Chapter 13 "The Tunnel in the East Pantry"
The sun began to spill into the master bedroom and onto Imbalech Greenleaf's golden hair. Her condition was stabilizing and if left undisturbed for a week or so she probably would've been fine. But the sun glinted off of Jack Sparrow's gold teeth as he slowly unclasped the sleeping elf's tunic. He squinted as the sun began to blind him as he fished for the necklace on which the keys to Bag-End were strung. He felt his fingers touch something cold but then Imbalech groaned and rolled over. He quickly grasped the object and pulled it up before it became out of reach. He smiled. His gambit was not in vain. He held out the three keys and studied them.
"Nope," he said looking at the first one, "Too big." He held up the third key,
"Nope. Too crooked," And then he came to the middle key,
"Ah, now this will do," he said and snatched the key away into his pocket. He stuck his head down the hall and found the coast to be clear. He walked down the hall and stopped when the main passage branched off into several directions.
"They might as well be rabbits!" he complained and strained his mind to remember what he had been told. He reached into his pocket and took out a stained handkerchief with the initials "B.B." sprawling in green and gold across the corner. On it drawn faintly in pencil was a map of the hall in which he now stood. "Hmm," he looked to the left and then down at the handkerchief, "I think this is it." He then walked as silently as his swagger would allow until he came upon the "east pantry" and he opened the door. It creaked, as it was the least favored pantry of the hole. Sam was convinced that being positioned eastward it would get more sunlight and cause the food to spoil quicker. Frodo would contest this almost to the death saying,
"But Sam it's underground!"
"Bilbo said it wasn't good for keepn' nothing but rocks in and he knew his vittles well enough!" Sam would respond in a tone that Frodo knew was law.
Indeed there was scarcely anything in the pantry at all. There was an empty barrel of ale and some cobwebs. Jack thought for a moment and then pushed the barrel to the side. Sure enough there was a door to a small tunnel.
"Bless the little people!" He cried as he whipped out the key and unlocked the tunnel door. He got down on hands and knees and crawled into the tunnel.
There weren't many things that scared Captain Jack Sparrow, but one of them was small spaces. He felt queasy and his hands shook a little bit as he felt his way through the dark and damp passage. Several times he swore he felt the end of a worm or some other slimy thing as he reached out blindly into the drear. Even in the darkness he felt the constriction of the unforgiving ground all around him, waiting like a wicked fog to slowly crumple his lungs till they could no long hold breath. Just as he was begging to reach his wit's end he smashed right into a large shape. He rubbed his forehead and then felt the object up and down.
"Finally!" He cried and he felt around for something to grab hold of. He found a large metal handle. The next thirty minutes were spent slowly backing out of the tunnel and pulling the large object behind him. It was nasty business and slow going too.
"Curse the little people and their tunnels! Why can't they hide their treasure in caves like respectable burglars!" His curse was about five seconds too late as he fell back first out into the east pantry. He winced at the sudden brightness of the room.
"Maybe the sun is stronger on this side," he thought and then before his eyes had adjusted he leaped up and stretched his limbs as far as they would go. He moved his arms and his legs about like a maniac, but he was just so glad to be free of the tunnel. He then remembered his booty. He reached back into the tunnel and pulled out a wooden chest. It was covered in dirt. He dusted it off and tossed a stray worm back into the tunnel.
"Keep digging' maybe you can make 'em another guest room!"
Now came the tricky bit. He had to get out of there without being noticed. He tiptoed out into the hall and looked around the corner.
"All-clear," he thought and dashed down the corridor. He saw no one and no one saw him. He was in the main hallway.
"Almost out." He undid the bolt on the large round front door, he reached for the knob- and then he remembered.
"The KEY!" He grimaced and got out of sight. He put the chest down on the floor and sat on it. He had to replace the key on Imbalech's necklace or he'd be dead in the water. He thought for an instant and then shrugged.
" S'gotta be done." He picked up the chest and stopped. He looked at the door again. He'd better hide the chest in case he got caught. He slipped out the front door and returned empty handed. He was loath to part with something that had dragged him into a tunnel but he conceded. Just then he heard voices. He jumped into the study and stood behind the door. The voices approached and he recognized them as two of the king's guards.
"Asses," he thought. They were busy talking about provisions for their return journey.
"The hobbits are supplying 'em- don't worry." The short one said.
"But what if the little one don't take the king's offer? We'll be out on our asses." The tall one replied. Jack smirked. They continued down the hall and disappeared. Jack sighed and then crept out of his hiding place.
