Bill the Pony was safely returned to Bree after the Fellowship’s journey through Moria.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Bill the Pony is a hardy and loyal animal purchased by the Fellowship in Bree from Bill Ferny, a disreputable character who had mistreated the animal. Under the care of Samwise Gamgee, Bill quickly recovers and becomes a valued member of the group, carrying supplies and equipment for the Fellowship as they travel towards Rivendell and then on towards Moria.
However, as the Fellowship approaches the Mines of Moria, it becomes clear that taking Bill into the dark and dangerous mines would be unwise. Moreover, the Watcher in the Water, a monstrous creature guarding the entrance to Moria, poses a significant threat to the pony. Thus, before entering the mines, the decision is made to set Bill free, with hopes that his instincts would lead him back to safety.
Tolkien later assures readers that Bill the Pony indeed makes his way back to Bree. There, he is taken in by Barliman Butterbur, the innkeeper of The Prancing Pony, who treats him well. When the hobbits return to Bree on their way back to the Shire, they are delighted to find Bill safe and sound. The reunion between Bill and Sam is a touching moment, reflecting the deep bond that had formed between the hobbit and his four-legged companion. Bill the Pony’s return to Bree and subsequent reunion with the hobbits is a small but heartwarming subplot in the larger epic narrative of “The Lord of the Rings.”