What a Night

I was busy at the bar while the Hobbit was entertaining everyone with his nonsense song for the second time when there was a gasp of astonishment from the crowd. I looked up to see everyone staring at the end of the table and the floor which were both empty. I sort of just put it out of my mind until I heard someone say, but he just disappeared. So that was what the concern was about. He was not gone as far as I could see, he was leaning against the wall near Strider's table. Strider appeared to be lecturing the Hobbit about something.
The shock of this action by Mr. Underhill upset the Hobbit group from Straddle and shortly after that avoiding the rest of Underhill’s companions left for their homes. The swarthy Bree-lander looked at the spot where Underhill had bee and as if he had received a signal from the squinty-eyed visitor they both left mumbling to themselves.
Mr. Underhill's companions appeared equally upset but on seeing him speaking to Strider just sat down at their table and ordered more pints and nosh.
As I delivered their order, I caught one of them saying, He's getting like Bilbo. There one minute then gone the next.
The others were still upset and as I and Barli started to clear up the broken cups and bowls, they demanded that Barli tell them where Underhill had gone. Barli pointed out the Mr. Took was still here and as long as they paid their bill in the morning they could come and go as the pleased. As if on cue, Mr. Underhill stepped out of the shadows near the fireplace. I am still here he said, I was just speaking to Strider. Underhill apologized for the mess and offered to pay for the broken crockery with their bill in the morning. Barli was not especially upset but did caution all four of the that the towns folk of Bree did not like anything out of the way or uncanny.
Underhill and his companions indicated that they were going to go up to bed and made to leave the common room. Barli spoke to Underhill that he wished to see him in private. Mr. Underhill seemed terribly upset by this request but followed Barli into his office.
Later Barli told me that he had remembered that Gandalf had left a letter for a Mr., Frodo Baggins Bag End, Hobbiton, The Shire. He did not know the contents of the letter but whatever they were upset Mr. Underhill/Baggins greatly. After reading it he went to his companions and they retired to their parlor. Barli set about heating water for the hobbits and was prepared to take it to their room when he noticed that Strider was also gone from the common room. Handing the jugs of water to Nob and myself we followed him to the hobbit’s parlor. A quick knock on the door was answered by Nr. Underhill and we all stepped into the parlor. Nob and I headed for the hobbit's sleeping quarters when Barli started to warn them of the danger of Strider when he stepped out of the shadows startling all three of us.
Barli asked what he was doing there, and Underhill said he was there by his leave. Why did you not let us see him sooner, he asked. Barli's defense was that Ranger’s reputation was not the most trustworthy and trouble seemed to follow them. For Example, he said the numerous sighting of those black riders in the area, lately. In fact, just 2 days ago one came right to the door if the inn demanding to see Mr. Baggins. Scared Nob speechless, until I slammed the door on him, he rode away to the west on the road out of Bree. Nob and I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible so we could hear what was going on. We never did learn what the big secret was that Mr. Baggins was carrying but from the reaction of Strider, Nob and I knew it was of great importance. The mention of the Black Riders had Strider more upset and he suggested that he and the Hobbits sleep in this room that night. With that we left the room with Barli and ended our day of work. As we parted ways at the front door of the Inn, we heard Barli locking the door and throwing the bolt, something he never did in our quiet little town.

