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.And I warnyou that peril is now both before you and behind you, and upon either side.’‘You mean the Riders? I feared that they were servants of the Enemy.What arethe Black Riders?’‘Has Gandalf told you nothing?’‘Nothing about such creatures.’‘Then I think it is not for me to say more - lest terror should keep you fromyour journey.For it seems to me that you have set out only just in time, ifindeed you are in time.You must now make haste, and neither stay nor turnback; for the Shire is no longer any protection to you.’‘I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints andwarnings,’ exclaimed Frodo.‘I knew that danger lay ahead, of course; but I didnot expect to meet it in our own Shire.Can’t a hobbit walk from the Water tothe River in peace?’‘But it is not your own Shire,’ said Gildor.‘Others dwelt here before hobbitswere; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more.The wide worldis all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence itout.’‘I know - and yet it has always seemed so safe and familiar.What can I do now?My plan was to leave the Shire secretly, and make my way to Rivendell; but nowmy footsteps are dogged, before ever I get to Buckland.’‘I think you should still follow that plan,’ said Gildor.‘I do not think theRoad will prove too hard for your courage.But if you desire clearer counsel,you should ask Gandalf.I do not know the reason for your flight, and thereforeI do not know by what means your pursuers will assail you.These things Gandalfmust know.I suppose that you will see him before you leave the Shire?’‘I hope so.But that is another thing that makes me anxious.I have beenexpecting Gandalf for many days.He was to have come to Hobbiton at the latesttwo nights ago; but he has never appeared.Now I am wondering what can havehappened.Should I wait for him?’Gildor was silent for a moment.‘I do not like this news,’ he said at last.‘That Gandalf should be late, does not bode well.But it is said: Do not meddlein the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.The choiceis yours: to go or wait.’‘And it is also said,’ answered Frodo: ‘Go not to the Elves for counsel, forthey will say both no and yes.’‘Is it indeed?’ laughed Gildor.‘Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for adviceis a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may runill.But what would you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and howthen shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice, I will forfriendship’s sake give it.I think you should now go at once, without delay;and if Gandalf does not come before you set out, then I also advise this: donot go alone.Take such friends as are trusty and willing.Now you should begrateful, for I do not give this counsel gladly.The Elves have their ownlabours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways ofhobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth.Our paths cross theirs seldom,by chance or purpose.In this meeting there may be more than chance; but thepurpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much.’‘I am deeply grateful,’ said Frodo; ‘but I wish you would tell me plainly whatthe Black Riders are.If I take your advice I may not see Gandalf for a longwhile, and I ought to know what is the danger that pursues me.’‘Is it not enough to know that they are servants of the Enemy?’ answeredGildor.‘Flee them! Speak no words to them! They are deadly.Ask no more of me!But my heart forbodes that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, willknow more of these fell things than Gildor Inglorion.May Elbereth protectyou!’‘But where shall I find courage?’ asked Frodo.‘That is what I chiefly need.’‘Courage is found in unlikely places,’ said Gildor.‘Be of good hope! Sleepnow! In the morning we shall have gone; but we will send our messages throughthe lands.The Wandering Companies shall know of your journey, and those thathave power for good shall be on the watch.I name you Elf-friend; and may thestars shine upon the end of your road! Seldom have we had such delight instrangers, and it is fair to hear words of the Ancient Speech from the lips ofother wanderers in the world.’Frodo felt sleep coming upon him, even as Gildor finished speaking.‘I willsleep now,’ he said; and the Elf led him to a bower beside Pippin, and he threwhimself upon a bed and fell at once into a dreamless slumber.Chapter 4A Short Cut to MushroomsIn the morning Frodo woke refreshed.He was lying in a bower made by a livingtree with branches laced and drooping to the ground; his bed was of fern andgrass, deep and soft and strangely fragrant.The sun was shining through thefluttering leaves, which were still green upon the tree.He jumped up and wentout.Sam was sitting on the grass near the edge of the wood.Pippin was standingstudying the sky and weather.There was no sign of the Elves.‘They have left us fruit and drink, and bread,’ said Pippin.‘Come and haveyour breakfast.The bread tastes almost as good as it did last night.I did notwant to leave you any, but Sam insisted.’Frodo sat down beside Sam and began to eat.‘What is the plan for today?’ askedPippin.‘To walk to Bucklebury as quickly as possible,’ answered Frodo, and gave hisattention to the food.‘Do you think we shall see anything of those Riders?’ asked Pippin cheerfully
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