhiteshell.

‘Therainhasended,’shesaid;‘andnewwatersarerunningdownhill,underthestars.Letusnowlaughandbeglad!’

‘Andletushavefoodanddrink!’criedTom.‘Long

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talesarethirsty.Andlonglistening’shungrywork,morning,noon,andevening!’Withthathejumpedoutofhischair,andwithaboundtookacandlefromthechimney-shelfandlititintheflamethatGoldberryheld;thenhedancedaboutthetable.Suddenlyhehoppedthroughthedooranddisappeared.

Quicklyhereturned,

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bearingalargeandladentray.ThenTomandGoldberrysetthetable;andthehobbitssathalfinwonderandhalfinlaughter:sofairwasthegraceofGoldberryandsomerryandoddthecaperingsofTom.Yetinsomefashiontheyseemedtoweaveasingledance,neitherhinderingtheother,inandoutoftheroom,androundaboutthetable;andwith

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greatspeedfoodandvesselsandlightsweresetinorder.Theboardsblazedwithcandles,whiteandyellow.Tombowedtohisguests.‘Supperisready,’saidGoldberry;andnowthehobbitssawthatshewasclothedallinsilverwithawhitegirdle,andhershoeswerelikefishes’mail.ButTomwasallincleanblue,blueasrain-washedforget-

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me-nots,andhehadgreenstockings.

Itwasasupperevenbetterthanbefore.ThehobbitsunderthespellofTom’swordsmayhavemissedonemealormany,butwhenthefoodwasbeforethemitseemedatleastaweeksincetheyhadeaten.Theydidnotsingoreven

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speakmuchforawhile,andpaidcloseattentiontobusiness.Butafteratimetheirheartsandspiritsrosehighagain,andtheirvoicesrangoutinmirthandlaughter.

Aftertheyhadeaten,Goldberrysangmanysongsforthem,songsthatbeganmerrilyinthehillsandfellsoftlydownintosilence;andinthesilencestheysawin

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theirmindspoolsandwaterswiderthananytheyhadknown,andlookingintothemtheysawtheskybelowthemandthestarslikejewelsinthedepths.Thenoncemoreshewishedthemeachgoodnightandleftthembythefireside.ButTomnowseemedwideawakeandpliedthemwithquestions.

Heappearedalreadytoknowmuchaboutthemand

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alltheirfamilies,andindeedtoknowmuchofallthehistoryanddoingsoftheShiredownfromdayshardlyrememberedamongthehobbitsthemselves.Itnolongersurprisedthem;buthemadenosecretthatheowedhisrecentknowledgelargelytoFarmerMaggot,whomheseemedtoregardasapersonofmoreimportancethantheyhadimagined.‘There’searth

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underhisoldfeet,andclayonhisfingers;wisdominhisbones,andbothhiseyesareopen,’saidTom.ItwasalsoclearthatTomhaddealingswiththeElves,anditseemedthatinsomefashion,newshadreachedhimfromGildorconcerningtheflightofFrodo.

IndeedsomuchdidTomknow,andsocunningwashisquestioning,thatFrodofound

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himselftellinghimmoreaboutBilboandhisownhopesandfearsthanhehadtoldbeforeeventoGandalf.Tomwaggedhisheadupanddown,andtherewasaglintinhiseyeswhenheheardoftheRiders.

‘ShowmethepreciousRing!’hesaidsuddenlyinthemidstofthestory:andFrodo,tohisownastonishment,drewoutthechainfromhis

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pocket,andunfasteningtheRinghandeditatoncetoTom.

Itseemedtogrowlargerasitlayforamomentonhisbigbrown-skinnedhand.Thensuddenlyheputittohiseyeandlaughed.Forasecondthehobbitshadavision,bothcomicalandalarming,ofhisbrightblueeyegleamingthroughacircleofgold.ThenTomputthe

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Ringroundtheendofhislittlefingerandheldituptothecandlelight.Foramomentthehobbitsnoticednothingstrangeaboutthis.Thentheygasped.TherewasnosignofTomdisappearing!

Tomlaughedagain,andthenhespuntheRingintheair–anditvanishedwithaflash.Frodogaveacry–andTomleanedforwardandhandeditbacktohimwitha

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smile.Frodolookedatitclosely,

andrathersuspiciously(likeonewhohaslentatrinkettoajuggler).ItwasthesameRing,orlookedthesameandweighedthesame:forthatRinghadalwaysseemedtoFrodotoweighstrangelyheavyinthehand.Butsomethingpromptedhimtomakesure.HewasperhapsatrifleannoyedwithTomfor

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seemingtomakesolightofwhatevenGandalfthoughtsoperilouslyimportant.Hewaitedforanopportunity,whenthetalkwasgoingagain,andTomwastellinganabsurdstoryaboutbadgersandtheirqueerways–thenheslippedtheRingon.

Merryturnedtowardshimtosaysomethingandgaveastart,andcheckedanexclamation.Frodowas

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delighted(inaway):itwashisownringallright,forMerrywasstaringblanklyathischair,andobviouslycouldnotseehim.Hegotupandcreptquietlyawayfromthefiresidetowardstheouterdoor.

‘Heythere!’criedTom,glancingtowardshimwithamostseeinglookinhisshiningeyes.‘Hey!ComeFrodo,there!Wherebeyou

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a-going?OldTomBombadil’snotasblindasthatyet.Takeoffyourgoldenring!Yourhand’smorefairwithoutit.Comeback!Leaveyourgameandsitdownbesideme!Wemusttalkawhilemore,andthinkaboutthemorning.Tommustteachtherightroad,andkeepyourfeetfromwandering.’

Frodolaughed(tryingtofeelpleased),andtakingoff

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theRinghecameandsatdownagain.TomnowtoldthemthathereckonedtheSunwouldshinetomorrow,anditwouldbeagladmorning,andsettingoutwouldbehopeful.Buttheywoulddowelltostartearly;forweatherinthatcountrywasathingthatevenTomcouldnotbesureofforlong,anditwouldchangesometimesquickerthanhe

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couldchangehisjacket.‘Iamnoweather-master,’saidhe;‘norisaughtthatgoesontwolegs.’

ByhisadvicetheydecidedtomakenearlydueNorthfromhishouse,overthewesternandlowerslopesoftheDowns:theymighthopeinthatwaytostriketheEastRoadinaday’sjourney,andavoidtheBarrows.Hetoldthemnottobeafraid–

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buttomindtheirownbusiness.

‘Keeptothegreengrass.Don’tyougoa-meddlingwitholdstoneorcoldWightsorpryingintheirhouses,unlessyoubestrongfolkwithheartsthatneverfalter!’Hesaidthismorethanonce;andheadvisedthemtopassbarrowsbyonthewest-side,iftheychancedtostraynearone.Thenhetaughtthema

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rhymetosing,iftheyshouldbyill-luckfallintoanydangerordifficultythenextday.

Ho!TomBombadil,TomBombadillo!Bywater,woodandhill,bythereedandwillow,Byfire,sunandmoon,harkennowandhearus!

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Come,TomBombadil,forourneedisnearus!

Whentheyhadsungthisaltogetherafterhim,heclappedthemeachontheshoulderwithalaugh,andtakingcandlesledthembacktotheirbedroom.

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Chapter8

FOGONTHEBARROW-DOWNS

Thatnighttheyheardnonoises.Buteitherinhisdreamsoroutofthem,hecouldnottellwhich,Frodo

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heardasweetsingingrunninginhismind:asongthatseemedtocomelikeapalelightbehindagreyrain-curtain,andgrowingstrongertoturntheveilalltoglassandsilver,untilatlastitwasrolledback,andafargreencountryopenedbeforehimunderaswiftsunrise.

Thevisionmeltedintowaking;andtherewasTomwhistlinglikeatree-fullof

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birds;andthesunwasalreadyslantingdownthehillandthroughtheopenwindow.Outsideeverythingwasgreenandpalegold.

Afterbreakfast,whichtheyagainatealone,theymadereadytosayfarewell,asnearlyheavyofheartaswaspossibleonsuchamorning:cool,bright,andcleanunderawashedautumnskyofthinblue.Theaircame

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freshfromtheNorthwest.Theirquietponieswerealmostfrisky,sniffingandmovingrestlessly.Tomcameoutofthehouseandwavedhishatanddanceduponthedoorstep,biddingthehobbitstogetupandbeoffandgowithgoodspeed.

Theyrodeoffalongapaththatwoundawayfrombehindthehouse,andwentslantinguptowardsthenorthendof

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thehill-browunderwhichitsheltered.Theyhadjustdismountedtoleadtheirponiesupthelaststeepslope,whensuddenlyFrodostopped.

‘Goldberry!’hecried.‘Myfairlady,cladallinsilvergreen!Wehaveneversaidfarewelltoher,norseenhersincetheevening!’Hewassodistressedthatheturnedback;butatthat

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momentaclearcallcameripplingdown.Thereonthehill-browshestoodbeckoningtothem:herhairwasflyingloose,andasitcaughtthesunitshoneandshimmered.Alightliketheglintofwaterondewygrassflashedfromunderherfeetasshedanced.

Theyhastenedupthelastslope,andstoodbreathlessbesideher.Theybowed,but

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withawaveofherarmshebadethemlookround;andtheylookedoutfromthehill-topoverlandsunderthemorning.Itwasnowasclearandfar-seenasithadbeenveiledandmistywhentheystoodupontheknollintheForest,whichcouldnowbeseenrisingpaleandgreenoutofthedarktreesintheWest.Inthatdirectionthelandroseinwoodedridges,green,

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yellow,russetunderthesun,beyondwhichlayhiddenthevalleyoftheBrandywine.TotheSouth,overthelineoftheWithywindle,therewasadistantglintlikepaleglasswheretheBrandywineRivermadeagreatloopinthelowlandsandflowedawayoutoftheknowledgeofthehobbits.Northwardbeyondthedwindlingdownsthelandranawayinflatsand

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swellingsofgreyandgreenandpaleearth-colours,untilitfadedintoafeaturelessandshadowydistance.EastwardtheBarrow-downsrose,ridgebehindridgeintothemorning,andvanishedoutofeyesightintoaguess:itwasnomorethanaguessofblueandaremotewhiteglimmerblendingwiththehemofthesky,butitspoketothem,outofmemoryandoldtales,of

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thehighanddistantmountains.

Theytookadeepdraughtoftheair,andfeltthataskipandafewstoutstrideswouldbearthemwherevertheywished.ItseemedfaintheartedtogojoggingasideoverthecrumpledskirtsofthedownstowardstheRoad,whentheyshouldbeleaping,aslustyasTom,overthesteppingstonesofthe

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hillsstraighttowardstheMountains.

Goldberryspoketothemandrecalledtheireyesandthoughts.‘Speednow,fairguests!’shesaid.‘Andholdtoyourpurpose!Northwiththewindinthelefteyeandablessingonyourfootsteps!MakehastewhiletheSunshines!’AndtoFrodoshesaid:‘Farewell,Elf-friend,itwasamerrymeeting!’

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ButFrodofoundnowordstoanswer.Hebowedlow,andmountedhispony,andfollowedbyhisfriendsjoggedslowlydownthegentleslopebehindthehill.TomBombadil’shouseandthevalley,andtheForestwerelosttoview.Theairgrewwarmerbetweenthegreenwallsofhillsideandhillside,andthescentofturfrosestrongandsweetasthey

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breathed.Turningback,whentheyreachedthebottomofthegreenhollow,theysawGoldberry,nowsmallandslenderlikeasunlitfloweragainstthesky:shewasstandingstillwatchingthem,andherhandswerestretchedouttowardsthem.Astheylookedshegaveaclearcall,andliftingupherhandsheturnedandvanishedbehindthehill.

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Theirwaywoundalongthefloorofthehollow,androundthegreenfeetofasteephillintoanotherdeeperandbroadervalley,andthenovertheshouldersoffurtherhills,anddowntheirlonglimbs,anduptheirsmoothsidesagain,upontonewhill-topsanddownintonewvalleys.Therewasnotreenoranyvisiblewater:itwasacountryofgrassandshort

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springyturf,silentexceptforthewhisperoftheairovertheedgesoftheland,andhighlonelycriesofstrangebirds.Astheyjourneyedthesunmounted,andgrewhot.Eachtimetheyclimbedaridgethebreezeseemedtohavegrownless.WhentheycaughtaglimpseofthecountrywestwardthedistantForestseemedtobesmoking,asifthefallenrainwassteaming

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upagainfromleafandrootandmould.Ashadownowlayroundtheedgeofsight,adarkhazeabovewhichtheupperskywaslikeabluecap,hotandheavy.

Aboutmid-daytheycametoahillwhosetopwaswideandflattened,likeashallowsaucerwithagreenmoundedrim.Insidetherewasnoairstirring,andtheskyseemedneartheirheads.Theyrode

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acrossandlookednorthwards.Thentheirheartsrose;foritseemedplainthattheyhadcomefurtheralreadythantheyhadexpected.Certainlythedistanceshadnowallbecomehazyanddeceptive,buttherecouldbenodoubtthattheDownswerecomingtoanend.Alongvalleylaybelowthemwindingawaynorthwards,untilitcametoanopening

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betweentwosteepshoulders.Beyond,thereseemedtobenomorehills.Duenorththeyfaintlyglimpsedalongdarkline.‘Thatisalineoftrees,’saidMerry,‘andthatmustmarktheRoad.AllalongitformanyleagueseastoftheBridgetherearetreesgrowing.Somesaytheywereplantedintheolddays.’

‘Splendid!’saidFrodo.‘Ifwemakeasgoodgoingthis

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afternoonaswehavedonethismorning,weshallhavelefttheDownsbeforetheSunsetsandbejoggingoninsearchofacampingplace.’Butevenashespokeheturnedhisglanceeastwards,andhesawthatonthatsidethehillswerehigherandlookeddownuponthem;andallthosehillswerecrownedwithgreenmounds,andonsomewerestandingstones,

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pointingupwardslikejaggedteethoutofgreengums.

Thatviewwassomehowdisquieting;sotheyturnedfromthesightandwentdownintothehollowcircle.Inthemidstofittherestoodasinglestone,standingtallunderthesunabove,andatthishourcastingnoshadow.Itwasshapelessandyetsignificant:likealandmark,oraguardingfinger,ormore

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likeawarning.Buttheywerenowhungry,andthesunwasstillatthefearlessnoon;sotheysettheirbacksagainsttheeastsideofthestone.Itwascool,asifthesunhadhadnopowertowarmit;butatthattimethisseemedpleasant.Theretheytookfoodanddrink,andmadeasgoodanoon-mealundertheopenskyasanyonecouldwish;forthefoodcamefrom

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‘downunderHill’.Tomhadprovidedthemwithplentyforthecomfortoftheday.Theirponiesunburdenedstrayeduponthegrass.

Ridingoverthehills,andeatingtheirfill,thewarmsunandthescentofturf,lyingalittletoolong,stretchingouttheirlegsandlookingattheskyabovetheirnoses:these

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thingsare,perhaps,enoughtoexplainwhathappened.Howeverthatmaybe:theywokesuddenlyanduncomfortablyfromasleeptheyhadnevermeanttotake.Thestandingstonewascold,anditcastalongpaleshadowthatstretchedeastwardoverthem.Thesun,apaleandwateryyellow,wasgleamingthroughthemistjustabovethewestwallofthehollowin

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whichtheylay;north,south,andeast,beyondthewallthefogwasthick,coldandwhite.Theairwassilent,heavyandchill.Theirponieswerestandingcrowdedtogetherwiththeirheadsdown.

Thehobbitssprangtotheirfeetinalarm,andrantothewesternrim.Theyfoundthattheywereuponanislandinthefog.Evenastheylookedoutindismaytowards

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thesettingsun,itsankbeforetheireyesintoawhitesea,andacoldgreyshadowsprangupintheEastbehind.Thefogrolleduptothewallsandroseabovethem,andasitmounteditbentovertheirheadsuntilitbecamearoof:theywereshutinahallofmistwhosecentralpillarwasthestandingstone.

Theyfeltasifatrapwasclosingaboutthem;butthey

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didnotquiteloseheart.TheystillrememberedthehopefulviewtheyhadhadofthelineoftheRoadahead,andtheystillknewinwhichdirectionitlay.Inanycase,theynowhadsogreatadislikeforthathollowplaceaboutthestonethatnothoughtofremainingtherewasintheirminds.Theypackedupasquicklyastheirchilledfingerswouldwork.

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Soontheywereleadingtheirponiesinsinglefileovertherimanddownthelongnorthwardslopeofthehill,downintoafoggysea.Astheywentdownthemistbecamecolderanddamper,andtheirhairhunglankanddrippingontheirforeheads.Whentheyreachedthebottomitwassochillthattheyhaltedandgotoutcloaksandhoods,whichsoon

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becamebedewedwithgreydrops.Then,mountingtheirponies,theywentslowlyonagain,feelingtheirwaybytheriseandfalloftheground.Theyweresteering,aswellastheycouldguess,forthegate-likeopeningatthefarnorthwardendofthelongvalleywhichtheyhadseeninthemorning.Oncetheywerethroughthegap,theyhadonlytokeeponinanything

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likeastraightlineandtheywereboundintheendtostriketheRoad.Theirthoughtsdidnotgobeyondthat,exceptforavaguehopethatperhapsawaybeyondtheDownstheremightbenofog.

Theirgoingwasveryslow.Topreventtheirgettingseparatedandwanderingindifferentdirectionstheywent

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infile,withFrodoleading.Samwasbehindhim,andafterhimcamePippin,andthenMerry.Thevalleyseemedtostretchonendlessly.SuddenlyFrodosawahopefulsign.Oneithersideaheadadarknessbegantoloomthroughthemist;andheguessedthattheywereatlastapproachingthegapinthehills,thenorth-gateoftheBarrow-downs.Iftheycould

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passthat,theywouldbefree.‘Comeon!Followme!’he

calledbackoverhisshoulder,andhehurriedforward.Buthishopesoonchangedtobewildermentandalarm.Thedarkpatchesgrewdarker,buttheyshrank;andsuddenlyhesaw,toweringominousbeforehimandleaningslightlytowardsoneanotherlikethepillarsofaheadlessdoor,twohugestanding

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stones.Hecouldnotrememberhavingseenanysignoftheseinthevalley,whenhelookedoutfromthehillinthemorning.Hehadpassedbetweenthemalmostbeforehewasaware:andevenashedidsodarknessseemedtofallroundhim.Hisponyrearedandsnorted,andhefelloff.Whenhelookedbackhefoundthathewasalone:theothershadnot

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followedhim.‘Sam!’hecalled.‘Pippin!

Merry!Comealong!Whydon’tyoukeepup?’

Therewasnoanswer.Feartookhim,andheranbackpastthestonesshoutingwildly:‘Sam!Sam!Merry!Pippin!’Theponyboltedintothemistandvanished.Fromsomewayoff,orsoitseemed,hethoughtheheardacry:‘Hoy!Frodo!Hoy!’It

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wasawayeastward,onhisleftashestoodunderthegreatstones,staringandstrainingintothegloom.Heplungedoffinthedirectionofthecall,andfoundhimselfgoingsteeplyuphill.

Ashestruggledonhecalledagain,andkeptoncallingmoreandmorefrantically;butheheardnoanswerforsometime,andthenitseemedfaintandfar

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aheadandhighabovehim.‘Frodo!Hoy!’camethethinvoicesoutofthemist:andthenacrythatsoundedlikehelp,help!oftenrepeated,endingwithalasthelp!thattrailedoffintoalongwailsuddenlycutshort.Hestumbledforwardwithallthespeedhecouldtowardsthecries;butthelightwasnowgone,andclingingnighthadclosedabouthim,sothatit

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wasimpossibletobesureofanydirection.Heseemedallthetimetobeclimbingupandup.

Onlythechangeinthelevelofthegroundathisfeettoldhimwhenheatlastcametothetopofaridgeorhill.Hewasweary,sweatingandyetchilled.Itwaswhollydark.

‘Whereareyou?’hecriedoutmiserably.

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Therewasnoreply.Hestoodlistening.Hewassuddenlyawarethatitwasgettingverycold,andthatuphereawindwasbeginningtoblow,anicywind.Achangewascomingintheweather.Themistwasflowingpasthimnowinshredsandtatters.Hisbreathwassmoking,andthedarknesswaslessnearandthick.Helookedupandsawwithsurprisethatfaint

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starswereappearingoverheadamidthestrandsofhurryingcloudandfog.Thewindbegantohissoverthegrass.

Heimaginedsuddenlythathecaughtamuffledcry,andhemadetowardsit;andevenashewentforwardthemistwasrolledupandthrustaside,andthestarryskywasunveiled.Aglanceshowedhimthathewasnowfacing

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southwardsandwasonaroundhill-top,whichhemusthaveclimbedfromthenorth.Outoftheeastthebitingwindwasblowing.Tohisrightthereloomedagainstthewestwardstarsadarkblackshape.Agreatbarrowstoodthere.

‘Whereareyou?’hecriedagain,bothangryandafraid.

‘Here!’saidavoice,deepandcold,thatseemedto

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comeoutoftheground.‘Iamwaitingforyou!’

‘No!’saidFrodo;buthedidnotrunaway.Hiskneesgave,andhefellontheground.Nothinghappened,andtherewasnosound.Tremblinghelookedup,intimetoseeatalldarkfigurelikeashadowagainstthestars.Itleanedoverhim.Hethoughtthereweretwoeyes,verycoldthoughlitwitha

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palelightthatseemedtocomefromsomeremotedistance.Thenagripstrongerandcolderthanironseizedhim.Theicytouchfrozehisbones,andherememberednomore.

Whenhecametohimselfagain,foramomenthecouldrecallnothingexceptasenseofdread.Thensuddenlyhe

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knewthathewasimprisoned,caughthopelessly;hewasinabarrow.ABarrow-wighthadtakenhim,andhewasprobablyalreadyunderthedreadfulspellsoftheBarrow-wightsaboutwhichwhisperedtalesspoke.Hedarednotmove,butlayashefoundhimself:flatonhisbackuponacoldstonewithhishandsonhisbreast.

Butthoughhisfearwasso

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greatthatitseemedtobepartoftheverydarknessthatwasroundhim,hefoundhimselfashelaythinkingaboutBilboBagginsandhisstories,oftheirjoggingalongtogetherinthelanesoftheShireandtalkingaboutroadsandadventures.Thereisaseedofcouragehidden(oftendeeply,itistrue)intheheartofthefattestandmosttimidhobbit,waitingforsomefinaland

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desperatedangertomakeitgrow.Frodowasneitherveryfatnorverytimid;indeed,thoughhedidnotknowit,Bilbo(andGandalf)hadthoughthimthebesthobbitintheShire.Hethoughthehadcometotheendofhisadventure,andaterribleend,butthethoughthardenedhim.Hefoundhimselfstiffening,asifforafinalspring;henolongerfeltlimplikea

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helplessprey.Ashelaythere,thinking

andgettingaholdofhimself,henoticedallatoncethatthedarknesswasslowlygivingway:apalegreenishlightwasgrowingroundhim.Itdidnotatfirstshowhimwhatkindofaplacehewasin,forthelightseemedtobecomingoutofhimself,andfromthefloorbesidehim,andhadnotyetreachedtherooforwall.He

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turned,andthereinthecoldglowhesawlyingbesidehimSam,Pippin,andMerry.Theywereontheirbacks,andtheirfaceslookeddeathlypale;andtheywerecladinwhite.Aboutthemlaymanytreasures,ofgoldmaybe,thoughinthatlighttheylookedcoldandunlovely.Ontheirheadswerecirclets,goldchainswereabouttheirwaists,andontheirfingers

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weremanyrings.Swordslaybytheirsides,andshieldswereattheirfeet.Butacrosstheirthreeneckslayonelongnakedsword.

Suddenlyasongbegan:acoldmurmur,risingandfalling.Thevoiceseemedfarawayandimmeasurablydreary,sometimeshighintheairandthin,sometimeslikea

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lowmoanfromtheground.Outoftheformlessstreamofsadbuthorriblesounds,stringsofwordswouldnowandagainshapethemselves:grim,hard,coldwords,heartlessandmiserable.Thenightwasrailingagainstthemorningofwhichitwasbereaved,andthecoldwascursingthewarmthforwhichithungered.Frodowaschilledtothemarrow.Aftera

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whilethesongbecameclearer,andwithdreadinhisheartheperceivedthatithadchangedintoanincantation:

Coldbehandandheartandbone,andcoldbesleepunderstone:nevermoretowakeonstonybed,never,tilltheSunfailsandtheMoon

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isdead.Intheblackwindthestarsshalldie,andstillongoldhereletthemlie,tillthedarklordliftshishandoverdeadseaandwitheredland.

Heheardbehindhisheadacreakingandscrapingsound.Raisinghimselfon

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onearmhelooked,andsawnowinthepalelightthattheywereinakindofpassagewhichbehindthemturnedacorner.Roundthecorneralongarmwasgroping,walkingonitsfingerstowardsSam,whowaslyingnearest,andtowardsthehiltoftheswordthatlayuponhim.

AtfirstFrodofeltasifhehadindeedbeenturnedinto

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stonebytheincantation.Thenawildthoughtofescapecametohim.HewonderedifheputontheRing,whethertheBarrow-wightwouldmisshim,andhemightfindsomewayout.Hethoughtofhimselfrunningfreeoverthegrass,grievingforMerry,andSam,andPippin,butfreeandalivehimself.Gandalfwouldadmitthattherehadbeennothingelsehecoulddo.

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Butthecouragethathadbeenawakenedinhimwasnowtoostrong:hecouldnotleavehisfriendssoeasily.Hewavered,gropinginhispocket,andthenfoughtwithhimselfagain;andashedidsothearmcreptnearer.Suddenlyresolvehardenedinhim,andheseizedashortswordthatlaybesidehim,andkneelinghestoopedlowoverthebodiesofhis

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companions.Withwhatstrengthhehadhehewedatthecrawlingarmnearthewrist,andthehandbrokeoff;butatthesamemomenttheswordsplintereduptothehilt.Therewasashriekandthelightvanished.Inthedarktherewasasnarlingnoise.

FrodofellforwardoverMerry,andMerry’sfacefeltcold.Allatoncebackintohismind,fromwhichithad

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disappearedwiththefirstcomingofthefog,camethememoryofthehousedownundertheHill,andofTomsinging.HerememberedtherhymethatTomhadtaughtthem.Inasmalldesperatevoicehebegan:Ho!TomBombadil!andwiththatnamehisvoiceseemedtogrowstrong:ithadafullandlivelysound,andthedarkchamberechoedasiftodrum

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andtrumpet.

Ho!TomBombadil,TomBombadillo!Bywater,woodandhill,bythereedandwillow,Byfire,sunandmoon,harkennowandhearus!Come,TomBombadil,forourneedisnearus!

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Therewasasuddendeepsilence,inwhichFrodocouldhearhisheartbeating.Afteralongslowmomentheheardplain,butfaraway,asifitwascomingdownthroughthegroundorthroughthickwalls,anansweringvoicesinging:

OldTomBombadilisamerryfellow,Brightbluehisjacket

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is,andhisbootsareyellow.Nonehasevercaughthimyet,forTom,heisthemaster:Hissongsarestrongersongs,andhisfeetarefaster.

Therewasaloudrumblingsound,asofstonesrollingandfalling,andsuddenlylightstreamedin,

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reallight,theplainlightofday.Alowdoor-likeopeningappearedattheendofthechamberbeyondFrodo’sfeet;andtherewasTom’shead(hat,feather,andall)framedagainstthelightofthesunrisingredbehindhim.Thelightfelluponthefloor,anduponthefacesofthethreehobbitslyingbesideFrodo.Theydidnotstir,butthesicklyhuehadleftthem.

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Theylookednowasiftheywereonlyverydeeplyasleep.

Tomstooped,removedhishat,andcameintothedarkchamber,singing:

Getout,youoldWight!Vanishinthesunlight!Shrivellikethecoldmist,likethewindsgowailing,Outintothebarren

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landsfarbeyondthemountains!Comeneverhereagain!Leaveyourbarrowempty!Lostandforgottenbe,darkerthanthedarkness,Wheregatesstandforevershut,tilltheworldismended.

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Atthesewordstherewasacryandpartoftheinnerendofthechamberfellinwithacrash.Thentherewasalongtrailingshriek,fadingawayintoanunguessabledistance;andafterthatsilence.

‘Come,friendFrodo!’saidTom.‘Letusgetoutontocleangrass!Youmusthelpmebearthem.’

TogethertheycarriedoutMerry,Pippin,andSam.As

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Frodoleftthebarrowforthelasttimehethoughthesawaseveredhandwrigglingstill,likeawoundedspider,inaheapoffallenearth.Tomwentbackinagain,andtherewasasoundofmuchthumpingandstamping.Whenhecameouthewasbearinginhisarmsagreatloadoftreasure:thingsofgold,silver,copper,andbronze;manybeadsand

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chainsandjewelledornaments.Heclimbedthegreenbarrowandlaidthemallontopinthesunshine.

Therehestood,withhishatinhishandandthewindinhishair,andlookeddownuponthethreehobbits,thathadbeenlaidontheirbacksuponthegrassatthewestsideofthemound.Raisinghisrighthandhesaidinaclearandcommandingvoice:

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Wakenowmymerrylads!Wakeandhearmecalling!Warmnowbeheartandlimb!Thecoldstoneisfallen;Darkdoorisstandingwide;deadhandisbroken.NightunderNightisflown,andtheGateisopen!

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ToFrodo’sgreatjoythehobbitsstirred,stretchedtheirarms,rubbedtheireyes,andthensuddenlysprangup.Theylookedaboutinamazement,firstatFrodo,andthenatTomstandinglargeaslifeonthebarrow-topabovethem;andthenatthemselvesintheirthinwhiterags,crownedandbeltedwithpalegold,andjinglingwithtrinkets.

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‘Whatinthenameofwonder?’beganMerry,feelingthegoldencircletthathadslippedoveroneeye.Thenhestopped,andashadowcameoverhisface,andheclosedhiseyes.‘Ofcourse,Iremember!’hesaid.‘ThemenofCarnDûmcameonusatnight,andwewereworsted.Ah!thespearinmyheart!’Heclutchedathisbreast.‘No!No!’hesaid,

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openinghiseyes.‘WhatamIsaying?Ihavebeendreaming.Wheredidyougetto,Frodo?’

‘IthoughtthatIwaslost,’saidFrodo;‘butIdon’twanttospeakofit.Letusthinkofwhatwearetodonow!Letusgoon!’

‘Dresseduplikethis,sir?’saidSam.‘Wherearemyclothes?’Heflunghiscirclet,belt,andringsonthegrass,

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andlookedroundhelplessly,asifheexpectedtofindhiscloak,jacket,andbreeches,andotherhobbit-garmentslyingsomewheretohand.

‘Youwon’tfindyourclothesagain,’saidTom,boundingdownfromthemound,andlaughingashedancedroundtheminthesunlight.Onewouldhavethoughtthatnothingdangerousordreadfulhad

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happened;andindeedthehorrorfadedoutoftheirheartsastheylookedathim,andsawthemerryglintinhiseyes.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’askedPippin,lookingathim,halfpuzzledandhalfamused.‘Whynot?’

ButTomshookhishead,saying:‘You’vefoundyourselvesagain,outofthedeepwater.Clothesarebut

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littleloss,ifyouescapefromdrowning.Beglad,mymerryfriends,andletthewarmsunlightheatnowheartandlimb!Castoffthesecoldrags!Runnakedonthegrass,whileTomgoesa-hunting!’

Hesprangawaydownhill,whistlingandcalling.LookingdownafterhimFrodosawhimrunningawaysouthwardsalongthegreenhollowbetweentheirhilland

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thenext,stillwhistlingandcrying:

Hey!now!Comehoynow!Whitherdoyouwander?Up,down,nearorfar,here,thereoryonder?Sharp-ears,Wise-nose,Swish-tailandBumpkin,White-socksmylittle

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lad,andoldFattyLumpkin!

Sohesang,runningfast,tossinguphishatandcatchingit,untilhewashiddenbyafoldoftheground:butforsometimehisheynow!hoynow!camefloatingbackdownthewind,whichhadshiftedroundtowardsthesouth.

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Theairwasgrowingverywarmagain.Thehobbitsranaboutforawhileonthegrass,ashetoldthem.Thentheylaybaskinginthesunwiththedelightofthosethathavebeenwaftedsuddenlyfrombitterwintertoafriendlyclime,orofpeoplethat,afterbeinglongillandbedridden,wakeonedaytofindthattheyareunexpectedlywellandthedayisagainfullof

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promise.BythetimethatTom

returnedtheywerefeelingstrong(andhungry).Hereappeared,hatfirst,overthebrowofthehill,andbehindhimcameinanobedientlinesixponies:theirownfiveandonemore.ThelastwasplainlyoldFattyLumpkin:hewaslarger,stronger,fatter(andolder)thantheirownponies.Merry,towhomthe

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othersbelonged,hadnot,infact,giventhemanysuchnames,buttheyansweredtothenewnamesthatTomhadgiventhemfortherestoftheirlives.Tomcalledthemonebyoneandtheyclimbedoverthebrowandstoodinaline.ThenTombowedtothehobbits.

‘Hereareyourponies,now!’hesaid.‘They’vemoresense(insomeways)than

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youwanderinghobbitshave–moresenseintheirnoses.Fortheysniffdangeraheadwhichyouwalkrightinto;andiftheyruntosavethemselves,thentheyruntherightway.Youmustforgivethemall;forthoughtheirheartsarefaithful,tofacefearofBarrow-wightsisnotwhattheyweremadefor.See,heretheycomeagain,bringingalltheirburdens!’

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Merry,Sam,andPippinnowclothedthemselvesinsparegarmentsfromtheirpacks;andtheysoonfelttoohot,fortheywereobligedtoputonsomeofthethickerandwarmerthingsthattheyhadbroughtagainsttheoncomingofwinter.

‘Wheredoesthatotheroldanimal,thatFattyLumpkin,comefrom?’askedFrodo.

‘He’smine,’saidTom.

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‘Myfour-leggedfriend;thoughIseldomridehim,andhewandersoftenfar,freeuponthehillsides.Whenyourponiesstayedwithme,theygottoknowmyLumpkin;andtheysmelthiminthenight,andquicklyrantomeethim.Ithoughthe’dlookforthemandwithhiswordsofwisdomtakealltheirfearaway.Butnow,myjollyLumpkin,oldTom’sgoingto

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ride.Hey!he’scomingwithyou,justtosetyouontheroad;soheneedsapony.Foryoucannoteasilytalktohobbitsthatareriding,whenyou’reonyourownlegstryingtotrotbesidethem.’

Thehobbitsweredelightedtohearthis,andthankedTommanytimes;buthelaughed,andsaidthattheyweresogoodatlosingthemselvesthathewouldnot

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feelhappytillhehadseenthemsafeoverthebordersofhisland.‘I’vegotthingstodo,’hesaid:‘mymakingandmysinging,mytalkingandmywalking,andmywatchingofthecountry.Tomcan’tbealwaysneartoopendoorsandwillow-cracks.Tomhashishousetomind,andGoldberryiswaiting.’

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Itwasstillfairlyearlybythesun,somethingbetweennineandten,andthehobbitsturnedtheirmindstofood.Theirlastmealhadbeenlunchbesidethestandingstonethedaybefore.TheybreakfastednowofftheremainderofTom’sprovisions,meantfortheirsupper,withadditionsthatTomhadbroughtwithhim.Itwasnotalargemeal

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(consideringhobbitsandthecircumstances),buttheyfeltmuchbetterforit.WhiletheywereeatingTomwentuptothemound,andlookedthroughthetreasures.Mostofthesehemadeintoapilethatglisteredandsparkledonthegrass.Hebadethemliethere‘freetoallfinders,birds,beasts,ElvesorMen,andallkindlycreatures’;forsothespellofthemoundshouldbe

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brokenandscatteredandnoWightevercomebacktoit.Hechoseforhimselffromthepileabroochsetwithbluestones,many-shadedlikeflax-flowersorthewingsofbluebutterflies.Helookedlongatit,asifstirredbysomememory,shakinghishead,andsayingatlast:

‘HereisaprettytoyforTomandforhislady!Fairwasshewholongagowore

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thisonhershoulder.Goldberryshallwearitnow,andwewillnotforgether!’

Foreachofthehobbitshechoseadagger,long,leaf-shaped,andkeen,ofmarvellousworkmanship,damaskedwithserpent-formsinredandgold.Theygleamedashedrewthemfromtheirblacksheaths,wroughtofsomestrangemetal,lightandstrong,and

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setwithmanyfierystones.Whetherbysomevirtueinthesesheathsorbecauseofthespellthatlayonthemound,thebladesseemeduntouchedbytime,unrusted,sharp,glitteringinthesun.

‘Oldknivesarelongenoughasswordsforhobbit-people,’hesaid.‘Sharpbladesaregoodtohave,ifShire-folkgowalking,east,south,orfarawayintodark

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anddanger.’ThenhetoldthemthatthesebladeswereforgedmanylongyearsagobyMenofWesternesse:theywerefoesoftheDarkLord,buttheywereovercomebytheevilkingofCarnDûmintheLandofAngmar.

‘Fewnowrememberthem,’Tommurmured,‘yetstillsomegowandering,sonsofforgottenkingswalkinginloneliness,guardingfromevil

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thingsfolkthatareheedless.’Thehobbitsdidnot

understandhiswords,butashespoketheyhadavisionasitwereofagreatexpanseofyearsbehindthem,likeavastshadowyplainoverwhichtherestrodeshapesofMen,tallandgrimwithbrightswords,andlastcameonewithastaronhisbrow.Thenthevisionfaded,andtheywerebackinthesunlitworld.

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Itwastimetostartagain.Theymadeready,packingtheirbagsandladingtheirponies.Theirnewweaponstheyhungontheirleatherbeltsundertheirjackets,feelingthemveryawkward,andwonderingiftheywouldbeofanyuse.Fightinghadnotbeforeoccurredtoanyofthemasoneoftheadventuresinwhichtheirflightwouldlandthem.

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Atlasttheysetoff.Theyledtheirponiesdownthehill;andthenmountingtheytrottedquicklyalongthevalley.Theylookedbackandsawthetopoftheoldmoundonthehill,andfromitthesunlightonthegoldwentuplikeayellowflame.ThentheyturnedashoulderoftheDownsanditwashiddenfromview.

ThoughFrodolooked

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abouthimoneverysidehesawnosignofthegreatstonesstandinglikeagate,andbeforelongtheycametothenortherngapandrodeswiftlythrough,andthelandfellawaybeforethem.ItwasamerryjourneywithTomBombadiltrottinggailybesidethem,orbeforethem,onFattyLumpkin,whocouldmovemuchfasterthanhisgirthpromised.Tomsang

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mostofthetime,butitwaschieflynonsense,orelseperhapsastrangelanguageunknowntothehobbits,anancientlanguagewhosewordsweremainlythoseofwonderanddelight.

Theywentforwardsteadily,buttheysoonsawthattheRoadwasfurtherawaythantheyhadimagined.Evenwithoutafog,theirsleepatmid-daywouldhave

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preventedthemfromreachingituntilafternightfallonthedaybefore.Thedarklinetheyhadseenwasnotalineoftreesbutalineofbushesgrowingontheedgeofadeepdikewithasteepwallonthefurtherside.Tomsaidthatithadoncebeentheboundaryofakingdom,butaverylongtimeago.Heseemedtoremembersomethingsadaboutit,and

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wouldnotsaymuch.Theyclimbeddownand

outofthedikeandthroughagapinthewall,andthenTomturnedduenorth,fortheyhadbeenbearingsomewhattothewest.Thelandwasnowopenandfairlylevel,andtheyquickenedtheirpace,butthesunwasalreadysinkinglowwhenatlasttheysawalineoftalltreesahead,andtheyknewthattheyhadcome

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backtotheRoadaftermanyunexpectedadventures.Theygallopedtheirponiesoverthelastfurlongs,andhaltedunderthelongshadowsofthetrees.Theywereonthetopofaslopingbank,andtheRoad,nowdimaseveningdrewon,woundawaybelowthem.AtthispointitrannearlyfromSouth-westtoNorth-east,andontheirrightitfellquicklydownintoawidehollow.It

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wasruttedandboremanysignsoftherecentheavyrain;therewerepoolsandpot-holesfullofwater.

Theyrodedownthebankandlookedupanddown.Therewasnothingtobeseen.‘Well,hereweareagainatlast!’saidFrodo.‘Isupposewehaven’tlostmorethantwodaysbymyshortcutthroughtheForest!Butperhapsthedelaywillprove

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useful–itmayhaveputthemoffourtrail.’

Theotherslookedathim.TheshadowofthefearoftheBlackRiderscamesuddenlyoverthemagain.EversincetheyhadenteredtheForesttheyhadthoughtchieflyofgettingbacktotheRoad;onlynowwhenitlaybeneaththeirfeetdidtheyrememberthedangerwhichpursuedthem,andwasmorethanlikelyto

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belyinginwaitforthemupontheRoaditself.Theylookedanxiouslybacktowardsthesettingsun,buttheRoadwasbrownandempty.

‘Doyouthink,’askedPippinhesitatingly,‘doyouthinkwemaybepursued,tonight?’

‘No,Ihopenottonight,’answeredTomBombadil;‘norperhapsthenextday.

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Butdonottrustmyguess;forIcannottellforcertain.Outeastmyknowledgefails.TomisnotmasterofRidersfromtheBlackLandfarbeyondhiscountry.’

Allthesamethehobbitswishedhewascomingwiththem.TheyfeltthathewouldknowhowtodealwithBlackRiders,ifanyonedid.Theywouldsoonnowbegoingforwardintolandswholly

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strangetothem,andbeyondallbutthemostvagueanddistantlegendsoftheShire,andinthegatheringtwilighttheylongedforhome.Adeeplonelinessandsenseoflosswasonthem.Theystoodsilent,reluctanttomakethefinalparting,andonlyslowlybecameawarethatTomwaswishingthemfarewell,andtellingthemtohavegoodheartandtorideontilldark

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withouthalting.‘Tomwillgiveyougood

advice,tillthisdayisover(afterthatyourownluckmustgowithyouandguideyou):fourmilesalongtheRoadyou’llcomeuponavillage,BreeunderBree-hill,withdoorslookingwestward.Thereyou’llfindanoldinnthatiscalledThePrancingPony.BarlimanButterburistheworthykeeper.Thereyou

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canstaythenight,andafterwardsthemorningwillspeedyouuponyourway.Bebold,butwary!Keepupyourmerryhearts,andridetomeetyourfortune!’

Theybeggedhimtocomeatleastasfarastheinnanddrinkoncemorewiththem;buthelaughedandrefused,saying:

Tom’scountryends

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here:hewillnotpasstheborders.Tomhashishousetomind,andGoldberryiswaiting!

Thenheturned,tosseduphishat,leapedonLumpkin’sback,androdeupoverthebankandawaysingingintothedusk.

Thehobbitsclimbedup

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andwatchedhimuntilhewasoutofsight.

‘IamsorrytotakeleaveofMasterBombadil,’saidSam.‘He’sacautionandnomistake.Ireckonwemaygoagooddealfurtherandseenaughtbetter,norqueerer.ButIwon’tdenyI’llbegladtoseethisPrancingPonyhespokeof.Ihopeit’llbelikeTheGreenDragonawaybackhome!Whatsortoffolk

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aretheyinBree?’‘Therearehobbitsin

Bree,’saidMerry,‘aswellasBigFolk.Idaresayitwillbehomelikeenough.ThePonyisagoodinnbyallaccounts.Mypeoplerideouttherenowandagain.’

‘Itmaybeallwecouldwish,’saidFrodo;‘butitisoutsidetheShireallthesame.Don’tmakeyourselvestoomuchathome!Please

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remember–allofyou–thatthenameofBagginsmustnotbementioned.IamMr.Underhill,ifanynamemustbegiven.’

Theynowmountedtheirponiesandrodeoffsilentlyintotheevening.Darknesscamedownquickly,astheyploddedslowlydownhillandupagain,untilatlasttheysawlightstwinklingsomedistanceahead.

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BeforethemroseBree-hillbarringtheway,adarkmassagainstmistystars;andunderitswesternflanknestledalargevillage.Towardsittheynowhurrieddesiringonlytofindafire,andadoorbetweenthemandthenight.

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Chapter9

ATTHESIGNOFTHEPRANCINGPONY

BreewasthechiefvillageoftheBree-land,asmall

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inhabitedregion,likeanislandintheemptylandsroundabout.BesidesBreeitself,therewasStaddleontheothersideofthehill,Combeinadeepvalleyalittlefurthereastward,andArchetontheedgeoftheChetwood.LyingroundBree-hillandthevillageswasasmallcountryoffieldsandtamedwoodlandonlyafewmilesbroad.

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TheMenofBreewerebrown-haired,broad,andrathershort,cheerfulandindependent:theybelongedtonobodybutthemselves;buttheyweremorefriendlyandfamiliarwithHobbits,Dwarves,Elves,andotherinhabitantsoftheworldaboutthemthanwas(oris)usualwithBigPeople.Accordingtotheirowntalestheyweretheoriginalinhabitantsand

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werethedescendantsofthefirstMenthateverwanderedintotheWestofthemiddle-world.FewhadsurvivedtheturmoilsoftheElderDays;butwhentheKingsreturnedagainovertheGreatSeatheyhadfoundtheBree-menstillthere,andtheywerestilltherenow,whenthememoryoftheoldKingshadfadedintothegrass.

Inthosedaysnoother

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Menhadsettleddwellingssofarwest,orwithinahundredleaguesoftheShire.ButinthewildlandsbeyondBreethereweremysteriouswanderers.TheBree-folkcalledthemRangers,andknewnothingoftheirorigin.TheyweretalleranddarkerthantheMenofBreeandwerebelievedtohavestrangepowersofsightandhearing,andtounderstandthe

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languagesofbeastsandbirds.Theyroamedatwillsouthwards,andeastwardsevenasfarastheMistyMountains;buttheywerenowfewandrarelyseen.Whentheyappearedtheybroughtnewsfromafar,andtoldstrangeforgottentaleswhichwereeagerlylistenedto;buttheBree-folkdidnotmakefriendsofthem.

Therewerealsomany

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familiesofhobbitsintheBree-land;andtheyclaimedtobetheoldestsettlementofHobbitsintheworld,onethatwasfoundedlongbeforeeventheBrandywinewascrossedandtheShirecolonized.TheylivedmostlyinStaddlethoughthereweresomeinBreeitself,especiallyonthehigherslopesofthehill,abovethehousesoftheMen.TheBigFolkandtheLittle

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Folk(astheycalledoneanother)wereonfriendlyterms,mindingtheirownaffairsintheirownways,butbothrightlyregardingthemselvesasnecessarypartsoftheBree-folk.Nowhereelseintheworldwasthispeculiar(butexcellent)arrangementtobefound.

TheBree-folk,BigandLittle,didnotthemselvestravelmuch;andtheaffairsof

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thefourvillagesweretheirchiefconcern.OccasionallytheHobbitsofBreewentasfarasBuckland,ortheEastfarthing;butthoughtheirlittlelandwasnotmuchfurtherthanaday’sridingeastoftheBrandywineBridge,theHobbitsoftheShirenowseldomvisitedit.AnoccasionalBucklanderoradventurousTookwouldcomeouttotheInnfora

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nightortwo,buteventhatwasbecominglessandlessusual.TheShire-hobbitsreferredtothoseofBree,andtoanyothersthatlivedbeyondtheborders,asOutsiders,andtookverylittleinterestinthem,consideringthemdullanduncouth.TherewereprobablymanymoreOutsidersscatteredaboutintheWestoftheWorldinthosedaysthanthepeopleof

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theShireimagined.Some,doubtless,werenobetterthantramps,readytodigaholeinanybankandstayonlyaslongasitsuitedthem.ButintheBree-land,atanyrate,thehobbitsweredecentandprosperous,andnomorerusticthanmostoftheirdistantrelativesInside.Itwasnotyetforgottenthattherehadbeenatimewhentherewasmuchcomingandgoing

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betweentheShireandBree.TherewasBree-bloodintheBrandybucksbyallaccounts.

ThevillageofBreehadsomehundredstonehousesoftheBigFolk,mostlyabovetheRoad,nestlingonthehillsidewithwindowslookingwest.Onthatside,runninginmorethanhalfacirclefromthehillandback

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toit,therewasadeepdikewithathickhedgeontheinnerside.OverthistheRoadcrossedbyacauseway;butwhereitpiercedthehedgeitwasbarredbyagreatgate.TherewasanothergateinthesoutherncornerwheretheRoadranoutofthevillage.Thegateswereclosedatnightfall;butjustinsidethemweresmalllodgesforthegatekeepers.

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DownontheRoad,whereitswepttotherighttogoroundthefootofthehill,therewasalargeinn.Ithadbeenbuiltlongagowhenthetrafficontheroadshadbeenfargreater.ForBreestoodatanoldmeetingofways;anotherancientroadcrossedtheEastRoadjustoutsidethedikeatthewesternendofthevillage,andinformerdaysMenandotherfolkofvarious

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sortshadtravelledmuchonit.StrangeasNewsfromBreewasstillasayingintheEastfarthing,descendingfromthosedays,whennewsfromNorth,South,andEastcouldbeheardintheinn,andwhentheShire-hobbitsusedtogomoreoftentohearit.ButtheNorthernLandshadlongbeendesolate,andtheNorthRoadwasnowseldomused:itwasgrass-grown,andthe

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Bree-folkcalledittheGreenway.

TheInnofBreewasstillthere,however,andtheinnkeeperwasanimportantperson.Hishousewasameetingplacefortheidle,talkative,andinquisitiveamongtheinhabitants,largeandsmall,ofthefourvillages;andaresortofRangersandotherwanderers,andforsuchtravellers

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(mostlydwarves)asstilljourneyedontheEastRoad,toandfromtheMountains.

Itwasdark,andwhitestarswereshining,whenFrodoandhiscompanionscameatlasttotheGreenway-crossinganddrewnearthevillage.TheycametotheWest-gateandfounditshut;butatthedoorofthelodge

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beyondit,therewasamansitting.Hejumpedupandfetchedalanternandlookedoverthegateattheminsurprise.

‘Whatdoyouwant,andwheredoyoucomefrom?’heaskedgruffly.

‘Wearemakingfortheinnhere,’answeredFrodo.‘Wearejourneyingeastandcannotgofurthertonight.’

‘Hobbits!Fourhobbits!

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Andwhat’smore,outoftheShirebytheirtalk,’saidthegatekeeper,softlyasifspeakingtohimself.Hestaredatthemdarklyforamoment,andthenslowlyopenedthegateandletthemridethrough.

‘Wedon’toftenseeShire-folkridingontheRoadatnight,’hewenton,astheyhaltedamomentbyhisdoor.‘You’llpardonmywondering

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whatbusinesstakesyouawayeastofBree!Whatmayyournamesbe,mightIask?’

‘Ournamesandourbusinessareourown,andthisdoesnotseemagoodplacetodiscussthem,’saidFrodo,notlikingthelookofthemanorthetoneofhisvoice.

‘Yourbusinessisyourown,nodoubt,’saidtheman;‘butit’smybusinesstoaskquestionsafternightfall.’

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‘WearehobbitsfromBuckland,andwehaveafancytotravelandtostayattheinnhere,’putinMerry.‘IamMr.Brandybuck.Isthatenoughforyou?TheBree-folkusedtobefair-spokentotravellers,orsoIhadheard.’

‘Allright,allright!’saidtheman.‘Imeantnooffence.Butyou’llfindmaybethatmorefolkthanoldHarryatthegatewillbeaskingyou

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questions.There’squeerfolkabout.IfyougoontoThePony,you’llfindyou’renottheonlyguests.’

Hewishedthemgoodnight,andtheysaidnomore;butFrodocouldseeinthelantern-lightthatthemanwasstilleyeingthemcuriously.Hewasgladtohearthegateclangtobehindthem,astheyrodeforward.Hewonderedwhythemanwasso

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suspicious,andwhetheranyonehadbeenaskingfornewsofapartyofhobbits.CouldithavebeenGandalf?Hemighthavearrived,whiletheyweredelayedintheForestandtheDowns.Buttherewassomethinginthelookandthevoiceofthegatekeeperthatmadehimuneasy.

Themanstaredafterthehobbitsforamoment,and

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thenhewentbacktohishouse.Assoonashisbackwasturned,adarkfigureclimbedquicklyinoverthegateandmeltedintotheshadowsofthevillagestreet.

Thehobbitsrodeonupagentleslope,passingafewdetachedhouses,anddrewupoutsidetheinn.Thehouseslookedlargeandstrangeto

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them.Samstaredupattheinnwithitsthreestoreysandmanywindows,andfelthisheartsink.Hehadimaginedhimselfmeetinggiantstallerthantrees,andothercreaturesevenmoreterrifying,sometimeorotherinthecourseofhisjourney;butatthemomenthewasfindinghisfirstsightofMenandtheirtallhousesquiteenough,indeedtoomuchforthedark

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endofatiringday.Hepicturedblackhorsesstandingallsaddledintheshadowsoftheinn-yard,andBlackRiderspeeringoutofdarkupperwindows.

‘Wesurelyaren’tgoingtostayhereforthenight,arewe,sir?’heexclaimed.‘Iftherearehobbit-folkintheseparts,whydon’twelookforsomethatwouldbewillingtotakeusin?Itwouldbemore

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homelike.’‘What’swrongwiththe

inn?’saidFrodo.‘TomBombadilrecommendedit.Iexpectit’shomelikeenoughinside.’

Evenfromtheoutsidetheinnlookedapleasanthousetofamiliareyes.IthadafrontontheRoad,andtwowingsrunningbackonlandpartlycutoutofthelowerslopesofthehill,sothatattherearthe

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second-floorwindowswerelevelwiththeground.Therewasawidearchleadingtoacourtyardbetweenthetwowings,andontheleftunderthearchtherewasalargedoorwayreachedbyafewbroadsteps.Thedoorwasopenandlightstreamedoutofit.Abovethearchtherewasalamp,andbeneathitswungalargesignboard:afatwhiteponyreareduponits

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hindlegs.Overthedoorwaspaintedinwhiteletters:theprancingponybybarlimanbutterbur.Manyofthelowerwindowsshowedlightsbehindthickcurtains.

Astheyhesitatedoutsideinthegloom,someonebegansingingamerrysonginside,andmanycheerfulvoicesjoinedloudlyinthechorus.Theylistenedtothisencouragingsoundfora

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momentandthengotofftheirponies.Thesongendedandtherewasaburstoflaughterandclapping.

Theyledtheirponiesunderthearch,andleavingthemstandingintheyardtheyclimbedupthesteps.Frodowentforwardandnearlybumpedintoashortfatmanwithabaldheadandaredface.Hehadawhiteapronon,andwasbustling

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outofonedoorandinthroughanother,carryingatrayladenwithfullmugs.

‘Canwe——’beganFrodo.

‘Halfaminute,ifyouplease!’shoutedthemanoverhisshoulder,andvanishedintoababelofvoicesandacloudofsmoke.Inamomenthewasoutagain,wipinghishandsonhisapron.

‘Goodevening,little

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master!’hesaid,bendingdown.‘Whatmayyoubewanting?’

‘Bedsforfour,andstablingforfiveponies,ifthatcanbemanaged.AreyouMr.Butterbur?’

‘That’sright!Barlimanismyname.BarlimanButterburatyourservice!You’refromtheShire,eh?’hesaid,andthensuddenlyheclappedhishandtohisforehead,asif

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tryingtoremembersomething.‘Hobbits!’hecried.‘Nowwhatdoesthatremindmeof?MightIaskyournames,sirs?’

‘Mr.TookandMr.Brandybuck,’saidFrodo;‘andthisisSamGamgee.MynameisUnderhill.’

‘Therenow!’saidMr.Butterbur,snappinghisfingers.‘It’sgoneagain!Butit’llcomeback,whenIhave

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timetothink.I’mrunoffmyfeet;butI’llseewhatIcandoforyou.Wedon’toftengetapartyoutoftheShirenowadays,andIshouldbesorrynottomakeyouwelcome.Butthereissuchacrowdalreadyinthehousetonightastherehasn’tbeenforlongenough.Itneverrainsbutitpours,wesayinBree.’

‘Hi!Nob!’heshouted.

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‘Whereareyou,youwoolly-footedslowcoach?Nob!’

‘Coming,sir!Coming!’Acheery-lookinghobbitbobbedoutofadoor,andseeingthetravellers,stoppedshortandstaredatthemwithgreatinterest.

‘Where’sBob?’askedthelandlord.‘Youdon’tknow?Well,findhim!Doublesharp!Ihaven’tgotsixlegs,norsixeyesneither!TellBob

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there’sfiveponiesthathavetobestabled.Hemustfindroomsomehow.’Nobtrottedoffwithagrinandawink.

‘Wellnow,whatwasIgoingtosay?’saidMr.Butterbur,tappinghisforehead.‘Onethingdrivesoutanother,sotospeak.I’mthatbusytonight,myheadisgoinground.There’sapartythatcameuptheGreenwayfromdownSouthlastnight–

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andthatwasstrangeenoughtobeginwith.Thenthere’satravellingcompanyofdwarvesgoingWestcomeinthisevening.Andnowthere’syou.Ifyouweren’thobbits,Idoubtifwecouldhouseyou.Butwe’vegotaroomortwointhenorthwingthatweremadespecialforhobbits,whenthisplacewasbuilt.Onthegroundfloorastheyusuallyprefer;round

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windowsandallastheylikeit.Ihopeyou’llbecomfortable.You’llbewantingsupper,Idon’tdoubt.Assoonasmaybe.Thiswaynow!’

Heledthemashortwaydownapassage,andopenedadoor.‘Hereisanicelittleparlour!’hesaid.‘Ihopeitwillsuit.Excusemenow.I’mthatbusy.Notimefortalking.Imustbetrotting.It’shard

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workfortwolegs,butIdon’tgetthinner.I’lllookinagainlater.Ifyouwantanything,ringthehand-bell,andNobwillcome.Ifhedon’tcome,ringandshout!’

Offhewentatlast,andleftthemfeelingratherbreathless.Heseemedcapableofanendlessstreamoftalk,howeverbusyhemightbe.Theyfoundthemselvesinasmalland

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cosyroom.Therewasabitofbrightfireburningonthehearth,andinfrontofitweresomelowandcomfortablechairs.Therewasaroundtable,alreadyspreadwithawhitecloth,andonitwasalargehand-bell.ButNob,thehobbitservant,camebustlinginlongbeforetheythoughtofringing.Hebroughtcandlesandatrayfullofplates.

‘Willyoubewanting

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anythingtodrink,masters?’heasked.‘AndshallIshowyouthebedrooms,whileyoursupperisgotready?’

TheywerewashedandinthemiddleofgooddeepmugsofbeerwhenMr.ButterburandNobcameinagain.Inatwinklingthetablewaslaid.Therewashotsoup,coldmeats,ablackberrytart,newloaves,slabsofbutter,andhalfaripecheese:good

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plainfood,asgoodastheShirecouldshow,andhomelikeenoughtodispelthelastofSam’smisgivings(alreadymuchrelievedbytheexcellenceofthebeer).

Thelandlordhoveredroundforalittle,andthenpreparedtoleavethem.‘Idon’tknowwhetheryouwouldcaretojointhecompany,whenyouhavesupped,’hesaid,standingat

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thedoor.‘Perhapsyouwouldrathergotoyourbeds.Stillthecompanywouldbeverypleasedtowelcomeyou,ifyouhadamind.Wedon’tgetOutsiders–travellersfromtheShire,Ishouldsay,beggingyourpardon–often;andweliketohearabitofnews,oranystoryorsongyoumayhaveinmind.Butasyouplease!Ringthebell,ifyoulackanything!’

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Sorefreshedandencourageddidtheyfeelattheendoftheirsupper(aboutthreequartersofanhour’ssteadygoing,nothinderedbyunnecessarytalk)thatFrodo,Pippin,andSamdecidedtojointhecompany.Merrysaiditwouldbetoostuffy.‘Ishallsitherequietlybythefireforabit,andperhapsgooutlaterforasniffoftheair.MindyourPsandQs,anddon’t

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forgetthatyouaresupposedtobeescapinginsecret,andarestillonthehigh-roadandnotveryfarfromtheShire!’

‘Allright!’saidPippin.‘Mindyourself!Don’tgetlost,anddon’tforgetthatitissaferindoors!’

Thecompanywasinthebigcommon-roomoftheinn.Thegatheringwaslargeand

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mixed,asFrododiscovered,whenhiseyesgotusedtothelight.Thiscamechieflyfromablazinglog-fire,forthethreelampshangingfromthebeamsweredim,andhalfveiledinsmoke.BarlimanButterburwasstandingnearthefire,talkingtoacoupleofdwarvesandoneortwostrange-lookingmen.Onthebencheswerevariousfolk:menofBree,acollectionof

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localhobbits(sittingchatteringtogether),afewmoredwarves,andothervaguefiguresdifficulttomakeoutawayintheshadowsandcorners.

AssoonastheShire-hobbitsentered,therewasachorusofwelcomefromtheBree-landers.Thestrangers,especiallythosethathadcomeuptheGreenway,staredatthemcuriously.The

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landlordintroducedthenewcomerstotheBree-folk,soquicklythat,thoughtheycaughtmanynames,theywereseldomsurewhothenamesbelongedto.TheMenofBreeseemedalltohaveratherbotanical(andtotheShire-folkratherodd)names,likeRushlight,Goatleaf,Heathertoes,Appledore,ThistlewoolandFerny(nottomentionButterbur).Someof

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thehobbitshadsimilarnames.TheMugworts,forinstance,seemednumerous.Butmostofthemhadnaturalnames,suchasBanks,Brockhouse,Longholes,Sandheaver,andTunnelly,manyofwhichwereusedintheShire.TherewereseveralUnderhillsfromStaddle,andastheycouldnotimaginesharinganamewithoutbeingrelated,theytookFrodoto

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theirheartsasalong-lostcousin.

TheBree-hobbitswere,infact,friendlyandinquisitive,andFrodosoonfoundthatsomeexplanationofwhathewasdoingwouldhavetobegiven.Hegaveoutthathewasinterestedinhistoryandgeography(atwhichtherewasmuchwaggingofheads,althoughneitherofthesewordsweremuchusedinthe

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Bree-dialect).Hesaidhewasthinkingofwritingabook(atwhichtherewassilentastonishment),andthatheandhisfriendswantedtocollectinformationabouthobbitslivingoutsidetheShire,especiallyintheeasternlands.

Atthisachorusofvoicesbrokeout.IfFrodohadreallywantedtowriteabook,andhadhadmanyears,hewould

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havelearnedenoughforseveralchaptersinafewminutes.Andifthatwasnotenough,hewasgivenawholelistofnames,beginningwith‘OldBarlimanhere’,towhomhecouldgoforfurtherinformation.Butafteratime,asFrododidnotshowanysignofwritingabookonthespot,thehobbitsreturnedtotheirquestionsaboutdoingsintheShire.Frododidnot

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proveverycommunicative,andhesoonfoundhimselfsittingaloneinacorner,listeningandlookingaround.

TheMenandDwarvesweremostlytalkingofdistanteventsandtellingnewsofakindthatwasbecomingonlytoofamiliar.TherewastroubleawayintheSouth,anditseemedthattheMenwhohadcomeuptheGreenwaywereonthemove,

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lookingforlandswheretheycouldfindsomepeace.TheBree-folkweresympathetic,butplainlynotveryreadytotakealargenumberofstrangersintotheirlittleland.Oneofthetravellers,asquint-eyedill-favouredfellow,wasforetellingthatmoreandmorepeoplewouldbecomingnorthinthenearfuture.‘Ifroomisn’tfoundforthem,they’llfinditfor

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themselves.They’vearighttolive,sameasotherfolk,’hesaidloudly.Thelocalinhabitantsdidnotlookpleasedattheprospect.

Thehobbitsdidnotpaymuchattentiontoallthis,asitdidnotatthemomentseemtoconcernhobbits.BigFolkcouldhardlybegforlodgingsinhobbit-holes.TheyweremoreinterestedinSamandPippin,whowerenowfeeling

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quiteathome,andwerechattinggailyabouteventsintheShire.PippinrousedagooddealoflaughterwithanaccountofthecollapseoftheroofoftheTownHoleinMichelDelving:WillWhitfoot,theMayor,andthefattesthobbitintheWestfarthing,hadbeenburiedinchalk,andcameoutlikeafloureddumpling.Buttherewereseveralquestions

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askedthatmadeFrodoalittleuneasy.OneoftheBree-landers,whoseemedtohavebeenintheShireseveraltimes,wantedtoknowwheretheUnderhillslivedandwhotheywererelatedto.

SuddenlyFrodonoticedthatastrange-lookingweather-beatenman,sittingintheshadowsnearthewall,wasalsolisteningintentlytothehobbit-talk.Hehadatall

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tankardinfrontofhim,andwassmokingalong-stemmedpipecuriouslycarved.Hislegswerestretchedoutbeforehim,showinghighbootsofsuppleleatherthatfittedhimwell,buthadseenmuchwearandwerenowcakedwithmud.Atravel-stainedcloakofheavydark-greenclothwasdrawncloseabouthim,andinspiteoftheheatoftheroomheworeahoodthat

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overshadowedhisface;butthegleamofhiseyescouldbeseenashewatchedthehobbits.

‘Whoisthat?’Frodoasked,whenhegotachancetowhispertoMr.Butterbur.‘Idon’tthinkyouintroducedhim?’

‘Him?’saidthelandlordinanansweringwhisper,cockinganeyewithoutturninghishead.‘Idon’t

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rightlyknow.Heisoneofthewanderingfolk–Rangerswecallthem.Heseldomtalks:notbutwhathecantellararetalewhenhehasthemind.Hedisappearsforamonth,orayear,andthenhepopsupagain.Hewasinandoutprettyoftenlastspring;butIhaven’tseenhimaboutlately.WhathisrightnameisI’veneverheard:buthe’sknownroundhereasStrider.Goes

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aboutatagreatpaceonhislongshanks;thoughhedon’ttellnobodywhatcausehehastohurry.Butthere’snoaccountingforEastandWest,aswesayinBree,meaningtheRangersandtheShire-folk,beggingyourpardon.Funnyyoushouldaskabouthim.’ButatthatmomentMr.Butterburwascalledawaybyademandformorealeandhislastremarkremained

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unexplained.FrodofoundthatStrider

wasnowlookingathim,asifhehadheardorguessedallthathadbeensaid.Presently,withawaveofhishandandanod,heinvitedFrodotocomeoverandsitbyhim.AsFrododrewnearhethrewbackhishood,showingashaggyheadofdarkhairfleckedwithgrey,andinapalesternfaceapairofkeengreyeyes.

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‘IamcalledStrider,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘Iamverypleasedtomeetyou,Master–Underhill,ifoldButterburgotyournameright.’

‘Hedid,’saidFrodostiffly.Hefeltfarfromcomfortableunderthestareofthosekeeneyes.

‘Well,MasterUnderhill,’saidStrider,‘ifIwereyou,Ishouldstopyouryoung

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friendsfromtalkingtoomuch.Drink,fire,andchance-meetingarepleasantenough,but,well–thisisn’ttheShire.Therearequeerfolkabout.ThoughIsayitasshouldn’t,youmaythink,’headdedwithawrysmile,seeingFrodo’sglance.‘AndtherehavebeenevenstrangertravellersthroughBreelately,’hewenton,watchingFrodo’sface.

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Frodoreturnedhisgazebutsaidnothing;andStridermadenofurthersign.HisattentionseemedsuddenlytobefixedonPippin.TohisalarmFrodobecameawarethattheridiculousyoungTook,encouragedbyhissuccesswiththefatMayorofMichelDelving,wasnowactuallygivingacomicaccountofBilbo’sfarewellparty.Hewasalreadygiving

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animitationoftheSpeech,andwasdrawingneartotheastonishingDisappearance.

Frodowasannoyed.Itwasaharmlessenoughtaleformostofthelocalhobbits,nodoubt:justafunnystoryaboutthosefunnypeopleawaybeyondtheRiver;butsome(oldButterbur,forinstance)knewathingortwo,andhadprobablyheardrumourslongagoabout

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Bilbo’svanishing.ItwouldbringthenameofBagginstotheirminds,especiallyiftherehadbeeninquiriesinBreeafterthatname.

Frodofidgeted,wonderingwhattodo.Pippinwasevidentlymuchenjoyingtheattentionhewasgetting,andhadbecomequiteforgetfuloftheirdanger.Frodohadasuddenfearthatinhispresentmoodhemightevenmention

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theRing;andthatmightwellbedisastrous.

‘Youhadbetterdosomethingquick!’whisperedStriderinhisear.

Frodojumpedupandstoodonatable,andbegantotalk.TheattentionofPippin’saudiencewasdisturbed.SomeofthehobbitslookedatFrodoandlaughedandclapped,thinkingthatMr.Underhillhadtakenasmuch

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aleaswasgoodforhim.Frodosuddenlyfeltvery

foolish,andfoundhimself(aswashishabitwhenmakingaspeech)fingeringthethingsinhispocket.HefelttheRingonitschain,andquiteunaccountablythedesirecameoverhimtoslipitonandvanishoutofthesillysituation.Itseemedtohim,somehow,asifthesuggestioncametohimfromoutside,

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fromsomeoneorsomethingintheroom.Heresistedthetemptationfirmly,andclaspedtheRinginhishand,asiftokeepaholdonitandpreventitfromescapingordoinganymischief.Atanyrateitgavehimnoinspiration.Hespoke‘afewsuitablewords’,astheywouldhavesaidintheShire:Weareallverymuchgratifiedbythekindnessof

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yourreception,andIventuretohopethatmybriefvisitwillhelptorenewtheoldtiesof

friendshipbetweentheShireandBree;andthenhehesitatedandcoughed.

Everyoneintheroomwasnowlookingathim.‘Asong!’shoutedoneofthehobbits.‘Asong!Asong!’shoutedalltheothers.‘Comeonnow,master,singussomethingthatwehaven’t

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heardbefore!’ForamomentFrodostood

gaping.ThenindesperationhebeganaridiculoussongthatBilbohadbeenratherfondof(andindeedratherproudof,forhehadmadeupthewordshimself).Itwasaboutaninn;andthatisprobablywhyitcameintoFrodo’smindjustthen.Hereitisinfull.Onlyafewwordsofitarenow,asarule,

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remembered.

Thereisaninn,amerryoldinnbeneathanoldgreyhill,

AndtheretheybrewabeersobrownThattheManintheMoonhimselfcamedownonenighttodrinkhisfill.

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Theostlerhasatipsycatthatplaysafive-stringedfiddle;

Andupanddownherunshisbow,Nowsqueakinghigh,nowpurringlow,nowsawinginthemiddle.

Thelandlordkeepsalittledog

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thatismightyfondofjokes;

Whenthere’sgoodcheeramongtheguests,Hecocksanearatallthejestsandlaughsuntilhechokes.

Theyalsokeepahornédcowasproudasany

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queen;Butmusicturnsherheadlikeale,Andmakesherwavehertuftedtailanddanceuponthegreen.

AndO!therowsofsilverdishesandthestoreofsilverspoons!

ForSunday*there’s

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aspecialpair,AndthesetheypolishupwithcareonSaturdayafternoons.

TheManintheMoonwasdrinkingdeep,andthecatbegantowail;

Adishandaspoononthetabledanced,

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Thecowinthegardenmadlypranced,andthelittledogchasedhistail.

TheManintheMoontookanothermugandthenrolledbeneathhischair;

Andtherehedozedanddreamedofale,

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Tillintheskythestarswerepale,anddawnwasintheair.

Thentheostlersaidtohistipsycat:‘ThewhitehorsesoftheMoon,

Theyneighandchamptheirsilverbits;Buttheirmaster’s

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beenanddrownedhiswits,andtheSun’llberisingsoon!’

Sothecatonhisfiddleplayedhey-diddle-diddle,ajigthatwouldwakethedead:

Hesqueakedandsawedandquickenedthetune,

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WhilethelandlordshooktheManintheMoon:‘It’safterthree!’hesaid.

TheyrolledtheManslowlyupthehillandbundledhimintotheMoon,

Whilehishorsesgallopedupinrear,Andthecowcame

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caperinglikeadeer,andadishranupwiththespoon.

Nowquickerthefiddlewentdeedle-dum-diddle;thedogbegantoroar,

Thecowandthehorsesstoodontheirheads;

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Theguestsallboundedfromtheirbedsanddanceduponthefloor.

Withapingandapongthefiddle-stringsbroke!thecowjumpedovertheMoon,

Andthelittledoglaughedtoseesuch

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fun,AndtheSaturdaydishwentoffatarunwiththesilverSundayspoon.

TheroundMoonrolledbehindthehillastheSunraisedupherhead.

She*hardlybelieved

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herfieryeyes;Forthoughitwasday,tohersurprisetheyallwentbacktobed!

Therewasloudandlongapplause.Frodohadagoodvoice,andthesongtickledtheirfancy.‘Where’soldBarley?’theycried.‘Heoughttohearthis.Boboughttolearnhiscatthefiddle,and

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thenwe’dhaveadance.’Theycalledformoreale,andbegantoshout:‘Let’shaveitagain,master!Comeonnow!Oncemore!’

TheymadeFrodohaveanotherdrink,andthenbeginhissongagain,whilemanyofthemjoinedin;forthetunewaswellknown,andtheywerequickatpickingupwords.ItwasnowFrodo’sturntofeelpleasedwith

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himself.Hecaperedaboutonthetable;andwhenhecameasecondtimetothecowjumpedovertheMoon,heleapedintheair.Muchtoovigorously;forhecamedown,bang,intoatrayfullofmugs,andslipped,androlledoffthetablewithacrash,clatter,andbump!Theaudienceallopenedtheirmouthswideforlaughter,andstoppedshortingaping

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silence;forthesingerdisappeared.Hesimplyvanished,asifhehadgoneslapthroughthefloorwithoutleavingahole!

Thelocalhobbitsstaredinamazement,andthensprangtotheirfeetandshoutedforBarliman.AllthecompanydrewawayfromPippinandSam,whofoundthemselvesleftaloneinacorner,andeyeddarklyanddoubtfully

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fromadistance.Itwasplainthatmanypeopleregardedthemnowasthecompanionsofatravellingmagicianofunknownpowersandpurpose.ButtherewasoneswarthyBree-lander,whostoodlookingatthemwithaknowingandhalf-mockingexpressionthatmadethemfeelveryuncomfortable.Presentlyheslippedoutofthedoor,followedbythe

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squint-eyedsoutherner:thetwohadbeenwhisperingtogetheragooddealduringtheevening.

Frodofeltafool.Notknowingwhatelsetodo,hecrawledawayunderthetablestothedarkcornerbyStrider,whosatunmoved,givingnosignofhisthoughts.FrodoleanedbackagainstthewallandtookofftheRing.Howitcametobe

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onhisfingerhecouldnottell.Hecouldonlysupposethathehadbeenhandlingitinhispocketwhilehesang,andthatsomehowithadslippedonwhenhestuckouthishandwithajerktosavehisfall.ForamomenthewonderediftheRingitselfhadnotplayedhimatrick;perhapsithadtriedtorevealitselfinresponsetosomewishorcommandthatwas

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feltintheroom.Hedidnotlikethelooksofthementhathadgoneout.

‘Well?’saidStrider,whenhereappeared.‘Whydidyoudothat?Worsethananythingyourfriendscouldhavesaid!Youhaveputyourfootinit!OrshouldIsayyourfinger?’

‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,’saidFrodo,annoyedandalarmed.

‘Ohyes,youdo,’

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answeredStrider;‘butwehadbetterwaituntiltheuproarhasdieddown.Then,ifyouplease,Mr.Baggins,Ishouldlikeaquietwordwithyou.’

‘Whatabout?’askedFrodo,ignoringthesuddenuseofhispropername.

‘Amatterofsomeimportance–tousboth,’answered

Strider,lookingFrodointheeye.‘Youmayhear

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somethingtoyouradvantage.’

‘Verywell,’saidFrodo,tryingtoappearunconcerned.‘I’lltalktoyoulater.’

Meanwhileanargumentwasgoingonbythefireplace.Mr.Butterburhadcometrottingin,andhewasnowtryingtolistentoseveralconflictingaccountsofthe

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eventatthesametime.‘Isawhim,Mr.

Butterbur,’saidahobbit;‘orleastwaysIdidn’tseehim,ifyoutakemymeaning.Hejustvanishedintothinair,inamannerofspeaking.’

‘Youdon’tsay,Mr.Mugwort!’saidthelandlord,lookingpuzzled.

‘YesIdo!’repliedMugwort.‘AndImeanwhatIsay,what’smore.’

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‘There’ssomemistakesomewhere,’saidButterbur,shakinghishead.‘TherewastoomuchofthatMr.Underhilltogovanishingintothinair;orintothickair,asismorelikelyinthisroom.’

‘Well,whereishenow?’criedseveralvoices.

‘HowshouldIknow?He’swelcometogowherehewill,solongashepaysinthemorning.There’sMr.Took,

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now:he’snotvanished.’‘Well,IsawwhatIsaw,

andIsawwhatIdidn’t,’saidMugwortobstinately.

‘AndIsaythere’ssomemistake,’repeatedButterbur,pickingupthetrayandgatheringupthebrokencrockery.

‘Ofcoursethere’samistake!’saidFrodo.‘Ihaven’tvanished.HereIam!I’vejustbeenhavingafew

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wordswithStriderinthecorner.’

Hecameforwardintothefirelight;butmostofthecompanybackedaway,evenmoreperturbedthanbefore.Theywerenotintheleastsatisfiedbyhisexplanationthathehadcrawledawayquicklyunderthetablesafterhehadfallen.MostoftheHobbitsandtheMenofBreewentoffthenandthereina

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huff,havingnofancyforfurtherentertainmentthatevening.OneortwogaveFrodoablacklookanddepartedmutteringamongthemselves.TheDwarvesandthetwoorthreestrangeMenthatstillremainedgotupandsaidgoodnighttothelandlord,butnottoFrodoandhisfriends.BeforelongnoonewasleftbutStrider,whosaton,unnoticed,bythewall.

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Mr.Butterburdidnotseemmuchputout.Hereckoned,veryprobably,thathishousewouldbefullagainonmanyfuturenights,untilthepresentmysteryhadbeenthoroughlydiscussed.‘Nowwhathaveyoubeendoing,Mr.Underhill?’heasked.‘Frighteningmycustomersandbreakingupmycrockswithyouracrobatics!’

‘Iamverysorrytohave

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causedanytrouble,’saidFrodo.‘Itwasquiteunintentional,Iassureyou.Amostunfortunateaccident.’

‘Allright,Mr.Underhill!Butifyou’regoingtodoanymoretumbling,orconjuring,orwhateveritwas,you’dbestwarnfolkbeforehand–andwarnme.We’reabitsuspiciousroundhereofanythingoutoftheway–uncanny,ifyouunderstand

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me;andwedon’ttaketoitallofasudden.’

‘Ishan’tbedoinganythingofthesortagain,Mr.Butterbur,Ipromiseyou.AndnowIthinkI’llbegettingtobed.Weshallbemakinganearlystart.Willyouseethatourponiesarereadybyeighto’clock?’

‘Verygood!Butbeforeyougo,Ishouldlikeawordwithyouinprivate,Mr.

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Underhill.SomethinghasjustcomebacktomymindthatIoughttotellyou.Ihopethatyou’llnottakeitamiss.WhenI’veseentoathingortwo,I’llcomealongtoyourroom,ifyou’rewilling.’

‘Certainly!’saidFrodo;buthisheartsank.Hewonderedhowmanyprivatetalkshewouldhavebeforehegottobed,andwhattheywouldreveal.Werethese

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peopleallinleagueagainsthim?HebegantosuspectevenoldButterbur’sfatfaceofconcealingdarkdesigns.

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Chapter10

STRIDER

Frodo,Pippin,andSammadetheirwaybacktotheparlour.Therewasnolight.Merrywasnotthere,andthefirehadburnedlow.Itwasnotuntil

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theyhadpuffeduptheembersintoablazeandthrownonacoupleoffaggotsthattheydiscoveredStriderhadcomewiththem.Therehewascalmlysittinginachairbythedoor!

‘Hallo!’saidPippin.‘Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwant?’

‘IamcalledStrider,’heanswered;‘andthoughhemayhaveforgottenit,your

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friendpromisedtohaveaquiettalkwithme.’

‘YousaidImighthearsomethingtomyadvantage,Ibelieve,’saidFrodo.‘Whathaveyoutosay?’

‘Severalthings,’answeredStrider.‘But,ofcourse,Ihavemyprice.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’askedFrodosharply.

‘Don’tbealarmed!Imeanjustthis:IwilltellyouwhatI

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know,andgiveyousomegoodadvice–butIshallwantareward.’

‘Andwhatwillthatbe,pray?’saidFrodo.Hesuspectednowthathehadfalleninwitharascal,andhethoughtuncomfortablythathehadbroughtonlyalittlemoneywithhim.Allofitwouldhardlysatisfyarogue,andhecouldnotspareanyofit.

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‘Nomorethanyoucanafford,’answeredStriderwithaslowsmile,asifheguessedFrodo’sthoughts.‘Justthis:youmusttakemealongwithyou,untilIwishtoleaveyou.’

‘Oh,indeed!’repliedFrodo,surprised,butnotmuchrelieved.‘EvenifIwantedanothercompanion,Ishouldnotagreetoanysuchthing,untilIknewagood

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dealmoreaboutyou,andyourbusiness.’

‘Excellent!’exclaimedStrider,crossinghislegsandsittingbackcomfortably.‘Youseemtobecomingtoyoursensesagain,andthatisalltothegood.Youhavebeenmuchtoocarelesssofar.Verywell!IwilltellyouwhatIknow,andleavetherewardtoyou.Youmaybegladtograntit,whenyou

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haveheardme.’‘Goonthen!’saidFrodo.

‘Whatdoyouknow?’‘Toomuch;toomanydark

things,’saidStridergrimly.‘Butasforyourbusiness——’Hegotupandwenttothedoor,openeditquicklyandlookedout.Thenheshutitquietlyandsatdownagain.‘Ihavequickears,’hewenton,loweringhisvoice,‘andthoughIcannotdisappear,I

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havehuntedmanywildandwarythingsandIcanusuallyavoidbeingseen,ifIwish.Now,IwasbehindthehedgethiseveningontheRoadwestofBree,whenfourhobbitscameoutoftheDownlands.IneednotrepeatallthattheysaidtooldBombadilortooneanother;butonethinginterestedme.Pleaseremember,saidoneofthem,thatthenameBagginsmust

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notbementioned.IamMr.Underhill,ifanynamemustbegiven.ThatinterestedmesomuchthatIfollowedthemhere.Islippedoverthegatejustbehindthem.MaybeMr.Bagginshasanhonestreasonforleavinghisnamebehind;butifso,Ishouldadvisehimandhisfriendstobemorecareful.’

‘Idon’tseewhatinterestmynamehasforanyonein

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Bree,’saidFrodoangrily,‘andIhavestilltolearnwhyitinterestsyou.Mr.Stridermayhaveanhonestreasonforspyingandeavesdropping;butifso,Ishouldadvisehimtoexplainit.’

‘Wellanswered!’saidStriderlaughing.‘Buttheexplanationissimple:IwaslookingforaHobbitcalledFrodoBaggins.Iwantedto

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findhimquickly.IhadlearnedthathewascarryingoutoftheShire,well,asecretthatconcernedmeandmyfriends.

‘Now,don’tmistakeme!’hecried,asFrodorosefromhisseat,andSamjumpedupwithascowl.‘Ishalltakemorecareofthesecretthanyoudo.Andcareisneeded!’Heleanedforwardandlookedatthem.‘Watchevery

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shadow!’hesaidinalowvoice.‘BlackhorsemenhavepassedthroughBree.

OnMondayonecamedowntheGreenway,theysay;andanotherappearedlater,cominguptheGreenwayfromthesouth.’

Therewasasilence.AtlastFrodospoketoPippinandSam:‘Ioughttohave

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guesseditfromthewaythegatekeepergreetedus,’hesaid.‘Andthelandlordseemstohaveheardsomething.Whydidhepressustojointhecompany?Andwhyonearthdidwebehavesofoolishly:weoughttohavestayedquietinhere.’

‘Itwouldhavebeenbetter,’saidStrider.‘Iwouldhavestoppedyourgoingintothecommon-room,ifIcould;

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buttheinnkeeperwouldnotletmeintoseeyou,ortakeamessage.’

‘Doyouthinkhe——’beganFrodo.

‘No,Idon’tthinkanyharmofoldButterbur.Onlyhedoesnotaltogetherlikemysteriousvagabondsofmysort.’Frodogavehimapuzzledlook.‘Well,Ihaveratherarascallylook,haveInot?’saidStriderwithacurl

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ofhislipandaqueergleaminhiseye.‘ButIhopeweshallgettoknowoneanotherbetter.Whenwedo,Ihopeyouwillexplainwhathappenedattheendofyoursong.Forthatlittleprank——’

‘Itwassheeraccident!’interruptedFrodo.

‘Iwonder,’saidStrider.‘Accident,then.Thataccidenthasmadeyourposition

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dangerous.’‘Hardlymorethanitwas

already,’saidFrodo.‘Iknewthesehorsemenwerepursuingme;butnowatanyratetheyseemtohavemissedmeandtohavegoneaway.’

‘Youmustnotcountonthat!’saidStridersharply.‘Theywillreturn.Andmorearecoming.Thereareothers.Iknowtheirnumber.IknowtheseRiders.’Hepaused,and

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hiseyeswerecoldandhard.‘AndtherearesomefolkinBreewhoarenottobetrusted,’hewenton.‘BillFerny,forinstance.HehasanevilnameintheBree-land,andqueerfolkcallathishouse.Youmusthavenoticedhimamongthecompany:aswarthysneeringfellow.HewasveryclosewithoneoftheSouthernstrangers,andtheyslippedouttogetherjust

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afteryour“accident”.NotallofthoseSouthernersmeanwell;andasforFerny,hewouldsellanythingtoanybody;ormakemischiefforamusement.’

‘WhatwillFernysell,andwhathasmyaccidentgottodowithhim?’saidFrodo,stilldeterminednottounderstandStrider’shints.

‘Newsofyou,ofcourse,’answeredStrider.‘An

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accountofyourperformancewouldbeveryinterestingtocertainpeople.Afterthattheywouldhardlyneedtobetoldyourrealname.Itseemstomeonlytoolikelythattheywillhearofitbeforethisnightisover.Isthatenough?Youcandoasyoulikeaboutmyreward:takemeasaguideornot.ButImaysaythatIknowallthelandsbetweentheShireandthe

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MistyMountains,forIhavewanderedoverthemformanyyears.IamolderthanIlook.Imightproveuseful.Youwillhavetoleavetheopenroadaftertonight;forthehorsemenwillwatchitnightandday.YoumayescapefromBree,andbeallowedtogoforwardwhiletheSunisup;butyouwon’tgofar.Theywillcomeonyouinthewild,insomedarkplace

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wherethereisnohelp.Doyouwishthemtofindyou?Theyareterrible!’

Thehobbitslookedathim,andsawwithsurprisethathisfacewasdrawnasifwithpain,andhishandsclenchedthearmsofhischair.Theroomwasveryquietandstill,andthelightseemedtohavegrowndim.Forawhilehesatwithunseeingeyesasifwalkingindistantmemoryor

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listeningtosoundsintheNightfaraway.

‘There!’hecriedafteramoment,drawinghishandacrosshisbrow.‘PerhapsIknowmoreaboutthesepursuersthanyoudo.Youfearthem,butyoudonotfearthemenough,yet.Tomorrowyouwillhavetoescape,ifyoucan.Stridercantakeyoubypathsthatareseldomtrodden.Willyouhavehim?’

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Therewasaheavysilence.Frodomadenoanswer;hismindwasconfusedwithdoubtandfear.Samfrowned,andlookedathismaster;andatlasthebrokeout:

‘Withyourleave,Mr.Frodo,I’dsayno!ThisStriderhere,hewarnsandhesaystakecare;andIsayyestothat,andlet’sbeginwithhim.HecomesoutoftheWild,andIneverheardno

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goodofsuchfolk.Heknowssomething,that’splain,andmorethanIlike;butit’snoreasonwhyweshouldlethimgoleadingusoutintosomedarkplacefarfromhelp,asheputsit.’

Pippinfidgetedandlookeduncomfortable.StriderdidnotreplytoSam,butturnedhiskeeneyesonFrodo.Frodocaughthisglanceandlookedaway.

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‘No,’hesaidslowly.‘Idon’tagree.Ithink,Ithinkyouarenotreallyasyouchoosetolook.YoubegantotalktomeliketheBree-folk,butyourvoicehaschanged.StillSamseemsrightinthis:Idon’tseewhyyoushouldwarnustotakecare,andyetaskustotakeyouontrust.Whythedisguise?Whoareyou?Whatdoyoureallyknowabout–aboutmybusiness;andhow

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doyouknowit?’‘Thelessonincautionhas

beenwelllearned,’saidStriderwithagrimsmile.‘Butcautionisonethingandwaveringisanother.YouwillnevergettoRivendellnowonyourown,andtotrustmeisyouronlychance.Youmustmakeupyourmind.Iwillanswersomeofyourquestions,ifthatwillhelpyoutodoso.Butwhyshould

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youbelievemystory,ifyoudonottrustmealready?Stillhereitis——’

Atthatmomenttherecameaknockatthedoor.Mr.Butterburhadarrivedwithcandles,andbehindhimwasNobwithcansofhotwater.Striderwithdrewintoadarkcorner.

‘I’vecometobidyou

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goodnight,’saidthelandlord,puttingthecandlesonthetable.‘Nob!Takethewatertotherooms!’Hecameinandshutthedoor.

‘It’slikethis,’hebegan,hesitatingandlookingtroubled.‘IfI’vedoneanyharm,I’msorryindeed.Butonethingdrivesoutanother,asyou’lladmit;andI’mabusyman.Butfirstonethingandthenanotherthisweek

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havejoggedmymemory,asthesayinggoes;andnottoolateIhope.Yousee,IwasaskedtolookoutforhobbitsoftheShire,andforonebythenameofBagginsinparticular.’

‘Andwhathasthatgottodowithme?’askedFrodo.

‘Ah!youknowbest,’saidthelandlord,knowingly.‘Iwon’tgiveyouaway;butIwastoldthatthisBaggins

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wouldbegoingbythenameofUnderhill,andIwasgivenadescriptionthatfitsyouwellenough,ifImaysayso.’