 I slept very restlessly that night, once I woke to what I thought was the sound of horns blowing and galloping horses. Later on, in the night the wind became violent and there was the sound of howling and again galloping hooves. As the sun rose in a cloudy sky giving everything a grayish sheen, I made my breakfast, dressed and headed to the inn to start breakfast for our guests. As I approached, I noticed that the windows to the bed chambers of the Hobbits were flung open and the curtains were flapping in the slight breeze that stirred in the morning. Fearing the worst, I rushed to the door of the inn to find it still locked. I pounded on the door to have it opened by Strider followed by all the hobbits. Barli came out of his room looking like he had been up all night.
I went to the kitchen and started the food while Strider and Barli went to see the rooms of the Hobbits and Samwise and Meriadoc went to see to getting the ponies ready for the troop to leave immediately after breakfast. When Barli and Strider returned to the kitchen it was with relief that they had all slept in the parlor. The beds were torn apart, the bolsters shredded, and the rug torn from the floor. Strider was saying that they need to eat and leave as soon as possible when There was the sound of running feet and Samwise burst thru the door. All of the horses and ponies are gone. The stable is partially destroyed, we need to find the ponies as soon as possible. It was about this time that the visiting Southerners, owners of the other animals stabled came to tell Barli about their animals. Frodo asked Nob if there might be a pony that they could buy or rent from a villager, but all of the animals of the village were stabled in the Stable of the Prancing Pony. In the end Bob returned with the news that the only pack pony to be had was that of bill Ferny and if he even considered selling it the price would be exorbitant. After about three hours of gathering supplies and mending that that could not be replaced, they went to Bill Ferny to inquire about the price of his pony. Twelve silver was three times the going rate for ponies in the area, but they were going to pay it when Barli stepped in and paid for the pony plus more silver to Meriadoc for the ponies that he lost. Some of the southern visitors hearing that Barli had paid the hobbit for his lost ponies came to Barli after the hobbits and Strider left demanding that he pays for their mounts also. It seemed that there was going to be a big problem when Nob asked where were the swarthy southerners? They soon realized that he and his mount were both missing. Barli sent them back to Bill Ferny's to demand of him where his companion of the previous night had gotten too.
Over the next few weeks, we put in lots of work repairing both the damaged rooms and the stable. Good news for Barli the horses of the Southerners all wandered back to the stable over the next week and since some of them had left he gained three horses that he could rent out to men. The town gate was enlarged and reenforced with a peep hole to allow the night guard to see who was at the gate. One afternoon as I was airing the bedding on a hill side near the east road, I heard a singing voice and in the tall grass of the field nearby I see a bright blue hat with a silver bell on it. Tom Bombadil had come to town from his home deep in the forest to shop and to return the ponies of Meriadoc. Barli's stable was now full of horses and ponies for rent.

There were more and more travelers everyday taking the Greenway just and that brought us news of the hobbits once again. It seems that hey finally met up with Gandalf and they, Strider and four more companions had taken up a quest to travel to the east. Along with the news came families felling the depredations of the wild mountain men to the north of Rohan and more of the sneaky men that like the friends of Bill Ferny. the sneaky men never stayed long always heading west toward the Shire. Some would return later in wagons loaded with goods from the shire to the tower of Orthanc and Saruman, why he was suddenly buying things that he had previously produced was a mystery to all of us. One on group we never saw during this entire time was hobbits from the shire. Prior to the Night of black riders, we often had visits from adventurous Tooks and sometimes relatives of hobbits in Straddle. After that they became fewer and fewer until they came no more. I often wondered if the fact things were being sold out of the Shire might have something to do with it. In fact, on one wagon there were Hobbit guards. When they were seen Nob and Bob tried to ask them about their job and what news of the shire. They big person that seemed to be their boss quickly rushed them out to the wagon where they sent the night. That was the last time we saw any hobbits in Bree for at least a year.

