The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 1, Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

While Frodo, Pippin, Sam, and Merry prepare for sleep in Bree, back in Crickhollow Fatty is alarmed when he sees ominous shadows approaching Frodo’s cottage. He runs out the back door to the safety of neighbors, and the ancient horn of Buckland is sounded in alarm to warn hobbits of danger. The horns force three Black Riders to openly ride out from Buckland after realizing that Frodo is not at the cottage.

The next morning, back in Bree, Strider wakes Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin at first light. They discover that their original rooms have been ransacked, and all ponies and horses have been let loose from the stables. The group’s departure is delayed as they search for at least one pony to purchase as a packhorse to carry their provisions into the wild. The only pony for sale is owned by the malicious Bill Ferny, who demands an outrageously high price for the malnourished beast. After purchasing the pony, Strider and the hobbits leave Bree at mid-morning. Many of the town’s suspicious inhabitants watch the group depart.

After walking some miles down the main road, Strider cuts left to lead the hobbits into the wilderness. The small company spends two days walking through the woods without trouble until they reach the boggy Midgewater Marshes. It is slow and hazardous going through the marshes, and insects attack the hobbits relentlessly. On their fourth night since they set out from Bree, Frodo and Strider notice strange flashing lights far off in the distance. The next day, the group finally reaches the opposite side of the marshes. Strider points out the ancient ruins of Weathertop on a hill in the distance, explaining that it was once a watchtower for the men of Númenor. They strike out for the ruins to gain a view of the journey before them.

Reaching Weathertop after a day’s march, Strider discovers signs of a great battle and a stone marked with hastily made scratches. He believes that Gandalf may have left the stone as a sign to indicate he was at the ruins three days earlier before great danger caused him to flee. Strider suggests that it was Gandalf’s power that he and Frodo witnessed flickering in the night sky three days ago—the wizard was likely attacked by Black Riders and abandoned his camp at Weathertop.

The party decides to light a small fire in a hollow on the side of the hill. Frodo suddenly sees black shapes moving toward the bottom of the hill, warning his friends that Black Riders may be approaching. Strider advises that they should stay put, as they are better protected by the fire. He shares myths with the hobbits to raise their spirits. This includes the Song of Beren and Lúthien, an ancient tale of an elf princess who fell in love with a man. Together they were able to successfully destroy an ancient enemy who was Sauron’s master at the time. Lúthien then chose to give up her immortality so she could join Beren in death. The hobbits notice a noble change in Strider’s disposition as he speaks of great deeds and peoples long past.

After Strider finishes his stories, Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam rest and keep watch. The hobbits suddenly feel a sense of dread creep over them, and Strider organizes them with their backs to the fire in preparation for an attack by Black Riders.

Several dark figures suddenly materialize at the edge of the campfire’s light. Merry and Pippin throw themselves down in terror, while Sam huddles at Frodo’s side. As five Black Riders advance on the Ring-bearer, Frodo cannot resist the overwhelming urge to slip on the Ring. He does so, and at once can see the figures of the Riders more clearly—they have fearsome appearances and carry menacing weapons. The tallest of the figures, wearing a crown and bearing a long sword and a knife, springs forward at Frodo.

Still wearing the Ring, Frodo leaps downward to stab the feet of his attacker, meeting the crowned Black Rider with a cry of “O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!” At the same time, he feels an icy stab to his shoulder. Reeling from the pain, he sees the bright figure of Strider leap into battle wielding a flaming brand (a burning piece of wood) in each hand. With a final push, Frodo manages to slip the Ring from his finger before he falls unconscious from the pain of his wound.