Chapter Four
Estela turned her head back to Frodo who had jumped up on a table a was talking loudly. "We are all very much gratified by the kindness of your reception," said Frodo, "and I venture to hope that my brief visit will help to renew the old ties of friendship between the Shire and Bree." Frodo hesitated and coughed.
"A song!" shouted someone, and Estela whipped her head around to look at him.
"A song! A song!" The room shouted.
Estela turned back to Frodo, and watched him with amusement. Frodo looked around nervously than opened his mouth to sing.
There is an inn, a merry old inn
beneath an old grey hill,
and there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon himself came down
one night to drink his f ill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat
that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow
Now squeaking high, now purring low,
now sawing in the middle.
The landlord keeps a little dog
that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there's good cheer among the guests,
He cocks an ear at all the jests
and laughs until he chokes.
They also keep a hornéd cow
as proud as any queen;
But music turns her head like ale,
And makes her wave her tufted tail
and dance upon the green.
And O! the rows of silver dishes
and the store of silver spoons!
For Sunday there's a special pair,
And these they polish up with care
On Saturday afternoons.
The Man in the Moon was drinking deep,
and the cat began to wail;
A dish and a spoon on the table danced,
The cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.
The Man in the Moon took another mug,
and then rolled beneath his chair;
And there he dozed and dreamed of ale,
Till in the sky the stars were pale,
and dawn was in the air.
The ostler said to his tipsy cat:
'The white horses of the Moon,
They neigh and champ their silver bits;
But their master's been and drowned his wits,
and the Sun'll be rising soon!'
So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
'It's after three!' he said.
They rolled the man slowly up the hill
and bundled him into the Moon,
While his horses galloped up in the rear,
And the cow came capering like a deer,
and a dish ran up with the spoon.
Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle;
the dog began to roar,
The cow and the horses stood on their heads;
The guests all bounded from their beds
and danced upon the floor.
With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!
the cow jumped over the moon,
And the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run
with the silver Sunday spoon.
The round moon rolled behind the hill
as the Sun raised up her head.
She hardly believed her fiery eyes;
For though it was day, to her surprise
they all went back to bed!
There was a loud long applause and Estela thought it was a good time to leave, otherwise she would start laughing right there.
She slipped away as Frodo began the song again and went back into their parlor.
"Hey, Merry!" She called, looking around the room for the hobbit after not seeing him when she first entered.
She looked behind the open door then behind one of the chairs. "Hello?" She lifted up a cushion off the chair. "Hello-o-o! Merry!"
Pippin, Frodo, and Sam walked in at that moment, each holding a couple faggots of wood in their arms.
"Hullo, Estela!" smiled Pippin. "Did you have a good time? We didn't see you leave."
Estela nodded, laughing softly to herself, and watched them feed the fire.
She turned around and yelped in surprise when she saw Strider sitting in a chair, feet resting on the footstool. Instinctively, she grabbed a pillow off the other chair and threw it at him.
Strider didn't expect the woman to throw a pillow at him, and was surprised at the speed in which it flew, hitting him squarely in the face.
"The aliens have invaded!" shouted Estela in her fear.
The hobbits, who had turned around when she yelped, were trying hard not to laugh, a few snickers escaping their lips as Strider tried to stand up and they watched the fear-filled woman holding another pillow above her head, ready to throw any minute lest he should make a move.
"What is Strider doing in our room?" Estela asked Frodo.
"It was because I promised to talk to him," smiled Frodo.
"Well, what do you want?" Estela said to Strider who was staring at her in shock. "Come on, out with it! What have you to say?"
"Several things," replied Strider after clearing his throat and regaining his composure. "But, of course, I have my price."
"I'm sorry but we don't have any money," said Estela. "Nor do we have coupons to the nearest Blockbuster, or any jewelry, so bye!"
"That is not what I meant! I mean just this: I will tell you what I know, and give you some good advice--but I shall want a reward."
"And *how* exactly is that not what you said in the first place?"
"What pray tell is the reward that you desire?" asked Frodo.
"No more than you can afford," answered Strider with a slow smile. "Just this: you must take me along with you until I wish to leave."
"Oh, indeed!" exclaimed Frodo. "Even if I wanted another companion, I should not agree to any such thing, until I knew a good deal more about you, and your business."
"Then why did you take Estela with us?" asked Pippin.
"Because I'm sweet, wonderful, innocent, and beautiful," said Estela flatly.
Strider stared at her then laughed, deep and hearty. "Where did you get her?" He asked.
