Both Severus and Frodo waited at the bottom of the Hill near a gate that had an opening of a narrow lane. Frodo adjusted his strap while Pippin hummed a tune. Severus was watching the area, listening closely for anything out of the ordinary. The stranger from earlier was still fresh on his mind and wasn't taking any chances if he had found them.

Luckily, they didn't have to wait long until Sam appeared, trotting quickly towards them and breathing hard. His pack was large and taller than him. Frodo had asked if he was alright given the weight of his pack, but Sam brushed away his concerns.

"I could take more yet, sir. My packet is quite light," said Sam, like a liar. But before Sam could persuade Frodo to give him more, Pippin interrupted.

"Don't you dare, Sam!" said Pippin. "You have more than enough. Besides, it will be good for him. He's got nothing more than what he told us to pack. He will get used to it once he walked off some of his slack!"

Frodo laughed good naturally, not taking offense since he told Severus the same thing earlier.

"Be king to a poor old Hobbit!" said Frodo, a gleam in his eye. "I suspect you have taken more than your share, Sam, and I shall look into it at our next packing so that I can share the weight."

"There will be no need," interrupted Severus. Unlike the two before him, Severus hardly carried anything but the sack that he first came to the shire with. He had charmed it so that it would be a bottomless, similar to Ms. Granger's. Severus carried a variety of clothing, healing and bedding supplies, books, tools, and potions. Severus had also placed a feather light charm on his and continued to do so onto Frodo's and Sam's packs.

Pippin and Sam watched both in fear and captivation as Severus took out his wand and placed the charm. Pippin knew that Severus possessed magic, as every else did, but had never gotten the chance to see it be done before. However, Sam was more frightful that Severus would turn him into a toad. He was greatly surprised and relieved that the weight on his back had lessen greatly to the point that he looked back to see if it was there at all. Frodo mirrored his action with a giant grin.

"It feels as heavy as a pillow," exclaimed Frodo. They talked excitedly amongst themselves of magic and its wondrous uses, but then Severus had heard something in the far distance. The trees moved with the wind, brushing against each other until a feeling had overcome him. Something was coming and it would be best if they moved quickly now.

With some words of encouragement, they moved westwards. Halfway through, they moved left and went through the fields. They walked in a single file line along the hedgerows and the borders of coppices. Severus remained in the back, listening while gripping his wand tightly.

In the dark, their cloaks almost made them appear invisible with the exception of when they passed through the moonlight. Severus had already placed a notice-me-not spell on each of them to provide further protection. He was hesitant at first. The spell worked on wizards, but those of great power could see through them easily. Besides Gandalf, he never met another person with magic and never tested his abilities against Gandalf either. He was not sure if it would help or if he would leave a magic trail behind. It was a risk he took since he knew that Muggles would never see them and it was for the better.

Luckily, the hobbits had seemed to understand that they needed to make as little noise as possible. Even Pippin who often liked to sing or talk was unusually silent.

After some time, they crossed the water, west of Hobbiton, by a narrow plank-bridge. A mile or two further south, they hastily crossed the great road from Brandywine Bridge and were now in the Tookland and bending south-eastwards as they made their war towards the Green Hill Country. They could see the glistening lights in Hobbiton, but it soon disappeared. With the last light gone, Frodo waved it farewell

"I wonder if I shall ever look down into that valley again," he whispered quietly to himself. None of the other hobbits had heard him, but Severus had. He didn't offer any words of comfort since he didn't like making promises he couldn't keep. However, he did place a reassuring hand Frodo's shoulders and steered him towards the direction of the other hobbits.

They walked for about three hours before Severus said that they could take a short break and rest. The night was clear, cool, and misty. Severus had taken it upon himself to stand guard and watch as the Hobbits talked amongst themselves quietly. They ate a very frugal supper, by hobbits means, and then moved again.

They walked endlessly. They were mostly quiet and spent their time talking and singing gently to keep themselves awake. Severus didn't stop them since they were now far away from inquisitive ears, but he still made sure to listen carefully for anything unexpected.

