*Aragorn: 87 years old

*67 years later

*Setting: Bree- Prancing Pony

Aragorn walked through the woods drenching wet from head to toe. He had been sent on a very important errand by Gandalf the Grey, to meet a Hobbit in the Prancing Pony of Bree. The wise wizard hadn't explained much other than to protect the Halfling who carried the Ring of power if he did not show up.

Aragorn sloshed through the cold puddles that had formulated on the muddy ground of dirt. As he made his way to the gates of Bree, he looked around skeptically, making sure he hadn't somehow been followed by an unwanted visitor.

The young human knocked on the wooden gate that held Bree together. There was a large wall of wood that encircled the whole village of Bree. Suddenly, an old man's head popped out of a small window on the door and said,

"What do you want?"

At first glance, Aragorn probably looked like some dark evil. His hood was up and over, covering his eyes and his deep brown cloak blended in around the dark night surroundings.

"Inn," was the only word Aragorn murmured.

The gates man at the door closed the window and opened the actual door normally. He took out his torch and held it towards Aragorn. The old man looked at the human now in better light and exclaimed,

"You a Ranger? Not seen one of them in many years,"

Aragorn nodded simply and explained,

"They are rare in these parts. Still, I linger,"

The response sounded a little eerie, but the gates man stepped aside and welcomed the young man into Bree saying,

"Enjoy your stay, mister,"

Aragorn walked through the gates and went straight for the Prancing Pony. He hadn't come by these parts recently, but remembered the layout from previous years.

He walked through the alley ways with many man laughing and pushing each other in the down pour of rain. Some were whispering in corners and other pointed to the new comer's presence. Aragorn kept his head down and his eyes covered by his cloak.

One time somebody pushed him, and being already significantly smaller than the rest of the barley humans, swayed a little to the side as he caught his balance. Aragorn kept going without looking back. He knew the men were only trying to find trouble.

He walked hastily into the Inn gazing upon the sign just out front. The sign was of a horse and had a green and cream white, almost turned light brown background.

Once inside, Aragorn went straight to the darkest corner and started observing his surroundings from his new seat in the loud Inn. As he looked around, he did not spot any Hobbit's yet, but saw mostly men and a couple tables of Dwarves.

There was much chaos and loudness all around, creating Aragorn to become a little stressed. He swiftly took out his pipe and lit it. After about a couple minutes of waiting, a man came up to Aragorn's lonely table and said,

"Welcome, is there anything I may accommodate you with mister, Strider?"

Everybody in the Inn knew who the mysterious man was after seeing him come back every now and then. They did not know his right name, and Aragorn didn't intend them to. They only knew him by the name of Strider and most kept their distance from him as well.

"May I have a room please," Aragorn asked quietly putting the pipe down from his mouth for a second, "And one Ale,"

The waiter bowed and said,

"Of course, sir,"

Aragorn dug around in his pocket and took out a few coins for payment. He slid the money across the table with his gloved hand and then sat back again. The waiter took it and slid it into his own pocket before counting the gold out with a satisfied smile set on his face.

"I will bring you your key and drink shortly, sir,"

The helpful attender briskly walked away after a quick bow. Aragorn brought his attention to a table of noisy men nearby as he smoked on his pipe again. The men were laughing and telling overexerted stories to one another. The Ranger blew in and out of his pipe quietly as he watched everyone.

Soon, the waiter man came back with Aragorn's request.

"Here you are, sir," the server said sliding the drink and key across the table next to the lantern that sat dully lit on the table.

Then the waiter quickly walked away leaving Aragorn to himself. He heard a door creak open and in walked four Hobbit's. Aragorn rightened himself and listened closely. The small Hobbit's looked around confused and walked up to the front desk where Butterbur leaned down over the bar.

The bartender started talking to the young Hobbit's happily greeting them. Aragorn could barely hear what they were saying. He caught bits and pieces of the bartender asking for the Hobbit's name.

The Hobbit in front had dark brown curly hair and wet clothes, noticeably paused and then said not to confidently that his name was 'Underhill'. Then the Hobbit quickly added that they were waiting to find Gandalf.

At that moment, Aragorn knew that was the Hobbit he was after. He watched Butterbur answer the Hobbit's and then all four turned to each other looking scared and shocked. After a moment, Butterbur personally escorted the young Hobbit's to a table a couple over from Aragorn's dark corner.

The air was becoming more smoke- filled and several men quietened to stare suspiciously at the Hobbit's presence.

