Chapter 4
After resting for a while and eating breakfast, we walked the rest of the way to Bree. Because we had become very cautious after the day before, we walked slowly to keep a close watch for those riders. We didn't get to Bree until later that week, during a rainstorm. When we arrived, Frodo knocked on the gate door. An old man opened a window high up, and then went to a lower one.
"Where you headin'?" He asked us.
"We wish to visit the Prancing Pony." Frodo replied.
Ferny opened the gate.
"Hobbits!" He exclaimed. "Five Hobbits! What business have you?"
"We wish to stay at the inn." Frodo answered. "Our business is not yours."
"Didn't mean to be offensive." The man said. "Got to be careful these days. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Just down that way." He said pointing us towards the Prancing Pony.
We made our way down the muddy street, where there were many carts, and men. Finally, we saw the sign for The Prancing Pony. We went inside, dripping wet. When we got to the front desk, Barliman Butterbur came to greet us.
"Hello little masters." Butterbur said." I have some nice hobbit sized rooms available, Mr.."
"Underhill." Frodo replied hesitantly. I wondered why he was using an alias.
"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey." He continued. "Can you tell him we've arrived?"
"Gandalf?" Butterbur wondered. "Gandalf. Oh! Elderly chap, long gray beard, pointed hat!" Frodo nodded.
"Not seen him for six months." Butterbur said.
"Now what?" Sam asked.
None of us knew exactly. We decided to get a room at the inn, and wait for Gandalf. I knew that something had to be wrong if he was supposed to meet us here, and hadn't shown up. The others got some food and beer, but Frodo and I didn't eat or drink.
I couldn't help but notice a man in a brown cloak sitting at a corner table watching Frodo, his face hidden in the shadows. Sam and Frodo both saw him as well, while the other two were too busy drinking beer to notice.
"Excuse me," Frodo said, to Butterbur as he passed. " but who is that man in the corner?"
"He's one of them rangers." Butterbur replied. "Dangerous folk. What his right name is I never heard, but around here, he's known as Strider."
I saw Frodo pull the golden ring from his shirt pocket again. I tried to ignore it. However, I couldn't, especially once he went into a trance again. I lifted my staff preparing to tap his head, when I heard Pippin over at the bar.
"Baggins?" He said answering a question. "Sure I know a Baggins! Over there! Frodo and Xandra Baggins!" He waved to us.
Frodo came out of the trance, obviously hearing Pippin, who was going on about how he was related to Frodo. Frodo got up and tried to stop him. When he reached Pippin, Frodo slipped and fell to the ground, the ring flying into the air. When Frodo tried to catch it, it slipped onto his finger, and he disappeared. Everyone was shocked. I noticed that that Strider fellow noticed what had happened as well. I got up from my seat, holding my staff, trying to find Frodo. I sensed him under a table to my right. I started toward the table, when he appeared right there. I tried to get to him, but Strider grabbed him and held him against the wall. I went to the others, who were looking for Frodo in a group.
"Strider's got Frodo!" I told them as Frodo was forced up the stairs. Merry grabbed a candlestick, Pippin picked up a stool, Sam had his fists ready, and I held my staff and sword. We raced up the stairs after Strider and Frodo. We burst through the door to our room, where we had heard Frodo talking.
"GET BACK!" Sam yelled. "OR I'LL HAVE YOU LONGSHANKS!!!"
I saw the face of Strider, and realized that this was not only a ranger, but Isildur's heir, Aragorn. I had seen him at Rivendell many times. Gandalf had told me who he was. However, I did not let on what I knew. I simply put away my sword as Aragorn spoke.
"You have a stout heart little one," he said to Sam. "but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard. They are coming."
We all knew exactly what he was talking about. Those Black Riders. I knew then that they were the Nazgul. He told us to make it look as though we were in our beds. The others took our things to a different room, while I used a little magic to make it look as though we were sound asleep in our beds, and spoke to Aragorn.
"What do you plan to do after this, Aragorn?" I asked. "We cannot hide Frodo or the Ring from the Nazgul in this place forever."
"How do you know that they are the Nazgul," Aragorn said. "and more importantly, how do you know my name?"
"I have been to Rivendell many times." I replied. " I also used to be Gandalf's apprentice. However, I will say nothing of your true name to anyone else, since here you go by the name of Strider."
"Then you are trustworthy." Aragorn said. "I am to take all five of you to Rivendell."
Within a couple of minutes all six of us were in another room. We fell asleep while Aragorn watched for the Nazgul. But after a few minutes, we heard horrible shrieking and the sound of swords. We awoke with a start.
"What are they?" Frodo asked Aragorn.
"They were once men." Aragorn replied. "Then Sauron gave them nine rings of power, one by one they fell into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, the undead. Drawn to the power of the one ring. They will never stop hunting for it. or you."
