Bree (Some years before the War of the Ring)

[Gilthalion]

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A brief interlude...

It seemed that many folk in the Common Room were interested just then in Calamir and Beregond, and what their business was in this backwoods of a forgotten kingdom. Tom Ferny, glad for the moment that Menel had not pressed him for answers, was now annoyed to see the elf lass and the messenger from Gondor, who were just about to answer Valdavar, interrupted by some of the local hobbitry.

&quot;A song! A song!&quot; called one of the hobbits. &quot;Come on Nob, sing us something!&quot;

&quot;Just a minute!&quot; said Nob, who was carrying a large tray from the tables, laden with used plates and bowls. The hard-working hobbit returned from the kitchen, wiping his hands on the towel hanging from his waist. &quot;How about something for a cold night outside and a warm fire inside!&quot;

He began clapping his hands in a rhythm and the other hobbits joined in. Then, he lifted his homely voice and sang:

Don't you go where the cold winds blow
And fogs and mists hide the mounds below
Don't lose your life for a jeweled knife
Robbing graves of kings in barrows
Harrows! Narrows!
Don't lose your life for a jeweled knife
Robbing graves of kings in barrows!

Slowpate Jim of brains was slim
And thought the gold was there for him.
He ventured out and had no doubt
He'd come back rich tomorrow!
Borrow! Sorrow!
He ventured out and had no doubt
He'd come back rich tomorrow!

Grass grows green and the Sun shines keen
On mounds that cover those who have been.
There are spirits cold and darkness old,
And things that live at midnight!
Dark sight! Take fright!
There are spirits cold and darkness old,
And things that live at midnight!

Jim went there, for he did not care,
Of wights or ghosts or things less fair.
He did not believe, could not conceive,
That wights would come and claim him!
Shame him! Blame him!
He did not believe, could not conceive,
That wights would come and claim him!

So Jim is gone, to the Barrows yon,
And there lies still under grassy lawn.
He has his gold, but his bones are cold,
For the Barrow-Wight has got him!
Bought him! Caught him!
He has his gold, but his bones are cold,
For the Barrow-Wight has got him!

All of the hobbits laughed, though they had heard the song many times before, and even the dwarves enjoyed the silly song. But around the room some of the folk started thinking about the wealth of gold and jewels and weapons that lay buried in the green mounds not so very far away.

Tom Ferny noticed this, and rubbed his stubbly chin, looking shrewdly about the Common Room of the Prancing Pony.

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