Chapter 9; Wargs, Ponies, and Squid-Things, Oh My!:
Side note: So…this chapter is mostly from the book, and guess what?! We finally get some fighting! Hurray! Poor Hattie though. I'm just gonna say it now. She has it a bit rough in this chapter. Also, I think chapters in general are going to be this long from now on. Just so much to write, so little time! But I'm glad we're finally moving along to the more exciting portions of the story. Walking can only be entertaining for so long...
~o:0:o~
At first, there was nothing.
Following that all too quickly was a splitting headache.
"Ow…" Hattie groaned. Her eyes squinted themselves open, and to her disappointment a blurry world of snow greeted her. However, it was moving…and upside down. Wanting it to stop before her headache got worse, Hattie tried to stand. But when the swaying ground beneath her snorted, she realized she was strewn across Bill the pony's back like a sack of potatoes.
"Merry, she's moving!" Exclaimed Pippin, causing Hattie to winch at the sound. The noise caught the attention of the others, and they stopped in their march down a large slope to look back at the two hobbits walking behind the pony.
"Estel, re naa coiva!" (Estel, she is awake!)
Hattie turned, and got an upside down view of Legolas, who was leading the pony. She was extremely confused by all of this, and the blood rushing to her head wasn't helping her any.
"Miss Hattie?" Pippin asked in concern. Hattie tried to speak, but failed.
"Nh...whas goin on…"
"You've been asleep for a few hours now. Are you feeling alright?"
"...no." Hattie groaned. Not liking her position on Bill, Hattie tried to slide off of him and onto her feet. Unfortunately, neither her legs or the snow was very steady, so Hattie instead ended up falling backwards onto the ground. Legolas stepped over to help her, something that took a lot effort since Hattie's legs were more useless than a ragdoll's. Shakily and with an overwhelming sensation of vertigo Hattie clung to Bill's neck for balance when the elf finally got her up.
"What happened?" She asked again, looking around her for some answers. The Fellowship looked haggard and exhausted – except Legolas, of course – but less frozen at least. The wind and snow around them seemed to have lessened, so Hattie deduced that they were going back down Caradhras. As happy as Hattie was about this, she was disturbed that the last thing she remembered was clinging to Wolf as a mountain came down on top of them. For a moment Hattie panicked until she saw Wolf at Legolas's side, wagging his tail happily at her. Relief washed over her, but that didn't last long.
"What happened?" Huffed Merry, "You gave us a scare Miss Hattie is what! Gimli had to dig you out from under the snow and rock, and we feared you for dead when we caught sight of such red!"
Hattie felt her stomach twist.
"Red? Red as in blood red?" She whimpered. Letting go of the pony, Hattie glanced herself over. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, she felt her head. Sure enough, there was a wrapping of cloth around it, and when she touched the top of her forehead she hissed out in pain. Thankfully Aragorn had made his way over by then, and put her to ease before she could panic.
"A small gash from one of the falling rocks. It looks worse than it actually is. I applied a salve to staunch the bleeding." He comforted as he came to stand before her. Gently, he reached up to the bandage and lifted it. From her side, Legolas recoiled at the sight of it, and left the pair of them to attend to Bill again. It didn't comfort Hattie any.
Either I'm hideous and mutilated now or he's squeamish…and the latter doesn't seem very likely.
Aragorn continued to inspect the wound, nodding to himself as he came to some conclusion. He reached down to his side and pulled out a small pouch. Pouring out some mixture of dried herbs into his palm, Aragorn grabbed a bit of snow stirred it in. When the snow melted it made the herbs into a kind of paste. Hattie watched curiously, but when he was about to apply some to her forehead, she flinched back.
"Wait, what kind of salve is that? Is it Kingsfoil?" She asked, eyeing the paste suspiciously. Hattie wasn't entirely certain how much she wanted to trust Middle-earth Medicare, especially of the mucky looking variety that Aragorn had now. Kingsfoil was the only medicine she remembered, and since it healed Frodo a couple of times it had to be okay. Aragorn disappointed her by shaking his head though.
"No, dried yarrow. I'm applying more to keep away infection."
Hattie guessed she had no choice but to trust the yellow gunk and Aragorn's healing ability. As he applied the paste to her forehead, Hattie kept winching in pain each time his fingers grazed what she guessed to be a sizable gash. The left side of her face felt itchy from the blood that dried there, but thankfully it looked like her clothes had been spared.
This is the second time I've been knocked unconscious. When I get back home, first order of business is a CAT scan.
"So you have interests in healing as well as becoming an archie-ee-ogolist?" Aragorn asked as he started to put the bandage back into place.
"Archaeologist." Hattie corrected absently, "And no. I think my dad wanted me to become a doctor or something, but I prefer dealing with people after their dead. Their much less fussy then."
At her bad attempt at humor, Aragorn gave Hattie a guarded look. "I know not of doc-toors. But not many know of Kingsfoil's healing qualities outside of elf kind or the Rangers of the North. Strange that you should know of it."
Hattie flinched, picking up on Aragorn's suspicion. He was right. Kingsfoil was a plant that's abilities had been forgotten except by the elves and Rangers, thought by most to be just a common weed. And since she already said that there were no elves where she was from, Hattie could see why Aragorn was a more than a little surprised. Legolas too was curiously glancing over at her, making her internal panic worse.
"Well, you know. I'm from the North...so..." Hattie struggled to come up with something, anything, to say. But when it was clear he had her in a corner, Aragorn dismissed the subject.
"It matters not. Your wound is healing well and shall not scar I think." He informed her as he brushed off the remaining paste on his hands. It was clear to her now that Aragorn did not believe her, and not liking to be caught in a lie Hattie felt herself looking away in discomfort.
"Thanks. For the paste and stuff." She managed to mumble though, and Aragorn nodded.
