The next day, the Fellowship was ready to leave Rivendell as they were all standing in a glade beneath an old stone arch. Kopa and Vitani were sitting next to Aragorn as they waited for the Ring-Bearer to join them. The previous night, the two Lions got to meet their comrades a little better : Legolas , the Blond Elf was Lord Thranduil's son and the Prince of Mirkwood; Gimli was the son of one of the Dwarves of Thorin's Company who traveled with Bilbo and Simba 60 years ago.

Samwise Gamgee , Sam for short, was Frodo's gardener back in the Shire and his friend while Merry and Pippin were known as trouble-makers. Kopa even got to meet Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's uncle, after Elrond's Council. The Old Hobbit was overjoyed to see Simba again and he welcomed the Red Maned Lion warmly. He was also honored to meet his friend's family and he and his father shared stories of all times while the young Lions went on their way to meet other people.

Kopa passed the rest of the previous day with his entire family because he knew it would be a long time before he saw them again. Simba and Nala took him apart and told him they were proud of him and they wished him a good journey. The Brown Maned Lion knew they were concerned for him as they once lost him because of Zira and they didn't want to re-experiment this again.

Kovu wished good luck to his sister as he knew she could handle herself and Kiara teasingly asked to keep an eye on her brother which caused the trio to snicker in amusement. And when the night came, all Felines slept together for the last time , pressing their bodies against each others.

The next day, Kopa was the first one to woke up and he walked toward where the Fellowship must be gathered. Later, Vitani joined him and sat at his side as the two waited their comrades. Gandalf was already there along with Legolas. Then Gimli and the Hobbits showed up, quickly followed by Boromir and Aragorn. The Two Lions then noticed the look Boromir was sending to Isildur's heir and frowned : it was disdain. Kopa and Vitani shared a glance and silently agree to keep an eye on Denethor's son.

Soon almost every member of the Fellowship was there except one : the Ring-Bearer.

Knowing they couldn't leave without Frodo , they all waited for him and after a moment, the say Hobbit appeared and instantly placed himself near his fellow Hobbits and Gandalf. Elrond soon appeared along with his daughter Arwen . Behind them, Kopa saw his family looking at him with a smile but sadness still evident in their eyes.

The Lord Elf gazed at every faces before him sternly " The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him no oath nor bond is laid, to go further than you will ! Farewell... Hold to your purpose ! May the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you !" Elrond said in a calm but grave tone before spreading his arms.

Aragorn and Legolas bowed their heads with their hands upon their hearts. Frodo turned around and led the way quickly followed by the rest of the Fellowship. Kopa and Vitani bowed their heads to their family who wished them good lucks before following.

Kopa's ear twitched when he heard Frodo's whisper " Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?" The Grey Wizard took a moment before whispering back " Left" Vitani then noticed that Aragorn wasn't following them and turned her head to see Isildur's heir looking at Arwen with sorrow. Elrond's daughter had the same expression on her beautiful face. Soon,after what seemed like an eternity, Aragorn turned around to follow his comrades while Arwen looked down in sadness.

Kopa then nudged her head with his own which caused the Lioness to look at him. She gave her mate a loving smile before the two of them ran after their comrades and beginning the long journey to Mordor.

As they left, they didn't noticed the look of sadness Simba and Nala along with Kiara and Kovu were sending them as they whispered softy or silently "oh Great Kings of the Past, please watch over our son and his beloved..." then they turned around , thanked the Elves for their hospitality before leaving Rivendell to start their long trip back to the Pridelands to tell their subjects the news.

/

The Fellowship traveled through woods, over open fields and hillsides. After hours of walk, they decided to take a break on a hill in the wild. " We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east to Mordor..." Gandalf announced as everyone settled on the hill.

While Sam was cooking over a recently-made fire , Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin how to use a sword. Right now, the Gondorian Soldier was sparring with Pippin " Two, one, five. Good. Very good !" Aragorn, for his part, was nearby smoking as he was sitting on a rock " Move your feet !" he suggested as he watched the 'fight'.

