return

1316 the return of the king
fat little country where you have lazed long enough. And’ –
he snapped his fingers in Frodo’s face – ‘King’s messengers!
That for them! When I see one, I’ll take notice, perhaps.’
This was too much for Pippin. His thoughts went back to
the Field of Cormallen, and here was a squint-eyed rascal
calling the Ring-bearer ‘little cock-a-whoop’. He cast back
his cloak, flashed out his sword, and the silver and sable of
Gondor gleamed on him as he rode forward.
‘I am a messenger of the King,’ he said. ‘You are speaking
to the King’s friend, and one of the most renowned in all the
lands of the West. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on
your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I will set this troll’s
bane in you!’
The sword glinted in the westering sun. Merry and Sam
drew their swords also and rode up to support Pippin; but
Frodo did not move. The ruffians gave back. Scaring Breeland
peasants, and bullying bewildered hobbits, had been
their work. Fearless hobbits with bright swords and grim
faces were a great surprise. And there was a note in the voices
of these newcomers that they had not heard before. It chilled
them with fear.
‘Go!’ said Merry. ‘If you trouble this village again, you will
regret it.’ The three hobbits came on, and then the ruffians
turned and fled, running away up the Hobbiton Road; but
they blew their horns as they ran.
‘Well, we’ve come back none too soon,’ said Merry.
‘Not a day too soon. Perhaps too late, at any rate to save
Lotho,’ said Frodo. ‘Miserable fool, but I am sorry for him.’
‘Save Lotho? Whatever do you mean?’ said Pippin.
‘Destroy him, I should say.’
‘I don’t think you quite understand things, Pippin,’ said
Frodo. ‘Lotho never meant things to come to this pass. He
has been a wicked fool, but he’s caught now. The ruffians
are on top, gathering, robbing and bullying, and running or
ruining things as they like, in his name. And not in his name
even for much longer. He’s a prisoner in Bag End now, I
expect, and very frightened. We ought to try and rescue him.’