"Come, enough of this foul weather!" Gimli shouted towards them, "Let us get out of reach of Caradhras's wrath!"
With that, the Fellowship picked back up that pace again. Hattie was right, they were on the descent. And while the weather wasn't exactly pleasant, it wasn't shredding through them anymore. The snow was light enough for the hobbits to be walking on their own, though they were walking beside or behind Bill, who forged an easier path for them. Hattie followed their example, but had to wonder what was next for them all.
"Where are we going exactly?" She asked Aragorn before he could leave her side to return to the front with Gandalf.
"With the hobbits exhausted and you injured, Gandalf dares not to face Caradhras and Saruman together. We retreat to a safer distance, and then we shall discuss what is to be done."
Hattie beamed from ear to ear.
"That sounds like a good plan. I like this plan. Does it also involve food?"
At the mention of food, some of the hobbits glanced back towards the pair, clearly interested in the answer. Aragorn smiled tiredly at them.
"Soon. Once we make past the last of the storm we'll stop to make camp."
"Oh," Sighed Pipping as Aragorn left them, "I do hope the bread has defrosted itself. I should like a bit of toast I think."
"Aye, with butter and jam on top." Added Merry dreamily. But Sam shook his head.
"We never had any butter, and we ran out of jam last week."
Pippin did not take this well.
"No jam?!"
Hattie walked on, ignoring the hobbits discussing what they should make with the little rations they had left. She felt her head again, the pain dulling a bit. She hoped Aragorn was right and that it wouldn't scar. But that was the least of her worries. First thing first, they had to get out of the storm and down the mountain. Then it would be Moria and orcs. Compared to that, a head injury – and the lack of jam – didn't seem that much of a big deal. Of course, it would be just her kind of luck to die of an aneurysm before they even reached Moria.
Groaning to herself, Hattie tried to keep up pace with Bill. She was already tiring, grabbing onto his side for support. She wondered if she might ask to ride him again, but seeing as how the hobbits were just as tired as she was it wouldn't really be all that fair.
'Are you well?'
Hattie glanced around her for a second, wondering where the voice came from, when she remembered Wolf was at her side. He was looking up at her with apprehension, his amber eyes round and big. She gave him smile.
Well enough to get off of this mountain.
'You must never do such a thing again. Never put my safety above yours. It is I that must protect you.'
The harsh tone of Wolf's voice worried Hattie. He was scolding her like she had done something wrong. She guessed he meant when she threw herself on top of him when the snow and rock fell towards them. Hattie hadn't really been thinking in that moment, it was just instinct. Still, she didn't like the tone her dog was taking with her.
Yeah…right. This from the pup who used to hide under my bed whenever there was a thunderstorm.
Wolf snorted forcefully, insulted. The sentiment of what he said wasn't lost on Hattie though. It was really sweet that this dope of a dog wanted to keep her safe. Reaching down, she scratched behind his ear, making his head tilt happily.
'Could you get under my chin too?'
Hattie chuckled loudly, causing Legolas to look back at her again.
"Sure thing buddy."
~o0o~
The storm left them soon enough, and the threat of snow lifted. The clouds above them broke and for the first time in what felt like forever the sun shone down on them. Hattie felt like singing when she felt its warmth on her frozen cheeks. The country before them spread itself out in the daylight; a breathtaking view that showed the foothills of Caradhras to be a long way off still.
Legolas left Bill to Hattie as he went and scouted ahead, telling them that the snow became shallower just a ways past a steep slope before them. Everyone was glad to hear it, especially the hobbits. Despite how their legs ached, everyone managed to make it over. The snow eased away little by little, and soon signs of green appeared around them. The day was waning fast though, and soon enough it was evening when they finally made it to the lower slopes.
Gandalf had them stop, finally, on top of a large hill ringed with trees and boulders. Everyone was a panting, sweaty mess of exhaustion – except for Legolas, of course – and looked ready to collapse where they stood. Silently they went about their tasks for setting camp for the night. The hobbits almost didn't have the strength for it until Gandalf passed out more of the Miruvor of Rivendell for everyone. Even Hattie took swig, relishing in the warmth and energy it gave her.
Dinner was simple toast and cheese with tea after Boromir got a fire going. Sam and Merry made the dinner, although Hattie opted to make her own grilled cheese sandwich. Pippin was thoroughly impressed by it and had one too. It wasn't a pleasant dinner though, as the mountains became veiled in the deepening dusk, and the wind was still unkind to them.
They all sat, munching silently, until Gandalf sighed to himself and sat down on a stump beside the fire.
"Friends, while we still have enough strength to talk, I must admit having been thwarted by Caradhras and Saruman."
This bit of admittance was not taken well by the others, who glanced at Gandalf warily. It wasn't a good sign when your team's most powerful wizard confessed to having been thrashed by a bit of snow.
"We still have our journey and our errand before us, and as a Fellowship we must decide what comes next." Gandalf continued, eyeing each one of the Fellowship, "We have no choice but to go on, or to return to Rivendell."
Pippin's face brightened visibly at the mere mention of return to Rivendell. No doubt he was ready for this whole thing to be over. Hattie couldn't help but sympathize, and even Merry and Sam looked up hopefully. But Hattie noticed Aragorn and Boromir glancing at one another, sharing a look. Frodo was the only one who was visually troubled, his hand unintentionally reaching for the end of the chain about his neck.
"I wish I was back there," He spoke up, his eyes clouded. "But how can I return without shame...unless there is indeed no other way, and we are already defeated?"
Gandalf sighed.
"You are right, Frodo. To go back is to admit defeat and face worse defeat to come. If we go back now, then the Ring must remain there. Then sooner or later Rivendell will be besieged, and after a brief and bitter time it will be destroyed. The Ringwraiths are deadly enemies, but they are only shadows of the power and terror they would possess if the Ruling Ring was on their Master's hand again."
