VI. No chance to escape rohir nín
Getting the book pushed into his arms by his sister opened Elrohir it by the next chapter, masking his annoyance at how his ada, Glorfindel and Erestor were looking at him. Really, only because he declared that books are boring and always trying to find a way to avoid reading didn't mean that they could act as if they were having a seizure, great he accidentally cached one of Dan's thoughts again. Shaking his head he started with reading, hoping to get an interesting chapter, well the title was both worrisome and interesting.
"The next chapter is called, and ada stop looking as if you would faint any second, so as already said the next title is A Conspiracy Unmasked." at finishing exchanged the all adults uneasy glances before groaning.
"Just lovely that title." moaned Glorfindel while massaging his temples.
"We should have guessed that the titles will get worse again." Elrond added while taking the hand of his wife in his, if they should manage to finish these books they will immediately set out to stop what can be stopped.
"If you are all finished I would like to continue." Elrohir said not even waiting for and answer.
'Now we had better get home ourselves,' said Merry. There's something funny about all this, I see; but it must wait till we get in.'
They turned down the Ferry lane, which was straight and well-kept and edged with large white-washed stones. In a hundred yards or so it brought them to the river-bank, where there was a broad wooden landing-stage. A large flat ferryboat was moored beside it. The white bollards near the water's edge glimmered in the light of two lamps on high posts. Behind them the mists in the flat fields were now above the hedges; but the water before them was dark, with only a few curling wisps like steam among the reeds by the bank. There seemed to be less fog on the further side.
The two seneschals stared intently at the book, fog could fog could be both usefull and dangerous int he case of sneak attacks.
Merry led the pony over a gangway on to the ferry, and the others followed. Merry then pushed slowly off with a long pole. The Brandywine flowed slow and broad before them. On the other side the bank was steep, and up it a winding path climbed from the further landing. Lamps were twinkling there. Behind loomed up the Buck Hill; and out of it, through stray shrouds of mist, shone many round windows, yellow and red. They were the windows of Brandy Hall, the ancient home of the Brandybucks.
Elrohir suddenly let out a suffering groan and stared at the book in horror which worried the others.
"What is it rohir nín?" Celebrian asked her son worriedly, hopefully were the hobbits fine.
"Why do I get the chapter with history lesson in it?" Elrohir asked dramatically as he ignored the glares his siblings gave him for worrying them.
"Just read the chapter Elrohir it will be over faster then." Elrond said while shaking his head at his child.
Long ago Gorhendad Oldbuck, head of the Oldbuck family, one of the oldest in the Marish or indeed in the Shire, had crossed the river, which was the original boundary of the land eastwards. He built (and excavated) Brandy Hall, changed his name to Brandybuck, and settled down to become master of what was virtually a small independent country. His family grew and grew, and after his days continued to grow, until Brandy Hall occupied the whole of the low hill, and had three large front-doors, many side-doors, and about a hundred windows. The Brandybucks and their numerous dependants then began to burrow, and later to build, all round about. That was the origin of Buckland, a thickly inhabited strip between the river and the Old Forest, a sort of colony from the Shire. Its chief village was Bucklebury, clustering in the banks and slopes behind Brandy Hall.
"This is worse then listening to how ada founded Imladris." Elrohir whined.
"And just what is boring about that?" demanded Elrond with a raised eyebrow.
"Peredhel, let your son read and it is a good thing if a young elfling has an option about they family history, it means that they have a character and a mind of they own." Thranduil said suddenly at which Elrond only stared gapping at him while Elrohir beamed at the king for defending him, he started to like the royal elf.
The people in the Marish were friendly with the Bucklanders, and the authority of the Master of the Hall (as the head of the Brandybuck family was called) was still acknowledged by the farmers between Stock and Rushey. But most of the folk of the old Shire regarded the Bucklanders as peculiar, half foreigners as it were. Though, as a matter of fact, they were not very different from the other hobbits of the Four Farthings. Except in one point: they were fond of boats, and some of them could swim.
The adults started chuckling at this, except a still perplexed Elrond that is, they were sure that Círdan the Elven-lord of the Gray Havens would certainly like these hobbits then. Mayhap they could with the help of Bilbo introduce the current Master of the Hall to him.
Their land was originally unprotected from the East; but on that side they had built a hedge: the High Hay.
"A wise idea to create a deffens where there isn't one."
It had been planted many generations ago, and was now thick and tail, for it was constantly tended. It ran all the way from Brandywine Bridge, in a big loop curving away from the river, to Haysend (where the Withywindle flowed out of the Forest into the Brandywine): well over twenty miles from end to end. But, of course, it was not a complete protection. The Forest drew close to the hedge in many places. The Bucklanders kept their doors locked after dark, and that also was not usual in the Shire.
The ferry-boat moved slowly across the water. The Buckland shore drew nearer. Sam was the only member of the party who had not been over the river before. He had a strange feeling as the slow gurgling stream slipped by: his old life lay behind in the mists, dark adventure lay in front. He scratched his head, and for a moment had a passing wish that Mr. Frodo could have gone on living quietly at Bag End.
