The journey began slowly as they travelled through the woods, over the hillsides, and across the plains. Pausing upon a hill in the wild Gandalf stopped to speak to the company.

"We must hold this course west of the Misty Moutains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns East to Mordor."

With that said they continued forward until the group mutually agreed to stop for the time to replenish themselves with food and rest.

Sitting upon the rocks Frodo, Sam, and Elizabeth got a kick out what they witnessed as Sam tended to their food. In front of them Boromir was attemtpting to teach Merry and Pippin how to fight.

"Two, One, Five. Good, very good," Boromir replied to their each move.

"Move your feet," Aragorn spoke out in encouragement.

"You look good boys,"

"Thanks Liz," Merry and Pippin replied.

Behind them they didn't pay attention as Gimli approached Gandalf to discuss the current direction they were headed.

"If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome,"

"Wat do you mean by that?," Throin asked concerned at the fact of hearing Balin and Moria in the same sentence.

"Balin, Ori, and Dwalin took a army before you returned King Thorin to reclaim Moria,"

"Those damn fools they knew Moria was nothing but a lost cause, its a breeding ground of Orcs and worst there is no victory there," Thorin yelled angrily.

"Thorin, perhaps they succeeded?,"

"What of it then, why have we heard no word? I sent word to Erebor to Balin when I returned and he never answered months ago, if he went there then he is lost,"

"I will send word to my mother to have a host of Elves check upon them they are afterall our family," Elizabeth said as she stood and made her way to her one.

Nodding Thorin accepted that plan as Elizabeth attempted to calm his angry mood.

"No Gimli, i would not take the road throuhg Moria unless I had no other choice, that as a example," Gandalf replied after Throin's outburst.

Legolas stood a little ways from them staring intently towards the south. As Aragorn and Boromir mock battled with Merry and Pippin Sam stood noticing Legolas's attention.

"What is that?,"

"Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud," Gimli brushed it off as nothing.

"It's moving fast against the wind," Boromir spoke as he stood placing a hand upon the hobbit's shoulders.

"Crebain from Dunland!," Legolas cried out.

"Hide," they began rushing around to make sure no sight of them was seen.

As they hid beneath rock crops, and under bushes a burst of darkness against the light flew above them, black birds cawing loudly.

As the birds circled the hill the fellowship held their breaths as they watched the birds take off back south.

"Spies of Saruman! The passage South is being watched," Gandalf spoke as they all began climbing out of their hiding places, "We mst take the pass of Caradhras."

As Gandalf announced their change in plans they all turned looking at the snow covered hills that now held their fates.

As the fellowship climbed the snowy slopes of the mountainthrough the glistening fresh snow beneath the great blue sky Frodo suddenly slipped losing his balance in the snow falling, rolling back towards Aragorn.

"Frodo!," Aragorn shouted as he quickly moved to grabbed him as he came towards him.

As he stood Frodo instantly grabbed at his neck to ensure the ring's position around his neck but was frantic as he noticed it gone.

Looking back up the hill Frodo noticed the ring laying upon the snow glistening, and being approached by Boromir.

"It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt over such a small thing, such a little thing," Boromir spoke as he picked the ring up by the chain holding it before his eyes.

"Boromir!," Aragorn spoke loudly breaking the other man's trance," Give the ring to Frodo."

"As you wish...I care not," Boromir replied as he handed the ring back to Frodo ruffling the youth's hair before walking away.

Elizabeth disliked the cold although she and her cousin could walk atop the snow it was still uncomfortable to experience despite their many years in Middle Earth. Walking beside her cousin as Thorin held onto to Fili and Kili in front of Aragorn who held on to Frodo she tilted her head in a curious manner as she spoke to Legolas.

"Cousin do you hear the voice upon the wind?,"

"Aye I do Liz, Gandalf there is a fell voice upon the air," Legolas turned back to speak to the only man who could possibly indentify it.

It was only then they could all hear the words spoke as the wind thinned upon the mountain side, 'Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya'.

"it's Saruman," Gandalf declared as the snow shook upon the mountain.

Rushing forward Elizabeth threw herself towards Thorin and the boys determined not to be seperated from them should there be a avalanche.

With a rending echo a horde of rock slabs and boulders began to fall from the mountain's arms. Shoving themselves against the wall they braced themselves for the onslaught of snow to follow.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain!, Gandalf, we must turn back!," Aragorn yelled out to Gandalf.

"No!," Gandalf replied stepping forward and raised his staff to respond, "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith."

It didn't work as Gandalf spoke his voice was drowned out by Saruman who spoke another phase.

"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto-carinnar," as Saruman spoke lightning began to strike the mountain.

Legolas grabbed the back of Gandalf's robe yanking him back as ice began to fall this time from the mountain.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city," Boromir yelled out at hopes he could convince them to go to Gondor.

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!,"

"If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us take the mines of Moria," at Gimli's words Thorin and Elizabeth shared a look that they knew what to expect should they venture there.

"Let the ring bearer decide," Gandalf spoke to settle the onslaught of opinions allowing Frodo to choose their path.

"We cannot stay here, this will be the death of the hobbits," Boromir cried out as he held a pale trembling Merry and Pippin to him.

"Frodo?,"

"We will go through the mines," Frodo decided for the sake of his friends and companions.

"So be it," Gandalf spoke as he turned preparing himself to face the mines all feared. The mines that held nothing but death, and fire.