The Nine Walkers

When December was young the scouts began to return. In every direction they had went finding little news of the Black Riders. Some reached Rhosgobel, the home of Radagast the Brown, and found it empty. The last to return were Elrond's sons who had made the greatest journey but they would only speak of their errand to their father. All that was found were eight drowned horses and one tattered black robe. It was surmised that eight of the nine were unhorsed and uncloaked and would make their way back to Sauron as best they could--not destroyed but it would be long before they harassed Frodo again.

Elrond decided the Ring must depart Rivendell soon and decreed It should travel by night whenever possible to stay hid from spies. Elrond asked Frodo if he still wished to go on the quest and the hobbit bravely answered yes, that he would go with Sam. Elrond offered to choose Frodo's other companions. A small company it would be for their hope was in secrecy and speed. A host of Elven warriors from the Elder Days would not allow them to enter Mordor safely. "'The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil. With you and your faithful servant, Gandalf will go; for this shall be his great task, and maybe the end of his labours'" (p. 288-289, The Fellowship of the Ring).

Elrond also chose companions from the Free Folk of Middle-earth since all were tied to the fate of the Ring. Gimli represented Dwarves, Legolas for the Elves, Aragorn and Boromir were chosen for Men. Frodo was overjoyed that Strider was coming with him saying he would have begged for that if Aragorn didn't have his errand to Minis Tirith; but the path of the Ring and Minis Tirith would share many miles before a time to depart. This left two slots to be filled and Elrond was to think some more about who to send from his house. "'But that will leave no place for us!' cried Pippin in dismay" (p. 289, The Fellowship of the Ring). Elrond told the young hobbits they had know idea what they were asking.

Gandalf unexpectedly jumped in and advocated for Merry and Pippin. "'I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom. Even if you chose for us an elf-lord, such as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open the road to the Fire by the power that is in him'" (p. 289, The Fellowship of the Ring). Now don't get me wrong, I truly admire the bonds of friendship that tie the hobbits to Frodo; but Pippin verses Glorfindel? I would have went with the Elf-lord; but I'm sure Gandalf is wiser than I. "'You speak gravely,' said Elrond, 'but I am in doubt. The Shire, I forebode, is not free now from peril; and these two I had thought to send back there as messengers, to do what they could, according to the fashion of their country, to warn people of their danger. In any case, I judge the younger of these two, Peregrin Took, should remain. My heart is against his going'" (p. 289, The Fellowship of the Ring).

Ultimately Elrond relented so Merry and Pippin rounded out the Nine Walkers. In one week's time they were to depart. Preparations were made; Narsil was reforged and Aaragorn renamed it Anduril, Flame of the West. Gandalf and Aragorn planned their route. Frodo spent as much time as he could with Bilbo. One day Bilbo took Frodo into his room and gave him treasures from his journey long ago. Sting found in the troll cave and his Dwarven made Mithril coat given by Thorin Oakenshield. He bade Frodo keep them secret. He then asked Frodo to take care of himself and to bring back as much news as possible so they could write the second book. Still, Bilbo was very pensive and he and Frodo both knew this could be their last parting.

They set out on a cold grey day. Boromir let blow his horn, which dismayed Elrond, but was his custom when setting out on a journey. They took one pony, the one they bought in Bree (now looking splendidly healthy after such a long rest in Rivendell), as a beast of burden and packed light. Little gear for war was packed. Only Gimli, with his axe, wore chain mail openly. "Legolas had a bow and a quiver, and at his belt a long white knife" (p. 293, The Fellowship of the Ring). I like the additional knife Peter Jackson gave Legolas. The hobbits took the swords they took from the Barrow. "Gandalf took his staff, but girt at his side was the elven-sword Glamdring, the mate of Orcrist that lay now upon the breast of Thorin under the Lonely Mountain" (p. 293, The Fellowship of the Ring). Aragron took only Anduril and Boromir had a sword as well.

They said farewell in the Hall of Fire to the folk in Rivendell. Gandalf was taking one last counsel with Elrond while the others waited outside. "Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him" (p. 293, The Fellowship of the Ring). Sam went through everything he packed in his head, the most important being his cooking gear and little box of salt, and he realized he forgot to pack rope and reprimanded himself for it. Finally Elrond and Gandalf came. Elrond gathered the company to himself. "'This is my last word,' he said in a low voice. 'The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy it will be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road'" (p. 294, The Fellowship of the Ring).

With that the Company set out. Bilbo choked out a goodbye and others from Elrond's house watched them leave. They crossed the stone bridge and slowly climbed up. "Then with one glance at the Last Homely House twinkling below them they strode away far into the night" (p. 294, The Fellowship of the Ring).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3018, December
Today's reading comes from: The Fellowship of the Ring, pages 287-294