Resilient Seeker Coaching | Ross Raymond Nunamaker

Book 1, Chapter IV, A Short Cut To Mushrooms

Third Age (From Appendix B)

• 3018, September, 24: Day Two in the Country, Black Rider, Another Black Rider, Gildor and the Elves, Evening with the Elves
• 3018, September, 25: Cross Country, Farmer Maggot’s Home, Arrival in Crickhollow

The hobbits woke and the Elves were already gone, but had left them food and drink. Pippin was in good spirits, the threat of the rider seemed far away. Frodo still had the fear of pursuit on him. He wanted to get to Bucklebury as soon as possible.

Frodo and Sam spoke. It turned out that Sam had talked to the Elves the night before and they were aware of Frodo’s journey. Frodo noticed a change in Sam, and Sam felt one in himself. When Frodo asked if he still wanted to go now that he had seen Elves, Sam replied, “Yes, sir. I don’t know how to say it, but after last night I feel different. I seem to see ahead, in a kind of way. I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I can’t turn back. It isn’t to see Elves now, nor dragons, nor mountains, that I want – I don’t rightly know what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if you understand me.’”

Frodo said to Pippin they will go off road and direct to the Ferry. Pippin said it can’t be done and reminded Frodo, “Short cuts make long delays.”

The hobbits were not long off the road when they made a first look back. Where they had departed a horse with a dark figure was alongside it. There was no return to the road. Frodo estimated it was 20 miles to the Ferry.

As the hobbits finished lunch and drank of clear drink with a pale golden color that the Elves had filled their bottles with they began to sing. They didn’t sing long when an evil wail came to them on the wind. The wail was answered by another.

They didn’t speak of it too much and readied themselves for the next leg of their travel. The goal was to arrive at the Ferry in daylight.

The hobbits escaped the wood and the sun shone. Before long Pippin recognized that they were in the fields of Farmer Maggot. While never leaving the Shire, the woods felt foreign, but now they were returned, the Riders a far thought, but Frodo had a new fear, Farmer Maggot and his dogs.

They met the farmer and his dogs. He asked them to come inside and told them of the visit from the Rider who knew the name Baggins, said he had left Hobbiton and was on his way here. They talked some more and the farmer offered them dinner and afterward he would take them by wagon to the Ferry.

They enjoyed the meal and loaded the wagon. It was dark and there was a mist. Maggot didn’t light his lanterns, not would until he was homeward bound he told them. They arrived at the Ferry and as they were getting out they heard hooves approaching.

It was Merry. They welcomed his meeting them. Farmer Maggot gave Frodo a basket courtesy of Mrs. Maggot. It was filled with mushrooms.

From Hammond and Scull

Hammond and Scull call out the same quote I used above regarding Sam, and use it to discuss Sam’s relationship with Frodo as they describe this scene as the first glimpse of Sam’s strength of character. They quote Tolkien as saying Sam was like an English soldier, of the privates and batmen he knew in the war. Later in a letter he points out the very different backgrounds of the two saying Sam is a loyal servant with a personal love for Frodo, but maintains a touch of contempt for his kind (class). 

From Return of the Shadow

This is a summary of the major changes in the first version.

We return to Bingo, Marmaduke as Merry, who is waiting for them at Crickhollow. Odo and Frodo.

Frodo recommends going cross-country and Odo gives the line, Short cuts make long delays.

The rider is seen at the spot they had left the road by. After lunch their song is interrupted by a sneeze or a sniffling and all go quiet. They leave as soon as they can grab their packs. Before long they are in fields and out of the woods. Frodo recognizes the fields as those of Farmer Maggot. Odo asks if he lives in a hole or a house.

This leads to a long discussion regarding the drawbacks of having multiple levels in a home. While the discussion takes place they come upon Maggot’s house and try to avoid it by going around. A dog spots them, Bingo puts on his Ring, and Frodo speaks to Maggot who invites them inside, having told them a strange person had been there not an hour ago. They talk and at the end Maggot’s mug lifts off the table and a good bit is consumed. The other two hobbits excuse themselves and they head for the Ferry. Why did you “play that silly trick for?” asked Odo.

They headed for Buckleberry.