Olympia, WA
Prologue: The Journey Begins
| …I can foresee very little of your road; and how your task is to be achieved I do not know… You will meet many foes, some open, and some disguised; and you may find friends upon your way when you least look for it. I will send out messages, such as I can contrive, to those whom I know in the wide world; but… some may well miscarry, or come no quicker than you yourself. |
By HairOfTheDog
In their shed they found the ponies; sturdy little beasts of the kind loved by hobbits, not speedy, but good for a long day’s work.
“I am just going to saddle the ponies, and fetch the one that is to be the baggage-carrier. Wake that sluggard Fatty! At least he must get up and see us off.”
Before we begin our trip there was trouble! The pony chosen for Frodo was not an ill-tempered beast, but nevertheless was not accustomed to the carrying of burdens! The clanky pots and pans and other burdens frightened her. The pony spooked at Frodo, who looked to her like a strange object that must be avoided, especially when Frodo would unexpectedly fall over.
His pony reared and snorted, and he fell off. When he looked back he found that he was alone: the others had not followed him.
“Here are your ponies, now! They’ve more sense (in some ways) than you wandering hobbits have - more sense in their noses. For they sniff danger ahead which you walk right into; and if they run to save themselves, then they run the right way. You must forgive them all; for though their hearts are faithful, to face fear of [this trip] is not what they were made for. See, here they come again, bringing all their burdens!”
But all the same, Frodo unpacked the pony and decided to go by pickup truck.
And so begins the adventure of Flat Frodo! a cardboard standee that is precious to me, setting out today, April 9, 2003 on a grand mission. To start in Tumwater Washington, tour all of America, and end his journey at our Freeper Entmoot in Florida, January 2004.
Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
