Chapter 5 Section 5: Conspiracy exposed

"We'd better hurry home, too," Merry said. "I understand that you have encountered some strange things, but we can wait until we get in the house to talk about it." A group of people walked up the carefully groomed ferry path covered with white stones.After a few hundred yards they came to the shore, and here was a spacious pier.A large flat-bottomed ferry boat is just beside the pier.Two white bollards on the pier reflected light from nearby lampposts.The mist behind them was now higher than the fence; the river in front of them was still dark, speckled only with a few wisps of mist drifting from the reeds on the bank.The dense fog on the other side seemed to be less dense.

Merry led the pony onto the ferry, and the others followed in sequence.Merry then took a long pole and pushed the boat away from the dock.The Liquor River in front of you is wide and gentle.The river bank on the other side is steeper, and there is a winding path extending upwards above the pier on the opposite bank, and there are also flickering oil lamps.Behind the quay stood Bucks Hill; and beside the hill there were silhouettes of windows, with yellow and red lights, in the shadow of the mist.This is some of the many lights in the Brandy Hall, the ancient home of the Brandybuck family. Long ago the oldest family of Old Bucks in the Marshes, or even in the Shire, crossed the River of Brandy, led by the Patriarch and Da Old Buck.The River Spirits was originally the border of the hobbit's eastern realm.He built (and dug) Brandy Hall, changed his surname to Brandybuck, settled there, and became chief of the isolated region.His family continued to expand, and it still didn't rest for a while after his death. In the end, the entire bottom of the hill was finally crowded.This hill alone has three gates, many side gates, and more than a hundred windows.The Brandybuck family and countless relatives then began digging in, and later building in, forming a settlement centered around Bucks Hill.This is the origin of Buckland.This is a densely populated strip sandwiched between the river and the old forest, which can be regarded as the colony of Shire expansion.Its largest village was Bucklebury, on the slope behind the Brandy Hall.

The residents of the swamp are very friendly to the residents of the Buckland, and the authority of the head of the Liquor Hall (the title of the head of the Liquorbuck family) is also recognized by the residents of Stark and Luxie.But most Shire-dwellers thought the Bucklanders were queer, almost half-foreigners.However, in fact, they are not much different from people in the other four districts.The only difference is that they love boats and some even can swim. At first there was no barrier between their land and the visitors from the east; however, later they built a fence: a high fence, to screen and protect themselves.It was the protection of buildings several generations ago, and it has become tall and thick under constant maintenance and addition.It came all the way along Brandywine Bridge to Hedge End (where the Wicker River came out of the forest and joined the Brandywine River): about twenty miles in all.It's certainly not watertight protection, though.High hedges in many places are very close to the forest.Therefore, the people of Buckland lock their doors at night, not much different from the people of the Shire.

The ferry sailed slowly across the water.The banks of Buckland drew nearer.Only Sam in the party had never crossed the river before.As the river gurgled under his feet, he had a strange feeling: the old life was left in the mist, and there was only dark adventure ahead.He scratched his head, half wishing that Mr. Frodo would die at Bag End forever. Four hobbits stepped off the ferry.Merry secured the boat, and Pippin led the pony ashore.At this moment Sam (who was looking back as if to say good-bye to Charles) whispered suddenly in a hoarse voice: "Look back, Mr. Frodo! Do you see anything?"

On the opposite bank not far away, under the dim light of the oil lamp, they could barely see a black figure standing on the pier.As they stared at each other, the man seemed to be moving and shaking from side to side, as if searching for something.Then he got down on his stomach, or stooped, and retreated into the darkness beyond the reach of the oil lamp. "What strange thing is that from Shire?" Merry asked in surprise. "Someone who is in hot pursuit," said Frodo. "Don't rush to ask questions now! Let's get out of here first!" They hurried to the shore; when they turned back again, the opposite bank was surrounded by thick fog and they couldn't see anything.