Not too far, Vitani and Kopa was laying on the ground ,equally watching the lesson with a bit of amusement. "Why having a sword when we have claws ?" the Lioness asked her mate as she unsheathed her sharp claws which shined under the sun-light. The Brown Maned Lion grinned at her before looking at Gimli who just approached Gandalf who was, like Aragorn , smoking " If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome"

Kopa then saw Gandalf's face and frowned : he seemed surprised "No Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice " was the Wizard's answer. While her mate was observing the Dwarf and Wizard, Vitani noticed that Legolas was watching something at South and looked at the same direction that the Elf. There was a strange mass of black flying in the air.

She was so busy watching this mass that she didn't heard Pippin's cry of pain "Aahh !" Boromir had accidentally nicked the Hobbit's hand. "Sorry !" The Gondorian said in apology before receiving a kick on the shin by the say Hobbit "Ahh !" "Get him !" Merry shouted as he and Pippin pounced on Boromir , pinning him down

"For the Shire! Hold him! Hold him down! Merry!" Pippin said to his best friend which caused Boromir, Aragorn and Kopa to laugh in amusement.

" Gentlemen, that's enough !" Isildur's heir inquired as he walked toward them before laying his hands on either Hobbits' shoulders. Suddenly, the two grabbed his leg , pulling his down on his back.

Kopa's laugh hardened at the comical scene before him . Suddenly Sam asked " What is that ?" Everyone stopped what they were doing to see a strange cloud at the South of their position.

"Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud !" Gimli said dismissively "Its moving fast… and against the wind !" Boromir remarked as he stood up. Vitani looked closely and said loudly "Its not a cloud ! Its a bunch of birds !" " Not any birds ! Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas added with wide eyes before Aragorn shouted "Hide !"

Boromir then added a "Hurry !" when he saw the black Birds coming faster. The Fellowship scrambled to gather their things, and Sam putted out the fire. They hided behind rock outcroppings and under bushes. Vitani and Kopa because of their size had to hide further under larges bushes . When everyone was undercover they waited. Suddenly, a flock of black birds rushed overhead, cawing loudly.

The Fellowship staid silent as the Birds circled the hill before flying back Southward. When they were sure that the dark birds were far away, everyone stepped out of their hiding places " Spies of Saruman! The passage to South is being watched ! " Gandalf snarled in anger as he looked at the faint shape of the birds in the distance. Then he turned his head to look at a great snowy Mountain " We must take the Pass of Caradhras !" he announced loudly and everyone looked at the Mountains.

"Great ! Just great !" Kopa muttered sarcastically as the group walked toward the mountains and Vitani ,too , seemed unhappy about climbing but they had no choice. They must take the Pass of Caradhras either they like it or not. The two of them would rather fight Orcs than go up there in fact.

/

The Fellowship climbed the snowy slopes of the Mountain and it was hard to walk on snow...especially for Kopa and Vitani. After all, being Savanna Creatures, they weren't used to snowy and cold area like where they were right now. But despise their displeasure, they kept going even if now and then you could hear them particularly Vitani muttering "I hate snow… I hate snow… I hate snow..."

Suddenly, as the group went through the glistering, Frodo lose his footing and fell on the snowy ground before rolling down the slope towards Aragorn who instantly help him to get up. The Ring-Bearer instinctively putted a hand to his neck and his eyes widened just like if he had lost something. The Two Lions instantly realized the reason : the Ring must have slipped away from Frodo when he fell.

Suddenly, Kopa saw Boromir, who was standing just in front of him, picking up something from the 'ground' and his turquoise eyes narrowed when he saw the Ring dangling in front of the Man's face by its chain. The Brown Maned Lion shared a concerned look with his mate before the two looked back at the Gondorian who seemed mesmerized by the One Ring.

" It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt… over so small a thing... Such a little thing..." Boromir said in a soft tone and only Kopa and Vitani , thanks to their good hearing sense, could hear it. However, the two felines tenses when they saw Denethor's son reached out for the Ring with a gloved hand.

