Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings, the characters, or the language. I'm just playing with them, not making any money or meaning any harm. I've borrowed the beginning lines and Gildor's last comment from The Fellowship of the Ring; those lines are not mine, they're Tolkien's.
Author's Note: Remember when Frodo and company encounter the Ringwraith for the second time on their journey from Hobbiton to Crickhollow? Do you remember how Gildor and his elves huddle to decide what to do? Well, this is that scene. I've given a few of the Elves names, and I tried to get the Elvish right. Not sure if I succeeded, but hey. Ya know who I mean!
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"O Wise People!" interrupted Pippin eagerly. "Tell us about the Black Riders!"
"Black Riders?" they said in low voices. "Why do you ask about Black Riders?"
"Because two Black Riders have overtaken us today, or one has done so twice," said Pippin; "only a little while ago he slipped away as you drew near."
"Black Riders," Gildor repeated ominously.
"They cannot mean the nazgûl..." Firithui looked nervously around at the dark trees.
Edheleste murmured, "The Enemy is stirring in his black land. Perhaps it is them."
"I did not think he had grown that powerful." Farlóm cast a doubtful glance at Edheleste.
"It could just be a Man," Arrûth insisted, "and these poor little folk are so weary that they have not realized it."
"That could be. But can we take the chance that the nazgûl are indeed abroad?" Edheleste asked, raising a doubtful eyebrow.
"No," Gildor said. "We will bring them with us for tonight at least. Then we shall see what they are doing."
"We should not bring them with us!" Protested Arrûth. "If the nazgûl are pursuing them then we should have nothing to do with them. I say we make straight for the Grey Havens and leave them to their fate."
"Could you sleep easily at night knowing you had abandoned these hobbits and Middle Earth to a terrible fate, Arrûth?" Gildor asked.
"We have pursued evil before and look where it brought us, Gildor! I, for one, have learned my lesson."
"We were young and foolish."
Arrûth hissed. "And we are still foolish if we try to fight the Nine."
"I will not fight them," Gildor explained calmly. "I will protect the hobbits who have drawn their attention."
"Then you will call their wrath down upon us!" Arrûth's eyes glittered dangerously as he stared at Gildor then swept his gaze around the company. Farlóm shifted nervously under the scrutiny, looking distinctly ill at ease, and cast another fearful glance at the trees.
"Think, Arrûth! Why would the nazgûl be pursing them? They are not powerful, and they do not look farther than their own doorsteps. There must be something the Enemy wants, and he wants it badly. Do you really think it is wise to let him have it?" Gildor's voice shook with rage and perhaps a touch of fear.
Arrûth backed up a step. "It will not matter. I will be far from here, where the Enemy cannot touch me."
"You do not deserve to return to Valinor! If you feel that way, then go," Gildor spat.
Arrûth hesitated, but he did not leave. He met Gildor's glare, refusing to back down. Finally, Gildor turned and addressed the hobbits. "We think you had best come now with us."
