Bill the Pony


Bill the Pony belonging to the Hobbits of the Fellowship. The pony originally belonged to Bill Ferny (Yes, Side kick to Harry Goatleaf), an unsavory character in Bree, who mistreated the animal and did not feed him properly. When Merry Brandybuck's ponies were let out of the stables at the Prancing Pony, Barliman Butterbur bought the pony from Ferny for twelve silver pennies as compensation for Merry's loss. This price was three times the pony's worth, but Butterbur also gave Merry an additional eighteen pence for his trouble.

Although the pony technically belonged to Merry, it was Sam Gamgee who cared for the animal and gave him the name Bill. Bill's health and spirit improved under Sam's care, and the stay at Rivendell worked wonders. Sam claimed that Bill could nearly talk, and would if he stayed at Rivendell much longer.

Bill was used mainly as a pack-animal. However, when Frodo became ill from the Morgul-wound, Bill carried him for much of the way between Weathertop and Rivendell. Bill became adept at picking out paths through the rough terrain to spare Frodo from being jolted.

When the Fellowship left Rivendell, Sam insisted that Bill come along or the pony would pine away. When the weather turned foul, Bill proved useful by carrying extra firewood and acting as a shield for the Hobbits against the driving snow.

But when the Fellowship decided to enter the Mines of Moria, Bill had to be left behind. Gandalf gave the pony a blessing to help him find his way back to Rivendell.

"Go with words of guard and guiding on you," he said. "You are a wise beast, and have learned much in Rivendell. Make your ways to places where you can find grass, and so come in time to Elrond's house, or wherever you wish to go."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Journey in the Dark," p. 317

Sam tearfully said goodbye to Bill as the Fellowship divided up the pony's burdens. Suddenly, the Watcher in the Water attacked the Fellowship and Bill bolted in fear. Sam had to choose between running after the pony or saving his master. Sam went to Frodo's aid, but worried about the fate of Bill.

After the quest was completed, Sam's worries were put to rest. He was delighted to discover that Bill had survived and had made his way to Bree. Sam took Bill back to the Shire with him. When the Hobbits encountered the pony's former master Bill Ferny, Bill the Pony gave him a kick. Sam rode Bill to the Grey Havens to say farewell to Frodo, so the pony that had served the Fellowship was present at the end of the Fellowship in Middle-earth.