They had only walked for a few more hours before Pippin began to lag behind. Severus made sure to stand beside him, encouraging him to keep moving forward lest Severus waved his wand at him in a threatening manner. It was a bluff, mostly, since it had its desire affect. Pippin moved more steadily but was still not nearly as fast as Severus had hoped. However, it had only been a temporary solution as Pippin had soon stopped and yawned.

"I am so sleepy," he said, "I shall fall down on the road and sleep. It is nearly midnight."

"I thought you liked walking in the dark," said Frodo. "But there is no great hurry. Merry expects us some time the day after tomorrow; but that leaves us nearly two days more. We'll halt at the first likely spot."

"The wind's in the West," said Sam. "If we get to the other side of this hill, we shall find a spot that is sheltered and snug enough, sir. There is a dry fir-wood just ahead, if I remember rightly." Sam knew the land well within twenty miles of Hobbiton which is why he lead the group, but that was the limit of his geography.

They all looked at Severus for confirmation to head in that direction as he had become the leader of the group. It would be better if they continued, but Severus knew better than to push them beyond their limits. They walked far enough to be safe for a night's rest. With a nod, they made their way.

Leaving the road they went into the deep darkness of the trees, and gathered dead sticks and cones to make a fire. Soon they had a merry crackle of flame at the foot of a large fir-tree and they sat round it for a while, until they began to slowly fall asleep. At each angle of the great tree's roots, the hobbits curled up in their cloaks and blankets, and were soon fast asleep.

They were in no immediate danger for them to set up a night watch, but Severus was not tired nor was he willing to take a chance. He spent the time setting up wards before he sat by the fire. The air was fresh and cool to breath in. He closed his eyes taking in the world around him once again. A few creatures came and left, but other than that, they were hardly disturbed.

It wasn't long before Severus found himself falling into a slumber as well.


The morning came soon. It was brisk and wet with morning dew, but it was also bright and fresh. Severus woke up first and had spent his time watching the area around them. Frodo soon woke soon after and took it upon himself to wake up the rest. All of them groaned in pain from stiff necks and backs.

"Sam! Get breakfast ready for half-past nine! Have you got the bath-water hot?" said Pippin, peering over the edge of his blanket with one eye. Sam jumped up, looking rather bleary-eyed.

"No, sir, I haven't, sir!" he said. Frodo stripped the blankets from Pippin and rolled him over, and then walked off to the edge of the wood. Away eastward the sun was rising red out of the mists that lay thick on the world. Touched with gold and red the autumn trees seemed to be sailing rootless in a shadowy sea. A little below him to the left the road ran down steeply into a hollow and disappeared. When he returned Sam and Pippin had got a good fire going.

"Water!" shouted Pippin. "Where's the water?"

"I don't keep water in my pockets," said Frodo.

"We thought you had gone to find some," said Pippin, busy setting out the food and cups. "You had better go now."

"You can come too you know," said Frodo, "and bring all the water bottles."

Severus spent his time watching them after he deemed it safe. He had already packed water for himself and for emergency. He watched as Frodo and Pippin walked, still visible to the eye, to a stream at the foot of the hill. They filled their bottles and the small camping kettle. They walked towards a little waterfall where they washed their hands, feet, and face to remove the dirt of the forest before making their way back.

When they had finished breakfast and were all ready to go, left soon after.

The day was hot and bright. They walked for most of the day, taking several different trails and never walking in a straight line. It was only when it was midday had they finally took another resting break for lunch.

"The road goes on forever," moaned Pippin. "But I can't go on without rest. It is high time for lunch." He sat down on the bank at the side of the road and looked away east into the haze, beyond which lay the River, and the end of the Shire in which he had spent all his life. Sam stood by him. His round eyes were wide open – for he was looking across lands he had never seen to a new horizon.

"Do Elves live in those woods?" he asked.

"None that I ever heard," said Pippin. Frodo and Severus were silent. Frodo too was gazing eastward along the road, as if he had never seen it before.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with weary feet,

Until it joins some larger way,

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

"That sounds like a bit of old Bilbo's rhyming," said Pippin. "Or is it one of your imitations? It does not sound altogether encouraging."