"Thank Heaven you have not anchored the other ships on the West Bank!" said Frodo. "Can a horse cross a river?" "They can go twenty miles north and cross by the Bridge of Wine, or they can swim," Merry answered. "I've never heard of a horse swimming across the Spirits River, though. What does that have to do with horses?" "I'll talk to you later. Let's go inside and talk." "Okay! You and Pippin both know how to go. I'll ride the horse first to inform Little Fatty that you are coming. We will prepare dinner and some things first."

"We have already dined at old Farmer Maggar's," said Frodo; "but it will do no harm to eat more." "As you wish! Give me that basket!" Merry then galloped off into the darkness. Frodo's new home in Dale was not very far from the Brew River.They rounded Bucks Hill and the Brewer's Hall, and on the outskirts of Bucklebury took the main road going south from the bridge in Bucks Land.About half a mile north along this road, they came upon a fork to the right.A group of people turned right into this fork in the road, and trekked a few miles on the uninhabited wilderness.

At last they came to a small gate in a heavy fence.It looks a little lonely among the grass outside and the bushes in the courtyard inside.Frodo chose this dwelling because it was in an obscure corner, and there were no other dwellings near by.You can come in and out without anyone noticing.It was built long ago by the Brandybucks to entertain guests; sometimes families move in here temporarily to escape the hustle and bustle of life in the Brandy Hall.It was an old country cottage, modeled as closely as possible on a hobbit cave.The building itself is long and low, with no raised floors.It has a roof of hay, round windows, and large round doors.

There were no lights in the courtyard as they walked down the path to the gate.The windows were closed and the shutters were drawn.Frodo knocked, and Fat Borg answered; and the friendly light streamed out.They walked quickly into the house, hoping not to be noticed by anyone.What appeared in front of them was a wide hall with several doors on both sides and a corridor that ran through the entire house in the middle. "What do you think?" Merry came from the other side of the corridor. "We tried our best to decorate this place like our hometown in the shortest possible time. Xiaopang and I just brought the last truck of goods here yesterday."

Frodo looked around.It does look like home here.There were a lot of his own favorite things and Bilbo's things (which stood out in the new setting) all around, and Merry tried to arrange them as Bag End did.It was a very comfortable, beautiful, and warm place; and it gave Frodo the illusion that he really meant to settle here and enjoy his retirement.It made him feel ashamed that his old friend had put so much effort into such a smoke screen; he didn't know how to tell his friend the truth that he had to leave immediately.However, this matter cannot be delayed any longer, it must be dealt with before everyone goes to bed.