"They picked me up on the side of the road," answered Estela, a little annoyed at the man for laughing at her. This only made the hobbits join in laughter with Strider.
"What?!"
"I am sorry, milady , but I see that your are not from around here," said Strider, smiling kindly at her.
"Yeah, well, I'm not from this world either!"
Strider's smile faded and he looked at the girl, curiously. "What do you mean by this?"
"Hey, *I* don't even know what I mean by it. All I know is, I was just standing next to this stone arch thing," she made a huge motion with her arms that resembled an arch , "and poof! I'm here in Pony Land."
"A gate?" asked Strider, surprised.
"Yes."
Strider stood silently in front of them, looking at Estela the whole time. Estela started to get uneasy and squirmed under his grave stare. His head suddenly turned toward the door and he quickly went to it, and opened it. He shut it quietly then sat back down in the chair.
"I have quick ears," he said, "and though I cannot disappear, I have hunted many wild and wary things and I can usually avoid being seen, if I wish. Now, I was behind the hedge this evening on the Road west of Bree, when four hobbits came out of the Downlands, I need not repeat all that they said to old Bambadil or to one another, but one thing interested me. *Please remember*, said one of them, *that the name Baggins must not be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any name must be given.* This and the girl, Estela, that you have brought with you interested me so much that I decided to follow these hobbits. I slipped over the gate behind them. Maybe Mr. Baggins has an honest reason for leaving his name behind; but if so, I should advise him and his friends to be more careful."
"You followed us?! Your a, a...*meanie*!" said Estela, throwing the pillow at him, which, of course, he ducked easily because he was ready this time.
"I don't know what interest my name has for anyone in Bree," said Frodo angrily, "and I still have to learn why it interests you. Mr. Strider may have an honest reason for spying and eavesdropping; but if so, I should advise him to explain it."
"Sorry, Pip," Estela stage whispered to Pippin, "Frodo gets two more points."
Pippin frowned and Strider said, "Well answered! But the explanation is simple: I was looking for a Hobbit called Frodo Baggins. I wanted to find him quickly. I learned that he was carrying out of the Shire, well, a secret that concerned me and my friends. Now don't mistake me!" He said as Frodo rose from the seat he was sitting in and Sam jumped up with a scowl. "I shall take more care of the secret than you do. And care is needed!" He leaned forward and looked at each of them. "Watch every shadow!" He said in a low voice. "Black horsemen have passed through Bree. On Monday one came through Greenway, they say; and another appeared later, coming up the Greenway from the south."
They all were silent for a moment, thinking over what Strider had told them. All, that is, except Estela. "Hey, um, guys?" She said, waving a hand in the air. "Yeah, um, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"It is good news that you know not of what we speak," Strider said, looking up at her. "For now is not your time. You will know everything you wish, if I am correct in my thoughts, soon enough." Strider closed his mouth and no other information could be prodded out of him.
"I ought to have guessed it from the way the gatekeeper greeted us," said Frodo to Sam and Pippin. "And the landlord seems to have heard something. Why did he press us to join the company? And why on earth did we behave so foolishly: we ought to have stayed quiet in here."
"It would have been better," said Strider. "I would have stopped your going into the common-room, if I could; but the innkeeper would not let me in to see you, or take a message."
"Do you think he---" began Frodo.
"No, I don't think any harm of old Butterbur. Only he does not altogether like mysterious vagabonds of my sort."
Frodo gave him a puzzled look.
"Well, I have a rather rascally look, have I not?" said Strider with a smile and a queer gleam in his eye. "But I hope we shall get to know one another better. When we do, I hope you will explain what happened at the end of your song. For that little prank---"
"It was sheer accident!" Frodo interrupted.
"I wonder," said Strider. "Accident then. That accident has made your position dangerous."
"And, once again, I have no idea what you're talking about!" complained Estela, throwing her arms up into the air.
"Please, child!" said Strider, firmly. "Hold your tongue until we are through."
"I'm twenty-three years---" Estela started.
"Please, Estela," said Frodo just as firmly, if not more, as Strider. "Sit down."
Estela sighed and flopped down in the other chair by the fire, her arms crossed.
"I knew these horsemen were pursuing me," Frodo continued, "but not at any rate they seemed to have missed me and to have gone away."
"You must not count on that!" said Strider sharply. "They will return. And more are coming. There are others. I know their number. I know these Riders." He paused and his eyes went cold and hard, almost frightening them. "And there are some folk in Bree who are not to be trusted."
He paused then went on.