"I don't know," said Frodo. "It came to me then, as if I was making it up; but I may have heard it long ago. Certainly it reminds me very much of Bilbo in the last years, before he went away. He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to. Do you realize that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood, and that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain or even further to worse places?' He used to say that about the path outside the front door at Bag End, especially after he had been out for a long walk.'

"Well, the Road won't sweep me anywhere for an hour at least," said Pippin, unslinging his pack. The others followed his example, putting their packs against the bank and their legs out into the road.


They walked far longer since their last stop. They were making good time despite the zig-zag trails they took.

Luckily, they hadn't met a single soul on their journey since this was a path not usually taken since it was not big enough for carts. Both Pippin and Frodo were teasing Sam of a maiden back in the shire when Severus had suddenly stopped as if listening to something in the distance. They had immediately quieten and waited.

"There is someone coming," whispered Severus. " A rider coming along the road behind us."

They looked back, but the turn of the road prevented them from seeing far.

"I wonder if is Gandalf coming after us," said Frodo; but even as he said it, he had a feeling that it was not so, and a sudden desire to hide from the view of the rider came over him.

"I don't think so either," said Severus, "But I would rather not be seen on the road either way. Quickly, let's get out of sight!'

With that, all the hobbits quickly moved to the left and down into a small hollow not far from the road. They lay flat against the muddy walls. It was dirty, bug infested, and cramped. Their breathing was loud, but they dared not move. Yet Frodo had hesitated for a second: curiosity or some other feeling was struggling against his desire to hide. The sound of hoofs drew nearer. Just in time, Severus pushed him down into a small cavern beneath the earth and tree that overshadowed the road and followed him.

Frodo lifted his head and peered cautiously above one of the great roots. Round the corner came a black horse, no hobbit-pony but a full-sized horse; and on it sat a large man, who seemed to crouch in the saddle, wrapped in a great black cloak and hood, so that only his boots in the high stirrups showed below; his face was shadowed and invisible.

Severus gently pushed him back, a finger at his lips as he watched the stranger through a hole in the ground.

When it reached the tree and was at level with Frodo, the horse stopped. The riding figure sat quite still with its head bowed as if listening. From inside the hood came a noise as of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned from side to side of the road.

A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. He hardly dared to breathe, and yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that he began slowly to move his hand. He felt that he had only to slip it on, and then he would be safe. The advice of Gandalf seemed absurd. Bilbo had used the Ring. 'And I am still in the Shire,' he thought, as his hand touched the chain on which it hung. But before he could place the ring upon his fingers, Severus's hand had grasped his own and held it tightly, never losing sight of the thing above them. At that moment the rider sat up, and shook the reins. The horse stepped forward, walking slowly at first, and then breaking into a quick trot.

Severus crawled to the edge of the road with his wand at hand and watched the rider, until he dwindled into the distance. He could not be quite sure, but it seemed to him that suddenly, before it passed out of sight, the horse turned aside and went into the trees on the right.

"Well, I call that very odd and indeed disturbing," said Frodo to himself, as he walked towards his companions. Pippin and Sam had remained flat in the grass, and had seen nothing; so Frodo described the rider and his strange behavior.

"I can't say why, but I felt certain he was looking or smelling for me, and also I felt certain that I did not want him to discover me. I've never seen or felt anything like it in the Shire before."

Severus watched Frodo. He had suspected that whom ever wanted the ring would be able find traces of Severus's magic, but it seemed that they were tracing Frodo. He quickly spared a glance to Frodo's right pocket that hid the ring. The ring wanted to be found, Severus reasoned. Of course they would be able to trace its power or find some way to track them down. It was possible that they had somehow obtained Frodo's scent and was tracking him through that, but Severus was not sure. It was something he would have to think about and talk to Gandalf about should they ever find the wizard on their journey.

"But what has one of the Big People got to do with us?" said Pippin. "And what is he doing in this part of the world?"

