A/N: Last chapter, Gandalf and Naruto confronted Bilbo about his mysterious 'disappearing act' before convincing him to give up the Ring. Both briefly explain the situation to Frodo before Gandalf leaves to research the Ring. He returns and reveals his finding to Naruto and Frodo, but instead reveals that both of them have to 'get to the hell outta dodge' … and take a reluctant Sam Gamgee with them.
What to expect in this chapter: Frodo, Sam and Naruto make their way through the Shire, and along the way stumble upon Merry and Pippin who are trying to steal vegetables from Farmer Maggot's crop. They stumble upon their first Black Rider who is tracking them, and barely escape to Buckleberry Ferry. They finally make it to Bree.
Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto & Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R Tolkien. I only own the story. The movie is owned by Peter Jackson.
Please review thoughtfully and respectfully.
WHEN BLACK RIDERS ATTACK
"There's nothing to fear but fear itself."
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as Gandalf, Frodo, Sam and Naruto set off on their impromptu journey. Hobbiton was shrouded in a white veil of mist as the four of them hurried across a ploughed field, trying to put as much distance between Hobbiton and them as possible. Gandalf was leading his horse with Naruto striding beside him, while Frodo and Sam trailed along behind them – obviously not used to travelling just yet. Sam was weighed down with not only his knapsack, but also cooking equipment. Naruto had rolled his eyes when he had seen this, but chose to hold his tongue.
It's his problem… "Come along, Samwise. Keep up!" called Gandalf, as Sam struggled underneath his burden. It was noon before Gandalf had lead Naruto, Frodo and Sam under the cover of woods and away from any nearby roads.
"Be careful, all of you. The enemy has many spies in his service, many ways of hearing. Birds, beasts…" Gandalf stopped walking and pulled Frodo aside to speak with him privately.
"Is it safe?" Frodo automatically raised his hand and placed it on the breast pocket of his coat.
"Never put it on. For then the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo, the ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found." Frodo gulped, but nodded. The wizard nodded approvingly before beckoning Naruto over.
"I hope that I don't have to remind you that the both of them are in your charge." Naruto nodded.
"My job is my job, whether or not I'm home or not." Gandalf smiled.
"Protect them!"
Gandalf then mounted his horse, wheeled it around and galloped away leaving the three of them alone on the woods. Birds squawked indignantly at the wizard's departure as a young, battle-weary ninja and two frightened hobbits adjusted to what had just happened before Frodo straightened up and took point, striding determinedly through the wood followed closely by Sam and by Naruto who immediately fell into step at the rear, instinctively shifting into shinobi mode.
The rest of the day was uneventful, mostly consisting of Naruto and his hobbit charges hiking over the gentle Shire countryside and wading through a shallow stream. Eventually, the three travellers made a pit stop, heating a kettle over a small fire for tea whilst the hobbits smoked and Naruto sharpened his weapons – something that made Sam uneasy watching as he was generally a pacifist and detested violence of any kind – and wrinkling his nose at the sharp pungent smell of the pipe weed Frodo and Sam were puffing away at. It was when they had reached a cornfield that their journey hit home with the hobbits, in particular with Sam – whom Naruto almost walked straight into – who took stock of his surroundings.
"You okay, Sam?" asked Naruto with concern. He was ignored.
"This is it."
"This is what?" asked Frodo who approached, looking at Naruto with confusion. The blonde shrugged as they waited for Sam's answer. The younger hobbit looked at Frodo with large, sorrowful eyes.
"If I take one more step it'll be the furthest away from home I've ever been." Naruto could empathise. He smiled sadly as Frodo gave Sam a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Come on, Sam." Sam takes a deep breath and steps forward. Frodo smiled encouragingly, as the three of them resumed walking.
"Remember what Bilbo used to say: 'it's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's not knowing where you might be swept off to'."
"Not bad advice." Naruto approved.
It sounded slightly weird to him, but it was also something that the Third or even Iruka-sensei (on his less stressful days) might've said to him whenever Naruto was having a particularly shitty day himself. The three of them eventually came across another cornfield – one owned by Farmer Maggot. Sam and Naruto were making their way through the maize (A/N: Pun intended) when they suddenly lost sight of Frodo.
