"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."...LORD OF THE RINGS MARATHON!

~~**VII**~~

Trek Through Darkness

Making their way down Caradhras was a lot quicker than their ascent, though they had to be careful not to slip and slide down the entire mountain. Just as with up the mountain, Merry and Pippin stumbled at times, and just like before they held onto her cloak for balance.

It was nightfall on the next day that they were back at the foot of the mountain. Gandalf was quick to make a fire - bigger than previous ones they had before - and they all huddled around it, especially the hobbits. They sat so close that Elaniel worried that they would burn, but it must have been a welcome change to the freezing cold. Her fire had done its job the night before, but a whole day in the freezing snows must have made fire the most welcoming sight. It was not long before the hobbits were bundled asleep in a circle around the fire.

Elaniel sat next to Aragorn. Gimli was asleep as well with his grumbling snores an indicator. Gandalf and Boromir were dozing as well. Legolas stood a short ways away, taking the watch. Elaniel needed to sleep, her body felt exhausted. But her mind was not.

"Does the decision to go into Moria upset you?" Aragorn asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Elaniel muttered. Of course it was. It upset Gandalf even. But there was no other choice.

"It is the last path open to us," Aragorn told her.

"Then I guess we'll be hunting for double tomorrow," Elaniel commented dryly.

"How do ones so small eat so much?" Aragorn wonder bemusedly. "Do they simply spend their days eating?"

"Well, they have breakfast," Elaniel started, "then second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper." She looked to Aragorn who was still staring at the hobbits and shaking his head. "Oh, and don't forget dessert."

"So that would be a yes," Aragorn finished. Elaniel let out an airy chuckle and ruefully conceded. "Get some sleep," he continued as he saw her face sober.

She shook her head. "I can't. I know this is the only road open to us, but I just can't find it in me to be happy about it."

"None but Gimli would actually like the thought of Moria," Aragorn replied.

"Then why does Gimli seem to think it is a good idea?" Elaniel asked. That was her biggest question.

"His kin has reclaimed Moria some fifty years ago," Aragorn said. "They will welcome us and we can hopefully pass through without incident."

"Hopefully," Elaniel repeated, reclining on her back.

"Go to sleep," Aragorn told her. "We are taking this path whether it is liked or not."

Elaniel nodded, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head and rolling on her side. The sooner they reach Moria and pass through, the better.

It took two days for them to reach the path to Moria. Gimli tried to keep the cheer up by telling tales of the ancient legacy of Moria as well as dwarvish hospitality. The hobbits were intrigued and Boromir liked to challenge Gimli on just who had the more splendid hospitality.

"Your men may enjoy their drink," Gimli said to Boromir, "But not even your hardiest could hold their own against a dwarf."

"Then perhaps we shall drink tonight and see just who holds out better than the other," Boromir challenged. "And when we reach my city, you will be in awe of our white halls and a feast that would have a starving man pause."

Yes, it was just like Boromir to gloat over his city. He always had such pride in his city and there still was some pride to be found there.

Gondor. Would their path take them there? Elaniel hadn't been to Gondor in over a decade. In fact, she skirted around the borders whenever she passed by, not wanting to step foot on their ground. She was not eager to return to a place that was so unbidden to her.

Gandalf never set their path in stone as any occurrences could sway them in a different direction as they were now. But when he laid down his maps, beckoning Frodo over to consolidate, he often traced paths they could take; three to five at a time. There were a few paths to take into Mordor, most were achieved by passing Osgilith or Ithilien at least. Through Emyn Muil and Dagorlad was less likely, though less predictable to the enemy for them to take. There was a chance they could skip Minas Tirith altogether.

Into Mordor. The thought made Elaniel shiver. She knew that was the final destination from the start, but...journeying into there.

I must rid myself of these thoughts, she told herself. We are not yet halfway there. Let us try making through Moria in one piece first.

They made it to the walls of Moria by nightfall, a dark, narrow lake between them and the wall that was to be their door. One by one they made their way around the lake, pressed against the wall.

There was something wrong with the lake. It was black, and not just because of the night. Even in the dark, waters would still be somewhat translucent. But the lake was still, too still, like black glass. Elaniel felt unnerved by it, taking surprise when Frodo's foot slipped in it and proved it was actually a lake of water. Frodo seemed to sense the evil within the waters too as he gazed warily out into the lake.

