A New Place, A New Love
Author's Note: I'm back! At least for this chapter… I feel really bad because I enjoy this story; I have just been having some writer's block recently. Anyway, I hope you enjoy
Disclaimer: The quotes mostly belong to the screenplay writers of LOTR and the characters are not my own.
Chapter 9
The group had left Rivendell in the early morning light. Gandalf led them south, and kept them just to the west of the Misty Mountains. They knew the journey would be long, but 40 days seemed to be nothing in Minerva's mind. It was just 40 days until they could east to Mordor as long as the Gap of Rohan was open.
In total, the journey seemed to be an adventure that she didn't know she needed until now. During the wizarding wars, Minerva tried to help, but she always managed to take a passive role until the final battles. She had played a vital surveillance role, but others members of the Order were the ones who acted on the information. Now she was able to take part in the journey. Not only was she wanted within this group, many of these people seemed to respect her as an active member.
Gandalf and Aragorn had decided to give everyone a break, which is how they ended up where they were now. Boromir and Aragorn were giving the hobbits lessons in swordsmanship, or dodging mostly in the case of Merry and Pippin. Minerva laughed as the hobbits cheered each other on. Pippin was getting quite good, but the height difference as well as the arm length disparity between Pippin and Boromir meant that Boromir was winning.
"I just don't understand why we are taking the long way, Gandalf! Surely we could take the Mines of Moria. With the help of my cousin, Balin, we are sure to get a royal welcome," Gimli confronted Gandalf.
"We will not be taking a path through Moria. Not unless it is our last resort."
There was finality in Gandalf's voice that made Minerva shiver. There was obviously something in Moria that scared Gandalf. Minerva had once seen that look in another wizard's eyes when Voldemort had returned to the wizarding world. She turned back to the hobbits just in time to see Pippin try out a new tactic. As Boromir caught Pippin on the hand with his blade, Pippin threw his own sword down and jumped onto Boromir. She laughed along with everyone else, only to be interrupted by talk of a curious shadow in the sky.
"What is that?" Sam inquired.
"Just but a wisp pf a cloud," Gimli supplied.
"I don't think so," Minerva said as she moved towards the gray patch, "It's moving fast."
"And against the wind," Boromir said worriedly.
Legolas shot up from his spot on a rock, "Crebain from Dunland!"
"Hide!" Aragorn yelled as the patch got closer.
Minerva was not sure what the patch was exactly, but it was definitely not something they wanted to encounter given the reactions from Legolas and Aragorn. The hobbits scattered as Boromir urged them to take cover. She felt strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her to cover. Gandalf pulled her against his chest as he whispered into her ear.
"The Crebain are spies of Saruman."
"Minerva swallowed hard, "So we are being watched?"
"I'm not sure if we are, but we cannot proceed south. That path is being watched."
They both emerged from their hiding spot to see the rest of their group doing the same. Gandalf and Aragorn shared a glance before they both looked towards a high mountain pass.
"We must take the Pass of Caradhras!" Gandalf stated as they began the trek.
The terrain was a lot rougher than what they had previously experienced. The rocks and snow were making it increasingly difficult to walk, and there was a tense moment when Frodo slipped and dropped the ring. Boromir had picked it up and Aragorn had felt the need to place his hand on his sword. Boromir had nothing but sickening desire in his eyes as he held the ring. Somehow he had suddenly snapped out of it and played it off as if nothing had happened. Minerva decided to keep a close eye on him for the rest of the journey. She stayed close to Gandalf as the storm picked up and grew into a massive blizzard.
She was freezing and struggling to stay above the quickly rising snow. Legolas was making them all look like fools as he gracefully glided across the mountain top. Suddenly Minerva heard a voice in the wind. Gandalf turned to her when he felt her stop.
"Minerva, wh-" Gandalf was interrupted by Minerva silencing him.
"Do you hear that voice?"
Gandalf began to hear Saruman's voice as the mountains began to crumble all around them.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! We must turn back," Aragorn shouted above the thunder.
"No!" Gandalf commanded as he began to chant something. Minerva could not make it out above the chaos that surrounded them. The now above them began to fall, and the hobbits wee right in the path on an avalanche. Without thinking, she shot out a spell to transfigure the snow into butterflies. She was so focused on protecting the hobbits and Aragorn, that she didn't notice the snow above herself and Gandalf. Legolas was quick to grab hold of Gandalf and pull him to safety, but Minerva wasn't so lucky. The snow hit her and knocked her off balance. She wavered on the edge of the narrow ledge for what seemed to be an eternity before she began to fall. At the last second possible, she felt a hand wrap around her ankle and stop her path down into the abyss.
Her head swung back into the side of the mountain and there was an instant ringing in her ears. She knew she was bleeding badly from the wound when Gandalf insisted that she not move as they pulled her to her feet and pressed her against the mountain.
"Do not move, my dear," Gandalf said as he surveyed their situation.
"The path s blocked," Sam said solemnly.
"We can't stay on the mountain. We need to go for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city," Boromir urged.