"Shit!" cursed Naruto and started desperately searching for him, drawing Sam's attention. When the hobbit realised what was happening, he too started to panic.
"Mr. Frodo? Mr. Frodo!" He took off in a run down the path and sighed in relief when Frodo came into view looking confused by their panic.
"I thought I lost you." Sam whispered.
"Yeah. Give us a little warning next time, huh?" asked Naruto, with irritation. Frodo frowned suspiciously at the both of them, wordlessly demanding an explanation at their random outbursts. Sam immediately looked embarrassed and Naruto massaged his temples, trying to relieve a tiny headache.
"What are you both talking about?" Frodo sounded amused.
"It's just something that Gandalf said…" Sam trailed off.
"What did he say?"
"'Protect them at all costs'." Shrugged Naruto.
"'Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee'." Sam looked very intently at Frodo, which made Naruto feel like he was intruding on something private and he turned away feeling awkward. "And I don't mean to." Frodo laughed – particularly when he noticed Naruto's reaction to Sam's confession – and walked over to the fretting hobbit.
"Sam, we're still in the Shire. What could possibly happen?" Suddenly something burst out of the hedgerow beside them and sent Frodo flying. Naruto stared at him in amusement.
"You had to ask…" he muttered as Frodo narrowly avoided being ploughed down again by Pippin when Naruto's lightning quick reflexes caught the mischievous hobbit out of thin air. Pippin looked around in confusion before clapping eyes on Naruto who was staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Naruto!" He then noticed Frodo and Sam, "Frodo! Sam! Merry, it's Frodo, Sam and Naruto!" Merry grinned brightly at them as Naruto placed Pippin back on his feet and helped Frodo from the ground. A variety of vegetables had been scattered about. Frodo and Sam glared at their kinsmen.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Frodo, who was brushing off dirt from his trousers.
"Sam, hold this." Merry shoved a large cabbage into Sam's arms, as the gardener suddenly put two and two together.
"You've been into Farmer Maggot's crop!" Sam accused them.
Suddenly the five of them could hear angry shouts from Farmer Maggot, as well as a very large pitchfork racing towards them along the hedgerow behind them. Merry and Pippin's eyes widened in alarm before they hurriedly gathered their pilfered items and raced off, followed swiftly by Frodo and Naruto who recognised trouble when he saw it and wasn't interested in getting involved. Sam looked down at what he was holding, realised how it looked, and dropped his armful racing after the others.
"I don't know why he's so upset, it's only a couple of carrots." Merry said, looking behind him at the quickly advancing Farmer, and missing the 'are-you-fucking-serious' expression Naruto was giving him. Pippin decided to throw in his two cents, not helping their situation.
"And some cabbages… and those three bags of potatoes that we lifted last week." He thought for a moment. "And then the mushrooms the week before…"
"Yes, Pippin." Merry rolled his eyes, "my point is, he's clearly overreacting." Naruto snorted.
The five of them had no idea that they were in fact heading straight for a cliff face, so intent on escaping Farmer Maggot's wrath. Merry was the first to spot the danger and came to a grinding halt, pin-wheeling his arms to regain his balance. Unfortunately, Frodo then Sam collided into the back of him, almost toppling them head over heels down the bank. All was well, until Pippin crashed into them and all four hobbits tumbled down the bank. The only one to remain standing was Naruto who was able to ground himself using his chakra. He winced as he watched his friends tumble down the hill and land in a heap on a dark, wooded road.
"Ouch! That's gotta hurt." He quipped before sprinting down the bank and gracefully landing beside the pile of (thankfully) uninjured hobbits. He had to swallow his laughter when he realised just how close Pippin had been to getting a face full of Horse dung.
"That was close…" blurted out Pippin. Frodo rolled his eyes, exasperated by his cousin's behaviour and got to his feet looking around quickly. Naruto suddenly became aware they were standing on a road. Something that Gandalf told them specifically to avoid at all costs!
