And here is chappy 3! Here is where it all starts. I hope you like it, I'll
stop babbling. Just remember to REVIEW! Enjoy!
When I awoke I felt completely drained, I had tapped myself out during that spell, and it would take a lot of rest to replenish my strength. Opening my groggy eyes I found myself laying near a path of some sort in the middle of a forest. There were voices, not far, and seemed to be all male. Quickly I took inventory of myself, nothing broken or hurt, just tired. My back was next to me, sitting neatly as though staring at me. Biting back a groan I sat of and moved myself to the side of the road. There I pulled out my compact and noticed that I looked just as I did that morning. I put it away just as the voices turned a corner and came into view. How strange they looked! Four little people all with curly heads and hairy feet. They couldn't have been more than four feet tall at the tallest, yet they all seemed to be full grown.
"Excuse me?" The looked straight at me and stopped abruptly. One sandy hared.person, put his hand at the hilt of a.sword? "What'll you be wanting?" Rude little sucker isn't he?
"I was just wondering if you would be so kind as to tell me where I am?" And what you are, and why y'all have accents that sound like old English.
A cute little guy with a Scottish type lilt spoke next, "Ah, you aren't from around here then lass? Well you sure don't look like your from around here. You are on the road to Bree, which is where we're going. Is that where you're headed then?"
I rubbed my temples trying to locate myself, "Bree?"
"Just so, yes. Are you headed there?" asked another one.
"Umm, I'm not sure. I'm really lost. I was home, and then I.I'm sure I was brought here for a reason.do any of you perhaps have a map?"
The one that had been quietest until now spoke up in a soft voice, "We're meeting a wise wizard in the inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, he will most likely be able to help you. Would you like to journey with us then?"
"Could I? That would be so kind of you." Three of them nodded, but shorty number one frowned, "Mr. Frodo, how do we know that she is to be trusted?"
The quiet one, Frodo, came to my defense, "She is just a confused girl Sam. She poses no threat. And Gandalf may be able to help her find her way."
Sam grunted, "All right. Have you any money then?"
I paused, I brought no money, what could I do to earn my way with these guys? "No, I don't. But I am a skilled healer and a good fighter, so perhaps my services in those areas may be of some use?"
"Ya hear that? A body guard Frodo!" Cutsey spoke up. The four laughed and I bit back a response, "Whatever is needed." They nodded still smiling, "Join us on the road to Bree then Miss."
"Oh, how silly of me. My name is Brianna Summers."
"I'm Frodo, that it Sam, Pippin, and Merry. I have a good friend, Gandalf the Gray, he is a wizard. He should be able to help you." I nodded, "Thank you so much. You don't know what it means to me." Frodo waved it off and we continued down the road. I followed the group closely, but observed them quietly. It is a curse of mine that I should be suspicious of everyone, and observe everything. They were a pair of pairs, if that makes sense. Sam and Frodo tended to stick together. And Merry and Pippin seemed to be close. The whole group was friends though. Pippin attempted to draw me into the conversation, "So Brianna, where do you hail from?"
"I'm from a small village very far away," I commented lightly, knowing that I was somewhere not of my own plane.
"We're from Hobbiton, the Shire. It's the best place in the world."
"The way you all speak of it I am inclined to think so."
"Do you have family?"
I looked down the road past the creatures I had come to find out were called hobbits, "They are all dead. How far is Bree?"
Frodo patted my hand, "I'm not sure. C'mon guys, lets step it up a little." A slight rain began and we stepped up the pace to get to Bree.
It took us a few hours, but we reached the large gates if Bree. It was pouring down rain and freezing cold. My sweater and jeans were soaked. Chilled I knocked on the gate. A window opened and the gatekeepers' head poked out, "What do you want?"
I stepped in front of the hobbits, "We're headed to the Prancing Pony." He opened the door. "Hobbits! Four hobbits and a human girl! What brings you to Bree?"
"We wish to stay at the inn, and our business is our own!" I said defensively. The gatekeeper stepped aside, "All right young girl, I meant no offense. 'Tis my job to ask question after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful." We nodded and walked on, huddling close so as not to get lost. Seeing a sign for the inn I led the hobbits to it. Once inside we looked at each other and I was about to speak when I noticed many eyes on me. Feeling self-conscience I slunk back and let Frodo speak. "Excuse me!"
"Good evening little masters! If you're seeking accommodation we've got some nice, cozy, hobbit-sized rooms available. Mr. uh-"
"--Underhill, my name's Underhill."