One evening in early September just as the gates were about to close a thin bedraggled man and his even more bedraggled man servant came into the town. At first, he started toward the Pony but noticing Bill Ferny leaning on his fence speaking to a neighbor he headed to him. At first bill ignored the beggar as the man appeared but then after a word or two from the beggar, Bill took them both into his house. They stayed there for about 4 days never setting foot out of the house.
Bill seemed to be upset that this man was here and even though he still came to the Pony he never stayed long and only had one or two drinks. When the wagons from the shire made their stop here in Bree before going on the Isengard Bill met with the drivers. Whatever was said they turned around after resting their horses and left early the next morning. I saw the beggar and his minion sneak from Bills' house into the back of one of the wagons as it passed the house. I think it was planned because the wagon slowed down to let them in.
Life in Bree continued on its slow and easy path not disturbed by the world much until the day in October that a messenger came riding at full speed from the east bearing the news that The Tower of Barad-Dur and Sauron had been destroyed. At first, we did not know what to make of the news. Ever since the strange incidents before and after the hobbits left, we had heard that an evil was rising in the east. we never considered that it was this rise of an evil leader that was causing the mass exodus of people from Rohan and the strange men that seemed to be looking for any reason to fight with the local folk. Soon there were many more messengers going up the Greenway to the North on roads that had not been used for hundreds of years. One night there was a ringing of gentle bells and twinkling of fairy lights as a large troop of elves passed by Bree to the East. They were headed to Gondor to the coronation of the new King and his marriage to the Elven maid Arawen. It was much to our surprise that a messenger arrived just before the elves with an invitation addressed to Barliman Butterbur, proprietor of the Prancing Pony to attend the coronation of the King of Gondor. Also, there was one addressed to Nob and Bob excellent masters of the stable at the Prancing pony. The invitations were signed Elessar Telcontar, King of the reunited lands and Lord of the West. This caused much hubbub and speculation as to the identity of the king. When the elven party stopped outside of the town, sending in a messenger as to whether they would like to accompany them to Gondor, Barliman and the Hobbits nearly fell over themselves getting ready to leave the next morning with the Elves. It was from the Elven messenger we learned that the new king was our own Strider. I guess the rumor that the head of the rangers is truly the heir of Ilsildur was true after all. Barli left me in charge of the inn and although we seemed busier than normal nothing untoward or weird happened while the three were away.
their return was a sight for the ages and my grandchildren will be hearing tales of the magnificent entourage that returned Barliman. Nob, and Bob to Bree. Barliman was riding a large grey horse that strutted like it owned the world and he was wearing a coat of deep golden cloth with black pants with stockings and riding boots embossed with silver threads in the shape of twinning vines. On his head he had a wide brimmed black hat with a band to match his coat. Nob and Bob were but dressed similarly but in green and brown and of course no shoes. Both had similar hats with bands matching their surcoats. They both rode on ponies and lead a third pony with their supplies. As if the arrival of Barli and Nob and Bob did not cause a big enough stir in the town it was whom they rode with that brought the entire countryside to a standstill. With them were the four Hobbits that had left in such a hurry after the Night of Black riders under the protection of Strider, now the king of the reunited lands and lord of the west. They stayed at the Prancing pony a couple days to rest and replenish their supplies before heading back to the Shire. Samwise very anxious to see his old Gaffer and his girl.
Barliman brought gifts for the entire town from the king, in the form of dwarfs to come later and rebuild the Great North Road and repair the west road. Bree-landers from all overcrowded into Bree to see the heroes of the War of the Ring and to greet Barliman. One evening after the hobbits had left for The Shire Barliman brought out a small package from his pocket and handed it to me. At first, I was reluctant to open it but seeing the look of anticipation on his face I carefully removed the silver wrap revealing a small craved wooden box with a clever clasp that resembled two joined hands. After I figured out the clasp the top open revealing a tiny silver tree of Gondor, in full bloom. He carefully pinned it to my apron and there it still is to this day even though it has been many wonderful and busy years since my loving husband pinned it there.

 

A memory of Bree

My story is a common one for those that lived at the end of the third age. As I am getting toward the end of my time, I feel that I should write down my story of the night of Black Riders as I was involved. My name is Galea Stoor. I have lived in the ancient town of Bree all my life. Although I am not a hobbit, my last name is also of a large family of hobbits in the shire. I am not sure whether the humans took a hobbit name or vice versa but both sets of the Stoors get along swimmingly. The fact that many of the humans and hobbits in the area of Bree share last names points out the ancient origins of Bree. I think I will give a short history of Bree as a preface to my story. I hope it is helpful in setting Bree and all of our citizens in context. Bree is an ancient town that has seen its fortunes rise and fall with the ages. Bree was founded by men in the middle of the second age and was a particularly important city on the crossroads of the North Road and the Great East Road. It is located at the foot of Bree-hill. It is one of four small villages located in the countryside around Bree-hill and in the adjacent valley. As the kingdom of men dwindled so did the fortunes of Bree. The cities on the Great North Road had all been destroyed in wars and only the few men that used it were the Rangers and the wizard, Gandalf. Our inn the Prancing Pony HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE TOWN and has been in the capable hands of the Butterbur family. It was and still is the main source of the social life of Bree. As I said, Bree is an ancient city, but hobbits have only been residents of Bree since the middle of the third Age. By that time, the use of the Great North Road was almost nil and East Road was the mainly used for the trading of the excellent wines and pipe-weed of the hobbits. The families that settled in Bree had family in the shire that were the main producers of these much in demand products. For many years they visited and stayed close sharing the news of the larger world with Eriador and the surrounding area. As time passed the trade began to dwindle as men began to become more and more insular. The big folk, as the men of Bree are called, are Brown haired, short and broad of shoulder. They tend to be cheerful and independent, but they are also more friendly with Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits than most men. There are Little folk as the hobbits of the area are called, mostly living in the village of Straddle, higher up in the hills above the men. Although there were now a few little folk living in Bree itself. By the time of the Night of Black Riders Bree was just another sleepy town in the middle of Eriador and I was a bar maid at the Prancing Pony.
I was born to the Stoor family of Bree, no relation to the hobbits of either Bree-land or the Shire. I spent my early years living of a small farm to the North Bree on the old North Road. We were raising sheep and horses that provided my family with a good living until suddenly the north was crawling with orcs and other wrights. We had no idea why they were suddenly there. They would steal our horses and killed our sheep. No matter how many times my Da asked for help from the local Sherriffs nothing helped and so we moved into a small house on the edge of Bree. My parents had a small garden that provided for us and a small income for the family. I got a job at the Prancing Pony as a maid that came every morning before classes and eventually took a promotion to barmaid. There are about houses of both big and little folk in Bree proper. all surrounded by a high hedge with a gate at the West and south road of the village. Each gate had a small house near it for the gate keeper to shelter in while on their watch. Being a barmaid was interesting and every night I came home with news that kept the family and neighbors talking for weeks. There was news that there was a huge party in the Shire for the 111th and 33rd birthdays of Bilbo Baggins and his adopted nephew Frodo. Of more and more there was evil happenings all over Middle Earth and a rise of the evil tower of Barad-Dur. One night in the spring, the wizard, Gandalf came to the inn and spoke to Barliman Butterbur. I saw him pass a letter to Barliman who promised to give it to Mr. Baggins. Then Gandalf left promising to return in a few weeks to meet with Mr. Baggins.
After he left more and more strangers began to come up the east road. Most of them went directly to the house of Bill Ferny. There they seemed to plan things that as far as we knew never happened. Every night Bill and some of his guests sat at a table in the Pony like they were waiting for someone or something to happen. They never ordered anything and after a while Barliman asked him to either stop coming or need to purchase drinks for him and his friends. Some of the men that accompanied Bill to the Pony were definitely suspicious. One in particular made me think of the wizard, Gandalf but instead of his kind gentleness this man gave me the feeling of angry obsession for power. He only came once and stayed for about a week during which he spent lavishly, impressing many of the men of Bree. Barliman was alternately impressed and disgusted with the men but the amount of money that was coming into his coffers kept him from expressing any discontent in regard to the behavior of bill's friends. Along with the strange men coming over the East road there were the Rangers of the North. When I first started working at the pony, they only came down the North road once or twice a year bringing news of the outside world. after Gandalf's visit there seemed to a ranger in Bree every month. I am not sure what the job of the Rangers is but having them around was creepy. Their reputation in both the shire and Bree-land is disreputable. It is rumored that their leader is a direct heir of Isildur but after all the centuries since the fall of Gondor who can say this is true.
Nights went on and the crowd did not change much, Bill ferny brought in different people every week, some of them were distinctly different. their skin was very shallow and yellowish, and their features were different, even sinister. Others swarthy and the appeared to be from what one patron said was the far south. Why were they here, what did they want?