"There are some Men" began Frodo, "down in the Southfarthing who have been having trouble with Big People, I believe. But I have never heard of anything like this rider. I wonder where he came from."

"Begging your pardon," put in Sam suddenly, "I know where he comes from. It's from Hobbiton that this here black rider comes unless there's more than one. And I know where he's going to."

"What do you mean?" said Severus sharply, his black eyes narrowed in suspension at Sam who began to sweat and pale slightly at the look. "Why didn't you speak about this before?"

"I have only just remembered, sir. It was like this: when I got back to our hole yesterday evening with the key, my dad, he says to me:

Hallo, Sam! he says. I thought you were away with Mr. Frodo this morning. There's been a strange customer asking for Mr. Baggins of Bag End, and he's only just gone. I've sent him on to Bucklebury. Not that I liked the sound of him. He seemed mighty put out, when I told him Mr. Baggins had left his old home for good. Hissed at me, he did. It gave me quite a shudder. What sort of a fellow was he? says I to the Gaffer. I don't know, says he; but he wasn't a hobbit. He was tall and black-like, and he stooped over me. I reckon it was one of the Big Folk from foreign parts. He spoke funny.

"I couldn't stay to hear more, sir, since you were waiting; and I didn't give much heed to it myself. The Gaffer is getting old, and more than a bit blind, and it must have been near dark when this fellow came up the Hill and found him taking the air at the end of our Row. I hope he hasn't done no harm, sir, nor me."

"The Gaffer can't be blamed anyway,' said Frodo pointly as he interrupted Severus. Frodo recognized the look immediately that came on Severus's face who was about lash at Sam's and his father's stupidity. 'As a matter of fact, we heard him talking to a stranger, who seemed to be inquiring for me, and I nearly went and asked him who it was. I wish I had, or you had told me about it before. I might have been more careful on the road."

"Still, there may be no connexion between this rider and the Gaffer's stranger," said Pippin. "We left Hobbiton secretly enough, and I don't see how he could have followed us."

"What about the smelling, sir?" said Sam, returning Severus's earlier point. "And the Gaffer said he was a black chap."

"I wish I had waited for Gandalf," Frodo muttered. "But perhaps it would only have made matters worse."

"Then you know or guess something about this rider?" said Pippin, who had caught the muttered words.

"I don't know for sure, but I would rather not guess," said Frodo.

"All right, cousin Frodo! You can keep your secret for the present if you want to be mysterious. In the meanwhile what are we to do? I should like a bite and a sup, but somehow I think we had better move on from here. Your talk of sniffing riders with invisible noses has unsettled me."

"Yes, I think we will move on now," said Severus; "but not on the road – in case that rider comes back, or another follows him. We ought to do a good step more today. Buckland is still miles away."

With that, they continued on their way. If the rider knew where Frodo's new home was, it would be better if they didn't head in that direction at all. It would be better to go someplace else entirely. But Merry was there, Frodo had argued. That can't just leave him there alone, unprotected. Plus, had Gandalf came to the shire, he would know that they left and would know to head there instead. It was there only chance to meet him again, reasoned Frodo. Still, Severus was still unsure. It would be safer, but Frodo wouldn't accept anything else and so they continued their journey despite Severus's displeasure. He he was half tempted to just drag the hobbit himself, but he refrained. They didn't have other place to go nor did they have any plans. If Gandalf was there, it was a chance that they would have to take.

Despite Severus 's abilities and intelligence, there was still so much that he didn't know about this world nor did he know his limitations. Frodo and Gandalf knew more than he did.

The shadows of the trees were long and thin on the grass, as they started off again. They now kept a stone's throw to the left of the road and kept out of sight of it as much as they could. But this hindered them; for the grass was thick and tussocky, and the ground uneven, and the trees began to draw together into thickets.