The silence that followed this could have been cut with a knife. Frodo was visibly paler, and Hattie rolled her eyes at the wizard.
And this is why some people call you Stormcrow. You sure know how to be a killjoy.
"There is a way that we may attempt," continued Gandalf. "I was against it, until the pass over the mountains had at least been tried. The road that I speak of leads to the Mines of Moria."
At the mention of Moria Gimli lifted up his head. He was looking at the wizard fiercely, but for all the others a dread fell on them at the mention of that name.
"The road may lead to Moria, but how can we hope that it will lead through Moria?" said Aragorn pointedly. He knew very well of the orcs and other dangers that were in Moria, and clearly didn't want to go through them. And, for once, Boromir seemed to agree with the Ranger.
"It is a name of ill omen. Nor do I see the need to go there. If we cannot cross the mountains, let us journey southwards, until we come to the Gap of Rohan."
"Things have changed since you came north, Boromir." Said Gandalf with a bit of exasperation, "Did you not just witness Saruman's reach on Caradhras? The Ring must not come near Isengard, if that can by any means be prevented."
With this, Gandalf once more eyed each member of the Fellowship. Even Hattie came under his gaze, making her flinch as he spoke low in warning. "The Gap of Rohan is closed to us while we go with the Bearer. As part of the Ring's Company, we all are in peril. The danger will increase with every league that we go south under the naked sky."
The hobbits looked ready to faint, the reality of their situation finally sinking in for some of them. Boromir looked away from the wizard, though it was obvious he seemed to agree with him finally as he warily eyed the mountain that had just soundly whipped them.
"Then let us vanish from sight for a while and cover our trail!" Spoke up Gimli, "There is even a chance that dwarves are in Moria. However it may prove, one must tread the path that need chooses! I will tread that path with you, Gandalf!"
Gimli, with a bit of flair, placed his axe over his heart as if taking a vow. Hattie, sitting beside him, geeked out a little.
Aw! Look at him being all valiant and stuff! He's so adorable!
"I will go and look on the halls of Durin, whatever may wait there...if you can find the doors that are shut." Finished Gimli, causing the wizard to smile at his zeal.
"You encourage me, Gimli. We will seek the hidden doors together. And I shall see you all come through. It will not be the first time that I have been to Moria. I sought there long for Thráin son of Thrór after he was lost."
"But I don't wish to enter it!" Interjected Pippin, surprising the others.
"Nor me." muttered Sam.
"Of course not!" Huffed Gandalf with some amusement. "Who would? But the question is: who will follow me, if I lead you there?"
The Fellowship members looked to one another, and it was already clear what each thought about going to Moria. But everyone looked hesitant to speak. Hattie just wanted them to vote already so they could get some shut eye. Finally Aragorn sighed heavily, drawing all attention to him.
"I will." He said, and though his voice did not waver, it was clear in his eyes that he did not wish to tread into Moria. But he trusted Gandalf, and that seemed to win over the others for a moment before Boromir spoke up.
"I will not go, not unless the vote of the whole company is against me. What does the seer say?"
Hattie flinched in surprise as everyone turned towards her. Right…they thought she could see the future. They waited, invested, for her to speak. Helplessly she glanced towards Gandalf, but he didn't give her any clues as how to answer. Wolf wasn't about to be any help either, as he had left her side to pace anxiously behind her, his eyes on the darkness that started to envelop them as the sun finally set.
"I don't know about Moria...but I do know that Caradhras is out and so is the Gap of Rohan." Said Hattie hesitantly. Her stating the obvious wasn't exactly the advice everyone was hoping for, and Boromir nearly growled in frustration.
"But do you see danger in Moria? Will we be belayed by some evil if we tread there?"
Hattie, despite herself, chuckled.
"There's danger everywhere! People die of bee stings, bacteria, falling bookcases…hell, I nearly died because of a bit of snow! You got people in Middle-earth who've literally died of sadness! Orcs aren't anything special. I'll take my chances in Moria."
At her little speech, the whole of the Fellowship was giving her the same odd look. She'd guess they thought her crazy, but a few might opt for idiot instead. Gandalf seemed to like her answer though, as he was giving her a sly grin.
"What say the rest of you?" He turned to ask the others.
"I do not wish to go to Moria," said Legolas, his expression disdainful, "It is indeed a black place. Yet…I see no other way."
The hobbits said nothing for a while, although Sam did look to Frodo. They seemed to rest their hope on him, but when Frodo spoke it was the opposite of what they wanted.
"I say we go through the mines."
With that, the matter seemed settled as Boromir chose not to speak out again. Poor guy looked rather dejected as his pride had taken yet another lashing. But Hattie was glad all of this was over with. Finally, finally, she was going to start on the real journey home. The others were not really sharing in her secret joy though. Each of them worried for where they would be heading next. Gandalf's victory seemed a hollow thing for himself, especially considering he knew what would come of it. But what was done was done, and Hattie was glad to be getting a bit of sleep now. She promised herself to be terrified about orcs and the Balrog later.
Hattie went over to her packs and like the others and began to set out her bed roll. Stretching herself out on it, she nearly fell asleep then and there. But when Wolf didn't come over to her, she looked for him and he was still pacing. He looked anxious, his hackles raised.
"What is it boy?" She whispered as she came over to him. Wolf did not stop pacing, his eyes trained on something that lay beyond the reach of the fire's light.
'Danger.'
Hattie stiffened and looked out. The only thing she could see was the dark in the empty space of the night, and the only thing she could hear was the wind through the trees.
"You're gonna have to be more specific."
Wolf didn't have time to clarify. Among the hissing of wind started up another sound. A low, moaning note that made Hattie shiver.
Oh. Right. The Fellowship gets attacked by wolves now. The fun never stops here, does it?
