"Part IV The Prancing Pony" "And so we arrived in Bree." "The people of Bree are damn sturdy but a little short." "They are happy and independant." "Masters of their own self." "But they still treat Hobbits better than big people generally do." "In the wilderness spreading behind Bree, ...there were many odd wanderers, called rangers." "They were said to possess mysterious talents of hearing and eyesight." "And skills to understand the language of birds and other animals." "They always brought news from afar upon their arrival." "And told some peculiar, forgotten tales that were always listened to with great interest." "But they never became friends with the people of Bree." "When we arrived at the village, it was dark, and pale stars were shining." "We passed a couple of lonely looking buildings and arrived in front of the inn." "We're not going to stay the night in here, are we?" "I just mean that if there are Hobbits living here, of course we ask them." "Would be a bit more comfy..." "What's wrong with an inn?" "Tom Bombadil recommended it." "I bet it's much more cosy from the inside..." "What do you want?" "A room for four, if possible." "Are you mr." "Butterbur?" "Yes." "Butterbur, indeed, Barliman Butterbur, at your service." "Hobbits, eh?" "What was it that I had to remember..." "May I ask your name?" "Here's mister Took, mister Brandybuck, mister Gamgee and my name is mister  mister Underhill." " Underhill?" "I just can't recall it." "Well anyway, there are some really nice little rooms exclusively for Hobbits, in the basement." "Round windows and all." "Hope you enjoy yourselves." "Would you perhaps join us?" "We rarely see foreigners and we'd love to hear a beautiful song, or a story." "I'll go get some fresh air." "Be cautious and remember we are on a secret escape." "Yeah, yeah." "Be cautious yourself not to get lost." "Where are you guys going?" "There's some unrest in the South." "More and more people are going North." "If they can't find space, they'll take it for their own." "The town hall of Michel Delving crumbled down, ...and the mayor, Will Whitfoot," "...the fattest Hobbit of Westfarthing, ...was buried in the chalk, and dug his way out like a floury bun." "Who's that?" "Oh, that one?" "I don't really know." "He rarely speaks, but around here, he is called 'Strider'." "I'm indeed called 'Strider' around here, mister 'Underhill', if I heard correctly." "Yes, you did." "Bilbo had a...nice speech..." "Mister 'Underhill', ...if I were you, I'd stop my friend from speaking too much, because we certainly aren't in the Shire, and all kind of people are around." "And then...then he said..." "Do something, quick!" "# There is an inn, a merry old inn # beneath an old grey hill" "# There is an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old..." "# And there they brew a beer so brown" "# That the man in the moon himself came down # one night to drink his fill." "# The ostler has a tipsy cat, that plays a five-stringed fiddle" "# The ostler has a tipsy cat, that plays a five-stringed fiddle" "# And up and down he runs his bow" "# Now squaking high, now purring low # now sawing in the middle." "# The landlord keeps a little dog, that is mighty fond of jokes" "# The landlord keeps a little dog, that is mighty fond of jokes" "# When there's good cheer among the guests" "# He cocks an ear at all the jests, and laughts until he chokes." "# The man in the Moon was drinking deep # and the cat began to wail" "# The man in the Moon was drinking deep # and the cat began to wail" "# A dish and a spoon on the table danced" "# The cow in the garden madly pranced # and the little dog chased his tail." "# The Man in the Moon took another mug # and rolled beneath his chair" "# The Man in the Moon took another mug # and rolled beneath his chair" "# And there he dozed, and dreamed of ale" "# Till in the sky the stars were pale # and dawn was in the air." "And the violin solo!" "# So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle" "# A jig that would wake the dead" "# He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune" "# While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon" "# "It's after three", he said" "# They rolled the Man slowly up the hill # and bundled him into the Moon" "# They rolled the Man slowly up the hill # and bundled him into the Moon" "# While his horses galloped up in rear" "# And the cow..." "It was worse, than