OK so this is the next chapter.
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I'm glad people like this! You're the best!
Gashadokuro Amanojaku: Thanks! I hope this chapter holds up to what you said! Again, thank you so much you're awesome!
Golden Bearded Dragon: Thanks! Um, as for when I update, I don't know. I really don't have a set schedule and since I'm trying to pace this story while making it long, it might take a bit. However, I usually try to update within a month or shorter. And again thanks! You're amazing!
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Now, onto the chapter!
Teal eyes roamed over the many men that were being loud and obnoxious as they drank pint after pint of their beer. His slightly pointed ears caught each of the words spoken around him with sharp hearing. He was disgusted by the displays before him, but, thankfully, his attention did not have to linger upon the disgraces of these men. No, instead it was brought to the four Halflings that had entered the inn and were now sitting at a table a few distances away from where he sat. Two of the four were having a great time, getting drinks and talking excitedly with the disgusting men. However, the other two looked around, staying alert of the people around them.
The darker haired Halfling grabbed the bartender's attention, pointing to the man in the corner. He was asking about him, and now that he thought about it, the hooded man was watching the four intensely. The man was a ranger if he recalled, known as Strider around here. There was something about the ranger that put him off, it was the way he seemed to watch the Halflings, as if waiting for something to happen. Then, his attention was brought back to the said Halflings when a commotion shot out from near the bar. At same time, he saw Strider shoot up from his seat before his sight went to look for the four.
One was missing. Murmurs of the dark haired one vanishing into thin air spread like wild fire through the room. The man's teal eyes quickly searched the room, hoping to find the Halfling and just when he looked past one of the tables, a trembling hobbit appeared under it. It was as though he removed a vail that had been hiding his small form. Before he could approach him, Strider grabbed his arm and pulled him up towards the rooms. The teal eyed man stared after the two, watching as the other three hobbits finally chase after the two. Narrowing his eyes, the man followed after them, hoping to catch ear of any conversation they may have. Pressing his ear to the now closed door that the Halflings had charged into, he listened.
"If I wanted the ring, I would have it by now." The ranger spoke, but of what, he did not know. He did not have time to dwell upon the comment when the ranger spoke once more. "But we do not have time now to discuss this. They are coming."
Who was coming? The man's silent question was answered by a piercing screech that filled the air. While it was but a distance away, it sounded as though it was within the room. He reacted quickly, flying away from the door and taking cover within a dark doorway. He didn't know what was coming, but something told him he did not want to be caught in the way of it when it came.
Silence. It fell over the air, broken only by the drops of rain upon the roof of the inn. At first, one would believe nothing would happen to disturb the calm air. But he knew better. If such silence like this ever filled the air, something bad was bound to happen to disrupt it. And the man was right, for soon screams filled the air followed by the falling of horse hoofs. The inn's door swung open, hitting the wall with a large bang. The man held his breath as the feeling of pure terror and darkness over took the air. It made his stomach clench and his breath short, but he stayed hidden. Heavy footsteps passed by at the same time the feeling strengthened to such height he was surprised he was still standing. The steps faded down the hall and entered one of the rooms.
It was silent then. One would believe, the creatures of fear left. However, this was not the case. Soon the sound of a blade swinging through the air swiftly filled the man's ears followed by the ear splintering cries of the creatures as they struck their victims. Then, they let out another cry and they soon fled to their horses and took off. The man let out the breath he had been holding as he leaned against the wall. Just who was this teal eyed man? This was Yukio, youngest prince of Gehenna.
Yukio had stayed silent as he watched the sun begin to rise from one of the windows. He had stayed awake all night, not wanting to risk closing his eyes and then finding himself within the chilling claws of the creatures of shadow. Footsteps quietly passed by and soon he heard Strider talking to the inn keeper, Mr. Butterbur. The man gave the company a pony to use, for it seemed they were heading off. Where? He did not hear. Leaving the cover of the room, Yukio quietly snuck past the company of five and headed into the open. He went into an alley, staying in the shadows of the buildings as men and women gathered to watch the departure of the ranger and Halflings. They would watch with shock as a ranger headed out with them, but they evaded the man's eyes when he would shoot a look to those who seemed opposed to their leaving. And, as Yukio watched them leave, he felt as though he needed to follow them. He didn't know why or what the choice would lead to, but he just knew that something was telling him to follow. As they left through the gate of Bree, Yukio moved to gather up his own supplies, hoping to head out soon so the trail of the company would not be lost.