The sun had gone down red behind the hills at their backs, and evening was coming on before they came back to the road at the end of the long level over which it had run straight for some miles. At that point it bent left and went down into the lowlands of the Yale making for Stock; but a lane branched right, winding through a wood of ancient oak-trees on its way to Woodhall. '

They walked through the night with nothing but the stars to guide them on their travel. It had been a long time since they had heard the rider and his horse, but they still kept mostly quiet. The hobbits had already began to sing quietly or hum a tune, more quietly than before.

Gazing at the trees, Frodo began to think of Bilbo and songs he had taught him as a child. He sang the words gently that blew with the wind and lost in the night. It was haunting just as much as it was beautiful.

Upon the hearth the fire is red,

Beneath the roof there is a bed;

But not yet weary are our feet,

Still round the corner we may meet

A sudden tree or standing stone

That none have seen but we alone.

Tree and flower and leaf and grass,

Let them pass! Let them pass!

Hill and water under sky,

Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still, around the corner, there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though we pass them by today,

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,

Let them go! Let them go!

Sand and stone and pool and dell,

Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadows to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Then world behind and home ahead,

We'll wander back to home and bed.

Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,

Away shall fade! Away shall fade!

Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,

And then to bed! And then to bed!

Pippin had joined in at the end, his voice high. Both Severus and Frodo had hushed him. The sound of hoofs was near.

They all stopped, standing still as trees and listened. There were hoofs, behind them, and were coming closer and closer. They quickly and quietly slipped off the path and ran deeper into the shade of the forest. Severus stood in front of them, using his body as to cover the hobbits that hid behind him.

The hoofs drew nearer. They had no time to find any hiding-place better than the general darkness under the trees; Sam and Pippin crouched behind a large tree-bole, while Frodo crept back a few yards towards the lane. It showed grey and pale, a line of fading light through the wood. Above it the stars were thick in the dim sky, but there was no moon.

The sound of hoofs had stopped not so far away from them. Severus already had his wand ready for any spell to cast. He inched closer towards the hobbits to shield them from sight.

They could hear sniffling and Severus watched as the rider moved closer to them.

Once more the desire to slip on the Ring came over Frodo, but this time it was stronger than before. So strong that, almost before he realized what he was doing, his hand was groping in his pocket. But at that moment there came a sound like mingled song and laughter. Clear voices rose and fell in the starlit air. The black shadow straightened up and retreated. It climbed on to the shadowy horse and seemed to vanish across the lane into the darkness on the other side. Frodo breathed again.

"Elves!" exclaimed Sam in a hoarse whisper. "Elves, sir!" He would have burst out of the trees and dashed off towards the voices if they had not pulled him back.

They sang the song, beautiful despite the fact that Severus had only known a few words. There were not a lot of Elvish words in the books he's read. The few that he knew were the ones that Gandalf or Frodo had taught him, but Frodo was nowhere near fluent as Gandalf. He knew a few more words than Severus, but he suspected he could understand the song more clearly.

Severus watched them with mild interest. Like Sam, he had never seen the elves and often desired to take a look at them himself. He was at awe at their beauty and grace. He never saw anyone bore more beauty or light in his life.

Before long the Elves came down the lane towards the valley. They passed slowly, and the hobbits could see the starlight glimmering on their hair and in their eyes. They bore no lights, yet as they walked a shimmer, like the light of the moon above the rim of the hills before it rises, seemed to fall about their feet. They were now silent, and as the last Elf passed he turned and looked towards the hobbits and laughed.

"Hail, Frodo!" he cried. "You are abroad late. Or are you perhaps lost?" Then he called aloud to the others, and all the company stopped and gathered round. "This is indeed wonderful!" they said. "Three hobbits and a man in a wood at night! We have not seen such a thing since Bilbo went away. What is the meaning of it?"

But none of them had answered. They were elves, yes, but Severus did not know them nor did he trust them.

"Who are you and who is your lord," inquired Severus. His wand pointed at them and he watched them with narrowed eyes. He did not like that they were seen nor did he like that they knew Frodo since he did not know them.

"I am Gildor," answered their leader, the Elf who had first hailed him. "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod. We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and we too are now only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea. But some of our kinsfolk dwell still in peace in Rivendell. Tell us what troubles you for there is a shadow of fear upon you."

