Frodo, Sam, and Pippin walked alone under the trees in the gathering dark. They had left one day ago, and had already mustered quite a scare. They dared not move one leaf nor disturb one stick from its resting place, for the Black Riders that had overtaken them just that morning could be anywhere nearby.
"It is hopeless," whispered Sam suddenly. "We will never get very far at such a slow and careful pace in this dark. We should best make camp for the night and hope we have better fortune when morning comes."
"Yes, Sam I do agree. Let us stop and rest, for it will do my feet some good," said Frodo.
They stopped on the wayward side of a grassy knoll and lay down their traveling packs. Sam fell asleep quickly, but Frodo and Pippin sat awake for a time. Frodo took this as the perfect opportunity to ask his young cousin what he planned to do.
"I know you do not wish to discuss it, but what happened? I have heard Merry tell the tale, but he was discreet and did not explain all," said Frodo.
"She believed Horro over me, what else is there to tell," replied Pippin lifelessly.
"Do not lose hope just yet. I am not supposed to tell, but you have a right to know. Diamond left with Estella and Chrysie to visit Overhill, to find her father and learn the truth. She does not love Horro, Pippin, she loves you."
"She did?" said Pippin, his bright green eyes glittering cheerfully for the first time in days.
"Yes, but do not tell Merry you know. Diamond and the others are going to meet us at Crickhollow shortly after we arrive," said Frodo.
"I thank you for telling me," said Pippin, a bit louder than he intended.
"Quiet!" hissed Frodo. "We do not know where those horrid Black Riders may be lurking. Come let us get some sleep and speak more of this matter in the morning when the forest is not so unnerving."
Diamond, Estella, and Chrysie were taking there time getting back to Crickhollow. They decided to go through Hobbiton and buy things to celebrate Estella and Merry's engagement, and perhaps one more. They intended on throwing them a party when they got back.
As Diamond and Estella were picking out some wonderful gifts for their beloveds, Diamond caught sight of the very person she wanted to see.
"Estella let me borrow your engagement ring," Diamond whispered, nodding her head in Horro's direction.
"Sure," said Estella, laughingly slipping the ring off her finger and handing it to Diamond.
"Horro, come over here!" called Diamond sharply, waving her left hand in the air so that she was sure he saw the ring sparkle in the sun. Horro walked over, a bit taken a back because as she intended he did in fact notice the ring.
"What's this?" he asked coldly, grabbing her hand.
"This is what you will never have!" she spat at him. "You lied to me and to everyone! I do not know how you managed to change the agreement, but I have seen my father and discovered the truth. I never want to see you again, Horro Boffin! You almost cost me one of the greatest friendships I have ever had, and I will never forgive you for that! I will always remember what you have done to me, and if you shall ever be in need I will turn the other way and pretend that I do not know you!"
"You are a silly lass who will never get a husband!" he yelled back at her, taking no note to the fact that they were drawing quite a crowd of nosy onlookers.
"I do believe that I beg to differ," said Diamond proudly showing him the gleaming ring. "I will marry someone who does not trick me into marriage and who truly loves me. You will be lonely forever."
She turned and left him standing alone in the midst of the crowds. Estella was trying her hardest not to laugh as Diamond slipped the ring back into her hand. They were almost out of sight when Horro caught up with them once more and asked, "At least tell me the name of the one you will marry," he said coldly. Diamond quickly hid her now empty ring hand behind her and thought frantically about what to tell him.
"Pippin Took," she said, hoping that the lie would not come back to haunt her since it was not true - yet.
Merry went out for a walk, his heart racing on whether or not he would get the answer that he desired. He had hoped desperately that Estella felt the same way. When Merry arrived back at Crickhollow the sun had long since set in the West, and he began to grow worried, for his friends were still yet to arrive. He set out on his pony to try and find them, for something in his heart warned him of a foreboding danger.
As he rode down the path he heard hoofs approaching in the distance. He hastened his pace, and soon came face to face with a quite distraught Farmer Maggot. With Farmer Maggot were Frodo, Sam, and Pippin.
"What troubles you?" asked Merry.
"It is a long tale. Too long to tell now, so come let us make haste for we must not linger," replied Frodo.
They bade farewell to Farmer Maggot, and made their way to the ferry. Just after they had reached the eastern banks they looked back, and saw the shadow of a black figure fading into the darkness.
"Can horses cross the river?" asked Frodo.
"They can go twenty miles north to the Brandywine Bridge," replied Merry. "What does this have to do with horses?"
"I shall explain all later, but first let us arrive safely at Crickhollow," said Frodo.
Meanwhile, the three weary travelers decided to stay a night in the inn since they had spent the entire day getting supplies and an entirely new wardrobe for there party. Diamond was especially pleased with her little prank on Horro Boffin. "It served him right," she thought to herself as she sat down to add a new chapter to her book. "We will be at Crickhollow by midday tomorrow because we have the ponies and the cart, and I want to finish this chapter before tomorrow so Pippin can read it. This shall be my present to him, the finished book."
When Frodo, Sam, and Pippin arrived finally at Crickhollow they were quite tired, not to mention hungry, as Hobbits usually are. Merry had gone on ahead of them to tell Fatty that they would soon arrive. They approached the door, and knocked loudly. It swung back and behind it stood Fatty Bolger. Merry then appeared from a nearby passage, and showed them to a room with three baths and a copper full of boiling water. After bathing, in which Pippin had made quite a mess, they ate a delicious dinner of mushrooms, and then sat down to have a talk about the events of the past days.
After Pippin told the account of their journey from Crickhollow, the group began to grow restless. When Merry and Pippin told Frodo that they wished to accompany him, Frodo was caught quite by surprise. The conspiracy was revealed at last. After tales had been told, Frodo was convinced to take the advice of an elf named Gildor that he had met on his way to Crickhollow, and allow his friends to come. Fatty, however, chose to stay in the Shire, and make it seem as if Frodo was still living in the Shire.
"Is Diamond coming as well?" asked Frodo, remembering the news of the engagement.
"Nay, we would not allow her, for it will be too perilous," answered Merry.
"And she is alright with that?" replied Frodo, for he knew that Diamond would not give up that easily.
"Nay! If you remember when I told you that she was upset when she ran into Horro Boffin, this is why. We forbid her, Estella, and Chrysie from coming. They did not take the news well, Diamond especially. She is alright with it now, I suppose, for I spoke with her briefly several days ago, but I do not underestimate the fact that she will try and convince us otherwise when she arrives here," replied Merry.
"I have made up my mind," said Frodo suddenly. "We will leave in the morning before the break of dawn and take the paths through the Old Forest. I hope we can reach Rivendell in a fortnight at least and then be home safe in our beds by Yule."
Diamond, Estella, and Chrysie walked up to the doors of Crickhollow quite excited. Diamond's heart was racing, as was Estella's for they knew what was coming. They were both wearing stunning new dresses, and as they knocked on the door all held their breath.
To their surprise Fredegar opened the door looking rather tired. "What are you doing here?" he asked in a monotone-like voice.
"We are here to see Merry and Pippin of course! Now where are your manners dear brother, let us in, and wake them if they are not already up. Those sluggards, I would not put it past them to be sleeping through second breakfast," said Estella rather nervously and quickly.
"I would get them if I could, but that is not possible," said Fatty looking rather unnerved.
"What is wrong?" asked Diamond, suddenly growing very worried.
"They have left for Rivendell this morning before dawn, through the Old Forest."