"That's great!" he said with forced glee. "I hardly feel like I've moved." The three of them hung up their cloaks and put their backpacks neatly on the ground.Merry led them down the corridor to a door.As soon as the door opened, fire light and fragrant steam flowed out. "Bathroom!" said Pippin. "Oh, my favorite Merry!" "In what order shall we wash?" asked Frodo. "Respect the old and the virtuous? Or the fastest hands and feet first? Either way, Lord Peregrin, you will be the last." "Trust me in my ability to get things done!" Merry said. "We can't fight over taking a bath as soon as we come to the valley. There are three bathtubs in the room, and a bucket full of boiling water. Of course I haven't forgotten the towels, soap and floor mats. Come in and enjoy it, don't Procrastinating!" Meili and Xiaopang walked back to the kitchen on the other side of the corridor, fighting for the supper that was waiting for them.In the bathroom, accompanied by the sound of splashing water, came the sound of a wild singing.Suddenly Pippin broke out into Bilbo's favorite bathing song. Let's sing!After a hard day, I can finally take a shower! Wash away the mud and stink! It's a fool not to sing in the shower! Oh, I laughed when I washed it in hot water haha! Ah!Raindrops fall so crisply, Like a brook that runs to the sea without receding; There's only one thing in the world better than raindrops and brooks, That is to wash with hot water with steam and smoke. oh!If it's too hot, you can pour cold water on it. drink water when thirsty; But if hot water is poured on the back, Better still have beer in hand! oh!The fountain is so beautiful, Spray into the sky one grain at a time; But no matter how beautiful the fountain music is, No better than hot water being poured over my tired shins! * Then there was a loud crash in the bathroom, and Frodo followed suit.It seemed that Pippin's bath water really spouted into the sky like a fountain. Merry walked outside. "How about a nice dinner with a beer?" he yelled.Frodo came out wiping his hair. "Getting wet everywhere, I have to go to the kitchen to wipe myself," he said. "Why do you love to play like a child!" Meili said while looking inside.The stone floors were almost soaked in the flood waters. "Pippin, there's nothing to eat till you dry the floor!" he said. "Hurry up, or we won't be waiting for you!" They eat in the kitchen near the fire. "You three probably don't want to eat mushrooms anymore?" Fredegar asked hopelessly. "I want to eat! I want to eat!" cried Pippin. "They are all mine!" said Frodo. "It was given to me by Mrs. Maggie, the queen of the noble peasant woman! Get your hands off me, and I'll share it!" Hobbits have a passion for mushrooms that isn't even matched by many big guys for gold and jewels.This is the real reason why Frodo loved to explore the swamps and was beaten up by Maga when he was young.Even from a hobbit's point of view, there were enough mushrooms for everyone to eat this time.In addition to mushrooms, there are many other side dishes.When everyone finished eating, even Little Chubby Bog, who had the biggest appetite, sighed contentedly.They moved the table and set chairs around the fire. "We'll clean it up later," Merry said. "Tell me everything. I guess you've had a lot of adventures yourself! It's not fair that I wasn't part of it. I want to hear it all, and, most importantly, I want to know what happened to old Maggot Fuck, why would you talk to me like that. He sounded *scared*, I didn't know the old tough guy was scared!" "We are all very frightened," said Frodo, looking into the fire in silence, until Pippin spoke a moment later. "If you were pursued by the black knight for two days in a row, you'd be scared too." "What are they?" "The man in black on the black horse," answered Pippin. "If Frodo won't, I'll start from the beginning," he went on, from when they left Hobbiton to when they met Merry.Sam sometimes nodded and sometimes interjected.Frodo remained silent. "Your words do sound quite fabricated," said Merry. "If I hadn't seen the shadow on the docks, and heard the strange voice of Magar, I would not have believed it. What do you think, Frodo? " "Our cousin Frodo has been tight-lipped," said Pippin. "It's about time he told the truth, too. So far all we know is that Farmer Maggar guesses it might have something to do with old Bilbo's treasure." "That is only a guess," said Frodo hastily. "Maga doesn't know anything." "Old Maggot is shrewd," said Merry. "He's going on in his head, and he won't tell you. I've heard he used to be in the Old Woods, and he's got a lot of experience with all sorts of strange things. But at least, Frodo , you can tell us whether you think his guess is correct or not." "I think," said Frodo slowly, "that he guessed quite rightly. It does have something to do with Bilbo's past adventures; the Black Riders are really looking for something, or rather, their object." Either me or Bilbo. If you really want to know, I can only confess that this is no joke; I am in great danger