Later that night, after washing off the workout, I put on the clean dark forest green dress Eleanor had lent me and perched on the bed, not wanting to loiter around in the hallway outside Aragorn's door. I glanced out the window and saw was surprised to see Eleanor in the alley beside the inn, as she had earlier told me she would be working tonight. Then I saw a young man slip around the corner and watched her face light up. Ah. That explained it. Work be damned when there was love in air! I smiled to myself and went to meet Aragorn in the hallway.
"You look lovely," he said, "The dress matches your eyes perfectly." I blushed furiously and mumbled a thanks. We made our way over to the 'Prancing Pony Inn' to see if the hobbits had arrived yet. There was no sign of them so we ordered some soup and Aragorn had a pint of ale while I stuck to water. Not long after we had finished a smarmy looking weasel of a man sidled over to our table in the corner. He raked his eyes up and down my body.
"How much d'ya want fer 'er?" he practically drawled. I stared in consternation at his brazen manner for a moment. He could have a least directed the question at ME!
"Excuse me!? I-" Aragorn's leg nudged me under the table, firmly reminding me to shut up. He gave the man a cold look, making him squirm uncomfortably.
"I suggest you leave. Now." Aragorn growled lowly at the man.
"Ah, c'mon mate, I'll give ya a fair price. An' I'll 'ave 'er back in plenty o' time fer ya to 'ave yer own fun!" he whined, giving Aragorn a leacherous wink. Aragorn straightened in his seat and I was sure his demeanour could have made a lion think twice before attacking. As it was, the man seemed to physically recoil and I struggled not to shy away from him.
"I said, you should leave." Aragorn's voice seemed to deepen even further and took on a tone which suggested you would be a fool to disobey. I shuddered.
"Alright, alright, I'm goin'," the man muttered as he stumbled over his own feet, unable to get away fast enough. Aragorn stared daggers into the mans back for a few moments before dropping his gaze sharply to glower into his drink.
"Thanks," I muttered awkwardly, but he didn't respond. I shifted in my seat and we sat in awkward silence for a few minutes before Aragorn cleared his throat.
"You perhaps shouldn't have looked so nice," he said formally but with a trace of a smile.
"Sorry. I'll be sure to go jump around in the mud for a bit before I come in next time," I replied drily. He chuckled.
"Perhaps it is not all bad." I raised an eyebrow. "It would seem your friend is spreading the word that you are not for sale." I glanced over to see the weaselly looking man deep in conversation with a couple of others, casting furtive glances at our little corner table. I mmm'ed quietly, not quite sure how I felt about the conversation that was undoubtedly occurring about us at the other side of the room and decided to change the subject.
"Why've you kept you're hood up?" I queried. It had been bugging me. His eyes danced with mischief and he grinned.
"It gives me an air of mystery!" I choked with laughter and rolled my eyes. As if people weren't cautious enough of him already!
"Whatever you say, mystery man!" I said, shaking my head. I paused for a minute then plucked up the courage to ask, "Why is everyone so…afraid of you?" He seemed to consider his words carefully before answering.
"My people are considered dangerous, and I suppose we are to our enemies. But there were those in the past who saw no reason to be honourable in a world which had treated them so cruelly. So they turned to crime and villainy, becoming no better than those who had caused their plight. Most of us, of course, strive to be good men but unfortunately it is the minority that are known and remembered by the people." I nodded and cleared my throat awkwardly,
"Well, I see no reason to distrust you. They shouldn't judge everyone by the same standard." Aragorn simply smiled. Of course, life was never that easy.
A few hours later we hadn't been bothered by anyone else and the evening had passed pleasantly enough with inane chatter. However there was still no sign of any hobbits.
"When do you think they'll get here?" I asked. Aragorn frowned.
"I had hoped they would have been here by now, it's getting late. If they don't arrive by tomorrow I shall have to go looking for them," he replied. Just then, as if hurried along by his words, the door opened and in tumbled four little people, who I would easily have mistook for children, barefoot, soaking wet and shivering.
"Hobbits?" I asked.
"Hobbits," he agreed.
