Blind Trust

Rating: PG

Author: Firniswin

Summary: AU. As Aragorn struggled with the thought that Legolas has decided against their friendship; he tries to get a group of four young hobbits to trust him and his skills to lead them to Imladris. Will he fail? Or will he show them that they can trust the notions of a sightless man?

Spoilers: This story takes place directly between "The Blind Can Not See What the Mute Can Not Say" chapter 17 and chapter 18. Spoilers from FotR as well, both book and movie. Mostly book spoilers.

Series: Um, kind of- A small one.

The Blind Can Not See What the Mute Can Not Say

There will be more stories after that one. I think like two or three. :)

Chapter One

Silently, he sat as four young hobbits walked cautiously into the Prancing Pony.

"A little late," he chastised quietly to himself as he listened to the halflings.

Each had light hair and wore brilliant colored clothing, save one.

The leader of the four wore a bit darker clothing, though still flamboyant and eccentric in his sight. The young hobbit's hair was a dark raven color and seemed to become darker because of the clothes that he wore.

Strider, of course, could not see these things. But merely kept his attention foccused on the one small and unsure voice as well as Barliman's gruff one.

"We need a room," one said. His voice quavered slightly under the stress of his journey and the fear that had been chasing him.

"A room, young master? We've got hobbit's rooms if that's a right choice for ye."

Strider listened to each word said and each movement made; he hardly noticed as a young woman with an apron tied around her approached his table.

Her soft brown eyes wandered over the long body of the ranger before her. She had heard stories about rangers and secretly, though she told no one, she loved them.

Especially Strider.

"Sir." She bit her lip as he jumped slightly and turned his head to face her, even though he could not see her face.

"Yes?" he asked, trying to keep a cool temper and also keep an ear on the four hobbits.

"Um, your dinner is ready. Would you like it here or up in your-"

"Here is fine." He leaned back and drew his pipe out of his pouch that lay on the floor.

The soft clang of the plate on the table alerted him and Aragorn nodded. "Thank you, miss."

With a last smile, she looked at him and turned away.

'Pity she does not know.' Strider smirked as he listened to the frightening conversation going on in the main entry hall.

"Have a nice night Mister Underhill, you three as well."

Aragorn listened as the barely heard footsteps came to his delicate ears and echoed in his bright mind.

He bent his head back and took a large gulp of the ale that sat before him.

Then, waiting for the footsteps to fade, he pushed his chair out from the table and slowly made his way up the stairs after the four hobbits.

He went for a surprise lurch as his foot connected with one of the steps.

Thankfully, no one had seen him and he was left to himself.

Strider reached back into his pack and grabbed a small metal stick. It was a present Gandalf had given him on his last birthday. It had come from Saruman the White on Gandalf's request and it seemed to Aragorn that it was a tremendous help.

Grabbing the thin metal tube out of his back, he snapped it before him.

Instantly many smaller metal tubes slid from a hole in the bottom.

The tubes connected to the one hit the floor and Aragorn smiled grimly and continued his path up the troublesome staircase, all the while hoping that he had not missed the hobbits.

"Fro- Mr. Underhill! Come on! We are going for a bite!"

"Oh, no," the ranger groaned, making sure his hood well covered his face; he snapped his cane back and held the small tube tightly in his hand.

TBC

Thank you all for voting on the polls. It was quite a close race between "Blind Trust" and "If I Fade Tonight"- but in the end, and by about five or six more votes, "Blind Trust" won.

Hope you all enjoy it and after it is finished I will either start posting "If I Fade Tonight" or I will have another poll for the other three that still need posting.

Thanks and I anxiously await to hear what you have to say! In other words- PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

P.S. This story goes back and forth a bit between Frodo and Aragorn's perspectives on things. I hope it does not get too confusing.

God bless!!!!! And, REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!!!!!