The most terrible of all the servants of Sauron, the Nine Ringwraiths were despatched by the Dark-lord to seek out the Ringbearer. From the very day that the Hobbits left Bag End, the Ringwraiths were on their heels and dogged their footsteps all the way to Rivendell. They came by stealth to the Prancing Pony at night in order to seek out the Hobbits who were lodging there, and were only foiled by the quick-thinking of Strider.