Oh My God. I'm sorry this has taken so long but I've suddenly come down with a case of the block like you wouldn't believe!
So this chapter is pretty terrible but at least I've managed to get something down although it's taken me days and days! I know what I want to say but it never comes out right.
Ok, enough whining, I've invented (sort of) a character here and a lot of interesting things are learned by everyone!
As usual I love any comments and hope you all haven't found too much to complain about!
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Gandalf wasted no time in focussing his energy onto Naruto's prone form. Aragorn knelt next to his old friend though it was unlikely his field-based medicinal skills would be of use. Sakura tensed at the prospect of allowing another so close to Naruto in his present condition – even if it was someone in who she had a measure of trust. Sai slipped away from the group to patrol the tree line in case of any unwanted attention. His movements spoke of his agitation and he often cast his eyes to the sky as if he felt eyes watching him.
The hobbits crowded closer as Gandalf closed his eyes and began whispering softly under his breath. The wizard's old hands rested on Naruto's sternum as he sought the cause of the unnatural sleep. He spoke in a language that Sakura had not heard before though it seemed that Aragorn and Legolas recognised the lyrical tongue. Boromir and Gimli stood silently at the edge of the group, unwilling to cause any disturbance that might hinder the recovery of their friend. For soldiers, with no knowledge of healing beyond dressing wounds, the time passed slowly.
Gandalf frowned and shifted his hands to Naruto's head. He seemed to concentrate and those around felt a pull as if he was drawing on their energies to revive Naruto. The tension in the air seemed to build and Sakura tensed.
Suddenly Naruto's eyes opened, but they were not the usual deep cerulean, but red with an elongated pupil. His deep breathing changed to a more rapid pace and Gandalf and Aragorn withdrew, alarmed. An orange film of energy leaked from his skin and surrounded him and Sakura motioned for the fellowship to step back. The heat of it prickled at their eyes and heated the metal chain that held the ring, causing Frodo to gasp and prise the chain from his skin.
"He's safe," Sakura stated, her tone firm as she placed herself in Naruto's field of vision.
Sai appeared, drawn by the energy swirling around his friend and stood between the hobbits and Naruto, as if to shield them. Aragorn's hand rested on his sword, a reflex. The force emanating from Naruto was almost as a physical force that seemed to draw the air from their lungs and leave them near gasping for breath.
A few seconds after Sakura spoke the red seemed to bleed from Naruto's eyes and the blue returned – Naruto shook his head slowly and came to. He frowned as he took in the defensive stances of the group and raised his hands, turning over his right hand to see the palm that had touched the palantír. The skin was unmarked.
"Naruto, are you alright?" asked Sakura, her voice full of the relief she felt.
"Yeah. Yes, I think so," he answered, rubbing the back of his head and stretching his uncomfortable muscles.
The silence in the copse of trees was oppressive as the fellowship attempted to come to terms with the danger they had seen from their friend and ally.
"There is something you have not told us," said Aragorn, his face set.
Naruto looked up at him in confusion and then back to Sakura and Sai who had relaxed their stances and sat either side of him. The hobbits had huddled around the others, their expressions fearful. Legolas and Gandalf appeared shaken, while Boromir and Gimli were again prepared to reserve judgement until the matter had been explained to them. They were already beyond their element when it came to such magics but they trusted Naruto.
"We have concealed nothing," Sai answered carefully.
"That was not Naruto who first awoke," said Gandalf, "it was an old evil, powerful and enraged, I could feel it."
Naruto sighed, rubbing the palms of his hands into his eyes, "He is called Kyuubi or Kurama."
"Kyuubi?" asked Boromir, the unfamiliar name sliding awkwardly from his tongue.
Sai nodded, "He is one of the great tailed beasts, the nine-tails. He took the shape of a fox, many metres tall, when he was free."
"A tailed beast?" Boromir asked again.
"They are like ... spirits? Kurama was as a natural disaster, appearing without warning to cleanse places of dark human excesses," answered Sakura, "However those with the Sharingan could control him and he was set upon our village by Uchiha Obito – Naruto's mother and father sacrificed themselves to seal him within Naruto after Obito had freed him."
"He is imprisoned? Inside Naruto?" asked Legolas in horror, the idea of such a corruption was beyond abhorrent to an elf.
