TolkienPart 1
The next morning, Frodo and his friends rose early. They packed their things and looked toward the high hedge that marked the border of the Shire. Beyond that hedge lay the Old Forest — dark, thick, and strange.
Sam muttered: “I don’t like it, sir. Folk say queer things live there. Trees that move, roots that catch you…”
Merry, however, looked calm. “I know the way. My family has lived in Buckland for years. The Forest is dangerous, yes, but I have walked its paths before. If we keep to my plan, we will come out safe on the other side.”
They ate quickly and filled their bottles with water. Then Merry led them to a secret gate in the Hedge. It was hidden and locked, but Merry had the key.
“This is the gate into the Old Forest,” he said. “Only a few Bucklanders ever use it. Most would rather stay away.”
They passed through the gate and closed it firmly behind them. At once they felt the air change. The light seemed dimmer, the sound quieter. Tall trees rose above them like walls, their branches twisting together. The hobbits felt as though the Forest were watching them.
“It feels angry,” whispered Pippin, clutching his cloak.
The path was narrow, winding between trunks. The trees seemed to lean forward, closing in. Shadows lay heavy on the ground.
After some time, they came to a wide track. Merry explained: “This is the main path. If we follow it far enough, it will lead us down to the Withywindle River. But we must be careful. The Forest does not like strangers.”
They walked for hours. The way was tiring. The trees were not silent — they creaked, groaned, and whispered to each other. Sometimes the hobbits thought they heard words in those sounds, words filled with dislike.
“They hate us,” said Sam suddenly. “They’re listening, and they hate us.”
Merry nodded grimly. “Yes. The Old Forest has always hated people from outside. But today it seems even more awake than before.”
Part 2
By midday they grew very hot and weary. The path kept turning, leading them south when they wanted to go east. No matter how Merry tried to guide them, the trees seemed to force them the wrong way.
“It’s as if the Forest itself is pushing us,” said Frodo.
They stopped for a short rest and ate a little food. But when they rose again, they found the path had become darker and narrower. At last it brought them down into a valley. A stream ran there, brown and sluggish.