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gimli commented ahead of them, tapping his axe against the walls, listening for some sort of telltale echo. But finding the door was not going to be that easy.

Gandalf also inspected the walls, searching for the doors. "Indeed, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten." It was dark enough that Elaniel had to squint to make out the rocks only feet from her. The clouds blotting out to stars and moon did not help matters. She brought out Tithengil to help light the way, scolding it in her head when it went toward Legolas.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas scoffed. The dwarf did not bother him so much now as this place. He'd heard the tales of Moria in his youth. In fact, most Wood-Elves knew of Moria like a bitter nightmare. Thoughts of what lay in the mountain, other than dwarves, made him ill.

Gimli huffed slightly, but did not retort.

Gandalf then found the door, situated between two up-growing trees against the stone wall. "Ithildin, Moon Runes." The wizard then looked to the sky, raising a hand to shift away the clouds from covering the moon. Light spilled over all of them, and the wall began to glow. Lines of white light traced upon the stone wall, making a door winded by trees just as the stone wall was and arched with an inscription of Elvish. "It reads: "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter"."

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.

"Quite simple actually," Gandalf replied, "If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open." He turned to the door, holding his arms out, speaking in Elvish for the doors to open for him.

For several moments the ten of them waited, but the gates did not open. Elaniel did not let herself feel relief. Gandalf's knowledge was near endless, he would know the words to enter sooner or later. They were going through Moria.

"Nothing's happening," Pippin said.

Gandalf grumbled. "I once new every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs."

"What are you going to do then?" Pippin inquired.

"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf snapped. "And if that does not shatter them, then I'll have a little peace from foolish questions, so I may find the correct words."

Pippin was taken aback by Gandalf's harsh words. Elaniel placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a sympathetic smile. Gandalf was in a wrong mood, it was not Pippin's fault.

Gandalf said another incantation, but it too did nothing for the door. Another and another held no result and so the Grey Wizard moved onto his spells, but again none of them worked.

He was going to take a while, so the rest of them sat and rested up nearby. Aragorn helped Sam relieve Bill of his packs. The mines are no place for a pony. Elaniel heard him say.

"I know we're supposed to conserve food," Pippin whispered as he and Elaniel sat on the roots of the holly tree, facing the still lake, "but I'm starving. Is traveling always supposed to be like this?"

Elaniel nodded, a small smirk forming on her lips. And she thought of Legolas standing right behind them. It didn't matter how softly Pippin spoke, the elf would be hearing his complaining. "Sometimes you even run out of food and have to survive on only water for two whole days."

"Has that happened to you?" Pippin exclaimed softly. No doubt his belly protested at the mere thought, and that there would be no game in Moria.

"Twice," Elaniel answered. Pippin said no more and looked back to the lake, preparing to settle with a bit of hunger. "Here," she whispered, taking out the leftover bread and cheese from lunch. She didn't have much of an appetite when they ate and decided to hold onto it just in case it returned later. It didn't. Pippin hesitated before taking it, but Elaniel insistently waved it before him so he took it.

Pippin took the two bites of food - careful not to scarf it down - and continued to wait. "Why do you not like Boromir?" he asked in a small whisper.

Elaniel tensed. Pippin's words were probably only heard by her...and Legolas, but she couldn't help but flick her eyes over to the others just in case they heard. It didn't seem like they did. "What makes you ask something like that?"

"You haven't spoken a single word to each other this whole trip," Pippin answered. "You pointedly ignore him like Legolas began doing to you, but...I see him look at you from time to time. As if he wants to say something to you."

Elaniel didn't know what to think about that. She ignored Boromir for her own reasons. She tried not to look at Boromir, she did not think of him. It was better that way. But it seemed that he did some thinking about her. She found she didn't really want to know what he thought. He simply made her uncomfortable.

"Perhaps I will tell you some other time," she told him. It was a lie though. She didn't want to talk about it at all and maybe Pippin would eventually forget about it, or choose not to press.

