Strider Helps The Ring

Chapter One: The Meeting

A/N: This Is something I wrote a little while ago and I really didn't want to put it up on fanfiction cause I didn't think it was good enough...But my friend made me...

So I hope you like it! Don't be too harsh!!! Also I Know The Title isn't brilliant...I'm thinking k? Any Ideas welcomed!!

Disclaimer: The Charaters belong to Tolkien....As much as I wish they were mine!!

The wind screamed with terror, as war raged on in the distance. It rippled in Arwen's hair as she rode to Rivendell. It had been years since she had been in the peaceful village, but when her father had called her to his home, she left Galadriel's side in Lothlorien and immediately rode home. Her mind raced with such hatred not far away, and she longed to go back home to the Golden Wood. But Elrond her father had called, and she knew that matters weren't going well, even in Rivendell.

Finally, she saw the gates to the city, and dismounted from her horse. Holding its golden reigns, she led the white beauty into the city. The place looked different, though everything seemed perfect and in place, but it lacked its usual sound of song. No longer were people singing in the streets, but instead an everlasting silence hung in the air. Arwen walked to her father's hall, and found him sitting at the table. He seemed pleased to see her, though he face showed such signs of worry and sorrow.

"What is it, my father? What has happened that there is no longer song and such beauty in the city?"

"My daughter, Arwen, there is no longer singing in the city because there is no longer anything worthy enough to sing about. My best people have gone to the war in Gondor, though there is no hope left in their hearts. And I fear that soon there will nothing to sing about anywhere, for Sauron is alive again, and shall soon conquer."

Arwen looked at her father, whose face was of old age and weariness. "My father, you must hope. Our people will not let Sauron prevail. I'm sure that more soldiers will come to help."

"But another has come, surely you know. It is Aragorn, he is back with news from the outer lands."

Arwen's face lit up. "Aragorn has arrived? Where is he?"

"Nay daughter, he is not here to see you. He has come because I have called council on what shall be done about the War. He, I hope, shall have wisdom on what should be done." He put his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Arwen, he is a Dunaduin, and of noble air, but he is not fit to be with you. You are but older and wiser, and by far fairer than he, and should he not be of the highest King, then he shall not marry you." He left Arwen to think.

She went into the garden, where beauty was at its fullest, so she could think of days to come. But there was another in the garden, who seemed to be doing the same thing. He sat on a bench, clad in grey and head in hands, yet she knew who he was. She walked up, and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Estel, what is it that claims your thoughts?" He turned, and when he saw her, smiled.

"Lady Undomiel, much is on my mind right now, but seeing you is a relief to my heart. What brings you to the lands of Rivendell when surely the Lady Galadriel wishes to have you home?"

"But my home is where I am called to; it is not but one place. I have many homes, one of which I pray is in your heart." And he took her in his arms and kissed her.

"I bind myself to you, Estel, and would even forsake my people's immortality to be with you."

"Nay, Lady Evenstar, I am not worthy of such love, yet I tell you, that one day I shall return, and I shall marry you."

"Return? But whither shall you go?"

"I have come on Gandalf's bidding, and now I must return to him. He is wise, and I can help him."

"But what will you help Mirthrandir with? Has it to do with the Ring?"

"Yes. He says that in lies in the hands of a Halfling in the Shire. I must help him, for he may be in grave danger if Sauron knows. I must leave at once."

"But whence you return? Where shall you take this Halfling?"

"Here, to Rivendell. He is to attend council, and we shall discuss what we shall do with the Ring. Your father has called the Elves from Mirkwood and the Dwarfs from under the Mountain, and Men out of Gondor. They shall all have say in what shall be done, but not until the Halfling has arrived." He stood up. "I must go, but when I return, I shall see you."

"The road is hard and dangerous. Please be careful, Estel, but do not fear them. If need be, I shall come to help." And Aragorn left, heavy in heart, and made his way to the Shire. Arwen stayed with her father for some time, while people came to council out of the deeps of Middle Earth.

Aragorn, however, found a surprise when he came to Bree. He had expected Gandalf to be there, waiting, yet he had not come. And though Aragorn waited many a day, he didn't arrive. Then word came from Isengard that Gandalf was in peril, yet that Aragorn should stay and wait for some Hobbits, then lead them to Rivendell, as planned. So he waited. Many feared Aragorn, in the South known as Strider, a Ranger from the North. They feared him for he was clad in deep grays and stayed to himself, yet stayed in Bree for quite awhile.

Then one day, rainy and dark, four men, yet by the looks of children, arrived at the Prancing Pony, expecting to meet an old friend. Yet they too were surprised to find that their friend was not there. Worried now of the unclear road ahead, they settled themselves at a table to decide what to do. One of the men, called Hobbits, Aragorn knew held the Ring, for he looked around in caution at every one and thing. It seemed that he carried a burden, and was now in turmoil of mind, trying to figure out where Gandalf could be. That was when Aragorn, sitting in a dimly lit corner, beaconed to him.

Frodo, curious yet cautious, stood up and went over slowly. The others were wrapped up in conversation and didn't see him. When close, Frodo saw that indeed a man was under the heavy hood of this cloak, but could not see his entire face. "Who are you?" said Frodo, in a slow, careful voice.

"I am Strider, Ranger of the North, and I know what it is you carry." He peered out from his hood at the Hobbit, and wondered what he would say.

"I carry nothing," said Frodo, confident yet weary. "I am but a mere traveller with my friends."

"Then why," Aragorn challenged, "is it that you peer about with such caution?"

Frodo looked at the man. "Who are you?" he asked again.

"A companion to the wizard Gandalf, whom you wait for, I assume." Strider took down his hood, and revealed to Frodo his face. To Frodo, he seemed wise and weary, but to Sam, who had noticed his master's disappearance and come over, thought Strider looked very suspicious. Strider saw Sam, and repeated his statement. "Gandalf is not coming."

"Why not? How do you know? Who are you, anyways?" asked Sam.

Frodo ignored his friends questions, as did Strider. "So what am I to do now?" he asked.

Strider looked at Frodo with something of pity in his eyes. "You cannot stay here, but it is late, so you must. I shall bring you to Rivendell, if you allow." Frodo nodded. "Do not worry for dear Gandalf. You shall see him again." Then Aragorn brought Frodo, Sam and their very confused friends to a room, but not their own.

A/N: PleaseReview :)