The Way Home
by Lindelea
...or The Tenth Walker, Part 2. This is the continuation of Bill the Pony's story, from the Doors of Moria to Bree and beyond. (See The Tenth Walker for Part 1.) All fluff in these next few chapters. I think we've all earned a respite after all the recent angst. Apologies for my forgetting to change the earlier "angst warning" in the story summary.
PG
· In progress
· Updated 22 October 2026
Characters: Barliman Butterbur, Bilbo, Bill the pony, Elanor Gardner, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Halbarad, Hamfast Gamgee, Marigold Gamgee, Merry, Original Character(s), Pippin, Radagast, Rose Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, Saruman, Shadowfax
Chapters
- 0. Introduction and Explanatory Note (405 words)
- 1. Alone! (1,801 words)
- 2. I search for answers (1,211 words)
- 3. I... we? ...solve a pressing problem (1,511 words)
- 4. I follow my nose (950 words)
- 5. I follow the dry riverbed in hopes of water; a fool's hope, perhaps? (1,182 words)
- 6. I find hope unlooked for, aid unexpected (737 words)
- 7. Safe for the moment, I rest and ponder (1,541 words)
- 8. Many things become clearer in the morning light (1,121 words)
- 9. At last I am able to quench my thirst (1,349 words)
- 10. Idle talk about talk; it helps pass the miles (1,210 words)
- 11. What has happened to Tall Hat? (959 words)
- 12. Thoughts about Time and Time-telling (1,483 words)
- 13. We consider our course – along with various watercourses (1,121 words)
- 14. We enjoy the luxury of stopping and resting (1,073 words)
- 15. To shoe or not to shoe? (1,168 words)
- 16. The hair of the dog... (1,359 words)
- 17. Taking our blessings where we can find them (1,020 words)
- 18. A ford is a ford is... a ford? (1,170 words)
- 19. We cross that river when we come to it (1,214 words)
- 20. We encounter an unexpected difficulty (1,204 words)
- 21. To sleep, perchance to dream (964 words)
- 22. The journey becomes ever more difficult, but help is at hand (1,123 words)
- 23. Getting back on my feet (1,760 words)
- 24. I meet a new Friend (2,309 words)
- 25. Some thoughts on wizards (999 words)
- 26. Though parting is painful, we are on our way again (1,086 words)
- 27. Speaking of hobbits and stories and ways to pass the miles... (1,204 words)
- 28. Without warning, we are overtaken by disaster (1,147 words)
- 29. I grasp the implications (986 words)
- 30. We are attacked; but help comes from an unexpected quarter (1,054 words)
- 31. Wonders on wings (824 words)
- 32. A joyful reunion (987 words)
- 33. What happened after (1,027 words)
- 34. We trudge through the snow to a known – or unknown – destination (1,528 words)
- 35. We reach a fork in the road – and take it (1,178 words)
- 36. We find a resting place amidst the snows (1,441 words)
- 37. Wolves, again! (1,123 words)
- 38. It is an ill wind, or so they say (1,378 words)
- 39. We contemplate best-laid plans (1,534 words)
- 40. Just past Bree, an impediment arises (1,420 words)
- 41. Having reached the Chetwood, we engage in battle (1,544 words)
- 42. We heed the advice of a Ranger (1,800 words)
- 43. We follow the Rangers to their resting place (1,324 words)
- 44. Many meetings (1,573 words)
- 45. We discover a mutual acquaintance (1,851 words)
- 46. We bear witness to an exodus of Watchers (1,549 words)
- 47. We must deal with a sudden change in plans (1,540 words)
- 48. My companion and I part at last (1,365 words)
- 49. We finally enter the safety of Bree (1,676 words)
- 50. I pass beneath the sign of The Prancing Pony (1,492 words)
- 51. I begin to settle in (1,451 words)
- 52. Despite my comfortable surroundings, I am in for a rude awakening (1,525 words)
- 53. The Battle of Bree (2,889 words)
- 54. In the aftermath, we count our losses... and Something else (1,562 words)
- 55. We pick up the pieces (3,244 words)
- 56. I welcome some visitors (2,369 words)
- 57. While settling in, I encounter some unsettling thoughts (2,637 words)
- 58. I take part in a grand celebration and a joyful reunion (1,622 words)
- 59. Just when all is well, things suddenly gang agley (3,045 words)
- 60. I perceive a change in the weather (1,758 words)
- 61. There is a change in my guardian-hobbits (2,689 words)
- 62. Spring is in the air (1,537 words)
- 63. Just another morning in the town of Bree (1,271 words)
- 64. I am a party to mysterious happenings (1,304 words)
- 65. We reach our destination (2,311 words)
- 66. I am asked to take part in a rescue (1,777 words)
- 67. Desperate times call for desperate measures (1,311 words)
- 68. Interlude begins (1,084 words)
- 69. Interlude continues (2,039 words)
- 70. Interlude and curious happenings (1,389 words)
- 71. Whispers, deep in the night (1,683 words)
- 72. Interlude resumes (1,682 words)
- 73. Interlude takes a worrying turn (3,622 words)
- 74. I emerge from dreams to reality (2,222 words)
- 75. Standing firm once more (2,089 words)
- 76. I witness a curious battle of sorts (1,188 words)
- 77. The search continues (1,407 words)
- 78. At last we have our wishes (4,068 words)
- 79. Things seem to be returning to normal – or what passes for normal these days (2,245 words)
- 80. Beyond my fondest hopes and dreams, events unfold (1,041 words)
- 81. I ponder the incomprehensible (1,780 words)
- 82. I witness an interesting conversation (2,255 words)
- 83. We work as a team (2,480 words)
- 84. 'Just another day' begins (2,209 words)
- 85. We put dreams behind us and begin our work for the day (2,171 words)
- 86. 'Ride, ride to ruin and the world's ending!' (1,987 words)
- 87. The final battle (3,042 words)
- 88. We make a new start (1,369 words)
- 89. We learn our lessons well (2,086 words)
- 90. Celebrations (2,089 words)