Chapter 10 Chapter 10: Traveler

Frodo, Pippin and Sam returned to the previous sitting room together.It was dark here, Merry was not here, and the fire in the hearth was dying.After they threw in a few bundles of firewood to stir up the fire, they found that the traveler followed them in quietly, and now he was sitting comfortably on the chair by the door! "Hello!" said Pippin. "Who are you? Is there anything I need?" "My name is Strider," he replied, "although he may have forgotten, but your friend promised to talk to me earlier." "I remember you saying that I might hear something in my favour," said Frodo. "What do you have to say?"

"I have some information," Strider replied. "However, it comes at a price." "What do you mean?" asked Frodo. "Don't be too nervous! What I mean is: I'll tell you what I know and give you some advice; but I have a request." "What request?" said Frodo.He suspected that he had fallen into the blackmail of the villain, and at the same time he thought uncomfortably that he didn't have a lot of money with him.That little money can't satisfy the appetite of ordinary street rogues at all, and he can't hand over the money to others.

"Don't worry, you can afford it," said the Strider, smiling, as if he had guessed what Frodo was thinking. "You must take me with you until I decide to leave." "Oh, yes!" replied Frodo, somewhat surprised, but not more relieved. "Even if I want someone to go with us, until I know more about you, I can't agree to it." "Very good!" Godwalker raised his feet and lay back comfortably in the chair. "It's good for everyone that you are finally clear-headed. You were too careless before! Very good! I will tell you what I know and let you decide how to repay me. After you listen, maybe Instead, you will beg me to go with you."

"Speak then!" replied Frodo. "What do you know?" "Too much, too much bad news," Strider said gloomily. "As for the part about you—" He stood up abruptly, opened the door, and looked around.Finally, he closed the door carefully and sat back in his chair. "I'm hearing very well," he continued in a low voice. "While I can't disappear into thin air, my hunting experience in the wild will keep me invisible if necessary. I happened to be at the fence on the West Bree Road this evening when four hobbits happened to be Out of the Tomb Hills area. I don't think I need to repeat what they said to Bombardier or to each other, but one thing interests me: *Don't forget,* one of them said. *Never mention Barkin I am Mr. Yamashita, if anyone asks.* This aroused my curiosity, and I followed them all the way here. I slipped into the village after them. Perhaps Mr. Baggins had good reason for his anonymity. ; but even so, I must advise him and his friends to be more careful."

"I do not know why my name attracts so much attention in Bree," said Frodo angrily, "and I would like to know why you should be interested. Perhaps Mr. Strider has good reason to ask; But even so, I must advise him to explain it well.” "Good answer!" Strider said with a smile. "However, my explanation is simple. I am looking for a hobbit named Frodo Baggins. I want to find him as soon as possible. I have heard that he has secretly left the Shire. This matter makes me and Friends are concerned." "Wait, don't get me wrong!" said the Walker hastily, seeing Frodo stand up suddenly, and Sam frown and jump too. "I'm going to be more careful about keeping this a secret than you are. Just be careful!" He leaned forward, looking at everyone. "Watch every shadow!" he said in a low voice. "Black Riders have been passing Bree these days. They say one came down the Green Road on Monday, and another went south on the Green Road later in the day."

Everyone was silent.At last, Frodo said to Pippin and Sam: "I should have guessed it when I saw the way the Warden looked at us," said he. "The store owner seems to have heard something too. Why would he want us to have fun with everyone? And why are we doing such stupid things when we should be keeping a low profile?" "It wasn't supposed to be like this," said Walker. "I could have prevented you from running off to drink and merry; but the shopkeeper would not let me see you, nor would he deliver my message." "Do you think he will—" Frodo was about to press further.

"No, I don't think Buttercup has any malice. He just doesn't like a desperado in my appearance." Frodo looked at him in bewilderment. "Look, am I a bit down and out?" Godwalker smiled mockingly, with a strange light in his eyes. "However, I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to let you know more. At that time, I also hope that you can explain why you did what you did after singing. Because of that stupidity-" "That was quite an accident!" interrupted Frodo. "Really?" said Striker. "Even if it was an accident, it was an accident that put you in danger."