Just after sundown in the fall we got our answer. There was a knock on the West gate that led to the green-way, Old Harry was lounging in the gate house when the knock came. He jumped up and grabbed his lamp, peering over the gate he was surprised to see four hobbits and five ponies. "What do you want and where are you from," he asked. One of them answered in a decidedly weary voice, we are travelers heading East and our business is our own. Harry then challenged them that their business was their own, but it was his to decide if they would be allowed into the town after sundown.
finally, one answered that he was Mr. Brandybuck from Buckland and he and his companions required lodging for the night at the Prancing Pony. With that Harry slide the bar on the gate and allowed them in, directing them to the pony and with a slight apology. I meant no offense, but strange folk have been about and when you reach the Pony you will see what I mean.
The four headed to the Inn. Harry kept an eye on them as he felt they were being all to suspicious acting for any hobbit he knew. Arriving at the inn they saw what appeared to be a large two storied house with large windows on the ground floor. Candlelight could be seen through the cracks in the curtains. It appeared to be a warm and friendly place. Passing under the sign, that read Prancing Pony B. Butterbur, Prop. they tied their ponies under the archway near the door and entered the inn. We were crazy busy that night, even Butterbur was having to wait tables. As one of them came in the door he and Butterbur nearly collided. "can we trouble you.... was all he could say as Butterbur bustled away with a tray laded with drinks. Upon delivery of his drinks and the taking of more orders, Barli came back asking what can I do for you little sirs, as he wiped his hands on his apron. They required a room for four hobbits and Stabling of 5 ponies, if you please and meals if there is still food being served.
Barli called to Nob, one of hobbits we had on the staff and asked him to see that a room was ready for their guests while they signed in. Barli also called for Bob to come see to the ponies but when he did not come, Nob was sent to find him as soon as the room was ready. Our guests signed in as Meriadoc Brandybuck, Buckland, Peregrine Took, Great Smails, Tookland Samwise Gamgee, Bag-shot Row, The Hill and Mr. Underhill, Edgewater Cottage. As Barli read their names the groups of Straddle hobbits, also named Underhill picked up on the and immediately decided that they had to be related in some way. The group was invited to join them at their table and after a quick visit to their room to wash off the dirt of the road, they joined the other hobbits at their table. One of the Hobbits went out for a while and when he returned, he reported that their mounts had been bedded down for the night and their baggage STOWED IN THE ROOM. Barli brought the food to the table and as he set it down, he asked if they were from the Shire. They said yes and Barli got a puzzled look on his face as if trying to remember something but then it was gone and so was, he whisked away to serve more tables and order up more food from the back as others entered. Every one of the Bree-landers were warm and friendly and could not wait to hear new stories from the large world outside. While they all ate the Underhills from Straddle plied them with questions and stories trying to find out if there were any ancestral links. As the evening wore on and the pints flowed Pippin told several tales of the shire that had everyone in stitches. One in particular was the tale of the collapse of the roof of the Town hole at Michel Delving and how the mayor, had been so covered in chalk that he resembled a floured dumpling when finally freed from the Hole. Sam was also feeling quite comfortable and was freely chatting about the events of the shire, including the recent theft of mushrooms from one of the large farms by two rascals, only for them to be invited to supper at the farmer' s table a week later and be served a huge bowl of the mushrooms by the farm wife. on the downside the Bree-land folk had tales of more and more men moving up the Green-way looking for land to settle and peace as there was not much of it to the east. One squint eyed fellow said that if those that were here did not make room, room would be made. But the hobbits and Bree-landers paid him little mind as a man could barely stand in a hobbit hole, so they had no worries.
That evening the ranger, Strider was at the inn and as the evening wore on, he watched the hobbit Underhill with open curiosity that drew the attention of Barli. Barli took Mr. Underhill aside and pointed out s Strider and cautioned him about him. Barli was called away at that minute and as Mr. Underhill looked up, he saw Strider staring right at him from under his hood. Screwing up his courage, he walked over to Strider and introduced himself. Strider said, nice to meet you Mr. Underhill, if Barli has your name right. You need to reign in your young companions before fire-side stories, drink and chance meetings.... well, this is not the shire. There have been many strange travelers through Bree lately and well you never know. The Hobbit squirmed uneasily under the gaze of Strider's grey eyes. Nothing more was said because, Pippin spurred on by the success of the Michel Delving story was now recounting Bilbo's farewell party. As he drew close to the part of Bilbo's disappearance, Frodo interrupted Pippin and started to make a speech about how wonderful their reception had been when he burst into a nonsense song about the cow jumping over the moon. all the while he fingered his ring. When the song ended everyone cheered and Barli was drug into the room to hear it. Frodo began to enjoy the attention and was prancing on the table. As he danced on the table toward the end of the song the ring slipped onto his finger, as he appeared to fall from the table he disappeared.
This caused a huge commotion among the Bree hobbits and several of the men slipped out the door.