Uh oh… "Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!" Sam grumbled sitting up and glaring at Merry and Pippin. Naruto ignored them, focusing on Frodo who was just as concerned about where they were standing.
"We better move!" He muttered urgently. Frodo agreed and turned to hasten Sam, Merry and Pippin.
"I think we should get off the road." Frodo told them. He was ignored until both he and Naruto heard a long drawn-out wail that made their blood freeze.
They were definitely in the shit now!
"MOVE!" roared Naruto as he seized Merry and Pippin by their shirts and disappeared underneath an overgrown root, followed closely by Frodo and Sam.
"Hey!? What's the big idea?" shouted Merry, but was silenced roughly by Naruto who clapped a hand over his mouth just as the sound of a very large horse's hooves pierced the late afternoon air.
A sinister, mounted Black Rider rode up. It was hooded and faceless, mounted on a huge snarling black horse with crazy eyes. Frodo and Sam huddled together; utterly terrified, and Merry and Pippin held sober frightened expressions – both confused about what was happening. Naruto was the only one who remained calm under the circumstances, having dealt with similar situations back on missions. His handsome face was set and serious, trying to simultaneously calm the frightened, inexperienced hobbits so they didn't make a sound and give away their position. The black rider paused beside their hiding place and sat very still with its head bowed, listening. It sniffed the air, as though trying to catch a particular scent as its face turned from side to side. Suddenly, Naruto sensed a shift in the surrounding chakra and turned to see Frodo in what looked like a trance. Beads of sweat were forming on the hobbit's brow and his eyes were shut tight as he groped around his breast pocket, retrieving the Ring as the rider dismounts and leans over the overgrown root to take a closer look.
It is obvious that it is highly suspicious.
Oh not now! Cursed Naruto whose eyes darted between the possessed Hobbit and the impending doom surveying the area above them, trying to decide which should take the first priority. In the end, it was the combined efforts of Sam and Merry that got them out of danger. Sam realising what Frodo was about to do, clapped a hand on Frodo's – which immediately snapped him out of his trance and causing him to slump – and Merry desperately hurled a pilfered bag of mushrooms across the road, drawing the black rider's attention – as it gave an ear-piercing shriek – and spun round at the sound darting off towards the bag with a disturbing speed. Taking advantage of the rider's momentary distraction, Naruto seized the four hobbits and darted deeper into the trees. Once they were faraway enough for the rider not to notice them, Merry spun on Frodo, Sam and Naruto for an explanation.
"What was that?"
Frodo didn't answer. He was too busy staring with shock at the Ring lying in the palm of his hand.
"The less you know the better." Naruto replied hastily. "Let's move!" He ordered the four hobbits. But by the time the night was upon them, Merry and Pippin decided enough was enough. The four hobbits hurried through the trees, slipping and sliding on the muddy ground. Naruto had darted ahead, searching for any signs of the black riders – ready to act at a moment's notice.
"Anything?" yelled Sam.
"Nope, nothing. But don't drop your guard!" replied Naruto, walking back to them.
"What is going on?" whined Pippin, who stumbled towards Naruto tiredly. Merry had a very serious scowl on his face as he walked towards an alert Frodo, watching intently at his every move. Sam was looking around nervously.
"That black rider was looking for something … or someone." He raised an eyebrow at his friend and Naruto, still waiting for an explanation. "Frodo?" Suddenly Sam spied something.
"Get down!" He warned as a silhouette of another black rider loomed against the skyline. Immediately all five of them sprawled on the ground, Naruto army crawling towards a moss covered log for a better viewing position. Nobody dared to breathe as they waited for the rider to turn and depart. Finally, Frodo gave Merry and Pippin an explanation to why they were there and acting so secretive.
"I have to leave the Shire." Merry and Pippin snapped their heads towards him in shock, "Sam, Naruto and I must get to Bree." Merry's eyes widened when he realised the seriousness of the situation.