‘Indeed!Let’shaveitthen!’saidFrodo,unwiselyinterrupting.

‘Astoutlittlefellowwithredcheeks,’saidMr.Butterbursolemnly.Pippinchuckled,butSamlookedindignant.‘Thatwon’thelpyoumuch;itgoesformost

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hobbits,Barley,hesaystome,’continuedMr.ButterburwithaglanceatPippin.‘Butthisoneistallerthansomeandfairerthanmost,andhehasacleftinhischin:perkychapwithabrighteye.Beggingyourpardon,buthesaidit,notme.’

‘Hesaidit?Andwhowashe?’askedFrodoeagerly.

‘Ah!ThatwasGandalf,ifyouknowwhoImean.A

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wizardtheysayheis,buthe’sagoodfriendofmine,whetherorno.ButnowIdon’tknowwhathe’llhavetosaytome,ifIseehimagain:turnallmyalesourormeintoablockofwood,Ishouldn’twonder.He’sabithasty.Stillwhat’sdonecan’tbeundone.’

‘Well,whathaveyoudone?’saidFrodo,gettingimpatientwiththeslow

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unravellingofButterbur’sthoughts.

‘WherewasI?’saidthelandlord,pausingandsnappinghisfingers.‘Ah,yes!OldGandalf.Threemonthsbackhewalkedrightintomyroomwithoutaknock.Barley,hesays,I’moffinthemorning.Willyoudosomethingforme?You’veonlytonameit,Isaid.I’minahurry,saidhe,andI’veno

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timemyself,butIwantamessagetooktotheShire.Haveyouanyoneyoucansend,andtrusttogo?Icanfindsomeone,Isaid,tomorrow,maybe,orthedayafter.Makeittomorrow,hesays,andthenhegavemealetter.

‘It’saddressedplainenough,’saidMr.Butterbur,producingaletterfromhispocket,andreadingoutthe

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addressslowlyandproudly(hevaluedhisreputationasaletteredman):

Mr.FRODOBAGGINS,BAGEND,HOBBITONin

theSHIRE.

‘AletterformefromGandalf!’criedFrodo.

‘Ah!’saidMr.Butterbur.‘Thenyourrightnameis

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Baggins?’‘Itis,’saidFrodo,‘and

youhadbettergivemethatletteratonce,andexplainwhyyouneversentit.That’swhatyoucametotellme,Isuppose,thoughyou’vetakenalongtimetocometothepoint.’

PoorMr.Butterburlookedtroubled.‘You’reright,master,’hesaid,‘andIbegyourpardon.AndI’mmortal

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afraidofwhatGandalfwillsay,ifharmcomesofit.ButIdidn’tkeepitbacka-purpose.Iputitbysafe.ThenIcouldn’tfindnobodywillingtogototheShirenextday,northedayafter,andnoneofmyownfolkweretospare;andthenonethingafteranotherdroveitoutofmymind.I’mabusyman.I’lldowhatIcantosetmattersright,andifthere’sanyhelpI

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cangive,you’veonlytonameit.

‘Leavingtheletteraside,IpromisedGandalfnoless.Barley,hesaystome,thisfriendofminefromtheShire,hemaybecomingoutthiswaybeforelong,himandanother.He’llbecallinghimselfUnderhill.Mindthat!Butyouneedasknoquestions.AndifI’mnotwithhim,hemaybeintrouble,

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andhemayneedhelp.Dowhateveryoucanforhim,andI’llbegrateful,hesays.Andhereyouare,andtroubleisnotfaroff,seemingly.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’askedFrodo.

‘Theseblackmen,’saidthelandlordloweringhisvoice.‘They’relookingforBaggins,andiftheymeanwell,thenI’mahobbit.ItwasonMonday,andallthedogs

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wereyammeringandthegeesescreaming.Uncanny,Icalledit.Nob,hecameandtoldmethattwoblackmenwereatthedooraskingforahobbitcalledBaggins.Nob’shairwasallstoodonend.Ibidtheblackfellowsbeoff,andslammedthedooronthem;butthey’vebeenaskingthesamequestionallthewaytoArchet,Ihear.AndthatRanger,Strider,he’sbeen

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askingquestions,too.Triedtogetinheretoseeyou,beforeyou’dhadbiteorsup,hedid.’

‘Hedid!’saidStridersuddenly,comingforwardintothelight.‘Andmuchtroublewouldhavebeensaved,ifyouhadlethimin,Barliman.’

Thelandlordjumpedwithsurprise.‘You!’hecried.‘You’realwayspoppingup.

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Whatdoyouwantnow?’‘He’sherewithmyleave,’

saidFrodo.‘Hecametooffermehishelp.’

‘Well,youknowyourownbusiness,maybe,’saidMr.Butterbur,lookingsuspiciouslyatStrider.‘ButifIwasinyourplight,Iwouldn’ttakeupwithaRanger.’

‘Thenwhowouldyoutakeupwith?’askedStrider.

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‘Afatinnkeeperwhoonlyremembershisownnamebecausepeopleshoutitathimallday?TheycannotstayinThePonyforever,andtheycannotgohome.Theyhavealongroadbeforethem.Willyougowiththemandkeeptheblackmenoff?’

‘Me?LeaveBree!Iwouldn’tdothatforanymoney,’saidMr.Butterbur,lookingreallyscared.‘But

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whycan’tyoustayherequietforabit,Mr.Underhill?Whatareallthesequeergoingson?Whataretheseblackmenafter,andwheredotheycomefrom,I’dliketoknow?’

‘I’msorryIcan’texplainitall,’answeredFrodo.‘Iamtiredandveryworried,andit’salongtale.Butifyoumeantohelpme,IoughttowarnyouthatyouwillbeindangeraslongasIaminyour

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house.TheseBlackRiders:Iamnotsure,butIthink,Ifeartheycomefrom——’

‘TheycomefromMordor,’saidStriderinalowvoice.‘FromMordor,Barliman,ifthatmeansanythingtoyou.’

‘Saveus!’criedMr.Butterburturningpale;thenameevidentlywasknowntohim.‘ThatistheworstnewsthathascometoBreeinmy

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time.’‘Itis,’saidFrodo.‘Are

youstillwillingtohelpme?’‘Iam,’saidMr.Butterbur.

‘Morethanever.ThoughIdon’tknowwhatthelikesofmecandoagainst,against——’hefaltered.

‘AgainsttheShadowintheEast,’saidStriderquietly.‘Notmuch,Barliman,buteverylittlehelps.YoucanletMr.Underhillstayhere

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tonight,asMr.Underhill;andyoucanforgetthenameofBaggins,tillheisfaraway.’

‘I’lldothat,’saidButterbur.‘Butthey’llfindouthe’sherewithouthelpfromme,I’mafraid.It’sapityMr.Bagginsdrewattentiontohimselfthisevening,tosaynomore.ThestoryofthatMr.Bilbo’sgoingoffhasbeenheardbeforetonightinBree.Even

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ourNobhasbeendoingsomeguessinginhisslowpate;andthereareothersinBreequickerintheuptakethanheis.’

‘Well,wecanonlyhopetheRiderswon’tcomebackyet,’saidFrodo.

‘Ihopenot,indeed,’saidButterbur.‘Butspooksornospooks,theywon’tgetinThePonysoeasy.Don’tyouworrytillthemorning.Nob’ll

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saynoword.Noblackmanshallpassmydoors,whileIcanstandonmylegs.Meandmyfolk’llkeepwatchtonight;butyouhadbestgetsomesleep,ifyoucan.’

‘Inanycasewemustbecalledatdawn,’saidFrodo.‘Wemustgetoffasearlyaspossible.Breakfastatsix-thirty,please.’

‘Right!I’llseetotheorders,’saidthelandlord.

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‘Goodnight,Mr.Baggins–Underhill,Ishouldsay!Goodnight–now,blessme!Where’syourMr.Brandybuck?’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidFrodowithsuddenanxiety.TheyhadforgottenallaboutMerry,anditwasgettinglate.‘Iamafraidheisout.Hesaidsomethingaboutgoingforabreathofair.’

‘Well,youdowant

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lookingafterandnomistake:yourpartymightbeonaholiday!’saidButterbur.‘Imustgoandbarthedoorsquick,butI’llseeyourfriendisletinwhenhecomes.I’dbettersendNobtolookforhim.Goodnighttoyouall!’AtlastMr.Butterburwentout,withanotherdoubtfullookatStriderandashakeofhishead.Hisfootstepsretreateddownthepassage.

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‘Well?’saidStrider.‘Whenareyougoingtoopenthatletter?’Frodolookedcarefullyatthesealbeforehebrokeit.ItseemedcertainlytobeGandalf’s.Inside,writteninthewizard’sstrongbutgracefulscript,wasthefollowingmessage:

THEPRANCINGPONY,BREE.Midyear’sDay,ShireYear,1418.

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DearFrodo,Badnewshasreached

mehere.Imustgooffatonce.YouhadbetterleaveBagEndsoon,andgetoutoftheShirebeforetheendofJulyatlatest.IwillreturnassoonasIcan;andIwillfollowyou,ifIfindthatyouaregone.Leaveamessageformehere,ifyoupassthroughBree.Youcantrustthe

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landlord(Butterbur).YoumaymeetafriendofmineontheRoad:aMan,lean,dark,tall,bysomecalledStrider.Heknowsourbusinessandwillhelpyou.MakeforRivendell.ThereIhopewemaymeetagain.IfIdonotcome,Elrondwilladviseyou.

Yoursinhaste

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GANDALF.

PS.DoNOTuseItagain,notforanyreasonwhatever!Donottravelbynight!

PPS.MakesurethatitistherealStrider.Therearemanystrangemenontheroads.HistruenameisAragorn.

Allthatisgolddoes

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notglitter,Notallthosewhowanderarelost;

Theoldthatisstrongdoesnotwither,Deeprootsarenotreachedbythefrost.

Fromtheashesafireshallbewoken,Alightfromtheshadowsshallspring;

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Renewedshallbebladethatwasbroken,Thecrownlessagainshallbeking.

PPPS.IhopeButterbursendsthispromptly.Aworthyman,buthismemoryislikealumber-room:thingwantedalwaysburied.Ifheforgets,Ishallroasthim.

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FareWell!

Frodoreadthelettertohimself,andthenpassedittoPippinandSam.‘ReallyoldButterburhasmadeamessofthings!’hesaid.‘Hedeservesroasting.IfIhadgotthisatonce,wemightallhavebeensafeinRivendellbynow.ButwhatcanhavehappenedtoGandalf?Hewritesasifhe

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wasgoingintogreatdanger.’‘Hehasbeendoingthat

formanyyears,’saidStrider.Frodoturnedandlooked

athimthoughtfully,wonderingaboutGandalf’ssecondpostscript.‘Whydidn’tyoutellmethatyouwereGandalf’sfriendatonce?’heasked.‘Itwouldhavesavedtime.’

‘Wouldit?Wouldanyofyouhavebelievedmetill

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now?’saidStrider.‘Iknewnothingofthisletter.ForallIknewIhadtopersuadeyoutotrustmewithoutproofs,ifIwastohelpyou.Inanycase,Ididnotintendtotellyouallaboutmyselfatonce.Ihadtostudyyoufirst,andmakesureofyou.TheEnemyhassettrapsformebeforenow.AssoonasIhadmadeupmymind,Iwasreadytotellyouwhateveryouasked.ButI

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mustadmit,’headdedwithaqueerlaugh,‘thatIhopedyouwouldtaketomeformyownsake.Ahuntedmansometimesweariesofdistrustandlongsforfriendship.Butthere,Ibelievemylooksareagainstme.’

‘Theyare–atfirstsightatanyrate,’laughedPippinwithsuddenreliefafterreadingGandalf’sletter.‘Buthandsomeisashandsome

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does,aswesayintheShire;andIdaresayweshallalllookmuchthesameafterlyingfordaysinhedgesandditches.’

‘Itwouldtakemorethanafewdays,orweeks,oryears,ofwanderingintheWildtomakeyoulooklikeStrider,’heanswered.‘Andyouwoulddiefirst,unlessyouaremadeofsternerstuffthanyoulooktobe.’

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Pippinsubsided;butSamwasnotdaunted,andhestilleyedStriderdubiously.‘HowdoweknowyouaretheStriderthatGandalfspeaksabout?’hedemanded.‘YounevermentionedGandalf,tillthislettercameout.Youmightbeaplay-actingspy,forallIcansee,tryingtogetustogowithyou.YoumighthavedoneintherealStriderandtookhisclothes.What

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haveyoutosaytothat?’‘Thatyouareastout

fellow,’answeredStrider;‘butIamafraidmyonlyanswertoyou,SamGamgee,isthis.IfIhadkilledtherealStrider,Icouldkillyou.AndIshouldhavekilledyoualreadywithoutsomuchtalk.IfIwasaftertheRing,Icouldhaveit–now!’

Hestoodup,andseemedsuddenlytogrowtaller.Inhis

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eyesgleamedalight,keenandcommanding.Throwingbackhiscloak,helaidhishandonthehiltofaswordthathadhungconcealedbyhisside.Theydidnotdaretomove.Samsatwide-mouthedstaringathimdumbly.

‘ButIamtherealStrider,fortunately,’hesaid,lookingdownatthemwithhisfacesoftenedbyasuddensmile.‘IamAragornsonofArathorn;

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andifbylifeordeathIcansaveyou,Iwill.’

Therewasalongsilence.AtlastFrodospokewithhesitation.‘Ibelievedthatyouwereafriendbeforethelettercame,’hesaid,‘oratleastIwishedto.Youhavefrightenedmeseveraltimestonight,butneverinthewaythatservantsoftheEnemy

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would,orsoIimagine.Ithinkoneofhisspieswould–well,seemfairerandfeelfouler,ifyouunderstand.’

‘Isee,’laughedStrider.‘Ilookfoulandfeelfair.Isthatit?Allthatisgolddoesnotglitter,notallthosewhowanderarelost.’

‘Didtheversesapplytoyouthen?’askedFrodo.‘Icouldnotmakeoutwhattheywereabout.Buthowdidyou

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knowthattheywereinGandalf’sletter,ifyouhaveneverseenit?’

‘Ididnotknow,’heanswered.‘ButIamAragorn,andthoseversesgowiththatname.’Hedrewouthissword,andtheysawthatthebladewasindeedbrokenafootbelowthehilt.‘Notmuchuseisit,Sam?’saidStrider.‘Butthetimeisnearwhenitshallbeforged

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anew.’Samsaidnothing.‘Well,’saidStrider,‘with

Sam’spermissionwewillcallthatsettled.Stridershallbeyourguide.AndnowIthinkitistimeyouwenttobedandtookwhatrestyoucan.Weshallhavearoughroadtomorrow.EvenifweareallowedtoleaveBreeunhindered,wecanhardlyhopenowtoleaveit

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unnoticed.ButIshalltrytogetlostassoonaspossible.IknowoneortwowaysoutofBree-landotherthanthemainroad.Ifonceweshakeoffthepursuit,IshallmakeforWeathertop.’

‘Weathertop?’saidSam.‘What’sthat?’

‘Itisahill,justtothenorthoftheRoad,abouthalfwayfromheretoRivendell.Itcommandsawideviewall

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round;andthereweshallhaveachancetolookaboutus.Gandalfwillmakeforthatpoint,ifhefollowsus.AfterWeathertopourjourneywillbecomemoredifficult,andweshallhavetochoosebetweenvariousdangers.’

‘WhendidyoulastseeGandalf?’askedFrodo.‘Doyouknowwhereheis,orwhatheisdoing?’

Striderlookedgrave.‘Ido

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notknow,’hesaid.‘Icamewestwithhiminthespring.IhaveoftenkeptwatchonthebordersoftheShireinthelastfewyears,whenhewasbusyelsewhere.Heseldomleftitunguarded.WelastmetonthefirstofMay:atSarnForddowntheBrandywine.Hetoldmethathisbusinesswithyouhadgonewell,andthatyouwouldbestartingforRivendellinthelastweekof

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September.AsIknewhewasatyourside,Iwentawayonajourneyofmyown.Andthathasprovedill;forplainlysomenewsreachedhim,andIwasnotathandtohelp.

‘Iamtroubled,forthefirsttimesinceIhaveknownhim.Weshouldhavehadmessages,evenifhecouldnotcomehimself.WhenIreturned,manydaysago,Iheardtheillnews.The

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tidingshadgonefarandwidethatGandalfwasmissingandthehorsemenhadbeenseen.ItwastheElven-folkofGildorthattoldmethis;andlatertheytoldmethatyouhadleftyourhome;buttherewasnonewsofyourleavingBuckland.IhavebeenwatchingtheEastRoadanxiously.’

‘DoyouthinktheBlackRidershaveanythingtodo

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withit–withGandalf’sabsence,Imean?’askedFrodo.

‘Idonotknowofanythingelsethatcouldhavehinderedhim,excepttheEnemyhimself,’saidStrider.‘Butdonotgiveuphope!GandalfisgreaterthanyouShire-folkknow–asaruleyoucanonlyseehisjokesandtoys.Butthisbusinessofourswillbehisgreatesttask.’

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Pippinyawned.‘Iamsorry,’hesaid,‘butIamdeadtired.InspiteofallthedangerandworryImustgotobed,orsleepwhereIsit.Whereisthatsillyfellow,Merry?Itwouldbethelaststraw,ifwehadtogooutinthedarktolookforhim.’

Atthatmomenttheyheardadoorslam;thenfeet

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camerunningalongthepassage.MerrycameinwitharushfollowedbyNob.Heshutthedoorhastily,andleanedagainstit.Hewasoutofbreath.Theystaredathiminalarmforamomentbeforehegasped:‘Ihaveseenthem,Frodo!Ihaveseenthem!BlackRiders!’

‘BlackRiders!’criedFrodo.‘Where?’

‘Here.Inthevillage.I

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stayedindoorsforanhour.Thenasyoudidnotcomeback,Iwentoutforastroll.Ihadcomebackagainandwasstandingjustoutsidethelightofthelamplookingatthestars.SuddenlyIshiveredandfeltthatsomethinghorriblewascreepingnear:therewasasortofdeepershadeamongtheshadowsacrosstheroad,justbeyondtheedgeofthelamplight.Itslidawayat

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onceintothedarkwithoutasound.Therewasnohorse.’

‘Whichwaydiditgo?’askedStrider,suddenlyandsharply.

Merrystarted,noticingthestrangerforthefirsttime.‘Goon!’saidFrodo.‘ThisisafriendofGandalf’s.Iwillexplainlater.’

‘ItseemedtomakeoffuptheRoad,eastward,’continuedMerry.‘Itriedto

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follow.Ofcourse,itvanishedalmostatonce;butIwentroundthecornerandonasfarasthelasthouseontheRoad.’

StriderlookedatMerrywithwonder.‘Youhaveastoutheart,’hesaid;‘butitwasfoolish.’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidMerry.‘Neitherbravenorsilly,Ithink.Icouldhardlyhelpmyself.Iseemedtobe

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drawnsomehow.Anyway,Iwent,andsuddenlyIheardvoicesbythehedge.

Onewasmuttering;andtheotherwaswhispering,orhissing.Icouldn’thearawordthatwassaid.Ididnotcreepanycloser,becauseIbegantotrembleallover.ThenIfeltterrified,andIturnedback,andwasjustgoingtobolthome,whensomethingcamebehindme

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andI...Ifellover.’‘Ifoundhim,sir,’putin

Nob.‘Mr.Butterbursentmeoutwithalantern.IwentdowntoWest-gate,andthenbackuptowardsSouth-gate.JustnighBillFerny’shouseIthoughtIcouldseesomethingintheRoad.Icouldn’tsweartoit,butitlookedtomeasiftwomenwasstoopingoversomething,liftingit.Igaveashout,butwhenIgotupto

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thespottherewasnosignsofthem,andonlyMr.Brandybucklyingbytheroadside.Heseemedtobeasleep.“IthoughtIhadfallenintodeepwater,”hesaystome,whenIshookhim.Veryqueerhewas,andassoonasIhadrousedhim,hegotupandranbackherelikeahare.’

‘Iamafraidthat’strue,’saidMerry,‘thoughIdon’tknowwhatIsaid.Ihadan

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uglydream,whichIcan’tremember.Iwenttopieces.Idon’tknowwhatcameoverme.’

‘Ido,’saidStrider.‘TheBlackBreath.TheRidersmusthavelefttheirhorsesoutside,andpassedbackthroughtheSouth-gateinsecret.Theywillknowallthenewsnow,fortheyhavevisitedBillFerny;andprobablythatSouthernerwas

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aspyaswell.Somethingmayhappeninthenight,beforeweleaveBree.’

‘Whatwillhappen?’saidMerry.‘Willtheyattacktheinn?’

‘No,Ithinknot,’saidStrider.‘Theyarenotallhereyet.Andinanycasethatisnottheirway.Indarkandlonelinesstheyarestrongest;theywillnotopenlyattackahousewheretherearelights

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andmanypeople–notuntiltheyaredesperate,notwhileallthelongleaguesofEriadorstillliebeforeus.Buttheirpowerisinterror,andalreadysomeinBreeareintheirclutch.Theywilldrivethesewretchestosomeevilwork:Ferny,andsomeofthestrangers,and,maybe,thegatekeepertoo.TheyhadwordswithHarryatWest-gateonMonday.Iwas

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watchingthem.Hewaswhiteandshakingwhentheylefthim.’

‘Weseemtohaveenemiesallround,’saidFrodo.‘Whatarewetodo?’

‘Stayhere,anddonotgotoyourrooms!Theyaresuretohavefoundoutwhichthoseare.Thehobbit-roomshavewindowslookingnorthandclosetotheground.Wewillallremaintogetherandbar

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thiswindowandthedoor.ButfirstNobandIwillfetchyourluggage.’

WhileStriderwasgone,FrodogaveMerryarapidaccountofallthathadhappenedsincesupper.MerrywasstillreadingandponderingGandalf’sletterwhenStriderandNobreturned.

‘WellMasters,’saidNob,‘I’veruffleduptheclothes

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andputinabolsterdownthemiddleofeachbed.AndImadeaniceimitationofyourheadwithabrownwoollenmat,Mr.Bag–Underhill,sir,’headdedwithagrin.

Pippinlaughed.‘Verylife-like!’hesaid.‘Butwhatwillhappenwhentheyhavepenetratedthedisguise?’

‘Weshallsee,’saidStrider.‘Letushopetoholdtheforttillmorning.’

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‘Goodnighttoyou,’saidNob,andwentofftotakehispartinthewatchonthedoors.

Theirbagsandgeartheypiledontheparlour-floor.Theypushedalowchairagainstthedoorandshutthewindow.Peeringout,Frodosawthatthenightwasstillclear.TheSickle*wasswingingbrightabovetheshouldersofBree-hill.He

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thenclosedandbarredtheheavyinsideshuttersanddrewthecurtainstogether.Striderbuiltupthefireandblewoutallthecandles.

Thehobbitslaydownontheirblanketswiththeirfeettowardsthehearth;butStridersettledhimselfinthechairagainstthedoor.Theytalkedforalittle,forMerrystillhadseveralquestionstoask.

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‘JumpedovertheMoon!’chuckledMerryasherolledhimselfinhisblanket.‘Veryridiculousofyou,Frodo!ButIwish

Ihadbeentheretosee.TheworthiesofBreewillbediscussingitahundredyearshence.’

‘Ihopeso,’saidStrider.Thentheyallfellsilent,andonebyonethehobbitsdroppedofftosleep.

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Chapter11

AKNIFEINTHEDARK

AstheypreparedforsleepintheinnatBree,darknesslayonBuckland;amiststrayedinthedellsandalongthe

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river-bank.ThehouseatCrickhollowstoodsilent.FattyBolgeropenedthedoorcautiouslyandpeeredout.Afeelingoffearhadbeengrowingonhimallday,andhewasunabletorestorgotobed:therewasabroodingthreatinthebreathlessnight-air.Ashestaredoutintothegloom,ablackshadowmovedunderthetrees;thegateseemedtoopenofits

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ownaccordandcloseagainwithoutasound.Terrorseizedhim.Heshrankback,andforamomenthestoodtremblinginthehall.Thenheshutandlockedthedoor.

Thenightdeepened.Therecamethesoftsoundofhorsesledwithstealthalongthelane.Outsidethegatetheystopped,andthreeblackfiguresentered,likeshadesofnightcreepingacrossthe

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ground.Onewenttothedoor,onetothecornerofthehouseoneitherside;andtheretheystood,asstillastheshadowsofstones,whilenightwentslowlyon.Thehouseandthequiettreesseemedtobewaitingbreathlessly.

Therewasafaintstirintheleaves,andacockcrowedfaraway.Thecoldhourbeforedawnwaspassing.Thefigurebythedoormoved.In

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thedarkwithoutmoonorstarsadrawnbladegleamed,asifachilllighthadbeenunsheathed.Therewasablow,softbutheavy,andthedoorshuddered.

‘Open,inthenameofMordor!’saidavoicethinandmenacing.

Atasecondblowthedooryieldedandfellback,withtimbersburstandlockbroken.Theblackfigures

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passedswiftlyin.Atthatmoment,among

thetreesnearby,ahornrangout.Itrentthenightlikefireonahill-top.

AWAKE!FEAR!FIRE!FOES!AWAKE!

FattyBolgerhadnotbeenidle.Assoonashesawthedarkshapescreepfromthegarden,heknewthathemust

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runforit,orperish.Andrunhedid,outofthebackdoor,throughthegarden,andoverthefields.Whenhereachedthenearesthouse,morethanamileaway,hecollapsedonthedoorstep.‘No,no,no!’hewascrying.‘No,notme!Ihaven’tgotit!’Itwassometimebeforeanyonecouldmakeoutwhathewasbabblingabout.Atlasttheygottheideathatenemies

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wereinBuckland,somestrangeinvasionfromtheOldForest.Andthentheylostnomoretime.

FEAR!FIRE!FOES!

TheBrandybuckswereblowingtheHorn-callofBuckland,thathadnotbeensoundedforahundredyears,notsincethewhitewolvescameintheFellWinter,

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whentheBrandywinewasfrozenover.

AWAKE!AWAKE!

Farawayansweringhornswereheard.Thealarmwasspreading.

Theblackfiguresfledfromthehouse.Oneofthemletfallahobbit-cloakonthestep,asheran.Inthelanethenoiseofhoofsbrokeout,and

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gatheringtoagallop,wenthammeringawayintothedarkness.AllaboutCrickhollowtherewasthesoundofhornsblowing,andvoicescryingandfeetrunning.ButtheBlackRidersrodelikeagaletotheNorth-gate.Letthelittlepeopleblow!Sauronwoulddealwiththemlater.Meanwhiletheyhadanothererrand:theyknewnowthatthehousewas

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emptyandtheRinghadgone.TheyrodedowntheguardsatthegateandvanishedfromtheShire.

IntheearlynightFrodowokefromdeepsleep,suddenly,asifsomesoundorpresencehaddisturbedhim.HesawthatStriderwassittingalertinhischair:hiseyesgleamedinthelightof

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thefire,whichhadbeentendedandwasburningbrightly;buthemadenosignormovement.

Frodosoonwenttosleepagain;buthisdreamswereagaintroubledwiththenoiseofwindandofgallopinghoofs.Thewindseemedtobecurlingroundthehouseandshakingit;andfaroffheheardahornblowingwildly.Heopenedhiseyes,and

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heardacockcrowinglustilyintheinn-yard.Striderhaddrawnthecurtainsandpushedbacktheshutterswithaclang.Thefirstgreylightofdaywasintheroom,andacoldairwascomingthroughtheopenwindow.

AssoonasStriderhadrousedthemall,heledthewaytotheirbedrooms.Whentheysawthemtheyweregladthattheyhadtakenhis

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advice:thewindowshadbeenforcedopenandwereswinging,andthecurtainswereflapping;thebedsweretossedabout,andthebolstersslashedandflunguponthefloor;thebrownmatwastorntopieces.

Striderimmediatelywenttofetchthelandlord.PoorMr.Butterburlookedsleepyandfrightened.Hehadhardlyclosedhiseyesallnight(so

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hesaid),buthehadneverheardasound.

‘Neverhassuchathinghappenedinmytime!’hecried,raisinghishandsinhorror.‘Guestsunabletosleepintheirbeds,andgoodbolstersruinedandall!Whatarewecomingto?’

‘Darktimes,’saidStrider.‘Butforthepresentyoumaybeleftinpeace,whenyouhavegotridofus.Wewill

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leaveatonce.Nevermindaboutbreakfast:adrinkandabitestandingwillhavetodo.Weshallbepackedinafewminutes.’

Mr.Butterburhurriedofftoseethattheirponiesweregotready,andtofetchthema‘bite’.Butverysoonhecamebackindismay.Theponieshadvanished!Thestable-doorshadallbeenopenedinthenight,andtheywere

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gone:notonlyMerry’sponies,buteveryotherhorseandbeastintheplace.

Frodowascrushedbythenews.HowcouldtheyhopetoreachRivendellonfoot,pursuedbymountedenemies?TheymightaswellsetoutfortheMoon.Stridersatsilentforawhile,lookingatthehobbits,asifhewasweighinguptheirstrengthandcourage.

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‘Ponieswouldnothelpustoescapehorsemen,’hesaidatlast,thoughtfully,asifheguessedwhatFrodohadinmind.‘Weshouldnotgomuchsloweronfoot,notontheroadsthatImeantotake.Iwasgoingtowalkinanycase.Itisthefoodandstoresthattroubleme.WecannotcountongettinganythingtoeatbetweenhereandRivendell,exceptwhatwe

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takewithus;andweoughttotakeplentytospare;forwemaybedelayed,orforcedtogoround-about,faroutofthedirectway.Howmuchareyoupreparedtocarryonyourbacks?’

‘Asmuchaswemust,’saidPippinwithasinkingheart,buttryingtoshowthathewastougherthanhelooked(orfelt).

‘Icancarryenoughfor

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two,’saidSamdefiantly.‘Can’tanythingbedone,

Mr.Butterbur?’askedFrodo.‘Can’twegetacoupleofponiesinthevillage,orevenonejustforthebaggage?Idon’tsupposewecouldhirethem,butwemightbeabletobuythem,’headded,doubtfully,wonderingifhecouldaffordit.

‘Idoubtit,’saidthelandlordunhappily.‘Thetwo

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orthreeriding-poniesthattherewereinBreewerestabledinmyyard,andthey’regone.Asforotheranimals,horsesorponiesfordraughtorwhatnot,thereareveryfewoftheminBree,andtheywon’tbeforsale.ButI’lldowhatIcan.I’llroutoutBobandsendhimroundassoonasmaybe.’

‘Yes,’saidStriderreluctantly,‘youhadbetterdo

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that.Iamafraidweshallhavetotrytogetoneponyatleast.Butsoendsallhopeofstartingearly,andslippingawayquietly!Wemightaswellhaveblownahorntoannounceourdeparture.Thatwaspartoftheirplan,nodoubt.’

‘Thereisonecrumbofcomfort,’saidMerry,‘andmorethanacrumb,Ihope:wecanhavebreakfastwhile

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wewait–andsitdowntoit.Let’sgetholdofNob!’

Intheendtherewasmorethanthreehours’delay.Bobcamebackwiththereportthatnohorseorponywastobegotforloveormoneyintheneighbourhood–exceptone:BillFernyhadonethathemightpossiblysell.‘Apooroldhalf-starvedcreature

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itis,’saidBob;‘buthewon’tpartwithitforlessthanthriceitsworth,seeinghowyou’replaced,notifIknowsBillFerny.’

‘BillFerny?’saidFrodo.‘Isn’ttheresometrick?Wouldn’tthebeastboltbacktohimwithallourstuff,orhelpintrackingus,orsomething?’

‘Iwonder,’saidStrider.‘ButIcannotimagineany

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animalrunninghometohim,onceitgotaway.IfancythisisonlyanafterthoughtofkindMasterFerny’s:justawayofincreasinghisprofitsfromtheaffair.Thechiefdangeristhatthepoorbeastisprobablyatdeath’sdoor.Buttheredoesnotseemanychoice.Whatdoeshewantforit?’

BillFerny’spricewastwelvesilverpennies;and

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thatwasindeedatleastthreetimesthepony’svalueinthoseparts.Itprovedtobeabony,underfed,anddispiritedanimal;butitdidnotlooklikedyingjustyet.Mr.Butterburpaidforithimself,andofferedMerryanothereighteenpenceassomecompensationforthelostanimals.Hewasanhonestman,andwell-offasthingswerereckonedinBree;but

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thirtysilverpennieswasasoreblowtohim,andbeingcheatedbyBillFernymadeithardertobear.

Asamatteroffacthecameoutontherightsideintheend.Itturnedoutlaterthatonlyonehorsehadbeenactuallystolen.Theothershadbeendrivenoff,orhadboltedinterror,andwerefoundwanderingindifferentcornersoftheBree-land.

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Merry’sponieshadescapedaltogether,andeventually(havingagooddealofsense)theymadetheirwaytotheDownsinsearchofFattyLumpkin.SotheycameunderthecareofTomBombadilforawhile,andwerewell-off.ButwhennewsoftheeventsatBreecametoTom’sears,hesentthemtoMr.Butterbur,whothusgotfivegoodbeastsataveryfair

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price.TheyhadtoworkharderinBree,butBobtreatedthemwell;soonthewholetheywerelucky:theymissedadarkanddangerousjourney.ButtheynevercametoRivendell.

However,inthemeanwhileforallMr.Butterburknewhismoneywasgoneforgood,orforbad.Andhehadothertroubles.Fortherewasa

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greatcommotionassoonastheremainingguestswereastirandheardnewsoftheraidontheinn.Thesoutherntravellershadlostseveralhorsesandblamedtheinnkeeperloudly,untilitbecameknownthatoneoftheirownnumberhadalsodisappearedinthenight,noneotherthanBillFerny’ssquint-eyedcompanion.Suspicionfellonhimatonce.

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‘Ifyoupickupwithahorse-thief,andbringhimtomyhouse,’saidButterburangrily,‘yououghttopayforallthedamageyourselvesandnotcomeshoutingatme.GoandaskFernywhereyourhandsomefriendis!’Butitappearedthathewasnobody’sfriend,andnobodycouldrecollectwhenhehadjoinedtheirparty.

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Aftertheirbreakfastthehobbitshadtore-pack,andgettogetherfurthersuppliesforthelongerjourneytheywerenowexpecting.Itwascloseonteno’clockbeforetheyatlastgotoff.BythattimethewholeofBreewasbuzzingwithexcitement.Frodo’svanishingtrick;theappearanceoftheblackhorsemen;therobbingofthestables;andnotleastthenews

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thatStridertheRangerhadjoinedthemysterioushobbits,madesuchataleaswouldlastformanyuneventfulyears.MostoftheinhabitantsofBreeandStaddle,andmanyevenfromCombeandArchet,werecrowdedintheroadtoseethetravellersstart.Theotherguestsintheinnwereatthedoorsorhangingoutofthewindows.

Striderhadchangedhis

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mind,andhaddecidedtoleaveBreebythemainroad.Anyattempttosetoffacrosscountryatoncewouldonlymakemattersworse:halftheinhabitantswouldfollowthem,toseewhattheywereupto,andtopreventthemfromtrespassing.

TheysaidfarewelltoNobandBob,andtookleaveofMr.Butterburwithmanythanks.‘Ihopeweshallmeet

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againsomeday,whenthingsaremerryoncemore,’saidFrodo.‘Ishouldlikenothingbetterthantostayinyourhouseinpeaceforawhile.’

Theytrampedoff,anxiousanddownhearted,undertheeyesofthecrowd.Notallthefaceswerefriendly,norallthewordsthatwereshouted.ButStriderseemedtobeheldinawebymostoftheBree-landers,andthosethathe

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staredatshuttheirmouthsanddrewaway.HewalkedinfrontwithFrodo;nextcameMerryandPippin;andlastcameSamleadingthepony,whichwasladenwithasmuchoftheirbaggageastheyhadthehearttogiveit;butalreadyitlookedlessdejected,asifitapprovedofthechangeinitsfortunes.Samwaschewinganapplethoughtfully.Hehadapocket

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fullofthem:apartingpresentfromNobandBob.‘Applesforwalking,andapipeforsitting,’hesaid.‘ButIreckonI’llmissthembothbeforelong.’

Thehobbitstooknonoticeoftheinquisitiveheadsthatpeepedoutofdoors,orpoppedoverwallsandfences,astheypassed.Butastheydrewneartothefurthergate,Frodosawadarkill-kept

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housebehindathickhedge:thelasthouseinthevillage.Inoneofthewindowshecaughtaglimpseofasallowfacewithsly,slantingeyes;butitvanishedatonce.

‘Sothat’swherethatsouthernerishiding!’hethought.‘Helooksmorethanhalflikeagoblin.’

Overthehedgeanothermanwasstaringboldly.Hehadheavyblackbrows,and

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darkscornfuleyes;hislargemouthcurledinasneer.Hewassmokingashortblackpipe.Astheyapproachedhetookitoutofhismouthandspat.

‘Morning,Longshanks!’hesaid.‘Offearly?Foundsomefriendsatlast?’Stridernodded,butdidnotanswer.

‘Morning,mylittlefriends!’hesaidtotheothers.‘Isupposeyouknowwho

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you’vetakenupwith?That’sStick-at-naughtStrider,thatis!ThoughI’veheardothernamesnotsopretty.Watchouttonight!Andyou,Sammie,don’tgoill-treatingmypooroldpony!Pah!’Hespatagain.

Samturnedquickly.‘Andyou,Ferny,’hesaid,‘putyouruglyfaceoutofsight,oritwillgethurt.’Withasuddenflick,quickas

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lightning,anapplelefthishandandhitBillsquareonthenose.Heduckedtoolate,andcursescamefrombehindthehedge.‘Wasteofagoodapple,’saidSamregretfully,andstrodeon.

Atlasttheyleftthevillagebehind.Theescortofchildrenandstragglersthathadfollowedthemgottired

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andturnedbackattheSouth-gate.Passingthrough,theykeptonalongtheRoadforsomemiles.Itbenttotheleft,curvingbackintoitseastwardlineasitroundedthefeetofBree-hill,andthenitbegantorunswiftlydownwardsintowoodedcountry.Totheirlefttheycouldseesomeofthehousesandhobbit-holesofStaddleonthegentlersouth-easternslopesofthehill;

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downinadeephollowawaynorthoftheRoadtherewerewispsofrisingsmokethatshowedwhereCombelay;Archetwashiddeninthetreesbeyond.

AftertheRoadhadrundownsomeway,andhadleftBree-hillstandingtallandbrownbehind,theycameonanarrowtrackthatledofftowardstheNorth.‘Thisiswhereweleavetheopenand

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taketocover,’saidStrider.‘Nota“shortcut”,Ihope,’

saidPippin.‘Ourlastshortcutthroughwoodsnearlyendedindisaster.’

‘Ah,butyouhadnotgotmewithyouthen,’laughedStrider.‘Mycuts,shortorlong,don’tgowrong.’HetookalookupanddowntheRoad.Noonewasinsight;andheledthewayquicklydowntowardsthewooded

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valley.Hisplan,asfarasthey

couldunderstanditwithoutknowingthecountry,wastogotowardsArchetatfirst,buttobearrightandpassitontheeast,andthentosteerasstraightashecouldoverthewildlandstoWeathertopHill.Inthatwaytheywould,ifallwentwell,cutoffagreatloopoftheRoad,whichfurtheronbentsouthwardsto

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avoidtheMidgewaterMarshes.But,ofcourse,theywouldhavetopassthroughthemarshesthemselves,andStrider’sdescriptionofthemwasnotencouraging.

However,inthemeanwhile,walkingwasnotunpleasant.

Indeed,ifithadnotbeenforthedisturbingeventsofthenightbefore,theywouldhaveenjoyedthispartofthe

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journeybetterthananyuptothattime.Thesunwasshining,clearbutnottoohot.Thewoodsinthevalleywerestillleafyandfullofcolour,andseemedpeacefulandwholesome.Striderguidedthemconfidentlyamongthemanycrossingpaths,althoughlefttothemselvestheywouldsoonhavebeenataloss.Hewastakingawanderingcoursewithmany

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turnsanddoublings,toputoffanypursuit.

‘BillFernywillhavewatchedwherewelefttheRoad,forcertain,’hesaid;‘thoughIdon’tthinkhewillfollowushimself.Heknowsthelandroundherewellenough,butheknowsheisnotamatchformeinawood.ItiswhathemaytellothersthatIamafraidof.Idon’tsupposetheyarefaraway.If

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theythinkwehavemadeforArchet,somuchthebetter.’

WhetherbecauseofStrider’sskillorforsomeotherreason,theysawnosignandheardnosoundofanyotherlivingthingallthatday:neithertwo-footed,exceptbirds;norfour-footed,exceptonefoxandafewsquirrels.Thenextdaythey

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begantosteerasteadycourseeastwards;andstillallwasquietandpeaceful.OnthethirddayoutfromBreetheycameoutoftheChetwood.Thelandhadbeenfallingsteadily,eversincetheyturnedasidefromtheRoad,andtheynowenteredawideflatexpanseofcountry,muchmoredifficulttomanage.TheywerefarbeyondthebordersoftheBree-land,out

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inthepathlesswilderness,anddrawingneartotheMidgewaterMarshes.

Thegroundnowbecamedamp,andinplacesboggyandhereandtheretheycameuponpools,andwidestretchesofreedsandrushesfilledwiththewarblingoflittlehiddenbirds.Theyhadtopicktheirwaycarefullytokeepbothdry-footedandontheirpropercourse.Atfirst

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theymadefairprogress,butastheywenton,theirpassagebecameslowerandmoredangerous.Themarsheswerebewilderingandtreacherous,andtherewasnopermanenttrailevenforRangerstofindthroughtheirshiftingquagmires.Thefliesbegantotormentthem,andtheairwasfullofcloudsoftinymidgesthatcreptuptheirsleevesandbreechesandintotheirhair.

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‘Iambeingeatenalive!’criedPippin.‘Midgewater!Therearemoremidgesthanwater!’

‘Whatdotheyliveonwhentheycan’tgethobbit?’askedSam,scratchinghisneck.

Theyspentamiserabledayinthislonelyandunpleasantcountry.Theircamping-placewasdamp,cold,anduncomfortable;and

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thebitinginsectswouldnotletthemsleep.Therewerealsoabominablecreatureshauntingthereedsandtussocksthatfromthesoundofthemwereevilrelativesofthecricket.Therewerethousandsofthem,andtheysqueakedallround,neek-breek,breek-neek,unceasinglyallthenight,untilthehobbitswerenearlyfrantic.

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Thenextday,thefourth,waslittlebetter,andthenightalmostascomfortless.ThoughtheNeekerbreekers(asSamcalledthem)hadbeenleftbehind,themidgesstillpursuedthem.

AsFrodolay,tiredbutunabletoclosehiseyes,itseemedtohimthatfarawaytherecamealightintheeasternsky:itflashedandfadedmanytimes.Itwasnot

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thedawn,forthatwasstillsomehoursoff.

‘Whatisthelight?’hesaidtoStrider,whohadrisen,andwasstanding,gazingaheadintothenight.

‘Idonotknow,’Strideranswered.‘Itistoodistanttomakeout.Itislikelightningthatleapsupfromthehill-tops.’

Frodolaydownagain,butforalongwhilehecouldstill

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seethewhiteflashes,andagainstthemthetalldarkfigureofStrider,standingsilentandwatchful.Atlasthepassedintouneasysleep.

Theyhadnotgonefaronthefifthdaywhentheyleftthelaststragglingpoolsandreed-bedsofthemarshesbehindthem.Thelandbeforethembegansteadilytorise

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again.Awayinthedistanceeastwardtheycouldnowseealineofhills.Thehighestofthemwasattherightofthelineandalittleseparatedfromtheothers.Ithadaconicaltop,slightlyflattenedatthesummit.

‘ThatisWeathertop,’saidStrider.‘TheOldRoad,whichwehaveleftfarawayonourright,runstothesouthofitandpassesnotfarfrom

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itsfoot.Wemightreachitbynoontomorrow,ifwegostraighttowardsit.Isupposewehadbetterdoso.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’askedFrodo.

‘Imean:whenwedogetthere,itisnotcertainwhatweshallfind.ItisclosetotheRoad.’

‘ButsurelywewerehopingtofindGandalfthere?’

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‘Yes;butthehopeisfaint.Ifhecomesthiswayatall,hemaynotpassthroughBree,andsohemaynotknowwhatwearedoing.Andanyway,unlessbyluckwearrivealmosttogether,weshallmissoneanother;itwillnotbesafeforhimorforustowaittherelong.IftheRidersfailtofindusinthewilderness,theyarelikelytomakeforWeathertopthemselves.It

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commandsawideviewallround.Indeed,therearemanybirdsandbeastsinthiscountrythatcouldseeus,aswestandhere,fromthathill-top.Notallthebirdsaretobetrusted,andthereareotherspiesmoreevilthantheyare.’

Thehobbitslookedanxiouslyatthedistanthills.Samlookedupintothepalesky,fearingtoseehawksoreagleshoveringoverthem

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withbrightunfriendlyeyes.‘Youdomakemefeeluncomfortableandlonesome,Strider!’hesaid.

‘Whatdoyouadviseustodo?’askedFrodo.

‘Ithink,’answeredStriderslowly,asifhewasnotquitesure,‘Ithinkthebestthingistogoasstraighteastwardfromhereaswecan,tomakeforthelineofhills,notforWeathertop.Therewecan

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strikeapathIknowthatrunsattheirfeet;itwillbringustoWeathertopfromthenorthandlessopenly.Thenweshallseewhatweshallsee.’

Allthatdaytheyploddedalong,untilthecoldandearlyeveningcamedown.Thelandbecamedrierandmorebarren;butmistsandvapourslaybehindthemonthe

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marshes.Afewmelancholybirdswerepipingandwailing,untiltheroundredsunsankslowlyintothewesternshadows;thenanemptysilencefell.ThehobbitsthoughtofthesoftlightofsunsetglancingthroughthecheerfulwindowsofBagEndfaraway.

Attheday’sendtheycametoastreamthatwandereddownfromthehills

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toloseitselfinthestagnantmarshland,andtheywentupalongitsbankswhilethelightlasted.Itwasalreadynightwhenatlasttheyhaltedandmadetheircampundersomestuntedalder-treesbytheshoresofthestream.Aheadthereloomednowagainsttheduskyskythebleakandtreelessbacksofthehills.Thatnighttheysetawatch,andStrider,itseemed,didnot

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sleepatall.Themoonwaswaxing,andintheearlynight-hoursacoldgreylightlayontheland.

Nextmorningtheysetoutagainsoonaftersunrise.Therewasafrostintheair,andtheskywasapaleclearblue.Thehobbitsfeltrefreshed,asiftheyhadhadanightofunbrokensleep.Alreadytheyweregettingusedtomuchwalkingon

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shortcommons–shorteratanyratethanwhatintheShiretheywouldhavethoughtbarelyenoughtokeepthemontheirlegs.PippindeclaredthatFrodowaslookingtwicethehobbitthathehadbeen.

‘Veryodd,’saidFrodo,tighteninghisbelt,‘consideringthatthereisactuallyagooddeallessofme.Ihopethethinning

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processwillnotgoonindefinitely,orIshallbecomeawraith.’

‘Donotspeakofsuchthings!’saidStriderquickly,andwithsurprisingearnestness.

Thehillsdrewnearer.Theymadeanundulatingridge,oftenrisingalmosttoathousandfeet,andhereand

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therefallingagaintolowcleftsorpassesleadingintotheeasternlandbeyond.Alongthecrestoftheridgethehobbitscouldseewhatlookedtobetheremainsofgreen-grownwallsanddikes,andinthecleftstherestillstoodtheruinsofoldworksofstone.Bynighttheyhadreachedthefeetofthewestwardslopes,andtheretheycamped.Itwasthenight

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ofthefifthofOctober,andtheyweresixdaysoutfromBree.

Inthemorningtheyfound,forthefirsttimesincetheyhadlefttheChetwood,atrackplaintosee.Theyturnedrightandfolloweditsouthwards.Itrancunningly,takingalinethatseemedchosensoastokeepasmuchhiddenaspossiblefromtheview,bothofthehill-topsaboveandof

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theflatstothewest.Itdivedintodells,andhuggedsteepbanks;andwhereitpassedoverflatterandmoreopengroundoneithersideofittherewerelinesoflargebouldersandhewnstonesthatscreenedthetravellersalmostlikeahedge.

‘Iwonderwhomadethispath,andwhatfor,’saidMerry,astheywalkedalongoneoftheseavenues,where

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thestoneswereunusuallylargeandcloselyset.‘IamnotsurethatIlikeit:ithasa–well,ratherabarrow-wightishlook.IsthereanybarrowonWeathertop?’

‘No.ThereisnobarrowonWeathertop,noronanyofthesehills,’answeredStrider.‘TheMenoftheWestdidnotlivehere;thoughintheirlatterdaystheydefendedthehillsforawhileagainstthe

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evilthatcameoutofAngmar.Thispathwasmadetoservethefortsalongthewalls.Butlongbefore,inthefirstdaysoftheNorthKingdom,theybuiltagreatwatch-toweronWeathertop,AmonSûltheycalledit.Itwasburnedandbroken,andnothingremainsofitnowbutatumbledring,likearoughcrownontheoldhill’shead.Yetonceitwastallandfair.Itistoldthat

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ElendilstoodtherewatchingforthecomingofGil-galadoutoftheWest,inthedaysoftheLastAlliance.’

ThehobbitsgazedatStrider.Itseemedthathewaslearnedinoldlore,aswellasinthewaysofthewild.‘WhowasGil-galad?’askedMerry;butStriderdidnotanswer,andseemedtobelostinthought.Suddenlyalowvoicemurmured:

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Gil-galadwasanElven-king.Ofhimtheharperssadlysing:thelastwhoserealmwasfairandfreebetweentheMountainsandtheSea.

Hisswordwaslong,hislancewaskeen,hisshininghelmafar

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wasseen;thecountlessstarsofheaven’sfieldweremirroredinhissilvershield.

Butlongagoherodeaway,andwherehedwellethnonecansay;forintodarknessfellhisstar

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inMordorwheretheshadowsare.

Theothersturnedinamazement,forthevoicewasSam’s.

‘Don’tstop!’saidMerry.‘That’sallIknow,’

stammeredSam,blushing.‘IlearneditfromMr.BilbowhenIwasalad.Heusedtotellmetaleslikethat,knowinghowIwasalways

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oneforhearingaboutElves.ItwasMr.Bilboastaughtmemyletters.Hewasmightybook-learnedwasdearoldMr.Bilbo.Andhewrotepoetry.HewrotewhatIhavejustsaid.’

‘Hedidnotmakeitup,’saidStrider.‘ItispartofthelaythatiscalledTheFallofGil-galad,whichisinanancienttongue.Bilbomusthavetranslatedit.Inever

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knewthat.’‘Therewasalotmore,’

saidSam,‘allaboutMordor.Ididn’tlearnthatpart,itgavemetheshivers.IneverthoughtIshouldbegoingthatwaymyself!’

‘GoingtoMordor!’criedPippin.‘Ihopeitwon’tcometothat!’

‘Donotspeakthatnamesoloudly!’saidStrider.

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Itwasalreadymid-daywhentheydrewnearthesouthernendofthepath,andsawbeforethem,inthepaleclearlightoftheOctobersun,agrey-greenbank,leadinguplikeabridgeontothenorthwardslopeofthehill.Theydecidedtomakeforthetopatonce,whilethedaylightwasbroad.Concealmentwasnolongerpossible,andtheycouldonly

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hopethatnoenemyorspywasobservingthem.Nothingwastobeseenmovingonthehill.IfGandalfwasanywhereabout,therewasnosignofhim.

OnthewesternflankofWeathertoptheyfoundashelteredhollow,atthebottomofwhichtherewasabowl-shapeddellwithgrassysides.TheretheyleftSamandPippinwiththeponyand

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theirpacksandluggage.Theotherthreewenton.Afterhalfanhour’sploddingclimbStriderreachedthecrownofthehill;FrodoandMerryfollowed,tiredandbreathless.Thelastslopehadbeensteepandrocky.

Onthetoptheyfound,asStriderhadsaid,awideringofancientstone-work,nowcrumblingorcoveredwithage-longgrass.Butinthe

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centreacairnofbrokenstoneshadbeenpiled.Theywereblackenedasifwithfire.Aboutthemtheturfwasburnedtotherootsandallwithintheringthegrasswasscorchedandshrivelled,asifflameshadsweptthehilltop;buttherewasnosignofanylivingthing.

Standingupontherimoftheruinedcircle,theysawallroundbelowthemawide

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prospect,forthemostpartoflandsemptyandfeatureless,exceptforpatchesofwoodlandawaytothesouth,beyondwhichtheycaughthereandtheretheglintofdistantwater.BeneaththemonthissouthernsidethereranlikearibbontheOldRoad,comingoutoftheWestandwindingupanddown,untilitfadedbehindaridgeofdarklandtotheeast.Nothingwas

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movingonit.FollowingitslineeastwardwiththeireyestheysawtheMountains:thenearerfoothillswerebrownandsombre;behindthemstoodtallershapesofgrey,andbehindthoseagainwerehighwhitepeaksglimmeringamongtheclouds.

‘Well,hereweare!’saidMerry.‘Andverycheerlessanduninvitingitlooks!Thereisnowaterandnoshelter.

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AndnosignofGandalf.ButIdon’tblamehimfornotwaiting–ifheevercamehere.’

‘Iwonder,’saidStrider,lookingroundthoughtfully.‘EvenifhewasadayortwobehindusatBree,hecouldhavearrivedherefirst.Hecanrideveryswiftlywhenneedpresses.’Suddenlyhestoopedandlookedatthestoneonthetopofthecairn;

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itwasflatterthantheothers,andwhiter,asifithadescapedthefire.Hepickeditupandexaminedit,turningitinhisfingers.‘Thishasbeenhandledrecently,’hesaid.‘Whatdoyouthinkofthesemarks?’

Ontheflatunder-sideFrodosawsomescratches:

‘Thereseemstobeastroke,adot,andthreemorestrokes,’hesaid.

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‘ThestrokeontheleftmightbeaG-runewiththinbranches,’saidStrider.‘ItmightbeasignleftbyGandalf,thoughonecannotbesure.Thescratchesarefine,andtheycertainlylookfresh.Butthemarksmightmeansomethingquitedifferent,andhavenothingtodowithus.Rangersuserunes,andtheycomeheresometimes.’

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‘Whatcouldtheymean,evenifGandalfmadethem?’askedMerry.

‘Ishouldsay,’answeredStrider,‘thattheystoodforG3,andwereasignthatGandalfwashereonOctoberthethird:thatisthreedaysagonow.Itwouldalsoshowthathewasinahurryanddangerwasathand,sothathehadnotimeordidnotdaretowriteanythinglongeror

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plainer.Ifthatisso,wemustbewary.’

‘Iwishwecouldfeelsurethathemadethemarks,whatevertheymaymean,’saidFrodo.‘Itwouldbeagreatcomforttoknowthathewasontheway,infrontofusorbehindus.’

‘Perhaps,’saidStrider.‘Formyself,Ibelievethathewashere,andwasindanger.Therehavebeenscorching

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flameshere;andnowthelightthatwesawthreenightsagointheeasternskycomesbacktomymind.Iguessthathewasattackedonthishill-top,butwithwhatresultIcannottell.Heisherenolonger,andwemustnowlookafterourselvesandmakeourownwaytoRivendell,asbestwecan.’

‘HowfarisRivendell?’askedMerry,gazinground

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wearily.TheworldlookedwildandwidefromWeathertop.

‘Idon’tknowiftheRoadhaseverbeenmeasuredinmilesbeyondtheForsakenInn,aday’sjourneyeastofBree,’answeredStrider.‘Somesayitissofar,andsomesayotherwise.Itisastrangeroad,andfolkaregladtoreachtheirjourney’send,whetherthetimeislong

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orshort.ButIknowhowlongitwouldtakemeonmyownfeet,withfairweatherandnoillfortune:twelvedaysfromheretotheFordofBruinen,wheretheRoadcrossestheLoudwaterthatrunsoutofRivendell.Wehaveatleastafortnight’sjourneybeforeus,forIdonotthinkweshallbeabletousetheRoad.’

‘Afortnight!’saidFrodo.‘Alotmayhappeninthat

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time.’‘Itmay,’saidStrider.Theystoodforawhile

silentonthehill-top,nearitssouthwardedge.InthatlonelyplaceFrodoforthefirsttimefullyrealizedhishomelessnessanddanger.HewishedbitterlythathisfortunehadlefthiminthequietandbelovedShire.HestareddownatthehatefulRoad,leadingbackwestward

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–tohishome.Suddenlyhewasawarethattwoblackspecksweremovingslowlyalongit,goingwestward;andlookingagainhesawthatthreeotherswerecreepingeastwardtomeetthem.HegaveacryandclutchedStrider’sarm.

‘Look,’hesaid,pointingdownwards.

AtonceStriderflunghimselfonthegroundbehind

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theruinedcircle,pullingFrododownbesidehim.Merrythrewhimselfalongside.

‘Whatisit?’hewhispered.

‘Idonotknow,butIfeartheworst,’answeredStrider.Slowlytheycrawleduptotheedgeoftheringagain,andpeeredthroughacleftbetweentwojaggedstones.Thelightwasnolonger

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bright,fortheclearmorninghadfaded,andcloudscreepingoutoftheEasthadnowovertakenthesun,asitbegantogodown.Theycouldallseetheblackspecks,butneitherFrodonorMerrycouldmakeouttheirshapesforcertain;yetsomethingtoldthemthatthere,farbelow,wereBlackRidersassemblingontheRoadbeyondthefootofthehill.

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‘Yes,’saidStrider,whosekeenersightlefthiminnodoubt.‘Theenemyishere!’

Hastilytheycreptawayandslippeddownthenorthsideofthehilltofindtheircompanions.

SamandPeregrinhadnotbeenidle.Theyhadexploredthesmalldellandthesurroundingslopes.Notfar

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awaytheyfoundaspringofclearwaterinthehillside,andnearitfootprintsnotmorethanadayortwoold.Inthedellitselftheyfoundrecenttracesofafire,andothersignsofahastycamp.Thereweresomefallenrocksontheedgeofthedellnearesttothehill.BehindthemSamcameuponasmallstoreoffirewoodneatlystacked.

‘IwonderifoldGandalf

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hasbeenhere,’hesaidtoPippin.‘Whoeveritwasputthisstuffheremeanttocomebackitseems.’

Striderwasgreatlyinterestedinthesediscoveries.‘IwishIhadwaitedandexploredthegrounddownheremyself,’hesaid,hurryingofftothespringtoexaminethefootprints.

‘ItisjustasIfeared,’he

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said,whenhecameback.‘SamandPippinhavetrampledthesoftground,andthemarksarespoiltorconfused.Rangershavebeenherelately.Itistheywholeftthefirewoodbehind.ButtherearealsoseveralnewertracksthatwerenotmadebyRangers.Atleastonesetwasmade,onlyadayortwoago,byheavyboots.Atleastone.Icannotnowbecertain,butI

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thinkthereweremanybootedfeet.’Hepausedandstoodinanxiousthought.

EachofthehobbitssawinhismindavisionofthecloakedandbootedRiders.Ifthehorsemenhadalreadyfoundthedell,thesoonerStriderledthemsomewhereelsethebetter.Samviewedthehollowwithgreatdislike,nowthathehadheardnewsoftheirenemiesontheRoad,

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onlyafewmilesaway.‘Hadn’twebetterclear

outquick,Mr.Strider?’heaskedimpatiently.‘Itisgettinglate,andIdon’tlikethishole:itmakesmyheartsinksomehow.’

‘Yes,wecertainlymustdecidewhattodoatonce,’answeredStrider,lookingupandconsideringthetimeandtheweather.‘Well,Sam,’hesaidatlast,‘Idonotlikethis

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placeeither;butIcannotthinkofanywherebetterthatwecouldreachbeforenightfall.Atleastweareoutofsightforthemoment,andifwemovedweshouldbemuchmorelikelytobeseenbyspies.Allwecoulddowouldbetogorightoutofourwaybacknorthonthissideofthelineofhills,wherethelandisallmuchthesameasitishere.TheRoadis

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watched,butweshouldhavetocrossit,ifwetriedtotakecoverinthethicketsawaytothesouth.OnthenorthsideoftheRoadbeyondthehillsthecountryisbareandflatformiles.’

‘CantheRiderssee?’askedMerry.‘Imean,theyseemusuallytohaveusedtheirnosesratherthantheireyes,smellingforus,ifsmellingistherightword,at

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leastinthedaylight.Butyoumadeusliedownflatwhenyousawthemdownbelow;andnowyoutalkofbeingseen,ifwemove.’

‘Iwastoocarelessonthehill-top,’answeredStrider.‘IwasveryanxioustofindsomesignofGandalf;butitwasamistakeforthreeofustogoupandstandtheresolong.Fortheblackhorsescansee,andtheRiderscanuse

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menandothercreaturesasspies,aswefoundatBree.Theythemselvesdonotseetheworldoflightaswedo,butourshapescastshadowsintheirminds,whichonlythenoonsundestroys;andinthedarktheyperceivemanysignsandformsthatarehiddenfromus:thentheyaremosttobefeared.Andatalltimestheysmellthebloodoflivingthings,desiringand

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hatingit.Senses,too,thereareotherthansightorsmell.Wecanfeeltheirpresence–ittroubledourhearts,assoonaswecamehere,andbeforewesawthem;theyfeeloursmorekeenly.Also,’headded,andhisvoicesanktoawhisper,‘theRingdrawsthem.’

‘Istherenoescapethen?’saidFrodo,lookingroundwildly.‘IfImoveIshallbe

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seenandhunted!IfIstay,Ishalldrawthemtome!’

Striderlaidhishandonhisshoulder.‘Thereisstillhope,’hesaid.‘Youarenotalone.Letustakethiswoodthatissetreadyforthefireasasign.Thereislittleshelterordefencehere,butfireshallserveforboth.Sauroncanputfiretohiseviluses,ashecanallthings,buttheseRidersdonotloveit,andfearthose

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whowieldit.Fireisourfriendinthewilderness.’

‘Maybe,’mutteredSam.‘Itisalsoasgoodawayofsaying“hereweare”asIcanthinkof,barshouting.’

Downinthelowestandmostshelteredcornerofthedelltheylitafire,andpreparedameal.Theshadesofeveningbegantofall,and

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itgrewcold.Theyweresuddenlyawareofgreathunger,fortheyhadnoteatenanythingsincebreakfast;buttheydarednotmakemorethanafrugalsupper.Thelandsaheadwereemptyofallsavebirdsandbeasts,unfriendlyplacesdesertedbyalltheracesoftheworld.

Rangerspassedattimesbeyondthehills,buttheywerefewanddidnotstay.

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Otherwandererswererare,andofevilsort:trollsmightstraydownattimesoutofthenorthernvalleysoftheMistyMountains.OnlyontheRoadwouldtravellersbefound,mostoftendwarves,hurryingalongonbusinessoftheirown,andwithnohelpandfewwordstospareforstrangers.

‘Idon’tseehowourfoodcanbemadetolast,’said

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Frodo.‘Wehavebeencarefulenoughinthelastfewdays,andthissupperisnofeast;butwehaveusedmorethanweought,ifwehavetwoweeksstilltogo,andperhapsmore.’

‘Thereisfoodinthewild,’saidStrider;‘berry,root,andherb;andIhavesomeskillasahunteratneed.Youneednotbeafraidofstarvingbeforewintercomes.

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Butgatheringandcatchingfoodislongandwearywork,andweneedhaste.Sotightenyourbelts,andthinkwithhopeofthetablesofElrond’shouse!’

Thecoldincreasedasdarknesscameon.Peeringoutfromtheedgeofthedelltheycouldseenothingbutagreylandnowvanishingquicklyintoshadow.Theskyabovehadclearedagainand

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wasslowlyfilledwithtwinklingstars.Frodoandhiscompanionshuddledroundthefire,wrappedineverygarmentandblankettheypossessed;butStriderwascontentwithasinglecloak,andsatalittleapart,drawingthoughtfullyathispipe.

Asnightfellandthelightofthefirebegantoshineoutbrightlyhebegantotellthemtalestokeeptheirmindsfrom

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fear.Heknewmanyhistoriesandlegendsoflongago,ofElvesandMenandthegoodandevildeedsoftheElderDays.Theywonderedhowoldhewas,andwherehehadlearnedallthislore.

‘TellusofGil-galad,’saidMerrysuddenly,whenhepausedattheendofastoryoftheElf-kingdoms.‘Doyouknowanymoreofthatoldlaythatyouspokeof?’

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‘Idoindeed,’answeredStrider.‘SoalsodoesFrodo,foritconcernsusclosely.’MerryandPippinlookedatFrodo,whowasstaringintothefire.

‘IknowonlythelittlethatGandalfhastoldme,’saidFrodoslowly.‘Gil-galadwasthelastofthegreatElf-kingsofMiddle-earth.Gil-galadisStarlightintheirtongue.WithElendil,theElf-friend,he

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wenttothelandof——’‘No!’saidStrider

interrupting,‘IdonotthinkthattaleshouldbetoldnowwiththeservantsoftheEnemyathand.IfwewinthroughtothehouseofElrond,youmayhearitthere,toldinfull.’

‘Thentellussomeothertaleoftheolddays,’beggedSam;‘ataleabouttheElvesbeforethefadingtime.I

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woulddearlyliketohearmoreaboutElves;thedarkseemstopressroundsoclose.’

‘IwilltellyouthetaleofTinúviel,’saidStrider,‘inbrief–foritisalongtaleofwhichtheendisnotknown;andtherearenonenow,exceptElrond,thatrememberitarightasitwastoldofold.Itisafairtale,thoughitissad,asareallthetalesof

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Middle-earth,andyetitmayliftupyourhearts.’Hewassilentforsometime,andthenhebegannottospeakbuttochantsoftly:

Theleaveswerelong,thegrasswasgreen,Thehemlock-umbelstallandfair,

Andinthegladea

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lightwasseenOfstarsinshadowshimmering.

TinúvielwasdancingthereTomusicofapipeunseen,

Andlightofstarswasinherhair,Andinherraimentglimmering.

ThereBerencame

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frommountainscold,Andlosthewanderedunderleaves,

AndwheretheElven-riverrolledHewalkedaloneandsorrowing.

Hepeeredbetweenthehemlock-leavesAndsawinwonderflowersofgold

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Uponhermantleandhersleeves,Andherhairlikeshadowfollowing.

EnchantmenthealedhiswearyfeetThatoverhillsweredoomedtoroam;

Andforthhehastened,strong

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andfleet,Andgraspedatmoonbeamsglistening.

ThroughwovenwoodsinElvenhomeShelightlyfledondancingfeet,

AndlefthimlonelystilltoroamInthesilentforestlistening.

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HeheardthereofttheflyingsoundOffeetaslightaslinden-leaves,

Ormusicwellingunderground,Inhiddenhollowsquavering.

Nowwitheredlaythehemlock-sheaves,Andonebyonewithsighingsound

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WhisperingfellthebeechenleavesInthewintrywoodlandwavering.

Hesoughtherever,wanderingfarWhereleavesofyearswerethicklystrewn,

Bylightofmoonandrayofstar

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Infrostyheavensshivering.

Hermantleglintedinthemoon,Asonahill-tophighandfar

Shedanced,andatherfeetwasstrewnAmistofsilverquivering.

Whenwinterpassed,shecameagain,

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Andhersongreleasedthesuddenspring,

Likerisinglark,andfallingrain,Andmeltingwaterbubbling.

Hesawtheelven-flowersspringAboutherfeet,andhealedagain

Helongedbyhertodanceandsing

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Uponthegrassuntroubling.

Againshefled,butswifthecame.Tinúviel!Tinúviel!

HecalledherbyherElvishname;Andthereshehaltedlistening.

Onemomentstoodshe,andaspellHisvoicelaidon

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her:Berencame,AnddoomfellonTinúvielThatinhisarmslayglistening.

AsBerenlookedintohereyesWithintheshadowsofherhair,

Thetremblingstarlightoftheskies

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Hesawtheremirroredshimmering.

Tinúvieltheelven-fair,Immortalmaidenelven-wise,

AbouthimcasthershadowyhairAndarmslikesilverglimmering.

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Longwasthewaythatfatethembore,O’erstonymountainscoldandgrey,

Throughhallsofironanddarklingdoor,Andwoodsofnightshademorrowless.

TheSunderingSeasbetweenthemlay,Andyetatlastthey

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metoncemore,AndlongagotheypassedawayIntheforestsingingsorrowless.

Stridersighedandpausedbeforehespokeagain.‘Thatisasong,’hesaid,‘inthemodethatiscalledann-thennathamongtheElves,butishardtorenderinour

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CommonSpeech,andthisisbutaroughechoofit.IttellsofthemeetingofBerensonofBarahirandLúthienTinúviel.Berenwasamortalman,butLúthienwasthedaughterofThingol,aKingofElvesuponMiddle-earthwhentheworldwasyoung;andshewasthefairestmaidenthathaseverbeenamongallthechildrenofthisworld.Asthestarsabovethe

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mistsoftheNorthernlandswasherloveliness,andinherfacewasashininglight.InthosedaystheGreatEnemy,ofwhomSauronofMordorwasbutaservant,dweltinAngbandintheNorth,andtheElvesoftheWestcomingbacktoMiddle-earthmadewaruponhimtoregaintheSilmarilswhichhehadstolen;andthefathersofMenaidedtheElves.Butthe

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EnemywasvictoriousandBarahirwasslain,andBerenescapingthroughgreatperilcameovertheMountainsofTerrorintothehiddenKingdomofThingolintheforestofNeldoreth.TherehebeheldLúthiensinginganddancinginagladebesidetheenchantedriverEsgalduin;andhenamedherTinúviel,thatisNightingaleinthelanguageofold.Many

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sorrowsbefellthemafterwards,andtheywerepartedlong.TinúvielrescuedBerenfromthedungeonsofSauron,andtogethertheypassedthroughgreatdangers,andcastdowneventheGreatEnemyfromhisthrone,andtookfromhisironcrownoneofthethreeSilmarils,brightestofalljewels,tobethebride-priceofLúthientoThingolherfather.Yetatthe

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lastBerenwasslainbytheWolfthatcamefromthegatesofAngband,andhediedinthearmsofTinúviel.Butshechosemortality,andtodiefromtheworld,sothatshemightfollowhim;anditissungthattheymetagainbeyondtheSunderingSeas,andafterabrieftimewalkingaliveoncemoreinthegreenwoods,togethertheypassed,longago,beyondtheconfines

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ofthisworld.SoitisthatLúthienTinúvielaloneoftheElf-kindredhasdiedindeedandlefttheworld,andtheyhavelostherwhomtheymostloved.ButfromherthelineageoftheElf-lordsofolddescendedamongMen.TherelivestillthoseofwhomLúthienwastheforemother,anditissaidthatherlineshallneverfail.ElrondofRivendellisofthatKin.For

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ofBerenandLúthienwasbornDiorThingol’sheir;andofhimElwingtheWhitewhomEärendilwedded,hethatsailedhisshipoutofthemistsoftheworldintotheseasofheavenwiththeSilmariluponhisbrow.AndofEärendilcametheKingsofNúmenor,thatisWesternesse.’

AsStriderwasspeakingtheywatchedhisstrange

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eagerface,dimlylitintheredglowofthewood-fire.Hiseyesshone,andhisvoicewasrichanddeep.Abovehimwasablackstarrysky.SuddenlyapalelightappearedoverthecrownofWeathertopbehindhim.Thewaxingmoonwasclimbingslowlyabovethehillthatovershadowedthem,andthestarsabovethehill-topfaded.

Thestoryended.The

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hobbitsmovedandstretched.‘Look!’saidMerry.‘TheMoonisrising:itmustbegettinglate.’

Theotherslookedup.Evenastheydidso,theysawonthetopofthehillsomethingsmallanddarkagainsttheglimmerofthemoonrise.Itwasperhapsonlyalargestoneorjuttingrockshownupbythepalelight.

SamandMerrygotupand

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walkedawayfromthefire.FrodoandPippinremainedseatedinsilence.Striderwaswatchingthemoonlightonthehillintently.Allseemedquietandstill,butFrodofeltacolddreadcreepingoverhisheart,nowthatStriderwasnolongerspeaking.Hehuddledclosertothefire.AtthatmomentSamcamerunningbackfromtheedgeofthedell.

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‘Idon’tknowwhatitis,’hesaid,‘butIsuddenlyfeltafraid.Idurstn’tgooutsidethisdellforanymoney;Ifeltthatsomethingwascreepinguptheslope.’

‘Didyouseeanything?’askedFrodo,springingtohisfeet.

‘No,sir.Isawnothing,butIdidn’tstoptolook.’

‘Isawsomething,’saidMerry;‘orIthoughtIdid–

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awaywestwardswherethemoonlightwasfallingontheflatsbeyondtheshadowofthehill-tops,Ithoughtthereweretwoorthreeblackshapes.Theyseemedtobemovingthisway.’

‘Keepclosetothefire,withyourfacesoutward!’criedStrider.‘Getsomeofthelongersticksreadyinyourhands!’

Forabreathlesstimethey

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satthere,silentandalert,withtheirbacksturnedtothewood-fire,eachgazingintotheshadowsthatencircledthem.Nothinghappened.Therewasnosoundormovementinthenight.Frodostirred,feelingthathemustbreakthesilence:helongedtoshoutoutaloud.

‘Hush!’whisperedStrider.‘What’sthat?’gaspedPippinatthesamemoment.

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Overthelipofthelittledell,onthesideawayfromthehill,theyfelt,ratherthansaw,ashadowrise,oneshadowormorethanone.Theystrainedtheireyes,andtheshadowsseemedtogrow.Soontherecouldbenodoubt:threeorfourtallblackfigureswerestandingthereontheslope,lookingdownonthem.Soblackweretheythattheyseemedlikeblackholesinthe

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deepshadebehindthem.Frodothoughtthatheheardafainthissasofvenomousbreathandfeltathinpiercingchill.Thentheshapesslowlyadvanced.

TerrorovercamePippinandMerry,andtheythrewthemselvesflatontheground.SamshranktoFrodo’sside.Frodowashardlylessterrifiedthanhiscompanions;hewasquakingasifhewas

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bittercold,buthisterrorwasswallowedupinasuddentemptationtoputontheRing.Thedesiretodothislaidholdofhim,andhecouldthinkofnothingelse.HedidnotforgettheBarrow,northemessageofGandalf;butsomethingseemedtobecompellinghimtodisregardallwarnings,andhelongedtoyield.Notwiththehopeofescape,orofdoinganything,

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eithergoodorbad:hesimplyfeltthathemusttaketheRingandputitonhisfinger.Hecouldnotspeak.HefeltSamlookingathim,asifheknewthathismasterwasinsomegreattrouble,buthecouldnotturntowardshim.Heshuthiseyesandstruggledforawhile;butresistancebecameunbearable,andatlastheslowlydrewoutthechain,andslippedtheRingonthe

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forefingerofhislefthand.Immediately,though

everythingelseremainedasbefore,dimanddark,theshapesbecameterriblyclear.Hewasabletoseebeneaththeirblackwrappings.Therewerefivetallfigures:twostandingonthelipofthedell,threeadvancing.Intheirwhitefacesburnedkeenandmercilesseyes;undertheirmantleswerelonggreyrobes;

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upontheirgreyhairswerehelmsofsilver;intheirhaggardhandswereswordsofsteel.Theireyesfellonhimandpiercedhim,astheyrushedtowardshim.Desperate,hedrewhisownsword,anditseemedtohimthatitflickeredred,asifitwasafirebrand.Twoofthefigureshalted.Thethirdwastallerthantheothers:hishairwaslongandgleamingand

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onhishelmwasacrown.Inonehandheheldalongsword,andintheotheraknife;boththeknifeandthehandthathelditglowedwithapalelight.HesprangforwardandboredownonFrodo.

AtthatmomentFrodothrewhimselfforwardontheground,andheheardhimselfcryingaloud:OElbereth!Gilthoniel!Atthesametime

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hestruckatthefeetofhisenemy.Ashrillcryrangoutinthenight;andhefeltapainlikeadartofpoisonedicepiercehisleftshoulder.Evenasheswoonedhecaught,asthroughaswirlingmist,aglimpseofStriderleapingoutofthedarknesswithaflamingbrandofwoodineitherhand.WithalasteffortFrodo,droppinghissword,slippedtheRingfromhis

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fingerandclosedhisrighthandtightuponit.

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Chapter12

FLIGHTTOTHEFORD

WhenFrodocametohimselfhewasstillclutchingtheRingdesperately.Hewaslyingbythefire,whichwas

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nowpiledhighandburningbrightly.Histhreecompanionswerebendingoverhim.

‘Whathashappened?Whereisthepaleking?’heaskedwildly.

Theyweretoooverjoyedtohearhimspeaktoanswerforawhile;nordidtheyunderstandhisquestion.AtlengthhegatheredfromSamthattheyhadseennothingbut

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thevagueshadowyshapescomingtowardsthem.SuddenlytohishorrorSamfoundthathismasterhadvanished;andatthatmomentablackshadowrushedpasthim,andhefell.HeheardFrodo’svoice,butitseemedtocomefromagreatdistance,orfromundertheearth,cryingoutstrangewords.Theysawnothingmore,untiltheystumbled

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overthebodyofFrodo,lyingasifdead,facedownwardsonthegrasswithhisswordbeneathhim.Striderorderedthemtopickhimupandlayhimnearthefire,andthenhedisappeared.Thatwasnowagoodwhileago.

SamplainlywasbeginningtohavedoubtsagainaboutStrider;butwhiletheyweretalkinghereturned,appearingsuddenlyoutofthe

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shadows.Theystarted,andSamdrewhisswordandstoodoverFrodo;butStriderkneltdownswiftlyathisside.

‘IamnotaBlackRider,Sam,’hesaidgently,‘norinleaguewiththem.Ihavebeentryingtodiscoversomethingoftheirmovements;butIhavefoundnothing.Icannotthinkwhytheyhavegoneanddonotattackagain.Butthereisnofeelingoftheirpresence

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anywhereathand.’Whenheheardwhat

Frodohadtotell,hebecamefullofconcern,andshookhisheadandsighed.ThenheorderedPippinandMerrytoheatasmuchwaterastheycouldintheirsmallkettles,andtobathethewoundwithit.‘Keepthefiregoingwell,andkeepFrodowarm!’hesaid.Thenhegotupandwalkedaway,andcalledSam

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tohim.‘IthinkIunderstandthingsbetternow,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘Thereseemonlytohavebeenfiveoftheenemy.Whytheywerenotallhere,Idon’tknow;butIdon’tthinktheyexpectedtoberesisted.Theyhavedrawnoffforthetimebeing.Butnotfar,Ifear.Theywillcomeagainanothernight,ifwecannotescape.Theyareonlywaiting,becausetheythink

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thattheirpurposeisalmostaccomplished,andthattheRingcannotflymuchfurther.Ifear,Sam,thattheybelieveyourmasterhasadeadlywoundthatwillsubduehimtotheirwill.Weshallsee!’

Samchokedwithtears.‘Don’tdespair!’saidStrider.‘Youmusttrustmenow.YourFrodoismadeofsternerstuffthanIhadguessed,thoughGandalfhintedthatit

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mightproveso.Heisnotslain,andIthinkhewillresisttheevilpowerofthewoundlongerthanhisenemiesexpect.IwilldoallIcantohelpandhealhim.Guardhimwell,whileIamaway!’Hehurriedoffanddisappearedagainintothedarkness.

Frododozed,thoughthepainofhiswoundwasslowly

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growing,andadeadlychillwasspreadingfromhisshouldertohisarmandside.Hisfriendswatchedoverhim,warminghim,andbathinghiswound.Thenightpassedslowlyandwearily.Dawnwasgrowinginthesky,andthedellwasfillingwithgreylight,whenStrideratlastreturned.

‘Look!’hecried;andstoopingheliftedfromthe

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groundablackcloakthathadlaintherehiddenbythedarkness.Afootabovethelowerhemtherewasaslash.‘ThiswasthestrokeofFrodo’ssword,’hesaid.‘Theonlyhurtthatitdidtohisenemy,Ifear;foritisunharmed,butallbladesperishthatpiercethatdreadfulKing.MoredeadlytohimwasthenameofElbereth.’

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‘AndmoredeadlytoFrodowasthis!’Hestoopedagainandliftedupalongthinknife.Therewasacoldgleaminit.AsStriderraisedittheysawthatneartheenditsedgewasnotchedandthepointwasbrokenoff.Butevenashehelditupinthegrowinglight,theygazedinastonishment,forthebladeseemedtomelt,andvanishedlikeasmokeintheair,

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leavingonlythehiltinStrider’shand.‘Alas!’hecried.‘Itwasthisaccursedknifethatgavethewound.Fewnowhavetheskillinhealingtomatchsuchevilweapons.ButIwilldowhatIcan.’

Hesatdownontheground,andtakingthedagger-hiltlaiditonhisknees,andhesangoveritaslowsonginastrange

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tongue.Thensettingitaside,heturnedtoFrodoandinasofttonespokewordstheotherscouldnotcatch.Fromthepouchathisbelthedrewoutthelongleavesofaplant.

‘Theseleaves,’hesaid,‘Ihavewalkedfartofind;forthisplantdoesnotgrowinthebarehills;butinthethicketsawaysouthoftheRoadIfounditinthedarkbythescentofitsleaves.’He

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crushedaleafinhisfingers,anditgaveoutasweetandpungentfragrance.‘ItisfortunatethatIcouldfindit,foritisahealingplantthattheMenoftheWestbroughttoMiddle-earth.Athelastheynamedit,anditgrowsnowsparselyandonlynearplaceswheretheydweltorcampedofold;anditisnotknownintheNorth,excepttosomeofthosewhowanderinthe

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Wild.Ithasgreatvirtues,butoversuchawoundasthisitshealingpowersmaybesmall.’

HethrewtheleavesintoboilingwaterandbathedFrodo’sshoulder.Thefragranceofthesteamwasrefreshing,andthosethatwereunhurtfelttheirmindscalmedandcleared.Theherbhadalsosomepoweroverthewound,forFrodofeltthepain

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andalsothesenseoffrozencoldlesseninhisside;butthelifedidnotreturntohisarm,andhecouldnotraiseorusehishand.Hebitterlyregrettedhisfoolishness,andreproachedhimselfforweaknessofwill;forhenowperceivedthatinputtingontheRingheobeyednothisowndesirebutthecommandingwishofhisenemies.Hewonderedifhe

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wouldremainmaimedforlife,andhowtheywouldnowmanagetocontinuetheirjourney.Hefelttooweaktostand.

Theotherswerediscussingthisveryquestion.TheyquicklydecidedtoleaveWeathertopassoonaspossible.‘Ithinknow,’saidStrider,‘thattheenemyhasbeenwatchingthisplaceforsomedays.IfGandalfever

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camehere,thenhemusthavebeenforcedtorideaway,andhewillnotreturn.Inanycaseweareingreatperilhereafterdark,sincetheattackoflastnight,andwecanhardlymeetgreaterdangerwhereverwego.’

Assoonasthedaylightwasfull,theyhadsomehurriedfoodandpacked.ItwasimpossibleforFrodotowalk,sotheydividedthe

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greaterpartoftheirbaggageamongthefourofthem,andputFrodoonthepony.Inthelastfewdaysthepoorbeasthadimprovedwonderfully;italreadyseemedfatterandstronger,andhadbeguntoshowanaffectionforitsnewmasters,especiallyforSam.BillFerny’streatmentmusthavebeenveryhardforthejourneyinthewildtoseemsomuchbetterthanitsformer

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life.Theystartedoffina

southerlydirection.ThiswouldmeancrossingtheRoad,butitwasthequickestwaytomorewoodedcountry.Andtheyneededfuel;forStridersaidthatFrodomustbekeptwarm,especiallyatnight,whilefirewouldbesomeprotectionforthemall.Itwasalsohisplantoshortentheirjourneybycutting

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acrossanothergreatloopoftheRoad:eastbeyondWeathertopitchangeditscourseandtookawidebendnorthwards.

Theymadetheirwayslowlyandcautiouslyroundthesouth-westernslopesofthehill,andcameinalittlewhiletotheedgeoftheRoad.Therewasnosignofthe

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Riders.Butevenastheywerehurryingacrosstheyheardfarawaytwocries:acoldvoicecallingandacoldvoiceanswering.Tremblingtheysprangforward,andmadeforthethicketsthatlayahead.Thelandbeforethemslopedawaysouthwards,butitwaswildandpathless;bushesandstuntedtreesgrewindensepatcheswithwidebarrenspacesinbetween.Thegrass

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wasscanty,coarse,andgrey;andtheleavesinthethicketswerefadedandfalling.Itwasacheerlessland,andtheirjourneywasslowandgloomy.Theyspokelittleastheytrudgedalong.Frodo’sheartwasgrievedashewatchedthemwalkingbesidehimwiththeirheadsdown,andtheirbacksbowedundertheirburdens.EvenStriderseemedtiredandheavy-

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hearted.Beforethefirstday’s

marchwasoverFrodo’spainbegantogrowagain,buthedidnotspeakofitforalongtime.Fourdayspassed,withoutthegroundorthescenechangingmuch,exceptthatbehindthemWeathertopslowlysank,andbeforethemthedistantmountainsloomedalittlenearer.Yetsincethatfarcrytheyhadseenand

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heardnosignthattheenemyhadmarkedtheirflightorfollowedthem.Theydreadedthedarkhours,andkeptwatchinpairsbynight,expectingatanytimetoseeblackshapesstalkinginthegreynight,dimlylitbythecloud-veiledmoon;buttheysawnothing,andheardnosoundbutthesighofwitheredleavesandgrass.Notoncedidtheyfeelthe

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senseofpresentevilthathadassailedthembeforetheattackinthedell.ItseemedtoomuchtohopethattheRidershadalreadylosttheirtrailagain.Perhapstheywerewaitingtomakesomeambushinanarrowplace?

Attheendofthefifthdaythegroundbeganoncemoretoriseslowlyoutofthewideshallowvalleyintowhichtheyhaddescended.Strider

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nowturnedtheircourseagainnorth-eastwards,andonthesixthdaytheyreachedthetopofalongslow-climbingslope,andsawfaraheadahuddleofwoodedhills.AwaybelowthemtheycouldseetheRoadsweepingroundthefeetofthehills;andtotheirrightagreyrivergleamedpaleinthethinsunshine.Inthedistancetheyglimpsedyetanotherriverinastony

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valleyhalf-veiledinmist.‘Iamafraidwemustgo

backtotheRoadhereforawhile,’saidStrider.‘WehavenowcometotheRiverHoarwell,thattheElvescallMitheithel.ItflowsdownoutoftheEttenmoors,thetroll-fellsnorthofRivendell,andjoinstheLoudwaterawayintheSouth.SomecallittheGreyfloodafterthat.Itisagreatwaterbeforeitfindsthe

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Sea.ThereisnowayoveritbelowitssourcesintheEttenmoors,exceptbytheLastBridgeonwhichtheRoadcrosses.’

‘Whatisthatotherriverwecanseefarawaythere?’askedMerry.

‘ThatisLoudwater,theBruinenofRivendell,’answeredStrider.‘TheRoadrunsalongtheedgeofthehillsformanymilesfromthe

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BridgetotheFordofBruinen.ButIhavenotyetthoughthowweshallcrossthatwater.Oneriveratatime!WeshallbefortunateindeedifwedonotfindtheLastBridgeheldagainstus.’

Nextday,earlyinthemorning,theycamedownagaintothebordersoftheRoad.SamandStriderwent

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forward,buttheyfoundnosignofanytravellersorriders.Hereundertheshadowofthehillstherehadbeensomerain.Striderjudgedthatithadfallentwodaysbefore,andhadwashedawayallfootprints.Nohorsemanhadpassedsincethen,asfarashecouldsee.

Theyhurriedalongwithallthespeedtheycouldmake,andafteramileortwo

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theysawtheLastBridgeahead,atthebottomofashortsteepslope.Theydreadedtoseeblackfigureswaitingthere,buttheysawnone.StridermadethemtakecoverinathicketatthesideoftheRoad,whilehewentforwardtoexplore.

Beforelonghecamehurryingback.‘Icanseenosignoftheenemy,’hesaid,‘andIwonderverymuch

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whatthatmeans.ButIhavefoundsomethingverystrange.’

Heheldouthishand,andshowedasinglepale-greenjewel.‘IfounditinthemudinthemiddleoftheBridge,’hesaid.‘Itisaberyl,anelf-stone.Whetheritwassetthere,orletfallbychance,Icannotsay;butitbringshopetome.IwilltakeitasasignthatwemaypasstheBridge;

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butbeyondthatIdarenotkeeptotheRoad,withoutsomeclearertoken.’

Atoncetheywentonagain.TheycrossedtheBridgeinsafety,hearingnosoundbutthewaterswirlingagainstitsthreegreatarches.Amilefurtherontheycametoanarrowravinethatledawaynorthwardsthroughthe

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steeplandsontheleftoftheRoad.HereStriderturnedaside,andsoontheywerelostinasombrecountryofdarktreeswindingamongthefeetofsullenhills.

ThehobbitsweregladtoleavethecheerlesslandsandtheperilousRoadbehindthem;butthisnewcountryseemedthreateningandunfriendly.Astheywentforwardthehillsaboutthem

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steadilyrose.Hereandthereuponheightsandridgestheycaughtglimpsesofancientwallsofstone,andtheruinsoftowers:theyhadanominouslook.Frodo,whowasnotwalking,hadtimetogazeaheadandtothink.HerecalledBilbo’saccountofhisjourneyandthethreateningtowersonthehillsnorthoftheRoad,inthecountryneartheTrolls’wood

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wherehisfirstseriousadventurehadhappened.Frodoguessedthattheywerenowinthesameregion,andwonderedifbychancetheywouldpassnearthespot.

‘Wholivesinthisland?’heasked.‘Andwhobuiltthesetowers?Isthistroll-country?’

‘No!’saidStrider.‘Trollsdonotbuild.Noonelivesinthisland.Menoncedwelt

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here,agesago;butnoneremainnow.Theybecameanevilpeople,aslegendstell,fortheyfellundertheshadowofAngmar.ButallweredestroyedinthewarthatbroughttheNorthKingdomtoitsend.Butthatisnowsolongagothatthehillshaveforgottenthem,thoughashadowstillliesontheland.’

