Diamond awoke the next morning to find that breakfast had already been prepared. She changed her clothes, and pulled back her unruly auburn locks. Goldberry was rushing here and there, making sure everything was ready for Diamond's departure. Tom, it seems, had gone out to gather some lilies, and would be back shortly.
Diamond and Goldberry sat down to eat breakfast. All the while, Goldberry seemed to be holding back on some reserved thought that desperately wanted to be expressed. Eventually she could contain herself no longer.
"The young one seemed quite depressed when he left here," she said, hoping to spark the conversation.
"You mean Pippin?" asked Diamond.
"He is the youngest, is he not?"
"He is." Diamond said, not sure what the purpose of the conversation was meant to be. "Do you think it had to do with me?"
"Most certainly. It is a shame he does not know that you are not going to marry the other after all," Goldberry replied craftily. Just then Tom came in the door, singing, as usual.
"Are you prepared to leave, Diamond?" he asked.
"Yes everything is packed," she replied.
"Very good. I shall have a bit to eat, and we shall set out. If we are not delayed in the Barrow-downs, you should reach Bree by midday tomorrow. Hopefully your friends will not have left by then, however they are being pursued by the Black Riders. We must always assume the worst, while hoping for the best," said Tom, his mood growing suddenly serious.
After Tom had eaten, they prepared to leave. Before they set out Goldberry came up to Diamond for a last goodbye.
"Farewell, Diamond of Long Cleeve. I fear I have no gift that might aid you in your search, but I hope this shall make due instead," said Goldberry, handing Diamond a crown of lilies like her own that had been woven together. "They shall not come apart, for that is how I have crafted them, and that is how they shall remain. May you find what you truly seek."
"I thank you for your kind words, and gift, fair River-daughter. I shall not forget you. Perhaps someday, when the wars are ended and all is in peace again I shall return," said Diamond.
"I look forward to that day," replied Goldberry with a wave. Then Diamond and Tom Bombadil departed for the North-gate of the Barrow-downs, and Bree.
Meanwhile, on the road to Bree, the four Hobbits turned sharply around. A noise had come from behind them. Nothing of importance, most likely, but the journey through the Old Forest had made them all a little skittish.
With every rustling leaf, every snapping twig, they grew ever more afraid. It was late afternoon, and the sun had already begun to dip below the trees. They were growing anxious to arrive at the safety of Bree, and perhaps even meet up with Gandalf.
By dark they had come upon the gates, and knocked sharply. After a brief, but to the point, questioning by the gatekeeper, they were let through. They soon found the inn of the Prancing Pony where they got a room under the name of Underhill, and were served supper. They were disappointed to discover that Gandalf had not been in Bree recently. After supper Frodo, Pippin, and Sam went to join the gathering, and Merry went for a walk.
They met many strange folk, some Hobbits, some Bree-men, and even a dwarf, but there were two men at the gathering who did not seem kindly. One was known as Bill Ferny, and with him was another known only as the Southerner. Ferny and the Southerner sat together and listened to the conversations at hand.
After a short time, Pippin and Sam were talking gaily with the others, sharing many a tale and laugh. They began to get a little too comfortable, for soon all cautions had left them. Pippin was happily telling the story of Bilbo's birthday, and was nearing the part about the disappearance. Frodo, meanwhile, was talking with a ranger named Strider.
Just then Frodo realized what Pippin was saying, and he jumped on the table to distract the crowd. Contrary to what the crowd believed, Frodo had all his wits about him, but he began to break into a song in order to distract Pippin's audience. Soon all notions of Pippin's former tale were forgotten, and Frodo was singing merrily, but disaster soon followed when he fell off the table, and disappeared.
All gathering soon moved away from Sam and Pippin in fear, save three. The Bree-lander known as Bill Ferny, the southerner, and Harry the gatekeeper stole quietly away, and out the door.
Harry returned to his post at the gates, as Bill and the southerner made for Ferny's home. They talked quietly as they went, fearing someone might overhear their conversation.
"He must be the one," whispered Bill. "Did you see how he just disappeared like that? Master shall be pleased." He grinned happily, imagining the rewards he may receive.
Just then, a shadow moved in the darkness, and a hiss of a voice said, "What news of the Baggins?"
Ferny and the Southerner slipped into the shadows as well. "He is here, in the inn," started Ferny. "There are two who accompany him, but they are not strong. You must make haste, for he knows the danger he has wrought on himself, and shall not linger long."
With another menacing hiss, the shadow departed back into darkness. Ferny and the Southerner smiled at each other. The Nazgul would find the ring bearer that night, and they were sure to profit from it. With that they continued to Ferny's home where they would hold up for the night.