"Nor much more dangerous than it is now," said Frodo. "I have seen the knights who followed me; they seem to have lost track now, and have gone elsewhere." "Don't underestimate them!" Striker said disapprovingly. "They'll be back. And there will be more knights. And others. I know how many knights there are, and I know who they really are." He paused for a moment, his eyes cold and determined. "There are people in Bree who can't be trusted," he went on. "For example, Billy Fern has a notorious reputation, and he is often visited by suspicious people. You should have noticed this guy among the guests: he is a black man with an evil smile. Skin man. He seems to be familiar with one of the strangers from the south, and the two left quietly together after your "accident". Not all of those southerners are very simple. As for Billy, He is willing to sell anything in order to make money, and he will even simply play tricks on people for no reason.”

"What will Billy sell? And what has my accident got to him?" Frodo still pretended not to understand the Strider's hint. "About you, of course," replied Strider. "Your performance just now will interest some people. After knowing the exact situation, it doesn't matter whether you use your real name or not. According to my guess, they should have received news about you before tomorrow. Is this enough? Then you can see what to do. Let me be your guide or not. I am familiar with the Shire to the Misty Mountains, because I have wandered here for many years. My The actual age is much older than my appearance, so I should be useful. After tonight, you will not be able to walk on the road anymore. Those knights will guard all the roads day and night. Maybe you have time to leave the cloth Reason, you can go on as long as the sun is still on; but you can't escape very far. They will attack you in the wilderness, and you will have nowhere to turn. Do you want them to find you? They It is an incomparably terrifying force!"

The hobbit looked at him, surprised to find that his face was pale, and his hands were clenched on the railing, as if in great pain.The room was shrouded in dead silence, and the light of the fire gradually became weaker.He just sat there in a daze, as if looking at the memories of the distant past, or listening to the movement in the night. "Ah," he said after a moment, rubbing the space between his brows, "I think I know more about these pursuers than you. You are afraid of them, but you will be even more afraid when you know the truth. You must go tomorrow if you can." .I can take you by paths that no one knows. Will you accept my help?"

