Chapter 2

Meet the Ranger

Alena's POV

I felt myself slowly dozing off from blackness.

I remember fire and a dragon. Confused by my sudden thoughts, I remembered the events that took place. It was Bilbo's party, and then a large dragon shaped fire came dashing down towards me.

I remember the power that went through me at the time, how it scared me. The power that went through me was so fierce; it scared me from even using it at all.

I try to surmise the happenings that went through that night, but I felt myself being awaken. The constant movement beneath me was shaking me awake. I try to peel my eyes open to the image in front of me and saw fields of trees rushing by me quickly.

I looked down to what I was placed on and saw a dark brown horse galloping away to Valar knows where. I try to shake my head off from my dreary stature and tried to sit straight. Then did I realize a presence behind me. I looked behind me slowly, still feeling the dreadful feeling of fatigue within me and saw Gandalf looking ahead, looking serious. Something was wrong.

Gandalf saw me looking at him and in return, I looked at him questioningly. He forced a small smile upon his face to reassure me all is well, but I knew better.

My look of curiosity instantly changed to that of worry. "Gandalf, what's going on? Where are we?"

Gandalf returned his task to staring ahead, "All will be answered Alena. But for now, I need you to trust me."

I felt the horse slow down to a trot and stopped by a man. I stared at the cloaked figure in front of me. Who is he? I unsheathed my sword, luckily still strapped on my belt, and pointed the tip at the man.

"Who are you stranger?" I asked with a tinge of menace to intimidate the possible threat.

"Lower your sword Alena; he is a friend of mine and now, of yours. You will travel with him to Bree and await the arrival of Frodo and Sam." said Gandalf as he gazed on the man ahead as if to address him as well.

"Frodo? Sam? What are you talking about Gandalf?" I asked as I slid off the horse tentatively, still not trusting the man. I placed my sword back to its sheath but still keeping my hand on the hilt just in case.

"Now is not the time for answers dear child. Strider here will tell you all that he knows concerning the hobbits. But now I must go to Isengard for aid." I backed off the horse as I noted the urgency in his voice. Before I could ask anymore, he quickly took off.

I stared at the path he took and saw him galloping further away 'till he was out of sight. I sighed at the current predicament at hand and stared at the man a few feet away.

I cautiously walked towards him, still not feeling myself to trust the hooded man, but quickly stopped as he lifted his hood off.

"So you're the infamous Strider. You're not as scary as everyone gives you credit for." I said taking note of his ranger outfit.

He stared at me, looking at me with his scrutinizing blue eyes. I immediately felt self-conscious with his eyes hovering all over my body; nevertheless, I stood my ground. I coughed to get his attention, but next thing I knew, he walked past me to the opposite path Gandalf took.

I stared at him as if to gawk at his lack of retort, but followed him nonetheless.

Our journey to Bree was quiet and swift, expecting no less from a ranger. I try to initiate small talk, but he ignores me as if I wasn't with him. I grew exasperated with his company. Is it even possible to get this man to talk?

"You know, it's not polite to ignore someone when they ask for their attention." I snapped at him, obviously growing irritated with my companion.

"What is it that you wish to talk about then? You already know my name and I already know yours, Lady Alena." He haughtily replied as if to purposely set me off the edge.

I ran in front of him, stopping him from walking on. He stared at me amused with my actions and somewhat curious of what I would do. I sigh deeply, trying to ease my temper a bit. I stared at him after feeling my anger slowly lessen, and then I stared at him.

I needed answers. I didn't even know why I was following him. If it wasn't for Gandalf's favor, more like command, and Sam and Frodo being involved, I would've left him as soon as I jumped off the horse earlier ago.

He sighed; he already knew the questions that ran through my mind as soon as he looked at my eyes. From there, he started walking around me, trekking on his earlier route towards Bree. I glared at his retreating form. Can't he tell me anything?

"The one ring has been found." he said, his back facing me. I froze on my spot on the ground, trying to understand the words he just said. "For years, it was sitting idly with a hobbit, unknown to the world. With Sauron's powers growing stronger, we must proceed to Rivendell for aid," he looked back at me. I can see hope in his eyes, there was still hope even in these dire of days. "I... we are going to Bree to assist the hobbit on to Rivendell for answers, for the safety of the hobbits."

