Hidden Secrets

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or any of the characters, locations, etc. from The Lord of the Rings nor do I claim too. I only own the creation of Wanderer.

Chapter Two: Crossed Paths

T.A. 3018

Strider had led the Hobbits as far as Weathertop when the Nazgul finally caught up with them. Once at Weathertop, Strider had made the mistake of leaving the Hobbits alone for a few minutes. When he returned, the four Hobbits were being attacked by five Nazgul.

Torch in one hand and his sword in the other, Strider leapt into battle, fighting off the Nazgul using their fear of fire against them. The Nazgul shrieked as they caught fire but Strider hadn't arrived faster enough to keep Frodo from being stabbed by the Witch King. As soon as he drove the Nazgul away, he rushed to Frodo's side.

Frodo had been stabbed by a Morgul blade and was slowly become a wraith. He sent Sam to fetch some athelas and he quickly tended to Frodo and picked up the Hobbit's weak body and they hit the again, never stopping until he came across a body in their path. Strider set Frodo down on the ground beside him so he could examine the body. The other three Hobbits stood quietly behind him.

Short, tangled dark hair covered the face and hid a nasty bump on the head. Strider swept a few pieces away from the neck so that he could check the pulse. The pulse was faint, yet remained steady, indicating that the person was alive. He quickly looked at the person and carefully brushed the hair away from the face and felt the forehead. The girl's forehead was on fire. Somewhere, an infection raged, slowly killing her. Strider's trained eyes quickly examined her, looking for signs of a visible bandage or wound which would have caused the infection. Sure enough, he spotted a bloody bandage just below her shoulder.

Removing the bandage, he saw the bits of athelas she must have rubbed into the wound along with a bit of an arrow shaft sticking out of the wound. Strider knew that he would have to get the arrowhead out or else the girl would die. Carefully, using his hunting knife, Strider opened the wound slightly and picked the arrowhead out with his fingertips. Fresh crimson blood followed from the wound as Strider prepared more athelas that had been handed to him by Sam and then he re-bandaged the wound.

With a sigh, Strider looked at his patient. The girl he had healed was young and looked to be no older than eighteen. But he could sense the pain, distress, and weariness that she felt. He too had often felt the very same things during his life in the Wild. And it was no wonder, seeing as she was a Ranger, or at least she was clothed in Ranger garb. He checked her forehead again and felt the cold steel of a blade across his throat and froze.

"A Ranger caught off-guard? My, what a surprise," said a sweet voice from behind him and he heard a soft ring as the blade was sheathed.

"Arwen," he said softly, turning around to face the beautiful Elf maiden that he loved.

Arwen smiled and replied, "Estel, oh how I've missed you…"

Strider smiled and stood up. The Elf and Man were close in height and Strider softly touched a finger to Arwen's lips, silencing her. Then his fingers lightly touched her pointed Elf ears and they kissed, a quick kiss filled with passion. When they parted, smiles adorned both their faces and a bright light shone in their gray-blue eyes, despite the darkness surrounding them.

"Estel, ada sent me to find you. He felt that something was amiss. What has happened?" Arwen asked, concern for him echoing into her voice.

"Frodo was stabbed by a Morgul blade on Weathertop. He will not last much longer. And I've come across a wounded Ranger," said Aragorn, gesturing to the girl's still body and Frodo's body.

"What is wrong with her?" Arwen asked, her eyes resting upon the girl.

"An infected arrow wound. I've already treated it as best I can at the moment. Lord Elrond should still look at it though."

"I will take them to him," Arwen said, eyes meeting Strider's.

"The road is not safe, Arwen. Not for anyone. Not anymore."

"I'm the faster rider," Arwen argued.

"Arwen, there are five of the Nazgul behind us. If they catch you, you can't defend yourself," Strider said, pleading with her, afraid for her life.

"Estel, I will take them. That is final."

Strider bit his lip, then sighed and picked up the girl's body. He carried it over to Arwen's gray horse and then lifted it onto the back of the horse before returning with Frodo's body. Once both bodies were secure, he turned back to face Arwen

"Whatever you do, don't stop and don't look back. Promise me this," Strider said solemnly.

Arwen nodded and whispered, "I promise," as she mounted and rode off.

Strider stood silent and alone as he watched Arwen fade away into the distance, racing onward to Rivendell. He could do nothing except hope that they made it safely to Rivendell. Gathering the three remaining Hobbits, who were full to brim with questions about Arwen, but hesitant to speak, they trudged onwards.

Author's Notes:

Here's a new chapter! Enjoy! Next chapter is due on or around April 15th! And once again, thanks to Ari Moon, my beta, and all of my reviewers!

Reviewers!

(Prologue)

Cassandra of Troy – I thought I might have spelled it right! Thanks for telling me!

(Chapter One)

Mr. Random – Yep, athelas is a wonderful herb to have around!

Cassandra of Troy – Glad you like the story! Wanderer is going to kick some serious ass in this story! It's quickly becoming one of my favorites too! I think I spent about a month planning it before I started to write things down.