He made it to the master bedroom without any other close calls. He turned the knob slowly and was relieved to find Imbalech still sleeping nicely. He walked up the bed and gritted his teeth. She hadn't rolled over since he last saw her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the key. He looked at the elf uneasily.
"Come on, Jack," he thought to himself, "You've pinched a tighter pocket." He leaned over the sleeping elf and ever so softly eased his hand under her. She moaned a little and he pulled back. "Though I'm not used to putting things in pockets," he reasoned. He regained his confidence and slowly and deliberately walked his fingers into her tunic.
"Luckily I know me way around," he smirked to himself, "I could do this in the dark," He added. He felt the chain.
"Wait," he thought again, "I have done this in the dark," he smiled to himself smugly reliving some fond memory. He had the key almost on the chain but it was slippery and his hand was still shaky from the dark confining passage. He almost had it.
***
Frodo hadn't slept at all that night and had proceeded in waking Sam up bright and early.
"Come on, Sam. We've got to go down to the Havens," Frodo said as he buttoned his shirt. Frodo had stayed in the parlor till dawn and then in the middle of dressing had become so impatient that he walked into Sam's room.
"What time is it?" Sam groaned.
"Time for me to make up my mind. Now come on and get dressed." Frodo said rustling through Sam's drawers and throwing a shirt and a pair of britches at him. Sam looked Sadly at his master. Frodo continued to button his shirt and race around the room. He caught Sam's long face and stopped. He wanted to console his friend. So much had happened. What could he say? He opened his mouth to try but was cut short as he heard a scream erupt from down the hall. Frodo and Sam looked at each other.
"Rose!" Sam said recognizing the voice and racing out the door. Frodo was right behind him.
Imbalech awoke when Rosie let out a scream. Rosie was coming in to check on her patient. She hadn't been expecting to find a man his hand down Imbalech's shirt. Jack jumped on to the bed Imbalech recoiled and gasped with pain. Thunderous hobbit footsteps gave away Sam and Frodo's approach. Jack drew his sword just as they fell through the door. "What do you think you're doin'!" Sam cried seeing Imbalech improperly dressed and Jack practically standing on top of her. Frodo couldn't say anything. "Actually, I was just leaving." He said jumping down and sheathing his sword. He tossed the key at Imbalech. "Thanks, love- it was fun." He walked toward the hobbits. Imbalech looked at the key and then began yelling. "He's taken it! Stop him!" Frodo and Sam looked around for something to stop him with but Rosie was faster. She yanked the Red book of the shelf and heaved it with all her might at Jack's head. He didn't fall down. He just stopped and his face crunched up with pain. He spun around.
"Was that really necessary?" He said. By this time Imbalech had managed to stand up and had pulled out her dagger. She hobbled over to Jack. He put his hands up. "Easy now." "Shut up. Where is it?" She said coldly. Frodo and Sam looked on in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, love." "The treasure!" "Oh, that.," Jack put his finger to his chin. "What treasure?" Sam burst in. "Bilbo's treasure. He hid what was left of the dragon's plunder in a tunnel in the east pantry," Imbalech didn't take her eyes off Jack to answer him. Sam looked dumbfounded. "I knew there had to be another reason why Bilbo never wanted anyone going in there," Frodo remarked remembering sneaking into the pantry as a child and suffering the most unfair punishments. "I guess Bag- End does have tunnels filled with gold," he laughed. "And worms," Jack added. "There are no worms in Bag-End!" Sam protested. "Come now, Sam. You know better than any of us what lives in the soil round here," Frodo reasoned. Sam looked at Frodo like he was a monster. "I can't believe you would take his side. Bilbo always said-," "That's because he didn't want to think of worms crawling through his walls!" Frodo objected. "Can you blame him?" Jacked commented. Sam was silent. He just glared at Jack. Frodo felt uneasy but he turned to the pirate. "Where is it, Jack?" He sighed. Jack strangely conceded. "Behind the bushes by the door," He said quietly. Frodo walked past Sam to go retrieve the treasure. Sam followed him with his eyes. Frodo avoided his glance. As soon as Frodo was gone Sam turned to Jack and scowled. "A fine thing you've done to him!" He hissed. Jack looked utterly confused- which really wasn't much of a change from his normal look. "Pardon?" "You know what I mean- you remind me of some body. Some body else who took advantage of his trust," Sam got right up to Jack. "If you harm him in anyway I'll-," He stopped as Frodo came back into the room. He carried a large (by hobbit standards) wooden chest. He set it down in the middle of the floor. They all just looked at it in wonderment. Except Jack who started to look for an exit but got Imbalech's blade shoved closer to his face. "How did you know where it was hidden?" She questioned him. "I'm a pirate, it's part o' me job," he said matter-of-factly. She glared at him. Frodo dusted off the chest. He looked at it for a moment and his thoughts went out to Bilbo. The last time he had seen him had been on the docks at the Gray Havens. They had both returned to Middle Earth and gone their separate ways. Bilbo had said that he had things he had things he needed to and to not bother after him. Frodo was very bothered. To find a connection between Jack and Bilbo bothered him even more. He put the key in the lock and sure enough it was a fit. He turned it and there was a creek, but he didn't open it. He looked up at Jack. "How did you know this was here? Even I didn't know about it," Frodo said. Jack just smiled.
