Frodo's departure

Frodo and Sam start for Bree

Black Riders:

kill a night watchman

Frodo:

(holds out the Ring to Gandalf) Take it, Gandalf, you must take it!

Gandalf:

You cannot offer me this Ring!

Frodo:

I am giving it to you!

Gandalf:

Don't tempt me! I dare not take this Ring, not even to keep it safe! Understand, I would use this Ring out of a desire to do good, but through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.

Frodo:

But it cannot stay in the Shire!

Gandalf:

No. No, it can't.

Frodo:

What must I do?

Gandalf:

You must go, and go quickly.

Frodo:

Where?

Gandalf:

Get out of the Shire. Make for the village of Bree.

Frodo:

What about you?

Gandalf:

I will wait for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.

Frodo:

And the Ring will be safe there?

Gandalf:

I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both powerful and wise. Trust me, he will know what to do. You must leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel only by day, and stay off the road.

Frodo:

I can cut across country easily enough.

Gandalf:

(stops, looking at Frodo, who is within minutes packed, cloaked, and ready for a long and dangerous journey) Dear Frodo. Hobbits are the most amazing creatures. You can learn everything there is to know about their ways in a month, and after a hundred years they can still surprise you!

Gandalf:

(hears a noise outside the window) Get down!

­­Frodo drops to the floor, Gandalf reaches out the window with his staff, hits something. Hauls Sam in by the scruff of his neck.­­

Gandalf:

Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?

Sam:

I ain't been dropping no eaves, sir, honest, I was just cutting the grass outside the window, if you follow me.

Gandalf:

A bit late for trimming the verge.

Sam:

I heard raised voices.

Gandalf:

What did you hear? Speak!

Sam:

Nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, and a dark lord, and something about the end of the world. Please don't hurt me, sir, don't turn me into anything unnatural.

Gandalf:

No? Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you.

­­Gandalf and Frodo walking, Gandalf leading his horse.­­

Gandalf:

Come along, Samwise, keep up!

­­Sam runs to catch up. The three stop under the trees.­­

Gandalf:

Be careful, both of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Birds, beasts. Is it safe?

Frodo:

pats his pocket, where the Ring is hidden

Gandalf:

Never put it on! The servants of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Remember, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found.

­­Gandalf leaves. Frodo and Sam cross fields, going towards Bree. Sam stops on the edge of a field of wheat.­­

Sam:

This is it.

Frodo:

This is what?

Sam:

If I take one more step, it will be the farthest from home I've ever been.

Frodo:

Come on, Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say. It's a dangerous thing, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you'll be swept off to.