Finally, a second chapter. I'll warn everyone now that I've only read bits and pieces of the first book, so it's mostly movie based with some artistic licensing until the group reaches The Two Towers, which I have read. Also, my writing is quite a bit different from Tolkien's and I'm not very good at the way the people speak yet. Hopefully I'll improve as this goes. I have avoided putting anything too modern in the dialogue, but if anyone knows the Middle Earth curse words, please send them too me!! I'm also working on Addrhian's home and people, since they're my creation in Tolkien's world (I'm really bad about this. Don't get me started on all the other universes I've mucked about in).
Now for the summary which was promised. I'll only do this for the chapters with sex in them because I realize that's not everybody's cup of tea. Also, if something has been toned down to fit into the R rating, I'll post a link to the site the unedited version can be located at, but I don't think this is going to be a huge concern. Those chapters will be clearly marked and summaries will be in the next chapter. Summary of Chapter 1: Strider has a bit too much ale, in other words he gets smashingly drunk, and picks up a mysterious and beautiful stranger. After a couple more pitchers, the pair adjourns to Strider's room at the Prancing Pony and have a nice romp. Strider wakes up in the morning and freaks out, realizing how he's betrayed Arwen and leaves after finding out the woman's name.
Okay. Here's the disclaimer (I own nothing other than Addrhian and her horsey, but I don't even own his name, which is my tribute to Piers Anthony)) and the warnings (eventual slash implications and more sex. Aragorn/non-Arwen pairing. Assholization of Aragorn. Movie & Book-verse. Nothing too horrible in this chapter. )
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The Tenth: Chapter 2
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Strider was in a bad mood. Er… Scratch that. He was in a HORRIBLE mood. His head was pounding. It felt as if a dwarf was standing next to him, repeatedly hitting his head with a battle axe. After he'd left his room that morning, he hadn't seen Addrhian. His head pounded especially hard at the thought of her, hard enough to feel in his chest. The bright candlelight hurt his eyes, hence why his hood obstructed them. He knew the hobbits would arrive tonight. He would've been informed if they'd arrived last night. The key of his new room across the way rested heavily in his pocket. He wasn't sure if his room was empty by now or not, but he felt the extra room would be useful tonight.
He pulled out his weed pipe and lit it. Thankfully, it took the edge off his pounding headache. Several patrons had come in and left. One of the entrees, clothed completely in black, stood at the desk, speaking with Butterbur. New boots peaked out from under a cloak embroidered with symbols which seemed somewhat like Tengwar, but not entirely like any form he'd seen. Butterbur and the person spoke briefly, then the person sat quietly in a corner, soon to be forgotten by the patrons of The Prancing Pony. Strider surveyed the rest of the occupants, not finding Addrhian. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed by this. As the thumping in his chest returned, he turned his thoughts back to the concerning problem at hand: The One Ring.
He was somewhat shocked to hear of the ring's revived livelihood. It had been hundreds of years since Sauron's ring had been the in the public's eye. It still amazed him that the hobbit had kept it for 60 years without going mad. And now that the fate of the world rested on the shoulders of another hobbit, he had to have faith in this Frodo Baggins. If Bilbo could keep the Ring for so long, surely this hobbit could last a few days. After the Council of Elrond, Strider wasn't sure what would happen. His musing was ended as the door opened and not two, but four hobbits entered, looking bewildered and out of place. Strider felt sorry for them, but didn't move from his spot. He knew Gandalf was who they were expecting and the wizard was the only one they would trust. The Prancing Pony's patrons returned to their conversations, save Butterbur, Strider of course and the person in black. Strider noticed this and kept himself from becoming too worried or thinking of whom it could be. He watched carefully as the hobbits found a table and drank. Strider noted one of them kept turning and looking back at him, then quickly turning back to his companions.
