Bree

Strider

Join the Company

Strider Continued

• Strider now says that he will have to talk with Frodo.
• Frodo promises to hear him out later.
• The people of the inn cannot stop talking about the disappearing act.
• News will spread fast...possibly to unfriendly ears.

• Butterbur reveals he has a letter from Gandalf.
• Was supposed to deliver it ages ago, but it slipped his mind rather innocently.
• Letter describes Strider (Aragorn) and explains why Gandalf isn't there.
• Strider: "If by life or death I can save you, I will."
• Hero has enlisted/found help.

• Hobbits decide to join the company in the dining hall.
• Pippin, Merry, Sam may be talking too much (according to this stranger named Strider)
• Frodo gets up and performs a song to distract the audience.
• When Frodo falls, the ring ends up on his hand and Frodo disappears.

• "I think one of his spies would--well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand."
• Merry, out on his evening walk, discovers that the Black Riders are inside Bree.
• Will they attack the Inn?

A Knife in the Dark

Bree!

Bree

• Meanwhile, back at Crickhollow, Fatty Bolger is nervous.
• Looks outside to discover that Black Riders are at the house.
• Closes the door, runs away.
• Alarm bells ring and the Black Riders leave Crickhollow.

• Adventurers come to a more eclectic place than the Shire
• More variety of people.
• Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits living side by side.
• Elves around as well.
• First Melting Pot? Cosmopolitan big city we come to?
• Gates are closed / Gatekeeper is distrustful at first.
• "What do you want, and where do you come from?"
• Harry the Gatekeeper seems interested in the new visitors.

A Knife in the Dark

• Black Riders have caused mayhem in Bree.
• Chased off their ponies and attacked their bedrooms.
• Have to overpay for a sickly looking pony (Bill).
• They leave the village of Bree for the wild (led by Strider).
• They see/find evidence of Gandalf before them.
• Through the wild, making for a place called Weathertop (Big hill, used to be a signal tower).
• Black Riders attack Frodo on top of Weathertop.
• Stab him with a strange blade.
• First true experience with danger/death that Frodo will experience.

Fly! The enemy is upon us!

Flight to the Ford

• Black Riders burst out of the trees.
• Chase Frodo and his white horse to a river.
• Frodo crosses the river, then waits on the other side.
• Black Riders get swallowed up in a flood of water.
• Then Frodo passes out.

• Frodo has been seriously injured.
• They are making for Rivendell as fast as humanly possible.
• "Have you often been to Rivendell?" said Frodo. "I have," said Strider. "I dwelt there once, and I still return when I may. There my heart is; but it is not my fate to sit in peace, even in the fair house of Elrond."
• They travel through the wilderness and come across a cave for Trolls.
• They come across Glorfindel (an elf sent out to find the travelers)
• "You shall ride my horse," said Glorfindel. "I will shorten the stirrups up to the saddle-skirts, and you must sit as tight as you can. BUt you need not fear: my horse will not let any rider fall that I command him to bear. His pace is light and smooth; and if danger presses too near, he will bear you away with a speed that even the black steeds of the enemy cannot rival." "No, he will not!" said Frodo. "I shall not ride him, if I am to be carried off to Rivendell or anywhere else, leaving my friends behind in danger." Glorfindel smiled. "I doubt very much," he said, "if your friend would be in danger if you were not with them! The pursuit would follow you and leave us in peace, I think. It is you, Frodo, and that which you bear that brings us all in peril."