"Boromir !"

The Gondorian was pulled out of his trance by Aragorn's voice "Give the Ring to Frodo !" Isildur's heir inquired the Man sternly with his hand on the hilt of his sword. Kopa and Vitani growled threateningly and the Gondorian glanced at them. Then Boromir slowly made his way toward Frodo and the Ranger before holding out the Ring toward the Hobbit "As you wish… I care not "

Frodo swiftly but sharply grabbed the Ring back from the ligh brown haired Man who then jokingly tousled his hair before resuming his climbing. Kopa and Vitani stepped closer to Frodo and Aragorn who were looking at the Gondorian with suspicion. "We better keep an eye of him… He want the Ring..." The Beige Lioness pointed out softy so Boromir wouldn't hear her. Her mate along with Aragorn nodded in agreement as they followed the rest of the group.

As the time passed, Gandalf guided the Fellowship along a narrow ledge on the Pass , forging a way through a growing blizzard. As the group labored onwards through the snow banks , Legolas ran out ahead : his steps were so light that he moved with ease on the snow.

Some members of the Fellowship envied the Elf right now as they had difficulty to walk. Kopa and Vitani were walking side by side , their heads lowered down as cold wind crashed against their faces. They were near the Hobbits and were in fact taking more of the wind , thanks to their big size. Legolas then stared into the blinding storm as if he hear something.

Kopa was the only one who noticed it as Vitani was watching the Hobbits cautiously to make sure they were alright. The Brown Maned Lion listened closely and soon he heard something : it looked like a chant… a deep one. " Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya ! (Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your horn be bloodstained !")

"There is a fell voice on the air !" Legolas warned the group as he still looked through the blizzard "I hear it too !" Kopa shouted in agreement at the Elf's testament. " Its Saruman !" Gandalf yelled in recognition. Suddenly, boulders fell from the mountain's arms which caused the Fellowship to shove themselves flat against the sheer cliff wall to avoid the onslaught of stone.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn yelled to the Grey Wizard who looked at him before yelling back a "No !" Then he stepped out into the ledge before chanting in a loud and deep tone in an attempt to fight Saruman " Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith! (Sleep, Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!) "

Sadly, Gandalf's voice was drowned by a terrible battle cry coming from Orthanc where Saruman, the White Wizard resided "Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto-carinnar!" (Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your bloodstained horn fall upon enemy heads!)" At those words, a Lightning crashed against the the tip of Caradhras, sending a second avalanche right on the Fellowship.

Vitani then used her body to protect the Hobbits from what was coming while Kopa was standing near Aragorn and Gimli . Legolas quickly snatched Gandalf from the edge, pulling him against the cliff just before the avalanche fell on them . The wave of snow and ice cascaded over the Fellowship who were buried under a mass of snow. After a moment, Kopa was the first one to emerge and he helped his comrades. Vitani soon appeared and under her were the Hobbits who shot her a grateful smile

Soon Legolas and Gandalf emerged from the snowy ground. Boromir looked over at the Grey Wizard "We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city ! " Aragorn , however, objected by saying " The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard !" " If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria !" Gimli suggested from where he stood.

"By the Great Kings of the Past, if we don't leave this dawn mountain, the little ones will DIE !" Vitani shouted as she had her body curled around the Hobbits who were shivering because of the cold. Gandalf seemed conflicted and after a long moment , which looked like an eternity for everyone, the Grey Wizard looked at Frodo before saying " Let the Ring bearer decide..."

"We cannot stay here ! Or this will be the death of us !" Boromir shouted through the snowstorm. "I second that !" Kopa yelled as he stood next to Aragorn and Gimli. " Frodo ?" Gandalf asked as he looked at the Ring-Bearer. Frodo looked at the Grey Wizard for a second before responding " We will go through the mines..."

This answer seemed to make Gandalf uneasy but he quickly hided it by saying " So be it..."