Pippin lay awake in the large bed. Beside him lay Merry, who was soundly sleeping. Strider, whom had taken them under his protection, sat in his chair by the fire. He could not sleep, for memories and fears flooded his mind all at once. He wondered how long they would remain in Rivendell, for he greatly desired to return home.
Just then, a terrible blood-curdling cry came from somewhere within the inn. Pippin sat up quickly, and upon doing so found that Merry, Frodo, and Sam were already awake. A look of pure fear was upon all their faces.
Strider stood guard by the window, his sword at the ready. He told the Hobbits that they must depart early the next morning, for they knew Gandalf would not come, and the wraiths were close on their trail, too close. It was only a matter of time before they were found. With that Pippin drifted into an uneasy sleep, for he was quite tired indeed. When they awoke the next morning, foul news came to them. It seems all their ponies had been let loose. Bill Ferny was selling the only pony in the town, and at for a most unfair price.
Butterbur, the innkeeper, agreed to pay the price for the pony since he was a good man. Despite their need for stealth, the Company did not depart until almost midday. When they left, they took the main road, for they did not want to arouse more suspicion from the Bree-landers. Bill Ferny watched them depart, and as soon as they were gone he raced inside him home. "They live!" he cried to the Southerner. "How is that possible?"
"This Strider must have protected them," replied the Southerner. "He will pay dearly."
"Unfortunately so will we," Bill said fearfully.
Ferny and the Southerner stayed indoors for close to an hour, plotting how to deal with the ring bearer's escape. They decided to go down to the pub, and listen to what the town had to say on the matter of the attacks.
As they walked along, they found the town in disarray. Upon entering the pub, they found a good deal of the town there as well. Butterbur looked at them in disgust when they walked by, but he said nothing. Ferny and the Southerner sat down with the gathering of Bree folk that were already there.
"No where is safe anymore!" exclaimed one Bree-lander. "It's all because of those Shire folk. They have brought the evil here."
Just then the inn doors swung open once more, and in walked a Hobbit lass with auburn hair, and a hopeful look on her face. The gathering turned to look at her as she spoke with Butterbur.
"Good afternoon, sir. Do you by chance have a group of four Hobbits of the Shire staying in your inn?" she asked.
"You've just missed them lass. They left this morning." Butterbur then leaned in close to her and said, "If I were you, I would not go speaking of them around here. Could get you into some trouble."
"What has happened here? The city is in chaos," asked Diamond curiously.
"There was an attack last night," said Butterbur. "If you wish to know more, I suggest joining the gathering in the pub. More than half the town is here, I would reckon."
"Thank you, sir."
Diamond walked over to the large gathering of folk, and sat down in a chair that was much too large for her. The group looked uneasily at each other, for they wondered what connection this lass may have with the strangers who had caused their city so much trouble.
Ferny pulled the Southerner aside briefly. "This could be our chance to win back Master's favor," he whispered. "We cannot let her get away!"
The Southerner nodded and slipped unnoticed out the door. Ferny went back to the gathering.
Diamond looked around at the folk that sat beside her. There were a great deal of races present, some hobbits like her, some men, and even a few dwarves. They all seemed afraid, afraid of her. "I must find out which direction my friends went, for the longer I delay the harder it shall be to overtake them," she thought.
"Why do you ask about the Shire-folk?" asked one brave Bree-lander.
"I am a friend of theirs . . .I . . ." Diamond trailed off as the people began to move away from her. "Wait," she cried. "I must know the direction he took. Surely one of you must know!"
"I think I can help you, miss," said Ferny, "but let us speak in private."
"Why cannot you tell me now?" Diamond was cautious to trust this stranger, and did not want to put herself in any danger, however she seemed to have no other source of knowledge.
"I can show you where they are hidden, for they have not yet left as everyone believes," he lied, careful to keep his voice low.
"They are here!" cried Diamond.
"Quiet, lass!" snapped Ferny.
"My apologies, can you take me to them?" asked Diamond, following the man out the doors to the inn. She had forgotten her fears, and was quite relieved for a time.
"She believes my ruse," thought Ferny happily to himself. "I shall soon have the rewards that I was promised."
He led Diamond around a corner, where the Southerner sat waiting. As soon as they were in sight the Southerner sprung from the shadows and put a blindfold over Diamond's eyes. Ferny covered her mouth quickly so she could not scream, and give away their scheme. Try as she might, Diamond could not get free. Then something hard collided with the back of her head, and she knew no more.