"The right hobbits? You said two, but there's four of them," I said. Aragorn laughed softly.
"Hobbit's are not so common outside the Shire that I would doubt this to be the right group." I watched them as they spoke to the barman (who was much friendlier than the one across the road, by the way) then made their way to a table where they wriggled out of wet coats.
"Now what?"
"Now we watch and wait," I looked at him in askance, waiting for an explanation, "One of them has a secret, though which I do not know, and it would not do for that secret to be revealed among ale and frivolity. I will approach them at a discreet moment and explain who I am." I nodded, not completely understanding but willing to go with it.
True to his word Aragorn observed the four little men intently for the next while. The larger hobbit who looked almost motherly seemed to notice right away but another pair seemed to absorbed in the food and fun of being in a new place to notice much else and the fourth was quiet, absorbed in his thoughts. I wondered how they didn't notice, given the intensity of Aragorn's gaze. I was fairly sure he could hear what they were saying too, which was pretty damn impressive. After about an hour the one who spotted us must have said something to the quiet one because he cast a wary glance over his shoulder at us, obviously trying to be subtle, which wasn't really possible with when your being constantly watched like that. Before they could say anything else they were distracted by their companion at the bar, who proclaiming loudly that he did indeed know a Baggins, a Frodo Baggins to be exact. The quiet hobbit leapt out of his seat, looking rather terrified, and Aragorn straightened in his seat, ready spring into action no doubt. And then the strangest thing happened. In his rush to get to the bar and, I would guess shut his friend up, the quiet hobbit tripped over and landed on his back. Something seemed to fly up in the air as he fell and as he reached up his hand to catch whatever it was, he…vanished! Completely! Into thin air, just disappeared. Everyone gasped in shock and before I could even begin to comprehend what was going on Aragorn was moving swiftly through the crowd to where the hobbit had vanished. I'm not sure how he got a hold of the hobbit but he reappeared and was promptly dragged upstairs by Aragorn's firm grip on his arm. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him, Aragorn had looked annoyed but I knew he was probably safer with Ara-Strider, I had better remember.
I hesitated trying to decide how best to slip after them, whether to wait for the commotion to die down or not. I decided my best bet was to go now while everyone was still distracted so without further hesitation I stood and swiftly made my way across to the stairs, hopefully being subtle. Just as I reached the base of the stairs however, three hobbits charged past me, one brandishing a candlestick. I stared, half in surprise, half in amusement. I had never expected such bravery from them. Here they were off to rescue their friend (who probably didn't need it) from someone who they obviously perceived as dangerous. Hell, I would to if I were them. It was nice to see such loyalty. I smiled and followed them up the stairs, hearing them demand their friend be released and threatening Strider, calling him Longshanks. Another name for him then.
I reached the room and it was with no small amount of fear I saw Strider had his sword pointed at them. To my relief he resheathed the sword and insisted that we leave. I saw the motherly looking hobbit glance at his friend next to Strider who nodded, before he agreed.
"Lady Lily," Strider said , alerting the three hobbits to my presence who all started and turned around to stare at me. I smiled awkwardly at them. "Go back out and along the corridor to the back stairs, we can get out into the alley and then across to The Great Oak. I will follow." I nodded and did as he said. The hobbits fell into step just behind me.
"Excuse me, miss," The motherly looking one said. I turned round to find him looking up at me nervously, "I do believe we fair ran into you in our haste to reach mister Frodo. We're most terribly sorry." His two companions nodded emphatically in agreement.
"Oh, Well that's alright, you were in a bit of hurry to get to your friend I think," I reassured them with a smile. "But I think we should continue this later," I finished hurriedly as I noticed Strider looking impatient to be back in our own rooms.
Surprisingly I managed to find the stairs and get outside, where I decided to pause and wait for Strider to take the lead and decide when it was safe for us to scurry over the road. Whatever this was about it must have been hell of a serious to have four grown (well, adult) men so grim and nervous. He hurried us across the road and through the bar, managing to mostly shield the hobbits from site, and up the stairs to his room where all of, including me were ushered inside.
"Wait here," he said tersely and in the blink of an eye was gone again.
