We finally arrived outside Bree, and it was pouring with rain. Our hooded cloaks helped keep us somewhat dry, but not for long. After making our way through a small area of trees, Frodo glanced up and down the road and then headed across, indicating for us to follow him. We approached a big wooden gate, and Frodo knocked a few times. After a few moments I knocked too, harder.

"Alright alright!" said whoever was behind the gate, with a groan.

Seconds later a window in the gate above us opened, then shut again and one that was lower down, almost at head height with us, flung open. A rather elderly man peered down at us, glaring at the sight of us.

"What do you want?" He asked stubbornly.

"We're heading for The Prancing Pony." Frodo replied.

The man lifted his head up and started unlocking the gate. He opened it and got a proper look at us.

"Hobbits! Five Hobbits! What's more out of The Shire by your talk! What business brings you to Bree?"

"We wish to stay at the Inn. Our business is our own." Frodo answered him stubbornly.

"Alright young sir, I meant no offence. My job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful!" He said as he stepped aside for us to walk through.

We trudged through the dark village, the rain pouring down on us. We dodged through the crowds of men and horses, crates and other large obstacles. All we got were glares, or people complaining at us to move out of the way, and some confused looks.

Soon, Frodo came to a half, causing us all to stop behind him. We looked to the side and saw a sign that said 'The Prancing Pony' and quickly headed inside.

We stood in the entrance for a moment, taking  our hoods down. I dried my hair off a bit. Then we walked over to the bar. Many people barged past us, carrying large mugs of beer. It was quite loud, most people were talking, laughing and joking around. We approached the bar, Frodo still in front.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

A man behind the bar poked his head over to look at us. "Good Evening little masters! What can I do for you? If you're looking for accomodation, we've got some nice, cosy hobbit sized rooms available. Always proud to cater to the little folk, Mr err...?"

"Underhill! My name is Underhill."

"Underhill... yes..."

"We're friends of Gandalf The Grey, can you tell him we've arrived?"

"Gandalf?" The man looked confused for a moment. "Oh yes, Gandalf! Big grey beard, pointy hat! Ain't seen him for six months!" He said, then turned around to serve some other people.

Oh no. Gandalf wasn't here. What on Earth were we meant to do now!?

I turned to look at the others who also looked as worried as I was.

"What do we do now?" Sam asked, looking at Frodo and I.

I shrugged and then we went through and sat down at a table that was quite large considering we were Hobbits sat at a human sized table. So I sat down and asked for half a pint; I didn't want to get in any way drunk. Not now. Not that I've ever really been much of a drinker anyway.

Frodo kept reassuring Sam that Gandalf would be here and that he would come soon. Sam was getting very worked up, I could see it in his face.

Minutes later, Pippin came over and sat down with his half pint, then Merry made his way through the crowd and plopped down next to me as well, but he had a much larger mug than me and Pippin had. I raised my eyes when I saw what he was holding, and Pippin looked slightly jealous.

"What's that?" Pippin asked, raising his eyes too. 

"This my friend, is a pint!" Merry said proudly.

"It comes in pints!?" Pippin said, looking amazed.

"Mmm hmm!"

"I'm getting one." Pippin said and hurried off to the bar.

I was going to say something about how he shouldn't really drink another pint after just having a whole half, but I sighed instead and thought there was no point.

"You've had a hole half already!" Sam tried to stop him, but Pippin ignored him and went up to the bar.

"What if he doesn't come?" I sighed and rested my head in my hands.

Frodo had zoned out completely, looking a little scared. I felt uncomfortable, uneasy. Just something in the room gave me that feeling.

"I'm sure he will. You don't need to worry." Merry smiled and drank more beer.

I shook my head, and took a sip of the drink I had. It tasted very different to what I'd had back at home.

Glancing over at the corner, I noticed a strange figure in a black cloak was staring at us, especially Frodo. The flame from his pipe lit up his eyes for a moment, then his face went dark again. I turned back around on the seat and bit my lip nervously. Maybe that was where the uneasy feeling had came from. I definitely felt even worse.

"Frodo, that man over there ain't done nothin but stare at you since we got ere!" Sam said, he had obviously noticed it too.

"Excuse me, who is that man, over there in the corner?" Frodo asked the man serving some drinks.

"He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are. Wandering the wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but round here, he's known as Strider." He explained quietly to Frodo.

"Strider..." Frodo muttered.

We sat in silence for a moment, until we heard the dreaded name being shouted.

"Baggins!?" Pippin said loudly to the men at the bar. "Sure I know a Baggins! Two actually, right over there! Frodo Baggins, and Maisy Baggins!" He said, waving at us as if it was normal that he was shouting our names across the pub and everyone heard it.

We'd been here not even an hour and Pippin was drunk. "For goodness sake, what is wrong with him!?" I said looking over at Pippin at the bar.

"Come on May, just try to calm down." Said Merry, putting his arm around me.

"I have told you not to call me that." I groaned and stood up. "I knew he shouldn't have had that extra pint!"

Merry shushed me and glanced over at where 'Strider' was sitting, he was no longer there. Frodo was making his way over to Pippin.

"Steady on!" Pippin exclaimed as he stubbornly shook Frodo off of him and Frodo fell to the floor in front of him and a crowd of men he was talking to.

The Ring flew out of his hand, Frodo put his hand up and it fell right through his finger. Frodo disappeared into thin air, just like Bilbo did at his party.

I stared at the space he just in, in shock. Merry stared, also shocked. I jumped down from the stool and went to Pippin, who then realised he had gone too far and started panicking. "Come on, we need to find Frodo and get ourselves out of here." I said to Pippin clearly so he'd understand, and Merry then nodded in agreement, taking Pippin by the arm to steady him.

I pushed through the crowd and started searching for Frodo.

Frodo immediately pulled The Ring off of his finger, and he re-appeared under a table. The commotion in the inn had calmed down a little.

I saw Frodo under the table and as I was about to approach him, the ranger man that was spoken of earlier grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away. I tried to stop him but then I collided with a table. Strider dragged Frodo away into a room rather roughly.

"You have drawn far to much attention to yourself, Mr Underhill!" The man said angrily.

"Where's Frodo!?" Merry asked, glancing around worriedly.

"Strider! He took Frodo in there!" I pointed, and then I dashed in the direction, fists clenched.

Merry, Pippin and Sam followed behind, holding stools and candle sticks as weapons.

Strider pushed Frodo into a bedroom and shut the door. Frodo backed up into the corner, not knowing what to do.

"What do you want!?" He asked, sinking into the wall as much as he could.

"A little more caution from you! That is no trinket you carry!" Strider exclaimed, using his fingers to put out all the little candles in the room.

"I carry nothing." Frodo said.

"Indeed." Strider muttered. He walked around the room and continued to put out all of the candles with his bear fingers. "I can avoid being seen if I wish." He continued. "But to disappear entirely," He removed his hood. "Is a rare gift!"

"Who are you?" Frodo asked, his voice sounding small and quiet.

"Are you frightened?" Strider asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." Frodo said innocently.

"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you." Strider said

We dashed down the corridor and into the room. I slammed myself into the door and it flung open. Sam barged past me with a stool.

"Let him go! Or I'll have you longshanks!" Sam threatened, pointing the stool at Strider.

I glared at Strider, who then unsheathed his sword. I jumped back slightly.

"You have a stout heart little Hobbit! But that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They are coming."