‘Wheredidyoulearnsuchtales,ifallthelandisempty

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andforgetful?’askedPeregrin.‘Thebirdsandbeastsdonottelltalesofthatsort.’

‘TheheirsofElendildonotforgetallthingspast,’saidStrider;‘andmanymorethingsthanIcantellarerememberedinRivendell.’

‘HaveyouoftenbeentoRivendell?’saidFrodo.

‘Ihave,’saidStrider.‘Idweltthereonce,andstillI

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returnwhenImay.Theremyheartis;butitisnotmyfatetositinpeace,eveninthefairhouseofElrond.’

Thehillsnowbegantoshutthemin.TheRoadbehindheldonitswaytotheRiverBruinen,butbothwerenowhiddenfromview.Thetravellerscameintoalongvalley;narrow,deeply

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cloven,darkandsilent.Treeswitholdandtwistedrootshungovercliffs,andpiledupbehindintomountingslopesofpine-wood.

Thehobbitsgrewveryweary.Theyadvancedslowly,fortheyhadtopicktheirwaythroughapathlesscountry,encumberedbyfallentreesandtumbledrocks.Aslongastheycouldtheyavoidedclimbingfor

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Frodo’ssake,andbecauseitwasinfactdifficulttofindanywayupoutofthenarrowdales.Theyhadbeentwodaysinthiscountrywhentheweatherturnedwet.ThewindbegantoblowsteadilyoutoftheWestandpourthewaterofthedistantseasonthedarkheadsofthehillsinfinedrenchingrain.Bynightfalltheywereallsoaked,andtheircampwascheerless,for

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theycouldnotgetanyfiretoburn.Thenextdaythehillsrosestillhigherandsteeperbeforethem,andtheywereforcedtoturnawaynorthwardsoutoftheircourse.Striderseemedtobegettinganxious:theywerenearlytendaysoutfromWeathertop,andtheirstockofprovisionswasbeginningtorunlow.Itwentonraining.

Thatnighttheycampedon

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astonyshelfwitharock-wallbehindthem,inwhichtherewasashallowcave,amerescoopinthecliff.Frodowasrestless.Thecoldandwethadmadehiswoundmorepainfulthanever,andtheacheandsenseofdeadlychilltookawayallsleep.Helaytossingandturningandlisteningfearfullytothestealthynight-noises:windinchinksofrock,waterdripping,acrack,

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thesuddenrattlingfallofaloosenedstone.Hefeltthatblackshapeswereadvancingtosmotherhim;butwhenhesatuphesawnothingbutthebackofStridersittinghunchedup,smokinghispipe,andwatching.Helaydownagainandpassedintoanuneasydream,inwhichhewalkedonthegrassinhisgardeninthe

Shire,butitseemedfaint

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anddim,lessclearthanthetallblackshadowsthatstoodlookingoverthehedge.

Inthemorninghewoketofindthattherainhadstopped.Thecloudswerestillthick,buttheywerebreaking,andpalestripsofblueappearedbetweenthem.Thewindwasshiftingagain.Theydidnotstartearly.Immediatelyafter

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theircoldandcomfortlessbreakfastStriderwentoffalone,tellingtheotherstoremainundertheshelterofthecliff,untilhecameback.Hewasgoingtoclimbup,ifhecould,andgetalookatthelieoftheland.

Whenhereturnedhewasnotreassuring.‘Wehavecometoofartothenorth,’hesaid,‘andwemustfindsomewaytoturnbacksouthwards

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again.IfwekeeponaswearegoingweshallgetupintotheEttendalesfarnorthofRivendell.Thatistroll-country,andlittleknowntome.WecouldperhapsfindourwaythroughandcomeroundtoRivendellfromthenorth;butitwouldtaketoolong,forIdonotknowtheway,andourfoodwouldnotlast.SosomehoworotherwemustfindtheFordof

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Bruinen.’Therestofthatdaythey

spentscramblingoverrockyground.Theyfoundapassagebetweentwohillsthatledthemintoavalleyrunningsouth-east,thedirectionthattheywishedtotake;buttowardstheendofthedaytheyfoundtheirroadagainbarredbyaridgeofhighland;itsdarkedgeagainsttheskywasbrokenintomany

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barepointsliketeethofabluntedsaw.Theyhadachoicebetweengoingbackorclimbingoverit.

Theydecidedtoattempttheclimb,butitprovedverydifficult.BeforelongFrodowasobligedtodismountandstrugglealongonfoot.Evensotheyoftendespairedofgettingtheirponyup,orindeedoffindingapathforthemselves,burdenedasthey

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were.Thelightwasnearlygone,andtheywereallexhausted,whenatlasttheyreachedthetop.Theyhadclimbedontoanarrowsaddlebetweentwohigherpoints,andthelandfellsteeplyawayagain,onlyashortdistanceahead.Frodothrewhimselfdown,andlayonthegroundshivering.Hisleftarmwaslifeless,andhissideandshoulderfeltasificyclaws

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werelaiduponthem.Thetreesandrocksabouthimseemedshadowyanddim.

‘Wecannotgoanyfurther,’saidMerrytoStrider.‘IamafraidthishasbeentoomuchforFrodo.Iamdreadfullyanxiousabouthim.Whatarewetodo?DoyouthinktheywillbeabletocurehiminRivendell,ifweevergetthere?’

‘Weshallsee,’answered

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Strider.‘ThereisnothingmorethatIcandointhewilderness;anditischieflybecauseofhiswoundthatIamsoanxioustopresson.ButIagreethatwecangonofurthertonight.’

‘Whatisthematterwithmymaster?’askedSaminalowvoice,lookingappealinglyatStrider.‘Hiswoundwassmall,anditisalreadyclosed.There’s

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nothingtobeseenbutacoldwhitemarkonhisshoulder.’

‘FrodohasbeentouchedbytheweaponsoftheEnemy,’saidStrider,‘andthereissomepoisonorevilatworkthatisbeyondmyskilltodriveout.Butdonotgiveuphope,Sam!’

Nightwascolduponthehighridge.Theylitasmall

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firedownunderthegnarledrootsofanoldpine,thathungoverashallowpit:itlookedasifstonehadoncebeenquarriedthere.Theysathuddledtogether.Thewindblewchillthroughthepass,andtheyheardthetree-topslowerdownmoaningandsighing.Frodolayhalfinadream,imaginingthatendlessdarkwingsweresweepingbyabovehim,andthatonthe

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wingsrodepursuersthatsoughthiminallthehollowsofthehills.

Themorningdawnedbrightandfair;theairwasclean,andthelightpaleandclearinarain-washedsky.Theirheartswereencouraged,buttheylongedforthesuntowarmtheircoldstifflimbs.Assoonasitwaslight,StridertookMerrywithhimandwenttosurveythe

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countryfromtheheighttotheeastofthepass.Thesunhadrisenandwasshiningbrightlywhenhereturnedwithmorecomfortingnews.Theywerenowgoingmoreorlessintherightdirection.Iftheywenton,downthefurthersideoftheridge,theywouldhavetheMountainsontheirleft.SomewayaheadStriderhadcaughtaglimpseoftheLoudwateragain,andhe

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knewthat,thoughitwashiddenfromview,theRoadtotheFordwasnotfarfromtheRiverandlayonthesidenearesttothem.

‘WemustmakefortheRoadagain,’hesaid.‘Wecannothopetofindapaththroughthesehills.Whateverdangermaybesetit,theRoadisouronlywaytotheFord.’

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Assoonastheyhadeatentheysetoutagain.Theyclimbedslowlydownthesouthernsideoftheridge;butthewaywasmucheasierthantheyhadexpected,fortheslopewasfarlesssteeponthisside,andbeforelongFrodowasabletorideagain.BillFerny’spooroldponywasdevelopinganunexpectedtalentforpickingoutapath,andforsparingits

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riderasmanyjoltsaspossible.Thespiritsofthepartyroseagain.EvenFrodofeltbetterinthemorninglight,buteverynowandagainamistseemedtoobscurehissight,andhepassedhishandsoverhiseyes.

Pippinwasalittleaheadoftheothers.Suddenlyheturnedroundandcalledtothem.‘Thereisapathhere!’

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hecried.Whentheycameupwith

him,theysawthathehadmadenomistake:therewereclearlythebeginningsofapath,thatclimbedwithmanywindingsoutofthewoodsbelowandfadedawayonthehill-topbehind.Inplacesitwasnowfaintandovergrown,orchokedwithfallenstonesandtrees;butatonetimeitseemedtohave

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beenmuchused.Itwasapathmadebystrongarmsandheavyfeet.Hereandthereoldtreeshadbeencutorbrokendown,andlargerocksclovenorheavedasidetomakeaway.

Theyfollowedthetrackforsomewhile,foritofferedmuchtheeasiestwaydown,buttheywentcautiously,andtheiranxietyincreasedastheycameintothedark

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woods,andthepathgrewplainerandbroader.Suddenlycomingoutofabeltoffir-treesitransteeplydownaslope,andturnedsharplytotheleftroundthecornerofarockyshoulderofthehill.

Whentheycametothecornertheylookedroundandsawthatthepathranonoveralevelstripunderthefaceofalowcliffoverhungwithtrees.Inthestonywallthere

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wasadoorhangingcrookedlyajarupononegreathinge.

Outsidethedoortheyallhalted.Therewasacaveorrock-chamberbehind,butinthegloominsidenothingcouldbeseen.Strider,Sam,andMerrypushingwithalltheirstrengthmanagedtoopenthedooralittlewider,andthenStriderandMerrywentin.Theydidnotgofar,foronthefloorlaymanyold

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bones,andnothingelsewastobeseenneartheentranceexceptsomegreatemptyjarsandbrokenpots.

‘Surelythisisatroll-hole,ifevertherewasone!’saidPippin.‘Comeout,youtwo,andletusgetaway.Nowweknowwhomadethepath–andwehadbettergetoffitquick.’

‘Thereisnoneed,Ithink,’saidStrider,comingout.‘Itis

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certainlyatroll-hole,butitseemstohavebeenlongforsaken.Idon’tthinkweneedbeafraid.Butletusgoondownwarily,andweshallsee.’

Thepathwentonagainfromthedoor,andturningtotherightagainacrossthelevelspaceplungeddownathickwoodedslope.Pippin,notlikingtoshowStriderthathewasstillafraid,wenton

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aheadwithMerry.SamandStridercamebehind,oneoneachsideofFrodo’spony,forthepathwasnowbroadenoughforfourorfivehobbitstowalkabreast.ButtheyhadnotgoneveryfarbeforePippincamerunningback,followedbyMerry.Theybothlookedterrified.

‘Therearetrolls!’Pippinpanted.‘Downinaclearinginthewoodsnotfarbelow.

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Wegotasightofthemthroughthetree-trunks.Theyareverylarge!’

‘Wewillcomeandlookatthem,’saidStrider,pickingupastick.Frodosaidnothing,butSamlookedscared.

Thesunwasnowhigh,anditshonedownthroughthehalf-strippedbranchesof

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thetrees,andlittheclearingwithbrightpatchesoflight.Theyhaltedsuddenlyontheedge,andpeeredthroughthetree-trunks,holdingtheirbreath.

Therestoodthetrolls:threelargetrolls.Onewasstooping,andtheothertwostoodstaringathim.

Striderwalkedforwardunconcernedly.‘Getup,oldstone!’hesaid,andbrokehis

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stickuponthestoopingtroll.Nothinghappened.There

wasagaspofastonishmentfromthehobbits,andthenevenFrodolaughed.‘Well!’hesaid.‘Weareforgettingourfamilyhistory!ThesemustbetheverythreethatwerecaughtbyGandalf,quarrellingovertherightwaytocookthirteendwarvesandonehobbit.’

‘Ihadnoideawewere

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anywhereneartheplace!’saidPippin.Heknewthestorywell.BilboandFrodohadtolditoften;butasamatteroffacthehadnevermorethanhalfbelievedit.Evennowhelookedatthestonetrollswithsuspicion,wonderingifsomemagicmightnotsuddenlybringthemtolifeagain.

‘Youareforgettingnotonlyyourfamilyhistory,but

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allyoueverknewabouttrolls,’saidStrider.‘Itisbroaddaylightwithabrightsun,andyetyoucomebacktryingtoscaremewithataleoflivetrollswaitingforusinthisglade!Inanycaseyoumighthavenoticedthatoneofthemhasanoldbird’snestbehindhisear.Thatwouldbeamostunusualornamentforalivetroll!’

Theyalllaughed.Frodo

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felthisspiritsreviving:thereminderofBilbo’sfirstsuccessfuladventurewasheartening.Thesun,too,waswarmandcomforting,andthemistbeforehiseyesseemedtobeliftingalittle.Theyrestedforsometimeintheglade,andtooktheirmid-daymealrightundertheshadowofthetrolls’largelegs.

‘Won’tsomebodygiveusabitofasong,whilethesun

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ishigh?’saidMerry,whentheyhadfinished.‘Wehaven’thadasongoratalefordays.’

‘NotsinceWeathertop,’saidFrodo.Theotherslookedathim.‘Don’tworryaboutme!’headded.‘Ifeelmuchbetter,butIdon’tthinkIcouldsing.PerhapsSamcoulddigsomethingoutofhismemory.’

‘Comeon,Sam!’said

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Merry.‘There’smorestoredinyourheadthanyouletonabout.’

‘Idon’tknowaboutthat,’saidSam.‘Buthowwouldthissuit?Itain’twhatIcallproperpoetry,ifyouunderstandme:justabitofnonsense.Buttheseoldimagesherebroughtittomymind.’Standingup,withhishandsbehindhisback,asifhewasatschool,hebeganto

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singtoanoldtune.

Trollsataloneonhisseatofstone,Andmunchedandmumbledabareoldbone;Formanyayearhehadgnaweditnear,Formeatwashardtocomeby.

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Doneby!Gumby!

Inacaveinthehillshedweltalone,Andmeatwashardtocomeby.

UpcameTomwithhisbigbootson.SaidhetoTroll:‘Pray,whatisyon?

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Foritlooksliketheshino’mynuncleTim,Asshouldbea-lyin’ingraveyard.Caveyard!Paveyard!

ThismanyayearhasTimbeengone,AndIthoughthewerelyin’in

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graveyard.’

‘Mylad,’saidTroll,‘thisboneIstole.Butwhatbebonesthatlieinahole?Thynunclewasdeadasalumpo’lead,AforeIfoundhisshinbone.Tinbone!Thinbone!

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Hecanspareashareforapooroldtroll,Forhedon’tneedhisshinbone.’

SaidTom:‘Idon’tseewhythelikeso’theeWithoutaxin’leaveshouldgomakin’free

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Withtheshankortheshino’myfather’skin;Sohandtheoldboneover!Rover!Trover!

Thoughdeadhebe,itbelongstohe;Sohandtheoldboneover!’

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‘Foracoupleo’pins,’saysTroll,andgrins,‘I’lleattheetoo,andgnawthyshins.Abito’freshmeatwillgodownsweet!I’lltrymyteethontheenow.Heenow!Seenow!

I’mtiredo’

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gnawingoldbonesandskins;I’veamindtodineontheenow.’

Butjustashethoughthisdinnerwascaught,Hefoundhishandshadholdofnaught.Beforehecouldmind,Tom

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slippedbehindAndgavehimtheboottolarnhim.Warnhim!Darnhim!

Abumpo’thebootontheseat,Tomthought,Wouldbethewaytolarnhim.

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ButharderthanstoneisthefleshandboneOfatrollthatsitsinthehillsalone.Aswellsetyourboottothemountain’sroot,Fortheseatofatrolldon’tfeelit.Peelit!Healit!

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OldTrolllaughed,whenheheardTomgroan,Andheknewhistoescouldfeelit.

Tom’slegisgame,sincehomehecame,Andhisbootlessfootislastinglame;ButTrolldon’t

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care,andhe’sstillthereWiththebonehebonedfromitsowner.Doner!Boner!

Troll’soldseatisstillthesame,Andthebonehebonedfromitsowner!

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‘Well,that’sawarningtousall!’laughedMerry.‘Itisaswellyouusedastick,andnotyourhand,Strider!’

‘Wheredidyoucomebythat,Sam?’askedPippin.‘I’veneverheardthosewordsbefore.’

Sammutteredsomethinginaudible.‘It’soutofhisownhead,ofcourse,’saidFrodo.‘IamlearningalotaboutSamGamgeeonthisjourney.

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Firsthewasaconspirator,nowhe’sajester.He’llendupbybecomingawizard–orawarrior!’

‘Ihopenot,’saidSam.‘Idon’twanttobeneither!’

Intheafternoontheywentondownthewoods.TheywereprobablyfollowingtheverytrackthatGandalf,Bilbo,andthedwarveshad

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usedmanyyearsbefore.AfterafewmilestheycameoutonthetopofahighbankabovetheRoad.AtthispointtheRoadhadlefttheHoarwellfarbehindinitsnarrowvalley,andnowclungclosetothefeetofthehills,rollingandwindingeastwardamongwoodsandheather-coveredslopestowardstheFordandtheMountains.NotfardownthebankStriderpointedouta

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stoneinthegrass.Onitroughlycutandnowmuchweatheredcouldstillbeseendwarf-runesandsecretmarks.

‘There!’saidMerry.‘Thatmustbethestonethatmarkedtheplacewherethetrolls’goldwashidden.HowmuchisleftofBilbo’sshare,Iwonder,Frodo?’

Frodolookedatthestone,andwishedthatBilbohadbroughthomenotreasure

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moreperilous,norlesseasytopartwith.‘Noneatall,’hesaid.‘Bilbogaveitallaway.Hetoldmehedidnotfeelitwasreallyhis,asitcamefromrobbers.’

TheRoadlayquietunderthelongshadowsofearlyevening.Therewasnosignofanyothertravellerstobeseen.Astherewasnowno

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otherpossiblecourseforthemtotake,theyclimbeddownthebank,andturningleftwentoffasfastastheycould.Soonashoulderofthehillscutoffthelightofthefastwesteringsun.Acoldwindfloweddowntomeetthemfromthemountainsahead.

TheywerebeginningtolookoutforaplaceofftheRoad,wheretheycouldcamp

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forthenight,whentheyheardasoundthatbroughtsuddenfearbackintotheirhearts:thenoiseofhoofsbehindthem.Theylookedback,buttheycouldnotseefarbecauseofthemanywindingsandrollingsoftheRoad.Asquicklyastheycouldtheyscrambledoffthebeatenwayandupintothedeepheatherandbilberrybrushwoodontheslopesabove,untilthey

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cametoasmallpatchofthick-growinghazels.Astheypeeredoutfromamongthebushes,theycouldseetheRoad,faintandgreyinthefailinglight,somethirtyfeetbelowthem.Thesoundofhoofsdrewnearer.Theyweregoingfast,withalightclippety-clippety-clip.Thenfaintly,asifitwasblownawayfromthembythebreeze,theyseemedtocatch

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adimringing,asofsmallbellstinkling.

‘ThatdoesnotsoundlikeaBlackRider’shorse!’saidFrodo,listeningintently.Theotherhobbitsagreedhopefullythatitdidnot,buttheyallremainedfullofsuspicion.Theyhadbeeninfearofpursuitforsolongthatanysoundfrombehindseemedominousandunfriendly.ButStriderwas

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nowleaningforward,stoopedtotheground,withahandtohisear,andalookofjoyonhisface.

Thelightfaded,andtheleavesonthebushesrustledsoftly.Clearerandnearernowthebellsjingled,andclippety-clipcamethequicktrottingfeet.Suddenlyintoviewbelowcameawhitehorse,gleamingintheshadows,runningswiftly.In

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theduskitsheadstallflickeredandflashed,asifitwerestuddedwithgemslikelivingstars.Therider’scloakstreamedbehindhim,andhishoodwasthrownback;hisgoldenhairflowedshimmeringinthewindofhisspeed.ToFrodoitappearedthatawhitelightwasshiningthroughtheformandraimentoftherider,asifthroughathinveil.

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StridersprangfromhidinganddasheddowntowardstheRoad,leapingwithacrythroughtheheather;butevenbeforehehadmovedorcalled,theriderhadreinedinhishorseandhalted,lookinguptowardsthethicketwheretheystood.WhenhesawStrider,hedismountedandrantomeethimcallingout:AinaveduiDúnadan!Maegovannen!Hisspeechand

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clearringingvoiceleftnodoubtintheirhearts:theriderwasoftheElven-folk.Noothersthatdweltinthewideworldhadvoicessofairtohear.Butthereseemedtobeanoteofhasteorfearinhiscall,andtheysawthathewasnowspeakingquicklyandurgentlytoStrider.

SoonStriderbeckonedtothem,andthehobbitsleftthebushesandhurrieddownto

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theRoad.‘ThisisGlorfindel,whodwellsinthehouseofElrond,’saidStrider.

‘Hail,andwellmetatlast!’saidtheElf-lordtoFrodo.‘IwassentfromRivendelltolookforyou.Wefearedthatyouwereindangerupontheroad.’

‘ThenGandalfhasreachedRivendell?’criedFrodojoyfully.

‘No.HehadnotwhenI

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departed;butthatwasninedaysago,’answeredGlorfindel.‘Elrondreceivednewsthattroubledhim.Someofmykindred,journeyinginyourlandbeyondtheBaranduin,*learnedthatthingswereamiss,andsentmessagesasswiftlyastheycould.TheysaidthattheNinewereabroad,andthatyouwereastraybearingagreatburdenwithoutguidance,for

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Gandalfhadnotreturned.TherearefeweveninRivendellthatcanrideopenlyagainsttheNine;butsuchastherewere,Elrondsentoutnorth,west,andsouth.Itwasthoughtthatyoumightturnfarasidetoavoidpursuit,andbecomelostintheWilderness.

‘ItwasmylottotaketheRoad,andIcametotheBridgeofMitheithel,andleft

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atokenthere,nighonsevendaysago.ThreeoftheservantsofSauronwereupontheBridge,buttheywithdrewandIpursuedthemwestward.Icamealsoupontwoothers,buttheyturnedawaysouthward.SincethenIhavesearchedforyourtrail.TwodaysagoIfoundit,andfolloweditovertheBridge;andtodayImarkedwhereyoudescendedfromthehills

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again.Butcome!Thereisnotimeforfurthernews.SinceyouareherewemustrisktheperiloftheRoadandgo.Therearefivebehindus,andwhentheyfindyourtrailupontheRoadtheywillrideafteruslikethewind.Andtheyarenotall.Wheretheotherfourmaybe,Idonotknow.IfearthatwemayfindtheFordisalreadyheldagainstus.’

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WhileGlorfindelwasspeakingtheshadesofeveningdeepened.Frodofeltagreatwearinesscomeoverhim.Eversincethesunbegantosinkthemistbeforehiseyeshaddarkened,andhefeltthatashadowwascomingbetweenhimandthefacesofhisfriends.Nowpainassailedhim,andhefeltcold.Heswayed,clutchingatSam’sarm.

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‘Mymasterissickandwounded,’saidSamangrily.‘Hecan’tgoonridingafternightfall.Heneedsrest.’

GlorfindelcaughtFrodoashesanktotheground,andtakinghimgentlyinhisarmshelookedinhisfacewithgraveanxiety.

BrieflyStridertoldoftheattackontheircampunderWeathertop,andofthedeadlyknife.Hedrewoutthehilt,

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whichhehadkept,andhandedittotheElf.Glorfindelshudderedashetookit,buthelookedintentlyatit.

‘Thereareevilthingswrittenonthishilt,’hesaid;‘thoughmaybeyoureyescannotseethem.Keepit,Aragorn,tillwereachthehouseofElrond!Butbewary,andhandleitaslittleasyoumay!Alas!thewounds

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ofthisweaponarebeyondmyskilltoheal.IwilldowhatIcan–butallthemoredoIurgeyounowtogoonwithoutrest.’

HesearchedthewoundonFrodo’sshoulderwithhisfingers,andhisfacegrewgraver,asifwhathelearneddisquietedhim.ButFrodofeltthechilllesseninhissideandarm;alittlewarmthcreptdownfromhisshouldertohis

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hand,andthepaingreweasier.Theduskofeveningseemedtogrowlighterabouthim,asifacloudhadbeenwithdrawn.Hesawhisfriends’facesmoreclearlyagain,andameasureofnewhopeandstrengthreturned.

‘Youshallridemyhorse,’saidGlorfindel.‘Iwillshortenthestirrupsuptothesaddle-skirts,andyoumustsitastightasyoucan.But

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youneednotfear:myhorsewillnotletanyriderfallthatIcommandhimtobear.Hispaceislightandsmooth;andifdangerpressestoonear,hewillbearyouawaywithaspeedthateventheblacksteedsoftheenemycannotrival.’

‘No,hewillnot!’saidFrodo.‘Ishallnotridehim,ifIamtobecarriedofftoRivendelloranywhereelse,

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leavingmyfriendsbehindindanger.’

Glorfindelsmiled.‘Idoubtverymuch,’hesaid,‘ifyourfriendswouldbeindangerifyouwerenotwiththem!Thepursuitwouldfollowyouandleaveusinpeace,Ithink.Itisyou,Frodo,andthatwhichyoubearthatbringsusallinperil.’

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TothatFrodohadnoanswer,andhewaspersuadedtomountGlorfindel’swhitehorse.Theponywasladeninsteadwithagreatpartoftheothers’burdens,sothattheynowmarchedlighter,andforatimemadegoodspeed;butthehobbitsbegantofindithardtokeepupwiththeswifttirelessfeetoftheElf.Onheledthem,intothemouthofdarkness,andstill

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onunderthedeepcloudednight.Therewasneitherstarnormoon.Notuntilthegreyofdawndidheallowthemtohalt.Pippin,Merry,andSamwerebythattimenearlyasleepontheirstumblinglegs;andevenStriderseemedbythesagofhisshoulderstobeweary.Frodosatuponthehorseinadarkdream.

Theycastthemselvesdownintheheatherafew

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yardsfromtheroad-side,andfellasleepimmediately.TheyseemedhardlytohaveclosedtheireyeswhenGlorfindel,whohadsethimselftowatchwhiletheyslept,awokethemagain.Thesunhadnowclimbedfarintothemorning,andthecloudsandmistsofthenightweregone.

‘Drinkthis!’saidGlorfindeltothem,pouringforeachinturnalittleliquor

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fromhissilver-studdedflaskofleather.Itwasclearasspringwaterandhadnotaste,anditdidnotfeeleithercoolorwarminthemouth;butstrengthandvigourseemedtoflowintoalltheirlimbsastheydrankit.Eatenafterthatdraughtthestalebreadanddriedfruit(whichwasnowallthattheyhadleft)seemedtosatisfytheirhungerbetterthanmanyagoodbreakfastin

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theShirehaddone.

TheyhadrestedratherlessthanfivehourswhentheytooktotheRoadagain.Glorfindelstillurgedthemon,andonlyallowedtwobriefhaltsduringtheday’smarch.Inthiswaytheycoveredalmosttwentymilesbeforenightfall,andcametoapointwheretheRoadbent

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rightandrandowntowardsthebottomofthevalley,nowmakingstraightfortheBruinen.Sofartherehadbeennosignorsoundofpursuitthatthehobbitscouldseeorhear;butoftenGlorfindelwouldhaltandlistenforamoment,iftheylaggedbehind,andalookofanxietycloudedhisface.OnceortwicehespoketoStriderintheelf-tongue.

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Buthoweveranxioustheirguidesmightbe,itwasplainthatthehobbitscouldgonofurtherthatnight.Theywerestumblingalongdizzywithweariness,andunabletothinkofanythingbuttheirfeetandlegs.Frodo’spainhadredoubled,andduringthedaythingsabouthimfadedtoshadowsofghostlygrey.Healmostwelcomedthecomingofnight,forthentheworld

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seemedlesspaleandempty.

Thehobbitswerestillweary,whentheysetoutagainearlynextmorning.ThereweremanymilesyettogobetweenthemandtheFord,andtheyhobbledforwardatthebestpacetheycouldmanage.

‘Ourperilwillbegreatestjusterewereachtheriver,’

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saidGlorfindel;‘formyheartwarnsmethatthepursuitisnowswiftbehindus,andotherdangermaybewaitingbytheFord.’

TheRoadwasstillrunningsteadilydownhill,andtherewasnowinplacesmuchgrassateitherside,inwhichthehobbitswalkedwhentheycould,toeasetheirtiredfeet.Inthelateafternoontheycametoa

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placewheretheRoadwentsuddenlyunderthedarkshadowoftallpine-trees,andthenplungedintoadeepcuttingwithsteepmoistwallsofredstone.Echoesranalongastheyhurriedforward;andthereseemedtobeasoundofmanyfootfallsfollowingtheirown.Allatonce,asifthroughagateoflight,theRoadranoutagainfromtheendofthetunnel

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intotheopen.Thereatthebottomofasharpinclinetheysawbeforethemalongflatmile,andbeyondthattheFordofRivendell.Onthefurthersidewasasteepbrownbank,threadedbyawindingpath;andbehindthatthetallmountainsclimbed,shoulderaboveshoulder,andpeakbeyondpeak,intothefadingsky.

Therewasstillanechoas

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offollowingfeetinthecuttingbehindthem;arushingnoiseasifawindwererisingandpouringthroughthebranchesofthepines.OnemomentGlorfindelturnedandlistened,thenhesprangforwardwithaloudcry.

‘Fly!’hecalled.‘Fly!Theenemyisuponus!’

Thewhitehorseleapedforward.Thehobbitsran

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downtheslope.GlorfindelandStriderfollowedasrearguard.Theywereonlyhalfwayacrosstheflat,whensuddenlytherewasanoiseofhorsesgalloping.OutofthegateinthetreesthattheyhadjustleftrodeaBlackRider.Hereinedhishorsein,andhalted,swayinginhissaddle.Anotherfollowedhim,andthenanother;thenagaintwomore.

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‘Rideforward!Ride!’criedGlorfindeltoFrodo.

Hedidnotobeyatonce,forastrangereluctanceseizedhim.Checkingthehorsetoawalk,heturnedandlookedback.TheRidersseemedtositupontheirgreatsteedslikethreateningstatuesuponahill,darkandsolid,whileallthewoodsandlandaboutthemrecededasifintoamist.Suddenlyheknewinhisheart

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thattheyweresilentlycommandinghimtowait.Thenatoncefearandhatredawokeinhim.Hishandleftthebridleandgrippedthehiltofhissword,andwitharedflashhedrewit.

‘Rideon!Rideon!’criedGlorfindel,andthenloudandclearhecalledtothehorseintheelf-tongue:norolim,norolim,Asfaloth!

Atoncethewhitehorse

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sprangawayandspedlikethewindalongthelastlapoftheRoad.Atthesamemomenttheblackhorsesleapeddownthehillinpursuit,andfromtheRiderscameaterriblecry,suchasFrodohadheardfillingthewoodswithhorrorintheEastfarthingfaraway.Itwasanswered;andtothedismayofFrodoandhisfriendsoutfromthetreesandrocksawayontheleftfour

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otherRiderscameflying.TworodetowardsFrodo;twogallopedmadlytowardstheFordtocutoffhisescape.Theyseemedtohimtorunlikethewindandtogrowswiftlylargeranddarker,astheircoursesconvergedwithhis.

Frodolookedbackforamomentoverhisshoulder.Hecouldnolongerseehisfriends.TheRidersbehind

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werefallingback:eventheirgreatsteedswerenomatchinspeedforthewhiteelf-horseofGlorfindel.Helookedforwardagain,andhopefaded.ThereseemednochanceofreachingtheFordbeforehewascutoffbytheothersthathadlaininambush.Hecouldseethemclearlynow:theyappearedtohavecastasidetheirhoodsandblackcloaks,andthey

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wererobedinwhiteandgrey.Swordswerenakedintheirpalehands;helmswereontheirheads.Theircoldeyesglittered,andtheycalledtohimwithfellvoices.

FearnowfilledallFrodo’smind.Hethoughtnolongerofhissword.Nocrycamefromhim.Heshuthiseyesandclungtothehorse’smane.Thewindwhistledinhisears,andthebellsupon

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theharnessrangwildandshrill.Abreathofdeadlycoldpiercedhimlikeaspear,aswithalastspurt,likeaflashofwhitefire,theelf-horsespeedingasifonwings,passedrightbeforethefaceoftheforemostRider.

Frodoheardthesplashofwater.Itfoamedabouthisfeet.Hefeltthequickheaveandsurgeasthehorselefttheriverandstruggledupthe

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stonypath.Hewasclimbingthesteepbank.HewasacrosstheFord.

Butthepursuerswereclosebehind.Atthetopofthebankthehorsehaltedandturnedaboutneighingfiercely.TherewereNineRidersatthewater’sedgebelow,andFrodo’sspiritquailedbeforethethreatoftheirupliftedfaces.Heknewofnothingthatwouldprevent

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themfromcrossingaseasilyashehaddone;andhefeltthatitwasuselesstotrytoescapeoverthelonguncertainpathfromtheFordtotheedgeofRivendell,ifoncetheRiderscrossed.Inanycasehefeltthathewascommandedurgentlytohalt.Hatredagainstirredinhim,buthehadnolongerthestrengthtorefuse.

Suddenlytheforemost

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Riderspurredhishorseforward.Itcheckedatthewaterandrearedup.WithagreateffortFrodosatuprightandbrandishedhissword.

‘Goback!’hecried.‘GobacktotheLandofMordor,andfollowmenomore!’Hisvoicesoundedthinandshrillinhisownears.TheRidershalted,butFrodohadnotthepowerofBombadil.Hisenemieslaughedathimwith

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aharshandchillinglaughter.‘Comeback!Comeback!’theycalled.‘ToMordorwewilltakeyou!’

‘Goback!’hewhispered.‘TheRing!TheRing!’

theycriedwithdeadlyvoices;andimmediatelytheirleaderurgedhishorseforwardintothewater,followedcloselybytwoothers.

‘ByElberethandLúthientheFair,’saidFrodowitha

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lasteffort,liftinguphissword,‘youshallhaveneithertheRingnorme!’

Thentheleader,whowasnowhalfacrosstheFord,stoodupmenacinginhisstirrups,andraiseduphishand.Frodowasstrickendumb.Hefelthistonguecleavetohismouth,andhisheartlabouring.Hisswordbrokeandfelloutofhisshakinghand.Theelf-horse

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rearedandsnorted.Theforemostoftheblackhorseshadalmostsetfootupontheshore.

Atthatmomenttherecamearoaringandarushing:anoiseofloudwatersrollingmanystones.DimlyFrodosawtheriverbelowhimrise,anddownalongitscoursetherecameaplumedcavalryofwaves.WhiteflamesseemedtoFrodotoflickeron

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theircrests,andhehalffanciedthathesawamidthewaterwhiteridersuponwhitehorseswithfrothingmanes.ThethreeRidersthatwerestillinthemidstoftheFordwereoverwhelmed:theydisappeared,buriedsuddenlyunderangryfoam.Thosethatwerebehinddrewbackindismay.

WithhislastfailingsensesFrodoheardcries,andit

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seemedtohimthathesaw,beyondtheRidersthathesitatedontheshore,ashiningfigureofwhitelight;andbehinditransmallshadowyformswavingflames,thatflaredredinthegreymistthatwasfallingovertheworld.

Theblackhorseswerefilledwithmadness,andleapingforwardinterrortheyboretheirridersintothe

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rushingflood.Theirpiercingcriesweredrownedintheroaringoftheriverasitcarriedthemaway.ThenFrodofelthimselffalling,andtheroaringandconfusionseemedtoriseandengulfhimtogetherwithhisenemies.Heheardandsawnomore.

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BOOKTWO

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Chapter1

MANYMEETINGS

Frodowokeandfoundhimselflyinginbed.Atfirsthethoughtthathehadsleptlate,afteralongunpleasantdreamthatstillhoveredon

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theedgeofmemory.Orperhapshehadbeenill?Buttheceilinglookedstrange;itwasflat,andithaddarkbeamsrichlycarved.Helayalittlewhilelongerlookingatpatchesofsunlightonthewall,andlisteningtothesoundofawaterfall.

‘WhereamI,andwhatisthetime?’hesaidaloudtotheceiling.

‘InthehouseofElrond,

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anditisteno’clockinthemorning,’saidavoice.‘ItisthemorningofOctoberthetwenty-fourth,ifyouwanttoknow.’

‘Gandalf!’criedFrodo,sittingup.Therewastheoldwizard,sittinginachairbytheopenwindow.

‘Yes,’hesaid,‘Iamhere.Andyouareluckytobehere,too,afteralltheabsurdthingsyouhavedonesinceyouleft

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home.’Frodolaydownagain.He

felttoocomfortableandpeacefultoargue,andinanycasehedidnotthinkhewouldgetthebetterofanargument.Hewasfullyawakenow,andthememoryofhisjourneywasreturning:thedisastrous‘shortcut’throughtheOldForest;the‘accident’atThePrancingPony;andhismadnessin

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puttingontheRinginthedellunderWeathertop.WhilehewasthinkingofallthesethingsandtryinginvaintobringhismemorydowntohisarrivinginRivendell,therewasalongsilence,brokenonlybythesoftpuffsofGandalf’spipe,asheblewwhitesmoke-ringsoutofthewindow.

‘Where’sSam?’Frodoaskedatlength.‘Andarethe

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othersallright?’‘Yes,theyareallsafeand

sound,’answeredGandalf.‘SamwashereuntilIsenthimofftogetsomerest,abouthalfanhourago.’

‘WhathappenedattheFord?’saidFrodo.‘Itallseemedsodim,somehow;anditstilldoes.’

‘Yes,itwould.Youwerebeginningtofade,’answeredGandalf.‘Thewoundwas

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overcomingyouatlast.Afewmorehoursandyouwouldhavebeenbeyondouraid.Butyouhavesomestrengthinyou,mydearhobbit!AsyoushowedintheBarrow.Thatwastouchandgo:perhapsthemostdangerousmomentofall.IwishyoucouldhaveheldoutatWeathertop.’

‘Youseemtoknowagreatdealalready,’said

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Frodo.‘IhavenotspokentotheothersabouttheBarrow.Atfirstitwastoohorrible,andafterwardstherewereotherthingstothinkabout.Howdoyouknowaboutit?’

‘Youhavetalkedlonginyoursleep,Frodo,’saidGandalfgently,‘andithasnotbeenhardformetoreadyourmindandmemory.Donotworry!ThoughIsaid“absurd”justnow,Ididnot

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meanit.Ithinkwellofyou–andoftheothers.Itisnosmallfeattohavecomesofar,andthroughsuchdangers,stillbearingtheRing.’

‘WeshouldneverhavedoneitwithoutStrider,’saidFrodo.‘Butweneededyou.Ididnotknowwhattodowithoutyou.’

‘Iwasdelayed,’saidGandalf,‘andthatnearly

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provedourruin.AndyetIamnotsure:itmayhavebeenbetterso.’

‘Iwishyouwouldtellmewhathappened!’

‘Allingoodtime!Youarenotsupposedtotalkorworryaboutanythingtoday,byElrond’sorders.’

‘Buttalkingwouldstopmethinkingandwondering,whicharequiteastiring,’saidFrodo.‘Iamwideawake

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now,andIremembersomanythingsthatwantexplaining.Whywereyoudelayed?Yououghttotellmethatatleast.’

‘Youwillsoonhearallyouwishtoknow,’saidGandalf.‘WeshallhaveaCouncil,assoonasyouarewellenough.AtthemomentIwillonlysaythatIwasheldcaptive.’

‘You?’criedFrodo.

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‘Yes,I,GandalftheGrey,’saidthewizardsolemnly.‘Therearemanypowersintheworld,forgoodorforevil.SomearegreaterthanIam.AgainstsomeIhavenotyetbeenmeasured.Butmytimeiscoming.TheMorgul-lordandhisBlackRidershavecomeforth.Warispreparing!’

‘ThenyouknewoftheRidersalready–beforeImet

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them?’‘Yes,Iknewofthem.

IndeedIspokeofthemoncetoyou;fortheBlackRidersaretheRingwraiths,theNineServantsoftheLordoftheRings.ButIdidnotknowthattheyhadarisenagainorIshouldhavefledwithyouatonce.IheardnewsofthemonlyafterIleftyouinJune;butthatstorymustwait.Forthemomentwehavebeen

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savedfromdisaster,byAragorn.’

‘Yes,’saidFrodo,‘itwasStriderthatsavedus.YetIwasafraidofhimatfirst.Samneverquitetrustedhim,Ithink,notatanyrateuntilwemetGlorfindel.’

Gandalfsmiled.‘IhaveheardallaboutSam,’hesaid.‘Hehasnomoredoubtsnow.’

‘Iamglad,’saidFrodo.

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‘ForIhavebecomeveryfondofStrider.Well,fondisnottherightword.Imeanheisdeartome;thoughheisstrange,andgrimattimes.Infact,heremindsmeoftenofyou.Ididn’tknowthatanyoftheBigPeoplewerelikethat.Ithought,well,thattheywerejustbig,andratherstupid:kindandstupidlikeButterbur;orstupidandwickedlikeBillFerny.But

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thenwedon’tknowmuchaboutMenintheShire,exceptperhapstheBree-landers.’

‘Youdon’tknowmuchevenaboutthem,ifyouthinkoldBarlimanisstupid,’saidGandalf.‘Heiswiseenoughonhisownground.Hethinkslessthanhetalks,andslower;yethecanseethroughabrickwallintime(astheysayinBree).Buttherearefewleft

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inMiddle-earthlikeAragornsonofArathorn.TheraceoftheKingsfromovertheSeaisnearlyatanend.ItmaybethatthisWaroftheRingwillbetheirlastadventure.’

‘DoyoureallymeanthatStriderisoneofthepeopleoftheoldKings?’saidFrodoinwonder.‘Ithoughttheyhadallvanishedlongago.IthoughthewasonlyaRanger.’

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‘OnlyaRanger!’criedGandalf.‘MydearFrodo,thatisjustwhattheRangersare:thelastremnantintheNorthofthegreatpeople,theMenoftheWest.Theyhavehelpedmebefore;andIshallneedtheirhelpinthedaystocome;forwehavereachedRivendell,buttheRingisnotyetatrest.’

‘Isupposenot,’saidFrodo.‘Butsofarmyonly

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thoughthasbeentogethere;andIhopeIshan’thavetogoanyfurther.Itisverypleasantjusttorest.Ihavehadamonthofexileandadventure,andIfindthathasbeenasmuchasIwant.’

Hefellsilentandshuthiseyes.Afterawhilehespokeagain.‘Ihavebeenreckoning,’hesaid,‘andIcan’tbringthetotaluptoOctoberthetwenty-fourth.It

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oughttobethetwenty-first.WemusthavereachedtheFordbythetwentieth.’

‘Youhavetalkedandreckonedmorethanisgoodforyou,’saidGandalf.‘Howdothesideandshoulderfeelnow?’

‘Idon’tknow,’Frodoanswered.‘Theydon’tfeelatall:whichisanimprovement,but’–hemadeaneffort–‘Icanmovemyarmagaina

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little.Yes,itiscomingbacktolife.Itisnotcold,’headded,touchinghislefthandwithhisright.

‘Good!’saidGandalf.‘Itismendingfast.Youwillsoonbesoundagain.Elrondhascuredyou:hehastendedyoufordays,eversinceyouwerebroughtin.’

‘Days?’saidFrodo.‘Well,fournightsand

threedays,tobeexact.The

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ElvesbroughtyoufromtheFordonthenightofthetwentieth,andthatiswhereyoulostcount.Wehavebeenterriblyanxious,andSamhashardlyleftyourside,dayornight,excepttorunmessages.Elrondisamasterofhealing,buttheweaponsofourEnemyaredeadly.Totellyouthetruth,Ihadverylittlehope;forIsuspectedthattherewassomefragmentof

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thebladestillintheclosedwound.Butitcouldnotbefounduntillastnight.ThenElrondremovedasplinter.Itwasdeeplyburied,anditwasworkinginwards.’

Frodoshuddered,rememberingthecruelknifewithnotchedbladethathadvanishedinStrider’shands.‘Don’tbealarmed!’saidGandalf.‘Itisgonenow.Ithasbeenmelted.Andit

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seemsthatHobbitsfadeveryreluctantly.IhaveknownstrongwarriorsoftheBigPeoplewhowouldquicklyhavebeenovercomebythatsplinter,whichyouboreforseventeendays.’

‘Whatwouldtheyhavedonetome?’askedFrodo.‘WhatweretheRiderstryingtodo?’

‘TheytriedtopierceyourheartwithaMorgul-knife

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whichremainsinthewound.Iftheyhadsucceeded,youwouldhavebecomeliketheyare,onlyweakerandundertheircommand.YouwouldhavebecomeawraithunderthedominionoftheDarkLord;andhewouldhavetormentedyoufortryingtokeephisRing,ifanygreatertormentwerepossiblethanbeingrobbedofitandseeingitonhishand.’

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‘ThankgoodnessIdidnotrealizethehorribledanger!’saidFrodofaintly.‘Iwasmortallyafraid,ofcourse;butifIhadknownmore,Ishouldnothavedaredeventomove.ItisamarvelthatIescaped!’

‘Yes,fortuneorfatehavehelpedyou,’saidGandalf,‘nottomentioncourage.Foryourheartwasnottouched,andonlyyourshoulderwaspierced;andthatwasbecause

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youresistedtothelast.Butitwasaterriblynarrowshave,sotospeak.YouwereingravestperilwhileyouworetheRing,forthenyouwerehalfinthewraith-worldyourself,andtheymighthaveseizedyou.Youcouldseethem,andtheycouldseeyou.’

‘Iknow,’saidFrodo.‘Theywereterribletobehold!Butwhycouldweallsee

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theirhorses?’‘Becausetheyarereal

horses;justastheblackrobesarerealrobesthattheyweartogiveshapetotheirnothingnesswhentheyhavedealingswiththeliving.’

‘Thenwhydotheseblackhorsesenduresuchriders?Allotheranimalsareterrifiedwhentheydrawnear,eventheelf-horseofGlorfindel.Thedogshowlandthegeese

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screamatthem.’‘Becausethesehorsesare

bornandbredtotheserviceoftheDarkLordinMordor.Notallhisservantsandchattelsarewraiths!Thereareorcsandtrolls,therearewargsandwerewolves;andtherehavebeenandstillaremanyMen,warriorsandkings,thatwalkaliveundertheSun,andyetareunderhissway.Andtheirnumberis

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growingdaily.’‘WhataboutRivendell

andtheElves?IsRivendellsafe?’

‘Yes,atpresent,untilallelseisconquered.TheElvesmayfeartheDarkLord,andtheymayflybeforehim,butneveragainwilltheylistentohimorservehim.AndhereinRivendelltherelivestillsomeofhischieffoes:theElven-wise,lordsoftheEldarfrom

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beyondthefurthestseas.TheydonotfeartheRingwraiths,forthosewhohavedweltintheBlessedRealmliveatonceinbothworlds,andagainstboththeSeenandtheUnseentheyhavegreatpower.’

‘IthoughtthatIsawawhitefigurethatshoneanddidnotgrowdimliketheothers.WasthatGlorfindelthen?’

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‘Yes,yousawhimforamomentasheisupontheotherside:oneofthemightyoftheFirstborn.HeisanElf-lordofahouseofprinces.IndeedthereisapowerinRivendelltowithstandthemightofMordor,forawhile:andelsewhereotherpowersstilldwell.Thereispower,too,ofanotherkindintheShire.Butallsuchplaceswillsoonbecomeislandsunder

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siege,ifthingsgoonastheyaregoing.TheDarkLordisputtingforthallhisstrength.

‘Still,’hesaid,standingsuddenlyupandstickingouthischin,whilehisbeardwentstiffandstraightlikebristlingwire,‘wemustkeepupourcourage.Youwillsoonbewell,ifIdonottalkyoutodeath.YouareinRivendell,andyouneednotworryaboutanythingforthepresent.’

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‘Ihaven’tanycouragetokeepup,’saidFrodo,‘butIamnotworriedatthemoment.Justgivemenewsofmyfriends,andtellmetheendoftheaffairattheFord,asIkeeponasking,andIshallbecontentforthepresent.AfterthatIshallhaveanothersleep,Ithink;butIshan’tbeabletoclosemyeyesuntilyouhavefinishedthestoryforme.’

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GandalfmovedhischairtothebedsideandtookagoodlookatFrodo.Thecolourhadcomebacktohisface,andhiseyeswereclear,andfullyawakeandaware.Hewassmiling,andthereseemedtobelittlewrongwithhim.Buttothewizard’seyetherewasafaintchange,justahintasitwereoftransparency,abouthim,andespeciallyaboutthelefthand

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thatlayoutsideuponthecoverlet.

‘Stillthatmustbeexpected,’saidGandalftohimself.‘Heisnothalfthroughyet,andtowhathewillcomeintheendnotevenElrondcanforetell.Nottoevil,Ithink.Hemaybecomelikeaglassfilledwithaclearlightforeyestoseethatcan.’

‘Youlooksplendid,’hesaidaloud.‘Iwillriskabrief

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talewithoutconsultingElrond.Butquitebrief,mindyou,andthenyoumustsleepagain.Thisiswhathappened,asfarasIcangather.TheRidersmadestraightforyou,assoonasyoufled.Theydidnotneedtheguidanceoftheirhorsesanylonger:youhadbecomevisibletothem,beingalreadyonthethresholdoftheirworld.AndalsotheRingdrewthem.Yourfriends

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sprangaside,offtheroad,ortheywouldhavebeenriddendown.Theyknewthatnothingcouldsaveyou,ifthewhitehorsecouldnot.TheRidersweretooswifttoovertake,andtoomanytooppose.OnfootevenGlorfindelandAragorntogethercouldnotwithstandalltheNineatonce.

‘WhentheRingwraithssweptby,yourfriendsranup

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behind.ClosetotheFordthereisasmallhollowbesidetheroadmaskedbyafewstuntedtrees.Theretheyhastilykindledfire;forGlorfindelknewthatafloodwouldcomedown,iftheRiderstriedtocross,andthenhewouldhavetodealwithanythatwereleftonhissideoftheriver.Themomentthefloodappeared,herushedout,followedbyAragornand

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theotherswithflamingbrands.Caughtbetweenfireandwater,andseeinganElf-lordrevealedinhiswrath,theyweredismayed,andtheirhorseswerestrickenwithmadness.Threewerecarriedawaybythefirstassaultoftheflood;theotherswerenowhurledintothewaterbytheirhorsesandoverwhelmed.’

‘Andisthattheendofthe

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BlackRiders?’askedFrodo.‘No,’saidGandalf.‘Their

horsesmusthaveperished,andwithoutthemtheyarecrippled.ButtheRingwraithsthemselvescannotbesoeasilydestroyed.However,thereisnothingmoretofearfromthematpresent.Yourfriendscrossedafterthefloodhadpassedandtheyfoundyoulyingonyourfaceatthetopofthebank,withabroken

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swordunderyou.Thehorsewasstandingguardbesideyou.Youwerepaleandcold,andtheyfearedthatyouweredead,orworse.Elrond’sfolkmetthem,carryingyouslowlytowardsRivendell.’

‘Whomadetheflood?’askedFrodo.

‘Elrondcommandedit,’answeredGandalf.‘Theriverofthisvalleyisunderhispower,anditwillrisein

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angerwhenhehasgreatneedtobartheFord.AssoonasthecaptainoftheRingwraithsrodeintothewaterthefloodwasreleased.IfImaysayso,Iaddedafewtouchesofmyown:youmaynothavenoticed,butsomeofthewavestooktheformofgreatwhitehorseswithshiningwhiteriders;andthereweremanyrollingandgrindingboulders.ForamomentIwas

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afraidthatwehadletloosetoofierceawrath,andthefloodwouldgetoutofhandandwashyouallaway.ThereisgreatvigourinthewatersthatcomedownfromthesnowsoftheMistyMountains.’

‘Yes,itallcomesbacktomenow,’saidFrodo:‘thetremendousroaring.IthoughtIwasdrowning,withmyfriendsandenemiesandall.

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Butnowwearesafe!’Gandalflookedquicklyat

Frodo,buthehadshuthiseyes.‘Yes,youareallsafeforthepresent.SoontherewillbefeastingandmerrymakingtocelebratethevictoryattheFordofBruinen,andyouwillallbethereinplacesofhonour.’

‘Splendid!’saidFrodo.‘ItiswonderfulthatElrond,andGlorfindelandsuchgreat

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lords,nottomentionStrider,shouldtakesomuchtroubleandshowmesomuchkindness.’

‘Well,therearemanyreasonswhytheyshould,’saidGandalf,smiling.‘Iamonegoodreason.TheRingisanother:youaretheRing-bearer.AndyouaretheheirofBilbo,theRing-finder.’

‘DearBilbo!’saidFrodosleepily.‘Iwonderwherehe

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is.Iwishhewashereandcouldhearallaboutit.Itwouldhavemadehimlaugh.ThecowjumpedovertheMoon!Andthepooroldtroll!’Withthathefellfastasleep.

FrodowasnowsafeintheLastHomelyHouseeastoftheSea.Thathousewas,asBilbohadlongagoreported,

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‘aperfecthouse,whetheryoulikefoodorsleeporstory-tellingorsinging,orjustsittingandthinkingbest,orapleasantmixtureofthemall’.Merelytobetherewasacureforweariness,fear,andsadness.

Astheeveningdrewon,Frodowokeupagain,andhefoundthathenolongerfeltinneedofrestorsleep,buthadamindforfoodanddrink,

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andprobablyforsingingandstory-tellingafterwards.Hegotoutofbedanddiscoveredthathisarmwasalreadynearlyasusefulagainasiteverhadbeen.Hefoundlaidreadycleangarmentsofgreencloththatfittedhimexcellently.Lookinginamirrorhewasstartledtoseeamuchthinnerreflectionofhimselfthanheremembered:itlookedremarkablylikethe

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youngnephewofBilbowhousedtogotrampingwithhisuncleintheShire;buttheeyeslookedoutathimthoughtfully.

‘Yes,youhaveseenathingortwosinceyoulastpeepedoutofalooking-glass,’hesaidtohisreflection.‘Butnowforamerrymeeting!’Hestretchedouthisarmsandwhistledatune.

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Atthatmomenttherewasaknockonthedoor,andSamcamein.HerantoFrodoandtookhislefthand,awkwardlyandshyly.Hestrokeditgentlyandthenheblushedandturnedhastilyaway.

‘Hullo,Sam!’saidFrodo.‘It’swarm!’saidSam.

‘Meaningyourhand,Mr.Frodo.Ithasfeltsocoldthroughthelongnights.Butgloryandtrumpets!’hecried,

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turningroundagainwithshiningeyesanddancingonthefloor.‘It’sfinetoseeyouupandyourselfagain,sir!Gandalfaskedmetocomeandseeifyouwerereadytocomedown,andIthoughthewasjoking.’

‘Iamready,’saidFrodo.‘Let’sgoandlookfortherestoftheparty!’

‘Icantakeyoutothem,sir,’saidSam.‘It’sabig

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housethis,andverypeculiar.Alwaysabitmoretodiscover,andnoknowingwhatyou’llfindroundacorner.AndElves,sir!Elveshere,andElvesthere!Somelikekings,terribleandsplendid;andsomeasmerryaschildren.Andthemusicandthesinging–notthatIhavehadthetimeortheheartformuchlisteningsincewegothere.ButI’mgettingto

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knowsomeofthewaysoftheplace.’

‘Iknowwhatyouhavebeendoing,Sam,’saidFrodo,takinghisarm.‘Butyoushallbemerrytonight,andlistentoyourheart’scontent.Comeon,guidemeroundthecorners!’

Samledhimalongseveralpassagesanddownmanystepsandoutintoahighgardenabovethesteepbank

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oftheriver.Hefoundhisfriendssittinginaporchonthesideofthehouselookingeast.Shadowshadfalleninthevalleybelow,buttherewasstillalightonthefacesofthemountainsfarabove.Theairwaswarm.Thesoundofrunningandfallingwaterwasloud,andtheeveningwasfilledwithafaintscentoftreesandflowers,asifsummerstilllingeredin

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Elrond’sgardens.‘Hurray!’criedPippin,

springingup.‘Hereisournoblecousin!MakewayforFrodo,LordoftheRing!’

‘Hush!’saidGandalffromtheshadowsatthebackoftheporch.‘Evilthingsdonotcomeintothisvalley;butallthesameweshouldnotnamethem.TheLordoftheRingisnotFrodo,butthemasteroftheDarkTowerofMordor,

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whosepowerisagainstretchingoutovertheworld.Wearesittinginafortress.Outsideitisgettingdark.’

‘Gandalfhasbeensayingmanycheerfulthingslikethat,’saidPippin.‘HethinksIneedkeepinginorder.Butitseemsimpossible,somehow,tofeelgloomyordepressedinthisplace.IfeelIcouldsing,ifIknewtherightsongfortheoccasion.’

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‘Ifeellikesingingmyself,’laughedFrodo.‘ThoughatthemomentIfeelmorelikeeatinganddrinking.’

‘Thatwillsoonbecured,’saidPippin.‘Youhaveshownyourusualcunningingettingupjustintimeforameal.’

‘Morethanameal!Afeast!’saidMerry.‘AssoonasGandalfreportedthatyouwererecovered,the

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preparationsbegan.’Hehadhardlyfinishedspeakingwhentheyweresummonedtothehallbytheringingofmanybells.

ThehallofElrond’shousewasfilledwithfolk:Elvesforthemostpart,thoughtherewereafewguestsofothersorts.Elrond,aswashiscustom,satina

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greatchairattheendofthelongtableuponthedais;andnexttohimontheonesidesatGlorfindel,ontheothersidesatGandalf.

Frodolookedattheminwonder;forhehadneverbeforeseenElrond,ofwhomsomanytalesspoke;andastheysatuponhisrighthandandhisleft,Glorfindel,andevenGandalf,whomhethoughtheknewsowell,

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wererevealedaslordsofdignityandpower.

Gandalfwasshorterinstaturethantheothertwo;buthislongwhitehair,hissweepingsilverbeard,andhisbroadshoulders,madehimlooklikesomewisekingofancientlegend.Inhisagedfaceundergreatsnowybrowshisdarkeyesweresetlikecoalsthatcouldleapsuddenlyintofire.

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Glorfindelwastallandstraight;hishairwasofshininggold,hisfacefairandyoungandfearlessandfullofjoy;hiseyeswerebrightandkeen,andhisvoicelikemusic;onhisbrowsatwisdom,andinhishandwasstrength.

ThefaceofElrondwasageless,neitheroldnoryoung,thoughinitwaswrittenthememoryofmany

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thingsbothgladandsorrowful.Hishairwasdarkastheshadowsoftwilight,anduponitwassetacircletofsilver;hiseyesweregreyasaclearevening,andinthemwasalightlikethelightofstars.Venerableheseemedasakingcrownedwithmanywinters,andyethaleasatriedwarriorinthefulnessofhisstrength.HewastheLordofRivendellandmighty

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amongbothElvesandMen.Inthemiddleofthetable,

againstthewovenclothsuponthewall,therewasachairunderacanopy,andtheresataladyfairtolookupon,andsolikewassheinformofwomanhoodtoElrondthatFrodoguessedthatshewasoneofhisclosekindred.Youngshewasandyetnotso.Thebraidsofherdarkhairweretouchedbyno

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frost;herwhitearmsandclearfacewereflawlessandsmooth,andthelightofstarswasinherbrighteyes,greyasacloudlessnight;yetqueenlyshelooked,andthoughtandknowledgewereinherglance,asofonewhohasknownmanythingsthattheyearsbring.Aboveherbrowherheadwascoveredwithacapofsilverlacenettedwithsmallgems,

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glitteringwhite;buthersoftgreyraimenthadnoornamentsaveagirdleofleaveswroughtinsilver.

SoitwasthatFrodosawherwhomfewmortalshadyetseen;Arwen,daughterofElrond,inwhomitwassaidthatthelikenessofLúthienhadcomeonearthagain;andshewascalledUndómiel,forshewastheEvenstarofherpeople.Longshehadbeenin

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thelandofhermother’skin,inLórienbeyondthemountains,andwasbutlatelyreturnedtoRivendelltoherfather’shouse.Butherbrothers,ElladanandElrohir,wereoutuponerrantry;fortheyrodeoftenfarafieldwiththeRangersoftheNorth,forgettingnevertheirmother’stormentinthedensoftheorcs.

Suchlovelinessinliving

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thingFrodohadneverseenbeforenorimaginedinhismind;andhewasbothsurprisedandabashedtofindthathehadaseatatElrond’stableamongallthesefolksohighandfair.Thoughhehadasuitablechair,andwasraiseduponseveralcushions,hefeltverysmall,andratheroutofplace;butthatfeelingquicklypassed.Thefeastwasmerryandthefoodallthathis

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hungercoulddesire.Itwassometimebeforehelookedabouthimagainoreventurnedtohisneighbours.

Helookedfirstforhisfriends.Samhadbeggedtobeallowedtowaitonhismaster,buthadbeentoldthatforthistimehewasaguestofhonour.Frodocouldseehimnow,sittingwithPippinandMerryattheupperendofoneoftheside-tablesclosetothe

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dais.HecouldseenosignofStrider.

NexttoFrodoonhisrightsatadwarfofimportantappearance,richlydressed.Hisbeard,verylongandforked,waswhite,nearlyaswhiteasthesnow-whiteclothofhisgarments.Heworeasilverbelt,androundhisneckhungachainofsilveranddiamonds.Frodostoppedeatingtolookathim.

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‘Welcomeandwellmet!’saidthedwarf,turningtowardshim.Thenheactuallyrosefromhisseatandbowed.‘Glóinatyourservice,’hesaid,andbowedstilllower.

‘FrodoBagginsatyourserviceandyourfamily’s,’saidFrodocorrectly,risinginsurpriseandscatteringhiscushions.‘AmIrightinguessingthatyouarethe

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Glóin,oneofthetwelvecompanionsofthegreatThorinOakenshield?’

‘Quiteright,’answeredthedwarf,gatheringupthecushionsandcourteouslyassistingFrodobackintohisseat.‘AndIdonotask,forIhavealreadybeentoldthatyouarethekinsmanandadoptedheirofourfriendBilbotherenowned.Allowmetocongratulateyouon

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yourrecovery.’‘Thankyouverymuch,’

saidFrodo.‘Youhavehadsomevery

strangeadventures,Ihear,’saidGlóin.‘Iwondergreatlywhatbringsfourhobbitsonsolongajourney.NothinglikeithashappenedsinceBilbocamewithus.ButperhapsIshouldnotinquiretooclosely,sinceElrondandGandalfdonotseemdisposed

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totalkofthis?’‘Ithinkwewillnotspeak

ofit,atleastnotyet,’saidFrodopolitely.HeguessedthateveninElrond’shousethematteroftheRingwasnotoneforcasualtalk;andinanycasehewishedtoforgethistroublesforatime.‘ButIamequallycurious,’headded,‘tolearnwhatbringssoimportantadwarfsofarfromtheLonelyMountain.’

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Glóinlookedathim.‘Ifyouhavenotheard,Ithinkwewillnotspeakyetofthateither.MasterElrondwillsummonusallerelong,Ibelieve,andthenweshallallhearmanythings.Butthereismuchelsethatmaybetold.’

Throughouttherestofthemealtheytalkedtogether,butFrodolistenedmorethanhespoke;forthenewsoftheShire,apartfromtheRing,

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seemedsmallandfar-awayandunimportant,whileGlóinhadmuchtotellofeventsinthenorthernregionsofWilderland.FrodolearnedthatGrimbeorntheOld,sonofBeorn,wasnowthelordofmanysturdymen,andtotheirlandbetweentheMountainsandMirkwoodneitherorcnorwolfdaredtogo.

‘Indeed,’saidGlóin,‘ifitwerenotfortheBeornings,

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thepassagefromDaletoRivendellwouldlongagohavebecomeimpossible.TheyarevaliantmenandkeepopentheHighPassandtheFordofCarrock.Buttheirtollsarehigh,’headdedwithashakeofhishead;‘andlikeBeornofoldtheyarenotoverfondofdwarves.Still,theyaretrusty,andthatismuchinthesedays.Nowherearethereanymensofriendlytousas

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theMenofDale.Theyaregoodfolk,theBardings.ThegrandsonofBardtheBowmanrulesthem,BrandsonofBainsonofBard.Heisastrongking,andhisrealmnowreachesfarsouthandeastofEsgaroth.’

‘Andwhatofyourownpeople?’askedFrodo.

‘Thereismuchtotell,goodandbad,’saidGlóin;‘yetitismostlygood:we

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havesofarbeenfortunate,thoughwedonotescapetheshadowofthesetimes.Ifyoureallywishtohearofus,Iwilltellyoutidingsgladly.Butstopmewhenyouareweary!Dwarves’tonguesrunonwhenspeakingoftheirhandiwork,theysay.’

AndwiththatGlóinembarkedonalongaccountofthedoingsoftheDwarf-kingdom.Hewasdelightedto

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havefoundsopolitealistener;forFrodoshowednosignofwearinessandmadenoattempttochangethesubject,thoughactuallyhesoongotratherlostamongthestrangenamesofpeopleandplacesthathehadneverheardofbefore.Hewasinterested,however,tohearthatDáinwasstillKingundertheMountain,andwasnowold(havingpassedhistwo

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hundredandfiftiethyear),venerable,andfabulouslyrich.OfthetencompanionswhohadsurvivedtheBattleofFiveArmiessevenwerestillwithhim:Dwalin,Glóin,Dori,Nori,Bifur,Bofur,andBombur.Bomburwasnowsofatthathecouldnotmovehimselffromhiscouchtohischairattable,andittooksixyoungdwarvestolifthim.

‘Andwhathasbecomeof

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BalinandOriandÓin?’askedFrodo.

AshadowpassedoverGlóin’sface.‘Wedonotknow,’heanswered.‘ItislargelyonaccountofBalinthatIhavecometoasktheadviceofthosethatdwellinRivendell.Buttonightletusspeakofmerrierthings!’

Glóinbeganthentotalkoftheworksofhispeople,tellingFrodoabouttheirgreat

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laboursinDaleandundertheMountain.‘Wehavedonewell,’hesaid.‘Butinmetal-workwecannotrivalourfathers,manyofwhosesecretsarelost.Wemakegoodarmourandkeenswords,butwecannotagainmakemailorbladetomatchthosethatweremadebeforethedragoncame.Onlyinminingandbuildinghavewesurpassedtheolddays.You

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shouldseethewaterwaysofDale,Frodo,andthefountains,andthepools!Youshouldseethestone-pavedroadsofmanycolours!Andthehallsandcavernousstreetsundertheearthwitharchescarvedliketrees;andtheterracesandtowersupontheMountain’ssides!Thenyouwouldseethatwehavenotbeenidle.’

‘Iwillcomeandseethem,

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ifeverIcan,’saidFrodo.‘HowsurprisedBilbowouldhavebeentoseeallthechangesintheDesolationofSmaug!’

GlóinlookedatFrodoandsmiled.‘YouwereveryfondofBilbowereyounot?’heasked.

‘Yes,’answeredFrodo.‘Iwouldratherseehimthanallthetowersandpalacesintheworld.’

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Atlengththefeastcametoanend.ElrondandArwenroseandwentdownthehall,andthecompanyfollowedthemindueorder.Thedoorswerethrownopen,andtheywentacrossawidepassageandthroughotherdoors,andcameintoafurtherhall.Initwerenotables,butabrightfirewasburninginagreathearthbetweenthecarvenpillarsuponeitherside.

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FrodofoundhimselfwalkingwithGandalf.‘ThisistheHallofFire,’saidthewizard.‘Hereyouwillhearmanysongsandtales–ifyoucankeepawake.Butexceptonhighdaysitusuallystandsemptyandquiet,andpeoplecomeherewhowishforpeace,andthought.Thereisalwaysafirehere,alltheyearround,butthereislittleotherlight.’

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AsElrondenteredandwenttowardstheseatpreparedforhim,Elvishminstrelsbegantomakesweetmusic.Slowlythehallfilled,andFrodolookedwithdelightuponthemanyfairfacesthatweregatheredtogether;thegoldenfirelightplayeduponthemandshimmeredintheirhair.Suddenlyhenoticed,notfarfromthefurtherendofthe

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fire,asmalldarkfigureseatedonastoolwithhisbackproppedagainstapillar.Besidehimonthegroundwasadrinking-cupandsomebread.Frodowonderedwhetherhewasill(ifpeoplewereeverillinRivendell),andhadbeenunabletocometothefeast.Hisheadseemedsunkinsleeponhisbreast,andafoldofhisdarkcloakwasdrawnoverhisface.

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Elrondwentforwardandstoodbesidethesilentfigure.‘Awake,littlemaster!’hesaid,withasmile.Then,turningtoFrodo,hebeckonedtohim.‘Nowatlastthehourhascomethatyouhavewishedfor,Frodo,’hesaid.‘Hereisafriendthatyouhavelongmissed.’

Thedarkfigureraiseditsheadanduncovereditsface.‘Bilbo!’criedFrodowith

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suddenrecognition,andhesprangforward.

‘Hullo,Frodomylad!’saidBilbo.‘Soyouhavegothereatlast.Ihopedyouwouldmanageit.Well,well!Soallthisfeastingisinyourhonour,Ihear.Ihopeyouenjoyedyourself?’

‘Whyweren’tyouthere?’criedFrodo.‘Andwhyhaven’tIbeenallowedtoseeyoubefore?’

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‘Becauseyouwereasleep.Ihaveseenagooddealofyou.IhavesatbyyoursidewithSameachday.Butasforthefeast,Idon’tgoinforsuchthingsmuchnow.AndIhadsomethingelsetodo.’

‘Whatwereyoudoing?’‘Why,sittingand

thinking.Idoalotofthatnowadays,andthisisthebestplacetodoitin,asarule.Wakeup,indeed!’hesaid,

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cockinganeyeatElrond.TherewasabrighttwinkleinitandnosignofsleepinessthatFrodocouldsee.‘Wakeup!Iwasnotasleep,MasterElrond.Ifyouwanttoknow,youhaveallcomeoutfromyourfeasttoosoon,andyouhavedisturbedme–inthemiddleofmakingupasong.Iwasstuckoveralineortwo,andwasthinkingaboutthem;butnowIdon’tsupposeI

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shallevergetthemright.Therewillbesuchadealofsingingthattheideaswillbedrivencleanoutofmyhead.IshallhavetogetmyfriendtheDúnadantohelpme.Whereishe?’

Elrondlaughed.‘Heshallbefound,’hesaid.‘Thenyoutwoshallgointoacornerandfinishyourtask,andwewillhearitandjudgeitbeforeweendourmerrymaking.’

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MessengersweresenttofindBilbo’sfriend,thoughnoneknewwherehewas,orwhyhehadnotbeenpresentatthefeast.

InthemeanwhileFrodoandBilbosatsidebyside,andSamcamequicklyandplacedhimselfnearthem.Theytalkedtogetherinsoftvoices,obliviousofthemirthandmusicinthehallaboutthem.Bilbohadnotmuchto

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sayofhimself.WhenhehadleftHobbitonhehadwanderedoffaimlessly,alongtheRoadorinthecountryoneitherside;butsomehowhehadsteeredallthetimetowardsRivendell.

‘Igotherewithoutmuchadventure,’hesaid,‘andafterarestIwentonwiththedwarvestoDale:mylastjourney.Ishan’ttravelagain.OldBalinhadgoneaway.

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ThenIcamebackhere,andhereIhavebeen.Ihavedonethisandthat.Ihavewrittensomemoreofmybook.And,ofcourse,Imakeupafewsongs.Theysingthemoccasionally:justtopleaseme,Ithink;for,ofcourse,theyaren’treallygoodenoughforRivendell.AndIlistenandIthink.Timedoesn’tseemtopasshere:itjustis.Aremarkableplace

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altogether.‘Ihearallkindsofnews,

fromovertheMountains,andoutoftheSouth,buthardlyanythingfromtheShire.IheardabouttheRing,ofcourse.Gandalfhasbeenhereoften.Notthathehastoldmeagreatdeal,hehasbecomecloserthanevertheselastfewyears.TheDúnadanhastoldmemore.Fancythatringofminecausingsucha

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disturbance!ItisapitythatGandalfdidnotfindoutmoresooner.Icouldhavebroughtthethingheremyselflongagowithoutsomuchtrouble.IhavethoughtseveraltimesofgoingbacktoHobbitonforit;butIamgettingold,andtheywouldnotletme:

GandalfandElrond,Imean.TheyseemedtothinkthattheEnemywaslookinghighandlowforme,and

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wouldmakemincemeatofme,ifhecaughtmetotteringaboutintheWild.

‘AndGandalfsaid:“TheRinghaspassedon,Bilbo.Itwoulddonogoodtoyouortoothers,ifyoutriedtomeddlewithitagain.”Oddsortofremark,justlikeGandalf.Buthesaidhewaslookingafteryou,soIletthingsbe.Iamfrightfullygladtoseeyousafeand

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sound.’HepausedandlookedatFrododoubtfully.

‘Haveyougotithere?’heaskedinawhisper.‘Ican’thelpfeelingcurious,youknow,afterallI’veheard.Ishouldverymuchlikejusttopeepatitagain.’

‘Yes,I’vegotit,’answeredFrodo,feelingastrangereluctance.‘Itlooksjustthesameaseveritdid.’

‘Well,Ishouldjustliketo

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seeitforamoment,’saidBilbo.

Whenhehaddressed,FrodofoundthatwhileheslepttheRinghadbeenhungabouthisneckonanewchain,lightbutstrong.Slowlyhedrewitout.Bilboputouthishand.ButFrodoquicklydrewbacktheRing.Tohisdistressandamazementhefoundthathewasnolongerlookingat

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Bilbo;ashadowseemedtohavefallenbetweenthem,andthroughithefoundhimselfeyeingalittlewrinkledcreaturewithahungryfaceandbonygropinghands.Hefeltadesiretostrikehim.

Themusicandsingingroundthemseemedtofalter,andasilencefell.BilbolookedquicklyatFrodo’sfaceandpassedhishand

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acrosshiseyes.‘Iunderstandnow,’hesaid.‘Putitaway!Iamsorry:sorryyouhavecomeinforthisburden;sorryabouteverything.Don’tadventureseverhaveanend?Isupposenot.Someoneelsealwayshastocarryonthestory.Well,itcan’tbehelped.Iwonderifit’sanygoodtryingtofinishmybook?Butdon’tlet’sworryaboutitnow–let’shave

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somerealNews!TellmeallabouttheShire!’

FrodohidtheRingaway,andtheshadowpassedleavinghardlyashredofmemory.ThelightandmusicofRivendellwasabouthimagain.Bilbosmiledandlaughedhappily.EveryitemofnewsfromtheShirethatFrodocouldtell–aidedand

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correctednowandagainbySam–wasofthegreatestinteresttohim,fromthefellingoftheleasttreetothepranksofthesmallestchildinHobbiton.TheyweresodeepinthedoingsoftheFourFarthingsthattheydidnotnoticethearrivalofamancladindarkgreencloth.Formanyminuteshestoodlookingdownatthemwithasmile.

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SuddenlyBilbolookedup.‘Ah,thereyouareatlast,Dúnadan!’hecried.

‘Strider!’saidFrodo.‘Youseemtohavealotofnames.’

‘Well,StriderisonethatIhaven’theardbefore,anyway,’saidBilbo.‘Whatdoyoucallhimthatfor?’

‘TheycallmethatinBree,’saidStriderlaughing,‘andthatishowIwas

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introducedtohim.’‘Andwhydoyoucallhim

Dúnadan?’askedFrodo.‘TheDúnadan,’said

Bilbo.‘Heisoftencalledthathere.ButIthoughtyouknewenoughElvishatleasttoknowdúnadan:ManoftheWest,Númenórean.Butthisisnotthetimeforlessons!’HeturnedtoStrider.‘Wherehaveyoubeen,myfriend?Whyweren’tyouatthefeast?

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TheLadyArwenwasthere.’Striderlookeddownat

Bilbogravely.‘Iknow,’hesaid.‘ButoftenImustputmirthaside.ElladanandElrohirhavereturnedoutoftheWildunlooked-for,andtheyhadtidingsthatIwishedtohearatonce.’

‘Well,mydearfellow,’saidBilbo,‘nowyou’veheardthenews,can’tyousparemeamoment?Iwant

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yourhelpinsomethingurgent.Elrondsaysthissongofmineistobefinishedbeforetheendoftheevening,andIamstuck.Let’sgooffintoacornerandpolishitup!’

Stridersmiled.‘Comethen!’hesaid.‘Letmehearit!’

Frodowaslefttohimself

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forawhile,forSamhadfallenasleep.Hewasaloneandfeltratherforlorn,althoughallabouthimthefolkofRivendellweregathered.Butthosenearhimweresilent,intentuponthemusicofthevoicesandtheinstruments,andtheygavenoheedtoanythingelse.Frodobegantolisten.

Atfirstthebeautyofthemelodiesandofthe

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interwovenwordsinelven-tongues,eventhoughheunderstoodthemlittle,heldhiminaspell,assoonashebegantoattendtothem.Almostitseemedthatthewordstookshape,andvisionsoffarlandsandbrightthingsthathehadneveryetimaginedopenedoutbeforehim;andthefirelithallbecamelikeagoldenmistaboveseasoffoamthat

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sigheduponthemarginsoftheworld.Thentheenchantmentbecamemoreandmoredreamlike,untilhefeltthatanendlessriverofswellinggoldandsilverwasflowingoverhim,toomultitudinousforitspatterntobecomprehended;itbecamepartofthethrobbingairabouthim,anditdrenchedanddrownedhim.Swiftlyhesankunderitsshiningweight

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intoadeeprealmofsleep.Therehewanderedlongin

adreamofmusicthatturnedintorunningwater,andthensuddenlyintoavoice.ItseemedtobethevoiceofBilbochantingverses.Faintatfirstandthenclearerranthewords.

Eärendilwasamarinerthattarriedin

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Arvernien;hebuiltaboatoftimberfelledinNimbrethiltojourneyin;hersailshewoveofsilverfair,ofsilverwereherlanternsmade,herprowhefashionedlikeaswan,andlightuponher

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bannerslaid.

Inpanoplyofancientkings,inchainédringshearmouredhim;hisshiningshieldwasscoredwithrunestowardallwoundsandharmfromhim;hisbowwasmadeofdragon-horn,

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hisarrowsshornofebony,ofsilverwashishabergeon,

hisscabbardofchalcedony;hisswordofsteelwasvaliant,ofadamanthishelmettall,aneagle-plumeuponhiscrest,

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uponhisbreastanemerald.

BeneaththeMoonandunderstarhewanderedfarfromnorthernstrands,bewilderedonenchantedwaysbeyondthedaysofmortallands.FromgnashingoftheNarrowIce

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whereshadowliesonfrozenhills,fromnetherheatsandburningwasteheturnedinhaste,androvingstillonstarlesswatersfarastrayatlasthecametoNightofNaught,andpassed,andneversighthesawofshiningshorenor

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lighthesought.Thewindsofwrathcamedrivinghim,andblindlyinthefoamhefledfromwesttoeast,anderrandless,unheraldedhehomewardsped.

ThereflyingElwingcametohim,andflamewasinthe

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darknesslit;morebrightthanlightofdiamondthefireuponhercarcanet.TheSilmarilsheboundonhimandcrownedhimwiththelivinglight,anddauntlessthenwithburningbrowheturnedhisprow;andinthenight

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fromOtherworldbeyondtheSeatherestrongandfreeastormarose,awindofpowerinTarmenel;bypathsthatseldommortalgoeshisboatitborewithbitingbreathasmightofdeathacrossthegreyandlong-forsaken

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seasdistressed:fromeasttowesthepassedaway.

ThroughEvernighthebackwasborneonblackandroaringwavesthatrano’erleaguesunlitandfounderedshoresthatdrownedbeforetheDaysbegan,

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untilheheardonstrandsofpearlwhereendstheworldthemusiclong,whereever-foamingbillowsrolltheyellowgoldandjewelswan.HesawtheMountainsilentrisewheretwilightliesuponthekneesofValinor,and

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Eldamarbeheldafarbeyondtheseas.Awandererescapedfromnighttohavenwhitehecameatlast,toElvenhomethegreenandfairwherekeentheair,wherepaleasglassbeneaththeHillofIlmarin

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a-glimmerinavalleysheerthelamplittowersofTirionaremirroredontheShadowmere.

Hetarriedtherefromerrantry,andmelodiestheytaughttohim,andsagesoldhimmarvelstold,

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andharpsofgoldtheybroughttohim.Theyclothedhimtheninelven-white,andsevenlightsbeforehimsent,asthroughtheCalaciriantohiddenlandforlornhewent.Hecameuntothetimelesshalls

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whereshiningfallthecountlessyears,andendlessreignstheElderKinginIlmarinonMountainsheer;andwordsunheardwerespokenthenoffolkofMenandElven-kin,beyondtheworldwerevisionsshowed

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forbidtothosethatdwelltherein.

Ashipthennewtheybuiltforhimofmithrilandofelven-glasswithshiningprow;noshavenoarnorsailsheboreonsilvermast:theSilmarilaslanternlight

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andbannerbrightwithlivingflametogleamthereonbyElberethherselfwasset,whothithercameandwingsimmortalmadeforhim,andlaidonhimundyingdoom,tosailtheshorelessskiesandcomebehindtheSunand

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lightofMoon.

FromEvereven’sloftyhillswheresoftlysilverfountainsfallhiswingshimbore,awanderinglight,beyondthemightyMountainWall.FromWorld’sEndthenheturnedaway,

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andyearnedagaintofindafarhishomethroughshadowsjourneying,andburningasanislandstaronhighabovethemistshecame,adistantflamebeforetheSun,awondererethewakingdawn

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wheregreytheNorlandwatersrun.

AndoverMiddle-earthhepassedandheardatlasttheweepingsoreofwomenandofelven-maidsinElderDays,inyearsofyore.Butonhimmighty

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doomwaslaid,tillMoonshouldfade,anorbédstartopass,andtarrynevermoreonHitherShoreswheremortalsare;foreverstillaheraldonanerrandthatshouldneverresttobearhisshininglampafar,

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theFlammiferofWesternesse.

Thechantingceased.FrodoopenedhiseyesandsawthatBilbowasseatedonhisstoolinacircleoflisteners,whoweresmilingandapplauding.

‘Nowwehadbetterhaveitagain,’saidanElf.

Bilbogotupandbowed.‘Iamflattered,Lindir,’he

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said.‘Butitwouldbetootiringtorepeatitall.’

‘Nottootiringforyou,’theElvesansweredlaughing.‘Youknowyouarenevertiredofrecitingyourownverses.Butreallywecannotansweryourquestionatonehearing!’

‘What!’criedBilbo.‘Youcan’ttellwhichpartsweremine,andwhichweretheDúnadan’s?’

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‘Itisnoteasyforustotellthedifferencebetweentwomortals,’saidtheElf.

‘Nonsense,Lindir,’snortedBilbo.‘Ifyoucan’tdistinguishbetweenaManandaHobbit,yourjudgementispoorerthanIimagined.They’reasdifferentaspeasandapples.’

‘Maybe.Tosheepothersheepnodoubtappeardifferent,’laughedLindir.‘Or

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toshepherds.ButMortalshavenotbeenourstudy.Wehaveotherbusiness.’

‘Iwon’targuewithyou,’saidBilbo.‘Iamsleepyaftersomuchmusicandsinging.I’llleaveyoutoguess,ifyouwantto.’

HegotupandcametowardsFrodo.‘Well,that’sover,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘ItwentoffbetterthanIexpected.Idon’toftenget

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askedforasecondhearing.Whatdidyouthinkofit?’

‘Iamnotgoingtotryandguess,’saidFrodosmiling.

‘Youneedn’t,’saidBilbo.‘Asamatteroffactitwasallmine.ExceptthatAragorninsistedonmyputtinginagreenstone.Heseemedtothinkitimportant.Idon’tknowwhy.Otherwiseheobviouslythoughtthewholethingratherabovemyhead,

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andhesaidthatifIhadthecheektomakeversesaboutEärendilinthehouseofElrond,itwasmyaffair.Isupposehewasright.’

‘Idon’tknow,’saidFrodo.‘Itseemedtometofitsomehow,thoughIcan’texplain.Iwashalfasleepwhenyoubegan,anditseemedtofollowonfromsomethingthatIwasdreamingabout.Ididn’t

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understandthatitwasreallyyouspeakinguntilneartheend.’

‘Itisdifficulttokeepawakehere,untilyougetusedtoit,’saidBilbo.‘NotthathobbitswouldeveracquirequitetheElvishappetiteformusicandpoetryandtales.Theyseemtolikethemasmuchasfood,ormore.Theywillbegoingonforalongtimeyet.Whatdo

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yousaytoslippingoffforsomemorequiettalk?’

‘Canwe?’saidFrodo.‘Ofcourse.Thisis

merrymakingnotbusiness.Comeandgoasyoulike,aslongasyoudon’tmakeanoise.’

Theygotupandwithdrewquietlyintotheshadows,andmadeforthedoors.Samtheyleftbehind,fastasleepstillwithasmileonhisface.In

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spiteofhisdelightinBilbo’scompanyFrodofeltatugofregretastheypassedoutoftheHallofFire.Evenastheysteppedoverthethresholdasingleclearvoiceroseinsong.

AElberethGilthoniel,silivrenpennamírielomenelaglarelenath!

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Na-chaeredpalan-dírielogaladhremminennorath,Fanuilos,lelinnathonnefaear,sínefaearon!

Frodohaltedforamoment,lookingback.Elrondwasinhischairandthefirewasonhisfacelike

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summer-lightuponthetrees.NearhimsattheLadyArwen.TohissurpriseFrodosawthatAragornstoodbesideher;hisdarkcloakwasthrownback,andheseemedtobecladinelven-mail,andastarshoneonhisbreast.Theyspoketogether,andthensuddenlyitseemedtoFrodothatArwenturnedtowardshim,andthelightofhereyesfellonhimfromafarand

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piercedhisheart.Hestoodstillenchanted,

whilethesweetsyllablesoftheElvishsongfelllikeclearjewelsofblendedwordandmelody.‘ItisasongtoElbereth,’saidBilbo.‘Theywillsingthat,andothersongsoftheBlessedRealm,manytimestonight.Comeon!’

HeledFrodobacktohisownlittleroom.Itopenedontothegardensandlooked

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southacrosstheravineoftheBruinen.Theretheysatforsomewhile,lookingthroughthewindowatthebrightstarsabovethesteep-climbingwoods,andtalkingsoftly.TheyspokenomoreofthesmallnewsoftheShirefaraway,norofthedarkshadowsandperilsthatencompassedthem,butofthefairthingstheyhadseenintheworldtogether,ofthe

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Elves,ofthestars,oftrees,andthegentlefallofthebrightyearinthewoods.

Atlasttherecameaknockonthedoor.‘Beggingyourpardon,’saidSam,puttinginhishead,‘butIwasjustwonderingifyouwouldbewantinganything.’

‘Andbeggingyours,SamGamgee,’repliedBilbo.‘I

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guessyoumeanthatitistimeyourmasterwenttobed.’

‘Well,sir,thereisaCouncilearlytomorrow,Ihear,andheonlygotuptodayforthefirsttime.’

‘Quiteright,Sam,’laughedBilbo.‘YoucantrotoffandtellGandalfthathehasgonetobed.Goodnight,Frodo!Blessme,butithasbeengoodtoseeyouagain!Therearenofolklikehobbits

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afterallforarealgoodtalk.Iamgettingveryold,andIbegantowonderifIshouldlivetoseeyourchaptersofourstory.Goodnight!I’lltakeawalk,Ithink,andlookatthestarsofElberethinthegarden.Sleepwell!’

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Chapter2

THECOUNCILOFELROND

NextdayFrodowokeearly,feelingrefreshedandwell.Hewalkedalongtheterracesabovetheloud-flowing

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Bruinenandwatchedthepale,coolsunriseabovethefarmountains,andshinedown,slantingthroughthethinsilvermist;thedewupontheyellowleaveswasglimmering,andthewovennetsofgossamertwinkledoneverybush.Samwalkedbesidehim,sayingnothing,butsniffingtheair,andlookingeverynowandagainwithwonderinhiseyesatthe

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greatheightsintheEast.Thesnowwaswhiteupontheirpeaks.

OnaseatcutinthestonebesideaturninthepaththeycameuponGandalfandBilbodeepintalk.‘Hullo!Goodmorning!’saidBilbo.‘Feelreadyforthegreatcouncil?’

‘Ifeelreadyforanything,’answeredFrodo.‘ButmostofallIshouldliketogowalkingtodayandexplorethevalley.

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Ishouldliketogetintothosepine-woodsupthere.’HepointedawayfarupthesideofRivendelltothenorth.

‘Youmayhaveachancelater,’saidGandalf.‘Butwecannotmakeanyplansyet.Thereismuchtohearanddecidetoday.’

Suddenlyastheyweretalkingasingleclearbellrang

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out.‘ThatisthewarningbellfortheCouncilofElrond,’criedGandalf.‘Comealongnow!BothyouandBilboarewanted.’

FrodoandBilbofollowedthewizardquicklyalongthewindingpathbacktothehouse;behindthem,uninvitedandforthemomentforgotten,trottedSam.

GandalfledthemtotheporchwhereFrodohadfound

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hisfriendstheeveningbefore.Thelightoftheclearautumnmorningwasnowglowinginthevalley.Thenoiseofbubblingwaterscameupfromthefoamingriver-bed.Birdsweresinging,andawholesomepeacelayontheland.ToFrodohisdangerousflight,andtherumoursofthedarknessgrowingintheworldoutside,alreadyseemedonlythe

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memoriesofatroubleddream;butthefacesthatwereturnedtomeetthemastheyenteredweregrave.

Elrondwasthere,andseveralotherswereseatedinsilenceabouthim.FrodosawGlorfindelandGlóin;andinacorneraloneStriderwassitting,cladinhisoldtravel-wornclothesagain.ElronddrewFrodotoaseatbyhisside,andpresentedhimtothe

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company,saying:‘Here,myfriends,isthe

hobbit,FrodosonofDrogo.Fewhaveevercomehitherthroughgreaterperiloronanerrandmoreurgent.’

