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    After the Council, the hobbits gather to talk about the situation. Merry and Pippin insist that if Sam is going to accompany Frodo, they want to come, too. Meanwhile, Elrond is sending out scouts to gather intelligence, and they are returning with news. It looks as if Frodo and whoever goes along will set out just as winter begins. In particular, it is important they not set out until they get news of what became of the Black Riders, because they lost their horses at the ford. Once it seems clear the Black Riders—the Nine—are at least temporarily out of the picture, Elrond summons the hobbits and asks Frodo if he is still willing to go to Mordor. Besides Sam, Elrond appoints Gandalf, Legolas the Elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir, and finally, Merry and Pippin. This makes a Company of nine: "the Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders that are evil." They are to leave in seven days. In preparation for the journey, the Elves forge the broken pieces of Narsil into a new sword for Aragorn named Andúril. Bilbo gives Frodo a sword—Sting—and a Dwarf-made shirt of mail made of mithril, a rare metal prized by Dwarves. Frodo puts the mail under his clothing. Boromir blows a great horn. Bill, the pony bought from Bill Ferny, is made ready. The Fellowship sets off and soon comes to a mountain range. They plan to cross by climbing the Redhorn Gate—a pass through the mountains on the far side of one high peak—Caradhras. They are overtaken by a flock of crows of a particular type known to be from Fangorn Forest. As they ascend, they find the going more and more cold and snowy. Finally, they must turn back, or risk freezing to death.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

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    The next morning, Frodo wakes up early and meets Gandalf and Bilbo as he walks about the grounds of Elrond's house. They attend the Council together with Sam following behind, though he was not invited. There are many there already, including Elrond, Glorfindel, and Strider/Aragorn, as well as Men, Elves, and Dwarves unknown to Frodo. Glóin, one of the Dwarves, shares that a horseman from Mordor had come to them, asking about hobbits, and promising them magic rings of power if they showed Sauron friendship. Glóin has been sent to warn Bilbo that the Enemy is seeking him and his Ring. Elrond says the purpose of the Council is to answer the question of what is to be done with the Ring Sauron seeks. At this point, Elrond shares the entire history of the Ring, and how, in the Second Age of the world, Sauron forged the One Ring in secret to control all other rings of power, which had been made for use by Elves, Dwarves, and Men. He tells of how Gil-galad and Elendil fought Sauron and overthrew him, and how Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. However, rather than destroy the Ring, Isildur claimed it as his own and was soon "betrayed by it to his death." The shards of Narsil, Elendil's sword, were given to Isildur's heir Valandil. The One Ring was lost, and in its absence, the Elves used their three rings to make beautiful things. The finding of the One Ring threatens all of these beautiful things, Elrond tells them. Boromir, a Man of Gondor, then tells his tale. Because Gondor is near Mordor, the growing power of the Enemy has already begun to affect that land. Amidst these rising tensions, Boromir and his brother Faramir (the sons of Denethor, Steward of Gondor) both have had the same prophetic dream, and they do not fully understand what it means. He has come to seek Elrond's wisdom on the matter. One of the references in Boromir's dream is to the "sword that was broken." Aragorn stands and displays his own sword, which everyone can see is broken in two pieces. When Boromir asks him who he is, Elrond interrupts, saying Aragorn is "descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil." Aragorn reveals the sword is Narsil, and asks Boromir, "Do you wish for the House of Elendil to return to the Land of Gondor?" Bilbo interrupts, and so Elrond calls upon him to tell his part of the story next. He describes how he found the Ring: he had engaged in a game of riddles with Gollum, who had accidentally dropped the Ring, only to be picked up by Bilbo. Then Frodo tells of all that had happened since he acquired it. Both Legolas and Gandalf fill in gaps in understanding: first, Legolas tells the Council, Gollum, who had been held captive by the Elves, has escaped; then, Gandalf tells how Saruman, the head of the wizards' council, has betrayed them and seeks the Ring for his own use. Indeed, Gandalf reveals, Saruman imprisoned him on the pinnacle of Orthanc before he was rescued by an eagle. Then the assembled Company debates what should be done with the Ring. Some would like to hide it, or throw it in the sea. Boromir suggests using it for good ends. Elrond maintains the Ring cannot simply be hidden; it cannot be used for good; it must be destroyed in the fire of its forging. It is unclear who will take up this task, but finally Frodo says he will take the Ring to Mordor to destroy it. Elrond says Sam may go with Frodo.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

