The Ring Goes South

           LaterthatdaythehobbitsheldameetingoftheirowninBilbo’sroom.MerryandPippinwereindignantwhentheyheardthatSamhadcreptintotheCouncil,andhadbeenchosenasFrodo’scompanion.

           "It’smostunfair,"saidPippin."Insteadofthrowinghimout,andclappinghiminchains,Elrondgoesandrewardshimforhischeek!"

           "Rewards!"saidFrodo."Ican’timagineamoreseverepunishment.Youarenotthinkingwhatyouaresaying:condemnedtogoonthishopelessjourney,areward?YesterdayIdreamedthatmytaskwasdone,andIcouldresthere,alongwhile,perhapsforgood."

           "Idon’twonder,"saidMerry,"andIwishyoucould.ButweareenvyingSam,notyou.Ifyouhavetogo,thenitwillbeapunishmentforanyofustobeleftbehind,eveninRivendell.Wehavecomealongwaywithyouandbeenthroughsomestifftimes.Wewanttogoon."

           "That’swhatImeant,"saidPippin."Wehobbitsoughttosticktogether,andwewill.Ishallgo,unlesstheychainmeup.Theremustbesomeonewithintelligenceintheparty."

           "Thenyoucertainlywillnotbechosen,PeregrinTook!"saidGandalf,lookinginthroughthewindow,whichwasneartheground."Butyouareallworryingyourselvesunnecessarily.Nothingisdecidedyet."

           "Nothingdecided!"criedPippin."Thenwhatwereyoualldoing?Youwereshutupforhours."

           "Talking,"saidBilbo."Therewasadealoftalk,andeveryonehadaneye-opener.EvenoldGandalf.