Everyone fell into silence.Frodo made no answer, his mind was full of perplexity and fear.Sam frowned, looked at his master, and said at last: "Mr. Frodo, please allow me to say a word. I do not think so! I agree with this Mr. Strider who warns us to be careful. It is best to start with him. He roams the wilderness." Guys, these guys always have a bad reputation. He does know some stuff, so much that I don't feel comfortable. But that doesn't mean we should do what he says and let him take us into the wilderness where there is no help .” Pippin mused, looking rather disturbed.Strider did not answer Sam's question, but looked at Frodo with sharp eyes.Frodo noticed the other's expression, and deliberately avoided his gaze. "No," he said slowly. "I still don't agree. I think??? I think you're not what you look like. You started off with a Bree accent, but then your accent changed too. Sam was right : I don’t understand that since you warned us to be careful, what qualifications do you have to ask us to trust you? Why are you pretending to be? Who are you? How much do you know about the devil—about my purpose? How do you know?” "Sure enough, you have learned your lesson," Shenxingke said with a wry smile. "But being careful and being indecisive are two different things. You will never reach Rivendell on your own. Trust me is your only hope. You must make up your mind. If this can help you make a decision, I am willing to answer you question. But if you don't trust me, how can you believe me? Even so, I still-" At this moment, there was a knock on the door.Mr. Butterbur came in with a candle, and Noble was holding several jars of hot water.The Strider immediately retreated to an unnoticed corner. "I'm here to say goodnight to you all," said the owner, placing the candle on the table. "Noble! Bring in the water!" He stepped in and closed the door. "That's right," he said hesitantly, a little embarrassed. "I'm really sorry if it's any inconvenience. But there are a lot of things that just come up one after another, and you know, I'm a busy man. Fortunately, a lot of things this week just happened to wake up my memory. It's not too late. You know, I've been asked to keep an eye out for hobbits from the Shire, and a hobbit in particular called Baggins." "What does it matter to me?" said Frodo. "Ah! Of course you know," said the boss understandingly. "I won't betray you, but the person told me that this Mr. Baggins will use the pseudonym Yamashita. Please forgive me, but the description given to me by the other party is indeed very consistent with yours." "Really? Let's hear it!" interrupted Frodo, somewhat self-consciously. "*He's a little red-cheeked man,*" said Mr. Butterbuck gravely.Pippin covered his mouth with a snicker, but Sam didn't look too pleased. "*Pop, since most hobbits look like that, it probably won't help much,* he told me," Mr. Butterbur gave Pippin a sharp look. "*But this guy is taller than the average hobbit, and he's handsome, and he has a hollow in his chin. He's a lively, bright-eyed guy. *Sorry, that's what he said, not me. " "What did he say? Who is he?" asked Frodo eagerly. "Ah! You must know Gandalf too. They say he is a wizard, but whether he is or not, he is my good friend. However, I wonder if he will regard me as a friend when we meet next time: He might turn all my ale sour, or turn me into a stick of wood. He's always been a little impatient. Well, it's no use talking about it." "Huh? What the hell have you done?" Frodo was impatient with Buttercup's hesitation. "Where did I just say?" said the boss, snapping his fingers. "Ah! Yes! Just mentioned Gandalf. Three months ago, he came into my room without knocking. *Old Bus*," said he, *I'm leaving early in the morning. Would you like to do me a favor? Go ahead! *I said. *I'm in a hurry,* he said, *No time to do it myself, but I want to send a message to the Shire .Can you get someone reliable to send it to? No problem, *I said, *Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. Better tomorrow,* he said, and he handed me a letter." "The address is very clear," Mr. Butterbuck took out the letter from his pocket, and read it out with pride (he has always been very proud of his literacy): *The Shire, Hobbiton, Bag End, Mr. Frodo Baggins. * "This is a letter from Gandalf to me!" cried Frodo. "Ah!" said Buttercup. "Then your real name is Bagginslow?" "Yes," said Frodo, "you had better give me the letter quickly, and tell me why you have not sent it! I suppose that is why you have taken so long to tell me." Poor old Butterbread looked quite innocent. "You are right, sir," said he, "and I must apologize to you. I was afraid what Gandalf would say if any harm had been done. I did not mean to put it away, I did it for safety. Then I couldn't find anyone willing to go to the Shire the next day, and the third; Really busy. If I can make it up to you, you just have to ask." "If it hadn't been for this letter, I would have pledged to Gandalf. *Old Bus,* he said to me, *This friend of mine is from the Shire. He may appear with others before long. .He will call himself Mr. Yamashita. Don't forget! But don't ask him too many questions. If I don't show up with him, he may be in trouble and need help. Help him as much as possible, I will appreciate it ,*. Now that you're here, it seems that trouble won't be too far away." "What do you mean?" asked Frodo. "There are some dark guys," the shopkeeper said in a low voice. "They're looking for a passenger named Baggins, too; if the fellow's a good fellow, I'm a hobbit! It was a Monday, and all the dogs were barking, and the goose was barking like hell. I say it's queer. Norbert told me that two black knights came to the door to inquire about the whereabouts of Baggins. Norbert almost fainted. I chased the