"Underhill. Hmm."
"We're friends of Gandalf the Gray. Can you tell him we've arrived?"
"Gandalf? Gandalf? Oh yes! I remember, elderly chap, big gray beard, pointy hat. Not seen him for 6 months." The hobbits looked at each other shocked. Deciding it would be best to wait for him our group ignored the stares sent our way and took a table. When we all had a bit to eat and drink we settled in. I looked casually around the room, observing everything in one glance. A man in the far corner caught my eye. He was dressed in all black and had his cloak hood covering his face. He was smoking a pipe and did nothing but stare at us. I nudged Frodo, "Frodo, that man has done nothing but stare at us since we arrived."
A frown creased his usually happy face and he summoned the waiter, "Who is that man in the corner?"
"He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are-- all wandering the wilds. What his right name is I've never heard but around here, he's known as Strider."
The man left and Frodo and I looked at each other nervously. We caught the end of Pippin speaking to someone, "Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins! Frodo Baggins, right over there!" The Baggins in question jumped up and ran to Pippin, tripping on the way. Strider was there in a flash hauling him up the stairs. Seeing that the other hobbits were fine I raced up after them. Seeing the door slam behind them I ran over, skidding to a stop. Looking for a weapon I found a coat rack. Braking off the arms I fashioned a quick staff and heard what was going on. Frodo was speaking, "What do you want?"
"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry."
"I carry nothing."
"Indeed." There was a pause and the smell of smoke, as though he was snuffing candles. "I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift."
"Who are you?"
"Are you frightened?'
"Yes." Hearing this I shoved open the door. Within minutes I had 'Strider' on the ground my food on his stomach and makeshift staff on his windpipe exerting the slightest pressure. "You'd do well to tell me right now what you want with Frodo," I said harshly. Strider looked shocked a moment. Then smiled a bit, "You have a stout heart, but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming."
Later That Night
The inhuman screams of the Nazgul reached us where we were residing in Striders room. I sat by the window whittling on the coat rack to turn it into a decent staff while the hobbits were laying in the bed. Strider smoked his pipe and watched the proceedings. "What are they?" I asked quietly.
Frodo sat up to listen and Strider looked at him before turning back to the window, "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. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring. Drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you." A haunted look entered the poor hobbits eyes, and after a while, I found that it was hard to imagine them clear as they once were.
When I awoke I felt completely drained, I had tapped myself out during that spell, and it would take a lot of rest to replenish my strength. Opening my groggy eyes I found myself laying near a path of some sort in the middle of a forest. There were voices, not far, and seemed to be all male. Quickly I took inventory of myself, nothing broken or hurt, just tired. My back was next to me, sitting neatly as though staring at me. Biting back a groan I sat of and moved myself to the side of the road. There I pulled out my compact and noticed that I looked just as I did that morning. I put it away just as the voices turned a corner and came into view. How strange they looked! Four little people all with curly heads and hairy feet. They couldn't have been more than four feet tall at the tallest, yet they all seemed to be full grown.
"Excuse me?" The looked straight at me and stopped abruptly. One sandy hared.person, put his hand at the hilt of a.sword? "What'll you be wanting?" Rude little sucker isn't he?
"I was just wondering if you would be so kind as to tell me where I am?" And what you are, and why y'all have accents that sound like old English.
A cute little guy with a Scottish type lilt spoke next, "Ah, you aren't from around here then lass? Well you sure don't look like your from around here. You are on the road to Bree, which is where we're going. Is that where you're headed then?"
I rubbed my temples trying to locate myself, "Bree?"
"Just so, yes. Are you headed there?" asked another one.
"Umm, I'm not sure. I'm really lost. I was home, and then I.I'm sure I was brought here for a reason.do any of you perhaps have a map?"
The one that had been quietest until now spoke up in a soft voice, "We're meeting a wise wizard in the inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, he will most likely be able to help you. Would you like to journey with us then?"
"Could I? That would be so kind of you." Three of them nodded, but shorty number one frowned, "Mr. Frodo, how do we know that she is to be trusted?"
The quiet one, Frodo, came to my defense, "She is just a confused girl Sam. She poses no threat. And Gandalf may be able to help her find her way."
Sam grunted, "All right. Have you any money then?"
I paused, I brought no money, what could I do to earn my way with these guys? "No, I don't. But I am a skilled healer and a good fighter, so perhaps my services in those areas may be of some use?"
"Ya hear that? A body guard Frodo!" Cutsey spoke up. The four laughed and I bit back a response, "Whatever is needed." They nodded still smiling, "Join us on the road to Bree then Miss."
