There a "conspiracy" is unmasked. Frodo thought to leave the Shire secretly, but his relatives Peregrin Took ("Pippin") and Meriadoc Brandybuck ("Merry") already know what his plans are. They insist joining Frodo on his trip. .
The next goal is the city of Bree. To avoid the Black Riders, Frodo decides to travel through the Old Forest. This is a forest of which many rumours are told. They are lost in this forest and Merry and Pippin are captured by the Old Willowman, an evil tree. Screaming for "Help", a strange man, named Tom Bombadil, comes to their aid. He takes them to his home and they meet his wife Goldberry. Tom Bombadil is a "Master of things", "the oldest creature on Arda". After a few days, they continue their journey through the Barrow-downs, where they are all captured by a Barrow-wight, an evil spirit. By strong will, Frodo manages to break the wights spell, and he calls for help. Soon, Tom Bombadil appears and defeats the barrow-wight. In the barrow, they find a treasure of which the hobbits take swords, forged in Westernesse.
They reach Bree withouth any further problems. They are to meet Gandalf in the inn "The Prancing Pony". They are welcomed by the innkeeper, Barliman Butterbur. Gandalf is nowhere to be found. While joining the company, Frodo ("Mr. Underhill" as he calls himself), makes a stupid mistake by singing a merry song and slipping on the Ring while singing. His disappearance is the news of the day in Bree. Frodo is approached by a mysterious man called Strider. He warns Frodo and asks to take him along on his journey. Meanwhile, the inn-keeper remembers he has an unsent letter for Frodo by Gandalf. This letter urges Frodo to have left the Shire months ago, because he is being hunted. Strider appears to be a friend of Gandalf. That night, while hiding in Striders room, the hobbits room is attacked.
Next day they leave Bree, venturing into the Wilderland. Their target is Rivendell.