"Bill Ferny, for instance. He has an evil name in the Bree-land, and queer folk call at his house. You must have noticed him among the company: a swarthy sneering fellow. He was very close with one of the Southern strangers, and they slipped out together just after your 'accident'. Not all of those Southerners mean well; and as for Ferny, he would sell anything to anybody; or make mischief for amusement."
"What will Ferny sell, and what has me accident got to do with him?" said Frodo.
"News of you, of course," said Strider "An account of your performance would be very interesting to certain people. After that they would hardly need to be told your real name. It seems to me only to likely that they will hear of it before the night is over. Is that enough? You can do as you like about my reward: take me as a guide or not."
"How 'bout a doggie treat?" Estela piped up.
Frodo rolled his eyes and Strider continued, "But I may say that I know all the lands between the Shire and the Misty Mountains, for I have wandered over them for many years. I am older than I look. I might prove useful. You will have to leave the open road tonight; for the horsemen will watch it night and day. You may escape from Bree, and be allowed to go forward when the Sun is up; but you won't go far. They will come on you in the wild, in some dark place where there is no help. Do you wish them to find you? They are terrible!"
Estela and the hobbits looked at him, and saw with surprise that his face was drawn as if in pain, and his hands clenched the arms of the chair. The room was very quiet and still, and the light seemed to have grown dim.
"Strider?" Estela said, concerned. "Strider, are you alright?"
"There!" cried Strider after a bit, drawing his hand across his brow. "Perhaps I know more about these pursuers than you do. You fear them, but you do not fear them enough, yet. Tomorrow you will have to escape, if you can. Strider can take you by paths that are seldom trodden. Will you have him?"
There was a heavy silence and after a bit Estela said softly, "This is none of my business, as Strider says. I will go to bed now. Excuse me."
She walked out of the room before anyone could object and headed toward the bedroom.
Once there, she climbed into one of the small beds, noting with a sigh that it was too small and her feet hung over the edge.
She looked around the room silently then took off her socks and shoes and climbed under the covers sighing again when she realized that she would have to sleep in her clothes.
She pulled the covers up under her chin, ignoring the cold draft sweeping over her legs now, and tried unsuccessfully to fall asleep. She sighed again then just stared up at the ceiling, soon falling somewhere inbetween asleep and awake.
I hope you guys like it so far! I'm tired so I'm going to stop writing. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews, Lúthien Arnatuilë.
Estela turned her head back to Frodo who had jumped up on a table a was talking loudly. "We are all very much gratified by the kindness of your reception," said Frodo, "and I venture to hope that my brief visit will help to renew the old ties of friendship between the Shire and Bree." Frodo hesitated and coughed.
"A song!" shouted someone, and Estela whipped her head around to look at him.
"A song! A song!" The room shouted.
Estela turned back to Frodo, and watched him with amusement. Frodo looked around nervously than opened his mouth to sing.
There is an inn, a merry old inn
beneath an old grey hill,
and there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon himself came down
one night to drink his f ill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat
that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow
Now squeaking high, now purring low,
now sawing in the middle.
The landlord keeps a little dog
that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there's good cheer among the guests,
He cocks an ear at all the jests
and laughs until he chokes.
They also keep a hornéd cow
as proud as any queen;
But music turns her head like ale,
And makes her wave her tufted tail
and dance upon the green.
And O! the rows of silver dishes
and the store of silver spoons!
For Sunday there's a special pair,
And these they polish up with care
On Saturday afternoons.
The Man in the Moon was drinking deep,
and the cat began to wail;
A dish and a spoon on the table danced,
The cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.
The Man in the Moon took another mug,
and then rolled beneath his chair;
And there he dozed and dreamed of ale,
Till in the sky the stars were pale,
and dawn was in the air.
The ostler said to his tipsy cat:
'The white horses of the Moon,
They neigh and champ their silver bits;
But their master's been and drowned his wits,
and the Sun'll be rising soon!'
So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
'It's after three!' he said.
They rolled the man slowly up the hill
and bundled him into the Moon,
While his horses galloped up in the rear,
And the cow came capering like a deer,
and a dish ran up with the spoon.
Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle;
the dog began to roar,
The cow and the horses stood on their heads;
The guests all bounded from their beds
and danced upon the floor.
With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!
the cow jumped over the moon,
And the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run
with the silver Sunday spoon.
The round moon rolled behind the hill
as the Sun raised up her head.
She hardly believed her fiery eyes;
For though it was day, to her surprise
they all went back to bed!
There was a loud long applause and Estela thought it was a good time to leave, otherwise she would start laughing right there.
She slipped away as Frodo began the song again and went back into their parlor.
