A/N: I do not own Final Fantasy or Lord of the Rings. Also, I'd like to apologize, Valefor does not have a dog, it's just a girl. The aeon Yojimbo has the dog.
Wal Otter – They're not exactly dead. More like cursed men—they're the slaves of Sauron. Have you seen/read the movies/books?
Chapter 3
Thanking Rosie, Frodo took four mugs of ale from her. He was with Sam, Merry, and Pippin at the most popular bar in Hobbiton. The pair of misfits was dancing on the table, singing a jolly song. All the other hobbits were singing and clapping along.
"Hey ho, to the bottle I go!
To heal my heart, and drown my woe!
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
But there still me –
Many miles to go!"
Crouching and looking each other in the, Merry and Pippin continued.
"Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
and the stream that falls from the hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook—"
There was a slight pause.
"There's a mug of beer inside this Took!" Pippin finished alone, and everyone cheered.
Frodo chuckled and shook his head at the two. It had been a couple of days since Gandalf left, leaving Yuna with the young hobbit. The girl was interesting. She told him about her homeland, and what her job as a summoner was. It intrigued him that such a young girl held such responsibility.
But she was back at his hobbit hole. She didn't really care for drinking.
Sam sat alone with two other hobbits, who were talking amongst themselves.
"There's been some strange folk crossing the Shire. Dwarves, others of a less than savory nature," said the one hobbit.
The other hobbit shook his head. "War's brewing. The mountains are fair teeming with goblins"
"Children's stories that's all that is," the first hobbit replied, "You're beginning to sound like that old Bilbo Baggins! Cracked he was!" Seeing Frodo, he gestured to the younger hobbit. "Young Mr. Frodo here, he's cracking!"
"And proud of it!" Frodo grinned and slid the drinks across the table, "Cheers, Gaffer." He lifted his drink to him.
"Cheers," the older hobbit reciprocated.
"Well," the other hobbit began, "it's none of our concern what goes beyond our borders. Keep your nose out of trouble and no trouble will come to you." He gave Frodo a knowing look, but the young hobbit only grinned and raised his mug.
"Speaking of strange folk, how's that pretty lass of yours, Mr. Frodo?" the hobbit, Gaffer, asked.
Frodo gave him a strange look, before realizing whom the old hobbit was talking about. "Oh, Lady Yuna is just a guest," he explained, "Although, I guess I ought to check on her."
"Well, where is she? Why isn't she down with you enjoying a drink?" The other hobbit said with wide eyes. Who in their right minds didn't enjoy a nice cup of ale?
Frodo shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me whether she drinks or not, and neither should it matter to you." He took a sip from his mug.
After a couple more mugs of ale, Frodo decided to retire for the night, Sam coming with him. They passed by Rosie as they exited the pub.
"Good night lads," she greeted, looking more at Sam.
Sam's face went red, as he stumbled out of the doorway. He sighed as he composed himself a couple feet away from him.
"Good night, sweet maiden of the golden ale," another hobbit drunkenly, but sweetly, said to her as he got down on one knee.
Sam looked back, glaring at the other hobbit. "Oi, mind who you're sweet talking!" he muttered angrily to himself.
Frodo chuckled as he clasped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, Sam. Rosie knows an idiot when she sees one." He walked a head of him.
Sam stopped walking, giving a grimace. "Does she?" he murmured. Sam knew he always acted like a lovesick fool, which could translate into being an idiot.
"Good night, Sam!" Frodo called over his shoulder as he headed to Baggend. He followed the path that took him home and had reached the front door when he heard the sound of a horse. Curiously, he walked around his hobbit hole and was surprise to see a giant horse.
It was big. Bigger than any horse he had ever seen—to a hobbit, any horse was big. This was horse was ten times bigger than that. As he got closer he realized that it wasn't a normal horse either. It was black, with white skeletal-looking stripes on its body. There was a white tail and mane that had blue on the end of the hairs. There was white hair lining around its hoofs as well. A gold band was on each of its front legs, and then one huge gold band wrapped around its chest and neck, like a harness. But what was interesting about the horse, aside from the huge, curved, horn, but there was sparks of blue lightning emitting from it.
