Quest:Instance: A Road through the Dark

Background

Your good friend Celandine Brandybuck sent you a worrisome letter from the town of Archet in Bree-land, in which she hints at brigands in the area -- and worse! You have written her a letter, urging her to return, but have not received any response from her.

Objective 1

Perhaps Postman Took will know why you have received no response from your letter to Celandine Brandybuck.

• Talk to Postman Took

'Oh, yes, so glad you came by. I'm sorry, but your letter to Celandine Brandybuck in Archet simply cannot be delivered. I've heard from hobbits living in Staddle that Archet is besieged by ruffians. I would feel awful if one of my good hobbits got hurt!

'If you are set on having your letter delivered, you could go to Archet yourself. I wouldn't recommend it though! It would be wiser to no get involved!

'From the look on your face, I can tell you aren't going to be dissuaded so easily. Well, if you are going to go, follow the Stock road into Stock proper and then to Buckland from there. Hobbits there are a queer sort...maybe they'll help you get to Archet.

Objective 2

Leave the post office and travel to the Stock Road, where you will begin your journey.

Postman Took told you that, due to the troubles Archet is having with brigands, he was unable to deliver your letter to Celandine Brandybuck. He suggested that you should take it yourself.

• Leave the post office

Objective 3

Travel down the Stock Road until you reach the town of Stock.

It is not far from Stock to Buckland where you might find someone to deliver your letter.

• Travel down the Stock Road

Bounder Boffin says, 'I don't know where "Baggins" is!'

Black Rider says, 'Fool!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Gracious me, is it safe?'

Objective 4

You should speak with Bounder Boffin.

As you travelled down the Stock Road, you saw a strange rider clad all in black. He seemed interested in the location of a hobbit named "Baggins." After frightening Bounder Boffin nearly to death, he rode off.

• Talk to Bounder Boffin

'That rider was so terrible! I saw him coming down the road, and I tried to ask him his business, and...and...I can't say anymore about it.

'Oh dear, we have to hide! Old Odo's leaf-farm is just down the road. We can hide there.

'While I look for my key, search my satchel there and get a weapon for yourself. With strange folk like this about, who knows what else may be prowling around?'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Be quick now! That rider may come back!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'My satchel is here. Search it quickly!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Now, where are those keys?'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Where did I get so many keys from?'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Goodness, that isn't it either!'

• After arming yourself, speak to Bounder Boffin

'Hopefully you found something in my satchel you can use. Can't be picky now, take what you can find!

'Once I get this door open, you'll need to clear the way to the next gate. While you do that, I'll watch for that rider's return.'

Objective 5

After you acquire a weapon from Bounder Boffin's satchel, accompany him to old Odo's leaf-farm.

Bounder Boffin thinks it is best to hide until the Black Rider passes by, and he thinks old Odo's leaf-barn could be such a place to hide.

• Follow Bounder Boffin

Bounder Boffin says, 'I wonder if this key will do it....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'There, that got it!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Quick! This way!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Clear the way to the next gate!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'I'll keep on watch for that Rider!'

Objective 6

Defeat the spiders that lay between you and the next gate.

Bounder Boffin asked you to clear the way to the next gate while he watched for the Black Rider's return.

• Defeat spiders (0/2)

Objective 7

You should let Bounder Boffin know the way is now clear to the next gate.

Bounder Boffin asked you to clear the way to the next gate while he watched for the Black Rider's return.

• Speak with Bounder Boffin

'Good, you've cleared the way. There's been no sign of that Rider, but I just know he's still lurking about.

'Let's dash down to the next gate. The sooner we get into Old Odo's house, the better!'

Objective 8

With the way cleared to the next gate, follow Bounder Boffin as he opens it.

• Follow Bounder Boffin

Bounder Boffin says, 'Let's be quick now!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Gracious, look at these webs!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Just a moment, I'll have this door open....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Good, come along. It isn't far now!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Just a bit further and we'll be safe!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Oh dear, there's more webs here!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'These webs go all the way across!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'I'll have to try to cut through the webs.'

Bounder Boffin says, 'The spiders won't like that much, I imagine.'

Bounder Boffin says, 'That means you'll need to slay any of the beasts that do show up!'