Elaniel heard the plunk of something hitting the water. She glanced over to see Boromir facing the lake, holding stones in his hand and skipping them on the surface of the lake. His shoulders were tense and he stood rigidly. This place must upset him too.

Behind her, Gandalf muttered angrily. Still no way of opening the door. What was next?

Another plunk as Boromir skipped a stone, but not again as Aragorn stopped him. "Do not disturb the water," he told the Gondorian. They stared out into the water, watching as the disturbed water tried to still. It may have been a trick of the night, but Elaniel swore she saw movement within the water's depths...not coming from thrown stones.

Frodo studied the Doors of Durin. He'd stood by Gandalf the whole time he was uttering passwords and spells only to have them fail. But Gandalf wasn't a fool. There had to be something they were missing. Speak friend and enter. Of course! "It's a riddle." Frodo exclaimed. "Gandalf, what's the Elvish word for friend?"

"Mellon," Gandalf answered.

With that, there was a groan as the stone doors of Moria opened. Gandalf chuckled slightly at Frodo's quick thinking. Gimli sprang to his feet, glad to be entering the home of his cousin.

Elaniel looked at the doors in dread. This was it. No turning back. It was into Moria. She took an even breath and followed the others inside.

As she stepped past the doors, Elaniel instantly felt the cold and smelled the stale odors of a cave, and something else...like death.

"Soon Mister Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves!" Gimli boasted as they walked into the dark mine.

"Roaring fires!" It was dark, almost like oblivion. Elaniel turned to see Tithengil hovering at the door, refusing to enter.

"Malt beer!" With the scent of death? No, thank you.

"Ripe meat off the bone!" Elaniel's foot kicked something hard. That was no stone. Did she dare look?

"This is the home of my cousin, Balin," Gimli continued, unaware of how wrong this place seemed. "And they call it a mine. A mine!"

Gandalf lit up a stone atop his staff, illuminating the chamber, revealing littered corpses of dwarves in armor, chain mail, and weapons. Black arrows shot through them...the cause of their death. They were old, rotted, and at least thirty years dead with the state of decay and cobwebs that covered them.

"This is no mine," Boromir muttered, a look of horror on his face. "It's a tomb."

The hobbits gasped as they saw the skeletons near their feet. They were the first to retreat as well.

But Gimli only rushed forward, kneeling at the side of his fallen kin. "No!" he cried as he saw the arrows protruding from their chests. "Nooo!"

Legolas picked out an arrow from one of the fallen dwarves near him. "Goblins!" he snapped, throwing the arrow down in disgust and quickly notching an arrow.

Aragorn, Elaniel, and Boromir pulled out their blades. "We make for the Gap of Rohan," Boromir said. "We should never have come here." Elaniel was completely with him. If an army of dwarves were taken down, the ten of them would stand no chance. "Now get out of here. Get out!"

But a cry from Frodo made them think otherwise as he was dragged to the ground by his ankle by some wet, slimy thing. Merry and Pippin grabbed at him to keep him from being pulled off the lake shore and Sam hacked at the tentacle. It released Frodo, but only for a moment.

An explosion of tentacles came from the lake, knocking down the three hobbits and seizing Frodo again. He screamed for Aragorn and Elaniel. The two of them raced out along with Boromir. Legolas stayed at the entrance, firing an arrow at the tentacle holding Frodo, but it held on.

The three warriors bounded into the water, hacking at the tentacles, trying to get closer to Frodo. They whipped at the three of them. Boromir and Aragorn had to duck. Elaniel raised her blades to parry. With her magic, she gave her blades a sharper edge, so as the tentacles came at her, their own momentum sliced them on her blades.

The thing had Frodo hovering over its mouth, preparing to eat him. But Legolas fired a shot at its eye. A direct hit made it cry in outrage as it tried to gain its bearings again.

Boromir hacked off one of the tentacles, but the thing only passed Frodo along to another one. While it was still writhing around, Aragorn managed to hack off the tentacle holding Frodo. Its grip slackened and Frodo fell into Boromir's waiting arms. The three of them ran for the entrance back into Moria. It was their only choice now. The thing chased after them, wanting its prey back. "Legolas!" Boromir called.