His heart began faster as he realized he had no idea why such a creature would be lurking behind his house, but was relieved as he saw Yuna step in front of the horse and began to stroke its muzzle. Cautiously, he walked up beside her.
"Is it yours?"
She jumped at his voice, turning to look at him. "Oh, hello Frodo."
"Sorry," he apologized. "Is it yours? This horse, I mean."
"Horse?" She looked at the aeon before her. How was she to explain this? "Well, it isn't exactly mine..."
Frodo's brow furrowed in confusion. "Not yours? Well, where did you get him, or her?"
"The Fayth. And he isn't really…a horse." She stepped back and gave a nod to the aeon. Immedietly, small balls of light emanated from the horse. The more balls of light that came out, the more translucent the horse came to be, and soon it disappeared completely. The balls of light traveled up to the skies like fireflies before disappearing.
Frodo watched with fascination. "The Fayth…" he tried to remember.
"They are the spirits. They are the ones who grant me the ability to summon the aeons."
"Spirits?" Frodo echoed with interest, "So…who was the spirit of…?" He was going to say 'horse,' but figured that if it was a spirit, it had a name.
"Ixion."
"Oh, Ixion," it felt foreign on his tongue, "Who is Ixion?"
Yuna looked up at the starry sky. "The aeon of Djose temple. In the form of a horned horse, the fayth of Ixion is a sailor, infused with the power of lightning." She gave a small smile. "He was my third aeon that I received on my pilgrimage." The smile became strained. "It was right after…" she trailed off. "Operation Mi'ihen…" she whispered, remembering the horrific event.
"I'm sorry, right after what?" Frodo prompted. He didn't catch her last part.
Taking a deep breath, her smile brightened as she turned to look at Frodo. "Oh…it's nothing. I guess we should head back in." She looked up at the big moon.
"Yes, it is a bit late, isn't it," Frodo agreed as they both walked to the front door of the hobbit hole. They both walked into the house, and were stunned to see the windows open, and papers littering the floor.
Yuna quickly ran into the parlor while Frodo cautiously walked around. Suddenly, he felt something grab his shoulder, and he turned around with a gasp.
It was Gandalf.
"Is it secret? Is it safe?" the wizard furiously asked in a quiet tone.
Frodo quickly nodded his head and went into the parlor there a chest was. Yuna turned around and was surprised to see the old wizard. "Sir Gandalf!"
The grey wizard gave her a brief smile before jerking at a slight nose from outside. Frodo rummaged in the chest for a moment before pulling out a familiar envelope. He held the envelope out to Gandalf who grabbed it and threw it in the fireplace.
"What are you doing!" Frodo cried.
Yuna watched on silently, as Gandalf took up a pair of tongs and watched the envelope burn away. With the tongs, he took the ring out of the fire and held it up to his eye for inspection. Seeing nothing, he called out to the hobbit. "Hold our your hand, Frodo." The hobbit was hesitant, and Gandalf gave him a reassuring look. "It's quite cool." Slowly, Frodo held out his hand. "What can you see? Can you see anything?"
Frodo turned the ring over in his hands, the smooth, shiny gold coloring unmarked. He shook his head. "Nothing. There's nothing."
Yuna watched Gandalf give a slight sigh of relief.
"Wait."
Gandalf froze.
"There are markings," Frodo said as he turned the Ring around to see the whole thing, "It's some form of Elvish, I can't read it."
"There are few who can. The language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here," Gandalf said gravely.
Yuna gave a slight gasp as Frodo's eyes widened, a mixture of fear and awe. "Mordor!"
"In the common tongue it says:
One Ring to rule them all.
One Ring to find them.
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them."
The trio moved into the kitchen where Frodo put the ring on the table and began to make tea. Gandalf pulled out his smoking pipe and observed the ring.
"This is the One Ring," he stated, "Forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself."