"Hey, Merry!" She called, looking around the room for the hobbit after not seeing him when she first entered.
She looked behind the open door then behind one of the chairs. "Hello?" She lifted up a cushion off the chair. "Hello-o-o! Merry!"
Pippin, Frodo, and Sam walked in at that moment, each holding a couple faggots of wood in their arms.
"Hullo, Estela!" smiled Pippin. "Did you have a good time? We didn't see you leave."
Estela nodded, laughing softly to herself, and watched them feed the fire.
She turned around and yelped in surprise when she saw Strider sitting in a chair, feet resting on the footstool. Instinctively, she grabbed a pillow off the other chair and threw it at him.
Strider didn't expect the woman to throw a pillow at him, and was surprised at the speed in which it flew, hitting him squarely in the face.
"The aliens have invaded!" shouted Estela in her fear.
The hobbits, who had turned around when she yelped, were trying hard not to laugh, a few snickers escaping their lips as Strider tried to stand up and they watched the fear-filled woman holding another pillow above her head, ready to throw any minute lest he should make a move.
"What is Strider doing in our room?" Estela asked Frodo.
"It was because I promised to talk to him," smiled Frodo.
"Well, what do you want?" Estela said to Strider who was staring at her in shock. "Come on, out with it! What have you to say?"
"Several things," replied Strider after clearing his throat and regaining his composure. "But, of course, I have my price."
"I'm sorry but we don't have any money," said Estela. "Nor do we have coupons to the nearest Blockbuster, or any jewelry, so bye!"
"That is not what I meant! I mean just this: I will tell you what I know, and give you some good advice--but I shall want a reward."
"And *how* exactly is that not what you said in the first place?"
"What pray tell is the reward that you desire?" asked Frodo.
"No more than you can afford," answered Strider with a slow smile. "Just this: you must take me along with you until I wish to leave."
"Oh, indeed!" exclaimed Frodo. "Even if I wanted another companion, I should not agree to any such thing, until I knew a good deal more about you, and your business."
"Then why did you take Estela with us?" asked Pippin.
"Because I'm sweet, wonderful, innocent, and beautiful," said Estela flatly.
Strider stared at her then laughed, deep and hearty. "Where did you get her?" He asked.
"They picked me up on the side of the road," answered Estela, a little annoyed at the man for laughing at her. This only made the hobbits join in laughter with Strider.
"What?!"
"I am sorry, milady , but I see that your are not from around here," said Strider, smiling kindly at her.
"Yeah, well, I'm not from this world either!"
Strider's smile faded and he looked at the girl, curiously. "What do you mean by this?"
"Hey, *I* don't even know what I mean by it. All I know is, I was just standing next to this stone arch thing," she made a huge motion with her arms that resembled an arch , "and poof! I'm here in Pony Land."
"A gate?" asked Strider, surprised.
"Yes."
Strider stood silently in front of them, looking at Estela the whole time. Estela started to get uneasy and squirmed under his grave stare. His head suddenly turned toward the door and he quickly went to it, and opened it. He shut it quietly then sat back down in the chair.
"I have quick ears," he said, "and though I cannot disappear, I have hunted many wild and wary things and I can usually avoid being seen, if I wish. Now, I was behind the hedge this evening on the Road west of Bree, when four hobbits came out of the Downlands, I need not repeat all that they said to old Bambadil or to one another, but one thing interested me. *Please remember*, said one of them, *that the name Baggins must not be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any name must be given.* This and the girl, Estela, that you have brought with you interested me so much that I decided to follow these hobbits. I slipped over the gate behind them. Maybe Mr. Baggins has an honest reason for leaving his name behind; but if so, I should advise him and his friends to be more careful."
"You followed us?! Your a, a...*meanie*!" said Estela, throwing the pillow at him, which, of course, he ducked easily because he was ready this time.
"I don't know what interest my name has for anyone in Bree," said Frodo angrily, "and I still have to learn why it interests you. Mr. Strider may have an honest reason for spying and eavesdropping; but if so, I should advise him to explain it."
"Sorry, Pip," Estela stage whispered to Pippin, "Frodo gets two more points."
Pippin frowned and Strider said, "Well answered! But the explanation is simple: I was looking for a Hobbit called Frodo Baggins. I wanted to find him quickly. I learned that he was carrying out of the Shire, well, a secret that concerned me and my friends. Now don't mistake me!" He said as Frodo rose from the seat he was sitting in and Sam jumped up with a scowl. "I shall take more care of the secret than you do. And care is needed!" He leaned forward and looked at each of them. "Watch every shadow!" He said in a low voice. "Black horsemen have passed through Bree. On Monday one came through Greenway, they say; and another appeared later, coming up the Greenway from the south."