/

The group climbed down the mountain and passed South , along the misty shadow of the ruins of what seemed like an aqueduc. Kopa and Vitani were relieved to not be in the mountain again as they were ahead of the group , looking for any threats that could endanger their friends.

By the corner of his eyes, the Brown Maned Lion saw Gandalf and Frodo talking to each other but sadly he was too far too hear what they were saying but what he DID hear was Gimli's voice muttering " The Walls...of Moria ! " At this, the two felines along with the rest of the Fellowship looked upon a vast cliff face. Gimli seemed overjoyed because he ran toward the walls. Kopa and his mate shared with smile before they went after him followed by their comrades.

When the group was close enough, Gimli explained in a calm tone as he knocked the rocks with his axe " Dwarf doors are invisible when closed !" The Fellowship walked along the walls , looking for a door or anything that looked like. "Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten !" Gandalf remarked with a hint of amusement that the Dwarf , thankfully, didn't noticed.

" Why doesn't that surprise me ?" Legolas said nonchalantly which caused Gimli to grumbled in annoyance. Beside the rock face was a large pool full of dark water. Gandalf approached the rock who stood between two trees, and ran a hand over the cliff face "Now… let's see. Ithildin —" he began to say before noticing something : beneath his hand was spidery silver lines faintly noticeable because of the dirt.

" It mirrors only starlight… and moonlight" The Wizard commented as he studied the lines before looking up at the black sky. The moon was appearing and the light coming from it caused the silver lines to glow bright , outling a door which was formed of two columns beneath an arch, with a star in the center. Kopa and Vitani, who never saw anything like this in their life, were watching this with amazement.

"It reads 'The Doors of Durin — Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter..." Gandalf said as he read the inscriptions on the doors. " What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked from where he stood which caused the Grey Wizard to look at him " Oh, it's quite simple ! If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open !"

Then he looked back at the doors before saying "Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen! (Gate of the Elves, open now for me!)" Nothing happened as the doors remained closed. "Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen ! (Doorway of the Dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue !) " Gandalf tried again and like before nothing happened.

The rest of the Fellowship were watching in silence. Some of them were wearing a smile the moment Gandalf said he knew the answer but now they were become less enthusiast "Nothing's happening..." Pippin commented out loud which caused the Wizard to glance at him with annoyance. Looking away for the Hobbit , Gandalf began to push on the doors, but they remained still.

"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves… Men… and Orcs" The Grey Wizard mumbled loudly to himself as he observed the inscriptions. " What are you going to do, then?" Pippin asked him nervously and in response Gandalf shouted " 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..."

At those words, the rest of the Fellowship stepped away from the Wizard to let him have space so he could think. "I don't know why but I have a feeling it would take a LONG time before a miracle appear !" Kopa remarked to his mate who nodded at him with agreement " You bet..." she said rolling her eyes.

/

As Kopa predicted, time passed and the doors were still closed as the Fellowship was seating near the lake. "Ando Eldarinwa… a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa… (Gate of Elves… listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves…)" The Wizard said in front of the doors in the hope that something would happen and , again , nothing.

Aragorn had unhitched the pony's bridle saying that the Mines wasn't a place for ponies even for one as brave as Bill. Sam watched the brave beast leaving with a sad expression on his face. Kopa and Vitani were resting on the ground looking at Gandalf when the sound of splashes caught their attention. They looked over to see Merry and Pippin throwing rocks in the water until Aragorn stopped them " Do not disturb the water !"

"It is useless !" Gandalf's exasperated voice echoed as he dropped his staff before sitting beside Frodo and pulling out his hat. At those words, Kopa and Vitani looked at each other with uneasiness : how long it would take before those dawn doors would open ?! They turned their attention to Aragorn and Boromir who were watching a ripple running through the surface of the water.

THAT caught their interests as their eyes were locked on the pool. Because of this , they didn't saw Frodo standing up as he approached the doors , watching the inscriptions on the gateway.