HethenpointedoutandnamedthosewhomFrodohadnotmetbefore.TherewasayoungerdwarfatGlóin’sside:hissonGimli.BesideGlorfindeltherewereseveralothercounsellorsof

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Elrond’shousehold,ofwhomErestorwasthechief;andwithhimwasGaldor,anElffromtheGreyHavenswhohadcomeonanerrandfromCírdantheShipwright.TherewasalsoastrangeElfcladingreenandbrown,Legolas,amessengerfromhisfather,Thranduil,theKingoftheElvesofNorthernMirkwood.Andseatedalittleapartwasatallmanwithafairandnoble

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face,dark-hairedandgrey-eyed,proudandsternofglance.

Hewascloakedandbootedasifforajourneyonhorseback;andindeedthoughhisgarmentswererich,andhiscloakwaslinedwithfur,theywerestainedwithlongtravel.Hehadacollarofsilverinwhichasinglewhitestonewasset;hislockswereshornabouthisshoulders.On

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abaldricheworeagreathorntippedwithsilverthatnowwaslaiduponhisknees.HegazedatFrodoandBilbowithsuddenwonder.

‘Here,’saidElrond,turningtoGandalf,‘isBoromir,amanfromtheSouth.Hearrivedinthegreymorning,andseeksforcounsel.Ihavebiddenhimtobepresent,forherehisquestionswillbeanswered.’

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NotallthatwasspokenanddebatedintheCouncilneednowbetold.Muchwassaidofeventsintheworldoutside,especiallyintheSouth,andinthewidelandseastoftheMountains.OfthesethingsFrodohadalreadyheardmanyrumours;butthetaleofGlóinwasnewtohim,andwhenthedwarfspokehelistenedattentively.Itappearedthatamidthe

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splendouroftheirworksofhandtheheartsoftheDwarvesoftheLonelyMountainweretroubled.

‘Itisnowmanyyearsago,’saidGlóin,‘thatashadowofdisquietfelluponourpeople.Whenceitcamewedidnotatfirstperceive.Wordsbegantobewhisperedinsecret:itwassaidthatwewerehemmedinanarrowplace,andthatgreaterwealth

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andsplendourwouldbefoundinawiderworld.SomespokeofMoria:themightyworksofourfathersthatarecalledinourowntongueKhazad-dûm;andtheydeclaredthatnowatlastwehadthepowerandnumberstoreturn.’

Glóinsighed.‘Moria!Moria!WonderoftheNorthernworld!Toodeepwedelvedthere,andwokethe

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namelessfear.LonghaveitsvastmansionslainemptysincethechildrenofDurinfled.Butnowwespokeofitagainwithlonging,andyetwithdread;fornodwarfhasdaredtopassthedoorsofKhazad-dûmformanylivesofkings,saveThróronly,andheperished.Atlast,however,Balinlistenedtothewhispers,andresolvedtogo;andthoughDáindidnotgive

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leavewillingly,hetookwithhimOriandÓinandmanyofourfolk,andtheywentawaysouth.

‘Thatwasnighonthirtyyearsago.Forawhilewehadnewsanditseemedgood:messagesreportedthatMoriahadbeenenteredandagreatworkbegunthere.Thentherewassilence,andnowordhasevercomefromMoriasince.

‘Thenaboutayearagoa

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messengercametoDáin,butnotfromMoria–fromMordor:ahorsemaninthenight,whocalledDáintohisgate.TheLordSaurontheGreat,sohesaid,wishedforourfriendship.Ringshewouldgiveforit,suchashegaveofold.Andheaskedurgentlyconcerninghobbits,ofwhatkindtheywere,andwheretheydwelt.“ForSauronknows,”saidhe,“that

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oneofthesewasknowntoyouonatime.”

‘Atthisweweregreatlytroubled,andwegavenoanswer.

Andthenhisfellvoicewaslowered,andhewouldhavesweeteneditifhecould.“AsasmalltokenonlyofyourfriendshipSauronasksthis,”hesaid:“thatyoushouldfindthisthief,”suchwashisword,“andgetfrom

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him,willingorno,alittlering,theleastofrings,thatoncehestole.ItisbutatriflethatSauronfancies,andanearnestofyourgoodwill.Findit,andthreeringsthattheDwarf-sirespossessedofoldshallbereturnedtoyou,andtherealmofMoriashallbeyoursforever.Findonlynewsofthethief,whetherhestilllivesandwhere,andyoushallhavegreatrewardand

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lastingfriendshipfromtheLord.Refuse,andthingswillnotseemsowell.Doyourefuse?”

‘Atthathisbreathcamelikethehissofsnakes,andallwhostoodbyshuddered,butDáinsaid:“Isayneitheryeanornay.Imustconsiderthismessageandwhatitmeansunderitsfaircloak.”

‘“Considerwell,butnottoolong,”saidhe.

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‘“Thetimeofmythoughtismyowntospend,”answeredDáin.

‘“Forthepresent,”saidhe,androdeintothedarkness.

‘Heavyhavetheheartsofourchieftainsbeensincethatnight.Weneedednotthefellvoiceofthemessengertowarnusthathiswordsheldbothmenaceanddeceit;forweknewalreadythatthe

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powerthathasre-enteredMordorhasnotchanged,andeveritbetrayedusofold.Twicethemessengerhasreturned,andhasgoneunanswered.Thethirdandlasttime,sohesays,issoontocome,beforetheendingoftheyear.

‘AndsoIhavebeensentatlastbyDáintowarnBilbothatheissoughtbytheEnemy,andtolearn,ifmay

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be,whyhedesiresthisring,thisleastofrings.AlsowecravetheadviceofElrond.FortheShadowgrowsanddrawsnearer.WediscoverthatmessengershavecomealsotoKingBrandinDale,andthatheisafraid.Wefearthathemayyield.Alreadywarisgatheringonhiseasternborders.Ifwemakenoanswer,theEnemymaymoveMenofhisruleto

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assailKingBrand,andDáinalso.’

‘Youhavedonewelltocome,’saidElrond.‘YouwillheartodayallthatyouneedinordertounderstandthepurposesoftheEnemy.Thereisnaughtthatyoucando,otherthantoresist,withhopeorwithoutit.Butyoudonotstandalone.Youwilllearnthatyourtroubleisbutpartofthetroubleofallthewestern

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world.TheRing!WhatshallwedowiththeRing,theleastofrings,thetriflethatSauronfancies?Thatisthedoomthatwemustdeem.

‘Thatisthepurposeforwhichyouarecalledhither.Called,Isay,thoughIhavenotcalledyoutome,strangersfromdistantlands.Youhavecomeandareheremet,inthisverynickoftime,bychanceasitmayseem.

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Yetitisnotso.Believeratherthatitissoorderedthatwe,whosithere,andnoneothers,mustnowfindcounselfortheperiloftheworld.

‘Now,therefore,thingsshallbeopenlyspokenthathavebeenhiddenfromallbutafewuntilthisday.Andfirst,sothatallmayunderstandwhatistheperil,theTaleoftheRingshallbetoldfromthebeginningeventothis

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present.AndIwillbeginthattale,thoughothersshallendit.’

ThenalllistenedwhileElrondinhisclearvoicespokeofSauronandtheRingsofPower,andtheirforgingintheSecondAgeoftheworldlongago.Apartofhistalewasknowntosomethere,butthefulltaletonone,

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andmanyeyeswereturnedtoElrondinfearandwonderashetoldoftheElven-smithsofEregionandtheirfriendshipwithMoria,andtheireagernessforknowledge,bywhichSauronensnaredthem.Forinthattimehewasnotyeteviltobehold,andtheyreceivedhisaidandgrewmightyincraft,whereashelearnedalltheirsecrets,andbetrayedthem,andforged

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secretlyintheMountainofFiretheOneRingtobetheirmaster.ButCelebrimborwasawareofhim,andhidtheThreewhichhehadmade;andtherewaswar,andthelandwaslaidwaste,andthegateofMoriawasshut.

ThenthroughalltheyearsthatfollowedhetracedtheRing;butsincethathistoryiselsewhererecounted,evenas

Elrondhimselfsetitdown

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inhisbooksoflore,itisnothererecalled.Foritisalongtale,fullofdeedsgreatandterrible,andbrieflythoughElrondspoke,thesunrodeupthesky,andthemorningwaspassingereheceased.

OfNúmenorhespoke,itsgloryanditsfall,andthereturnoftheKingsofMentoMiddle-earthoutofthedeepsoftheSea,borneuponthewingsofstorm.ThenElendil

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theTallandhismightysons,IsildurandAnárion,becamegreatlords;andtheNorth-realmtheymadeinArnor,andtheSouth-realminGondorabovethemouthsofAnduin.ButSauronofMordorassailedthem,andtheymadetheLastAllianceofElvesandMen,andthehostsofGil-galadandElendilweremusteredinArnor.

ThereuponElrondpaused

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awhileandsighed.‘Irememberwellthesplendouroftheirbanners,’hesaid.‘ItrecalledtomethegloryoftheElderDaysandthehostsofBeleriand,somanygreatprincesandcaptainswereassembled.Andyetnotsomany,norsofair,aswhenThangorodrimwasbroken,andtheElvesdeemedthatevilwasendedforever,anditwasnotso.’

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‘Youremember?’saidFrodo,speakinghisthoughtaloudinhisastonishment.‘ButIthought,’hestammeredasElrondturnedtowardshim,‘IthoughtthatthefallofGil-galadwasalongageago.’

‘Soitwasindeed,’answeredElrondgravely.‘ButmymemoryreachesbackeventotheElderDays.Eärendilwasmysire,whowasborninGondolinbefore

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itsfall;andmymotherwasElwing,daughterofDior,sonofLúthienofDoriath.IhaveseenthreeagesintheWestoftheworld,andmanydefeats,andmanyfruitlessvictories.

‘IwastheheraldofGil-galadandmarchedwithhishost.IwasattheBattleofDagorladbeforetheBlackGateofMordor,wherewehadthemastery:fortheSpearofGil-galadandtheSwordof

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Elendil,AeglosandNarsil,nonecouldwithstand.IbeheldthelastcombatontheslopesofOrodruin,whereGil-galaddied,andElendilfell,andNarsilbrokebeneathhim;butSauronhimselfwasoverthrown,andIsildurcuttheRingfromhishandwiththehilt-shardofhisfather’ssword,andtookitforhisown.’

Atthisthestranger,

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Boromir,brokein.‘SothatiswhatbecameoftheRing!’hecried.‘IfeversuchatalewastoldintheSouth,ithaslongbeenforgotten.IhaveheardoftheGreatRingofhimthatwedonotname;butwebelievedthatitperishedfromtheworldintheruinofhisfirstrealm.Isildurtookit!Thatistidingsindeed.’

‘Alas!yes,’saidElrond.‘Isildurtookit,asshouldnot

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havebeen.ItshouldhavebeencastthenintoOrodruin’sfirenighathandwhereitwasmade.ButfewmarkedwhatIsildurdid.Healonestoodbyhisfatherinthatlastmortalcontest;andbyGil-galadonlyCírdanstood,andI.ButIsildurwouldnotlistentoourcounsel.

‘“ThisIwillhaveasweregildformyfather,and

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mybrother,”hesaid;andthereforewhetherwewouldorno,hetookittotreasureit.Butsoonhewasbetrayedbyittohisdeath;andsoitisnamedintheNorthIsildur’sBane.Yetdeathmaybewasbetterthanwhatelsemighthavebefallenhim.

‘OnlytotheNorthdidthesetidingscome,andonlytoafew.Smallwonderisitthatyouhavenotheardthem,

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Boromir.FromtheruinoftheGladdenFields,whereIsildurperished,threemenonlycameeverbackoverthemountainsafterlongwandering.OneofthesewasOhtar,theesquireofIsildur,whoboretheshardsoftheswordofElendil;andhebroughtthemtoValandil,theheirofIsildur,whobeingbutachildhadremainedhereinRivendell.ButNarsilwas

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brokenanditslightextinguished,andithasnotyetbeenforgedagain.

‘FruitlessdidIcallthevictoryoftheLastAlliance?Notwhollyso,yetitdidnotachieveitsend.Sauronwasdiminished,butnotdestroyed.HisRingwaslostbutnotunmade.TheDarkTowerwasbroken,butitsfoundationswerenotremoved;fortheyweremade

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withthepoweroftheRing,andwhileitremainstheywillendure.ManyElvesandmanymightyMen,andmanyoftheirfriends,hadperishedinthewar.Anárionwasslain,andIsildurwasslain;andGil-galadandElendilwerenomore.NeveragainshalltherebeanysuchleagueofElvesandMen;forMenmultiplyandtheFirstborndecrease,andthetwokindredsare

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estranged.AndeversincethatdaytheraceofNúmenorhasdecayed,andthespanoftheiryearshaslessened.

‘IntheNorthafterthewarandtheslaughteroftheGladdenFieldstheMenofWesternessewerediminished,andtheircityofAnnúminasbesideLakeEvendimfellintoruin;andtheheirsofValandilremovedanddweltatFornostonthe

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highNorthDowns,andthatnowtooisdesolate.MencallitDeadmen’sDike,andtheyfeartotreadthere.ForthefolkofArnordwindled,andtheirfoesdevouredthem,andtheirlordshippassed,leavingonlygreenmoundsinthegrassyhills.

‘IntheSouththerealmofGondorlongendured;andforawhileitssplendourgrew,recallingsomewhatofthe

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mightofNúmenor,ereitfell.Hightowersthatpeoplebuilt,andstrongplaces,andhavensofmanyships;andthewingedcrownoftheKingsofMenwasheldinawebyfolkofmanytongues.TheirchiefcitywasOsgiliath,CitadeloftheStars,throughthemidstofwhichtheRiverflowed.AndMinasIthiltheybuilt,ToweroftheRisingMoon,eastwarduponashoulderof

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theMountainsofShadow;andwestwardatthefeetoftheWhiteMountainsMinasAnortheymade,ToweroftheSettingSun.ThereinthecourtsoftheKinggrewawhitetree,fromtheseedofthattreewhichIsildurbroughtoverthedeepwaters,andtheseedofthattreebeforecamefromEressëa,andbeforethatoutoftheUttermostWestintheDay

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beforedayswhentheworldwasyoung.

‘ButinthewearingoftheswiftyearsofMiddle-earththelineofMeneldilsonofAnárionfailed,andtheTreewithered,andthebloodoftheNúmenóreansbecamemingledwiththatoflessermen.ThenthewatchuponthewallsofMordorslept,anddarkthingscreptbacktoGorgoroth.Andonatime

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evilthingscameforth,andtheytookMinasIthilandabodeinit,andtheymadeitintoaplaceofdread;anditiscalledMinasMorgul,theTowerofSorcery.ThenMinasAnorwasnamedanewMinasTirith,theTowerofGuard;andthesetwocitieswereeveratwar,butOsgiliathwhichlaybetweenwasdesertedandinitsruinsshadowswalked.

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‘Soithasbeenformanylivesofmen.ButtheLordsofMinasTirithstillfighton,defyingourenemies,keepingthepassageoftheRiverfromArgonathtotheSea.AndnowthatpartofthetalethatIshalltellisdrawntoitsclose.ForinthedaysofIsildurtheRulingRingpassedoutofallknowledge,andtheThreewerereleasedfromitsdominion.Butnowinthis

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latterdaytheyareinperiloncemore,fortooursorrowtheOnehasbeenfound.Othersshallspeakofitsfinding,forinthatIplayedsmallpart.’

Heceased,butatonceBoromirstoodup,tallandproud,beforethem.‘Givemeleave,MasterElrond,’saidhe,‘firsttosaymoreof

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Gondor,forverilyfromthelandofGondorIamcome.Anditwouldbewellforalltoknowwhatpassesthere.Forfew,Ideem,knowofourdeeds,andthereforeguesslittleattheirperil,ifweshouldfailatlast.

‘BelievenotthatinthelandofGondorthebloodofNúmenorisspent,norallitsprideanddignityforgotten.Byourvalourthewildfolkof

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theEastarestillrestrained,andtheterrorofMorgulkeptatbay;andthusalonearepeaceandfreedommaintainedinthelandsbehindus,bulwarkoftheWest.ButifthepassagesoftheRivershouldbewon,whatthen?

‘Yetthathour,maybe,isnotnowfaraway.TheNamelessEnemyhasarisenagain.Smokerisesoncemore

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fromOrodruinthatwecallMountDoom.ThepoweroftheBlackLandgrowsandwearehardbeset.WhentheEnemyreturnedourfolkweredrivenfromIthilien,ourfairdomaineastoftheRiver,thoughwekeptafootholdthereandstrengthofarms.Butthisveryyear,inthedaysofJune,suddenwarcameuponusoutofMordor,andweweresweptaway.We

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wereoutnumbered,forMordorhasallieditselfwiththeEasterlingsandthecruelHaradrim;butitwasnotbynumbersthatweweredefeated.Apowerwastherethatwehavenotfeltbefore.

‘Somesaidthatitcouldbeseen,likeagreatblackhorseman,adarkshadowunderthemoon.Whereverhecameamadnessfilledourfoes,butfearfellonour

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boldest,sothathorseandmangavewayandfled.Onlyaremnantofoureasternforcecameback,destroyingthelastbridgethatstillstoodamidtheruinsofOsgiliath.

‘Iwasinthecompanythatheldthebridge,untilitwascastdownbehindus.Fouronlyweresavedbyswimming:mybrotherandmyselfandtwoothers.Butstillwefighton,holdingall

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thewestshoresofAnduin;andthosewhoshelterbehindusgiveuspraise,ifevertheyhearourname:muchpraisebutlittlehelp.OnlyfromRohannowwillanymenridetouswhenwecall.

‘InthisevilhourIhavecomeonanerrandovermanydangerousleaguestoElrond:ahundredandtendaysIhavejourneyedallalone.ButIdonotseekalliesinwar.The

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mightofElrondisinwisdomnotinweapons,itissaid.Icometoaskforcounselandtheunravellingofhardwords.Forontheeveofthesuddenassaultadreamcametomybrotherinatroubledsleep;andafterwardsalikedreamcameofttohimagain,andoncetome.

‘InthatdreamIthoughttheeasternskygrewdarkandtherewasagrowingthunder,

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butintheWestapalelightlingered,andoutofitIheardavoice,remotebutclear,crying:

SeekfortheSwordthatwasbroken:InImladrisitdwells;

ThereshallbecounselstakenStrongerthanMorgul-spells.

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ThereshallbeshownatokenThatDoomisnearathand,

ForIsildur’sBaneshallwaken,AndtheHalflingforthshallstand.

Ofthesewordswecouldunderstandlittle,andwespoketoourfather,Denethor,LordofMinasTirith,wisein

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theloreofGondor.Thisonlywouldhesay,thatImladriswasofoldthenameamongtheElvesofafarnortherndale,whereElrondtheHalfelvendwelt,greatestoflore-masters.Thereforemybrother,seeinghowdesperatewasourneed,waseagertoheedthedreamandseekforImladris;butsincethewaywasfullofdoubtanddanger,Itookthejourneyupon

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myself.Lothwasmyfathertogivemeleave,andlonghaveIwanderedbyroadsforgotten,seekingthehouseofElrond,ofwhichmanyhadheard,butfewknewwhereitlay.’

‘AndhereinthehouseofElrondmoreshallbemadecleartoyou,’saidAragorn,standingup.Hecasthis

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sworduponthetablethatstoodbeforeElrond,andthebladewasintwopieces.‘HereistheSwordthatwasBroken!’hesaid.

‘Andwhoareyou,andwhathaveyoutodowithMinasTirith?’askedBoromir,lookinginwonderattheleanfaceoftheRangerandhisweather-stainedcloak.

‘HeisAragornsonof

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Arathorn,’saidElrond;‘andheisdescendedthroughmanyfathersfromIsildurElendil’ssonofMinasIthil.HeistheChiefoftheDúnedainintheNorth,andfewarenowleftofthatfolk.’

‘Thenitbelongstoyou,andnottomeatall!’criedFrodoinamazement,springingtohisfeet,asifheexpectedtheRingtobedemandedatonce.

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‘Itdoesnotbelongtoeitherofus,’saidAragorn;‘butithasbeenordainedthatyoushouldholditforawhile.’

‘BringouttheRing,Frodo!’saidGandalfsolemnly.‘Thetimehascome.Holditup,andthenBoromirwillunderstandtheremainderofhisriddle.’

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Therewasahush,andallturnedtheireyesonFrodo.Hewasshakenbyasuddenshameandfear;andhefeltagreatreluctancetorevealtheRing,andaloathingofitstouch.Hewishedhewasfaraway.TheRinggleamedandflickeredashehelditupbeforetheminhistremblinghand.

‘BeholdIsildur’sBane!’saidElrond.

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Boromir’seyesglintedashegazedatthegoldenthing.‘TheHalfling!’hemuttered.‘IsthenthedoomofMinasTirithcomeatlast?Butwhythenshouldweseekabrokensword?’

‘ThewordswerenotthedoomofMinasTirith,’saidAragorn.‘Butdoomandgreatdeedsareindeedathand.FortheSwordthatwasBrokenistheSwordofElendilthat

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brokebeneathhimwhenhefell.Ithasbeentreasuredbyhisheirswhenallotherheirloomswerelost;foritwasspokenofoldamongusthatitshouldbemadeagainwhentheRing,Isildur’sBane,wasfound.Nowyouhaveseentheswordthatyouhavesought,whatwouldyouask?DoyouwishfortheHouseofElendiltoreturntotheLandofGondor?’

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‘Iwasnotsenttobeganyboon,buttoseekonlythemeaningofariddle,’answeredBoromirproudly.‘Yetwearehardpressed,andtheSwordofElendilwouldbeahelpbeyondourhope–ifsuchathingcouldindeedreturnoutoftheshadowsofthepast.’HelookedagainatAragorn,anddoubtwasinhiseyes.

FrodofeltBilbostir

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impatientlyathisside.Evidentlyhewasannoyedonhisfriend’sbehalf.Standingsuddenlyupheburstout:

Allthatisgolddoesnotglitter,Notallthosewhowanderarelost;

Theoldthatisstrongdoesnotwither,Deeprootsarenotreachedbythe

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frost.Fromtheashesafireshallbewoken,Alightfromtheshadowsshallspring;

Renewedshallbebladethatwasbroken:Thecrownlessagainshallbeking.

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‘Notverygoodperhaps,buttothepoint–ifyouneedmorebeyondthewordofElrond.Ifthatwasworthajourneyofahundredandtendaystohear,youhadbestlistentoit.’Hesatdownwithasnort.

‘Imadethatupmyself,’hewhisperedtoFrodo,‘forthe

Dúnadan,alongtimeagowhenhefirsttoldmeabout

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himself.Ialmostwishthatmyadventureswerenotover,andthatIcouldgowithhimwhenhisdaycomes.’

Aragornsmiledathim;thenheturnedtoBoromiragain.‘FormypartIforgiveyourdoubt,’hesaid.‘LittledoIresemblethefiguresofElendilandIsildurastheystandcarvenintheirmajestyinthehallsofDenethor.IambuttheheirofIsildur,not

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Isildurhimself.Ihavehadahardlifeandalong;andtheleaguesthatliebetweenhereandGondorareasmallpartinthecountofmyjourneys.Ihavecrossedmanymountainsandmanyrivers,andtroddenmanyplains,evenintothefarcountriesofRhûnandHaradwherethestarsarestrange.

‘Butmyhome,suchasIhave,isintheNorth.ForheretheheirsofValandilhave

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everdweltinlonglineunbrokenfromfatheruntosonformanygenerations.Ourdayshavedarkened,andwehavedwindled;butevertheSwordhaspassedtoanewkeeper.AndthisIwillsaytoyou,Boromir,ereIend.Lonelymenarewe,Rangersofthewild,hunters–buthunterseveroftheservantsoftheEnemy;fortheyarefoundinmany

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places,notinMordoronly.‘IfGondor,Boromir,has

beenastalwarttower,wehaveplayedanotherpart.Manyevilthingstherearethatyourstrongwallsandbrightswordsdonotstay.Youknowlittleofthelandsbeyondyourbounds.Peaceandfreedom,doyousay?TheNorthwouldhaveknownthemlittlebutforus.Fearwouldhavedestroyedthem.

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Butwhendarkthingscomefromthehouselesshills,orcreepfromsunlesswoods,theyflyfromus.Whatroadswouldanydaretotread,whatsafetywouldtherebeinquietlands,orinthehomesofsimplemenatnight,iftheDúnedainwereasleep,orwereallgoneintothegrave?

‘Andyetlessthankshavewethanyou.Travellersscowlatus,andcountrymengiveus

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scornfulnames.“Strider”Iamtoonefatmanwholiveswithinaday’smarchoffoesthatwouldfreezehisheart,orlayhislittletowninruin,ifhewerenotguardedceaselessly.Yetwewouldnothaveitotherwise.

Ifsimplefolkarefreefromcareandfear,simpletheywillbe,andwemustbesecrettokeepthemso.Thathasbeenthetaskofmy

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kindred,whiletheyearshavelengthenedandthegrasshasgrown.

‘Butnowtheworldischangingonceagain.Anewhourcomes.Isildur’sBaneisfound.Battleisathand.TheSwordshallbereforged.IwillcometoMinasTirith.’

‘Isildur’sBaneisfound,yousay,’saidBoromir.‘IhaveseenabrightringintheHalfling’shand;butIsildur

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perishederethisageoftheworldbegan,theysay.HowdotheWiseknowthatthisringishis?Andhowhasitpasseddowntheyears,untilitisbroughthitherbysostrangeamessenger?’

‘Thatshallbetold,’saidElrond.

‘Butnotyet,Ibeg,Master!’criedBilbo.‘AlreadytheSunisclimbingtonoon,andIfeeltheneedof

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somethingtostrengthenme.’‘Ihadnotnamedyou,’

saidElrondsmiling.‘ButIdosonow.Come!Tellusyourtale.Andifyouhavenotyetcastyourstoryintoverse,youmaytellitinplainwords.Thebriefer,thesoonershallyouberefreshed.’

‘Verywell,’saidBilbo.‘Iwilldoasyoubid.ButIwillnowtellthetruestory,andifsomeherehaveheardmetell

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itotherwise’–helookedsidelongatGlóin–‘Iaskthemtoforgetitandforgiveme.Ionlywishedtoclaimthetreasureasmyveryowninthosedays,andtoberidofthenameofthiefthatwasputonme.ButperhapsIunderstandthingsalittlebetternow.Anyway,thisiswhathappened.’

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TosomethereBilbo’stalewaswhollynew,andtheylistenedwithamazementwhiletheoldhobbit,actuallynotatalldispleased,recountedhisadventurewithGollum,atfulllength.Hedidnotomitasingleriddle.HewouldhavegivenalsoanaccountofhispartyanddisappearancefromtheShire,ifhehadbeenallowed;butElrondraisedhishand.

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‘Welltold,myfriend,’hesaid,‘butthatisenoughatthistime.ForthemomentitsufficestoknowthattheRingpassedtoFrodo,yourheir.Lethimnowspeak!’

Then,lesswillinglythanBilbo,FrodotoldofallhisdealingswiththeRingfromthedaythatitpassedintohiskeeping.EverystepofhisjourneyfromHobbitontotheFordofBruinenwas

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questionedandconsidered,andeverythingthathecouldrecallconcerningtheBlackRiderswasexamined.Atlasthesatdownagain.

‘Notbad,’Bilbosaidtohim.‘Youwouldhavemadeagoodstoryofit,iftheyhadn’tkeptoninterrupting.Itriedtomakeafewnotes,butweshallhavetogooveritallagaintogethersometime,ifIamtowriteitup.Thereare

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wholechaptersofstuffbeforeyouevergothere!’

‘Yes,itmadequitealongtale,’answeredFrodo.‘Butthestorystilldoesnotseemcompletetome.Istillwanttoknowagooddeal,especiallyaboutGandalf.’

GaldoroftheHavens,whosatnearby,overheardhim.‘Youspeakformealso,’

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hecried,andturningtoElrondhesaid:‘TheWisemayhavegoodreasontobelievethatthehalfling’stroveisindeedtheGreatRingoflongdebate,unlikelythoughthatmayseemtothosewhoknowless.Butmaywenotheartheproofs?AndIwouldaskthisalso.WhatofSaruman?HeislearnedintheloreoftheRings,yetheisnotamongus.

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Whatishiscounsel–ifheknowsthethingsthatwehaveheard?’

‘Thequestionsthatyouask,Galdor,areboundtogether,’saidElrond.‘Ihadnotoverlookedthem,andtheyshallbeanswered.ButthesethingsitisthepartofGandalftomakeclear;andIcalluponhimlast,foritistheplaceofhonour,andinallthismatterhehasbeenthe

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chief.’‘Some,Galdor,’said

Gandalf,‘wouldthinkthetidingsofGlóin,andthepursuitofFrodo,proofenoughthatthehalfling’stroveisathingofgreatworthtotheEnemy.Yetitisaring.Whatthen?TheNinetheNazgûlkeep.TheSevenaretakenordestroyed.’AtthisGlóinstirred,butdidnotspeak.‘TheThreeweknow

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of.Whatthenisthisonethathedesiressomuch?

‘ThereisindeedawidewasteoftimebetweentheRiverandtheMountain,betweenthelossandthefinding.ButthegapintheknowledgeoftheWisehasbeenfilledatlast.Yettooslowly.FortheEnemyhasbeenclosebehind,closereventhanIfeared.Andwellisitthatnotuntilthisyear,

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thisverysummer,asitseems,didhelearnthefulltruth.

‘SomeherewillrememberthatmanyyearsagoImyselfdaredtopassthedoorsoftheNecromancerinDolGuldur,andsecretlyexploredhisways,andfoundthusthatourfearsweretrue:hewasnoneotherthanSauron,ourEnemyofold,atlengthtakingshapeandpoweragain.Some,too,willrememberalsothat

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Sarumandissuadedusfromopendeedsagainsthim,andforlongwewatchedhimonly.Yetatlast,ashisshadowgrew,Sarumanyielded,andtheCouncilputforthitsstrengthanddrovetheeviloutofMirkwood–andthatwasintheveryyearofthefindingofthisRing:astrangechance,ifchanceitwas.

‘Butweweretoolate,as

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Elrondforesaw.Sauronalsohadwatchedus,andhadlongpreparedagainstourstroke,governingMordorfromafarthroughMinasMorgul,wherehisNineservantsdwelt,untilallwasready.Thenhegavewaybeforeus,butonlyfeignedtoflee,andsoonaftercametotheDarkTowerandopenlydeclaredhimself.ThenforthelasttimetheCouncilmet;fornowwe

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learnedthathewasseekingevermoreeagerlyfortheOne.Wefearedthenthathehadsomenewsofitthatweknewnothingof.ButSarumansaidnay,andrepeatedwhathehadsaidtousbefore:thattheOnewouldneveragainbefoundinMiddle-earth.

‘“Attheworst,”saidhe,“ourEnemyknowsthatwehaveitnot,andthatitstillis

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lost.Butwhatwaslostmayyetbefound,hethinks.Fearnot!Hishopewillcheathim.HaveInotearnestlystudiedthismatter?IntoAnduintheGreatitfell;andlongago,whileSauronslept,itwasrolleddowntheRivertotheSea.ThereletitlieuntiltheEnd.”’

Gandalffellsilent,gazing

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eastwardfromtheporchtothefarpeaksoftheMistyMountains,atwhosegreatrootstheperiloftheworldhadsolonglainhidden.Hesighed.

‘ThereIwasatfault,’hesaid.‘IwaslulledbythewordsofSarumantheWise;butIshouldhavesoughtforthetruthsooner,andourperilwouldnowbeless.’

‘Wewereallatfault,’said

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Elrond,‘andbutforyourvigilancetheDarkness,maybe,wouldalreadybeuponus.Butsayon!’

‘Fromthefirstmyheartmisgaveme,againstallreasonthatIknew,’saidGandalf,‘andIdesiredtoknowhowthisthingcametoGollum,andhowlonghehadpossessedit.SoIsetawatchforhim,guessingthathewoulderelongcomeforth

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fromhisdarknesstoseekforhistreasure.Hecame,butheescapedandwasnotfound.Andthenalas!Iletthematterrest,watchingandwaitingonly,aswehavetoooftendone.

‘Timepassedwithmanycares,untilmydoubtswereawakenedagaintosuddenfear.Whencecamethehobbit’sring?What,ifmyfearwastrue,shouldbedone

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withit?ThosethingsImustdecide.ButIspokeyetofmydreadtonone,knowingtheperilofanuntimelywhisper,ifitwentastray.InallthelongwarswiththeDarkTowertreasonhaseverbeenourgreatestfoe.

‘Thatwasseventeenyearsago.SoonIbecameawarethatspiesofmanysorts,evenbeastsandbirds,weregatheredroundtheShire,and

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myfeargrew.IcalledforthehelpoftheDúnedain,andtheirwatchwasdoubled;andIopenedmyhearttoAragorn,theheirofIsildur.’

‘AndI,’saidAragorn,‘counselledthatweshouldhuntforGollum,toolatethoughitmayseem.AndsinceitseemedfitthatIsildur’sheirshouldlabourtorepairIsildur’sfault,IwentwithGandalfonthelongand

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hopelesssearch.’ThenGandalftoldhow

theyhadexploredthewholelengthofWilderland,downeventotheMountainsofShadowandthefencesofMordor.‘Therewehadrumourofhim,andweguessthathedwelttherelonginthedarkhills;butweneverfoundhim,andatlastIdespaired.AndtheninmydespairIthoughtagainofatestthat

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mightmakethefindingofGollumunneeded.TheringitselfmighttellifitweretheOne.ThememoryofwordsattheCouncilcamebacktome:wordsof

Saruman,half-heededatthetime.Iheardthemnowclearlyinmyheart.

‘“TheNine,theSeven,andtheThree,”hesaid,“hadeachtheirpropergem.NotsotheOne.Itwasroundand

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unadorned,asitwereoneofthelesserrings;butitsmakersetmarksuponitthattheskilled,maybe,couldstillseeandread.”

‘Whatthosemarkswerehehadnotsaid.Whonowwouldknow?Themaker.AndSaruman?Butgreatthoughhisloremaybe,itmusthaveasource.WhathandsaveSauron’severheldthisthing,ereitwaslost?The

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handofIsilduralone.‘Withthatthought,I

forsookthechase,andpassedswiftlytoGondor.Informerdaysthemembersofmyorderhadbeenwellreceivedthere,butSarumanmostofall.OftenhehadbeenforlongtheguestoftheLordsoftheCity.LesswelcomedidtheLordDenethorshowmethenthanofold,andgrudginglyhepermittedme

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tosearchamonghishoardedscrollsandbooks.

‘“Ifindeedyoulookonly,asyousay,forrecordsofancientdays,andthebeginningsoftheCity,readon!”hesaid.“Fortomewhatwasislessdarkthanwhatistocome,andthatismycare.ButunlessyouhavemoreskilleventhanSaruman,whohasstudiedherelong,youwillfindnaughtthatisnot

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wellknowntome,whoammasteroftheloreofthisCity.”

‘SosaidDenethor.Andyettherelieinhishoardsmanyrecordsthatfewevenofthelore-mastersnowcanread,fortheirscriptsandtongueshavebecomedarktolatermen.AndBoromir,thereliesinMinasTirithstill,unread,Iguess,byanysaveSarumanandmyselfsincethe

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kingsfailed,ascrollthatIsildurmadehimself.ForIsildurdidnotmarchawaystraightfromthewarinMordor,assomehavetoldthetale.’

‘SomeintheNorth,maybe,’Boromirbrokein.‘AllknowinGondorthathewentfirsttoMinasAnoranddweltawhilewithhisnephewMeneldil,instructinghim,beforehecommittedto

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himtheruleoftheSouthKingdom.InthattimeheplantedtherethelastsaplingoftheWhiteTreeinmemoryofhisbrother.’

‘Butinthattimealsohemadethisscroll,’saidGandalf;

‘andthatisnotrememberedinGondor,itwouldseem.ForthisscrollconcernstheRing,andthuswroteIsildurtherein:

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TheGreatRingshallgonowtobeanheirloomoftheNorthKingdom;butrecordsofitshallbeleftinGondor,wherealsodwelltheheirsofElendil,lestatimecomewhenthememoryofthesegreatmattersshallgrowdim.

‘AndafterthesewordsIsildur

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describedtheRing,suchashefoundit.

ItwashotwhenIfirsttookit,hotasaglede,andmyhandwasscorched,sothatIdoubtifeveragainIshallbefreeofthepainofit.YetevenasIwriteitiscooled,anditseemethtoshrink,thoughitlosethneitheritsbeautynorits

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shape.Alreadythewritinguponit,whichatfirstwasasclearasredflame,fadethandisnowonlybarelytoberead.Itisfashionedinanelven-scriptofEregion,fortheyhavenolettersinMordorforsuchsubtlework;butthelanguageisunknowntome.IdeemittobeatongueoftheBlackLand,sinceit

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isfoulanduncouth.WhatevilitsaithIdonotknow;butItracehereacopyofit,lestitfadebeyondrecall.TheRingmisseth,maybe,theheatofSauron’shand,whichwasblackandyetburnedlikefire,andsoGil-galadwasdestroyed;andmaybewerethegoldmadehotagain,thewritingwould

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berefreshed.ButformypartIwillrisknohurttothisthing:ofalltheworksofSaurontheonlyfair.Itisprecioustome,thoughIbuyitwithgreatpain.

‘WhenIreadthesewords,myquestwasended.ForthetracedwritingwasindeedasIsildurguessed,inthetongueofMordorandtheservantsof

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theTower.Andwhatwassaidthereinwasalreadyknown.ForinthedaythatSauronfirstputontheOne,Celebrimbor,makeroftheThree,wasawareofhim,andfromafarheheardhimspeakthesewords,andsohisevilpurposeswererevealed.

‘AtonceItookmyleaveofDenethor,butevenasIwentnorthwards,messagescametomeoutofLórienthat

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Aragornhadpassedthatway,andthathehadfoundthecreaturecalledGollum.ThereforeIwentfirsttomeethimandhearhistale.IntowhatdeadlyperilshehadgonealoneIdarednotguess.’

‘Thereislittleneedtotellofthem,’saidAragorn.‘IfamanmustneedswalkinsightoftheBlackGate,ortreadthedeadlyflowersofMorgulVale,thenperilshewillhave.

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I,too,despairedatlast,andIbeganmyhomewardjourney.Andthen,byfortune,IcamesuddenlyonwhatIsought:themarksofsoftfeetbesideamuddypool.Butnowthetrailwasfreshandswift,anditlednottoMordorbutaway.AlongtheskirtsoftheDeadMarshesIfollowedit,andthenIhadhim.Lurkingbyastagnantmere,peeringinthewaterasthedarkevefell,I

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caughthim,Gollum.Hewascoveredwithgreenslime.Hewillneverloveme,Ifear;forhebitme,andIwasnotgentle.NothingmoredidIevergetfromhismouththanthemarksofhisteeth.Ideemedittheworstpartofallmyjourney,theroadback,watchinghimdayandnight,makinghimwalkbeforemewithahalteronhisneck,gagged,untilhewastamed

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bylackofdrinkandfood,drivinghimevertowardsMirkwood.IbroughthimthereatlastandgavehimtotheElves,forwehadagreedthatthisshouldbedone;andIwasgladtoberidofhiscompany,forhestank.FormypartIhopenevertolookuponhimagain;butGandalfcameandenduredlongspeechwithhim.’

‘Yes,longandweary,’

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saidGandalf,‘butnotwithoutprofit.Foronething,thetalehetoldofhislossagreedwiththatwhichBilbohasnowtoldopenlyforthefirsttime;butthatmatteredlittle,sinceIhadalreadyguessedit.ButIlearnedthenfirstthatGollum’sringcameoutoftheGreatRivernightotheGladdenFields.AndIlearnedalsothathehadpossesseditlong.Manylivesofhissmall

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kind.Thepoweroftheringhadlengthenedhisyearsfarbeyondtheirspan;butthatpoweronlytheGreatRingswield.

‘Andifthatisnotproofenough,Galdor,thereistheothertestthatIspokeof.Uponthisveryringwhichyouhavehereseenheldaloft,roundandunadorned,thelettersthatIsildurreportedmaystillberead,ifonehas

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thestrengthofwilltosetthegoldenthinginthefireawhile.ThatIhavedone,andthisIhaveread:

Ashnazgdurbatulûk,ashnazggimbatul,ashnazg

thrakatulûkaghburzum-ishikrimpatul.’

Thechangeinthewizard’svoicewas

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astounding.Suddenlyitbecamemenacing,powerful,harshasstone.Ashadowseemedtopassoverthehighsun,andtheporchforamomentgrewdark.Alltrembled,andtheElvesstoppedtheirears.

‘NeverbeforehasanyvoicedaredtoutterwordsofthattongueinImladris,GandalftheGrey,’saidElrond,astheshadowpassed

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andthecompanybreathedoncemore.

‘Andletushopethatnonewilleverspeakithereagain,’answeredGandalf.‘NonethelessIdonotaskyourpardon,MasterElrond.ForifthattongueisnotsoontobeheardineverycorneroftheWest,thenletallputdoubtasidethatthisthingisindeedwhattheWisehavedeclared:thetreasureofthe

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Enemy,fraughtwithallhismalice;andinitliesagreatpartofhisstrengthofold.OutoftheBlackYearscomethewordsthattheSmithsofEregionheard,andknewthattheyhadbeenbetrayed:

OneRingtorulethemall,OneRingtofindthem,OneRingtobringthemallandintheDarknessbindthem.

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‘Knowalso,myfriends,thatIlearnedmoreyetfromGollum.Hewaslothtospeakandhistalewasunclear,butitisbeyondalldoubtthathewenttoMordor,andthereallthatheknewwasforcedfromhim.ThustheEnemyknowsnowthattheOneisfound,thatitwaslongintheShire;andsincehisservantshavepursueditalmosttoourdoor,hesoonwillknow,alreadyhe

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mayknow,evenasIspeak,thatwehaveithere.’

Allsatsilentforawhile,untilatlengthBoromirspoke.‘Heisasmallthing,yousay,thisGollum?Small,butgreatinmischief.Whatbecameofhim?Towhatdoomdidyouputhim?’

‘Heisinprison,butnoworse,’saidAragorn.‘He

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hadsufferedmuch.Thereisnodoubtthathewastormented,andthefearofSauronliesblackonhisheart.StillIforoneamgladthatheissafelykeptbythewatchfulElvesofMirkwood.Hismaliceisgreatandgiveshimastrengthhardlytobebelievedinonesoleanandwithered.Hecouldworkmuchmischiefstill,ifhewerefree.AndIdonotdoubt

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thathewasallowedtoleaveMordoronsomeevilerrand.’

‘Alas!alas!’criedLegolas,andinhisfairElvishfacetherewasgreatdistress.‘ThetidingsthatIwassenttobringmustnowbetold.Theyarenotgood,butonlyherehaveIlearnedhoweviltheymayseemtothiscompany.Sméagol,whoisnowcalledGollum,hasescaped.’

‘Escaped?’criedAragorn.

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‘Thatisillnewsindeed.Weshallallrueitbitterly,Ifear.HowcamethefolkofThranduiltofailintheirtrust?’

‘Notthroughlackofwatchfulness,’saidLegolas;‘butperhapsthroughover-kindliness.Andwefearthattheprisonerhadaidfromothers,andthatmoreisknownofourdoingsthanwecouldwish.Weguardedthis

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creaturedayandnight,atGandalf’sbidding,muchthoughweweariedofthetask.ButGandalfbadeushopestillforhiscure,andwehadnotthehearttokeephimeverindungeonsundertheearth,wherehewouldfallbackintohisoldblackthoughts.’

‘Youwerelesstendertome,’saidGlóinwithaflashofhiseyes,asoldmemories

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werestirredofhisimprisonmentinthedeepplacesoftheElven-king’shalls.

‘Nowcome!’saidGandalf.‘Pray,donotinterrupt,mygoodGlóin.Thatwasaregrettablemisunderstanding,longsetright.IfallthegrievancesthatstandbetweenElvesand

Dwarvesaretobebroughtuphere,wemayaswell

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abandonthisCouncil.’Glóinroseandbowed,and

Legolascontinued.‘InthedaysoffairweatherweledGollumthroughthewoods;andtherewasahightreestandingalonefarfromtheotherswhichhelikedtoclimb.Oftenwelethimmountuptothehighestbranches,untilhefeltthefreewind;butwesetaguardatthetree’sfoot.Onedayhe

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refusedtocomedown,andtheguardshadnomindtoclimbafterhim:hehadlearnedthetrickofclingingtoboughswithhisfeetaswellaswithhishands;sotheysatbythetreefarintothenight.

‘Itwasthatverynightofsummer,yetmoonlessandstarless,thatOrcscameonusatunawares.Wedrovethemoffaftersometime;theywere

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manyandfierce,buttheycamefromoverthemountains,andwereunusedtothewoods.Whenthebattlewasover,wefoundthatGollumwasgone,andhisguardswereslainortaken.Itthenseemedplaintousthattheattackhadbeenmadeforhisrescue,andthatheknewofitbeforehand.Howthatwascontrivedwecannotguess;butGollumiscunning,

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andthespiesoftheEnemyaremany.ThedarkthingsthatweredrivenoutintheyearoftheDragon’sfallhavereturnedingreaternumbers,andMirkwoodisagainanevilplace,savewhereourrealmismaintained.

‘WehavefailedtorecaptureGollum.WecameonhistrailamongthoseofmanyOrcs,anditplungeddeepintotheForest,going

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south.Buterelongitescapedourskill,andwedarednotcontinuethehunt;forweweredrawingnightoDolGuldur,andthatisstillaveryevilplace;wedonotgothatway.’

‘Well,well,heisgone,’saidGandalf.‘Wehavenotimetoseekforhimagain.Hemustdowhathewill.ButhemayplayapartyetthatneitherhenorSauronhave

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foreseen.‘AndnowIwillanswer

Galdor’sotherquestions.WhatofSaruman?Whatarehiscounselstousinthisneed?ThistaleImusttellinfull,foronlyElrondhasheardityet,andthatinbrief;butitwillbearonallthatwemustresolve.ItisthelastchapterintheTaleoftheRing,sofarasithasyetgone.

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‘AttheendofJuneIwasintheShire,butacloudofanxietywasonmymind,andIrodetothesouthernbordersofthelittleland;forIhadaforebodingofsomedanger,stillhiddenfrommebutdrawingnear.TheremessagesreachedmetellingmeofwaranddefeatinGondor,andwhenIheardoftheBlackShadowachillsmotemyheart.ButIfound

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nothingsaveafewfugitivesfromtheSouth;yetitseemedtomethatonthemsatafearofwhichtheywouldnotspeak.IturnedtheneastandnorthandjourneyedalongtheGreenway;andnotfarfromBreeIcameuponatravellersittingonabankbesidetheroadwithhisgrazinghorsebesidehim.ItwasRadagasttheBrown,whoatonetimedweltatRhosgobel,nearthe

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bordersofMirkwood.Heisoneofmyorder,butIhadnotseenhimformanyayear.

‘“Gandalf!”hecried.“Iwasseekingyou.ButIamastrangerintheseparts.AllIknewwasthatyoumightbefoundinawildregionwiththeuncouthnameofShire.”

‘“Yourinformationwascorrect,”Isaid.“Butdonotputitthatway,ifyoumeetanyoftheinhabitants.You

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arenearthebordersoftheShirenow.Andwhatdoyouwantwithme?Itmustbepressing.Youwereneveratraveller,unlessdrivenbygreatneed.”

‘“Ihaveanurgenterrand,”hesaid.“Mynewsisevil.”Thenhelookedabouthim,asifthehedgesmighthaveears.“Nazgûl,”hewhispered.“TheNineareabroadagain.Theyhave

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crossedtheRiversecretlyandaremovingwestward.Theyhavetakentheguiseofridersinblack.”

‘IknewthenwhatIhaddreadedwithoutknowingit.‘“TheEnemymusthavesomegreatneedorpurpose,”saidRadagast;“butwhatitisthatmakeshimlooktothesedistantanddesolateparts,Icannotguess.”

‘“Whatdoyoumean?”

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saidI.‘“Ihavebeentoldthat

wherevertheygotheRidersaskfornewsofalandcalledShire.”

‘“TheShire,”Isaid;butmyheartsank.ForeventheWisemightfeartowithstandtheNine,whentheyaregatheredtogetherundertheirfellchieftain.Agreatkingandsorcererhewasofold,andnowhewieldsadeadly

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fear.“Whotoldyou,andwhosentyou?”Iasked.

‘“SarumantheWhite,”answeredRadagast.“Andhetoldmetosaythatifyoufeeltheneed,hewillhelp;butyoumustseekhisaidatonce,oritwillbetoolate.”

‘Andthatmessagebroughtmehope.ForSarumantheWhiteisthegreatestofmyorder.Radagastis,ofcourse,a

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worthyWizard,amasterofshapesandchangesofhue;andhehasmuchloreofherbsandbeasts,andbirdsareespeciallyhisfriends.ButSarumanhaslongstudiedtheartsoftheEnemyhimself,andthuswehaveoftenbeenabletoforestallhim.ItwasbythedevicesofSarumanthatwedrovehimfromDolGuldur.Itmightbethathehadfoundsomeweaponsthat

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woulddrivebacktheNine.‘“IwillgotoSaruman,”I

said.‘“Thenyoumustgo

now,”saidRadagast;“forIhavewastedtimeinlookingforyou,andthedaysarerunningshort.IwastoldtofindyoubeforeMidsummer,andthatisnowhere.Evenifyousetoutfromthisspot,youwillhardlyreachhimbeforetheNinediscoverthe

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landthattheyseek.Imyselfshallturnbackatonce.”Andwiththathemountedandwouldhaveriddenstraightoff.

‘“Stayamoment!”Isaid.“Weshallneedyourhelp,andthehelpofallthingsthatwillgiveit.Sendoutmessagestoallthebeastsandbirdsthatareyourfriends.Tellthemtobringnewsofanythingthatbearsonthis

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mattertoSarumanandGandalf.LetmessagesbesenttoOrthanc.”

‘“Iwilldothat,”hesaid,androdeoffasiftheNinewereafterhim.

‘Icouldnotfollowhimthenandthere.Ihadriddenveryfaralreadythatday,andIwasaswearyasmyhorse;andIneededtoconsider

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matters.IstayedthenightinBree,anddecidedthatIhadnotimetoreturntotheShire.NeverdidImakeagreatermistake!

‘However,IwroteamessagetoFrodo,andtrustedtomyfriendtheinnkeepertosendittohim.Irodeawayatdawn;andIcameatlonglasttothedwellingofSaruman.ThatisfarsouthinIsengard,intheendoftheMisty

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Mountains,notfarfromtheGapofRohan.AndBoromirwilltellyouthatthatisagreatopenvalethatliesbetweentheMistyMountainsandthenorthmostfoothillsofEredNimrais,theWhiteMountainsofhishome.ButIsengardisacircleofsheerrocksthatencloseavalleyaswithawall,andinthemidstofthatvalleyisatowerofstonecalledOrthanc.Itwas

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notmadebySaruman,butbytheMenofNúmenorlongago;anditisverytallandhasmanysecrets;yetitlooksnottobeaworkofcraft.ItcannotbereachedsavebypassingthecircleofIsengard;andinthatcirclethereisonlyonegate.

‘LateoneeveningIcametothegate,likeagreatarchinthewallofrock;anditwasstronglyguarded.Butthe

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keepersofthegatewereonthewatchformeandtoldmethatSarumanawaitedme.Irodeunderthearch,andthegateclosedsilentlybehindme,andsuddenlyIwasafraid,thoughIknewnoreasonforit.

‘ButIrodetothefootofOrthanc,andcametothestairofSaruman;andtherehemetmeandledmeuptohishighchamber.Heworearingon

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hisfinger.‘“Soyouhavecome,

Gandalf,”hesaidtomegravely;butinhiseyesthereseemedtobeawhitelight,asifacoldlaughterwasinhisheart.

‘“Yes,Ihavecome,”Isaid.“Ihavecomeforyouraid,SarumantheWhite.”Andthattitleseemedtoangerhim.

‘“Haveyouindeed,

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GandalftheGrey!”hescoffed.“Foraid?IthasseldombeenheardofthatGandalftheGreysoughtforaid,onesocunningandsowise,wanderingaboutthelands,andconcerninghimselfineverybusiness,whetheritbelongstohimornot.”

‘Ilookedathimandwondered.“ButifIamnotdeceived,”saidI,“thingsarenowmovingwhichwill

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requiretheunionofallourstrength.”

‘“Thatmaybeso,”hesaid,“butthethoughtislateincomingtoyou.Howlong,Iwonder,haveyouconcealedfromme,theheadoftheCouncil,amatterofgreatestimport?

Whatbringsyounowfromyourlurking-placeintheShire?”

‘“TheNinehavecome

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forthagain,”Ianswered.“TheyhavecrossedtheRiver.SoRadagastsaidtome.”

‘“RadagasttheBrown!”laughedSaruman,andhenolongerconcealedhisscorn.“RadagasttheBird-tamer!RadagasttheSimple!RadagasttheFool!YethehadjustthewittoplaythepartthatIsethim.Foryouhavecome,andthatwasallthepurposeofmymessage.

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Andhereyouwillstay,GandalftheGrey,andrestfromjourneys.ForIamSarumantheWise,SarumanRing-maker,SarumanofManyColours!”

‘Ilookedthenandsawthathisrobes,whichhadseemedwhite,werenotso,butwerewovenofallcolours,andifhemovedtheyshimmeredandchangedhuesothattheeyewas

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bewildered.‘“Ilikedwhitebetter,”I

said.‘“White!”hesneered.“It

servesasabeginning.Whiteclothmaybedyed.Thewhitepagecanbeoverwritten;andthewhitelightcanbebroken.”

‘“Inwhichcaseitisnolongerwhite,”saidI.“Andhethatbreaksathingtofindoutwhatitishasleftthepathof

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wisdom.”‘“Youneednotspeakto

meastooneofthefoolsthatyoutakeforfriends,”saidhe.“Ihavenotbroughtyouhithertobeinstructedbyyou,buttogiveyouachoice.”

‘Hedrewhimselfupthenandbegantodeclaim,asifheweremakingaspeechlongrehearsed.“TheElderDaysaregone.TheMiddleDaysarepassing.TheYounger

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Daysarebeginning.ThetimeoftheElvesisover,butourtimeisathand:theworldofMen,whichwemustrule.Butwemusthavepower,powertoorderallthingsaswewill,forthatgoodwhichonlytheWisecansee.

‘“Andlisten,Gandalf,myoldfriendandhelper!”hesaid,comingnearandspeakingnowinasoftervoice.“Isaidwe,forweit

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maybe,ifyouwilljoinwithme.AnewPowerisrising.Againstittheoldalliesandpolicieswillnotavailusatall.ThereisnohopeleftinElvesordyingNúmenor.Thisthenisonechoicebeforeyou,beforeus.WemayjoinwiththatPower.Itwouldbewise,Gandalf.Thereishopethatway.Itsvictoryisathand;andtherewillberichrewardforthosethataidedit.

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AsthePowergrows,itsprovedfriendswillalsogrow;andtheWise,suchasyouandI,maywithpatiencecomeatlasttodirectitscourses,tocontrolit.Wecanbideourtime,wecankeepourthoughtsinourhearts,deploringmaybeevilsdonebytheway,butapprovingthehighandultimatepurpose:Knowledge,Rule,Order;allthethingsthatwehavesofar

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striveninvaintoaccomplish,hinderedratherthanhelpedbyourweakoridlefriends.Thereneednotbe,therewouldnotbe,anyrealchangeinourdesigns,onlyinourmeans.”

‘“Saruman,”Isaid,“Ihaveheardspeechesofthiskindbefore,butonlyinthemouthsofemissariessentfromMordortodeceivetheignorant.Icannotthinkthat

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youbroughtmesofaronlytowearymyears.”

‘Helookedatmesidelong,andpausedawhileconsidering.“Well,Iseethatthiswisecoursedoesnotcommenditselftoyou,”hesaid.“Notyet?Notifsomebetterwaycanbecontrived?”

‘Hecameandlaidhislonghandonmyarm.“Andwhynot,Gandalf?”hewhispered.“Whynot?TheRulingRing?

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Ifwecouldcommandthat,thenthePowerwouldpasstous.ThatisintruthwhyIbroughtyouhere.ForIhavemanyeyesinmyservice,andIbelievethatyouknowwherethispreciousthingnowlies.Isitnotso?OrwhydotheNineaskfortheShire,andwhatisyourbusinessthere?”Ashesaidthisalustwhichhecouldnotconcealshonesuddenlyinhiseyes.

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‘“Saruman,”Isaid,standingawayfromhim,“onlyonehandatatimecanwieldtheOne,andyouknowthatwell,sodonottroubletosaywe!ButIwouldnotgiveit,nay,Iwouldnotgiveevennewsofittoyou,nowthatIlearnyourmind.YouwereheadoftheCouncil,butyouhaveunmaskedyourselfatlast.Well,thechoicesare,itseems,tosubmittoSauron,

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ortoyourself.Iwilltakeneither.Haveyouotherstooffer?”

‘Hewascoldnowandperilous.“Yes,”hesaid.“Ididnotexpectyoutoshowwisdom,eveninyourownbehalf;butIgaveyouthechanceofaidingmewillingly,andsosavingyourselfmuchtroubleandpain.Thethirdchoiceistostayhere,untiltheend.”

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‘“Untilwhatend?”‘“Untilyourevealtome

wheretheOnemaybefound.Imayfindmeanstopersuadeyou.Oruntilitisfoundinyourdespite,andtheRulerhastimetoturntolightermatters:todevise,say,afittingrewardforthehindranceandinsolenceofGandalftheGrey.”

‘“Thatmaynotprovetobeoneofthelightermatters,”

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saidI.Helaughedatme,formywordswereempty,andheknewit.

‘TheytookmeandtheysetmealoneonthepinnacleofOrthanc,intheplacewhereSarumanwasaccustomedtowatchthestars.Thereisnodescentsavebyanarrowstairofmanythousandsteps,andthe

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valleybelowseemsfaraway.Ilookedonitandsawthat,whereasithadoncebeengreenandfair,itwasnowfilledwithpitsandforges.WolvesandorcswerehousedinIsengard,forSarumanwasmusteringagreatforceonhisownaccount,inrivalryofSauronandnotinhisservice,yet.Overallhisworksadarksmokehungandwrappeditselfaboutthesidesof

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Orthanc.Istoodaloneonanislandintheclouds;andIhadnochanceofescape,andmydayswerebitter.Iwaspiercedwithcold,andIhadbutlittleroominwhichtopacetoandfro,broodingonthecomingoftheRiderstotheNorth.

‘ThattheNinehadindeedarisenIfeltassured,apartfromthewordsofSarumanwhichmightbelies.Longere

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IcametoIsengardIhadheardtidingsbythewaythatcouldnotbemistaken.FearwaseverinmyheartformyfriendsintheShire;butstillIhadsomehope.IhopedthatFrodohadsetforthatonce,asmyletterhadurged,andthathehadreachedRivendellbeforethedeadlypursuitbegan.Andbothmyfearandmyhopeprovedill-founded.Formyhopewasfoundedon

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afatmaninBree;andmyfearwasfoundedonthecunningofSauron.Butfatmenwhosellalehavemanycallstoanswer;andthepowerofSauronisstilllessthanfearmakesit.ButinthecircleofIsengard,trappedandalone,itwasnoteasytothinkthatthehuntersbeforewhomallhavefledorfallenwouldfalterintheShirefaraway.’

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‘Isawyou!’criedFrodo.‘Youwerewalkingbackwardsandforwards.Themoonshoneinyourhair.’

Gandalfpausedastonishedandlookedathim.‘Itwasonlyadream,’saidFrodo,‘butitsuddenlycamebacktome.Ihadquiteforgottenit.Itcamesometimeago;afterIlefttheShire,Ithink.’

‘Thenitwaslateincoming,’saidGandalf,‘as

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youwillsee.Iwasinanevilplight.AndthosewhoknowmewillagreethatIhaveseldombeeninsuchneed,anddonotbearsuchmisfortunewell.GandalftheGreycaughtlikeaflyinaspider’streacherousweb!Yeteventhemostsubtlespidersmayleaveaweakthread.

‘AtfirstIfeared,asSarumannodoubtintended,thatRadagasthadalsofallen.

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YetIhadcaughtnohintofanythingwronginhisvoiceorinhiseyeatourmeeting.IfIhad,IshouldneverhavegonetoIsengard,orIshouldhavegonemorewarily.SoSarumanguessed,andhehadconcealedhismindanddeceivedhismessenger.ItwouldhavebeenuselessinanycasetotryandwinoverthehonestRadagasttotreachery.Hesoughtmein

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goodfaith,andsopersuadedme.

‘ThatwastheundoingofSaruman’splot.ForRadagastknewnoreasonwhyheshouldnotdoasIasked;andherodeawaytowardsMirkwoodwherehehadmanyfriendsofold.AndtheEaglesoftheMountainswentfarandwide,andtheysawmanythings:thegatheringofwolvesandthemusteringof

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Orcs;andtheNineRidersgoinghitherandthitherinthelands;andtheyheardnewsoftheescapeofGollum.Andtheysentamessengertobringthesetidingstome.

‘Soitwasthatwhensummerwaned,therecameanightofmoon,andGwaihirtheWindlord,swiftestoftheGreatEagles,cameunlooked-fortoOrthanc;andhefoundmestandingonthepinnacle.

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ThenIspoketohimandheboremeaway,beforeSarumanwasaware.IwasfarfromIsengard,erethewolvesandorcsissuedfromthegatetopursueme.

‘“Howfarcanyoubearme?”IsaidtoGwaihir.‘“Manyleagues,”saidhe,“butnottotheendsoftheearth.Iwassenttobeartidingsnotburdens.”

‘“ThenImusthavea

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steedonland,”Isaid,“andasteedsurpassinglyswift,forIhaveneverhadsuchneedofhastebefore.”

‘“ThenIwillbearyoutoEdoras,wheretheLordofRohansitsinhishalls,”hesaid;“forthatisnotveryfaroff.”AndIwasglad,forintheRiddermarkofRohantheRohirrim,theHorse-lords,dwell,andtherearenohorseslikethosethatarebredinthat

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greatvalebetweentheMistyMountainsandtheWhite.

‘“AretheMenofRohanstilltobetrusted,doyouthink?”IsaidtoGwaihir,forthetreasonofSarumanhadshakenmyfaith.

‘“Theypayatributeofhorses,”heanswered,“andsendmanyyearlytoMordor,orsoitissaid;buttheyarenotyetundertheyoke.ButifSarumanhasbecomeevil,as

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yousay,thentheirdoomcannotbelongdelayed.”

‘HesetmedowninthelandofRohaneredawn;andnowIhavelengthenedmytaleoverlong.Therestmustbemorebrief.InRohanIfoundevilalreadyatwork:theliesofSaruman;andthekingofthelandwouldnotlistentomywarnings.He

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bademetakeahorseandbegone;andIchoseonemuchtomyliking,butlittletohis.Itookthebesthorseinhisland,andIhaveneverseenthelikeofhim.’

‘Thenhemustbeanoblebeastindeed,’saidAragorn;‘anditgrievesmemorethanmanytidingsthatmightseemworsetolearnthatSauronleviessuchtribute.ItwasnotsowhenlastIwasinthat

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land.’‘Norisitnow,Iwill

swear,’saidBoromir.‘ItisaliethatcomesfromtheEnemy.IknowtheMenofRohan,trueandvaliant,ourallies,dwellingstillinthelandsthatwegavethemlongago.’

‘TheshadowofMordorliesondistantlands,’answeredAragorn.‘Sarumanhasfallenunderit.Rohanis

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beset.Whoknowswhatyouwillfindthere,ifeveryoureturn?’

‘Notthisatleast,’saidBoromir,‘thattheywillbuytheirliveswithhorses.Theylovetheirhorsesnexttotheirkin.Andnotwithoutreason,forthehorsesoftheRiddermarkcomefromthefieldsoftheNorth,farfromtheShadow,andtheirrace,asthatoftheirmasters,is

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descendedfromthefreedaysofold.’

‘Trueindeed!’saidGandalf.‘Andthereisoneamongthemthatmighthavebeenfoaledinthemorningoftheworld.ThehorsesoftheNinecannotviewithhim;tireless,swiftastheflowingwind.Shadowfaxtheycalledhim.Bydayhiscoatglistenslikesilver;andbynightitislikeashade,andhepasses

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unseen.Lightishisfootfall!Neverbeforehadanymanmountedhim,butItookhimandItamedhim,andsospeedilyheboremethatIreachedtheShirewhenFrodowasontheBarrow-downs,thoughIsetoutfromRohanonlywhenhesetoutfromHobbiton.

‘ButfeargrewinmeasIrode.EverasIcamenorthIheardtidingsoftheRiders,

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andthoughIgainedonthemdaybyday,theywereeverbeforeme.Theyhaddividedtheirforces,Ilearned:someremainedontheeasternborders,notfarfromtheGreenway,andsomeinvadedtheShirefromthesouth.IcametoHobbitonandFrodohadgone;butIhadwordswitholdGamgee.Manywordsandfewtothepoint.Hehadmuchtosayaboutthe

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shortcomingsofthenewownersofBagEnd.

‘“Ican’tabidechanges,”saidhe,“notatmytimeoflife,andleastofallchangesfortheworst.”“Changesfortheworst,”herepeatedmanytimes.

‘“Worstisabadword,”Isaidtohim,“andIhopeyoudonotlivetoseeit.”ButamidsthistalkIgatheredatlastthatFrodohadleft

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Hobbitonlessthanaweekbefore,andthatablackhorsemanhadcometotheHillthesameevening.Then

Irodeoninfear.IcametoBucklandandfounditinuproar,asbusyasahiveofantsthathasbeenstirredwithastick.IcametothehouseatCrickhollow,anditwasbrokenopenandempty;butonthethresholdtherelayacloakthathadbeenFrodo’s.

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Thenforawhilehopeleftme,andIdidnotwaittogathernews,orImighthavebeencomforted;butIrodeonthetrailoftheRiders.Itwashardtofollow,foritwentmanyways,andIwasataloss.ButitseemedtomethatoneortwohadriddentowardsBree;andthatwayIwent,forIthoughtofwordsthatmightbesaidtotheinnkeeper.

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‘“Butterburtheycallhim,”thoughtI.“Ifthisdelaywashisfault,Iwillmeltallthebutterinhim.Iwillroasttheoldfooloveraslowfire.”Heexpectednoless,andwhenhesawmyfacehefelldownflatandbegantomeltonthespot.’

‘Whatdidyoudotohim?’criedFrodoinalarm.‘Hewasreallyverykindtousanddidallthathecould.’

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Gandalflaughed.‘Don’tbeafraid!’hesaid.‘Ididnotbite,andIbarkedverylittle.SooverjoyedwasIbythenewsthatIgotoutofhim,whenhestoppedquaking,thatIembracedtheoldfellow.HowithadhappenedIcouldnotthenguess,butIlearnedthatyouhadbeeninBreethenightbefore,andhadgoneoffthatmorningwithStrider.

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‘“Strider!”Icried,shoutingforjoy.

‘“Yes,sir,Iamafraidso,sir,”saidButterbur,mistakingme.“Hegotatthem,inspiteofallthatIcoulddo,andtheytookupwithhim.Theybehavedveryqueerallthetimetheywerehere:wilful,youmightsay.”

‘“Ass!Fool!ThriceworthyandbelovedBarliman!”saidI.“It’sthe

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bestnewsIhavehadsinceMidsummer;it’sworthagoldpieceattheleast.Mayyourbeerbelaidunderanenchantmentofsurpassingexcellenceforsevenyears!”saidI.“NowIcantakeanight’srest,thefirstsinceIhaveforgottenwhen.”

‘SoIstayedtherethatnight,wonderingmuchwhat

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hadbecomeoftheRiders;foronlyoftwohadthereyetbeenanynewsinBree,itseemed.Butinthenightweheardmore.Fiveatleastcamefromthewest,andtheythrewdownthegatesandpassedthroughBreelikeahowlingwind;andtheBree-folkarestillshiveringandexpectingtheendoftheworld.Igotupbeforedawnandwentafterthem.

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‘Idonotknow,butitseemscleartomethatthisiswhathappened.TheirCaptainremainedinsecretawaysouthofBree,whiletworodeaheadthroughthevillage,andfourmoreinvadedtheShire.ButwhenthesewerefoiledinBreeandatCrickhollow,theyreturnedtotheirCaptainwithtidings,andsolefttheRoadunguardedforawhile,exceptbytheirspies.TheCaptain

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thensentsomeeastwardstraightacrosscountry,andhehimselfwiththerestrodealongtheRoadingreatwrath.

‘IgallopedtoWeathertoplikeagale,andIreacheditbeforesundownonmyseconddayfromBree–andtheyweretherebeforeme.Theydrewawayfromme,fortheyfeltthecomingofmyangerandtheydarednotface

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itwhiletheSunwasinthesky.Buttheyclosedroundatnight,andIwasbesiegedonthehill-top,intheoldringofAmonSûl.Iwashardputtoitindeed:suchlightandflamecannothavebeenseenonWeathertopsincethewar-beaconsofold.

‘AtsunriseIescapedandfledtowardsthenorth.Icouldnothopetodomore.Itwasimpossibletofindyou,

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Frodo,inthewilderness,anditwouldhavebeenfollytotrywithalltheNineatmyheels.SoIhadtotrusttoAragorn.ButIhopedtodrawsomeofthemoff,andyetreachRivendellaheadofyouandsendouthelp.FourRidersdidindeedfollowme,buttheyturnedbackafterawhileandmadefortheFord,itseems.Thathelpedalittle,fortherewereonlyfive,not

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nine,whenyourcampwasattacked.

‘Ireachedhereatlastbyalonghardroad,uptheHoarwellandthroughtheEttenmoors,anddownfromthenorth.IttookmenearlyfifteendaysfromWeathertop,forIcouldnotrideamongtherocksofthetroll-fells,andShadowfaxdeparted.Isenthimbacktohismaster;butagreatfriendshiphasgrown

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betweenus,andifIhaveneedhewillcomeatmycall.ButsoitwasthatIcametoRivendellonlytwodaysbeforetheRing,andnewsofitsperilhadalreadybeenbroughthere–whichprovedwellindeed.

‘Andthat,Frodo,istheendofmyaccount.MayElrondandtheothersforgivethelengthofit.Butsuchathinghasnothappened

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before,thatGandalfbroketrystanddidnotcomewhenhepromised.AnaccounttotheRing-bearerofsostrangeaneventwasrequired,Ithink.

‘Well,theTaleisnowtold,fromfirsttolast.Hereweallare,andhereistheRing.Butwehavenotyetcomeanynearertoourpurpose.Whatshallwedowithit?’

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Therewasasilence.AtlastElrondspokeagain.

‘ThisisgrievousnewsconcerningSaruman,’hesaid;‘forwetrustedhimandheisdeepinallourcounsels.ItisperiloustostudytoodeeplytheartsoftheEnemy,forgoodorforill.Butsuchfallsandbetrayals,alas,havehappenedbefore.OfthetalesthatwehaveheardthisdaythetaleofFrodowasmost

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strangetome.Ihaveknownfewhobbits,saveBilbohere;anditseemstomethatheisperhapsnotsoaloneandsingularasIhadthoughthim.TheworldhaschangedmuchsinceIlastwasonthewestwardroads.

‘TheBarrow-wightsweknowbymanynames;andoftheOldForestmanytaleshavebeentold:allthatnowremainsisbutanoutlierofits

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northernmarch.TimewaswhenasquirrelcouldgofromtreetotreefromwhatisnowtheShiretoDunlandwestofIsengard.InthoselandsIjourneyedonce,andmanythingswildandstrangeIknew.ButIhadforgottenBombadil,ifindeedthisisstillthesamethatwalkedthewoodsandhillslongago,andeventhenwasolderthantheold.Thatwasnotthenhis

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name.IarwainBen-adarwecalledhim,oldestandfatherless.Butmanyanothernamehehassincebeengivenbyotherfolk:FornbytheDwarves,OraldbyNorthernMen,andothernamesbeside.Heisastrangecreature,butmaybeIshouldhavesummonedhimtoourCouncil.’

‘Hewouldnothavecome,’saidGandalf.

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‘Couldwenotstillsendmessagestohimandobtainhishelp?’askedErestor.‘ItseemsthathehasapowerevenovertheRing.’

‘No,Ishouldnotputitso,’saidGandalf.‘SayratherthattheRinghasnopoweroverhim.Heishisownmaster.ButhecannotaltertheRingitself,norbreakitspoweroverothers.Andnowheiswithdrawnintoalittle

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land,withinboundsthathehasset,thoughnonecanseethem,waitingperhapsforachangeofdays,andhewillnotstepbeyondthem.’

‘Butwithinthoseboundsnothingseemstodismayhim,’saidErestor.‘WouldhenottaketheRingandkeepitthere,foreverharmless?’

‘No,’saidGandalf,‘notwillingly.Hemightdoso,ifallthefreefolkoftheworld

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beggedhim,buthewouldnotunderstandtheneed.AndifheweregiventheRing,hewouldsoonforgetit,ormostlikelythrowitaway.Suchthingshavenoholdonhismind.Hewouldbeamostunsafeguardian;andthataloneisanswerenough.’

‘Butinanycase,’saidGlorfindel,‘tosendtheRingtohimwouldonlypostponethedayofevil.Heisfar

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away.Wecouldnotnowtakeitbacktohim,unguessed,unmarkedbyanyspy.Andevenifwecould,soonorlatetheLordoftheRingswouldlearnofitshidingplaceandwouldbendallhispowertowardsit.CouldthatpowerbedefiedbyBombadilalone?Ithinknot.Ithinkthatintheend,ifallelseisconquered,Bombadilwillfall,LastashewasFirst;andthenNightwill

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come.’‘IknowlittleofIarwain

savethename,’saidGaldor;‘butGlorfindel,Ithink,isright.PowertodefyourEnemyisnotinhim,unlesssuchpowerisintheearthitself.AndyetweseethatSauroncantortureanddestroytheveryhills.Whatpowerstillremainslieswithus,hereinImladris,orwithCírdanattheHavens,orin

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Lórien.Buthavetheythestrength,haveweherethestrengthtowithstandtheEnemy,thecomingofSauronatthelast,whenallelseisoverthrown?’

‘Ihavenotthestrength,’saidElrond;‘neitherhavethey.’

‘TheniftheRingcannotbekeptfromhimforeverbystrength,’saidGlorfindel,‘twothingsonlyremainfor

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ustoattempt:tosenditovertheSea,ortodestroyit.’

‘ButGandalfhasrevealedtousthatwecannotdestroyitbyanycraftthatweherepossess,’saidElrond.‘AndtheywhodwellbeyondtheSeawouldnotreceiveit:forgoodorillitbelongstoMiddle-earth;itisforuswhostilldwellheretodealwithit.’

‘Then,’saidGlorfindel,

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‘letuscastitintothedeeps,andsomaketheliesofSarumancometrue.ForitisclearnowthatevenattheCouncilhisfeetwerealreadyonacrookedpath.HeknewthattheRingwasnotlostforever,butwishedustothinkso;forhebegantolustforitforhimself.Yetoftinliestruthishidden:intheSeaitwouldbesafe.’

‘Notsafeforever,’said

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Gandalf.‘Therearemanythingsinthedeepwaters;andseasandlandsmaychange.Anditisnotourpartheretotakethoughtonlyforaseason,orforafewlivesofMen,orforapassingageoftheworld.Weshouldseekafinalendofthismenace,evenifwedonothopetomakeone.’

‘AndthatweshallnotfindontheroadstotheSea,’said

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Galdor.‘IfthereturntoIarwainbethoughttoodangerous,thenflighttotheSeaisnowfraughtwithgravestperil.MyhearttellsmethatSauronwillexpectustotakethewesternway,whenhelearnswhathasbefallen.Hesoonwill.TheNinehavebeenunhorsedindeed,butthatisbutarespite,eretheyfindnewsteedsandswifter.Onlythe

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waningmightofGondorstandsnowbetweenhimandamarchinpoweralongthecoastsintotheNorth;andifhecomes,assailingtheWhiteTowersandtheHavens,hereaftertheElvesmayhavenoescapefromthelengtheningshadowsofMiddle-earth.’

‘Longyetwillthatmarchbedelayed,’saidBoromir.‘Gondorwanes,yousay.But

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Gondorstands,andeventheendofitsstrengthisstillverystrong.’

‘AndyetitsvigilancecannolongerkeepbacktheNine,’saidGaldor.‘AndotherroadshemayfindthatGondordoesnotguard.’

‘Then,’saidErestor,‘therearebuttwocourses,asGlorfindelalreadyhasdeclared:tohidetheRingforever;ortounmakeit.But

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botharebeyondourpower.Whowillreadthisriddleforus?’

‘Noneherecandoso,’saidElrondgravely.‘Atleastnonecanforetellwhatwillcometopass,ifwetakethisroadorthat.Butitseemstomenowclearwhichistheroadthatwemusttake.Thewestwardroadseemseasiest.Thereforeitmustbeshunned.Itwillbewatched.Toooften

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theElveshavefledthatway.Nowatthislastwemusttakeahardroad,aroadunforeseen.Thereliesourhope,ifhopeitbe.Towalkintoperil–toMordor.WemustsendtheRingtotheFire.’

Silencefellagain.Frodo,eveninthatfairhouse,lookingoutuponasunlit

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valleyfilledwiththenoiseofclearwaters,feltadeaddarknessinhisheart.Boromirstirred,andFrodolookedathim.Hewasfingeringhisgreathornandfrowning.Atlengthhespoke.

‘Idonotunderstandallthis,’hesaid.‘Sarumanisatraitor,butdidhenothaveaglimpseofwisdom?Whydoyouspeakeverofhidinganddestroying?Whyshouldwe

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notthinkthattheGreatRinghascomeintoourhandstoserveusintheveryhourofneed?WieldingittheFreeLordsoftheFreemaysurelydefeattheEnemy.Thatiswhathemostfears,Ideem.

‘TheMenofGondorarevaliant,andtheywillneversubmit;buttheymaybebeatendown.Valourneedsfirststrength,andthenaweapon.LettheRingbeyour

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weapon,ifithassuchpowerasyousay.Takeitandgoforthtovictory!’

‘Alas,no,’saidElrond.‘WecannotusetheRulingRing.Thatwenowknowtoowell.ItbelongstoSauronandwasmadebyhimalone,andisaltogetherevil.Itsstrength,Boromir,istoogreatforanyonetowieldatwill,saveonlythosewhohavealreadyagreatpoweroftheirown.

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Butforthemitholdsanevendeadlierperil.Theverydesireofitcorruptstheheart.ConsiderSaruman.IfanyoftheWiseshouldwiththisRingoverthrowtheLordofMordor,usinghisownarts,hewouldthensethimselfonSauron’sthrone,andyetanotherDarkLordwouldappear.AndthatisanotherreasonwhytheRingshouldbedestroyed:aslongasitis

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intheworlditwillbeadangereventotheWise.Fornothingisevilinthebeginning.EvenSauronwasnotso.IfeartotaketheRingtohideit.IwillnottaketheRingtowieldit.’

‘NorI,’saidGandalf.Boromirlookedatthem

doubtfully,buthebowedhishead.‘Sobeit,’hesaid.‘TheninGondorwemusttrusttosuchweaponsaswe

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have.Andattheleast,whiletheWiseonesguardthisRing,wewillfighton.MayhaptheSword-that-was-Brokenmaystillstemthetide–ifthehandthatwieldsithasinheritednotanheirloomonly,butthesinewsoftheKingsofMen.’

‘Whocantell?’saidAragorn.‘Butwewillputittothetestoneday.’

‘Maythedaynotbetoo

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longdelayed,’saidBoromir.‘ForthoughIdonotaskforaid,weneedit.Itwouldcomfortustoknowthatothersfoughtalsowithallthemeansthattheyhave.’

‘Thenbecomforted,’saidElrond.‘Forthereareotherpowersandrealmsthatyouknownot,andtheyarehiddenfromyou.AnduintheGreatflowspastmanyshores,ereitcomestoArgonathand

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theGatesofGondor.’‘Stillitmightbewellfor

all,’saidGlóintheDwarf,‘ifallthesestrengthswerejoined,andthepowersofeachwereusedinleague.Otherringstheremaybe,lesstreacherous,thatmightbeusedinourneed.TheSevenarelosttous–ifBalinhasnotfoundtheringofThrór,whichwasthelast;naughthasbeenheardofitsince

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ThrórperishedinMoria.IndeedImaynowrevealthatitwaspartlyinhopetofindthatringthatBalinwentaway.’

‘BalinwillfindnoringinMoria,’saidGandalf.‘ThrórgaveittoThráinhisson,butnotThráintoThorin.ItwastakenwithtormentfromThráininthedungeonsofDolGuldur.Icametoolate.’

‘Ah,alas!’criedGlóin.

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‘Whenwillthedaycomeofourrevenge?ButstilltherearetheThree.WhatoftheThreeRingsoftheElves?VerymightyRings,itissaid.DonottheElf-lordskeepthem?YettheytooweremadebytheDarkLordlongago.Aretheyidle?IseeElf-lordshere.Willtheynotsay?’

TheElvesreturnednoanswer.‘Didyounothear

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me,Glóin?’saidElrond.‘TheThreewerenotmadebySauron,nordidheevertouchthem.Butofthemitisnotpermittedtospeak.SomuchonlyinthishourofdoubtImaynowsay.Theyarenotidle.Buttheywerenotmadeasweaponsofwarorconquest:thatisnottheirpower.Thosewhomadethemdidnotdesirestrengthordominationorhoarded

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wealth,butunderstanding,making,andhealing,topreserveallthingsunstained.ThesethingstheElvesofMiddle-earthhaveinsomemeasuregained,thoughwithsorrow.ButallthathasbeenwroughtbythosewhowieldtheThreewillturntotheirundoing,andtheirmindsandheartswillbecomerevealedtoSauron,ifheregainstheOne.Itwouldbebetterifthe

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Threehadneverbeen.Thatishispurpose.’

‘Butwhatthenwouldhappen,iftheRulingRingweredestroyed,asyoucounsel?’askedGlóin.

‘Weknownotforcertain,’answeredElrondsadly.‘SomehopethattheThreeRings,whichSauronhasnevertouched,wouldthenbecomefree,andtheirrulersmighthealthehurtsofthe

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worldthathehaswrought.ButmaybewhentheOnehasgone,theThreewillfail,andmanyfairthingswillfadeandbeforgotten.Thatismybelief.’

‘YetalltheElvesarewillingtoendurethischance,’saidGlorfindel,‘ifbyitthepowerofSauronmaybebroken,andthefearofhisdominionbetakenawayforever.’

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‘ThuswereturnoncemoretothedestroyingoftheRing,’saidErestor,‘andyetwecomenonearer.WhatstrengthhaveweforthefindingoftheFireinwhichitwasmade?Thatisthepathofdespair.OffollyIwouldsay,ifthelongwisdomofElronddidnotforbidme.’

‘Despair,orfolly?’saidGandalf.‘Itisnotdespair,fordespairisonlyforthosewho

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seetheendbeyondalldoubt.Wedonot.Itiswisdomtorecognizenecessity,whenallothercourseshavebeenweighed,thoughasfollyitmayappeartothosewhoclingtofalsehope.Well,letfollybeourcloak,aveilbeforetheeyesoftheEnemy!Forheisverywise,andweighsallthingstoanicetyinthescalesofhismalice.Buttheonlymeasurethathe

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knowsisdesire,desireforpower;andsohejudgesallhearts.Intohisheartthethoughtwillnotenterthatanywillrefuseit,thathavingtheRingwemayseektodestroyit.Ifweseekthis,weshallputhimoutofreckoning.’

‘Atleastforawhile,’saidElrond.‘Theroadmustbetrod,butitwillbeveryhard.Andneitherstrengthnorwisdomwillcarryusfarupon

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it.Thisquestmaybeattemptedbytheweakwithasmuchhopeasthestrong.Yetsuchisoftthecourseofdeedsthatmovethewheelsoftheworld:smallhandsdothembecausetheymust,whiletheeyesofthegreatareelsewhere.’

‘Verywell,verywell,MasterElrond!’saidBilbo

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suddenly.‘Saynomore!Itisplainenoughwhatyouarepointingat.Bilbothesillyhobbitstartedthisaffair,andBilbohadbetterfinishit,orhimself.Iwasverycomfortablehere,andgettingonwithmybook.Ifyouwanttoknow,Iamjustwritinganendingforit.Ihadthoughtofputting:andhelivedhappilyeverafterwardstotheendofhisdays.Itisagoodending,

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andnonetheworseforhavingbeenusedbefore.NowIshallhavetoalterthat:itdoesnotlooklikecomingtrue;andanywaytherewillevidentlyhavetobeseveralmorechapters,ifIlivetowritethem.Itisafrightfulnuisance.WhenoughtItostart?’

BoromirlookedinsurpriseatBilbo,butthelaughterdiedonhislipswhen

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hesawthatalltheothersregardedtheoldhobbitwithgraverespect.OnlyGlóinsmiled,buthissmilecamefromoldmemories.

‘Ofcourse,mydearBilbo,’saidGandalf.‘Ifyouhadreallystartedthisaffair,youmightbeexpectedtofinishit.Butyouknowwellenoughnowthatstartingistoogreataclaimforany,andthatonlyasmallpartis

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playedingreatdeedsbyanyhero.Youneednotbow!Thoughthewordwasmeant,andwedonotdoubtthatunderjestyouaremakingavaliantoffer.Butonebeyondyourstrength,Bilbo.Youcannottakethisthingback.Ithaspassedon.Ifyouneedmyadviceanylonger,Ishouldsaythatyourpartisended,unlessasarecorder.Finishyourbook,andleavethe

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endingunaltered!Thereisstillhopeforit.Butgetreadytowriteasequel,whentheycomeback.’

Bilbolaughed.‘Ihaveneverknownyougivemepleasantadvicebefore,’hesaid.‘Asallyourunpleasantadvicehasbeengood,Iwonderifthisadviceisnotbad.Still,Idon’tsupposeIhavethestrengthorlucklefttodealwiththeRing.Ithas

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grown,andIhavenot.Buttellme:whatdoyoumeanbythey?’

‘ThemessengerswhoaresentwiththeRing.’

‘Exactly!Andwhoaretheytobe?ThatseemstomewhatthisCouncilhastodecide,andallthatithastodecide.Elvesmaythriveonspeechalone,andDwarvesenduregreatweariness;butIamonlyanoldhobbit,andI

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missmymealatnoon.Can’twethinkofsomenamesnow?Orputitofftillafterdinner?’

Nooneanswered.Thenoon-bellrang.Stillnoonespoke.Frodoglancedatallthefaces,buttheywerenotturnedtohim.AlltheCouncilsatwithdowncasteyes,asifindeepthought.Agreat

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dreadfellonhim,asifhewasawaitingthepronouncementofsomedoomthathehadlongforeseenandvainlyhopedmightafterallneverbespoken.AnoverwhelminglongingtorestandremainatpeacebyBilbo’ssideinRivendellfilledallhisheart.Atlastwithanefforthespoke,andwonderedtohearhisownwords,asifsomeotherwillwasusinghissmall

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voice.‘IwilltaketheRing,’he

said,‘thoughIdonotknowtheway.’

Elrondraisedhiseyesandlookedathim,andFrodofelthisheartpiercedbythesuddenkeennessoftheglance.‘IfIunderstandarightallthatIhaveheard,’hesaid,‘Ithinkthatthistaskis

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appointedforyou,Frodo;andthatifyoudonotfindaway,noonewill.ThisisthehouroftheShire-folk,whentheyarisefromtheirquietfieldstoshakethetowersandcounselsoftheGreat.WhoofalltheWisecouldhaveforeseenit?Or,iftheyarewise,whyshouldtheyexpecttoknowit,untilthehourhasstruck?

‘Butitisaheavyburden.Soheavythatnonecouldlay

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itonanother.Idonotlayitonyou.Butifyoutakeitfreely,Iwillsaythatyourchoiceisright;andthoughallthemightyElf-friendsofold,Hador,andHúrin,andTúrin,andBerenhimselfwereassembledtogether,yourseatshouldbeamongthem.’

‘Butyouwon’tsendhimoffalonesurely,Master?’criedSam,unabletocontainhimselfanylonger,and

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jumpingupfromthecornerwherehehadbeenquietlysittingonthefloor.

‘Noindeed!’saidElrond,turningtowardshimwithasmile.‘Youatleastshallgowithhim.Itishardlypossibletoseparateyoufromhim,evenwhenheissummonedtoasecretcouncilandyouarenot.’

Samsatdown,blushingandmuttering.‘Anicepickle

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wehavelandedourselvesin,Mr.Frodo!’hesaid,shakinghishead.

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Chapter3

THERINGGOESSOUTH

LaterthatdaythehobbitsheldameetingoftheirowninBilbo’sroom.MerryandPippinwereindignantwhen

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theyheardthatSamhadcreptintotheCouncil,andhadbeenchosenasFrodo’scompanion.

‘It’smostunfair,’saidPippin.‘Insteadofthrowinghimout,andclappinghiminchains,Elrondgoesandrewardshimforhischeek!’

‘Rewards!’saidFrodo.‘Ican’timagineamoreseverepunishment.Youarenotthinkingwhatyouaresaying:

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condemnedtogoonthishopelessjourney,areward?YesterdayIdreamedthatmytaskwasdone,andIcouldresthere,alongwhile,perhapsforgood.’

‘Idon’twonder,’saidMerry,‘andIwishyoucould.ButweareenvyingSam,notyou.Ifyouhavetogo,thenitwillbeapunishmentforanyofustobeleftbehind,eveninRivendell.Wehavecomea

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longwaywithyouandbeenthroughsomestifftimes.Wewanttogoon.’

‘That’swhatImeant,’saidPippin.‘Wehobbitsoughttosticktogether,andwewill.Ishallgo,unlesstheychainmeup.Theremustbesomeonewithintelligenceintheparty.’

‘Thenyoucertainlywillnotbechosen,PeregrinTook!’saidGandalf,looking

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inthroughthewindow,whichwasneartheground.‘Butyouareallworryingyourselvesunnecessarily.Nothingisdecidedyet.’

‘Nothingdecided!’criedPippin.‘Thenwhatwereyoualldoing?Youwereshutupforhours.’

‘Talking,’saidBilbo.‘Therewasadealoftalk,andeveryonehadaneye-opener.EvenoldGandalf.Ithink

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Legolas’sbitofnewsaboutGollumcaughtevenhimonthehop,thoughhepasseditoff.’

‘Youwerewrong,’saidGandalf.‘Youwereinattentive.IhadalreadyheardofitfromGwaihir.Ifyouwanttoknow,theonlyrealeye-openers,asyouputit,wereyouandFrodo;andIwastheonlyonethatwasnotsurprised.’

