I think basically he's tough. He's scared of the Black Riders as he's no fool,
but he'll fight them if he comes across them. However he'd clearly rather avoid
them if he
can!
*******************************
At last out of the dead sea he passed,
and mist rolled on the shore;
under clouded moon the waves were loud,
as the laden ship him bore
to Ireland, back to wood and mire
and the tower tall and grey,
where the knell of Clúain-ferta's bell
tolled in green Galway.
Where Shannon down to Lough Derg ran
under a rain-clad sky
Saint Brendan came to his journey's end
to find the grace to die.Imram, JRR. Tolkien, HOME Vol. 9, 'Sauron Defeated'
