DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Lord of The Rings or Ranger's Apprentice; all rights to J.R.R. Tolkien and John Flanagan!

The two figures, hooded and cloaked, seemed to blend in with the background of the Prancing Pony Inn. The dull green and gray mottled cloaks disrupted their shady figures, making them seem to flicker in and out of focus, and the deep cowls concealed their faces completely. The figure on the right, the one who seemed to be younger, had his left leg cocked over the arm of his chair and was slouching comfortably.

The figure on the left turned his head slightly to face the other and seemed to raise one eyebrow. "I really wish you wouldn't do that." The voice was low, but also teasing and gentle.

"Oh, come on, Halt. We've been riding all day. Can't we just relax for a while?" The voice coming from underneath the cowl was young and playful.

"And we don't know where we are." Halt inclined his head to the table at the opposite side of the room, the one nearest the fire, but also secluded in its own corner. A shady figure sat there, smoking peacefully on his pipe. The man in the corner also had his hood up, the cowl of his cloak hiding his face, but not completely. Suddenly the embers in his pipe flared and the light lit his eyes briefly, just long enough to see their steel gray color.

"This man…" His voice was low and close to inaudible. "Is a Ranger."

"But what is he doing here in Redmont?"

"Are we in Redmont?" Halt's question sounded as if he already knew the answer, so he didn't answer.

As the younger figure stood to approach the man, Halt's hand shot out and grasped the younger man's wrist. "Wait, Will."

Will followed his master's gaze to two small people, who appeared to be children, exchange a few quiet words with the innkeeper. Even though they were a good distance away from them, Halt picked up a few of the words.

"rangers…dangerous folk…name is, never heard…known as Strider."

That was enough to pique the ranger's interests and he carefully pushed Will gently back into his chair. It was nothing new for rangers to be considered dangerous, but the name Strider had not rung a bell inside of Halt's head, and he knew all the fifty rangers by name.

The dark-haired child who had asked the man repeated the name softly to himself. Though the child's back was facing Halt and Will, he could see a sudden change in the young person's attitude, and there was an abrupt evil discharge in the room. Then the dark-haired child, who he had heard been called 'Frodo', stood abruptly, an alarmed look on his face, and shoved through the crowd to where one of his companions was talking and drinking with a few of the men.

"Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins! He's over there. Frodo Baggins! He's my second cousin once removed on his mother's side and my third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me." Another child, as it appeared to be, was speaking loudly, an accent that kind of sounded like a Scotti tingeing his voice.

"Pippin!" Frodo shouts just before tripping and flying back at least a foot and slamming down on his back.

Halt's eyes darted from who he believed was Strider, who was sitting up straighter now and transfixed by the scene, then back to Frodo, whose arm was extended in the air, one finger pointing upward. He barely caught a flash of gold as a shining ring slipped onto the child's finger and he disappeared from sight.

Strider practically jumped out of his seat, an alarmed look on his face, but stayed put for at least five more seconds until Frodo reappeared.

The atmosphere in the bar had changed drastically. Now people were gasping and murmuring about the sudden disappearance of the boy.

As soon as Frodo was visible again, Strider was out of his seat, and, in a few swift strides, had grabbed Frodo by the collar of his shirt and was dragging him up a nearby staircase.

"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mister Underhill." He hissed, a strange accent evident in his low voice.

Halt rose from the table and made his way across the room, followed by Will, who dodged the three companions of Frodo who were grabbing various objects and charging upstairs.

"Wait, you three." Will said before Halt could stop him. "Do you really think you'll be able to rescue your friend with those?" He gestured at the objects they were holding. They lowered their stools and candlesticks and looked quizzically at him.

"And who are you, might I ask?" One of them said. The boy looked almost identical to Pippin, except for a few minor differences.

"Hush, Merry. Don't talk to them. These men could be dangerous." Pippin said, elbowing Merry gently in the ribs.

"If you are dealing with a ranger," Halt said, casting a glance around the room, "you will need more than a few candlesticks to rescue your friend."

"And I'm guessing you're wanting to help?" The third, blond-haired boy asked skeptically.

Will opened his mouth to speak, but Halt cut him off. "Exactly." He glanced meaningfully down at the enormous longbow in his left hand.

"Do we have a choice?"

"We won't hurt you or your friend, trust me." Halt was very interested in what was going on, and he wanted to know more, whether these children wanted him to or not. Whatever it was they were doing seemed like it was a secret, and they would guard it with their lives.

"Oh, all right. But I don't want any trouble from you." The blond one said warningly, raising the stool he was carrying menacingly.

A ghost of a smile touched the ranger's lips. "Fair enough."

Well, I hope everyone liked it! And remember, be ugly honest with me, but just no flames, please. Thank you! And remember, reviews are GREATLY appreciated! It doesn't even take that long! And please let me know if I got their characters right, I really want to hear what you guys have to say.

Arrow :D