black guys away and closed the door hard. It is said that they asked all the way from here to Archet Same problem. And the Ranger. He tried to break in while you were having dinner." "That's right!" Godwalker came out suddenly. "Bariman, if you had let him in at that time, you would have saved a lot of trouble." The shopkeeper jumped up in fright. "It's you!" he yelled. "You're always haunted. What are you doing now?" "I let him in," said Frodo. "He came here to help us." "Well, maybe you know what you're doing," said Mr. Butterbuck, eyeing Strider suspiciously. "If I were you, I wouldn't hang out with rangers." "Then who will you hang out with?" asked the Strider. "Running around with a fat boss who only remembers because people yell his name every day? They can't stay in this hotel forever, let alone go home. They have a long way to go. Would you like Together with them, stop those black knights?" "Me? Get me out of Bree! No amount of money can do it," Buttercup looked really scared this time. "Mr. Yamashita, you can stay here for a while until things calm down. What's going on with these situations? What are these knights looking for? Where did they come from?" "I am sorry, but I cannot explain everything," replied Frodo. "I'm tired and troubled, and it's a long story. But if you want to help me, I have to warn you that as long as I stay here, you're as dangerous as I am. As for the black knights, I don't Pretty sure, but I fear they're from-" "They come from Mordor," said the Strider in a low voice. "Baliman, they come from Mordor, and you should know what that means." "Oh my god!" Buttercup's face turned pale, he had obviously heard of this place. "It's the worst news I've ever heard in Bree in my life." "Yes," said Frodo. "Are you still willing to help?" "Yes," said Buttercup, "of course I would. Although I don't know how I'm going to help with, deal with—" He was at a loss for words. "Deal with the Phantom of the East," said the Strider quietly. "Barreman, there is not much you can do to help, but any small favor is necessary. You can continue to let Mr. Yamashita live here under this name tonight, and don't think of the name Baggins until he is gone. .” "I'll do it," said Buttercup. "However, I'm afraid they'll know he's here without my help. Mr. Baggins is too much of a draw tonight, I'm afraid. Mr. Baggins' sudden disappearance will probably spread before midnight. Even our family Norbert started guessing with that little head, not to mention Bree's a bit of a smart guy." "Well, we can only hope that the Black Knight does not come back so soon," said Frodo. "I hope so," said Buttercup. "But no matter who they are, they won't break into the Prancing Horse Inn so easily. You don't have to worry about it until tomorrow morning. Norbert won't say a word. As long as I can stand still, there will be no The man in black steps through the door. The guys and I will be keeping watch tonight, so you better take a break." "Anyway, wake us up at dawn tomorrow," said Frodo. "We must start as early as possible. Breakfast at 6:30, please." "Okay! I'll take care of everything," said the owner. "Good night, Mr. Baggins—oh, Mr. Yamashita! Good night! My God! Where's Mr. Liquor Deer traveling with you?" "I don't know," said Frodo, feeling suddenly nervous.They had forgotten Merry, and it was almost late at night. "He's probably out. He said something about getting some fresh air." "Oh, it seems that you people really need to be extra careful, everyone seems to be on vacation!" Buttercup said. "I have to fasten the door and let your friend in then. I'd better send Noble to find your friend. Good night everyone!" At last, Buttercup walked out of the room; before leaving, he still used suspicion. He glanced at the traveler and shook his head.His footsteps gradually faded away. "Is that all right?" asked the Strider. "When are you going to read the letter?" said Frodo, examining the sealing wax carefully before opening the letter.It does look like Gandalf's.Inside was written in Gandalf's powerful and elegant handwriting: * Bree, The Prancing Horse Inn, Harken, 1418, mid-year. Dear Frodo: I've had some bad news here and have to leave immediately.You'd better get out of Bag End, too, by the end of July at the latest.I'll be back as soon as I can, and if I find you're gone, I'll be right behind you.If you pass through Bree, you'd better leave me a message.You can trust the shopkeepers here. (Cream Butter) You might run into a friend I made on the road: a tall, lanky, dark-skinned human being, some call him the Strider.He knows our plan and will try to help you.Don't delay, go straight to Rivendell.Hope we will meet again there.If I do not appear, Elrond will guide you. Gandalf (to the editor, here's an Elven rune) hasty pen NOTE: Never use it again, for whatever reason!Don't hurry at night! (To the editor: another elf rune) Note 2: Please confirm that the other party is a real traveler.There are many suspicious people on the road.His real name is Aragorn. (To the editor: another elf rune) What shines is not real gold, Traveling all over the world without getting lost; Ancient and everlasting, How afraid of being soaked in frost and ice when the roots are deep. A hundred calamities of fire will bring Su Sheng back to life, Brilliance pierces the darkness. The Day of Reforging the Broken Holy Sword, The uncrowned king is king again. Note 3: I hope Uncle Butter will send this letter as agreed.But this guy's memory is not solid, and sometimes it's really like cream in his head.If he forgets, I'll take care of him.Goodbye! (To the editor: another different elf rune)* Frodo murmured the letter to himself, and passed it to Pippin and Sam. "Old Buttercup really messed it up this time!" he said. "Gandalf should have dealt with him. If I