"With that ring it would have been impossible." Miriel said as she placed a lock of brown hair behind her ear.
The four hobbits stepped off the ferry. Merry was tying it up, and Pippin was already leading the pony up the path, when Sam (who had been looking back, as if to take farewell of the Shire) said in a hoarse whisper:
"Not good." Elrohir said suddenly.
"Roh, get over it there are some boring parts for you in it." Elladan said to his brother who shook his head.
"Not that Dan, they have a problem." he said before continuing with the reading.
'Look back, Mr. Frodo! Do you see anything?'
This sentence sombered everyone up, they knew full well what was about to be seen by Frodo.
On the far stage, under the distant lamps, they could just make out a figure: it looked like a dark black bundle left behind. But as they looked it seemed to move and sway this way and that, as if searching the ground. It then crawled, or went crouching, back into the gloom beyond the lamps.
'What in the Shire is that?' exclaimed Merry.
"Something you are happier never meeting in your life." supplied Angränor in a bitter tone, he hated running away from a fight, but a good warrior knows when continuing if useless and would not bring anything good. His King still needed his counsel and strength till they woods are again free from darkness.
'Something that is following us,' said Frodo. 'But don't ask any more now! Let's get away at once!' They hurried up the path to the top of the bank, but when they looked back the far shore was shrouded in mist, and nothing could be seen.
'Thank goodness you don't keep any boats on the westbank!' said Frodo. 'Can horses cross the river?'
"It all depends on how deep that river is and how far the two shores area away from each other." come it from Haldir who blushed as he noticed everyone's attention at him.
"That was really good Haldir." praised Celeborn the young elfling who blushed even more at the words of his Lord.
'They can go twenty miles north to Brandywine Bridge – or they might swim,' answered Merry. 'Though I never heard of any horse swimming the Brandywine. But what have horses to do with it?'
I'll tell you later. Let's get indoors and then we can talk.'
'All right! You and Pippin know your way; so I'll just ride on and tell Fatty Bolger that you are coming. We'll see about supper and things.'
'We had our supper early with Farmer Maggot,' said Frodo; 'but we could do with another.'
"Hobbits and they large appetite."
'You shall have it! Give me that basket!' said Merry, and rode ahead into the darkness.
It was some distance from the Brandywine to Frodo's new house at Crickhollow. They passed Buck Hill and Brandy Hall on their left, and on the outskirts of Bucklebury struck the main road of Buckland that ran south from the Bridge. Half a mile northward along this they came to a lane opening on their right. This they followed for a couple of miles as it climbed up and down into the country.
At last they came to a narrow gate in a thick hedge. Nothing could be seen of the house in the dark: it stood back from the lane in the middle of a wide circle of lawn surrounded by a belt of low trees inside the outer hedge. Frodo had chosen it, because it stood in an out-of-the-way corner of the country, and there were no other dwellings close by. You could get in and out without being noticed. It had been built a long while before by the Brandybucks, for the use of guests, or members of the family that wished to escape from the crowded life of Brandy Hall for a time. It was an old-fashioned countrified house, as much like a hobbit-hole as possible: it was long and low, with no upper storey; and it had a roof of turf, round windows, and a large round door.
Elrohir tryed not to groan in his despair as he read on, from all the chapters was he the one getting the chapter with the history lesson and long, boring descriptions.
As they walked lip the green path from the gate no light was visible; the windows were dark and shuttered. Frodo knocked on the door, and Fatty Bolger opened it. A friendly light streamed out. They slipped in quickly and shut themselves and the light inside. They were in a wide hall with doors on either side; in front of them a passage ran back down the middle of the house.
'Well, what do you think of it?' asked Merry coming up the passage. 'We have done our best in a short time to make it look like home. After all Fatty and I only got here with the last cartload yesterday.'
Frodo looked round. It did look like home. Many of his own favourite things – or Bilbo's things (they reminded him sharply of him in their new selling) – were arranged as nearly as possible as they had been at Bag End. It was a pleasant, comfortable, welcoming place; and he found himself wishing that he was really coming here to settle down in quiet retirement. It seemed unfair to have put his friends to all this trouble; and he wondered again how he was going to break the news to them that he must leave them so soon, indeed at once. Yet that would have to be done that very night, before they all went to bed.
At this a sigh escaped Thranduil's lips while Legolas did the same, they knew that painful rutine already when the King rid out to destroy spider nests with his men.
"They will not like it." the young prince said finally, pushing past the fear he always feels when his ada is away and he waits for the signalling horn, always hoping that it wont be the shrill sounding one which they only used if something went wrong or someone had heavy injuries.
"Aye, you always try to be taken along." Thranduil said sadly while shaking his head. Feeling that this would be a pretty sad topic Elrohir continued with reading.
'It's delightful!' he said with an effort. 'I hardly feel that I have moved at all.'
