Hello again!

I finished my exams (finally)! I don't know if my results are good though... fingers crossed!

Now, I know this chapter wasn't good. I'm tired when I got the advice of not using quotes from the movie, I was already halfway with this chapter and I didn't want to rewrite it again... So sorry! I'll definitely do better in the next chapter!

Oh and thank you for all the support and reviews you guys have given me. I really appreciate it, especially with such tiring events happening in my family. Thank you again and I'll try update soon!

Enjoy!

I do not own Lord of the Ring or Final Fantasy X. They go to their respective owners. I do, however, own the original characters (Valina, Felix, Ian and Kiku) and the twisted plot.

I might have used some of the lines from the movie/book of Lord of the Rings. Any that seem recognisable by the reader, please understand that I do not own the certain quotes and they, again, go to their respective owner(s).

Chapter Six - Stranger Danger?

The time on the kato - now known as a 'ferry' to her, quickly passed but it was enouh to catch their breath and for Valina to collect her courage once again. Merry and Pippin steered them towards the bank, announcing their arrival. Once they stepped upon the muddy ground, a rumble of thunder and a few seconds later, a flash of white blinded their vision. The skies welcomed them with heavy, large raindrops, blurring the path ahead.

"It's just ahead!" Merry shouted over the loud pitter patter of rain.

However, 'just ahead' was very vague. 'Just ahead' happened to be a few, cautious miles in sloppy, thick dark mud.

Luckily, Valina's past experiences with travelling proved useful, for she could endure walking long distances with shifting eyes to scan the area for any dangers. Whatever was chasing them, she knew it was only after the ring, meaning Frodo. Merry walked infront with her, Frodo just behind in the middle and lastly Pippin and Sam. It was the formation she had told them to walk in, incase of any unwanted problems.

Valina's cloak and robes clung to her slim small body, making her seem like a brooding figure. She shivered from the chill again and she kept sniffing. Ahead of them was poles of wood protruding from the mud, creating a wall of dark and mouldy wood. However, it was like a shining blessing to her and the hobbits. Forgetting to check for dangers, Valina rushed forward with the hobbits and the ends of their cloaks slapping against their legs.

Knock. Knock.

The small square window opened and a crinkly man with a rather large crooked nose greted her with a scrowl. "Who goes there?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but it seemed she took to long to, because the gateman slammed the window shut with impaitence before opening the next window. It was the height of the hobbits and faced directly to Frodo. Her first thought was how rude the gateman was, but she knew she would never voice it out nor hold a grudge on him. It was silly and she thought that maybe he was having a bad day, much like her.

"Hobbits with a lass? What are you doing out of The Shire for?"

"We are heading to the Prancing Pony to rest. Our business is our own." Frodo shouted above a sudden roar of thunder.

"Alright, lass and sirs. I meant no offense." He mumbled, his face still a scrowl yet his voice softer. "Just doing my job, you see. Can't be too careful at nightfall."

He opened the gate for them and she grasped his hand with a grateful smile. "Thank you." She stuttered with a quivering voice. She patted her hand and shooed her away, pointing to the direction of the inn before resuming his job.

They spotted the swinging sign of The Prancing Pony and they hurried to it. They pushed the door open a bit more forcefully than intended and it swung open. A sudden barrage of merry chatter and loud clanking of toasting was heard and a warm wave of air washed over them. She headed towards the innkeeper whom was just over the counter and called him to her attention.

"Excuse me, sir."

The innkeeper was a round faced man with a bushy moustache and shining eyes of mirth. Her first thought was of Gandalf. His blue eyes were always of mirth and wisdom. "Good evening, my lady." She gestured downwards with a hand, in which he leaned off to see the hobbits too. "Oh, and little masters." He looked back up to her. "If you're seeking for some rooms to rest the night, we have hobbit sized rooms, lady...?"

She hesitated for a moment. She was never good at lying... Her mother and father had always told her how awful lying was, thus came her inability to lie. She became a very honest little girl who always tried to evade questions she wanted unanswered... "V-Valina." She said and she glanced down to the hobbits. Pippin seemed fine with her decision, yet the rest looked slightly cheated and she couldn't help but wince.

