Chapter 8: THE SCOURING OF THE SHIRE

Arriving at the Brandywine after dark, the travellers find the Bridge gated and the Shire changed. Merry and Pippin overawe Bill Ferny and the gate guard, learn of a “Chief” at Bag End, and sleep in a grim guard-house. On the road next day, Shirriffs “arrest” them, but Frodo refuses compliance, and they proceed toward Bywater, acquiring an escort of reluctant Shirriffs.

At Bywater they find ugly new buildings, felled trees, and Men barring the way. When a ruffian mocks them, Pippin declares the King’s authority, and the Men flee, sounding horns. Frodo insists no hobbits be slain and proposes rescuing Lotho, now likely a prisoner. Merry instead decides to raise the Shire. Sam rides to Farmer Cotton, who rallies his family and neighbors; Merry’s horn-call gathers hundreds, and barriers are set. A squad from Hobbiton is trapped; their leader is shot when he attacks, and the rest are bound.

That night Cotton recounts Lotho’s rise, the arrival of ruffians, closures and “Rules,” and the worsening ruin after Sharkey’s coming. Sam reunites with the Gaffer. At dawn, news arrives: the Thain has raised the Tooks and sent Pippin with reinforcements. Merry ambushes a larger band from Waymeet in a lane; some break out, but most are encircled and defeated. Seventy ruffians die, twelve are captured; nineteen hobbits fall. The Battle of Bywater ends with Merry and Pippin acclaimed as captains.

Frodo restrains further killing and leads an escort to Bag End. They see the new mill befouling the Water, Bagshot Row quarried, and the Party Tree cut down. In the defiled Bag End, Saruman appears, revealed as Sharkey, boasting of his spite. Frodo orders him to leave and forbids the crowd’s calls for execution. Saruman attempts to stab Frodo, but the mail-coat turns the blow; Frodo again forbids killing and shows mercy.

As Saruman departs with Wormtongue, Frodo offers Gríma refuge. Saruman reveals that Gríma slew Lotho. After Saruman kicks him, Gríma cuts Saruman’s throat and flees; hobbit-archers shoot Gríma dead. Saruman’s spirit rises and is blown away to nothing. Frodo laments the evil at his own door, and Sam vows the work of cleansing will begin.