"O Wise People!" interrupted Pippin eagerly. "Tell us about the Black Riders!"

"Black Riders?" they said in low voices. "Why do you ask about Black Riders?"

"Because two Black Riders have overtaken us today, or one has done so twice," said Pippin; "only a little while ago he slipped away as you drew near."

The Elves did not answer at once but spoke together softly in their own tongue. Severus was almost tempted to wack Pippin for spilling their secrets and weakness. At length, Gildor turned to the hobbits.

"We will not speak of this here," he said. "We think you had best come now with us. It is not our custom, but for this time we will take you on our road, and you shall lodge with us tonight if you will."

"O Fair Folk! This is good fortune beyond my hope," said Pippin. Sam was speechless and looked like he was going to burst down in tears.

"I thank you indeed, Gildor Inglorion," said Frodo bowing, he elbowed Severus in the thigh and he gave a curt nod in response.

"Elen sı´la lu´menn' omentielvo, a star shines on the hour of our meeting," he added in the High-elven speech.

"Bilbo was a good master. Hail, Elf-friend"' Gildor said, bowing to Frodo. "Come now with your friends and join our company! You had the best walk in the middle so that you may not stray. You may be weary before we halt."

"Why? Where are you going?" asked Frodo.

"For tonight we go to the woods on the hills above Woodhall. It is some miles, but you shall have rest at the end of it, and it will shorten your journey tomorrow."

They now marched on again in silence, and passed like shadows and faint lights: for Elves (even more than hobbits) could walk when they wished without sound or footfall. Pippin soon began to feel sleepy, and staggered once or twice; but each time a tall Elf at his side put out his arm and saved him from a fall. Sam walked along at Frodo's side, as if in a dream, with an expression on his face half of fear and half of astonished joy. Severus remained in the back of the hobbits, watching everything around him. Several times, he had caught the curious gazes of the Elves. They would stare at him as if they were unsure of what to make of him. He suspected that they could sense his magic, but he had a feeling it was not that. There was something...almost sacred walking besides them.

Severus was not a very nice person nor was he a very good one. He knew that darkness laid within him and still remained on his skin. He was not beautiful nor was he gentle. There was almost a jealous anger that burned within him as he gazed at their beautiful faces. These elves, they glowed were light does not exist. Each step was sure and graceful. He felt naked at their gazes and hated the looks that they sent his way. There were several times were he was self conscious of his looks but he had grown over it as he got older. Yet here, he felt the same childish insecurities walking beside them. But the looks they sent him were not judging or cruel and that made Severus dislike them more. Luckily, none of them seem willing to engage in conversation with him and kept to themselves despite them watching him constantly. He was, after all, a stranger to this world.

The woods on either side became denser; the trees were now younger and thicker; and as the lane went lower, running down into a fold of the hills, there were many deep brakes of hazel on the rising slopes at either hand. At last the Elves turned aside from the path. A green ride lay almost unseen through the thickets on the right; and this they followed as it wound away back up the wooded slopes on to the top of a shoulder of the hills that stood out into the lower land of the river-valley. Suddenly they came out of the shadow of the trees, and before them lay a wide space of grass, grey under the night. On three sides the woods pressed upon it; but eastward the ground fell steeply and the tops of the dark trees, growing at the bottom of the slope, were below their feet. Beyond, the low lands lay dim and flat under the stars. Nearer at hand a few lights twinkled in the village of Woodhall. The Elves sat on the grass and spoke together in soft voices; they seemed to take no further notice of the hobbits, but their attention was still on Severus. They whispered amongst themselves in Elvish. Many studied him and would look at him as if searching for something that laid on his person. Their eyes always seem to land at his chest in the end. He had half suspected that they could see the necklace that he wore. He had never taken it off when he had first discovered it nor did he show it to anyone. Not even Frodo or Gandalf knew he had it, yet it seemed as if they didn't need to be told. It was almost as if they already knew where it was and what it was. Severus was almost tempted to ask what it was they were looking at and if they knew of the necklace, but he didn't. He had always wondered what it was and what it meant. It was the only thing he had on his person that was not there before. It was important yes, but none of the books that Bilbo left for Frodo provided any details or answers. In the end, Severus decided to not ask and made sure that the hobbits were secured and well.