"Well," I said after a few moments, "I'm Lily. It's nice to meet you all." The hobbits jumped and all at once seemed to remember their manners.
"Begging your pardon miss," the larger hobbit said hurriedly, "I'm Samwise Gamgee, but most folks just call me Sam."
"Sam," I repeated.
"And I'm Meriadoc Brandybuck and he's Peregrin Took," said one of the two bouncier hobbits.
"But call us Merry and Pippin," said the other said. Boy was I gonna have trouble remembering which was which. The last hobbit the quiet one was staring quietly out the window. Sam nudged him gently.
"Hmm…Oh. I'm Frodo, Frodo Baggins. But I'd prefer it if you called me Frodo Underhill." I smiled uncertainly but he offered no further explanation.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lily. Appleton. Just Lily." I rushed out, wondering what these four hobbits thought of me. I had certainly never met anyone quite like them and had absolutely no idea what to say to them.
"Do you know where he went?" Sam asked after a few moments.
"Ummm…no…I have no idea actually," I said, wishing I could be more helpful, to the obviously nervous and wary hobbits. Not that I blamed them. Strider was making me nervous too and these guys had only just met him, then been unceremoniously hauled out of their inn and up to some strange mans room.
"He's out there," Frodo half-whispered, making me jump slightly. He was standing by the window gazing at the street below. I moved to the window and sure enough I just caught the end of Strider's cloak sweeping into the alley beside the Prancing Pony.
"Who is he really?" Sam asked, drawing my attention away from the window. I pondered the question, trying to decide how to answer him but came up with nothing.
"I don't really know," I replied, deciding to go with honesty. "But I trust him. I think." I added as an afterthought.
"What about you?" Sam demanded. "Who are you? A young lady like yourself travelling' alone with a man's improper. I certainly don't see no wedding ring!" I resisted the urge to point out his double negative and did my best not be insulted by the underlying accusatory tone in his voice and what it was implying. This was a different world, and he was scared.
"Sam!" Merry (or Pippin) reprimanded, "there's no need-"
"No , no it's fine. Strider…well he…" I paused, not sure how much I should reveal. "I got lost, ran into some trouble and he's trying to help me get home, said he would take me to someone who might have a way. But we came to get you first, seeing as I'm pretty sure we're going to the same place." Merry and Pippin nodded, with nervous smiles but Sam didn't seem too satisfied by my answer. He huffed and went to stand protectively by a still silent Frodo but said no more. I shifted my weight from foot to foot and tried to think of something else to say but came up short. The hobbits seemed to nervous too make conversation so I decided just to give up and let silence remain. Maybe it would give them a chance to sort this out in their heads.
Not too long after Strider slipped quietly back into the room. He had a look of grim satisfaction on his face.
"The incident in the bar will have attracted them, but I have arranged for it to appear as though you have fled. You should try and get some rest we leave at first light." He gestured towards the bed and continued talking as the hobbits bombarded him with questions about what he had done. I got the general idea that he had made their rooms look occupied so as to make it seem like a set up but I was lost in thought. What could it have possibly attracted? They all seemed to know and it appeared to be terrible. I wasn't sure I wanted to know so decided not to ask.
"My Lady?" I heard and looked up from the floor to see Strider standing in front of me, regarding me curiously.
"Do you have to?" I asked to quietly for the hobbits bustling around the beds to hear. He simply smiled at me.
"What troubles you?" I raised my eyebrows. "You seemed engrossed in something not altogether pleasant." I hesitated trying to decide whether or not to ask.
"It's nothing," I said eventually. He didn't look convinced but left it alone anyway.
"If you are agreeable, I would like you to stay in here tonight. I do not think it would be wise for you to be alone," he said, changing the subject and taking me by surprise. "I'm afraid there's only a chair to sleep on, but I could easily go and get your bed from next door?" I rolled my eyes at his absurd offer.
"Don't be daft, the chairs fine! But what about you?"
"I will keep watch. As I have already said, I can get by on much less sleep than you might expect," he said, raising a hand to stall my protest. I half shrugged in agreement and looked over at the hobbits. By now they had all made it into bed and were talking quietly amongst themselves, completely ignoring us.