There was a small commotion as one of them returned to the table with a pint. Another hurried up to the bar and things became momentarily quiet. Two hobbits now glanced back at him, trying to be discrete about it. The air of calm was shattered by the cry of 'Baggins' at the bar. One of the hobbits jumped up and hurried toward his companion. Strider saw the hobbit slip and the One Ring fly from his grasp. Everything in the room slowed to a crawl as the ring feel on the hobbit's finger and he disappeared. Strider was on his feet instantly and dragging the hobbit upstairs.
"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill. That is no trinket you carry." Back down in the bar, pandemonium had erupted among the remaining three hobbits.
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know!"
"What were you thinking?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!!" A tall figure in black appeared next to the hobbits, placing a hand on two of their shoulders.
"I believe I know where your friend is. Come," The hobbits looked at each other and nodded. The figure led them upstairs to the hobbit room, "He will be in there. Please be careful my little friends." The figure started down the hall.
"Wait! Who are you?!" The figure paused, turning back toward the hobbits.
"I am a friend of Gandalf. Let us leave it at that for the moment." In a swirl of black cloth, the person was gone as quickly as they'd appeared, leaving the three hobbits to burst through the door. Strider paused his scolding of Frodo and had to refrain from laughing at the sight of the halflings armed with chairs and fists.
"You have a stout heart hobbit, but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They are coming." With that, Strider imparted his plan for avoiding the Nazgûl. Thankfully, his planning skills weren't affected by his pounding headache and morning found the hobbits and The One Ring safe. As they left Bree, safely cloaked in daylight, a familiar cloaked figure appeared in a rented stall. It stood next to a horse as brown as the wet mud, save four black stockings, mane, tail and a wide black stripe down its face. The mysterious person prepared the horse and rode out of town, following the ring bearer and entourage.
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"This was once the great watch tower of Ahmunsei.* We will rest here." Strider said, pausing to allow the hobbits to catch up. He led them to Weathertop and up the tower to an alcove. He pulled out a roll of burlap and opened it to reveal four daggers.
"These are for you. Keep them close," He stood and moved away, "I'm going to have a look around. Stay here." Strider disappeared into the darkness and back down Weathertop. He'd sensed something following them since Bree and his instincts told him it wasn't just the Wraiths. He circled the monument as quietly as he could, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He was close to ending his search and returning to the hobbits when he heard a twig snap behind him. He doubled back, placing himself behind his pursuer. He snuck closer and spotted the black cloaked figure from the night before inspecting the saddle rigging of a horse. Strider tried to be silent as he approached the person, but the horse snorted, alerting the person to his presence. The person whirled, drawing a sword from the saddle as they did.
Strider found himself with not only his sword at the person's neck, but their sword at his neck. He eyed the sharp eleven metalwork cautiously, gaging the danger of the position he found himself in. As quickly as they'd moved into the position, the two combatants stepped away from each other. They circled each other warily, swords in neutral positions. After a brief moment of contemplation, the pair launched toward each other. Strider was surprised to find the person a worthy opponent, matching him stroke for stroke. They moved easily across the terrain, though the person seemed to find surer footing, leaving Strider to go on the defensive several times. Suddenly, he swung forward furiously, catching his opponent in their left arm. The person almost dropped their sword while hissing in pain. The momentum of his own swing had nearly knocked Strider off his own feet and by the time he'd regained his footing, the person was stepping away cautiously, holding their sword with one hand. Strider instantly spotted the weakness and attacked heavily, pressing into the person furiously. Their sword flew from their hand and Strider pressed his sword to their throat.
"Who are you? And why are you following me?" The person swallowed nervously but remained silent and Strider pressed the sword harder against the throat, careful not to cut the skin, "TELL ME!" As he bellowed, the person let out something like a growl and yanked back the hood of their cloak, releasing dark red curls and an angry face.
"Will you calm yourself!" Strider blinked in shock.
"Addrhian? What are you doing here?"
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* I couldn't decipher this from the movie, so I did some phonetic spelling/guesswork. Anyone who knows what this is supposed to be, please put it in a review. Thanks!
What do you think? Didn't know Strider had spidey sense, did ya? ;) Reviewing is Nice!!