The travellers hung up their cloaks, and piled their packs on the floor. Merry led them down the passage and threw open a door at the far end. Firelight came out, and a puff of steam.
'A bath!' cried Pippin. 'O blessed Meriadoc!'
'Which order shall we go in?' said Frodo. 'Eldest first, or quickest first? You'll be last either way, Master Peregrin.'
A sudden snort made everyone turn in Glorfindel's direction who was grinning.
"Goheno nin, but by that sentence I seem to remember a certain pair of gwanűn, who found out the hard way that no matter how bright the double doors are in the Last Homely House, they seem to magically shrink when two people try to run through them at the same time." explained the golden haired elven warrior at which said pair blushed furiously while the others laughed.
"Elrohir, read, now!" Elladan demanded and his twin was only all too eager to comply.
'Trust me to arrange things better than that!' said Merry. 'We can't begin life at Crickhollow with a quarrel over baths. In that room there are three tubs, and a copper full of boiling water. There are also towels, mats and soap. Get inside, and be quick!'
Merry and Fatty went into the kitchen on the other side of the passage, and busied themselves with the final preparations for a late supper. Snatches of competing songs came from the bathroom mixed with the sound of splashing and wallowing. The voice of Pippin was suddenly lifted up above the others in one of Bilbo's favourite bath-songs.
Elrohir's eyes widened at this, he will most certainly not be singing here in front of everyone!
"Can I pas this part over to someone?" he asked hopefully as he gazed both at his naneth and daeradar.
"Not a chance rohir nín, I mostly took that song over from your father because I didn't want to risk having him miss a tone like back then after that drinking accident when we all needed to listen to the probably most horrible performance of a Hymn to Elbereth. I think my ears were death for the upcoming three days." Celeborn stated while Elrond flushed in embarrassment, he was now really sure that the Sindar hated him for marrying his daughter.
"Don't remind me meldir on that one, I swear some of us were already looking up at the sky to see when Fanuilos would punish us for that treachery." Thranduil added in.
"You know, from the hazy memory of that night I remember some sounds, it was horrible, like a warg in heat."
"GLORFINDEL!" Elrond yelled in deep offense to that comparison while both the Wood Elf King and his father-in-law nearly fell from they seats as they broke out laughing.
"Huh… who is Fanuilos?" asked Orophin as he looked at Legolas in confusion.
"Fanuilos is the name we in Greenwood name Elbereth, it means Ever-white." Legolas explained to the blonde who nodded in understanding. "Elrohir you might want to get over with that song, it will not be that bad and most of the adults are currently busy." and with that pointed the prince at Elrond who was reprimanding a covering Glorfindel for comparing his drunk singing to the sound of a warg in heat while Celebrian tried to stop them, but you could see the amusement on her beautiful face, at the same time were both his ada and Lord Celeborn laughing at Glorfindel's comment.
"Fine." the young half-elf replied sighing.
Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!
O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain,
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.
O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.
O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!
By the time he was done were both his cheeks red from embarrassment, but it helped somewhat that the fight was still going on.
"See, it wasn't that bad." said Legolas grinning at his friend.
"Says the sindarin." the blackhead mumbled, it was not that he disliked singing, but he liked it better if others did it instead of him well now that he thought about it, he liked it better to hear those of sindarin descent singing, they voices seemed far better suited for it as by the noldorins in his option.
There was a terrific splash, and a shout of Whoa! From Frodo. It appeared that a lot of Pippin's bath had imitated a fountain and leaped on high.
The elflings sniggered at this while some of the adults, namely those who weren't in the fight held back a flinch at the memory of getting unruly elflings to take they bath and then try to stay dry themselves.
Merry went to the door: 'What about supper and beer in the throat?' he called. Frodo came out drying his hair.
'There's so much water in the air that I'm coming into the kitchen to finish,' he said.
'Lawks!' said Merry, looking in. The stone floor was swimming. 'You ought to mop all that up before you get anything to eat. Peregrin,' he said. 'Hurry up, or we shan't wait for you.'
"That disaster sounds certainly familiar." Erestor mumbled to himself remembering all the times he and Glorfindel were forced to give the twin terrors a bath and ended up in the end looking like drowned cats, well till they told Elrond who didn't understand what they problem was that if he doesn't take over bathing the duo he set into the world then the two of them would sail right on the same day. Let's just say that the Lord of Imladris looked really interesting stalking through the halls dripping wet and soapy while a pair of dry elfling trailed happily behind him.
They had supper in the kitchen on a table near the fire. 'I suppose you three won't want mushrooms again?' said Fredegar without much hope.
'Yes we shall!' cried Pippin.
'They're mine!' said Frodo. 'Given to me by Mrs. Maggot, a queen among farmers' wives. Take your greedy hands away, and I'll serve them.'
Hobbits have a passion for mushrooms, surpassing even the greediest likings of Big People.
