Filius' POV

We finally reached the gates of Bree at night as it rains and I see the ghosts is clear. "Come on" Frodo tells the others and we rush over to the gate. I knock on it. A small peep hole opens high above them, then slams shut. Another opens, nearer their eye level. An old face peers out against the downpour.

"What do you want?" the gate keeper asks.

"Hi Brian" I say.

"Filius, it's been a long time" he says. "What business brings five hobbits to Bree?" he asks.

"We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our own" Frodo tells him.

"All right young sir, I meant no offence. 'Tis my job to ask question after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful" Brian states. He lets us in and I thank him. Before leading others to the Prancing Pony Inn.

We enter and remove our hoods. Pippin and Merry sighing in relief. I lead them over to the bar. Frodo gets Butterbur's attention. "Good evening, little masters! If you're looking for accommodation we've got some nice, cozy, hobbit-sized rooms available. Mister uh" he trials off.

"Underhill, my name's Underhill" Frodo tells him.

"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Has he arrived yet?" I ask.

"Gandalf? Gandalf? Oh yes! I remember: elderly chap, big gray beard, pointy hat... Not seen him for six months Mister Durin" he tells me. I frown in confusion. I huddle with the others.

"What do we do now?" Sam asks Frodo and he looks at me.

"We'll stay the night, then move on. We can't stay here long" I state. Frodo nods his head. So we get rooms for the night. Then order some dinner and ale. Well they got ale, I wanted to keep a clear head.

"Sam. He'll be here. He'll come" Frodo assures him. Merry sits down at the table. He is holding a huge stein of ale. Great, he discovered a pint.

"What's that?" Pippin asks him.

"This my friend, is a pint" Merry tells him.

"It comes in pints?" Pippin asks. Then gets up. "I'm getting one" he states ans rushes over to the bar. I roll my eyes as I smoke my pipe. Sam nudges Frodo and I, nodding to a dark corner of the room.

"That fellow's done nothin' but stare at you since we arrived" he whispers. I look at the man, who has his hood up smoking a pipe. Never seen him here before. Looks like a ranger. Frodo gets Butterbur's attention.

"Excuse me, that man in the corner, who is he?" he asks.

"He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are — wandering the wilds. What his right name is I've never heard, but around here, he's known as Strider" Butterbur explains. Before leaving.

"Don't worry, he shouldn't bother us" I assure them. "Rangers are wanders who protect our lands, spend most of their time in the wastes of Eriador" I explain. They relax.

"Baggins!" Pippin exclaims at the bar. We all look at him. "Sure I know a Baggins. He's over there, Frodo Baggins" he states pointing at our table.

"The idiot" I growl and rush over to him with Frodo.

"He's my second cousin, once removed on his mother's side. And my third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me" Pippin explains.

"Pippin!" Frodo and I exclaim as Frodo grabs his arm.

"Steady on, Frodo!" Pippin says. Frodo slips on someone's boot and falls back, tossing the Ring into the air. It lands on his finger and he disappears. I curse under my breath grabbing Pippin by the collar of his coat and drag him over to the others.

"We have to find Frodo now" I tell them.

"Strider took him upstairs" Sam tells me. I grab my axe and head upstairs. Them hot on my heels. We hear Frodo and I kick the door in gripping my axe as Sam holds his fists up. "Let him go! Or I'll have you Longshanks!" he shouts.

"Step away from my cousin" I growl. Strider sheaths his sword.

"You have a stout heart little hobbit, but that will not save you" he tells Sam. "You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo, Filius. They're coming" he tells us.

"We can't leave yet, this lot need some rest. Especially Pippin and Merry" I tell him.

"You'll all be safe in here tonight" he states. The others go to sleep as I keep watch with Strider. "So you're a Durin" he says.

"Yes, though I've never meet another dwarf" I tell him. "I know I should be leading dwarves, but the Shire needs me" I state.

"I understand" he tells me. We hear a shrill cry and it wakes the others. Frodo asks what they are. "They were once Men. Great kings of Men" Strider states. "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 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" he explains.

"Get some rest guys, he have a long journey ahead" I tell them. They all settle back down and go to sleep. "How do you understand?" I ask Strider.

"I was meant to be king of Gondor, but I wasn't raised there. I was raised in Rivendell by Lord Elrond. When he told me who I was, I went to the North and joined the last of Dunedain. Became their chief and a ranger. But I don't think I'm ready to be a king" he explains.

"Same, I've only been here and in the Shire. I know very little of Dwarf kind and their laws, ways. I know only what my mother has told me from her time with them. None know she was pregnant with me after my father died" I tell him. "But something tells me, I'll be meeting dwarves soon and may soon become the king my mother always knew I could be" I state.

"I feel we both will have to face our destinies" he states. "Try get some rest, I'll keep watch" he tells me.

"Ok, but only a couple of hours. Then I'll take over, so you can rest before we leave" I tell him. He nods his head and I go lay down with the others. I fall into a dreamless sleep.

A/N

Picture above of the Prancing Pony Inn sign and picture on the external link of Strider.