Disclaimer: Yeah, I didn't write LOTR. I'm not that old! : )

A/N: Okey, since only ONE person suggested what my new penname should be, that's what it is now. Thank you, Little-lost-one. And thank you, Meeka! Your dedication made my birthday better!! I figured I'd go ahead and start writing chapter… what is this, 5? I think so. Erm… yeah

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Sam shrieked as he was swung through the air. He hit the old dead tree with a thud. He was quickly followed by two more thuds which happened to be Merry and Pippin. However, they didn't seem to even notice they were thrown; they were still munching on their cactus. Frodo then sat to Sam's right.

"Well Mr. Frodo," Sam began. "I hate to preach to you, but that is no way to treat a fellow hobbit, even if they are-"

Frodo smacked his hand to Sam's face then rose his index finger to his lips. "hush" he whispered. Sam obeyed and remained quiet. It wasn't long until a distant thundering of hooves could be heard; and they were coming closer. All four hobbits quickly quieted down once the "tottle-lot" was clear.

Pippin looked over to Frodo completely frightened. He said nothing, but the look on his face said it all.

Suddenly, the thuds ceased. Sam heard a great, threatening snort, then shoved himself closer to the tree in fear. All four hobbits began to hear a slight sniffing. It was looking for something. Merry looked over to Frodo, who had his eyes closed.

Whatever the creature was, evidently it had taken one whiff too many and ended up with dust up its nose. It hacked and wheezed so hard, it nearly fell off the horse. Then the creature shrieked a high pitched… shriek… in rage and rode off with his horse.

Frodo stood up right away to look down the road to see if he could see the thing running away. Of course, he couldn't. The rest of the hobbits were more slow to react. Especially Pippin. The poor boy looked like he'd never stand up again. (Merry also had a theory that Pippin had soiled himself, which Pippin denied for the rest of his days.)

Merry looked absolutely befuddled himself. He walked over, calmly grasped Frodo's shoulder, then without warning, flung him around.

"FRODO!" He shouted panicky. "What in the living Shire was that?"

Frodo just looked into Merry's eyes blankly. He seemed to still be getting over what had just happened.

"It was some sort of Black Rider." Sam spoke for Frodo. "They've been following us ever since we left."

"Who is it?" asked Pippin, now feeling a bit more safe. "What does it want?"

"I don't know," said Frodo, speaking for himself now. "But I'm darn tootin I dun wanna get in it's way."

Merry, Pippin and Sam all exchanged unsure glances.

"One thing's for sure." continued Frodo. "We've hung around too long."

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A/N: I really apologize for the EXTREMELY short chapter, but it's been a long time since I updated and I just wanted you all to know that I wasn't dead or anything. I was really busy with work and school. Especially studing for finals. But our last day was yesterday, (yoohoo) and I'm done with finals and I'm finally a Senior!! (Bigger yoohoo) Good news, I also passed all my classes, but I have to pay a $52 dollar fine cus I lost my American History book. *Oops…* K, review please! I'll love you if you do!