Soon he commented loudly " It's a riddle !" As he said, the rest of the Fellowship was gazing at the water who continued to ripple " Speak 'friend' and enter. What's the Elvish word for 'friend' ?" The Ring-Bearer asked the last part to Gandalf whose eyes widened in realization as he responded "Mellon…"

Suddenly, the doors opened and the Fellowship stopped gazing at the water to look at the now open entrance. With a smile, Vitani ruffled Frodo's hair with her paw "Well done little one !" The dark haired Hobbit smiled in appreciation before the entire group entered the cave.

While Gandalf placed a stone-like crystal at the top of his staff , Aragorn and Kopa were the last to follow as they looked at the water with suspicion. Soon moonlight entered the cave , flooding over a shadowy chamber "Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Balin ! And they call it a mine. A mine! " Gimli was saying to Legolas as the two entered the chamber.

At the mention of food, Kopa and Vitani's mouth watered especially at the words 'ripe meat off the bone'. Gandalf brang his hand around the top of his staff where he placed the crystal a few minutes before blowing on it. In response, the stone glowed.

At the chamber become more and more enlighten , Kopa and Vitani noticed something laying on the ground….well…. More like MANY things laying on the rocky ground.

Boromir must have noticed it too because he said " This is no mine, it's a tomb!" The lights of both Moon's and Gandalf's crystal revealed to the Fellowship many rotted, broken and battered forms strewn about, casting long shadows across the room : Dead Dwarves. "Oh no ! Nooooooooooo!" Gimli yelled in anger and sorrow as he looked at the corpses. Legolas pulled out an arrow from the body of the nearest fallen Dwarf before examining it. Then he suddenly tossed it away in disgust as he said " Goblins !"

Aragorn and Boromir drew out their swords ( and shield in Boromir's case) at this word. While Legolas armed his bow , Kopa and Vitani had unsheathed their claws, growling as they looked around as if an enemy was about to show up. " We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here !" Boromir said to his companions as the four Hobbits backed away toward the doors, unaware of the stirring water.

As the group backed away to the exit, Frodo was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled off by a long, snaking tentacle. "FRODO !" Sam, Pippin and Merry yelled as they rushed to save their friend "HELP !" Frodo called out as he was dragged by the tentacle. Kopa and Vitani turned their heads as they heard the cries from outside. Looking at each other, the two felines made their way outside and what they saw shocked them.

The Hobbits were clutching at Frodo, trying to keep him away from the water as more tentacles wrapped around him. Soon, the tentacles released him before disappearing in the water. Suddenly, more tentacles bursted out of the water, slapping the other Hobbits away before grabbing Frodo around the leg. The Hobbit was pulled out into the air. "Frodo !" Merry yelled as he was recovering from the slap he received.

The two Lions roared in anger but the second they were about to attack, Legolas, who just stepped out of the cave, armed his bow before shooting an arrow which pierced a tentacle situated near Frodo's face. Soon Boromir and Aragorn rushed to the water and attacked the beast who was flinging Frodo wildly in the air . Kopa and Vitani clawed or bitten the nearest tentacles but despite the Fellowship's combined efforts, the Hobbit was lowered towards a gapping maw who emerged from the water, ringed by fangs, set in a gilled face.

The Brown Maned Lion then claws the tentacle which was holding Frodo and the Hobbit felt straight into Boromir's arms " Into the Mines !" Gandalf shouted as he gestured for everyone to follow him. " Legolas !" Boromir yelled as he and Aragorn retreated along with the Hobbits and the Lions . The Gondorian ran straight for the gates with Frodo as a huge tentacle snaked after them. Legolas aimed his bow before shooting.

His arrow went directly into the Beast's eye and it recoiled with a roar of pain. "Into the cave ! Run !" Aragorn yelled as he raced toward the Mines. As the Fellowship passed the doors , the sea creature reached out and teared the gates shut which caused rocks to fell from the roof , covering the entrance with large boulders. The Fellowship stared back as the last rays of moonlight disappeared…

( To be continued…)