"The Kyuubi has the power to destroy all that stands in its path. If not for Naruto we would have all been lost," said Sakura, her tone suggesting restrained umbrage at the elf's reaction.
"How could your body hope to contain such a force?" asked Gandalf, still shaken at his contact with the nine-tails.
Naruto placed a hand over his stomach and lifted his shirt to reveal the complicated seal around his navel. Around it they could see his tan skin marred with the evidence of a warrior's life – white scars littered the exposed flesh. Many of the fellowship wished for a closer look but held back, fearful of the beast that had awoken instead of their friend.
"He is my friend now," Naruto answered simply, smiling slightly as Kyuubi scoffed within his mind.
While Aragorn, Gandalf and Legolas remained disturbed, Gimli and Boromir could not suppress a smile at the straightforward reasoning that seemed to characterise Naruto. The hobbits were unsure as to how to react – the energy that had emanated from Naruto had been terrifying but Sakura only had to tell this Kurama that Naruto was safe to make it withdraw.
"He is your friend now? Was it not always so?" asked Gimli, realising that the others needed a more positive impression of the creature that dwelled inside their comrade.
Naruto laughed aloud, the sound relaxing after the fear that his unnatural sleep had brought the others, "No, he had only been free from my mother for a short while before he was closed within me again. He hated humans and hated me as his cage the most. We have reached an understanding over the years and I trust him with my life. He is not sorry for frightening you, that is not in his nature, but he only did so to protect me."
Gandalf shook his head, attempting to free himself from the memory of the old and angry beast that he had encountered, "Do you remember anything from the palantír?"
"The palantír?" he asked.
"The seeing stone, the crystal orb from Saruman's study?"Gandalf pressed him for answers, trying to keep the anxiety from his voice for fear of alarming the others.
"Oh. Only some," he held his head between his hands as he tried to remember, "there was a bright light and I could see a tree and then an older man with grey hair standing in a room that overlooked the tree."
"How did the man appear?" interrupted Boromir, his face suddenly drawn.
Naruto lifted his head to look at Boromir, "He looked really like you."
"And the tree?" Boromir's voice was resigned.
"It was white and there were no leaves on it, it had guards standing around it?" Naruto chewed his lip as he fought to bring the hazy details to mind.
Boromir brought a hand to his face and closed his eyes. The hobbits looked on curiously, as did Legolas and Gimli, while Aragorn and Gandalf shared a pointed glance.
"What significance has this vision?" asked Gimli, annoyed at the lack of explanation.
"He saw my father, and the White tree of Gondor that lies in Minas Tirith, what could it mean Gandalf? Naruto, did you see a man younger than I, more in common with my father than I, perhaps carrying a bow?" Boromir asked, his voice showing the repressed emotions as he tried not to fret over his family's safety.
Naruto shook his head and the group turned to Gandalf for an explanation.
"What else did you see?" the wizard asked, sinking down onto a fallen branch.
"I did not see anything beyond that – Kurama broke the connection, he hates any invasion of his space," answered Naruto.
"I saw the eye," stated Sai quietly.
The others drew a sharp breath and Frodo winced as he felt the Ring suddenly increase in weight at the mention of its master.
"Tell me everything, Sai."
"When Naruto had fallen unconscious we approached him, I looked to the orb and the eye was present – it felt as though it saw right through me. I covered it with a cloth and it was as though the room was empty once again," Sai answered.
Gandalf stroked his beard as he pondered the effect the palantír had caused. It seemed that the spirit that resided in Naruto was powerful enough to prevent Sauron from taking advantage of the young man and perhaps that meant their secrets were safe. The fact that Sai had been seen meant that the ninjas' presence was no longer unknown to the Dark Lord. However it may be that without Saruman's knowledge Sauron would not understand their significance.
"Boromir, has your father ever mentioned a palantír?" asked Gandalf.
"Not that I recall, but since mother died he started passing more and more time in his study. His behaviour has also become erratic of late," Boromir mused, he did not wish to reveal the depths of his father's rages or bouts of melancholy out of respect but he was relieved to discuss the matter.
"I have heard no mention of such an object from any sources during my travels," interjected Aragorn. He did not wish to explicitly state that he had fought alongside Boromir's father many years earlier but knew Gandalf would catch the hidden meaning.