"That would take us too close to Isengard," Aragorn countered.
"We can't go over the mountain, but we can go under it. The Mines of Moria are our only option," Gimli supplied.
Even through her haze and pounding head, she could tell that Gandalf was uneasy. He looked fearful of what the path under the mountain held.
"Let the ring bearer decide," Gandalf said while looking towards the hobbit.
Frodo seemed to hesitate, and so Gandalf prompted him.
"We will take the mines," Frodo finally said.
Their journey to the entrance of the mines was long for Minerva. Gandalf had helped with the bleeding, but she still had a headache and would become dizzy. As they got to the entrance, Gandalf began to examine the words above the passage way. Merry and Pippin were tossing stones into a nearby lake, but Aragorn warned them against disturbing the water. Gandalf had tried to open the door several times but to no avail. He walked over to Frodo and Minerva, who were both studying the inscription. Suddenly, they both smiled.
"It's a riddle," Frodo said, "Speak, friend and enter."
"What?" Gandalf asked.
"What's the elvish word for 'friend?'?" Minerva turned to Gandalf for an answer.
"Mellon," Gandalf said with a shrug.
As soon as he spoke, the doors swung open revealing a deep darkness that seemed to swallow every ounce of light. The Fellowship entered, all oblivious to the stirring in the waters that the hobbits had disturbed. Gimli was telling them all about the glories of the mine, and the treatment they should expect. Minerva could tell that Gandalf was staying quite for a reason, but she had a feeling they were about to find out why.
"We may need some light, Gandalf," she said before pulling out her wand.
He simply nodded and they each produced a light from her wand and his staff. As the Fellowship adjusted to the light, they were all shocked to see skeletons of hundreds of dwarfs strewn about… All except Gandalf recoiled at the sight.
"This is no mine…it's a tomb!" Boromir exclaimed.
"No! No...no!" Gimli yelled as he looked around.
Legolas pulled an arrow out of a shield and realized what had attacked the dwarfs.
"Goblins!" Legolas yelled as the Fellowship drew their weapons.
"We need to get out of here! We can head for the Gap of Rohan," Boromir said while backing up towards the entrance.
As they exited, Minerva made sure to keep Frodo close to her. Turning to head back down the path around the lake, Minerva pushed Frodo out of the way just in time as a tentacle wrapped around her and drug her towards the water. Aragorn and Boromir instantly rush to her aid and attack the tentacle. As Minerva is freed, another 30 or so tentacles erupt from the water's surface and try to grab Frodo. Minerva uses her wand to send streaks of fire towards the tentacles. They recede for a few seconds before trying again for Frodo.
"Into the mines!" Gandalf urged.
Legolas gained them all a few seconds as he fired a few arrows towards the head of the beast. As the last few straggling members of the Fellowship clear the entrance, the creature's tentacles rip the doors off. The doors flew off without much protest, but the sudden force caused a rock slide, which blocked the entrance. Now completely submerged into darkness, Minerva and Gandalf again casted spells to provide some illumination to their surroundings.
"We have but one choice… we must face the Mines of Moria. Be on your guard… Orcs are not the only things to lurk in the shadows" Gandalf said ominously.
Minerva suddenly sees the wizard's age evident in his face. The lines of worry and fear are heavily shadowed by the dim light of his staff, making him appear more sullen than he was. Taking his hand in hers, she tried to give him an authentic smile, which was partially successful.
"Perhaps I should stick to the back of the group to help light the way," she suggested.
He wanted to say that wasn't necessary, but he knew it was a good idea. He didn't want anything else to happen to her though. With a heavy heart, he agreed. Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir would appreciate the company as well. She let the hobbits and Gimli pass before she reached Legolas.
"You should stay in the middle," Legolas said, "The three of us will protect the back of the group."
"That's what I figured," Minerva smiled, "I just wanted to give you all some extra light."
"We appreciate that," Boromir said.
"And we appreciate the extra power back here," Legolas added.
"The butterflies were a nice touch by the way," Aragorn smiled.
"It was an easy transfiguration," Minerva informed them, "I did not thank you for saving me by the way."
"I had to repay the favor, "Aragorn smiled again, "I don't think the hobbits and I would have been caught. If we had, I would have been a lot heavier to pull up. Your bit of magic saved us."
They all chuckled at the comment and they began to trek on through the mines. The path was not very wide, so the Fellowship took their time. Gandalf had said it would take four days to reach the exit, and Minerva was sure she wasn't the only one counting the minutes. They came to a stop at a three way pass. Gandalf was stumped, and the rest of the group followed his lead by taking a seat. Minerva watched as Frodo and Gandalf talked, and suddenly memories of Harry and Albus filled her mind. She only hoped that Gandalf would be a better mentor than Dumbledore. As much as she loved him, Albus had made several mistakes that with Harry and the fight against Voldemort.
Minerva's head snapped around behind her as her animagus hearing picked up on something. Slowly walking towards Gandalf, Minerva heard Frodo mention Gollum and Bilbo. Gandalf was warning Frodo about killing someone when the power to kill or grant mercy was a powerful one.
