Notes: I have adopted Gollum as my muse! Isn't he cute?
Gollum: *snarls*
You readers might as well skip the beginning and go all the way to the end of this chapter. Not much happens.
***
The Return to Moria
Chapter IV: Of New Lords and Old Realms
By RubyD
***
Legolas watched, quite astonished, as the Lords of Moria and of the Glittering Caves dove ravenously into their lunch as if they had gone without food for several days. In fact, all the Dwarves at the table ate with gusto and voiced their appreciation to the cooks. It was fairly messy.
When taking a forkful of strange vegetables to his mouth, the Elf was pleasantly surprised. The food tasted unlike any he had sampled before - spicy and strong, yet good. He ate neatly and enjoyed each bite.
'Not since the likes of Lothlorien have I tasted such fine food,' Gimli approved. His polished gray goblet and plate were soon empty then refilled by the servants.
'It is very good,' agreed Legolas. 'Where do you find such vegetables?'
'We grow them right here.' Talin beamed proudly.
'Here? In Moria?'
'Yes! Not many people know, or care to know, that we can plant fields of delicious cave-root in our trenches where the soil is rich and we place our giant lamps. Rows upon rows of the pale leaves line the columns of the deep like a feathery mist and cleanse the air so that we may breathe.'
'Amazing.'
'It is, it is. A plentiful of things can live in these depths. I have been raised on the tales of Khazam-dum, and that I may discover these for myself brings joy to this young heart.' Lord Talin sighed. Then turning to Gimli he asked, 'And how are you and your caverns going along?'
Gimli broke into a smile at this change in topic. 'Magnificent! Ah! Like songs woven into stone. You must see them one day, and behold the beauty that surpasses all, save for the Lady of the Woods. The roofs! The walls! They are impossible to describe.'
'Though no doubt you would attempt to, if we allowed it,' said Legolas.
'There are some here at Moria that are simply passing through before leaving for Helm's Deep,' said Talin. 'News of the caves have sparked their interest, and it won't be long until you will have your own little kingdom, friend.'
'Which worries me to no end,' grinned the Elf.
'And you, Legolas son of King Thranduil, a prince,' replied Gimli, 'The day you take your throne undeniably would be a frightful day for Middle-earth.'
'Enough!' laughed Lord Talin. 'Before I forget, how long are either of you staying?'
'Three evenings, I had hoped,' said Legolas.
'I shall linger for more before returning to Helm's Deep.' Gimli nodded.
'Wonderful! Then the servants are to lead you to your chambers. Forgive me if I am not close by for much time, but I will appoint someone to show you around.'
'We will have a marvelous time.'
***
And indeed they did. Legolas learned all he could about the history of Moria and the Dwarves that stayed there. He saw dirty lumps of rock being transformed into fabulous jewels that showered the walls with their light, and ore melted down then forged into works of wonder and majesty enough for the hall of King Elessar. Fires heated the previously cold and dank realm.
All too soon two days had already gone by, and Legolas and Gimli were exploring the lesser used paths that lead into pale rooms or broken floors. Few Dwarves tarried here, and those who did were wary of the shadows, for Orcs still thrived the mountains.
Afterwards they returned to the First Level and the bridge. The draw of the old landmark had not left their mind, and they both treaded on one side of the gaping gash, almost fatally curious. The hole had been the subject of many dreams, and still now the gloom of the pit covered them like a thick blanket.
'What is it about this place that hangs in our minds like old webs?' asked Legolas. The wind whistled softly from the blackness. 'It whispers to me. I am terribly drawn to it.'
'Void is so vast that it seems to begs to be filled up,' said Gimli.
'Filled up with what, I wonder?' Then in a crack in the canyon side, Legolas spotted a dark figure scaling up the wall. With its sharp little hands and large yellow eyes, he knew it all to well. 'Look there!'
'An Orc!'
As if their shouts were a signal, Orcs spilled out into the First Level in waves, crawling like insects out of every exit or entrance. It was a final surprise attack by the fell creatures to overpower the Dwarves and hold fast once more to Moria. It was by misfortune that the two were caught in the battle.
Gimli welded his axe like an extension of his arm, cleaving the arc of steel through goblin flesh as easily as water. The Dwarves that were there took up arms and raged against the enemy with whatever weapon that was nearby, be it sword, bow, or stone. Arrows descended and struck Gimli heavily on the side. He groaned and staggered, yet continued fighting.
'Gimli!' shouted Legolas. He had not his bow and arrow, having left it in his room, and made due work of the short blade he carried on his back. They were much too close to the edge of the chasm and there was nothing between them.
'One arrow, no worry!' he called. Steel and iron clashed and repeated like a pulse down the mines. 'Take that you scoundrels! You slime festered villains!'
'But I - '
He never finished his statement. At that moment an armored Orc slammed into the Elf and sent him careening backwards. Step after step the force pushed him, until Legolas suddenly felt the edge of the vacuum. He teetered there for an uncertain heartbeat, releasing his sword. A moment of spiking fear that lasted for an eternity.
Gimli echoed the look on his companion's face, one of unbridled panic, before his footing gave way and Legolas slipped into the abyss.