"Right." Then he got the 'lightbulb-over-the-head' expression. "Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me!" And he took off through the trees, followed closely by Frodo, Pippin and Sam with Naruto covering their asses at the rear. Without warning, a black rider charges towards them.
"Oh fuck!" hollers Naruto, caught off guard by the unexpected appearance of the rider. The hobbits didn't bother reacting to his cursing. Each had reacted in a similar fashion.
"There's another one!" Merry panicked, before seizing Frodo's arm and jerking him in a different direction. "Frodo, this way!" The hobbits and Naruto ran for it, pursued closely by the rider. Naruto decided to let Merry take point as he was out of ideas, incredibly lost and out of his depth, and desperately trying to keep his charges alive long enough to make it to Bree in one piece.
"This way, lads!" called Merry who made a sharp turn and hopped a fence running towards the wide, placid Brandywine river … and the ferry, which turned out to be a very tiny raft and a punter's stick. But Naruto had no time to bitch at the size of the raft as the Rider was gaining momentum. Merry, Pippin and Sam managed to scramble onto the raft.
"Get the ropes, Sam!" All three looked up and their eyes widened in horror when they saw the Rider closing in on both Frodo and Naruto who were still very far from the ferry.
"Frodo!" screamed Sam.
"Naruto!" hollered Merry and Pippin. Naruto had had enough. He was a bloody ninja, wasn't he?! Time for a distraction.
"Oi! Blacky! Come and get it, you fucker!" He snarled angrily, darting into the rider's path. Frodo skidded to a stop.
"Naruto!" He called desperately. The ninja was about ready to breathe fire at the hobbit's stupidity.
"Keep running. I'll hold him off!" Naruto insisted and he fashioned the hand signs for the Shadow Clone jutsu. He had a trick up his sleeve. Frodo hesitated for only a moment before he turned and raced across the Wooden Wharf, praying that the headstrong ninja knew what he was doing and wasn't sacrificing himself needlessly. He long jumped onto the raft just as Merry shoved off from the bank.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! Go back!" yelled Pippin, tugging on Merry's sleeve. But suddenly there was a loud whistling noise that reminded the four of a kettle coming to boil followed by a very familiar voice roaring in Japanese:
"RASENGAN!" and four heads looked up to see Naruto forcing what looked like a large ball of spinning blue chakra at a charging black horse, causing it to rear into the air in fright and nearly unseating the black rider on its back. The blonde ninja then promptly turned and booked it for the ferry. But it was already halfway across the river!
"He'll never make it!" Frodo fretted helplessly. But then Naruto did something extremely unheard of: walked on the water's surface as though it was another part of the ground. The rider meanwhile had realised it had been tricked and had raced after Naruto, but it pulled up on the end of the wharf shrieking with rage.
"What the hell are you waiting for?" demanded Naruto who paused, still standing on top of the water and glared at the stunned hobbits with frustration. Merry picked up his jaw from the ground and regrouped, readjusting his grip on the punting stick.
"How far to the nearest crossing?" Frodo asked as he watched the rider wheel its horse around and gallop towards the north along the river bank, disappearing into the fog.
"The Brandywine Bridge. Twenty miles." He answered, pushing them along with Naruto following behind them on foot. Pippin, a little bit more relaxed now that they were out of danger for the time being, eyed Naruto with interest.
"How are you doing that? And what was that blue thing that you threw at that rider?" Pippin asked suspiciously. Naruto's temper hadn't simmered down just yet, and his fight and flight instincts were still alert.
"I'm using my chakra, and that blue thing was my Rasengan. A wind technique." He replied curtly.
"That was wind?" exclaimed Sam, disbelievingly. Frodo placed a calming hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You heard correctly, Sam. But now's not the time for an in-depth discussion. We're not out of danger yet." He reminded him. T
he ferry and Naruto finally made it to the bank on the other side and without hesitation, all four hobbits made a run for the trees once again. Naruto glanced back at the way they came, realising that they had just barely escaped with their lives this time. This foe was a lot tougher than he first realised, and it was that fact that made him all the more worried. He needed to find Sasuke and Sakura and soon if they were to stand any chance of defeating these black riders. Naruto ran to catch up with his charges, and pretty soon it began to rain – much to everybody's chagrin. The small village of Bree, was in Naruto's opinion, a very unimpressive but nevertheless welcomed sight to the five of them as they approached the gatehouse after looking about nervously for a black rider. All of them were wild eyed, ragged and out of breath.
