A/N: Welcome back, my lovelies! University has been kicking my arse mercilessly and cruelly. I'm so glad I've got FanFiction to fall back on for some stress relief!

What to expect this chapter: Naruto, Frodo and their friends meet Aragorn; and Naruto reunites with Sakura. Then they all learn more about the Black Riders from Aragorn before they have to flee to escape the pursuing Black Riders all the way to Weathertop. Can the hobbits and Naruto trust Aragorn?

ENJOY!

INTO THE WILD

"Running away from your problems is a race you'll never win." – Unknown

Frodo found himself in the Twilight World of the Ring. It was extremely eerie and it made him feel uncomfortable and exposed. Gandalf had warned him not to put on the ring, and although the request had made the Hobbit curious about why, he had felt no desire to disobey it.

Too late now…

He watched the excited crowd of drunken villagers moving about in slow motion as dark photographic negatives of themselves. Frodo could hear distorted voices all around him whispering in low urgent tones. He knew he needed to get out there while he still could, he just wished that he had Naruto or even Sam there with him as he moved about in real time; against the slow motion background. Suddenly he clutches his head as he is hit with images of a great eye. It was evil and cat-like, wreathed in flames…

"You cannot hide…" a cold malicious voice whispered.

Frodo snapped his head in the direction of the voice and realised it was coming from the eye.

"I see you…" The voice taunted him.

Frodo was horrified. Desperately he rolled underneath the nearest table and pulled frantically at the Ring around his finger. Almost immediately, Frodo materialised back into the real world. He was panting hard; the adrenaline rocketing through his veins as he searched the Inn for a glimpse of his friends, relieved that he was out of that terrifying void.

"Frodo?"

He looked around and saw a seriously concerned Naruto in the distance look around urgently for his charge. But before he could slip out from under the table and head over to the blonde ninja, a large hand reached out and grabbed him by the collar. The stranger dragged him like a ragdoll out of sight from the crowd and down the corridor that lead to the rooms. Frodo was shoved roughly against the wall, and found himself staring up into the angry eyes of the ranger Strider!

"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill…"

(***)

Sakura paced the length of the room, impatient for Aragorn to return with this so-called 'Underhill' in tow. Suddenly the door flew open and bounced violently against the wall, causing Sakura to instinctively draw her kunai just as Aragorn barrelled in pushing a frightened hobbit before him. Frodo stumbled on the wooden floor, as Aragorn closed the door behind him and threw a quick reassuring glance in her direction. Sakura nodded and quickly replaced her weapon back into her thigh pack.

"What do you want?" demanded Frodo, who eyed Sakura and Aragorn suspiciously.

"A little more caution from you." Aragorn responded as he darted around the room snuffing out candles and removing evidence that they were there. "That is no trinket you carry." Sakura didn't miss Frodo touching his left breast pocket instinctively. Probably wasn't even aware that he had done so.

"I carry nothing." Sakura snorted, earning a stern warning glance from Aragorn and a scowl from their visitor.

"Indeed?" Aragorn continued, and Sakura moved to the window scanning to see if something was heading their way. She wasn't sure what Aragorn was doing, but she wasn't prepared to be caught unawares.

"I can usually avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely…" Aragorn threw off his hood, revealing his face to Frodo, "That is a rare gift."

"Who are you both?" Frodo repeated his question, remaining stubbornly elusive as his eyes darted between them, earning Sakura's reluctant respect despite how reckless she thought he had been not ten minutes ago. She smiled.

"Are you afraid?" she asked, kindly. Frodo's fierce expression softened a little.

"Yes."

"Good! There's hope for you yet." Sakura approved.

Suddenly she froze, realising that they were not alone. There was a fourth person in the room that they had somehow overlooked. She heard Aragorn wince, drawing her attention over in his direction and nearly stopped breathing when she saw that Naruto had appeared from out of nowhere and now had her new friend in a headlock with his recently sharpened kunai resting against Aragorn's throat.

"If you're smart, you won't move." Naruto warned in a low, dangerous tone. Aragorn, bless him, instinctively placed his hand on the handle of his sword, but obediently stopped the moment Naruto had uttered those words. "What do you want from my friend?" The blonde demanded.

"Naruto! Stop!" He turned his head and saw Sakura looking him, pleadingly.

"Sakura?"

"Let him go, Naruto. He's on our side." Sakura reassured him.

Naruto hesitated, which was exactly what Aragorn was waiting for. The next thing Naruto knew he was lying on the hard wooden floor in a half-nelson with Aragorn holding him in a tight grip. He never knew what had hit him, and he scowled at Sakura for her betrayal. He was about to tell her so when Aragorn whispered calmly in his ear.

"Never let your guard down for a second. That's the first rule." Aragorn was impressed that the boy had managed to actually sneak up on him without him knowing. It was a first.

