With a deep sigh, I tried to stay still in my bed for longer, though my stiff muscles, not used to not being used for walking as often screamed in protest. Another deep breath and I moved my arms so that my hands could rub my eyes, trying to awaken myself. My green eyes opened, revealing the rugged ceiling of the room in the Prancing Pony that I was seeking refuge in.
At least, this was the room that Gandalf had informed me that I had to meet my companions in before joining their journey. Bree was a strange place to begin a journey, though I had learned that if Gandalf was horrible at anything, it was answering questions in a clear way. Apparently this was the room that my companions were to 'stumble into' or something along those lines, so my instructions were explicitly to camp out in here.
My eyes closed again as I tried fall back asleep—It was a rarity that I was able to actually sleep in a bed and I wanted to soak up as much time as I can for this.
My lack of bed was nothing too abnormal for someone who in most cases was considered a 'ranger from the North' if you could even refer to me as that. I know I wouldn't, but it seemed many others had deemed me worthy of that title. I hadn't had a home for quite some time and I hadn't been in that region for lengthy periods of time in what seemed like ages.
However, before I could put much more thought into it, I drifted off into sleep. My green eyes fluttered open, staring back at the ceiling. They weren't a special shade of green like everyone had read about in fairy tales written by the elves, but they contained golden flecks in certain lights. At this time, it was dark outside. Cursing quietly, I sat up despite my body's protests before throwing my messily braided hair into a wrap around my head.
Hearing footsteps clambering loudly off the stairs, I grabbed my dark charcoal colored cloak before pulling the hood over my head and pulling myself into the corner by the door. For all I knew, it could have been any of the drunkards downstairs, but I didn't want me to be wrong. I'm just glad I hadn't overslept.
Seconds after I was situated, the door burst open. Two figures—one a man who looked vaguely familiar and the other much smaller, a hobbit—burst into the room and the man slammed the door with the smaller hobbit pressed up against the door.
"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill," the human said intently. The hobbit seemed absolutely terrified. His fear became blatantly apparent in his bright blue eyes.
"What do you want?" he gasped out. Was this what I was doing? I held my breath as the human man continued.
"A little more caution from you for that is no trinket you carry."
Ah, yes. I was in the right place.
"I carry nothing!" the hobbit insisted, even more frightened. His facial expression conveyed the lie all too well. Shifting eye movements, shaking hands, all were nervous ticks. Unfortunately, the hobbit must have felt my gaze on him or something because his own shifted to look directly at me.
"…That is a rare gift!" the ranger proclaimed…though I had missed the first part of his little speech there because I was trying to not draw attention to myself, even with the hobbit staring at me.
"Who are you two?" the hobbit questioned.
"Two?" the ranger turned as I coughed slightly. He shoved the hobbit behind him, drawing his sword, "Who are you?"
"I am supposed to assist a group of hobbits and a ranger upon their quest," I spoke simply, as the familiarity of the ranger dawned upon me, and I attempted to conceal my smirk, "It has been a while, Strider."
"Cinder?" he retorted, and I remained silent. Cinder was…well I guess you could call it a nick name, "I don't know who sent you here, but this is no quest for a lady."
I scoffed, "Well, Gandalf sent me himself, and good thing I'm not a lady then, huh?"
"That was me politely informing you that these hobbits," he paused as the others burst into the room, "Have all the help that they need," he turned back to the hobbits, "You can no longer wait for the Wizard…They're coming…"
"They're probably already here," I grumbled, making my way to my gear…namely a couple of daggers and my sword, "We should move."
Strider pushed the hobbits to lead them to the inn across the street and I followed quietly. The night progressed, growing darker and darker by the second. Though Strider was plastered by the window, peering out into the night, I found myself seated so that I too could sit and stare into the darkness as well.
"Did he really send for you?" Strider drew my gaze with his question.
"Who?"
"Gandalf," he answered, the slight condescension in his tone caused me to roll my eyes.
"Yes," My response was swift, blunt. It had no other choice than to be short, for a screech from outside snapped the hobbits awake, "Go back to sleep. You're safe here."
My eyes fell upon the screechers, having left the Prancing Pony empty handed. One of the hobbits, bright blue eyes full of fear asked, "What are they?"
"They were once men," Strider explained, "Great Kings of men. Sauron the deceiver gave them nine rings of power and their greed blinded them and took them into darkness. Now, they are slaves to his will."
The explanation was accurate, at least, from what I was informed previously, so I nodded in agreement.
"They are the Nazgul," he continued.
"Ring wraiths," I interrupted and he shot me a look before he picked up after my interruption.
"Neither living or dead, they are drawn to the one. Drawn to its power, and they will never stop hunting you."
The young hobbit's eyes were wide with fear. Frodo, I think his name was, but I wasn't positive. I really needed to start learning these names if I was to travel with them all the way to Rivendell, "You'll be safe here, go to bed," I commanded, and he seemed to lay back down hesitantly. My gaze shifted back to the outside world.
"You should rest too" Strider muttered, "We only need one of us awake at a time."
"Then you go to sleep," I retorted.
"You know, this isn't going to work unless we trust each other."
"Yes, well," I sighed, "Quite honestly I don't know you."
"Nor I, you. Now sleep, I'll take the first watch."
"Fine," I grunted, leaning against the wall and closing my eyes. Now this was the sleep that claimed my body most nights. Sitting up and uncomfortable. I sighed before allowing my body to let go.
