 | |
| Chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring | |
| A Conspiracy Unmasked | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Number | 5 |
| Synopsis | |
| Event | Merry and Pippin reveal that they knew Frodo's plan all along; they decide that they should continue their journey through the Old Forest. |
| Date | 25 September 3018 |
| Location | Crickhollow |
| Navigation | |
| Preceded by | A Short Cut to Mushrooms |
| Followed by | The Old Forest |
You must go – and therefore we must, too.
A Conspiracy Unmasked is the fifth chapter of the first book in The Fellowship of the Ring. The main characters are Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took and Samwise Gamgee. Fatty Bolger is introduced.
The chapter tells of Frodo's revelation of his intention to continue out of The Shire on his own, his friends' confessions that they'd known this all along, and how Merry and Pippin would accompany Frodo and Sam all the way to Rivendell while Fatty Bolger would remain behind to keep up appearances.
The chapter reveals the loyalty and determination of Frodo’s friends - Sam, Merry and Pippin - to accompany him on his dangerous journey.
Overview
The chapter begins where the preceding chapter ends, after the Hobbits had been taken to the Bucklebury Ferry by Farmer Maggot. Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry boarded the ferry and commenced their crossing of the river Brandywine.
A Short History of Buckland
At this point of the chapter, a short history of Buckland is given, describing how Gorhendad Oldbuck settled there, changed his name to Brandybuck, built Brandy Hall, and sired a great family. Bucklanders are described as peculiar among other Hobbits, mostly for their love of boats; and also because they locked their doors at night (unusual elsewhere in the Shire) due to their proximity to the Old Forest.
A Tense Landing
The chapter returns to the main story. The Hobbits had just disembarked on the eastern shore when Sam spotted something moving on the western shore. The Hobbits observed a dark figure behaving similarly to the Black Riders they'd encountered before, as it examined the landing and then slunk off into the darkness. When Frodo asked Merry whether horses can cross the river, Merry said he didn't think so, but added that the nearest solid crossing was the Brandywine Bridge, twenty miles away to the north. Merry rode ahead towards Crickhollow to get Fatty Bolger and the house ready for second supper.
Arrival and Supper at Crickhollow
After a long walk from the ferry, the other three Hobbits reached Frodo's secluded new house at Crickhollow, where Fatty Bolger welcomed them in. Frodo congratulated Merry and Fatty for successfully arranging his furniture to resemble Bag End. Secretly, he dreaded having to tell them that he planned to leave immediately, alone.
Merry had prepared baths for the weary travelers. Pippin sang The Bath Song as he washed himself. Merry and Fatty served a late supper of Mrs. Maggot's basket of mushrooms. We are told that Hobbits have a special appetite for mushrooms.
They're mine! Given to me by Mrs. Maggot, a queen among farmers' wives. Take your greedy hands away, and I'll serve them.
The Conspiracy
After supper, Merry asked the others to explain the Black Riders to him. Frodo fell silent, so Pippin retold their entire adventure thus far. Pippin and Merry beseeched Frodo to explain the rest of his plan, but then revealed that they already knew his intention to continue out of The Shire on his own. Frodo was surprised, having previously thought he'd successfully convinced everyone that he'd simply moved his home to Crickhollow.
Merry explained that he'd long suspected that Frodo would follow Bilbo sooner or later. He listed several obvious signs that Frodo was leaving The Shire for good. Merry reassured Frodo that only the present company had figured it out, and that his secret was safe with them.
The secret won't keep long, of course; but at present it is, I think, only known to us conspirators. After all, you must remember that we know you well, and are often with you. We can usually guess what you are thinking.
Frodo apologized for his plans to leave the others behind, explaining that he was going into mortal danger. Merry responded by announcing that he and Pippin had already decided to come along, and would hear no arguments to the contrary.
You must go – and therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure.
Merry revealed that he had known about The One Ring for a very long time. A year before Bilbo's birthday party, he happened to spot Bilbo vanishing into thin air to avoid the Sackville-Bagginses. Once they'd gone, Merry observed Bilbo reappearing and putting something shiny into his pocket. The curious Merry continued spying on Bilbo, eventually learning his secret. Merry also managed to briefly read from Bilbo's secret book, There and Back Again. Due to the book's absence from Frodo's inheritance, Frodo and Merry concluded that Bilbo must have taken it with him when he left.
Merry revealed that the Hobbit conspirators received much of their information from Sam, who had told them everything he'd heard from Frodo's conversation with Gandalf at Bag End. Therefore, all Hobbits present at Crickhollow knew of the Ring, of Sauron, and the rest of the story. Frodo was at first indignant about this conspiracy, but quickly realized that his friends had conspired only for his protection.
You are a set of deceitful scoundrels! But bless you! I give in. I will take Gildor's advice. If the danger were not so dark, I should dance for joy. Even so, I cannot help feeling happy; happier than I have felt for a long time. I had dreaded this evening.
Preparations to Leave Crickhollow
With this reassurance, spirits were lifted, and the Hobbits sang a version of Farewell We Call to Hearth and Hall! written by Merry and Pippin specifically for the occasion.
Frodo wanted to leave Crickhollow as soon as possible. Merry revealed that he had already prepared six ponies, laden with gear and provisions. He estimated that the Black Riders would find it very difficult to enter Buckland at night, but would eventually find a way in during the next morning at the latest. Frodo considered waiting for Gandalf, but finally resolved to leave at dawn. With no better option available, he decided to avoid attention by traveling into the Old Forest.
Fatty objected to this idea, but Merry posited that it must be safer than facing the Black Riders. Merry explained that the Brandybucks sometimes ventured into the Old Forest, especially during daytime when the trees were calmer. In any case, Fatty's task was to stay behind, wearing some of Frodo's old clothes, pretending that Frodo still lived at Crickhollow. Staying behind would also allow him to deliver a message to Gandalf, should he appear.
Frodo's Dream
That night, Frodo had trouble sleeping. When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed that he was looking out a high window over a dark forest. He heard creatures crawling among the trees below. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the sea in the distance, which he had never heard before. He found himself on a barren heath, looking at a tall white tower on a ridge-line. He felt an urge to climb the tower to get a view of the sea, but when he tried to climb he suddenly saw a bright flash in the sky and heard a loud thunder.