 

 

Tale of Grima

Grima, son of Fulca, was orphaned at an early age. In her grief at the loss of her husband his mother sent Grima to be a ward of the court of Thengel, King of Rhohan. Thengel was a distant cousin of his father, therefore Grima was treated as a son in the court. he played with all the royal children and was educated in all the same subjects as the two sons of Thengel.

Grima's dark hair and eyes set him apart for the blond, fair skinned and light eyed people of the majority of the Rhoherrim. Grima's people were from the border area nearest to Gondor.
Grima and Theodwyn were of an age and therefore did many things together. They both were strong fighters but Grima never had his heart in the battle as did Theodred. He excelled in his studies even out stripping the future king, Theoden. King Thengel saw this as a plus and undertook to have Grima apprenticed to his court advisor to train in diplomacy. Theodred and Theoden both went to serve as soldiers of the Riddermark under the command of their uncle Deor, while Grima traveled with the adviser to the courts of Gondor and Rivendale.
It was during these travels that Grima became aware of the power of the three wizards of the Middle Earth, Saurumann, the white, Gandalf, the grey and Rothagast, the brown.
It was also at this time that the growing threat of the evil in the East was becoming evident. Because of this Theoden was brought in from the field and also apprenticed to the Court adviser for training in statecraft and the rules of Diplomacy.

Theoden married shortly after he was brought back to court and after a few years he had a son, Theodred. Theodwyn, also married, and had a son, Eomer and a daughter, Eowyn. In time the old King died and Theoden became king. He chose Grima as his court main advisor. It seemed a perfect match as they both had learned their statecraft from king Thengel and his court adviser. While the royal families grew, Grima seemingly had no interest in starting a life of his own. His work on the alliance of Gondor and Rhohan was instrumental in keeping the two countries free from the depredations of the Orcs that were getting bolder and bolder on both of their Eastern borders. It was while working with Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor, that he came to know Saurumann, the white, and the power of the Pallenteir.
The power of the white wizard and his knowledge of the dealing in other lands intrigued Grima. He started to seek out Saurumann’s advice at every opportunity.

