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Chapter 6

Chapter 6

They had been wandering through the Chetwood for about a day, and Merry needed to say something about what had been weighing on his mind for some time .

"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?"

The hobbits still didn't really trust Strider or his elven companion, though they were grateful for a guide, they were still quite wary.

Frodo thought about his response carefully for a moment before answering.

"I think...a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler."

"He's foul enough."

Strider visible bristled, and the elleth at the rear of their party wasn't exactly happy either. How could Merry talk about him like that? They had known him for a few days, how could they be so rude to the person that prevented them from being stabbed to death in Bree?

"We have no choice but to trust him."

"But where is he leading us?"

The elleth could answer that one, and she was going to, but Strider beat her to it.

"Rivendell , Master Gamgee. To the house of Elrond."

The hobbits seemed a little surprised, they didn't think Strider could hear them. But that was just one of many things they were let to learn about the ranger.

The elleth still wasn't entirely sure who Elrond was, but he sounded quite important.

"Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see the elves!"

Sam was elated, he'd always wanted to go to Rivendell. He thought of the first time Bilbo had told him of Rivendell and how he'd declared that one day he would go there too. And now, he was going to.

They had walked through the Chetwood for about 3 days, and it was at the end of their third day that they left the wood. It was the first night whilst traveling that they hadn't slept on tree roots.

When morning came, they set off early, and it was a good thing too as the next part of their journey was to go through the Midgewater Marshes, and Strider didn't want to take the hobbits in there for longer than he had to.

By about mid morning, the hobbits stopped. All four of them shuffled about, taking things out of bags or off of Bill.

The elleth stopped too, watching as a pan was dropped on the ground, prompting Strider to turn around. He too looked a little confused.

"Gentlemen. We do not stop until nightfall."

The hobbits paused.

"But what about breakfast?"

Strider looked at Pippin, his confusion never leaving his eyes..

"You've already had it," stated the ranger.

"We've had one, yes. But what about second breakfast?"

Merry looked from Pippin to their guide, trying to gauge his response.

But Strider didn't respond, not verbally anyway. He merely turned and continued to walk.

"Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."

Pippin looked at his cousin in utter disbelief.

"What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them doesn't he?"