Author´s note: Hope you like it for this was a really hard chapter!

Chapter 10) Strider

When our four friends reached Bree it was deep in the night

And heavy rain was falling and worsening the sight

They all were wet and cold and a little afraid

When they finally came to the big wooden gate.

And they were let in; and through a dark narrow street

Our four hobbits walked and tired were their feet.

But then they reached the inn, and so Frodo was glad

For he hoped to meet Gandalf, just as he had said.

And they ordered a room, Frodo used a wrong name

"Hallo Sir, my name´s Underhill!" and soon it came

to pass that our little friends sat down to drink

and to eat and to talk, but Frodo had to think.

He felt something was wrong and his heart was afraid

For Gandalf the Grey had been "never to late"

Then he heard Samwise whisper: "Hey Frodo, take care

This guy in the corner, the one over there.

Is watching us." And when the host came along.

Frodo asked him: "Dear Sir, please do not get me wrong.

But could you please tell me the name of this man

Who sits in the corner?" "Young master, I can!

He´s called Strider, but I don´t know his real name

He is one of the rangers, they are all the same.

So be careful, my friend." And then the host was called

By a guest and he left, Frodo thought what he told.

His heart was beating hard and he felt a great fear

And he thought in his mind "I don´t want to be here!"

But the stranger still watched him with eyes clear and grey

And Frodo was frightened, oh yes I must say!

"What has happened to Gandalf, why isn´t he here?" was everything he could think in his fear

and he felt Strider´s eyes piercing him, and then he

took the Ring from his pocket. "With it I can flee!

No one here will see me and I will be safe!

But no- think of the advice which Gandalf gave!"

"Never use it my lad! For they will find you then!"

And he looked at the man in the corner again.

And he sat deep in thought till his cousin did say

"Oh yes my dear friends we did walk a long way!

We know songs that you don´t know, hey Frodo! Come here!

Come on! Sing us a song! I will get you a beer!"

And some time later on; Frodo danced and he sang

One of Bilbo´s old songs, but then suddenly "BANG!"

He did fall off the table and fell to the ground..

How surprised were the guests, when he couldn´t be found!

For the Ring that he held when he fell had slipped on

To his finger unwilling. It didn´t last long

Till the guests were excited and quite angry too

´cause that little fell hobbit had made them a fool.

And he crawled to the corner and put off the Ring

Put it back in the pocket . Oh what a fell thing.

But suddenly someone did grab him and then

He was pushed in a room by a dark-looking man.

It was strider, who finally took off his hood

And revealed his grey eyes. "It was really not good

To appeal such attention Mr. Underhill!

Well I can call you Baggins tell me what you will!"

"Who are you?" asked the hobbit, and the fear stuck his throat

And the man turned around and he flung back his coat.

"I am a friend of Gandalf, I please you, trust me

for I know what you bear and I know that you flee!"

When the others appeared Strider asked them to stay

"Don´t go back to your rooms! It is better this way!"

And this foreknowing words did too soon then prove right.

For nine Black Riders came in the dark moonless night.

And their black horses roared, fell voices filled the air.

And they went to their room, but did not find them there.

Full of rage then they left and all people were scared

When the Ringwraith´s most horrible voices were heard.

Stirder told them "In times long ago these were kings.

But then Sauron, the traitor gave them the Nine Rings.

Now they´re slaves to his will, neither living nor death.

They will search for the Ring with a merciless wrath!

So alone you are helpless out there in the wild.

For them an easy prey not much more than a child.

So if you will have me I will show you the way

Over untrodden paths if together we stay!"

And so on the next morning the hobbits left Bree

With Strider, their guide. But what then? We will see!