From yesterday's post, we can summarize Frodo and his pals in one statement from Merry partially through the chapter, "We know most of what Gandalf told you, we know a good deal about the Ring. We are terribly afraid - but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds."
A Hobbit, or anyone, could do much worse in life than having friends such as these.
However, there is a member of this group that gets very little love and attention, mostly due to the lesser role he plays later in the story, and also his absence from the Peter Jackson films.
Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger is a close friend of Frodo, Merry, and Pippen and is sent ahead to prep the Crickhollow home with Merry. During the unmasking of the conspiracy, Fatty is just as supportive and as aware of what is going on, but hesitates a bit when it comes to the next steps. He balks at going through the Old Forest and instead decides to stay behind and cover their trail.
Alright, first, let's understand that this comes AFTER the large discussion about the immense danger of the Ring, the Enemy, and the fact that the Riders are hot on their trail. Secondly, this says quite a bit about the mystery and fright of the Old Forest which we will be seeing in more detail next chapter.
Fatty is exceptionally brave, although more unrecognized, because of his role in staying behind and telling everyone that Frodo is still there knowing that it will bring attention, probably of the unwanted variety. He also is a great foil to the other Hobbits. Fatty grew up with them, hearing the same stories and desiring the same "adventure", yet Tolkien writes that he is not quite ready to leave the Shire.
Despite lacking the desire to leave the Shire, his actions are unquestionably brave, but how is he rewarded? We'll see in the "Scouring of the Shire" at the end of Return of the King but here's a spoiler (Merry and Pippen receive praise and glory and Fatty is trapped in prison for the duration of the war).
Not all heroes are rewarded commensurate to their actions.
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