"Bilbo found it. In Gollum's cave," Frodo added.
"Yes, for sixty years the Ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life. Delaying old age. But no longer Frodo," Gandalf said, "Evil is stirring in Mordor. The Ring has awoken. Its heard its master's call."
Yuna felt a chill go down her spine at the wizard's tone. Goosebumps lined her arms.
Frodo's brow furrowed in confusion. "But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed." He looked at Gandalf for confirmation.
But the grey wizard shook his head. "No, Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned His orcs have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-Dur is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this Ring to cover all the lands of a second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it. All his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it."
Frodo gave a curt nod of his head, walking out of the room and looking around. "We put it away," he said, "We must never speak of it again. No one knows its here…do they?" He turned around to face Gandalf.
The wizard eyed him. "There is one other who knew Bilbo had the Ring," he began, "I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum, but the enemy found him first. Amidst the endless screams and inane babble they discerned two words."
And that's when Yuna began to understand everything.
"Shire. Baggins."
Frodo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Shire…Baggins," his eyes lit up in realization, "But that will lead them here!" He suddenly thrust the Ring to Gandalf, the wizard immedietly stepped back away from it.
"Take it, Gandalf!"
"No, Frodo."
"You must take it!"
"You cannot offer me this Ring."
"I'm giving it to you!"
"DON'T!" Gandalf shouted in a tone that made the hobbit flinch, "Tempt me, Frodo. I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."
Frodo looked at Yuna with a pleading look, but she sadly shook her head.
"I'm sorry. But I can't take it either," her eyes were filled with worry, "The Ring…it's filled with evil bearings."
"But it cannot stay in the Shire!"
"No!" Gandalf agreed, "No it can't"
Frodo took the Ring back, and rolled it in his hands. A resigned look was on his face. "What must I do?"
"You must leave, and leave quickly," Gandalf told him.
With a nod, Frodo quickly grabbed a bag and began stuffing some clothes into it. Yuna helped him by folding and handing him the clothing. "Where? Where do I go?"
"Get out of the Shire. Make for the village of Bree," Gandalf answered.
"Bree," Frodo repeated, hoping it would stay in his mind, "But what about you?"
"I'll be waiting there, at the Inn of the Prancing Pony."
"And me?" Yuna asked.
"Stay with Frodo," he ordered her, "Become his protector. Make sure no one gets to him or the Ring." Yuna nodded.
"The Ring will be safe there?" Frodo asked as he packed some food.
Gandalf solemnly shook his head. "Frodo, I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me Frodo, he'll know what to do." He handed Frodo his coat. "You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire." He looked at both Frodo and Yuna. "Travel by day, and stay off the road."
"I can cut across the country, easily enough," Frodo said confidently as he slipped the Ring into his pocket.
Gandalf smiled, a real smile. "My dear Frodo, hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about them in a month, and yet in a hundred years that can still surprise you." Frodo returned his smile.
Suddenly, a rustle was heard outside, and everyone's attention snapped to the open window.
"Get down!" Gandalf hissed to Frodo, who quickly complied.
Yuna quickly called for her staff. Gandalf slowly approached the window, Yuna behind him, staffs outreached before them. Suddenly, Gandalf quickly jabbed his staff into the flowerbed, and heard a grunt of pain. Throwing his staff aside, he reaches in the flowerbed and pulled out a hobbit, throwing him on the table. Yuna lowered her staff as she recognized the intruder.
"Sam?" she tilted her head.
"Confound you Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?" the old wizard roared into the poor hobbit's face.
Sam rapidly shook his head as he sputtered, "I haven't been dropping no eaves sir, honest! I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me."
"A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?" Gandalf said with a raised brow. His grip on the hobbit had loosened slightly.
"I heard raised voices…" Sam admitted.
"What did you hear?" Gandalf pressed, "Speak!"
Sam flinched as he answered "Nothing important! That is, I heard a good deal about a ring and a dark lord and something about the end of the world, but please Mr. Gandalf sir, please don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anything…unnatural."
