Chapter 3
The next September, Frodo and I were still wondering what had become of Gandalf, because he had not yet returned. One night, Sam invited Frodo to go to the pub, he was a little unsure about going, but I told him to go ahead. After he and Sam left, I used a little bit of magic to make some bread. About an hour later, just after I pulled the fresh loaf out of the oven and set it on the table, I heard the front door open and close. I quickly lifted my head to see Gandalf standing in the hallway.
"Gandalf! You're back!" I said.
" Yes." He replied. He seemed as though he was scared of something. " Is Frodo here? I need to talk to him immediately."
"He went to the pub with Sam." I replied. "What do you need?"
"I cannot tell you now." He answered. " Is there a place that would be safe for you to meet Frodo and I if the need comes?"
"Yes." I said. " There is a forest a ways down the road, where I practice my magic and archery and such."
"I need you to gather your things, some food, and wait there." He said. " If my suspicions are wrong, I will send Frodo to get you and bring you home. If not, then I will meet you there with Frodo, and you will leave the Shire, and go to the Prancing Pony in Bree."
" What is going on?" I asked.
"I cannot say." Gandalf replied.
"Alright…" I said uncertainly. I quickly changed into my old travel clothes, and my staff. I thought it might be a good idea for me to get my armor, and fighting gear. I also grabbed a cloak that I'd made earlier that year. I put some food into a pack with some water, and set out for the forest, still wondering what was going on. I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. I was too busy trying to figure out what was happening.
*******************************************
Soon after daybreak, I saw Gandalf leading Frodo and Sam into the forest. I went over to them and asked why Sam was there, for Gandalf had not told me that he was coming. Then I learned that he'd been eavesdropping, and had to come with us.
"I am going to see Saruman." Gandalf told me. " You need to watch Frodo and Sam."
All I could do was nod. Then he turned to Frodo. He said something to him in a whisper so I couldn't hear. Then Gandalf got on his horse and rode off. So, Sam, Frodo, and I started off towards Bree. As we were passing through a field, Sam suddenly stopped. Frodo asked him what was wrong.
"This is as far as I've ever been from home." Sam replied.
"Come on, Sam." Frodo said. Then he quoted one of Bilbo's many sayings.
The next day, we decided to go through Farmer Maggots cornfield as a shortcut. As we were going through the cornfield we got separated. I heard Sam yell for Frodo from some distance away. Then I heard someone run right past me through the corn. I spun around looking for the source of the sound. As I did, I saw the top of Farmer Maggot's sickle behind me and above the corn. He was yelling and running after whomever had just gone past me. I decided the better part of valor would be to run as fast as possible in the opposite direction. Shortly I found myself in a cornrow where I saw Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin picking themselves up off the ground.
"There you are, Xandra!" Frodo said.
"Here, hold these." Merry said shoving some vegetables into Sam's arms.
Although Sam had never been to this part of the shire, Farmer Maggot had crops of legendary taste and Farmer Maggot had an equally legendary temper when dealing with thieves. Merry and Pippin seemed to think that there was nothing wrong with stealing food from Farmer Maggot, and that he was simply overreacting.
"You were in the Farmer Maggots crop!" Sam accused them.
"And he's comin' this way!" I yelled.
We ran as fast as we could away from Farmer Maggot and his sickle. I found myself at the edge of a very steep gully right behind Merry and Pippin. I almost knocked Merry off when I stopped. But, it didn't matter because next came Frodo and Sam, and Sam wasn't able to stop before running into Frodo, causing a domino effect and we all went over the edge. I can tell you that it hurt. We were lucky we were in the shire where green grass is plentiful, and mounds of soft undergrowth are handy for stopping falls. Luckily, my staff didn't break, and I was sorely tempted to blast Merry and Pippin into oblivion. But I didn't have time. While the boys were groveling over some mushrooms they had found (by practically landing in them), I had an evil, creepy feeling come over me. I turned to Frodo to see if he had the same feeling. He was looking down the road with a pale, frightened look on his face. The next thing I knew he was yelling at us to get off the road. We about had to shove Merry, Pippin and Sam to get them going, but once they had their minds off the mushrooms, they seemed to notice the evil in the air too, and were glad to hide. Of course, that didn't last too long, because they started fighting over the mushrooms again once they were hiding under the roots of a giant oak. I had to poke Pippin with my staff from where I was hiding in a large crack in the trunk of the tree to get them to stop.
