Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

I am sorry it took me so long. I have been so focused on my Arrowverse/MCU crossovers I have unfortunately neglected this story. I will try and be better about updating this.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 7- Drums in the Deep

Jakan trudges along as he follows right behind Gandalf as the Fellowship treks through Moria. It's already been over a day since they entered Moria. By now, Jakan is getting rather tired of marching through the darkness, and the feeling that there is something wrong with this place has been nagging him since shortly after entering Moria.

Yet, at the same time, he finds himself impressed by Moria. It is clearly not a mine like he's used to. It seems to be a mix between a series of mines and small settlements. Not only that, but it's far beyond the size of any mine he's ever seen. Gandalf said right after entering Moria that it would take 4 days to reach the other side.

"Something about this place unnerves me," Jakan whispers to Gandalf.

"I know. Trust that feeling," Gandalf replies, which does nothing to raise Jakan's spirits.

They continue their path forward, and soon find themselves following a narrow path alongside a massive mine shaft. As they walk, Jakan looks at the walls of stone and sees veins of a silver looking material running through the rock.

"Gandalf, if I may ask, what did the dwarves mine here?" he asks.

Gandalf turns and looks at Jakan for a moment before looking down into the mine shaft. "The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels. But mithril," he says. He then causes the tip of his staff to glow brightly, illuminating the entire chamber.

Everyone in the Fellowship looks over the edge, and Jakan is amazed. The shaft is wider than he thought, and extends so deep into the earth that he can't see the bottom. He begins to wonder just how deep it is.

"They must have been mining here for thousands of years to have dug this so deep," he mutters to himself.

"Indeed, Jakan. Moria is the oldest Dwarven settlement in Middle-Earth," Gandalf responds.

Jakan waits for a moment before he asks, "And what exactly is mithril? I've never heard of it."

"Mithril, my Mandalorian friend, is the rarest metal in Middle-Earth. It is tougher than even dragon scales. Armor forged from mithril can withstand a blow from any weapon. And it is more valuable than anything else in this world," Gandalf replies. He pauses for a moment, then says, "Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that a great Dwarven king named Thorin gave him."

"Oh, that was a kingly gift!" GImli exclaims.

"Yes. I never told him, but it's worth was greater than the value of the Shire," Gandalf says. Jakan feels a little impressed that something could be worth so much.

The Fellowship presses on, feeling anxious to get out of Moria.

(Day and a half later)

Near the end of the Fellowship's third day travelling through Moria, they arrive at a crossroads, with three doors before them. Gandalf stops short at the sight. He looks between the three doors for a few moments, then says in a low voice, "I have no memory of this place."

The message is conveyed down the line, and the Fellowship settles in to wait, trying to get comfortable among the rocks while Gandalf sits on a piece of rubble and ponders, trying to recall the right path forward.

For hours, the Fellowship remains at the crossroads, trying to get in some rest while Gandalf tries to remember. Jakan is able to get a few hours of much needed sleep. However, the chill brought on by the atmosphere in Moria prevents him from sleeping for too long.

Boromir walks over and sits down beside Jakan. After a few moments, Boromir asks, "Tell me more of your homeworld, Jakan."

Jakan looks at Boromir and smiles a bit. "Mandalore was once a fertile world. Full of all manner of life. Unfortunately, my people's ancient warrior nature brought about consequences for Mandalore. The many wars against foreign enemies, and several civil wars and power struggles amongst the Mandalorians, eventually reduced Mandalore to a wasteland. There is virtually no life left on Mandalore, save in our cities. And even our cities have to be built in such a way to support life within them. It is hot and barren across Mandalore, hence my dislike of the cold and snow that you saw on Caradhras. It's population has also declined much in recent years. Over the last few decades, famines, civil war, and the rise of the Empire has brought Mandalore's population down to just 4 million. Just a fraction of what it used to be but a few decades ago."

Boromir looks astonished at that last part, as not even Gondor has that many inhabitants. Then again, this is the population of a whole planet. Not just a country.

"Do you enjoy living on Mandalore?" Boromir asks.

"Not really," Jakan admits, "You can just feel the sorrow and death from over the millenia. And the endless wastelands can be depressing. I've tried to spend as much of my time as possible on other worlds. It's much more cheerful."