"How the wind howls!" Commented one of the hobbits ironically. Like Wolf and Hattie they had finally picked up on the sound. Legolas and Aragorn were already standing, looking at one another worriedly. Hattie quickly backed away from the dark and closer to the fire. When another wail took up around them, she felt a spike of adrenaline tear through her.
"Gandalf!" Hattie shouted, moving over to her packs, "It's the wolves! They're coming!"
The wizard flew to his feet, tensing at her words. He looked to Legolas, and taking the hint the Woodland Prince leapt on top of one of the higher boulders to survey the dark. His eyes landed on the same patch of night Wolf was watching, and a grim look came over him.
"She speaks true! Wargs have come west of the Mountains!"
This bit of news was not welcome to the Fellowship, who looked out into the dark fearfully. From where he stood, poor Bill the pony stared to shake and sweat. A chorus of wails took up around them, making each and every one of them shudder.
"How far is Moria?" Boromir asked, suddenly a lot more eager to reach it.
"There was a door south-west of Caradhras, some fifteen miles as the crow flies, and maybe twenty as the wolf runs," answered Gandalf cryptically.
"Oh, that's real cheery." Hattie muttered to herself, packing up her belongings.
"A journey too far to make in the dark. Let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can," said Boromir gravely. "The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears."
"True!" said Aragorn, taking his sword from its sheath, "But where the warg howls, there also the orc prowls."
"Enough of the rhyming!" Shouted Hattie, turning towards Gandalf, "Are we going to start running or not?!"
The wizard, with a glance to the others about him, shook his head solemnly.
"We cannot go out into the night, not with the company so weary. We shall defend ourselves here if necessary. It may be the wolves will not be bold enough to come any closer, if luck will hold."
Hattie groaned to herself and sat down on a rock, head in her hands.
"This Fellowship is the opposite of luck!"
It seemed Aragorn was not going to count on luck though. He talked lowly with Legolas, Boromir, and Gimli, and each then took positions around the hill. They were armed and ready, though the hobbits and Hattie were encouraged to stay closer to the fire beside Gandalf. Their wide eyes glanced about the dark, fearful and unblinking. No one felt like sleeping any more, not as the howls became notably closer and closer with each passing minute. Legolas kept watch, and after several hours of Hattie pretending she wasn't panicking he informed them that the wolves would be upon them within moments. The elf already had his bow drawn back, ready to fire at the first sight of their yellow eyes.
"I wish I had taken Elrond's advice," muttered Pippin to Hattie, his hands trembling, "I am no good after all. There is not enough of the breed of Bandobras the Bullroarer in me. These howls freeze my blood. I don't ever remember feeling so frightened."
"Oh, don't worry. You'll live to see worse things than wargs try to eat you." Hattie said distractedly as she thought she caught a glimpse of something moving in the dark.
"What?" Paled Pippin. Hattie glanced down.
"What?"
"You just said–"
"They come!" Shouted Legolas in warning over the hobbit.
Everyone tensed. All conversation and breathing stopped. No sound could be heard except for Wolf's growls that snarled his face viciously. Hattie held on to her packs, still hoping that Gandalf might at any moment change his mind and they could still make a run for Moria right now. In her fear filled head she couldn't remember what happened during the warg attack besides that obviously everyone lives through it.
Everything will be alright. So far, its been like the book and the movie. It will be alright. I'll be alright. I'll be-
A loud, sharp, twang went off behind Hattie, and a second later an arrow flew past her and the hobbits. It hit something in the dark, and a horrible wailing signaled that Legolas hit something. His disappointed scowl made it clear he did not kill it though. The others turned to face the same direction, and it was finally then they could see what the elf saw as a huge wolf-like…thing, came to the edge of the fire's light. It was a hideous mixture of a hyena and a wolf, its mouth filled with teeth too big to allow it to be closed fully. It let loose a shuddering howl, as if he were a captain summoning his pack to the assault.
Before Legolas could notch another arrow, Gandalf strode forward, holding his staff above his head.
"Listen, Hound of Sauron!" He shouted, "Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout!"
As intimidating as that threat was, the warg wasn't about to listen. He snarled and came towards them with a great leap. Hattie shrieked and tried to get back, but she ended up tripping over Pippin. The two struggled for a moment to stand when Legolas let loose another arrow. The warg fell short of their fire, dead, an arrow lodged in its throat that quickly became bloody.
Oh god…oh god…oh god, oh god, oh god!
Hattie stared at the corpse, lost for words and thought. Pippin managed to help her up the moment before preverbal hell broke loose, and dozens of hidden wargs howled all around them. Grey shapes closed in them from all sides. Aragorn struck at something that passed, drawing blood. Boromir hacked, and a second later a warg's head was at his feet. Everyone moved too fast for Hattie to follow, hacking and slashing and drawing blood. Legolas's bow was practically singing as arrow after arrow were shot out into the dark. Gimli was shouting dwarfish profanities at the ones that came towards him, felling two by cracking his axe through their skulls. Bodies were building up around them, and Hattie began to feel sick at the sight and the terror that was welling up in her.
I can't do this. I can't be here! I'm not supposed to be here! I'm supposed to be studying for my final exams or digging in a peaceful grave!
"Look out!" Someone shouted, and Hattie turned in time to see a warg leap once more towards the fire. This time it landed, and with jaws open, it seized a hobbit. It was Merry, kicking and screaming as the warg started to drag him off by the collar of his cloak. Pippin cried out for his cousin, and without thought ran towards the warg.
"No! Let him go!" He shouted, grabbing for his sword. Faster than anyone would have given him credit for, he slashed the wolf's leg. It still did not let go of Merry, but Sam and Frodo joined Pippin and started to stab the creature over and over.
Hattie, panickedly, stupidly, stood where she was. She couldn't move. Some part of her shouted at her to go help them, but what could she do? She only had a pocket knife! Terror flooded in her as she felt herself in the grips of a panic attack. But soon enough to decision to act was out of her hands as yet another warg made its way past the others. Rather than attack the armed hobbits, it decided for an easier target.
