AN: I do not own anything! And there are no warnings for this chapter.

To Become a Ranger

Chapter 5

The City of Bree

It had been three and a half bloody sopping weeks before they had reached the little town of Bree and both Aragorn and Alyssa where miserable. The bridge they had to go over had been flooded over by the Gwathlo or Greyflood and so they had to find there own way across almost drowning in the process. They did eventually make it across but not with out delay. After that there wasn't much rain just an over cast making it windy and cold at night.

Alyssa completely understood what they meant by April Showers bring May flowers, but do floods count? I mean honestly how can a flooded garden bring flowers when there was nothing left for them to grow out of.

It had started drizzling just before they had reached the front gates of Bree so both Alyssa and Aragorn had their dark hoods up to shield them selves from the rain when they knocked on the door.

"Who goes there?" called an old man opening up a peep hole their height.

"We are weary travelers looking for a place to stay at the Prancing Pony." Aragorn called back.

The man nodded and opened up the door. "Ah rangers, two of them, then I must tell you. There are these black riders that ride as if their hunter were right on their tale, I do not like them, they have not stopped here but they carry this coldness about them that lasts for days."

Aragorn nodded. "Yes we encountered them at Fort Norst naught a month ago but they where defended off. The fact they are here troubles me, do not let them in no matter what. They search for something, what I do not know but I intend to find out." Aragorn said gravely.

The old man nodded and said, "no matter what every one else says, you rangers are good people, young master Strider and don't forget it." He then closed they gate behind them and went back into his cabin.

Alyssa ran up to Aragorn. "You know him?" she asked.

Aragorn nodded. "I saved his life once when a pack of wolves attacked him while he was walking out side the gate walls."

"Cool." Alyssa stated, before she looked around her self. The little town of Bree seamed much like Fort Norst just with a more variety of people. There where hobbits talking here and there, some average sized humans like her self then there was just the abnormally tall people, some being over 7 feet tall.

About half way up the street they came to a small inn called the Prancing Pony which they entered. They walked up to a large counter where a man was cleaning mugs and humming merrily to himself.

"Master Butterbur." Aragorn called out as he walked towards the large man.

"Ah! Master Strider I assume you are looking for a room to stay in for a few nights."

"Yes, one with two beds would be nice for me and my companion." Aragorn stated kindly.

"Ah! I did not see the young lad back their in the shadows, come out, come out, now what might your name be lady?"

"Dae Brethil, Master Butterbur." Alyssa said keeping her voice low not that she really needed to.

"Ah so you don't have a knick name yet like young strider here, hmmm, well that's going to have to change soon." Stated Butterbur cheerily.

Aragorn as if sensing Alyssa's discomfort jumped in immediately. "Actually this is not why we are here, we are wondering if you have any news of Gandalf the Grey and if he has left anything for us?"

"Gandalf…" said Butterbur softly as if he was searching for that name in he memory. "Oh Gandalf, long beard pointy hat, yes, yes, he was here almost six months ago but he did leave two letters just before he left. He said he would make me into his next firework if I did not deliver these." Butterbur said as he pulled out an envelope from under the counter. "One was for you mister Strider, while the other was for someone buy the name of Mister Underhill from the shire, now I know I don't get many shire folk here but when I do they seem to talk a lot and yet there hasn't been one mention of an Underhill until Gandalf came along, quite odd isn't it. Yes now on with business, would you like to take your dinner here or upstairs in your room?" asked Butterbur.

"Up stairs thanks." Aragorn said fingering the letter.

"Very well, Master Strider, your room is over the stables. Sorry 'bout that, but it is the only two bedded room left in this entire inn, been having great business lately."

Aragorn did a short bow before heading up the stairs to their room, Alyssa trailing quickly behind him.

When Alyssa had made it up into the room she found that Aragorn was already plopped on the bed his pack dropped carelessly at the end of his bed already reading the letter.

Alyssa quietly closed the door and set her pack beside her bed before taking off her cloak and most of her weapons besides her knives and draping them over a chair in the corner beside the fire to dry.

When she was done she found Aragorn was done reading his letter and was now staring off into space with a slight frown on his face.