"Oh, how silly of me. My name is Brianna Summers."
"I'm Frodo, that it Sam, Pippin, and Merry. I have a good friend, Gandalf the Gray, he is a wizard. He should be able to help you." I nodded, "Thank you so much. You don't know what it means to me." Frodo waved it off and we continued down the road. I followed the group closely, but observed them quietly. It is a curse of mine that I should be suspicious of everyone, and observe everything. They were a pair of pairs, if that makes sense. Sam and Frodo tended to stick together. And Merry and Pippin seemed to be close. The whole group was friends though. Pippin attempted to draw me into the conversation, "So Brianna, where do you hail from?"
"I'm from a small village very far away," I commented lightly, knowing that I was somewhere not of my own plane.
"We're from Hobbiton, the Shire. It's the best place in the world."
"The way you all speak of it I am inclined to think so."
"Do you have family?"
I looked down the road past the creatures I had come to find out were called hobbits, "They are all dead. How far is Bree?"
Frodo patted my hand, "I'm not sure. C'mon guys, lets step it up a little." A slight rain began and we stepped up the pace to get to Bree.
It took us a few hours, but we reached the large gates if Bree. It was pouring down rain and freezing cold. My sweater and jeans were soaked. Chilled I knocked on the gate. A window opened and the gatekeepers' head poked out, "What do you want?"
I stepped in front of the hobbits, "We're headed to the Prancing Pony." He opened the door. "Hobbits! Four hobbits and a human girl! What brings you to Bree?"
"We wish to stay at the inn, and our business is our own!" I said defensively. The gatekeeper stepped aside, "All right young girl, I meant no offense. 'Tis my job to ask question after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful." We nodded and walked on, huddling close so as not to get lost. Seeing a sign for the inn I led the hobbits to it. Once inside we looked at each other and I was about to speak when I noticed many eyes on me. Feeling self-conscience I slunk back and let Frodo speak. "Excuse me!"
"Good evening little masters! If you're seeking accommodation we've got some nice, cozy, hobbit-sized rooms available. Mr. uh-"
"--Underhill, my name's Underhill."
"Underhill. Hmm."
"We're friends of Gandalf the Gray. Can you tell him we've arrived?"
"Gandalf? Gandalf? Oh yes! I remember, elderly chap, big gray beard, pointy hat. Not seen him for 6 months." The hobbits looked at each other shocked. Deciding it would be best to wait for him our group ignored the stares sent our way and took a table. When we all had a bit to eat and drink we settled in. I looked casually around the room, observing everything in one glance. A man in the far corner caught my eye. He was dressed in all black and had his cloak hood covering his face. He was smoking a pipe and did nothing but stare at us. I nudged Frodo, "Frodo, that man has done nothing but stare at us since we arrived."
A frown creased his usually happy face and he summoned the waiter, "Who is that man in the corner?"
"He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are-- all wandering the wilds. What his right name is I've never heard but around here, he's known as Strider."
The man left and Frodo and I looked at each other nervously. We caught the end of Pippin speaking to someone, "Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins! Frodo Baggins, right over there!" The Baggins in question jumped up and ran to Pippin, tripping on the way. Strider was there in a flash hauling him up the stairs. Seeing that the other hobbits were fine I raced up after them. Seeing the door slam behind them I ran over, skidding to a stop. Looking for a weapon I found a coat rack. Braking off the arms I fashioned a quick staff and heard what was going on. Frodo was speaking, "What do you want?"
"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry."
"I carry nothing."
"Indeed." There was a pause and the smell of smoke, as though he was snuffing candles. "I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift."
"Who are you?"
"Are you frightened?'
"Yes." Hearing this I shoved open the door. Within minutes I had 'Strider' on the ground my food on his stomach and makeshift staff on his windpipe exerting the slightest pressure. "You'd do well to tell me right now what you want with Frodo," I said harshly. Strider looked shocked a moment. Then smiled a bit, "You have a stout heart, but that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming."
Later That Night
The inhuman screams of the Nazgul reached us where we were residing in Striders room. I sat by the window whittling on the coat rack to turn it into a decent staff while the hobbits were laying in the bed. Strider smoked his pipe and watched the proceedings. "What are they?" I asked quietly.
Frodo sat up to listen and Strider looked at him before turning back to the window, "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. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring. Drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you." A haunted look entered the poor hobbits eyes, and after a while, I found that it was hard to imagine them clear as they once were.