"Ugh… Uncle!" Naruto groaned in slight pain.

Aragorn released him and took a step away to allow the blonde the chance to get up, then Sakura launched herself straight into Naruto's arms; trapping him in a bear hug and weeping into his garish jacket.

"Oh Naruto! I was so worried!" Sakura babbled into his ear, and all the anger Naruto had for her evaporated as he hugged her back just as warmly. Frodo jumped at a loud noise in the corridor causing Sakura, Naruto and Aragorn to draw their weapons as the door burst open revealing Sam, Merry and Pippin in the doorway. Merry and Pippin were holding make shift weapons and Sam was squaring off with his fists.

"Let him go or I'll have you, Longshanks!" snarled Sam, before mellowing when he noticed Naruto in the room. Aragorn smiled slightly before sheathing his sword. He clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"You both have stout hearts, gentlemen. But that alone won't save you." He turned and addressed Frodo with a very serious expression on his face. "You can no longer wait for the Wizard, Frodo. They're coming."

(***)

Naruto suspiciously eyed Aragorn who was sitting at the window, brooding and keeping a look out for Black Riders.

An hour ago, the ranger had herded the four hobbits and the two shinobi into a different room after 'bribing' an attendant into making sure the Hobbit's room looked 'lived in' to throw their enemy off their scent. The blonde had to admit that it wasn't a bad plan, but he could tell that this man was definitely keeping something from them all.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Can you trust him?" Naruto asked Sakura, who was sitting cross-legged on her bed and studying Naruto, who was leaning against the fireplace and looking extremely tense. She chewed her bottom lip, and Naruto knew he didn't need to elaborate about who he was talking about.

"I have no reason not to. He saved my life." She replied. Naruto looked at her sadly.

"Why are we even here, Sakura? Is this some sort of sick joke?"

Sakura shrugged.

She'd been asking herself that same question since she had woken up and saw Aragorn's handsome but careworn face for the first time. Suddenly a familiar ear-piercing shriek brought all quiet conversation to a stand-still and caused Sam, Merry and Pippin to sit up with a start on Aragorn's bed. Naruto cursed; rushing for the window. Frodo had already been awake, and had been respectfully sitting away from where Naruto and Sakura were having their private conversation; while Sam, Merry and Pippin were fast asleep. Frodo turned and looked at Aragorn who was grimly listening to the sounds of the Black Riders.

"Who are they?" He asked quietly. Aragorn turned his head towards Frodo.

"They were once men." He looked back out the smudged window, watching the Black Riders bursting angrily from the Inn and mounting their horses.

"Great Kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness." Naruto and Sakura looked appalled, while Sam, Merry and Pippin looked horrified and Frodo emotionless.

"Now they are slaves to his will."

Aragorn and Naruto watched as the Black Riders galloped down the Bree streets. The ranger turned and abandoned the window, giving them his full attention. His face was lit faintly by the glowing embers of the fireplace. His grey eyes were hard as flint as he attempted to make his point.

"They are the Nazgul, Ringwreaths. Neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring, drawn to the power of the one." Then picked up his weapons and belongings. "They will never stop hunting you…"

(***)

Aragorn lead the group towards the nearby Chetwood Forest, where they made their way through the gloomy overgrown forest constantly looking over their shoulders for signs of the Riders. Sam followed them at the rear, leading a small pony (that he had named 'Bill') to

… actually they were still ignorant of their destination.

"Where are you taking us?" asked Frodo cautiously.

"Into the wild." Aragorn replied honestly.

Frodo and his friends were still very wary of Aragorn despite the fact that it was obvious that the ranger was doing everything within his power to protect them. But it was hard to be trusting of somebody who came across as mysterious, dangerous and hermit-like. The only ones who seemed to view Aragorn as 'friend' were Sakura and Naruto – who had always trusted Sakura's instincts ever since they had first become teammates – who were scouting ahead, jumping from tree to tree – a feat that both shocked and mystified the hobbits when both ninjas first climbed the trees using only their feet – and signalling to each other.

"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?" Naruto overheard Merry muttering to Frodo.

"We don't." was Frodo's reply, because it was true. Without somebody who knew where they were going, they were sitting ducks even with or without Naruto and even Sakura protecting them. "We have no choice but to trust him."

"But where is he leading us?" called Sam impatiently. Aragorn smirked.

"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee!" Aragorn confirmed, earning an excited gasp from the gardener, "To the house of Elrond."

"Did you hear that? Rivendell!" exclaimed Sam, "we're going to see the Elves!" Naruto and Sakura nearly misplaced their feet on the branches they were bounding their way across.

"Elves?! Where in the world have we fallen into?" Sakura whispered to Naruto who was grinning from ear to ear.