The years passed the parents of Eomer and Eowyn were killed in an orc raid on their caravan as it returned from a trade mission from Gondor. Thus, they both became wards of King Theoden. Theoden had all three trained in the ways of combat and swordcraft. Eowyn excelled in swordcraft and wanted to join her brother and cousin in the riders. Theodred, Eomer and Eowyn grew into fine young citizens of Rhohan. Each well trained and ready to step into their roles at court. Both Theodred and Eomer both served as horse Soldiers of the Riddermark. Serving on the borders of the kingdom and began seeing firsthand that the orcs were becoming bolder and bolder. As they both tried to tell King Theoden about the situation they were dissuaded by Grima from upsetting the king as the death of his brother was still heavy on his mind. It was at this time that the cousins began to call Grima, Wormtongue. They felt that he was lying to the king but for what purpose they did not know.
Eowyn knew. She was now the hostess for King Theoden and saw every day the damage that Wormtongue's lies did to the court and the security of Rhohan. Her poise and beauty made her a popular personage at court and the object of many suitors, but she only had eyes for Theodred. She still held out hope that she could join them as a rider of the Riddermark.

Eowyn's admiration of Theodred upset Grima. In his jealousy he confided to Saurumann his hopes of marrying Eowyn and gaining the Throne of Rhohan for himself. Saurumann saw this need of Wormtongue as an opportunity to infiltrate the court of Theoden, to undermine the alliance of Rhohan and Gondor. Saurumann had fallen under the spell of Sauron by use of the Pallenteir. He saw himself as the heir apparent to the power of the ring and Sauron encouraged Saurumann. He helped Sauron by having Wormtongue divert troops from areas that the Orcs needed to travel. He had Wormtongue sow seeds of anger in the men of the mountains by telling lies of how King Theoden was taking their land and over taxing them. All of this led to more and more skirmishes with both men and orcs. This was all working out well, but Saruman had a plan of his own, hatched when he learned from Gandalf that a hobbit had the one ring. Saruman was going to get the ring for himself. He planned to rule middle earth alone. It was at one of these border skirmishes that Theodred was gravely wounded and returned to Edoras nearly dead. By this time, Theoden was so far under the influence of Saurumann that he did not even acknowledge that Theodred was his son. Both Eowyn and Eomer tried to convince Theoden that the kingdom was under attack. Wormtongue convinced the King that Eomer was a traitor and a proclamation was issued that Eomer and all that followed him were traitors to the crown. Eomer left Edoras and Eowyn with his band of loyal soldiers and began to ride patrol over as much of the Mark as they possibly could. It was during one of their sweeps that the came upon Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli searching for their lost companions. After aiding the three companions of the ring-bearer, Eomer continued to patrol.

Seeing the distress of Eowyn over the death of Theodred, Grima tried to convince her that he was her only hope to save herself and the kingdom from the ruin of spinsterhood and the evil of Sauron. She rebuffs him saying that never would she as a shield maiden of Rohan give into the evil of Sauron or to the vile advances of Grima Wormtongue. Wormtongue in a fit of anger goes back to the king and tries to convince him that even Eowyn has turned against him.

All looks like Saurumann is winning when Gandalf turns up and breaks the spell over Theoden by revealing that he was now the head of the council of wizards as Gandalf the white. Wormtongue is thrown out of the court of Edoras by Theoden. His life only spared by the mercy of Gandalf, who sends him on his way with a message for Saruman that his time was ending.

Wormtongue fled to Orthanc in the ring of Isengard where Saurumann was now planning to attack the land of Rhohan with all the might of his gathered forces. Even though he had lost his connection to the inner workings of the court at Edoras, Saurumann was still confident that he would get the one ring and defeat the men of Rohan. He sent out his Uruk-hai army the very next morning to lay siege to the fortress of helm's Deep, where Theoden and the Rhoherrim had taken refuge. Shortly after the Uruk-hai marched off to helm's Deep, the ring of Isengard is attacked by "Trees". They were Ents, also known as Tree Shepherds. The fury of the Ents knew no bounds and there was nothing that Saurumann could do but watch the Ents destroy all of his works. The first thing they did was destroy the dam that Saruman had built across the Angren River. This flooded all of the factory and blacksmith works that had been built under Isengard. Any orcs and remaining Uruk-hai either drowned or were killed trying to escape by the Ents and the tree that they had brought with them. Wormtongue and Saurumann were trapped in Orthanc by the flood waters and the angry Ents. After a few days Gandalf, Aragorn and the rest of the leaders from Helm's Deep arrive at Isengard at the request of Treebeard. as they approach Orthanc a missile flies out from an upper balcony nearly hitting Gandalf. It splashes into the water and slowly floats to the surface. Inside, an angry voice is heard but no words are understood, followed by a howl of pain and indignation. Saruman and Grima step out onto the balcony. "Have you come to gloat, Stormcrow, Wormtongue says. Gandalf does not answer but is watching as Pippin took picks up the round object. He says, "hand that here Pippin, it is not for you." After receiving the ball and carefully wrapping it in his cloak Gandalf turns back to Saruman and Wormtongue.