Yukio quickly headed back to the Prancing Pony and gathered the supplies he had brought with him from Gehenna. It had been as long, torturous journey and he was honestly surprised he had survived, let alone get this far from Gehenna without troubles from the enemy. He shook his head as he swung his pack upon his back. Now was not the time to dwell on the hardships faced to get here. No, he had to focus upon heading after the strange group traveling towards a destination he had no clue of.
He left the inn without drawing attention to himself. He walked out, taking in the sun light that shinned down upon his short brown hair that fell in front of his eyes and reached his mid neck. Then, with a sigh from slightly chapped lips, he throw his hood over his head and headed out. He passed the through the gate of Bree just as the five had done before him and, after figuring out the direction they had headed, set off after them.
His feet were silent upon the ground, the twigs and grass upon the ground easily silenced with his light footsteps gained from months of traveling in secret. He didn't know how long it would take him to reach their company of five, but it couldn't be that long to catch ear or eye of them; not with the hobbits following. No, with the ranger leading them, Yukio predicted that they would move quickly and swiftly, taking breaks only when needed or if it was time to rest. He would do similar once they were clearly in his sights but until then, he had to make sure he would not lose their trail.
The day continued to dwindle on and the sun began to fall in the east, he was soon beginning to believe he was much further behind the five then anticipated. However, he heard a comment far ahead but with his keen hearing and the silence of the woods, the voice of the ranger was heard.
"We will rest for now and set off once more in the early morning." The ranger spoke. Upon his swift and quiet feet, the Gehennian moved closer to the voice and he found the five within a small clearing between the trees. The larger hobbit was taking care of their pony while the other three got their supplies for food and rest. He could hear one of the thinner, blonde ones muttering about making them walk so long without food while the other hit him in the head. Strider and the darker haired Halfling were conversing together. He focused upon them hoping to get an idea of their plan.
"How much further until we reach Rivendell?" The darker haired asked. Ah, so they seek the refuge of the elves.
"Not for many weeks, Frodo. I apologize if you wish to reach it faster." The ranger answered. So that's what the darker haired one's name was, Frodo. It…seemed to fit the thin hobbit.
"It is of no problem." Frodo said, waving the apology aside. "I only hope Pippin does not complain the entire time of food."
Strider chuckled. "Yes, hopefully. Why don't you go rest for now, I'll take first watch. Besides, I am sure Samwise was cooked something up for you and if you do not eat it now, Merry and Pippin will surely be happy to take up the extras."
Frodo laughed. "Alright, but I do hope you eat as well. It would do us no good should you collapse when we are so far from Rivendell."
"I can assure you that I know how to survive out here much more then you. Now go." Frodo stood up and went to join the others around the small fire they had been allowed to build. Yukio slowly backed away from them and went to rest a few feet away. He opened his pack and ate a small amount of his preserved food. Months of eating so little to preserve enough for the long time of traveling had caused it to become a regular procedure.
The moon was now high in the sky, and a peaceful air had overtaken the camp of the five. Yukio remained awake, for he did not want to end up being caught or losing them if he slept past their departure. As he sat within the silence of the night, Yukio went over the information that had been spoken of during the moment of their rest. He had discovered the place they were deciding to head for. Rivendell, home to elves. He did not know of their reason to go to such a place but he knew it was for more than to simply relax in the calming air of the elven kingdom.
He had also discovered the names of the Halflings traveling with the ranger. Frodo was the dark haired hobbit he had seen vanish within the inn and as for the others, he had to guess. Samwise he suspected was the hobbit that had been tending to the pony and had been the one to stick close to Frodo back in the inn. As for the other two, Yukio had to guess that Pippin was the one complaining about the food and Merry had been the one to smack the other. They were an interesting group of hobbits to be traveling with a ranger, but only fate could decide who would be destined to meet and become companions within the future.