had received this letter at once, I might have rested safely in Rivendell by now. But will Gandalf be all right? He sounded as if It's in great danger." "He has been dying for the same goal for many years," Freelander replied. Frodo turned and looked at him thoughtfully, thinking of Gandalf's second note. "Why didn't you tell me right away that you were Gandalf's friend?" he asked. "It will save a lot of time." "Would you? Would you have believed me without this letter?" Strider said. "I don't know anything about this letter. All I know is that if I want to help you, I have to convince you without any proof. In any case, I'm not going to tell you who I really am right away. I have to get to know you first , and then confirm your identity. The devil has set many traps for me before. Once I make up my mind, I am ready to answer all your questions. However, I must admit," he showed a strange smile, " The reason why I want you to walk with me is actually a bit selfish. People who are hunted are often tired of fear and yearn for friendship. Hehe, I think my appearance may make people unapproachable." "Indeed, at least at first glance," laughed Pippin, after reading Gandalf's letter. "A handsome man is a handsome man, that's what we say in the Shire. If we climbed mountains and mountains for many days, we might look like you." “You could spend days, weeks, or years roaming the wilderness to look like a Strider,” he replied. "Unless you look a lot stronger than you look, you'll die first." Pippin put away his smile, but Sam didn't feel threatened, and still looked at the Strider suspiciously. "How do we know you are the strider that Gandalf speaks of?" he questioned. "You never mentioned Gandalf until we received this letter. From what I can see, you may be a false spy trying to trick us into traveling with you. You may have killed the real Strider, wearing Take his clothes. What evidence do you have that you are a strider?" "You're such a stubborn fellow," the Strider replied, "Sam Gaingey, I'm afraid that's the only answer I can give you. If I kill the real Strider, I can kill you too. I won't either." You're down for wasting so much time. If it's the Lord of the Rings I want, I can have it now!" He stood up abruptly, and suddenly his figure seemed to magnify several times.His eyes flashed with incomparable courage and domineering light.He lifted his cloak and put his hand on the hilt of the sword that was deliberately concealed at his waist.Everyone dared not move.Sam opened his mouth wide and looked at him stupidly. "Fortunately, I'm a real traveler," he lowered his head, his expression softened by a sudden smile. "I am Aragorn, son of Arazon. To save you, I will give my life." ＊＊＊ Everyone was silent for a long time.said Frodo at last, hesitantly. "I believed you were a friend before I got the letter," he said, "at least I hope so. You have surprised me many times tonight, but nothing like the devil's minion would do. I think , his spies should look kinder and feel more sinister, if you know what I mean." "I understand," Strider said with a smile. "You mean I look evil, but feel kind. Right? *Glittering is not real gold, travels all over the world without being lost.*" "These verses describe you, then?" asked Frodo. "I do not understand the content of these verses. But if you have not read Gandalf's letter, how do you know that these two lines are in it?" "I don't actually know," he replied. "I am Aragorn, and these verses are inseparable from this name." He drew his sword, and they all realized that the sword was indeed broken a foot below the hilt. "It's no use, is it, Sam?" said the Strider. "But the time for its recasting is near." Sam said nothing. "Well," said the Strider, "with Sam's consent, we have so decided. The Strider will be your guide. I'm afraid we'll have a hard day tomorrow. Even if we can leave Bree unhindered." , but we can never go unnoticed. I'll try to get rid of the pursuers as much as I can. I know there are a few other ways to get out of Bree besides the high road. Once we're free from the pursuers, we'll go straight to Wind and Cloud top." "Weathertop?" Sam asked. "What's that?" "That's a hill, just a little way north of the road. It's about half a mile from here to Rivendell. It's a good view from up there, and we should have a chance to get a good view of our surroundings. If Gandalf followed us, and he should go there too. After Weathertop our journey will be rougher, and we will have to choose between different dangers." "When was the last time you saw Gandalf?" asked Frodo. "Do you know where he is, or what he's doing?" Pedestrian's expression darkened. "I don't know," he said. "I walked west with him this spring. In the past few years, when he went on missions elsewhere, I have been responsible for monitoring the Shire's borders. We last met on May 1st of this year, in Lie Sarn's Ferry, lower down the Wine River. He told me all your plans are going well, and you'll be leaving for Rivendell in the last week of September. When I know he'll be with you, I'll leave to do my It's his own business. Then the situation changed, he seemed to have heard some news, and I was not by his side to help." "This is the first time since I met him that I feel worried. Even if he can't come in person, he should find a way to inform me. I came back after many days and immediately heard bad news. Everything is over Great change, Gandalf disappeared, and these black knights began to haunt the neighbourhood. It was an elf called Gildor who told me these things; later on, they told me that you had left your old home; but not that you left Buckland news. So, I began to pay close attention to the movement on Dongfang Avenue.” "Do you think the Black Knight has anything to do with--does Gandalf's