We could hear the empty echoes of a horse's hooves coming up the road. I carefully peaked around the trunk of the tree. I could see a man garbed in a black cloak with armor showing at the sleeve openings and on his feet. I couldn't see a face since the hood of the cloak put the whole face in shadow. The horse was black also and covered in black armor. Both of them had such evil auras that it churned my stomach.
This was my first experience with a Black Rider. Unfortunately, it was not to be my last.
It seemed to slow as it neared us. As it got to our tree, it looked around as though sensing something, and stopped. When it got off its horse, I could no longer see it, but I could hear it sniffing around the roots where the others were hiding. I was afraid for Frodo. I didn't dare move, as it would attract the creature's attention. Obviously, the thing couldn't see well, or it would have found the others right away.
I could see Frodo struggling with something in his hand and I caught a glint of gold. I felt the same sensation I had at Bag End the night Bilbo left the Shire. Frodo seemed to be in some kind of trance. He seemed to be trying to keep himself from doing something with that little glint of gold I saw, while some outside force was trying to force him to do the exact opposite. Frodo is a hobbit with a strong will, but I'm not sure he would have been able to overcome if Sam hadn't distracted him. Pippin gathered his wits then, and threw the sack of mushrooms they had hastily gathered. When the rider went to investigate the noise it made, we ran away as fast as we could.
"What was that?" Merry asked when we finally stopped.
Frodo just stood there, looking at a ring in his hand.
*******************************************
Nighttime had fallen, and we were still traveling towards Bree, while keeping a close watch for the Black Rider. We were all curious and suspicious about what was going on. Sam and Frodo were edgy and seemed to know more than they were telling us.
"That Black Rider was lookin' for somethin'", Merry finally said in an attempt to get Frodo to inform us. "Or someone. Frodo?"
"I have to leave the Shire." Frodo replied. " Sam, Xandra, and I must get to Bree."
We didn't question why. We had all been through the presence of the Black Rider, and that was enough motivation for quick action. Merry thought quickly.
"Hmmm. Buckleberry Ferry! Follow me!" He finally said.
And we were off in a race with a horse, and us on foot, trying to reach the ferry before they could. We were doing pretty good (hobbits can run faster than they look, at least for short distances), when The Black Rider came through the trees. Merry, Pippin, and Sam kept on running. I pulled at Frodo's cloak and we ran after them with the rider following close behind. I didn't realize that I was running much faster than Frodo, and that he was falling behind. I reached the ferry just before it began to leave the dock, and turned to help Frodo aboard. To my horror, he was still 20 feet away with the Black Rider about to catch up with him. I shouted with the others for Frodo to hurry. He found a last burst of speed and jumped onto the ferry just before the Black Rider could get him.
Out of instinct, I broke a seventeen-year-old promise, and used my ring to form a shield around the ferry, thinking the Black Rider would continue after us. I felt that something was watching me from the shadows. A cold chill ran up my spine and filled me with fear, and I jerked the shielding away. I was normally not easily frightened, but this fear was caused by pure evil.
Apparently, I had had nothing to fear from the Black Rider right then, because the horse never even tried swimming after us. But the rider on the shore was joined by two others like him and they took off down the road, giving us cause to worry about the near future.
"How far to the nearest crossing?" Frodo asked Merry, catching his breath.
"Brandywine Bridge." Merry replied. "Twenty miles."
"What happened?" Frodo asked me in a hushed whisper, obviously noticing my shaken composure.
"I don't know." I replied weakly.
I began wondering what was the ring Frodo had, for it seemed to be at the center of our problem.
"What is that ring?" I asked him.
He didn't answer. I began to think. What if this were the ring in the Elvish lore? I tried to force the thought out of my mind. That ring had disappeared around three thousand years ago. Then I remembered how I thought that the legend of my ring was not true, and how wrong I had been, and also the fear that I was filled with when I saw that golden ring. I also remembered how scared Gandalf had seemed.
Maybe it's time that I start believing in those old legends… I thought to myself. After everyone began to calm down, we all took turns rowing the ferry until we finally reached the Brandywine Bridge the next morning.
