Colours

Selfless Idiot Protection Duty

Here we are sitting in the back corner of the Prancing Pony waiting for a hobbit. Gandalf told us he would be carrying the One Ring, what pulls this devilry from the depths where it was hidden I do not know but it brings no good portents. 

The sudden opening of the door draws our attention to the newcomers to the pub. Squinting my eyes to see the rough shapes of small folk, I turn to Aragorn to ask, "Is it him?"

"Yes, plus three more," comes his short reply focusing on the hobbits as the approach the front desk.

With my elf hearing, I listen to the conversation at the bar.

"Excuse me?" comes a small voice.

A voice I recognize as the innkeepers replies to the hobbit, "Good evening, little masters. If you're seeking accommodation, we've got some nice, cozy Hobbit sized rooms available. Mr...ah..."

"Underhill ... my name's Underhill"

"Underhill? Hmm."

"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey... Can you tell him we've arrived?"

Good, these are the right hobbits then. It'd be a shame if we took the wrong ones to Rivendell, although it would probably be an easier journey. I focused back in on the conversation as Aragorn nudges my foot.

"They are going to find their room upstairs, and are coming back to eat. Do you want to find their room or wait for them here?"

Making a quick decision I replied, "I'll take upstairs and make sure the rooms secure, will we meet him there or our room? Our room will probably be best."

"Our room."

Leaving the table then I followed the hobbits upstairs and down the hallway. For all their paranoia and considering the burden they carry, the hobbits could really work on their awareness. I'm barely even disguising the fact I am following them as they travel down the hallway to the hobbit-sized rooms. As they turn into their room, I keep going past them and around the corner to wait for them to return downstairs.

Once the hobbits head back to eat, I enter their room quietly and gather each of their bags to bring to my room. Dropping the bags on my bed, I started checking them to see if the hobbits had packed any weapons or means of protection. After finding nothing but cooking equipment and food, I huff in despair and collapse on the bed wondering how on earth I going to protect these creatures that seem to nothing but eat.

Startled from my thoughts by the slamming of the door to our room open I see Aragorn enter into the room dragging one of the hobbits with him.

"What do you want?" the hobbit cries in fear, not seeming to notice me in the corner.

"A little more caution from you ... that is no mere trinket you carry," Aragorn replies seriously.

Stating with fake confidence the hobbit is quick to retort, "I carry nothing."

Not convinced at all Aragorn responds, "Indeed? I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely ... that is a rare gift." 

I see him take off his hood and scoff under my breath at his flair for dramatics.

At the noise, Frodo turns to look my way, "Who are you? ... No, actually who are both of you?"

"Are you frightened?" Aragorn asks the hobbit.

"Yes" 

The first honest words the hobbit has said tonight. I open my mouth to speak before second guessing myself and closing it again.

Instead, Aragorn speaks up, "Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you."

Suddenly, I hear a sound in the hallway and draw my sword as I move to stand slightly in front of Aragorn. Simultaneously, Aragorn also draws his sword as Frodo jumps and turns to look at the door.

Bham

The door bursts open to reveal a trio of hobbits each holding what seemed to weapons of sorts but none of them swords. 

The one in the middle calls out, "Let him go or I'll have you, Longshanks!"

Aragorn smiles as he lowers his weapon, "You have a stout heart, little Hobbit, but that alone will not save you Frodo. They're coming."

Great, I roll my eyes, four more selfless idiots to protect.