disappearance?" asked Frodo. "I don't know any power in the world that can stop him, except the Demon King," said Strider. "Do not despair yet! Gandalf is greater than you the Shire know; you only notice his jokes and toys. But this incident which involves us will be his heaviest burden. " Pippin yawned. "I'm sorry," he said, "but I'm so sleepy. No matter how uncertain and dangerous the road ahead is, I have to go to bed, or I will fall asleep in the chair. Where the hell is that stupid Meri? Once we have to go out and find him, I'm probably going to have a meltdown." At that moment they heard the door slam shut; then footsteps came rushing towards them.Merry rushed into the room first, followed by Norbert.He closed the door in a panic and leaned against the door panting.He was out of breath.All looked at him nervously before he could speak: "Frodo, I see them! I see them! The black knights!" "The Black Rider!" cried Frodo. "Where?" "It's right here, in the village. I stayed in the room for about an hour. Since you didn't come back, I went for a walk by myself. Then I walked back to the door of the hotel and looked at the stars outside the range of the lights. Suddenly I I shivered, and felt that something terrifying was approaching: in the shadow of the roadside, there was a darker shadow, just outside the range of the light. It slipped back into the darkness without a sound. Nearby There aren't any horses." "Which way is it going?" the Strider interjected suddenly. It was the first time Merry noticed the stranger, and couldn't help being taken aback. "Go on!" said Frodo. "He is a friend of Gandalf. I will explain later." "It appears to be heading east along the Avenue," Merry continued. "I tried to follow it. It did disappear without a trace, but I went around and walked all the way to the last house on the street." Pilgrim looked at Meri in surprise. "You're brave," he said, "but this behavior is stupid." "I don't know," Merry said, "I don't think it's very brave, and it's not very stupid. I can't help myself. I seem to be drawn to it. Anyway, I followed it. Then, I was by the fence I heard voices. Someone was speaking in a low voice, and another was whispering, or hissing. I couldn't hear a word, and I was shaking, and I couldn't get any closer. I turned away when I was scared I was about to run back here, and then something hit me from behind and I... I fell." "I found him, my lord," Norbert interrupted. "Mr. Buttercup sent me out with an oil lamp to look for him. I walked first towards the west gate and then towards the south gate. Right in front of Bill's house, I thought I saw something in the road. I dared not pack ticket, but it seemed to me that two people were bending over something and were about to pick it up. I yelled, but when I arrived at the place, the two people were gone, only Mr. Liquorbuck was lying on the side of the road. He seemed to be asleep. "I felt like I fell into the water," he said to me when I shook him. He was really weird at the time, and when he came to his senses After waking up, he immediately ran this way without looking back.” "I'm afraid that's true," Merry said, "but I don't know what the hell is going on. I had a nightmare I can't remember. I seemed to be falling apart, and I can't remember what was holding me. I." "I know," said Strider. "That's the Black Knight's breath. The Black Knight must have left their horses outside and came in secretly through the south gate. They've already gone to Bill, so they must know all the news by now. The southerner is likely to be as well." A spy. Something might happen before we leave Bree." "What's going to happen?" Merry asked. "Will they attack the inn?" "No, I don't think so," said Walker. "They are not yet. And that is not their style. They are strongest in the dark and against a lone traveler. Unless there is no other choice, or all the land from Eriador to this side falls, Otherwise they would not easily attack such a bright, crowded house. But their weapon is fear, and Bree has someone in their hands. They will drive these servants to their evil work. Bill, those strangers , and perhaps the gatekeeper. They spoke to Harry of the Westgate on Monday. I was watching them. The fellow was dead pale and trembling when they left." "It seems besieged now," said Frodo. "what should we do?" "Stay here and don't go back to your rooms! They'll surely find you a place to live. Hobbit rooms must have windows facing north, and high enough to the ground. We must all stay here, with doors and windows shut. Noble and I will go get your luggage first." After the Strider had left, Frodo quickly gave Merry a brief account of what had happened since supper.Strider and Norbert enter while Merry is still reading Gandalf's letters. "Gentlemen," said Noble, "I rolled up a bunch of clothes and put them in the middle of each bed. I also made your heads out of a brown wool blanket, Mr. Barkin-Yamashita," he said. added with a smile. Pippin laughed. "I think it must be very realistic!" he said. "But what if they see through our disguise?" "We'll see," Strider said. "Hopefully we can last until dawn." "Good night, everyone," said Norbert, running to take over the porter's job for tonight. The group's luggage and equipment were piled on the living room floor.They blocked the door with chairs and closed the windows at the same time.Frodo looked out of the window, and noticed that the weather was still clear.Sickle (Note 1) is swaying on the top of Bree Hill.Then he closed the heavy shutters and drew the shutters.The wanderer cranked up the fire and blew out all the candles at the same time. 哈比人裹著毯子，脚朝著炉火躺下来。神行客则是在堵住大门的椅子上坐了下来。他们聊了一阵子，满足梅里的好奇心。 「跳到月亮上！」梅里裹在毯子内咯咯笑道。「佛罗多，你可真会耍宝！真希望我在现场。布理的居民搞不好会把这个传说流传几百年哪。」 「希望如此，」神行客说。众人全都沈默下来。一个接一个的，哈比人进入了梦乡。 注一：这是哈比人对于天犁座（又称大熊座）的称呼。