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‘Well,anyway,’saidBilbo,‘nothingwasdecidedbeyondchoosingpoorFrodoandSam.Iwasafraidallthetimethatitmightcometothat,ifIwasletoff.Butifyouaskme,Elrondwillsendoutafairnumber,whenthereportscomein.Havetheystartedyet,Gandalf?’

‘Yes,’saidthewizard.‘Someofthescoutshavebeensentoutalready.More

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willgotomorrow.ElrondissendingElves,andtheywillgetintouchwiththeRangers,andmaybewithThranduil’sfolkinMirkwood.AndAragornhasgonewithElrond’ssons.Weshallhavetoscourthelandsallroundformanylongleaguesbeforeanymoveismade.Socheerup,Frodo!Youwillprobablymakequitealongstayhere.’

‘Ah!’saidSamgloomily.

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‘We’lljustwaitlongenoughforwintertocome.’

‘Thatcan’tbehelped,’saidBilbo.‘It’syourfaultpartly,Frodomylad:insistingonwaitingformybirthday.Afunnywayofhonouringit,Ican’thelpthinking.NotthedayIshouldhavechosenforlettingtheS.-B.sintoBagEnd.Butthereitis:youcan’twaitnowtillspring;andyoucan’tgotill

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thereportscomeback.

Whenwinterfirstbeginstobiteandstonescrackinthefrostynight,

whenpoolsareblackandtreesarebare,’tisevilintheWildtofare.

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ButthatIamafraidwillbejustyourluck.’

‘Iamafraiditwill,’saidGandalf.‘Wecan’tstartuntilwehavefoundoutabouttheRiders.’

‘Ithoughttheywerealldestroyedintheflood,’saidMerry.

‘YoucannotdestroyRingwraithslikethat,’saidGandalf.‘Thepoweroftheirmasterisinthem,andthey

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standorfallbyhim.Wehopethattheywereallunhorsedandunmasked,andsomadeforawhilelessdangerous;butwemustfindoutforcertain.Inthemeantimeyoushouldtryandforgetyourtroubles,Frodo.IdonotknowifIcandoanythingtohelpyou;butIwillwhisperthisinyourears.Someonesaidthatintelligencewouldbeneededintheparty.He

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wasright.IthinkIshallcomewithyou.’

SogreatwasFrodo’sdelightatthisannouncementthatGandalfleftthewindow-sill,wherehehadbeensitting,andtookoffhishatandbowed.‘IonlysaidIthinkIshallcome.Donotcountonanythingyet.InthismatterElrondwillhavemuchtosay,andyourfriendtheStrider.Whichremindsme,I

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wanttoseeElrond.Imustbeoff.’

‘HowlongdoyouthinkIshallhavehere?’saidFrodotoBilbowhenGandalfhadgone.

‘Oh,Idon’tknow.Ican’tcountdaysinRivendell,’saidBilbo.‘Butquitelong,Ishouldthink.Wecanhavemanyagoodtalk.Whatabouthelpingmewithmybook,andmakingastartonthe

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next?Haveyouthoughtofanending?’

‘Yes,several,andallaredarkandunpleasant,’saidFrodo.

‘Oh,thatwon’tdo!’saidBilbo.‘Booksoughttohavegoodendings.Howwouldthisdo:andtheyallsettleddownandlivedtogetherhappilyeverafter?’

‘Itwilldowell,ifitevercomestothat,’saidFrodo.

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‘Ah!’saidSam.‘Andwherewilltheylive?That’swhatIoftenwonder.’

Forawhilethehobbitscontinuedtotalkandthinkofthepastjourneyandoftheperilsthatlayahead;butsuchwasthevirtueofthelandofRivendellthatsoonallfearandanxietywasliftedfromtheirminds.Thefuture,good

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orill,wasnotforgotten,butceasedtohaveanypoweroverthepresent.Healthandhopegrewstronginthem,andtheywerecontentwitheachgooddayasitcame,takingpleasureineverymeal,andineverywordandsong.

Sothedaysslippedaway,aseachmorningdawnedbrightandfair,andeacheveningfollowedcoolandclear.Butautumnwas

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waningfast;slowlythegoldenlightfadedtopalesilver,andthelingeringleavesfellfromthenakedtrees.AwindbegantoblowchillfromtheMistyMountainstotheeast.TheHunter’sMoonwaxedroundinthenightsky,andputtoflightallthelesserstars.ButlowintheSouthonestarshonered.Everynight,astheMoonwanedagain,itshone

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brighterandbrighter.Frodocouldseeitfromhiswindow,deepintheheavens,burninglikeawatchfuleyethatglaredabovethetreesonthebrinkofthevalley.

ThehobbitshadbeennearlytwomonthsinthehouseofElrond,andNovemberhadgonebywiththelastshredsofautumn,and

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Decemberwaspassing,whenthescoutsbegantoreturn.SomehadgonenorthbeyondthespringsoftheHoarwellintotheEttenmoors;andothershadgonewest,andwiththehelpofAragornandtheRangershadsearchedthelandsfardowntheGreyflood,asfarasTharbad,wheretheoldNorthRoadcrossedtheriverbyaruinedtown.Manyhadgoneeastandsouth;and

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someofthesehadcrossedtheMountainsandenteredMirkwood,whileothershadclimbedthepassatthesourcesoftheGladdenRiver,andhadcomedownintoWilderlandandovertheGladdenFieldsandsoatlengthhadreachedtheoldhomeofRadagastatRhosgobel.Radagastwasnotthere;andtheyhadreturnedoverthehighpassthatwas

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calledtheRedhornGate.ThesonsofElrond,ElladanandElrohir,werethelasttoreturn;theyhadmadeagreatjourney,passingdowntheSilverlodeintoastrangecountry,butoftheirerrandtheywouldnotspeaktoanysavetoElrond.

InnoregionhadthemessengersdiscoveredanysignsortidingsoftheRidersorotherservantsofthe

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Enemy.EvenfromtheEaglesoftheMistyMountainstheyhadlearnednofreshnews.NothinghadbeenseenorheardofGollum;butthewildwolveswerestillgathering,andwerehuntingagainfaruptheGreatRiver.ThreeoftheblackhorseshadbeenfoundatoncedrownedinthefloodedFord.Ontherocksoftherapidsbelowitsearchersdiscoveredthebodiesoffive

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more,andalsoalongblackcloak,slashedandtattered.OftheBlackRidersnoothertracewastobeseen,andnowherewastheirpresencetobefelt.ItseemedthattheyhadvanishedfromtheNorth.

‘EightoutoftheNineareaccountedforatleast,’saidGandalf.‘Itisrashtobetoosure,yetIthinkthatwemayhopenowthattheRingwraithswerescattered,

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andhavebeenobligedtoreturnasbesttheycouldtotheirMasterinMordor,emptyandshapeless.

‘Ifthatisso,itwillbesometimebeforetheycanbeginthehuntagain.OfcoursetheEnemyhasotherservants,buttheywillhavetojourneyallthewaytothebordersofRivendellbeforetheycanpickupourtrail.Andifwearecarefulthatwill

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behardtofind.Butwemustdelaynolonger.’

Elrondsummonedthehobbitstohim.HelookedgravelyatFrodo.‘Thetimehascome,’hesaid.‘IftheRingistosetout,itmustgosoon.Butthosewhogowithitmustnotcountontheirerrandbeingaidedbywarorforce.Theymustpassintothe

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domainoftheEnemyfarfromaid.Doyoustillholdtoyourword,Frodo,thatyouwillbetheRing-bearer?’

‘Ido,’saidFrodo.‘IwillgowithSam.’

‘ThenIcannothelpyoumuch,notevenwithcounsel,’saidElrond.‘Icanforeseeverylittleofyourroad;andhowyourtaskistobeachievedIdonotknow.TheShadowhascreptnowtothe

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feetoftheMountains,anddrawsnigheventothebordersoftheGreyflood;andundertheShadowallisdarktome.Youwillmeetmanyfoes,someopen,andsomedisguised;andyoumayfindfriendsuponyourwaywhenyouleastlookforit.Iwillsendoutmessages,suchasIcancontrive,tothosewhomIknowinthewideworld;butsoperilousarethelandsnow

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becomethatsomemaywellmiscarry,orcomenoquickerthanyouyourself.

‘AndIwillchooseyoucompanionstogowithyou,asfarastheywillorfortuneallows.Thenumbermustbefew,sinceyourhopeisinspeedandsecrecy.HadIahostofElvesinarmouroftheElderDays,itwouldavaillittle,savetoarousethepowerofMordor.

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‘TheCompanyoftheRingshallbeNine;andtheNineWalkersshallbesetagainsttheNineRidersthatareevil.Withyouandyourfaithfulservant,Gandalfwillgo;forthisshallbehisgreattask,andmaybetheendofhislabours.

‘Fortherest,theyshallrepresenttheotherFreePeoplesoftheWorld:Elves,Dwarves,andMen.Legolas

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shallbefortheElves;andGimlisonofGlóinfortheDwarves.TheyarewillingtogoatleasttothepassesoftheMountains,andmaybebeyond.FormenyoushallhaveAragornsonofArathorn,fortheRingofIsildurconcernshimclosely.’

‘Strider!’criedFrodo.‘Yes,’hesaidwitha

smile.‘Iaskleaveonceagaintobeyourcompanion,

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Frodo.’‘Iwouldhavebeggedyou

tocome,’saidFrodo,‘onlyIthoughtyouweregoingtoMinasTirithwithBoromir.’

‘Iam,’saidAragorn.‘AndtheSword-that-was-Brokenshallbere-forgedereIsetouttowar.Butyourroadandourroadlietogetherformanyhundredsofmiles.ThereforeBoromirwillalsobeintheCompany.Heisavaliant

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man.’‘Thereremaintwomore

tobefound,’saidElrond.‘TheseIwillconsider.OfmyhouseholdImayfindsomethatitseemsgoodtometosend.’

‘Butthatwillleavenoplaceforus!’criedPippinindismay.‘Wedon’twanttobeleftbehind.WewanttogowithFrodo.’

‘Thatisbecauseyoudo

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notunderstandandcannotimaginewhatliesahead,’saidElrond.

‘NeitherdoesFrodo,’saidGandalf,unexpectedlysupportingPippin.‘Nordoanyofusseeclearly.Itistruethatifthesehobbitsunderstoodthedanger,theywouldnotdaretogo.Buttheywouldstillwishtogo,orwishthattheydared,andbeshamedandunhappy.Ithink,

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Elrond,thatinthismatteritwouldbewelltotrustrathertotheirfriendshipthantogreatwisdom.EvenifyouchoseforusanElf-lord,suchasGlorfindel,hecouldnotstormtheDarkTower,noropentheroadtotheFirebythepowerthatisinhim.’

‘Youspeakgravely,’saidElrond,‘butIamindoubt.The

Shire,Iforebode,isnot

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freenowfromperil;andthesetwoIhadthoughttosendbackthereasmessengers,todowhattheycould,accordingtothefashionoftheircountry,towarnthepeopleoftheirdanger.Inanycase,Ijudgethattheyoungerofthesetwo,PeregrinTook,shouldremain.Myheartisagainsthisgoing.’

‘Then,MasterElrond,youwillhavetolockmein

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prison,orsendmehometiedinasack,’saidPippin.‘ForotherwiseIshallfollowtheCompany.’

‘Letitbesothen.Youshallgo,’saidElrond,andhesighed.‘NowthetaleofNineisfilled.InsevendaystheCompanymustdepart.’

TheSwordofElendilwasforgedanewbyElvish

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smiths,andonitsbladewastracedadeviceofsevenstarssetbetweenthecrescentMoonandtherayedSun,andaboutthemwaswrittenmanyrunes;forAragornsonofArathornwasgoingtowaruponthemarchesofMordor.Verybrightwasthatswordwhenitwasmadewholeagain;thelightofthesunshoneredlyinit,andthelightofthemoonshonecold,and

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itsedgewashardandkeen.AndAragorngaveitanewnameandcalleditAndúril,FlameoftheWest.

AragornandGandalfwalkedtogetherorsatspeakingoftheirroadandtheperilstheywouldmeet;andtheyponderedthestoriedandfiguredmapsandbooksoflorethatwereinthehouseofElrond.SometimesFrodowaswiththem;buthewas

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contenttoleanontheirguidance,andhespentasmuchtimeashecouldwithBilbo.

InthoselastdaysthehobbitssattogetherintheeveningintheHallofFire,andthereamongmanytalestheyheardtoldinfullthelayofBerenandLúthienandthewinningoftheGreatJewel;butintheday,whileMerryandPippinwereoutand

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about,FrodoandSamweretobefoundwithBilboinhisownsmallroom.ThenBilbowouldreadpassagesfromhisbook(whichstillseemedveryincomplete),orscrapsofhisverses,orwouldtakenotesofFrodo’sadventures.

OnthemorningofthelastdayFrodowasalonewithBilbo,andtheoldhobbitpulledoutfromunderhisbedawooden

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box.Heliftedthelidandfumbledinside.

‘Hereisyoursword,’hesaid.‘Butitwasbroken,youknow.ItookittokeepitsafebutI’veforgottentoaskifthesmithscouldmendit.Notimenow.SoIthought,perhaps,youwouldcaretohavethis,don’tyouknow?’

Hetookfromtheboxasmallswordinanoldshabbyleathernscabbard.Thenhe

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drewit,anditspolishedandwell-tendedbladeglitteredsuddenly,coldandbright.‘ThisisSting,’hesaid,andthrustitwithlittleeffortdeepintoawoodenbeam.‘Takeit,ifyoulike.Ishan’twantitagain,Iexpect.’

Frodoaccepteditgratefully.

‘Alsothereisthis!’saidBilbo,bringingoutaparcelwhichseemedtoberather

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heavyforitssize.Heunwoundseveralfoldsofoldcloth,andheldupasmallshirtofmail.Itwasclose-wovenofmanyrings,assupplealmostaslinen,coldasice,andharderthansteel.Itshonelikemoonlitsilver,andwasstuddedwithwhitegems.Withitwasabeltofpearlandcrystal.

‘It’saprettything,isn’tit?’saidBilbo,movingitin

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thelight.‘Anduseful.Itismydwarf-mailthatThoringaveme.IgotitbackfromMichelDelvingbeforeIstarted,andpackeditwithmyluggage.IbroughtallthemementoesofmyJourneyawaywithme,excepttheRing.ButIdidnotexpecttousethis,andIdon’tneeditnow,excepttolookatsometimes.Youhardlyfeelanyweightwhenyouputit

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on.’‘Ishouldlook–well,I

don’tthinkIshouldlookrightinit,’saidFrodo.

‘JustwhatIsaidmyself,’saidBilbo.‘Butnevermindaboutlooks.Youcanwearitunderyourouterclothes.Comeon!Youmustsharethissecretwithme.Don’ttellanybodyelse!ButIshouldfeelhappierifIknewyouwerewearingit.Ihavea

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fancyitwouldturneventheknivesoftheBlackRiders,’heendedinalowvoice.

‘Verywell,Iwilltakeit,’saidFrodo.Bilboputitonhim,andfastenedStingupontheglitteringbelt;andthenFrodoputoverthetophisoldweather-stainedbreeches,tunic,andjacket.

‘Justaplainhobbityoulook,’saidBilbo.‘Butthereismoreaboutyounowthan

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appearsonthesurface.Goodlucktoyou!’Heturnedawayandlookedoutofthewindow,tryingtohumatune.

‘IcannotthankyouasIshould,Bilbo,forthis,andforallyourpastkindnesses,’saidFrodo.

‘Don’ttry!’saidtheoldhobbit,turningroundandslappinghimontheback.‘Ow!’hecried.‘Youaretoohardnowtoslap!Butthere

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youare:Hobbitsmuststicktogether,andespeciallyBagginses.AllIaskinreturnis:takeasmuchcareofyourselfasyoucan,andbringbackallthenewsyoucan,andanyoldsongsandtalesyoucancomeby.I’lldomybesttofinishmybookbeforeyoureturn.Ishouldliketowritethesecondbook,ifIamspared.’Hebrokeoffandturnedtothewindowagain,

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singingsoftly.

IsitbesidethefireandthinkofallthatIhaveseen,

ofmeadow-flowersandbutterfliesinsummersthathavebeen;

Ofyellowleavesand

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gossamerinautumnsthattherewere,

withmorningmistandsilversunandwinduponmyhair.

Isitbesidethefireandthinkofhowtheworldwillbe

whenwintercomes

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withoutaspringthatIshalleversee.

ForstilltherearesomanythingsthatIhaveneverseen:

ineverywoodineveryspringthereisadifferentgreen.

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Isitbesidethefireandthinkofpeoplelongago,

andpeoplewhowillseeaworldthatIshallneverknow.

ButallthewhileIsitandthinkoftimestherewerebefore,

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Ilistenforreturningfeetandvoicesatthedoor.

ItwasacoldgreydayneartheendofDecember.TheEastWindwasstreamingthroughthebarebranchesofthetrees,andseethinginthedarkpinesonthehills.Raggedcloudswerehurryingoverhead,darkandlow.As

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thecheerlessshadowsoftheearlyeveningbegantofalltheCompanymadereadytosetout.Theyweretostartatdusk,forElrondcounselledthemtojourneyundercoverofnightasoftenastheycould,untiltheywerefarfromRivendell.

‘YoushouldfearthemanyeyesoftheservantsofSauron,’hesaid.‘Idonotdoubtthatnewsofthe

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discomfitureoftheRidershasalreadyreachedhim,andhewillbefilledwithwrath.Soonnowhisspiesonfootandwingwillbeabroadinthenorthernlands.Evenoftheskyaboveyoumustbewareasyougoonyourway.’

TheCompanytooklittlegearofwar,fortheirhope

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wasinsecrecynotinbattle.AragornhadAndúrilbutnootherweapon,andhewentforthcladonlyinrustygreenandbrown,asaRangerofthewilderness.Boromirhadalongsword,infashionlikeAndúrilbutoflesslineage,andheborealsoashieldandhiswar-horn.

‘Loudandclearitsoundsinthevalleysofthehills,’hesaid,‘andthenletallthefoes

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ofGondorflee!’Puttingittohislipsheblewablast,andtheechoesleaptfromrocktorock,andallthatheardthatvoiceinRivendellsprangtotheirfeet.

‘Slowshouldyoubetowindthathornagain,Boromir,’saidElrond,‘untilyoustandoncemoreonthebordersofyourland,anddireneedisonyou.’

‘Maybe,’saidBoromir.

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‘ButalwaysIhaveletmyhorncryatsettingforth,andthoughthereafterwemaywalkintheshadows,Iwillnotgoforthasathiefinthenight.’

Gimlithedwarfaloneworeopenlyashortshirtofsteel-rings,fordwarvesmakelightofburdens;andinhisbeltwasabroad-bladedaxe.Legolashadabowandaquiver,andathisbeltalong

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whiteknife.Theyoungerhobbitsworetheswordsthattheyhadtakenfromthebarrow;butFrodotookonlySting;andhismail-coat,asBilbowished,remainedhidden.Gandalfborehisstaff,butgirtathissidewastheelven-swordGlamdring,themateofOrcristthatlaynowuponthebreastofThorinundertheLonelyMountain.

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AllwerewellfurnishedbyElrondwiththickwarmclothes,andtheyhadjacketsandcloakslinedwithfur.Sparefoodandclothesandblanketsandotherneedswereladenonapony,noneotherthanthepoorbeastthattheyhadbroughtfromBree.

ThestayinRivendellhadworkedagreatwonderofchangeonhim:hewasglossyandseemedtohavethe

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vigourofyouth.ItwasSamwhohadinsistedonchoosinghim,declaringthatBill(ashecalledhim)wouldpine,ifhedidnotcome.

‘Thatanimalcannearlytalk,’hesaid,‘andwouldtalk,ifhestayedheremuchlonger.HegavemealookasplainasMr.Pippincouldspeakit:ifyoudon’tletmegowithyou,Sam,I’llfollowonmyown.’SoBillwas

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goingasthebeastofburden,yethewastheonlymemberoftheCompanythatdidnotseemdepressed.

Theirfarewellshadbeensaidinthegreathallbythefire,andtheywereonlywaitingnowforGandalf,whohadnotyetcomeoutofthehouse.Agleamoffirelightcamefromtheopendoors,

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andsoftlightswereglowinginmanywindows.BilbohuddledinacloakstoodsilentonthedoorstepbesideFrodo.Aragornsatwithhisheadbowedtohisknees;onlyElrondknewfullywhatthishourmeanttohim.

Theotherscouldbeseenasgreyshapesinthedarkness.

Samwasstandingbythepony,suckinghisteeth,and

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staringmoodilyintothegloomwheretheriverroaredstonilybelow;hisdesireforadventurewasatitslowestebb.

‘Bill,mylad,’hesaid,‘yououghtn’ttohavetookupwithus.Youcouldhavestayedhereandetthebesthaytillthenewgrasscomes.’Billswishedhistailandsaidnothing.

Sameasedthepackonhis

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shoulders,andwentoveranxiouslyinhismindallthethingsthathehadstowedinit,wonderingifhehadforgottenanything:hischieftreasure,hiscookinggear;andthelittleboxofsaltthathealwayscarriedandrefilledwhenhecould;agoodsupplyofpipe-weed(butnotnearenough,I’llwarrant);flintandtinder;woollenhose;linen;varioussmall

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belongingsofhismaster’sthatFrodohadforgottenandSamhadstowedtobringthemoutintriumphwhentheywerecalledfor.Hewentthroughthemall.

‘Rope!’hemuttered.‘Norope!Andonlylastnightyousaidtoyourself:“Sam,whataboutabitofrope?You’llwantit,ifyouhaven’tgotit.”Well,I’llwantit.Ican’tgetitnow.’

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AtthatmomentElrondcameoutwithGandalf,andhecalledtheCompanytohim.‘Thisismylastword,’hesaidinalowvoice.‘TheRing-bearerissettingoutontheQuestofMountDoom.Onhimaloneisanychargelaid:neithertocastawaytheRing,nortodeliverittoanyservantoftheEnemynorindeedtoletanyhandleit,savemembersofthe

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CompanyandtheCouncil,andonlytheningravestneed.Theothersgowithhimasfreecompanions,tohelphimonhisway.Youmaytarry,orcomeback,orturnasideintootherpaths,aschanceallows.Thefurtheryougo,thelesseasywillitbetowithdraw;yetnooathorbondislaidonyoutogofurtherthanyouwill.Foryoudonotyetknowthestrengthofyourhearts,

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andyoucannotforeseewhateachmaymeetupontheroad.’

‘Faithlessishethatsaysfarewellwhentheroaddarkens,’saidGimli.

‘Maybe,’saidElrond,‘butlethimnotvowtowalkinthedark,whohasnotseenthenightfall.’

‘Yetswornwordmaystrengthenquakingheart,’saidGimli.

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‘Orbreakit,’saidElrond.‘Looknottoofarahead!Butgonowwithgoodhearts!Farewell,andmaytheblessingofElvesandMenandallFreeFolkgowithyou.Maythestarsshineuponyourfaces!’

‘Good...goodluck!’criedBilbo,stutteringwiththecold.‘Idon’tsupposeyouwillbeabletokeepadiary,Frodomylad,butIshall

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expectafullaccountwhenyougetback.Anddon’tbetoolong!Farewell!’

ManyothersofElrond’shouseholdstoodintheshadowsandwatchedthemgo,biddingthemfarewellwithsoftvoices.Therewasnolaughter,andnosongormusic.Atlasttheyturnedawayandfadedsilentlyinto

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thedusk.Theycrossedthebridge

andwoundslowlyupthelongsteeppathsthatledoutoftheclovenvaleofRivendell;andtheycameatlengthtothehighmoorwherethewindhissedthroughtheheather.ThenwithoneglanceattheLastHomelyHousetwinklingbelowthemtheystrodeawayfarintothenight.

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AttheFordofBruinentheylefttheRoadandturningsouthwardswentonbynarrowpathsamongthefoldedlands.TheirpurposewastoholdthiscoursewestoftheMountainsformanymilesanddays.ThecountrywasmuchrougherandmorebarrenthaninthegreenvaleoftheGreatRiverinWilderlandontheothersideoftherange,andtheirgoing

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wouldbeslow;buttheyhopedinthiswaytoescapethenoticeofunfriendlyeyes.ThespiesofSauronhadhithertoseldombeenseeninthisemptycountry,andthepathswerelittleknownexcepttothepeopleofRivendell.

Gandalfwalkedinfront,andwithhimwentAragorn,whoknewthislandeveninthedark.Theotherswerein

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filebehind,andLegolaswhoseeyeswerekeenwastherearguard.

Thefirstpartoftheirjourneywashardanddreary,andFrodorememberedlittleofit,savethewind.FormanysunlessdaysanicyblastcamefromtheMountainsintheeast,andnogarmentseemedabletokeepoutitssearchingfingers.ThoughtheCompanywaswellclad,they

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seldomfeltwarm,eithermovingoratrest.Theysleptuneasilyduringthemiddleoftheday,insomehollowoftheland,orhiddenunderthetangledthorn-bushesthatgrewinthicketsinmanyplaces.Inthelateafternoontheywererousedbythewatch,andtooktheirchiefmeal:coldandcheerlessasarule,fortheycouldseldomriskthelightingofafire.In

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theeveningtheywentonagain,alwaysasnearlysouthwardastheycouldfindaway.

Atfirstitseemedtothehobbitsthatalthoughtheywalkedandstumbleduntiltheywereweary,theywerecreepingforwardlikesnails,andgettingnowhere.Eachdaythelandlookedmuchthesameasithadthedaybefore.Yetsteadilythemountains

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weredrawingnearer.SouthofRivendelltheyroseeverhigher,andbentwestwards;andaboutthefeetofthemainrangetherewastumbledaneverwiderlandofbleakhills,anddeepvalleysfilledwithturbulentwaters.Pathswerefewandwinding,andledthemoftenonlytotheedgeofsomesheerfall,ordownintotreacherousswamps.

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Theyhadbeenafortnightonthewaywhentheweatherchanged.Thewindsuddenlyfellandthenveeredroundtothesouth.Theswift-flowingcloudsliftedandmeltedaway,andthesuncameout,paleandbright.Therecameacoldcleardawnattheendofalongstumblingnight-march.Thetravellersreachedalowridgecrownedwithancientholly-treeswhose

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grey-greentrunksseemedtohavebeenbuiltoutoftheverystoneofthehills.Theirdarkleavesshoneandtheirberriesglowedredinthelightoftherisingsun.

AwayinthesouthFrodocouldseethedimshapesofloftymountainsthatseemednowtostandacrossthepaththattheCompanywastaking.Attheleftofthishighrangerosethreepeaks;thetallest

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andneareststooduplikeatoothtippedwithsnow;itsgreat,bare,northernprecipicewasstilllargelyintheshadow,butwherethesunlightslanteduponit,itglowedred.

GandalfstoodatFrodo’ssideandlookedoutunderhishand.‘Wehavedonewell,’hesaid.‘WehavereachedthebordersofthecountrythatMencallHollin;manyElves

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livedhereinhappierdays,whenEregionwasitsname.Five-and-fortyleaguesasthecrowflieswehavecome,thoughmanylongmilesfurtherourfeethavewalked.Thelandandtheweatherwillbemildernow,butperhapsallthemoredangerous.’

‘Dangerousornot,arealsunriseismightywelcome,’saidFrodo,throwingbackhishoodandlettingthemorning

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lightfallonhisface.‘Butthemountainsare

aheadofus,’saidPippin.‘Wemusthaveturnedeastwardsinthenight.’

‘No,’saidGandalf.‘Butyouseefurtheraheadintheclearlight.Beyondthosepeakstherangebendsroundsouth-west.TherearemanymapsinElrond’shouse,butIsupposeyouneverthoughttolookatthem?’

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‘YesIdid,sometimes,’saidPippin,‘butIdon’trememberthem.Frodohasabetterheadforthatsortofthing.’

‘Ineednomap,’saidGimli,whohadcomeupwithLegolas,andwasgazingoutbeforehimwithastrangelightinhisdeepeyes.‘Thereisthelandwhereourfathersworkedofold,andwehavewroughttheimageofthose

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mountainsintomanyworksofmetalandofstone,andintomanysongsandtales.Theystandtallinourdreams:Baraz,Zirak,Shathûr.

‘OnlyoncebeforehaveIseenthemfromafarinwakinglife,butIknowthemandtheirnames,forunderthemliesKhazad-dûm,theDwarrowdelf,thatisnowcalledtheBlackPit,MoriaintheElvishtongue.Yonder

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standsBarazinbar,theRedhorn,cruelCaradhras;andbeyondhimareSilvertineandCloudyhead:CelebdiltheWhite,andFanuidholtheGrey,thatwecallZirakzigilandBundushathûr.

‘TheretheMistyMountainsdivide,andbetweentheirarmsliesthedeep-shadowedvalleywhichwecannotforget:Azanulbizar,theDimrill

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Dale,whichtheElvescallNanduhirion.’

‘ItisfortheDimrillDalethatwearemaking,’saidGandalf.‘IfweclimbthepassthatiscalledtheRedhornGate,underthefarsideofCaradhras,weshallcomedownbytheDimrillStairintothedeepvaleoftheDwarves.ThereliestheMirrormere,andtheretheRiverSilverloderisesinits

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icysprings.’‘Darkisthewaterof

Kheled-zâram,’saidGimli,‘andcoldarethespringsofKibil-nâla.MyhearttremblesatthethoughtthatImayseethemsoon.’

‘Mayyouhavejoyofthesight,mygooddwarf!’saidGandalf.‘Butwhateveryoumaydo,weatleastcannotstayinthatvalley.WemustgodowntheSilverlodeinto

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thesecretwoods,andsototheGreatRiver,andthen——’

Hepaused.‘Yes,andwherethen?’

askedMerry.‘Totheendofthejourney–intheend,’saidGandalf.‘Wecannotlooktoofarahead.Letusbegladthatthefirststageissafelyover.Ithinkwewillresthere,notonlytodaybuttonightaswell.Thereisawholesome

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airaboutHollin.MuchevilmustbefallacountrybeforeitwhollyforgetstheElves,ifoncetheydweltthere.’

‘Thatistrue,’saidLegolas.‘ButtheElvesofthislandwereofaracestrangetousofthesilvanfolk,andthetreesandthegrassdonotnowrememberthem.OnlyIhearthestoneslamentthem:deeptheydelvedus,fairtheywrought

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us,hightheybuildedus;buttheyaregone.Theyaregone.TheysoughttheHavenslongago.’

Thatmorningtheylitafireinadeephollowshroudedbygreatbushesofholly,andtheirsupper-breakfastwasmerrierthanithadbeensincetheysetout.Theydidnothurrytobed

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afterwards,fortheyexpectedtohaveallthenighttosleepin,andtheydidnotmeantogoonagainuntiltheeveningofthenextday.OnlyAragornwassilentandrestless.

AfterawhilehelefttheCompanyandwanderedontotheridge;therehestoodintheshadowofatree,lookingoutsouthwardsandwestwards,withhisheadposedasifhewaslistening.

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Thenhereturnedtothebrinkofthedellandlookeddownattheotherslaughingandtalking.

‘Whatisthematter,Strider?’Merrycalledup.‘Whatareyoulookingfor?DoyoumisstheEastWind?’

‘Noindeed,’heanswered.‘ButImisssomething.IhavebeeninthecountryofHollininmanyseasons.Nofolkdwellherenow,butmany

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othercreatureslivehereatalltimes,especiallybirds.Yetnowallthingsbutyouaresilent.Icanfeelit.Thereisnosoundformilesaboutus,andyourvoicesseemtomakethegroundecho.Idonotunderstandit.’

Gandalflookedupwithsuddeninterest.‘Butwhatdoyouguessisthereason?’heasked.‘Istheremoreinitthansurpriseatseeingfour

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hobbits,nottomentiontherestofus,wherepeoplearesoseldomseenorheard?’

‘Ihopethatisit,’answeredAragorn.‘ButIhaveasenseofwatchfulness,andoffear,thatIhaveneverhadherebefore.’

‘Thenwemustbemorecareful,’saidGandalf.‘IfyoubringaRangerwithyou,itiswelltopayattentiontohim,especiallyiftheRangeris

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Aragorn.Wemuststoptalkingaloud,restquietly,andsetthewatch.’

ItwasSam’sturnthatdaytotakethefirstwatch,butAragornjoinedhim.Theothersfellasleep.ThenthesilencegrewuntilevenSamfeltit.Thebreathingofthesleeperscouldbeplainlyheard.Theswishofthe

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pony’stailandtheoccasionalmovementsofhisfeetbecameloudnoises.Samcouldhearhisownjointscreaking,ifhestirred.Deadsilencewasaroundhim,andoverallhungaclearbluesky,astheSunrodeupfromtheEast.AwayintheSouthadarkpatchappeared,andgrew,anddrovenorthlikeflyingsmokeinthewind.

‘What’sthat,Strider?It

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don’tlooklikeacloud,’saidSaminawhispertoAragorn.Hemadenoanswer,hewasgazingintentlyatthesky;butbeforelongSamcouldseeforhimselfwhatwasapproaching.Flocksofbirds,flyingatgreatspeed,werewheelingandcircling,andtraversingallthelandasiftheyweresearchingforsomething;andtheyweresteadilydrawingnearer.

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‘Lieflatandstill!’hissedAragorn,pullingSamdownintotheshadeofaholly-bush;forawholeregimentofbirdshadbrokenawaysuddenlyfromthemainhost,andcame,flyinglow,straighttowardstheridge.Samthoughttheywereakindofcrowoflargesize.Astheypassedoverhead,insodenseathrongthattheirshadowfollowedthemdarklyover

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thegroundbelow,oneharshcroakwasheard.

Notuntiltheyhaddwindledintothedistance,northandwest,andtheskywasagainclearwouldAragornrise.ThenhesprangupandwentandwakenedGandalf.

‘RegimentsofblackcrowsareflyingoverallthelandbetweentheMountainsandtheGreyflood,’hesaid,‘and

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theyhavepassedoverHollin.Theyarenotnativeshere;theyarecrebainoutofFangornandDunland.Idonotknowwhattheyareabout:possiblythereissometroubleawaysouthfromwhichtheyarefleeing;butIthinktheyarespyingouttheland.Ihavealsoglimpsedmanyhawksflyinghighupinthesky.Ithinkweoughttomoveagainthisevening.

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Hollinisnolongerwholesomeforus:itisbeingwatched.’

‘AndinthatcasesoistheRedhornGate,’saidGandalf;‘andhowwecangetoverthatwithoutbeingseen,Icannotimagine.Butwewillthinkofthatwhenwemust.Asformovingassoonasitisdark,Iamafraidthatyouareright.’

‘Luckilyourfiremadelittlesmoke,andhadburned

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lowbeforethecrebaincame,’saidAragorn.‘Itmustbeputoutandnotlitagain.’

‘Wellifthatisn’taplagueandanuisance!’saidPippin.Thenews:nofire,andamoveagainbynight,hadbeenbrokentohim,assoonashewokeinthelateafternoon.‘Allbecauseofapackofcrows!Ihadlooked

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forwardtoarealgoodmealtonight:somethinghot.’

‘Well,youcangoonlookingforward,’saidGandalf.

‘Theremaybemanyunexpectedfeastsaheadforyou.FormyselfIshouldlikeapipetosmokeincomfort,andwarmerfeet.However,wearecertainofonethingatanyrate:itwillgetwarmeraswegetsouth.’

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‘Toowarm,Ishouldn’twonder,’mutteredSamtoFrodo.‘ButI’mbeginningtothinkit’stimewegotasightofthatFieryMountain,andsawtheendoftheRoad,sotospeak.IthoughtatfirstthatthishereRedhorn,orwhateveritsnameis,mightbeit,tillGimlispokehispiece.Afairjaw-crackerdwarf-languagemustbe!’Mapsconveyednothingto

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Sam’smind,andalldistancesinthesestrangelandsseemedsovastthathewasquiteoutofhisreckoning.

AllthatdaytheCompanyremainedinhiding.Thedarkbirdspassedovernowandagain;butasthewesteringSungrewredtheydisappearedsouthwards.AtdusktheCompanysetout,andturningnowhalfeasttheysteeredtheircourse

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towardsCaradhras,whichfarawaystillglowedfaintlyredinthelastlightofthevanishedSun.Onebyonewhitestarssprangforthastheskyfaded.

GuidedbyAragorntheystruckagoodpath.ItlookedtoFrodoliketheremainsofanancientroad,thathadoncebeenbroadandwellplanned,fromHollintothemountain-pass.TheMoon,nowatthe

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full,roseoverthemountains,andcastapalelightinwhichtheshadowsofstoneswereblack.Manyofthemlookedtohavebeenworkedbyhands,thoughnowtheylaytumbledandruinousinableak,barrenland.

Itwasthecoldchillhourbeforethefirststirofdawn,andthemoonwaslow.Frodolookedupatthesky.Suddenlyhesaworfelta

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shadowpassoverthehighstars,asifforamomenttheyfadedandthenflashedoutagain.Heshivered.

‘Didyouseeanythingpassover?’hewhisperedtoGandalf,whowasjustahead.

‘No,butIfeltit,whateveritwas,’heanswered.‘Itmaybenothing,onlyawispofthincloud.’

‘Itwasmovingfastthen,’mutteredAragorn,‘andnot

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withthewind.’

Nothingfurtherhappenedthatnight.Thenextmorningdawnedevenbrighterthanbefore.Buttheairwaschillagain;alreadythewindwasturningbacktowardstheeast.Fortwomorenightstheymarchedon,climbingsteadilybutevermoreslowlyastheirroadwoundupinto

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thehills,andthemountainstoweredup,nearerandnearer.OnthethirdmorningCaradhrasrosebeforethem,amightypeak,tippedwithsnowlikesilver,butwithsheernakedsides,dullredasifstainedwithblood.

Therewasablacklookinthesky,andthesunwaswan.Thewindhadgonenowroundtothenorth-east.Gandalfsnuffedtheairand

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lookedback.‘Winterdeepensbehind

us,’hesaidquietlytoAragorn.‘Theheightsawaynortharewhiterthantheywere;snowislyingfardowntheirshoulders.TonightweshallbeonourwayhighuptowardstheRedhornGate.Wemaywellbeseenbywatchersonthatnarrowpath,andwaylaidbysomeevil;buttheweathermayprovea

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moredeadlyenemythanany.Whatdoyouthinkofyourcoursenow,Aragorn?’

Frodooverheardthesewords,andunderstoodthatGandalfandAragornwerecontinuingsomedebatethathadbegunlongbefore.Helistenedanxiously.

‘Ithinknogoodofourcoursefrombeginningtoend,asyouknowwell,Gandalf,’answeredAragorn.‘And

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perilsknownandunknownwillgrowaswegoon.Butwemustgoon;anditisnogoodourdelayingthepassageofthemountains.Furthersouththerearenopasses,tillonecomestotheGapofRohan.IdonottrustthatwaysinceyournewsofSaruman.WhoknowswhichsidenowthemarshalsoftheHorse-lordsserve?’

‘Whoknowsindeed!’said

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Gandalf.‘Butthereisanotherway,andnotbythepassofCaradhras:thedarkandsecretwaythatwehavespokenof.’

‘Butletusnotspeakofitagain!Notyet.Saynothingtotheothers,Ibeg,notuntilitisplainthatthereisnootherway.’

‘Wemustdecidebeforewegofurther,’answeredGandalf.

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‘Thenletusweighthematterinourminds,whiletheothersrestandsleep,’saidAragorn.

Inthelateafternoon,whiletheotherswerefinishingtheirbreakfast,GandalfandAragornwentasidetogetherandstoodlookingatCaradhras.Itssideswerenowdarkandsullen,

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anditsheadwasingreycloud.Frodowatchedthem,wonderingwhichwaythedebatewouldgo.WhentheyreturnedtotheCompanyGandalfspoke,andthenheknewthatithadbeendecidedtofacetheweatherandthehighpass.Hewasrelieved.Hecouldnotguesswhatwastheotherdarkandsecretway,buttheverymentionofithadseemedtofillAragornwith

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dismay,andFrodowasgladthatithadbeenabandoned.

‘Fromsignsthatwehaveseenlately,’saidGandalf,‘IfearthattheRedhornGatemaybewatched;andalsoIhavedoubtsoftheweatherthatiscomingupbehind.Snowmaycome.Wemustgowithallthespeedthatwecan.Evensoitwilltakeusmorethantwomarchesbeforewereachthetopofthepass.

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Darkwillcomeearlythisevening.Wemustleaveassoonasyoucangetready.’

‘Iwilladdawordofadvice,ifImay,’saidBoromir.‘IwasbornundertheshadowoftheWhiteMountainsandknowsomethingofjourneysinthehighplaces.Weshallmeetbittercold,ifnoworse,beforewecomedownontheotherside.Itwillnothelpus

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tokeepsosecretthatwearefrozentodeath.Whenweleavehere,wheretherearestillafewtreesandbushes,eachofusshouldcarryafaggotofwood,aslargeashecanbear.’

‘AndBillcouldtakeabitmore,couldn’tyou,lad?’saidSam.Theponylookedathimmournfully.

‘Verywell,’saidGandalf.‘Butwemustnotusethe

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wood–notunlessitisachoicebetweenfireanddeath.’

TheCompanysetoutagain,withgoodspeedatfirst;butsoontheirwaybecamesteepanddifficult.Thetwistingandclimbingroadhadinmanyplacesalmostdisappeared,andwasblockedwithmanyfallen

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stones.Thenightgrewdeadlydarkundergreatclouds.Abitterwindswirledamongtherocks.Bymidnighttheyhadclimbedtothekneesofthegreatmountains.Thenarrowpathnowwoundunderasheerwallofcliffstotheleft,abovewhichthegrimflanksofCaradhrastoweredupinvisibleinthegloom;ontherightwasagulfofdarknesswherethelandfellsuddenly

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intoadeepravine.Laboriouslytheyclimbed

asharpslopeandhaltedforamomentatthetop.Frodofeltasofttouchonhisface.Heputouthisarmandsawthedimwhiteflakesofsnowsettlingonhissleeve.

Theywenton.Butbeforelongthesnowwasfallingfast,fillingalltheair,andswirlingintoFrodo’seyes.Thedarkbentshapesof

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GandalfandAragornonlyapaceortwoaheadcouldhardlybeseen.

‘Idon’tlikethisatall,’pantedSamjustbehind.‘Snow’sallrightonafinemorning,butIliketobeinbedwhileit’sfalling.IwishthislotwouldgoofftoHobbiton!Folkmightwelcomeitthere.’ExceptonthehighmoorsoftheNorthfarthingaheavyfall

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wasrareintheShire,andwasregardedasapleasanteventandachanceforfun.Nolivinghobbit(saveBilbo)couldremembertheFellWinterof1311,whenwhitewolvesinvadedtheShireoverthefrozenBrandywine.

Gandalfhalted.Snowwasthickonhishoodandshoulders;itwasalreadyankle-deepabouthisboots.

‘ThisiswhatIfeared,’he

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said.‘Whatdoyousaynow,Aragorn?’

‘ThatIfearedittoo,’Aragornanswered,‘butlessthanotherthings.Iknewtheriskofsnow,thoughitseldomfallsheavilysofarsouth,savehighupinthemountains.Butwearenothighyet;wearestillfardown,wherethepathsareusuallyopenallthewinter.’

‘Iwonderifthisisa

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contrivanceoftheEnemy,’saidBoromir.‘TheysayinmylandthathecangovernthestormsintheMountainsofShadowthatstanduponthebordersofMordor.Hehasstrangepowersandmanyallies.’

‘Hisarmhasgrownlongindeed,’saidGimli,‘ifhecandrawsnowdownfromtheNorthtotroubleusherethreehundredleaguesaway.’

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‘Hisarmhasgrownlong,’saidGandalf.

Whiletheywerehalted,thewinddieddown,andthesnowslackeneduntilitalmostceased.Theytrampedonagain.Buttheyhadnotgonemorethanafurlongwhenthestormreturnedwithfreshfury.Thewindwhistledandthesnowbecamea

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blindingblizzard.SoonevenBoromirfoundithardtokeepgoing.Thehobbits,bentnearlydouble,toiledalongbehindthetallerfolk,butitwasplainthattheycouldnotgomuchfurther,ifthesnowcontinued.Frodo’sfeetfeltlikelead.Pippinwasdraggingbehind.EvenGimli,asstoutasanydwarfcouldbe,wasgrumblingashetrudged.

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TheCompanyhaltedsuddenly,asiftheyhadcometoanagreementwithoutanywordsbeingspoken.Theyheardeerienoisesinthedarknessroundthem.Itmayhavebeenonlyatrickofthewindinthecracksandgulliesoftherockywall,butthesoundswerethoseofshrillcries,andwildhowlsoflaughter.Stonesbegantofallfromthemountain-side,

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whistlingovertheirheads,orcrashingonthepathbesidethem.Everynowandagaintheyheardadullrumble,asagreatboulderrolleddownfromhiddenheightsabove.

‘Wecannotgofurthertonight,’saidBoromir.‘Letthosecallitthewindwhowill;therearefellvoicesontheair;andthesestonesareaimedatus.’

‘Idocallitthewind,’said

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Aragorn.‘Butthatdoesnotmakewhatyousayuntrue.Therearemanyevilandunfriendlythingsintheworldthathavelittleloveforthosethatgoontwolegs,andyetarenotinleaguewithSauron,buthavepurposesoftheirown.Somehavebeeninthisworldlongerthanhe.’

‘CaradhraswascalledtheCruel,andhadanillname,’saidGimli,‘longyearsago,

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whenrumourofSauronhadnotbeenheardintheselands.’

‘Itmatterslittlewhoistheenemy,ifwecannotbeatoffhisattack,’saidGandalf.

‘Butwhatcanwedo?’criedPippinmiserably.HewasleaningonMerryandFrodo,andhewasshivering.

‘Eitherstopwhereweare,orgoback,’saidGandalf.‘Itisnogoodgoingon.Onlya

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littlehigher,ifIrememberrightly,thispathleavesthecliffandrunsintoawideshallowtroughatthebottomofalonghardslope.Weshouldhavenosheltertherefromsnow,orstones–oranythingelse.’

‘Anditisnogoodgoingbackwhilethestormholds,’saidAragorn.‘Wehavepassednoplaceonthewayupthatofferedmoreshelter

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thanthiscliff-wallweareundernow.’

‘Shelter!’mutteredSam.‘Ifthisisshelter,thenonewallandnoroofmakeahouse.’

TheCompanynowgatheredtogetherasclosetothecliffastheycould.Itfacedsouthwards,andnearthebottomitleanedouta

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little,sothattheyhopeditwouldgivethemsomeprotectionfromthenortherlywindandfromthefallingstones.Buteddyingblastsswirledroundthemfromeveryside,andthesnowfloweddownineverdenserclouds.

Theyhuddledtogetherwiththeirbackstothewall.Billtheponystoodpatientlybutdejectedlyinfrontofthe

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hobbits,andscreenedthemalittle;butbeforelongthedriftingsnowwasabovehishocks,anditwentonmounting.Iftheyhadhadnolargercompanionsthehobbitswouldsoonhavebeenentirelyburied.

AgreatsleepinesscameoverFrodo;hefelthimselfsinkingfastintoawarmandhazydream.Hethoughtafirewasheatinghistoes,andout

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oftheshadowsontheothersideofthehearthheheardBilbo’svoicespeaking.Idon’tthinkmuchofyourdiary,hesaid.SnowstormsonJanuarythetwelfth:therewasnoneedtocomebacktoreportthat!

ButIwantedrestandsleep,Bilbo,Frodoansweredwithaneffort,whenhefelthimselfshaken,andhecamebackpainfullyto

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wakefulness.Boromirhadliftedhimoffthegroundoutofanestofsnow.

‘Thiswillbethedeathofthehalflings,Gandalf,’saidBoromir.‘Itisuselesstosithereuntilthesnowgoesoverourheads.Wemustdosomethingtosaveourselves.’

‘Givethemthis,’saidGandalf,searchinginhispackanddrawingoutaleathernflask.‘Justa

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mouthfuleach–forallofus.Itisveryprecious.Itismiruvor,thecordialofImladris.Elrondgaveittomeatourparting.Passitround!’

AssoonasFrodohadswallowedalittleofthewarmandfragrantliquorhefeltanewstrengthofheart,andtheheavydrowsinesslefthislimbs.Theothersalsorevivedandfoundfreshhopeandvigour.Butthesnowdid

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notrelent.Itwhirledaboutthemthickerthanever,andthewindblewlouder.

‘Whatdoyousaytofire?’askedBoromirsuddenly.‘Thechoiceseemsnearnowbetweenfireanddeath,Gandalf.Doubtlessweshallbehiddenfromallunfriendlyeyeswhenthesnowhascoveredus,butthatwillnothelpus.’

‘Youmaymakeafire,if

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youcan,’answeredGandalf.‘Ifthereareanywatchersthatcanendurethisstorm,thentheycanseeus,fireorno.’

ButthoughtheyhadbroughtwoodandkindlingsbytheadviceofBoromir,itpassedtheskillofElforevenDwarftostrikeaflamethatwouldholdamidtheswirlingwindorcatchinthewetfuel.AtlastreluctantlyGandalfhimselftookahand.Picking

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upafaggothehelditaloftforamoment,andthenwithawordofcommand,nauranedraithammen!hethrusttheendofhisstaffintothemidstofit.Atonceagreatspoutofgreenandblueflamesprangout,andthewoodflaredandsputtered.

‘Ifthereareanytosee,thenIatleastamrevealedtothem,’hesaid.‘IhavewrittenGandalfishereinsignsthat

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allcanreadfromRivendelltothemouthsofAnduin.’

ButtheCompanycarednolongerforwatchersorunfriendlyeyes.Theirheartswererejoicedtoseethelightofthefire.Thewoodburnedmerrily;andthoughallrounditthesnowhissed,andpoolsofslushcreptundertheirfeet,theywarmedtheirhandsgladlyattheblaze.Theretheystood,stoopingina

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circleroundthelittledancingandblowingflames.Aredlightwasontheirtiredandanxiousfaces;behindthemthenightwaslikeablackwall.

Butthewoodwasburningfast,andthesnowstillfell.

Thefireburnedlow,andthelastfaggotwasthrownon.

‘Thenightisgettingold,’

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saidAragorn.‘Thedawnisnotfaroff.’

‘Ifanydawncanpiercetheseclouds,’saidGimli.Boromirsteppedoutofthecircleandstaredupintotheblackness.‘Thesnowisgrowingless,’hesaid,‘andthewindisquieter.’

Frodogazedwearilyattheflakesstillfallingoutofthedarktoberevealedwhiteforamomentinthelightofthe

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dyingfire;butforalongtimehecouldseenosignoftheirslackening.Thensuddenly,assleepwasbeginningtocreepoverhimagain,hewasawarethatthewindhadindeedfallen,andtheflakeswerebecominglargerandfewer.Veryslowlyadimlightbegantogrow.Atlastthesnowstoppedaltogether.

Asthelightgrewstrongeritshowedasilentshrouded

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world.Belowtheirrefugewerewhitehumpsanddomesandshapelessdeepsbeneathwhichthepaththattheyhadtroddenwasaltogetherlost;buttheheightsabovewerehiddeningreatcloudsstillheavywiththethreatofsnow.

Gimlilookedupandshookhishead.‘Caradhrashasnotforgivenus,’hesaid.‘Hehasmoresnowyetto

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flingatus,ifwegoon.Thesoonerwegobackanddownthebetter.’

Tothisallagreed,buttheirretreatwasnowdifficult.Itmightwellproveimpossible.Onlyafewpacesfromtheashesoftheirfirethesnowlaymanyfeetdeep,higherthantheheadsofthehobbits;inplacesithadbeenscoopedandpiledbythewindintogreatdriftsagainst

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thecliff.‘IfGandalfwouldgo

beforeuswithabrightflame,hemightmeltapathforyou,’saidLegolas.Thestormhadtroubledhimlittle,andhealoneoftheCompanyremainedstilllightofheart.

‘IfElvescouldflyovermountains,theymightfetchtheSuntosaveus,’answeredGandalf.‘ButImusthavesomethingtoworkon.I

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cannotburnsnow.’‘Well,’saidBoromir,

‘whenheadsareatalossbodiesmustserve,aswesayinmycountry.Thestrongestofusmustseekaway.See!Thoughallisnowsnow-clad,ourpath,aswecameup,turnedaboutthatshoulderofrockdownyonder.Itwastherethatthesnowfirstbegantoburdenus.Ifwecouldreachthatpoint,maybeit

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wouldproveeasierbeyond.Itisnomorethanafurlongoff,Iguess.’

‘Thenletusforceapaththither,youandI!’saidAragorn.

AragornwasthetallestoftheCompany,butBoromir,littlelessinheight,wasbroaderandheavierinbuild.Heledtheway,andAragornfollowedhim.Slowlytheymovedoff,andweresoon

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toilingheavily.Inplacesthesnowwasbreast-high,andoftenBoromirseemedtobeswimmingorburrowingwithhisgreatarmsratherthanwalking.

Legolaswatchedthemforawhilewithasmileuponhislips,andthenheturnedtotheothers.‘Thestrongestmustseekaway,sayyou?ButIsay:letaploughmanplough,butchooseanotterfor

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swimming,andforrunninglightovergrassandleaf,oroversnow–anElf.’

Withthathesprangforthnimbly,andthenFrodonoticedasifforthefirsttime,thoughhehadlongknownit,thattheElfhadnoboots,butworeonlylightshoes,ashealwaysdid,andhisfeetmadelittleimprintinthesnow.

‘Farewell!’hesaidtoGandalf.‘Igotofindthe

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Sun!’Thenswiftasarunneroverfirmsandheshotaway,andquicklyovertakingthetoilingmen,withawaveofhishandhepassedthem,andspedintothedistance,andvanishedroundtherockyturn.

Theotherswaitedhuddledtogether,watchinguntilBoromirandAragorn

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dwindledintoblackspecksinthewhiteness.Atlengththeytoopassedfromsight.Thetimedraggedon.Thecloudslowered,andnowafewflakesofsnowcamecurlingdownagain.

Anhour,maybe,wentby,thoughitseemedfarlonger,andthenatlasttheysawLegolascomingback.AtthesametimeBoromirandAragornreappearedroundthe

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bendfarbehindhimandcamelabouringuptheslope.

‘Well,’criedLegolasasheranup,‘IhavenotbroughttheSun.SheiswalkinginthebluefieldsoftheSouth,andalittlewreathofsnowonthisRedhornhillocktroubleshernotatall.ButIhavebroughtbackagleamofgoodhopeforthosewhoaredoomedtogoonfeet.Thereisthegreatestwind-driftofalljust

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beyondtheturn,andthereourStrongMenwerealmostburied.Theydespaired,untilIreturnedandtoldthemthatthedriftwaslittlewiderthanawall.Andontheothersidethesnowsuddenlygrowsless,whilefurtherdownitisnomorethanawhitecoverlettocoolahobbit’stoes.’

‘Ah,itisasIsaid,’growledGimli.‘Itwasnoordinarystorm.Itistheill

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willofCaradhras.HedoesnotloveElvesandDwarves,andthatdriftwaslaidtocutoffourescape.’

‘ButhappilyyourCaradhrashasforgottenthatyouhaveMenwithyou,’saidBoromir,whocameupatthatmoment.‘AnddoughtyMentoo,ifImaysayit;thoughlessermenwithspadesmighthaveservedyoubetter.Still,wehavethrustalanethrough

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thedrift;andforthatallheremaybegratefulwhocannotrunaslightasElves.’

‘Buthowarewetogetdownthere,evenifyouhavecutthroughthedrift?’saidPippin,voicingthethoughtofallthehobbits.

‘Havehope!’saidBoromir.‘Iamweary,butIstillhavesomestrengthleft,andAragorntoo.Wewillbearthelittlefolk.Theothers

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nodoubtwillmakeshifttotreadthepathbehindus.Come,MasterPeregrin!Iwillbeginwithyou.’

Heliftedupthehobbit.‘Clingtomyback!Ishallneedmyarms,’hesaidandstrodeforward.AragornwithMerrycamebehind.Pippinmarvelledathisstrength,seeingthepassagethathehadalreadyforcedwithnoothertoolthanhisgreatlimbs.

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Evennow,burdenedashewas,hewaswideningthetrackforthosewhofollowed,thrustingthesnowasideashewent.

Theycameatlengthtothegreatdrift.Itwasflungacrossthemountain-pathlikeasheerandsuddenwall,anditscrest,sharpasifshapedwithknives,rearedupmorethantwicetheheightofBoromir;butthroughthemiddlea

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passagehadbeenbeaten,risingandfallinglikeabridge.OnthefarsideMerryandPippinweresetdown,andtheretheywaitedwithLegolasfortherestoftheCompanytoarrive.

AfterawhileBoromirreturnedcarryingSam.Behindinthenarrowbutnowwell-troddentrackcameGandalf,leadingBillwithGimliperchedamongthe

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baggage.LastcameAragorncarryingFrodo.Theypassedthroughthelane;buthardlyhadFrodotouchedthegroundwhenwithadeeprumblethererolleddownafallofstonesandslitheringsnow.ThesprayofithalfblindedtheCompanyastheycrouchedagainstthecliff,andwhentheairclearedagaintheysawthatthepathwasblockedbehindthem.

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‘Enough,enough!’criedGimli.‘Wearedepartingasquicklyaswemay!’Andindeedwiththatlaststrokethemaliceofthemountainseemedtobeexpended,asifCaradhraswassatisfiedthattheinvadershadbeenbeatenoffandwouldnotdaretoreturn.Thethreatofsnowlifted;thecloudsbegantobreakandthelightgrewbroader.

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AsLegolashadreported,theyfoundthatthesnowbecamesteadilymoreshallowastheywentdown,sothateventhehobbitscouldtrudgealong.Soontheyallstoodoncemoreontheflatshelfattheheadofthesteepslopewheretheyhadfeltthefirstflakesofsnowthenightbefore.

Themorningwasnowfaradvanced.Fromthehigh

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placetheylookedbackwestwardsoverthelowerlands.Farawayinthetumbleofcountrythatlayatthefootofthemountainwasthedellfromwhichtheyhadstartedtoclimbthepass.

Frodo’slegsached.Hewaschilledtotheboneandhungry;andhisheadwasdizzyashethoughtofthelongandpainfulmarchdownhill.Blackspecksswam

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beforehiseyes.Herubbedthem,buttheblackspecksremained.Inthedistancebelowhim,butstillhighabovethelowerfoothills,darkdotswerecirclingintheair.

‘Thebirdsagain!’saidAragorn,pointingdown.

‘Thatcannotbehelpednow,’saidGandalf.‘Whethertheyaregoodorevil,orhavenothingtodowithusatall,

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wemustgodownatonce.NotevenonthekneesofCaradhraswillwewaitforanothernight-fall!’

Acoldwindfloweddownbehindthem,astheyturnedtheirbacksontheRedhornGate,andstumbledwearilydowntheslope.Caradhrashaddefeatedthem.

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Chapter4

AJOURNEYINTHEDARK

Itwasevening,andthegreylightwasagainwaningfast,whentheyhaltedforthenight.Theywereveryweary.

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Themountainswereveiledindeepeningdusk,andthewindwascold.GandalfsparedthemonemoremouthfuleachofthemiruvorofRivendell.Whentheyhadeatensomefoodhecalledacouncil.

‘Wecannot,ofcourse,goonagaintonight,’hesaid.‘TheattackontheRedhornGatehastiredusout,andwemustresthereforawhile.’

‘Andthenwhereareweto

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go?’askedFrodo.‘Westillhaveourjourney

andourerrandbeforeus,’answeredGandalf.‘Wehavenochoicebuttogoon,ortoreturntoRivendell.’

Pippin’sfacebrightenedvisiblyatthemerementionofreturntoRivendell;MerryandSamlookeduphopefully.ButAragornandBoromirmadenosign.Frodolookedtroubled.

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‘IwishIwasbackthere,’hesaid.‘ButhowcanIreturnwithoutshame–unlessthereisindeednootherway,andwearealreadydefeated?’

‘Youareright,Frodo,’saidGandalf:‘togobackistoadmitdefeat,andfaceworsedefeattocome.Ifwegobacknow,thentheRingmustremainthere:weshallnotbeabletosetoutagain.ThensoonerorlaterRivendellwill

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bebesieged,andafterabriefandbittertimeitwillbedestroyed.TheRingwraithsaredeadlyenemies,buttheyareonlyshadowsyetofthepowerandterrortheywouldpossessiftheRulingRingwasontheirmaster’shandagain.’

‘Thenwemustgoon,ifthereisaway,’saidFrodowithasigh.Samsankbackintogloom.

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‘Thereisawaythatwemayattempt,’saidGandalf.‘Ithoughtfromthebeginning,whenfirstIconsideredthisjourney,thatweshouldtryit.Butitisnotapleasantway,andIhavenotspokenofittotheCompanybefore.Aragornwasagainstit,untilthepassoverthemountainshadatleastbeentried.’

‘IfitisaworseroadthantheRedhornGate,thenit

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mustbeevilindeed,’saidMerry.‘Butyouhadbettertellusaboutit,andletusknowtheworstatonce.’

‘TheroadthatIspeakofleadstotheMinesofMoria,’saidGandalf.OnlyGimlilifteduphishead;asmoulderingfirewasinhiseyes.Onalltheothersadreadfellatthementionofthatname.Eventothehobbitsitwasalegendofvaguefear.

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‘TheroadmayleadtoMoria,buthowcanwehopethatitwillleadthroughMoria?’saidAragorndarkly.

‘Itisanameofillomen,’saidBoromir.‘NordoIseetheneedtogothere.Ifwecannotcrossthemountains,letusjourneysouthwards,untilwecometotheGapofRohan,wheremenarefriendlytomypeople,takingtheroadthatIfollowedon

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mywayhither.OrwemightpassbyandcrosstheIsenintoLangstrandandLebennin,andsocometoGondorfromtheregionsnightothesea.’

‘Thingshavechangedsinceyoucamenorth,Boromir,’answeredGandalf.‘DidyounothearwhatItoldyouofSaruman?WithhimImayhavebusinessofmyownereallisover.ButtheRing

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mustnotcomenearIsengard,ifthatcanbyanymeansbeprevented.TheGapofRohanisclosedtouswhilewegowiththeBearer.

‘Asforthelongerroad:wecannotaffordthetime.Wemightspendayearinsuchajourney,andweshouldpassthroughmanylandsthatareemptyandharbourless.Yettheywouldnotbesafe.Thewatchful

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eyesbothofSarumanandoftheEnemyareonthem.Whenyoucamenorth,Boromir,youwereintheEnemy’seyesonlyonestraywandererfromtheSouthandamatterofsmallconcerntohim:hismindwasbusywiththepursuitoftheRing.ButyoureturnnowasamemberoftheRing’sCompany,andyouareinperilaslongasyouremainwithus.Thedanger

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willincreasewitheveryleaguethatwegosouthunderthenakedsky.

‘Sinceouropenattemptonthemountain-passourplighthasbecomemoredesperate,Ifear.Iseenowlittlehope,ifwedonotsoonvanishfromsightforawhile,andcoverourtrail.ThereforeIadvisethatweshouldgoneitheroverthemountains,norroundthem,butunder

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them.ThatisaroadatanyratethattheEnemywillleastexpectustotake.’

‘Wedonotknowwhatheexpects,’saidBoromir.‘Hemaywatchallroads,likelyandunlikely.InthatcasetoenterMoriawouldbetowalkintoatrap,hardlybetterthanknockingatthegatesoftheDarkToweritself.ThenameofMoriaisblack.’

‘Youspeakofwhatyou

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donotknow,whenyoulikenMoriatothestrongholdofSauron,’answeredGandalf.‘IaloneofyouhaveeverbeeninthedungeonsoftheDarkLord,andonlyinhisolderandlesserdwellinginDolGuldur.ThosewhopassthegatesofBarad-dûrdonotreturn.ButIwouldnotleadyouintoMoriaiftherewerenohopeofcomingoutagain.IfthereareOrcsthere,itmay

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proveillforus,thatistrue.ButmostoftheOrcsoftheMistyMountainswerescatteredordestroyedintheBattleofFiveArmies.TheEaglesreportthatOrcsaregatheringagainfromafar;butthereisahopethatMoriaisstillfree.

‘ThereisevenachancethatDwarvesarethere,andthatinsomedeephallofhisfathers,BalinsonofFundin

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maybefound.Howeveritmayprove,onemusttreadthepaththatneedchooses!’

‘Iwilltreadthepathwithyou,Gandalf!’saidGimli.‘IwillgoandlookonthehallsofDurin,whatevermaywaitthere–ifyoucanfindthedoorsthatareshut.’

‘Good,Gimli!’saidGandalf.‘Youencourageme.Wewillseekthehiddendoorstogether.Andwewill

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comethrough.IntheruinsoftheDwarves,adwarf’sheadwillbelesseasytobewilderthanElvesorMenorHobbits.YetitwillnotbethefirsttimethatIhavebeentoMoria.IsoughttherelongforThráinsonofThrórafterhewaslost.Ipassedthrough,andIcameoutagainalive!’

‘ItoooncepassedtheDimrillGate,’saidAragornquietly;‘butthoughIalso

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cameoutagain,thememoryisveryevil.IdonotwishtoenterMoriaasecondtime.’

‘AndIdon’twishtoenteritevenonce,’saidPippin.

‘Norme,’mutteredSam.‘Ofcoursenot!’said

Gandalf.‘Whowould?Butthequestionis:whowillfollowme,ifIleadyouthere?’

‘Iwill,’saidGimlieagerly.

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‘Iwill,’saidAragornheavily.‘Youfollowedmyleadalmosttodisasterinthesnow,andhavesaidnowordofblame.Iwillfollowyourleadnow–ifthislastwarningdoesnotmoveyou.ItisnotoftheRing,norofusothersthatIamthinkingnow,butofyou,Gandalf.AndIsaytoyou:ifyoupassthedoorsofMoria,beware!’

‘Iwillnotgo,’said

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Boromir;‘notunlessthevoteofthewholeCompanyisagainstme.WhatdoLegolasandthelittlefolksay?TheRing-bearer’svoicesurelyshouldbeheard?’

‘IdonotwishtogotoMoria,’saidLegolas.

Thehobbitssaidnothing.SamlookedatFrodo.AtlastFrodospoke.‘Idonotwishtogo,’hesaid;‘butneitherdoIwishtorefusetheadviceof

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Gandalf.Ibegthatthereshouldbenovote,untilwehavesleptonit.Gandalfwillgetvoteseasierinthelightofthemorningthaninthiscoldgloom.Howthewindhowls!’

Atthesewordsallfellintosilentthought.Theyheardthewindhissingamongtherocksandtrees,andtherewasahowlingandwailingroundthemintheemptyspacesofthenight.

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SuddenlyAragornleapttohisfeet.‘Howthewindhowls!’hecried.‘Itishowlingwithwolf-voices.TheWargshavecomewestoftheMountains!’

‘Needwewaituntilmorningthen?’saidGandalf.‘ItisasIsaid.Thehuntisup!Evenifwelivetoseethedawn,whonowwillwishtojourneysouthbynightwiththewildwolvesonhistrail?’

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‘HowfarisMoria?’askedBoromir.

‘Therewasadoorsouth-westofCaradhras,somefifteenmilesasthecrowflies,andmaybetwentyasthewolfruns,’answeredGandalfgrimly.

‘Thenletusstartassoonasitislighttomorrow,ifwecan,’saidBoromir.‘Thewolfthatonehearsisworsethantheorcthatonefears.’

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‘True!’saidAragorn,looseninghisswordinitssheath.‘Butwherethewarghowls,therealsotheorcprowls.’

‘IwishIhadtakenElrond’sadvice,’mutteredPippintoSam.‘Iamnogoodafterall.ThereisnotenoughofthebreedofBandobrastheBullroarerinme:thesehowlsfreezemyblood.Idon’teverrememberfeelingso

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wretched.’‘Myheart’srightdownin

mytoes,Mr.Pippin,’saidSam.‘Butwearen’tettenyet,andtherearesomestoutfolkherewithus.WhatevermaybeinstoreforoldGandalf,I’llwageritisn’tawolf’sbelly.’

FortheirdefenceinthenighttheCompanyclimbed

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tothetopofthesmallhillunderwhichtheyhadbeensheltering.Itwascrownedwithaknotofoldandtwistedtrees,aboutwhichlayabrokencircleofboulder-stones.Inthemidstofthistheylitafire,fortherewasnohopethatdarknessandsilencewouldkeeptheirtrailfromdiscoverybythehuntingpacks.

Roundthefiretheysat,

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andthosethatwerenotonguarddozeduneasily.PoorBilltheponytrembledandsweatedwherehestood.Thehowlingofthewolveswasnowallroundthem,sometimesnearerandsometimesfurtheroff.Inthedeadofnightmanyshiningeyeswereseenpeeringoverthebrowofthehill.Someadvancedalmosttotheringofstones.Atagapinthe

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circleagreatdarkwolf-shapecouldbeseenhalted,gazingatthem.Ashudderinghowlbrokefromhim,asifhewereacaptainsummoninghispacktotheassault.

Gandalfstoodupandstrodeforward,holdinghisstaffaloft.‘Listen,HoundofSauron!’hecried.‘Gandalfishere.Fly,ifyouvalueyourfoulskin!Iwillshrivelyoufromtailtosnout,ifyou

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comewithinthisring.’Thewolfsnarledand

sprangtowardsthemwithagreatleap.Atthatmomenttherewasasharptwang.Legolashadloosedhisbow.Therewasahideousyell,andtheleapingshapethuddedtotheground;theElvisharrowhadpierceditsthroat.Thewatchingeyesweresuddenlyextinguished.GandalfandAragornstrodeforward,but

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thehillwasdeserted;thehuntingpackshadfled.Allaboutthemthedarknessgrewsilent,andnocrycameonthesighingwind.

Thenightwasold,andwestwardthewaningmoonwassetting,gleamingfitfullythroughthebreakingclouds.SuddenlyFrodostartedfromsleep.Withoutwarninga

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stormofhowlsbrokeoutfierceandwildallaboutthecamp.AgreathostofWargshadgatheredsilentlyandwasnowattackingthemfromeverysideatonce.

‘Flingfuelonthefire!’criedGandalftothehobbits.‘Drawyourblades,andstandbacktoback!’

Intheleapinglight,asthefreshwoodblazedup,Frodosawmanygreyshapesspring

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overtheringofstones.Moreandmorefollowed.ThroughthethroatofonehugeleaderAragornpassedhisswordwithathrust;withagreatsweepBoromirhewedtheheadoffanother.BesidethemGimlistoodwithhisstoutlegsapart,wieldinghisdwarf-axe.ThebowofLegolaswassinging.

InthewaveringfirelightGandalfseemedsuddenlyto

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grow:heroseup,agreatmenacingshapelikethemonumentofsomeancientkingofstonesetuponahill.Stoopinglikeacloud,heliftedaburningbranchandstrodetomeetthewolves.Theygavebackbeforehim.Highintheairhetossedtheblazingbrand.Itflaredwithasuddenwhiteradiancelikelightning;andhisvoicerolledlikethunder.

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‘Nauranedraithammen!Naurdaningaurhoth!’hecried.

Therewasaroarandacrackle,andthetreeabovehimburstintoaleafandbloomofblindingflame.Thefireleaptfromtree-toptotree-top.Thewholehillwascrownedwithdazzlinglight.Theswordsandknivesofthedefendersshoneandflickered.Thelastarrowof

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Legolaskindledintheairasitflew,andplungedburningintotheheartofagreatwolf-chieftain.Alltheothersfled.

Slowlythefirediedtillnothingwasleftbutfallingashandsparks;abittersmokecurledabovetheburnedtree-stumps,andblewdarklyfromthehill,asthefirstlightofdawncamedimlyinthesky.Theirenemieswereroutedanddidnotreturn.

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‘WhatdidItellyou,Mr.Pippin?’saidSam,sheathinghissword.‘Wolveswon’tgethim.Thatwasaneye-opener,andnomistake!Nearlysingedthehairoffmyhead!’

Whenthefulllightofthemorningcamenosignsofthewolvesweretobefound,andtheylookedinvainforthebodiesofthedead.Notrace

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ofthefightremainedbutthecharredtreesandthearrowsofLegolaslyingonthehill-top.Allwereundamagedsaveoneofwhichonlythepointwasleft.

‘ItisasIfeared,’saidGandalf.‘Thesewerenoordinarywolveshuntingforfoodinthewilderness.Letuseatquicklyandgo!’

Thatdaytheweatherchangedagain,almostasifit

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wasatthecommandofsomepowerthathadnolongeranyuseforsnow,sincetheyhadretreatedfromthepass,apowerthatwishednowtohaveaclearlightinwhichthingsthatmovedinthewildcouldbeseenfromfaraway.Thewindhadbeenturningthroughnorthtonorth-westduringthenight,andnowitfailed.Thecloudsvanishedsouthwardsandtheskywas

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opened,highandblue.Astheystooduponthehillside,readytodepart,apalesunlightgleamedoverthemountain-tops.

‘Wemustreachthedoorsbeforesunset,’saidGandalf,‘orIfearweshallnotreachthematall.Itisnotfar,butourpathmaybewinding,forhereAragorncannotguideus;hehasseldomwalkedinthiscountry,andonlyonce

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haveIbeenunderthewestwallofMoria,andthatwaslongago.

‘Thereitlies,’hesaid,pointingawaysouth-eastwardstowherethemountains’sidesfellsheerintotheshadowsattheirfeet.Inthedistancecouldbedimlyseenalineofbarecliffs,andintheirmidst,tallerthantherest,onegreatgreywall.‘WhenweleftthepassIled

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yousouthwards,andnotbacktoourstartingpoint,assomeofyoumayhavenoticed.ItiswellthatIdidso,fornowwehaveseveralmileslesstocross,andhasteisneeded.Letusgo!’

‘Idonotknowwhichtohope,’saidBoromirgrimly:‘thatGandalfwillfindwhatheseeks,orthatcomingtothecliffweshallfindthegateslostforever.All

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choicesseemill,andtobecaughtbetweenwolvesandthewallthelikeliestchance.Leadon!’

Gimlinowwalkedaheadbythewizard’sside,soeagerwashetocometoMoria.TogethertheyledtheCompanybacktowardsthemountains.TheonlyroadofoldtoMoriafromthewest

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hadlainalongthecourseofastream,theSirannon,thatranoutfromthefeetofthecliffsnearwherethedoorshadstood.ButeitherGandalfwasastray,orelsethelandhadchangedinrecentyears;forhedidnotstrikethestreamwherehelookedtofindit,onlyafewmilessouthwardsfromtheirstart.

Themorningwaspassingtowardsnoon,andstillthe

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Companywanderedandscrambledinabarrencountryofredstones.Nowherecouldtheyseeanygleamofwaterorhearanysoundofit.Allwasbleakanddry.Theirheartssank.Theysawnolivingthing,andnotabirdwasinthesky;butwhatthenightwouldbring,ifitcaughttheminthatlostland,noneofthemcaredtothink.

SuddenlyGimli,whohad

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pressedonahead,calledbacktothem.Hewasstandingonaknollandpointingtotheright.Hurryinguptheysawbelowthemadeepandnarrowchannel.Itwasemptyandsilent,andhardlyatrickleofwaterflowedamongthebrownandred-stainedstonesofitsbed;butonthenearsidetherewasapath,muchbrokenanddecayed,thatwounditsway

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amongtheruinedwallsandpaving-stonesofanancienthighroad.

‘Ah!Hereitisatlast!’saidGandalf.‘Thisiswherethestreamran:Sirannon,theGate-stream,theyusedtocallit.Butwhathashappenedtothewater,Icannotguess;itusedtobeswiftandnoisy.Come!Wemusthurryon.Wearelate.’

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TheCompanywerefootsoreandtired;buttheytrudgeddoggedlyalongtheroughandwindingtrackformanymiles.Thesunturnedfromthenoonandbegantogowest.Afterabriefhaltandahastymealtheywentonagain.Beforethemthemountainsfrowned,buttheirpathlayinadeeptroughoflandandtheycouldseeonlythehighershouldersandthe

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fareastwardpeaks.Atlengththeycametoa

sharpbend.Theretheroad,whichhadbeenveeringsouthwardsbetweenthebrinkofthechannelandasteepfallofthelandtotheleft,turnedandwentdueeastagain.Roundingthecornertheysawbeforethemalowcliff,somefivefathomshigh,withabrokenandjaggedtop.Overitatricklingwaterdripped,

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throughawidecleftthatseemedtohavebeencarvedoutbyafallthathadoncebeenstrongandfull.

‘Indeedthingshavechanged!’saidGandalf.‘Butthereisnomistakingtheplace.ThereisallthatremainsoftheStairFalls.IfIrememberright,therewasaflightofstepscutintherockattheirside,butthemainroadwoundawayleftand

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climbedwithseveralloopsuptothelevelgroundatthetop.ThereusedtobeashallowvalleybeyondthefallsrightuptotheWallsofMoria,andtheSirannonflowedthroughitwiththeroadbesideit.Letusgoandseewhatthingsarelikenow!’

Theyfoundthestonestepswithoutdifficulty,andGimlisprangswiftlyupthem,followedbyGandalfand

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Frodo.Whentheyreachedthetoptheysawthattheycouldgonofurtherthatway,andthereasonforthedryingupoftheGate-streamwasrevealed.BehindthemthesinkingSunfilledthecoolwesternskywithglimmeringgold.Beforethemstretchedadarkstilllake.Neitherskynorsunsetwasreflectedonitssullensurface.TheSirannonhadbeendammedandhad

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filledallthevalley.Beyondtheominouswaterwererearedvastcliffs,theirsternfacespallidinthefadinglight:finalandimpassable.Nosignofgateorentrance,notafissureorcrackcouldFrodoseeinthefrowningstone.

‘TherearetheWallsofMoria,’saidGandalf,pointingacrossthewater.‘AndtheretheGatestood

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onceuponatime,theElvenDoorattheendoftheroadfromHollinbywhichwehavecome.Butthiswayisblocked.NoneoftheCompany,Iguess,willwishtoswimthisgloomywaterattheendoftheday.Ithasanunwholesomelook.’

‘Wemustfindawayroundthenorthernedge,’saidGimli.‘ThefirstthingfortheCompanytodoistoclimbup

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bythemainpathandseewherethatwillleadus.Eveniftherewerenolake,wecouldnotgetourbaggage-ponyupthisstair.’

‘ButinanycasewecannottakethepoorbeastintotheMines,’saidGandalf.‘Theroadunderthemountainsisadarkroad,andthereareplacesnarrowandsteepwhichhecannottread,evenifwecan.’

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‘PooroldBill!’saidFrodo.‘Ihadnotthoughtofthat.AndpoorSam!Iwonderwhathewillsay?’

‘Iamsorry,’saidGandalf.‘PoorBillhasbeenausefulcompanion,anditgoestomyhearttoturnhimadriftnow.Iwouldhavetravelledlighterandbroughtnoanimal,leastofallthisonethatSamisfondof,ifIhadhadmyway.Ifearedallalongthatwe

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shouldbeobligedtotakethisroad.’

Thedaywasdrawingtoitsend,andcoldstarswereglintingintheskyhighabovethesunset,whentheCompany,withallthespeedtheycould,climbeduptheslopesandreachedthesideofthelake.Inbreadthitlookedtobenomorethantwoor

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threefurlongsatthewidestpoint.Howfaritstretchedawaysouthwardtheycouldnotseeinthefailinglight;butitsnorthernendwasnomorethanhalfamilefromwheretheystood,andbetweenthestonyridgesthatenclosedthevalleyandthewater’sedgetherewasarimofopenground.Theyhurriedforward,fortheyhadstillamileortwotogobeforethey

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couldreachthepointonthefarshorethatGandalfwasmakingfor;andthenhehadstilltofindthedoors.

Whentheycametothenorthernmostcornerofthelaketheyfoundanarrowcreekthatbarredtheirway.Itwasgreenandstagnant,thrustoutlikeaslimyarmtowardstheenclosinghills.Gimlistrodeforwardundeterred,andfoundthatthewaterwas

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shallow,nomorethanankle-deepattheedge.Behindhimtheywalkedinfile,threadingtheirwaywithcare,forundertheweedypoolswereslidingandgreasystones,andfootingwastreacherous.Frodoshudderedwithdisgustatthetouchofthedarkuncleanwateronhisfeet.

AsSam,thelastoftheCompany,ledBillupontothedrygroundonthefarside,

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therecameasoftsound:aswish,followedbyaplop,asifafishhaddisturbedthestillsurfaceofthewater.Turningquicklytheysawripples,black-edgedwithshadowinthewaninglight:greatringswerewideningoutwardsfromapointfaroutinthelake.Therewasabubblingnoise,andthensilence.Theduskdeepened,andthelastgleamsofthesunsetwereveiledin

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cloud.Gandalfnowpressedonat

agreatpace,andtheothersfollowedasquicklyastheycould.Theyreachedthestripofdrylandbetweenthelakeandthecliffs:itwasnarrow,oftenhardlyadozenyardsacross,andencumberedwithfallenrockandstones;buttheyfoundaway,huggingthecliff,andkeepingasfarfromthedarkwaterasthey

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might.Amilesouthwardsalongtheshoretheycameuponhollytrees.Stumpsanddeadboughswererottingintheshallows,theremainsitseemedofoldthickets,orofahedgethathadoncelinedtheroadacrossthedrownedvalley.Butcloseundertheclifftherestood,stillstrongandliving,twotalltrees,largerthananytreesofhollythatFrodohadeverseenor

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imagined.Theirgreatrootsspreadfromthewalltothewater.Undertheloomingcliffstheyhadlookedlikemerebushes,whenseenfarofffromthetopoftheStair;butnowtheytoweredoverhead,stiff,dark,andsilent,throwingdeepnight-shadowsabouttheirfeet,standinglikesentinelpillarsattheendoftheroad.

‘Well,hereweareatlast!’

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saidGandalf.‘HeretheElvenwayfromHollinended.Hollywasthetokenofthepeopleofthatland,andtheyplanteditheretomarktheendoftheirdomain;fortheWest-doorwasmadechieflyfortheiruseintheirtrafficwiththeLordsofMoria.Thosewerehappierdays,whentherewasstillclosefriendshipattimesbetweenfolkofdifferentrace,even

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betweenDwarvesandElves.’‘Itwasnotthefaultofthe

Dwarvesthatthefriendshipwaned,’saidGimli.

‘IhavenotheardthatitwasthefaultoftheElves,’saidLegolas.

‘Ihaveheardboth,’saidGandalf;‘andIwillnotgivejudgementnow.ButIbegyoutwo,LegolasandGimli,atleasttobefriends,andtohelpme.Ineedyouboth.The

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doorsareshutandhidden,andthesoonerwefindthemthebetter.Nightisathand!’

Turningtotheothershesaid:‘WhileIamsearching,willyoueachmakereadytoentertheMines?ForhereIfearwemustsayfarewelltoourgoodbeastofburden.Youmustlayasidemuchofthestuffthatwebroughtagainstbitterweather:youwillnotneeditinside,nor,I

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hope,whenwecomethroughandjourneyondownintotheSouth.Insteadeachofusmusttakeashareofwhattheponycarried,especiallythefoodandthewater-skins.’

‘Butyoucan’tleavepooroldBillbehindinthisforsakenplace,Mr.Gandalf!’criedSam,angryanddistressed.‘Iwon’thaveit,andthat’sflat.Afterhehascomesofarandall!’

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‘Iamsorry,Sam,’saidthewizard.‘ButwhentheDooropensIdonotthinkyouwillbeabletodragyourBillinside,intothelongdarkofMoria.YouwillhavetochoosebetweenBillandyourmaster.’

‘He’dfollowMr.Frodointoadragon’sden,ifIledhim,’protestedSam.‘It’dbenothingshortofmurdertoturnhimloosewithallthese

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wolvesabout.’‘Itwillbeshortofmurder,

Ihope,’saidGandalf.Helaidhishandonthepony’shead,andspokeinalowvoice.‘Gowithwordsofguardandguidingonyou,’hesaid.‘Youareawisebeast,andhavelearnedmuchinRivendell.Makeyourwaystoplaceswhereyoucanfindgrass,andsocomeintimetoElrond’shouse,orwherever

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youwishtogo.‘There,Sam!Hewillhave

quiteasmuchchanceofescapingwolvesandgettinghomeaswehave.’

Samstoodsullenlybytheponyandreturnednoanswer.Bill,seemingtounderstandwellwhatwasgoingon,nuzzleduptohim,puttinghisnosetoSam’sear.Samburstintotears,andfumbledwiththestraps,unladingallthe

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pony’spacksandthrowingthemontheground.Theotherssortedoutthegoods,makingapileofallthatcouldbeleftbehind,anddividinguptherest.

WhenthiswasdonetheyturnedtowatchGandalf.Heappearedtohavedonenothing.Hewasstandingbetweenthetwotreesgazingattheblankwallofthecliff,asifhewouldboreahole

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intoitwithhiseyes.Gimliwaswanderingabout,tappingthestonehereandtherewithhisaxe.Legolaswaspressedagainsttherock,asiflistening.

‘Well,hereweareandallready,’saidMerry;‘butwherearetheDoors?Ican’tseeanysignofthem.’

‘Dwarf-doorsarenotmadetobeseenwhenshut,’saidGimli.‘Theyare

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invisible,andtheirownmakerscannotfindthemoropenthem,iftheirsecretisforgotten.’

‘ButthisDoorwasnotmadetobeasecretknownonlytoDwarves,’saidGandalf,comingsuddenlytolifeandturninground.‘Unlessthingsarealtogetherchanged,eyesthatknowwhattolookformaydiscoverthesigns.’

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Hewalkedforwardtothewall.Rightbetweentheshadowofthetreestherewasasmoothspace,andoverthishepassedhishandstoandfro,mutteringwordsunderhisbreath.Thenhesteppedback.

‘Look!’hesaid.‘Canyouseeanythingnow?’

TheMoonnowshoneuponthegreyfaceoftherock;buttheycouldsee

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nothingelseforawhile.Thenslowlyonthesurface,wherethewizard’shandshadpassed,faintlinesappeared,likeslenderveinsofsilverrunninginthestone.Atfirsttheywerenomorethanpalegossamer-threads,sofinethattheyonlytwinkledfitfullywheretheMooncaughtthem,butsteadilytheygrewbroaderandclearer,untiltheirdesigncouldbeguessed.

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Atthetop,ashighasGandalfcouldreach,wasanarchofinterlacinglettersinanElvishcharacter.Below,thoughthethreadswereinplacesblurredorbroken,theoutlinecouldbeseenofananvilandahammersurmountedbyacrownwithsevenstars.Beneaththeseagainweretwotrees,eachbearingcrescentmoons.Moreclearlythanallelse

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thereshoneforthinthemiddleofthedoorasinglestarwithmanyrays.

‘TherearetheemblemsofDurin!’criedGimli.

‘AndthereistheTreeoftheHighElves!’saidLegolas.

‘AndtheStaroftheHouseofFëanor,’saidGandalf.‘Theyarewroughtofithildinthatmirrorsonlystarlightandmoonlight,andsleepsuntilit

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istouchedbyonewhospeakswordsnowlongforgotteninMiddle-earth.ItislongsinceIheardthem,andIthoughtdeeplybeforeIcouldrecallthemtomymind.’

‘Whatdoesthewritingsay?’askedFrodo,whowastryingtodeciphertheinscriptiononthearch.‘IthoughtIknewtheelf-letters,butIcannotreadthese.’

‘Thewordsareinthe

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elven-tongueoftheWestofMiddle-earthintheElderDays,’answeredGandalf.‘Buttheydonotsayanythingofimportancetous.Theysayonly:TheDoorsofDurin,LordofMoria.Speak,friend,andenter.Andunderneathsmallandfaintiswritten:I,Narvi,madethem.CelebrimborofHollindrewthesesigns.’

‘Whatdoesitmeanby

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speak,friend,andenter?’askedMerry.

‘Thatisplainenough,’saidGimli.‘Ifyouareafriend,speakthepassword,andthedoorswillopen,andyoucanenter.’

‘Yes,’saidGandalf,‘thesedoorsareprobablygovernedbywords.Somedwarf-gateswillopenonlyatspecialtimes,orforparticularpersons;andsomehavelocks

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andkeysthatarestillneededwhenallnecessarytimesandwordsareknown.Thesedoorshavenokey.InthedaysofDurintheywerenotsecret.Theyusuallystoodopenanddoorwardssathere.Butiftheywereshut,anywhoknewtheopeningwordcouldspeakitandpassin.Atleastsoitisrecorded,isitnot,Gimli?’

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‘Itis,’saidthedwarf.‘Butwhatthewordwasisnotremembered.Narviandhiscraftandallhiskindredhavevanishedfromtheearth.’

‘Butdonotyouknowtheword,Gandalf?’askedBoromirinsurprise.

‘No!’saidthewizard.Theotherslooked

dismayed;onlyAragorn,whoknewGandalfwell,remainedsilentandunmoved.

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‘Thenwhatwastheuseofbringingustothisaccursedspot?’criedBoromir,glancingbackwithashudderatthedarkwater.‘YoutoldusthatyouhadoncepassedthroughtheMines.Howcouldthatbe,ifyoudidnotknowhowtoenter?’

‘Theanswertoyourfirstquestion,Boromir,’saidthewizard,‘isthatIdonotknowtheword–yet.Butweshall

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soonsee.And,’headded,withaglintinhiseyesundertheirbristlingbrows,‘youmayaskwhatistheuseofmydeedswhentheyareproveduseless.Asforyourotherquestion:doyoudoubtmytale?Orhaveyounowitsleft?Ididnotenterthisway.IcamefromtheEast.

‘Ifyouwishtoknow,Iwilltellyouthatthesedoorsopenoutwards.Fromthe

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insideyoumaythrustthemopenwithyourhands.Fromtheoutsidenothingwillmovethemsavethespellofcommand.Theycannotbeforcedinwards.’

‘Whatareyougoingtodothen?’askedPippin,undauntedbythewizard’sbristlingbrows.

‘Knockonthedoorswithyourhead,PeregrinTook,’saidGandalf.‘Butifthatdoes

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notshatterthem,andIamallowedalittlepeacefromfoolishquestions,Iwillseekfortheopeningwords.

