Open sesame?
"Seriously, I feel fine now, jeez Aragorn..." Rosalie muttered. It had been decided to go under the mountain instead of over it and while Rosalie felt a lot safer, and warmer, in this plan, there was a small amount of dread in her heart. That meant they all had to shuffle back down the mountain, snow clawing at them to stay. Legolas had remained near her the entire trip, unlike before when he had walked in front.
Now, they were at the base of Caradhras, walking down a narrow path, with thick tree roots tripping them at each turn they took. Rosalie had folded up the elf's cloak, resting it over her arms. Legolas had finally left her when Gandalf had called him to the front as the snow had melted to grassy ferns. Rosalie had also had to take off her cloak as it started getting too warm and the ice in her began to melt, sending trickles of water down her face, neck and into her shirt.
The Hobbits had been allowed to walk on the ground now, no longer supported by the men, their thick feet impervious to all rocks beneath them. They had been quiet for a while until Pippin had grumbled about being hungry, bringing a smile to most of the people in the Fellowship.
It had taken them almost two days to get themselves off that dreaded mountain and then this far into the swamps surrounding the mountain side. Gandalf was leading them to a pass underneath Caradhras, and all you could hear was Gimli's praise of the decision, something that was starting to get on Rosalie's nerves.
The girl slowed down, dipping her head and letting her hair fall in front of her face. She gathered it up into a high ponytail, deciding to keep the scraggly tendrils off her face and neck, and try and hide the grease that was starting to build up. She jogged over to Legolas, moving past the rest of the Fellowship and held out his cloak. Rosalie smiled cautiously at the elf, trying hard not to stare. "Thanks for letting me borrow it, but I don't really need it now," Rosalie stopped herself from rambling and the elf just nodded, silently taking it from her and strode off, the girl slowing back down to walk with Sam and Bill.
The pony tossed his head, nudging the girl's hand and she smiled faintly. "Sorry Bill," She whispered, "Don't have any apples for you," Sam grinned at her then looked at Bill. "I think he likes you Miss Rosalie," The Hobbit said, running a hand through the pony's mane and Rosalie smiled at the affection plain as day on Sam's face. There was a comfortable pause between the two, though a tension as they listened to the strange echoes around them. In front of them, Boromir's shoulders stiffened and Rosalie watched as the man's hand slipped to his sword.
"Miss Rosalie?" The girl turned to Sam, "Are you okay? It's just you spent a while under the snow and-" Rosalie bristled and held up her hand, silencing the Hobbit. "I am fine," She growled out, her tone very similar to Gimli's usual attitude. Sam fell silent, shocked at her outburst and Rosalie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry Sam, I didn't mean for it to come out like that, it's just everyone keeps asking me that." She trailed off, shaking her head.
A head of them, Gimli let out a shout and Rosalie's head snapped upwards, watching the dwarf run along a small, pebbly beach with a large pool of murky water. There was a flat, rocky wall ahead of them, poison green vines curling around the edges through never straying too far onto the wall, as if preferring the outskirts of the wall. The water lapped at the rocky beach, spitting smooth stones but it was calm and Rosalie felt a shiver go up her spine, the hairs standing on end at the back of her neck.
Aragorn was also looking out over the lake, his grey eyes dark and searching the waters and just behind him, she could see Legolas craning his head, doing the same. Gimli was stood at the bare wall, looking up at it in wonder. "The walls of Moria," He breathed and Rosalie frowned. "There's nothing there..." Rosalie whispered and Gandalf unknowingly answered her question. "Aaaahhh... The gates of Moria... Only shown in Starlight," The wizard turned his head to face the moon, "And in moonlight."
The clouds cleared and pure moonlight fell directly on the wall and Rosalie let out a gasp, not noticing the smiles she got from the other members of the Fellowship. The wall began to shimmer and a patterned appeared, etched into the rock to look like shining lace that weaved a perfect image of an arch, strange lettering along the top of it. Rosalie could only stare in wonder, not seeing the dwarf's proud smirk. She reached out, running her fingers over the cool rock, feeling slight grooves from the magnificent drawings.