I was sure now that the golden ring Frodo had was the one ring from the Elvish lore. If Sauron was trying to get it, it had to be, for he was the Dark Lord, and in ancient tales it says: Three rings to Elven Kings under the sky. Seven to the Dwarf Lords in their halls of stone. Nine to Mortal Men doomed to die. One to the Dark Lord on his Dark Throne, In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness Bind them. In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie.
I kept thinking: This is just perfect. Frodo has the One Ring, and the Nazgul are after us. If they find him. they'll kill him. We all had a hard time sleeping that night fearing that the Nazgul would find us.
*******************************************
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, and purchasing the only horse left in town to carry our gear, we left Bree as fast as possible. I was the only one of us Hobbits who truly trusted Aragorn. Then again I was the only one who knew that he was Aragorn, and what his purpose was.
We stayed away from the roads as to avoid another encounter with the Nazgul. Later that morning after walking for a few hours, Aragorn stopped to glance around, and the others seemed to think that it was time to rest.
"Gentlemen," Aragorn said stopping and turning around. "we do not stop till dark."
"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked.
"We already had it." Aragorn replied.
"Well we've had one, yes." Pippin said. "But what about second breakfast?"
I rolled my eyes. Second breakfast, another Hobbit tradition I'd never understand. Just then an apple came out from behind the trees, where Aragorn had gone. Merry caught it and gave to Pippin. This pleased him, even though, he thought they came from the sky.
After a few more days of traveling we came to Weathertop. Once it had been the resting place of Amon-sul, which had been a great watchtower. Now it was called Weathertop.
"We shall rest here tonight." Aragorn said.
So we all climbed the hill. When we stopped to set up camp at sunset, everyone except Aragorn and I was exhausted. Aragorn got out a bundle that he had been carrying, and unrolled it. Inside were four short swords.
"These are for you." He said giving the swords to the others. "Wait here. I'm going to look around."
I started to sharpen my sword with a rock I'd found, and Frodo fell asleep. I dozed off after a little while. I was awakened by Frodo yelling at the others. Aragorn had not yet returned, and it was well after dark.
"Put it out you fools!" He cried stepping on a fire they had built.
The Nazgul sent out their blood-curtiling shriek that could more than likely be heard for miles. We looked down at the bottom of the hill to see five Nazgul making their way up. We ran to the center of the destroyed tower, swords ready for battle. We were in a circle watching and waiting for them to come. Time seemed to stand still, and when Frodo saw them, we knew it. We turned around, and got in front of Frodo. Sam was the first to approach them. They just threw him to the side. The same happened to Merry and Pippin.
I charged at the one right in front of me with my sword and staff, though they didn't think I would be a challenge. I proved them wrong, for it wasn't long before I was up against two of them. With magic flying this way and that to get them to go away, but only making them angry. Then I lost my footing and one of them threw me aside like garbage. After I landed, Sam and Merry helped me up. I whirled around, full of energy, I saw that Frodo had dropped his sword in fear and was slowly backing away.
"Run!" I cried charging once more at one of the Nazgul. This time, they were ready. He picked me by my neck and held me in the air. I tried to use my magic, but he only strengthened his grip, making me drop my staff. I tried to call it back to my hand, but the Ringwraith put his foot on it. He turned me around to see Frodo underneath a fallen statue of a king. Frodo pulled out the one ring, and another of the five Nazgul came forward with a blade in his hands. Frodo hastily put on the ring and disappeared. I was having a difficult time breathing from the grip on my neck, and felt my legs begin to go limp.
The Nazgul with the blade went over to where Frodo had been a second earlier and bent down, as though to pick up something. Then he jerked back, and it looked like he stabbed the air with the blade, but I knew what he'd stabbed.
I saw Aragorn jump over the statue, sword drawn with a burning torch in his hand. He swung his sword, and in fear the Nazgul holding me let go. I fell to the ground catching my breath while Aragorn began to viciously scare the Nazgul off by burning them, and catching them by surprise. Then, I heard something that will never leave my memory. Frodo screaming in pain. I got up and ran to him. By the time I was there, Sam was already by his side.
"Help him Strider!" Sam yelled. I was too shocked, and angry, and worried to say anything.
"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." Aragorn said when he got a look at the wound and weapon. "This wound I cannot heal. He needs Elvish medicine." He picked up Frodo and we started running with the shrieks of the Nazgul echoing around us.
"We're six days from Rivendell!" Sam exclaimed. "He won't last!"
"Don't lose hope, Sam!" I yelled. I was also saying that to keep my hope up. All that went through my head was: Frodo can't die! He just can't! Not this way! Not now! Don't give up Frodo! Don't give up!
Not the one ring, the feeling from when I used my ring, the Nazgul, nor Sauron himself frightened me more than the thought of losing Frodo.
