Chapter 5
A Conspiracy Unmasked
The eight hobbits moved from tree to tree. They made sure to stay quiet and careful. The evening carried on with the hobbits watching over their shoulders.
"Anything?" Sam asked as they paused.
"Nothing." Frodo answered, not seeing the dark rider anywhere.
"What is going on?" Pippin asked.
"That black rider was looking for something." Merry stated, walking up to Frodo. "Or someone…Frodo?" He eyed his cousin suspiciously.
Frodo didn't answer immediately.
"Get down!" Pippin shouted. The hobbits all hid in the bushes and watched as the black rider rushed past them.
"What in the Shire is that?!" Estella whispered.
"Tell me all about it!" Merry demanded as the rider rode off. The hobbits all began to stand and heave a sigh of relief. "I guess you've been having adventures, which was not quite fair without me. I want to know what's going on! And why are you four all scared?" Merry continued, looking at Frodo, Sam, May, and Rosie.
"We have all been scared." Estella added, as she and Diamond linked elbows.
"I can tell you, but I'm not sure where to start." Frodo replied calmly.
"I think I can help you." Merry said quietly. "By telling you some of it myself."
"What do you mean?" Frodo asked anxiously.
"You are clearly in danger! You wouldn't have left the Shire on a whim otherwise." Merry replied. "You think you can throw the dust in our eyes? You can't leave."
"But I must." Frodo replied. "It can't be helped."
"Then we must go too!" Pippin said.
"I could never ask that of you. Of any of you…"
"Of course," Merry said. "But we will come. We know the Ring is no laughing matter, but we will do our best to help against the enemy."
"The Ring?!" Frodo gasped, now completely amazed. Sam, May, and Rosie looked at Merry in shock.
"Yes, the Ring." Merry continued. "My dear old hobbit, you don't allow for the inquisitiveness of friends. I have known about the existence of the Ring for years- before Bilbo went away, in fact; but since he obviously regarded it as secret, I kept the knowledge in my head, until Pippin and I formed our conspiracy. I did not know Bilbo, of course, as well as I know you; I was too young, and he was also more careful- but not careful enough."
"But how did you know?" May asked.
"I saw him use it when he was avoiding the Sackville-Bagginses." Merry replied. "We shall come with you, Frodo. We shall help you in whatever way we can. What do you need us to do?"
"I have to leave the Shire." Frodo replied. "We must get to Bree."
"Right." Merry nodded. "Buckleberry Ferry- Follow me!" He led the group to the Brandywine bridge. Suddenly, the rider returned, appearing in front of the group, and blocking them from the river.
"Run!" Merry shouted. The hobbits scattered, trying to avoid the horse. The rider would not let Frodo pass. May paused, watching Frodo trying to avoid the large hooves. She held her breath as Frodo rushed past to catch up to her. The two ran to the dock. The other six hobbits were already on the small ferry. Sam and Pippin were untying the ropes while Merry readied the ferry.
"May! Frodo!" Rosie shouted as the pair ran towards the boat.
"Go!" Frodo yelled to the group, urging the group to get away from the shore.
"Hurry!" Pippin yelled.
"Faster!" Estella joined in.
"Jump!" Diamond joined in as well.
Frodo ran ahead and jumped onto the boat. He immediately turned to catch May when she jumped. She landed in his arms and the two fell back. The rider stopped at the shore. It paused before letting out a screech and riding towards the north.
"How far till the nearest crossing?" Frodo asked.
"Brandywine Bridge." Merry replied. "Twenty miles."
"Good." Estella said. "Maybe we can cover more ground before that thing can cross."
"Indeed." Merry said. "If we're quick and careful."
Frodo helped May to her feet. The eight hobbits watched the shore carefully.