*** A cloaked man and a hobbit made their way through the valley. Many travelers had worn the east road, but they hadn't walked it together for many years. "Gandalf, are we going to stop for tea soon?" Bilbo asked. Gandalf smiled to himself and looked out over the countryside. They had made their way through the shire without being noticed and were now well on the road for Gondor. "I suppose we could stop soon, but not yet," He said gruffly. He had become so much fonder of the hobbit in recent years. They had spent many years together in the city of Valinor, both recuperating from their exploits. Now they both seemed wise beyond reckoning. They hadn't journeyed together since their part in the battle of five armies. Back then Gandalf was known as Gandalf the Gray. Now he was Gandalf the white and head of the Ostari order. Bilbo didn't have a new color but he certainly wasn't the same fellow Gandalf had forced out the door so long ago. "I hope we stop soon, my stomach is growling," Bilbo interrupted the wizards thoughts. Bilbo had changed- but he was still a hobbit. "Soon," he replied. "I want to put as much distance between us and the shire as possible." Bilbo looked up at his companion. Gandalf caught his glance. "Nothing to worry about, your cousin will be just fine. But an army from Harad will be joining him shortly- or perhaps they've already gotten there- depending on the south wind.but I don't want to get mixed up in it. We have our own business to attend to and Frodo will thank us for our absence." Bilbo contemplated the information. "I wonder if Jack managed.," Bilbo mused. Gandalf looked out across a golden field. "Undoubtedly he has. I only ask managed what?" "You don't think my map was clear enough?" Bilbo seemed slightly offended. "No, no," the wizard comforted. "I'm just thinking about the ring." "What of the ring?" He asked. Gandalf looked concerned. "Well, if I know our Mr. Baggins he done nothing short of losing the blasted thing, but give him time. I think he'll work this out." Bilbo thought this over. "It was a hard on the lad to have to come back." Gandalf looked down at the hobbit. "This was Frodo's true task," Bilbo looked up intently as he could recognize when the wizard was sharing privy information. "The Valar knew he would most likely fail in his first quest. It was a warm- up you could say," he smiled at the hobbit. "Now that he knows the truth about the ring, he can help restore Middle Earth. The ring wasn't evil. Its bearers were.,"Bilbo looked up at Gandalf thoughtfully. "Its bearers were evil at one time- hopefully under the influence of Mall'elen they will cast that shadow away." "So he must find them all?" Bilbo asked. "Yes- if he is to truly end Sauron's influence over Middle Earth." "But what of the bearers who are lost?" Bilbo looked worried. Gandalf smiled. "Don't worry too much about Frodo's task. We have our own errand." Bilbo nodded. "Those Ent-wives won't find themselves," Gandalf laughed. They rode on in silence. "I don't suppose it's time for tea yet?" Bilbo asked hopefully.
*** "Answer me!" Frodo became angry. Sam and Imbalech tensed as Frodo stood up and approached Jack. He grabbed the dagger out of Imbalech's hand and held it up to Jack himself. Jack didn't seem to mind. Sam looked down at the chest. He pulled up the lid and sucked in his breath. "It's empty," he said. Frodo left Jack and looked down at the bottom of the chest. "I don't understand," he looked back at Jack whose brow was wrinkled too. "Oh well, mate," he said abruptly. "they'll be other swag." He shook of Imbalech's grasp and proceeded to leave. "You're not just going to let him walk out of here are you?" Sam cried. Frodo looked at him. "What can I do- he didn't steal anything?" Sam scowled. "Besides," Frodo thought, "I have an offer to turn down"
The sun began to spill into the master bedroom and onto Imbalech Greenleaf's golden hair. Her condition was stabilizing and if left undisturbed for a week or so she probably would've been fine. But the sun glinted off of Jack Sparrow's gold teeth as he slowly unclasped the sleeping elf's tunic. He squinted as the sun began to blind him as he fished for the necklace on which the keys to Bag-End were strung. He felt his fingers touch something cold but then Imbalech groaned and rolled over. He quickly grasped the object and pulled it up before it became out of reach. He smiled. His gambit was not in vain. He held out the three keys and studied them.