They all were silent for a moment, thinking over what Strider had told them. All, that is, except Estela. "Hey, um, guys?" She said, waving a hand in the air. "Yeah, um, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"It is good news that you know not of what we speak," Strider said, looking up at her. "For now is not your time. You will know everything you wish, if I am correct in my thoughts, soon enough." Strider closed his mouth and no other information could be prodded out of him.
"I ought to have guessed it from the way the gatekeeper greeted us," said Frodo to Sam and Pippin. "And the landlord seems to have heard something. Why did he press us to join the company? And why on earth did we behave so foolishly: we ought to have stayed quiet in here."
"It would have been better," said Strider. "I would have stopped your going into the common-room, if I could; but the innkeeper would not let me in to see you, or take a message."
"Do you think he---" began Frodo.
"No, I don't think any harm of old Butterbur. Only he does not altogether like mysterious vagabonds of my sort."
Frodo gave him a puzzled look.
"Well, I have a rather rascally look, have I not?" said Strider with a smile and a queer gleam in his eye. "But I hope we shall get to know one another better. When we do, I hope you will explain what happened at the end of your song. For that little prank---"
"It was sheer accident!" Frodo interrupted.
"I wonder," said Strider. "Accident then. That accident has made your position dangerous."
"And, once again, I have no idea what you're talking about!" complained Estela, throwing her arms up into the air.
"Please, child!" said Strider, firmly. "Hold your tongue until we are through."
"I'm twenty-three years---" Estela started.
"Please, Estela," said Frodo just as firmly, if not more, as Strider. "Sit down."
Estela sighed and flopped down in the other chair by the fire, her arms crossed.
"I knew these horsemen were pursuing me," Frodo continued, "but not at any rate they seemed to have missed me and to have gone away."
"You must not count on that!" said Strider sharply. "They will return. And more are coming. There are others. I know their number. I know these Riders." He paused and his eyes went cold and hard, almost frightening them. "And there are some folk in Bree who are not to be trusted."
He paused then went on.
"Bill Ferny, for instance. He has an evil name in the Bree-land, and queer folk call at his house. You must have noticed him among the company: a swarthy sneering fellow. He was very close with one of the Southern strangers, and they slipped out together just after your 'accident'. Not all of those Southerners mean well; and as for Ferny, he would sell anything to anybody; or make mischief for amusement."
"What will Ferny sell, and what has me accident got to do with him?" said Frodo.
"News of you, of course," said Strider "An account of your performance would be very interesting to certain people. After that they would hardly need to be told your real name. It seems to me only to likely that they will hear of it before the night is over. Is that enough? You can do as you like about my reward: take me as a guide or not."
"How 'bout a doggie treat?" Estela piped up.
Frodo rolled his eyes and Strider continued, "But I may say that I know all the lands between the Shire and the Misty Mountains, for I have wandered over them for many years. I am older than I look. I might prove useful. You will have to leave the open road tonight; for the horsemen will watch it night and day. You may escape from Bree, and be allowed to go forward when the Sun is up; but you won't go far. They will come on you in the wild, in some dark place where there is no help. Do you wish them to find you? They are terrible!"
Estela and the hobbits looked at him, and saw with surprise that his face was drawn as if in pain, and his hands clenched the arms of the chair. The room was very quiet and still, and the light seemed to have grown dim.
"Strider?" Estela said, concerned. "Strider, are you alright?"
"There!" cried Strider after a bit, drawing his hand across his brow. "Perhaps I know more about these pursuers than you do. You fear them, but you do not fear them enough, yet. Tomorrow you will have to escape, if you can. Strider can take you by paths that are seldom trodden. Will you have him?"
There was a heavy silence and after a bit Estela said softly, "This is none of my business, as Strider says. I will go to bed now. Excuse me."
She walked out of the room before anyone could object and headed toward the bedroom.
Once there, she climbed into one of the small beds, noting with a sigh that it was too small and her feet hung over the edge.
She looked around the room silently then took off her socks and shoes and climbed under the covers sighing again when she realized that she would have to sleep in her clothes.
She pulled the covers up under her chin, ignoring the cold draft sweeping over her legs now, and tried unsuccessfully to fall asleep. She sighed again then just stared up at the ceiling, soon falling somewhere inbetween asleep and awake.
I hope you guys like it so far! I'm tired so I'm going to stop writing. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews, Lúthien Arnatuilë.