Episode 3: The Bree-land
They rose early the next day and, after a hearty breakfast, cross the Brandywine Bridge before entering the Buckland Gate. In Newbury Piper changes his clothes while his friend fills their packs before the two strike the road to Bree.
Piper’s Bounder friend says, ‘The Bree-land has changed, Piper.
‘Bears?’ Piper guesses.
‘There have always been bears. But now there are brigands, too.
‘You mean robbers?’ Piper guesses again.
‘Yes. And they are becoming bolder by the day,’ replies his friend.
‘We shall have to keep our wits about us then,’ Piper seriously intones.
The two hobbits see a sign along the road.
‘We’re not lost already, are we?’ asks a concerned Piper
‘No, not yet,’ laughs his friend. ‘Bree is due east along the road. We cannot get lost unless we take a false turn into the Old Forest’
‘No chance of that happening!’ laughs Piper.
Later, at dusk.
‘Here we are at last, Piper!’ declares the relieved Bounder with a sigh.
‘On to the Prancing Pony!’ rejoices Piper.
‘And all the vittles we can get our mitts on!’ laughs his friend.
‘Don’t forget the beer!’ Piper reminds him.
The two hobbits arrive at last at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree.
'This is it, Piper, the Prancing Pony!' says the happy Bounder. 'I hope Barliman has room for us.'
'I'm so tired I could sleep under a table,' says an exhausted Piper.
'Hopefully, that won't be necessary!' replies his friend.