After asking Treebeard about what the Ents want done with them and receiving the answer to remove them from this country as fast as possible. Gandalf tells them both that they are free to leave and wander homeless until such time that they can find anyone that will shelter them. Wormtongue starts to protest but is roughly cuffed about the head by Saruman. Later that night the lower door of Orthanc opens slightly and two hooded and cloaked figures attempt to steal away. The Ents were prepared for this and Aragorn and Gimli stop the figures and remove all the treasure that they were trying to carry away into exile with them. Gimli had relieved Saruman of his staff.  Placing it on a rock he shattered it with his hammer, thus completely breaking the power of Saruman as a wizard. "You will leave us as beggars in the wilds, Saruman demands. But there is no answer as Aragorn and Gimli have silently stepped away leaving only the Ents that were to escort the pair to the nearest road away from Isengard and Fangorn Forest.

Wormtongue and Saruman headed West along the road, called the Greenway, that would eventually reach the Shire. At first, Wormtongue protested to Saruman that to head to the Shire was folly because there was nothing in the Shire but worthless hobbits. He was told then in no uncertain terms that if he wished he could go his own way. Wormtongue once again bowed to the wisdom of Saruman and followed. After about 4 weeks on the road without meeting any other travelers, Wormtongue began again to nag at Saruman about the direction of their travel. The food they had been allowed to take from Isengard was just about gone when up ahead on the road a cloud of dust could be seen. Unsure of the nature of the other travelers, they both ducked into the scrub on the verge. Soon several horses and riders escorting two large wagons loaded with supplies came into view. Saruman leaped up and Haled the wagons. The outriders, huge orcish looking men charged up to Saruman, halting within inches of trampling him. Bill Ferny, do not you recognize your benefactor, Saruman called out. The man addressed as Bill leaned from his saddle to get a clearer look at Saruman and called out Hey guys! It's Sharkey! What are you doing here?
Why aren’t you at Orthanc?
Saruman gave the men in the wagons a quick glance and said to turn the wagons around, we need to go see the chief. In quick order the wagons were turned and Saruman and Wormtongue were seated in the lead wagon and they were off to see the Chief. It seems that they were just outside of the town of Bree when the wagons picked them up. Bill Ferny and his teamsters were not welcome in the town ever since the incident of the Black Riders, so he and the teamsters stayed in a house outside the town gates. Saruman and Grima walked into the town gate shortly before it was secured at sundown and took rooms at the Prancing Pony. Ordering a bath and sumptuous meals for each of them to be brought to their rooms. Saruman did not wish to attract any attention to himself. Grima sneaked out of the room to get a pint in the barroom, as the evening wore on sitting in a dark corner he heard rumors of Elves heading to the grey havens every night. . He heard of the fall of Helm's Deep and how the bodies of the Uruk-hai army just up and disappeared in a cloud of dust and leaves. He heard that there was a king on the throne of Gondor and that the tower of Baradur had fallen in the eruption of mount Doom destroying everything in Mordor. All of these rumors greatly upset him and after he finished his second pint he quietly made his way to their room. Saruman was waiting for him and immediately berated him for risking their discovery for his pleasure. This angered him and at first he was not going to tell Saruman what he had learned but then decided to tell him in hopes that Saruman would change his plans and go to the South where they would most likely find those who had been friendly to Sauron and shelter from any of those possibly hunting those that aided Sauron. His tales fell on deaf ears, as Saruman declared that they were use the crazy imaginings of persons with nothing better to do than make up stories for the entertainment of the Bar crowd. They both settled down to sleep but Wormtongue could not get the nagging feeling of the truth of the tales out of his mind.