"Probably not those of the obsessive love elves have for beautiful things." Feanor said quietly remembering the Kinslayings and war because of the Silmarils. He still wondered just what his parents were thinking in giving him a similar name as for the one starting the massacre. A warm hand touching his made the royal advisor look into the amber eyes of the elf sitting beside him, he smiled gratefully for the comforting touch.
A fact which partly explains young Frodo's long expeditions to the renowned fields of the Marish, and the wrath of the injured Maggot. On this occasion there was plenty for all, even according to hobbit standards. There were also many other things to follow, and when they had finished even Fatty Bolger heaved a sigh of content. They pushed back the table, and drew chairs round the fire.
It was at this time that everyone calmed down and were again paying attention to the book.
'We'll clear up later,' said Merry. 'Now tell me all about it! I guess that you have been having adventures, which was not quite fair without me. I want a full account; and most of all I want to know what was the matter with old Maggot, and why he spoke to me like that. He sounded almost as if he was scared, if that is possible.'
"Any sane creature has at least a little fear of the Nine, even if they mask it." Elrond said.
'We have all been scared,' said Pippin after a pause, in which Frodo stared at the fire and did not speak. 'You would have been, too, if you had been chased for two days by Black Riders.'
'And what are they?'
"Mortals whom they lust and hunger for power corrupted in the minute they accepted the rings offered to them." was Thranduil's bitter reply and this time even Galadriel didn't try to argue for she thought the very same.
'Black figures riding on black horses,' answered Pippin. 'If Frodo won't talk, I will tell you the whole tale from the beginning.' He then gave a full account of their journey from the time when they left Hobbiton. Sam gave various supporting nods and exclamations. Frodo remained silent.
'I should think you were making it all up,' said Merry, 'if I had not seen that black shape on the landing-stage – and heard the queer sound in Maggot's voice. What do you make of it all, Frodo?'
'Cousin Frodo has been very close,' said Pippin. 'But the time has come for him to open out. So far we have been given nothing more to go on than Farmer Maggot's guess that it has something to do with old Bilbo's treasure.'
'That was only a guess,' said Frodo hastily. 'Maggot does not know anything.'
'Old Maggot is a shrewd fellow,' said Merry. 'A lot goes on behind his round face that does not come out in his talk. I've heard that he used to go into the Old Forest at one time, and he has the reputation of knowing a good many strange things. But you can at least tell us, Frodo, whether you think his guess good or bad.'
"I would say that he was close in his guess." said Arwen as she thought about the golden ring with a shudder, the others agreed with her.
'I think,' answered Frodo slowly, 'that it was a good guess, as far as it goes. There is a connexion with Bilbo's old adventures, and the Riders are looking, or perhaps one ought to say searching, for him or for me.
"It would have been better if he would have confided in me with the ring, I would have recogrinaised that foul thing for which the blood of my father and people was shed." Thranduil said bitterly, that damned jewel would not exist for any longer if he had a say in it.
I also fear, if you want to know, that it is no joke at all; and that I am not safe here or anywhere else.' He looked round at the windows and walls, as if he was afraid they would suddenly give way. The others looked at him in silence, and exchanged meaning glances among themselves.
'It's coming out in a minute,' whispered Pippin to Merry. Merry nodded.
'Well!' said Frodo at last, sitting up and straightening his back, as if he had made a decision. 'I can't keep it dark any longer. I have got something to tell you all. But I don't know quite how to begin.'
Elrohir suddenly broke out grinning earning himself a few raised eyebrows from those around him.
"I think I now know what the title meant." he said before continuing to not allow anyone to pester him.
'I think I could help you,' said Merry quietly, 'by telling you some of it myself.'
'What do you mean?' said Frodo, looking at him anxiously.
"That we would also like to know." come it from Glorfindel.
'Just this, my dear old Frodo: you are miserable, because you don't know how to say good-bye. You meant to leave the Shire, of course. But danger has come on you sooner than you expected, and now you are making up your mind to go at once. And you don't want to. We are very sorry for you.'
"So they figured him out." said Rumil as he looked at Haldir who nodded to his youngest brother.
Frodo opened his mouth and shut it again. His look of surprise was so comical that they laughed. 'Dear old Frodo!' said Pippin. 'Did you really think you had thrown dust in all our eyes? You have not been nearly careful or clever enough for that! You have obviously been planning to go and saying farewell to all your haunts all this year since April. We have constantly heard you muttering: "Shall I ever look down into that valley again, I wonder", and things like that.
"If you are planning to sneak away always do such thinking in your head." Elrohir said at which Elladan and Legolas nodded again while Elrond wondered if he should ask Thranduil how he and his men manage to track the prince down in a matter of minutes.
And pretending that you had come to the end of your money, and actually selling your beloved Bag End to those Sackville- Bagginses! And all those close talks with Gandalf.'
"He really needs to learn secrecy better, his strategy doesn't work on those with an inkling of a brain." Thranduil said at which Glorfindel looked at Celebrian.
"And why doesn't he get reprimanded for his use of words?" he demanded from the lady who looked at him annoyed.
