Alan and Wesley woke up. "Where are we?" Alan asked.
Wesley went out and looked, "It looks like we're in a lake."
"Did that whirlpool take us to another world?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Are those kids over there?" Alan had glimpses of figures that were like children going into the docks.
"We should follow them," Wesley had the boat docked.
The two V.S.S.E. agents took their 45 caliber pistols, 4.6 mm MP7s, 12 gauge shotguns, and M79 grenade launchers then followed what appeared to be children to a wooden gate. Alan and Wesley hid in the foliage then listened. "What do you want?"
"We're heading for the Prancing Pony."
"Hobbits. Four Hobbits! What's more, out of the Shire by your talk. What business brings you to Bree?"
"We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our own. All right, young sir. I meant no offense. It's my job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful."
"Hobbits?" Alan whispered as he could not believe it.
"That's something new," Wesley whispered.
Alan and Wesley went to the gate. Alan knocked the gate and an old man opened the shutter. "What do you strangers want?"
"We would like to stay at the Prancing Pony. We're just travelers," Wesley replied.
"Travelers I see. Just don't do anything stupid," the porter opened the gate for the two young men to enter.
The V.S.S.E. agents went through the streets passing buildings that were made out of wood and stone. "The locals are staring at us," Alan muttered as the people were staring at them.
"We're not what they see every day. Besides, it looks as we're in the Middle Ages. We're in the town called Bree," said Wesley.
They reached to a building with a sign that had a horse in it labeled, "Prancing Pony." Upon entering the inn, there were men drinking and talking amongst themselves. Some of them stared at the two young strangers.
Alan and Wesley took the bar seats. The bartender came to them, "How can I help you two?"
"Who are those hobbits?" Alan asked.
"The leader of the group of Hobbits said his name was Mr. Underhill. He said he was looking for Gandalf."
"Who's Gandalf?" Wesley asked.
"Gandalf's a powerful wizard in these lands, very powerful one if it comes to that. What would you two like?"
"No thank you," said Alan. "Who is that guy in the corner watching us?"
"He's one of them rangers. They're dangerous folk, wandering the Wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but around here he's known as Strider."
After the bartender walked off, Alan said, "Strider is also watching the hobbits."
"We have to know about the situation before determining whether he's a friend or foe," Wesley made a point.
Alan noticed one of Mr. Underhill's friends went to the bar asking for a pint while Wesley watched Mr. Underhill fidgeting with something unseen in his fingers.
"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 …" said Mr. Underhill's friend.
"Pippin!"
"Steady on, Frodo," said Pippin
"Frodo? Is that his real name?" Alan whispered to Wesley.
Frodo slipped and the ring flew out from his hand. It slipped into Frodo's finger as it landed. To the surprise of the people, the other hobbits, and the two young strangers; Frodo disappeared and the Strider got off from his seat.
"It is some sort of invisibility cloak," Wesley muttered.
About a minute later, Frodo took off his ring and the Strider grabbed him on the shoulder then pinned him to a wall, "You draw far too much attention to yourself, 'Mr. Underhill.'" The Strider pushed the young hobbit to a room.
The other hobbits got off from their seats and followed the Strider to a room.
"We should follow them," said Alan. He and Wesley got off from their seats then headed upstairs.
The V.S.S.E. agents reached the top of the stairs and heard another of Frodo's friends shouting, "Let him go! Or I'll have you, Longshanks!"
"You have a stout heart, little Hobbit. But that will not save you," the Strider said to the friends of Frodo. "You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They're coming."
"I think the Strider is helping them," Alan whispered.
"We cannot be certain," Wesley whispered.
The two best friends went to a room without being noticed.
Hours later, Alan and Wesley heard footsteps then blood-curtailing screeches not far from their positions. "What is that?" Alan asked.
"It doesn't sound human," Wesley could not get a clear answer.
"Perhaps the Strider guy might give us some answers."
"We'll have to follow them and wait for the right time to show ourselves."