"And what about you master hobbits?"

"My name is Underhill." Frodo said.

The innkeeper looked thoughtful as he stroked his chin. "Underhill? Hmm..."

"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've arrived?"

The innkeeper frowned, but Valina couldn't think why. Then, a look of recognition was seen and he mumbled. "Gandalf? I remember, elderly man with a grey beard and big pointy hat, yes?" She nodded, hopeful. "Not seen him for six months."

"W-What? Are you sure, sir? He was meant to met us here-" She began to speak, but someone hollered for him and he gave her a look of pity.

"Sorry, Lass. Why don't you wait for a moment? First ales free of charge, yes?" And he walked off to help some man fill his cup.

"What do we do now?" Sam whispered.

She sighed, wrapped her arms around herself. "I..." She hesitated, casting a nervous glance around. "I think we should just say here and wait..."

Valina had decided to keep her wet robe on, despite it chilling her to the bone. She was adamant on wearing her traditional Spirian clothes, but to show it in such a place would surely gain her odd looks and instantly make her suspicious. Gandalf had always told her how strange her outfit was, despite being known as such a noblity to Spirians. To keep Frodo and the rest of the hobbits safe, she'd rather be sick.

They sat at a table at the far end, near a wall. While they were trying to remain quiet, everyone else in the inn was dancing, drinking and laughing loudly as if they had no worries whatsoever. She let out a small cough and Frodo looked worringly at her. "Are you alright?" He asked her.

"Yes. Do not worry for me, F-" She coughed, "Mr. Underhill."

Frodo then turned to Sam, and she gave him a small encouraging smile. The poor hobbit was so nervous he looked as if he would pee himself if someone went near them. "Sam, he'll be here. He'll come."

"Mr Underhill is right, he'll be here soon, I'm sure." She said. Dear Yveon, please let this be true. I am so tired and I cannot protect them to the fullest like this.

Merry clumsily plonked himself in the seat infront of her with a large mug of ale. "What's that?" Pippin asked.

"This, my friend, is a pint." He grinned.

"It comes in pints?" Merry nodded. "I'm getting one!" And his friend rushed off.

She let out a weak chuckle, but quickly turned into a few coughs. She could not drink ale or any alcohol, so instead of getting a much needed rest, bath and drink, she got nothing. By Yveon, how did I get here? I have travelled across Spira, through snow and desert... Yet I feel so bad upon here. I don't understand, I was going to complete my journey and defeat Sin... Why did you send me away, Yveon? Sam's voice cut off the rest of her thoughts as he spoke. "That fellow's done nothing but stare at you since we've arrived." He whispered suspiciously to her and Frodo.

Valina slowly turned and not so subtley, looked at the source of the gaze. It was a stranger sitting in the far corner, alone. His hood covered his eyes and hair, revealing his slight stubble. He was smoking from a pipe similiar to others she had seen. If Sam had not told her he was staring at them, she would have thought he was brooding or in deep thought. The position of his head had the possibility of letting him see them or the floor. Maybe he is just deep in thought? I know many who tend to look at the floor when thinking. The next thought slightly pained her. Like Yuna...

"Excuse me, that man in the corner, who is he?" Her attention was placed upon Frodo once again, whom asked the innkeeper as he walked by their table.

"He's one of them Rangers. They're dangerous folk they are, wandering the wilds. What his right name is, I never heard, but round here he's known as Strider." Was the reply.

She side glanced at Frodo and saw his fingers meddle with the ring... The feeling of misfortune was creeping in slowly once again. "Mr Underhill, I think you should-"

"Baggins? Sure, I know a Baggins! He's over there!" Pippin gossiped.

Valina choked on her own spit in shock as her head whipped to the left to see Pippin talking amongst the locals. "Pippin!" She tried to cry out, yet her voice sounded so soft compared to the other's.

Unaware of her cry, he continued to spill out the information loudly.

