The Lord of the Rings, #1
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 9: AT THE SIGN OF THE PRANCING PONY
Overview
The hobbits reach Bree and lodge at the Prancing Pony, where Barliman Butterbur hosts them. In the common-room, Pippin’s talk pushes Frodo to sing, but he accidentally puts on the Ring and vanishes, alarming the crowd. A Ranger called Strider reveals concern and knowledge of Frodo, seeking a private meeting, while Butterbur also recalls urgent business.
Summary
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin reach Bree at night, where the wary gatekeeper Harry lets them in. Unseen by them, a dark figure climbs over the gate after they pass. They arrive at the Prancing Pony, where Barliman Butterbur bustles them into hobbit rooms, and Nob sees to their needs. Merry stays behind while Frodo, Sam, and Pippin go to the common-room.
Among Bree-folk, dwarves, and travelers from the South, Frodo claims to be researching hobbits. Tense news from the South circulates. Frodo notices a hooded, weather-beaten man—Strider—watching and warning him to rein in loose talk. Meanwhile, Pippin begins retelling Bilbo’s birthday party, nearing the Disappearance, worrying Frodo.
To distract the room, Frodo mounts a table and sings Bilbo’s comic inn-song. During a caper he falls, and the Ring slips onto his finger; he vanishes, stunning the crowd and drawing suspicion. A swarthy Bree-lander and a squint-eyed southerner exchange whispers and slip out.
Frodo crawls to Strider’s corner and removes the Ring, shaken and unsure whether the Ring acted on its own. Strider rebukes him and, pointedly calling him “Mr. Baggins,” asks for a private, important talk. The shaken patrons disperse in distrust, while Butterbur scolds Frodo for frightening customers but remains practical about business.
As the room empties, Butterbur asks to speak privately later, saying he has just remembered something important. Frodo, unnerved by multiple secret overtures, agrees, planning an early start in the morning.
Who Appears
- Frodo Baggins (alias Mr. Underhill)Leads the party into Bree; sings in the inn; accidentally vanishes by putting on the Ring; draws suspicion.
- StriderA Ranger observing from the shadows; warns Frodo about loose talk; reveals knowledge of Baggins and seeks a private talk.
- Barliman ButterburInnkeeper of the Prancing Pony; hosts the hobbits, manages the uproar, and asks to speak privately about remembered business.
- Peregrin Took (Pippin)Entertains Bree-folk with Shire tales, nearly exposing Bilbo’s Disappearance; prompts Frodo’s risky distraction.
- Samwise GamgeeWary of Men and the inn at first; joins the common-room; alarmed when Frodo vanishes.
- Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)Stays in the private parlour, choosing caution and fresh air over the crowded common-room.
- Harry (gatekeeper)Suspicious Bree gatekeeper who questions the hobbits and notes unusual night travel from the Shire.
- NobHobbit servant at the inn; helps settle the hobbits and tends to their needs.
- Swarthy Bree-landerWatches Pippin and Sam knowingly; slips out with the southerner after Frodo’s vanishing.
- Squint-eyed southernerForetells south-to-north movement; leaves with the swarthy Bree-lander after the Ring incident.
- Dark figure at the gateClimbs over the Bree gate after the hobbits enter, hinting at a hidden pursuer.