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    When Frodo wakes, he finds himself in the house of Elrond in Rivendell. Gandalf is present and tells Frodo everyone is safe, fills in some of the details of the narrow escape at the Ford of Bruinen, and explains he had been delayed because he was held captive. Gandalf also tells Frodo, as soon as he is well enough, there is to be a Council, at which Frodo will learn the answers to many questions. Gandalf explains that the "Black Riders are the Ringwraiths, the Nine servants of the Lord of the Rings," and that Aragorn is of the "race of the Kings from over the Sea," as are all Rangers. Frodo is astounded. Soon, Frodo feels well enough to socialize with his friends and the others in Elrond's house. Sam, who has been anxiously waiting for Frodo to recover, shows him around the big house. A great feast takes place in the hall of Elrond's house. After the feast, they retire to the Hall of Fire for singing and storytelling, and Frodo is surprised and delighted to find Bilbo there. After passing the evening together, they head off to bed to get a night's rest before the Council.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

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    Strider assesses the situation. He believes the Black Riders were more easily chased away because there were only five of them, not nine—their full number. He also thinks the Riders believe Frodo is fatally injured and will soon be in their power. Strider tends the wound with a healing herb called athelas, but notes they must make haste to Rivendell where Elrond can use his healing abilities to help Frodo. For several days, the journey is uneventful but difficult, and Frodo's wound grows steadily more painful. As they travel, an Elf named Glorfindel appears and speaks urgently to Strider. Glorfindel has come from Elrond to help the hobbits reach Rivendell safely. He places Frodo on his horse and they continue on toward Rivendell. As they near Rivendell, the nine Black Riders catch up to them and pursue Frodo. Suddenly, the river forming a border of Rivendell rises up and scatters the Riders and their horses. The Company enters Rivendell; Frodo is unconscious.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

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    Back in the Shire, Fatty Bolger has been staying in Frodo's Buckland home to make it appear Frodo is there. One night, Black Riders approach the house and attempt to enter. Fatty, however, quickly raises the alarm, and the Black Riders, realizing the Ring is no longer there, ride off. In Bree, Frodo and the others sleep while Strider stays awake, alert and listening. When Strider wakens them in the morning, they find the bolsters placed in their beds as decoys have been destroyed. Butterbur is distraught, and Strider and the hobbits decide to leave at once. After a delay caused by missing ponies, they get on their way with one pony bought from Bill Ferny, a dubious character. Aragorn leads them through the Midgewater Marshes, and they can see, in the distance, something "like lightning." When they get to the hill called Weathertop, Strider thinks the "lightning" they saw might have been caused by Gandalf. That night, five Black Riders attack. Strider and the hobbits defend themselves, but Frodo feels an overpowering desire to put on the Ring. When he does so, a Black Rider stabs him in the left shoulder with a magical blade before Strider can drive the Riders off. Frodo slips the Ring off his finger before falling unconscious.

