Hello readers! I KNOW I said I'd update more on my February break, but I've once again gotten writer's block (ARGH!) and I had to watch the Fellowship Extended again! Hehe……but I've been inspired so here's another chappie, but not before I talk to my reviewers…
Many thanks to: Kess/Elven-elements, Lady Thymiel/Fluff Writer, Jennifer Bloom, Jack-Sparrow-Lover, Lil-Hellraiser, Mojo the Rock Chick Munchkin, Merewen Greenleaf, and sweetazzhoney.
You guys are the BOMB and I love you all to pieces! *hands out pirate hats……whoops, wrong story…….and um…….hairs from Legolas's head! WOOHOO! I had to chase him around my room for a few hours, until I confiscated his bow. Then he gave in……he's currently being held in my closet, if anyone else is looking for him……….
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Well, that improved things. Now we walked along a deep river as the sun was setting. We had released all the horses, except Sam's beloved pony, Bill, which had traveled with him from Hobbiton, for Gandalf said the horses would encumber us and slow us down. So soon it would be nighttime, we didn't know where we were going, and we didn't have a means of quick transportation! Smashing!
Legolas, who walked beside me silently, tapped my shoulder and pointed up ahead. There in front of us was a beautiful aqueduct of some sort, which transported water above us. But it had been broken in half and now because a waterfall, plunging into the river, which ran along us.
"The first bridge of Moria. Now I know we are near to the Gates. Not since my last journey here, have I seen this splendor and that was many ages before," said Gandalf, smiling. "But let us hope everything is well underground as well," Gandalf said, growing serious. Gimli nodded in agreement. But he seemed confident that we would be greeted with open arms, but I wasn't so sure.
"Frodo, come help an old man," Gandalf said, while climbing over some rocks, which had fallen over the path. I could see that he bent his head, as in conspiracy, towards Frodo. They slowed down and veered to the side of the road, so others had to pass them.
I walked past them hurriedly, not wanting to be called a snoop, but Gandalf called me to him, as well.
"Liana, how is your shoulder?" he asked quietly, studying me with bright, blue eyes. They reminded me of Legolas's, for they both held the same depth, understanding, and unspoken wisdom.
"Oh, my shoulder…it doesn't bother me that much, only when we travel for really long times without rest," I said. Good job! Now I sound like a wimp! He nodded, gravely.
"See, Frodo, you are not the only one," he said, turning back to the Hobbit.
"Only one what?" I asked, curious about their conversation beforehand. But Gandalf ignored me question.
"And what about Boromir? Has he troubled you?" Now that question slightly took me aback. But then I remembered what had occurred with the Ring.
"He's fine," I said quickly, wanting to change the subject, in case he overheard. Gandalf nodded and was about to say something, when we heard Gimli's outburst.
"Look! The Walls of Moria!" he said, excitedly, pointing at a sheer rock wall in the distance and the lake along it.
*
I could hear Gimli tapping his steel axe against the rock face. We now walked along this mountain "looking for the gates".
"But wouldn't we be able to see the gates? I mean, wouldn't they be big and fancy and pretty?" I asked, walking with the Hobbits, following Gandalf, who was studying the stone very closely.
"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed, milady," Gimli said, gruffly and rather disappointedly. I'm sure he wanted to show off Dwarfish splendor in comparison to the Elves.
"Yes, Gimli. There own masters cannot find them is their secrets are forgotten," Gandalf said, staring blankly at the wall, studying it as if he could bore two holes into it with his gaze.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas said, rolling his eyes. He stepped back from the wall, which he had been leaning against, as if listening. I threw him a dirty look.
But my attention was reverted to Frodo, who nearly slipped into the water of the stagnant lake, along which we were walking. I grabbed and steadied him, but I watched the ripples go far out into the middle and then disappear. Hopefully no one lives under there, I thought, grimly. I turned back around to see Gandalf muttering to himself and brushing dirt off the stone face.
"Starlight…..and moonlight," he said, looking up above him. The moon appeared behind its nest of clouds and shone a friendly halo down upon us. But the lake's sullen surface remained dark and foreboding.
"Can you see anything now?" Gandalf asked, quietly.
And as if by magic, a faint line began to glow on the mountain wall and steadily spread like threads, growing brighter. I could soon distinguish a huge arch, with what I guessed to be Elvish, written on the top, up as high as Gandalf stood. Below that, though some bits were broken or blurred, I could see a crown surrounded by 7 stars and below that a hammer and anvil. Beneath this, were two trees entwined around the columns of the arch and each bearing a crescent moon. But what stood out the most was a magnificent star in the middle of the door, which shone with many rays reaching out. It was a sight to behold.
"Those are the emblems of Durin!" Gimli cried, in awe.
"And the Tree of the High Elves," Legolas said, studying the door carefully. So it seemed that Elves and Dwarves were at one time, good friends. I wonder what happened to change that, I thought, my mind straying.
"These images are wrought and designed with ithildin, a mirror-like metal that only starlight and moonlight can show. It slept until now and now we can look upon its beauty," Gandalf said sighing.
"But what does the inscription say? I can't read all of it," Frodo said, trying to decipher the message. He knew how to read and speak a little bit of Elvish.
"The Door read: The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter," Gandalf read.
"What d'you suppose that means?" Merry said, eyes wide at the site before him.
"Well, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open. In the days of Durin, these doors stood open and were known to all. But now only the person with the opening word can open them," Gandalf said.
"But you do know the password, right Gandalf?" Pippin said, eager to get in and out of the dark.
"No," Gandalf said and turned to face the door.
"Then what use and purpose did we come to this accursed place? You told us that you had once passed through these Mines. How is that, if you do not know how to get in?" Boromir said, distraught. I could see the fear in his eyes. Despite his huge build and his experience as a warrior, he was really a teddy-bear inside. Gandalf turned back around, a light flickering in his eyes.
"I do not know the word, Boromir – yet. To answer your second question, do you not trust me? What of my other deeds? Have they proved useless as well? If you do not believe me, I entered not through this way, but from the East," Gandalf said, and turned his attention back to the door.
"So what are we going to do now?" Pippin asked, undaunted.
"Knock on these doors with your head, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf said, violently. Apparently he had reached his last nerve. "And if that does not shatter them and I am not allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will seek the only opening words." He finished and pressed the top of his staff against the Doors and muttered something under his breath. Pippin was deeply hurt by Gandalf's response, for he did not think his questions to be childish. He would have cried if I hadn't given him a hug.
We all took Gandalf's hint and settled ourselves down on rocks and away from the dull water of the lake. But we did not fully relax, for we heard wolf cries in the distance. Bill started in fear and Sam rushed over to comfort him. Merry and Pippin huddled on either side of me and I placed a kiss on each of their heads. I think I had become a "mother hen" for all of them. I felt Legolas's eyes on me and looked in his direction, but he turned away and instead studied the waters of the lake.
I did not feel safe here.
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WAHAHAH!! Another evil cliffie…….I KNOW there hasn't been enough Legolas/Liana snogging, but relax, something sweet is gonna happen in Lothlorien…….now if only I could get past the stupid Mines, get rid of Gandalf, and move on………but that would ruin the suspense ;~)