The night passed on without much event and when the sun began to rise once more, Yukio slung the pack upon him once more and got ready to follow the others once more. He turned around the tree and headed back in the direction of where their camp had been only to find they no sign of them remaining besides the small remains of the fire. Had he nodded off at some point? How had they gotten away without so much of a sound?
"So this is the mystery man who has been following us." Said a voice from behind him. With a small smirk Yukio slowly turned around to find the ranger pointing a sword at his chest. Of course. Why did it not come to mind that the ranger would know of his presence when he had been listening in?
"Who are you and why do you follow us? Speak." Yukio shifted his eyes to see the Halflings watching from behind the ranger while hiding in the branches of the plants.
"I shall not say my name for I do not hold knowledge of yours. And as for my business, I can assure you I mean no harm to you, but just happen to be following the path you have taken." Yukio spoke, not answering as clearly as he should.
"And how do I know you speak truthfully? For you could have been aiming to slit our throats within the night and rob us of what we carry."
Yukio scuffed. "If I wished you dead, you would be dead by now. It would not take more than a second for each of you to fall to my arrows."
"You are that good of an archer?"
"One of the best from my home."
"And where do you hail from?"
"I do not wish to speak of the place for what importance would it hold in a situation such as this?" Yukio answered. But his responses did not lower the sword from before him so he sighed. "If you must know my business, I follow a road similar to yours. My business, however, is my own. You do not see me interrogating you of your business."
"Then why follow us? If you meant no harm, why hide?"
"My curiosity was brought about by you and your odd group. And I did not approach for in the belief a situation such as this would happen." Yukio then eyed the blade. "Will you strike me down here or will you spare me my life?"
Strider seemed to think over the question when a strong voice spoke from behind. "Wait." They turned their eyes to see Frodo coming to stand besides Strider as he looked upon were Yukio stood.
"You say you mean us no harm, and I believe your words are truth." He said. "And as you did not press for our business, I will not either. You said you seek Rivendell, so why not accompany us upon our journey?"
Yukio turned to look into those large blue eyes that reminded him so much of his brother's. They shinned with kindness and mercy, but the strength to stand before a great army for those of innocents. For a moment, he could not tear his out teal orbs away from the shinning blue, but when he did, he turned to the hand that had been outstretched to him.
"Why ask this of me why you hold no knowledge of me myself?" Yukio asked. "I haven't even given you my name and yet here you are asking me to accompany you for days upon days to Rivendell."
"You obviously hold no ill intentions." Frodo spoke. "And if I must, I will introduce myself, but that is only should you decide to come with us."
Yukio watched him once more before reaching out with his much larger hand and gripping the other's smaller one. "I accept the offer."
Frodo grinned at this as Strider took his sword away. "Frodo Baggin's at your service."
"Yukio. If you do not mind but I do not wish to speak of my home or who I was bred from." Yukio said. "Also, you asked of my business and I will tell you little of it. It is of something personal I seek to gain, to…save."
Frodo nodded. "I am greatful you gave such information to us."
Yukio then motioned to behind the Halfling. "And of your companions? What of their names?"
Frodo motioned for them to come out of hiding and he motioned to each, waiting for them to speak.
"Samwise Gamgee, gardener of Mr. Frodo, at your service." But the lad eyed Yukio suspiciously, as if watching him to make sure he would make no ill moves towards Frodo. It touched Yukio softly.
"Peregrin Took." Pippin said and after Merry said. "Meriadoc Brandybuck."
Yukio nodded to each and then turned to Strider. "And from what I gathered at Bree, you're named Strider."
Strider nodded. "Yes, that is correct."
"Well then, ranger, lead the way."
So that was that! I hope it was good! Next chapter should be parts between here and Weathertop, possibly a little after.
Feel free to comment, ask questions, PM me, etc.
Until next time! :D
