Bill the Pony: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
(→‎Portrayal in Adaptations: Corrected incorrect statement that the pony is not referred to by his name)
(5 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Disambig-two|the pony|the troll|[[William]]}}
[[Image:John Howe - Bill the Pony.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - ''Bill the Pony'']]
[[Image:John Howe - Bill the Pony.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - ''Bill the Pony'']]
"'''Bill'''" was [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s pony, named for its original owner [[Bill Ferny]].
"'''Bill'''" was [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s pony, named for its original owner [[Bill Ferny]].


==History==
==History==
Bill (who probably had not even a name then) was owned by [[Bill Ferny]] in [[Bree]], mistreated and half-starved. It was the only animal in town, since Bill or his allies had opened the stables of ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' and all the mounts went loose.
Bill (who probably had not even a name then) was owned by [[Bill Ferny]] in [[Bree]], mistreated and half-starved. He was the only animal in town, since Bill or his allies had opened the stables of ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' and all the mounts went loose.


The next day Bill sold the creature to the [[Frodo Baggins]] for twelve [[silver pennies]] (more than three times its worth).<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref> This proved the best thing for Bill, as [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam Gamgee]] dearly loved him and fed him back to health.
The next day Bill sold the pony to [[Frodo Baggins]] for twelve [[silver pennies]] (more than three times his worth).<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref> This proved the best thing for Bill, as [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam Gamgee]] dearly loved him and fed him back to health.


The beast travelled with [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] and the [[Hobbits]] through the leagues of [[Eriador]],<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref> at one point carrying Frodo on their way  to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> Then it accompanied the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], carrying their rations. Outside the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], for fear of his safety, he was released into the wild, to make his way back to [[Bree]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref>
Bill the Pony travelled with [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] and the [[Hobbits]] through the leagues of [[Eriador]],<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref> at one point carrying Frodo on their way  to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> Then he accompanied the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], carrying their rations. Outside the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], for fear of his safety, Bill was released into the wild, encouraged to make his way back to [[Bree]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref>


On the homeward journey of the hobbits, Sam, who was fond of the pony, was reunited with Bill at the ''Prancing Pony''.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>  When the returning hobbits came to the gate upon the bridge across the [[Brandywine]] and Bill Ferny threw the keys at [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], it was Bill the pony who kicked Bill Ferny as he ran off into the night.<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>   
On the homeward journey of the hobbits, Sam, who was fond of the pony, was reunited with Bill at the ''Prancing Pony''.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>  When the returning hobbits came to the gate upon the bridge across the [[Brandywine]] and Bill Ferny threw the keys at [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], it was Bill the pony who kicked Bill Ferny as he ran off into the night.<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>   
Line 16: Line 17:
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:
:Rather than being released at the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], Bill is instead taken by the [[Watcher in the Water]].
:Rather than being released at the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], Bill is instead taken by the [[Watcher in the Water]].
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':
:A pony accompanies the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] from [[Rivendell]] to the Doors of Durin. There, it is released by [[Aragorn]]. Both Aragorn and Sam refer to it as "Bill."
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Bill can be found lost just west of Moria. There is a quest where the player has to escort Bill to safety from a pack of wolves.  
:Bill can be found lost just west of Moria. There is a quest where the player has to escort Bill to safety from a pack of wolves.  

Revision as of 17:42, 30 September 2018

This article is about the pony. For the the troll, see William.
John Howe - Bill the Pony

"Bill" was Samwise Gamgee's pony, named for its original owner Bill Ferny.

History

Bill (who probably had not even a name then) was owned by Bill Ferny in Bree, mistreated and half-starved. He was the only animal in town, since Bill or his allies had opened the stables of The Prancing Pony and all the mounts went loose.

The next day Bill sold the pony to Frodo Baggins for twelve silver pennies (more than three times his worth).[1] This proved the best thing for Bill, as Sam Gamgee dearly loved him and fed him back to health.

Bill the Pony travelled with Strider and the Hobbits through the leagues of Eriador,[2] at one point carrying Frodo on their way to Rivendell.[3] Then he accompanied the Fellowship of the Ring, carrying their rations. Outside the West-gate of Moria, for fear of his safety, Bill was released into the wild, encouraged to make his way back to Bree.[4]

On the homeward journey of the hobbits, Sam, who was fond of the pony, was reunited with Bill at the Prancing Pony.[5] When the returning hobbits came to the gate upon the bridge across the Brandywine and Bill Ferny threw the keys at Merry, it was Bill the pony who kicked Bill Ferny as he ran off into the night.[6]

Finally, Sam rode Bill when he accompanied Frodo on his trip to the Grey Havens.[7]

Portrayal in Adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Rather than being released at the West-gate of Moria, Bill is instead taken by the Watcher in the Water.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

A pony accompanies the Fellowship of the Ring from Rivendell to the Doors of Durin. There, it is released by Aragorn. Both Aragorn and Sam refer to it as "Bill."

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Bill can be found lost just west of Moria. There is a quest where the player has to escort Bill to safety from a pack of wolves.

References