"Nope," he said looking at the first one, "Too big." He held up the third key,
"Nope. Too crooked," And then he came to the middle key,
"Ah, now this will do," he said and snatched the key away into his pocket. He stuck his head down the hall and found the coast to be clear. He walked down the hall and stopped when the main passage branched off into several directions.
"They might as well be rabbits!" he complained and strained his mind to remember what he had been told. He reached into his pocket and took out a stained handkerchief with the initials "B.B." sprawling in green and gold across the corner. On it drawn faintly in pencil was a map of the hall in which he now stood. "Hmm," he looked to the left and then down at the handkerchief, "I think this is it." He then walked as silently as his swagger would allow until he came upon the "east pantry" and he opened the door. It creaked, as it was the least favored pantry of the hole. Sam was convinced that being positioned eastward it would get more sunlight and cause the food to spoil quicker. Frodo would contest this almost to the death saying,
"But Sam it's underground!"
"Bilbo said it wasn't good for keepn' nothing but rocks in and he knew his vittles well enough!" Sam would respond in a tone that Frodo knew was law.
Indeed there was scarcely anything in the pantry at all. There was an empty barrel of ale and some cobwebs. Jack thought for a moment and then pushed the barrel to the side. Sure enough there was a door to a small tunnel.
"Bless the little people!" He cried as he whipped out the key and unlocked the tunnel door. He got down on hands and knees and crawled into the tunnel.
There weren't many things that scared Captain Jack Sparrow, but one of them was small spaces. He felt queasy and his hands shook a little bit as he felt his way through the dark and damp passage. Several times he swore he felt the end of a worm or some other slimy thing as he reached out blindly into the drear. Even in the darkness he felt the constriction of the unforgiving ground all around him, waiting like a wicked fog to slowly crumple his lungs till they could no long hold breath. Just as he was begging to reach his wit's end he smashed right into a large shape. He rubbed his forehead and then felt the object up and down.
"Finally!" He cried and he felt around for something to grab hold of. He found a large metal handle. The next thirty minutes were spent slowly backing out of the tunnel and pulling the large object behind him. It was nasty business and slow going too.
"Curse the little people and their tunnels! Why can't they hide their treasure in caves like respectable burglars!" His curse was about five seconds too late as he fell back first out into the east pantry. He winced at the sudden brightness of the room.
"Maybe the sun is stronger on this side," he thought and then before his eyes had adjusted he leaped up and stretched his limbs as far as they would go. He moved his arms and his legs about like a maniac, but he was just so glad to be free of the tunnel. He then remembered his booty. He reached back into the tunnel and pulled out a wooden chest. It was covered in dirt. He dusted it off and tossed a stray worm back into the tunnel.
"Keep digging' maybe you can make 'em another guest room!"
Now came the tricky bit. He had to get out of there without being noticed. He tiptoed out into the hall and looked around the corner.
"All-clear," he thought and dashed down the corridor. He saw no one and no one saw him. He was in the main hallway.
"Almost out." He undid the bolt on the large round front door, he reached for the knob- and then he remembered.
"The KEY!" He grimaced and got out of sight. He put the chest down on the floor and sat on it. He had to replace the key on Imbalech's necklace or he'd be dead in the water. He thought for an instant and then shrugged.
" S'gotta be done." He picked up the chest and stopped. He looked at the door again. He'd better hide the chest in case he got caught. He slipped out the front door and returned empty handed. He was loath to part with something that had dragged him into a tunnel but he conceded. Just then he heard voices. He jumped into the study and stood behind the door. The voices approached and he recognized them as two of the king's guards.
"Asses," he thought. They were busy talking about provisions for their return journey.
"The hobbits are supplying 'em- don't worry." The short one said.
"But what if the little one don't take the king's offer? We'll be out on our asses." The tall one replied. Jack smirked. They continued down the hall and disappeared. Jack sighed and then crept out of his hiding place.