wherever I am." He looked at the windows and walls, as if fearing that they might A sudden crash in general.The others looked at him silently, exchanging meaningful glances. "He's about to tell the truth," Pippin whispered to Merry.Merry nodded. "Well!" said Frodo, at last making up his mind, and straightening up. "I can't hide it anymore. I have something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it." "I think I can help you," Merry said quietly. "Let me just say what I know first." "What do you mean?" Frodo looked at him nervously. "Listen, dear Frodo: the reason you're at war is because you don't know how to say goodbye. Yes, you wanted to leave the Shire. But the crisis came sooner than you expected, and you made up your mind now. Off. And you struggled a bit. We all feel so sorry for you." Frodo opened his mouth as if to say something, and then closed it again.His surprised expression made everyone laugh. "My dear Frodo!" said Pippin. "Do you really think you've got us all bluffed? You're not treacherous enough, I'm afraid! Since April this year, you've obviously been ready to say goodbye to all your friends. We've often heard you say goodbye to yourself. You said to yourself: "I don't know if I will have a chance to see this valley again in the future?" and many similar words. You also pretended that your wealth was exhausted, and even sold your favorite Bag End to the Sackville Baggins family! Moreover, you often converse with Gandalf in secret." "My God!" said Frodo. "I always thought I was careful and secret enough. I don't know how Gandalf would blame me. So the whole Shire is talking about my leaving?" "Oh, no!" said Merry. "You don't have to worry about that! Of course, this secret can't be hidden for too long. However, at present, only a few conspiracy planners know about it. After all, we have known you for so long and often play with you. We guessed what you were thinking. I knew Bilbo too. To be honest, I've been watching you since he left. I thought you'd follow in his footsteps sooner or later. I thought you'd be sooner. and the recent situation makes us more worried. We are very afraid that you will disappear as mysteriously as him and leave suddenly. Since this spring, we have been closely watching you and have made some special arrangements .It will not be so easy for you to escape this time!" "But I must go," said Frodo. "Dear friends, I have no choice. I know it will be difficult for everyone, but it is useless for you to force me to stay. Now that you have guessed so much, please help me and don't stop me!" "You're mistaken!" said Pippin. "Since you must go, so are we. Merry and I have decided to go with you. Sam is a good man, and he would do anything to save you, but he is a man of few minds; you are on this dangerous journey. Will need the assistance of more than one companion." "My dearest and most considerate harpy friend," said Frodo, with great emotion. "But I can't do this. I decided a long time ago. You only know the danger, but you don't understand how dangerous it is. This is not a mission to find treasure, let alone an easy back and forth adventure. In order to avoid danger, I must into a bigger crisis." "Of course we understand," Merry said firmly. "That's why we decided to go with you. We know that the Lord of the Rings can't be used as a joke, but we will definitely do our best to help you fight the Devil King." "The Lord of the Rings!" Frodo was really surprised and speechless this time. "Yes, Lord of the Rings," said Merry. "My dear harpy friend, you underestimate the curiosity of those around you. I have known of the Ring for years; in fact, I knew it before Bilbo left. But since he keeps it a secret, I kept the news to myself. It didn't come in handy until we began to conceive the plan. Of course, I didn't know Bilbo as well as I did you. I was so young then, and he was older than you Be careful; but that still doesn't stop my curiosity. If you want to know the story behind this, I'd like to share it with you." "Go on!" said Frodo feebly. "As you can guess, it was the Sackville Bagginses who let him out. About a year or so before the party, I happened to be walking down the road one day, and I saw Bilbo in front of me. Suddenly, A group of Sebas appeared and came towards us. Bilbo stopped, and then, dala! He disappeared. I was so surprised that I almost couldn't find a good place to hide. But I had an idea, crawled through the fence, and hid Went to someone else's yard. I peeped through a gap in the fence, and Bilbo reappeared before me after the Saba had gone. I saw him put something golden in his pocket." "After that, I paid more attention to his actions. In fact, I admit that I did sneak in a few times. It can't be helped, this thing is really too tempting, and I was underage at the time. Except for Flo Besides that, I guess I'm the only one in the Shire who's seen the old guy's secret notebook." "You have read him!" cried Frodo. "Oh my god! Are there no secrets in this world?" "I think so," Merry said. "But I just