Boromir nods in understanding. Then, Jakan asks, "Tell me about your home. Tell me about Gondor."

A proud smile comes over Boromir's face. "There is much I could tell you of Gondor, Jakan. It is a beautiful land. It encompasses all land south of the White Mountains, all the way to the border with Mordor. My city, Minas Tirith, lies in the foothills of the White Mountains. And it is truly a sight to behold. I hope that we can make our way there so that you can see it for yourself," he says proudly.

"And you said you are the Commander in Chief of its army?" Jakan asks.

"Yes, I am. And as I said at the Council of Elrond, my father is the Steward of Gondor, so I am the heir to that position," Boromir says.

"I'm still confused about that. What exactly is the position of Steward?" Jakan asks.

"Many generations ago, Gondor's last king fell, and the line of kings was broken. When that occurred, the Steward of Gondor, the caretaker of the throne, took over the rule of Gondor until such a time as a true heir to the throne should return to claim it," Boromir explains.

Jakan nods, still not entirely understanding, but accepting Boromir's explanation. He sits there for a moment before he remembers one of the arguments at the Council of Elrond surrounding Aragorn being Isildur's heir. He is about to ask Boromir about this when suddenly Gandalf cries, "Oh. It's that way!"

All the Fellowship quickly gets to their feet as Merry pipes up, "He's remembered!"

Gandalf walks up to the entrance to the corridor he has indicated and says, "No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down there. When in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."

Jakan rolls his eyes, not sure that's the best philosophy to follow, but not about to argue. So, he follows the rest of the Fellowship after Gandalf.

The Fellowship walks down through the corridor, which soon emerges into a large open space. Gandalf looks around and says, "Let us risk a little more light." He then lights up the end of his staff and raises it so everyone can see better. As he does, he announces, "Behold the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!"

Jakan's eyes widen, and his mouth falls open a bit in shock. Massive stone columns raise almost out of sight overhead, and great stone arches arc between them. All around are the remnants of a massive city, carved into the heart of the mountain.

"Well, there's an eye opener, make no mistake," Sam says.

"I couldn't agree more," Jakan says in a low voice, his breath taken away. In all his years of travelling the galaxy, he has never seen something like this. Even the Imperial Palace's architecture didn't amaze him like this.

As the Fellowship walks slowly through the hall, a small room off to the right catches Gimli's attention. He stops for a moment, then starts running over to the room. Gandalf calls after him, but the dwarf doesn't stop. He runs into the room, and stops in front of a white marble tomb.

Gimli looks at the tomb for a moment before he falls to his knees. "No. No!" Gimli cries mournfully. The rest of the Fellowship files into the room, and Gandalf walks up to read the inscription on the tomb.

"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria," Gandalf reads. He then bows his head a bit before muttering, "He is dead then. It is as I feared."

The Fellowship remains quiet, wanting to be respectful to the fallen dwarves, and give Gimli a few moments to mourn his fallen kin. As Jakan looks around, he sees that the battle that presumably began at the Doors of Durin continued here. Goblin and Dwarf skeletons fill the room.

As Jakan grows uneasy, Gandalf notices a large book held in the arms of one of the fallen dwarves. He picks it up and opens it, then examines the last few pages. As he does, Legolas mutters, "We must move on. We should not linger."

Right then, Gandalf begins to read, "They have taken the bridge and the Second Hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums. Drums...in the deep." He looks up at the Fellowship, a chill washing over all of them.

Gandalf turns the page to the final page, which has some hastily written lines. He continues, "We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out." He then looks down at the final line, hastily scribbled, then looks up at the Fellowship as he announces what it says, "They are coming!"

Throughout this reading, Pippin, who is holding Gandalf's staff and hat, has been looking around. His attention was grabbed by a dwarf skeleton, sitting on the edge of a well, with a bucket attached to the skeleton. An arrow is lodged in its rib cage. As Gandalf finishes reading, Pippin, out of curiosity, reaches out and touches the arrow's fletching, causing the skeleton's head to fall off and fall down the well. The banging caused the skull draws everyone's attention. The skeleton, seeming to want to remain with its head, falls into the well as well, dragging the chain and eventually the bucket with it. The banging and clanging of the skeleton falling seem to echo far louder than is natural. Finally, they come to final landing with a loud crash. The echo takes several seconds to die down.