With gaping jaws, the warg snatched Hattie's satchel. It took her a second to react, but then she was screaming her head off as it started to drag the bag as well as her away from the fire. With no other options, she did the only thing she could think of.
She punched it. Right in the nose.
This is the weirdest and scariest thing that has ever happened to me! Hattie screamed internally as she kept hitting the warg with her fists. The warg looked more annoyed than hurt, but then Hattie went for its eyes. Her thumbs pressed against them, and when she felt the flesh give she drove her fingers into the sockets.
The warg screamed in pain, letting go of Hattie's bag finally and causing her to fall backwards. It clawed and thrashed, jaws snapping blindly. Before it could snatch Hattie again, Wolf jumped in. Without hesitation, he leapt onto the warg's back, and sunk his teeth in. The warg tried to shake Wolf off, but Hattie finally got up and grabbed a large stick, the first thing within her reach. She started hitting the warg, wanting to give Wolf the chance to jump away. But Wolf then shifted himself from on the warg's back to beneath its neck. The much smaller dog adjusted his jaw's grip and crunched down on the exposed throat above him. The warg howled, but it became a gargle as blood filled its mouth. Wolf jumped away then, and within a moment the warg fell to the ground, heaving its last.
Hattie, breathless, looked at her dog – bloodied teeth and all – in astonishment.
Wow…good boy.
Armed with her stick, Hattie turned to reunite with the hobbits. They had manage to rescue Merry and were now flocking towards Gandalf. He had been busy with his own three wargs, but now free of them he finally seemed to have had enough. He raised his staff once more, and it appeared to Hattie that he started to grow larger in stature. She felt a thrum of power rise up around him, and she staggered back at the force of it. The wizard rose, menacing like a storm cloud, and as if struck by lightning the end of his staff began to glow. It lit up the whole hill, and the wargs started to back away from the light as he walked towards them.
"Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!" He shouted. (Fire save us! Fire drive back the werewolves!)
There was a roar and a spark, and the tree nearest the wizard burst into blinding flame. It crackled and turned black, and the fire began to leap from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with red light. The swords and knives of the Fellowship flickered, momentarily still as they watched the flames encircle them. Hattie gaped like a fish at this display of magic, but more than astounding, the fire drove the wargs back. They yipped and howled in fright, backing away more when Legolas rained arrow after arrow on them.
Before Aragorn and Boromir could charge forward, the wargs started to retreat. Running, literally, with their tails between their legs. The Fellowship waited for them to return, eyes on the hill they had retreated over. But was the fire upon the trees started to die down until nothing was left but falling ash and sparks, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Even better, as the smoke curled around them the sky lightened as dawn finally came.
Everyone was panting and thankful for the morning. Hattie felt like crying from exhaustion and relief. She was alive! She made it through her first fight! Hattie collapsed where she stood, her head swimming with leftover adrenaline. She might have passed out then and there if Gandalf hadn't spoken up.
"We must reach the doors of Moria before sunset," he said sternly as he pointed south-east of the mountains side towards a line of bare cliffs, "or I fear we shall not reach them at all. Come!"
Hattie groaned. The last thing she wanted was to run twenty miles. She got back up, already sore and dead tired.
Great. If wargs don't kill me along the way, then my feet will.
~o0o~
The good weather held for a while, at least until evening started to come their way. By then the Fellowship – plus Hattie – had somehow managed to make their way over to the cliffs of the mountains. Exhaustion no longer was the word to describe how tired everyone was – except for Legolas, of course. Hattie had kept with her the stick she had used to beat off the warg. It was long and sturdy enough for her to use it as a walking stick, though by now she was practically putting all her weight on it, shuffling along with the hobbits.
As the sun started to set, a grey fog came about them. It was bad timing, as they were now scrambling over barren rocks that pressed them to the cliff's edge. Gimli had actually taken the lead a long time ago, walking alongside Gandalf and talking with him about their route. They both paused for a while when a stream that ran out from the feet of the cliffs.
"The Sirannon…perhaps only a few miles now." Gimli muttered, and Hattie smiled to hear it. She went up to the water's edge, washing off the blood that had crusted on her face. Wolf followed suit, practically diving in, which troubled Hattie. She couldn't think why until she remembered something about the water.
Oh, god…the squid thing. The Watcher…
"Wolf!" She nearly screamed, "Get out of the water now!"
"Miss Hattie? Are you alright?" Asked Frodo from beside her, he and the others had also gathered on the bank to drink and rub their faces clean. Hattie ignored their stares as Wolf reluctantly got out of the water and shook himself.
Of all the fictional places I could have been sucked into…it had to be the one with wargs, goblins, wizards, squids, and orcs…at this rate the Hunger Games series is probably safer…
"Oh, just dandy." Hattie finally answered Frodo, looking down at him sternly, "And don't go near the water, okay? Keep away from it."
The hobbit gave her an odd look, but he thankfully didn't have time to ask for clarification as Gandalf stood up.
"Frodo, come and help an old man!"
The hobbit left Hattie with a nod to go towards the wizard, who once more led the Fellowship on. Hattie debated telling him what she knew, but decided against it for now. It looked like he and Frodo were having a serious talk, and she didn't want to interrupt.
They rounded a bend, and there the path veered between a steep cliff face and a set of stairs. Gimli sprinted up them quickly, facing the grey wall that rose before them, blocking the last rays of the sun. His eyes widened.
"The Walls...of Moria!" He breathed reverently.
They moved faster now, their goal in sight. The Fellowship reached the strip of dry land between the lake and the wall. It was narrow, often hardly a dozen yards across, and littered with fallen stones. In the murky water, stumps and dead boughs were rotting in the shallows, making everything needlessly creepier. Hattie hugged her stick to her and moved up the line to get closer to Gandalf, feeling safer walking behind him. She mulling over how to delicately warn them about the squid thing, when Pippin anxiously spoke up.
