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Horsemen; and Southrons; and oliphaunts – did you really see one; Sam? – and caves and towers
and golden trees; and goodness knows what besides。
'I evidently came back by much too straight a road from my trip。 I think Gandalf might have
shown me round a bit。 But then the auction would have been over before I got back; and I should
have had even more trouble than I did。 Anyway it's too late now; and really I think it's much more
fortable to sit here and hear about it all。 The fire's very cosy here; and the food's very good; and
there are Elves when you want them。 What more could one want?
_The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began。
Now far ahead the Road has gone;
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin;
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn;
My evening…rest and sleep to meet。'_
And as Bilbo murmured the last words his head dropped on his chest and he slept soundly。
The evening deepened in the room; and the firelight burned brighter; and they looked at Bilbo as
he slept and saw that his face was smiling。 For some time they sat in silence; and then Sam looking
round at the room and the shadows flickering on the walls; said softly:
'I don't think; Mr。 Frodo; that he's done much writing while we've been away。 He won't ever
write our story now。'
At that Bilbo opened an eye; almost as if he had heard。 Then he roused himself。 'You see; I am
getting so sleepy;' he said。 'And when I have time to write; I only really like writing poetry。 I
wonder; Frodo my dear fellow; if you would very much mind tidying things up a bit before you go?
Collect all my notes and papers; and my diary too; and take them with you; if you will。 You see; I
haven't much time for the selection and the arrangement and all that。 Get Sam to help; and when
you've knocked things into shape; e back; and I'll run over it。 I won't be too critical。'
'Of course I'll do it!' said Frodo。 'And of course I'll e back soon: it won't be dangerous any
more。 There is a real king now and he will soon put the roads in order。'
'Thank you; my dear fellow!' said Bilbo。 'That really is a very great relief to my mind。' And with
that he fell fast asleep again。
The next day Gandalf and the hobbits took leave of Bilbo in his room; for it was cold out of
doors; and then they said farewell to Elrond and all his household。
As Frodo stood upon the threshold; Elrond wished him a fair journey; and blessed him; and he
said:
'I think; Frodo; that maybe you will not need to e back; unless you e very soon。 For
about this time of the year; when the leaves are gold before they fall; look for Bilbo in the woods of
the Shire。 I shall be with him。'
These words no one else heard; and Frodo kept them to himself。
_Chapter 7_
Homeward Bound
At last the hobbits had their faces turned towards home。 They were eager now to see the Shire
again; but at first they rode only slowly; for Frodo had been ill at ease。 When they came to the Ford
of Bruinen; he had halted; and seemed loth to ride into the stream; and they noted that for a while
his eyes appeared not to see them or things about him。 All that day he was silent。 It was the sixth of
October。
'Are you in pain; Frodo?' said Gandalf quietly as he rode by Frodo's side。
'Well; yes I am;' said Frodo。 'It is my shoulder。 The wound aches; and the memory of darkness is
heavy on me。 It was a year ago today。'
'Alas! there are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured;' said Gandalf。
'I fear it may be so with mine;' said Frodo。 'There is no real going back。 Though I may e to
the Shire; it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same。 I am wounded with knife; sting; and
tooth; and a long burden。 Where shall I find rest?'
Gandalf did not answer。
By the end of the next day the pain and unease had passed; and Frodo was merry again; as merry
as if he did not remember the blackness of the day before。 After that the journey went well; and the
days went quickly by; for they rode at leisure; and often they lingered in the fair woodlands where
the leaves were red and yellow in the autumn sun。 At length they came to Weathertop; and it was
then drawing towards evening and the shadow of the hill lay dark on the road。 Then Frodo begged
them to hasten; and he would not look towards the hill; but rode through its shadow with head
bowed and cloak drawn close about him。 That night the weather changed; and a wind came from
the West laden with rain; and it blew loud and chill; and the yellow leaves whirled like birds in the
air。 When they came to the Chetwood already the boughs were almost bare; and a great curtain of
rain veiled Bree Hill from their sight。
So it was that near the end of a wild and wet evening in the last days of October the five
travellers rode up the climbing road and came to the South…gate of Bree。 It was locked fast; and the
rain blew in their faces; and in the darkening sky low clouds went hurrying by; and their hearts sank
a little; for they had expected more wele。
When they had called many times; at last the Gate…keeper came out; and they saw that he carried
a great cudgel。 He looked at them with fear and suspicion; but when he saw that Gandalf was there;
and that his panions were hobbits; in spite of their strange gear; then he brightened and wished
them wele。
'e in!' he said; unlocking the gate。 'We won't stay for news out here in the cold and the wet;
a ruffianly evening。 But old Barley will no doubt give you a wele at _The Pony_; and there
you'll hear all there is to hear。'
'And there you'll hear later all that we say; and more;' laughed Gandalf。 'How is Harry?'
The Gate…keeper scowled。 'Gone;' he said。 'But you'd best ask Barliman。 Good evening!'
'Good evening to you!' they said; and passed through; and then they noticed that behind the
hedge at the road…side a long low hut had been built; and a number of men had e