The elf fired another arrow and if it weren't for the creature behind them, Elaniel would have thought he just tried to kill her with the shot that whizzed right over her head. They raced back into the mines, ignoring the corpses they jumped over. The creature halted for only moments before throwing itself upon the walls. The doors crumbled underneath the force, raining down the stone structures. The stones fell in an avalanche, barricading their way out and plunging them into darkness.

For several moments, they listened to the sounds of stones finishing their fall and their harsh breathing.

"We now have but one choice," Gandalf broke the silence, relighting his staff by knocking it lightly to the ground. "We must face the long dark of Moria."

It's a four day journey to the other side. That's what Gandalf said. They would be in this all-consuming dark for four days. Not only that but the air was still, wet, stuffy, and smelled of death. Gandalf led the way with his glowing staff - Legolas with his keen sight walked behind him - and Elaniel took the rear with Tithengil. The little star had no choice but to race inside the mines as the door caved in, tangling itself deep in Elaniel's hair and nearly messing up her braid. She had yanked it out, but it still hovered against her like a frightened child. It wasn't until they'd walked for a few hours that it gained enough courage to hover over Elaniel as it usually did.

But Tithengil wasn't the only one on edge. Gimli had spoken so highly of this place, but coming to it now only put everyone on edge. It was as silent as a tomb with no sound other than the whisper of their breath and footsteps. Even with Tithengil and Gandalf's staff, the place was dark, almost trying to swallow up the light. Elaniel often found herself glancing behind her, feeling as if something was behind them. Feeling watched. But it seemed that they were alone...surrounded by darkness and death.

On the second day they reached the actual mines. Evidence of mining work was all around with the wooden ladders which were probably too rotted to hold any weight and chains too rusted to hold mining dwarves. But no work was being done and the cavernous mine was a black mouth almost wishing to swallow them whole. Elaniel made sure to stay close to the wall.

Gandalf paused to examine the stone wall. White veins shined through the rocks, illuminated by the light. "The wealth of Moria was not in gold," Gandalf said, "or jewels. But Mithril." The wizard pointed his staff down and the light shined down the mining shaft. The rocks down there were just like the ones where they stood, thin lines of silvery white Mithril almost waiting to be mined.

Tithengil moved from next to her ear and down the cavern, as if wanting a closer look at the Mithril within the rocks. After a minute, it sped back up, hiding itself in Elaniel's hair again. She gently swatted at it, making it return to actually illuminating.

"Bilbo once had a shirt of Mithril rings," Gandalf told them, "that Thorin gave him."

"That was a kingly gift," Gimli said, amazed.

A shirt of Mithril rings? That was impressive indeed. It would make for the most formidable armor.

"Yes," Gandalf agreed. "I never told him, but its worth was greater than that of the Shire."

"What was even better worth was the Fire Stone that once graced this great realm," Gimli said. "It was said to be a jewel that actually housed moving flames. Its beauty only ever paled in its comparison to the Arkenstone."

The Fire Stone. It had been a gift to the dwarves by Elaranel's daughters. Together with their magic, they had crafted a stone of moving flames just as Gimli described. It was said that when Durin III heard of the stone and gazed upon its beauty, he declared that there would be no stone more beautiful in his eyes. The dwarf had made a trade for five crown circlets of Mithril. Four of them now graced the heads of the Master Magicians. The Fire Stone had stood as an heirloom in the halls of Khazad-dûm until the rise of Durin's Bane. Its whereabouts now were unknown. It was a rumored tale that it was claimed by the very beast who took this realm, though something like that could hardly be proven.

"Yes, it was a great skill indeed to house flames within stone," Gandalf commented. His gaze turned and Elaniel met his eye.

They came to a fork in the path on the third day. It had three archways leading down into different tunnels of Moria. Gandalf peered at them, a look of confusion on his face. "I have no memory of this place." he muttered. He turned back to the group as they were making their way up the stair. "Tithengil," he called softly, "can you find the way for us?"

From the rear, Tithengil moved over to Gandalf and went toward the three archways. It went to the one at the far left, going right inside as if to check at what was down there. It then slowly moved to the next ones as if deciding which one was best. It did this for a minute or two as the ten of them watched for it to make a choice.

"Should we really trust the little thing?" It was Gimli who asked the question.