The next September, Frodo and I were still wondering what had become of Gandalf, because he had not yet returned. One night, Sam invited Frodo to go to the pub, he was a little unsure about going, but I told him to go ahead. After he and Sam left, I used a little bit of magic to make some bread. About an hour later, just after I pulled the fresh loaf out of the oven and set it on the table, I heard the front door open and close. I quickly lifted my head to see Gandalf standing in the hallway.
"Gandalf! You're back!" I said.
" Yes." He replied. He seemed as though he was scared of something. " Is Frodo here? I need to talk to him immediately."
"He went to the pub with Sam." I replied. "What do you need?"
"I cannot tell you now." He answered. " Is there a place that would be safe for you to meet Frodo and I if the need comes?"
"Yes." I said. " There is a forest a ways down the road, where I practice my magic and archery and such."
"I need you to gather your things, some food, and wait there." He said. " If my suspicions are wrong, I will send Frodo to get you and bring you home. If not, then I will meet you there with Frodo, and you will leave the Shire, and go to the Prancing Pony in Bree."
" What is going on?" I asked.
"I cannot say." Gandalf replied.
"Alright…" I said uncertainly. I quickly changed into my old travel clothes, and my staff. I thought it might be a good idea for me to get my armor, and fighting gear. I also grabbed a cloak that I'd made earlier that year. I put some food into a pack with some water, and set out for the forest, still wondering what was going on. I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. I was too busy trying to figure out what was happening.
*******************************************
Soon after daybreak, I saw Gandalf leading Frodo and Sam into the forest. I went over to them and asked why Sam was there, for Gandalf had not told me that he was coming. Then I learned that he'd been eavesdropping, and had to come with us.
"I am going to see Saruman." Gandalf told me. " You need to watch Frodo and Sam."
All I could do was nod. Then he turned to Frodo. He said something to him in a whisper so I couldn't hear. Then Gandalf got on his horse and rode off. So, Sam, Frodo, and I started off towards Bree. As we were passing through a field, Sam suddenly stopped. Frodo asked him what was wrong.
"This is as far as I've ever been from home." Sam replied.
"Come on, Sam." Frodo said. Then he quoted one of Bilbo's many sayings.
The next day, we decided to go through Farmer Maggots cornfield as a shortcut. As we were going through the cornfield we got separated. I heard Sam yell for Frodo from some distance away. Then I heard someone run right past me through the corn. I spun around looking for the source of the sound. As I did, I saw the top of Farmer Maggot's sickle behind me and above the corn. He was yelling and running after whomever had just gone past me. I decided the better part of valor would be to run as fast as possible in the opposite direction. Shortly I found myself in a cornrow where I saw Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin picking themselves up off the ground.
"There you are, Xandra!" Frodo said.
"Here, hold these." Merry said shoving some vegetables into Sam's arms.
Although Sam had never been to this part of the shire, Farmer Maggot had crops of legendary taste and Farmer Maggot had an equally legendary temper when dealing with thieves. Merry and Pippin seemed to think that there was nothing wrong with stealing food from Farmer Maggot, and that he was simply overreacting.
"You were in the Farmer Maggots crop!" Sam accused them.
"And he's comin' this way!" I yelled.
We ran as fast as we could away from Farmer Maggot and his sickle. I found myself at the edge of a very steep gully right behind Merry and Pippin. I almost knocked Merry off when I stopped. But, it didn't matter because next came Frodo and Sam, and Sam wasn't able to stop before running into Frodo, causing a domino effect and we all went over the edge. I can tell you that it hurt. We were lucky we were in the shire where green grass is plentiful, and mounds of soft undergrowth are handy for stopping falls. Luckily, my staff didn't break, and I was sorely tempted to blast Merry and Pippin into oblivion. But I didn't have time. While the boys were groveling over some mushrooms they had found (by practically landing in them), I had an evil, creepy feeling come over me. I turned to Frodo to see if he had the same feeling. He was looking down the road with a pale, frightened look on his face. The next thing I knew he was yelling at us to get off the road. We about had to shove Merry, Pippin and Sam to get them going, but once they had their minds off the mushrooms, they seemed to notice the evil in the air too, and were glad to hide. Of course, that didn't last too long, because they started fighting over the mushrooms again once they were hiding under the roots of a giant oak. I had to poke Pippin with my staff from where I was hiding in a large crack in the trunk of the tree to get them to stop.