Strider moved across the room to extinguish the candle, plunging the room into darkness, then went sit in the large window. I followed and perched across from him.
"You should get some sleep," he commented.
"I'm fine. It's still early," I replied, willing to argue my right to not have a bedtime but he simply accepted my answer and continued staring out the window. The hobbits seemed in no mood to engage us in conversation so we sat quietly across from one another. One by one, over the next half hour, the hobbits fell asleep, Frodo being the last. We sat in comfortable silence, Strider still watching for something out the window.
"Come over here," he whispered suddenly. I slipped off my perch and stepped towards his extended arm. I turned back to face the window and felt his arm go around my shoulder and then move up so his hand could cover my mouth. Pressed against his side, my heart lurched and I stiffened in his grasp. "It's all right," he whispered, close to my ear, his other hand moving to grasp my own in comfort, "Stay very still. We mustn't attract their attention." Heart still pounding, I could feel the tension rising and soon I heard the pounding of hooves. There was a pause, then an almighty crash, and the hoof beats got very close. Four black horses galloped into view and skidded to halt in front of the Prancing pony. But it was the riders who dismounted that terrified me. I was suddenly glad of the hand clamped tightly over my mouth because I'm not sure I wouldn't have screamed. As it was all I could manage was a sharp intake of breath and I felt Strider tighten his grip on my hand in response. They looked to be about seven foot tall, dressed head to toe in black, with their faces covered and huge swords at there sides, which they unsheathed before using the same alley we had slipped through earlier to enter the inn. The most terrifying about them though was the sense of evil they seemed to give off. I definitely didn't want to meet them.
Strider removed his hand from my mouth, but kept his arm around me, as though ready to slap it back into place if need be. I didn't complain. Those things seemed to drain the warmth from the place and I, perhaps stupidly, felt safer pressed against his warm side. We continued to stare silently out the window for a few moments. Frodo awoke with a start, almost as if he sensed something was wrong. Strider let go of my hand for a moment to press a finger to his lips as Frodo cautiously sat up. The three of us gazed out the window, waiting for something to happen. In the room across the street there were sudden jerky movements, followed by shrieks of rage which woke all the hobbits. I shuddered and felt Striders grip tighten slightly, pulling me a tiny bit closer. We all watched as the black riders reappeared on the street below, mounted their horses and galloped away.
"They fell for it," he breathed, close to my ear, almost inaudible yet filled with relief. I didn't think I was supposed to hear that so I stayed quiet.
"What are they?" Frodo asked.
"The were once men. Great kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them nine Rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, 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." Strider replied. I only understood about half of it but that was more than enough to make a shiver run down my spine and press closer to him. We stayed like that for a moment before he seemed to remember himself and straightened up, letting me go, leaving us both flustered.
"Go back to sleep," he told them, "They are gone for tonight." The hobbits did as he said, even Frodo falling asleep quicker this time.
"You should get some rest too," he said after I had resumed my seat across from him. I nodded faintly in agreement, still wrapped up in thoughts of Nazgul. "Let me check your ribs again before you do. I want to leave quickly in the morning." I snapped out of my thoughts.
"Alright," I said, moving away from the window and undoing the dress, a little self conscious of the hobbits. I hoped they were deeply asleep. I wriggled out of the sleeves of my dress while Strider grabbed his magic salve before coming to inspect my side.
"It is healing well. This salve has made a significant difference. I'll apply it again, just to be sure, but it should be healed in a few days." He quickly applied the cream, murmuring an apology as he did so. I pulled my dress back on and decided sleep was probably a good idea. I curled up in the chair and tried to get warm.
"Here," Strider said, draping his cloak over me, "I'm not cold."
"What about your air of mystery?" I asked with a cheeky grin, only getting a quiet chuckle in response.
A/N: I have quoted the movie (accurately I hope) quite a bit here so I'd like to point out I own absolutely nothing to do with Lord of the Rings. Except copies of the books and films (extended cut of course). And a replica ring. But none of that legal copyright stuff. Not mine :)