Suddenly, she heard a stool clatter and was frozen as she watched Frodo push amongst the crowd. Regaining her composure, she got up to get the both of them. Her heart was drumming loudly as she gently moved the men aside to get to her charges. But she was too late.

Her breath was caught in her throat as she watched Frodo slip and the ring thrown into the air. Everything seemed to slow down and her eyes trailed the golden ring as it slowly... almost painfully fall...

Onto Frodo's finger.

In a blink of an eye, he vanished. The crowd burst into excited chatter and laughter, thinking that it was all some type of joke or magic trick. However, for Valina, it suddenly turned into a nightmare. "Frodo? Frodo!" She cried out, but her voice was drowned out by the men demanding for more ale or telling eachother grand tales. Her bi-colored eyes searched around desperately for Frodo, yet she did not see her dark-haired hobbit.

Then, to her left, she saw the stranger dragging something along up up the stairs to the rooms. Frodo! Without thinking to tell the others, she rushed forward, pushing away the men surrounding her. "Hey!" They angrily shouted as she roughly passed them, repeating insincere apologies. Her eyes were focusing on the fleeting figures as she climbed up the stairs and heard a loud slam of a door.

Once up the stairs, Valina found herself in a corridor with doors on either side. Panicking, she stood by each door, listening for Frodo's voice. She passed by five before reaching the right one.

"A little more caution from you... That is no trinket you carry."

"I carry nothing." Was Frodo's muffled reply.

She swiftly smacked the door open with such force that it closed itself from the impact against the wall. Her left hand held a fiery ball while the other pushed Frodo behind her. Her hand was so close to the stranger's face that he had to step back. She was shaking from the cold and a tiny bit of fear, but she stood firm. "Step away from him." She said, ready to protect Frodo with her magic if it was necessary.

"An Istar...?" He whispered.

Istar...? She hesitated before speaking again. "I don't know what an Istar is, but stay away from Frodo. I don't want to hurt you." She warned, hoping her voice didn't sound as if she was pleading.

"And you expect me to leave? He has something dangerous upon him."

"I have nothing." Frodo repeated.

Strider then focused his attention back to Frodo. "Indeed? I can usually avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely... That is a rare gift."

"Who are you?" The hobbit asked.

Instead, Strider asked. "Are you frightened?" He looked towards her and Frodo.

Yes. But she remained silent, knowing well that she should not say such a thing infront of Frodo. Yet, Frodo readily admitted it. "Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you."

There was noise coming from the corridor. Valina instinctly pulled Frodo towards the beds while she situated herself infront of him and summoned her staff. The soft light emitted and she saw Strider stare at her curiously before drawing out his sword.

Bang!

"Let him go or I'll have you, Longshanks!" Sam shouted angrily, his fists readied for a punch while Merry and Pippin stood with their own weapons, one of them a stool.

Strider sheathed his sword with a small smile of amusement and Valina sighed in relief, she was still aware of Strider being a possible threat, so she dispearsed her fire magic, letting it shrink and extinguish but she kept her staff ready, though for some reason, her heart told her he could be trusted.

"You trust people too easily, Val." Felix's voice rang in her head. "Some people aren't as pure as you, nor do they have a golden heart."

"You have a stout heart, little hobbit. But that alone won't save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They're coming."

Strider had brought them to another room in another inn, but strangely still rented out a hobbit-sized room in the Prancing Pony. She didn't know what he was planning, but she followed him with a keen eye on the hobbits.

The moon was shining brightly, but the shadows of the buildings and the pelting rain made it seem so much more gloomy and sinister. She sat on a chair infront of Strider, looking out the window and the hobbits asleep to her right. She had taken a glance at Strider once, taking in his appearance.

He had dark shaggy hair and rugged from travel, much like her and the hobbits. Now, without his cloak and hood, he seemed far less sinister, though his face was pale and stern. It was a big difference to her, compared to the bright smiling hobbits or Gandalf's knowing smile. There was only two people she'd known to have a solemn expression like that and they came from Spira.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"People here call me Strider." He answered.