Tithengil hovered just inside the archway to the far right and bobbed up and down, as if to say this way, this way. "Never doubt the navigational skills of a star," Gandalf said to the dwarf. He moved down the pathway and the rest of them followed. "Ah yes, this has to be it. The air smells cleaner here."

Elaniel waited for the others to move ahead of her but paused as she saw that Frodo had not moved yet. He stood watching over the stair again as if looking for something. Elaniel stood next to him and put a hand to his shoulder. "What is it?"

"I thought I saw something," Frodo answered. "Something moving on the rocks behind us. It might have been my imagination, but I may have seen eyes."

Eyes. Being watched. Perhaps they were being followed. If they were, it was no doubt that Legolas and Gandalf knew about it. But since they hadn't spoke of it yet, it must be of little importance and even less danger. "Let's go." She gently guided the hobbit in front of her and followed the others.

As Elaniel took the rear down the passageway, she also noticed that the air did smell the slightest bit fresher and there was less staleness to it as well, just as Gandalf said. Tithengil waited at the entrance of the archway and followed as Elaniel passed, hovering diligently above her.

After about twenty minutes of walking, the passageway opened up around them into a tall chamber. From what Elaniel could see, there were massive pillars as thick as trees and probably as high.

From up front, she heard Gandalf, "Let me risk a little more light." The light strengthened, illuminating countless columns in orderly rows. They were as high as trees. Tithengil sprang to the nearest pillar, climbing higher to see the top. It rose high, high enough to actually look like a star in the sky before it reached the top.

"Behold the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf," Gandalf said, his voice, despite being quiet, echoed throughout the chamber.

"Now there's an eye opener and no mistake," Sam mused, voicing the awed thoughts of them all. Elaniel felt her jaw drop slightly at the construction of the mountain.

Even from behind Gandalf, Legolas gazed in slight wonder at the grand city. But it was very short lived as he was still wary. They were not out of Moria yet and he would not rest easy until they were out and the dark and this evil place was long behind them. They had been lucky so far, but Legolas did not want to think about what could lie in wait in the depths of this place.

Gandalf decided that they would rest here for a while. "It must be the middle of the night outside."

"No wonder I'm so tired," Merry commented, "hungry too." The hobbits pulled out their food packs and took out the bread, meat, and cheese for supper. Since Gandalf was glad that they were making such good time, he told the hobbits to take an extra two bites. They did without hesitation.

The group settled themselves against one of the giant pillars. They were thick enough for five of them to sit next to each other if they wanted. Most of them set out their bedrolls and went right to sleep. A few remained awake, including Legolas, Elaniel, and Frodo.

Gandalf had allowed himself to sleep this once and so the only light came from Tithengil. It seemed to want to joke about as it hovered over the hobbits' faces and even Gimli's. It fluttered through their hair and cheeks. It even went toward Merry's open mouth, as if to make the hobbit swallow it. Frodo chuckled at its ridiculous antics.

"Tithengil, stop that!" Elaniel hissed as it nudged itself against Sam's nose, making him bat it away. He still remained asleep at least. It was ruefully scolded and fluttered over near Legolas.

"I think your ancestress may have had a sense of humor when she created Tithengil," Frodo commented.

Elaniel chuckled as well. "If she did, I would not doubt it."

"And it seems to like elves very much," Frodo added.

"Yes, but I believe its one true love will remain Arwen," Elaniel told him. "I do not dare light it around her or else I may not get it back."

Frodo looked down at his lap as he had pulled out his map from his pack and held it so Tithengil's light still shined on it enough to read. "So where will our path be once we're out of here?" he whispered to Elaniel who leaned against the pillar right next to him.

"We'll probably head toward Lothlórien," Elaniel answered him, pointing to the wood that lay a small distance from Moria. "The elves there will grant us safe haven."

"Have you been there?"

Elaniel nodded. "A few times in my youth. It is a beautiful place. You would love it."

"It'll be good to see the sun again, at least," Frodo said, folding the map away.

"I believe we all miss it," Elaniel told him. Not only that, but it was hard not to see the stars at night, hear the wind, feel the breeze against their skin. It would be good to leave this place of dark, cold, and bitter silence.

Hope you enjoyed! Reviews will be loved!