Gandalf nodded, "Has there been instances where he has anticipated an event before it occurred?"
Boromir paced silently as he considered the wizard's question. His father had not always been such a secretive man but in the months before he had left for Rivendell there had been almost no speaking to him. Boromir and the guard had been stretched as thin as they had ever been to protect their lands from the shadow that stretched from Mordor. He had not seen his father in person since the night before he departed, and before then it was his unexpected arrival after their victory at Osgiliath. However the more he considered events that he had partaken in the more they became clearer to him.
"It is true that the men and I have often questioned the more unusual of his orders in the past. At times his commands seemed disjointed, removed from the intelligence that my brother and his rangers had gathered, and directed us to places we thought would have been of no interest to Sauron. In the early days of my captaincy our doubts were always proved false by the appearance of enemy activity. However more recently the guard has followed his orders and nothing has come of them, and in the worst times we have been stretched too thin to prevent other troubles because of them," Boromir mused aloud.
"You say that his manner has been deteriorating during this time too?" asked Gandalf gently, aware that this was a sensitive issue.
Boromir grimaced, "Yes, he has ever been a stern man but his manner with my brother leaves much to be desired while he finds no fault with me. What say you to this Gandalf?"
"I fear that Naruto's vision may have been accurate. If your father is in possession of a palantír it could well explain his behaviour. It seems certain now that Sauron has such a seeing stone. Your father has always been possessed of a strong will and the palantír served him well for a time. If I was to theorise I would suspect that Sauron has learned of the connection your father has been exploiting and has turned it against him," explained Gandalf.
"What shall we do?"
Gandalf sighed, "At present, nothing. We must keep moving to avoid detection. One thing is certain: the Ringbearer cannot go to Minas Tirith."
Frodo lowered his head in recognition of this statement. Boromir looked like he desired to protest but Gandalf's words rang true. His father would stop at little to seize the Ring, he had been so insistent that Boromir ensure it was delivered to him, and then it would change him as sure as it had Isildur.
"The city provides the optimal place to supply ourselves before the last leg of the journey," noted Sai.
"Indeed, but as Boromir will no doubt tell you, the guards will be obey any order given to them by their steward and it will put Frodo at risk. Even if we were to talk Denethor down from his goal of somehow using the Ring, an unlikely endeavour if Sauron has polluted his mind, there are many others within the city who consider it to be a valid course of action. We shall make a decision closer to the time. We should rest tonight and continue our journey into Rohan tomorrow," Gandalf explained.
"What shall we do with the palantír?" asked Sakura.
"I will keep it, pass the bag to me," replied Gandalf, taking the bag from Sai and strapping it to his pack, "It would be best if you all forget it is even here, you saw what it did to Naruto."
The fellowship agreed and resolved to enjoy the longer evening sleep than they were usually afforded. The revelations they had heard from Naruto and the knowledge that Sauron may have some reckoning of their actions had left them with much to consider. There was also the task of sorting out their even more confused feelings regarding the ninjas.
More than one calculating glance was sent their way as they chattered quietly amongst themselves while preparing to sleep. Their culture was becoming more and more alien the more the fellowship learned of it. It was strange that the idea of old and powerful demonic forces were in some ways more recognisable to those from Middle Earth than the ninjas' cloak-and-dagger way of life.
It was the hobbits that took to these developments easier than their fellows. After leaving the shire their learning curve of the world outside had been exponential and these events were just one more thing among many to be experienced. Legolas and Aragorn, and their rigorous elvish upbringing found their culture more difficult. With the elvish notions of body purity Legolas found Kurama to be abhorrent - and he knew he would struggle to keep the knowledge from colouring his interactions with Naruto.
Sai and Sakura were beyond relieved that Naruto was safe and well but shared in his unease at having to have shared the existence of Kurama. It was information that the fellowship had not needed to know, neither was it ideal that Sauron had learned of him. Although Kurama had severed the connection the Dark Lord had made with Naruto's mind there was no telling just how much he could have seen.
As they ate and slept there was barely any conversation as the entire fellowship wrestled with their own thoughts.