Early the next morning they had a big breakfast before the crowd started to filter back into the barroom and headed over to Bill Ferny's house. Once there they started out in the wagons for the shire about a 4 days ride to the Brandywine bridge. The countryside was beautiful and lush with fields ready for harvest. Along the road were apple trees heavy with fruit ripe for the picking. It made Wormtongue feel good to see that there were places in the world that were still untouched by the ravages of war. Wormtongue said something about the beauty of the countryside and the rich harvest to Saruman and only got an angry glare in return. As they drew closer to the Shire the air began to get smokier and the fields not as lush and Saruman seemed to perk up. At the big Iron Gate on the Brandywine Bridge, they were challenged by a group of hobbits carrying clubs. At first, Wormtongue thought that they were being turned back but as soon as Bill Ferny identified himself the huge gates at both ends of the bridge were thrown open for the wagons.
as they passed Sharkey, as Saruman now called himself, slipped into the rear of the wagon out of sight of the hobbit sherriffs.
Wormtongue heard a couple of the hobbits comment that why were they back so soon, Wasn't the goods being sent to the east for troops in the army of one of the Chief's benefactors?
Wormtongue wondered about that but and planned to ask Sharkey about it. After they crossed the bridge, they headed into the Shire on the main road to the town of Hobbiton according to the road sign they passed. The Shire was a dirty miserable place with narrow grey houses and tall smoking chimney's everywhere. What fields that where under cultivation were meager and barely had anything to harvest. There were no persons on the streets or in the fields working. Eventually we pulled up to a section of the shire with a crooked sign identifying it as the hill, and the house as Bag End. Sharkey got out of the wagon, Wormtongue followed up the path to the door. Sharkey told Bill to take the wagons back to the sheds, they would see about the supplies later. Sharkey opened the door and stepped inside the hallway of what was once a gracious house but now was full of refuse and castoffs.
Out of a side room bustled a small round hobbit female, she demands to know by what right they had just walked into her home. Sharkey at first was going to intimidated her but then graciously informed her that we had an appointment with the Chief. She turned from them and yelled into the back of the hobbit hole, Lotho, some more of your Friends are here to see you. With that she turned back into what appeared to be the kitchen and sitting room, leaving them standing in the hallway. Out of the back scurried the Chief, another round hobbit dressed in a green waist coat and brown pants with many food stains on them. When he saw Sharkey his faced blanched to such a paleness, it appeared he would pass out but recovered quickly. He offered them both a seat in the room on the other side of the hall and called to the female, Mother I need tea for three served now. to which was replied a grunt and the clinking of china and the sound of a kettle being put on to boil.
This was September and for the next 6 months they lived in the hobbit hole of Lotho Baggins. At first it was fine but as time worn on Sharkey became irritated with everything about the Shire, He ordered that more trees be cut down but instead of having them milled he just left them to rot. One incident put a big dent in their welcome was the jailing of Lotho's mother Lobelia because she took an umbrella to Bill Ferny when he went to cut down the few remaining trees in the garden at Bag End. after that Lotho and Sharkey avoided each other and Wormtongue became the chief cook and bottle washer for the household. also, he became the whipping boy for everything that Sharkey felt slighted over. Then one night as Wormtongue was drifting off, he heard Sharkey cursing at Lotho. Lotho answered but whatever he said angered Sharkey even more and there was a crash ,a thud and silence.   The next day, Lotho was nowhere to be seen. Wormtongue did not inquire about his absence.

It was shortly after Lotho’s disappearance that there was an incident of gate breaking and the horns of the shire were blown. Some of our men stood by us and others fled as soon as they found a break. Finally, two exceptionally large hobbits and the former owner of Bag End were at our door demanding to see Lotho. Bill called out to Sharkey, Well look who's back for another round of fisticuffs, Sharkey. Bill remembered that the Hobbit Sam had beaned him with an apple after he was identified as the culprit that stole the ponies from the Hobbits on the night of the Black Riders.
When Sharkey stepped out of the door two of the hobbits immediately pulled out their swords as if to defend themselves and their friends. But Sharkey just laughed and told them that Lotho was buried around here somewhere but he didn't know where. Wormtongue was cowering behind Sharkey when Samwise said, Grima why are you following him, he has done nothing but get you in trouble. step away and we will jail Saruman until the king can send soldiers to collect him. Sharkey turned and glared at Wormtongue and started to walk up the path as if to leave the Shire. His look had dared Wormtongue to follow the request of Samwise and not accompany Him, Wormtongue slowly followed Sharkey but as he approached Sharkey, Wormtongue drew a long knife from under is cloak and stabbed Sharkey through the heart. Then Wormtongue was brought down in a hail of arrows from the hobbits surrounding Frodo.
Thus, ends the sad tale of Grima son of Fulca.