Gandalf caught Frodo's eyes, and the Baggins smiled. "Perhaps not," the old wizard agreed, "I've though of a better use for you."
Sam found himself behind a horse, following Gandalf, Frodo, and Yuna through the Shire, a big bag on his shoulders filled with clothing, food, pots and pans.
"Come along, Samwise. Keep up!" The grey-wizard called over hi shoulder in a gruff tone. He led the trio through a woodland.
"Be careful, all of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Birds, beasts…" Gandalf warned them. He looked at Frodo. "Is it safe?" Frodo clutched his pocket and the old grey wizard kneeled down before him. "Never put it on, for the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power," he told the young hobbit, "Always remember, Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its Master. It wants to be found." After patting Frodo on the shoulder, and giving Yuna a knowing look, he mounted his horse and rode off.
Frodo tried to smile, but he couldn't help but worry. Everything was happening so quickly. First Bilbo runs off, then Gandalf, and now he has a cursed Ring. Sam stepped up behind him.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo turned and smiled at his friend. "Come on," he beckoned Sam and Yuna to follow him.
They walked across many fields, past a farmhouse, a waterfall, and over a hill.
"Miss Yuna, I couldn't help but notice that you've no bag with you," Sam said as they trekked across another field.
"Oh…well I —"
"Sam, I have everything that Yuna will need with my things. Besides, you wouldn't have Rosie carry her own bags would you?" Frodo said with a smile.
Sam blushed at this. "No, I suppose not. Please forgive me Miss Yuna."
"It's alright Sam," Yuna said with a light laugh, "I never really had the need to carry a bag with me. Where I'm from, there was always a lodge that my friends and I could rest at."
"That sounds wonderful," Sam said with woe, "You wouldn't see a resting place for many miles." He suddenly stopped. They were in a young cornfield. "This is it."
Yuna and Frodo stopped walking as well.
"This is what?" Frodo asked.
Sam had a cautious face. "If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest from home I've ever been."
Frodo walked back toward him. "Come on, Sam." He reached an arm out, trying to coax the other hobbit. Sam hesitated, before taking a step, and then another. Yuna smiled and Frodo patted him on the back.
"Remember what Bilbo used to say," Frodo told Sam, "It's a dangerous business going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
They reached another woodland.
"Tell us about Besaid, Miss Yuna," Frodo said, with the enthusiasm of a child.
"Well, it's a lot like the Shire, except it's an island so there's a lot of water," Yuna said thoughtfully, "But it's also quiet, it's not very loud, so it's calm and peaceful."
"Did you receive an aeon there?" Frodo asked.
Yuna smiled at the memory. "Yes, my very first aeon, Valefor. In the form of a phoenix, the fayth is a young girl who used to live on Besaid."
"Can you show us?" Sam asked.
Yuna gently shook her head. "I don't think that would be a good idea. Gandalf warned us about Sauron's allies. I don't want to attract any unwanted attention." She saw a disheartened look on Sam's face. "But maybe, you'll get to see them in battle."
Sam's eyes went wide. "Battle? You mean, you can fight?" He turned to Frodo. "She can fight, Mr. Frodo?"
The other hobbit gave a sheep shrug. "I have seen these aeons, Sam. I have no doubt that Miss Yuna can hold her own."
"Is that so hard to imagine?" Yuna asked. In Spira, anyone willing and who possessed the skill would fight.
"Please don't take offense, Miss Yuna," Sam apologized, "It's just that, besides us hobbits, the females of Men do not fight. Their only job is to cook, clean, and take care of the children."
Yuna couldn't decide whether not she should be offended or angered. "Where I'm from, anyone willing to fight is allowed: men, women, even children."
"Children, Miss Yuna?"
She nodded. "Even children want to protect their families, Sam. They are not a stranger to the thought of death. Especially if their loved one turns into a fiend."
"A fiend?" Frodo asked.
Yuna looked at Frodo, and gave him a gentle smile, and looked up at the sky. "I think we should stop for today. It's getting pretty dark."
