Chapter 4 Through the Crop
It took three days to make their way across the shire. Of course, Mariell thought, it would have taken less time if Frodo and Sam didn't
insist upon stopping every two hours to eat. Had it been just her, she could have been halfway to Bree by now. But she was glad it was
not just her. This was not a voyage she would have wanted to make on her own. Her burden was nothing compared to Frodo's. Frodo
was the one who had the ring. He would be the one that the enemy would go after. She just wanted them to get to Bree and be rid of the
blasted thing. But until then she would protect Frodo with her life. They were on the outskirts of the Shire now. Farmer Maggots field
was just ahead of them.
"We should cut through the field," Frodo said. "It's the quickest way to the border"
"Cut through the crop?" Sam protested. "Farmer Maggot will skin us alive if he catches us"
"Then we should go very quickly," Mariell said.
"Easy for you to say," Sam scoffed, "your legs are longer than ours."
Mariell smiled but she knew Sam was right. If they got caught there would be real trouble. For once she was relieved that the stalks were
taller than her so the Farmer Maggot would not see her head if he happened to be about. They made their way quickly through the tall
stalks. Frodo managed to keep up with her long stride but Sam soon straggled behind.
"Mister Frodo?" they heard him call. "Frodo?"
Sam sounded panicked so Frodo hurried back to find him. Mariell sighed. At this rate they were never going to make it to Bree. She
doubled back after her brother and stopped short as two small forms came out of the stalks knocking down Sam and Frodo. She
groaned. It was Merry and Pippin. Those two rascals were obviously stealing from Farmer Maggot. She yanked the two of them up and
helped Frodo to his feet. She whipped her head around as she heard dogs barking. Over the top of the stalks she saw a scythe.
"Run!" she shouted at the hobbits as she took off through the stalks. Behind her she could hear Farmer Maggot yelling.
"I don't know what he's getting so upset about!" Merry said. "It's only a couple of carrots"
"And some cabbages!" Pippin tossed in, "and those three bags of potatoes we lifted last week"
"Yes Pippin," Merry growled. "My point is he's clearly over reacting." Mariell stopped short as the ground she had been running on
suddenly became a cliff. She held out her arm to keep Frodo from running over it and braced herself as Merry and Pippin slammed into
her. She sighed with relief until Sam came barreling out and knocked them all down. Her ribs ached as she rolled down the hill. She
landed hard on the ground and grunted as four hobbits landed on top of her.
"Oh, that was close," Pippin said.
"Get off me," Mariell yelled pushing them off of her. "Trust a Brandybuck and a Took." She stood up and brushed herself off as Merry,
Pippin and Sam ran to collect the mushrooms that they had found. Mariell glanced over at Frodo who shrugged. They both turned as they
heard a noise in the distance.
"I think we should get off the road," Frodo said. The other hobbits ignored him. The sound was coming closer.
"Get off the road!" Frodo yelled. The hobbits scurried under a log while Mariell hid behind a tree. She held her breath as the black rider
rode up and stopped right over top of the log the hobbits were hiding under. The black rider jumped off his horse and went to its knees.
It was as if it knew that the ring was there but he couldn't see it. Mariell reached to her hip and wrapped her hand around the hilt of her
sword. She silently prayed that the rider would just go away. She did not want to have to fight it. She looked at Frodo to make sure he
was all right. His eyes were droopy as though he were about to fall asleep. Mariell's eyes widened in horror as she saw the ring in
Frodo's hand and his finger outstretched as though to put the ring on.
"No Frodo," she thought desperately. "Gandalf told you never put it on." Sam's hand slapped over Frodo's stopping him. Mariell
breathed a silent sigh of relief. Then Merry tossed his sack away and the rider got back on its horse and went off in that direction. When
she could no longer see it, Mariell got up and motioned for the hobbits to follow her. She led them deep into the woods.
"What was that?" Pippin wanted to know. Mariell grabbed Frodo.
"Are you mad? What were you thinking?" she snapped at him. "Gandalf told you never to put it on!" "Put what on?" Merry said.
"What is going on?" Pippin said.
"That rider was looking for something," Merry said suspiciously. "Or someone. Frodo? Mariell?" Frodo looked at Mariell helplessly.
Mariell realized that Merry and Pippin were involved now. They couldn't just tell them to go home.
"Mariell and I have to leave the Shire," Frodo said. "We have to get to Bree"
"Right," Merry said. "Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me." Mariell was impressed that Merry asked no questions. It seemed she'd misjudged
him. They ran through the woods toward the ferry when suddenly a black rider was upon them. Without thinking Mariell drew her sword.
"Go!" she shouted at them. The back rider advanced on her. She blocked its blade as it swung at her head. The rider swung at her again
and again and she managed to block each swing. He caught her off guard for a moment and sliced her arm. She bit back the pain and
continued to fight him.
"Mariell!" she heard Frodo yell. With what remained of her strength she shoved the rider backwards. It hit the ground momentarily
stunned. Mariell seized that moment to run. She could hear the rider behind her, the horse's hooves chasing her. The hobbits were
already on the ferry and were shoving off.
"Come on!" Merry and Pippin shouted at her.
"Hurry Mariell!" Frodo yelled. With her last bit of strength Mariell leaped onto the boat and sank to her knees. Frodo threw himself at
her and seized her in a fierce hug "You think I'm mad?" he asked her. "Good heavens, don't ever scare me like that again." Mariell hugged him.
"How far to the nearest crossing?" Frodo asked.
"The Brandywine Bridge," Merry answered. "Twenty miles." Mariell looked across the river and was relieved to see that the rider had
turned back. "Let me see your arm," Frodo said. "I'm all right," Mariell said.
"No you are not all right, you're bleeding now let me see it." Mariell relented and let Frodo tend to her arm. It wasn't bad. Frodo
wrapped it in some dry cloth once the bleeding had stopped. They were safe for now.