From Hobbiton to Woody End

Tolkien traced the beginning journey of Bingo and friends in the second chapter of his Hobbit sequel. The companions are making their way through the Shire to pick up a third member when they discover they are being tracked. A Black Rider overtakes them several times; or several Black Riders over take them. They are puzzled and Bingo senses they are after him; though he does not know why. On more than one occasion Bingo puts on the Ring as they draw close to get a better look. During the last encounter the Black Rider dismounts and makes his way toward the hiding hobbits before a company of Elves comes by.

Frodo is overwhelmed with excitement to meet Elves (shades of Sam Gamgee) and Bingo relieved. Odo seems to be a rather drab chap more worried about food and sleep than anything else. Gildor Inglorion calls out to Bingo and after discovering the presence of Black Riders invites the hobbits to travel with his company. Bingo and Gildor have a conversation where the elf is very cryptic. Bingo explains he set out when he did due to running out of money and deciding he'd rather not work for living (he would either find more treasure or live easier with no money on the road).

Gildor seems to be very surprised that Gandalf told the hobbit nothing in regards to leaving or the danger pursuing him. The elf gives Bingo several dark hints and advises him to make for Rivendell but refuses to say more since Gandalf said little.

Christopher Tolkien noted in his commentary on this chapter that: "The 'event' (one might say) was fixed, but its meaning capable of indefinite extension; and this is seen, over and over again, as a prime mark in my father's writing" (p. 71, The Shadow of the Past). Indeed, while the exposition chapter (The Shadow of the Past) had not yet been written much of this chapter would not need to be changed in light of it. While the Black Riders did not disappear after subsequent writings they become more ominous when they first appeared. I am impressed Tolkien's approach of giving more context and gravity to his initial writings as he moved forward in the process.