Frodo had been told by Gandalf to set off to Bree, while he journeyed to Isengard to gather some information about the Ring from Saruman the White, head of the Order of Istari. Of course, his friends wouldn't let him sneak off alone, and so, he came to be accompanied by Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and though he often wished otherwise, Peregrin Took. He had taken the name of Mr.Underhill, for reasons unknown to many. All that was ever known was that it was the name advised by the wizard, and so, he would abide by the choice. Before he reached Bree, though, trouble found him without much delay. He was found by the Black Riders. Servants of the One. Servants of the Dark Lord. Servants of Mordor. He had no choice but to run for his life. He had to try and escape with his life, for if the One Ring came to be found by them, Middle Earth would never forgive him. His uncle, or even Gandalf wouldn't grant their forgiveness. Moreover, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. It was by sheer luck that he found himself at the gates of Bree, and yet, he hadn't realized that he would never find a safe haven for himself ever again.
At Bree, he discovered to his horror, that Gandalf hadn't yet arrived as promised. Alas! Once again, the wizard had gotten away when he was needed most. When he could have saved the faithful from wanton death. It was not the first time this had happened, although Frodo dearly hoped it would be the last. Frodo had nobody to trust. Not while his own cousin and friend 'Pippin' had accidentally blown his cover. Now every man in Bree, both good and evil, knew about him. He had no choice but to slip the ring onto his finger and flee. It was a good thing, perhaps, that Gandalf had indeed requested Aragorn and his men to keep watch at the borders of the Shire, but dressed as they were, and for a while, amongst elves, they were mistaken for simple passerby. After all, hobbits were as common, if not more, as the big folk. There was nobody to save him anymore. It was only a matter of time before they found him again. He decided to leave as soon as he could manage to. The very next morning at the latest. Just as he was about to retire to his room and plan ahead, he was stopped by a tall hooded figure. His features did not favour him for he looked but a child compared to the man confronting him. He had been stopped, left with now way out but to wait and see what the stranger wanted with him. He knew his name to be Strider from what he had gathered. Much else,he did not know. Did it have anything to do with his true identity and what he carried? He was trapped in between,having to chose the lesser evil of the Ring and the man.
"Well?" said Strider when he reappeared. "Why did you do that? Worse than anything your friends could have said! You have put your foot in it! Or should I say your finger? "
Frodo knew his choice had been made for him. The man knew of the ring. There would be no way to escape him now. He looked up at the man once more, taking his time to observe him, given that he didn't seem to attack him just as yet. In his opinion, the man did not seem to be intent on harming him. He did not look like the black riders, and yet, he knew the secret. Who was this man? Was he a friend or enemy? Could he be trusted? Not for the first time since he left, he dearly wished Gandalf had been here with him, and he whispered as much to himself.
After some thought, he looked to the man once more, and gave his word to speak to him later, if that is what the stranger wished of him. Having said his part, he made his way back to his three companions."It was nothing. It was getting crowded is all. I am fine" said he, and with that, the hobbits decided to retire for the night.
Even as the hobbits left for their rooms, Strider approached them once more. "It seems your friend here has promised me something" he said, looking intently at Frodo.
"That I did. Tell me, good sir, what is it that you wished to speak of ?"
These words, though spoken politely, held a clear underlying message. He was being cautious, and would divulge nothing to the stranger unless he deemed it for to do so, but if he did say anything, it would not be here, were it was easy for ears to pry. They would have to go somewhere more secluded where matters such as those of importance could be discussed without brewing any trouble. He wished to meet Gandalf here soon, and be done with it all.
It seemed to Frodo that Stirder thought as much too, though his face gave away nothing. He was not mistaken, for soon after, Strider beckoned for them to follow him someplace else. As he turned to go, Frodo wondered if there was a chance that the man could somehow help them. After all, he had met Gildor Inglorion at the woods even as he journeyed towards Bree. He knew Gandalf was a traveller who journeyed far beyond the borders of the Shire, and he allowed himself to hope that Strider would be a friend indeed. He knew not if the would be able to make it out of Bree if it turned out otherwise.
Frodo knew he could trust no one, and he knew he would do well to remember as such when he had his dealings with the one they called Strider. For a moment, his heart delighted to think of Sam and his two other faithful companions, and he knew then, that they would stop at nothing to see him safe, as he would do for them. Soon, he knew it was time to face Strider once more. He had escaped the black riders once, and he would try all he could to do so forevermore, whether Strider stood beside him, or against.