 | |
| Pony | |
| Bill the Pony | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Affiliation | Samwise Gamgee; previously Bill Ferny |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Bill the Pony |
That animal can nearly talk, and would talk, if he stayed here much longer. He gave me a look as plain as Mr. Pippin could speak it: if you don’t let me go with you, Sam, I’ll follow on my own.
Bill was Samwise Gamgee's pony, named for its original owner Bill Ferny.
History
Bill was owned by Bill Ferny in Bree, mistreated, half-starved, and probably without a name. He was the only animal in Bree after Bill Ferny or his allies had opened the stables of The Prancing Pony, loosing all the mounts.
The next day, Bill Ferny sold the pony to Frodo Baggins for twelve silver pennies, which was more than three times its worth.[1] This sale proved fortunate for Bill, as Sam Gamgee dearly loved him and nursed him back to health.
Bill the Pony travelled with Strider and the Hobbits through the leagues of Eriador,[2] carrying Frodo at one point on their journey to Rivendell.[3] He then accompanied the Fellowship of the Ring, carrying their rations. Outside the West-gate of Moria, Bill was released into the wild for his safety and encouraged to make his way back to Bree.[4]
On the homeward journey of the hobbits, Sam was reunited with Bill the Pony at the Prancing Pony.[5] When the hobbits reached the gate at the bridge across the Brandywine, Bill Ferny threw the keys at Merry and was kicked by Bill the Pony as he ran off into the night.[6]
Sam rode Bill when he accompanied Frodo on his trip to the Grey Havens.[7]
Portrayal in adaptations
_-_Bill_the_Pony.png)
1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):
- Rather than being released at the West-gate of Moria, Bill is instead taken by the Watcher in the Water.
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- A pony accompanies the Fellowship of the Ring from Rivendell to the Doors of Durin. There, it is released by Aragorn. Both Aragorn and Sam refer to it as "Bill."
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Bill can be found lost just west of Moria. There is a quest where the player has to escort Bill to safety from a pack of wolves.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Flight to the Ford"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring Goes South"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"