anything your friend could have said!" "Is there something wrong with your head or, to be more precise, your finger?" "I don't understand." " Yes, you do." "Mister Baggins." "And now..." "I'd like to have a word with you, ...if that's okay with you, mister Baggins." "On what topic?" "On a topic that is very important for both of us..." "Firstly, you must take me with you, ...and I decide when I separate from you." "Secondly, the Black Riders have been seen in the village." "And they're horrifying!" "You're afraid of them, but not enough." "They come from Mordor." "Mr. Underhill!" "Look at what you've done, mr." "Underhill!" "Underhill!" "Now I remember!" "I was to give you a message!" "A message?" "From whom?" "From Gandalf." "Gandalf!" "Then your real name must be "Baggins", mister Underhill!" "Dear Frodo, I have bad news." "The Black Riders are on the move." "They're looking for you." "You must leave immediately." "I'll follow when I can." "You might have met an old friend of mine." "He is a big man." "Skinny, dark, tall." "Some call him "Strider"." "He will help you." "You mustn't use it anymore." "No matter the circumstance." "Strider's real name is Aragorn." "Why didn't you say you are a friend of Gandalf?" "It would have saved time." " Really?" "Would you have believed me?" "How do we know that's the real Strider?" "The one Gandalf speaks about?" "You could be someone like like a spy in disguise." "Who has knocked out the real Strider, and stolen his clothes, for all we know." "What do you say to that?" "To that I say that you're a pretty tough fella, Sam Gamgee." "But if I had killed the real Strider, I could kill you too." "And would've already done so." "And if I sought the Ring I could take it now." "I am the real Strider." "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn." "If in life or death I can save you, I will." "This probably wouldn't have been much use, right, Sam?" "But soon a day will come when it shall be forged anew..." "I saw them!" " Saw what?" "The Black Riders!" " Where?" "Here, in the village!" "He's a friend of Gandalf, I'll explain later." "We'll leave at once." "And Strider shall be your guide." "Let's go." "Thanks to Strider's skills, we managed to escape the village." "For several versts we walked along the road until Strider decided it would be best to move to the forest." "He led us determined through a network of paths." "His routes were filled with curves to mislead potential chasers." "For days we travelled in the wilderness." "Our campsites were cold, wet and uncomfortable and at night, neither the cold nor the bloodthirsty insects let us sleep." "On the fifth day, we didn't need to walk long before Strider stopped us." "That's Weathertop." "Perhaps we'll make it there before tomorrow midday, and find Gandalf." "But that's a slim hope." "Maybe he doesn't go through Bree, ...or know of our plans, and even if he did, ...we have to get to Weathertop at the same time, ...because we can't stay there for long." "If the Riders don't find us here, they'll head for Weathertop too, ...because on top there's a great view in all directions." "And right now, some bird or beast could see us from there." "Not all birds are trustworthy." "You sure know how to make one feel awful and scared!" "What do you suggest we do?" "I think we should head straight to the East so we arrive at Weathertop from the North, and won't be so visible." "Then, we'll see." "I would've never guessed that we'd someday be heading towards Mordor..." "Mordor?" "Hopefully that won't be necessary..." "Don't say that name." "Not particularly joyful or tempting." "No water, no shelter, ...and not a sign of Gandalf." "I'd say this rock has been tampered with recently." "It could be a message from Gandalf but it's not certain." "What does it say?" "I'd say that the message goes:" ""G 3"" "Which means that Gandalf was here 3 days ago, on the third of October." "Maybe he was in a hurry, and felt threatened, ...in which case we need to keep alert, ...and hurry to Rivendell as soon as we can." "How far is Rivendell?" "I'd say that we have at least a two weeks' journey ahead of us because I don't dare to use the road." "Two weeks..." "I wonder what's left of me when we get there..." "If I keep growing ever thinner," "..I'll become a mere shadow." "Don't say that!" "Strider..." "Look!" "Take cover!" "The enemy is here!" "Subtitles by:" "Jounin Ensio  Spiny Norman"