"It reads," The wizard leaned back on his staff, "The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter." There was a moment of silence, everyone entranced by the glowing gates. "What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked hoarsely and Gandalf chuckled, an arrogant look crossing his face. "Well, it's simple really. If you're a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open." He spoke loudly in an old language, the deep sounds rolling around the clearing. There was a silence and Rosalie traded glances with Merry and Pippin. Gandalf frowned and spoke again; raising his voice, the echoes reverberating and Rosalie hid a smile. The wizard muttered under his breath, glaring at the rock face.
Aragorn had pulled Sam aside, gently stroking Bill's mane but keeping his eyes trained on the Hobbit. "The mines are no place for a pony, even one as brave as Bill." The man murmured and Sam nodded mournfully. "Buh-bye Bill," He said stroking his horse and Bill tossed his head. Slowly, Aragorn pulled the reigns off the pony's head and Rosalie ran over. "Wait!" She had whispered but it had come out louder than she had expected. She put a hand on the pony's nose and looked straight into his brown eyes. "Goodbye Bill. Be safe," She whispered and closed her eyes, her thumbs rubbing circles into his fur and behind her she could hear a faint sniffle. Aragorn nodded, his face a calm mask, "Go on Bill, go on. Don't worry Sam, Rosalie. He knows his way home." Sam stared off; watching his pony trot back along the path they had walked earlier and Rosalie put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He stared at the two then noticed what the more mischievous Hobbits were doing.
Pippin grinned, proud that he had gotten four bounces before the stone sunk below the surface, the ripples the only evidence of his game. He looked over at Merry and nodded enthusiastically and reached for another stone. A different hand shot out, grabbing the young Hobbit's wrist, stopping him mid-throw. "Do not disturb the water," His voice was urgent and Pippin nodded, shocked at Aragorn's change in tone. The fellowship were sat on wooden logs, silent apart from Gandalf's voice that ricochet around them, his language unknown to the rest of the Fellowship.
Gimli snorted at Gandalf's antics and the elf cast a look of disgust at his back before turning back to the lake, saying something softly to Aragorn in Elvish. The man spoke back in kind and Gimli growled. "Will you speak in a tongue we all can tell?" Legolas glared at the dwarf, and Rosalie cleared her throat, watching the two races carefully. "What's your home like?" She asked Boromir suddenly, watching the man's eyes widen slightly, realising what she was trying to do.
"Well, uh," Boromir was still staring at Legolas and Gimli, "Gondor is truly a sight- not like the beauty of Rivendell but still magnificent. It is the greatest kingdom of Men and I hail from our capital- Minas Tirith. There is the legendary White Tree of Gondor." He motioned to his vest and the white embroidered branches reaching out across Boromir's chest.
At that moment, Gandalf kicked a rock and sat down heavily next to Frodo. "It's useless," He sighed and put his face in his hands. There was a small pause before Pippin spoke up. "Does this mean we have to turn around?" A groan went through the Fellowship and Merry thumped the other Hobbit over the head. Frodo was sat quietly, staring off at the wall and Rosalie rubbed her temples. Something was making her uncomfortable and she shifted in her seat. Anyone tried open sesame? Worked for Ali Baba... Rosalie thought to herself.
Frodo was still staring at the gates. "It's a riddle," He murmured under his breath. "Speak friend, and enter..." He looked over at the wizard. "Gandalf, what is the elvish word for friend?" He asked quietly and Gandalf looked up, as if realising the answer. His answer was short and quiet but the earth trembled and shook as the gates grinded inwards, baring a dark passage underneath the mountain. Did he just say Melon? Rosalie wondered but got up with the rest of the company. The dwarf let out a shout of glee and leaped up, swaggering over to the entrance.
"Soon Master Elf," Gimli sneered slightly at Legolas but continued talking loudly. "You will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone." He was almost shouting, his voice echoing loudly around them. "This my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin, and they call it a mine. A mine!" He laughed, seeming to not notice the creepy vibes the place was giving Rosalie. It was dark and smelt awful and there were cobwebs everywhere. Boromir leaned down, wiping the cobweb off a stack, leaning back when he saw what was underneath. "This is no mine. It is a tomb."