I knew my eyes showed fear; it was clearly bannered on my blue eyes. I felt as though I was paralyzed from the sheer thought of the ring, the power of Sauron, how can this be? The thought of the evil it can bring made me shudder. I felt myself shaken out of my dazed state as I noticed Aragorn before me, looking a tad bit worried at my reaction. "Do not fear Lady Alena, Gandalf will bring assistance from Isengard. From there, hope can still be restored, peace can still be attained."

I smiled at his attempt to lighten the thoughts I have and then nodded at his words. True, hope is still present. No doubt, with the power of the white wizard, chances of peace can be restored.

Seeing my content expression with his words, Aragorn walked on ahead of me. I followed not far behind.

Frodo and Sam; I fear for my two friends. They are shire folk; they are peaceful creatures, hardly caring for the dangers outside of their borders. I felt sorry for the two hobbits having to gain the burden of yielding the ring 'till Rivendell.

Though pity and grief filled my thoughts for my two friends as Strider and I walked on, I stepped up. I am not letting anything happen to m friends. It's bad enough that they got caught into this madness. I will do everything I can to help them; with my life, 'till death.

Closing on to Bree by noon, we find ourselves crossing over a shallow river by stepping on stones. As easy as it may sound, the mossy rocks were slippery, and my lack of balance and help from a frustrating companion was no help.

A few more steps to go, when I find myself slipping off towards the rushing river below me. I tried to hold on to whatever I can, but there was nothing to take hold of. I let out a squeak of a shout out of my mouth and soon found myself plummeting on cold water.

I tried to kick my legs to swim to the surface, but found my arms and legs suddenly weak against the strong current. Feeling darkness once again trying to come over me, I felt strong arms around my waist, pulling me to the surface.

Reaching the surface of the river, I sputtered out the water in my mouth and swam, with assistance, to land.

The arms around my waist quickly drag me to shore and laid me on the ground, my rescuer following beside me. We breathed heavily for much needed air. I stared at the man beside me seeing, of course, Aragorn. But it was still a shock.

After laying there on the ground with his arm still holding me by the waist for what I thought of as half an hour long, I laughed. He stared at me as if to think I've gotten crazy from our little escapade, but after living from a near death experience, I soon felt the need to laugh all my tension and fear away. Soon after, I was surprised to hear Aragorn laughing along with me. It was nice to hear the laughter of the quiet ranger. Our laughter slowly went down to hear only giggles from me and a smile on Aragorn.

I stared at him after my giggle died down and slowly a smile crept on my face as well, "It's nice to see you relaxed a bit."

Aragorn stared at me as if to say something, but shook his head with a smile plastered on his face instead and stood up. I stared at his back with my eyes slowly travelling down to what I can see as a shapely bottom as he walked away. I turned my eyes away as quickly as I looked and stared at the ground. I just met him! I can't just idly roam my eyes on him as I pleased... though it was very tempting. I sighed at the thoughts I had for the ranger and quickly stood up following the man to Bree.

It was already nightfall, but luckily we both found ourselves standing under heavy rain, staring at The Prancing Pony. It has been a while since I last set foot in this place, remembering the moments I had here whilst drunk.

We opened the door to the inn and found numerous drunken men singing and laughing silly from afar, some simply drinking their ales. I chuckled at the scene, feeling déjà vu creep to me. Not long after, I noticed Strider move on ahead of me toward a scruffy old man by the reception booth. I followed close by.

"Good evening, dear masters. If you're seeking accommodation, we've got some nice, cozy couples' bed for you lovebirds upstairs." said the receptionist with a sly look as he dangled the keys to the said room in front of Strider's face.

I choked from my own spit as I heard him address us as couples, and widened my eyes when Strider took the keys from the receptionist's hand. Slowly, I felt heat travel on to my cheeks where a light visible blush was now present.

"Very well then Mr... uhmmm..." the old man stared at Strider as if expecting him to tell him his name.

"Strider."

"Strider?" gasps the receptionist, staring at Strider with a tinge of fear in his eyes, but quickly shook his head and smiled, more at me than Strider.