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The passage through the Gap of Rohan had been at once eased and made more difficult by the efforts of the ninjas. The water level had not had time to drain from around the tower and the Isen ran high over its banks as they headed for the ford. Along the way they passed many orc carcasses but although the ninjas kept a watchful eye they did not see the new breed that Saruman may have been working on.
They had yet to pass this information along, as Naruto's brush with the palantír had been a more pressing matter. However once they could talk to the wizard alone they would have to give Gandalf the papers they had taken from Saruman's study. Boromir was confident Rohan would remain friendly to them, based on his relationship with the ruling family, but there was no way to tell just how far Saruman's influence had reached.
Once they were fully inside Rohan's borders the land became more open – the dense forests of the other side of the mountain range giving way to rolling plains – except for one forest they could see.
"Where is that?" Sakura asked, as the fellowship rested, pointing to the dark forest.
"That's Fangorn Forest, it was once a beautiful place, when the ents were more plentiful," replied Gandalf, looking Northwards in the direction she faced.
"Ents?" asked Sai, he was sure they had not been mentioned in the extensive list of peoples and creatures given to them previously.
Merry perked up, excited to have a chance to share his knowledge rather than always having to rely on the others, "They're tree herders. They're trees who can move and speak to each other. They protected and cared for the other trees in the forest – but no one's seen or heard of them in years. Folks in the shire think they're just a story."
Gandalf smiled over at the young hobbit, "A great many things are just stories to Shirelings," he said in an amused tone.
"If it wasn't for Uncle Bilbo we might have gone on thinking they were too," laughed Frodo.
The others smiled at each other – it was good to see a little levity from the Ringbearer, especially of late.
"The trees there are very old, and without elves or ents they've lost their way, become as wild trees," said Legolas, looking wistfully over towards Fangorn.
"Trees are trees," muttered Gimli, forcing Boromir to drop his face behind his water skein to hide his smile as Legolas whipped round, offended in the extreme.
Aragorn gave the smirking man an unimpressed look for encouraging them and spoke loudly over Legolas in the hopes of quelling the argument before it could gain traction, "How far is it to Edoras? It would benefit us to resupply and gather any new knowledge of the enemy from the Rohirrim."
"I'd say two more days at the current speed of travel," said Sai, flicking through his sketchpad to find an unused page to draw the forest from this distance.
"We should pass Helm's Deep along the way," noted Aragorn as he unfurled the map to their current location, "You'd like it Gimli, the Deeping Wall has saved the lives of the people on many occasions."
"A fortress?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, built into the mountainside – they say its walls are unimpeachable," he replied.
"Useful," remarked Naruto from his position lying with his eyes closed against the sun.
"Do you have such buildings?" asked Boromir, having recovered from his amusement at the interplay between elf and dwarf.
"Well, some places do I suppose. Konoha has a wall that runs around it but it can hardly be said to be a fortress wall," said Sakura.
"You could call the Hokage's tower a fortress," mused Sai, the landscape taking shape under his hand as he half-listened to the conversation around him.
"Only when Tsunade-baachan is in it," said Naruto.
"Naruto!" chided Sakura, though she knew Naruto was grinning under his mask.
"You all use titles after people's names to show respect right? What does that mean?" asked Pippin, always keen for learning something that seemed to make people smile.
Sakura huffed, "It means 'old lady'."
"Such things are very offensive to the more mature amongst us," said Gandalf, giving Pippin a pointed look when he shared a gleeful glance with Merry.
The road they continued along was well travelled, both on foot and by transport such as horses and carts. For the fellowship, who had been traversing over rough terrain for the previous weeks, it was something of a joy to walk along an even track. Aragorn assured the ninjas and hobbits that before the shadow had started to spread from Isengard this road had been a busy thoroughfare. However with the threat of roving orc patrols, or perhaps worse in the form of the Black Riders, they passed no other living creatures on their way. Occasionally in the distance they saw evidence of settlements in small clustered buildings with the smoke from fires rising lazily into the sky. However it was clear that the people of Rohan were no longer straying far from the meagre protection of their homes.
Later that day they came to a simple wooden sign that marked a fork in the road. If they continued straight they would come to Edoras, if they turned off to the right then they would come to Helm's Deep. The distance was too great to see the great fortress as the hills of the plains hid the base of the mountains from view but they discussed the notion of returning this way to view it more closely. Gimli would always be interested in the workings of stone, even if it were not by dwarves, though it was clear that Legolas was less than keen.