They set up camp underneath a nice big tree. Yuna watched as Sam's attempt at lighting a fire was unsuccessful. She conjured her staff and pointed it at the bundle of wood, and a small fire was lit, startling Sam who fell back on his butt. Muttering his thanks, he began the preparations for dinner. While he was waiting for dinner to cook, Sam brought out his pipe and started to smoke.
Frodo had placed his stuff down and found a comfortable spot in the tree, with Yuna on the ground below him. It wasn't long until they heard music.
"Sam, Yuna!" he called to them.
The other two heard the music as well. Following the sound, they crouched behind some bushes. Yuna's eyes widened as she saw a line of people dressed in blue hooded robes, an ethereal glow emanating from them.
"Wood elves," Frodo said with a smile, "They're going to the harbor beyond the white tower to the Grey Havens."
"These are elves?" Yuna asked, wide eyed. These were the people that Bilbo had mistaken her as? Her cheeks reddened. My, what a compliment to have. They looked so pure, untainted, something she couldn't even imagine.
"They're leaving Middle Earth," Sam concluded.
"Never to return," Frodo added with a nod.
"I don't know why….it makes me sad," Sam said as he turned his focus back to the dinner that was currently cooking.
They each at their meal that consisted of fried sausages and mixed vegetables. It was nighttime now, and the only source of light was the soft glow of the fire. When they all settled down to sleep, Yuna had offered to take first watch.
"We're still in the Shire, Miss Yuna. I really don't think we have anything to worry about," Frodo tried to persuade her to sleep. But she shook her head.
"Gandalf seemed really worried, Frodo, and that was back in Hobbiton. I don't want to take any chances now that we're getting further away," Yuna explained.
"Then let Mr. Frodo or me take the first watch then. As a lady, you are our first priority," Sam said.
"I'm fine, really. You two should get some sleep. I'm used to long trips anyway," she ended the conversation.
With some reluctance, the two hobbits settled down for sleep. But it wasn't long until Sam was tossing about.
"Everywhere I lie, there's a dirty great root sticking into my back," he said.
Frodo had his eyes closed. "Just shut your eyes and imagine you're back in your own bed, with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow," he murmured.
After a few more tosses and Sam gave a groan. "It's not working Mr. Frodo! Oh, I'm never going to be able to sleep out here!"
"Me neither, Sam," Frodo replied with a smile, his eyes still closed.
()()()()()()
They were up at the crack of dawn the next morning. Yuna admired all the fields that she saw, the greenery of the Shire. It really did remind her of Spira.
"So Miss Yuna, what do you think of the Shire so far?" Sam asked.
"Oh it's wonderful," Yuna said with a smile, "It's very peaceful."
Sam nodded, satisfied with her answer. "I just hope that Gandalf can figure things out at the Prancing Pony. I want to be back at my hole with my garden." His eyes widened. "My garden!" he gasped, "I didn't ask anyone to care for it while I was gone!"
"I'm sure you're garden will be fine, Sam. After all, you're only gone a couple days," Yuna said as they entered a tall field of corn.
"Oh, I do hope they're all right," Sam groaned as he trudged through the cornfield.
"Sam, are you sure we're going the right way?" Yuna asked after a few moments. The corn stalks were never ending.
"Of course this is the right way. Why, you can even ask Mr. Frodo—" he suddenly stopped. "Mr. Frodo?" He looked around, but the hobbit was nowhere to be found. He bolted.
"Sam?" Yuna asked, hot on his heels.
"Frodo! Frodo!" Sam shouted. He slowed as soon as he saw the other hobbit's back. Frodo turned around, his eyes questioning. "I thought I'd lost you," Sam huffed, Yuna beside him.
"What do you mean?" Frodo gave him a look.
"It's just something Gandalf said," Sam said as they slowly continued to walk.
"What did he say?"
Sam turned to look at Frodo. "'Don't you lose him Samwise Gamgee,' and I don't mean to." Yuna smiled at the hobbit.