To Be Continued
Notes: Surprise.
Gollum: *snarls*
You readers might as well skip the beginning and go all the way to the end of this chapter. Not much happens.
***
The Return to Moria
Chapter IV: Of New Lords and Old Realms
By RubyD
***
Legolas watched, quite astonished, as the Lords of Moria and of the Glittering Caves dove ravenously into their lunch as if they had gone without food for several days. In fact, all the Dwarves at the table ate with gusto and voiced their appreciation to the cooks. It was fairly messy.
When taking a forkful of strange vegetables to his mouth, the Elf was pleasantly surprised. The food tasted unlike any he had sampled before - spicy and strong, yet good. He ate neatly and enjoyed each bite.
'Not since the likes of Lothlorien have I tasted such fine food,' Gimli approved. His polished gray goblet and plate were soon empty then refilled by the servants.
'It is very good,' agreed Legolas. 'Where do you find such vegetables?'
'We grow them right here.' Talin beamed proudly.
'Here? In Moria?'
'Yes! Not many people know, or care to know, that we can plant fields of delicious cave-root in our trenches where the soil is rich and we place our giant lamps. Rows upon rows of the pale leaves line the columns of the deep like a feathery mist and cleanse the air so that we may breathe.'
'Amazing.'
'It is, it is. A plentiful of things can live in these depths. I have been raised on the tales of Khazam-dum, and that I may discover these for myself brings joy to this young heart.' Lord Talin sighed. Then turning to Gimli he asked, 'And how are you and your caverns going along?'
Gimli broke into a smile at this change in topic. 'Magnificent! Ah! Like songs woven into stone. You must see them one day, and behold the beauty that surpasses all, save for the Lady of the Woods. The roofs! The walls! They are impossible to describe.'
'Though no doubt you would attempt to, if we allowed it,' said Legolas.
'There are some here at Moria that are simply passing through before leaving for Helm's Deep,' said Talin. 'News of the caves have sparked their interest, and it won't be long until you will have your own little kingdom, friend.'
'Which worries me to no end,' grinned the Elf.
'And you, Legolas son of King Thranduil, a prince,' replied Gimli, 'The day you take your throne undeniably would be a frightful day for Middle-earth.'
'Enough!' laughed Lord Talin. 'Before I forget, how long are either of you staying?'
'Three evenings, I had hoped,' said Legolas.
'I shall linger for more before returning to Helm's Deep.' Gimli nodded.
'Wonderful! Then the servants are to lead you to your chambers. Forgive me if I am not close by for much time, but I will appoint someone to show you around.'
'We will have a marvelous time.'
***
And indeed they did. Legolas learned all he could about the history of Moria and the Dwarves that stayed there. He saw dirty lumps of rock being transformed into fabulous jewels that showered the walls with their light, and ore melted down then forged into works of wonder and majesty enough for the hall of King Elessar. Fires heated the previously cold and dank realm.
All too soon two days had already gone by, and Legolas and Gimli were exploring the lesser used paths that lead into pale rooms or broken floors. Few Dwarves tarried here, and those who did were wary of the shadows, for Orcs still thrived the mountains.
Afterwards they returned to the First Level and the bridge. The draw of the old landmark had not left their mind, and they both treaded on one side of the gaping gash, almost fatally curious. The hole had been the subject of many dreams, and still now the gloom of the pit covered them like a thick blanket.
'What is it about this place that hangs in our minds like old webs?' asked Legolas. The wind whistled softly from the blackness. 'It whispers to me. I am terribly drawn to it.'
'Void is so vast that it seems to begs to be filled up,' said Gimli.
'Filled up with what, I wonder?' Then in a crack in the canyon side, Legolas spotted a dark figure scaling up the wall. With its sharp little hands and large yellow eyes, he knew it all to well. 'Look there!'
'An Orc!'
As if their shouts were a signal, Orcs spilled out into the First Level in waves, crawling like insects out of every exit or entrance. It was a final surprise attack by the fell creatures to overpower the Dwarves and hold fast once more to Moria. It was by misfortune that the two were caught in the battle.
Gimli welded his axe like an extension of his arm, cleaving the arc of steel through goblin flesh as easily as water. The Dwarves that were there took up arms and raged against the enemy with whatever weapon that was nearby, be it sword, bow, or stone. Arrows descended and struck Gimli heavily on the side. He groaned and staggered, yet continued fighting.
'Gimli!' shouted Legolas. He had not his bow and arrow, having left it in his room, and made due work of the short blade he carried on his back. They were much too close to the edge of the chasm and there was nothing between them.
'One arrow, no worry!' he called. Steel and iron clashed and repeated like a pulse down the mines. 'Take that you scoundrels! You slime festered villains!'
'But I - '
He never finished his statement. At that moment an armored Orc slammed into the Elf and sent him careening backwards. Step after step the force pushed him, until Legolas suddenly felt the edge of the vacuum. He teetered there for an uncertain heartbeat, releasing his sword. A moment of spiking fear that lasted for an eternity.
Gimli echoed the look on his companion's face, one of unbridled panic, before his footing gave way and Legolas slipped into the abyss.
To Be Continued
Notes: Surprise.
