Lord Of The Rings' Unofficial 10th Fellowship Member Deserves More Respect

Summary The underrated animal character, Bill the pony, played a crucial role in The Fellowship's journey, getting them to Moria and Rivendell.

Despite being undervalued, Bill the pony had a happy ending in Tolkien's story, sending his cruel master packing in the end.

Bill deserves more recognition as the unofficial 10th member of The Fellowship for his essential contributions and heroic actions.

Peter Jackson's movie trilogy brought new life to the Fellowship of the Ring from the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien book The Lord of the Rings, but there is one unofficial Fellowship member that doesn't get enough respect. When debating the best characters in The Lord of the Rings, it's normally Frodo, Aragorn, or Gandalf that get special mention, with all Fellowship members earning a special place in the legends of Middle-earth. But sometimes it's the little things in life that make the biggest difference, which applies to this underrated Tolkien character that played a big role in the Fellowship's quest.

When Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Samwise Gamgee arrived at Bree, the first stop on their journey, they had no idea what they were in for. Arriving on pony, they were forced to consider the prospect of continuing with their quest on foot, carrying all their baggage, after the nightmarish Ringwraiths scared the ponies away. But help came in an unlikely form - the "old half-starved creature" that was Bill Ferny's pony, the last beast of burden left in the village. This humble pony deserves a special mention, just like the Fellowship's famous members.

Related Gandalf & Saruman's History (& Rivalry) In Lord Of The Rings Explained The Lord of the Rings picks up thousands of years into Gandalf and Saruman's friendship, but Tolkien's other works outline the path to betrayal.

Why Bill The Pony Should Be Considered A Member Of Lord Of The Rings' Fellowship

Bill Was Crucial In The Fellowship's Mission

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Bill the pony "already looked less dejected" as soon as he was in Sam's care, which was the start of a beautiful relationship and one which would get the Fellowship all the way to Moria. Although not one of the most powerful characters in The Lord of the Rings, Bill the pony got the Hobbits and Strider to Rivendell, doing the job of two ponies at least. The last pack animal available in the Shire, Bill was indispensable to the Fellowship, carrying vital supplies across remote territory. Bill is unquestionably the unofficial tenth member of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Bill was sold to Frodo for 12 silver pennies, which was three times his real value.

Bill Gets A (Slightly) Bigger Role In Return Of The King's Cut Ending

Bill Gets A Happy Ending

Although the conclusion of Bill's story was left out of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Bill the pony got a happy ending in Tolkien's story, in keeping with the cosmic justice that ran through The Lord of the Rings. Heartbreakingly, Sam left Bill to his own devices at the gates of Moria, as the pony wasn't fit for the journey ahead, but Bill made it back to the shire. Reuniting with some of the Fellowship on their way home, Bill returned to play his part well in the Scouring of the Shire.

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In an excellent part of The Lord of the Rings that was left out of the movies, Bill sent his old, cruel master packing when the Hobbits defended the Shire from Saruman's followers. Even the smallest heroes had a story to tell and their moment in the limelight in Tolkien's classic tale, and Bill is a perfect example. The villainous Bill Ferny, the pony's old master, "went off with a yelp into the night and was never heard of again," in a stroke of pure Tolkienian justice. Bill deserves more recognition after this perfect end to his arc.