We could hear the empty echoes of a horse's hooves coming up the road. I carefully peaked around the trunk of the tree. I could see a man garbed in a black cloak with armor showing at the sleeve openings and on his feet. I couldn't see a face since the hood of the cloak put the whole face in shadow. The horse was black also and covered in black armor. Both of them had such evil auras that it churned my stomach.
This was my first experience with a Black Rider. Unfortunately, it was not to be my last.
It seemed to slow as it neared us. As it got to our tree, it looked around as though sensing something, and stopped. When it got off its horse, I could no longer see it, but I could hear it sniffing around the roots where the others were hiding. I was afraid for Frodo. I didn't dare move, as it would attract the creature's attention. Obviously, the thing couldn't see well, or it would have found the others right away.
I could see Frodo struggling with something in his hand and I caught a glint of gold. I felt the same sensation I had at Bag End the night Bilbo left the Shire. Frodo seemed to be in some kind of trance. He seemed to be trying to keep himself from doing something with that little glint of gold I saw, while some outside force was trying to force him to do the exact opposite. Frodo is a hobbit with a strong will, but I'm not sure he would have been able to overcome if Sam hadn't distracted him. Pippin gathered his wits then, and threw the sack of mushrooms they had hastily gathered. When the rider went to investigate the noise it made, we ran away as fast as we could.
"What was that?" Merry asked when we finally stopped.
Frodo just stood there, looking at a ring in his hand.
*******************************************
Nighttime had fallen, and we were still traveling towards Bree, while keeping a close watch for the Black Rider. We were all curious and suspicious about what was going on. Sam and Frodo were edgy and seemed to know more than they were telling us.
"That Black Rider was lookin' for somethin'", Merry finally said in an attempt to get Frodo to inform us. "Or someone. Frodo?"
"I have to leave the Shire." Frodo replied. " Sam, Xandra, and I must get to Bree."
We didn't question why. We had all been through the presence of the Black Rider, and that was enough motivation for quick action. Merry thought quickly.
"Hmmm. Buckleberry Ferry! Follow me!" He finally said.
And we were off in a race with a horse, and us on foot, trying to reach the ferry before they could. We were doing pretty good (hobbits can run faster than they look, at least for short distances), when The Black Rider came through the trees. Merry, Pippin, and Sam kept on running. I pulled at Frodo's cloak and we ran after them with the rider following close behind. I didn't realize that I was running much faster than Frodo, and that he was falling behind. I reached the ferry just before it began to leave the dock, and turned to help Frodo aboard. To my horror, he was still 20 feet away with the Black Rider about to catch up with him. I shouted with the others for Frodo to hurry. He found a last burst of speed and jumped onto the ferry just before the Black Rider could get him.
Out of instinct, I broke a seventeen-year-old promise, and used my ring to form a shield around the ferry, thinking the Black Rider would continue after us. I felt that something was watching me from the shadows. A cold chill ran up my spine and filled me with fear, and I jerked the shielding away. I was normally not easily frightened, but this fear was caused by pure evil.
Apparently, I had had nothing to fear from the Black Rider right then, because the horse never even tried swimming after us. But the rider on the shore was joined by two others like him and they took off down the road, giving us cause to worry about the near future.
"How far to the nearest crossing?" Frodo asked Merry, catching his breath.
"Brandywine Bridge." Merry replied. "Twenty miles."
"What happened?" Frodo asked me in a hushed whisper, obviously noticing my shaken composure.
"I don't know." I replied weakly.
I began wondering what was the ring Frodo had, for it seemed to be at the center of our problem.
"What is that ring?" I asked him.
He didn't answer. I began to think. What if this were the ring in the Elvish lore? I tried to force the thought out of my mind. That ring had disappeared around three thousand years ago. Then I remembered how I thought that the legend of my ring was not true, and how wrong I had been, and also the fear that I was filled with when I saw that golden ring. I also remembered how scared Gandalf had seemed.
Maybe it's time that I start believing in those old legends… I thought to myself. After everyone began to calm down, we all took turns rowing the ferry until we finally reached the Brandywine Bridge the next morning.