Chapter 10 Fear in the night
It was deep in the night. All was quite in Bree. Aragorn sat by the window looking out. The hobbits were all asleep except for Frodo. Frodo sat in the near dark looking at Aragorn. And wondered who he was, and why he was here in the room where the others slept. So much had happened that Frodo did not understand. At First Frodo was frightened of him but now he did not feel that way now. There was an air about Strider that made Frodo trust him and this feeling was beyond rhyme or reason. But it was the truth. Aragorn was almost as still as a statue, the only movement was his soft breathing. "Strider why are you here" Aragorn looked at Frodo with a start as a man shaken out of deep thought. " I am here to help you Frodo" Strider said quietly. " But Why Strider, I would like to know why" "Frodo all of my long life I have fought the dark and you are also fighting the Dark, but you cannot fight that which pursues you, I can help I know who they are and I know their numbers, and I will protect you and your comrades to the best of my ability, That is what I do, That is who I am"
All of a sudden the quiet was rent with the screech of terror. The Ringwraiths were coming. Aragorn sat up with a start and gestured quiet to Frodo. Sam woke up with a start and started to say something. Frodo laid his hand upon Sam's leg and said "Shuuussh". There was another screech. Pippin woke up, And then Merry Woke. There was so much tension in the room, and the tension came from fear of that which made that sound. They heard a crash and then the sound of horse's hooves. The Ringwraiths were outside of the inn and then they heard the door burst open from down below. The Wraiths were in the inn. And there were sounds coming from the rooms where the hobbits were supposed to be and more of the terrible sounds rent the air. Their screeches were ones of anger. Frodo was afraid but he also felt a strange calmness inside. "What are they Strider?" Aragorn sounded sad "They were once men! Great Kings of men! Then Sauron the deceiver, gave to them nine rings of power, Blinded by their greed they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will." Strider took a breath " They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths neither living or dead, at all times they feel the presence of the ring. Drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you" The Hobbits and Strider could hear the sounds change and they could feel that the ringwraiths were even more angry than before. It was as if all in the room were holding their breath, afraid that some thing that they would do would draw the ringwraiths to them. The screams were horrible and Pippin and Merry put their hands to their ears. Finally they heard the ringwraith down in the courtyard mount their horses and with a scream ride away. They did not really start breathing in the room until the sounds drifted away in the distance. Strider finally took his eyes away from the window and his hand relaxed for all that long night he had gripped his sword ready to use it if the need arose. He looked at Frodo wondering if Frodo would understand what he needed to say. "Frodo when that ring slipped on your finger this night, it called the wraiths. They are drawn to the power of the ring when it is on your finger. Do not put it on not matter what, for when you do you are in their world and I can not protect you" Frodo nodded in understanding and with the light from the fire. Strider could see tears fall down Frodo's face. "Get yourself some rest all of you. I will stand guard until morning. We will leave with the dawns light"