The Tenth Walker
by Lindelea
Bill the Pony gave my elbow yet another nudge this morning, causing me to spill my tea, and he licked up all the sugar from the bowl, and is likely to make a complete nuisance of himself if I don't write down his story. Chapters are about as long as a pony's attention span. New: The Watcher in the Water makes its appearance. Final chapter posted. TBC in The Way Home.
PG
· Complete
· Updated 24 March 2025
Characters: Aragorn, Arwen, Asfaloth, Bilbo, Bill the pony, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Gimli, Glorfindel, Legolas, Merry, Original Character(s), Pippin, Samwise Gamgee
Chapters
- 0. Prologue (560 words)
- 1. We take our leave of Bree (1,173 words)
- 2. We leave the Road (780 words)
- 3. We enter the pathless wilderness, no longer on solid ground (1,153 words)
- 4. We share and share alike (1,254 words)
- 5. We go from uncertain ground... to uncertain ground (713 words)
- 6. We make our way towards Weathertop (866 words)
- 7. We continue towards Weathertop (790 words)
- 8. Six days out from Bree; we reach the feet of the western slopes and travel on (1,409 words)
- 9. We explore a grassy hollow (1,289 words)
- 10. We take a bite and consider (1,446 words)
- 11. We are overcome on Weathertop (1,240 words)
- 12. We elect to leave the dell (1,222 words)
- 13. We cross the Road into a wild and pathless land (1,214 words)
- 14. We climb a long rise and contemplate the Road once more (774 words)
- 15. We cross the Last Bridge (1,010 words)
- 16. We pick our way through a pathless country (1,383 words)
- 17. A soaking rain begins (1,100 words)
- 18. We are forced to turn away northwards out of our course (933 words)
- 19. We eat a cold and comfortless breakfast (1,161 words)
- 20. We follow a promising valley, but it proves false at the last (1,188 words)
- 21. We begin an impossible climb (802 words)
- 22. We reach the top of the ridge (1,042 words)
- 23. We pass a cold and windswept night (1,336 words)
- 24. Things are looking up; we are moving steadily down (896 words)
- 25. Trolls! (1,400 words)
- 26. We descend toward certain death (1,069 words)
- 27. We encounter... trolls at close quarters (918 words)
- 28. We find a temporary resting place (1,090 words)
- 29. Well-rested, we return to our journey (996 words)
- 30. We travel upon the Road once more (1,096 words)
- 31. We meet hope unlooked for, aid unexpected (1,363 words)
- 32. Not yet pursued, we run (866 words)
- 33. The Road goes ever on (1,408 words)
- 34. We reach the limits of endurance, still a day from the Ford (1,585 words)
- 35. On to the Ford, at our best speed (or hobble) (1,676 words)
- 36. At the Enemy's attack, we make our stand (1,562 words)
- 37. The waters recede, and we cross over (1,111 words)
- 38. We mourn our loss, but worse is yet to come (995 words)
- 39. We pick ourselves up, for we dare not tarry (796 words)
- 40. Surrounded, and then left behind (1,186 words)
- 41. I follow after (1,025 words)
- 42. We arrive... at my new home? (1,172 words)
- 43. Restless, I find some sort of rest at last (1,223 words)
- 44. Many meetings (894 words)
- 45. I muse about leave-taking (763 words)
- 46. More travellers arrive (1,218 words)
- 47. At long last, I know contentment (1,334 words)
- 48. I hear some news of the Master, but want more (1,198 words)
- 49. A merry meeting (1,553 words)
- 50. We think thoughts of home (1,462 words)
- 51. I am bid a disquieting farewell (1,182 words)
- 52. I lend a listening ear (1,131 words)
- 53. I blot my copybook (869 words)
- 54. I am off my feed (1,429 words)
- 55. The days grow shorter (887 words)
- 56. I meet an old man who is more than he seems (1,034 words)
- 57. I take part in a curious conversation (1,352 words)
- 58. Scouts return and we hear news of the outside world (810 words)
- 59. I make my wishes known (980 words)
- 60. We make preparations (705 words)
- 61. I am offered one last chance (878 words)
