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They waited in their rooms, Arya had gone to her own chamber and was laying on the bed staring at the ceiling.
•••••
The Black Riders crash through the gate, crushing the gatekeeper underneath it.
She heard them gallop to the Prancing Pony, screeching.
•••••
Arya strained her ears and she heard them enter the inn with their swords drawn and the panicked Ed breathing of the innkeeper who she guessed was hiding from them, the Hobbits were soundly asleep and she rushed out of her room while the Riders were still at the door and entered the one where Aragorn had hidden the hobbits.
She was met by a sword at her neck, which she pushed away with her leather clad forearm, and Strider's stare.
She mouthed a quick apology and closed the door.
She closed her eyes and heard the Riders make for the hobbit-sized room. The swords descend, stabbing at the still forms as the Hobbits awake. The Riders pull back the covers and realise they have been attacking stuffed bedclothes and pillows. They scream. Strider watches from the window in his room as the Riders remount their horses and exit Bree.
Frodo sits at the foot of the bed with Arya who was playing with her nails. The rest of the sleeping hobbits, awakened by the Riders' cries, lean wide-eyed against the headboard.
-What are they?- her attention turned to the ranger hoping to get some information.
-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. One by one falling into darkness- Arya scoffed, typical of men -Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgûl, 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.
-You can sleep Frodo- Arya said standing up -I'll stay awake just to be sure.
Before the hobbit could protest, she placed her gedwëy ignasia against his forehead and put him to sleep with an incantation. She watched them fall asleep and then sat outside the window of the room looking up at the night sky and wondering how she and Argent would get back home.
••••••••••
The following morning, Strider leads the four hobbits and a newly acquired pony away from the village of Bree. Arya following from behind.
-Where are you taking us?
-Into the wild- the man kept climbing and Frodo fell back behind with the others.
-How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?
-I think a servant of the Enemy would look fairer and feel fouler.
-He's foul enough!- Arya slapped his arm gently knowing Strider could hear them.
-We have no choice but to trust him.
-But where is he leading us?
-To Rivendell, Master Gamgee. To the House of Elrond.
-Did you hear that? Rivendell! We're going to see the Elves!- Arya perked up.
If they were going to see elves maybe one of them knew Arya Dröttningu, the elven queen from Du Weldenvarden that Eragon had named her after.
The Hobbits paused after a while, pulling cookware and food from their packs. Strider looked back at them as Arya passed him to survey the wilderness before them.
-Gentlemen, we do not stop 'till nightfall.
-What about breakfast?
-We've already had it.
-We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?- Strider stalks away into the bushes and Arya watched as he climbs a tree.
From over the bushes, Strider tosses an apple and Merry catches it. He hands it to Pippin and pats him on the shoulder. Another apple flies through the air, hitting Pippin in the head.
He offers one to Arya as well and she takes it with a thanks.
The party slowly make their way through increasingly rough country. It becomes darker and the forest gives way to flat marshland. All go up to their knees in the sludgy mire. The conditions are made worse by an army of midges which attack them unmercifully. Merry slaps despairingly at the cloud of pests hovering around him.
They make camp for the night in the caves. Strider manages to kill a deer which he brings back for their rations and Arya had gone to search for berries.
The Moon rises as the hobbits fall asleep. Strider keeps watch by the fire. He hums a tune softly.
-Tinúviel elvanui,
Elleth alfirin ethelhael
O hon ring finnil fuinui
A renc gelebrin thiliol."
(Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her night-dark hair,
And arms like silver glimmering.)
-What language is that?- Arya asks, curious.
-It is Sindarin, language of the elves- Aragorn says. He sees her frown, her nose scrunching up a bit like a bunny's.
-What a weird thing?- she mutters more to herself that to the others.
Frodo wakes up after hearing Aragorn's song. He lifts himself up and stares at the Ranger.
-Who is she? This woman you sing of?
-Tis the Lay of Lúthien. The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal- Aragorn's demeanour turns sad.
-What happened to her?
-She died- he sighs. His face bears a hint of tears that he hides when he turns back to Frodo -Get some sleep, Frodo.
••••••••••
Strider, Arya and the Hobbits have left the marshland behind and are now crossing rough rocky country. Arya helps Sam carry his pack as Strider stops and looks at the ruins atop a tall hill.
-This was the great watchtower of Amon Sûl. We shall rest here tonight- the ranger says as he takes off his travelling bag and set it on the ground.
The Hobbits, weary from the long travel, fling off their packs and settle down in an overhang near the hill's summit. Strider opens a bundle, revealing four short swords. He hands them to his companions.
He offers one to Arya but she shook her head picking her scabbard with her sword and lifting it so he could see it clearly.
-These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here- he turns to Arya before leaving only to see her using a rich to buff out a sword she now had on her lap. Strider cleared his throat and stalked away.
••••••••••
At night when Arya had gone to scour the surroundings for danger, Frodo wakes up with a start. Merry, Pippin and Sam are gathered around a fire.
-My tomato's burst.
-Can I have some bacon?
-Okay. Want some tomatoes Sam?
-What are you doing?!- Frodo asked panicked.
-Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon...
-We saved some for you, Mister Frodo- sam offers him a plate.
-Put it out, you fools! Put it out!- he stamps on the fire, trying to douse the flames.
The other hobbits protest when a Nazgûl's cry pierces the darkness. The hobbits jump up, startled, and look over the lip of the overhang. Arya arrives at their side just as they see five Nazgûl closing in on Amon Sûl.
The dark night surrounds them as the five of them climb to the top.
-Argent be at the ready. I might need your help- she feels him sifting from his hideout and raise his wings, ready in case she called him.
-Don't worry, I'm not too far.
-Wait until I call- Arya unsheathes her blade and stands in front of the hobbits as they do the same.
They stand in the ring of broken pillars of the old ruin, eyes darting about; shadows rise out of the dark. The Nazgûl surround them, pulling out their long swords.
-Back you devils!- Sam clashes swords with the Nazgûl, but is swiftly thrown aside. Merry and Pippin close the gap in front of Frodo, but they too are cast aside.
Arya sees Frodo falling across the hill and hears the clatter of his sword against the stone. The whispering she had heard back at the pub sounds as Frodo. Takes out the Ring and puts it on.
Arya watches as the leader of the Wraiths approaches Frodo, drawing a long dagger. But she can't o anything as she fights another two off.
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