‘IoncekneweveryspellinallthetonguesofElvesorMenorOrcs,thatwaseverusedforsuchapurpose.Icanstillremembertenscoreofthemwithoutsearchinginmymind.Butonlyafewtrials,Ithink,willbeneeded;andIshallnothavetocallon

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Gimliforwordsofthesecretdwarf-tonguethattheyteachtonone.TheopeningwordswereElvish,likethewritingonthearch:thatseemscertain.’

Hesteppeduptotherockagain,andlightlytouchedwithhisstaffthesilverstarinthemiddlebeneaththesignoftheanvil.

Annonedhellen,edro

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hiammen!Fennasnogothrim,lastobethlammen!

hesaidinacommandingvoice.Thesilverlinesfaded,buttheblankgreystonedidnotstir.

Manytimesherepeatedthesewordsindifferentorder,orvariedthem.Thenhetriedotherspells,oneafteranother,speakingnowfaster

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andlouder,nowsoftandslow.ThenhespokemanysinglewordsofElvishspeech.Nothinghappened.Theclifftoweredintothenight,thecountlessstarswerekindled,thewindblewcold,andthedoorsstoodfast.

AgainGandalfapproachedthewall,andliftinguphisarmshespokeintonesofcommandandrisingwrath.Edro,edro!he

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cried,andstrucktherockwithhisstaff.Open,open!heshouted,andfolloweditwiththesamecommandineverylanguagethathadeverbeenspokenintheWestofMiddle-earth.Thenhethrewhisstaffontheground,andsatdowninsilence.

Atthatmomentfromfaroffthewindboretotheir

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listeningearsthehowlingofwolves.Billtheponystartedinfear,andSamsprangtohissideandwhisperedsoftlytohim.

‘Donotlethimrunaway!’saidBoromir.‘Itseemsthatweshallneedhimstill,ifthewolvesdonotfindus.HowIhatethisfoulpool!’Hestoopedandpickingupalargestonehecastitfarintothedarkwater.

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Thestonevanishedwithasoftslap;butatthesameinstanttherewasaswishandabubble.Greatripplingringsformedonthesurfaceoutbeyondwherethestonehadfallen,andtheymovedslowlytowardsthefootofthecliff.

‘Whydidyoudothat,Boromir?’saidFrodo.‘Ihatethisplace,too,andIamafraid.Idon’tknowofwhat:notofwolves,orthedark

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behindthedoors,butofsomethingelse.Iamafraidofthepool.Don’tdisturbit!’

‘Iwishwecouldgetaway!’saidMerry.

‘Whydoesn’tGandalfdosomethingquick?’saidPippin.

Gandalftooknonoticeofthem.Hesatwithhisheadbowed,eitherindespairorinanxiousthought.Themournfulhowlingofthe

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wolveswasheardagain.Theripplesonthewatergrewandcamecloser;somewerealreadylappingontheshore.

Withasuddennessthatstartledthemallthewizardsprangtohisfeet.Hewaslaughing!‘Ihaveit!’hecried.‘Ofcourse,ofcourse!Absurdlysimple,likemostriddleswhenyouseetheanswer.’

Pickinguphisstaffhe

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stoodbeforetherockandsaidinaclearvoice:Mellon!

Thestarshoneoutbrieflyandfadedagain.Thensilentlyagreatdoorwaywasoutlined,thoughnotacrackorjointhadbeenvisiblebefore.Slowlyitdividedinthemiddleandswungoutwardsinchbyinch,untilbothdoorslaybackagainstthewall.Throughtheopeningashadowystaircouldbeseen

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climbingsteeplyup;butbeyondthelowerstepsthedarknesswasdeeperthanthenight.TheCompanystaredinwonder.

‘Iwaswrongafterall,’saidGandalf,‘andGimlitoo.Merry,ofallpeople,wasontherighttrack.Theopeningwordwasinscribedonthearchwayallthetime!Thetranslationshouldhavebeen:Say“Friend”andenter.I

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hadonlytospeaktheElvishwordforfriendandthedoorsopened.Quitesimple.Toosimpleforalearnedlore-masterinthesesuspiciousdays.Thosewerehappiertimes.Nowletusgo!’

Hestrodeforwardandsethisfootontheloweststep.Butatthatmomentseveralthingshappened.Frodofelt

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somethingseizehimbytheankle,andhefellwithacry.Billtheponygaveawildneighoffear,andturnedtailanddashedawayalongthelakesideintothedarkness.Samleapedafterhim,andthenhearingFrodo’scryheranbackagain,weepingandcursing.Theothersswungroundandsawthewatersofthelakeseething,asifahostofsnakeswereswimmingup

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fromthesouthernend.Outfromthewateralong

sinuoustentaclehadcrawled;itwaspale-greenandluminousandwet.ItsfingeredendhadholdofFrodo’sfoot,andwasdragginghimintothewater.Samonhiskneeswasnowslashingatitwithaknife.

ThearmletgoofFrodo,andSampulledhimaway,cryingoutforhelp.Twenty

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otherarmscameripplingout.Thedarkwaterboiled,andtherewasahideousstench.

‘Intothegateway!Upthestairs!Quick!’shoutedGandalfleapingback.RousingthemfromthehorrorthatseemedtohaverootedallbutSamtothegroundwheretheystood,hedrovethemforward.

Theywerejustintime.SamandFrodowereonlya

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fewstepsup,andGandalfhadjustbeguntoclimb,whenthegropingtentacleswrithedacrossthenarrowshoreandfingeredthecliff-wallandthedoors.Onecamewrigglingoverthethreshold,glisteninginthestarlight.Gandalfturnedandpaused.Ifhewasconsideringwhatwordwouldclosethegateagainfromwithin,therewasnoneed.Manycoilingarmsseizedthe

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doorsoneitherside,andwithhorriblestrength,swungthemround.Withashatteringechotheyslammed,andalllightwaslost.Anoiseofrendingandcrashingcamedullythroughtheponderousstone.

Sam,clingingtoFrodo’sarm,collapsedonastepintheblackdarkness.‘PooroldBill!’hesaidinachokingvoice.‘PooroldBill!Wolvesandsnakes!Butthesnakes

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weretoomuchforhim.Ihadtochoose,Mr.Frodo.Ihadtocomewithyou.’

TheyheardGandalfgobackdownthestepsandthrusthisstaffagainstthedoors.Therewasaquiverinthestoneandthestairstrembled,butthedoorsdidnotopen.

‘Well,well!’saidthe

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wizard.‘Thepassageisblockedbehindusnow,andthereisonlyonewayout–ontheothersideofthemountains.Ifearfromthesoundsthatbouldershavebeenpiledup,andthetreesuprootedandthrownacrossthegate.Iamsorry;forthetreeswerebeautiful,andhadstoodsolong.’

‘Ifeltthatsomethinghorriblewasnearfromthe

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momentthatmyfootfirsttouchedthewater,’saidFrodo.‘Whatwasthething,orweretheremanyofthem?’

‘Idonotknow,’answeredGandalf;‘butthearmswereallguidedbyonepurpose.Somethinghascrept,orhasbeendrivenoutofdarkwatersunderthemountains.ThereareolderandfoulerthingsthanOrcsinthedeepplacesoftheworld.’Hedid

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notspeakaloudhisthoughtthatwhateveritwasthatdweltinthelake,ithadseizedonFrodofirstamongalltheCompany.

Boromirmutteredunderhisbreath,buttheechoingstonemagnifiedthesoundtoahoarsewhisperthatallcouldhear:‘Inthedeepplacesoftheworld!Andthitherwearegoingagainstmywish.Whowillleadus

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nowinthisdeadlydark?’‘Iwill,’saidGandalf,‘and

Gimlishallwalkwithme.Followmystaff!’

Asthewizardpassedonaheadupthegreatsteps,heheldhisstaffaloft,andfromitstiptherecameafaintradiance.Thewidestairwaywassoundandundamaged.Twohundredstepsthey

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counted,broadandshallow;andatthetoptheyfoundanarchedpassagewithalevelfloorleadingonintothedark.

‘Letussitandrestandhavesomethingtoeat,hereonthelanding,sincewecan’tfindadining-room!’saidFrodo.Hehadbeguntoshakeofftheterroroftheclutchingarm,andsuddenlyhefeltextremelyhungry.

Theproposalwas

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welcomedbyall;andtheysatdownontheuppersteps,dimfiguresinthegloom.Aftertheyhadeaten,GandalfgavethemeachathirdsipofthemiruvorofRivendell.

‘Itwillnotlastmuchlonger,Iamafraid,’hesaid;‘butIthinkweneeditafterthathorroratthegate.Andunlesswehavegreatluck,weshallneedallthatisleftbeforeweseetheotherside!

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Gocarefullywiththewater,too!TherearemanystreamsandwellsintheMines,buttheyshouldnotbetouched.WemaynothaveachanceoffillingourskinsandbottlestillwecomedownintoDimrillDale.’

‘Howlongisthatgoingtotakeus?’askedFrodo.

‘Icannotsay,’answeredGandalf.‘Itdependsonmanychances.Butgoingstraight,

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withoutmishaporlosingourway,weshalltakethreeorfourmarches,Iexpect.ItcannotbelessthanfortymilesfromWest-doortoEast-gateinadirectline,andtheroadmaywindmuch.’

Afteronlyabriefresttheystartedontheirwayagain.Allwereeagertogetthejourneyoverasquicklyas

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possible,andwerewilling,tiredastheywere,togoonmarchingstillforseveralhours.Gandalfwalkedinfrontasbefore.Inhislefthandhehelduphisglimmeringstaff,thelightofwhichjustshowedthegroundbeforehisfeet;inhisrightheheldhisswordGlamdring.BehindhimcameGimli,hiseyesglintinginthedimlightasheturnedhisheadfrom

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sidetoside.BehindthedwarfwalkedFrodo,andhehaddrawntheshortsword,Sting.NogleamcamefromthebladesofStingorofGlamdring;andthatwassomecomfort,forbeingtheworkofElvishsmithsintheElderDaystheseswordsshonewithacoldlight,ifanyOrcswerenearathand.BehindFrodowentSam,andafterhimLegolas,andthe

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younghobbits,andBoromir.Inthedarkattherear,grimandsilent,walkedAragorn.

Thepassagetwistedroundafewturns,andthenbegantodescend.Itwentsteadilydownforalongwhilebeforeitbecamelevelonceagain.Theairgrewhotandstifling,butitwasnotfoul,andattimestheyfeltcurrentsofcoolerairupontheirfaces,issuingfromhalf-guessed

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openingsinthewalls.Thereweremanyofthese.Inthepalerayofthewizard’sstaff,Frodocaughtglimpsesofstairsandarches,andofotherpassagesandtunnels,slopingup,orrunningsteeplydown,oropeningblanklydarkoneitherside.Itwasbewilderingbeyondhopeofremembering.

GimliaidedGandalfverylittle,exceptbyhisstoutcourage.Atleasthewasnot,

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asweremostoftheothers,troubledbythemeredarknessinitself.Oftenthewizardconsultedhimatpointswherethechoiceofwaywasdoubtful;butitwasalwaysGandalfwhohadthefinalword.TheMinesofMoriawerevastandintricatebeyondtheimaginationofGimli,Glóin’sson,dwarfofthemountain-racethoughhewas.ToGandalfthefar-off

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memoriesofajourneylongbeforewerenowoflittlehelp,buteveninthegloomanddespiteallwindingsoftheroadheknewwhitherhewishedtogo,andhedidnotfalter,aslongastherewasapaththatledtowardshisgoal.

‘Donotbeafraid!’saidAragorn.Therewasapauselongerthanusual,and

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GandalfandGimliwerewhisperingtogether;theotherswerecrowdedbehind,waitinganxiously.‘Donotbeafraid!Ihavebeenwithhimonmanyajourney,ifneverononesodark;andtherearetalesinRivendellofgreaterdeedsofhisthananythatIhaveseen.Hewillnotgoastray–ifthereisanypathtofind.Hehasledusinhereagainstourfears,buthewill

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leadusoutagain,atwhatevercosttohimself.HeissureroffindingthewayhomeinablindnightthanthecatsofQueenBerúthiel.’

ItwaswellfortheCompanythattheyhadsuchaguide.Theyhadnofuelnoranymeansofmakingtorches;inthedesperatescrambleatthedoorsmanythingshadbeenleftbehind.Butwithoutanylighttheywouldsoon

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havecometogrief.Therewerenotonlymanyroadstochoosefrom,therewerealsoinmanyplacesholesandpitfalls,anddarkwellsbesidethepathinwhichtheirpassingfeetechoed.Therewerefissuresandchasmsinthewallsandfloor,andeverynowandthenacrackwouldopenrightbeforetheirfeet.Thewidestwasmorethansevenfeetacross,anditwas

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longbeforePippincouldsummonenoughcouragetoleapoverthedreadfulgap.Thenoiseofchurningwatercameupfromfarbelow,asifsomegreatmill-wheelwasturninginthedepths.

‘Rope!’mutteredSam.‘IknewI’dwantit,ifIhadn’tgotit!’

Asthesedangersbecame

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morefrequenttheirmarchbecameslower.Alreadytheyseemedtohavebeentrampingon,on,endlesslytothemountains’roots.Theyweremorethanweary,andyetthereseemednocomfortinthethoughtofhaltinganywhere.Frodo’sspiritshadrisenforawhileafterhisescape,andafterfoodandadraughtofthecordial;butnowadeepuneasiness,

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growingtodread,creptoverhimagain.ThoughhehadbeenhealedinRivendelloftheknife-stroke,thatgrimwoundhadnotbeenwithouteffect.Hissensesweresharperandmoreawareofthingsthatcouldnotbeseen.Onesignofchangethathesoonhadnoticedwasthathecouldseemoreinthedarkthananyofhiscompanions,saveperhapsGandalf.Andhe

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wasinanycasethebeareroftheRing:ithunguponitschainagainsthisbreast,andatwhilesitseemedaheavyweight.Hefeltthecertaintyofevilaheadandofevilfollowing;buthesaidnothing.Hegrippedtighteronthehiltofhisswordandwentondoggedly.

TheCompanybehindhimspokeseldom,andthenonlyinhurriedwhispers.There

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wasnosoundbutthesoundoftheirownfeet:thedullstumpofGimli’sdwarf-boots;theheavytreadofBoromir;thelightstepofLegolas;thesoft,scarce-heardpatterofhobbit-feet;andinthereartheslowfirmfootfallsofAragornwithhislongstride.Whentheyhaltedforamomenttheyheardnothingatall,unlessitwereoccasionallyafainttrickle

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anddripofunseenwater.YetFrodobegantohear,ortoimaginethatheheard,somethingelse:likethefaintfallofsoftbarefeet.Itwasneverloudenough,ornearenough,forhimtofeelcertainthatheheardit;butonceithadstarteditneverstopped,whiletheCompanywasmoving.Butitwasnotanecho,forwhentheyhalteditpatteredonforalittleallby

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itself,andthengrewstill.

ItwasafternightfallwhentheyhadenteredtheMines.Theyhadbeengoingforseveralhourswithonlybriefhalts,whenGandalfcametohisfirstseriouscheck.Beforehimstoodawidedarkarchopeningintothreepassages:allledinthesamegeneraldirection,eastwards;butthe

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left-handpassageplungeddown,whiletheright-handclimbedup,andthemiddlewayseemedtorunon,smoothandlevelbutverynarrow.

‘Ihavenomemoryofthisplaceatall!’saidGandalf,standinguncertainlyunderthearch.Hehelduphisstaffinthehopeoffindingsomemarksorinscriptionthatmighthelphischoice;but

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nothingofthekindwastobeseen.‘Iamtoowearytodecide,’hesaid,shakinghishead.‘AndIexpectthatyouareallaswearyasIam,orwearier.Wehadbetterhalthereforwhatisleftofthenight.YouknowwhatImean!Inhereitiseverdark;butoutsidethelateMoonisridingwestwardandthemiddle-nighthaspassed.’

‘PooroldBill!’saidSam.

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‘Iwonderwhereheis.Ihopethosewolveshaven’tgothimyet.’

Totheleftofthegreatarchtheyfoundastonedoor:itwashalfclosed,butswungbackeasilytoagentlethrust.Beyondthereseemedtolieawidechambercutintherock.

‘Steady!Steady!’criedGandalf,asMerryandPippinpushedforward,gladtofindaplacewheretheycouldrest

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withatleastmorefeelingofshelterthanintheopenpassage.‘Steady!Youdonotknowwhatisinsideyet.Iwillgofirst.’

Hewentincautiously,andtheothersfiledbehind.‘There!’hesaid,pointingwithhisstafftothemiddleofthefloor.Beforehisfeettheysawalargeroundholelikethemouthofawell.Brokenandrustychainslayatthe

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edgeandtraileddownintotheblackpit.Fragmentsofstonelaynear.

‘Oneofyoumighthavefalleninandstillbewonderingwhenyouweregoingtostrikethebottom,’saidAragorntoMerry.‘Lettheguidegofirstwhileyouhaveone.’

‘Thisseemstohavebeenaguardroom,madeforthewatchingofthethree

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passages,’saidGimli.‘Thatholewasplainlyawellfortheguards’use,coveredwithastonelid.

Butthelidisbroken,andwemustalltakecareinthedark.’

Pippinfeltcuriouslyattractedbythewell.Whiletheotherswereunrollingblanketsandmakingbedsagainstthewallsofthechamber,asfaraspossible

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fromtheholeinthefloor,hecrepttotheedgeandpeeredover.Achillairseemedtostrikehisface,risingfrominvisibledepths.Movedbyasuddenimpulsehegropedforaloosestone,andletitdrop.Hefelthisheartbeatmanytimesbeforetherewasanysound.Thenfarbelow,asifthestonehadfallenintodeepwaterinsomecavernousplace,therecameaplunk,

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verydistant,butmagnifiedandrepeatedinthehollowshaft.

‘What’sthat?’criedGandalf.HewasrelievedwhenPippinconfessedwhathehaddone;buthewasangry,andPippincouldseehiseyeglinting.‘FoolofaTook!’hegrowled.‘Thisisaseriousjourney,notahobbitwalking-party.Throwyourselfinnexttime,and

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thenyouwillbenofurthernuisance.Nowbequiet!’

Nothingmorewasheardforseveralminutes;butthentherecameoutofthedepthsfaintknocks:tom-tap,tap-tom.Theystopped,andwhentheechoeshaddiedaway,theywererepeated:tap-tom,tom-tap,tap-tap,tom.Theysoundeddisquietinglylikesignalsofsomesort;butafterawhiletheknockingdied

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awayandwasnotheardagain.

‘Thatwasthesoundofahammer,orIhaveneverheardone,’saidGimli.

‘Yes,’saidGandalf,‘andIdonotlikeit.ItmayhavenothingtodowithPeregrin’sfoolishstone;butprobablysomethinghasbeendisturbedthatwouldhavebeenbetterleftquiet.Pray,donothingofthekindagain!Letushope

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weshallgetsomerestwithoutfurthertrouble.You,Pippin,cangoonthefirstwatch,asareward,’hegrowled,asherolledhimselfinablanket.

Pippinsatmiserablybythedoorinthepitchdark;buthekeptonturninground,fearingthatsomeunknownthingwouldcrawlupoutofthewell.Hewishedhecouldcoverthehole,ifonlywitha

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blanket,buthedarednotmoveorgonearit,eventhoughGandalfseemedtobeasleep.

ActuallyGandalfwasawake,thoughlyingstillandsilent.Hewasdeepinthought,tryingtorecalleverymemoryofhisformerjourneyintheMines,andconsideringanxiouslythenextcoursethatheshouldtake;afalseturnnowmight

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bedisastrous.AfteranhourheroseupandcameovertoPippin.

‘Getintoacornerandhaveasleep,mylad,’hesaidinakindlytone.‘Youwanttosleep,Iexpect.Icannotgetawink,soImayaswelldothewatching.’

‘Iknowwhatisthematterwithme,’hemuttered,ashesatdownbythedoor.‘Ineedsmoke!Ihavenottastedit

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sincethemorningbeforethesnowstorm.’

ThelastthingthatPippinsaw,assleeptookhim,wasadarkglimpseoftheoldwizardhuddledonthefloor,shieldingaglowingchipinhisgnarledhandsbetweenhisknees.Theflickerforamomentshowedhissharpnose,andthepuffofsmoke.

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ItwasGandalfwhorousedthemallfromsleep.Hehadsatandwatchedallaloneforaboutsixhours,andhadlettheothersrest.‘AndinthewatchesIhavemadeupmymind,’hesaid.‘Idonotlikethefeelofthemiddleway;andIdonotlikethesmelloftheleft-handway:thereisfoulairdownthere,orIamnoguide.Ishalltaketheright-handpassage.Itis

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timewebegantoclimbupagain.’

Foreightdarkhours,notcountingtwobriefhalts,theymarchedon;andtheymetnodanger,andheardnothing,andsawnothingbutthefaintgleamofthewizard’slight,bobbinglikeawill-o’-the-wispinfrontofthem.Thepassagetheyhadchosenwoundsteadilyupwards.Asfarastheycouldjudgeit

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wentingreatmountingcurves,andasitroseitgrewloftierandwider.Therewerenownoopeningstoothergalleriesortunnelsoneitherside,andthefloorwaslevelandsound,withoutpitsorcracks.Evidentlytheyhadstruckwhatoncehadbeenanimportantroad;andtheywentforwardquickerthantheyhaddoneontheirfirstmarch.

Inthiswaytheyadvanced

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somefifteenmiles,measuredinadirectlineeast,thoughtheymusthaveactuallywalkedtwentymilesormore.Astheroadclimbedupwards,Frodo’sspiritsrosealittle;buthestillfeltoppressed,andstillattimesheheard,orthoughtheheard,awaybehindtheCompanyandbeyondthefallandpatteroftheirfeet,afollowingfootstepthatwasnotanecho.

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Theyhadmarchedasfarasthehobbitscouldendurewithoutarest,andallwerethinkingofaplacewheretheycouldsleep,whensuddenlythewallstorightandleftvanished.Theyseemedtohavepassedthroughsomearcheddoorwayintoablackandemptyspace.Therewasagreatdraughtofwarmerairbehindthem,andbeforethem

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thedarknesswascoldontheirfaces.Theyhaltedandcrowdedanxiouslytogether.

Gandalfseemedpleased.‘Ichosetherightway,’hesaid.‘Atlastwearecomingtothehabitableparts,andIguessthatwearenotfarnowfromtheeasternside.Butwearehighup,agooddealhigherthantheDimrillGate,unlessIammistaken.Fromthefeelingoftheairwemust

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beinawidehall.Iwillnowriskalittlereallight.’

Heraisedhisstaff,andforabriefinstanttherewasablazelikeaflashoflightning.Greatshadowssprangupandfled,andforasecondtheysawavastrooffarabovetheirheadsupheldbymanymightypillarshewnofstone.Beforethemandoneithersidestretchedahugeemptyhall;itsblackwalls,polished

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andsmoothasglass,flashedandglittered.Threeotherentrancestheysaw,darkblackarches:onestraightbeforethemeastwards,andoneoneitherside.Thenthelightwentout.

‘ThatisallthatIshallventureonforthepresent,’saidGandalf.‘Thereusedtobegreatwindowsonthemountain-side,andshaftsleadingouttothelightinthe

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upperreachesoftheMines.Ithinkwehavereachedthemnow,butitisnightoutsideagain,andwecannottelluntilmorning.IfIamright,tomorrowwemayactuallyseethemorningpeepingin.Butinthemeanwhilewehadbettergonofurther.Letusrest,ifwecan.Thingshavegonewellsofar,andthegreaterpartofthedarkroadisover.Butwearenot

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throughyet,anditisalongwaydowntotheGatesthatopenontheworld.’

TheCompanyspentthatnightinthegreatcavernoushall,huddledclosetogetherinacornertoescapethedraught:thereseemedtobeasteadyinflowofchillairthroughtheeasternarchway.Allaboutthemastheylay

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hungthedarkness,hollowandimmense,andtheywereoppressedbythelonelinessandvastnessofthedolvenhallsandendlesslybranchingstairsandpassages.ThewildestimaginingsthatdarkrumourhadeversuggestedtothehobbitsfellaltogethershortoftheactualdreadandwonderofMoria.

‘Theremusthavebeenamightycrowdofdwarves

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hereatonetime,’saidSam;‘andeveryoneofthembusierthanbadgersforfivehundredyearstomakeallthis,andmostinhardrocktoo!Whatdidtheydoitallfor?Theydidn’tliveinthesedarksomeholessurely?’

‘Thesearenotholes,’saidGimli.‘ThisisthegreatrealmandcityoftheDwarrowdelf.Andofolditwasnotdarksome,butfullof

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lightandsplendour,asisstillrememberedinoursongs.’

Heroseandstandinginthedarkhebegantochantinadeepvoice,whiletheechoesranawayintotheroof.

Theworldwasyoung,themountainsgreen,NostainyetontheMoonwasseen,Nowordswerelaid

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onstreamorstoneWhenDurinwokeandwalkedalone.Henamedthenamelesshillsanddells;Hedrankfromyetuntastedwells;HestoopedandlookedinMirrormere,Andsawacrownofstarsappear,

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Asgemsuponasilverthread,Abovetheshadowofhishead.

Theworldwasfair,themountainstall,InElderDaysbeforethefallOfmightykingsinNargothrondAndGondolin,whonowbeyond

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TheWesternSeashavepassedaway:TheworldwasfairinDurin’sDay.

AkinghewasoncarventhroneInmany-pillaredhallsofstoneWithgoldenroofandsilverfloor,Andrunesofpoweruponthedoor.

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ThelightofsunandstarandmoonInshininglampsofcrystalhewnUndimmedbycloudorshadeofnightThereshoneforeverfairandbright.

Therehammerontheanvilsmote,Therechiselclove,andgraverwrote;

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Thereforgedwasblade,andboundwashilt;Thedelvermined,themasonbuilt.Thereberyl,pearl,andopalpale,Andmetalwroughtlikefishes’mail,Bucklerandcorslet,axeandsword,Andshiningspearswerelaidinhoard.

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UnweariedthenwereDurin’sfolk;Beneaththemountainsmusicwoke:Theharpersharped,theminstrelssang,Andatthegatesthetrumpetsrang.

Theworldisgrey,themountainsold,Theforge’sfireis

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ashen-cold;Noharpiswrung,nohammerfalls:ThedarknessdwellsinDurin’shalls;TheshadowliesuponhistombInMoria,inKhazad-dûm.Butstillthesunkenstarsappear

Indarkandwindless

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Mirrormere;Therelieshiscrowninwaterdeep,TillDurinwakesagainfromsleep.

‘Ilikethat!’saidSam.‘Ishouldliketolearnit.InMoria,inKhazad-dûm!Butitmakesthedarknessseemheavier,thinkingofallthoselamps.Aretherepilesofjewelsandgoldlyingabout

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herestill?’Gimliwassilent.Having

sunghissonghewouldsaynomore.

‘Pilesofjewels?’saidGandalf.‘No.TheOrcshaveoftenplunderedMoria;thereisnothingleftintheupperhalls.Andsincethedwarvesfled,noonedarestoseektheshaftsandtreasuriesdowninthedeepplaces:theyaredrownedinwater–orina

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shadowoffear.’‘Thenwhatdothe

dwarveswanttocomebackfor?’askedSam.

‘Formithril,’answeredGandalf.‘ThewealthofMoriawasnotingoldandjewels,thetoysoftheDwarves;noriniron,theirservant.Suchthingstheyfoundhere,itistrue,especiallyiron;buttheydidnotneedtodelveforthem:all

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thingsthattheydesiredtheycouldobtainintraffic.ForherealoneintheworldwasfoundMoria-silver,ortrue-silverassomehavecalledit:mithrilistheElvishname.TheDwarveshaveanamewhichtheydonottell.Itsworthwastentimesthatofgold,andnowitisbeyondprice;forlittleisleftaboveground,andeventheOrcsdarenotdelvehereforit.The

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lodesleadawaynorthtowardsCaradhras,anddowntodarkness.TheDwarvestellnotale;butevenasmithrilwasthefoundationoftheirwealth,soalsoitwastheirdestruction:theydelvedtoogreedilyandtoodeep,anddisturbedthatfromwhichtheyfled,Durin’sBane.OfwhattheybroughttolighttheOrcshavegatherednearlyall,andgivenitintributeto

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Sauron,whocovetsit.‘Mithril!Allfolkdesired

it.Itcouldbebeatenlikecopper,andpolishedlikeglass;andtheDwarvescouldmakeofitametal,lightandyetharderthantemperedsteel.Itsbeautywasliketothatofcommonsilver,butthebeautyofmithrildidnottarnishorgrowdim.TheElvesdearlylovedit,andamongmanyusestheymade

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ofitithildin,starmoon,whichyousawuponthedoors.Bilbohadacorsletofmithril-ringsthatThoringavehim.Iwonderwhathasbecomeofit?GatheringduststillinMichelDelvingMathom-house,Isuppose.’

‘What?’criedGimli,startledoutofhissilence.‘AcorsletofMoria-silver?Thatwasakinglygift!’

‘Yes,’saidGandalf.‘I

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nevertoldhim,butitsworthwasgreaterthanthevalueofthewholeShireandeverythinginit.’

Frodosaidnothing,butheputhishandunderhistunicandtouchedtheringsofhismail-shirt.HefeltstaggeredtothinkthathehadbeenwalkingaboutwiththepriceoftheShireunderhisjacket.HadBilboknown?HefeltnodoubtthatBilboknewquite

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well.Itwasindeedakinglygift.ButnowhisthoughtshadbeencarriedawayfromthedarkMines,toRivendell,toBilbo,andtoBagEndinthedayswhileBilbowasstillthere.Hewishedwithallhisheartthathewasbackthere,andinthosedays,mowingthelawn,orpotteringamongtheflowers,andthathehadneverheardofMoria,ormithril–ortheRing.

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Adeepsilencefell.Onebyonetheothersfellasleep.Frodowasonguard.Asifitwereabreaththatcameinthroughunseendoorsoutofdeepplaces,dreadcameoverhim.Hishandswerecoldandhisbrowdamp.Helistened.Allhismindwasgiventolisteningandnothingelsefortwoslowhours;butheheardnosound,noteventheimaginedechoofafootfall.

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Hiswatchwasnearlyover,when,faroffwhereheguessedthatthewesternarchwaystood,hefanciedthathecouldseetwopalepointsoflight,almostlikeluminouseyes.Hestarted.Hisheadhadnodded.‘Imusthavenearlyfallenasleeponguard,’hethought.‘Iwasontheedgeofadream.’Hestoodupandrubbedhiseyes,andremainedstanding,

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peeringintothedark,untilhewasrelievedbyLegolas.

Whenhelaydownhequicklywenttosleep,butitseemedtohimthatthedreamwenton:heheardwhispers,andsawthetwopalepointsoflightapproaching,slowly.Hewokeandfoundthattheotherswerespeakingsoftlynearhim,andthatadimlightwasfallingonhisface.Highupabovetheeasternarchway

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throughashaftneartheroofcamealongpalegleam;andacrossthehallthroughthenorthernarchlightalsoglimmeredfaintanddistantly.

Frodosatup.‘Goodmorning!’saidGandalf.‘Formorningitisagainatlast.Iwasright,yousee.WearehighupontheeastsideofMoria.BeforetodayisoverweoughttofindtheGreatGatesandseethewatersof

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MirrormerelyingintheDimrillDalebeforeus.’

‘Ishallbeglad,’saidGimli.‘IhavelookedonMoria,anditisverygreat,butithasbecomedarkanddreadful;andwehavefoundnosignofmykindred.IdoubtnowthatBalinevercamehere.’

Aftertheyhad

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breakfastedGandalfdecidedtogoonagainatonce.‘Wearetired,butweshallrestbetterwhenweareoutside,’hesaid.‘IthinkthatnoneofuswillwishtospendanothernightinMoria.’

‘Noindeed!’saidBoromir.‘Whichwayshallwetake?Yondereastwardarch?’

‘Maybe,’saidGandalf.‘ButIdonotknowyet

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exactlywhereweare.UnlessIamquiteastray,IguessthatweareaboveandtothenorthoftheGreatGates;anditmaynotbeeasytofindtherightroaddowntothem.Theeasternarchwillprobablyprovetobethewaythatwemusttake;butbeforewemakeupourmindsweoughttolookaboutus.Letusgotowardsthatlightinthenorthdoor.Ifwecouldfinda

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windowitwouldhelp,butIfearthatthelightcomesonlydowndeepshafts.’

FollowinghisleadtheCompanypassedunderthenorthernarch.Theyfoundthemselvesinawidecorridor.Astheywentalongittheglimmergrewstronger,andtheysawthatitcamethroughadoorwayontheirright.Itwashighandflat-topped,andthestonedoorwasstillupon

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itshinges,standinghalfopen.Beyonditwasalargesquarechamber.Itwasdimlylit,buttotheireyes,aftersolongatimeinthedark,itseemeddazzlinglybright,andtheyblinkedastheyentered.

Theirfeetdisturbedadeepdustuponthefloor,andstumbledamongthingslyinginthedoorwaywhoseshapestheycouldnotatfirstmakeout.Thechamberwaslitbya

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wideshafthighinthefurthereasternwall;itslantedupwardsand,farabove,asmallsquarepatchofblueskycouldbeseen.Thelightoftheshaftfelldirectlyonatableinthemiddleoftheroom:asingleoblongblock,abouttwofeethigh,uponwhichwaslaidagreatslabofwhitestone.

‘Itlookslikeatomb,’mutteredFrodo,andbent

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forwardswithacurioussenseofforeboding,tolookmorecloselyatit.Gandalfcamequicklytohisside.Ontheslabrunesweredeeplygraven:

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‘TheseareDaeron’sRunes,suchaswereusedofoldinMoria,’saidGandalf.‘HereiswritteninthetonguesofMenandDwarves:

BALINSONOFFUNDINLORDOFMORIA.’

‘Heisdeadthen,’saidFrodo.‘Ifeareditwasso.’Gimlicasthishoodoverhisface.

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Chapter5

THEBRIDGEOFKHAZAD-DÛM

TheCompanyoftheRingstoodsilentbesidethetombofBalin.FrodothoughtofBilboandhislongfriendship

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withthedwarf,andofBalin’svisittotheShirelongago.Inthatdustychamberinthemountainsitseemedathousandyearsagoandontheothersideoftheworld.

Atlengththeystirredandlookedup,andbegantosearchforanythingthatwouldgivethemtidingsofBalin’sfate,orshowwhathadbecomeofhisfolk.Therewasanothersmallerdooron

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theothersideofthechamber,undertheshaft.Byboththedoorstheycouldnowseethatmanyboneswerelying,andamongthemwerebrokenswordsandaxe-heads,andclovenshieldsandhelms.Someoftheswordswerecrooked:orc-scimitarswithblackenedblades.

Thereweremanyrecessescutintherockofthewalls,andinthemwerelargeiron-

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boundchestsofwood.Allhadbeenbrokenandplundered;butbesidetheshatteredlidofonetherelaytheremainsofabook.Ithadbeenslashedandstabbedandpartlyburned,anditwassostainedwithblackandotherdarkmarkslikeoldbloodthatlittleofitcouldberead.Gandalflifteditcarefully,buttheleavescrackedandbrokeashelaiditontheslab.He

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poredoveritforsometimewithoutspeaking.FrodoandGimlistandingathissidecouldsee,ashegingerlyturnedtheleaves,thattheywerewrittenbymanydifferenthands,inrunes,bothofMoriaandofDale,andhereandthereinElvishscript.

AtlastGandalflookedup.‘ItseemstobearecordofthefortunesofBalin’sfolk,’he

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said.‘IguessthatitbeganwiththeircomingtoDimrillDalenighonthirtyyearsago:thepagesseemtohavenumbersreferringtotheyearsaftertheirarrival.Thetoppageismarkedone–three,soatleasttwoaremissingfromthebeginning.Listentothis!

‘Wedroveoutorcsfromthegreatgateandguard–Ithink;thenextwordis

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blurredandburned:probablyroom–weslewmanyinthebright–Ithink–suninthedale.Flóiwaskilledbyanarrow.Heslewthegreat.ThenthereisablurfollowedbyFlóiundergrassnearMirrormere.ThenextlineortwoIcannotread.ThencomesWehavetakenthetwentyfirsthallofNorthendtodwellin.ThereisIcannotreadwhat.Ashaftis

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mentioned.ThenBalinhassetuphisseatintheChamberofMazarbul.’

‘TheChamberofRecords,’saidGimli.‘Iguessthatiswherewenowstand.’

‘Well,Icanreadnomoreforalongway,’saidGandalf,‘exceptthewordgold,andDurin’sAxeandsomethinghelm.ThenBalinisnowlordofMoria.Thatseemstoendachapter.Aftersomestars

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anotherhandbegins,andIcanseewefoundtruesilver,andlaterthewordwellforged,andthensomething,Ihaveit!mithril;andthelasttwolinesÓintoseekfortheupperarmouriesofThirdDeep,somethinggowestwards,ablur,toHollingate.’

Gandalfpausedandsetafewleavesaside.‘Thereare

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severalpagesofthesamesort,ratherhastilywrittenandmuchdamaged,’hesaid;‘butIcanmakelittleoftheminthislight.Nowtheremustbeanumberofleavesmissing,becausetheybegintobenumberedfive,thefifthyearofthecolony,Isuppose.Letmesee!No,theyaretoocutandstained;Icannotreadthem.Wemightdobetterinthesunlight.Wait!Hereis

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something:alargeboldhandusinganElvishscript.’

‘ThatwouldbeOri’shand,’saidGimli,lookingoverthewizard’sarm.‘Hecouldwritewellandspeedily,andoftenusedtheElvishcharacters.’

‘Ifearhehadilltidingstorecordinafairhand,’saidGandalf.‘Thefirstclearwordissorrow,buttherestofthelineislost,unlessitendsin

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estre.Yes,itmustbeyestrefollowedbydaybeingthetenthofnovembreBalinlordofMoriafellinDimrillDale.HewentalonetolookinMirrormere.anorcshothimfrombehindastone.weslewtheorc,butmanymore

...upfromeastuptheSilverlode.TheremainderofthepageissoblurredthatIcanhardlymakeanythingout,butIthinkIcanreadwe

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havebarredthegates,andthencanholdthemlongif,andthenperhapshorribleandsuffer.PoorBalin!Heseemstohavekeptthetitlethathetookforlessthanfiveyears.Iwonderwhathappenedafterwards;butthereisnotimetopuzzleoutthelastfewpages.Hereisthelastpageofall.’Hepausedandsighed.

‘Itisgrimreading,’hesaid.‘Ifeartheirendwas

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cruel.Listen!Wecannotgetout.Wecannotgetout.TheyhavetakentheBridgeandsecondhall.FrárandLóniandNálifellthere.ThentherearefourlinessmearedsothatIcanonlyreadwent5daysago.ThelastlinesrunthepoolisuptothewallatWestgate.TheWatcherintheWatertookÓin.Wecannotgetout.Theendcomes,andthendrums,drumsinthedeep.I

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wonderwhatthatmeans.Thelastthingwrittenisinatrailingscrawlofelf-letters:theyarecoming.Thereisnothingmore.’Gandalfpausedandstoodinsilentthought.

AsuddendreadandahorrorofthechamberfellontheCompany.‘Wecannotgetout,’mutteredGimli.‘Itwaswellforusthatthepoolhadsunkalittle,andthatthe

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Watcherwassleepingdownatthesouthernend.’

Gandalfraisedhisheadandlookedround.‘Theyseemtohavemadealaststandbybothdoors,’hesaid;‘buttherewerenotmanyleftbythattime.SoendedtheattempttoretakeMoria!Itwasvaliantbutfoolish.Thetimeisnotcomeyet.Now,Ifear,wemustsayfarewelltoBalinsonofFundin.Herehe

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mustlieinthehallsofhisfathers.Wewilltakethisbook,theBookofMazarbul,andlookatitmorecloselylater.Youhadbetterkeepit,Gimli,andtakeitbacktoDáin,ifyougetachance.Itwillinteresthim,thoughitwillgrievehimdeeply.Come,letusgo!Themorningispassing.’

‘Whichwayshallwego?’askedBoromir.‘Backtothe

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hall,’answeredGandalf.‘Butourvisittothisroomhasnotbeeninvain.Inowknowwhereweare.Thismustbe,asGimlisays,theChamberofMazarbul;andthehallmustbethetwenty-firstoftheNorth-end.Thereforeweshouldleavebytheeasternarchofthehall,andbearrightandsouth,andgodownwards.TheTwenty-firstHallshouldbeontheSeventh

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Level,thatissixabovetheleveloftheGates.Comenow!Backtothehall!’

Gandalfhadhardlyspokenthesewords,whentherecameagreatnoise:arollingBoomthatseemedtocomefromdepthsfarbelow,andtotrembleinthestoneattheirfeet.Theysprangtowardsthedoorinalarm.

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Doom,doomitrolledagain,asifhugehandswereturningtheverycavernsofMoriaintoavastdrum.Thentherecameanechoingblast:agreathornwasblowninthehall,andansweringhornsandharshcrieswereheardfurtheroff.Therewasahurryingsoundofmanyfeet.

‘Theyarecoming!’criedLegolas.

‘Wecannotgetout,’said

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Gimli.‘Trapped!’criedGandalf.

‘WhydidIdelay?Hereweare,caught,justastheywerebefore.ButIwasnotherethen.Wewillseewhat——’

Doom,doomcamethedrum-beatandthewallsshook.‘Slamthedoorsandwedgethem!’shoutedAragorn.‘Andkeepyourpacksonaslongasyoucan:wemaygetachancetocut

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ourwayoutyet.’‘No!’saidGandalf.‘We

mustnotgetshutin.Keeptheeastdoorajar!Wewillgothatway,ifwegetachance.’

Anotherharshhorn-callandshrillcriesrangout.Feetwerecomingdownthecorridor.TherewasaringandclatterastheCompanydrewtheirswords.Glamdringshonewithapalelight,andStingglintedattheedges.

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Boromirsethisshoulderagainstthewesterndoor.

‘Waitamoment!Donotcloseityet!’saidGandalf.HesprangforwardtoBoromir’ssideanddrewhimselfuptohisfullheight.

‘WhocomeshithertodisturbtherestofBalinLordofMoria?’hecriedinaloudvoice.

Therewasarushofhoarselaughter,likethefallof

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slidingstonesintoapit;amidtheclamouradeepvoicewasraisedincommand.Doom,boom,doomwentthedrumsinthedeep.

WithaquickmovementGandalfsteppedbeforethenarrowopeningofthedoorandthrustforwardhisstaff.Therewasadazzlingflashthatlitthechamberandthepassageoutside.Foraninstantthewizardlookedout.

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Arrowswhinedandwhistleddownthecorridorashesprangback.

‘ThereareOrcs,verymanyofthem,’hesaid.‘Andsomearelargeandevil:blackUruksofMordor.Forthemomenttheyarehangingback,butthereissomethingelsethere.Agreatcave-troll,Ithink,ormorethanone.Thereisnohopeofescapethatway.’

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‘Andnohopeatall,iftheycomeattheotherdooraswell,’saidBoromir.

‘Thereisnosoundoutsidehereyet,’saidAragorn,whowasstandingbytheeasterndoorlistening.‘Thepassageonthissideplungesstraightdownastair:itplainlydoesnotleadbacktowardsthehall.Butitisnogoodflyingblindlythiswaywiththepursuitjustbehind.We

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cannotblockthedoor.Itskeyisgoneandthelockisbroken,anditopensinwards.Wemustdosomethingtodelaytheenemyfirst.WewillmakethemfeartheChamberofMazarbul!’hesaidgrimly,feelingtheedgeofhissword,Andúril.

Heavyfeetwereheardinthecorridor.Boromirflung

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himselfagainstthedoorandheaveditto;thenhewedgeditwithbrokensword-bladesandsplintersofwood.TheCompanyretreatedtotheothersideofthechamber.Buttheyhadnochancetoflyyet.Therewasablowonthedoorthatmadeitquiver;andthenitbegantogrindslowlyopen,drivingbackthewedges.Ahugearmandshoulder,withadarkskinof

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greenishscales,wasthrustthroughthewideninggap.Thenagreat,flat,toelessfootwasforcedthroughbelow.Therewasadeadsilenceoutside.

Boromirleapedforwardandhewedatthearmwithallhismight;buthisswordrang,glancedaside,andfellfromhisshakenhand.Thebladewasnotched.

Suddenly,andtohisown

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surprise,Frodofeltahotwrathblazeupinhisheart.‘TheShire!’hecried,andspringingbesideBoromir,hestooped,andstabbedwithStingatthehideousfoot.Therewasabellow,andthefootjerkedback,nearlywrenchingStingfromFrodo’sarm.Blackdropsdrippedfromthebladeandsmokedonthefloor.Boromirhurledhimselfagainstthe

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doorandslammeditagain.‘OnefortheShire!’cried

Aragorn.‘Thehobbit’sbiteisdeep!Youhaveagoodblade,FrodosonofDrogo!’

Therewasacrashonthedoor,followedbycrashaftercrash.Ramsandhammerswerebeatingagainstit.Itcrackedandstaggeredback,andtheopeninggrewsuddenlywide.Arrowscamewhistlingin,butstruckthe

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northernwall,andfellharmlesslytothefloor.Therewasahorn-blastandarushoffeet,andorcsoneafteranotherleapedintothechamber.

HowmanythereweretheCompanycouldnotcount.Theaffraywassharp,buttheorcsweredismayedbythefiercenessofthedefence.Legolasshottwothroughthethroat.Gimlihewedthelegs

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fromunderanotherthathadsprunguponBalin’stomb.BoromirandAragornslewmany.Whenthirteenhadfallentherestfledshrieking,leavingthedefendersunharmed,exceptforSamwhohadascratchalongthescalp.Aquickduckhadsavedhim;andhehadfelledhisorc:asturdythrustwithhisBarrow-blade.Afirewassmoulderinginhisbrown

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eyesthatwouldhavemadeTedSandymanstepbackwards,ifhehadseenit.

‘Nowisthetime!’criedGandalf.‘Letusgo,beforethetrollreturns!’

Butevenastheyretreated,andbeforePippinandMerryhadreachedthestairoutside,ahugeorc-chieftain,almostman-high,cladinblackmailfromheadtofoot,leapedintothechamber;behindhimhis

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followersclusteredinthedoorway.Hisbroadflatfacewasswart,hiseyeswerelikecoals,andhistonguewasred;hewieldedagreatspear.WithathrustofhishugehideshieldheturnedBoromir’sswordandborehimbackwards,throwinghimtotheground.DivingunderAragorn’sblowwiththespeedofastrikingsnakehechargedintotheCompany

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andthrustwithhisspearstraightatFrodo.Theblowcaughthimontherightside,andFrodowashurledagainstthewallandpinned.Sam,withacry,hackedatthespear-shaft,anditbroke.Butevenastheorcflungdownthetruncheonandsweptouthisscimitar,Andúrilcamedownuponhishelm.Therewasaflashlikeflameandthehelmburstasunder.Theorc

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fellwithclovenhead.Hisfollowersfledhowling,asBoromirandAragornsprangatthem.

Doom,doomwentthedrumsinthedeep.Thegreatvoicerolledoutagain.

‘Now!’shoutedGandalf.‘Nowisthelastchance.Runforit!’

AragornpickedupFrodo

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wherehelaybythewallandmadeforthestair,pushingMerryandPippininfrontofhim.Theothersfollowed;butGimlihadtobedraggedawaybyLegolas:inspiteoftheperilhelingeredbyBalin’stombwithhisheadbowed.Boromirhauledtheeasterndoorto,grindinguponitshinges:ithadgreatironringsoneitherside,butcouldnotbefastened.

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‘Iamallright,’gaspedFrodo.‘Icanwalk.Putmedown!’Aragornnearlydroppedhiminhisamazement.‘Ithoughtyouweredead!’hecried.

‘Notyet!’saidGandalf.‘Butthereisnotimeforwonder.Offyougo,allofyou,downthestairs!Waitafewminutesformeatthebottom,butifIdonotcomesoon,goon!Goquicklyand

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choosepathsleadingrightanddownwards.’

‘Wecannotleaveyoutoholdthedooralone!’saidAragorn.‘DoasIsay!’saidGandalffiercely.‘Swordsarenomoreusehere.Go!’

Thepassagewaslitbynoshaftandwasutterlydark.Theygropedtheirwaydownalongflightofsteps,and

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thenlookedback;buttheycouldseenothing,excepthighabovethemthefaintglimmerofthewizard’sstaff.Heseemedtobestillstandingonguardbythecloseddoor.FrodobreathedheavilyandleanedagainstSam,whoputhisarmsabouthim.Theystoodpeeringupthestairsintothedarkness.FrodothoughthecouldhearthevoiceofGandalfabove,

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mutteringwordsthatrandowntheslopingroofwithasighingecho.Hecouldnotcatchwhatwassaid.Thewallsseemedtobetrembling.Everynowandagainthedrum-beatsthrobbedandrolled:doom,doom.

Suddenlyatthetopofthestairtherewasastabofwhitelight.Thentherewasadullrumbleandaheavythud.Thedrum-beatsbrokeoutwildly:

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doom-boom,doom-boom,andthenstopped.GandalfcameflyingdownthestepsandfelltothegroundinthemidstoftheCompany.

‘Well,well!That’sover!’saidthewizardstrugglingtohisfeet.‘IhavedoneallthatIcould.ButIhavemetmymatch,andhavenearlybeendestroyed.Butdon’tstandhere!Goon!Youwillhavetodowithoutlightforawhile:I

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amrathershaken.Goon!Goon!Whereareyou,Gimli?Comeaheadwithme!Keepclosebehind,allofyou!’

Theystumbledafterhimwonderingwhathadhappened.Doom,doomwentthedrum-beatsagain:theynowsoundedmuffledandfaraway,buttheywerefollowing.Therewasnoother

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soundofpursuit,neithertrampoffeet,noranyvoice.Gandalftooknoturns,rightorleft,forthepassageseemedtobegoinginthedirectionthathedesired.Everynowandagainitdescendedaflightofsteps,fiftyormore,toalowerlevel.Atthemomentthatwastheirchiefdanger;forinthedarktheycouldnotseeadescent,untiltheycameonitandput

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theirfeetoutintoemptiness.Gandalffeltthegroundwithhisstafflikeablindman.

Attheendofanhourtheyhadgoneamile,ormaybealittlemore,andhaddescendedmanyflightsofstairs.Therewasstillnosoundofpursuit.Almosttheybegantohopethattheywouldescape.AtthebottomoftheseventhflightGandalfhalted.

‘Itisgettinghot!’he

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gasped.‘WeoughttobedownatleasttotheleveloftheGatesnow.SoonIthinkweshouldlookforaleft-handturntotakeuseast.Ihopeitisnotfar.Iamveryweary.Imustresthereamoment,evenifalltheorcseverspawnedareafterus.’

Gimlitookhisarmandhelpedhimdowntoaseatonthestep.‘Whathappenedawayupthereatthedoor?’

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heasked.‘Didyoumeetthebeaterofthedrums?’

‘Idonotknow,’answeredGandalf.‘ButIfoundmyselfsuddenlyfacedbysomethingthatIhavenotmetbefore.Icouldthinkofnothingtodobuttotryandputashutting-spellonthedoor.Iknowmany;buttodothingsofthatkindrightlyrequirestime,andeventhenthedoorcanbebrokenbystrength.

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‘AsIstoodthereIcouldhearorc-voicesontheotherside:atanymomentIthoughttheywouldburstitopen.Icouldnothearwhatwassaid;theyseemedtobetalkingintheirownhideouslanguage.AllIcaughtwasghâsh:thatis“fire”.Thensomethingcameintothechamber–Ifeltitthroughthedoor,andtheorcsthemselveswereafraidandfellsilent.Itlaidholdof

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theironring,andthenitperceivedmeandmyspell.

‘WhatitwasIcannotguess,butIhaveneverfeltsuchachallenge.Thecounter-spellwasterrible.Itnearlybrokeme.Foraninstantthedoorleftmycontrolandbegantoopen!IhadtospeakawordofCommand.Thatprovedtoogreatastrain.Thedoorburstinpieces.Somethingdarkas

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acloudwasblockingoutallthelightinside,andIwasthrownbackwardsdownthestairs.Allthewallgaveway,andtheroofofthechamberaswell,Ithink.

‘IamafraidBalinisburieddeep,andmaybesomethingelseisburiedtheretoo.Icannotsay.Butatleastthepassagebehinduswascompletelyblocked.Ah!Ihaveneverfeltsospent,butit

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ispassing.Andnowwhataboutyou,Frodo?Therewasnottimetosayso,butIhaveneverbeenmoredelightedinmylifethanwhenyouspoke.IfearedthatitwasabravebutdeadhobbitthatAragornwascarrying.’

‘Whataboutme?’saidFrodo.‘Iamalive,andwholeIthink.Iambruisedandinpain,butitisnottoobad.’

‘Well,’saidAragorn,‘I

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canonlysaythathobbitsaremadeofastuffsotoughthatIhavenevermetthelikeofit.HadIknown,IwouldhavespokensofterintheInnatBree!Thatspear-thrustwouldhaveskeweredawildboar!’

‘Well,itdidnotskewerme,Iamgladtosay,’saidFrodo;‘thoughIfeelasifIhadbeencaughtbetweenahammerandananvil.’Hesaidnomore.Hefound

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breathingpainful.‘YoutakeafterBilbo,’

saidGandalf.‘Thereismoreaboutyouthanmeetstheeye,asIsaidofhimlongago.’Frodowonderediftheremarkmeantmorethanitsaid.

Theynowwentonagain.BeforelongGimlispoke.Hehadkeeneyesinthedark.‘Ithink,’hesaid,‘thatthereisa

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lightahead.Butitisnotdaylight.Itisred.Whatcanitbe?’

‘Ghâsh!’mutteredGandalf.‘Iwonderifthatiswhattheymeant:thatthelowerlevelsareonfire?Still,wecanonlygoon.’

Soonthelightbecameunmistakable,andcouldbeseenbyall.Itwasflickeringandglowingonthewallsawaydownthepassage

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beforethem.Theycouldnowseetheirway:infronttheroadslopeddownswiftly,andsomewayaheadtherestoodalowarchway;throughitthegrowinglightcame.Theairbecameveryhot.

WhentheycametothearchGandalfwentthrough,signingtothemtowait.Ashestoodjustbeyondtheopeningtheysawhisfacelitbyaredglow.Quicklyhestepped

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back.‘Thereissomenew

devilryhere,’hesaid,‘devisedforourwelcome,nodoubt.ButIknownowwhereweare:wehavereachedtheFirstDeep,thelevelimmediatelybelowtheGates.ThisistheSecondHallofOldMoria;andtheGatesarenear:awaybeyondtheeasternend,ontheleft,notmorethanaquarterofamile.

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AcrosstheBridge,upabroadstair,alongawideroad,throughtheFirstHall,andout!Butcomeandlook!’

Theypeeredout.Beforethemwasanothercavernoushall.Itwasloftierandfarlongerthantheoneinwhichtheyhadslept.Theywerenearitseasternend;westwarditranawayintodarkness.Downthecentrestalkedadoublelineoftowering

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pillars.Theywerecarvedlikebolesofmightytreeswhoseboughsupheldtheroofwithabranchingtraceryofstone.Theirstemsweresmoothandblack,butaredglowwasdarklymirroredintheirsides.Rightacrossthefloor,closetothefeetoftwohugepillarsagreatfissurehadopened.Outofitafierceredlightcame,andnowandagainflameslickedatthebrinkand

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curledaboutthebasesofthecolumns.Wispsofdarksmokewaveredinthehotair.

‘Ifwehadcomebythemainroaddownfromtheupperhalls,weshouldhavebeentrappedhere,’saidGandalf.‘Letushopethatthefirenowliesbetweenusandpursuit.Come!Thereisnotimetolose.’

Evenashespoketheyheardagainthepursuing

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drum-beat:Doom,doom,doom.Awaybeyondtheshadowsatthewesternendofthehalltherecamecriesandhorn-calls.Doom,doom:thepillarsseemedtotrembleandtheflamestoquiver.

‘Nowforthelastrace!’saidGandalf.‘Ifthesunisshiningoutside,wemaystillescape.Afterme!’

Heturnedleftandspedacrossthesmoothfloorofthe

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hall.Thedistancewasgreaterthanithadlooked.Astheyrantheyheardthebeatandechoofmanyhurryingfeetbehind.Ashrillyellwentup:theyhadbeenseen.Therewasaringandclashofsteel.AnarrowwhistledoverFrodo’shead.

Boromirlaughed.‘Theydidnotexpectthis,’hesaid.‘Thefirehascutthemoff.Weareonthewrongside!’

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‘Lookahead!’calledGandalf.‘TheBridgeisnear.Itisdangerousandnarrow.’

SuddenlyFrodosawbeforehimablackchasm.Attheendofthehallthefloorvanishedandfelltoanunknowndepth.Theouterdoorcouldonlybereachedbyaslenderbridgeofstone,withoutkerborrail,thatspannedthechasmwithonecurvingspringoffiftyfeet.It

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wasanancientdefenceoftheDwarvesagainstanyenemythatmightcapturetheFirstHallandtheouterpassages.Theycouldonlypassacrossitinsinglefile.AtthebrinkGandalfhaltedandtheotherscameupinapackbehind.

‘Leadtheway,Gimli!’hesaid.‘PippinandMerrynext.Straighton,andupthestairbeyondthedoor!’

Arrowsfellamongthem.

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OnestruckFrodoandsprangback.AnotherpiercedGandalf’shatandstucktherelikeablackfeather.Frodolookedbehind.Beyondthefirehesawswarmingblackfigures:thereseemedtobehundredsoforcs.Theybrandishedspearsandscimitarswhichshoneredasbloodinthefirelight.Doom,doomrolledthedrum-beats,growinglouderandlouder,

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doom,doom.Legolasturnedandsetan

arrowtothestring,thoughitwasalongshotforhissmallbow.Hedrew,buthishandfell,andthearrowslippedtotheground.Hegaveacryofdismayandfear.Twogreattrollsappeared;theyboregreatslabsofstone,andflungthemdowntoserveasgangwaysoverthefire.Butitwasnotthetrollsthathad

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filledtheElfwithterror.Theranksoftheorcshadopened,andtheycrowdedaway,asiftheythemselveswereafraid.Somethingwascomingupbehindthem.Whatitwascouldnotbeseen:itwaslikeagreatshadow,inthemiddleofwhichwasadarkform,ofman-shapemaybe,yetgreater;andapowerandterrorseemedtobeinitandtogobeforeit.

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Itcametotheedgeofthefireandthelightfadedasifacloudhadbentoverit.Thenwitharushitleapedacrossthefissure.Theflamesroareduptogreetit,andwreathedaboutit;andablacksmokeswirledintheair.Itsstreamingmanekindled,andblazedbehindit.Initsrighthandwasabladelikeastabbingtongueoffire;initsleftitheldawhipofmany

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thongs.‘Ai!ai!’wailedLegolas.

‘ABalrog!ABalrogiscome!’Gimlistaredwithwideeyes.‘Durin’sBane!’hecried,andlettinghisaxefallhecoveredhisface.

‘ABalrog,’mutteredGandalf.‘NowIunderstand.’Hefalteredandleanedheavilyonhisstaff.‘Whatanevilfortune!AndIamalreadyweary.’

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Thedarkfigurestreamingwithfireracedtowardsthem.Theorcsyelledandpouredoverthestonegangways.thenBoromirraisedhishornandblew.Loudthechallengerangandbellowed,liketheshoutofmanythroatsunderthecavernousroof.Foramomenttheorcsquailedandthefieryshadowhalted.Thentheechoesdiedassuddenlyasaflameblownoutbya

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darkwind,andtheenemyadvancedagain.

‘Overthebridge!’criedGandalf,recallinghisstrength.‘Fly!Thisisafoebeyondanyofyou.Imustholdthenarrowway.Fly!’AragornandBoromirdidnotheedthecommand,butstillheldtheirground,sidebyside,behindGandalfatthefarendofthebridge.Theothershaltedjustwithinthe

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doorwayatthehall’send,andturned,unabletoleavetheirleadertofacetheenemyalone.

TheBalrogreachedthebridge.Gandalfstoodinthemiddleofthespan,leaningonthestaffinhislefthand,butinhisotherhandGlamdringgleamed,coldandwhite.Hisenemyhaltedagain,facinghim,andtheshadowaboutitreachedout

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liketwovastwings.Itraisedthewhip,andthethongswhinedandcracked.Firecamefromitsnostrils.ButGandalfstoodfirm.

‘Youcannotpass,’hesaid.Theorcsstoodstill,andadeadsilencefell.‘IamaservantoftheSecretFire,wielderoftheflameofAnor.Youcannotpass.Thedarkfirewillnotavailyou,flameofUdûn.Gobacktothe

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Shadow!Youcannotpass.’TheBalrogmadeno

answer.Thefireinitseemedtodie,butthedarknessgrew.Itsteppedforwardslowlyontothebridge,andsuddenlyitdrewitselfuptoagreatheight,anditswingswerespreadfromwalltowall;butstillGandalfcouldbeseen,glimmeringinthegloom;heseemedsmall,andaltogetheralone:greyandbent,likea

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wizenedtreebeforetheonsetofastorm.

Fromoutoftheshadowaredswordleapedflaming.Glamdringglitteredwhiteinanswer.Therewasaringingclashandastabofwhitefire.TheBalrogfellback,anditsswordflewupinmoltenfragments.Thewizardswayedonthebridge,steppedbackapace,andthenagainstoodstill.

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‘Youcannotpass!’hesaid.

WithaboundtheBalrogleapedfulluponthebridge.Itswhipwhirledandhissed.

‘Hecannotstandalone!’criedAragornsuddenlyandranbackalongthebridge.‘Elendil!’heshouted.‘Iamwithyou,Gandalf!’

‘Gondor!’criedBoromirandleapedafterhim.AtthatmomentGandalfliftedhis

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staff,andcryingaloudhesmotethebridgebeforehim.Thestaffbrokeasunderandfellfromhishand.Ablindingsheetofwhiteflamesprangup.Thebridgecracked.RightattheBalrog’sfeetitbroke,andthestoneuponwhichitstoodcrashedintothegulf,whiletherestremained,poised,quiveringlikeatongueofrockthrustoutintoemptiness.

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WithaterriblecrytheBalrogfellforward,anditsshadowplungeddownandvanished.Butevenasitfellitswungitswhip,andthethongslashedandcurledaboutthewizard’sknees,dragginghimtothebrink.Hestaggeredandfell,graspedvainlyatthestone,andslidintotheabyss.‘Fly,youfools!’hecried,andwasgone.

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Thefireswentout,andblankdarknessfell.TheCompanystoodrootedwithhorrorstaringintothepit.EvenasAragornandBoromircameflyingback,therestofthebridgecrackedandfell.WithacryAragornrousedthem.

‘Come!Iwillleadyounow!’hecalled.‘Wemustobeyhislastcommand.Followme!’

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Theystumbledwildlyupthegreatstairsbeyondthedoor,Aragornleading,Boromirattherear.Atthetopwasawideechoingpassage.Alongthistheyfled.FrodoheardSamathissideweeping,andthenhefoundthathehimselfwasweepingasheran.Doom,doom,doomthedrum-beatsrolledbehind,mournfulnowandslow;doom!

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Theyranon.Thelightgrewbeforethem;greatshaftspiercedtheroof.Theyranswifter.Theypassedintoahall,brightwithdaylightfromitshighwindowsintheeast.Theyfledacrossit.Throughitshugebrokendoorstheypassed,andsuddenlybeforethemtheGreatGatesopened,anarchofblazinglight.

Therewasaguardoforcs

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crouchingintheshadowsbehindthegreatdoor-poststoweringoneitherside,butthegateswereshatteredandcastdown.Aragornsmotetothegroundthecaptainthatstoodinhispath,andtherestfledinterrorofhiswrath.TheCompanysweptpastthemandtooknoheedofthem.OutoftheGatestheyranandsprangdownthehugeandage-wornsteps,the

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thresholdofMoria.Thus,atlast,theycame

beyondhopeundertheskyandfeltthewindontheirfaces.

Theydidnothaltuntiltheywereoutofbowshotfromthewalls.DimrillDalelayaboutthem.TheshadowoftheMistyMountainslayuponit,buteastwardstherewasagoldenlightontheland.Itwasbutonehourafter

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noon.Thesunwasshining;thecloudswerewhiteandhigh.

Theylookedback.DarkyawnedthearchwayoftheGatesunderthemountain-shadow.Faintandfarbeneaththeearthrolledtheslowdrum-beats:doom.Athinblacksmoketrailedout.Nothingelsewastobeseen;thedaleallaroundwasempty.Doom.Griefatlast

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whollyovercamethem,andtheyweptlong:somestandingandsilent,somecastupontheground.Doom,doom.Thedrum-beatsfaded.

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Chapter6

LOTHLÓRIEN

‘Alas!Ifearwecannotstayherelonger,’saidAragorn.Helookedtowardsthemountainsandhelduphissword.‘Farewell,Gandalf!’

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hecried.‘DidInotsaytoyou:ifyoupassthedoorsofMoria,beware?AlasthatIspoketrue!Whathopehavewewithoutyou?’

HeturnedtotheCompany.‘Wemustdowithouthope,’hesaid.‘Atleastwemayyetbeavenged.Letusgirdourselvesandweepnomore!Come!Wehavealongroad,andmuchtodo.’

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Theyroseandlookedaboutthem.Northwardthedaleranupintoaglenofshadowsbetweentwogreatarmsofthemountains,abovewhichthreewhitepeakswereshining:Celebdil,Fanuidhol,Caradhras,theMountainsofMoria.Attheheadoftheglenatorrentflowedlikeawhitelaceoveranendlessladderofshortfalls,andamistoffoamhungintheairaboutthe

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mountains’feet.‘YonderistheDimrill

Stair,’saidAragorn,pointingtothefalls.‘Downthedeep-clovenwaythatclimbsbesidethetorrentweshouldhavecome,iffortunehadbeenkinder.’

‘OrCaradhraslesscruel,’saidGimli.‘Therehestandssmilinginthesun!’Heshookhisfistatthefurthestofthesnow-cappedpeaksand

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turnedaway.Totheeasttheoutflung

armofthemountainsmarchedtoasuddenend,andfarlandscouldbedescriedbeyondthem,wideandvague.TothesouththeMistyMountainsrecededendlesslyasfarassightcouldreach.Lessthanamileaway,andalittlebelowthem,fortheystillstoodhighuponthewestsideofthedale,therelaya

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mere.Itwaslongandoval,shapedlikeagreatspear-headthrustdeepintothenorthernglen;butitssouthernendwasbeyondtheshadowsunderthesunlitsky.Yetitswatersweredark:adeepbluelikecleareveningskyseenfromalamp-litroom.Itsfacewasstillandunruffled.Aboutitlayasmoothsward,shelvingdownonallsidestoitsbareunbrokenrim.

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‘ThereliestheMirrormere,deepKheled-zâram!’saidGimlisadly.‘Irememberthathesaid:“Mayyouhavejoyofthesight!Butwecannotlingerthere.”NowlongshallIjourneyereIhavejoyagain.ItisIthatmusthastenaway,andhethatmustremain.’

TheCompanynowwent

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downtheroadfromtheGates.Itwasroughandbroken,fadingtoawindingtrackbetweenheatherandwhinthatthrustamidthecrackingstones.ButstillitcouldbeseenthatoncelongagoagreatpavedwayhadwoundupwardsfromthelowlandstotheDwarf-kingdom.Inplacestherewereruinedworksofstonebesidethepath,andmoundsof

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greentoppedwithslenderbirches,orfir-treessighinginthewind.AneastwardbendledthemhardbytheswardofMirrormere,andtherenotfarfromtheroadsidestoodasinglecolumnbrokenatthetop.

‘ThatisDurin’sStone!’criedGimli.‘Icannotpasswithoutturningasideforamomenttolookatthewonderofthedale!’

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‘Beswiftthen!’saidAragorn,lookingbacktowardstheGates.‘TheSunsinksearly.TheOrcswillnot,maybe,comeouttillafterdusk,butwemustbefarawaybeforenightfall.TheMoonisalmostspent,anditwillbedarktonight.’

‘Comewithme,Frodo!’criedthedwarf,springingfromtheroad.‘Iwouldnothaveyougowithoutseeing

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Kheledzâram.’Herandownthelonggreenslope.Frodofollowedslowly,drawnbythestillbluewaterinspiteofhurtandweariness;Samcameupbehind.

BesidethestandingstoneGimlihaltedandlookedup.Itwascrackedandweather-worn,andthefaintrunesuponitssidecouldnotberead.‘ThispillarmarksthespotwhereDurinfirstlooked

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intheMirrormere,’saidthedwarf.‘Letuslookourselvesonce,erewego!’

Theystoopedoverthedarkwater.Atfirsttheycouldseenothing.Thenslowlytheysawtheformsoftheencirclingmountainsmirroredinaprofoundblue,andthepeakswerelikeplumesofwhiteflameabovethem;beyondtherewasaspaceofsky.Therelike

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jewelssunkinthedeepshoneglintingstars,thoughsunlightwasintheskyabove.Oftheirownstoopingformsnoshadowcouldbeseen.

‘OKheled-zâramfairandwonderful!’saidGimli.‘ThereliestheCrownofDurintillhewakes.Farewell!’Hebowed,andturnedaway,andhastenedbackupthegreenswardtotheroadagain.

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‘Whatdidyousee?’saidPippintoSam,butSamwastoodeepinthoughttoanswer.

Theroadnowturnedsouthandwentquicklydownwards,runningoutfrombetweenthearmsofthedale.Somewaybelowthemeretheycameonadeepwellofwater,clearascrystal,from

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whichafreshetfelloverastonelipandranglisteningandgurglingdownasteeprockychannel.

‘HereisthespringfromwhichtheSilverloderises,’saidGimli.‘Donotdrinkofit!Itisicycold.’

‘Soonitbecomesaswiftriver,anditgatherswaterfrommanyothermountain-streams,’saidAragorn.‘Ourroadleadsbesideitformany

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miles.ForIshalltakeyoubytheroadthatGandalfchose,andfirstIhopetocometothewoodswheretheSilverlodeflowsintotheGreatRiver–outyonder.’Theylookedashepointed,andbeforethemtheycouldseethestreamleapingdowntothetroughofthevalley,andthenrunningonandawayintothelowerlands,untilitwaslostinagoldenhaze.

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‘ThereliethewoodsofLothlórien!’saidLegolas.‘Thatisthefairestofallthedwellingsofmypeople.Therearenotreeslikethetreesofthatland.Forintheautumntheirleavesfallnot,butturntogold.Nottillthespringcomesandthenewgreenopensdotheyfall,andthentheboughsareladenwithyellowflowers;andthefloorofthewoodisgolden,

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andgoldenistheroof,anditspillarsareofsilver,forthebarkofthetreesissmoothandgrey.SostilloursongsinMirkwoodsay.MyheartwouldbegladifIwerebeneaththeeavesof

thatwood,anditwerespringtime!’

‘Myheartwillbeglad,eveninthewinter,’saidAragorn.‘Butitliesmanymilesaway.Letushasten!’

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ForsometimeFrodoandSammanagedtokeepupwiththeothers;butAragornwasleadingthematagreatpace,andafterawhiletheylaggedbehind.Theyhadeatennothingsincetheearlymorning.Sam’scutwasburninglikefire,andhisheadfeltlight.InspiteoftheshiningsunthewindseemedchillafterthewarmdarknessofMoria.Heshivered.Frodo

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felteverystepmorepainfulandhegaspedforbreath.

AtlastLegolasturned,andseeingthemnowfarbehind,hespoketoAragorn.Theothershalted,andAragornranback,callingtoBoromirtocomewithhim.

‘Iamsorry,Frodo!’hecried,fullofconcern.‘Somuchhashappenedthisdayandwehavesuchneedofhaste,thatIhaveforgotten

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thatyouwerehurt;andSamtoo.Youshouldhavespoken.Wehavedonenothingtoeaseyou,asweought,thoughalltheorcsofMoriawereafterus.Comenow!Alittlefurtheronthereisaplacewherewecanrestforalittle.ThereIwilldowhatIcanforyou.Come,Boromir!Wewillcarrythem.’

Soonafterwardstheycameuponanotherstream

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thatrandownfromthewest,andjoineditsbubblingwaterwiththehurryingSilverlode.Togethertheyplungedoverafallofgreen-huedstone,andfoameddownintoadell.Aboutitstoodfir-trees,shortandbent,anditssidesweresteepandclothedwithharts-tongueandshrubsofwhortle-berry.Atthebottomtherewasalevelspacethroughwhichthestreamflowed

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noisilyovershiningpebbles.Heretheyrested.Itwasnownearlythreehoursafternoon,andtheyhadcomeonlyafewmilesfromtheGates.Alreadythesunwaswestering.

WhileGimliandthetwoyoungerhobbitskindledafireofbrush-andfir-wood,anddrewwater,AragorntendedSamandFrodo.Sam’swoundwasnotdeep,butitlookedugly,andAragorn’sfacewas

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graveasheexaminedit.Afteramomenthelookedupwithrelief.

‘Goodluck,Sam!’hesaid.‘Manyhavereceivedworsethanthisinpaymentfortheslayingoftheirfirstorc.Thecutisnotpoisoned,asthewoundsoforc-bladestoooftenare.ItshouldhealwellwhenIhavetendedit.BatheitwhenGimlihasheatedwater.’

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Heopenedhispouchanddrewoutsomewitheredleaves.‘Theyaredry,andsomeoftheirvirtuehasgone,’hesaid,‘buthereIhavestillsomeoftheleavesofathelasthatIgatherednearWeathertop.Crushoneinthewater,andwashthewoundclean,andIwillbindit.Nowitisyourturn,Frodo!’

‘Iamallright,’saidFrodo,reluctanttohavehis

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garmentstouched.‘AllIneededwassomefoodandalittlerest.’

‘No!’saidAragorn.‘Wemusthavealookandseewhatthehammerandtheanvilhavedonetoyou.Istillmarvelthatyouarealiveatall.’GentlyhestrippedoffFrodo’soldjacketandworntunic,andgaveagaspofwonder.Thenhelaughed.Thesilvercorsletshimmered

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beforehiseyeslikethelightuponaripplingsea.Carefullyhetookitoffandhelditup,andthegemsonitglitteredlikestars,andthesoundoftheshakenringswaslikethetinkleofraininapool.

‘Look,myfriends!’hecalled.‘Here’saprettyhobbit-skintowrapanelven-princelingin!Ifitwereknownthathobbitshadsuchhides,allthehuntersof

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Middle-earthwouldberidingtotheShire.’

‘Andallthearrowsofallthehuntersintheworldwouldbeinvain,’saidGimli,gazingatthemailinwonder.‘Itisamithril-coat.Mithril!Ihaveneverseenorheardtellofonesofair.IsthisthecoatthatGandalfspokeof?Thenheundervaluedit.Butitwaswellgiven!’

‘Ihaveoftenwondered

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whatyouandBilboweredoing,socloseinhislittleroom,’saidMerry.‘Blesstheoldhobbit!Ilovehimmorethanever.Ihopewegetachanceoftellinghimaboutit!’

TherewasadarkandblackenedbruiseonFrodo’srightsideandbreast.Underthemailtherewasashirtofsoftleather,butatonepointtheringshadbeendriven

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throughitintotheflesh.Frodo’sleftsidealsowasscoredandbruisedwherehehadbeenhurledagainstthewall.Whiletheotherssetthefoodready,Aragornbathedthehurtswithwaterinwhichathelaswassteeped.Thepungentfragrancefilledthedell,andallthosewhostoopedoverthesteamingwaterfeltrefreshedandstrengthened.SoonFrodofelt

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thepainleavehim,andhisbreathgreweasy:thoughhewasstiffandsoretothetouchformanydays.Aragornboundsomesoftpadsofclothathisside.

‘Themailismarvellouslylight,’hesaid.‘Putitonagain,ifyoucanbearit.Myheartisgladtoknowthatyouhavesuchacoat.Donotlayitaside,eveninsleep,unlessfortunebringsyouwhereyou

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aresafeforawhile;andthatwillseldomchancewhileyourquestlasts.’

Whentheyhadeaten,theCompanygotreadytogoon.Theyputoutthefireandhidalltracesofit.Thenclimbingoutofthedelltheytooktotheroadagain.Theyhadnotgonefarbeforethesunsankbehindthewestwardheights

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andgreatshadowscreptdownthemountain-sides.Duskveiledtheirfeet,andmistroseinthehollows.Awayintheeasttheeveninglightlaypaleuponthedimlandsofdistantplainandwood.SamandFrodonowfeelingeasedandgreatlyrefreshedwereabletogoatafairpace,andwithonlyonebriefhaltAragornledtheCompanyonfornearlythree

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morehours.Itwasdark.Deepnight

hadfallen.Thereweremanyclearstars,butthefast-waningmoonwouldnotbeseentilllate.GimliandFrodowereattherear,walkingsoftlyandnotspeaking,listeningforanysoundupontheroadbehind.AtlengthGimlibrokethesilence.

‘Notasoundbutthewind,’hesaid.‘Thereareno

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goblinsnear,ormyearsaremadeofwood.ItistobehopedthattheOrcswillbecontentwithdrivingusfromMoria.Andmaybethatwasalltheirpurpose,andtheyhadnothingelsetodowithus–withtheRing.ThoughOrcswilloftenpursuefoesformanyleaguesintotheplain,iftheyhaveafallencaptaintoavenge.’

Frododidnotanswer.He

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lookedatSting,andthebladewasdull.Yethehadheardsomething,orthoughthehad.Assoonastheshadowshadfallenaboutthemandtheroadbehindwasdim,hehadheardagainthequickpatteroffeet.Evennowheheardit.Heturnedswiftly.Thereweretwotinygleamsoflightbehind,orforamomenthethoughthesawthem,butatoncetheyslippedasideand

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vanished.‘Whatisit?’saidthe

dwarf.‘Idon’tknow,’answered

Frodo.‘IthoughtIheardfeet,andIthoughtIsawalight–likeeyes.Ihavethoughtsooften,sincewefirstenteredMoria.’

Gimlihaltedandstoopedtotheground.‘Ihearnothingbutthenight-speechofplantandstone,’hesaid.‘Come!

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Letushurry!Theothersareoutofsight.’

Thenight-windblewchillupthevalleytomeetthem.Beforethemawidegreyshadowloomed,andtheyheardanendlessrustleofleaveslikepoplarsinthebreeze.

‘Lothlórien!’criedLegolas.‘Lothlórien!We

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havecometotheeavesoftheGoldenWood.Alasthatitiswinter!’

Underthenightthetreesstoodtallbeforethem,archedovertheroadandstreamthatransuddenlybeneaththeirspreadingboughs.Inthedimlightofthestarstheirstemsweregrey,andtheirquiveringleavesahintoffallowgold.

‘Lothlórien!’saidAragorn.‘GladIamtohear

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againthewindinthetrees!WearestilllittlemorethanfiveleaguesfromtheGates,butwecangonofurther.HereletushopethatthevirtueoftheElveswillkeepustonightfromtheperilthatcomesbehind.’

‘IfElvesindeedstilldwellhereinthedarkeningworld,’saidGimli.

‘Itislongsinceanyofmyownfolkjourneyedhither

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backtothelandwhencewewanderedinageslongago,’saidLegolas,‘butwehearthatLórienisnotyetdeserted,forthereisasecretpowerherethatholdsevilfromtheland.Neverthelessitsfolkareseldomseen,andmaybetheydwellnowdeepinthewoodsandfarfromthenorthernborder.’

‘Indeeddeepinthewoodtheydwell,’saidAragorn,

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andsighedasifsomememorystirredinhim.‘Wemustfendforourselvestonight.Wewillgoforwardashortway,untilthetreesareallaboutus,andthenwewillturnasidefromthepathandseekaplacetorestin.’

Hesteppedforward;butBoromirstoodirresoluteanddidnotfollow.‘Istherenootherway?’hesaid.

‘Whatotherfairerway

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wouldyoudesire?’saidAragorn.‘Aplainroad,thoughitledthroughahedgeofswords,’saidBoromir.‘BystrangepathshasthisCompanybeenled,andsofartoevilfortune.AgainstmywillwepassedundertheshadesofMoria,toourloss.AndnowwemustentertheGoldenWood,yousay.ButofthatperilouslandwehaveheardinGondor,anditissaid

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thatfewcomeoutwhooncegoin;andofthatfewnonehaveescapedunscathed.’

‘Saynotunscathed,butifyousayunchanged,thenmaybeyouwillspeakthetruth,’saidAragorn.‘ButlorewanesinGondor,Boromir,ifinthecityofthosewhooncewerewisetheynowspeakevilofLothlórien.Believewhatyouwill,thereisnootherwayforus–unlessyou

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wouldgobacktoMoria-gate,orscalethepathlessmountains,orswimtheGreatRiverallalone.’

‘Thenleadon!’saidBoromir.‘Butitisperilous.’

‘Perilousindeed,’saidAragorn,‘fairandperilous;butonlyevilneedfearit,orthosewhobringsomeevilwiththem.Followme!’

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Theyhadgonelittlemorethanamileintotheforestwhentheycameuponanotherstreamflowingdownswiftlyfromthetree-cladslopesthatclimbedbackwestwardtowardsthemountains.Theyhearditsplashingoverafallawayamongtheshadowsontheirright.Itsdarkhurryingwatersranacrossthepathbeforethem,andjoinedtheSilverlodeinaswirlofdim

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poolsamongtherootsoftrees.

‘HereisNimrodel!’saidLegolas.‘OfthisstreamtheSilvanElvesmademanysongslongago,andstillwesingthemintheNorth,rememberingtherainbowonitsfalls,andthegoldenflowersthatfloatedinitsfoam.AllisdarknowandtheBridgeofNimrodelisbrokendown.Iwillbathemyfeet,

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foritissaidthatthewaterishealingtotheweary.’Hewentforwardandclimbeddownthedeep-clovenbankandsteppedintothestream.

‘Followme!’hecried.‘Thewaterisnotdeep.Letuswadeacross!Onthefurtherbankwecanrest,andthesoundofthefallingwatermaybringussleepandforgetfulnessofgrief.’

Onebyonetheyclimbed

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downandfollowedLegolas.ForamomentFrodostoodnearthebrinkandletthewaterflowoverhistiredfeet.Itwascoldbutitstouchwasclean,andashewentonanditmountedtohisknees,hefeltthatthestainoftravelandallwearinesswaswashedfromhislimbs.

WhenalltheCompany

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hadcrossed,theysatandrestedandatealittlefood;andLegolastoldthemtalesofLothlórienthattheElvesofMirkwoodstillkeptintheirhearts,ofsunlightandstarlightuponthemeadowsbytheGreatRiverbeforetheworldwasgrey.

Atlengthasilencefell,andtheyheardthemusicofthewaterfallrunningsweetlyintheshadows.AlmostFrodo

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fanciedthathecouldhearavoicesinging,mingledwiththesoundofthewater.

‘DoyouhearthevoiceofNimrodel?’askedLegolas.‘IwillsingyouasongofthemaidenNimrodel,whoborethesamenameasthestreambesidewhichshelivedlongago.Itisafairsonginourwoodlandtongue;butthisishowitrunsintheWestronSpeech,assomeinRivendell

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nowsingit.’Inasoftvoicehardlytobeheardamidtherustleoftheleavesabovethemhebegan:

AnElven-maidtherewasofold,Ashiningstarbyday:

Hermantlewhitewashemmedwithgold,Hershoesof

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silver-grey.

Astarwasbounduponherbrows,Alightwasonherhair

AssunuponthegoldenboughsInLórienthefair.

Herhairwaslong,herlimbswere

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white,Andfairshewasandfree;

AndinthewindshewentaslightAsleafoflinden-tree.

BesidethefallsofNimrodel,Bywaterclearandcool,

Hervoiceasfalling

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silverfellIntotheshiningpool.

Wherenowshewandersnonecantell,Insunlightorinshade;

ForlostofyorewasNimrodelAndinthemountains

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strayed.

Theelven-shipinhavengreyBeneaththemountain-lee

AwaitedherformanyadayBesidetheroaringsea.

Awindbynightin

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NorthernlandsArose,andlouditcried,

Anddrovetheshipfromelven-strandsAcrossthestreamingtide.

Whendawncamedimthelandwaslost,Themountainssinkinggrey

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BeyondtheheavingwavesthattossedTheirplumesofblindingspray.

AmrothbeheldthefadingshoreNowlowbeyondtheswell,

AndcursedthefaithlessshipthatboreHimfarfrom

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Nimrodel.

OfoldhewasanElven-king,Alordoftreeandglen,

WhengoldenweretheboughsinspringInfairLothlórien.

Fromhelmtosea

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theysawhimleap,Asarrowfromthestring,

Anddiveintothewaterdeep,Asmewuponthewing.

Thewindwasinhisflowinghair,Thefoamabouthimshone;

Afartheysawhim

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strongandfairGoridinglikeaswan.

ButfromtheWesthascomenoword,AndontheHitherShore

NotidingsElven-folkhaveheardOfAmrothevermore.

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ThevoiceofLegolasfaltered,andthesongceased.‘Icannotsinganymore,’hesaid.‘Thatisbutapart,forIhaveforgottenmuch.Itislongandsad,forittellshowsorrowcameuponLothlórien,LórienoftheBlossom,whentheDwarvesawakenedevilinthemountains.’

‘ButtheDwarvesdidnotmaketheevil,’saidGimli.‘I

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saidnotso;yetevilcame,’answeredLegolassadly.‘ThenmanyoftheElvesofNimrodel’skindredlefttheirdwellingsanddeparted,andshewaslostfarintheSouth,inthepassesoftheWhiteMountains;andshecamenottotheshipwhereAmrothherloverwaitedforher.Butinthespringwhenthewindisinthenewleavestheechoofhervoicemaystillbeheard

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bythefallsthatbearhername.AndwhenthewindisintheSouththevoiceofAmrothcomesupfromthesea;forNimrodelflowsintoSilverlode,thatElvescallCelebrant,andCelebrantintoAnduintheGreat,andAnduinflowsintotheBayofBelfalaswhencetheElvesofLóriensetsail.ButneitherNimrodelnorAmrothcameeverback.

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‘Itistoldthatshehadahousebuiltinthebranchesofatreethatgrewnearthefalls;forthatwasthecustomoftheElvesofLórien,todwellinthetrees,andmaybeitissostill.ThereforetheywerecalledtheGaladhrim,theTree-people.Deepintheirforestthetreesareverygreat.ThepeopleofthewoodsdidnotdelveinthegroundlikeDwarves,norbuildstrong

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placesofstonebeforetheShadowcame.’

‘Andevenintheselatterdaysdwellinginthetreesmightbethoughtsaferthansittingontheground,’saidGimli.HelookedacrossthestreamtotheroadthatledbacktoDimrillDale,andthenupintotheroofofdarkboughsabove.

‘Yourwordsbringgoodcounsel,Gimli,’said

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Aragorn.‘Wecannotbuildahouse,buttonightwewilldoastheGaladhrimandseekrefugeinthetree-tops,ifwecan.Wehavesatherebesidetheroadalreadylongerthanwaswise.’

TheCompanynowturnedasidefromthepath,andwentintotheshadowofthedeeperwoods,westwardalongthe

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mountain-streamawayfromSilverlode.NotfarfromthefallsofNimrodeltheyfoundaclusteroftrees,someofwhichoverhungthestream.Theirgreatgreytrunkswereofmightygirth,buttheirheightcouldnotbeguessed.

‘Iwillclimbup,’saidLegolas.‘Iamathomeamongtrees,byrootorbough,thoughthesetreesareofakindstrangetome,save

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asanameinsong.Mellyrntheyarecalled,andarethosethatbeartheyellowblossom,butIhaveneverclimbedinone.Iwillseenowwhatistheirshapeandwayofgrowth.’

‘Whateveritmaybe,’saidPippin,‘theywillbemarvelloustreesindeediftheycanofferanyrestatnight,excepttobirds.Icannotsleeponaperch!’

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‘Thendigaholeintheground,’saidLegolas,‘ifthatismoreafterthefashionofyourkind.Butyoumustdigswiftanddeep,ifyouwishtohidefromOrcs.’Hespranglightlyupfromthegroundandcaughtabranchthatgrewfromthetrunkhighabovehishead.Butevenasheswungthereforamoment,avoicespokesuddenlyfromthetree-shadowsabovehim.

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‘Daro!’itsaidincommandingtone,andLegolasdroppedbacktoearthinsurpriseandfear.Heshrankagainsttheboleofthetree.

‘Standstill!’hewhisperedtotheothers.‘Donotmoveorspeak!’

Therewasasoundofsoftlaughterovertheirheads,andthenanotherclearvoicespokeinanelven-tongue.

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Frodocouldunderstandlittleofwhatwassaid,forthespeechthattheSilvanfolkeastofthemountainsusedamongthemselveswasunlikethatoftheWest.Legolaslookedupandansweredinthesamelanguage.*

‘Whoarethey,andwhatdotheysay?’askedMerry.

‘They’reElves,’saidSam.‘Can’tyouheartheirvoices?’

‘Yes,theyareElves,’said

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Legolas;‘andtheysaythatyoubreathesoloudthattheycouldshootyouinthedark.’Samhastilyputhishandoverhismouth.‘Buttheysayalsothatyouneedhavenofear.Theyhavebeenawareofusforalongwhile.TheyheardmyvoiceacrosstheNimrodel,andknewthatIwasoneoftheirNorthernkindred,andthereforetheydidnothinderourcrossing;

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andafterwardstheyheardmysong.NowtheybidmeclimbupwithFrodo;fortheyseemtohavehadsometidingsofhimandofourjourney.Theotherstheyasktowaitalittle,andtokeepwatchatthefootofthetree,untiltheyhavedecidedwhatistobedone.’

Outoftheshadowsaladderwasletdown:itwas

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madeofrope,silver-greyandglimmeringinthedark,andthoughitlookedslenderitprovedstrongenoughtobearmanymen.Legolasranlightlyup,andFrodofollowedslowly;behindcameSamtryingnottobreatheloudly.Thebranchesofthemallorn-treegrewoutnearlystraightfromthetrunk,andthensweptupward;butnearthetopthemainstemdivided

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intoacrownofmanyboughs,andamongthesetheyfoundthattherehadbeenbuiltawoodenplatform,orfletassuchthingswerecalledinthosedays:theElvescalleditatalan.Itwasreachedbyaroundholeinthecentrethroughwhichtheladderpassed.