"Because he is using those king of words discreetly while you shout them out bluntly as they are Glorfindel." she said before turning back to her son.
"Give it up meldir, you can't win this fight." Elrond said while placing a hand on his friend's arm.
'Good heavens!' said Frodo. 'I thought I had been both careful and clever. I don't know what Gandalf would say. Is all the Shire discussing my departure then?'
'Oh no!' said Merry. 'Don't worry about that! The secret won't keep for long, of course; but at present it is, I think, only known to us conspirators.
Everyone smiled now that they understood the title.
After all, you must remember that we know you well, and are often with you. We can usually guess what you are thinking. I knew Bilbo, too. To tell you the truth, I had been watching you rather closely ever since he left. I thought you would go after him sooner or later; indeed I expected you to go sooner, and lately we have been very anxious. We have been terrified that you might give us the slip, and go off suddenly, all on your own like he did. Ever since this spring we have kept our eyes open, and done a good deal of planning on our own account. You are not going to escape so easily!'
'But I must go,' said Frodo. 'It cannot be helped, dear friends. It is wretched for us all, but it is no use your trying to keep me. Since you have guessed so much, please help me and do not hinder me!'
"I wouldn't worry Frodo, I think they have something other in mind." Elladan said in a thoughtful tone as he looked at the book in his brother's hand.
'You do not understand!' said Pippin. 'You must go – and therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure.'
'My dear and most beloved hobbits!' said Frodo deeply moved. 'But I could not allow it. I decided that long ago, too. You speak of danger, but you do not understand. This is no treasure-hunt, no there-and-back journey. I am flying from deadly peril into deadly peril.'
"And now they will certainly not let him go alone." Erestor said with a little smile, the others nodding, but suddenly looked Elrohir with a raised eyebrow at the page he was currently at.
"They are really good in finding out things." he said.
'Of course we understand,' said Merry firmly. 'That is why we have decided to come. We know the Ring is no laughingmatter; but we are going to do our best to help you against the Enemy.'
"Now is it really settled that they won't let him go alone."
'The Ring!' said Frodo, now completely amazed.
'Yes, the Ring,' said Merry. 'My dear old hobbit, you don't allow for the inquisitiveness of friends. I have known about the existence of the Ring for years – before Bilbo went away, in fact; but since he obviously regarded it as secret, I kept the knowledge in my head, until we formed our conspiracy. I did not know Bilbo, of course, as well as I know you; I was too young, and he was also more careful – but he was not careful enough. If you want to know how I first found out, I will tell you.'
'Go on!' said Frodo faintly.
'It was the Sackville-Bagginses that were his downfall, as you might expect. One day, a year before the Party, I happened to be walking along the road, when I saw Bilbo ahead. Suddenly in the distance the S.-B.s appeared, coming towards us. Bilbo slowed down, and then hey presto! he vanished. I was so startled that I hardly had the wits to hide myself in a more ordinary fashion; but I got through the hedge and walked along the field inside. I was peeping through into the road, after the S.-B.s had passed, and was looking straight at Bilbo when he suddenly reappeared. I caught a glint of gold as he put something back in his trouser pocket.
"I think we all can sympathise with Mr. Bilbo about not wishing to have those relatives as company if he can avoid it." stated Elrohir with the other elflings nodding in agreement, even the parents and guardians needed to agree about them being highly unpleasant.
'After that I kept my eyes open. In fact, I confess that I spied. But you must admit that it was very intriguing, and I was only in my teens. I must be the only one in the Shire, besides you Frodo, that has ever seen the old fellow's secret book.'
'You have read his book!' cried Frodo. 'Good heavens above! Is nothing safe?'
'Not too safe, I should say,' said Merry. 'But I have only had one rapid glance, and that was difficult to get. He never left the book about. I wonder what became of it. I should like another look. Have you got it, Frodo?'
'No. It was not at Bag End. He must have taken it away.'
"Well he said that he wished to finish it." Orophin chimed in.
'Well, as I was saying,' Merry proceeded, 'I kept my knowledge to myself, till this Spring when things got serious. Then we formed our conspiracy; and as we were serious, too, and meant business, we have not been too scrupulous. You are not a very easy nut to crack, and Gandalf is worse.
Most of the elves smiled fondly at this.
But if you want to be introduced to our chief investigator, I can produce him.'
'Where is he?' said Frodo, looking round, as if he expected a masked and sinister figure to come out of a cupboard.
There were many snickers at Frodo's thought.
'Step forward, Sam!' said Merry; and Sam stood up with a face scarlet up to the ears. 'Here's our collector of information! And he collected a lot, I can tell you, before he was finally caught. After which, I may say, he seemed to regard himself as on parole, and dried up.'
'Sam!' cried Frodo, feeling that amazement could go no further, and quite unable to decide whether he felt angry, amused, relieved, or merely foolish.
'Yes, sir!' said Sam. 'Begging your pardon, sir! But I meant no wrong to you, Mr. Frodo, nor to Mr. Gandalf for that matter. He has some sense, mind you; and when you said go alone, he said no! Take someone as you can trust.'
