A Hero

Merry awoke to a feeling of being quite stiff all over. It was no suprise since he was laying facedown in the dirt. Anythought that last nights events had been imagined quickly fled: His hands were tied, as were his feet. There was no possible way this could be a dream.
He turned his head a little, since laying on the ground with ones nose in the dirt was not the most comfortable position in the world. There was nothing to see in the small camp. Someone had been there since a small fire was burning nearby, but they hhad gone and he was alone there in the small clearing.
He thought again about the warning he had gootten from Ted Sandyman, but could think of no reason why a big person would want to kidnap him. Was this stranger after money? Hobbit's didn't very often deal with ransoms, and money really had very little importance to them. "I wonder how much I'm worth to him?' thought Merry.
Teylor then emerged from thhe nearby bushes. He had been attempting to hunt, but had had no luck. He laid down the bow he carried by his small bag and then went to check on his prisoner. He was somewhat suprised to see that Merry was awake. The Halfling began to ask questions immediatly.
"Who are you?" Asked the scowling hobbit. "What do you want?"
Teylor just stared for a moment. Then he said, "I am Teylor of Harad. My master has ordered me to bring you to him."
"Why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Merry said, rolling his eyes. "I might have come if you had just asked."
"I think not," said Teylor who chuckled slightly in amusement.
"Why not? Who is your master?"
" Souron the Great is my master."
Souron? Merry had heard this name before, and it was often said with a feeling of fear and dread. Hobbits had never had dealings with Souron, but his darkness loomed over the other peoples of the outside world.
"What does Souron want with me?" Asked Merry apprehesibly.
"You possess a power that he needs."
"What power?"
"The power to find that which is lost, and when he finds it, all people shall bow to him."
Merry shook his head. "Listen, I don't have any such power. You must have made a mistake."
"There has been NO mistake. You are the halfling I seek, and you shall help my lord find that which is lostor you shall suffer!"
"Stop It!" Cried the paniced halfling. "I don't think you understand. I have NO power."
"If my lord says you have the power, you do. Now you will be silent."
"I will not," said Merry as he glared up at the man. "You will free me at once!"
"You are brave for one so small, but that will not help you, I think. We go to Mordor where such behavior will not be tolerated."
"I'm not going to Mordor, or anyplace else with you. I'm going home. Now let me go!"
Teylor slapped the halfling hard across the face. Were all halflings so argumentative? He slapped him again, and Merry cried out this time, seeing as he was too shocked to do it thhe first time. Teylor slapped him once more.
There was a rustling in the bushes. Bothh man and hobbbit looked over to where the sound had come from. A tall stranger had entered the clearing, and from the look on Teylors face, this wasn't a friend.
"What are you doing to this halfling?" The man asked calmly.
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"I'm prepared to make it my business. What crime has this halfling committed that you would treat him so cruelly?"
"You will leave now," said Teylor. He pulled out his sword.
"You could have just let the halfling go, but if it's a fight you want..." The stranger drew his own blade that glinted slightly in the firelight. The two men circled for a moment, just measuring each other up. Teyylor made thhe first move, lunging at the stranger, who easily avoided the blow, side stepped, and delivered a counter blow that cut halfway into Teylors gut and then sliced sideways. Merry screamed as the blood splashed in a streak across his face. The stranger watchhed as the last of life left Teylor.
The man then went over to Merry, who was trying despratly to wipe the blood out of his eyes. The stranger untied Merry, and then used his sleave to wipe the hobbit's face. He smiled, his steely eyes glinting in the halflight.
"It's alright, don't be afraid. I am Aragorn son of Arathorn. I am a friend."

Hello people, and thanks for reading. Boy, I'd love a reveiw, but anyway, I'll tell ya what's up. Due to a possessed keyboard, some of thhe letters type double or don't type at all. Also thanks to Silver Moon Lady for the Beta work. Any mistakes from here on in are mine though, don't blame her for me not taking her suggestions and such.
Luv,
Ur Samwise