Rivendell_librarian
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Strider and the hobbits return to the parlour (any left overs - probably not!) and Strider tries to persuade the hobbits to take him on as their guide. He explains his suspicions that Bill Ferny will tell Black Riders they are at The Prancing Pony. Frodo, and especially Sam, are reluctant to trust Strider. At this moment, Butterbur enters and confesses Gandalf had given him a letter for Frodo three months ago. Unfortunately, Butterbur couldn't get anyone to take it to The Shire in the next couple of days so he put it in a "safe place" and so forgot about it.
The contents of the letter and Strider's (Aragorn's) possession of the sword that was broken confirm Strider's identity. Merry comes back having been found by Nob (one of Barliman's staff) about to be attacked by possibly a Black Rider. Merry had overheard what was probably Bill Ferny telling a Black Rider what he had discovered. It's significant that Ferny's house was closest to the South gate (barring the gatekeeper's lodge). They decide to stay overnight in the parlour and Strider keeps watch. Nob uses bolsters to make it look like the hobbit beds are occupied.
Gandalf's letter had three postscripts which humanises him despite him being so powerful. I think the reveal of the delayed letter and the broken sword are brilliant touches in this chapter.
The contents of the letter and Strider's (Aragorn's) possession of the sword that was broken confirm Strider's identity. Merry comes back having been found by Nob (one of Barliman's staff) about to be attacked by possibly a Black Rider. Merry had overheard what was probably Bill Ferny telling a Black Rider what he had discovered. It's significant that Ferny's house was closest to the South gate (barring the gatekeeper's lodge). They decide to stay overnight in the parlour and Strider keeps watch. Nob uses bolsters to make it look like the hobbit beds are occupied.
Gandalf's letter had three postscripts which humanises him despite him being so powerful. I think the reveal of the delayed letter and the broken sword are brilliant touches in this chapter.
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