'But it does not seem that I can trust anyone,' said Frodo. Sam looked at him unhappily.
'It all depends on what you want,' put in Merry. 'You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid – but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.'
"It is a nice thing to have good friends." Legolas said as he felt both of his hands being again taken by the two grinning elflings on either of his sides.
"Aye and you have them to." Elladan said in a confident tone.
"You can trust us with anything." gave in Haldir at which the prince smiled at them both, he liked having friends who don't act sometimes different because they remember your rank.
"I'm really glad how things go by the children." Celeborn whispered to Thranduil who nodded back, he still held a sore spot for Elrond's failure, but he would not forbid his son to be happy with his new friends.
'And after all, sir,' added Sam, 'you did ought to take the Elves' advice. Gildor said you should take them as was willing, and you can't deny it.'
'I don't deny it,' said Frodo, looking at Sam, who was now grinning. 'I don't deny it, but I'll never believe you are sleeping again, whether you snore or not. I shall kick you hard to make sure.
"And following this phrase, Elrohir ion nín, because I know that due to the high possibility of you all getting some nightmares you children will sleep by your parents or guardians. So I would like to ask you to refrain yourself from kicking me out of my own bed. My sides are occasionally still reminding me on those incidents before your sister was born." Elrond finished at which some tried not to snigger while Elrohir was staring at his ada in horror, face flushed a deep shade of crimson. It took him some nudging from Elladan to finally resume reading, his face still holding the blush.
'You are a set of deceitful scoundrels!' he said, turning to the others. 'But bless you!' he laughed, getting up and waving his arms, 'I give in. I will take Gildor's advice. If the danger were not so dark, I should dance for joy. Even so, I cannot help feeling happy; happier than I have felt for a long time. I had dreaded this evening.'
'Good! That's settled. Three cheers for Captain Frodo and company!' they shouted; and they danced round him. Merry and Pippin began a song, which they had apparently got ready for the occasion.
"Ai, Valar! Not again…" Elrohir whined as he spotted a new song.
"Elrohir, if you sing it, I will get my ada to sing the original of this song." whispered Legolas as he peered at the page, this seemed to work because Elrohir was grinning at him before continuing.
It was made on the model of the dwarf-song that started Bilbo on his adventure long ago, and went to the same tune:
Thranduil tried not to groan at this, not knowing what his son had promissed to the elven knight.
Farewell we call to hearth and hall!
Though wind may blow and rain may fall,
We must away ere break of day
Far over wood and mountain tall.
To Rivendell, where Elves yet dwell
In glades beneath the misty fell,
Through moor and waste we ride in haste,
And whither then we cannot tell.
With foes ahead, behind us dread,
Beneath the sky shall be our bed,
Until at last our toil be passed,
Our journey done, our errand sped.
We must away! We must away!
We ride before the break of day!
Everyone clapped at Elrohir's performance making him blush while Legolas stood up and walked up to his ada who looked at him in confusion, that grin never meant any good.
"Ada, I promised Elrohir if he sings then you would sing to us the original song, I know that uncle Bilbo had told you how it went." Legolas said in an innocent tone at which everyone stared at the king, waiting for his answer.
"Ion nín, I will not sing." Thranduil argued, but he knew that he was fighting a loosing battle seeing that his son was looking up at him with large, pleading eyes. "If I ever find out who teached you that look." he growled, but Legolas knew that he had won so hugging his father he made his way back to the others.
"I think that look was inherited meldir, I seem to recall an elfling getting poor King Oropher to surrender to they look in a matter of seconds." supplied Celeborn helpfully, his eyes dancing in amusement as his friend glared at him before clearing his tone and starting to sing the original son.
Far over the misty mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere the break of day,
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
They all listened intently as the king's deep, but still enchanting voice wrapped itself around them like a smoothing blanket giving warmth and protection.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient kings and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught,
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
Both Elrond and Glorfindel needed to admit even thought grudgily that they liked Thranduil's singing voice, it was different from his screaming voice, while Celeborn felt happy, it was already to long decades ago that he had heard his friend singing and turly since the queen had died was the prince the only one to have heard his father singing again by nights as he brought his child to bed.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light and moon and sun.
For over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they lay long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by man or elves.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
Laid low like torches blazed with light.
While listening to the king felt Elrohir even more confident in his thought that he loved it when sindaring elves were singing, it also helped that with they fair hair and skin unlike the mostly dark coloured noldorins were they like the day themselves. He always liked the days better then the nights, then no matter that they awoke in the night for the first time, it was the darkness that had brought pain uppon them, but by day are the terrors of the night forgotten. Even Galadriel needed to admitt that she enjoyed the singing of her rival and also that the singing was one of the aspects which made her fall in love with her husband back then.
