The Old Forest

           Frodowokesuddenly.Itwasstilldarkintheroom.Merrywasstandingtherewithacandleinonehand,andbangingonthedoorwiththeother."Allright!Whatisit?"saidFrodo,stillshakenandbewildered.

           "Whatisit!"criedMerry."Itistimetogetup.Itishalfpastfourandveryfoggy.Comeon!Samisalreadygettingbreakfastready.EvenPippinisup.Iamjustgoingtosaddletheponies,andfetchtheonethatistobethebaggage-carrier.WakethatsluggardFatty!Atleasthemustgetupandseeusoff."

           Soonaftersixo’clockthefivehobbitswerereadytostart.FattyBolgerwasstillyawning.

           Theystolequietlyoutofthehouse.Merrywentinfrontleadingaladenpony,andtookhiswayalongapaththatwentthroughaspinneybehindthehouse,andthencutacrossseveralfields.

           Theleavesoftreeswereglistening,andeverytwigwasdripping;thegrasswasgreywithcolddew.Everythingwasstill,andfar-awaynoisesseemednearandclear:fowlschatteringinayard,someoneclosingadoorofadistanthouse.

           Intheirshedtheyfoundtheponies;sturdylittlebeastsofthekindlovedbyhobbits,notspeedy,butgoodforalongday’swork.Theymounted,andsoontheywereridingoffintothemist,whichseemedtoopenreluctantlybeforethemandcloseforbiddinglybehindthem.Afterridingforaboutanhour,slowlyandwithouttalking,theysawtheHedgeloomingsuddenlyahead.Itwastallandnettedoverwithsilvercobwebs."Howareyougoingtogetthroughthis?"askedFredegar."Folowme!"saidMerry,’andyouwillsee."