"'Search me. But I can't wait to find out!" Naruto declared, and Sakura couldn't help but smile fondly at her best friend. That excited grin was the first time she had ever seen Naruto genuinely happy about something in such a long time.

Maybe this will be good for all of us… dare I say it, maybe even Sasuke; once we find him…

Aragorn lead the hobbits and the shinobi across some windswept moors, but he was slightly annoyed when he noticed Merry and Pippin opening their knapsacks.

"Gentlemen, we do not stop until nightfall." He frowned.

"What about breakfast?" asked Pippin.

"You've already had it."

Pippin smiled innocently, "We've had one, yes… but what about second Breakfast?"

"Seriously? Pippin, c'mon man. You can eat later, we've gotta move!" Naruto intervened and hastened them on. Pippin looked aghast. Merry shook his head and shouldered his knapsack, following Naruto and a blank Aragorn who had turned away and walked off after Pippin gave his explanation. Sakura sidled up to Naruto for clarity.

"Second Breakfast?"

"Yeah, the Hobbits are used to a carefree, relaxed lifestyle." Naruto replied sheepishly. "A typical day for them involves gardening, eating, drinking ale and smoking." Sakura snorted.

"Shikamaru would feel right at home here…" she mumbled.

Naruto laughed, he had thought the exact same thing at one point. By the late afternoon, the group had made their way through the ragged countryside as the clouds above them started to darken, indicating dusk was falling. Aragorn stopped before a distant hill before he pointed out to his charges some ancient ruins off in the distance.

"That was once the great Watchtower of Amon Sul." He turned and smiled at them.

"We shall rest here tonight."

The hobbits sighed with relief as they followed Aragorn, Sakura and Naruto up the hill towards a small hollow and collapsed into it, muddy and feeling exhausted. Aragorn strode over to Bill and produced a small, wrapped bundle which he carried over to where the hobbits sat. From it he produced four small swords, handing one to each wide eyed hobbit who took it from him gingerly.

"These are for you. Keep them close." Aragorn gestured for Naruto and Sakura to follow him. "Sakura, Naruto and I are going to have a look around. Don't move from here." He warned before the three of them turned and darted away. Once they were far enough away from the unsuspecting hobbits, Sakura spoke up.

"We're not alone…" She said, not needing to elaborate as Aragorn and Naruto had sensed the same ominous threat hanging over them. Sakura looked back at where they had left the hobbits. "They should never have been brought into this." Naruto nodded.

"They won't stand a chance against those Riders. Not even if we taught them the basics of sword fighting."

"Which is why we need to find a way for them to escape should the need arise…" said Aragorn, who was impressed with the way both these teenagers were able to suss out the danger without being prompted. Whoever had trained them clearly knew what they were doing. But even so, Aragorn still disapproved this life that they had chosen. They still had so much going for them, and this road they were travelling could only lead to certain death.

"C'mon, Naruto. Let's set some traps." Sakura suggested and Naruto nodded. Aragorn followed them, watching with curiosity as both ninjas began setting up extremely elaborate but well camouflaged traps in strategic places.

"Impressive."

He couldn't help but say out loud before moving off and making his own preparations. None of them were out of the woods just yet. It wasn't long before nightfall had completely descended, and the two shinobi retired back to where they had left the hobbits. Suddenly, Naruto stuck out his arm, stopping Sakura in her tracks.

"Naruto? What's wrong?"

The blonde frowned and raised a finger to his lips, signalling for Sakura to remain silent. Sakura was about to reproach him when she caught the scent of something cooking in the air. Her eyes widened.

"Oh tell me that they wouldn't be that stupid—" she was cut off by the sound of an outraged Frodo piercing the night air.

"What are you doing?!"

Naruto and Sakura exchanged glances before silently creeping forward to the campsite, and both had to restrain themselves from committing a mass murder when they realised why Frodo gave such an outburst. There they were: three ignorant hobbits sitting around a brightly lit campfire … sizzling sausages and bacon! Frodo got up from the ground and darted frantically towards his friends.

"Put it out, you fools! Put it out!" He kicked dirt on the fire, trying to smother the flame.

"Oh fuck!" Naruto swore and Sakura's heart stopped when an unwanted, unearthly shriek sounded. The shinobi and the hobbits both turned and saw in the distance seven Ringwraiths running up the steep slope, and closing in fast! Acting quickly, Sakura and Naruto sprinted for the hobbits who realised their fatal mistake and herded them together.

"GO!" hollered Naruto, as he and Sakura shoved the terrified hobbits up towards the summit. The hobbits immediately brandished their swords, clutching them in very tight grips. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin raced into a ring of broken stones on the Weathertop – Aragorn had earlier explained to them the significance of where they were camping out: the place on which they were presently standing was a ruined base of an ancient tower of old – standing back to back at the centre of the ring.

Sakura and Naruto had disappeared.

"Where are Sakura and Naruto?!" yelled Sam.

