Way back in book 1 of Fellowship, I described the departure from Bree as the end of the beginning. Bree wasn’t the Shire, but it was nevertheless part of the Hobbits’ world. It was strange, but it was also familiar. It was only when they left Bree that the Hobbits really began to venture into the Unknown. This chapter reverses the process.
I don’t have much to say about the journey across Eriador. The only bits that really stood out to me are the lingering effects of everything Frodo has been through: his reluctance to cross the Ford of Bruinen or pass by Weathertop, and his feeling of the wound from the Morgul blade on the anniversary of the event. He’s gotten rid of the Ring, but some wounds, as they say, never fully heal.
And then we get to Bree, and we hear more and more about the trouble that has spread out from the War of the Ring. They’ve had to deal with bandits and ruffians in Bree, and we hear more explicitly than ever that the Shire is beset by some sort of troubles. Luckily Gandalf is there to help them sort it out…
...except not really. Gandalf’s job is done, and the people of Middle-earth can solve their own problems now. He’s stayed with the Hobbits this long to keep them company, and because he wants to have a good long chat with Tom Bombadil. The Hobbits are on their own with this one.
(As an aside, he gives them a heads-up about the gate on the Brandywine Bridge. Anyone have any thoughts on where he heard about that?)
And we get this wonderful heartwarming moment:
If you recollect Bill Ferny and the horsethieving: his pony as you bought, well, it’s here. Come back all of itself, it did. But where it had been to you know better than me. It was as shaggy as an old dog and as lean as a clothes-rail, but it was alive. Nob’s looked after it.’ ‘What! My Bill?’ cried Sam. ‘Well, I was born lucky, whatever my gaffer may say. There’s another wish come true! Where is he?’ Sam would not go to bed until he had visited Bill in his stable.
Bill’s all right!
Next time, the Hobbits are gonna need a lot of Brillo pads for the Scouring of the Shire.