"So...where is the door?"
"Hidden. Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli answered. He was following along the wall, testing it with the tip of his axe. He would tap and listen, trying to detect a hollowness behind the stone.
"Yes, Gimli." Gandalf grinned, before explaining to the others, "Here was the elven way, the West door made chiefly for their use in traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, but when the friendship closed not even the dwarves could find the door and its secrets were forgotten."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas snidely said to himself. Gimli, in front of him, turned to the elf with a growl.
"If you have something to say, elf, then best say it to my face."
"Shall I kneel then? Or shall we find you a tree stump to stand on?" Legolas smirked mischievously down at the dwarf. Gimli's grip on his axe handle tightened, but Hattie, in front of them, rolled her eyes.
"Guys, quit it. You sound like an old married couple."
Legolas looked at her like she had just slapped him. Gimli started sputtering angrily, but before either could react, Gandalf called back to them.
"Miss O'Connor speaks true. Come, Legolas and Gimli, be at peace and come help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better. Night is at hand!"
Hattie watched the elf and dwarf, both glaring daggers at one another, as they did as the wizard asked. The others followed after them slowly as Gimli would tap the stones of the wall and he and Legolas both would listen. Gandalf himself felt the stones, looking for ruins no doubt. After about a half an hour of this, they came near a pair of large holly trees. In between them seemed to be the very thing Gandalf was looking for, because he started to mutter excitedly.
"Yes. Yes, this is it. Now, let's see..." He traced the lines of the stones reverently, before turning from them to the moon that now rose above them, "Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."
On cue, the moon shone brighter upon the grey face of the rock. Slowly on the surface where Gandalf's hands passed, faint lings appeared. Like slender veins of silver, they were at first thread thin, so fine that they only twinkled. But steadily they grew broader and clearer, until the shape of a door stood before them. Hattie's eyes went big at the sight of it, and she found herself stepping closer. She was absolutely entranced, and her inner scholar itched with excitement.
Ah, man. I could so write a winning dissertation on this.
"It reads: The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Gandalf interpreted for the others. Hattie only half heard him, as she was already diving into her bag for her notebook and pen, hating that her phone was dead and she couldn't take any pictures.
"What d'you suppose that means?" Merry frowned curiously.
"Oh, it's quite simple." Gandalf said confidently, "If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open."
Hattie snorted a laugh, catching Boromir's attention, but by now she had her notebook out and was sketching the door of Moria. Gandalf, with a gesture of grandeur, opened his arms up and held his staff aloft.
"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" (Gate of the Elves, open now for us!) His voice boomed. Everyone looked at the door in silence, expecting some great show of magic that would open it. But when nothing happened, Gandalf shifted a little closer and tried again.
"Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!" (Doorway of the Dwarf-folk listen to the word of my tongue!)
Again, nothing happened. With a huff Gandalf actually tried to open the door with his hands. The others glanced at one another, uncertain now. Gandalf muttered to the door for a while, trying to pry it open this way and that. With a huff he stepped down.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves...men...and orcs." He sighed to himself in frustration. Pippin, blessed with poorly timed questions, spoke up.
"What are you going to do, then?"
"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf barked, his eyes glinting under their bristling brows, "And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."
Pippin, cowed, looked down at his feet crestfallen. The expression on his face was heartbreaking to Hattie, and she started shouting before she even knew what she was going to say.
"Hey! There's no call to be so mean! You...you Dumbledore!" She stammered, earning her a few odd looks. Gandalf shook his head and ignored her to stomp away to sit on a nearby boulder, muttering angrily to himself. Hattie though was feeling satisfied, and gave Pippin smile which he returned.
There. I said it. And yes, I do feel better.
Though everyone was disappointed in the failure to open the doors right away, they took advantage of their first rest all day. Hattie sat herself down nearby to the hobbits, who were rubbing their giant, sore feet. She kept sketching the door, scribbling notes on the margins from the translations Gandalf told them, to the holly trees the bordered it. She couldn't quite name why she felt the need to record it, but it was more than a happy distraction. Besides, it was pretty awesome.
While most of the others rested while Gandalf pondered the door's password, Aragorn had set himself to the task of unloading Bill. When Sam finally took notice of it, he instantly came over. He watched the ranger for a moment, sorting the load the pony carried into things they would leave behind or take.
"Strider?"
"The mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn explained, and Sam knew what he meant. He ran over to Bill, holding onto his reins for dear life.
"But you can't leave poor old Bill behind in this forsaken place, Strider!" He cried, angry and distressed. "I won't have it, and that's flat. After he has come so far and all!"
"I am sorry, Sam," spoke up Gandalf when the ruckus came to his attention, "But when the door opens I do not think you will be able to drag your Bill inside. The paths will be to narrow and steep for him."
Sam shook his head, becoming a bit teary eyed.
"He'd follow me into a dragon's den if I led him! And it'd be nothing short of murder to turn him loose with all these wolves about."
The wizard sighed. He stood up, and walked over to Sam and the pony. Hattie would bet Sam was getting ready to fight Gandalf himself to keep the pony at his side, and she felt herself get a little emotional. She and the other hobbits stood up, standing behind Aragorn wondering what would happen next as Gandalf stroked the pony's long face.
"Go with words of guard and guiding on you," He then whispered something to Bill before smiling at the compassionate hobbit, "There, Sam! He will have quite as much chance of escaping wolves and getting home as we have."
Sam looked up at the wizard, and then to Bill. Bill, seeming to understand what was going on, nuzzled up to him. Sam burst into tears then, and fumbled with the straps before he slipped off the pony's reins and threw them on the ground.
