A Shadow that strays

By Firniswin

A/N: Ok, here I am once again with a little fill in the blank story that I just had to write. What can I say? The plot bunnies are now attacking my sleep too. Drat those little beasties! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this!!! Please do not flame me, you do, Oooo you are in huge trouble. Trust me, I am NOT one to be trifled with, so don't even think about it.

Sam turned his red curly head and looked to the side as they passed by the Brandywine, the little raft they rode on dipped slightly as the was moved in the breeze.

Their new guide, Merry pushed them along slowly with the paddle, grinning to himself about his latest trick, or rather, the trick that had not even meant to be a trick at first.

"Oh Frodo, you should 'ave seen the look on your face." He boasted giving a small grunt as he pushed past a sunken rock.

Frodo laughed softly, his black curls bobbing with the movement of his head, he turned to Merry.

"I couldn't help it. If you would have been runnin' from those-" he took a moment to think on an appropriate name. "Things, you'd have been frightened just as I had."

Pippin grinned and turned to Sam, he frowned as he saw the anxious look on his face.

"What's wrong Sam?" he asked quietly, walking carefully over to the Gamgee, the red haired hobbit smiled, not very broadly, then frowned again.

"Well, I am not sure. I thought I saw a shadow on the far shore. But I can't be certain. It was a quiet one, not a wraith."

Pippin clapped him on the back, and smiled his reassuring, Tookish grin.

"Don't fear none. We'll be all right. Whatever, or whoever it was probably wasn't following us."

"I know. I was just curious, that's all."

Pippin sat down and smiled up at the gardener, Sam was quite the thinker, smart most of the time. Smarter than he was anyway. And the thought of a straying shadow that was actually following them worried him.

~_~

Looking back to the Old Forest, Pippin smiled and Merry sighed, it was a sigh of relief.

But Frodo looked as anxious as ever. He had held a chip on his shoulder the whole day and all of them knew he was frightened.

Samwise looked to the side, his concentration on the trees behind them, not on the town before them as everyone else's was.

"Mister Frodo, I feel a pair of keen eyes on me, like them elven ones."

Frodo smiled gently and turned his head. "Don't fear Sam. We will be in Bree soon enough and then you may relax for a bit."

Sam nodded, smiling only because Frodo wanted him to, he looked back and was sure he saw a pair of silvery orbs glint in the frail moonlight.

But he quickly shook it off and turned back to realize Frodo was speaking, he turned back, patting his pony on the neck.

"Don't make yourselves too much at home! Please remember- all of you- that the name of Baggins must not be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any name must be given."

They, all four, mounted their ponies and rode off towards the rising town, not at all noticing the steps that were being taking behind them.

And they would not notice, for he would not let them. His brothers would never let him live it down if they knew that one or four of the halflings knew he had been there.

FINIS

Ok, so that was the story that the plot bunnies would not leave me alone with. It was not exactly how I wanted it, and not as good either, but it is a little scene filler from the books. I know I did not mention Tom Bombadil, I forgot to. Please forgive me. And I hope you enjoyed this, please R&R! No flames!!!!!