"Sam," Frodo chuckled, "We're still in the Shire. What could possibly happen?"
And at that moment, two figures dashed out from a couple of cornstalks, running into both Frodo and Yuna. It was Merry and Pippin.
Pippin looked down at whom he had fallen on. "Frodo! Merry, it's Frodo Baggins!"
"And his lass," Merry dreamily gazed upon Yuna's face. He was suddenly yanked to his feet by Sam. "Hello, Frodo!"
"Get off them!" Sam grunted as he pulled Pippin off of Frodo. "Frodo, are you all right?"
"What's the meaning of this?" Frodo asked the pair of misfits, who were frantically picking up an assortment of vegetables off the ground.
Merry gave a bundle to Sam. "Hold these."
"You've been into Farmer Maggot's crop!" Sam shouted.
"And these," Merry handed a bundle to Frodo. He went to hand a bundle to Yuna, who had her hands outstretched, but he took them back with a grin. "My apologies m'lady." Yuna only shook her head.
Suddenly, the sound of a dog barking was heard, and the top of a scythe was seen over the top of the corn stalks. "Hoi, you get back here! Wait till I get this through you!" the angry hobbit farmer shouted.
Pippin grabbed Frodo by the shoulders and pushed him through the cornstalks as Merry grabbed Yuna by the hand.
"Get out of my fields! You'll know the devil if I catch up with you!" another shout.
Sam, quickly noticing he was the only one standing, looked at the vegetables in his hands before dropping them and running.
"Dunno why he's so upset. It's only a couple of carrots," Merry said to Yuna.
"And some cabbages, and those few bags of potatoes that we lifted last week," Pippin called back, "And the mushrooms the week before."
"Yes Pippin," Merry said in a frustrated tone, "My point is, he's clearly overreacting!"
Pippin abruptly stopped when he saw the cliff top. Frodo, Merry, and Yuna quickly ran into him, but not enough to send them flying. They all looked down below, trying to figure out what to do, when Sam ran into Yuna, causing the entire group tumbling.
Pippin landed first, with Sam on top of him, and then Merry on top of him. Yuna landed right next to Pippin, with Frodo on top of her.
Pippin, seeing a pile of fresh dung, let out a low whistle. "Ooh, that was close."
"Oh!" Merry groaned, "I think I've broken something." He pulled out a big, orange carrot, which was broken in half.
"Trust a Brandybuck and a Took," Sam grumbled as he spat out some plants and stood up.
"What? That was just a detour. A shortcut," Merry explained as he brushed himself off.
"To what?"
"Mushroom!" Pippin spotted. The three hobbits made a dash towards the umbrella like fungus.
Frodo looked up to the face of Yuna, who was giggling. "Looks like we've been in this situation before." Frodo, red and smiling, quickly got off of her and helped her up.
Yuna started brushing the dirt off her sleeves as Frodo strolled up the pathway. A slight breeze came towards them, making Yuna shiver.
"I'm getting a bad feeling from this," she said to Frodo.
Frodo nodded in agreement. "I think we should get off the road," he called out to the trio who were still squabbling over the mushrooms.
This time, a stronger breeze came through, making the leaves swirl. A haunting cry filled the air, making Yuna gasp. Frodo quickly grabbed her hand.
"Get off the road, quick!"
They all dashed into a ditch beneath a tree root. Merry and Pippin began jostling their treasures as Sam hushed them. Still looking through their vegetables, they all stilled as they heard the steps of a horse.
Frodo looked up and through the tree roots to see a horse with nails on its hooves. The horse's eyes were red. Frodo quickly ducked his head as the rider got off, and peered over the edge of the root, sniffing. Everyone shrunk back further into the root.
Insects and bugs suddenly came out of the root, trying to get away from the rider. Yuna stifled a cry as a centipede crawled over her shoulder.
Frodo felt a weird feeling come over, and he closed his eyes. He reached for the Ring, and when he pulled it out, the rider jerked its head. Fingering the Ring, Frodo when to put it on his finger when Sam suddenly reached over Pippin and stopped him. Frodo, out of his stupor, pulled the Ring away. Merry flung his bag of mushrooms to the side, and the Rider quickly followed, giving a cry.
