Thoughts of Bill the Pony
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything, just my own ideas.
Author's note: Yes, I am aware that I have not finished "We meet again", but I couldn't resist writing this! The idea for this story came out when I had nothing to do one day and was re-reading Lord of the Rings, and then I realised that there hasn't been any story that has written LOTR in Bill the Pony's perspective, from what I searched. Hope you all would enjoy it! Reviews and comments are, as usual, welcomed.
Chapter 1: Joining the hobbits.
I see four hobbits walking around.
Not that hobbits are not good, but having hobbits even awake at this hour dressed like travellers and with a man beside them never meant anything good.
I mean, look at Bilbo Baggins. Alright, he's sort of rich and gets better treatment than I do, but I'm convinced that there's something eccentric about him after the adventure he had. I don't know him personally, but I hear a lot of rumours in this inn. I might be a pony, but I have been around for long enough to understand things, and people's expression when the name "Bilbo Baggins" and the word "adventure" was mentioned was something I clearly see to be that of disdain. However, I think he's just eccentric, not bad like my master. I know I'm not supposed to say anything bad about one's master, but everyone knows that he is a bad guy who cheats on others and mistreats me. Even I feel embarrassed to be called the same name as him.
If I was a hobbit, I'll probably quit my job and go find some other jobs right now. If I was a wizard of some sort, I will make him disappear and never come back. Or turn him into something unnatural...
Slap!
Hey, ouch, alright alright I'll continue to do my work! Don't they know that I'm old and weak and thus do my work more slowly? I can even feel my joints creaking! Or at least give me more food if I have to do such labour. I'm so hungry I could eat a house of hay right now. Yum, hay…
I shouldn't ask for so much. Grass would be good for me too. Yum grass… green and luscious grass, a little moist from the morning dewdrops…
Suddenly, a voice cut in. "Now Bill Ferny, I need to buy a horse from you."
Master Butterbur! Oh, he's a nice person, all right. Is he coming to buy me? Hooray! At last, the possibility of being freed from this evil guy who overworks me! Please buy me and free me!
"Twelve silver pennies, no less."
WHAT? That's cheating! Master Ferny, you're cheating that good person's money! Oh wait, I forgot, Master Ferny is that sort of person. But really, you dare to ask for twelve silver pennies in exchange for me? Even I know that I am not worth that much, and even I will not be willing to pay that much to buy myself.
"Twelve silver pennies. Take it or leave it."
That's it. There goes my bright future of escaping from this place and joining kind Master Butterbur. He will probably be off to find another seller, or to find something else that can replace whatever job he had in mind for me.
"Alright."
He took out twelve silver pennies, counted them, and handed them to Master Ferny, who counted the pennies happily and waved in my direction.
"He's yours"
I could hardly believe my ears.
Master Butterbur actually bought me? At twelve silver pennies? He actually thinks that I am worth that much?
Thank you so much! I always knew you were a good man!
Wait, hang on a minute. I remember Master Butterbur saying the last time that I was one of the oldest, weakest and most mistreated beast he has ever seen. He still decided to buy me? Really? He felt that twelve silver pennies was worth it, as long as I can get my freedom?
This was too good to be true, and my sixth sense was telling me that something was amiss…
I was led to the inn.
"Here you go, Master Brandybuck. I am awfully sorry about the loss of your ponies. I hope a further compensation of eighteen silver pennies would be enough?"
Master Brandybuck? I was bought to be sold to the travellers? Not to work for kind old Master Butterbur?
No, no, no!
I am old! I can feel my bones rebelling against me! Yet I still have to follow four hobbits around travelling? And it is obvious that they are going somewhere far; just look at what they are wearing! And if I am travelling with them, I will definitely be the one carrying their burden! Do I look like I am fit enough to do these things? Obviously not! Of course, I forgot that no one understands a pony like me…
At least I am free. And I see Master Butterbur coming with a stack of hay. Great! Finally, a proper meal in ages. Well, being able to have a good meal upon entering the service of the four hobbits is a good omen, I guess. Maybe it would not be as bad as I thought.
Leaving the inn
Right, I take my words back. Carrying five people's burden is not funny, especially when I am the only beast carrying it! Seriously, do they think I'm in prime years? I am an old and weak pony! I don't have that much energy, not even after eating the hay from yesterday! I'm still malnourished!
I tried to resist, but to no avail. The hobbit handling me was strong, but I must say that he was kind to me, which delighted me. He did not shout or hit me when I resisted, and I must admit that he was carrying quite a bit of things as well. So I guess it is fair, and how he treats me is infinitely better than how Master Ferny treated me.
Just you watch out, Master Ferny, I will get back at you one day. For now, I am looking forward to something new with my four new hobbit masters. I like them already. Hopefully their destination would be full of grass and is not somewhere far away…
-To be continued-