Rosalie recoiled and suddenly it seemed like all of the bones stood out. They were covered in rusty chain mail, dark blood stains and silk silver cobwebs that clung to everything like a second skin. She shook, the pale moonlight flooding the entrance, showing every gruel aspect, even the skulls, mouths open in dying screams. Legolas stooped, examining one of the arrows, poking out of the dead dwarf. He cursed and with lightening speed, pulled an arrow out of his quiver, pulling his bow taunt. "Goblins." He hissed. Gimli's howls echoed around the entrance, the sounds almost as haunting as the scene.
Boromir and Aragorn moved closer to each other, hands on weapons, in front of Rosalie and the Hobbits, protecting them from the unknown enemy ahead of them. "You make for the gap of Rohan. We should have never of come here. Now get out of here, get out!" Boromir was half yelling at them, but turned towards the other man. Rosalie's eyes were wide, still staring at the skeletons. Her heartbeat in her ears was the only thing she could hear. Not the small stirrings in the water behind them, or the quiet slither of something creeping up on them.
Suddenly, Frodo let out a scream and Rosalie snapped her head around to him. She watched in horror as he got dragged backwards and the other hobbits screamed his name. Aragorn turned around, his face morphing to something similar to Rosalie's. The Hobbits charged forward, Merry and Pippin grabbed Frodo's arms while Sam ran and cut at the tentacle holding their friend. Something under the surface of the lake let out a blood-curdling shriek. The stump slithered back under the waves. The girl let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Gimli, Legolas and Gandalf had all ran outside, weapons held, ready for anything else.
Tentacles burst from the water, grabbing Frodo again and lashing out at the rest of the Fellowship. Beside her, she saw Boromir let out a battle cry and slashed at the monster. Rosalie flinched and threw her hand out, hearing a screech and looked down. Her shaking hand was holding one of the knives, coated in dark greyish blood and the shaking got worse. Frodo was screaming, held upside down over the lake and the other hobbits were shouting. It was chaotic- a jumbled mass of noise that made Rosalie flinch and wince with every new sound. She felt like she was watching in slow motion; the monster raised its ugly head out of the water, black eyes trained on Frodo and it opened its jaw.
Boromir and Aragorn surged forward, slashing and hacking at the tentacles, desperately. The creature screamed and Frodo fell, letting out a scream of his own before Aragorn caught him. "Into the mines!" Gandalf's voice rang out and the men started to run and Boromir shouted something.
An arrow flew past her, a few wisps of hair flying across her face and struck the monster in its eye. The elf grabbed Rosalie's wrist and dragged her into the mine, the hobbits and men hot on their heels. Behind, they could hear the creature's moans as it used its tentacles to heave itself closer to its prey. Around them, the rock started crumbling and unwittingly, Rosalie moved closer to Legolas, as huge chunks of rock fell from the ceiling, blocking the precious light they had. The fellowship moved into a corner, the hobbits and Rosalie closest to the wall and furthest from the monster outside. They watched, panting, as the entrance caved in on itself until all they could see was darkness.
There was a hoarse whisper and a faint glow appeared from the crystal on Gandalf's staff. He looked at each member of the Fellowship, his hair slightly scraggly, the crystal light throwing deep shadows onto his face. "We have now but one choice. We must face the long dark walk of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world." Rosalie shivered and felt a warm hand squeeze her shoulder gently. She smiled faintly but continued to face the wizard. "Quietly now. It is a four day journey. Let us hope our presence goes unnoticed."
AN: I'm really sorry! I haven't uploaded in a while- I am really sorry for that! Please don't find my address and destroy me! Also, I've decided to put this note down here! Mainly because otherwise I'm giving you hints (Spoilers - just for any Doctor Who fans)
Thank you to everyone that has reviewed and favourited/ followed- you are all awesome and deserve to be showered with cookies, ice cream and your favourite OTP moments (whatever they are!)
I have a feeling this Fanfiction will not be continuing for much longer BUT I am thinking about having a sequel for the second movie... so no panic attacks yet!
Thank you again for putting up with me and hopefully, see you soon!