Strider

    Maeve runs behind the four Hobbits, making sure to stay behind them for safe keeping. She hears a shriek behind her and glances back. A lone Nazgûl seems to have caught up with them.

"Over the fence!" She hears Merry yell as he leads them towards the Ferry. "It's just up ahead."

  Maeve clears the short fence easily and continues behind the group. The Nazgûl finds a way around and catches back up quickly. As they race towards the dock the Nazgûl attempts to reach out and grab Maeve.

   She ducks and picks up the pace slightly. She found she could run rather fast if she tried. Still not out running the Hobbits though since she was suppose to be protecting them. The four Hobbits make it on the Ferry and start untying the knots.

"Go!" Maeve yells while speeding up even more. They push off the dock and yell for her.

"Come on Maeve!"

"Hurry jump!"

   Maeve gets to the end of the dock and jumps towards the boat, easily making it. She looks back to see the Nazgûl abruptly stopping and turning off. Meeting the others and riding to go around.

"How long until we get there?"

"Twenty miles." Was Merry's reply to Frodo.

   Maeve however was not paying any attention to the four. She was staring at her reflection in the river water. She looked mostly the same just for the very real elf ears on her head.

  How on earth am I here? This shouldn't be possible. Maeve was so lost and confused about what was happening. Why did she suddenly get transported into a whole different not even real universe?

  Don't get her wrong, this is something she's obviously dreamed about. But that doesn't mean it was going to happen. Maeve lifted her hands, grasping at her ears and tugging slightly. They were definitely real.

   Maeves only thoughts were how she was going to make it through this. She's not an actually elf you know. Though something about the sword in her hand earlier just felt right. She may make it through this journey yet.

    Five figures raced across the wet muddy road towards a gate. A knock had a man opening a little latch through the gate. First thing he sees is a hooded figure, unsure of their gender. As he stares the figure points downwards and he closes the top one.

  Opening a smaller latch he finds four Hobbits outside his gate.

"Four Hobbits and a human. What business do you have?"

"We wish to board at the Prancing Pony. Our business is our own."

"Alright youngin calm down, it's my job to ask questions after dark you know." The older man opens the gate for them and the group walks through. The four Hobbits trail in after each other and the hooded person follows in behind the group.

  The Prancing Pony was a crowded bar that smelt like sweat. Maeve moved around the Hobbits as they checked in. There were men everywhere and very few women around.

  Maeve was glad that she decided to put her hood up before coming into town.

   She walks up to the counter and taps on it, gaining the bartenders attention.

"What can I do for ya sir?"

   She simply points out the drink she had wanted and throws some coins she had found in her pocket on the counter. With a nod of her head she goes and sits with the group.

"He's done nothing but stare at you since we got here." Came Sam's worried voice as she sat down. She knew what was going on, Sam had finally noticed Aragorn in the corner.

"He's a Ranger." Maeve quietly told the group, leaning in a bit. "Called Strider."

"You know him then?" Frodo questioned while glancing that way.

"No, never met. That's all I've really heard about him."

"What's a Ranger anyways?" Pippin loudly asked causing Merry to hit the back of his head.

"Quiet down will ya?" Pippin pulls a sheepish face and rubs the back of his head.

"We're fighters who traverse the wild and protect the species from harm." Or something like that, I don't remember the man's explanation of what Rangers are from the movie.

  Their faces light up and Maeve chuckles at their excitement.

   Not ten minutes goes by before Pippin races off to get a pint of his own. Maeve glances up through her hood and takes in Aragorns appearance in real time.

   He was definitely just as dirty as the movies portrayed him. Though that didn't stop her from noticing his very attractive everything else. He was definitely a man of quality and royalty. Maeve however preferred blonde men. Aka she's gonna have a meltdown when she sees Legolas for the first time.

"Baggins?! Yeah I know a Baggins!"

Pippins voice brings Maeve out of her stalking and she stands up quickly. She had forgotten what a big mouth Pippin had. Frodo rushes forwards before her and grabs Pippin. He falls in slow motion and the ring flys into the air.

Maeve quickly grabs the ring from the air and roughly drags Frodo up. Pulling him off to the side and hiding them both.

"You must be more careful with this thing Frodo." She places the ring in his hand and closes his fingers around it. "Now go up to our room and I'll check to make sure no riders have caught our scent." Frodo nods his head and rushed up the stairs, the others hot on his tail.

  Maeve knew that if she went outside Aragorn would confront them. That was her plan in fact. There was no way she could get the five of them to Rivendell on her own. So she needed to get them a guide.

   She raced out the Prancing Pony's doors and checked the street side to side. It was quiet and the streets practically empty as she looked around. Maeve knew when the Nazgûl would show up but she still wanted to make sure. She did in fact stop Frodo from accidentally wearing the ring. So maybe they won't show up at all.

   Maeve consciously decides Aragorn has probably gone up to the room by now and heads back inside. She scales the stairs quickly and quietly opens the door.

"You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo." Came his soft voice through the crack of the door. Frodo stills and sits gently on the closest bed. Now what? What's he suppose to do now? Gandalf was suppose to take the ring when they met up.

"Do not fret Frodo I'm sure this kind young gentlemen would love to help us." Maeve makes herself known as she open the door fully. Aragorn pulls his sword and aims it at Maeve's throat.

"Wait don't! She's with us!" Came the shocked and worried voices of four Hobbits. Aragorn sheaths his sword with wide eyes and places his hand on his heart.

"Forgive me my lady." Maeve chuckles and waved her hand to the side.

"No need."

    Aragorn looks on confused as the woman starts checking up on the Hobbits. He watches as she lightly scans them from head to toe, making sure they weren't injured. Aragorn could not see her features but from her voice and height he felt almost positively that she was an elf. Plus her regal way of holding herself. A straight back with her head held high and shoulders square.

   A Nazgûl like shriek was heard throughout the room and all stilled.

"We need to leave, now." Aragorn ushers the group of five out of the room and into his own across the way. Leaving behind fake bodies underneath blankets for a distraction.

   Three Hobbits sleep while one Hobbit, a human, and an elf look out the window towards the Prancing Pony. They watch as five shadows slowly slink through the room. Raising their swords and bringing them down hard with a shriek. The three resting Hobbits jump out of their sleep and stare with wide eyes.

  Everyone is silent as they watch the black riders race out of the town in search for the ring once more.

"Get some rest, we start moving at sunrise." Aragorn spoke softly to the room of Hobbits and an elf. The Hobbits all lay down and soon are passed out asleep. The stress from the day finally catching up to them all.

    Silence ensues between the two Rangers. Maeve really knew all she needed to know about Aragorn so she didn't bother asking any questions. However Aragorn did not share her feelings.

"What is your name my lady?" He questions when he becomes tired of the silences

"Maeve and yours?"

"Strider. What are you doing here?" Maeve stares as him questionably. What type of question is that? Her silence must have made him think she didn't want to answer. "You don't have to answer that I suppose. I was just curious as to why an elf was away from their home. It's not often you see one outside of their forest." Maeve made and ah sound at finally understanding what he meant.

"I've actually never been to any of the elven territories before."

  Aragorns shocked face confused Maeve.