Notes: So how are you readers? I'm having a fine month over here, though I've been to two first-birthday parties (my cousin and my other cousin's son…), and at each of the celebrations I have discovered that I have inherited my father's genes for low-tolerance to alcohol. Not that I got drunk, mind you, but after one cup of wine cooler I was drowsy for two hours.

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The Return to Moria

Chapter III: Beyond the Great Gates

By RubyD

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As the Great Gates drew ever nearer Legolas could see how grand and splendid the reconstruction had been. All at once the great gleaming Gates shown in the light, showering the area in reflections of rainbows from its mithril - truesilver, the strongest and lightest of metals - frame and designs dotted with many-hued jewels in the shapes of the stars. Just past the doorway were endless Dwarves hustling and bustling about in their daily business of going in and out like a happy hive of bees which had discovered a fresh field of pollen.

They paused a moment in the Gates. The high walls of the First Hall were lit up by the light of the sun spilling in through the high and enormous windows. The entryway was wide open for all to pass, and it seemed Gimli was the most recognized of all.

'Oi, Master Gimli, Lord of the Glittering Caverns! Welcome back!' the Dwarves would cry with their baritone voices that echoed off the walls, then faded in the deep. 'Who is the Elf?'

'This is Master Legolas, Dwarf-friend, the one I have spoken so much about!' he called back. 'Bid him welcome, and show him true hospitality.'

'Yes, welcome! Welcome Master Elf!' And the news carried rapid as a waterfall throughout Moria until everyone, even the deepest of miners and makers and creatures in the darkest of caves, knew of the arrival of the two who were in Company of the Ring. Everyone.

Legolas was amazed; it was as if half of all the Dwarves of Mirkwood had picked themselves up and relocated to Khazad-dum once the word got out that Durin's Bane, the Balrog, had been defeated. In this there was a jovial spirit that could not be found anywhere else. Proud to have reclaimed what was theirs, the citizens of Moria had transformed it with astonishing speed from a dreary catacomb into *life.*

Beyond the First Hall were stairs, and then a large door as high as eight Men. Further within was the bridge. And then they saw the bridge that had shattered under the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog, now rebuilt and open for crossing once more. Quite appropriately it was named the Fell Pass, though most would refer to it as Better Bridge, since iron reinforced it. Smooth it was on the surface, with a web-like support made of metal underneath.

Gimli and Legolas walked at a slower pace, heedful of the gaping mouth of darkness that lead forever into a shadowed night without stars or sky; a cavernous maze that would leave any poor soul mad and lost for the rest of their lives, and hunted by creatures that wished that life short. What dwelled in that dark none would ever say. Gandalf escaped only by following a Balrog to the Endless Stairs, which was a dangerous task, and chased it all the way to the mountain top where a battle took place. There the only known entrance to the Stairs, called Durin's Tower, was lost under snow and ruin; and the knowledge of even where that lay Gandalf brought with him over the sea.

'A bitter wind rises like a foul bird,' he said to Gimli, feeling the air emanating from the black chasm. 'I am glad that Gandalf is alive and well, resting in the Grey Havens, instead of down there . . . Eternally wandering.'

In a few steps they were across and at the First Level where seemingly an infinite number of torches decorated the thick stone columns, like fireflies on a mallorn tree, with a frequent dazzling gold cage of white light. Indeed these lights nearly rivaled that of the sun. Here Dwarves were fewer, already have left to the deeper recesses of the mines. At Gimli's inquiry they were lead by a guard to a chamber Legolas had never been in to meet with Lord Talin. It was a banquet room where meals had already been set up on a long stone table and many people eating. The smell of hot and spiced meats and foods steamed out into the caves.

'Gimli! A happy return!' It was Talin, his braided beard black with youth and expressive face carven in a smile. 'This must be Legolas! We have must to speak about, you and I, and mostly of the stories I have heard from the old Dwarf. Delighted to finally meet you.' The Lord took up the strong elven hands in his own coarse ones and shook enthusiastically, like friends greeting friends after a long separation.

'Well met.' Legolas grinned.

'Old?' grumbled Gimli. 'I am in the midst of my best years!'

'Of course, of course, no insult intended,' he laughed. 'You and your Dwarf-friend have arrived on time for early lunch. Sit, have a bite!'


To Be Continued

Notes: *cuddles fic* My precious . . .