The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale,
Then dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
Thranduil concentrated on singing, he didn't need to dwell now on Smaug's regain of terror for he was finally gone. Meanwhile have the others also picked up on the words of the pharse making Elrond and Glorfindle pay better attention for they were sure that they are curently recieving more hints about that what had happened when the king met the old hobbit.
The mountains smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
For over misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
As Thranduil finished were all of the others clapping, not even knowing that outside of the garden had many of the servants gathered to listhen to the king's singing and only now left to do continue with they tasks.
"And now that you had your reward which my son promised can you now finish the chapter Elrohir." Thranduil said finally as he leaned back slightly in his chair.
"You are not a fan of public singing arn nín?" Erestor asked the king curiously seeing that he had certainly enjoyed listening to the deep voice.
"Nay, I only don't prefer singing dwarfish songs." was Thranduil's reply as he smiled at the advisor.
'Very good!' said Frodo. 'But in that case there are a lot of things to do before we go to bed – under a roof, for tonight at any rate.'
'Oh! That was poetry!' said Pippin. 'Do you really mean to start before the break of day?'
'I don't know,' answered Frodo. 'I fear those Black Riders, and I am sure it is unsafe to stay in one place long, especially in a place to which it is known I was going.
"It is truly better for them to move as fast as possible." agreed Angränor with Glorfindel nodding.
Also Gildor advised me not to wait. But I should very much like to see Gandalf. I could see that even Gildor was disturbed when he heard that Gandalf had never appeared. It really depends on two things. How soon could the Riders get to Bucklebury? And how soon could we get off? It will take a good deal of preparation.'
'The answer to the second question,' said Merry, 'is that we could get off in an hour. I have prepared practically everything. There are six ponies in a stable across the fields; stores and tackle are all packed, except for a few extra clothes, and the perishable food.'
'It seems to have been a very efficient conspiracy,' said Frodo. 'But what about the Black Riders? Would it be safe to wait one day for Gandalf?'
"I would also advice against waiting." said Galadriel, speaking after quiet some time, she was still worried for what might have happened to Mithrandir, she wished to have her mirror to know, but she will need to wait.
'That all depends on what you think the Riders would do, if they found you here,' answered Merry. 'They could have reached here by now, of course, if they were not stopped at the North-gate, where the Hedge runs down to the river-bank, just this side of the Bridge. The gate-guards would not let them through by night, though they might break through. Even in the daylight they would try to keep them out, I think, at any rate until they got a message through to the Master of the Hall – for they would not like the look of the Riders,
Glorfindel snorted at this, no sane creature would like the look of the Ringwraiths.
and would certainly be frightened by them. But, of course, Buckland cannot resist a
determined attack for long. And it is possible that in the morning even a Black Rider that rode up and asked for Mr. Baggins would be let through. It is pretty generally known that you are coming back to live at Crickhollow.'
Frodo sat for a while in thought. 'I have made up my mind,' he said finally. 'I am starting tomorrow, as soon as it is light. But I am not going by road: it would be safer to wait here than that. If I go through the North-gate my departure from Buckland will be known at once, instead of being secret for several days at least, as it might be. And what is more, the Bridge and the East Road near the borders will certainly be watched, whether any Rider gets into Buckland or not. We don't know how many there are; but there are at least two, and possibly more. The only thing to do is to go off in a quite unexpected direction.'
'But that can only mean going into the Old Forest!' said Fredegar horrified. 'You can't be thinking of doing that. It is quite as dangerous as Black Riders.'
"Doubt that any forest can top our poor Greenwood." Miriel said bitterly, hoping that her staff is faring without her.
'Not quite,' said Merry. It sounds very desperate, but I believe Frodo is right. It is the only way of getting off without being followed at once. With luck we might gel a considerable start.'
'But you won't have any luck in the Old Forest,' objected Fredegar. 'No one ever has luck in there. You'll gel lost. People don't go in there.'
'Oh yes they do!' said Merry. 'The Brandybucks go in – occasionally when the fit takes them. We have a private entrance. Frodo went in once, long ago. I have been in several times: usually in daylight, of course, when the trees are sleepy and fairly quiet.'
"Er…" said Elrohir as he looked down at the sentence if he got that right.
"I wonder if it is an ancient forest." Feanor mused. "If it is then is it possible that the trees have developed the ability to show they personalities."
"Can trees do that?" asked both Arwen and Rumil in awe as they looked at the trees surrounding them, the later having seen his Lord often talking to the trees, but he said that he could not always understand them clearly like some of his kinsmen do.
"Aye they can, we Wood Elves have probably the strongest bond with the nature around us and we tend listening to them, it is often a good thing for they warn us of danger." Thranduil said smiling as he placed a hand on the trunk of a large oak tree under which he sat. The young elves watched in awe as some of the branches went down to greet the kings and his touch before moving back to they original place. "Aiya, now that is truly an interesting information my friend." the king said to the tree while looking at the twins who tried not to fidget. It was that practicular tree on which they planned placing the necessary items for they grand plan against they ada and Glorfindel. "Mayhap I can be of a little help." Thranduil said at which the duo's eyes lit up while two lords felt suddenly cold dread wash over them.