Two of the Hobbit's at the table started arguing about their Pint drinks. The short conversation ended up with the hobbit wearing the blue coat running over to the bar counter. A couple men helped the small fellow onto the human sized stool and patted his back. Aragorn predicted the Hobbit would bring trouble to the already troubled situation.

When Aragorn turned back to the other three Hobbit's, sitting at the table that was too large for them, he saw the Hobbit that claimed his name was 'Underhill' gesturing straight at him with his drink. He was asking Butterbur who he was.

Butterbur answered quietly, but after growing up in Rivendell for almost twenty years, Aragorn knew a thing or two about actively listening better than a normal human could. He blocked out all the commotion and listened to what Butterbur would say.

"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,"

With that, the man walked away setting a plate of bread on a nearby table of hungry Dwarves. Aragorn watched the Hobbit whisper something and then close his eyes and focus on something he played with under the large table in his small fingers.

The air in the room suddenly grew thick and strange whispers filled the humid air. Many men turned to where the Hobbit's were at the table. Then from the bar where the Hobbit in the blue coat was at, came a loud exclamation,

"Baggins!? Sure, I know a Baggins. He's over there, Frodo Baggin's," the young Hobbit at the counter turned around and waved at the Hobbit who he said was Frodo.

Frodo stood up out of his trance from what he was fingering under the table and ran for his friend at the bar who was now explaining to several men how they were related. Aragorn sat up, his attention fairly caught.

"Pippin!" cried Frodo and grabbed his arm.

They had created a scene now and every single eye's in the Prancing Pony was staring solely at the Hobbit's intently. They all seemed alert to the new action.

"Steady on, Frodo," Pippin said and turned around to Frodo's pull almost spilled his bubbly drink he held to his gaping mouth.

Frodo fell backwards, slipping on someone's boot, and accidently tossing something small and gold into the air. Aragorn squinted and his eyes locked on Sauron's Ring. On the ground, Frodo caught the Ring on his pointer finger and disappeared at the contact of the evil magic.

Everybody watching gasped in surprise of the Hobbit that had gone missing before their very eyes.

Aragorn stood up alarmed and ran to where Frodo had disappeared at. He blew out his pipe on the way there and stuffed it into his pocket, along with the key to his room upstairs. The Ranger hadn't even barely drank his Ale that sat alone at his dark table in the corner.

Another Hobbit who had been sitting beside Frodo, leaped up and ran to where his friend had disappeared. The Hobbit accidently ran straight into Aragorn and fell backwards.

The Ranger caught the Hobbit before he could fall and then fought his way between all the sweaty men before his hood fell off and he was exposed to everyone. All the people backed away as the Ranger wove his way through them expertly. Strider was used to running and staying hidden. He looked around for any sign of Frodo.

A second later he saw a small body appear by a wall. It was Frodo and by his facial expression he was scared and worried. The Ring was in one hand as Frodo closed his eyes and breathed a big sigh of relief.

Aragorn rushed over and grabbed the Hobbit silently. He took him to a nearby hallway and whispered harshly,

"You draw far too much attention to yourself mister, 'Underhill',"

The Ranger tossed the careless Hobbit up some stairs. Once up the stairs, Strider found his room quick and flung open the door throwing Frodo inside. The Hobbit crashed the ground, but quickly got to his feet as Aragorn closed the door behind them. Frodo backed up and said cautiously, but bravely,

"What do you want?"

"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry," Aragorn murmured quietly.

"I carry nothing!" Frodo exclaimed.

"Indeed," Aragorn walked over to the window and put out the lit candles with his bare fingers, "I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift,"

The mysterious Ranger struck his hood off revealing his face to Frodo for the first time.

"Who are you?" Frodo asked.

"Are you frightened?"

"Yes,"

"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you,"

Suddenly the door burst open and Aragorn drew his sword with incredible speed that made Frodo stumble back more. What was revealed on the opposite side of the open door was three Hobbit's. The same three that had accompanied Frodo on his mission.

The Hobbit in the yellow vest held a lit candle stick and the Hobbit in the blue coat clutched a stool. The brave Hobbit in front, who Aragorn recognized as the Hobbit who had run into him earlier, had his fists clenched and looked ready to fight openly. He shouted,

"Let him go! Or I'll have you Longshanks,"

Aragorn sheathed his sword and explained,

"You have a stout heart little Hobbit, but that will not save you," he turned to Frodo and continued, "You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They're coming,"

And that's when Aragorn's first real adventure would begin. And it would have a lot to do with the lord of the rings.

But that is another story completely...

The End

A/N: It is officially over! *Happy tears, sad tears! * :D