The Fellowship of the Ring: SparkNotes Literature Guide by SparkNotes

Author:SparkNotes [Sparknotes Editors]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Study Guides
ISBN: 9781411475113
Publisher: Spark
Published: 2014-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

Summary — Chapter 10: Strider

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost. . .

(See Important Quotations Explained)

Strider follows the hobbits back to their room. He begins to talk, hinting that he knows much about their journey. The hobbits, especially Sam, are inclined to distrust Strider because of his vagabond appearance. However, Strider does indeed seem to know much about the Black Riders, who have recently been seen in Bree. In fact, he saw Black Riders speaking to the gatekeeper a few days ago. Strider also warns that others in Bree, including Bill Ferny—a “swarthy sneering fellow” who was in the drinking hall earlier—are not to be trusted.

Just then, Butterbur knocks and enters. He long-windedly explains to Frodo that he has a letter to Frodo from Gandalf. The letter was supposed to be delivered three months ago, but Butterbur forgot it, and only remembered it when Frodo showed up.

Reading the letter, the hobbits are frightened to learn that Gandalf had sensed imminent danger and wanted them to leave Hobbiton by the end of July, two months before they actually left. The wizard writes that he would catch up if he could, but that they should make for Rivendell as quickly as possible. Finally, Gandalf writes that Strider—whose real name is Aragorn—is a friend who can help them. The wizard quotes a few lines of an ancient poem that is somehow related to Aragorn. Sam is still somewhat dubious, but Strider soon convinces Sam by saying that he already could easily have killed them and taken the Ring had he wanted to. The hobbits agree to take Strider on as their guide.

Merry finally returns, bursting with the news that he has seen a Black Rider while out on a walk. Strider immediately decides that the hobbits must not spend the night in their room. They arrange pillows under their blankets to make it look like they are sleeping in their beds—an attempt to deceive anyone who tries to kill them in the night. The hobbits roll out their blankets in the parlor and go to sleep as Strider keeps watch.

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