After resting for a while and eating breakfast, we walked the rest of the way to Bree. Because we had become very cautious after the day before, we walked slowly to keep a close watch for those riders. We didn't get to Bree until later that week, during a rainstorm. When we arrived, Frodo knocked on the gate door. An old man opened a window high up, and then went to a lower one.
"Where you headin'?" He asked us.
"We wish to visit the Prancing Pony." Frodo replied.
Ferny opened the gate.
"Hobbits!" He exclaimed. "Five Hobbits! What business have you?"
"We wish to stay at the inn." Frodo answered. "Our business is not yours."
"Didn't mean to be offensive." The man said. "Got to be careful these days. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Just down that way." He said pointing us towards the Prancing Pony.
We made our way down the muddy street, where there were many carts, and men. Finally, we saw the sign for The Prancing Pony. We went inside, dripping wet. When we got to the front desk, Barliman Butterbur came to greet us.
"Hello little masters." Butterbur said." I have some nice hobbit sized rooms available, Mr.."
"Underhill." Frodo replied hesitantly. I wondered why he was using an alias.
"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey." He continued. "Can you tell him we've arrived?"
"Gandalf?" Butterbur wondered. "Gandalf. Oh! Elderly chap, long gray beard, pointed hat!" Frodo nodded.
"Not seen him for six months." Butterbur said.
"Now what?" Sam asked.
None of us knew exactly. We decided to get a room at the inn, and wait for Gandalf. I knew that something had to be wrong if he was supposed to meet us here, and hadn't shown up. The others got some food and beer, but Frodo and I didn't eat or drink.
I couldn't help but notice a man in a brown cloak sitting at a corner table watching Frodo, his face hidden in the shadows. Sam and Frodo both saw him as well, while the other two were too busy drinking beer to notice.
"Excuse me," Frodo said, to Butterbur as he passed. " but who is that man in the corner?"
"He's one of them rangers." Butterbur replied. "Dangerous folk. What his right name is I never heard, but around here, he's known as Strider."
I saw Frodo pull the golden ring from his shirt pocket again. I tried to ignore it. However, I couldn't, especially once he went into a trance again. I lifted my staff preparing to tap his head, when I heard Pippin over at the bar.
"Baggins?" He said answering a question. "Sure I know a Baggins! Over there! Frodo and Xandra Baggins!" He waved to us.
Frodo came out of the trance, obviously hearing Pippin, who was going on about how he was related to Frodo. Frodo got up and tried to stop him. When he reached Pippin, Frodo slipped and fell to the ground, the ring flying into the air. When Frodo tried to catch it, it slipped onto his finger, and he disappeared. Everyone was shocked. I noticed that that Strider fellow noticed what had happened as well. I got up from my seat, holding my staff, trying to find Frodo. I sensed him under a table to my right. I started toward the table, when he appeared right there. I tried to get to him, but Strider grabbed him and held him against the wall. I went to the others, who were looking for Frodo in a group.
"Strider's got Frodo!" I told them as Frodo was forced up the stairs. Merry grabbed a candlestick, Pippin picked up a stool, Sam had his fists ready, and I held my staff and sword. We raced up the stairs after Strider and Frodo. We burst through the door to our room, where we had heard Frodo talking.
"GET BACK!" Sam yelled. "OR I'LL HAVE YOU LONGSHANKS!!!"
I saw the face of Strider, and realized that this was not only a ranger, but Isildur's heir, Aragorn. I had seen him at Rivendell many times. Gandalf had told me who he was. However, I did not let on what I knew. I simply put away my sword as Aragorn spoke.
"You have a stout heart little one," he said to Sam. "but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard. They are coming."
We all knew exactly what he was talking about. Those Black Riders. I knew then that they were the Nazgul. He told us to make it look as though we were in our beds. The others took our things to a different room, while I used a little magic to make it look as though we were sound asleep in our beds, and spoke to Aragorn.
"What do you plan to do after this, Aragorn?" I asked. "We cannot hide Frodo or the Ring from the Nazgul in this place forever."
"How do you know that they are the Nazgul," Aragorn said. "and more importantly, how do you know my name?"
"I have been to Rivendell many times." I replied. " I also used to be Gandalf's apprentice. However, I will say nothing of your true name to anyone else, since here you go by the name of Strider."
"Then you are trustworthy." Aragorn said. "I am to take all five of you to Rivendell."
Within a couple of minutes all six of us were in another room. We fell asleep while Aragorn watched for the Nazgul. But after a few minutes, we heard horrible shrieking and the sound of swords. We awoke with a start.
"What are they?" Frodo asked Aragorn.
"They were once men." Aragorn replied. "Then Sauron gave them nine rings of power, one by one they fell into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, the undead. Drawn to the power of the one ring. They will never stop hunting for it. or you."