He found them wrapped in their cloaks and blankets, barely fighting off sleep. It was only when the night grew on and the lights of the valley went out did Pippin fall asleep.

Away high in the East swung Remmirath, the Netted Stars, and slowly above the mists red Borgil rose, glowing like a jewel of fire. Then by some shift of airs, all the mist was drawn away like a veil, and there leaned up, as he climbed over the rim of the world, the Swordsman of the Sky, Menelvagor with his shining belt. The Elves all burst into song. Suddenly under the trees, a fire sprang up with a red light. 'Come!' the Elves called to the hobbits.

"Come! Now is the time for speech and merriment!" Pippin sat up and rubbed his eyes. He shivered.

"There is a fire in the hall and food for hungry guests," said an Elf standing before him. At the south end of the greensward, there was an opening. There the green floor ran on into the wood and formed a wide space like a hall, roofed by the boughs of trees. Their great trunks ran like pillars down each side. In the middle, there was a wood-fire blazing, and upon the tree-pillars torches with lights of gold and silver were burning steadily. The Elves sat round the fire upon the grass or upon the sawn rings of old trunks. Some went to and fro bearing cups and pouring drink; others brought food on heaped plates and dishes.

"This is poor fare," they said to the hobbits and Severus;"'for we are lodging in the greenwood far from our halls. If ever you are our guests at home, we will treat you better."

"It seems to me good enough for a birthday-party," said Frodo. Pippin afterward recalled little of either food or drink, for his mind was filled with the light upon the elf-faces, and the sound of voices so various and so beautiful that he felt in a waking dream. But he remembered that there was bread, surpassing the savor of a fair white loaf to one who is starving; and fruits sweet as wild berries and richer than the tended fruits of gardens; he drained a cup that was filled with a fragrant draught, cool as a clear fountain, golden as a summer afternoon.

Sam could never describe in words, nor picture clearly to himself, what he felt or thought that night, though it remained in his memory as one of the chief events of his life. The nearest he ever got was to say: "Well, sir, if I could grow apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was the singing that went to my heart if you know what I mean."

Frodo sat, eating, drinking, and talking with delight; but his mind was chiefly on the words spoken. He knew a little of the elf-speech and listened eagerly. Now and again he spoke to those that served him and thanked them in their own language. They smiled at him and said laughing: 'Here is a jewel among hobbits!' After a while Pippin fell fast asleep, and was lifted up and borne away to a bower under the trees; there he was laid upon a soft bed and slept the rest of the night away. Sam refused to leave his master. When Pippin had gone, he came and sat curled up at Frodo's feet, where at last he nodded and closed his eyes. Frodo and Severus remained long awake, talking with Gildor.

They spoke of many things, old and new, and Frodo questioned Gildor much about happenings in the wide world outside the Shire. The tidings were mostly sad and ominous: of gathering darkness, the wars of Men, and the flight of the Elves. At last Frodo asked the question that was nearest to his heart: "Tell me, Gildor, have you ever seen Bilbo since he left us?"

Gildor smiled. "Yes," he answered. "Twice. He said farewell to us on this very spot. But I saw him once again, far from here." He would say no more about Bilbo, and Frodo fell silent. "You do not ask me or tell me much that concerns yourself, Frodo," said Gildor. "But I already know a little, and I can read more in your face and in the thought behind your questions. You are leaving the Shire, and yet you doubt that you will find what you seek, or accomplish what you intend, or that you will ever return. Is that not so?"

"It is," said Frodo; "but I thought my going was a secret known only to Gandalf, Severus, and my faithful Sam." He looked down at Sam, who was snoring gently.

"The secret will not reach the Enemy from us," assured Gildor who looked at them both with honesty.

"The Enemy?" said Severus. "Then you know why we left the Shire?"

