The Road East

Into the Wild

(A/N *disclaimer* this chapter will be very much a filler chapter and hold little importance to the plot, as well as this chapter will be slightly mixed between book and movie to make it slightly more interesting)

Linny's POV

Strider had told us to all try and get some rest so we could leave early in the morning. The boys all took off their jackets and fit themselves nicely into the large bed and began sleeping. Lila sat at the end of the bed just staring and thinking, or maybe she was just tired and wasn't really thinking about anything but she always has this thoughtful look on her face so you never know. Strider was keeping watch at the window as he smoked a pipe, that was the only movement he would make, it seemed like he didn't even blink. I just sat in a rocking chair.

I studied Merry and Pippin's faces as they slept. Kind of creepy but no one else has to know. They looked so peaceful especially in comparison to everything going on. Right now, we're being hunted down to be killed for some reason and here they are just sleeping with weary smiles on their faces. Every time I think about our situation I am instantly alert and sleep is but a fundamental thought.

My chair was fairly close to the bed and I was leaned forward making it even closer to Merry's face. An unearthly shriek pierced the air that matched the one of the Black Rider in Buckland. Merry's eyes shot open and upon seeing my face in his jumped back. It was an awkward jump as he was laying down and on normal circumstance I would have giggled but I retained a grim expression.

The other three boys were sitting up, rubbing their eyes with rather scared faces. Lila's eyes were less clouded with thought and her posture more alert. Strider had turned from the window and watched us.

His voice was quiet and in that small sentence his tone made it feet like the foreshadowing of many dark things to come.

"It's time we take our leave."

We all quietly packed our stuff together and sneaked out of our building to the stables. Apparently Strider had some ponies with him conveniently. There was one problem. When we got to the stables, the doors were wide open and swinging in the harsh wind. There were no horses or ponies in sight.

Lila sighed, "Great, someone let out all the horses. Now how's anybody going to get anywhere?"

Strider scowled, "I know of a place where we can find one."

Lila's gasp sounded like a rush of the wind, everyone turned to look at her as her eyes widened in fright at something.

There was an edge in Frodo's voice, "What is it Lila? Do you see a wraith?"

"Heavens no! Something just crossed my mind." She turned to Strider, "Do you think they would have hurt the ponies?"

I smacked my forehead, "Lila, why would they hurt a bunch of innocent horses when they have better things to do?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, they are evil so maybe for fun." She shuddered.

Strider simply said, "No," and turned on his heels most likely expecting us to follow.

We crept through the quiet and dawning Bree. Every now and then a lone raindrop would land on my shoulder and I would pray to God that the skies would not open up on Bree just yet.

Strider stopped and looked at us, "This is the house of Bill Ferny, he is a suspicious fellow and is not to be trusted. I will handle the conversation."

We walked up to what seemed to be an abandoned house. I would have thought it was if not for the funny hobbit sitting in the yard. He had a sneer as Strider approached him and I decided I didn't like this person. He just seemed foul.