"But that is not your real name?"

"No."

"You are a friend of Gandalf's?"

"Yes."

She was grasping her cold hands firmly, but ended up fiddling with the wet cloth of her cloak. "I..." Her voice trailed off unwillingly and she mentally berated herself. I must be strong... "Can I trust you? Not only me, but the hobbits too?"

This time, he turned his head slightly to look directly into her eyes. She was sure the shadow of her hood hid her eyes from his vision, yet it was very sincere of him to look anyways. It gave her a slight comfort to know he was acknowleding her thus far and to Spirians, to look directly into one's eyes were to prove your sincere intentions. To her shock, she discovered his eyes were stormy grey. She'd never met anyone with such unique grey eyes before. "Yes."

Relief flooded through her body and she slumped slightly. "Thank you..." She gave him a small tired smile. He inclined his head as a reply.

Her practical mind still kept ringing alarm bells, the usual phrase that was taught to her since a baby. Stranger Danger. She wondered if she had taught her sweet little sister well enough to remember that phrase. Whilst she trusted people far too easily, she was the only role model in Yuna's eyes. Would Yuna be far too trusting too? She wondered. Oh, how she wished to know if she taught her well. Without a father nor mother to help her and only being at the tender age of five when her father left her with a month old Yuna, she had to learn parenthood fast and filled with mistakes. She was the mother, father, guardian and sister in Yuna's life. Though all the villagers helped her and Yuna, she still had to be independent.

A loud shriek of anger pierced her ear drums and cut through her thoughts. Her eyes widened as she looked out the window. The black riders!

The hobbits had woken up from the scream and Valina also panicked. However, Strider remained calm and just watched. Frodo had asked what they were, something Valina also wanted to know. She didn't quite understand him, he mentioned something about them being 'dead nor living'. She thought he meant mi soshin no, literally meaning 'unsent'. But unsent were known to wander endlessly until a Summoner preformed the ritual of the Ikari okuri, the Sending, to bring them peace in the Farplane. If not, then the unsent would begin to resent the living and morph into a fiend- a monster and attack people. No. These black riders are after Frodo.

"Sleep. We will move when the sun rises." Strider said.

But she could not, she had to stay on guard and her way of sleeping required a private room for no prying eyes. She had promised to keep an eye on Frodo for both Bilbo and Gandalf. What would they think if she should fall asleep with the black riders about? "No. I will stay and watch with you." She replied, struggling to keep her shivers at bay.

"Then change from that attire. They will make your health falter, as it already is doing so."

"I may have another pair of clothes, but I have only one cloak."

He sighed, getting up from his seating place and rustling about in the dark. Something warm and dry was thrown upon her and she let out an alarmed squeak from the feeling. "Take off your's and let it dry." She hastily slid it off and went into the other room. She guessed it was meant to be a bathroom of sorts because of the large wooden tub. Lucky for her, she had another pair of the exact same clothing though she had no idea how she had managed to fit it within the bag by her side.

Once she finished changing, she placed it upon the end of Frodo's bed to dry and wore Strider's cloak to conceal her appearance. It was worn by travels and it had a musky smell clinging to it. Despite the dust and dirt, Valina felt grateful to have to wrapped around her, though it was big. The ends reached the lower of her calf and the hood slipped far too much to cover part of her nose. She had to keep holding it to keep it at the appropriate level, but the cloak was much welcomed. "Thank you."

Again, he just gave her a simple nod in acceptance before looking out the window again. You really don't like talking do you...? She was slightly thankful, because she wasn't the best at keeping a conversation up nor keeping her own secrets hidden from probing people. No doubt he had a lot to think about and she had many memories she wished to relive in her day dreams.

Valina thought of her pilgrimage in Spira, her friends and her family...

It brought a smile to her face and when Strider glanced at her, he couldn't help but wonder why.

Bad ending, I know. But I got to sleep now and I haven't checked for any mistakes. Feel free to correct me in a PM or review. Thank you so much!

Thank you for reading and have a nice day!

-Lolimochi.