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    Frodo, Sam, and Pippin go back to the small parlor in which they had supper. Merry seems to have gone out, but Strider is waiting for them. The three hobbits are surprised and suspicious, but Strider seems to know more about their errand than they do. As they talk, Butterbur knocks, and apologizes for forgetting to give "Mr. Underhill" a letter Gandalf had left for him. Strider eventually convinces the hobbits he is trustworthy, despite his rough appearance, because he matches a description in Gandalf's letter. They agree to use him as their guide to Rivendell. Suddenly Merry appears, breathless. He had been outside and had a frightening encounter with Black Riders. Realizing the Riders have found them, they decide to stay in the parlor rather than return to their rooms. Bolsters are placed in their beds to make it appear the hobbits are asleep.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

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    The hobbits arrive in Bree, a village in which both humans (Big Folk) and hobbits (Little Folk) make their homes. At the village gate, they answer some suspicious questions before being let through. As they pass through the gate, a dark figure climbs the gate and follows them. They get rooms and supper at The Prancing Pony, where Barliman Butterbur is the harried innkeeper. After supper, Frodo, Sam, and Pippin join some of the other guests in the common room, while Merry remains in the private parlor provided by Butterbur. Frodo, going by the name Mr. Underhill, pretends to be a writer planning a book on hobbits living outside the Shire in order to account for their presence. Amidst the chatter, Frodo notices a stranger smoking a pipe and watching him. This man introduces himself to Frodo as Strider. The stranger warns Frodo not to let Pippin talk too much, and Frodo realizes Pippin is telling the story of Bilbo's disappearance during his birthday speech. Rather than let Pippin finish, Frodo interrupts with a song of his own. Yet as he finishes his silly song, he disappears, having inadvertently placed his finger through the Ring in his pocket. Strider chastises Frodo as the room erupts in suspicious and puzzled murmuring.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.

We are thrilled to announce that our online store, AnUnexpectedJourney.shop. is now open! If you love the podcast, please consider supporting us. We have a lot of fun plans for the future so stay tuned. 

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Entering the house of Tom Bombadil, the hobbits find themselves in a well-lit room where, seated among water lilies, is Tom Bombadil's wife, Goldberry, the River's daughter. They are shown to rooms where they freshen up for supper, then join in a merry meal with Tom and Goldberry. After the meal, Frodo asks about the "Willow-man," but the others all think talking about their frightening experience should wait for daylight. They head off to bed. The next morning, the hobbits enjoy breakfast in Tom's home, then settle in for a long talk and storytelling with Tom as the rain pours outside. He tells them stories of nature and of ancient times, when "only the Elf-sires were awake." The stories are like a spell on the hobbits, so they cannot keep track of time. When the rain stops, it is suppertime. After another abundant meal, Tom's attention turns to the hobbits themselves—their story. Frodo finds himself telling Tom everything, and even showing him the Ring. Tom suddenly puts the ring on his own finger, but it has no effect on him. Furthermore, when Frodo tests out the Ring's power shortly after, he is invisible to all except Tom. The hobbits plan to leave in the morning, and be on their way. Tom tells them a rhyme they can sing if they get into any trouble before leaving his lands.

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The hobbits rise before dawn the next morning. Leaving a message for Gandalf with Fatty, they set out, riding sturdy ponies. Led by Merry, they pass through a high hedge, and enter the Old Forest, where "the trees do not like strangers." They walk a ways into the silent forest, along a path going gently uphill, feeling they are being observed, and disliked. Merry notices that the trees have shifted since the last time he was in the wood. Crossing over a hill, the path begins to take them on a downward path, toward the Withywindle valley—a place with a sinister reputation. Yet, this is the way the path leads, and before long they find themselves at the Withywindle River. The way is difficult, and soon they become very tired. At the base of a large willow tree, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin fall asleep, and Sam feels himself beginning to drift off as well. Before he descends into slumber, however, he is awakened by small noises. Frodo has fallen in the water, and Merry and Pippin have become trapped in the willow tree's great trunk. Frodo and Sam yell for help, which comes in the form of a jolly old man—Tom Bombadil—who sings a song to Old Man Willow. Tom's song causes the tree to give up its captives. Tom invites them to his house for supper. They follow his lead toward the house, where they hear singing.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. 

Audiobook narrated, produced, and edited by Phil Dragash.

Art by Jian Guo.