Hello again! I am very thankful to all of you that reviewed and encouraged me to go on with this story. I will try my best to keep this story on the level you expect it! Here is my new chapter:
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Gandalf walked in front, as before. His staff was in his left hand and in his right was his sword, Glamdring. Behind him came Gimli, his eyes glinting in the dim light each time he turned around and Faramir got a glimpse of him. Next came Frodo who had his small sword drawn too, which surprised Faramir since until now the hobbit had been avoiding it use as much as possible. He promised himself to ask Frodo when the time allowed him too.
After Frodo was Sam, as faithful as a shadow, always behind his master to help him or to talk to him. Many times Faramir had seen the two talking quietly to one another and Frodo always smiled afterwards and seemed to have gathered more strength. He was grateful and happy that Sam was there as he and the other warriors were too occupied listening out for enemies that they hardly had time to watch over the other members as well.
Legolas walked after them and behind him came the two younger hobbits. Pippin and Merry had been quiet since the beginning of the journey and Faramir started to worry about them. As he walked just behind them, he was able to help them, as obstacles crossed their path.
Yet he was himself not very at ease and this came not only of the darkness they were walking in but also from the fact that his king walked behind him. It seemed to Faramir that his each moves was watched, which made him nervous. He wasn't sure if Aragorn was really watching him but in the darkness he couldn't tell if the grey eyes were on him or on their leader at the front.
The way in front of them twisted and turned as if it had been made by the huge body of a snake. It varied between descending and staying levelled; the air growing hot and stifling, without being foul. Many times they felt the current of a breeze of cooler air on their faces, making them assume that there were other paths along theirs.
They paused at different times trying to move on as much as possible but not able to shake off completely the weariness that slowed their movements. At one of this pause Gandalf was talking to Gimli, while the others were waiting anxiously.
Faramir saw how Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo were looking worried at their leader, fear clearly written on their faces. He wished to comfort them but he didn't know how. Still pondering about it he heard the steps of a person coming next to him. Turning he met Aragorn's eyes.
"We shall move on soon," The man spoke to him in a whisper and Faramir nodded, "Gandalf will find his way even in the worst cases, I trust him," His king added and Faramir nodded again
"I do too, but please, my king, could you tell the same thing you said to me to the hobbits? They are as worried as the rest of us and even if they know Gandalf, I believe that they haven't heard the same tales as I did."
Aragorn looked at him in silence, till Faramir wondered if he would ever learn to say something without causing the silence of his king and Aragorn smiled warmly at him.
"You are right!" he said with a little laugh "They know him for his fireworks more then for his greater actions. I will speak to them and the rest."
Relieved that it had gone well, Faramir relaxed slightly while listening to Aragorn inspiring confidence again to his companions. He saw the relieved look in Sam's eyes, the smile Pippin and Merry managed and the approving look Legolas send him. He knew that they were indeed lucky to have Gandalf as their guide, but now they all knew.
There were two sorts of danger in the dark mines, one being the creatures no one had yet seen or heard but that surely lived somewhere, the second being holes, pitfalls, dark wells, fissures, chasms and cracks that appeared out of no where. They became more and more frequent and the company slowed down, exhaustion nearing.
Faramir, who was keeping watch as always, realised that no one was speaking or if it was necessary was using the softest whisper, and the only sound that accompanied them on their march was the sound of their steps were the wooden sound of Gandalf's staff, the dull stump of Gimli's boots, the for ever light steps of Legolas, the patter of the hobbits heard only because there were many of them, his own steps resolved but soft and finally the slow and firm, long stride of Aragorn.
They had all nearly reached the limit of their capacities when Gandalf came to his first serious check. Before him stood a wide dark arch opening into three passages: all led the same general direction, eastward; but the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level but very narrow.
"I have no memory of this place at all!" said Gandalf and after searching with the light of his staff for anything that might help him choose he spoke again: "I am too weary to decided, we better halt here for what is left of the night."
They found a stone door next to the arch. Merry and Pippin pushed forward eagerly but were stopped by Gandalf, as he warned them of the dangers there could be and passed first.
When all had passed the door he pointed his staff to the middle of the floor, "There!"
A large round hole reminding of a mouth was on the ground.
While Aragorn told Merry to always let the guide pass first, Faramir watched Pippin. The hobbit seemed attracted to the hole as he did not unpack his blanket but moved closer to the edge.
"Pippin, wait." He called softly to not scare the hobbit unintentionally and was relieved that the hobbit looked up to him. "What do you wish to do? You know that a fall would cost you your live." He said sternly and Pippin lowered his head.
"I meant only to look at it to know its depth." He said in an embarrassed voice, and Faramir smiled but added, his voice still stern:
"Please do me the favour of not risking yourself like that anymore! We would have lost an important member of our company had you fallen."
At this Pippin raised his head and seeing the smile Faramir offered him smiled back, "I promise sir!" he said with heart and moved away.
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As in the book the scene with Pippin throwing a stone has little importance I hope you will forgive to have taken it out. Thanks for reading and till my next chapter ;)!