glanced at it hastily, and there are many things I can't understand. He kept this book well anytime and anywhere. I don't know where the book went. I want to read it again. In your hand up, Frodo?" "No. That book isn't in Bag End. He must have taken it." "Okay, what was the point?" Merry continued. "I kept it to myself until it got serious this fall. So we started planning this operation. Now that we're going to do something big, we have to play it safe. You're not loose-tongued. People, let alone get any information from Gandalf. However, if you want to know who our famous detective is, I can introduce you to him." "Where is he?" Frodo looked around, as if it seemed to him that the elusive creature was about to spring from the cup. "Let me introduce: Detective Sam!" Merry said.Sam stood up blushing. "That's our source of information! He's a solid informant, but it's a pity that he finally leaked. After that, I think he thought he was on parole, so he didn't leak any more information." "It's Sam!" Frodo wondered, wondering what to feel, what to say.He didn't know whether to be angry, amused, relieved, or feel stupid. "Yes, my lord!" said Sam. "I beg your pardon, my lord! But I meant no ill will to you, Mr. Frodo, nor to Mr. Gandalf. *He* was really sensible, and when you said you would go *alone*, he said *no !Take someone you can trust with you.*” "But now, I don't know whom to trust," said Frodo. Sam looked at him sullenly. "It's all about what kind of friend you want," Merry interjected. "You can trust us to stick knives in your ribs, go up the knife mountain and down the frying pan, and stay together until the end. You can also trust us to be tight-lipped and not leak the slightest word like you. But you can't think that we will let you single face In a crisis, leave without saying a word. Frodo, we are your friends. Anyway, the situation is this: we know most of what Gandalf told you. We also know a lot about the Lord of the Rings. Although We are very scared, but we still want to go with you, even if you don't agree, we will bite your ass tightly." "Anyway, my lord," Sam added, "you should heed the advice of the elf, too. You cannot deny Gildor's suggestion that you may go with a willing companion." "I do not deny it," said Frodo, looking at a smiling Sam. "I'm not denying it. But, in the future, whether you snore or not, I won't believe you're asleep. Next time I'll have to kick you hard to make sure." "You treacherous weasels!" He turned to face the crowd. "May God bless you!" He stood up with a smile and waved his hands. "I'm defeated. I'm willing to follow Gildor's advice. If it weren't for the darkness of the crisis I'm facing, I'd be dancing. Even so, I can't help but be happy from the bottom of my heart. It's been a long time since I So happy. I've been dreading something like this tonight." "Very well! It is so decided. Let us hail Captain Frodo and the Adventurers!" they shouted and danced around him.Merry and Pippin began to sing, which, judging by their proficiency, seemed to have been prepared for the occasion. It was done in imitation of the dwarven song that set Bilbo on his adventures, and the tune was the same: Farewell to home and hall Through the rain and the wind, Set sail before dawn, Over forests and hills. To Rivendell, where the elves still live, The misty prairie is wide, We galloped through the barriers of the wilderness, To the unknown front. Enemy trails ahead, pursuers behind, Eat the wind and sleep in the open to endure the frost and ice, Unstoppable and unstoppable, Reach the finish line and the mission is accomplished. Let's sail!Let's sail! Ride the horse before dawn! * "Excellent!" said Frodo. "But then there's a lot to do before we go to bed. Also, it's our last night sleeping under the roof. "Oh! That's only for rhyme!" said Pippin. "Are you really planning to leave before dawn?" "I am not sure," replied Frodo. "I worry about the movements of the black knights, and I'm sure it's not safe to stay too long anywhere, especially in this place where everyone knows where I'm going. Gildor also advises me not to wait a moment. But I wish Gandalf Arrived in time. Even Gildor looked worried when he heard that Gandalf had not appeared. Two places mattered. How long would it take the Black Riders to get to Bucklebury? How soon could we start? I think it might take It took a lot of time to prepare.” "As for the answer to the second question," said Merry, "we shall be ready to go in an hour. I have everything necessary ready. There are six ponies in the stable opposite, all supplies and equipment. It’s all packed; we just need to get rid of the pre-packaged food that’s going to spoil and pack some extra clothes.” "Your plans are efficient," said Frodo. "But what about the Black Knight? Are we safe if we wait an extra day for Gandalf?" "The key to safety is what you think these black knights will do if they find you," Merry replied. "If they hadn't been stopped at the north gate, where the high fence meets the river, they might be here by