A/N : I know this is rather short. What do you expect? Its two in the morning! =P

Disclaimer: I don't own anybody. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Aragorn, Frodo...etc. (from both LotR and HP) are not mine. They are property of Tolkien and Rowling.

elven archer Tiniwiel - hello! Thanks for reviewing! This is one short chap. Sorry. But hope you like it anyway! =)

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Strider carefully laid Frodo upon the ground. Strider looked grim.

Harry crouched beside the wounded hobbit. 'Is he alright?'

'I fear I cannot tell. He is fighting the darkness. But he is losing.'

'Is he...dying?'

'Nay, I fear it is worst. He would soon become a wraith like them.'

Harry shuddered.

'Isn't there anything you can do?'

Strider hesitated. 'Athelas!' he cried. Harry looked confused. 'The Athelas might help slow the poison. We must search for it. Come, Samwise!'

Strider and Sam went of with torches, searching for the plant. Presently, Strider came back with a small bunch of the plant.

'Hurry! Heat the water!'

Hermione soon got the water boiling with a rather nifty spell. Strider threw in the plant leaves. Hermione frowned. 'Isn't that...kingsfoil?' 'Aye, little lady, it is.'

When the leaves were boiled, Strider took a clean cloth and dipped it into the water. He gently patted Frodo's wound with it. He placed the cloth on Frodo's feverish forehead. He squeezed out the excessive water from the boiled leaves and pushed it into the ugly wound. Frodo cried out, gasping.

After a while, Frodo fell asleep, he looked pale and his were hands cold and clammy.

'Harry,' whispered Strider, 'so the hobbits may not hear, 'come, I wish to speak wish you.'

Full of dread, Harry reluctantly followed him.

'Tell me, how is it that you came upon us when we were at Amon Sul? And how is it that one so young as you was powerful enough to hold those Black Riders at bay?'

Harry looked uncertain. 'Well, sir, I don't really know. My friend and I were at our school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, having our lessons. We were supposed to vanquish this banshee,' receiving a blank look from Strider, Harry hastily explained, 'a sort of creature that shrieks a whole lot. Rather deadly too. But then an odd thing happened. The ground, which my friends and I were standing on suddenly, opened up. I guess it swallowed us. And we ended up here.'

Strider studied him in silence. 'And of the Black Riders?'

'It was a magic charm. The Patronus Charm.'

Again that received a blank look, but Strider let it pass.

From a distance, they all could hear a shriek.

'Nazguls, breathed Strider, glancing furtively into the darkness around them. 'They draw closer.'

'Come,' said Strider, beckoning him back to the fire. 'We must stay together.'

The shriek came again. Ron looked anxiously around him.

Frodo moaned in his sleep.

Strider peered at Frodo through the flickering firelight. 'He will not hold for long. We leave at daybreak tomorrow. Hopefully, we will be able to cross the Bruinen River unhindered. That is what I hope.' He nodded at Hermione and Ron.

'Its best you all get some rest. I will keep watch.'

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Yes, it's short. SORRY!!! Anyway, R&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!