WhenFrodocameatlastupontotheflethefoundLegolasseatedwiththree

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otherElves.Theywerecladinshadowy-grey,andcouldnotbeseenamongthetree-stems,unlesstheymovedsuddenly.Theystoodup,andoneofthemuncoveredasmalllampthatgaveoutaslendersilverbeam.Hehelditup,lookingatFrodo’sface,andSam’s.Thenheshutoffthelightagain,andspokewordsofwelcomeinhiselven-tongue.Frodospoke

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haltinglyinreturn.‘Welcome!’theElfthen

saidagainintheCommonLanguage,speakingslowly.‘Weseldomuseanytonguebutourown;forwedwellnowintheheartoftheforest,anddonotwillinglyhavedealingswithanyotherfolk.EvenourownkindredintheNortharesunderedfromus.Buttherearesomeofusstillwhogoabroadforthe

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gatheringofnewsandthewatchingofourenemies,andtheyspeakthelanguagesofotherlands.Iamone.Haldirismyname.Mybrothers,RúmilandOrophin,speaklittleofyourtongue.

‘Butwehaveheardrumoursofyourcoming,forthemessengersofElrondpassedbyLórienontheirwayhomeuptheDimrillStair.Wehadnotheardof–

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hobbits,ofhalflings,formanyalongyear,anddidnotknowthatanyyetdweltinMiddle-earth.Youdonotlookevil!AndsinceyoucomewithanElfofourkindred,wearewillingtobefriendyou,asElrondasked;thoughitisnotourcustomtoleadstrangersthroughourland.Butyoumuststayheretonight.Howmanyareyou?’

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‘Eight,’saidLegolas.‘Myself,fourhobbits;andtwomen,oneofwhom,Aragorn,isanElf-friendofthefolkofWesternesse.’

‘ThenameofAragornsonofArathornisknowninLórien,’saidHaldir,‘andhehasthefavouroftheLady.Alltheniswell.Butyouhaveyetspokenonlyofseven.’

‘Theeighthisadwarf,’saidLegolas.

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‘Adwarf!’saidHaldir.‘Thatisnotwell.WehavenothaddealingswiththeDwarvessincetheDarkDays.Theyarenotpermittedinourland.Icannotallowhimtopass.’

‘ButheisfromtheLonelyMountain,oneofDáin’strustypeople,andfriendlytoElrond,’saidFrodo.‘Elrondhimselfchosehimtobeoneofourcompanions,andhe

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hasbeenbraveandfaithful.’TheElvesspoketogether

insoftvoices,andquestionedLegolasintheirowntongue.‘Verygood,’saidHaldiratlast.‘Wewilldothis,thoughitisagainstourliking.IfAragornandLegolaswillguardhim,andanswerforhim,heshallpass;buthemustgoblindfoldthroughLothlórien.

‘Butnowwemustdebate

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nolonger.Yourfolkmustnotremainontheground.Wehavebeenkeepingwatchontherivers,eversincewesawagreattroopofOrcsgoingnorthtowardsMoria,alongtheskirtsofthemountains,manydaysago.Wolvesarehowlingonthewood’sborders.IfyouhaveindeedcomefromMoria,theperilcannotbefarbehind.Tomorrowearlyyoumustgo

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on.‘Thefourhobbitsshall

climbuphereandstaywithus–wedonotfearthem!Thereisanothertalaninthenexttree.Theretheothersmusttakerefuge.You,Legolas,mustanswertousforthem.Callus,ifanythingisamiss!Andhaveaneyeonthatdwarf!’

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LegolasatoncewentdowntheladdertotakeHaldir’smessage;andsoonafterwardsMerryandPippinclamberedupontothehighflet.Theywereoutofbreathandseemedratherscared.

‘There!’saidMerrypanting.‘Wehaveluggedupyourblanketsaswellasourown.Striderhashiddenalltherestofourbaggageinadeepdriftofleaves.’

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‘Youhadnoneedofyourburdens,’saidHaldir.‘Itiscoldinthetree-topsinwinter,thoughthewindtonightisintheSouth;butwehavefoodanddrinktogiveyouthatwilldriveawaythenight-chill,andwehaveskinsandcloakstospare.’

Thehobbitsacceptedthissecond(andfarbetter)supperverygladly.Thentheywrappedthemselveswarmly,

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notonlyinthefur-cloaksoftheElves,butintheirownblanketsaswell,andtriedtogotosleep.ButwearyastheywereonlySamfoundthateasytodo.Hobbitsdonotlikeheights,anddonotsleepupstairs,evenwhentheyhaveanystairs.Thefletwasnotatalltotheirlikingasabedroom.Ithadnowalls,notevenarail;onlyononesidewastherealightplaited

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screen,whichcouldbemovedandfixedindifferentplacesaccordingtothewind.

Pippinwentontalkingforawhile.‘Ihope,ifIdogotosleepinthisbird-loft,thatIshan’trolloff,’hesaid.

‘OnceIdogettosleep,’saidSam,‘Ishallgoonsleeping,whetherIrollofforno.Andthelesssaid,thesoonerI’lldropoff,ifyoutakemymeaning.’

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Frodolayforsometimeawake,andlookedupatthestarsglintingthroughthepaleroofofquiveringleaves.Samwassnoringathissidelongbeforehehimselfclosedhiseyes.Hecoulddimlyseethegreyformsoftwoelvessittingmotionlesswiththeirarmsabouttheirknees,speakinginwhispers.Theotherhadgonedowntotakeuphiswatchononeofthe

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lowerbranches.Atlastlulledbythewindintheboughsabove,andthesweetmurmurofthefallsofNimrodelbelow,FrodofellasleepwiththesongofLegolasrunninginhismind.

Lateinthenighthewoke.Theotherhobbitswereasleep.TheElvesweregone.ThesickleMoonwasgleamingdimlyamongtheleaves.Thewindwasstill.A

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littlewayoffheheardaharshlaughandthetreadofmanyfeetonthegroundbelow.Therewasaringofmetal.Thesoundsdiedslowlyaway,andseemedtogosouthward,onintothewood.

Aheadappearedsuddenlythroughtheholeintheflet.Frodosatupinalarmandsawthatitwasagrey-hoodedElf.Helookedtowardsthehobbits.

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‘Whatisit?’saidFrodo.‘Yrch!’saidtheElfina

hissingwhisper,andcastontotheflettherope-ladderrolledup.

‘Orcs!’saidFrodo.‘Whataretheydoing?’ButtheElfhadgone.

Therewerenomoresounds.Eventheleavesweresilent,andtheveryfallsseemedtobehushed.Frodosatandshiveredinhiswraps.

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Hewasthankfulthattheyhadnotbeencaughtontheground;buthefeltthatthetreesofferedlittleprotection,exceptconcealment.Orcswereaskeenashoundsonascent,itwassaid,buttheycouldalsoclimb.HedrewoutSting:itflashedandglitteredlikeablueflame;andthenslowlyfadedagainandgrewdull.Inspiteofthefadingofhisswordthefeelingof

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immediatedangerdidnotleaveFrodo,ratheritgrewstronger.Hegotupandcrawledtotheopeningandpeereddown.Hewasalmostcertainthathecouldhearstealthymovementsatthetree’sfootfarbelow.

NotElves;forthewoodlandfolkwerealtogethernoiselessintheirmovements.Thenheheardfaintlyasoundlikesniffing;

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andsomethingseemedtobescrabblingonthebarkofthetree-trunk.Hestareddownintothedark,holdinghisbreath.

Somethingwasnowclimbingslowly,anditsbreathcamelikeasofthissingthroughclosedteeth.Thencomingup,closetothestem,Frodosawtwopaleeyes.Theystoppedandgazedupwardunwinking.Suddenly

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theyturnedaway,andashadowyfigureslippedroundthetrunkofthetreeandvanished.

ImmediatelyafterwardsHaldircameclimbingswiftlyupthroughthebranches.‘TherewassomethinginthistreethatIhaveneverseenbefore,’hesaid.‘Itwasnotanorc.ItfledassoonasItouchedthetree-stem.Itseemedtobewary,andto

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havesomeskillintrees,orImighthavethoughtthatitwasoneofyouhobbits.

‘Ididnotshoot,forIdarednotarouseanycries:wecannotriskbattle.AstrongcompanyofOrcshaspassed.TheycrossedtheNimrodel–cursetheirfoulfeetinitscleanwater!–andwentondowntheoldroadbesidetheriver.Theyseemedtopickupsomescent,and

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theysearchedthegroundforawhileneartheplacewhereyouhalted.Thethreeofuscouldnotchallengeahundred,sowewentaheadandspokewithfeignedvoices,leadingthemonintothewood.

‘Orophinhasnowgoneinhastebacktoourdwellingstowarnourpeople.NoneoftheOrcswilleverreturnoutofLórien.Andtherewillbe

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manyElveshiddenonthenorthernborderbeforeanothernightfalls.Butyoumusttaketheroadsouthassoonasitisfullylight.’

DaycamepalefromtheEast.Asthelightgrewitfilteredthroughtheyellowleavesofthemallorn,anditseemedtothehobbitsthattheearlysunofacoolsummer’s

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morningwasshining.Pale-blueskypeepedamongthemovingbranches.LookingthroughanopeningonthesouthsideofthefletFrodosawallthevalleyoftheSilverlodelyinglikeaseaoffallowgoldtossinggentlyinthebreeze.

ThemorningwasstillyoungandcoldwhentheCompanysetoutagain,guidednowbyHaldirandhis

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brotherRúmil.‘Farewell,sweetNimrodel!’criedLegolas.Frodolookedbackandcaughtagleamofwhitefoamamongthegreytree-stems.‘Farewell,’hesaid.Itseemedtohimthathewouldneverhearagainarunningwatersobeautiful,foreverblendingitsinnumerablenotesinanendlesschangefulmusic.

Theywentbacktothe

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paththatstillwentonalongthewestsideoftheSilverlode,andforsomewaytheyfolloweditsouthward.Thereweretheprintsoforc-feetintheearth.ButsoonHaldirturnedasideintothetreesandhaltedonthebankoftheriverundertheirshadows.

‘Thereisoneofmypeopleyonderacrossthestream,’hesaid,‘thoughyou

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maynotseehim.’Hegaveacalllikethelowwhistleofabird,andoutofathicketofyoungtreesanElfstepped,cladingrey,butwithhishoodthrownback;hishairglintedlikegoldinthemorningsun.Haldirskilfullycastoverthestreamacoilofgreyrope,andhecaughtitandboundtheendaboutatreenearthebank.

‘Celebrantisalreadya

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strongstreamhere,asyousee,’saidHaldir,‘anditrunsbothswiftanddeep,andisverycold.Wedonotsetfootinitsofarnorth,unlesswemust.Butinthesedaysofwatchfulnesswedonotmakebridges.Thisishowwecross!Followme!’Hemadehisendoftheropefastaboutanothertree,andthenranlightlyalongit,overtheriverandbackagain,asifhewere

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onaroad.‘Icanwalkthispath,’said

Legolas;‘buttheothershavenotthisskill.Musttheyswim?’

‘No!’saidHaldir.‘Wehavetwomoreropes.Wewillfastenthemabovetheother,oneshoulder-high,andanotherhalf-high,andholdingthesethestrangersshouldbeabletocrosswithcare.’

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Whenthisslenderbridgehadbeenmade,theCompanypassedover,somecautiouslyandslowly,othersmoreeasily.OfthehobbitsPippinprovedthebestforhewassure-footed,andhewalkedoverquickly,holdingonlywithonehand;buthekepthiseyesonthebankaheadanddidnotlookdown.Samshuffledalong,clutchinghard,andlookingdowninto

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thepaleeddyingwaterasifitwasachasminthemountains.

Hebreathedwithreliefwhenhewassafelyacross.‘Liveandlearn!asmygafferusedtosay.Thoughhewasthinkingofgardening,notofroostinglikeabird,noroftryingtowalklikeaspider.NotevenmyuncleAndyeverdidatricklikethat!’

Whenatlengthallthe

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CompanywasgatheredontheeastbankoftheSilverlode,theElvesuntiedtheropesandcoiledtwoofthem.Rúmil,whohadremainedontheotherside,drewbackthelastone,slungitonhisshoulder,andwithawaveofhishandwentaway,backtoNimrodeltokeepwatch.

‘Now,friends,’saidHaldir,‘youhaveenteredthe

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NaithofLórien,ortheGore,asyouwouldsay,foritisthelandthatlieslikeaspearheadbetweenthearmsofSilverlodeandAnduintheGreat.WeallownostrangerstospyoutthesecretsoftheNaith.Fewindeedarepermittedeventosetfootthere.

‘Aswasagreed,IshallhereblindfoldtheeyesofGimlitheDwarf.Theothers

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maywalkfreeforawhile,untilwecomenearertoourdwellings,downinEgladil,intheAnglebetweenthewaters.’

ThiswasnotatalltothelikingofGimli.‘Theagreementwasmadewithoutmyconsent,’hesaid.‘Iwillnotwalkblindfold,likeabeggaroraprisoner.AndIamnospy.Myfolkhaveneverhaddealingswithany

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oftheservantsoftheEnemy.NeitherhavewedoneharmtotheElves.IamnomorelikelytobetrayyouthanLegolas,oranyotherofmycompanions.’

‘Idonotdoubtyou,’saidHaldir.‘Yetthisisourlaw.Iamnotthemasterofthelaw,andcannotsetitaside.IhavedonemuchinlettingyousetfootoverCelebrant.’

Gimliwasobstinate.Heplantedhisfeetfirmlyapart,

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andlaidhishanduponthehaftofhisaxe.‘Iwillgoforwardfree,’hesaid,‘orIwillgobackandseekmyownland,whereIamknowntobetrueofword,thoughIperishaloneinthewilderness.’

‘Youcannotgoback,’saidHaldirsternly.‘Nowyouhavecomethusfar,youmustbebroughtbeforetheLordandtheLady.Theyshall

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judgeyou,toholdyouortogiveyouleave,astheywill.Youcannotcrosstheriversagain,andbehindyoutherearenowsecretsentinelsthatyoucannotpass.Youwouldbeslainbeforeyousawthem.’

Gimlidrewhisaxefromhisbelt.Haldirandhiscompanionbenttheirbows.‘AplagueonDwarvesandtheirstiffnecks!’said

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Legolas.‘Come!’saidAragorn.‘If

IamstilltoleadthisCompany,youmustdoasIbid.ItishardupontheDwarftobethussingledout.Wewillallbeblindfold,evenLegolas.Thatwillbebest,thoughitwillmakethejourneyslowanddull.’

Gimlilaughedsuddenly.‘Amerrytroopoffoolsweshalllook!WillHaldirlead

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usallonastring,likemanyblindbeggarswithonedog?ButIwillbecontent,ifonlyLegolasheresharesmyblindness.’

‘IamanElfandakinsmanhere,’saidLegolas,becomingangryinhisturn.

‘Nowletuscry:“aplagueonthestiffnecksofElves!”’saidAragorn.‘ButtheCompanyshallallfarealike.Come,bindoureyes,Haldir!’

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‘Ishallclaimfullamendsforeveryfallandstubbedtoe,ifyoudonotleaduswell,’saidGimliastheyboundaclothabouthiseyes.

‘Youwillhavenoclaim,’saidHaldir.‘Ishallleadyouwell,andthepathsaresmoothandstraight.’

‘Alasforthefollyofthesedays!’saidLegolas.‘HereallareenemiesoftheoneEnemy,andyetImustwalk

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blind,whilethesunismerryinthewoodlandunderleavesofgold!’

‘Follyitmayseem,’saidHaldir.‘IndeedinnothingisthepoweroftheDarkLordmoreclearlyshownthanintheestrangementthatdividesallthosewhostillopposehim.YetsolittlefaithandtrustdowefindnowintheworldbeyondLothlórien,unlessmaybeinRivendell,

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thatwedarenotbyourowntrustendangerourland.Welivenowuponanislandamidmanyperils,andourhandsaremoreoftenuponthebowstringthanupontheharp.

‘Theriverslongdefendedus,buttheyareasureguardnomore;fortheShadowhascreptnorthwardallaboutus.Somespeakofdeparting,yetforthatitalreadyseemstoolate.Themountainstothe

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westaregrowingevil;totheeastthelandsarewaste,andfullofSauron’screatures;anditisrumouredthatwecannotnowsafelypasssouthwardthroughRohan,andthemouthsoftheGreatRiverarewatchedbytheEnemy.EvenifwecouldcometotheshoresoftheSea,weshouldfindnolongeranyshelterthere.Itissaidthattherearestillhavensofthe

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HighElves,buttheyarefarnorthandwest,beyondthelandoftheHalflings.Butwherethatmaybe,thoughtheLordandLadymayknow,Idonot.’

‘Yououghtatleasttoguess,sinceyouhaveseenus,’saidMerry.‘ThereareElf-havenswestofmyland,theShire,whereHobbitslive.’

‘HappyfolkareHobbits

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todwellneartheshoresofthesea!’saidHaldir.‘Itislongindeedsinceanyofmyfolkhavelookedonit,yetstillwerememberitinsong.Tellmeofthesehavensaswewalk.’

‘Icannot,’saidMerry.‘Ihaveneverseenthem.Ihaveneverbeenoutofmyownlandbefore.AndifIhadknownwhattheworldoutsidewaslike,Idon’tthinkIshouldhavehadtheheartto

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leaveit.’‘Noteventoseefair

Lothlórien?’saidHaldir.‘Theworldisindeedfullofperil,andinittherearemanydarkplaces;butstillthereismuchthatisfair,andthoughinalllandsloveisnowmingledwithgrief,itgrowsperhapsthegreater.

‘SomethereareamonguswhosingthattheShadowwilldrawback,andpeace

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shallcomeagain.YetIdonotbelievethattheworldaboutuswilleveragainbeasitwasofold,orthelightoftheSunasitwasaforetime.FortheElves,Ifear,itwillproveatbestatruce,inwhichtheymaypasstotheSeaunhinderedandleavetheMiddle-earthforever.AlasforLothlórienthatIlove!Itwouldbeapoorlifeinalandwherenomallorngrew.But

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iftherearemallorn-treesbeyondtheGreatSea,nonehavereportedit.’

Astheyspokethus,theCompanyfiledslowlyalongthepathsinthewood,ledbyHaldir,whiletheotherElfwalkedbehind.Theyfeltthegroundbeneaththeirfeetsmoothandsoft,andafterawhiletheywalkedmorefreely,withoutfearofhurtorfall.Beingdeprivedofsight,

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Frodofoundhishearingandothersensessharpened.Hecouldsmellthetreesandthetroddengrass.Hecouldhearmanydifferentnotesintherustleoftheleavesoverhead,therivermurmuringawayonhisright,andthethinclearvoicesofbirdshighinthesky.Hefeltthesunuponhisfaceandhandswhentheypassedthroughanopenglade.

Assoonashesetfoot

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uponthefarbankofSilverlodeastrangefeelinghadcomeuponhim,anditdeepenedashewalkedonintotheNaith:itseemedtohimthathehadsteppedoverabridgeoftimeintoacorneroftheElderDays,andwasnowwalkinginaworldthatwasnomore.InRivendelltherewasmemoryofancientthings;inLórientheancientthingsstilllivedoninthe

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wakingworld.Evilhadbeenseenandheardthere,sorrowhadbeenknown;theElvesfearedanddistrustedtheworldoutside:wolveswerehowlingonthewood’sborders:butonthelandofLóriennoshadowlay.

AllthatdaytheCompanymarchedon,untiltheyfeltthecooleveningcomeandheard

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theearlynight-windwhisperingamongmanyleaves.Thentheyrestedandsleptwithoutfearupontheground;fortheirguideswouldnotpermitthemtounbindtheireyes,andtheycouldnotclimb.Inthemorningtheywentonagain,walkingwithouthaste.Atnoontheyhalted,andFrodowasawarethattheyhadpassedoutundertheshining

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Sun.Suddenlyheheardthesoundofmanyvoicesallaroundhim.

AmarchinghostofElveshadcomeupsilently:theywerehasteningtowardsthenorthernborderstoguardagainstanyattackfromMoria;andtheybroughtnews,someofwhichHaldirreported.Themaraudingorcshadbeenwaylaidandalmostalldestroyed;theremnant

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hadfledwestwardtowardsthemountains,andwerebeingpursued.Astrangecreaturealsohadbeenseen,runningwithbentbackandwithhandsneartheground,likeabeastandyetnotofbeast-shape.Ithadeludedcapture,andtheyhadnotshotit,notknowingwhetheritwasgoodorill,andithadvanisheddowntheSilverlodesouthward.

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‘Also,’saidHaldir,‘theybringmeamessagefromtheLordandLadyoftheGaladhrim.Youarealltowalkfree,eventhedwarfGimli.ItseemsthattheLadyknowswhoandwhatiseachmemberofyourCompany.NewmessageshavecomefromRivendellperhaps.’

HeremovedthebandagefirstfromGimli’seyes.‘Yourpardon!’hesaid,bowinglow.

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‘Lookonusnowwithfriendlyeyes!Lookandbeglad,foryouarethefirstdwarftobeholdthetreesoftheNaithofLóriensinceDurin’sDay!’

Whenhiseyeswereinturnuncovered,Frodolookedupandcaughthisbreath.Theywerestandinginanopenspace.

Totheleftstoodagreatmound,coveredwithasward

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ofgrassasgreenasSpringtimeintheElderDays.Uponit,asadoublecrown,grewtwocirclesoftrees:theouterhadbarkofsnowywhite,andwereleaflessbutbeautifulintheirshapelynakedness;theinnerweremallorn-treesofgreatheight,stillarrayedinpalegold.Highamidthebranchesofatoweringtreethatstoodinthecentreofalltheregleameda

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whiteflet.Atthefeetofthetrees,andallaboutthegreenhillsidesthegrasswasstuddedwithsmallgoldenflowersshapedlikestars.Amongthem,noddingonslenderstalks,wereotherflowers,whiteandpalestgreen:theyglimmeredasamistamidtherichhueofthegrass.Overalltheskywasblue,andthesunofafternoongloweduponthehillandcast

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longgreenshadowsbeneaththetrees.

‘Behold!YouarecometoCerinAmroth,’saidHaldir.‘Forthisistheheartoftheancientrealmasitwaslongago,andhereisthemoundofAmroth,whereinhappierdayshishighhousewasbuilt.Hereeverbloomthewinterflowersintheunfadinggrass:theyellowelanor,andthepaleniphredil.Herewewill

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stayawhile,andcometothecityoftheGaladhrimatdusk.’

Theotherscastthemselvesdownuponthefragrantgrass,butFrodostoodawhilestilllostinwonder.Itseemedtohimthathehadsteppedthroughahighwindowthatlookedonavanishedworld.Alightwas

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uponitforwhichhislanguagehadnoname.Allthathesawwasshapely,buttheshapesseemedatonceclearcut,asiftheyhadbeenfirstconceivedanddrawnattheuncoveringofhiseyes,andancientasiftheyhadenduredforever.Hesawnocolourbutthoseheknew,goldandwhiteandblueandgreen,buttheywerefreshandpoignant,asifhehadat

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thatmomentfirstperceivedthemandmadeforthemnamesnewandwonderful.Inwinterherenoheartcouldmournforsummerorforspring.Noblemishorsicknessordeformitycouldbeseeninanythingthatgrewupontheearth.OnthelandofLórientherewasnostain.

HeturnedandsawthatSamwasnowstandingbesidehim,lookingroundwitha

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puzzledexpression,andrubbinghiseyesasifhewasnotsurethathewasawake.‘It’ssunlightandbrightday,rightenough,’hesaid.‘IthoughtthatElveswereallformoonandstars:butthisismoreElvishthananythingIeverheardtellof.IfeelasifIwasinsideasong,ifyoutakemymeaning.’

Haldirlookedatthem,andheseemedindeedtotakethe

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meaningofboththoughtandword.Hesmiled.‘YoufeelthepoweroftheLadyoftheGaladhrim,’hesaid.‘WoulditpleaseyoutoclimbwithmeupCerinAmroth?’

Theyfollowedhimashesteppedlightlyupthegrass-cladslopes.Thoughhewalkedandbreathed,andabouthimlivingleavesandflowerswerestirredbythesamecoolwindasfannedhis

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face,Frodofeltthathewasinatimelesslandthatdidnotfadeorchangeorfallintoforgetfulness.Whenhehadgoneandpassedagainintotheouterworld,stillFrodothewandererfromtheShirewouldwalkthere,uponthegrassamongelanorandniphredilinfairLothlórien.

Theyenteredthecircleofwhitetrees.AstheydidsotheSouthWindblewuponCerin

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Amrothandsighedamongthebranches.Frodostoodstill,hearingfaroffgreatseasuponbeachesthathadlongagobeenwashedaway,andsea-birdscryingwhoseracehadperishedfromtheearth.

Haldirhadgoneonandwasnowclimbingtothehighflet.AsFrodopreparedtofollowhim,helaidhishanduponthetreebesidetheladder:neverbeforehadhe

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beensosuddenlyandsokeenlyawareofthefeelandtextureofatree’sskinandofthelifewithinit.Hefeltadelightinwoodandthetouchofit,neitherasforesternorascarpenter;itwasthedelightofthelivingtreeitself.

Ashesteppedoutatlastupontheloftyplatform,HaldirtookhishandandturnedhimtowardstheSouth.‘Lookthiswayfirst!’hesaid.

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Frodolookedandsaw,stillatsomedistance,ahillofmanymightytrees,oracityofgreentowers:whichitwashecouldnottell.Outofit,itseemedtohimthatthepowerandlightcamethatheldallthelandinsway.Helongedsuddenlytoflylikeabirdtorestinthegreencity.ThenhelookedeastwardandsawallthelandofLórienrunningdowntothepalegleamof

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Anduin,theGreatRiver.Heliftedhiseyesacrosstheriverandallthelightwentout,andhewasbackagainintheworldheknew.Beyondtheriverthelandappearedflatandempty,formlessandvague,untilfarawayitroseagainlikeawall,darkanddrear.ThesunthatlayonLothlórienhadnopowertoenlightentheshadowofthatdistantheight.

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‘ThereliesthefastnessofSouthernMirkwood,’saidHaldir.‘Itiscladinaforestofdarkfir,wherethetreesstriveoneagainstanotherandtheirbranchesrotandwither.InthemidstuponastonyheightstandsDolGuldur,wherelongthehiddenEnemyhadhisdwelling.Wefearthatnowitisinhabitedagain,andwithpowersevenfold.Ablackcloudliesoftenoverit

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oflate.Inthishighplaceyoumayseethetwopowersthatareopposedonetoanother;andevertheystrivenowinthought,butwhereasthelightperceivestheveryheartofthedarkness,itsownsecrethasnotbeendiscovered.Notyet.’Heturnedandclimbedswiftlydown,andtheyfollowedhim.

Atthehill’sfootFrodofoundAragorn,standingstill

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andsilentasatree;butinhishandwasasmallgoldenbloomofelanor,andalightwasinhiseyes.Hewaswrappedinsomefairmemory:andasFrodolookedathimheknewthathebeheldthingsastheyoncehadbeeninthissameplace.ForthegrimyearswereremovedfromthefaceofAragorn,andheseemedclothedinwhite,ayounglordtallandfair;and

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hespokewordsintheElvishtonguetoonewhomFrodocouldnotsee.Arwenvanimelda,namárië!hesaid,andthenhedrewabreath,andreturningoutofhisthoughthelookedatFrodoandsmiled.

‘HereistheheartofElvendomonearth,’hesaid,‘andheremyheartdwellsever,unlesstherebealightbeyondthedarkroadsthatwe

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stillmusttread,youandI.Comewithme!’AndtakingFrodo’shandinhis,heleftthehillofCerinAmrothandcamethereneveragainaslivingman.

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Chapter7

THEMIRROROFGALADRIEL

Thesunwassinkingbehindthemountains,andtheshadowsweredeepeninginthewoods,whentheywent

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onagain.Theirpathsnowwentintothicketswheretheduskhadalreadygathered.Nightcamebeneaththetreesastheywalked,andtheElvesuncoveredtheirsilverlamps.

Suddenlytheycameoutintotheopenagainandfoundthemselvesunderapaleeveningskyprickedbyafewearlystars.Therewasawidetreelessspacebeforethem,runninginagreatcircleand

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bendingawayoneitherhand.Beyonditwasadeepfosselostinsoftshadow,butthegrassuponitsbrinkwasgreen,asifitglowedstillinmemoryofthesunthathadgone.Uponthefurthersidethererosetoagreatheightagreenwallencirclingagreenhillthrongedwithmallorn-treestallerthananytheyhadyetseeninalltheland.Theirheightcouldnotbeguessed,

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buttheystoodupinthetwilightlikelivingtowers.Intheirmany-tieredbranchesandamidtheirever-movingleavescountlesslightsweregleaming,greenandgoldandsilver.HaldirturnedtowardstheCompany.

‘WelcometoCarasGaladhon!’hesaid.‘HereisthecityoftheGaladhrimwheredwelltheLordCelebornandGaladrielthe

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LadyofLórien.Butwecannotenterhere,forthegatesdonotlooknorthward.Wemustgoroundtothesouthernside,andthewayisnotshort,forthecityisgreat.’

Therewasaroadpavedwithwhitestonerunningontheouterbrinkofthefosse.Alongthistheywent

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westward,withthecityeverclimbinguplikeagreencloudupontheirleft;andasthenightdeepenedmorelightssprangforth,untilallthehillseemedafirewithstars.Theycameatlasttoawhitebridge,andcrossingfoundthegreatgatesofthecity:theyfacedsouth-west,setbetweentheendsoftheencirclingwallthathereoverlapped,andtheyweretall

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andstrong,andhungwithmanylamps.

Haldirknockedandspoke,andthegatesopenedsoundlessly;butofguardsFrodocouldseenosign.Thetravellerspassedwithin,andthegatesshutbehindthem.Theywereinadeeplanebetweentheendsofthewall,andpassingquicklythroughittheyenteredtheCityoftheTrees.Nofolkcouldtheysee,

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norhearanyfeetuponthepaths;butthereweremanyvoices,aboutthem,andintheairabove.Farawayuponthehilltheycouldhearthesoundofsingingfallingfromonhighlikesoftrainuponleaves.

Theywentalongmanypathsandclimbedmanystairs,untiltheycametothehighplacesandsawbeforethemamidawidelawna

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fountainshimmering.Itwaslitbysilverlampsthatswungfromtheboughsoftrees,anditfellintoabasinofsilver,fromwhichawhitestreamspilled.Uponthesouthsideofthelawntherestoodthemightiestofallthetrees;itsgreatsmoothbolegleamedlikegreysilk,andupittowered,untilitsfirstbranches,farabove,openedtheirhugelimbsunder

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shadowycloudsofleaves.Besideitabroadwhiteladderstood,andatitsfootthreeElveswereseated.Theysprangupasthetravellersapproached,andFrodosawthattheyweretallandcladingreymail,andfromtheirshouldershunglongwhitecloaks.

‘HeredwellCelebornandGaladriel,’saidHaldir.‘Itistheirwishthatyoushould

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ascendandspeakwiththem.’OneoftheElf-wardens

thenblewaclearnoteonasmallhorn,anditwasansweredthreetimesfromfarabove.‘Iwillgofirst,’saidHaldir.‘LetFrodocomenextandwithhimLegolas.Theothersmayfollowastheywish.Itisalongclimbforthosethatarenotaccustomedtosuchstairs,butyoumayrestupontheway.’

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AsheclimbedslowlyupFrodopassedmanyflets:someononeside,someonanother,andsomesetabouttheboleofthetree,sothattheladderpassedthroughthem.Atagreatheightabovethegroundhecametoawidetalan,likethedeckofagreatship.Onitwasbuiltahouse,solargethatalmostitwouldhaveservedforahallofMenupontheearth.Heentered

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behindHaldir,andfoundthathewasinachamberofovalshape,inthemidstofwhichgrewthetrunkofthegreatmallorn,nowtaperingtowardsitscrown,andyetmakingstillapillarofwidegirth.

Thechamberwasfilledwithasoftlight;itswallsweregreenandsilveranditsroofofgold.ManyElveswereseatedthere.Ontwo

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chairsbeneaththeboleofthetreeandcanopiedbyalivingboughtheresat,sidebyside,CelebornandGaladriel.Theystooduptogreettheirguests,afterthemannerofElves,eventhosewhowereaccountedmightykings.Verytalltheywere,andtheLadynolesstallthantheLord;andtheyweregraveandbeautiful.Theywerecladwhollyinwhite;andthehair

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oftheLadywasofdeepgold,andthehairoftheLordCelebornwasofsilverlongandbright;butnosignofagewasuponthem,unlessitwereinthedepthsoftheireyes;forthesewerekeenaslancesinthestarlight,andyetprofound,thewellsofdeepmemory.

HaldirledFrodobeforethem,andtheLordwelcomedhiminhisowntongue.The

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LadyGaladrielsaidnowordbutlookedlonguponhisface.

‘Sitnowbesidemychair,FrodooftheShire!’saidCeleborn.‘Whenallhavecomewewillspeaktogether.’

Eachofthecompanionshegreetedcourteouslybynameastheyentered.‘WelcomeAragornsonofArathorn!’hesaid.‘Itiseightandthirtyyearsoftheworld

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outsidesinceyoucametothisland;andthoseyearslieheavyonyou.Buttheendisnear,forgoodorill.Herelayasideyourburdenforawhile!’

‘WelcomesonofThranduil!TooseldomdomykindredjourneyhitherfromtheNorth.’

‘WelcomeGimlisonofGlóin!ItislongindeedsincewesawoneofDurin’sfolkin

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CarasGaladhon.Buttodaywehavebrokenourlonglaw.Mayitbeasignthatthoughtheworldisnowdarkbetterdaysareathand,andthatfriendshipshallberenewedbetweenourpeoples.’Gimlibowedlow.

WhenalltheguestswereseatedbeforehischairtheLordlookedatthemagain.

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‘Herethereareeight,’hesaid.‘Nineweretosetout:sosaidthemessages.Butmaybetherehasbeensomechangeofcounselthatwehavenotheard.Elrondisfaraway,anddarknessgathersbetweenus,andallthisyeartheshadowshavegrownlonger.’

‘Nay,therewasnochangeofcounsel,’saidtheLadyGaladriel,speakingforthefirsttime.Hervoicewasclear

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andmusical,butdeeperthanwoman’swont.‘GandalftheGreysetoutwiththeCompany,buthedidnotpassthebordersofthisland.Nowtelluswhereheis;forImuchdesiredtospeakwithhimagain.ButIcannotseehimfromafar,unlesshecomeswithinthefencesofLothlórien:agreymistisabouthim,andthewaysofhisfeetandofhismindare

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hiddenfromme.’‘Alas!’saidAragorn.

‘GandalftheGreyfellintoshadow.HeremainedinMoriaanddidnotescape.’

AtthesewordsalltheElvesinthehallcriedaloudingriefandamazement.‘Theseareeviltidings,’saidCeleborn,‘themostevilthathavebeenspokenhereinlongyearsfullofgrievousdeeds.’HeturnedtoHaldir.

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‘Whyhasnothingofthisbeentoldtomebefore?’heaskedintheelven-tongue.

‘WehavenotspokentoHaldirofourdeedsorourpurpose,’saidLegolas.‘Atfirstwewerewearyanddangerwastooclosebehind;andafterwardswealmostforgotourgriefforatime,aswewalkedingladnessonthefairpathsofLórien.’

‘Yetourgriefisgreatand

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ourlosscannotbemended,’saidFrodo.‘Gandalfwasourguide,andheledusthroughMoria;andwhenourescapeseemedbeyondhopehesavedus,andhefell.’

‘Tellusnowthefulltale!’saidCeleborn.

ThenAragornrecountedallthathadhappeneduponthepassofCaradhras,andinthedaysthatfollowed;andhespokeofBalinandhisbook,

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andthefightintheChamberofMazarbul,andthefire,andthenarrowbridge,andthecomingoftheTerror.‘AneviloftheAncientWorlditseemed,suchasIhaveneverseenbefore,’saidAragorn.‘Itwasbothashadowandaflame,strongandterrible.’

‘ItwasaBalrogofMorgoth,’saidLegolas;‘ofallelf-banesthemostdeadly,savetheOnewhositsinthe

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DarkTower.’‘IndeedIsawuponthe

bridgethatwhichhauntsourdarkestdreams,IsawDurin’sBane,’saidGimliinalowvoice,anddreadwasinhiseyes.

‘Alas!’saidCeleborn.‘WelonghavefearedthatunderCaradhrasaterrorslept.ButhadIknownthattheDwarveshadstirredupthisevilinMoriaagain,I

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wouldhaveforbiddenyoutopassthenorthernborders,youandallthatwentwithyou.Andifitwerepossible,onewouldsaythatatthelastGandalffellfromwisdomintofolly,goingneedlesslyintothenetofMoria.’

‘Hewouldberashindeedthatsaidthatthing,’saidGaladrielgravely.‘NeedlesswerenoneofthedeedsofGandalfinlife.Thosethat

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followedhimknewnothismindandcannotreporthisfullpurpose.Buthoweveritmaybewiththeguide,thefollowersareblameless.DonotrepentofyourwelcometotheDwarf.IfourfolkhadbeenexiledlongandfarfromLothlórien,whooftheGaladhrim,evenCeleborntheWise,wouldpassnighandwouldnotwishtolookupontheirancienthome,thoughit

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hadbecomeanabodeofdragons?

‘DarkisthewaterofKheled-zâram,andcoldarethespringsofKibil-nâla,andfairwerethemany-pillaredhallsofKhazad-dûminElderDaysbeforethefallofmightykingsbeneaththestone.’ShelookeduponGimli,whosatgloweringandsad,andshesmiled.AndtheDwarf,hearingthenamesgivenin

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hisownancienttongue,lookedupandmethereyes;anditseemedtohimthathelookedsuddenlyintotheheartofanenemyandsawthereloveandunderstanding.Wondercameintohisface,andthenhesmiledinanswer.

Heroseclumsilyandbowedindwarf-fashion,saying:‘YetmorefairisthelivinglandofLórien,andtheLadyGaladrielisaboveall

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thejewelsthatliebeneaththeearth!’

Therewasasilence.AtlengthCelebornspokeagain.‘Ididnotknowthatyourplightwassoevil,’hesaid.‘LetGimliforgetmyharshwords:Ispokeinthetroubleofmyheart.IwilldowhatIcantoaidyou,eachaccordingtohiswishand

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need,butespeciallythatoneofthelittlefolkwhobearstheburden.’

‘Yourquestisknowntous,’saidGaladriel,lookingatFrodo.‘Butwewillnotherespeakofitmoreopenly.Yetnotinvainwillitprove,maybe,thatyoucametothislandseekingaid,asGandalfhimselfplainlypurposed.FortheLordoftheGaladhrimisaccountedthewisestofthe

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ElvesofMiddle-earth,andagiverofgiftsbeyondthepowerofkings.HehasdweltintheWestsincethedaysofdawn,andIhavedweltwithhimyearsuncounted;forerethefallofNargothrondorGondolinIpassedoverthemountains,andtogetherthroughagesoftheworldwehavefoughtthelongdefeat.

‘IitwaswhofirstsummonedtheWhite

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Council.Andifmydesignshadnotgoneamiss,itwouldhavebeengovernedbyGandalftheGrey,andthenmayhapthingswouldhavegoneotherwise.Butevennowthereishopeleft.Iwillnotgiveyoucounsel,sayingdothis,ordothat.Fornotindoingorcontriving,norinchoosingbetweenthiscourseandanother,canIavail;butonlyinknowingwhatwas

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andis,andinpartalsowhatshallbe.ButthisIwillsaytoyou:yourQueststandsupontheedgeofaknife.Straybutalittleanditwillfail,totheruinofall.YethoperemainswhilealltheCompanyistrue.’

Andwiththatwordsheheldthemwithhereyes,andinsilencelookedsearchinglyateachoftheminturn.NonesaveLegolasandAragorn

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couldlongendureherglance.Samquicklyblushedandhunghishead.

AtlengththeLadyGaladrielreleasedthemfromhereyes,andshesmiled.‘Donotletyourheartsbetroubled,’shesaid.‘Tonightyoushallsleepinpeace.’Thentheysighedandfeltsuddenlyweary,asthosewhohavebeenquestionedlonganddeeply,thoughnowords

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hadbeenspokenopenly.‘Gonow!’saidCeleborn.

‘Youarewornwithsorrowandmuchtoil.EvenifyourQuestdidnotconcernusclosely,youshouldhaverefugeinthisCity,untilyouwerehealedandrefreshed.Nowyoushallrest,andwewillnotspeakofyourfurtherroadforawhile.’

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ThatnighttheCompanysleptupontheground,muchtothesatisfactionofthehobbits.TheElvesspreadforthemapavilionamongthetreesnearthefountain,andinittheylaidsoftcouches;thenspeakingwordsofpeacewithfairElvishvoicestheyleftthem.Foralittlewhilethetravellerstalkedoftheirnightbeforeinthetree-tops,andoftheirday’sjourney,andofthe

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LordandLady;fortheyhadnotyetthehearttolookfurtherback.

‘Whatdidyoublushfor,Sam?’saidPippin.‘Yousoonbrokedown.Anyonewouldhavethoughtyouhadaguiltyconscience.Ihopeitwasnothingworsethanawickedplottostealoneofmyblankets.’

‘Ineverthoughtnosuchthing,’answeredSam,inno

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moodforjest.‘Ifyouwanttoknow,IfeltasifIhadn’tgotnothingon,andIdidn’tlikeit.SheseemedtobelookinginsidemeandaskingmewhatIwoulddoifshegavemethechanceofflyingbackhometotheShiretoanicelittleholewith–withabitofgardenofmyown.’

‘That’sfunny,’saidMerry.‘AlmostexactlywhatIfeltmyself;only,onlywell,

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Idon’tthinkI’llsayanymore,’heendedlamely.

Allofthem,itseemed,hadfaredalike:eachhadfeltthathewasofferedachoicebetweenashadowfulloffearthatlayahead,andsomethingthathegreatlydesired:clearbeforehisminditlay,andtogetithehadonlytoturnasidefromtheroadandleavetheQuestandthewaragainstSaurontoothers.

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‘Anditseemedtome,too,’saidGimli,‘thatmychoicewouldremainsecretandknownonlytomyself.’

‘Tomeitseemedexceedinglystrange,’saidBoromir.‘Maybeitwasonlyatest,andshethoughttoreadourthoughtsforherowngoodpurpose;butalmostIshouldhavesaidthatshewastemptingus,andofferingwhatshepretendedtohave

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thepowertogive.ItneednotbesaidthatIrefusedtolisten.TheMenofMinasTiritharetruetotheirword.’ButwhathethoughtthattheLadyhadofferedhimBoromirdidnottell.

AndasforFrodo,hewouldnotspeak,thoughBoromirpressedhimwithquestions.‘Sheheldyoulonginhergaze,Ring-bearer,’hesaid.

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‘Yes,’saidFrodo;‘butwhatevercameintomymindthenIwillkeepthere.’

‘Well,haveacare!’saidBoromir.‘IdonotfeeltoosureofthisElvishLadyandherpurposes.’

‘SpeaknoeviloftheLadyGaladriel!’saidAragornsternly.‘Youknownotwhatyousay.Thereisinherandinthislandnoevil,unlessamanbringithitherhimself.

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Thenlethimbeware!ButtonightIshallsleepwithoutfearforthefirsttimesinceIleftRivendell.AndmayIsleepdeep,andforgetforawhilemygrief!Iamwearyinbodyandinheart.’Hecasthimselfdownuponhiscouchandfellatonceintoalongsleep.

Theotherssoondidthesame,andnosoundordreamdisturbedtheirslumber.

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Whentheywoketheyfoundthatthelightofdaywasbroaduponthelawnbeforethepavilion,andthefountainroseandfellglitteringinthesun.

TheyremainedsomedaysinLothlórien,sofarastheycouldtellorremember.Allthewhilethattheydwelttherethesunshoneclear,

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saveforagentlerainthatfellattimes,andpassedawayleavingallthingsfreshandclean.Theairwascoolandsoft,asifitwereearlyspring,yettheyfeltaboutthemthedeepandthoughtfulquietofwinter.Itseemedtothemthattheydidlittlebuteatanddrinkandrest,andwalkamongthetrees;anditwasenough.

Theyhadnotseenthe

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LordandLadyagain,andtheyhadlittlespeechwiththeElven-folk;forfewofthesekneworwouldusetheWestrontongue.HaldirhadbiddenthemfarewellandgonebackagaintothefencesoftheNorth,wheregreatwatchwasnowkeptsincethetidingsofMoriathattheCompanyhadbrought.LegolaswasawaymuchamongtheGaladhrim,and

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afterthefirstnighthedidnotsleepwiththeothercompanions,thoughhereturnedtoeatandtalkwiththem.OftenhetookGimliwithhimwhenhewentabroadintheland,andtheotherswonderedatthischange.

NowasthecompanionssatorwalkedtogethertheyspokeofGandalf,andallthateachhadknownandseenof

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himcameclearbeforetheirminds.Astheywerehealedofhurtandwearinessofbodythegriefoftheirlossgrewmorekeen.OftentheyheardnearbyElvishvoicessinging,andknewthattheyweremakingsongsoflamentationforhisfall,fortheycaughthisnameamongthesweetsadwordsthattheycouldnotunderstand.

Mithrandir,Mithrandir

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sangtheElves,OPilgrimGrey!Forsotheylovedtocallhim.ButifLegolaswaswiththeCompany,hewouldnotinterpretthesongsforthem,sayingthathehadnottheskill,andthatforhimthegriefwasstilltoonear,amatterfortearsandnotyetforsong.

ItwasFrodowhofirstputsomethingofhissorrowintohaltingwords.Hewasseldom

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movedtomakesongorrhyme;eveninRivendellhehadlistenedandhadnotsunghimself,thoughhismemorywasstoredwithmanythingsthatothershadmadebeforehim.ButnowashesatbesidethefountaininLórienandheardabouthimthevoicesoftheElves,histhoughttookshapeinasongthatseemedfairtohim;yetwhenhetriedtorepeatittoSamonly

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snatchesremained,fadedasahandfulofwitheredleaves.

WheneveningintheShirewasgreyhisfootstepsontheHillwereheard;beforethedawnhewentawayonjourneylongwithoutaword.

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FromWilderlandtoWesternshore,fromnorthernwastetosouthernhill,throughdragon-lairandhiddendooranddarklingwoodshewalkedatwill.

WithDwarfandHobbit,ElvesandMen,withmortaland

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immortalfolk,withbirdonboughandbeastinden,intheirownsecrettongueshespoke.

Adeadlysword,ahealinghand,abackthatbentbeneathitsload;atrumpet-voice,aburningbrand,awearypilgrimon

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theroad.

Alordofwisdomthronedhesat,swiftinanger,quicktolaugh;anoldmaninabatteredhatwholeaneduponathornystaff.

Hestooduponthe

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bridgealoneandFireandShadowbothdefied;hisstaffwasbrokenonthestone,inKhazad-dûmhiswisdomdied.

‘Why,you’llbebeatingMr.Bilbonext!’saidSam.

‘No,Iamafraidnot,’saidFrodo.‘ButthatisthebestIcandoyet.’

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‘Well,Mr.Frodo,ifyoudohaveanothergo,Ihopeyou’llsayawordabouthisfireworks,’saidSam.‘Somethinglikethis:

Thefinestrocketseverseen:theyburstinstarsofblueandgreen,orafterthundergoldenshowerscamefallinglikea

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rainofflowers.

Thoughthatdoesn’tdothemjusticebyalongroad.’

‘No,I’llleavethattoyou,Sam.OrperhapstoBilbo.But–well,Ican’ttalkofitanymore.Ican’tbeartothinkofbringingthenewstohim.’

OneeveningFrodoand

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Samwerewalkingtogetherinthecooltwilight.Bothofthemfeltrestlessagain.OnFrodosuddenlytheshadowofpartinghadfallen:heknewsomehowthatthetimewasverynearwhenhemustleaveLothlórien.

‘WhatdoyouthinkofElvesnow,Sam?’hesaid.‘Iaskedyouthesamequestiononcebefore–itseemsaverylongwhileago;butyouhave

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seenmoreofthemsincethen.’

‘Ihaveindeed!’saidSam.‘AndIreckonthere’sElvesandElves.They’reallElvishenough,butthey’renotallthesame.Nowthesefolkaren’twanderersorhomeless,andseemabitnearertothelikesofus:theyseemtobelonghere,moreeventhanHobbitsdointheShire.Whetherthey’vemadetheland,orthe

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land’smadethem,it’shardtosay,ifyoutakemymeaning.It’swonderfullyquiethere.Nothingseemstobegoingon,andnobodyseemstowantitto.Ifthere’sanymagicabout,it’srightdowndeep,whereIcan’tlaymyhandsonit,inamannerofspeaking.’

‘Youcanseeandfeeliteverywhere,’saidFrodo.

‘Well,’saidSam,‘you

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can’tseenobodyworkingit.NofireworkslikepooroldGandalfusedtoshow.Iwonderwedon’tseenothingoftheLordandLadyinallthesedays.Ifancynowthatshecoulddosomewonderfulthings,ifshehadamind.I’ddearlylovetoseesomeElf-magic,Mr.Frodo!’

‘Iwouldn’t,’saidFrodo.‘Iamcontent.AndIdon’tmissGandalf’sfireworks,

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buthisbushyeyebrows,andhisquicktemper,andhisvoice.’

‘You’reright,’saidSam.‘Anddon’tthinkI’mfindingfault.I’veoftenwantedtoseeabitofmagiclikewhatittellsofinoldtales,butI’veneverheardofabetterlandthanthis.It’slikebeingathomeandonaholidayatthesametime,ifyouunderstandme.Idon’twanttoleave.All

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thesame,I’mbeginningtofeelthatifwe’vegottogoon,thenwe’dbestgetitover.

‘It’sthejobthat’sneverstartedastakeslongesttofinish,asmyoldgafferusedtosay.AndIdon’treckonthatthesefolkcandomuchmoretohelpus,magicorno.It’swhenweleavethislandthatweshallmissGandalfworse,I’mthinking.’

‘Iamafraidthat’sonlytoo

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true,Sam,’saidFrodo.‘YetIhopeverymuchthatbeforeweleaveweshallseetheLadyoftheElvesagain.’

Evenashespoke,theysaw,asifshecameinanswertotheirwords,theLadyGaladrielapproaching.Tallandwhiteandfairshewalkedbeneaththetrees.Shespokenoword,butbeckonedtothem.

Turningaside,sheled

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themtowardsthesouthernslopesofthehillofCarasGaladhon,andpassingthroughahighgreenhedgetheycameintoanenclosedgarden.Notreesgrewthere,anditlayopentothesky.Theeveningstarhadrisenandwasshiningwithwhitefireabovethewesternwoods.DownalongflightofstepstheLadywentintothedeepgreenhollow,throughwhich

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ranmurmuringthesilverstreamthatissuedfromthefountainonthehill.Atthebottom,uponalowpedestalcarvedlikeabranchingtree,stoodabasinofsilver,wideandshallow,andbesideitstoodasilverewer.

WithwaterfromthestreamGaladrielfilledthebasintothebrim,andbreathedonit,andwhenthewaterwasstillagainshe

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spoke.‘HereistheMirrorofGaladriel,’shesaid.‘Ihavebroughtyouheresothatyoumaylookinit,ifyouwill.’

Theairwasverystill,andthedellwasdark,andtheElf-ladybesidehimwastallandpale.‘Whatshallwelookfor,andwhatshallwesee?’askedFrodo,filledwithawe.

‘ManythingsIcancommandtheMirrortoreveal,’sheanswered,‘andto

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someIcanshowwhattheydesiretosee.ButtheMirrorwillalsoshowthingsunbidden,andthoseareoftenstrangerandmoreprofitablethanthingswhichwewishtobehold.Whatyouwillsee,ifyouleavetheMirrorfreetowork,Icannottell.Foritshowsthingsthatwere,andthingsthatare,andthingsthatyetmaybe.Butwhichitisthathesees,eventhewisest

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cannotalwaystell.Doyouwishtolook?’

Frododidnotanswer.‘Andyou?’shesaid,

turningtoSam.‘Forthisiswhatyourfolkwouldcallmagic,Ibelieve;thoughIdonotunderstandclearlywhattheymean;andtheyseemtousethesamewordofthedeceitsoftheEnemy.Butthis,ifyouwill,isthemagicofGaladriel.Didyounotsay

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thatyouwishedtoseeElf-magic?’

‘Idid,’saidSam,tremblingalittlebetweenfearandcuriosity.‘I’llhaveapeep,Lady,ifyou’rewilling.

‘AndI’dnotmindaglimpseofwhat’sgoingonathome,’hesaidinanasidetoFrodo.‘ItseemsaterriblelongtimethatI’vebeenaway.Butthere,likeasnotI’llonlyseethestars,or

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somethingthatIwon’tunderstand.’

‘Likeasnot,’saidtheLadywithagentlelaugh.‘Butcome,youshalllookandseewhatyoumay.Donottouchthewater!’

Samclimbeduponthefootofthepedestalandleanedoverthebasin.Thewaterlookedhardanddark.Starswerereflectedinit.

‘There’sonlystars,asI

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thought,’hesaid.Thenhegavealowgasp,forthestarswentout.Asifadarkveilhadbeenwithdrawn,theMirrorgrewgrey,andthenclear.Therewassunshining,andthebranchesoftreeswerewavingandtossinginthewind.ButbeforeSamcouldmakeuphismindwhatitwasthathesaw,thelightfaded;andnowhethoughthesawFrodowithapaleface

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lyingfastasleepunderagreatdarkcliff.Thenheseemedtoseehimselfgoingalongadimpassage,andclimbinganendlesswindingstair.Itcametohimsuddenlythathewaslookingurgentlyforsomething,butwhatitwashedidnotknow.Likeadreamthevisionshiftedandwentback,andhesawthetreesagain.Butthistimetheywerenotsoclose,andhecouldsee

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whatwasgoingon:theywerenotwavinginthewind,theywerefalling,crashingtotheground.

‘Hi!’criedSaminanoutragedvoice.‘There’sthatTedSandymana-cuttingdowntreesasheshouldn’t.Theydidn’toughttobefelled:it’sthatavenuebeyondtheMillthatshadestheroadtoBywater.IwishIcouldgetatTed,andI’dfell

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him!’ButnowSamnoticedthat

theOldMillhadvanished,andalargered-brickbuildingwasbeingputupwhereithadstood.Lotsoffolkwerebusilyatwork.Therewasatallredchimneynearby.BlacksmokeseemedtocloudthesurfaceoftheMirror.

‘There’ssomedevilryatworkintheShire,’hesaid.‘Elrondknewwhathewas

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aboutwhenhewantedtosendMr.Merryback.’ThensuddenlySamgaveacryandsprangaway.‘Ican’tstayhere,’hesaidwildly.‘Imustgohome.They’vedugupBagshotRow,andthere’sthepooroldGaffergoingdowntheHillwithhisbitsofthingsonabarrow.Imustgohome!’

‘Youcannotgohomealone,’saidtheLady.‘You

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didnotwishtogohomewithoutyourmasterbeforeyoulookedintheMirror,andyetyouknewthatevilthingsmightwellbehappeningintheShire.RememberthattheMirrorshowsmanythings,andnotallhaveyetcometopass.Somenevercometobe,unlessthosethatbeholdthevisionsturnasidefromtheirpathtopreventthem.TheMirrorisdangerousasa

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guideofdeeds.’Samsatonthegroundand

puthisheadinhishands.‘IwishIhadnevercomehere,andIdon’twanttoseenomoremagic,’hesaidandfellsilent.Afteramomenthespokeagainthickly,asifstrugglingwithtears.‘No,I’llgohomebythelongroadwithMr.Frodo,ornotatall,’hesaid.‘ButIhopeIdogetbacksomeday.IfwhatI’ve

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seenturnsouttrue,somebody’sgoingtocatchithot!’

‘Doyounowwishtolook,Frodo?’saidtheLadyGaladriel.‘YoudidnotwishtoseeElf-magicandwerecontent.’

‘Doyouadvisemetolook?’askedFrodo.

‘No,’shesaid.‘Idonot

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counselyouonewayortheother.

Iamnotacounsellor.Youmaylearnsomething,andwhetherwhatyouseebefairorevil,thatmaybeprofitable,andyetitmaynot.Seeingisbothgoodandperilous.YetIthink,Frodo,thatyouhavecourageandwisdomenoughfortheventure,orIwouldnothavebroughtyouhere.Doasyou

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will!’‘Iwilllook,’saidFrodo,

andheclimbedonthepedestalandbentoverthedarkwater.AtoncetheMirrorclearedandhesawatwilitland.Mountainsloomeddarkinthedistanceagainstapalesky.Alonggreyroadwoundbackoutofsight.Farawayafigurecameslowlydowntheroad,faintandsmallatfirst,butgrowing

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largerandclearerasitapproached.SuddenlyFrodorealizedthatitremindedhimofGandalf.Healmostcalledaloudthewizard’sname,andthenhesawthatthefigurewasclothednotingreybutinwhite,inawhitethatshonefaintlyinthedusk;andinitshandtherewasawhitestaff.Theheadwassobowedthathecouldseenoface,andpresentlythefigureturned

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asideroundabendintheroadandwentoutoftheMirror’sview.DoubtcameintoFrodo’smind:wasthisavisionofGandalfononeofhismanylonelyjourneyslongago,orwasitSaruman?

Thevisionnowchanged.BriefandsmallbutveryvividhecaughtaglimpseofBilbowalkingrestlesslyabouthisroom.Thetablewaslitteredwithdisorderedpapers;rain

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wasbeatingonthewindows.Thentherewasapause,

andafteritmanyswiftscenesfollowedthatFrodoinsomewayknewtobepartsofagreathistoryinwhichhehadbecomeinvolved.Themistclearedandhesawasightwhichhehadneverseenbeforebutknewatonce:theSea.Darknessfell.Thesearoseandragedinagreatstorm.Thenhesawagainst

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theSun,sinkingblood-redintoawrackofclouds,theblackoutlineofatallshipwithtornsailsridingupoutoftheWest.Thenawideriverflowingthroughapopulouscity.Thenawhitefortresswithseventowers.Andthenagainashipwithblacksails,butnowitwasmorningagain,andthewaterrippledwithlight,andabannerbearingtheemblemof

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awhitetreeshoneinthesun.Asmokeasoffireandbattlearose,andagainthesunwentdowninaburningredthatfadedintoagreymist;andintothemistasmallshippassedaway,twinklingwithlights.Itvanished,andFrodosighedandpreparedtodrawaway.

ButsuddenlytheMirrorwentaltogetherdark,asdarkasifaholehadopenedinthe

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worldofsight,andFrodolookedintoemptiness.IntheblackabyssthereappearedasingleEyethatslowlygrew,untilitfillednearlyalltheMirror.SoterriblewasitthatFrodostoodrooted,unabletocryoutortowithdrawhisgaze.TheEyewasrimmedwithfire,butwasitselfglazed,yellowasacat’s,watchfulandintent,andtheblackslitofitspupilopened

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onapit,awindowintonothing.

ThentheEyebegantorove,searchingthiswayandthat;andFrodoknewwithcertaintyandhorrorthatamongthemanythingsthatitsoughthehimselfwasone.Buthealsoknewthatitcouldnotseehim–notyet,notunlesshewilledit.TheRingthathunguponitschainabouthisneckgrewheavy,heavier

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thanagreatstone,andhisheadwasdraggeddownwards.TheMirrorseemedtobegrowinghotandcurlsofsteamwererisingfromthewater.Hewasslippingforward.

‘Donottouchthewater!’saidtheLadyGaladrielsoftly.Thevisionfaded,andFrodofoundthathewaslookingatthecoolstarstwinklinginthesilverbasin.

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HesteppedbackshakingalloverandlookedattheLady.

‘Iknowwhatitwasthatyoulastsaw,’shesaid;‘forthatisalsoinmymind.Donotbeafraid!Butdonotthinkthatonlybysingingamidthetrees,norevenbytheslenderarrowsofelven-bows,isthislandofLothlórienmaintainedanddefendedagainstitsEnemy.Isaytoyou,Frodo,thateven

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asIspeaktoyou,IperceivetheDarkLordandknowhismind,orallofhismindthatconcernstheElves.Andhegropesevertoseemeandmythought.Butstillthedoorisclosed!’

Sheliftedupherwhitearms,andspreadoutherhandstowardstheEastinagestureofrejectionanddenial.Eärendil,theEveningStar,mostbelovedofthe

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Elves,shoneclearabove.SobrightwasitthatthefigureoftheElven-ladycastadimshadowontheground.Itsraysglanceduponaringaboutherfinger;itglitteredlikepolishedgoldoverlaidwithsilverlight,andawhitestoneinittwinkledasiftheEvenstarhadcomedowntorestuponherhand.Frodogazedattheringwithawe;forsuddenlyitseemedtohim

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thatheunderstood.‘Yes,’shesaid,divining

histhought,‘itisnotpermittedtospeakofit,andElrondcouldnotdoso.ButitcannotbehiddenfromtheRing-bearer,andonewhohasseentheEye.VerilyitisinthelandofLórienuponthefingerofGaladrielthatoneoftheThreeremains.ThisisNenya,theRingofAdamant,andIamitskeeper.

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‘Hesuspects,buthedoesnotknow–notyet.DoyounotseenowwhereforeyourcomingistousasthefootstepofDoom?Forifyoufail,thenwearelaidbaretotheEnemy.Yetifyousucceed,thenourpowerisdiminished,andLothlórienwillfade,andthetidesofTimewillsweepitaway.WemustdepartintotheWest,ordwindletoarusticfolkof

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dellandcave,slowlytoforgetandtobeforgotten.’

Frodobenthishead.‘Andwhatdoyouwish?’hesaidatlast.

‘Thatwhatshouldbeshallbe,’sheanswered.‘TheloveoftheElvesfortheirlandandtheirworksisdeeperthanthedeepsoftheSea,andtheirregretisundyingandcannoteverwhollybeassuaged.Yettheywillcastallawayrather

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thansubmittoSauron:fortheyknowhimnow.ForthefateofLothlórienyouarenotanswerable,butonlyforthedoingofyourowntask.YetIcouldwish,wereitofanyavail,thattheOneRinghadneverbeenwrought,orhadremainedforeverlost.’

‘Youarewiseandfearlessandfair,LadyGaladriel,’saidFrodo.‘IwillgiveyoutheOneRing,ifyouaskforit.It

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istoogreatamatterforme.’Galadriellaughedwitha

suddenclearlaugh.‘WisetheLadyGaladrielmaybe,’shesaid,‘yethereshehasmethermatchincourtesy.Gentlyareyourevengedformytestingofyourheartatourfirstmeeting.Youbegintoseewithakeeneye.Idonotdenythatmyhearthasgreatlydesiredtoaskwhatyouoffer.FormanylongyearsIhad

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ponderedwhatImightdo,shouldtheGreatRingcomeintomyhands,andbehold!itwasbroughtwithinmygrasp.Theevilthatwasdevisedlongagoworksoninmanyways,whetherSauronhimselfstandsorfalls.WouldnotthathavebeenanobledeedtosettothecreditofhisRing,ifIhadtakenitbyforceorfearfrommyguest?

‘Andnowatlastitcomes.

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YouwillgivemetheRingfreely!InplaceoftheDarkLordyouwillsetupaQueen.AndIshallnotbedark,butbeautifulandterribleastheMorningandtheNight!FairastheSeaandtheSunandtheSnowupontheMountain!DreadfulastheStormandtheLightning!Strongerthanthefoundationsoftheearth.Allshalllovemeanddespair!’

Sheliftedupherhandand

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fromtheringthatsheworethereissuedagreatlightthatilluminedheraloneandleftallelsedark.ShestoodbeforeFrodoseemingnowtallbeyondmeasurement,andbeautifulbeyondenduring,terribleandworshipful.Thensheletherhandfall,andthelightfaded,andsuddenlyshelaughedagain,andlo!shewasshrunken:aslenderelf-woman,cladinsimplewhite,

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whosegentlevoicewassoftandsad.

‘Ipassthetest,’shesaid.‘Iwilldiminish,andgointotheWest,andremainGaladriel.’

Theystoodforalongwhileinsilence.AtlengththeLadyspokeagain.‘Letusreturn!’shesaid.‘Inthemorningyoumustdepart,for

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nowwehavechosen,andthetidesoffateareflowing.’

‘Iwouldaskonethingbeforewego,’saidFrodo,‘athingwhichIoftenmeanttoaskGandalfinRivendell.IampermittedtoweartheOneRing:whycannotIseealltheothersandknowthethoughtsofthosethatwearthem?’

‘Youhavenottried,’shesaid.‘OnlythricehaveyousettheRinguponyourfinger

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sinceyouknewwhatyoupossessed.Donottry!Itwoulddestroyyou.DidnotGandalftellyouthattheringsgivepoweraccordingtothemeasureofeachpossessor?Beforeyoucouldusethatpoweryouwouldneedtobecomefarstronger,andtotrainyourwilltothedominationofothers.Yetevenso,asRing-bearerandasonethathasborneiton

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fingerandseenthatwhichishidden,yoursightisgrownkeener.Youhaveperceivedmythoughtmoreclearlythanmanythatareaccountedwise.YousawtheEyeofhimthatholdstheSevenandtheNine.Anddidyounotseeandrecognizetheringuponmyfinger?Didyouseemyring?’sheaskedturningagaintoSam.

‘No,Lady,’heanswered.

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‘Totellyouthetruth,Iwonderedwhatyouweretalkingabout.Isawastarthroughyourfingers.Butifyou’llpardonmyspeakingout,Ithinkmymasterwasright.Iwishyou’dtakehisRing.You’dputthingstorights.You’dstopthemdigginguptheGafferandturninghimadrift.You’dmakesomefolkpayfortheirdirtywork.’

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‘Iwould,’shesaid.‘Thatishowitwouldbegin.Butitwouldnotstopwiththat,alas!Wewillnotspeakmoreofit.Letusgo!’

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Chapter8

FAREWELLTOLÓRIEN

ThatnighttheCompanywasagainsummonedtothechamberofCeleborn,andtheretheLordandLady

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greetedthemwithfairwords.AtlengthCelebornspokeoftheirdeparture.

‘Nowisthetime,’hesaid,‘whenthosewhowishtocontinuetheQuestmusthardentheirheartstoleavethisland.Thosewhonolongerwishtogoforwardmayremainhere,forawhile.Butwhethertheystayorgo,nonecanbesureofpeace.Forwearecomenowtothe

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edgeofdoom.Herethosewhowishmayawaittheoncomingofthehourtilleitherthewaysoftheworldlieopenagain,orwesummonthemtothelastneedofLórien.Thentheymayreturntotheirownlands,orelsegotothelonghomeofthosethatfallinbattle.’

Therewasasilence.‘Theyallresolvedtogoforward,’saidGaladriellookingintheir

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eyes.‘Asforme,’saidBoromir,

‘mywayhomeliesonwardandnotback.’

‘Thatistrue,’saidCeleborn,‘butisallthisCompanygoingwithyoutoMinasTirith?’

‘Wehavenotdecidedourcourse,’saidAragorn.‘BeyondLothlórienIdonotknowwhatGandalfintendedtodo.IndeedIdonotthink

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thatevenhehadanyclearpurpose.’

‘Maybenot,’saidCeleborn,‘yetwhenyouleavethisland,youcannolongerforgettheGreatRiver.Assomeofyouknowwell,itcannotbecrossedbytravellerswithbaggagebetweenLórienandGondor,savebyboat.AndarenotthebridgesofOsgiliathbrokendownandallthelandings

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heldnowbytheEnemy?‘Onwhichsidewillyou

journey?ThewaytoMinasTirithliesuponthisside,uponthewest;butthestraightroadofthe

QuestlieseastoftheRiver,uponthedarkershore.Whichshorewillyounowtake?’

‘Ifmyadviceisheeded,itwillbethewesternshore,andthewaytoMinasTirith,’

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answeredBoromir.‘ButIamnottheleaderoftheCompany.’Theotherssaidnothing,andAragornlookeddoubtfulandtroubled.

‘Iseethatyoudonotyetknowwhattodo,’saidCeleborn.‘Itisnotmyparttochooseforyou;butIwillhelpyouasImay.Therearesomeamongyouwhocanhandleboats:Legolas,whosefolkknowtheswiftForest

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River;andBoromirofGondor;andAragornthetraveller.’

‘AndoneHobbit!’criedMerry.‘Notallofuslookonboatsaswildhorses.MypeoplelivebythebanksoftheBrandywine.’

‘Thatiswell,’saidCeleborn.‘ThenIwillfurnishyourCompanywithboats.Theymustbesmallandlight,forifyougofarbywater,

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thereareplaceswhereyouwillbeforcedtocarrythem.YouwillcometotherapidsofSarnGebir,andmaybeatlasttothegreatfallsofRauroswheretheRiverthundersdownfromNenHithoel;andthereareotherperils.Boatsmaymakeyourjourneylesstoilsomeforawhile.Yettheywillnotgiveyoucounsel:intheendyoumustleavethemandthe

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River,andturnwest–oreast.’

AragornthankedCelebornmanytimes.Thegiftofboatscomfortedhimmuch,notleastbecausetherewouldnowbenoneedtodecidehiscourseforsomedays.Theothers,too,lookedmorehopeful.Whateverperilslayahead,itseemedbettertofloatdownthebroadtideofAnduintomeetthemthanto

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plodforwardwithbentbacks.OnlySamwasdoubtful:heatanyratestillthoughtboatsasbadaswildhorses,orworse,andnotallthedangersthathehadsurvivedmadehimthinkbetterofthem.

‘Allshallbepreparedforyouandawaityouatthehavenbeforenoontomorrow,’saidCeleborn.‘Iwillsendmypeopletoyouinthemorningtohelpyoumake

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readyforthejourney.Nowwewillwishyouallafairnightanduntroubledsleep.’

‘Goodnight,myfriends!’saidGaladriel.‘Sleepinpeace!

Donottroubleyourheartsovermuchwiththoughtoftheroadtonight.Maybethepathsthatyoueachshalltreadarealreadylaidbeforeyourfeet,thoughyoudonotseethem.Goodnight!’

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TheCompanynowtooktheirleaveandreturnedtotheirpavilion.Legolaswentwiththem,forthiswastobetheirlastnightinLothlórien,andinspiteofthewordsofGaladrieltheywishedtotakecounseltogether.

Foralongtimetheydebatedwhattheyshoulddo,andhowitwouldbebesttoattemptthefulfillingoftheirpurposewiththeRing;but

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theycametonodecision.ItwasplainthatmostofthemdesiredtogofirsttoMinasTirith,andtoescapeatleastforawhilefromtheterroroftheEnemy.TheywouldhavebeenwillingtofollowaleaderovertheRiverandintotheshadowofMordor;butFrodospokenoword,andAragornwasstilldividedinhismind.

Hisownplan,while

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Gandalfremainedwiththem,hadbeentogowithBoromir,andwithhisswordhelptodeliverGondor.Forhebelievedthatthemessageofthedreamswasasummons,andthatthehourhadcomeatlastwhentheheirofElendilshouldcomeforthandstrivewithSauronforthemastery.ButinMoriatheburdenofGandalfhadbeenlaidonhim;andheknewthathe

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couldnotnowforsaketheRing,ifFrodorefusedintheendtogowithBoromir.AndyetwhathelpcouldheoranyoftheCompanygivetoFrodo,savetowalkblindlywithhimintothedarkness?

‘IshallgotoMinasTirith,aloneifneedbe,foritismyduty,’saidBoromir;andafterthathewassilentforawhile,sittingwithhiseyesfixedonFrodo,asifhewastryingto

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readtheHalfling’sthoughts.Atlengthhespokeagain,softly,asifhewasdebatingwithhimself.‘IfyouwishonlytodestroytheRing,’hesaid,‘thenthereislittleuseinwarandweapons;andtheMenofMinasTirithcannothelp.ButifyouwishtodestroythearmedmightoftheDarkLord,thenitisfollytogowithoutforceintohisdomain;andfollytothrow

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away.’Hepausedsuddenly,asifhehadbecomeawarethathewasspeakinghisthoughtsaloud.‘Itwouldbefollytothrowlivesaway,Imean,’heended.‘Itisachoicebetweendefendingastrongplaceandwalkingopenlyintothearmsofdeath.Atleast,thatishowIseeit.’

FrodocaughtsomethingnewandstrangeinBoromir’sglance,andhelookedhardat

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him.PlainlyBoromir’sthoughtwasdifferentfromhisfinalwords.Itwouldbefollytothrowaway:what?TheRingofPower?HehadsaidsomethinglikethisattheCouncil,butthenhehadacceptedthecorrectionofElrond.FrodolookedatAragorn,butheseemeddeepinhisownthoughtandmadenosignthathehadheededBoromir’swords.Andso

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theirdebateended.MerryandPippinwerealreadyasleep,andSamwasnodding.Thenightwasgrowingold.

Inthemorning,astheywerebeginningtopacktheirslendergoods,Elvesthatcouldspeaktheirtonguecametothemandbroughtthemmanygiftsoffoodandclothingforthejourney.The

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foodwasmostlyintheformofverythincakes,madeofamealthatwasbakedalightbrownontheoutside,andinsidewasthecolourofcream.Gimlitookuponeofthecakesandlookedatitwithadoubtfuleye.

‘Cram,’hesaidunderhisbreath,ashebrokeoffacrispcornerandnibbledatit.Hisexpressionquicklychanged,andheatealltherestofthe

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cakewithrelish.‘Nomore,nomore!’cried

theElveslaughing.‘Youhaveeatenenoughalreadyforalongday’smarch.’

‘Ithoughtitwasonlyakindofcram,suchastheDale-menmakeforjourneysinthewild,’saidtheDwarf.

‘Soitis,’theyanswered.‘Butwecallitlembasorwaybread,anditismorestrengtheningthananyfood

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madebyMen,anditismorepleasantthancram,byallaccounts.’

‘Indeeditis,’saidGimli.‘Why,itisbetterthanthehoneycakesoftheBeornings,andthatisgreatpraise,fortheBeorningsarethebestbakersthatIknowof;buttheyarenonetoowillingtodealouttheircakestotravellersinthesedays.Youarekindlyhosts!’

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‘Allthesame,webidyousparethefood,’theysaid.‘Eatlittleatatime,andonlyatneed.Forthesethingsaregiventoserveyouwhenallelsefails.Thecakeswillkeepsweetformanymanydays,iftheyareunbrokenandleftintheirleaf-wrappings,aswehavebroughtthem.Onewillkeepatravelleronhisfeetforadayoflonglabour,evenifhebeoneofthetallMenof

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MinasTirith.’TheElvesnextunwrapped

andgavetoeachoftheCompanytheclothestheyhadbrought.Foreachtheyhadprovidedahoodandcloak,madeaccordingtohissize,ofthelightbutwarmsilkenstuffthattheGaladhrimwove.Itwashardtosayofwhatcolourtheywere:greywiththehueoftwilightunderthetreesthey

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seemedtobe;andyetiftheyweremoved,orsetinanotherlight,theyweregreenasshadowedleaves,orbrownasfallowfieldsbynight,dusk-silveraswaterunderthestars.Eachcloakwasfastenedabouttheneckwithabroochlikeagreenleafveinedwithsilver.

‘Arethesemagiccloaks?’askedPippin,lookingatthemwithwonder.

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‘Idonotknowwhatyoumeanbythat,’answeredtheleaderoftheElves.‘Theyarefairgarments,andthewebisgood,foritwasmadeinthisland.TheyareElvishrobescertainly,ifthatiswhatyoumean.Leafandbranch,waterandstone:theyhavethehueandbeautyofallthesethingsunderthetwilightofLórienthatwelove;forweputthethoughtofallthatwelove

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intoallthatwemake.Yettheyaregarments,notarmour,andtheywillnotturnshaftorblade.Buttheyshouldserveyouwell:theyarelighttowear,andwarmenoughorcoolenoughatneed.Andyouwillfindthemagreataidinkeepingoutofthesightofunfriendlyeyes,whetheryouwalkamongthestonesorthetrees.Youareindeedhighinthefavourof

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theLady!Forsheherselfandhermaidenswovethisstuff;andneverbeforehavewecladstrangersinthegarbofourownpeople.’

AftertheirmorningmealtheCompanysaidfarewelltothelawnbythefountain.Theirheartswereheavy;foritwasafairplace,andithadbecomelikehometothem,

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thoughtheycouldnotcountthedaysandnightsthattheyhadpassedthere.Astheystoodforamomentlookingatthewhitewaterinthesunlight,Haldircamewalkingtowardsthemoverthegreengrassoftheglade.Frodogreetedhimwithdelight.

‘IhavereturnedfromtheNorthernFences,’saidtheElf,‘andIamsentnowtobe

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yourguideagain.TheDimrillDaleisfullofvapourandcloudsofsmoke,andthemountainsaretroubled.Therearenoisesinthedeepsoftheearth.Ifanyofyouhadthoughtofreturningnorthwardstoyourhomes,youwouldnothavebeenabletopassthatway.Butcome!Yourpathnowgoessouth.’

AstheywalkedthroughCarasGaladhonthegreen

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wayswereempty;butinthetreesabovethemmanyvoicesweremurmuringandsinging.Theythemselveswentsilently.AtlastHaldirledthemdownthesouthwardslopesofthehill,andtheycameagaintothegreatgatehungwithlamps,andtothewhitebridge;andsotheypassedoutandleftthecityoftheElves.Thentheyturnedawayfromthepavedroad

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andtookapaththatwentoffintoadeepthicketofmallorn-trees,andpassedon,windingthroughrollingwoodlandsofsilvershadow,leadingthemeverdown,southwardsandeastwards,towardstheshoresoftheRiver.

Theyhadgonesometenmilesandnoonwasathandwhentheycameonahighgreenwall.Passingthrough

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anopeningtheycamesuddenlyoutofthetrees.Beforethemlayalonglawnofshininggrass,studdedwithgoldenelanorthatglintedinthesun.Thelawnranoutintoanarrowtonguebetweenbrightmargins:ontherightandwesttheSilverlodeflowedglittering;ontheleftandeasttheGreatRiverrolleditsbroadwaters,deepanddark.Onthefurther

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shoresthewoodlandsstillmarchedonsouthwardsasfaraseyecouldsee,butallthebankswerebleakandbare.Nomallornlifteditsgold-hungboughsbeyondtheLandofLórien.

OnthebankoftheSilverlode,atsomedistanceupfromthemeetingofthestreams,therewasahytheofwhitestonesandwhitewood.Byitweremooredmany

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boatsandbarges.Somewerebrightly

painted,andshonewithsilverandgoldandgreen,butmostwereeitherwhiteorgrey.Threesmallgreyboatshadbeenmadereadyforthetravellers,andinthesetheElvesstowedtheirgoods.Andtheyaddedalsocoilsofrope,threetoeachboat.Slendertheylooked,butstrong,silkentothetouch,

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greyofhueliketheelven-cloaks.

‘Whatarethese?’askedSam,handlingonethatlayuponthegreensward.

‘Ropesindeed!’answeredanElffromtheboats.‘Nevertravelfarwithoutarope!Andonethatislongandstrongandlight.Sucharethese.Theymaybeahelpinmanyneeds.’

‘Youdon’tneedtotellme

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that!’saidSam.‘Icamewithoutany,andI’vebeenworriedeversince.ButIwaswonderingwhattheseweremadeof,knowingabitaboutrope-making:it’sinthefamilyasyoumightsay.’

‘Theyaremadeofhithlain,’saidtheElf,‘butthereisnotimenowtoinstructyouintheartoftheirmaking.Hadweknownthatthiscraftdelightedyou,we

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couldhavetaughtyoumuch.Butnowalas!unlessyoushouldatsometimereturnhither,youmustbecontentwithourgift.Mayitserveyouwell!’

‘Come!’saidHaldir.‘Allisnowreadyforyou.Entertheboats!Buttakecareatfirst!’

‘Heedthewords!’saidtheotherElves.‘Theseboatsarelight-built,andtheyarecrafty

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andunliketheboatsofotherfolk.Theywillnotsink,ladethemasyouwill;buttheyarewaywardifmishandled.Itwouldbewiseifyouaccustomedyourselvestosteppinginandout,herewherethereisalanding-place,beforeyousetoffdownstream.’

TheCompanywas

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arrangedinthisway:Aragorn,Frodo,andSamwereinoneboat;Boromir,Merry,andPippininanother;andinthethirdwereLegolasandGimli,whohadnowbecomefastfriends.Inthislastboatmostofthegoodsandpackswerestowed.Theboatsweremovedandsteeredwithshort-handledpaddlesthathadbroadleaf-shapedblades.Whenallwasready

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AragornledthemonatrialuptheSilverlode.Thecurrentwasswiftandtheywentforwardslowly.Samsatinthebows,clutchingthesides,andlookingbackwistfullytotheshore.Thesunlightglitteringonthewaterdazzledhiseyes.AstheypassedbeyondthegreenfieldoftheTongue,thetreesdrewdowntotheriver’sbrink.Hereandtheregoldenleaves

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tossedandfloatedontheripplingstream.Theairwasverybrightandstill,andtherewasasilence,exceptforthehighdistantsongoflarks.

Theyturnedasharpbendintheriver,andthere,sailingproudlydownthestreamtowardsthem,theysawaswanofgreatsize.Thewaterrippledoneithersideofthewhitebreastbeneathitscurvingneck.Itsbeakshone

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likeburnishedgold,anditseyesglintedlikejetsetinyellowstones;itshugewhitewingswerehalflifted.Amusiccamedowntheriverasitdrewnearer;andsuddenlytheyperceivedthatitwasaship,wroughtandcarvedwithelven-skillinthelikenessofabird.Twoelvescladinwhitesteereditwithblackpaddles.InthemidstofthevesselsatCeleborn,and

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behindhimstoodGaladriel,tallandwhite;acircletofgoldenflowerswasinherhair,andinherhandsheheldaharp,andshesang.Sadandsweetwasthesoundofhervoiceinthecoolclearair:

Isangofleaves,ofleavesofgold,andleavesofgoldtheregrew:OfwindIsang,a

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windtherecameandinthebranchesblew.BeyondtheSun,beyondtheMoon,thefoamwasontheSea,AndbythestrandofIlmarintheregrewagoldenTree.BeneaththestarsofEver-eveinEldamaritshone,

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InEldamarbesidethewallsofElvenTirion.Therelongthegoldenleaveshavegrownuponthebranchingyears,WhileherebeyondtheSunderingSeasnowfalltheElven-tears.OLórien!TheWintercomes,thebareand

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leaflessDay;Theleavesarefallinginthestream,theRiverflowsaway.OLórien!ToolongIhavedweltuponthisHitherShoreAndinafadingcrownhavetwinedthegoldenelanor.ButifofshipsInowshouldsing,whatshipwouldcometo

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me,WhatshipwouldbearmeeverbackacrosssowideaSea?

AragornstayedhisboatastheSwan-shipdrewalongside.TheLadyendedhersongandgreetedthem.‘Wehavecometobidourlastfarewell,’shesaid,‘andtospeedyouwithblessings

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fromourland.’‘Thoughyouhavebeen

ourguests,’saidCeleborn,‘youhavenotyeteatenwithus,andwebidyou,therefore,toapartingfeast,herebetweentheflowingwatersthatwillbearyoufarfromLórien.’

TheSwanpassedonslowlytothehythe,andtheyturnedtheirboatsandfollowedit.Thereinthelast

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endofEgladiluponthegreengrassthepartingfeastwasheld;butFrodoateanddranklittle,heedingonlythebeautyoftheLadyandhervoice.Sheseemednolongerperilousorterrible,norfilledwithhiddenpower.Alreadysheseemedtohim,asbymenoflaterdaysElvesstillattimesareseen:presentandyetremote,alivingvisionofthatwhichhasalreadybeen

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leftfarbehindbytheflowingstreamsofTime.

Aftertheyhadeatenanddrunk,sittinguponthegrass,Celebornspoketothemagainoftheirjourney,andliftinghishandhepointedsouthtothewoodsbeyondtheTongue.

‘Asyougodownthewater,’hesaid,‘youwillfind

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thatthetreeswillfail,andyouwillcometoabarrencountry.TheretheRiverflowsinstonyvalesamidhighmoors,untilatlastaftermanyleaguesitcomestothetallislandoftheTindrock,thatwecallTolBrandir.Thereitcastsitsarmsaboutthesteepshoresoftheisle,andfallsthenwithagreatnoiseandsmokeoverthecataractsofRaurosdowninto

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theNindalf,theWetwangasitiscalledinyourtongue.Thatisawideregionofsluggishfenwherethestreambecomestortuousandmuchdivided.TheretheEntwashflowsinbymanymouthsfromtheForestofFangorninthewest.Aboutthatstream,onthissideoftheGreatRiver,liesRohan.OnthefurthersidearethebleakhillsoftheEmynMuil.Thewind

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blowsfromtheEastthere,fortheylookoutovertheDeadMarshesandtheNoman-landstoCirithGorgorandtheblackgatesofMordor.

‘Boromir,andanythatgowithhimseekingMinasTirith,willdowelltoleavetheGreatRiveraboveRaurosandcrosstheEntwashbeforeitfindsthemarshes.Yettheyshouldnotgotoofarupthatstream,norriskbecoming

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entangledintheForestofFangorn.Thatisastrangeland,andisnowlittleknown.ButBoromirandAragorndoubtlessdonotneedthiswarning.’

‘IndeedwehaveheardofFangorninMinasTirith,’saidBoromir.‘ButwhatIhaveheardseemstomeforthemostpartoldwives’tales,suchaswetelltoourchildren.Allthatliesnorthof

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Rohanisnowtoussofarawaythatfancycanwanderfreelythere.OfoldFangornlayuponthebordersofourrealm;butitisnowmanylivesofmensinceanyofusvisitedit,toproveordisprovethelegendsthathavecomedownfromdistantyears.

‘IhavemyselfbeenatwhilesinRohan,butIhavenevercrosseditnorthwards.WhenIwassentoutasa

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messenger,IpassedthroughtheGapbytheskirtsoftheWhiteMountains,andcrossedtheIsenandtheGreyfloodintoNortherland.Alongandwearisomejourney.FourhundredleaguesIreckonedit,andittookmemanymonths;forIlostmyhorseatTharbad,atthefordingoftheGreyflood.Afterthatjourney,andtheroadIhavetroddenwiththis

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Company,IdonotmuchdoubtthatIshallfindawaythroughRohan,andFangorntoo,ifneedbe.’

‘ThenIneedsaynomore,’saidCeleborn.‘Butdonotdespisethelorethathascomedownfromdistantyears;foroftitmaychancethatoldwiveskeepinmemorywordofthingsthatoncewereneedfulforthewisetoknow.’

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NowGaladrielrosefromthegrass,andtakingacupfromoneofhermaidensshefilleditwithwhitemeadandgaveittoCeleborn.

‘Nowitistimetodrinkthecupoffarewell,’shesaid.‘Drink,LordoftheGaladhrim!Andletnotyourheartbesad,thoughnightmustfollownoon,andalreadyoureveningdrawethnigh.’

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ThenshebroughtthecuptoeachoftheCompany,andbadethemdrinkandfarewell.Butwhentheyhaddrunkshecommandedthemtositagainonthegrass,andchairsweresetforherandforCeleborn.Hermaidensstoodsilentabouther,andawhileshelookeduponherguests.Atlastshespokeagain.

‘Wehavedrunkthecupofparting,’shesaid,‘andthe

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shadowsfallbetweenus.Butbeforeyougo,IhavebroughtinmyshipgiftswhichtheLordandLadyoftheGaladhrimnowofferyouinmemoryofLothlórien.’Thenshecalledtoeachinturn.

‘HereisthegiftofCelebornandGaladrieltotheleaderofyourCompany,’shesaidtoAragorn,andshegavehimasheaththathadbeenmadetofithissword.Itwas

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overlaidwithatraceryofflowersandleaveswroughtofsilverandgold,andonitweresetinelven-runesformedofmanygemsthenameAndúrilandthelineageofthesword.

‘Thebladethatisdrawnfromthissheathshallnotbestainedorbrokenevenindefeat,’shesaid.‘Butisthereaughtelsethatyoudesireofmeatourparting?For

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darknesswillflowbetweenus,anditmaybethatweshallnotmeetagain,unlessitbefarhenceuponaroadthathasnoreturning.’

AndAragornanswered:‘Lady,youknowallmydesire,andlongheldinkeepingtheonlytreasurethatIseek.Yetitisnotyourstogiveme,evenifyouwould;andonlythroughdarknessshallIcometoit.’

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‘Yetmaybethiswilllightenyourheart,’saidGaladriel;‘foritwasleftinmycaretobegiventoyou,shouldyoupassthroughthisland.’Thensheliftedfromherlapagreatstoneofacleargreen,setinasilverbroochthatwaswroughtinthelikenessofaneaglewithoutspreadwings;andasshehelditupthegemflashedlikethesunshiningthrough

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theleavesofspring.‘ThisstoneIgavetoCelebríanmydaughter,andshetohers;andnowitcomestoyouasatokenofhope.Inthishourtakethenamethatwasforetoldforyou,Elessar,theElfstoneoftheHouseofElendil!’

ThenAragorntookthestoneandpinnedthebroochuponhisbreast,andthosewhosawhimwondered;for

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theyhadnotmarkedbeforehowtallandkinglyhestood,anditseemedtothemthatmanyyearsoftoilhadfallenfromhisshoulders.‘ForthegiftsthatyouhavegivenmeIthankyou,’hesaid,‘OLadyofLórienofwhomweresprungCelebríanandArwenEvenstar.WhatpraisecouldIsaymore?’

TheLadybowedherhead,andsheturnedthento

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Boromir,andtohimshegaveabeltofgold;andtoMerryandPippinshegavesmallsilverbelts,eachwithaclaspwroughtlikeagoldenflower.ToLegolasshegaveabowsuchastheGaladhrimused,longerandstouterthanthebowsofMirkwood,andstrungwithastringofelf-hair.Withitwentaquiverofarrows.

‘Foryoulittlegardener

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andloveroftrees,’shesaidtoSam,‘Ihaveonlyasmallgift.’Sheputintohishandalittleboxofplaingreywood,unadornedsaveforasinglesilverruneuponthelid.‘HereissetGforGaladriel,’shesaid;‘butalsoitmaystandforgardeninyourtongue.Inthisboxthereisearthfrommyorchard,andsuchblessingasGaladrielhasstilltobestowisuponit.Itwill

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notkeepyouonyourroad,nordefendyouagainstanyperil;butifyoukeepitandseeyourhomeagainatlast,thenperhapsitmayrewardyou.Thoughyoushouldfindallbarrenandlaidwaste,therewillbefewgardensinMiddle-earththatwillbloomlikeyourgarden,ifyousprinklethisearththere.ThenyoumayrememberGaladriel,andcatchaglimpsefaroffof

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Lórien,thatyouhaveseenonlyinourwinter.ForourSpringandourSummeraregoneby,andtheywillneverbeseenonearthagainsaveinmemory.’