"I believe Mr. Gollum is rather close," Minerva said softly, "I haven't heard him until now, which makes me think that he got closer this time than he has the past few days."
Even though she was new to this world, she would not let herself look like a babbling, bumbling, baboon. She wanted to keep up with what all was going on and who was who in the grand scheme of things. Gandalf simply nodded before suddenly standing up.
"We aren't lost anymore?" Pippin asked.
"He's remembered the way!" Merry said relieved.
Gandalf chuckled, "No, but the air doesn't smell so foul in this direction. When in doubt, always follow your nose young hobbits."
As the Fellowship continued down the path, Gandalf increases his light just briefly in order to show everyone the majesty of Dwarrowdelf. Minerva, Aragorn, and Boromir are admiring the polished walls and large vaulted ceilings when suddenly Gandalf is yelling after Gimli. The dwarf had run towards a room that appeared to be the last hold out for the dwarfs. Minerva followed closely behind Legolas as everyone absorbed the scene in front of them. While everyone was observing the skeletons of goblins and dwarfs alike, Gimli went straight for what appeared to be a toppled over stone.
Everyone was silent as the tombstone of Balin was read aloud, followed by a journal entry detailing their final moments. The somber moment was shattered as Pippin stumbled into an armored skeleton, sending it clanging loudly down the well it was perched on. The echo was deafening in the silence, and Minerva reacted on pure instinct.
"Silencio," Minerva said clearly and silenced the echo before the fourth bang could be heard.
"You fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time to rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf said angrily.
For a brief moment, everyone believes that Minerva's spell had worked…but the sounds of BOOMs and the sounding of a horn let them know the hope was useless. The sound of running feet is heard next ad puts everyone on edge, but is it Sam alerting Frodo to his glowing blue sward that makes it necessary to draw weapons.
"Orcs!" Legolas calls.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf and Minerva," Aragorn orders the hobbits.
The door was barricaded and Gimli found some axes to arm himself with. Minerva heard something about a troll, but she was too focused on her breathing to notice much more. Her head was still pounding, and the small amount of energy to cast the silencing charm had made her a little dizzy. Gathering her strength, she raised her wand and put herself between the hobbits and the incoming orcs and trolls.
The troll made quick work of the barricaded door, and soon everyone was engaged in a fight. Minerva witnessed as everyone around her was using a sword or another weapon to fight, including Gandalf, and decided to follow suit. Picking up a discarded broadsword, Minerva threw one last sectumsempra curse towards two orcs while thanking Severus for teaching her that particularly effective spell. With a sword in hand, Minerva put the lesson her mentor had once given her to use. Aurors needed to be skilled with and without a wand, and Minerva was top of her class for a reason. Her movements were fluid and precise, and even Aragorn and Legolas were impressed.
Minerva turned to see the massive troll drawing his arm back in preparation to strike Aragorn with his club. Taking a page from her once young pupils' book, she used a levitation charm to lift the club out of the trolls' grasp. In the troll's confusion, Boromir and Legolas were able to redouble their efforts against the massive creature. As more and more orcs were slain, everyone seemed to forget about the troll.
"Aragorn! Help!" Frodo yells as the troll uses a spear to stab him in the chest.
Frodo is lifted into the air, pinned between the spearhead and the wall as the troll tries to kill him. Without hesitation, Minerva turns to face the troll.
"Reducto!" she yells.
A purple ray of light shoots forward and reaches out towards the troll quickly. As soon as the curse hit the troll, it burst into a million pieces. The troll disintegrated into a fine ash and Frodo dropped to the ground. Minerva was instantly hit with a wave of pain and dizziness. Gandalf rushed towards her and supported her weight as they went to check on Frodo. He was wearing the Mithril Vest, and was spared any major injury. After ensuring Frodo was alright, Gandalf turned to her and moved to pick her up.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked while glaring at him.
"Excuse me, my dear, but I don't think you can walk completely on your own," Gandalf supplied while eyeing her head injury.
Minerva was quite dizzy and when she felt her head, she felt more blood than she had expected.
"You would have collapsed if I had not rushed to you earlier," Gandalf shook his head, "and if the sounds below are anything to go by, we need to put our pride aside and get out of here."
Without saying a word, Minerva pointed her wand at her head and whispered "Episkey." While it was not the most ideal healing spell, it would do for the time being. Now that the blood loss had been stopped, the pain and dizziness should not be as bad. She looked at him before gesturing towards the door.
"Shall we get on then?"
Gandalf looked at her and narrowed his eyes, "You are stubborn."
She only smiled as he gently traced the laceration on her head. The bleeding had stopped, and it was not as tender as before. He gently kissed her forehead before walking through the door and leading them all out of the room. She could faintly hear him whispering things like, "prideful, stubborn witch" under his breath, which only made her chuckle. Sam was a bit amazed that she had stood up to Gandalf and looked awestruck as they began their journey yet again.
TBC…
