We started out early the next morning, wanting to cover some distance. It was our goal to reach Rivendell as fast as we could. Traveling was dangerous with the Nazgul after us. I particularly did not want to run into them. They'd recognize me and there would go my cover. Few people knew my identity. I figured they knew I was with the hobbits though. More reason to avoid them. We had managed to buy a pony, which Sam promptly named Bill. Useful as a packhorse, but I did wish we could have bought horses for ourselves to ride. Oh well. I followed behind the hobbits, scanning the trees for danger. Up ahead the hobbits paused and made to stop for a bit.

Aragorn turned around, raising an eyebrow at the hobbits. "Gentlemen, we do not stop 'til nightfall."

Pippin looked at him innocently, looking confused. "What about breakfast?"

Aragorn shook his head at the hobbits, seemingly confused. I guess he didn't spend a lot of time around hobbits. "You've already had it."

Pippin smiled at him and nodded. "We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?"

Aragorn turned and walked off. I followed quickly after him, laughing. Hobbits were very amusing, especially when it came to their eating habits. I could hear them talking behind me. "I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip." Merry said.

"What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?" Pippen replied. I, still following after Aragorn slowly so as not to lose the hobbits, laughed harder. Aragorn and I stopped before an apple tree and I quickly climbed up it, glancing back at the hobbits. I could just hear Merry reply to Pippin. "I wouldn't count on it."

Shaking my head at the silliness of the dear hobbits, I grabbed a handful of apples and threw them at them. Plucking two more for me and Aragorn, I jumped down out of the tree and resumed walking next to Aragorn. The hobbits followed quietly, munching on the apples. I offered Aragorn an apple, which he took gratefully. "My dear friend, hobbits love food. Expect to hear about it a lot."

Aragorn looked at me and sighed. He looked troubled. "They're going to have to learn how to deal with less food than they are accustomed to." I nodded. They would, but there was nothing we could do about it. "They shall be ok though. Do not worry about it." Aragorn nodded at me and we fell into a companionable silence.

We'd been traveling for a few days when we came across the ruins of Weathertop. We hiked to the top of it and made camp for the night. It at least was elevated ground. Aragorn went out to hunt and I lay down to sleep, drifting off to the sound of the hobbits talking.

I was woken up by the sound of Frodo screaming. "Put it out!" I sat up, eyes widening as I saw the other hobbits had started a fire. Fools. The fire would give away our location and by the sounds of the Nazgul in the distance, it had. I stood up and helped the hobbits put the fire out, then ushered them farther up the hill.

"What in the name of Gandalf's beard possessed you to start a fire?" I scolded them. They looked ashamed and Sam opened his mouth to reply, but quickly closed it, looking past me in fear. I turned around and drew my sword from its sheath. The Nazgul were here. I couldn't take them all by myself, but at least I knew they wouldn't hurt me. That wasn't my main concern though. I needed to protect the hobbits.

Rushing forward, I engaged the head Nazgul in battle, trying to include the others as well, but I could only fight a few at a time. I needed Aragorn to return and help. I concentrated on fighting: a stab at this Nazgul here, a slice at the Nazgul there. I knew I couldn't do them any harm. I just wanted to distract them.

Behind me I heard Frodo cry out in pain. I whipped my head around and gasped. One of the Nazgul had managed to stab Frodo in the shoulder. That wasn't good. Suddenly Aragorn appeared, brandishing his sword and a torch. Thank the Valar for that. I ran over to Frodo and examined him, motioning for the other hobbits to back off. They had rushed to his side. Aragorn knelt down beside me, having made the Nazgul flee because of the fire. Perhaps the hobbits shouldn't have put out their fire earlier. It could have been useful. I looked at him. "He's been stabbed with a Morgul blade."

Aragorn looked back at me, and then picked up Frodo. "Then we best be on our way. We shall not rest until we've made it to Rivendell." Both Aragorn and I knew how dangerous it was for Frodo now. If he wasn't healed soon he would become like the Nazgul. A wraith.

We traveled as quickly as we could, Frodo on the back of Bill. Neither Aragorn nor I knew enough about healing to help Frodo. "He's getting worse Aragorn. What can we do?"

Aragorn looked at me, then at Sam. "Do you know the Athelas plant?" I nodded, but Sam looked confused. "Athelas?"

"More commonly known as King's foil." I spoke up. I could see recognition enter Sam's eyes and he nodded. "It's a weed." Aragorn smiled slightly at the hobbit. "It will slow down the poison. Look for it." I watched as Sam and Aragorn took off to look for the plant. I stayed with the other hobbits for protection. I looked over Frodo again, waiting for their return. It wasn't more than a couple of minutes and when they did return, Arwen was with them. She walked over to Frodo, talking to him in elvish.

I watched and listened, sighing in relief. She could help us. It was quickly decided that Arwen would ride ahead with Frodo on her horse to get to Rivendell faster, the rest of us following behind as quickly as we could. I watched as they rode off and frowned. I had failed Frodo and now his life was in danger. I just hoped they made it to Rivendell in time.