AN: I apologize to all those who reading this story but I got had major writer's block and then when I looked back at it, I couldn't see where to go with it. I'm re-writing it, some of the things might be the same, and their might be some large changes. Again, apologies to all those reading the earlier version.


"Excuse me," Frodo said, gently tugging on Butterbeer's apron, "who's that?"

Butterbeer looked in the direction Frodo had nodded in, to see a hooded figure sitting at the table in the corner, with a foot resting on a stool and a spark from their pipe occasionally lighting up the bottom of their face. He looked to the figure's right, expecting to see another, but was disappointed to see that the figure was alone.

"He's one of them rangers, dangerous folk they are, don't know his proper name, but around here he's known as Strider," Butterbeer answered, and as he was about to stand up, he stopped and added, "he normally sits with another, they're called Ranger or Shadow, who's friend's with Gandalf. If you see them, ask about Gandalf, they're sure to know where he is." With that, Butterbeer walked over to a table and gave them the drinks they ordered.

Frodo sat there, repeating the names. Suddenly, he heard Pippin's voice carry over to their table, "Baggins, of course I know a Baggins! Frodo Baggins!"

Frodo jumped up and ran over to Pippin, trying to stop him from revealing their true identities and as he went to grab Pippin's sleeve to turn him around, he slipped and fell. The ring went flying up into the air, and Frodo automatically put his finger up to catch the ring on it. Everyone stared in shock at the space where Frodo had been for about five seconds before they went back to drinking and talking.

Frodo pushed himself up against a wooden pole close to the stairs, before pulling the ring off his finger, and shaking his hair as if he had just had a nightmare. He jumped when someone's hand grabbed onto his shoulder and started pulling him towards the stairs. Frodo looked quickly behind him to see that it was the ranger, Strider.

"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill," Strider said, putting emphasis on the name 'Underhill', letting Frodo know that he knew it wasn't Frodo's real name. Strider quickly pushed him up the stairs and into the room at the top of the stairs.

"What do you want?" Frodo asked Strider as he shut the door behind them.

"A little more caution from you...that is no trinket you carry," Strider said, walking around the room and towards the window.

"I carry nothing," Frodo replied, watching Strider the entire time.

"Indeed," Strider said, raising an eyebrow, clearly not believing Frodo's lie, and started to put the candles out, "I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely...that is a rare gift." Strider had pulled his hood down, and Frodo could finally see his face. He had dark curly hair and a stubble, he looked rather young and had blue eyes.

"Who are you?" Frodo asked.

"Are you frightened?" Strider responded with, not answering Frodo's question.

"Yes," Frodo answered.

"Not nearly frightened enough, I know what hunts you," Strider said, they both heard a sound outside the door. Frodo jumped while Strider simply drew his sword as the door was thrown open, Sam stood there with a wooden stick, Mary had some candles and Pippin was holding a stool. They were all prepared to use them as weapons.

"Let him go or I'll have you, Longshanks!" Sam exclaimed, trying to intimidate Strider.

Strider simply looked at them and sheathed his sword. "You have a stout hear, little hobbit, but that alone won't save you," Strider said, and turned to Frodo, "you can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They're coming."


As Strider had finished telling them about the Ringwraiths, the four hobbits looked at each other and nodded. Frodo looked at Strider nervously, and he raised an eyebrow at them.

"Where is Shadow?" Frodo asked, they had decided that now was as good a time as any to learn about the other ranger.

"Where did you hear that name?" Strider asked, his entire back straightening completely and his hand went onto the handle of his sword out of reflex.

"We were told you are usually joined by one known as Shadow or Ranger," Frodo answered, and let out a breath in relief, as Strider relaxed and took his hand off his sword.

"Ranger's busy, but will join us soon," Strider answered and was looking out the window once again.

"Why are they known as both Shadow and Ranger?" Merry asked, curiously.

"It would depend on the stories you have heard about Ranger, and the place you hail from," Strider answered, "now, no more talk of Ranger until tomorrow, when we might have the pleasure of their company."

Merry shared a look with Frodo, curious as to why Strider hadn't specified whether Ranger was male or female.


As Frodo was stabbed by the blade of the Ringwraith, a figure jumped over the broken stone pillar and Frodo, and fought the Ringwraith off. They had twin blades and were attacking the Ringwraith, forcing it back towards the fire, and blocking most of the attacks coming from the Ringwraith, although they did have to dodge a few.

When the Ringwraith started to turn and run away, another snuck up behind the figure and stabbed the figure in their side. The figure gritted their teeth, not letting themselves shout out in pain, and quickly turned around towards the Ringwraith. When they turned to the Ringwraith, it dropped it's sword and ran in the other direction.

The figure let out a hiss of pain before fighting the pain to stand in front of Frodo to try and protect him from any Ringwraith's that would try to attack him while he's down. Sam quickly made his way over to Frodo, and Strider had joined the fight a few seconds after the figure had and was fighting the Ringwraith's with a torch in one hand and was setting them on fire.

"Strider!" Sam shouted, just as the figure began to fall, and Strider had chased the last Ringwraith away. He looked over and dropped his sword and his torch to catch the figure, who simply fell to their knees.