Seeing their chance to escape, the group quickly dashed into the woods.
"What was that?" Merry gasped, in shock.
Frodo could only look at him with fear, and then at the Ring that was in his hands, Yuna, by his side.
It suddenly occurred to Yuna, that battle between light and dark was more complicated than it seemed.
It was dark now, completely pitch black.
The group staggered themselves in the woods, running faster everytime they heard the shrill cry of the rider.
"Anything?" Sam called out.
Yuna held her staff in her hands.
"Nothing," Frodo answered.
"What's going on?" Pippin asked, stumbling behind them.
"That rider was looking for someone. Or something," Merry said as he walked up to Frodo, "Frodo?"
"Get down!" Yuna hissed.
They all ducked down and see through the trees, a rider on its horse on a hill walk off.
"I have to leave the Shire," Frodo told Merry, "Sam, Yuna, and I must get to Bree."
Merry nodded, understanding the situation. "Right, Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me!"
Merry ran through the trees, out into the open. Frodo went to follow, when suddenly, a rider appeared in front of him!
"Run!" Pippin cried.
"Frodo, this way! Follow me!" Merry called to him.
But Frodo couldn't move, the rider's horse was in his way, and its rider, confused as to whom it should attack first.
"Thunder!" Yuna cried, raising her staff. A bold of lightning stuck the rider, stunning it briefly.
"Follow me!" Merry repeated, "Run!"
The group took off, soon reaching a fence next to a riverbank. Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Yuna jumped the fence first, reaching the raft first.
"Get the rope, Sam!" Merry ordered.
"Frodo!" Sam cried. As he was untying the rope, he saw Frodo running down the path towards them, the rider right behind him.
They all shouted and encouraged the hobbit to run faster and jump. As Frodo got to the dock, Yuna quickly raised her staff. "Fire!" she shouted, and a line of fire quickly ignited after Frodo, who jumped and landed on the raft.
The horse shrieked and reared, before backing up.
"How far to the nearest crossing?" Frodo panted.
"The Brandywine Bridge. Twenty miles," Merry answered as he pushed the prod into the water.
They watched as the rider backed up the path, and joined two others.
()()()()()()
By now it was raining, and everyone had their cloaks and hoods up. They had reached Bree, and thankfully, no sign of the riders. Frodo knocked on the door of the gate.
A small window towards the top of the hatch was open. Yuna saw a face look at her, and she gestured down below her. The face nodded and closed the window, before appearing at a lower window on the door.
"What do you want?" the gatekeeper asked in a scratchy voice.
"We're heading for the Prancing Pony," Frodo answered.
The gatekeeper shut the window, and opened the door. Yuna looked around, on the lookout for any riders. The gatekeeper held his lantern up and his eyes went wide. "A lass and hobbits. Four hobbits! What's more out of The Shire by your talk! What business brings you to Bree?"
"We wish to be at the Inn. Out business is our own," Frodo stated firmly.
"Alright young sir, I meant no offense," the gatekeeper allowed Frodo and his company through, "My job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful."
They trudged their way towards the Inn. Yuna made a mental note to clean her boots when they arrived at the resting place. They entered the Inn, apologizing when they ran into someone.
Frodo walked up to the bar. "Excuse me?"
The Barliman peered over his bar to see Frodo and his company. "Good Evening little masters. What can I do for you? If you're looking for accommodation, we've got some nice, cozy hobbit sized rooms available. Always proud to cater to the little folk, Mr err... ?"
"U-Underhill," Frodo stuttered, "My name's Underhill." He paused. "We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've arrived?"
"Gandalf? Gandalf," the Barliman said quizzically. The lightbulb suddenly went off in his head. "Oh, yes I remember! Elderly chap, big grey beard, pointy hat!" Frodo nodded, hopefully. "Not seen him in six months."