"Bye-bye, Bill." He said lovingly, and Hattie felt her heart breaking. She wasn't the only one, as the other hobbits strode over and patted the pony goodbye. Hattie even sniffled as she waved Bill goodbye as he started to turn and walk away. Wolf even whined a little to see him go, and then Hattie really started crying.
God damn it! I did not sign up to get emotionally invested over a pony!
Satisfied, Gandalf went back to his rock. He lit his pipe and once more tackled the problem of the door. Aragorn rallied the others to continue sorting the load Bill left behind, but when Hattie came over to help he took her aside.
"Now, Miss O'Connor, about your hound..."
Uh-oh.
Hattie instantly stiffened.
"What about him?"
"I fear it will not be wise to allow such a creature in the mines with us."
"Why not?"
"If he were to startle at some sound and bay, he may well bring down the whole of the orcs within the Mountains upon us."
"No he wouldn't!" Hattie bristled, kneeling down to hold onto Wolf as if Aragorn was going to take him away from her. The ranger shook his head, trying to think of a way to make her see logic. Boromir, seeing his struggle, came over to help him with the irrational Hattie who started to tear up.
"Miss Hattie, see reason. There will be nothing for him to hunt in the mines, and we have not enough rations-"
"No! I'm not leaving him behind!" She shouted over Boromir. To them, having Wolf left behind would only be a temporary parting, perhaps reuniting once the missions was complete. But Hattie was going back to her world when they got to Lothlorien, and that would mean Wolf would stay in Middle-earth forever. That she was not having. He was her only family at the moment, and more than that, she needed him. He was the only thing keeping her sane!
At her side, Wolf started to growl.
'Worry not. I will not let them separate us.'
"Miss Hattie, it will be alright. Wolf can go with Bill." Sam, his tears now dry, said in hopes of making Hattie feel better. She wasn't about to budge, and looked over to Gandalf for help. He was lost in thought again though, puffing his pipe and practically glaring at the door into Moria. She was about to yell at him to intervene, when Aragorn stepped closer.
"Fuck off! You just try and take him from me! I dare you!" Hattie turned to snarl at him, lifting her stick at him threateningly even though it shook in her hands. At her words, Wolf started to bare his teeth, his growls growing louder. It wasn't really helping their case, but it was clear to everyone that separating the pair of them would not be easy. Hattie tried to think of a way to convince Aragorn to let Wolf stay, when to her surprise Legolas stepped in between her and the ranger.
"Estel, mankoi ú?" (Estel, why not?) He spoke softly in elvish before switching over to Common, "The beast has proven loyal to her. If she asked of it, I should not wonder if the draug would remain silent for the rest of his days."
He turned then, looking down at Hattie and Wolf. The smile he wore was kind and sympathetic, and for a second Hattie felt her heart flutter at the sight of it. It sobered her up enough to help her lip stop trembling, and she stood herself back up.
"More besides, he is her only protection." Legolas turned back to Aragorn, "Would you take that comfort from her?"
Aragorn looked between Hattie and the elf. Lost, he looked to Boromir, but he only shrugged. As his now seemed to be the only objection, Aragorn sighed in defeat.
"Very well. The hound may go with us." He conceded before giving Hattie a stern look, "But he must eat from only your rations."
Hattie nodded vigorously, willing to do anything at this point to keep Wolf. The small crowd that had gathered around them dispersed, but not before Aragorn gave a sly look towards Legolas. The elf frowned at it, but shook his head and was about to walk away too when Hattie reached out to him.
"Wait, uh…" She hesitated, at a loss for words, "Um…thank you."
"Lle creoso." (You're welcome) Legolas said nonchalantly, but Hattie stepped closer. She put all her sincerity into her expression as she dared herself to meet his eyes.
"No, really, I owe you one."
"Truly?" He tilted his head curiously, looking her over in surprise. A rather devious smirk came over him then, making Hattie gulp. "Then I shall hold you to that."
Legolas left her then, making Hattie a mess of confusion and emotion after her confrontation with Aragorn. At least she would be able to keep Wolf with her, even if she was now indebted to an elf. Drained emotionally, Hattie went back over to where she left her notebook, wanting this day to be over with already. She sat herself down on a rock near the door that Gandalf was once more muttering at angrily. Hattie, no longer in the mood for notetaking, put her notebook away.
She sat there, protectively patting Wolf's head, when Pippin started to throw rocks at the lake. Tensing, she remembered the squid-thing - fuck, how could she forget about that?! - and was about to tell him to stop when Aragorn did. Hattie bit her lip, knowing things had been set in motion. Aragorn, with Boromir coming up beside him, now watched a strange ripple in the lake that started to move closer to the shore. Hattie's eyes grew as wide as dish plates.
Nope. Nope. That is a lot of nope.
She turned to Gandalf, wondering how to tell him to hurry up, when the wizard threw his hands up in exasperation.
"Oh, it's useless." He sighed, coming over to sit beside Hattie. Despite the circumstances, Hattie had to grin.
"Want me to give you a hint?"
"Am I to understand that you know the password?" The wizard glared at her skeptically. Figuring this was his way of asking for a clue, she gave him one.
"Not so much a password as a riddle." She enunciated heavily, glancing sideways at Frodo. She caught his eye, but he only frowned in confusion at her. At her side, Gandalf sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Miss Hattie, now I see how others view me. I find your assistance to be more irksome than helpful."
Hattie snorted a laugh, causing the wizard to give her an unamused look.
"Wait, a riddle!" Spoke up Frodo, standing up and walking closer to the door, "Speak friend and enter! What's the elvish word for friend?"
Gandalf's eyebrows lifted themselves past the brim of his hat as he realized what the hobbit was getting at. With a suddenness that startled them all the wizard sprang to his feet and joined Frodo's side.
"Of course, of course!" He laughed, "Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer."
Picking up his staff he stood before the door and said in a clear voice, "Mellon!"
