The Lord of the Rings, #1
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 6: THE OLD FOREST
Overview
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin depart Crickhollow at dawn, pass through the Hedge, and enter the hostile Old Forest. The forest forces them toward the Withywindle, where Old Man Willow ensnares Merry and Pippin. Tom Bombadil arrives, frees them with song, and leads the hobbits to his welcoming house, introducing a powerful new ally.
Summary
Before dawn, Merry rouses Frodo at Crickhollow. The company—Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Fatty Bolger seeing them off—slips out, retrieves the ponies, and rides to the great Hedge. Through a brick-lined tunnel and iron gate, Merry leads them beyond the Shire’s bounds into the Old Forest, warning that its trees are wary and sometimes hostile.
They search for the Bonfire Glade path, feeling watched by the trees. After a tense approach, they reach the glade and a clearer track, but the forest’s pressure returns, stifling song and hope. Drawn to a bald hill, they gain brief sightlines, then discover the path bending them south and east. Choosing to strike north, they are thwarted by deep folds and choking undergrowth that repeatedly force them right and downward.
Exhausted, they descend a gully to the River Withywindle, realizing the Forest has steered them into its queer heart. Following a riverside path in heat and flies, they succumb to drowsiness beneath willows. A great willow’s soporific song overcomes them; Frodo is tipped into the river by a root, and Merry and Pippin are trapped when the tree’s cracks close around them.
Sam rescues Frodo from the water. Their attempts to force the tree fail, and a small fire only enrages it, squeezing Merry and imprisoning Pippin deeper. In desperation Frodo runs for help and hears a strange, merry singing approach: Tom Bombadil appears, confronts Old Man Willow with song and command, and frees both captives.
Tom invites the shaken hobbits to his home, promising supper and safety. As dusk deepens and mists rise along the Withywindle, they follow his path out of the Forest to tended lawns and a knoll. Lights gleam from Tom’s house; they are greeted in song by Tom and by Goldberry’s clear voice, and they step into golden light on the threshold.
Who Appears
- Frodo BagginsLeader of the party; doubts the route, nearly drowned by Old Man Willow, calls for help.
- Tom BombadilMerry singer and enigmatic figure who subdues Old Man Willow and guides them home.
- Samwise GamgeeSuspicious of the willow; rescues Frodo from the water; attempts fire to free friends.
- Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)Local guide to the Old Forest; trapped in the willow, then freed by Tom.
- Peregrin Took (Pippin)Overwhelmed by the willow’s sleep; wholly swallowed into a crack until freed.
- Old Man WillowMalevolent willow that ensnares Merry and Pippin and tries to drown Frodo.
- Fredegar 'Fatty' BolgerSees the travelers off at the Hedge tunnel, remains to maintain the pretense.
- GoldberryHeard singing at Tom’s house, heralding a safe welcome for the hobbits.