- 62. Comfort, and a blessing to go on (815 words)
- 63. We stand before the door and think of things forgotten (1,338 words)
- 64. We depart and begin a long climb (1,249 words)
- 65. We leave the Valley behind (951 words)
- 66. We reach the Ford, and pause for refreshment (1,103 words)
- 67. We walk through a long, cold night (900 words)
- 68. We pause, and Master expresses consternation (1,095 words)
- 69. We find a resting place for our first night... er... day (1,401 words)
- 70. We take supper and breakfast and go to our rest (1,756 words)
- 71. We ponder the abilities of hobbits (767 words)
- 72. We prepare to move on (962 words)
- 73. We follow faithless paths in a windswept wilderness (1,281 words)
- 74. We follow winding paths to sheer falls, and swamps (1,117 words)
- 75. Disaster nearly strikes (1,282 words)
- 76. We remember past celebrations (1,510 words)
- 77. We have a celebration of our own (1,491 words)
- 78. We stumble over rough paths through the darkness (1,953 words)
- 79. Second day of the New Year, same as the first, a little more sleet, weather a little bit worse (857 words)
- 80. Another day, another dollop of this and that (828 words)
- 81. We find rest along the way (778 words)
- 82. We make a long and stumbling night-march (894 words)
- 83. We reach the top of a low ridge in the dawning (1,133 words)
- 84. We contemplate mountains, valleys, and lost and present Elves (982 words)
- 85. We move down into the valley of the forgotten Elves (815 words)
- 86. We find a resting place amidst the holly (999 words)
- 87. We make good use of our rest (1,300 words)
- 88. We take warning from our surroundings (673 words)
- 89. We set the watch (918 words)
- 90. Some thoughts on the hazards of quiet meadows (977 words)
- 91. Our plans change (1,087 words)
- 92. We endure disappointment for the sake of necessity (952 words)
- 93. We bid Hollin goodbye (1,334 words)
- 94. Some thoughts on the care and keeping of hobbits (991 words)
- 95. We tread an ancient road (1,483 words)
- 96. We consider names and books and things (1,306 words)
- 97. We make our own hiding places (1,147 words)
- 98. We wind through the hills, climbing higher (1,401 words)
- 99. We pause to consider (1,450 words)
- 100. A decision is made, and I am at first happy, then sad and confused (1,132 words)
- 101. We begin our climb, and pause for a rest (1,212 words)
- 102. We climb a sharp slope, but that is not the worst of it (1,071 words)
- 103. A snowfall begins (1,091 words)
- 104. We play ‘I hide and you seek me’ with the wind and snow (1,081 words)
- 105. The storm grows ever worse (1,062 words)
- 106. We stop and find ‘shelter’ (1,296 words)
- 107. We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot (1,295 words)
- 108. Our wood, the Wood Elf and thoughts of other woods (1,049 words)
- 109. An eye-opener, and no mistake (1,415 words)
- 110. We contemplate descent by various means (1,089 words)
- 111. What goes up must come down, or so they say, though perhaps not in polite company (1,390 words)
- 112. Swimming and Sailing and Flying, O my! (851 words)
- 113. Some thoughts on modes of travel (1,446 words)
- 114. That which is made up must go down in the end, after all (988 words)
- 115. Conversing (or not) with Dwarves (1,776 words)
- 116. We reach the bottom of the Mountain (1,275 words)
- 117. No rest for the weary (1,385 words)
- 118. We have a council (1,188 words)
- 119. Wolves and Wargs! (745 words)
- 120. Perhaps the waiting is the most difficult part... (1,259 words)
- 121. An eye-opener, and no mistake! (1,516 words)
- 122. We stumble about in a barren land (1,111 words)
- 123. Tall Hat finds our chosen path (1,226 words)
- 124. In haste, we climb a winding slope (903 words)
- 125. We cross a stagnant stream (1,387 words)
- 126. I receive words of guard and guiding (1,328 words)
- 127. Tall Hat knocks upon the doors with words (but not with Youngest hobbit's head) (829 words)
- 128. The doors open (1,331 words)