"Come on." Naruto said before pounding on the heavy wooden gate. A peephole opened in front of Naruto's face, revealing a surly looking gatekeeper who glared suspiciously at the boy.
"What do you want?" He spat rudely. Naruto was about to return with his usual cheek when Frodo stepped in, wanting to avoid an unfriendly confrontation that might bring attention towards themselves.
"We're headed for the Prancing Pony." Frodo responded. The gatekeeper swung his lantern over the group, bathing them in an uncomfortable yellow spotlight.
"Hobbits! Four hobbits, and what's more, out of the Shire by your talk." The man looked between the four of them and Naruto, frowning. "What business brings you to Bree, and with this boy no less?" Frodo scowled at him, not in the mood for this shit.
"We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our own." He retorted sternly. The Gatekeeper unlocked the gate.
"All right, young sir. I meant no offence." Naruto snorted.
"Sure you didn't." He mumbled underneath his breath, as he and the hobbits stumbled gratefully into Bree. The gatekeeper was still staring at them curiously.
"It's my job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad." All five of them stiffened, and immediately thought of the black riders roaming about the wood searching for them. "Can't be too careful."
Naruto and his hobbit companions hurried through the village, each rubbernecking to find the inn they were searching for. The tall Bree folk loomed over the hobbits as Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin blindly followed Naruto who was taller and able to see passed the villagers without bumping into them in the process, although he coped a few strange looks from the Villagers because of his attire. Naruto ignored them. Finally, our favourite blonde spots the swinging overhead sign that read Prancing Pony Inn in slanting, curved Gaelic writing.
"Thank Kami!" Naruto mumbled gratefully and shepherds the hobbits towards it. Frodo pushes open the door and holds it open as the others barrelled in before heading for the reception desk. Naruto instantly stiffens, recognising something he hadn't felt for nearly two weeks: a shinobi's chakra. He immediately brightens, realising that either Sakura or Sasuke was currently inside this inn and begins scanning the crowded pub for pink or black hair.
"Excuse me." Frodo called while Naruto was distracted by the chakra. A plump, balding slightly red faced man with a thick bushy moustache called Butterbur appeared and squinted at the five of them curiously. His generous face brightens as he sets aside the ale mug he was drying.
"Good evening, masters. If you're seeking accommodation, we've got some nice, cosy Hobbit sized rooms available and a comfortable single room for your friend." He indicated to Naruto who smiled slightly at the man in greeting. "Mr…?"
"Underhill. My name's Underhill." Frodo immediately answered. Butterbur nodded.
"Underhill? Hmmm?"
"We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've arrived?" Frodo asked politely. Butterbur frowns, deep in thought.
"Gandalf? Gandalf…" Naruto got an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Then Butterbur remembers.
"Oh yes! I remember. Elderly chap. Big grey beard, pointy hat." Butterbur listed.
"Yep, that's our man. Is he here?" asked Naruto, slightly impatient.
Butterbur shook his head. "Not seen him for six months."
The hobbits were shocked. Gandalf had a head start on them, so why hadn't he gotten here first? Naruto swore under his breath and punched the nearest wall in frustration. Butterbur was about to protest before Naruto silenced him with a warning glare and the innkeeper shrank away obediently.
"What do we do now?" whispered Sam, worriedly.
A/N: Get ready to see what Sakura got up to on her arrival in Middle Earth. That's what's up next for The Prophesy of Team Seven. If you've kept up with this story so far, thanks very much! Please review :-)
Also, if you do leave a review - if possible, a sentence or two of what you liked about the update or what you think needs improvement. The reviews I've received recently, while appreciated and very much anticipated were only single words or up to three words approx. I'd really appreciate some appropriate feedback on my work. Thanks.
TTFN!