He made it to the master bedroom without any other close calls. He turned the knob slowly and was relieved to find Imbalech still sleeping nicely. He walked up the bed and gritted his teeth. She hadn't rolled over since he last saw her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the key. He looked at the elf uneasily.
"Come on, Jack," he thought to himself, "You've pinched a tighter pocket." He leaned over the sleeping elf and ever so softly eased his hand under her. She moaned a little and he pulled back. "Though I'm not used to putting things in pockets," he reasoned. He regained his confidence and slowly and deliberately walked his fingers into her tunic.
"Luckily I know me way around," he smirked to himself, "I could do this in the dark," He added. He felt the chain.
"Wait," he thought again, "I have done this in the dark," he smiled to himself smugly reliving some fond memory. He had the key almost on the chain but it was slippery and his hand was still shaky from the dark confining passage. He almost had it.
***
Frodo hadn't slept at all that night and had proceeded in waking Sam up bright and early.
"Come on, Sam. We've got to go down to the Havens," Frodo said as he buttoned his shirt. Frodo had stayed in the parlor till dawn and then in the middle of dressing had become so impatient that he walked into Sam's room.
"What time is it?" Sam groaned.
"Time for me to make up my mind. Now come on and get dressed." Frodo said rustling through Sam's drawers and throwing a shirt and a pair of britches at him. Sam looked Sadly at his master. Frodo continued to button his shirt and race around the room. He caught Sam's long face and stopped. He wanted to console his friend. So much had happened. What could he say? He opened his mouth to try but was cut short as he heard a scream erupt from down the hall. Frodo and Sam looked at each other.
"Rose!" Sam said recognizing the voice and racing out the door. Frodo was right behind him.
Imbalech awoke when Rosie let out a scream. Rosie was coming in to check on her patient. She hadn't been expecting to find a man his hand down Imbalech's shirt. Jack jumped on to the bed Imbalech recoiled and gasped with pain. Thunderous hobbit footsteps gave away Sam and Frodo's approach. Jack drew his sword just as they fell through the door. "What do you think you're doin'!" Sam cried seeing Imbalech improperly dressed and Jack practically standing on top of her. Frodo couldn't say anything. "Actually, I was just leaving." He said jumping down and sheathing his sword. He tossed the key at Imbalech. "Thanks, love- it was fun." He walked toward the hobbits. Imbalech looked at the key and then began yelling. "He's taken it! Stop him!" Frodo and Sam looked around for something to stop him with but Rosie was faster. She yanked the Red book of the shelf and heaved it with all her might at Jack's head. He didn't fall down. He just stopped and his face crunched up with pain. He spun around.
"Was that really necessary?" He said. By this time Imbalech had managed to stand up and had pulled out her dagger. She hobbled over to Jack. He put his hands up. "Easy now." "Shut up. Where is it?" She said coldly. Frodo and Sam looked on in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, love." "The treasure!" "Oh, that.," Jack put his finger to his chin. "What treasure?" Sam burst in. "Bilbo's treasure. He hid what was left of the dragon's plunder in a tunnel in the east pantry," Imbalech didn't take her eyes off Jack to answer him. Sam looked dumbfounded. "I knew there had to be another reason why Bilbo never wanted anyone going in there," Frodo remarked remembering sneaking into the pantry as a child and suffering the most unfair punishments. "I guess Bag- End does have tunnels filled with gold," he laughed. "And worms," Jack added. "There are no worms in Bag-End!" Sam protested. "Come now, Sam. You know better than any of us what lives in the soil round here," Frodo reasoned. Sam looked at Frodo like he was a monster. "I can't believe you would take his side. Bilbo always said-," "That's because he didn't want to think of worms crawling through his walls!" Frodo objected. "Can you blame him?" Jacked commented. Sam was silent. He just glared at Jack. Frodo felt uneasy but he turned to the pirate. "Where is it, Jack?" He sighed. Jack strangely conceded. "Behind the bushes by the door," He said quietly. Frodo walked past Sam to go retrieve the treasure. Sam followed him with his eyes. Frodo avoided his glance. As soon as Frodo was gone Sam turned to Jack and scowled. "A fine thing you've done to him!" He hissed. Jack looked utterly confused- which really wasn't much of a change from his normal look. "Pardon?" "You know what I mean- you remind me of some body. Some body else who took advantage of his trust," Sam got right up to Jack. "If you harm him in anyway I'll-," He stopped as Frodo came back into the room. He carried a large (by hobbit standards) wooden chest. He set it down in the middle of the floor. They all just looked at it in wonderment. Except Jack who started to look for an exit but got Imbalech's blade shoved closer to his face. "How did you know where it was hidden?" She questioned him. "I'm a pirate, it's part o' me job," he said matter-of-factly. She glared at him. Frodo dusted off the chest. He looked at it for a moment and his thoughts went out to Bilbo. The last time he had seen him had been on the docks at the Gray Havens. They had both returned to Middle Earth and gone their separate ways. Bilbo had said that he had things he had things he needed to and to not bother after him. Frodo was very bothered. To find a connection between Jack and Bilbo bothered him even more. He put the key in the lock and sure enough it was a fit. He turned it and there was a creek, but he didn't open it. He looked up at Jack. "How did you know this was here? Even I didn't know about it," Frodo said. Jack just smiled.