now. It is impossible for the guards to open the gate at night to let them through, but it is possible for them to force their way in. I think, even if They may not let these knights in during the day, because they will never be suspicious of the appearance of these knights, and they will definitely be disturbed. At least, they will send a message to the ears of the master of the liquor hall. However, the stag Even if the black knights came to look for Mr. Baggins, the guards would probably let them pass tomorrow morning. After all, everyone knows that you have returned to settle in the valley." Frodo sat for a moment thinking. "I've made up my mind," he said at last. "I'll set out at dawn tomorrow. But I won't take the main road. That kind of blatant way is probably more dangerous than waiting here. If I leave through the north gate, then the whole Buckland will know my whereabouts, and no one will The way to make the pursuers unclear about the situation for at least a few days. Not only that, even if the Black Knights can't enter Bucks Land, there must be people watching the Bridge of Spirits and the Eastern Road near the border. We don't know how many Black Knights there are, but We met two, there could be more. Our only option was to take the unexpected direction." "But that means we have to leave Old Forest!" Fredegar said terrified. "You're not serious, are you? It's as dangerous as the Black Knight." "Not really," Merry said. "It may sound desperate, but I think Frodo is right. It is the only way to get rid of the pursuers for a while. If we are lucky, we may even be far ahead of them." "But there's nothing lucky or unlucky in the old woods," protested Fredegar. "There's no luck at all in there. You're bound to get lost. People just don't go there." "Not at all!" said Merry. "The Brewbucks go in and hang out when they feel like it. We have our own entrance. Frodo went in once, long ago. I've been in a few times myself, usually in daylight, of course, when the trees are sleepy. , when you dare not move around." "Well, do what you like!" said Fredegar. "I'm most afraid of Lao Lin. The story there will appear in my nightmares every time. However, because I won't go with you, my opinion is actually not very important. However, I am very glad that I can Stay here, and tell Gandalf what foolish thing you have done, so he can hurry up and clean up the mess." Although the little fat Borg is Frodo's best friend, he has no desire to leave the Shire or see the outside world.His family was from the East of the Shire, to be more precise, the Sheepskin Ferry in Bridgeland.Moreover, he has never even stepped out of the Bridge of Spirits.It had been his original plan to stay, to deal with the chattering idlers, and to make it seem as possible that Mr. Frodo still dwelt in Dale.He even brought some of Frodo's old clothes to help him impersonate him.They had no idea how dangerous it would be. "Excellent!" said Frodo, when he had learned the whole plan. "Anyway, we have no other way to leave a message to Gandalf. Of course, I am not sure whether the black knight can read or not, but I dare not risk writing the message. It will be bad if they find it. However, since the little fat If you are willing to stay, then Gandalf will have a way to know our whereabouts. This makes me finally make up my mind: we will enter the Old Forest tomorrow morning." "It was so decided," said Pippin. "To be honest, I'd rather go out on a trek than be responsible for Xiaopang's duties, and wait here for the black knight to appear." "You'll find out when you're in the woods," Fredegar said. "Before it gets dark tomorrow, you'll wish you were still in this house." "There's no need to argue anymore," Merry said. "We still have to pack our things and pack everything before we go to bed. I'll wake you up before dawn." After going to bed at last, Frodo could not sleep for a long time.His legs are sore.He was glad that he could ride a horse tomorrow morning instead of walking.Finally, he slowly fell asleep.In the dream, he seemed to be looking out from a window overlooking a sea of ​​trees.In that forest was the sound of creatures sniffing.He felt that the other party would smell his position sooner or later. Then, he heard a strange sound in the distance.At first he thought it was the sound of a strong wind blowing through the forest.Then he understood that it was not the sound of the leaves, but the distant sound of the waves; and he had never heard the sound of the sea in all his life, but it did not bother him too much in the dream.Suddenly, he found himself standing in a clearing without any trees around him.He stood on a black wasteland, and the air was filled with a strange salty smell.He raised his head and saw a tall white tower in front of him, standing alone on the high ground.He suddenly had a strong desire to climb the tower and see what the sea looked like.As he staggered toward the high ground to enter the tower; the sky was suddenly illuminated by a flash of light, followed by rumbling thunder.