"I don't know…" muttered Merry. It was Frodo who spotted them first, as one by one the seven Ringwraiths appeared each brandishing gleaming broadswords, as they moved slowly towards the hobbits.

"Oi, Monk-boys!" Heads swivelled towards where Naruto's familiar loud voice echoed from and all could see the normally cheerful boy's face was now drawn up into an ugly snarl. "You want some of this?"

The blonde crowed and spanked his arse tauntingly, trying to entice the Ringwraiths over towards him. Sam suddenly rushed forward with a cry, swinging his sword at the leader who merely blocks the attack with his own sword, shattering Sam's upon impact. The leader retaliated by lashing out with his fist and sending poor Sam flying.

"Sam, are you okay?" asked Sakura who had rushed over to him. Sam sat up, feeling dazed but otherwise alright. Naruto sprinted and stood between Merry and Pippin who had succumbed to their fear and thrown themselves to the ground, leaving themselves open and vulnerable to attacks. But this left Frodo unprotected from the Ringwraiths who turned and advanced upon him, whispering. Frodo staggered backwards, trying to resist the wraith's whispering as he unknowingly reached into his pocket and produced the Ring.

"Frodo, don't!" screamed Sam. But Frodo was unable to resist any longer as he fell to his knees and slipped on the Ring. Disappearing. "No!"

(***)

Frodo once again found himself lost in the twilight world, only instead of facing the photographic negatives of the Ringwraiths now surrounding him, Frodo could see their true appearances. The seven Ringwraiths were in reality seven ghouls dressed in long Grey robes, with white hair and placid ruthless faces. The Ringwraith leader extended his haggard hand towards Frodo who suddenly realised he was unknowingly raising his be ringed hand towards the leader and tries to pull it back. Suddenly a shadowed figure steps in front of Frodo, brandishing something small and sharp: Naruto. The blonde speaks to the leader, but his voice is distorted. However, Frodo is convinced that the blonde was being his usual defiant self. The leader suddenly slashes at Naruto who blocks, but staggers heavily under the weight of the sword. He too gets backhanded just like Sam did and flies out of view.

"Naruto!" screams Frodo, forgetting that nobody could see or hear him.

It's then that he realises that he's completely unguarded and the leader once again tries to take the Ring, but Frodo once again resists. Angrily, the leader springs forward and successfully manages to stab Frodo in the shoulder. He winces as the tip of the sword sinks in. Suddenly, Aragorn appears out of nowhere and charges at the Ringwraiths; wielding his sword in one hand and a flaming torch in the other. Frodo clutched at the wound in his shoulder as he clenches his teeth in unbearable pain. He watches Aragorn moving in slow motion, visible through a sea of mist. The wounded hobbit sinks to the ground, just as the Ringwraith flees; his head engulfed in flames.

Eventually, Frodo is able to pull off the Ring, reappearing back to the real world. He screams in agonising pain!

"FRODO!" Sam yells in horror and rushes to his side, Sakura and Naruto in close pursuit. Ringwraiths shriek in terror all around them, fearful of the flames Aragorn is wielding and they turn and flee from Weathertop. Sakura tears open Frodo's shirt trying to see the damage the leader's sword had done to his rapidly bleeding shoulder and gasped in horror.

"Oh my kami!" She whispered. Naruto swore just as Sam turns and calls frantically for Aragorn.

"Strider!" Aragorn turns and his eyes widen when he sees how seriously injured Frodo really was. He kneels before Frodo and snatches up the sword the leader had dropped examining it gravely. "Help him, Strider!" Sam begged. Sakura sidled up to Aragorn, concern and fear plastered all over her face.

"What's happened to him?"

"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade…" Aragorn declared with disgust, as the blade disintegrated before their eyes. The Ranger dropped the blade on the ground and hastily scooped up Frodo's rigid body. "This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine." He is stopped unexpectedly by Naruto.

"Wait! Sakura is a healer. Let her try." But Aragorn shook his head firmly.

"There's no other medicine that can save Frodo now. We've got to move quickly!" He moves fast carrying Frodo on his back with the other hobbits following quickly. Aragorn failed to notice the ashen expression on Naruto's face when he told the blonde that no other medicine would be able to help.

"Naruto, come on!" Sakura growled.

Naruto swallowed before turning and sprinting after the retreating group.

A/N: Hello to every one out there who has stuck around thus far. It is appreciated!

I've decided to drop out of my University course, so it will free up lots of time for me to update as well as apply for jobs and sort out my life. Yay!

What to expect for the next chapter: It's a race against time for Aragorn to get Frodo to Rivendell in time to be healed. But Aragorn has also overlooked something just as serious. We will be meeting Arwen next, and her mysterious companion too.

If you haven't already, please review thoughtfully and respectfully :)

Until next time :)