Objective 9

As Bounder Boffin tries to hack through the spider webs, defend him from the spiders that will surely try to stop him.

As you made your way into Old Odo's farm, you found your way barred by spider webs.

• Defeat spiders (0/3)

Bounder Boffin says, 'I'm through one part of the web!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Keep on those spiders! I'm nearly through!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'That's got it!'

Objective 10

Follow Bounder Boffin as he tries to open the door to Old Odo's farm.

Bounder Boffin was able to cut through the webs that barred your way, and you are nearly within the safety of Old Odo's farm.

• Follow Bounder Boffin

Bounder Boffin says, 'I hope the door to the farm isn't locked!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Curses, it's locked!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'I think I have the key...'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Ah, here it is!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Hrm, it won't turn in the lock. I'll try harder!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Just a little bit more....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'The key... the key broke off in the lock!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'We'll find no safety here now!'

• Speak to Bounder Boffin

'I'm sorry, I was so hasty trying to get the door open that my key broke! Now our only hope for safety is to try to brave the Stock Road on into Woodhall.

'Follow me closely friend, who knows what else we may run into tonight!'

Objective 11

Follow Bounder Boffin in search of safety.

Bounder Boffin found the key to Old Odo's home, but in his haste to open the door, he snapped the key off in the lock.

• Follow Bounder Boffin

Bounder Boffin says, 'Come now, this way.'

Bounder Boffin says, 'This key shouldn't break....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Hmm, this door is already open....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Don't stray too far away now!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Hold a moment, what's that up there?'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Careful now, maybe we can listen in....'

Black Rider says, 'Pay no heed to his forked tongue....'

Black Rider says, 'Great riches shall be yours....'

Brigand says, 'I will carry your commands to Éogan!'

Black Rider says, 'I see you, little fools....'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Oh no, he's seen us!'

Black Rider says, 'Last time, I let you live.'

Black Rider says, 'I shall not make that mistake a second time!'

Gildor says, 'A Elbereth! Gilthoniel!'

Black Rider says, 'Who dares...?'

Gildor says, 'Depart, foul wraith! You have no power here!'

Black Rider says, 'Your time is soon ended, Elf!'

Black Rider says, 'The Shadow of Mordor shall soon cover all!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'And don't come back!'

Gildor says, 'Well said, my friend!'

Gildor says, 'Come now, there is nothing to fear.'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Gracious me, an Elf!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Y-y-you have my thanks, good sir Elf!'

Gildor says, 'You are most welcome, Bounder Boffin!'

Gildor says, 'Who, though, is your friend?'

Bounder Boffin says, 'Honestly, I cannot say. We have not met before this night!'

Bounder Boffin says, 'You there, come tell this good elf why you were out on this lonely road tonight!'

Objective 12

Speak to Gildor Inglorion and tell him of your task to carry a letter to Archet.

As you followed Bounder Boffin, you came across the Black Rider giving commands to a group of Big Men. The Black Rider caught sight of you and threatened to kill you, but was stayed by the arrival of the Elf, Gildor Inglorion.

• Talk to Gildor

'I have heard rumour of the troubles Archet is having with these wicked men. You are indeed a brave hobbit to give thought to going to such a place.

'Fortunately, Elbereth must be watching over you this night, because our companion, the Dúnadan Amdir, is travelling there as well. Speak with him. I am sure he would welcome your companionship upon the road ahead.'

Gildor says, 'Amdir! There is someone here who would like to accompany you to Archet.'

Amdir says, 'Ah, is this so? Who might this be?'

Objective 13

Speak with Amdir, who accompanies Gildor Inglorion.

Upon hearing of your task to bring a message to Celandine Brandybuck, Gildor told you that Amdir was travelling there as well and could protect you upon the road.

• Talk to Amdir

'I overheard your tale. So you travel to Archet to seek Celandine Brandybuck, do you?

'As Gildor has said, I am indeed travelling to Archet myself. It is fortunate that you found me, as I fear that even a hobbit as courageous as yourself would have run afoul of these brigands. I must learn what connexion these Blackwold brigands have with the Ringwraiths.

'Come now, let us travel to Archet. The road ahead is long and not nearly as safe as it once was.'