The Fellowship looks around nervously, anxiety filling them. After a few moments of silence, the nervousness starts to clear, and Boromir breathes a sigh of relief.

Gandalf firmly shuts the book and snaps at Pippin, "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!", snatching his hat and staff back as he does.

Pippin looks down in shame. That is, until a low boom echoes up from the well.

Gandalf slowly turns to face Pippin, fear written on his face. Pippin also looks back at the well, as the booms continue to sound, now coming more rapidly, and growing in volume. In addition, the sound of inhuman screeching begins to sound, echoing throughout the caverns and halls.

The Fellowship looks around. Jakan, grim faced, surmises, "Drums in the deep."

Right then, Sam cries, "Mr. Frodo!" Frodo reaches down and draws his sword, Sting. The blade is glowing bright blue.

Right then, a fresh round of shrieks hit their ears. Legolas, also with a grave face, confirms the identity of their source.

"Orcs!"

Boromir races over the door. He looks out, then has to pull his head back to avoid two arrows shot at his head. The arrows bury themselves in the rotting timbers.

Jakan races up to Boromir out of concern for his friend and helps him shut the door. Boromir looks at Jakan, and in a tone more calm than he feels, announces, "They have a cave troll."

Legolas and Aragorn throw a far weapons to them, and Boromir and Jakan use them to try and blockade the door to keep the Orcs out for a little bit longer. They then hurry back to the rest of the Fellowship, which have drawn their weapons. Legolas and Aragorn both have their bows aimed at the door, ready to shoot.

Jakan looks firmly towards the gate, then takes his helmet and slides it onto his head. He then swiftly draws Hadhafang from its sheath and settles into a fighting stance. He decides to keep his blasters in reserve until he really needs them.

Outside the room, Orcs have begun pounding on the door, trying to get in. In a few spots, small openings begin to open in the wood. Legolas, seeing one of the opening has gotten large enough, releases his arrow. It flies through the opening, and the Fellowship can hear the death screech of an Orc from the other side. Aragorn releases an arrow a moment later, and a second Orc screeches.

Just moments later, the doors are smashed in. Legolas and Aragorn each release another arrow, and two more Orcs collapse.

As the Orcs close in, Jakan is able to get his first look at the Orcs. They are absolutely hideous creatures. Their skin is varying shades of black, mottled green, or gray. Their armor is shoddily made, and their weapons are of a poor quality. Their eyes are very large, a sign of them being underground dwellers.

Jakan doesn't have time to really digest the Orcs' appearance. They are closing in fast. With a loud cry, and a twirl of Hadhafang, Jakan leaps into battle.

The chamber is filled with the sounds of combat as the two sides clash. On the far left side of the group, Jakan slashes out with Hadhafang, cleaving two Orcs' heads from their bodies. The elven sword seems to gleam as it tastes Orc blood for the first time in decades.

Jakan slashes and hacks at all of the Orcs in their path. Their armor is not only of poor make, but has several fatal gaps or weaknesses. Jakan aims for those weak spots, dealing death with every stroke.

Several Orcs rush at Jakan with axes. He leaps into the air, and over their heads, removing said heads with Hadhafang as he goes. He lands and grabs one of their axes. Seeing several Orcs approaching Gandalf, he throws the axe, which kills two of them. Gandalf is able to easily deal with the other two.

A group of about six Orcs tries to box Jakan in. He backs up towards the wall, deflecting their blows with Hadhafang. The Orcs recklessly tyr and strike at Jakan, but he easily parries their blows. Their recklessness leaves them open, and gives Jakan the opportunity to kill them one by one.

As he kills the last on, he hears a rumbling from outside. He looks to the door, right as the Cave Troll that Boromir mentioned smashes through the door, holding a large hammer, bellowing in anger.

Jakan sighs as he looks at the troll before muttering, "Oh, come on."

And, I'll end there. Hahaha.

I hope you liked this chapter. Next chapter will finish up the fight in/escape from Moria. Until I get that up, review, and stay tuned.