Monday, October 28, 2013

The Lord of the Rings - Chapter Three: Three is Company

Chapter Three:
Three is Company
 
Gandalf is rather direct in the warning that he issues to Frodo at the start of the chapter: "You ought to go quietly, and you ought to go soon." Frodo takes quite a while to get ready for his departure though as he was very comfortable living at Bag End, Bilbo's house in the shire. Frodo does not know precisely where he is going to go and Gandalf explains a good deal to him about the necessary for secrecy. Frodo sells Bag End and he heads for Rivendell, which is the elf-town in the east. Apparently, this is where Bilbo was headed when he departed town.

As is expected, Frodo's sale of Bag End is a subject of gossip and most of the hobbits believe that when Frodo moved in with the help of a friend named Merry Brandybuck, he intended to stay in the little house in a place called Crickhollow. Meanwhile, Gandalf remains in the shire for about two months and in his next encounter with Frodo, he reiterates the warning concerning the ring: "don't use it!" Frodo still seems to be more concerned about his relatives, the Sackville-Bagginses and the inheritance of the belongings that he has left at Bag End. Packing continues with the help of Merry and Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger.

Frodo is now surrounded by a small company of compatriots: Sam, his father (who is a gaffer), Merry and Pippin. Frodo makes his way to Crickhollow, which is in Buckland, and not a moment too soon, for as they are leaving he overhears a voice asking questions about his location and departure. On the road, Frodo and the group hear hoof steps coming behind them and Frodo is overwhelmed with fear. The group goes into the shrubbery on the side of the road. The mysterious rider is dark and black, the face is obscured but the intent seems clearly ominous. Sam identifies the figure as the person who was asking questions earlier. The dark rider is scared away by the elves that arrive on the scene, singing. They keep the hobbits for the night and protect them, but they are gone in the morning.

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