Strider took no notice of the man's fear and simply moved on upstairs whilst grabbing my arm. He dragged me towards the stairs but I quickly shrugged his hands off of me. I glared at his harsh attempt to lead and he simply rolled his eyes at me, ignoring my stubbornness.

I followed behind him as he continued on to the stairs, still feeling fumes within me which grew instantly when I felt a hand slap on my butt. My eyes widen with anger as I stared at the drunken man beside me who simply smiled smugly along with his other drunken friends, obviously liking what he felt. Before he or his friends can even react, I kicked the stool he sat on and no less than a second, brought one of my long twin daggers to his neck.

"You do that again and I swear I'll cut your head into pieces. Understand!" I shouted out of rage. I saw the man's eyes fill with fear as he trembled on the ground. I released the hold on the petrified man when I felt Aragorn's hand touch my shoulder and arm gently as he pulled me away. While standing up from my crouched form, my stare never wavered from the man beneath me. I did look away when I saw his pants drenched in what I can assume and, regrettably, smell as pee. I looked away from the pathetic man and stared at Aragorn. He was glaring at the man. I stared at him, wondering what got him angered as to glare at the pathetic excuse of man, but I simply shrugged it off. I cleared my throat to get his attention back to me and instantly, his glare turned to that of amused. His smirk and amusement with me was clearly seen as I walked past him to the stairs.

When we arrived at the room, no doubt, it was a couples' room. There was a large bed good for couples to do... what couples do and a romantic fire place with a snugly thick rug on the floor. Strider entered the room first and took off his cloak with his pack, I soon followed. It was nice to see a cuddly warm bed, ready to be slept on, but I wondered still about the arrangements regarding the bed.

Strider was starting the fire while he smoked his pipe. When the fire was in ablaze enough he stood up and stared at me while I stood near the door, still unsure.

"You may take the bed, I don't need it." He said as he walked towards the chair facing the window. I stared at his back while he smoked his pipe. I felt myself sighing with relief, feeling the tension slightly leaving from the room.

I went to the bed, while taking the tie off my hair, and sat on it. I was very much ready to lie down and sleep, but guilt was pushing me off. I was still staring at Strider knowing that he is as tired as me considering the trek we had almost the entire day. Also, I bet he's been travelling days before he even met me. He may be a man but with what we've been through, though he is stronger and tougher than I, he must be tired. With a sigh, I stood up from the comforting cushion I sat on and went to Strider.

He, feeling my approach, turned around and stared at me curiously as I pulled his arm towards bed.

"Come on. You're clearly more tired than I am. No man can feel no weariness after what you've been through the entire day. You must lie down and rest." I said as I forcefully pushed him down to bed.

He lay on the bed for awhile but soon pushed himself up with his elbows. "What about-" but he was silenced when I gave him a look. I looked at him with pleading eyes, wanting nothing more than to see him rest and be well.

He sighed heavily. He knew changing my mind would be hopeless. Just as I was about to leave his side to sit on the chair he sat on earlier, I felt him tugging my arm back to the bed. I stared at him, wondering what he would need before his much needed sleep.

"The bed is big enough for two..." he said, almost shyly judging from the slow tint of red visible on his cheek. It may be just from the heat from the fire place, but either way I was speechless from his proposition.

True, I was tired. I knew enough that trying to get at least a decent nap on a chair would be dire. Also, the bed did felt comfy earlier especially now with that warm, handsome men in it... wait, what?

I mentally shook my thoughts from the man before me, quickly considering his proposal. With one last look at the comfy bed, I quickly knew what I had to do. Without hesitation, I slid myself in to the covers next to Aragorn. He chuckled, amused by my child-like antics, how easily happy I can be with the thought of a comfy bed to lie on. It's not my fault I prefer the bed than the ground.

Aragorn turned to his side away from me, trying to give me space as to give what is left of propriety between us. Thankful as I was, I was a bit disappointed. I wouldn't mind staring at his sleeping face before I find myself following him. Shortly after those thoughts though, I felt myself dozing off.

R&R people! I'm not entirely sure if I should continue this... but whatever. I'll try to update in less than 2 days :))