Chapter 5
Strider looked at Glorfindel with anxiety. He couldn't believe what he heard. Even Elrond had not heard from Gandalf, though it wasn't unusual for the wizard to be unheard from longer than was expected.
A small noise drew his attention back to the Hobbits. Frodo's face was pale, and he was grabbing at his shoulder. Glorfindel looked concerned and spoke to Strider.
"You must hurry. The Black Riders are not far behind."
"My master is sick!" Sam protested. "He can't go on now."
"He will ride my horse," Glorfindel interjected.
Frodo did not wish to, but Glorfindel would not take "no" for an answer. Setting the Hobbit on the white horse they continued.
o+o+o+o+o+o+o
They had just reached the Ford when the Nazgûl burst into view. Strider was concerned when the Riders sped past them and headed for Frodo, who Glorfindel had sent ahead atop Asfaloth.
"What do we do?!" Pippin was panicking. "We have to help Frodo!"
"Don't worry," he said, placing a hand on the young Hobbits shoulder. "What I need you to do now is gather some sticks for a fire."
Pippin looked confused, until he remembered how Strider fended off the Nazgûl at Weathertop.
"Do you think it will work again? Maybe they won't be as frightened as last time."
Strider looked into Pippin's worry-filled brown eyes and couldn't help but smile. He could see why Gandalf loved Hobbits.
"It will," he said confidently. "I know it will."