Samwentredtotheearsandmutteredsomethinginaudible,asheclutchedtheboxandbowedaswellashecould.

‘AndwhatgiftwouldaDwarfaskoftheElves?’said

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Galadriel,turningtoGimli.‘None,Lady,’answered

Gimli.‘ItisenoughformetohaveseentheLadyoftheGaladhrim,andtohaveheardhergentlewords.’

‘HearallyeElves!’shecriedtothoseabouther.‘LetnonesayagainthatDwarvesaregraspingandungracious!Yetsurely,GimlisonofGlóin,youdesiresomethingthatIcouldgive?Nameit,I

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bidyou!Youshallnotbetheonlyguestwithoutagift.’

‘Thereisnothing,LadyGaladriel,’saidGimli,bowinglowandstammering.‘Nothing,unlessitmightbe–unlessitispermittedtoask,nay,tonameasinglestrandofyourhair,whichsurpassesthegoldoftheearthasthestarssurpassthegemsofthemine.Idonotaskforsuchagift.Butyoucommandedme

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tonamemydesire.’TheElvesstirredand

murmuredwithastonishment,andCeleborngazedattheDwarfinwonder,buttheLadysmiled.‘ItissaidthattheskilloftheDwarvesisintheirhandsratherthanintheirtongues,’shesaid;‘yetthatisnottrueofGimli.Fornonehaveevermadetomearequestsoboldandyetsocourteous.AndhowshallI

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refuse,sinceIcommandedhimtospeak?Buttellme,whatwouldyoudowithsuchagift?’

‘Treasureit,Lady,’heanswered,‘inmemoryofyourwordstomeatourfirstmeeting.AndifeverIreturntothesmithiesofmyhome,itshallbesetinimperishablecrystaltobeanheirloomofmyhouse,andapledgeofgoodwillbetweenthe

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MountainandtheWooduntiltheendofdays.’

ThentheLadyunbraidedoneofherlongtresses,andcutoffthreegoldenhairs,andlaidtheminGimli’shand.‘Thesewordsshallgowiththegift,’shesaid.‘Idonotforetell,forallforetellingisnowvain:ontheonehandliesdarkness,andontheotheronlyhope.Butifhopeshouldnotfail,thenIsayto

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you,GimlisonofGlóin,thatyourhandsshallflowwithgold,andyetoveryougoldshallhavenodominion.

‘Andyou,Ring-bearer,’shesaid,turningtoFrodo.‘Icometoyoulastwhoarenotlastinmythoughts.ForyouIhavepreparedthis.’Sheheldupasmallcrystalphial:itglitteredasshemovedit,andraysofwhitelightsprangfromherhand.‘Inthisphial,’

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shesaid,‘iscaughtthelightofEärendil’sstar,setamidthewatersofmyfountain.Itwillshinestillbrighterwhennightisaboutyou.Mayitbealighttoyouindarkplaces,whenallotherlightsgoout.RememberGaladrielandherMirror!’

Frodotookthephial,andforamomentasitshonebetweenthem,hesawheragainstandinglikeaqueen,

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greatandbeautiful,butnolongerterrible.Hebowed,butfoundnowordstosay.

NowtheLadyarose,andCelebornledthembacktothehythe.AyellownoonlayonthegreenlandoftheTongue,andthewaterglitteredwithsilver.Allatlastwasmadeready.TheCompanytooktheirplacesintheboatsas

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before.Cryingfarewell,theElvesofLórienwithlonggreypolesthrustthemoutintotheflowingstream,andtheripplingwatersborethemslowlyaway.Thetravellerssatstillwithoutmovingorspeaking.OnthegreenbankneartotheverypointoftheTonguetheLadyGaladrielstoodaloneandsilent.Astheypassedhertheyturnedandtheireyeswatchedher

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slowlyfloatingawayfromthem.Forsoitseemedtothem:Lórienwasslippingbackward,likeabrightshipmastedwithenchantedtrees,sailingontoforgottenshores,whiletheysathelplessuponthemarginofthegreyandleaflessworld.

Evenastheygazed,theSilverlodepassedoutintothecurrentsoftheGreatRiver,andtheirboatsturnedand

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begantospeedsouthward.SoonthewhiteformoftheLadywassmallanddistant.Sheshonelikeawindowofglassuponafarhillinthewesteringsun,orasaremotelakeseenfromamountain:acrystalfalleninthelapoftheland.ThenitseemedtoFrodothatsheliftedherarmsinafinalfarewell,andfarbutpiercing-clearonthefollowingwindcamethe

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soundofhervoicesinging.ButnowshesangintheancienttongueoftheElvesbeyondtheSea,andhedidnotunderstandthewords:fairwasthemusic,butitdidnotcomforthim.

YetasisthewayofElvishwords,theyremainedgraveninhismemory,andlongafterwardsheinterpretedthem,aswellashecould:thelanguagewasthatofElven-

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songandspokeofthingslittleknownonMiddle-earth.

Ai!lauriëlantarlassisúrinen,yéniúnótimëverámaraldaron!Yénivelintëyuldaravániermioromardilisse-miruvórevaAndúnëpella,Vardotellumar

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nuluiniyassentintilarieleniómaryoairetári-lírinen.

Símaniyulmaninenquantuva?

AnsíTintallëVardaOiolossëovefanyarmáryatElentáriortanë,

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arilyëtierundulávëlumbulë;arsindanóriellocaitamorniëifalmalinnarimbëmet,arhísiëuntúpaCalaciryomírioialë.Sívanwaná,Rómellovanwa,Valimar!

Namárië!Nai

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hiruvalyëValimar.Naielyëhiruva.Namárië!

‘Ah!likegoldfalltheleavesinthewind,longyearsnumberlessasthewingsoftrees!TheyearshavepassedlikeswiftdraughtsofthesweetmeadinloftyhallsbeyondtheWest,beneaththebluevaultsofVardawhereinthestarstrembleinthesong

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ofhervoice,holyandqueenly.Whonowshallrefillthecupforme?FornowtheKindler,Varda,theQueenoftheStars,fromMountEverwhitehasupliftedherhandslikeclouds,andallpathsaredrowneddeepinshadow;andoutofagreycountrydarknessliesonthefoamingwavesbetweenus,andmistcoversthejewelsofCalaciryaforever.Nowlost,

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losttothosefromtheEastisValimar!Farewell!

MaybethoushaltfindValimar.Maybeeventhoushaltfindit.Farewell!’VardaisthenameofthatLadywhomtheElvesintheselandsofexilenameElbereth.

SuddenlytheRiversweptroundabend,andthebanksroseuponeitherside,andthe

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lightofLórienwashidden.TothatfairlandFrodonevercameagain.

Thetravellersnowturnedtheirfacestothejourney;thesunwasbeforethem,andtheireyesweredazzled,forallwerefilledwithtears.Gimliweptopenly.

‘Ihavelookedthelastuponthatwhichwasfairest,’hesaidtoLegolashiscompanion.‘HenceforwardI

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willcallnothingfair,unlessitbehergift.’Heputhishandtohisbreast.

‘Tellme,Legolas,whydidIcomeonthisQuest?LittledidIknowwherethechiefperillay!TrulyElrondspoke,sayingthatwecouldnotforeseewhatwemightmeetuponourroad.TormentinthedarkwasthedangerthatIfeared,anditdidnotholdmeback.ButIwould

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nothavecome,hadIknownthedangeroflightandjoy.NowIhavetakenmyworstwoundinthisparting,evenifIweretogothisnightstraighttotheDarkLord.AlasforGimlisonofGlóin!’

‘Nay!’saidLegolas.‘Alasforusall!Andforallthatwalktheworldintheseafter-days.Forsuchisthewayofit:tofindandlose,asitseemstothosewhoseboatis

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ontherunningstream.ButIcountyoublessed,GimlisonofGlóin:foryourlossyousufferofyourownfreewill,andyoumighthavechosenotherwise.Butyouhavenotforsakenyourcompanions,andtheleastrewardthatyoushallhaveisthatthememoryofLothlórienshallremaineverclearandunstainedinyourheart,andshallneitherfadenorgrowstale.’

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‘Maybe,’saidGimli;‘andIthankyouforyourwords.Truewordsdoubtless;yetallsuchcomfortiscold.Memoryisnotwhattheheartdesires.Thatisonlyamirror,beitclearasKheled-zâram.OrsosaystheheartofGimlitheDwarf.Elvesmayseethingsotherwise.IndeedIhaveheardthatforthemmemoryismoreliketothewakingworldthantoadream.Notso

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forDwarves.‘Butletustalknomoreof

it.Looktotheboat!Sheistoolowinthewaterwithallthisbaggage,andtheGreatRiverisswift.Idonotwishtodrownmygriefincoldwater.’Hetookupapaddle,andsteeredtowardsthewesternbank,followingAragorn’sboatahead,whichhadalreadymovedoutofthemiddlestream.

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SotheCompanywentontheirlongway,downthewidehurryingwaters,borneeversouthwards.Barewoodsstalkedalongeitherbank,andtheycouldnotseeanyglimpseofthelandsbehind.ThebreezediedawayandtheRiverflowedwithoutasound.Novoiceofbirdbrokethesilence.Thesungrewmistyasthedaygrewold,untilitgleamedinapalesky

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likeahighwhitepearl.ThenitfadedintotheWest,andduskcameearly,followedbyagreyandstarlessnight.Farintothedarkquiethourstheyfloatedon,guidingtheirboatsundertheoverhangingshadowsofthewesternwoods.Greattreespassedbylikeghosts,thrustingtheirtwistedthirstyrootsthroughthemistdownintothewater.Itwasdrearyandcold.Frodo

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satandlistenedtothefaintlapandgurgleoftheRiverfrettingamongthetree-rootsanddriftwoodneartheshore,untilhisheadnoddedandhefellintoanuneasysleep.

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Chapter9

THEGREATRIVER

FrodowasrousedbySam.Hefoundthathewaslying,wellwrapped,undertallgrey-skinnedtreesinaquietcornerofthewoodlandsonthewest

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bankoftheGreatRiver,Anduin.Hehadsleptthenightaway,andthegreyofmorningwasdimamongthebarebranches.Gimliwasbusywithasmallfirenearathand.

Theystartedagainbeforethedaywasbroad.NotthatmostoftheCompanywereeagertohurrysouthwards:theywerecontentthatthedecision,whichtheymust

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makeatlatestwhentheycametoRaurosandtheTindrockIsle,stilllaysomedaysahead;andtheylettheRiverbearthemonatitsownpace,havingnodesiretohastentowardstheperilsthatlaybeyond,whichevercoursetheytookintheend.Aragornletthemdriftwiththestreamastheywished,husbandingtheirstrengthagainstwearinesstocome.Buthe

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insistedthatatleasttheyshouldstartearlyeachdayandjourneyonfarintotheevening;forhefeltinhisheartthattimewaspressing,andhefearedthattheDarkLordhadnotbeenidlewhiletheylingeredinLórien.

Nonethelesstheysawnosignofanyenemythatday,northenext.Thedullgreyhourspassedwithoutevent.Asthethirddayoftheir

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voyageworeonthelandschangedslowly:thetreesthinnedandthenfailedaltogether.Ontheeasternbanktotheirlefttheysawlongformlessslopesstretchingupandawaytowardsthesky;brownandwitheredtheylooked,asiffirehadpassedoverthem,leavingnolivingbladeofgreen:anunfriendlywastewithoutevenabrokentreeor

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aboldstonetorelievetheemptiness.TheyhadcometotheBrownLandsthatlay,vastanddesolate,betweenSouthernMirkwoodandthehillsoftheEmynMuil.WhatpestilenceorwarorevildeedoftheEnemyhadsoblastedallthatregionevenAragorncouldnottell.

Uponthewesttotheirrightthelandwastreelessalso,butitwasflat,andin

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manyplacesgreenwithwideplainsofgrass.OnthissideoftheRivertheypassedforestsofgreatreeds,sotallthattheyshutoutallviewtothewest,asthelittleboatswentrustlingbyalongtheirflutteringborders.Theirdarkwitheredplumesbentandtossedinthelightcoldairs,hissingsoftlyandsadly.HereandtherethroughopeningsFrodocouldcatchsudden

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glimpsesofrollingmeads,andfarbeyondthemhillsinthesunset,andawayontheedgeofsightadarkline,wheremarchedthesouthernmostranksoftheMistyMountains.

Therewasnosignoflivingmovingthings,savebirds.Ofthesethereweremany:smallfowlwhistlingandpipinginthereeds,buttheywereseldomseen.Once

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ortwicethetravellersheardtherushandwhineofswan-wings,andlookinguptheysawagreatphalanxstreamingalongthesky.

‘Swans!’saidSam.‘Andmightybigonestoo!’

‘Yes,’saidAragorn,‘andtheyareblackswans.’

‘Howwideandemptyandmournfulallthiscountrylooks!’saidFrodo.‘Ialwaysimaginedthatasone

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journeyedsouthitgotwarmerandmerrier,untilwinterwasleftbehindforever.’

‘Butwehavenotjourneyedfarsouthyet,’answeredAragorn.‘Itisstillwinter,andwearefarfromthesea.Heretheworldiscolduntilthesuddenspring,andwemayyethavesnowagain.FarawaydownintheBayofBelfalas,towhichAnduinruns,itiswarmand

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merry,maybe,orwouldbebutfortheEnemy.Butherewearenotabovesixtyleagues,Iguess,southoftheSouthfarthingawayinyourShire,hundredsoflongmilesyonder.Youarelookingnowsouth-westacrossthenorthplainsoftheRiddermark,RohanthelandoftheHorse-lords.ErelongweshallcometothemouthoftheLimlightthatrunsdownfromFangorn

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tojointheGreatRiver.ThatisthenorthboundaryofRohan;andofoldallthatlaybetweenLimlightandtheWhiteMountainsbelongedtotheRohirrim.Itisarichandpleasantland,anditsgrasshasnorival;butintheseevildaysfolkdonotdwellbytheRiverorrideoftentoitsshores.Anduiniswide,yettheorcscanshoottheirarrowsfaracrossthestream;

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andoflate,itissaid,theyhavedaredtocrossthewaterandraidtheherdsandstudsofRohan.’

Samlookedfrombanktobankuneasily.Thetreeshadseemedhostilebefore,asiftheyharbouredsecreteyesandlurkingdangers;nowhewishedthatthetreeswerestillthere.HefeltthattheCompanywastoonaked,afloatinlittleopenboatsin

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themidstofshelterlesslands,andonariverthatwasthefrontierofwar.

Inthenextdayortwo,astheywenton,bornesteadilysouthwards,thisfeelingofinsecuritygrewonalltheCompany.Forawholedaytheytooktotheirpaddlesandhastenedforward.Thebanksslidby.SoontheRiverbroadenedandgrewmoreshallow;longstonybeaches

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layupontheeast,andthereweregravel-shoalsinthewater,sothatcarefulsteeringwasneeded.TheBrownLandsroseintobleakwolds,overwhichflowedachillairfromtheEast.Ontheothersidethemeadshadbecomerollingdownsofwitheredgrassamidstalandoffenandtussock.Frodoshivered,thinkingofthelawnsandfountains,theclearsunand

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gentlerainsofLothlórien.Therewaslittlespeechandnolaughterinanyoftheboats.EachmemberoftheCompanywasbusywithhisownthoughts.

TheheartofLegolaswasrunningunderthestarsofasummernightinsomenortherngladeamidthebeech-woods;Gimliwasfingeringgoldinhismind,andwonderingifitwerefitto

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bewroughtintothehousingoftheLady’sgift.MerryandPippininthemiddleboatwereillatease,forBoromirsatmutteringtohimself,sometimesbitinghisnails,asifsomerestlessnessordoubtconsumedhim,sometimesseizingapaddleanddrivingtheboatclosebehindAragorn’s.ThenPippin,whosatinthebowlookingback,caughtaqueergleaminhis

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eye,ashepeeredforwardgazingatFrodo.Samhadlongagomadeuphismindthat,thoughboatsweremaybenotasdangerousashehadbeenbroughtuptobelieve,theywerefarmoreuncomfortablethanevenhehadimagined.Hewascrampedandmiserable,havingnothingtodobutstareatthewinter-landscrawlingbyandthegreywateron

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eithersideofhim.EvenwhenthepaddleswereinusetheydidnottrustSamwithone.

Asduskdrewdownonthefourthday,hewaslookingbackoverthebowedheadsofFrodoandAragornandthefollowingboats;hewasdrowsyandlongedforcampandthefeelofearthunderhistoes.Suddenlysomethingcaughthissight:atfirsthestaredatitlistlessly,thenhe

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satupandrubbedhiseyes;butwhenhelookedagainhecouldnotseeitanymore.

Thatnighttheycampedonasmalleyotclosetothewesternbank.SamlayrolledinblanketsbesideFrodo.‘Ihadafunnydreamanhourortwobeforewestopped,Mr.Frodo,’hesaid.‘Ormaybeitwasn’tadream.Funnyitwas

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anyway.’‘Well,whatwasit?’said

Frodo,knowingthatSamwouldnotsettledownuntilhehadtoldhistale,whateveritwas.‘Ihaven’tseenorthoughtofanythingtomakemesmilesinceweleftLothlórien.’

‘Itwasn’tfunnythatway,Mr.Frodo.Itwasqueer.Allwrong,ifitwasn’tadream.Andyouhadbesthearit.It

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waslikethis:Isawalogwitheyes!’

‘Thelog’sallright,’saidFrodo.‘TherearemanyintheRiver.Butleaveouttheeyes!’

‘ThatIwon’t,’saidSam.‘’Twastheeyesasmademesitup,sotospeak.IsawwhatItooktobealogfloatingalonginthehalf-lightbehindGimli’sboat;butIdidn’tgivemuchheedtoit.Thenit

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seemedasifthelogwasslowlycatchingusup.Andthatwaspeculiar,asyoumightsay,seeingaswewereallfloatingonthestreamtogether.JustthenIsawtheeyes:twopalesortofpoints,shiny-like,onahumpatthenearendofthelog.What’smore,itwasn’talog,forithadpaddle-feet,likeaswan’salmost,onlytheyseemedbigger,andkeptdippingin

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andoutofthewater.‘That’swhenIsatrightup

andrubbedmyeyes,meaningtogiveashout,ifitwasstilltherewhenIhadrubbedthedrowseoutofmyhead.Forthewhatever-it-waswascomingalongfastnowandgettingclosebehindGimli.Butwhetherthosetwolampsspottedmemovingandstaring,orwhetherIcametomysenses,Idon’tknow.

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WhenIlookedagain,itwasn’tthere.YetIthinkIcaughtaglimpse,withthetailofmyeye,asthesayingis,ofsomethingdarkshootingundertheshadowofthebank.Icouldn’tseenomoreeyes,though.

‘Isaidtomyself:“dreamingagain,SamGamgee,”Isaid;andIsaidnomorejustthen.ButI’vebeenthinkingsince,andnow

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I’mnotsosure.Whatdoyoumakeofit,Mr.Frodo?’

‘Ishouldmakenothingofitbutalogandtheduskandsleepinyoureyes,Sam,’saidFrodo,‘ifthiswasthefirsttimethatthoseeyeshadbeenseen.Butitisn’t.IsawthemawaybacknorthbeforewereachedLórien.AndIsawastrangecreaturewitheyesclimbingtothefletthatnight.Haldirsawittoo.Anddoyou

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rememberthereportoftheElvesthatwentaftertheorc-band?’

‘Ah,’saidSam,‘Ido;andIremembermoretoo.Idon’tlikemythoughts;butthinkingofonethingandanother,andMr.Bilbo’sstoriesandall,IfancyIcouldputanameonthecreature,ataguess.Anastyname.Gollum,maybe?’

‘Yes,thatiswhatIhave

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fearedforsometime,’saidFrodo.‘Eversincethenightontheflet.IsupposehewaslurkinginMoria,andpickedupourtrailthen;butIhopedthatourstayinLórienwouldthrowhimoffthescentagain.ThemiserablecreaturemusthavebeenhidinginthewoodsbytheSilverlode,watchingusstartoff!’

‘That’saboutit,’saidSam.‘Andwe’dbetterbea

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bitmorewatchfulourselves,orwe’llfeelsomenastyfingersroundournecksoneofthesenights,ifweeverwakeuptofeelanything.Andthat’swhatIwasleadingupto.NoneedtotroubleStriderortheotherstonight.I’llkeepwatch.Icansleeptomorrow,beingnomorethanluggageinaboat,asyoumightsay.’

‘Imight,’saidFrodo,‘and

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Imightsay“luggagewitheyes”.Youshallwatch;butonlyifyoupromisetowakemehalf-waytowardsmorning,ifnothinghappensbeforethen.’

InthedeadhoursFrodocameoutofadeepdarksleeptofindSamshakinghim.‘It’sashametowakeyou,’whisperedSam,‘butthat’s

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whatyousaid.There’snothingtotell,ornotmuch.IthoughtIheardsomesoftplashingandasniffingnoise,awhileback;butyouhearalotofsuchqueersoundsbyariveratnight.’

Helaydown,andFrodosatup,huddledinhisblankets,andfoughtoffhissleep.Minutesorhourspassedslowly,andnothinghappened.Frodowasjust

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yieldingtothetemptationtoliedownagainwhenadarkshape,hardlyvisible,floatedclosetooneofthemooredboats.Alongwhitishhandcouldbedimlyseenasitshotoutandgrabbedthegunwale;twopalelamplikeeyesshonecoldlyastheypeeredinside,andthentheyliftedandgazedupatFrodoontheeyot.Theywerenotmorethanayardortwoaway,andFrodoheard

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thesofthissofintakenbreath.Hestoodup,drawingStingfromitssheath,andfacedtheeyes.Immediatelytheirlightwasshutoff.Therewasanotherhissandasplash,andthedarklog-shapeshotawaydownstreamintothenight.Aragornstirredinhissleep,turnedover,andsatup.

‘Whatisit?’hewhispered,springingupandcomingtoFrodo.‘Ifelt

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somethinginmysleep.Whyhaveyoudrawnyoursword?’

‘Gollum,’answeredFrodo.‘Oratleast,soIguess.’

‘Ah!’saidAragorn.‘Soyouknowaboutourlittlefootpad,doyou?HepaddedafterusallthroughMoriaandrightdowntoNimrodel.Sincewetooktoboats,hehasbeenlyingonalogandpaddlingwithhandsandfeet.

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Ihavetriedtocatchhimonceortwiceatnight;butheisslierthanafox,andasslipperyasafish.Ihopedtheriver-voyagewouldbeathim,butheistoocleverawaterman.

‘Weshallhavetotrygoingfastertomorrow.Youliedownnow,andIwillkeepwatchforwhatisleftofthenight.Iwish

Icouldlaymyhandson

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thewretch.Wemightmakehimuseful.ButifIcannot,weshallhavetotryandlosehim.Heisverydangerous.Quiteapartfrommurderbynightonhisownaccount,hemayputanyenemythatisaboutonourtrack.’

ThenightpassedwithoutGollumshowingsomuchasashadowagain.Afterthatthe

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Companykeptasharplook-out,buttheysawnomoreofGollumwhilethevoyagelasted.Ifhewasstillfollowing,hewasverywaryandcunning.AtAragorn’sbiddingtheypaddlednowforlongspells,andthebankswentswiftlyby.Buttheysawlittleofthecountry,fortheyjourneyedmostlybynightandtwilight,restingbyday,andlyingashiddenasthe

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landallowed.Inthiswaythetimepassedwithouteventuntiltheseventhday.

Theweatherwasstillgreyandovercast,withwindfromtheEast,butaseveningdrewintonighttheskyawaywestwardcleared,andpoolsoffaintlight,yellowandpalegreen,openedunderthegreyshoresofcloud.TherethewhiterindofthenewMooncouldbeseenglimmeringin

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theremotelakes.Samlookedatitandpuckeredhisbrows.

Thenextdaythecountryoneithersidebegantochangerapidly.Thebanksbegantoriseandgrowstony.Soontheywerepassingthroughahillyrockyland,andonbothshoresthereweresteepslopesburiedindeepbrakesofthornandsloe,tangledwithbramblesandcreepers.Behindthemstood

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lowcrumblingcliffs,andchimneysofgreyweatheredstonedarkwithivy;andbeyondtheseagainthererosehighridgescrownedwithwind-writhenfirs.Theyweredrawingneartothegreyhill-countryoftheEmynMuil,thesouthernmarchofWilderland.

Thereweremanybirdsaboutthecliffsandtherock-chimneys,andalldayhighin

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theairflocksofbirdshadbeencircling,blackagainstthepalesky.AstheylayintheircampthatdayAragornwatchedtheflightsdoubtfully,wonderingifGollumhadbeendoingsomemischiefandthenewsoftheirvoyagewasnowmovinginthewilderness.Laterasthesunwassetting,andtheCompanywasstirringandgettingreadytostartagain,

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hedescriedadarkspotagainstthefadinglight:agreatbirdhighandfaroff,nowwheeling,nowflyingonslowlysouthwards.

‘Whatisthat,Legolas?’heasked,pointingtothenorthernsky.‘Isit,asIthink,aneagle?’

‘Yes,’saidLegolas.‘Itisaneagle,ahuntingeagle.Iwonderwhatthatforebodes.Itisfarfromthemountains.’

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‘Wewillnotstartuntilitisfullydark,’saidAragorn.

Theeighthnightoftheirjourneycame.Itwassilentandwindless;thegreyeastwindhadpassedaway.ThethincrescentoftheMoonhadfallenearlyintothepalesunset,buttheskywasclearabove,andthoughfarawayintheSouththereweregreat

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rangesofcloudthatstillshonefaintly,intheWeststarsglintedbright.

‘Come!’saidAragorn.‘Wewillventureonemorejourneybynight.WearecomingtoreachesoftheRiverthatIdonotknowwell;forIhaveneverjourneyedbywaterinthesepartsbefore,notbetweenhereandtherapidsofSarnGebir.ButifIamrightinmyreckoning,

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thosearestillmanymilesahead.Stilltherearedangerousplacesevenbeforewecomethere:rocksandstonyeyotsinthestream.Wemustkeepasharpwatchandnottrytopaddleswiftly.’

ToSamintheleadingboatwasgiventhetaskofwatchman.Helayforwardpeeringintothegloom.Thenightgrewdark,butthestarsabovewerestrangelybright,

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andtherewasaglimmeronthefaceoftheRiver.Itwascloseonmidnight,andtheyhadbeendriftingforsomewhile,hardlyusingthepaddles,whensuddenlySamcriedout.Onlyafewyardsaheaddarkshapesloomedupinthestreamandheheardtheswirlofracingwater.Therewasaswiftcurrentwhichswungleft,towardstheeasternshorewherethe

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channelwasclear.Astheyweresweptasidethetravellerscouldsee,nowveryclose,thepalefoamoftheRiverlashingagainstsharprocksthatwerethrustoutfarintothestreamlikearidgeofteeth.Theboatswereallhuddledtogether.

‘Hoythere,Aragorn!’shoutedBoromir,ashisboatbumpedintotheleader.‘Thisismadness!Wecannotdare

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theRapidsbynight!ButnoboatcanliveinSarnGebir,beitnightorday.’

‘Back,back!’criedAragorn.‘Turn!Turnifyoucan!’Hedrovehispaddleintothewater,tryingtoholdtheboatandbringitround.

‘Iamoutofmyreckoning,’hesaidtoFrodo.‘Ididnotknowthatwehadcomesofar:AnduinflowsfasterthanIthought.Sarn

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Gebirmustbecloseathandalready.’

Withgreateffortstheycheckedtheboatsandslowlybroughtthemabout;butatfirsttheycouldmakeonlysmallheadwayagainstthecurrent,andallthetimetheywerecarriednearerandnearertotheeasternbank.Nowdarkandominousit

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loomedupinthenight.‘Alltogether,paddle!’

shoutedBoromir.‘Paddle!Orweshallbedrivenontheshoals.’EvenashespokeFrodofeltthekeelbeneathhimgrateuponstone.

Atthatmomenttherewasatwangofbowstrings:severalarrowswhistledoverthem,andsomefellamongthem.OnesmoteFrodobetweentheshouldersandhe

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lurchedforwardwithacry,lettinggohispaddle:butthearrowfellback,foiledbyhishiddencoatofmail.AnotherpassedthroughAragorn’shood;andathirdstoodfastinthegunwaleofthesecondboat,closebyMerry’shand.Samthoughthecouldglimpseblackfiguresrunningtoandfrouponthelongshingle-banksthatlayundertheeasternshore.They

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seemedverynear.‘Yrch!’saidLegolas,

fallingintohisowntongue.‘Orcs!’criedGimli.‘Gollum’sdoing,I’llbe

bound,’saidSamtoFrodo.‘Andaniceplacetochoose,too.TheRiverseemssetontakingusrightintotheirarms!’

Theyallleanedforwardstrainingatthepaddles:evenSamtookahand.Every

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momenttheyexpectedtofeelthebiteofblack-featheredarrows.Manywhinedoverheadorstruckthewaternearby;buttherewerenomorehits.Itwasdark,butnottoodarkforthenight-eyesofOrcs,andinthestar-glimmertheymusthaveofferedtheircunningfoessomemark,unlessitwasthatthegreycloaksofLórienandthegreytimberoftheelf-wrought

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boatsdefeatedthemaliceofthearchersofMordor.

Strokebystroketheylabouredon.Inthedarknessitwashardtobesurethattheywereindeedmovingatall;butslowlytheswirlofthewatergrewless,andtheshadowoftheeasternbankfadedbackintothenight.Atlast,asfarastheycouldjudge,theyhadreachedthemiddleofthestreamagain

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andhaddriventheirboatsbacksomedistanceabovethejuttingrocks.Thenhalfturningtheythrustthemwithalltheirstrengthtowardsthewesternshore.Undertheshadowofbushesleaningoutoverthewatertheyhaltedanddrewbreath.

LegolaslaiddownhispaddleandtookupthebowthathehadbroughtfromLórien.Thenhesprang

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ashoreandclimbedafewpacesupthebank.Stringingthebowandfittinganarrowheturned,peeringbackovertheRiverintothedarkness.Acrossthewatertherewereshrillcries,butnothingcouldbeseen.

FrodolookedupattheElfstandingtallabovehim,ashegazedintothenight,seekingamarktoshootat.Hisheadwasdark,crownedwithsharp

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whitestarsthatglitteredintheblackpoolsoftheskybehind.ButnowrisingandsailingupfromtheSouththegreatcloudsadvanced,sendingoutdarkoutridersintothestarryfields.AsuddendreadfellontheCompany.

‘ElberethGilthoniel!’sighedLegolasashelookedup.Evenashedidso,adarkshape,likeacloudandyet

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notacloud,foritmovedfarmoreswiftly,cameoutoftheblacknessintheSouth,andspedtowardstheCompany,blottingoutalllightasitapproached.Soonitappearedasagreatwingedcreature,blackerthanthepitsinthenight.Fiercevoicesroseuptogreetitfromacrossthewater.Frodofeltasuddenchillrunningthroughhimandclutchingathisheart;there

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wasadeadlycold,likethememoryofanoldwound,inhisshoulder.Hecroucheddown,asiftohide.

SuddenlythegreatbowofLóriensang.Shrillwentthearrowfromtheelven-string.Frodolookedup.Almostabovehimthewingedshapeswerved.Therewasaharshcroakingscream,asitfelloutoftheair,vanishingdownintothegloomoftheeastern

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shore.Theskywascleanagain.Therewasatumultofmanyvoicesfaraway,cursingandwailinginthedarkness,andthensilence.Neithershaftnorcrycameagainfromtheeastthatnight.

AfterawhileAragornledtheboatsbackupstream.Theyfelttheirwayalongthewater’sedgeforsome

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distance,untiltheyfoundasmallshallowbay.Afewlowtreesgrewthereclosetothewater,andbehindthemroseasteeprockybank.HeretheCompanydecidedtostayandawaitthedawn:itwasuselesstoattempttomovefurtherbynight.Theymadenocampandlitnofire,butlayhuddledintheboats,mooredclosetogether.

‘Praisedbethebowof

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Galadriel,andthehandandeyeofLegolas!’saidGimli,ashemunchedawaferoflembas.‘Thatwasamightyshotinthedark,myfriend!’

‘Butwhocansaywhatithit?’saidLegolas.

‘Icannot,’saidGimli.‘ButIamgladthattheshadowcamenonearer.Ilikeditnotatall.ToomuchitremindedmeoftheshadowinMoria–theshadowofthe

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Balrog,’heendedinawhisper.

‘ItwasnotaBalrog,’saidFrodo,stillshiveringwiththechillthathadcomeuponhim.‘Itwassomethingcolder.Ithinkitwas——’Thenhepausedandfellsilent.

‘Whatdoyouthink?’askedBoromireagerly,leaningfromhisboat,asifhewastryingtocatchaglimpseofFrodo’sface.

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‘Ithink—No,Iwillnotsay,’answeredFrodo.‘Whateveritwas,itsfallhasdismayedourenemies.’

‘Soitseems,’saidAragorn.‘Yetwheretheyare,andhowmany,andwhattheywilldonext,wedonotknow.Thisnightwemustallbesleepless!Darkhidesusnow.Butwhatthedaywillshowwhocantell?Haveyourweaponsclosetohand!’

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Samsattappingthehiltofhisswordasifhewerecountingonhisfingers,andlookingupatthesky.‘It’sverystrange,’hemurmured.‘TheMoon’sthesameintheShireandinWilderland,oritoughttobe.Buteitherit’soutofitsrunning,orI’mallwronginmyreckoning.You’llremember,Mr.Frodo,theMoonwaswaningaswelayonthefletupinthattree:

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aweekfromthefull,Ireckon.Andwe’dbeenaweekonthewaylastnight,whenuppopsaNewMoonasthinasanail-paring,asifwehadneverstayednotimeintheElvishcountry.

‘Well,Icanrememberthreenightsthereforcertain,andIseemtorememberseveralmore,butIwouldtakemyoathitwasneverawholemonth.Anyonewould

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thinkthattimedidnotcountinthere!’

‘Andperhapsthatwasthewayofit,’saidFrodo.‘Inthatland,maybe,wewereinatimethathaselsewherelonggoneby.Itwasnot,Ithink,untilSilverlodeboreusbacktoAnduinthatwereturnedtothetimethatflowsthroughmortallandstotheGreatSea.AndIdon’trememberanymoon,eitherneworold,in

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CarasGaladhon:onlystarsbynightandsunbyday.’

Legolasstirredinhisboat.‘Nay,timedoesnottarryever,’hesaid;‘butchangeandgrowthisnotinallthingsandplacesalike.FortheElvestheworldmoves,anditmovesbothveryswiftandveryslow.Swift,becausetheythemselveschangelittle,andallelsefleetsby:itisagrieftothem.Slow,because

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theyneednotcounttherunningyears,notforthemselves.Thepassingseasonsarebutrippleseverrepeatedinthelonglongstream.YetbeneaththeSunallthingsmustweartoanendatlast.’

‘ButthewearingisslowinLórien,’saidFrodo.‘ThepoweroftheLadyisonit.Richarethehours,thoughshorttheyseem,inCaras

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Galadhon,whereGaladrielwieldstheElven-ring.’

‘ThatshouldnothavebeensaidoutsideLórien,noteventome,’saidAragorn.‘Speaknomoreofit!Butsoitis,Sam:inthatlandyoulostyourcount.Theretimeflowedswiftlybyus,asfortheElves.Theoldmoonpassed,andanewmoonwaxedandwanedintheworldoutside,whilewe

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tarriedthere.Andyestereveanewmooncameagain.Winterisnearlygone.Timeflowsontoaspringoflittlehope.’

Thenightpassedsilently.Novoiceorcallwasheardagainacrossthewater.Thetravellershuddledintheirboatsfeltthechangingoftheweather.Theairgrewwarm

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andverystillunderthegreatmoistcloudsthathadfloatedupfromtheSouthandthedistantseas.TherushingoftheRiverovertherocksoftherapidsseemedtogrowlouderandcloser.Thetwigsofthetreesabovethembegantodrip.

Whenthedaycamethemoodoftheworldaboutthemhadbecomesoftandsad.Slowlythedawngrewto

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apalelight,diffusedandshadowless.TherewasmistontheRiver,andwhitefogswathedtheshore;thefarbankcouldnotbeseen.

‘Ican’tabidefog,’saidSam;‘butthisseemstobealuckyone.Nowperhapswecangetawaywithoutthosecursedgoblinsseeingus.’

‘Perhapsso,’saidAragorn.‘Butitwillbehardtofindthepathunlessthefog

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liftsalittlelateron.Andwemustfindthepath,ifwearetopassSarnGebirandcometotheEmynMuil.’

‘IdonotseewhyweshouldpasstheRapidsorfollowtheRiveranyfurther,’saidBoromir.‘IftheEmynMuilliebeforeus,thenwecanabandonthesecockle-boats,andstrikewestwardandsouthward,untilwecometotheEntwashandcrossinto

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myownland.’‘Wecan,ifwearemaking

forMinasTirith,’saidAragorn,‘butthatisnotyetagreed.Andsuchacoursemaybemoreperilousthanitsounds.ThevaleofEntwashisflatandfenny,andfogisadeadlyperilthereforthoseonfootandladen.Iwouldnotabandonourboatsuntilwemust.TheRiverisatleastapaththatcannotbemissed.’

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‘ButtheEnemyholdstheeasternbank,’objectedBoromir.‘AndevenifyoupasstheGatesofArgonathandcomeunmolestedtotheTindrock,whatwillyoudothen?LeapdowntheFallsandlandinthemarshes?’

‘No!’answeredAragorn.‘SayratherthatwewillbearourboatsbytheancientwaytoRauros-foot,andtheretaketothewateragain.Doyou

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notknow,Boromir,ordoyouchoosetoforgettheNorthStair,andthehighseatuponAmonHen,thatweremadeinthedaysofthegreatkings?Iatleasthaveamindtostandinthathighplaceagain,beforeIdecidemyfurthercourse.There,maybe,weshallseesomesignthatwillguideus.’

Boromirheldoutlongagainstthischoice;butwhen

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itbecameplainthatFrodowouldfollowAragorn,whereverhewent,hegavein.‘ItisnotthewayoftheMenofMinasTirithtodeserttheirfriendsatneed,’hesaid,‘andyouwillneedmystrength,ifeveryouaretoreachtheTindrock.TothetallisleIwillgo,butnofurther.ThereIshallturntomyhome,aloneifmyhelphasnotearnedtherewardofany

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companionship.’

Thedaywasnowgrowing,andthefoghadliftedalittle.ItwasdecidedthatAragornandLegolasshouldatoncegoforwardalongtheshore,whiletheothersremainedbytheboats.Aragornhopedtofindsomewaybywhichtheycouldcarryboththeirboatsand

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theirbaggagetothesmootherwaterbeyondtheRapids.

‘BoatsoftheElveswouldnotsink,maybe,’hesaid,‘butthatdoesnotsaythatweshouldcomethroughSarnGebiralive.Nonehaveeverdonesoyet.NoroadwasmadebytheMenofGondorinthisregion,forevenintheirgreatdaystheirrealmdidnotreachupAnduinbeyondtheEmynMuil;but

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thereisaportage-waysomewhereonthewesternshore,ifIcanfindit.Itcannotyethaveperished;forlightboatsusedtojourneyoutofWilderlanddowntoOsgiliath,andstilldidsountilafewyearsago,whentheOrcsofMordorbegantomultiply.’

‘SeldominmylifehasanyboatcomeoutoftheNorth,andtheOrcsprowlon

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theeast-shore,’saidBoromir.‘Ifyougoforward,perilwillgrowwitheverymile,evenifyoufindapath.’

‘Perilliesaheadoneverysouthwardroad,’answeredAragorn.‘Waitforusoneday.Ifwedonotreturninthattime,youwillknowthatevilhasindeedbefallenus.Thenyoumusttakeanewleaderandfollowhimasbestyoucan.’

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ItwaswithaheavyheartthatFrodosawAragornandLegolasclimbthesteepbankandvanishintothemists;buthisfearsprovedgroundless.Onlytwoorthreehourshadpassed,anditwasbarelymid-day,whentheshadowyshapesoftheexplorersappearedagain.

‘Alliswell,’saidAragorn,asheclambereddownthebank.‘Thereisa

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track,anditleadstoagoodlandingthatisstillserviceable.Thedistanceisnotgreat:theheadoftheRapidsisbuthalfamilebelowus,andtheyarelittlemorethanamilelong.Notfarbeyondthemthestreambecomesclearandsmoothagain,thoughitrunsswiftly.Ourhardesttaskwillbetogetourboatsandbaggagetotheoldportage-way.Wehave

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foundit,butitlieswellbackfromthewater-sidehere,andrunsundertheleeofarock-wall,afurlongormorefromtheshore.Wedidnotfindwherethenorthwardlandinglies.Ifitstillremains,wemusthavepassedityesterdaynight.Wemightlabourfarupstreamandyetmissitinthefog.IfearwemustleavetheRivernow,andmakefortheportage-wayasbestwe

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canfromhere.’‘Thatwouldnotbeeasy,

evenifwewereallMen,’saidBoromir.

‘Yetsuchaswearewewilltryit,’saidAragorn.

‘Aye,wewill,’saidGimli.‘ThelegsofMenwilllagonaroughroad,whileaDwarfgoeson,betheburdentwicehisownweight,MasterBoromir!’

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Thetaskprovedhardindeed,yetintheenditwasdone.Thegoodsweretakenoutoftheboatsandbroughttothetopofthebank,wheretherewasalevelspace.Thentheboatsweredrawnoutofthewaterandcarriedup.Theywerefarlessheavythananyhadexpected.OfwhattreegrowingintheElvishcountrytheyweremadenotevenLegolasknew;butthe

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woodwastoughandyetstrangelylight.MerryandPippinalonecouldcarrytheirboatwitheasealongtheflat.NonethelessitneededthestrengthofthetwoMentoliftandhaulthemoverthegroundthattheCompanynowhadtocross.ItslopedupawayfromtheRiver,atumbledwasteofgreylimestone-boulders,withmanyhiddenholesshrouded

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withweedsandbushes;therewerethicketsofbrambles,andsheerdells;andhereandthereboggypoolsfedbywaterstricklingfromtheterracesfurtherinland.

OnebyoneBoromirandAragorncarriedtheboats,whiletheotherstoiledandscrambledafterthemwiththebaggage.Atlastallwasremovedandlaidontheportage-way.Thenwithlittle

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furtherhindrance,savefromsprawlingbriarsandmanyfallenstones,theymovedforwardalltogether.Fogstillhunginveilsuponthecrumblingrock-wall,andtotheirleftmistshroudedtheRiver:theycouldhearitrushingandfoamingoverthesharpshelvesandstonyteethofSarnGebir,buttheycouldnotseeit.Twicetheymadethejourney,beforeallwas

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broughtsafetothesouthernlanding.

Theretheportage-way,turningbacktothewater-side,rangentlydowntotheshallowedgeofalittlepool.Itseemedtohavebeenscoopedintheriver-side,notbyhand,butbythewaterswirlingdownfromSarnGebiragainstalowpierofrockthatjuttedoutsomewayintothestream.Beyonditthe

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shorerosesheerintoagreycliff,andtherewasnofurtherpassageforthoseonfoot.

Alreadytheshortafternoonwaspast,andadimcloudyduskwasclosingin.TheysatbesidethewaterlisteningtotheconfusedrushandroaroftheRapidshiddeninthemist;theyweretiredandsleepy,andtheirheartswereasgloomyasthedyingday.

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‘Well,hereweare,andherewemustpassanothernight,’saidBoromir.‘Weneedsleep,andevenifAragornhadamindtopasstheGatesofArgonathbynight,wearealltootired–except,nodoubt,oursturdydwarf.’

Gimlimadenoreply:hewasnoddingashesat.

‘Letusrestasmuchaswecannow,’saidAragorn.

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‘Tomorrowwemustjourneybydayagain.Unlesstheweatherchangesoncemoreandcheatsus,weshallhaveagoodchanceofslippingthrough,unseenbyanyeyesontheeasternshore.Buttonighttwomustwatchtogetherinturns:threehoursoffandoneonguard.’

Nothinghappenedthat

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nightworsethanabriefdrizzleofrainanhourbeforedawn.Assoonasitwasfullylighttheystarted.Alreadythefogwasthinning.Theykeptascloseastheycouldtothewesternside,andtheycouldseethedimshapesofthelowcliffsrisingeverhigher,shadowywallswiththeirfeetinthehurryingriver.Inthemid-morningthecloudsdrewdownlower,anditbeganto

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rainheavily.Theydrewtheskin-coversovertheirboatstopreventthemfrombeingflooded,anddriftedon;littlecouldbeseenbeforethemoraboutthemthroughthegreyfallingcurtains.

Therain,however,didnotlastlong.Slowlytheskyabovegrewlighter,andthensuddenlythecloudsbroke,andtheirdraggledfringestrailedawaynorthwardupthe

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River.Thefogsandmistsweregone.Beforethetravellerslayawideravine,withgreatrockysidestowhichclung,uponshelvesandinnarrowcrevices,afewthrawntrees.ThechannelgrewnarrowerandtheRiverswifter.Nowtheywerespeedingalongwithlittlehopeofstoppingorturning,whatevertheymightmeetahead.Overthemwasalane

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ofpale-bluesky,aroundthemthedarkovershadowedRiver,andbeforethemblack,shuttingoutthesun,thehillsofEmynMuil,inwhichnoopeningcouldbeseen.

Frodopeeringforwardsawinthedistancetwogreatrocksapproaching:likegreatpinnaclesorpillarsofstonetheyseemed.Tallandsheerandominoustheystooduponeithersideofthestream.A

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narrowgapappearedbetweenthem,andtheRiverswepttheboatstowardsit.

‘BeholdtheArgonath,thePillarsoftheKings!’criedAragorn.‘Weshallpassthemsoon.Keeptheboatsinline,andasfarapartasyoucan!Holdthemiddleofthestream!’

AsFrodowasbornetowardsthemthegreatpillarsroseliketowerstomeethim.

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Giantstheyseemedtohim,vastgreyfiguressilentbutthreatening.Thenhesawthattheywereindeedshapedandfashioned:thecraftandpowerofoldhadwroughtuponthem,andstilltheypreservedthroughthesunsandrainsofforgottenyearsthemightylikenessesinwhichtheyhadbeenhewn.Upongreatpedestalsfoundedinthedeepwatersstoodtwo

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greatkingsofstone:stillwithblurredeyesandcranniedbrowstheyfrownedupontheNorth.Thelefthandofeachwasraisedpalmoutwardsingestureofwarning;ineachrighthandtherewasanaxe;uponeachheadtherewasacrumblinghelmandcrown.Greatpowerandmajestytheystillwore,thesilentwardensofalong-vanishedkingdom.Aweandfearfellupon

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Frodo,andhecowereddown,shuttinghiseyesandnotdaringtolookupastheboatdrewnear.EvenBoromirbowedhisheadastheboatswhirledby,frailandfleetingaslittleleaves,undertheenduringshadowofthesentinelsofNúmenor.SotheypassedintothedarkchasmoftheGates.

Sheerrosethedreadfulcliffstounguessedheightson

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eitherside.Faroffwasthedimsky.Theblackwatersroaredandechoed,andawindscreamedoverthem.FrodocrouchingoverhiskneesheardSaminfrontmutteringandgroaning:‘Whataplace!Whatahorribleplace!Justletmegetoutofthisboat,andI’llneverwetmytoesinapuddleagain,letaloneariver!’

‘Fearnot!’saidastrange

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voicebehindhim.FrodoturnedandsawStrider,andyetnotStrider;fortheweatherwornRangerwasnolongerthere.InthesternsatAragornsonofArathorn,proudanderect,guidingtheboatwithskilfulstrokes;hishoodwascastback,andhisdarkhairwasblowinginthewind,alightwasinhiseyes:akingreturningfromexiletohisownland.

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‘Fearnot!’hesaid.‘LonghaveIdesiredtolookuponthelikenessesofIsildurandAnárion,mysiresofold.UndertheirshadowElessar,theElfstonesonofArathornoftheHouseofValandilIsildur’sson,heirofElendil,hasnaughttodread!’

Thenthelightofhiseyesfaded,andhespoketohimself:‘WouldthatGandalfwerehere!Howmyheart

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yearnsforMinasAnorandthewallsofmyowncity!ButwhithernowshallIgo?’

Thechasmwaslonganddark,andfilledwiththenoiseofwindandrushingwaterandechoingstone.Itbentsomewhattowardsthewestsothatatfirstallwasdarkahead;butsoonFrodosawatallgapoflightbeforehim,evergrowing.Swiftlyitdrewnear,andsuddenlytheboats

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shotthrough,outintoawideclearlight.

Thesun,alreadylongfallenfromthenoon,wasshininginawindysky.Thepentwatersspreadoutintoalongovallake,paleNenHithoel,fencedbysteepgreyhillswhosesideswerecladwithtrees,buttheirheadswerebare,cold-gleamingin

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thesunlight.Atthefarsouthernendrosethreepeaks.Themidmoststoodsomewhatforwardfromtheothersandsunderedfromthem,anislandinthewaters,aboutwhichtheflowingRiverflungpaleshimmeringarms.Distantbutdeeptherecameuponthewindaroaringsoundliketherollofthunderheardfaraway.

‘BeholdTolBrandir!’said

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Aragorn,pointingsouthtothetallpeak.‘UpontheleftstandsAmonLhaw,andupontherightisAmonHen,theHillsofHearingandofSight.Inthedaysofthegreatkingstherewerehighseatsuponthem,andwatchwaskeptthere.ButitissaidthatnofootofmanorbeasthaseverbeensetuponTolBrandir.Eretheshadeofnightfallsweshallcometothem.Ihear

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theendlessvoiceofRauroscalling.’

TheCompanyrestednowforawhile,driftingsouthonthecurrentthatflowedthroughthemiddleofthelake.Theyatesomefood,andthentheytooktotheirpaddlesandhastenedontheirway.Thesidesofthewestwardhillsfellintoshadow,andtheSungrewroundandred.Hereandthere

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amistystarpeeredout.Thethreepeaksloomedbeforethem,darklinginthetwilight.Rauroswasroaringwithagreatvoice.Alreadynightwaslaidontheflowingwaterswhenthetravellerscameatlastundertheshadowofthehills.

Thetenthdayoftheirjourneywasover.Wilderlandwasbehindthem.Theycouldgonofurtherwithoutchoice

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betweentheeast-wayandthewest.ThelaststageoftheQuestwasbeforethem.

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Chapter10

THEBREAKINGOFTHEFELLOWSHIP

AragornledthemtotherightarmoftheRiver.HereuponitswesternsideundertheshadowofTolBrandira

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greenlawnrandowntothewaterfromthefeetofAmonHen.Behinditrosethefirstgentleslopesofthehillcladwithtrees,andtreesmarchedawaywestwardalongthecurvingshoresofthelake.Alittlespringfelltumblingdownandfedthegrass.

‘Herewewillresttonight,’saidAragorn.‘ThisisthelawnofParthGalen:afairplaceinthesummerdays

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ofold.Letushopethatnoevilhasyetcomehere.’

Theydrewuptheirboatsonthegreenbanks,andbesidethemtheymadetheircamp.Theysetawatch,buthadnosightnorsoundoftheirenemies.IfGollumhadcontrivedtofollowthem,heremainedunseenandunheard.NonethelessasthenightworeonAragorngrewuneasy,tossingofteninhis

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sleepandwaking.InthesmallhourshegotupandcametoFrodo,whoseturnitwastowatch.

‘Whyareyouwaking?’askedFrodo.‘Itisnotyourwatch.’

‘Idonotknow,’answeredAragorn;‘butashadowandathreathasbeengrowinginmysleep.Itwouldbewelltodrawyoursword.’

‘Why?’saidFrodo.‘Are

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enemiesathand?’‘LetusseewhatSting

mayshow,’answeredAragorn.

Frodothendrewtheelf-bladefromitssheath.Tohisdismaytheedgesgleameddimlyinthenight.‘Orcs!’hesaid.‘Notverynear,andyettoonear,itseems.’

‘Ifearedasmuch,’saidAragorn.‘ButmaybetheyarenotonthissideoftheRiver.

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ThelightofStingisfaint,anditmaypointtonomorethanspiesofMordorroamingontheslopesofAmonLhaw.IhaveneverheardbeforeofOrcsuponAmonHen.Yetwhoknowswhatmayhappenintheseevildays,nowthatMinasTirithnolongerholdssecurethepassagesofAnduin.Wemustgowarilytomorrow.’

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Thedaycamelikefireandsmoke.LowintheEasttherewereblackbarsofcloudlikethefumesofagreatburning.Therisingsunlitthemfrombeneathwithflamesofmurkyred;butsoonitclimbedabovethemintoaclearsky.ThesummitofTolBrandirwastippedwithgold.Frodolookedouteastwardandgazedatthetallisland.Itssidessprangsheeroutof

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therunningwater.Highupabovethetallcliffsweresteepslopesuponwhichtreesclimbed,mountingoneheadaboveanother;andabovethemagainweregreyfacesofinaccessiblerock,crownedbyagreatspireofstone.Manybirdswerecirclingaboutit,butnosignofotherlivingthingscouldbeseen.

Whentheyhadeaten,AragorncalledtheCompany

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together.‘Thedayhascomeatlast,’hesaid:‘thedayofchoicewhichwehavelongdelayed.WhatshallnowbecomeofourCompanythathastravelledsofarinfellowship?ShallweturnwestwithBoromirandgotothewarsofGondor;orturneasttotheFearandShadow;orshallwebreakourfellowshipandgothiswayandthataseachmaychoose?

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Whateverwedomustbedonesoon.Wecannotlonghalthere.Theenemyisontheeasternshore,weknow;butIfearthattheOrcsmayalreadybeonthissideofthewater.’

Therewasalongsilenceinwhichnoonespokeormoved.

‘Well,Frodo,’saidAragornatlast.‘Ifearthattheburdenislaiduponyou.YouaretheBearerappointed

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bytheCouncil.Yourownwayyoualonecanchoose.InthismatterIcannotadviseyou.IamnotGandalf,andthoughIhavetriedtobearhispart,Idonotknowwhatdesignorhopehehadforthishour,ifindeedhehadany.Mostlikelyitseemsthatifhewereherenowthechoicewouldstillwaitonyou.Suchisyourfate.’

Frododidnotanswerat

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once.Thenhespokeslowly.‘Iknowthathasteisneeded,yetIcannotchoose.Theburdenisheavy.Givemeanhourlonger,andIwillspeak.Letmebealone!’

Aragornlookedathimwithkindlypity.‘Verywell,FrodosonofDrogo,’hesaid.‘Youshallhaveanhour,andyoushallbealone.Wewillstayhereforawhile.Butdonotstrayfaroroutofcall.’

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Frodosatforamomentwithhisheadbowed.Sam,whohadbeenwatchinghismasterwithgreatconcern,shookhisheadandmuttered:‘Plainasapikestaffitis,butit’snogoodSamGamgeeputtinginhisspokejustnow.’

PresentlyFrodogotupandwalkedaway;andSamsawthatwhiletheothersrestrainedthemselvesanddid

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notstareathim,theeyesofBoromirfollowedFrodointently,untilhepassedoutofsightinthetreesatthefootofAmonHen.

Wanderingaimlesslyatfirstinthewood,Frodofoundthathisfeetwereleadinghimuptowardstheslopesofthehill.Hecametoapath,thedwindlingruinsofaroadof

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longago.Insteepplacesstairsofstonehadbeenhewn,butnowtheywerecrackedandworn,andsplitbytherootsoftrees.Forsomewhileheclimbed,notcaringwhichwayhewent,untilhecametoagrassyplace.Rowan-treesgrewaboutit,andinthemidstwasawideflatstone.ThelittleuplandlawnwasopenupontheEastandwasfillednowwiththeearly

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sunlight.FrodohaltedandlookedoutovertheRiver,farbelowhim,toTolBrandirandthebirdswheelinginthegreatgulfofairbetweenhimandtheuntroddenisle.ThevoiceofRauroswasamightyroaringmingledwithadeepthrobbingboom.

Hesatdownuponthestoneandcuppedhischininhishands,staringeastwardsbutseeinglittlewithhiseyes.

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AllthathadhappenedsinceBilbolefttheShirewaspassingthroughhismind,andherecalledandponderedeverythingthathecouldrememberofGandalf’swords.Timewenton,andstillhewasnonearertoachoice.

Suddenlyheawokefromhisthoughts:astrangefeelingcametohimthatsomethingwasbehindhim,that

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unfriendlyeyeswereuponhim.Hesprangupandturned;butallthathesawtohissurprisewasBoromir,andhisfacewassmilingandkind.

‘Iwasafraidforyou,Frodo,’hesaid,comingforward.‘IfAragornisrightandOrcsarenear,thennoneofusshouldwanderalone,andyouleastofall:somuchdependsonyou.Andmy

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hearttooisheavy.MayIstaynowandtalkforawhile,sinceIhavefoundyou?Itwouldcomfortme.Wheretherearesomany,allspeechbecomesadebatewithoutend.Buttwotogethermayperhapsfindwisdom.’

‘Youarekind,’answeredFrodo.‘ButIdonotthinkthatanyspeechwillhelpme.ForIknowwhatIshoulddo,butIamafraidofdoingit,

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Boromir:afraid.’Boromirstoodsilent.

Raurosroaredendlesslyon.Thewindmurmuredinthebranchesofthetrees.Frodoshivered.

SuddenlyBoromircameandsatbesidehim.‘Areyousurethatyoudonotsufferneedlessly?’hesaid.‘Iwishtohelpyou.Youneedcounselinyourhardchoice.Willyounottakemine?’

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‘IthinkIknowalreadywhatcounselyouwouldgive,Boromir,’saidFrodo.‘Anditwouldseemlikewisdombutforthewarningofmyheart.’

‘Warning?Warningagainstwhat?’saidBoromirsharply.

‘Againstdelay.Againstthewaythatseemseasier.Againstrefusaloftheburdenthatislaidonme.Against–well,ifitmustbesaid,

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againsttrustinthestrengthandtruthofMen.’

‘Yetthatstrengthhaslongprotectedyoufarawayinyourlittlecountry,thoughyouknewitnot.’

‘Idonotdoubtthevalourofyourpeople.Buttheworldischanging.ThewallsofMinasTirithmaybestrong,buttheyarenotstrongenough.Iftheyfail,whatthen?’

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‘Weshallfallinbattlevaliantly.Yetthereisstillhopethattheywillnotfail.’

‘NohopewhiletheRinglasts,’saidFrodo.

‘Ah!TheRing!’saidBoromir,hiseyeslighting.‘TheRing!Isitnotastrangefatethatweshouldsuffersomuchfearanddoubtforsosmallathing?Sosmallathing!AndIhaveseenitonlyforaninstantinthehouseof

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Elrond.CouldInothaveasightofitagain?’

Frodolookedup.Hisheartwentsuddenlycold.HecaughtthestrangegleaminBoromir’seyes,yethisfacewasstillkindandfriendly.‘Itisbestthatitshouldliehidden,’heanswered.

‘Asyouwish.Icarenot,’saidBoromir.‘YetmayInotevenspeakofit?Foryouseemevertothinkonlyofits

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powerinthehandsoftheEnemy:ofitsevilusesnotofitsgood.Theworldischanging,yousay.MinasTirithwillfall,iftheRinglasts.Butwhy?Certainly,iftheRingwerewiththeEnemy.Butwhy,ifitwerewithus?’

‘WereyounotattheCouncil?’answeredFrodo.‘Becausewecannotuseit,andwhatisdonewithitturns

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toevil.’Boromirgotupand

walkedaboutimpatiently.‘Soyougoon,’hecried.‘Gandalf,Elrond–allthesefolkhavetaughtyoutosayso.Forthemselvestheymayberight.Theseelvesandhalf-elvesandwizards,theywouldcometogriefperhaps.YetoftenIdoubtiftheyarewiseandnotmerelytimid.Buteachtohisownkind.

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True-heartedMen,theywillnotbecorrupted.WeofMinasTirithhavebeenstaunchthroughlongyearsoftrial.Wedonotdesirethepowerofwizard-lords,onlystrengthtodefendourselves,strengthinajustcause.Andbehold!inourneedchancebringstolighttheRingofPower.Itisagift,Isay;agifttothefoesofMordor.Itismadnottouseit,tousethe

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poweroftheEnemyagainsthim.Thefearless,theruthless,thesealonewillachievevictory.Whatcouldnotawarriordointhishour,agreatleader?WhatcouldnotAragorndo?Orifherefuses,whynotBoromir?TheRingwouldgivemepowerofCommand.HowIwoulddrivethehostsofMordor,andallmenwouldflocktomybanner!’

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Boromirstrodeupanddown,speakingevermoreloudly.AlmostheseemedtohaveforgottenFrodo,whilehistalkdweltonwallsandweapons,andthemusteringofmen;andhedrewplansforgreatalliancesandgloriousvictoriestobe;andhecastdownMordor,andbecamehimselfamightyking,benevolentandwise.Suddenlyhestoppedand

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wavedhisarms.‘Andtheytellustothrow

itaway!’hecried.‘Idonotsaydestroyit.Thatmightbewell,ifreasoncouldshowanyhopeofdoingso.Itdoesnot.TheonlyplanthatisproposedtousisthatahalflingshouldwalkblindlyintoMordorandoffertheEnemyeverychanceofrecapturingitforhimself.Folly!

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‘Surelyyouseeit,myfriend?’hesaid,turningnowsuddenlytoFrodoagain.‘Yousaythatyouareafraid.Ifitisso,theboldestshouldpardonyou.Butisitnotreallyyourgoodsensethatrevolts?’

‘No,Iamafraid,’saidFrodo.‘Simplyafraid.ButIamgladtohaveheardyouspeaksofully.Mymindisclearernow.’

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‘ThenyouwillcometoMinasTirith?’criedBoromir.Hiseyeswereshiningandhisfaceeager.

‘Youmisunderstandme,’saidFrodo.

‘Butyouwillcome,atleastforawhile?’Boromirpersisted.‘Mycityisnotfarnow;anditislittlefurtherfromtheretoMordorthanfromhere.Wehavebeenlonginthewilderness,and

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youneednewsofwhattheEnemyisdoingbeforeyoumakeamove.Comewithme,Frodo,’hesaid.‘Youneedrestbeforeyourventure,ifgoyoumust.’Helaidhishandonthehobbit’sshoulderinfriendlyfashion;butFrodofeltthehandtremblingwithsuppressedexcitement.Hesteppedquicklyaway,andeyedwithalarmthetallMan,nearlytwicehisheightand

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manytimeshismatchinstrength.

‘Whyareyousounfriendly?’saidBoromir.‘Iamatrueman,neitherthiefnortracker.IneedyourRing:thatyouknownow;butIgiveyoumywordthatIdonotdesiretokeepit.Willyounotatleastletmemaketrialofmyplan?LendmetheRing!’

‘No!no!’criedFrodo.‘TheCouncillaidituponme

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tobearit.’‘Itisbyourownfollythat

theEnemywilldefeatus,’criedBoromir.‘Howitangersme!Fool!Obstinatefool!Runningwilfullytodeathandruiningourcause.IfanymortalshaveclaimtotheRing,itisthemenofNúmenor,andnotHalflings.Itisnotyourssavebyunhappychance.Itmighthavebeenmine.Itshouldbe

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mine.Giveittome!’Frododidnotanswer,but

movedawaytillthegreatflatstonestoodbetweenthem.‘Come,come,myfriend!’saidBoromirinasoftervoice.‘Whynotgetridofit?Whynotbefreeofyourdoubtandfear?Youcanlaytheblameonme,ifyouwill.YoucansaythatIwastoostrongandtookitbyforce.ForIamtoostrongforyou,

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halfling,’hecried;andsuddenlyhesprangoverthestoneandleapedatFrodo.Hisfairandpleasantfacewashideouslychanged;aragingfirewasinhiseyes.

Frodododgedasideandagainputthestonebetweenthem.Therewasonlyonethinghecoulddo:tremblinghepulledouttheRinguponitschainandquicklyslippeditonhisfinger,evenas

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Boromirsprangathimagain.TheMangasped,staredforamomentamazed,andthenranwildlyabout,seekinghereandthereamongtherocksandtrees.

‘Miserabletrickster!’heshouted.‘Letmegetmyhandsonyou!NowIseeyourmind.YouwilltaketheRingtoSauronandsellusall.Youhaveonlywaitedyourchancetoleaveusinthelurch.Curse

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youandallhalflingstodeathanddarkness!’Then,catchinghisfootonastone,hefellsprawlingandlayuponhisface.Forawhilehewasasstillasifhisowncursehadstruckhimdown;thensuddenlyhewept.

Heroseandpassedhishandoverhiseyes,dashingawaythetears.‘WhathaveIsaid?’hecried.‘WhathaveIdone?Frodo,Frodo!’he

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called.‘Comeback!Amadnesstookme,butithaspassed.Comeback!’

Therewasnoanswer.Frododidnotevenhearhiscries.Hewasalreadyfaraway,leapingblindlyupthepathtothehill-top.Terrorandgriefshookhim,seeinginhisthoughtthemadfiercefaceofBoromir,andhis

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burningeyes.Soonhecameoutalone

onthesummitofAmonHen,andhalted,gaspingforbreath.Hesawasthroughamistawideflatcircle,pavedwithmightyflags,andsurroundedwithacrumblingbattlement;andinthemiddle,setuponfourcarvenpillars,wasahighseat,reachedbyastairofmanysteps.Uphewentandsatupontheancient

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chair,feelinglikealostchildthathadclambereduponthethroneofmountain-kings.

Atfirsthecouldseelittle.Heseemedtobeinaworldofmistinwhichtherewereonlyshadows:theRingwasuponhim.Thenhereandtherethemistgavewayandhesawmanyvisions:smallandclearasiftheywereunderhiseyesuponatable,andyetremote.Therewasnosound,only

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brightlivingimages.Theworldseemedtohaveshrunkandfallensilent.HewassittingupontheSeatofSeeing,onAmonHen,theHilloftheEyeoftheMenofNúmenor.Eastwardhelookedintowideunchartedlands,namelessplains,andforestsunexplored.Northwardhelooked,andtheGreatRiverlaylikearibbonbeneathhim,andtheMisty

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Mountainsstoodsmallandhardasbrokenteeth.WestwardhelookedandsawthebroadpasturesofRohan;andOrthanc,thepinnacleofIsengard,likeablackspike.Southwardhelooked,andbelowhisveryfeettheGreatRivercurledlikeatopplingwaveandplungedoverthefallsofRaurosintoafoamingpit;aglimmeringrainbowplayeduponthefume.And

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EthirAnduinhesaw,themightydeltaoftheRiver,andmyriadsofsea-birdswhirlinglikeawhitedustinthesun,andbeneaththemagreenandsilversea,ripplinginendlesslines.

Buteverywherehelookedhesawthesignsofwar.TheMistyMountainswerecrawlinglikeanthills:orcswereissuingoutofathousandholes.Underthe

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boughsofMirkwoodtherewasdeadlystrifeofElvesandMenandfellbeasts.ThelandoftheBeorningswasaflame;acloudwasoverMoria;smokeroseonthebordersofLórien.

HorsemenweregallopingonthegrassofRohan;wolvespouredfromIsengard.FromthehavensofHaradshipsofwarputouttosea;andoutoftheEastMenweremoving

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endlessly:swordsmen,spearmen,bowmenuponhorses,chariotsofchieftainsandladenwains.AllthepoweroftheDarkLordwasinmotion.ThenturningsouthagainhebeheldMinasTirith.Farawayitseemed,andbeautiful:white-walled,many-towered,proudandfairuponitsmountain-seat;itsbattlementsglitteredwithsteel,anditsturretswere

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brightwithmanybanners.Hopeleapedinhisheart.ButagainstMinasTirithwassetanotherfortress,greaterandmorestrong.Thither,eastward,unwillinghiseyewasdrawn.ItpassedtheruinedbridgesofOsgiliath,thegrinninggatesofMinasMorgul,andthehauntedMountains,anditlookeduponGorgoroth,thevalleyofterrorintheLandofMordor.

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DarknesslaythereundertheSun.Fireglowedamidthesmoke.MountDoomwasburning,andagreatreekrising.Thenatlasthisgazewasheld:walluponwall,battlementuponbattlement,black,immeasurablystrong,mountainofiron,gateofsteel,towerofadamant,hesawit:Barad-dûr,FortressofSauron.Allhopelefthim.

Andsuddenlyhefeltthe

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Eye.TherewasaneyeintheDarkTowerthatdidnotsleep.Heknewthatithadbecomeawareofhisgaze.Afierceeagerwillwasthere.Itleapedtowardshim;almostlikeafingerhefeltit,searchingforhim.Verysoonitwouldnailhimdown,knowjustexactlywherehewas.AmonLhawittouched.ItglanceduponTolBrandir–hethrewhimselffromthe

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seat,crouching,coveringhisheadwithhisgreyhood.

Heheardhimselfcryingout:Never,never!Orwasit:VerilyIcome,Icometoyou?Hecouldnottell.Thenasaflashfromsomeotherpointofpowertherecametohismindanotherthought:Takeitoff!Takeitoff!Fool,takeitoff!TakeofftheRing!

Thetwopowersstroveinhim.Foramoment,perfectly

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balancedbetweentheirpiercingpoints,hewrithed,tormented.Suddenlyhewasawareofhimselfagain,Frodo,neithertheVoicenortheEye:freetochoose,andwithoneremaininginstantinwhichtodoso.HetooktheRingoffhisfinger.Hewaskneelinginclearsunlightbeforethehighseat.Ablackshadowseemedtopasslikeanarmabovehim;itmissed

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AmonHenandgropedoutwest,andfaded.Thenalltheskywascleanandblueandbirdssangineverytree.

Frodorosetohisfeet.Agreatwearinesswasonhim,buthiswillwasfirmandhisheartlighter.Hespokealoudtohimself.‘IwilldonowwhatImust,’hesaid.‘Thisatleastisplain:theeviloftheRingisalreadyatworkevenintheCompany,andtheRing

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mustleavethembeforeitdoesmoreharm.Iwillgoalone.SomeIcannottrust,andthoseIcantrustaretoodeartome:pooroldSam,andMerryandPippin.Strider,too:hisheartyearnsforMinasTirith,andhewillbeneededthere,nowBoromirhasfallenintoevil.Iwillgoalone.Atonce.’

Hewentquicklydownthepathandcamebacktothe

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lawnwhereBoromirhadfoundhim.Thenhehalted,listening.Hethoughthecouldhearcriesandcallsfromthewoodsneartheshorebelow.

‘They’llbehuntingforme,’hesaid.‘IwonderhowlongIhavebeenaway.Hours,Ishouldthink.’Hehesitated.‘WhatcanIdo?’hemuttered.‘ImustgonoworIshallnevergo.Ishan’tgetachanceagain.Ihateleaving

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them,andlikethiswithoutanyexplanation.Butsurelytheywillunderstand.Samwill.AndwhatelsecanIdo?’

SlowlyhedrewouttheRingandputitononcemore.Hevanishedandpasseddownthehill,lessthanarustleofthewind.

Theothersremainedlongbytheriver-side.Forsome

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timetheyhadbeensilent,movingrestlesslyabout;butnowtheyweresittinginacircle,andtheyweretalking.Everynowandagaintheymadeeffortstospeakofotherthings,oftheirlongroadandmanyadventures;theyquestionedAragornconcerningtherealmofGondoranditsancienthistory,andtheremnantsofitsgreatworksthatcouldstill

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beseeninthisstrangeborder-landoftheEmynMuil:thestonekingsandtheseatsofLhawandHen,andthegreatStairbesidethefallsofRauros.ButalwaystheirthoughtsandwordsstrayedbacktoFrodoandtheRing.WhatwouldFrodochoosetodo?Whywashehesitating?

‘Heisdebatingwhichcourseisthemostdesperate,Ithink,’saidAragorn.‘And

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wellhemay.ItisnowmorehopelessthaneverfortheCompanytogoeast,sincewehavebeentrackedbyGollum,andmustfearthatthesecretofourjourneyisalreadybetrayed.ButMinasTirithisnonearertotheFireandthedestructionoftheBurden.

‘Wemayremainthereforawhileandmakeabravestand;buttheLordDenethorandallhismencannothope

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todowhatevenElrondsaidwasbeyondhispower:eithertokeeptheBurdensecret,ortoholdoffthefullmightoftheEnemywhenhecomestotakeit.WhichwaywouldanyofuschooseinFrodo’splace?Idonotknow.NowindeedwemissGandalfmost.’

‘Grievousisourloss,’saidLegolas.‘Yetwemustneedsmakeupourmindswithout

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hisaid.Whycannotwedecide,andsohelpFrodo?Letuscallhimbackandthenvote!IshouldvoteforMinasTirith.’

‘AndsoshouldI,’saidGimli.‘We,ofcourse,wereonlysenttohelptheBeareralongtheroad,togonofurtherthanwewished;andnoneofusisunderanyoathorcommandtoseekMountDoom.Hardwasmyparting

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fromLothlórien.YetIhavecomesofar,andIsaythis:nowwehavereachedthelastchoice,itiscleartomethatIcannotleaveFrodo.IwouldchooseMinasTirith,butifhedoesnot,thenIfollowhim.’

‘AndItoowillgowithhim,’saidLegolas.‘Itwouldbefaithlessnowtosayfarewell.’

‘Itwouldindeedbeabetrayal,ifwealllefthim,’

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saidAragorn.‘Butifhegoeseast,thenallneednotgowithhim;nordoIthinkthatallshould.Thatventureisdesperate:asmuchsoforeightasforthreeortwo,oronealone.Ifyouwouldletmechoose,thenIshouldappointthreecompanions:Sam,whocouldnotbearitotherwise;andGimli;andmyself.Boromirwillreturntohisowncity,wherehisfather

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andhispeopleneedhim;andwithhimtheothersshouldgo,oratleastMeriadocandPeregrin,ifLegolasisnotwillingtoleaveus.’

‘Thatwon’tdoatall!’criedMerry.‘Wecan’tleaveFrodo!PippinandIalwaysintendedtogowhereverhewent,andwestilldo.Butwedidnotrealizewhatthatwouldmean.Itseemeddifferentsofaraway,inthe

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ShireorinRivendell.ItwouldbemadandcrueltoletFrodogotoMordor.Whycan’twestophim?’

‘Wemuststophim,’saidPippin.‘Andthatiswhatheisworryingabout,Iamsure.Heknowsweshan’tagreetohisgoingeast.Andhedoesn’tliketoaskanyonetogowithhim,pooroldfellow.Imagineit:goingofftoMordoralone!’Pippin

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shuddered.‘Butthedearsillyoldhobbit,heoughttoknowthathehasn’tgottoask.Heoughttoknowthatifwecan’tstophim,weshan’tleavehim.’

‘Beggingyourpardon,’saidSam.‘Idon’tthinkyouunderstandmymasteratall.Heisn’thesitatingaboutwhichwaytogo.Ofcoursenot!What’sthegoodofMinasTirithanyway?To

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him,Imean,beggingyourpardon,MasterBoromir,’headded,andturned.ItwasthenthattheydiscoveredthatBoromir,whoatfirsthadbeensittingsilentontheoutsideofthecircle,wasnolongerthere.

‘Nowwhere’shegotto?’criedSam,lookingworried.‘He’sbeenabitqueerlately,tomymind.Butanywayhe’snotinthisbusiness.He’soff

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tohishome,ashealwayssaid;andnoblametohim.ButMr.Frodo,heknowshe’sgottofindtheCracksofDoom,ifhecan.Buthe’safraid.Nowit’scometothepoint,he’sjustplainterrified.That’swhathistroubleis.Ofcoursehe’shadabitofschooling,sotospeak–weallhave–sincewelefthome,orhe’dbesoterrifiedhe’djustflingtheRinginthe

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Riverandbolt.Buthe’sstilltoofrightenedtostart.Andheisn’tworryingaboutuseither:whetherwe’llgoalongwithhimorno.Heknowswemeanto.That’sanotherthingthat’sbotheringhim.Ifhescrewshimselfuptogo,he’llwanttogoalone.Markmywords!We’regoingtohavetroublewhenhecomesback.Forhe’llscrewhimselfupallright,assureashisname’s

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Baggins.’‘Ibelieveyouspeakmore

wiselythananyofus,Sam,’saidAragorn.‘Andwhatshallwedo,ifyouproveright?’

‘Stophim!Don’tlethimgo!’criedPippin.

‘Iwonder?’saidAragorn.‘HeistheBearer,andthefateoftheBurdenisonhim.Idonotthinkthatitisourparttodrivehimonewayortheother.NordoIthinkthatwe

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shouldsucceed,ifwetried.Thereareotherpowersatworkfarstronger.’

‘Well,IwishFrodowould“screwhimselfup”andcomeback,andletusgetitover,’saidPippin.‘Thiswaitingishorrible!Surelythetimeisup?’

‘Yes,’saidAragorn.‘Thehourislongpassed.Themorningiswearingaway.Wemustcallforhim.’

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AtthatmomentBoromirreappeared.Hecameoutfromthetreesandwalkedtowardsthemwithoutspeaking.Hisfacelookedgrimandsad.Hepausedasifcountingthosethatwerepresent,andthensatdownaloof,withhiseyesontheground.

‘Wherehaveyoubeen,Boromir?’askedAragorn.‘HaveyouseenFrodo?’

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Boromirhesitatedforasecond.‘Yes,andno,’heansweredslowly.‘Yes:Ifoundhimsomewayupthehill,andIspoketohim.IurgedhimtocometoMinasTirithandnottogoeast.Igrewangryandheleftme.Hevanished.Ihaveneverseensuchathinghappenbefore,thoughIhaveheardofitintales.HemusthaveputtheRingon.Icouldnot

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findhimagain.Ithoughthewouldreturntoyou.’

‘Isthatallthatyouhavetosay?’saidAragorn,lookinghardandnottookindlyatBoromir.

‘Yes,’heanswered.‘Iwillsaynomoreyet.’

‘Thisisbad!’criedSam,jumpingup.‘Idon’tknowwhatthisManhasbeenupto.WhyshouldMr.Frodoputthethingon?Hedidn’tought

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tohave;andifhehas,goodnessknowswhatmayhavehappened!’

‘Buthewouldn’tkeepiton,’saidMerry.‘Notwhenhehadescapedtheunwelcomevisitor,likeBilbousedto.’

‘Butwheredidhego?Whereishe?’criedPippin.‘He’sbeenawayagesnow.’

‘HowlongisitsinceyousawFrodolast,Boromir?’

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askedAragorn.‘Halfanhour,maybe,’he

answered.‘Oritmightbeanhour.Ihavewanderedforsometimesince.Idonotknow!Idonotknow!’Heputhisheadinhishands,andsatasifbowedwithgrief.

‘Anhoursincehevanished!’shoutedSam.‘Wemusttryandfindhimatonce.Comeon!’

‘Waitamoment!’cried

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Aragorn.‘Wemustdivideupintopairs,andarrange–here,holdon!Wait!’

Itwasnogood.Theytooknonoticeofhim.Samhaddashedofffirst.MerryandPippinhadfollowed,andwerealreadydisappearingwestwardintothetreesbytheshore,shouting:Frodo!Frodo!intheirclear,high,hobbit-voices.LegolasandGimliwererunning.A

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suddenpanicormadnessseemedtohavefallenontheCompany.

‘Weshallallbescatteredandlost,’groanedAragorn.‘Boromir!Idonotknowwhatpartyouhaveplayedinthismischief,buthelpnow!Goafterthosetwoyounghobbits,andguardthemattheleast,evenifyoucannotfindFrodo.Comebacktothisspot,ifyoufindhim,orany

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tracesofhim.Ishallreturnsoon.’

AragornsprangswiftlyawayandwentinpursuitofSam.Justashereachedthelittlelawnamongtherowansheovertookhim,toilinguphill,pantingandcalling,Frodo!

‘Comewithme,Sam!’hesaid.‘Noneofusshouldbe

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alone.Thereismischiefabout.Ifeelit.Iamgoingtothetop,totheSeatofAmonHen,toseewhatmaybeseen.Andlook!Itisasmyheartguessed,Frodowentthisway.Followme,andkeepyoureyesopen!’Hespedupthepath.

Samdidhisbest,buthecouldnotkeepupwithStridertheRanger,andsoonfellbehind.Hehadnotgone

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farbeforeAragornwasoutofsightahead.Samstoppedandpuffed.Suddenlyheclappedhishandtohishead.

‘Whoa,SamGamgee!’hesaidaloud.‘Yourlegsaretooshort,souseyourhead!Letmeseenow!Boromirisn’tlying,that’snothisway;buthehasn’ttolduseverything.SomethingscaredMr.Frodobadly.Hescrewedhimselfuptothepoint,sudden.Hemade

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uphismindatlast–togo.Whereto?OffEast.NotwithoutSam?Yes,withoutevenhisSam.That’shard,cruelhard.’

Sampassedhishandoverhiseyes,brushingawaythetears.‘Steady,Gamgee!’hesaid.‘Think,ifyoucan!Hecan’tflyacrossrivers,andhecan’tjumpwaterfalls.He’sgotnogear.Sohe’sgottogetbacktotheboats.Backtothe

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boats!Backtotheboats,Sam,likelightning!’

Samturnedandboltedbackdownthepath.Hefellandcuthisknees.Uphegotandranon.HecametotheedgeofthelawnofParthGalenbytheshore,wheretheboatsweredrawnupoutofthewater.Noonewasthere.Thereseemedtobecriesinthewoodsbehind,buthedidnotheedthem.Hestood

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gazingforamoment,stock-still,gaping.Aboatwasslidingdownthebankallbyitself.WithashoutSamracedacrossthegrass.Theboatslippedintothewater.

‘Coming,Mr.Frodo!Coming!’calledSam,andflunghimselffromthebank,clutchingatthedepartingboat.Hemisseditbyayard.Withacryandasplashhefellfacedownwardintodeep

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swiftwater.Gurglinghewentunder,andtheRiverclosedoverhiscurlyhead.

Anexclamationofdismaycamefromtheemptyboat.Apaddleswirledandtheboatputabout.FrodowasjustintimetograspSambythehairashecameup,bubblingandstruggling.Fearwasstaringinhisroundbrowneyes.

‘Upyoucome,Sammylad!’saidFrodo.‘Nowtake

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myhand!’‘Saveme,Mr.Frodo!’

gaspedSam.‘I’mdrownded.Ican’tseeyourhand.’

‘Hereitis.Don’tpinch,lad!Iwon’tletyougo.Treadwateranddon’tflounder,oryou’llupsettheboat.Therenow,getholdoftheside,andletmeusethepaddle!’

WithafewstrokesFrodobroughttheboatbacktothebank,andSamwasableto

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scrambleout,wetasawater-rat.FrodotookofftheRingandsteppedashoreagain.

‘Ofalltheconfoundednuisancesyouaretheworst,Sam!’hesaid.

‘Oh,Mr.Frodo,that’shard!’saidSamshivering.‘That’shard,tryingtogowithoutmeandall.IfIhadn’taguessedright,wherewouldyoubenow?’

‘Safelyonmyway.’

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‘Safely!’saidSam.‘Allaloneandwithoutmetohelpyou?Icouldn’thaveaborneit,it’dhavebeenthedeathofme.’

‘Itwouldbethedeathofyoutocomewithme,Sam,’saidFrodo,‘andIcouldnothavebornethat.’

‘Notascertainasbeingleftbehind,’saidSam.

‘ButIamgoingtoMordor.’

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‘Iknowthatwellenough,Mr.Frodo.Ofcourseyouare.AndI’mcomingwithyou.’

‘Now,Sam,’saidFrodo,‘don’thinderme!Theotherswillbecomingbackatanyminute.Iftheycatchmehere,Ishallhavetoargueandexplain,andIshallneverhavetheheartorthechancetogetoff.ButImustgoatonce.It’stheonlyway.’

‘Ofcourseitis,’answered

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Sam.‘Butnotalone.I’mcomingtoo,orneitherofusisn’tgoing.I’llknockholesinalltheboatsfirst.’

Frodoactuallylaughed.Asuddenwarmthandgladnesstouchedhisheart.‘Leaveone!’hesaid.‘We’llneedit.Butyoucan’tcomelikethiswithoutyourgearorfoodoranything.’

‘Justholdonamoment,andI’llgetmystuff!’cried

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Sameagerly.‘It’sallready.Ithoughtweshouldbeofftoday.’Herushedtothecampingplace,fishedouthispackfromthepilewhereFrodohadlaiditwhenheemptiedtheboatofhiscompanions’goods,grabbedaspareblanket,andsomeextrapackagesoffood,andranback.

‘Soallmyplanisspoilt!’saidFrodo.‘Itisnogood

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tryingtoescapeyou.ButI’mglad,Sam.Icannottellyouhowglad.Comealong!Itisplainthatweweremeanttogotogether.Wewillgo,andmaytheothersfindasaferoad!Striderwilllookafterthem.Idon’tsupposeweshallseethemagain.’

‘Yetwemay,Mr.Frodo.Wemay,’saidSam.

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SoFrodoandSamsetoffonthelaststageoftheQuesttogether.Frodopaddledawayfromtheshore,andtheRiverborethemswiftlyaway,downthewesternarm,andpastthefrowningcliffsofTolBrandir.Theroarofthegreatfallsdrewnearer.EvenwithsuchhelpasSamcouldgive,itwashardworktopassacrossthecurrentatthesouthwardendoftheisland

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anddrivetheboateastwardtowardsthefarshore.

AtlengththeycametolandagainuponthesouthernslopesofAmonLhaw.Theretheyfoundashelvingshore,andtheydrewtheboatout,highabovethewater,andhiditaswellastheycouldbehindagreatboulder.Thenshoulderingtheirburdens,theysetoff,seekingapaththatwouldbringthemover

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thegreyhillsoftheEmynMuil,anddownintotheLandofShadow.

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MAPS

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WORKSBYJ.R.R.TOLKIEN

TheHobbitLeafbyNiggleOnFairy-Stories

FarmerGilesofHamTheHomecomingof

BeorhtnothTheLordoftheRingsTheAdventuresofTom

BombadilTheRoadGoesEverOn

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(withDonaldSwann)SmithofWoottonMajor

WORKSPUBLISHEDPOSTHUMOUSLY

SirGawainandtheGreenKnight,PearlandSirOrfeoTheFatherChristmasLetters

TheSilmarillionPicturesbyJ.R.R.Tolkien

UnfinishedTalesTheLettersofJ.R.R.Tolkien

FinnandHengest

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MrBlissTheMonstersandtheCritics

&OtherEssaysRoverandom

TheChildrenofHúrinTheLegendofSigurdand

Gudrún

THEHISTORYOFMIDDLE-EARTH–BYCHRISTOPHERTOLKIEN

ITheBookofLostTales,PartOne

IITheBookofLostTales,

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PartTwoIIITheLaysofBeleriandIVTheShapingofMiddle-

earthVTheLostRoadandOther

WritingsVITheReturnoftheShadowVIITheTreasonofIsengardVIIITheWaroftheRingIXSauronDefeatedXMorgoth’sRing

XITheWaroftheJewelsXIIThePeoplesofMiddle-

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earth

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COPYRIGHT

HarperCollinsPublishers77–85FulhamPalaceRoad,

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Hammersmith,LondonW68JB

www.tolkien.co.ukwww.tolkienestate.com

PublishedbyHarperCollinsPublishers20081Thiseditionisbasedonthereseteditionfirstpublished2004

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FirstpublishedinGreatBritainbyGeorgeAllen&Unwin1954SecondEdition1966

Copyright©TheTrusteesoftheJ.R.R.Tolkien1967Settlement1954,1966

and‘Tolkien’®are

registeredtrademarksofTheJ.R.R.TolkienEstateLimited

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EPubEditionMARCH2009ISBN:978-0-007-32249-7

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybe

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reproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.

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ABOUTTHEPUBLISHERAustraliaHarperCollinsPublishers(Australia)Pty.Ltd.25RydeRoad(POBox321)Pymble,NSW2073,Australia

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http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com.au

CanadaHarperCollinsCanada2BloorStreetEast-20thFloorToronto,ON,M4W,1A8,Canadahttp://www.harpercollinsebooks.ca

NewZealandHarperCollinsPublishers(NewZealand)Limited

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P.O.Box1Auckland,NewZealandhttp://www.harpercollinsebooks.co.nz

UnitedKingdomHarperCollinsPublishersLtd.77-85FulhamPalaceRoadLondon,W68JB,UKhttp://www.harpercollinsebooks.co.uk

UnitedStatesHarperCollinsPublishersInc.10East53rdStreet

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NewYork,NY10022http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com

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*Astherecordsof

GondorrelatethiswasArgelebII,thetwentiethoftheNorthernline,whichcametoanendwithArveduithreehundredyearslater.

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*Thus,theyearsofthe

ThirdAgeinthereckoningoftheElvesandtheDúnedainmaybefoundbyadding1600tothedatesofShire-reckoning.

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*SeeAppendixB:annals

1451,1462,1482;andnoteatendofAppendixC.

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*Representedinmuch

reducedforminAppendixBasfarastheendoftheThirdAge.

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*Seenote2,III,p.1458

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*Elves(andHobbits)

alwaysrefertotheSunasShe.

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*TheHobbits’namefor

thePloughorGreatBear.

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*TheBrandywineRiver.

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*SeenoteinAppendixF:

OftheElves.

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The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films - Part I - The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Fellowship of the Ring - english9team.weebly.com · The Ring “A ring of power looks after itself, Frodo. . . . It was not Gollum, but the ring itself that decided things. The

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING - Kolbe Academykolbe.org/files/9714/0251/1941/FELLOWSHIP_OF_THE_RING_11.pdf · The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is not only finest work

The Art of the Fellowship of the Ring

SUNDAY · SENIOR ADULT OVERED DISH DINNER Food, Fun, Fellowship for All in the Fellowship Hall We’ll have games and/or fellowship following the meal. (ring your favorite cards,

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KMBT C654-20130328151233 · 2013. 5. 1. · THE LORD OF THE RINGS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 1st C FLUTE "The Fellowship Theme"- Music by HOWARD SHORE Marcato "The Prophecy" - Music

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