I was sure now that the golden ring Frodo had was the one ring from the Elvish lore. If Sauron was trying to get it, it had to be, for he was the Dark Lord, and in ancient tales it says: Three rings to Elven Kings under the sky. Seven to the Dwarf Lords in their halls of stone. Nine to Mortal Men doomed to die. One to the Dark Lord on his Dark Throne, In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness Bind them. In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie.
I kept thinking: This is just perfect. Frodo has the One Ring, and the Nazgul are after us. If they find him. they'll kill him. We all had a hard time sleeping that night fearing that the Nazgul would find us.
*******************************************
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, and purchasing the only horse left in town to carry our gear, we left Bree as fast as possible. I was the only one of us Hobbits who truly trusted Aragorn. Then again I was the only one who knew that he was Aragorn, and what his purpose was.
We stayed away from the roads as to avoid another encounter with the Nazgul. Later that morning after walking for a few hours, Aragorn stopped to glance around, and the others seemed to think that it was time to rest.
"Gentlemen," Aragorn said stopping and turning around. "we do not stop till dark."
"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked.
"We already had it." Aragorn replied.
"Well we've had one, yes." Pippin said. "But what about second breakfast?"
I rolled my eyes. Second breakfast, another Hobbit tradition I'd never understand. Just then an apple came out from behind the trees, where Aragorn had gone. Merry caught it and gave to Pippin. This pleased him, even though, he thought they came from the sky.
After a few more days of traveling we came to Weathertop. Once it had been the resting place of Amon-sul, which had been a great watchtower. Now it was called Weathertop.
"We shall rest here tonight." Aragorn said.
So we all climbed the hill. When we stopped to set up camp at sunset, everyone except Aragorn and I was exhausted. Aragorn got out a bundle that he had been carrying, and unrolled it. Inside were four short swords.
"These are for you." He said giving the swords to the others. "Wait here. I'm going to look around."
I started to sharpen my sword with a rock I'd found, and Frodo fell asleep. I dozed off after a little while. I was awakened by Frodo yelling at the others. Aragorn had not yet returned, and it was well after dark.
"Put it out you fools!" He cried stepping on a fire they had built.
The Nazgul sent out their blood-curtiling shriek that could more than likely be heard for miles. We looked down at the bottom of the hill to see five Nazgul making their way up. We ran to the center of the destroyed tower, swords ready for battle. We were in a circle watching and waiting for them to come. Time seemed to stand still, and when Frodo saw them, we knew it. We turned around, and got in front of Frodo. Sam was the first to approach them. They just threw him to the side. The same happened to Merry and Pippin.
I charged at the one right in front of me with my sword and staff, though they didn't think I would be a challenge. I proved them wrong, for it wasn't long before I was up against two of them. With magic flying this way and that to get them to go away, but only making them angry. Then I lost my footing and one of them threw me aside like garbage. After I landed, Sam and Merry helped me up. I whirled around, full of energy, I saw that Frodo had dropped his sword in fear and was slowly backing away.
"Run!" I cried charging once more at one of the Nazgul. This time, they were ready. He picked me by my neck and held me in the air. I tried to use my magic, but he only strengthened his grip, making me drop my staff. I tried to call it back to my hand, but the Ringwraith put his foot on it. He turned me around to see Frodo underneath a fallen statue of a king. Frodo pulled out the one ring, and another of the five Nazgul came forward with a blade in his hands. Frodo hastily put on the ring and disappeared. I was having a difficult time breathing from the grip on my neck, and felt my legs begin to go limp.
The Nazgul with the blade went over to where Frodo had been a second earlier and bent down, as though to pick up something. Then he jerked back, and it looked like he stabbed the air with the blade, but I knew what he'd stabbed.
I saw Aragorn jump over the statue, sword drawn with a burning torch in his hand. He swung his sword, and in fear the Nazgul holding me let go. I fell to the ground catching my breath while Aragorn began to viciously scare the Nazgul off by burning them, and catching them by surprise. Then, I heard something that will never leave my memory. Frodo screaming in pain. I got up and ran to him. By the time I was there, Sam was already by his side.
"Help him Strider!" Sam yelled. I was too shocked, and angry, and worried to say anything.
"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." Aragorn said when he got a look at the wound and weapon. "This wound I cannot heal. He needs Elvish medicine." He picked up Frodo and we started running with the shrieks of the Nazgul echoing around us.
"We're six days from Rivendell!" Sam exclaimed. "He won't last!"
"Don't lose hope, Sam!" I yelled. I was also saying that to keep my hope up. All that went through my head was: Frodo can't die! He just can't! Not this way! Not now! Don't give up Frodo! Don't give up!
Not the one ring, the feeling from when I used my ring, the Nazgul, nor Sauron himself frightened me more than the thought of losing Frodo.