Something in the mountain shook. A fissure parted the door in half. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung outwards inch by inch, until it was open. The Fellowship gathered nearer to it, staring into the dark steps it revealed. It was blacker than the night around them, and despite their previous eagerness to enter it, the Fellowship could only now stare in wonder.
It was Gimli who finally stepped forward. The others quickly shook themselves from their stupor, Aragorn and Boromir picking up what few packs they were going to bring with them. Hattie held her stick to her, glancing back at the lake before following after the hobbits. Carefully, cautiously, they crept inside.
"Soon, elf, you will enjoy the famous hospitality of the dwarves!" Boasted Gimli loudly as Legolas followed after him, "Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! My cousin Balin will be glad to share his home. And they call it a mine. A mine!"
Hattie blindly glanced around in the dark, hearing Wolf sniffing the air only to snort at something foul. Both he and Hattie stiffened though as they heard an ominous splash. She turned, trying to urge the hobbits further away from the door, but they only stood there in awe. The faint light of the moon entered into the chamber after the Fellowship did, lighting the way a little. And what little it revealed was not comforting.
Corpses, decayed and withered, were everywhere. They had been dwarves, that was for sure, clinging still to the weapons that lay in their hands. Gimli cried out, looking from one shrunken face to another as if he knew them. The hobbits looked ready to faint, tripping some of the bones as they began to back away.
"This is no mine. It's a tome…" Boromir uttered in horror. Hattie, personally, didn't think it was that bad.
I mean, sure, it leaves a lot to be desired. But a bunch of skeletons are a typical day at work for me.
Legolas knelt beside one of the corpses, grabbing an arrow from it. He examined the point with a scowl.
"Orcs!"
"We make for the gap a Rohan." Boromir said, and this time no one objected to it. He turned back, and the others were quick to follow him. But in that moment, several things happened. First, Hattie had a gut reaction.
"No, wait! There's-"
Then, she fucked up. Her foot caught on one of the bodies and she ended up tripping and falling flat on her face. By the time she picked herself up, Frodo was already screaming as something grabbed a hold of his ankle. He fell back with a cry, and hobbits crowded around him to help. Sam unseathed his sword, calling for Aragorn before running to cut at the thing that had a hold of his friend. He manged to slice through it, causing the sinuous tentacle to retreat in pain. Hattie had recovered by that time and in the brief second she had to react she tried to reach the hobbits and help.
Wait...how? All I've got is a stick! Besides, everything will turn out to be alri-
A flurry of tentacles sprang from the water. Sam, Merry, and Pippin were thrust away from Frodo, while Hattie took a smack to the nose. She immediately tasted blood as she fell onto her back. Frodo started to scream louder as the serpentine like arm twisted him up into the air, dangling him like a poor worm on a hook. By this time the others had come over, Legolas taking aim at the tentacle while Boromir and Aragorn charged towards the water. With little resistance, Hattie was dragged away from the entrance by Gimli as Gandalf herded the other hobbits back inside for safety. Wolf took it a step further by grabbing onto Hattie's sleeve with his teeth, dragging her further back into the dark and up the stairs. She called out to the hobbits and Gimli, and they scrambled to join her as Gandalf went back for the others.
From their retreat, Hattie and company couldn't really see what was happening, but Frodo was still screaming and that was enough. The water of the lake was frothing and churning, some of the waves created by the Watcher spilling inside of the door. A hiss, like a snake, sang along to Frodo's shouts for help. Several hacks could be heard, the work of Aragorn and Boromir, until Frodo finally fell into the latter's arms.
"Into the mines!" Gandalf shouted at those outside once Frodo was freed. They sloshed their way through the water, hurrying as the Watcher, with its hideous face now raised for all to view, crawled after them.
"Legolas!" Called out Boromir, and at the command in his voice the elf took aim at the Watcher's eye. It groaned, falling back in pain, giving everyone the chance to run back inside the door.
"Up the stairs! Quick!" shouted Gandalf, still running. The others followed him to join Hattie and company, and a good thing too as the Watcher had recovered and was at the door. It dragged its body over it, twisting its tentacles around the holly trees for support. It was trying to scramble after them, but the weight of its heavy body was too much. The trees, the door, and the section of wall above could not take it, and started to collapse. With a shattering echo the archway slammed down, and all light was lost.
From all around her in the dark, Hattie could hear the heavy pants of the Fellowship.
"What was that?" Boromir asked no one in particular.
"One nasty son of a bitch, that's what!" Hattie swore as she touched her nose, hissing at the tenderness. It was a little crooked, a sure sign it was broken. Wolf whined at her side at the pained sound, so Hattie patted his head to assure him it wasn't all that bad. She hoped.
"We now have but one choice." Spoke Gandalf, and a light flickered for a moment as the stone of his staff started to glow. Striking it against the ground hard, the staff's light sparked brighter, creating enough light to see the way by. "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things that orcs in the deep places of the world."
"Well…this just keeps getting better and better." Groaned Hattie to herself. Silently, the Fellowship - plus Hattie - filed themselves after Gandalf. Legolas glanced back from his position behind the wizard, looking at the faces of the others briefly. When his eyes landed on Hattie's he grimaced at the blood which trickled from her broken nose. Hattie frowned at the look of pity.
Great. This is the last thing my self-confidence needs.
"Quietly now." Gandalf said in a hushed voice as he began to ascend the stairs, "It is a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed..."
~o:0:o~
Haha, poor Hattie! Broken nose and gashed forehead. Not to mention she probably hasn't had a bath in three days by now. Honestly though, she's going to be a ball of stress and nerves for a while, as not many take to being thrust into a world of violence and monsters swimmingly (ha, see what I did there? No? Okay...). Anyway, I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter! Join Hattie next time as she and the Fellowship travel through the dark of Moria, and Hattie's nightmares, and reality, only get worse...
