Disclaimer in chapter 1

Chapter 3: Ringwraiths

I smiled softly at the sleeping hobbits but then turned and looked out the window emotionless once more as the Nazgul came. We heard their horrible screeches as the four little one awoke.

"What are they?" Frodo asked as Strider turned to them.

"They 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," Strider explained then I cut in.

"One by one, they fell into darkness. Now they are only slaves to his will," I scowled. Strider put a hand on my shoulder then finished for me. "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.

The next morning we made our way to Rivendell. "Where are you taking us?" Sam asked Strider and I. We had all introduced ourselves sometime during the night.

"Into the Wild," Strider answered and I rolled my eyes while the hobbits conversed. "To Rivendell, Sam," I said with a chuckle, answering their latest question. Strider smirked. "To the house of Elrond."

Strider looked around after a while and I watched the hobbits unpack their things with a raised eyebrow and an amused expression. "Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall," Strider told them.

"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked. "You've already had it," Strider stated confused as I laughed openly. "We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?" Pippin asked as Strider rolled his eyes and walked away. I followed him with a broad smile upon my face.

"You don't know much about hobbits do you?" I chuckle as he shakes his head. "Well, on average, hobbits eat around seven meals a day." He looked at me shocked then shook his had and picked up two apples, tossing them back. Then he picked another pair and gave one to me. I thanked him but put it in my pack to have for later.

As we continued our journey, we made our way through a murky swamp as bugs surrounded us.

"What do they eat when they can't get hobbit?" Merry asked, smacking at the bugs around him. I turned and looked at him from under my hood. I had put it back on before we got to this place.

"That you do not want to know."

I stayed awake that night, listening to Strider sing the two lovers' song as a tear ran down my face, knowing now how the two felt. I fell asleep the Elvish way while listening to Frodo and Strider talk.

We came to the watchtower of Amon Sul at twilight. Strider was telling the hobbits what it was before we made our way up it. "We shall rest here tonight." He said when we were at the base of the tower.

Strider unwrapped four small swords and gave them to the hobbits. "These are for you, keep them close." He then turned to me. "Let's go have a look around." I nodded and followed him down the rocky path.

A short while later, the moon was high in the sky. I heard a hobbit from where I stood, which was roughly a mile from the watchtower. Strider and I turned to see a fire going from where we had our campsite. "Those idiots!" I growled as he put a hand on my shoulder, which silenced me completely.

Then we heard the Nazgul. "Frodo!" We started running back, worried about what would happen to the hobbits, and the Ring. We were too late.

I ran to Frodo as he screamed in pain. The Nazgul screeched as Strider warded them off with his torch and blade. Sam ran over as I checked the wound. A few tears ran down my face when I saw I could not help him.

The other hobbits gathered as Strider defeated the last Ringwraith, sending it over the edge of the watchtower. Sam called for him and Strider ran over to me. "Help him, Strider," Sam pleaded as the Man picked up the Nazgul's blade.

"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." He muttered as the blade itself turned into dust.

"This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine, which I do not have," I tell Strider softly as he nods and picks the weakening hobbit up.