"What did it say?" she finally asked.

Aragorn shook his head as if getting rid of some cobwebs and turned to look at her. "Well, Gandalf said that he had found what the Wraths are looking for, but it doesn't say what it is, and that he is sending it with some hobbits, Mr. Underhill to be precise and that he is to meet them and us here at Bree then lead us to Rivendale where they will decide what to do with it. It's all pretty vague really. The other this he said was that he was seeking counsel with the White Wizard on what to do with this matter and that if he did not return to Bree for the hobbits I am to lead them to Rivendale as soon as possible and not to use the roads.

Alyssa nodded and looked at Aragorn closely. "It troubles you that he did not wait to tell you this in person." It was not a question it was a statement.

Aragorn nodded slowly. "Its just not like him, he has never done this before."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door which shook them out of their thoughts. Aragorn got up to answer it while Alyssa turned around to face the fire to hide her face, she didn't know why she still did this, they weren't in Fort Norst any more, she just felt deep down in her bones that she had to keep this a secret as long as she could.

"Here you are sirs." Said a cheery little hobbit who came bustling in with a large tray full with the nights special and two pints of shire beer much to Aragorn's delight. "Don't worry about paying now; Butterbur put it on your bill to pay when you leave."

"Thank you Mister..." Aragorn Said kindly.

"Just Nob, sir." Waved away the little Hobbit. "Enjoy." He said before closing the door behind him.

"Nice little fellow." Stated Alyssa as she walked over to the tray on the little table by the window where Aragorn was picking at some grapes in a small bowl.

"hmmm." Said Aragorn in agreement as he took a sip of the beer.

Alyssa just snorted and picked up her chicken sandwich taking a bite.

When they where finished they sat back against their chairs their feet propped up on the table. Alyssa was watching Aragorn amusingly as he eyed his empty mug accusingly. "Why don't you go down stairs for another refreshment and keep an eye out for Mr. Underhill while I go and get a well deserved rest in that warm and comfy bed over their." Said Alyssa after stifling her fifth yawn.

Aragorn smiled at her and jumped up. "Aright. Good night."

"Night." mumbled Alyssa after yet another yawn. Once he was gone she striped off the rest of her weapons and cloths so she was just wearing her tunic and pants, before crawling in under the large down blankets and drifting off into the first restful sleep in over a month.

Alyssa jumped up wide awake her dagger, which she had placed under her pillow, drawn when she heard it; The Screeching whale of the Nazgul, the Witch King of Angmar's more pronounced to her than the rest.

She bared her teeth and looked around herself trying to calm her racing heart. She found Aragorn looking at her from the window seat with slight amusement on his face and four others sitting on his bed also looking at her in fear and curiosity. Alyssa had just lowered her dagger when one of the people, the only one fully dressed and who looked like they hadn't been just sleeping, asked Aragorn a question just as they heard another wail. "What are they?"

"They where once men, great kings of men, then Sauron the deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed they took them with out question, one by one falling into darkness and now they are slaves to his will." Aragorn turned away to look down on the street where the Black Riders where fleeing into the darkness. He turned back to the Hobbit a look of utter seriousness in his eyes. "They are the Nazgul, Ring wraiths neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring, drawn to the power of the one, they will never stop hunting you."

Ok, now she was confused. Her best guess was that this was Frodo Baggins and that his three other companions where Merry, Pippin and Sam, and that they where probably fleeing from the Wraiths, but how the hell had she not noticed them come in and same goes for the Wraiths cause now that she thought about it she could feel how close or how far away the Witch King was, and it was not a pleasant feeling.

"Get some sleep." Said Aragorn directing it at the hobbits, we have a long way to go.

"But who is she?" Piped up Pippin unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

"She is my companion Dae Brethil. She will be joining us on our journey to Rivendale." Said Aragorn as he got up and walked over to Alyssa so he could explain what was going on.

Alyssa got up out of her bed and said quietly to Aragorn. "Here get some sleep; I will keep watch for the rest of the night. You can fill me in, in the morning."

Aragorn smiled gratefully and pulled off his cloak and jerkin leaving him in only his tunic and pants before climbing into the warm bed where Alyssa had been sleeping previously.