"Legolas, you have a great ada." both your peredhil whispered to the blonde.
"I know, he is the best." was the grinning princeling's reply.
'Well, do as you think best!' said Fredegar. 'I am more afraid of the Old Forest than of anything I know about: the stories about it are a nightmare; but my vote hardly counts, as I am not going on the journey. Still, I am very glad someone is stopping behind, who can tell Gandalf what you have done, when he turns up, as I am sure he will before long.'
"Smart plan." Elrohir admitted.
Fond as he was of Frodo, Fatty Bolger had no desire to leave the Shire, nor to see what lay outside it. His family came from the Eastfarthing, from Budgeford in Bridgefields in fact, but he had never been over the Brandywine Bridge. His task, according to the original plans of the conspirators, was to stay behind and deal with inquisitive folk, and to keep up as long as possible the pretence that Mr. Baggins was still living at Crickhollow. He had even brought along some old clothes of Frodo's to help him in playing the part. They little thought how dangerous that part might prove.
'Excellent!' said Frodo, when he understood the plan. 'We could not have left any message behind for Gandalf otherwise. I don't know whether these Riders can read or not,
"Seeing how the first thing that you learn as a noble is reading and writing and they had once been Kings of Men then they probably can both pretty well." Elladan said remembering they endless lessons learning the letters one after the other.
of course, but I should not have dared to risk a written message, in case they got in and searched the house. But if Fatty is willing to hold the fort, and I can be sure of Gandalf knowing the way we have gone, that decides me. I am going into the Old Forest first thing tomorrow.'
'Well, that's that,' said Pippin. 'On the whole I would rather have our job than Fatty's – waiting here till Black Riders come.'
'You wait till you are well inside the Forest,' said Fredegar. 'You'll wish you were back here with me before this time tomorrow.'
'It's no good arguing about it any more,' said Merry. 'We have still got to tidy up and put the finishing touches to the packing, before we get to bed. I shall call you all before the break of day.'
When at last he had got to bed, Frodo could not sleep for some time. His legs ached. He. was glad that he was riding in the morning. Eventually he fell into a vague dream, in which he seemed to be looking out of a high window over a dark sea of tangled trees. Down below among the roots there was the sound of creatures crawling and snuffling. He felt sure they would smell him out sooner or later.
Then he heard a noise in the distance. At first he thought it was a great wind coming over the leaves of the forest. Then he knew that it was not leaves, but the sound…
Elrohir's voice trailed of suddenly as he stared at the book in confusion and shock, he knew that elves could get it, but that was because they were the First Born and most of them come from…, but how could a hobbit…? A hand on his shoulder and his brother's worried gaze brought him back from his thoughts. Smiling reassuringly at Elladan he turned to his father.
"Ada, are the elves the only ones whom had come from Valinor?" he asked suddenly confusing everyone even more.
"Aye and the Maiar whom we call the Isthari." Elrond answered to his son, not understanding his strange behaviour.
"Then I really don't understand." was Elrohir's only reply as he read the sentenced which had him confused so much.
of the Sea far-off; a sound he had never heard in waking life, though it had often troubled his dreams. Suddenly he found he was out in the open. There were no trees after all. He was on a dark heath, and there was a strange salt smell in the air. Looking up he saw before him a tall white tower, standing alone on a high ridge. A great desire came over him to climb the tower and see the Sea. He started to struggle up the ridge towards the tower: but suddenly a light came in the sky, and there was a noise of thunder.
With that he handed the book over to Elladan, but his grey eyes were fixated on those of his adar's. A deep silence had fallen over the garden as the sound of the last sentences being read faded away and it took a while till Erestor spoke up, his face ashen like that of the other adults.
"The sea longing…" he whispered in an unbelieving tone, how was it possible that a Second Born would be able experiencing this feeling which befell the eldar and guides them to sail to Valinor.
"Th…this is impossible…there is no logical answer for this…" Elrond said as he locked eyes with his youngest son, now he understood the question. Frodo was experiencing the Sea Longing, but he didn't know how that was possible for someone who was not an elf.
"I really don't understand this." Thranduil said in a faint tone, his hand resting on the necklace under his tunic, did Bilbo also feel the unbearable desire to go to the sea?
Meanwhile was Glorfindel staring into nothingness, his mind trying to progress what they had found out just now, somehow lead all thoughts to one thing, that it had something to do with the One Ring. Thought why would Sauron's ring make the possessor long for the sea? Why would something into which he had poured his power, his very being when for…his eyes suddenly widened, the ring was in a way a part of Sauron and that meant that he…that he longed to return to Valinor…Could, he dared not even thinking about it, but neither his mind nor heart wished listening to him on this, could it be possible that deep inside Sauron in the creature Melkor had created, that…that somewhere deep inside Mairon still existed and longed to return home…It made his heart clench in pain that it nearly broke in grief. He didn't even notice when Elladan started reading.
To be continued…