Frodo's face fell, and he turned to look at his friends, lost. They all huddled together.
"What do we do now?" Sam asked.
"Maybe he's just late," Yuna suggested.
"Sam, he'll be here. He'll come," Frodo said, confident.
They all settled in, ordering food and drink. Merry went to the bar, and came back with a mug of beer.
"What's that?" Pippin asked.
"This, my friend, is a pint," Merry answered, his eyes eyeing the foam.
"It comes in pints? I'm getting one," Pippin said as he left the table.
"You've had a whole half already!" Sam called out to him.
"Frodo," Yuna softly called out to the hobbit, "That man over there has been staring at you since we've arrived." She nodded to a hooded figure smoking his pipe in the corner of the room.
Looking at the man, he stopped the Barliman who was walking past. "Excuse me. That man in the corner, who is he?"
The Barliman looked at the hooded figure. "He's one of them rangers. They're dangerous folk they are. Wandering the wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but round here, he's known as Strider."
"Strider," Frodo murmured to himself as the Barliman walked away.
"I don't understand," Yuna said worriedly, "Gandalf should be here by now, right?"
Frodo didn't answer. He was deep in thought, playing with the Ring. He suddenly heard whisperings from the Ring. It was calling him. Baggins. Baggins. Baggins. Baggins!
"Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins!"
Frodo was snapped out of his dream.
Pippin pointed to him from the bar. "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."
Yuna and Sam gave Frodo a worried look as Strider looked at Frodo with vast attention.
"Pippin!" Frodo yelled as he hurried to the other hobbit's side. He grabbed Pippin by the arm.
"Steady on!" Pippin said as he shook Frodo off.
Frodo took a step back, and tripped, the Ring flying into the air. Frodo landed on his back, and reached his hand to it, the Ring slipping itself on his index finger.
Frodo disappeared.
Everyone gasped, and Pippin turned around in shock. Yuna and Sam looked at each other, before frantically trying to find the hobbit.
What they didn't see was Frodo appearing not to far from the pair. Breathing a sigh of relief, he was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder.
"You draw too much attention to yourself Mr. Underhill."
It was Strider. Frodo was dragged up the stairs and thrown into a room. He found himself staring at a pair of light brown leather boots. His eyes travelled up to see a sleeveless white overcoat over a brown turtleneck shirt zipped up to the top, and green metallic pauldron over the left shoulder. A red cape attached to the uniform near the left shoulder. He looked up to the face of a young woman with light pink hair that was a swept to the side. Her pale blue eyes were observing him coolly.
"Who's this?" Her voice was soft and crisp.
"What do you want?" Frodo asked, turning to look at Strider.
"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry," Strider answered.
"I carry nothing," Frodo lied.
"Indeed," Strider said as he nodded to the woman who began snuffing out the candles on her side, as he began to do the same on his side. "I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to disappear entirely," he removed his hood, "that is a rare gift!"
"Who are you?" Frodo asked, looking from Strider to the woman.
"Are you scared?" the woman asked him.
Frodo stopped to think. "Yes."
"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you," Strider explained.
Suddenly, the door was flung open. Strider unsheathed his sword, while Frodo watched in awe as the woman take out an odd shaped weapon, flicked her wrist and a blade popped out.
Yuna dashed into the room, her staff raised and ready to cast, while Sam, Merry, and Pippin pushed their way into the room carrying a stool and candlesticks.
"Let him go! Or I'll have you Longshanks!" Sam growled, his fists ready.
Strider, a bit in disbelief, only sheathed his sword. "You have a stout heart little hobbit, but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming." He turned to look at his companion, whose eyes were wide and looking at Yuna.
"Yuna?"
The summoner blinked, trying to figure out who the woman was. Suddenly, it came back to her.
"Lightning!"
A/N: I'm on winter break! Be prepared for updates like crazy (or maybe just faster)! I saw the Hobbit, and it was AMAZING! I really want to do a FF/Hobbit fanfic now XD. That's on my future list. Review/Favorite/Alert this story!