Alyssa walked over to the chair by the fire and pulled on her boots and an extra blanket she found over in the corner. She then sat down in the window seat and turned to face the only Hobbit who was still awake.

"You know you should get some sleep Master Baggins, we have a very long journey ahead of us and we will be leaving at the crack of dawn." She told him quietly.

"I can't" Said Frodo even quieter.

"You want to talk about it?"

Frodo just shook his head.

Alyssa bit her lip, she had an idea but it would probably cost her, her dignity. "Did your mother used to sing to you?" Alyssa asked.

Frodo looked at her sharply. "Yes but aren't I a little old for that."

Alyssa smiled crookedly, "Yes well I found that no matter how old I was, mum would always sing me to sleep when I was upset or couldn't get to sleep no matter how much I protested."

Fordo laughed quietly. "Yes, my Uncle Bilbo used to do the same except it was his stories of his adventures at the lonely mountain, he only sang when he was either drunk or board out of his mind."

"Come on get into bed and I'll sing you something." Said Alyssa still curled up on the window seat with a blanket wrapped around her. 'I can't believe I'm doing this.' Thought Alyssa embarrassed. When she saw the Frodo was tucked into the large bed comfortably she started humming quietly before singing a soft little song she remembered from when she was a small child.

A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting--
Waiting to sail your worries away.

It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the key.
The winds of night so softly are sighing--
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.
Wave good-bye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from lullaby bay.

Alyssa trailed off as she saw that Frodo was snoring softly and smiled to herself, she had always loved that little lullaby, it had always put her to sleep when there was a raging storm during the night. She turned her head to look out the window down at the empty street, thinking about all those she had left behind on earth wondering how her family was coping with her disappearance and obvious death. She knew she was dead in her universe, no one could have survived the fall plus a cougar attack and it truly saddened her to know that she would never see her little sister or any of her family again.

Aragorn watched sadly as two tears silently ran down Alyssa' face. She had never really been given time to grieve for the loss of the old life she had once had. She had put up a strong front after they had left Fort Norst but as the days went by he noticed that it broke a little day by day and it was only a matter of time until she acknowledged that she would never see her family again, the curse of the Witch King only adding on top of that.

He got up and silently walked over to the window seat. She didn't notice him sliding in behind her and wrapping his arms around her making her sit in his lap. He started to rock her back and forth as the tears came faster muttering soft reassurances as she sobbed silently.

When the tears had stopped they both just sat there looking off into the distance neither saying anything. They eventually both dozed off until they where awoken buy four chattering hobbits discussing whether they should wake them or not.

"No need Master Samwise, we are already awake." Sated Aragorn as both he and Alyssa climbed out of the window seat. Luckily none commented on their position or Alyssa's red rimed eyes.

"Well Butterbur said he would have breakfast ready for you two when you come down and that Gandalf had left some money to pay for your room. He also said that all the pony's had fled and that only one horse had stuck around so that leaves us with no ride.

"Bet that it's Hidalgo who stuck around." Said Alyssa with a slight quirk to the lips.

Aragorn just shook his head. "I wouldn't doubt it."

They all then headed down stairs after getting dressed and grabbed a light breakfast (the hobbits had already eaten) After that they all headed out to the stables and found that it wasn't Hidalgo that had stuck behind instead a small under fed pony that belonged to Bill Ferny who sold it to them for over three times its worth.

Alyssa was worried; she had become rather attached to her horse and was rather upset buy the fact that Hidalgo had fled.

"Don't worry, He will probably come and find you himself. He is a hard headed stallion and I'm sure he will see to it that he finds you in the near future." Said Aragorn placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah you're probably right." Said Alyssa though not believing her self.

Unfortunately it was almost mid after noon before they had headed out of Bree the Little pony Bill trotting happily after Sam who had taken a liking to the underfed pony.

By night fall they had just entered Chetwood Forest their first step on their long journey to Rivendale.

AN: Well there's Chapter five, hoped you guys liked it. Kudos goes to those who know where I got that lullaby from and who sings it. Well anyhoo, cant wait to get the next chapter up!

Tootles,

Lyssa Snape