*** A cloaked man and a hobbit made their way through the valley. Many travelers had worn the east road, but they hadn't walked it together for many years. "Gandalf, are we going to stop for tea soon?" Bilbo asked. Gandalf smiled to himself and looked out over the countryside. They had made their way through the shire without being noticed and were now well on the road for Gondor. "I suppose we could stop soon, but not yet," He said gruffly. He had become so much fonder of the hobbit in recent years. They had spent many years together in the city of Valinor, both recuperating from their exploits. Now they both seemed wise beyond reckoning. They hadn't journeyed together since their part in the battle of five armies. Back then Gandalf was known as Gandalf the Gray. Now he was Gandalf the white and head of the Ostari order. Bilbo didn't have a new color but he certainly wasn't the same fellow Gandalf had forced out the door so long ago. "I hope we stop soon, my stomach is growling," Bilbo interrupted the wizards thoughts. Bilbo had changed- but he was still a hobbit. "Soon," he replied. "I want to put as much distance between us and the shire as possible." Bilbo looked up at his companion. Gandalf caught his glance. "Nothing to worry about, your cousin will be just fine. But an army from Harad will be joining him shortly- or perhaps they've already gotten there- depending on the south wind.but I don't want to get mixed up in it. We have our own business to attend to and Frodo will thank us for our absence." Bilbo contemplated the information. "I wonder if Jack managed.," Bilbo mused. Gandalf looked out across a golden field. "Undoubtedly he has. I only ask managed what?" "You don't think my map was clear enough?" Bilbo seemed slightly offended. "No, no," the wizard comforted. "I'm just thinking about the ring." "What of the ring?" He asked. Gandalf looked concerned. "Well, if I know our Mr. Baggins he done nothing short of losing the blasted thing, but give him time. I think he'll work this out." Bilbo thought this over. "It was a hard on the lad to have to come back." Gandalf looked down at the hobbit. "This was Frodo's true task," Bilbo looked up intently as he could recognize when the wizard was sharing privy information. "The Valar knew he would most likely fail in his first quest. It was a warm- up you could say," he smiled at the hobbit. "Now that he knows the truth about the ring, he can help restore Middle Earth. The ring wasn't evil. Its bearers were.,"Bilbo looked up at Gandalf thoughtfully. "Its bearers were evil at one time- hopefully under the influence of Mall'elen they will cast that shadow away." "So he must find them all?" Bilbo asked. "Yes- if he is to truly end Sauron's influence over Middle Earth." "But what of the bearers who are lost?" Bilbo looked worried. Gandalf smiled. "Don't worry too much about Frodo's task. We have our own errand." Bilbo nodded. "Those Ent-wives won't find themselves," Gandalf laughed. They rode on in silence. "I don't suppose it's time for tea yet?" Bilbo asked hopefully.
*** "Answer me!" Frodo became angry. Sam and Imbalech tensed as Frodo stood up and approached Jack. He grabbed the dagger out of Imbalech's hand and held it up to Jack himself. Jack didn't seem to mind. Sam looked down at the chest. He pulled up the lid and sucked in his breath. "It's empty," he said. Frodo left Jack and looked down at the bottom of the chest. "I don't understand," he looked back at Jack whose brow was wrinkled too. "Oh well, mate," he said abruptly. "they'll be other swag." He shook of Imbalech's grasp and proceeded to leave. "You're not just going to let him walk out of here are you?" Sam cried. Frodo looked at him. "What can I do- he didn't steal anything?" Sam scowled. "Besides," Frodo thought, "I have an offer to turn down"