The next day, after they had camped some distance from the road with the intention of avoiding potential threats travelling along it, Legolas held up a hand to motion for the fellowship to stop.
"What do you see Legolas?" asked Aragorn, resting his hand once more on the pommel of his sword.
"Riders approach, a small party," replied Legolas, his elf eyes narrowed as he attempted to identify them.
"Foes?" asked Gandalf.
"Nay, Rohirrim," stated Legolas, his certainty allowing the fellowship to ease themselves from their battle-ready stances.
Legolas' keen vision was proven correct as soon the riders of the Riddermark drew up to them. The leader of dozen men advanced, his face hidden behind a helmet with a long plume flowing from the centre.
"A strange company enters our lands indeed," he said, casting his eye over the gathered group of races, "State your identity, and your business within Rohan."
Boromir stepped forward, "It is the Captain-General of Gondor, Boromir son of Denethor the Steward of Gondor, and these are my travelling companions."
The leader nodded, evidently recognising Boromir, and swung down from his horse to clasp hands firmly with the Gondorian, "Indeed, I recognise the steward's son, too long has it been since our peoples have had contact."
"Indeed my friend, your name?" asked Boromir.
"Haleth my Lord."
"Named after the son of Helm Hammerhand?" asked Gandalf, moving forward also.
"Aye, Gandalf Stormcrow, it has been many years since we have had your counsel," Haleth replied.
"A fault of my own I assure you, we come to Edoras as part of a long journey," said Gandalf, implicitly asking for permission to continue on to the great Hold of the Eorlingas.
"You come at a dark time, our Lord Théoden lays deathly ill and the poison spread by the Wormtongue still lingers in his hall," said Haleth, almost spitting the name of the King's advisor, "the Dunlendings attack our farms and word of orcs burning the countryside have reached us."
"What of Théodred? Or his cousin Eomer, what news of my old friends?" asked Boromir.
"His Highness Lord Théodred has taken his father's seat to call our response to the dangers we face, he is in Edoras now. Our Lord Eomer and his riders have yet to return from a sighting of orcs the like of which we have never seen before," replied Haleth.
Sakura, Sai and Naruto shared a significant look. They would have to reveal their suspicions on the nature of these new orcs to Gandalf as soon as they could without panicking the hobbits.
"May we proceed? Perhaps Gandalf may be of assistance to Théoden," pressed Boromir.
Haleth again looked over the company Boromir kept, "I trust you my Lord, but we must be wary of spies of the Dark Lord, and of Saruman."
Gandalf smiled, "I commend your caution but we can be trusted, as I am sure you will agree once you know of our purpose. In truth, you need not worry of Saruman – he can no longer pose a threat to your lands."
Haleth wavered, "What do you mean Gandalf?"
"All will be explained once we reach Edoras, the road is not safe for travellers such as ourselves. I have never done your country wrong, and neither has Boromir, nor Aragorn the ranger. We must continue to your Lord's hall," said the wizard, smiling kindly at the man.
Haleth turned to his fellow riders and walked to them to conference on the matter of whether they should allow the strangers that accompanied the trusted personage of Gandalf and Boromir into the heart of their lands. The presence of the ninjas in their strange masks made them uneasy – far more so than the childlike hobbits. Several of the men expressed wonder at the presence of a real elf and a real dwarf, races they had never expected to meet. Finally they agreed on a course of action.
"We will escort you to Edoras, and take you to our Lord Théodred. It would be unwise to forego your knowledge Gandalf, especially when Théoden may need your aid. I must warn you, Lord Boromir, that the actions of your companions will be held to you if you are willing to vouch for them," stated Haleth.
"I trust my companions and I gladly offer my word as proof of their worthiness," answered Boromir, putting a fist to his chest and bowing to formalise the oath.
Haleth nodded, "Indeed, then come, Edoras is not much further."
He mounted his horse with such ease and practiced grace that even the ninjas were impressed by his bearing. He motioned for his riders to circle the fellowship and they set an easy pace, mindful of the shorter members of the fellowship.
Soon a hill rising from the plain came into view and several gasps were heard from the fellowship as they gazed on the city of Edoras, shining brightly in the weak sunlight.
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R/R