The day was spent walking around the mountain to the Gates of Moria. Boromir looked at Solatiri who was sitting on her horse, riding while he pulled the reigns, pulling the horse along with him.

"Boromir, I can walk just fine", Solatiri said. "I don't want to put Alandu in any more danger than she already is."

"You can't walk the whole trip", Boromir said. "I don't want you to get weak. I can't carry you to Mordor."

Solatiri couldn't help but smile.

"I wouldn't mind if you did."

Boromir looked at her smile and couldn't stop himself from smiling as well. He also wouldn't mind carrying her, but it would get exhausting. They heard someone clear their throat behind them and turned to see Aragorn.

"Boromir, keep walking", he said.

"Oh, of course."

Boromir pulled the horse along as they walked toward the gates of Moria.

"Frodo!" Gandalf called from the front. "Come and help an old man out."

Frodo ran to the head of the group and walked with Gandalf. Boromir watched them trying to hear what they were saying. Solatiri looked at him and couldn't help but noticed he looked suspicious. It was obvious to anyone who saw. Boromir still lusted for the Ring.

"Boromir", she said.

He turned startled and looked at her. Solatiri touched his shoulder and shook her head.

"Whatever Gandalf and Frodo may be talking about, it is not your place to hear it."

"I apologize", Boromir said. "My curiosity must've gotten the best of me."

"The walls…" Gimli said pointing. "…of Moria."

Everyone looked ahead to see nothing but a mountain wall and a lake surrounding it.

The sky grew dark as the Fellowship walked around the lake.

"Pardon me", Solatiri said. "But are you sure this is the entrance to Moria? I see nothing but mountain."

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed", Gimli said as he tapped on the side of the mountain with his axe.

"Yes, Gimli", Gandalf said. "Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas asked looking unimpressed.

Solatiri smiled as she watched Gimli looked down feeling insulted. All was quiet until Frodo's foot slipped into the water.

"Well, let's see", Gandalf murmured as he ran his fingers across the side of the mountain. "Ithildin…"

He ran his fingers across the details carved into the stone.

"It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."

Everyone looked up to see the clouds part. The full moon shone in the sky allowing the walls of Moria to be revealed. The Fellowship looked in awe, not daring to say a word.

"Oh my", Solatiri breathed. "It's beautiful."

Gandalf pointed to the words at the top of the door.

"It reads, 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'"

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.

"Oh, it's quite simple", Gandalf said. "If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open."

The Fellowship stood silently as Gandalf spoke a phrase in Quenya. Nothing happened. The doors remained shut. Gandalf, looking surprised spoke another phrase in Elvish. Again, nothing happened. The doors remained shut. Gimli sighed looking disappointed.

"Nothing's happening", Pippin pointed out.

Gandalf tried to push the doors open to no avail.

"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs", Gandalf said.

"What are you going to do then?" Pippin asked.

"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! 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."

Solatiri got off her horse and wrapped her arms around Pippin.

"Gandalf, don't be too hard on him", she said. "He is young and naïve. He does not know the way of this world. Yelling at him will not solve this."

Boromir felt touched as he watched the woman comfort the young Hobbit…almost like a mother comforting a child.