Chapter 3.
The Overdogs trekked back towards the Ranger encampment. Not a bad hour's work; some arrows lost, but the magic ones saved, and a few minor wounds and spells used. Now over 200 Rangers were in view, with Aragorn and Halbarad at the front. Halbarad was smiling, but Aragorn betrayed no emotion. "We saw you fight. Are you a dragon, a man or both?", he asked as he pointed at Thing2. Your sorcery is strong and you fight like none I have seen, elf or man."
Morel took on the leadership role again. "Thank you, I think. Some of us can assume the shape of nearly any beast, the dragon being a quite deadly one, through casting a powerful spell. Our warriors have fought dragons, demons, and giants, and have great skill, as well as enchanted armor, blades, and other devices. For example, Enos has a ring that makes him unseen to most, but it is broken if he attacks." At this Aragorn and a few of the Rangers gasped and whispered amongst themselves. Morel knew what they were thinking. "No, these rings were forged not by Sauron, or even Celebrimbor. Yes, we are not of this world or even Valinor, but were brought here at the request of Manwe, who told me some of the history here. I know that the Nazgul receovered the Ring despite your efforts, and poor Frodo suffered. Manwe fears you will despair and perish bravely but foolishly. I am asked to ensure you make it to Rivendell, where I believe someone waits for you, and she despairs as well." Aragorn smiled briefly. "It was Frodo's loss that led directly to Manwe asking Eru for intervention. There is a sword there being remade for you. Let's go get it, and take counsel with Elrond, Gandalf, and others."
"Frodo lost his hand as Halbarad, can he also he healed? I did what I could and sent him and the others, with 4 Rangers, to Rivendell. He did not suffer the Black Breath, as the Ringwraith cut his arm off with the Ring attached. They then fled, back to Mordor presumably. There were four there, the one today must have been one of the other five. Gandalf? What happened to him? If he had been there..."
"He was betrayed, by Saruman, and locked in Orthanc. Gandalf did escape and waits in Rivendell now. Saruman is going to pay as well. Sysnik can heal several of your men while you are introduced to part of the Overdogs, as we are called. Yes, Frodo will be healed even if dead. Normally we can raise the dead periodically, and in fact some of us have died ourselves. Eru sought fit to allow this in Middle Earth only 3 times, except for ourselves. Frodo is as deserving as any, taking on the burden he did with little hope of success and none of reward."
Such a team, thought Aragorn. Still, it was apparent that if this Morel WAS an agent of Sauron or Saruman, he could have killed us all already, or let the wraith and trolls take their toll. And, he seemed to know every secret that Aragorn knew, so it wasn't information he was after either. So Aragorn and Halbarad met conferred with Morel and Thing2 while the others kept watch or rested. There he learned of the attack on the Shire, the mission of Flodon, and the meeting planned for Imladris. They now had to decide their next move.