"I do not know for what reason the Enemy is pursuing you," answered Gildor; "but I perceive that he is – strange indeed though that seems to me. And I warn you that peril is now both before you and behind you, and upon either side."

"You mean the Riders?" continued Severus. "I suspected that they were servants of the Enemy. What are the Black Riders?"

"Has Gandalf told you nothing?"

"Gandalf did not tell us much of anything, let alone about such creatures."

"Then I think it is not for me to say more – lest terror should keep you from your journey. For it seems to me that you have set out only just in time if indeed you are on time. You must now make haste, and neither stay nor turn back; for the Shire is no longer any protection to you."

"I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints and warnings," exclaimed Frodo. "I knew that danger lay ahead, of course; but I did not expect to meet it in our own Shire. Can't a hobbit walk from the Water to the River in peace?"

"But it is not your own Shire," said Gildor. "Others dwelt here before hobbits were, and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out."

"I know – and yet it has always seemed so safe and familiar. What can I do now? My plan was to leave the Shire secretly and make my way to Rivendell, but now my footsteps are dogged before we ever get to Buckland."

"I think you should still follow that plan," said Gildor. "I do not think the Road will prove too hard for your courage. But if you desire clearer counsel, you should ask Gandalf. I do not know the reason for your flight, and therefore I do not know by what means your pursuers will assail you. These things Gandalf must know. I suppose that you will see him before you leave the Shire?"

" That's the plan," said Severus. " But that is another thing that makes me anxious. We have been expecting Gandalf for many days. He came to Hobbiton at the latest two nights ago, but he has never appeared. We don't know where he is. Should we wait for him?"

Gildor was silent for a moment. "I do not like this news," he said at last. "That Gandalf should be late, does not bode well. But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger..." Severus smirked at the notion, "...the choice is yours: to go or wait."

"And it is also said," answered Frodo: "Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes."

"Is it indeed?" laughed Gildor. "Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill. But what would you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how then shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice, I will for friendship's sake give it. I think you should now go at once, without delay; and if Gandalf does not come before you set out, then I also advise this: do not go alone. Take such friends as are trusty and willing. Now you should be grateful, for I do not give this counsel gladly. The Elves have their own labors and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth. Our paths cross theirs seldom, by chance or purpose. In this meeting, there may be more than a chance, but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much."

"I am deeply grateful," said Frodo; "but I wish you would tell me plainly what the Black Riders are. If I take your advice I may not see Gandalf for a long while, and I ought to know what is the danger that pursues me."

"Is it not enough to know that they are servants of the Enemy?" answered Gildor. "Flee them! Speak no words to them! They are deadly. Ask no more of me! But my heart forbodes that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, will know more of these fell things than Gildor Inglorion. May Elbereth protect you!"

"But where shall I find courage?" asked Frodo. "That is what I chiefly need."

"Courage is found in unlikely places," said Gildor. He spoke wisely like a deranged old wizard that Severus used to know. "Be of good hope! Sleep now! In the morning we shall have gone, but we will send our messages through the lands. The Wandering Companies shall know of your journey, and those that have power for good shall be on the watch. I name you both Elf-friend; and may the stars shine upon the end of your road! Seldom have we had such delight in strangers, and it is fair to hear words of the Ancient Speech from the lips of other wanderers in the world." Frodo felt sleep coming upon him, even as Gildor finished speaking.

"I will sleep now," he said; and the Elf led him to a bower beside Pippin, and he threw himself upon a bed and fell at once into a dreamless slumber.

Severus watched him sleep and for a moment as did Gildor. Unlike his followers, Gildor did not pay much attention to him, his eye was sole of that of Frodo. But now that his questions were answered and Frodo was now asleep, his eyes sought that of Severus. He looked deep within him but Severus's shields were not touched. Gildor mimicked the actions of the other elves, searching him before landing upon his chest. A curious frown made its way upon his lips, but he said nothing. It was not him to offer words of what ever laid beneath Severus's tunic and he left with the others. Severus watched for a few moments before placing wards and falling asleep.