Chapter Two:
Traveling over the dusty mountains, Legolas watched as the fleet-footed elf girl walked over the surface of the dirt, leaving only the tiniest marks to show that they had ever passed. He had admired these markings for some time before they trailed off, and he stopped, nearly walking into her. They had reached the top of a mountain, covered only by large rocks, various grasses and shrubs. They had stopped to regroup and evaluate their position when Legolas cocked his ears. In the distance, he heard a cawing noise that came in hordes. Looking at the elf beside him, he saw that Alatia had spotted something in the sky and was squinting her eyes when a look of panic washed over her delicate features.
"Spies of Mordor's! Take cover from above!" they cried. As the others found their way into crevices and bushes, Alatia pushed Legolas underneath a rock into a space only big enough for the two. They were packed tightly against each other, with Alatia peering into the light and Legolas's arms fumbling near her waist. Resting his head behind hers and holding her close, he found he could smell the mud that cloaked her hair. It was strangely enticing, and he silently sought out the exposed band of skin at the back of her neck. The combination of soap, mud, and sweat gave her an earthy scent, which reminded Legolas of his home. He drew in his third breath when she pushed out of the rock space and into the open air. He exhaled and followed her, once he was sure the danger had passed.
"This path is being watched. We must find another way to Mount Doom," said Gandolf, pointing a long finger towards the dangerous and frozen mountains that dotted the landscape.
After trying in vain to pass through the mountains, the group had narrowly escaped an icy death by avalanche and decided to take the long way through the Mines of Moria.
They had just reached the door of the mines when they were presented with another obstacle. The group could not read the language in which the mine door riddle was written, apparently some older form of high Elvish of which even Legolas had no knowledge. Presently, Alatia walked up from the rear of the traveling group and began to think out loud. The strain in her face was perceptible and she began muttering derivations and fragments of Elvish where she stood. She sat down and put her hand to her head while her lips moved with her thoughts. In a state of frustration, Gandolf tried to work magic on the door, to no result.
The group had been silently sitting by the entrance to the mines for half an hour while Alatia and Gandolf fought to understand the riddle. Pip and Merry began to amuse themselves by throwing rocks into the water when Aaragon stopped them with the warning,
"Do not disturb the waters of Moria."
He had only caught them by the wrist when Alatia hopped onto her feet, muttered a word in some form of Elvish, and watched patiently as the doors opened. Still staring at the doorway riddle, she mused quietly as the others poured past her. On passing by, Aaragon inquired as to the question of the riddle. She simply replied,
"Speak the word friend and enter."
Aaragon laughed in amazement as the two pushed their way through the shining doorway. Legolas listened to them speak with a slight wariness. How would she know the ancient forms of high Elvish, those unheard of by lower- class elves for centuries? He pondered this in his head, and set himself to asking her when they were given the chance.
Traveling over the dusty mountains, Legolas watched as the fleet-footed elf girl walked over the surface of the dirt, leaving only the tiniest marks to show that they had ever passed. He had admired these markings for some time before they trailed off, and he stopped, nearly walking into her. They had reached the top of a mountain, covered only by large rocks, various grasses and shrubs. They had stopped to regroup and evaluate their position when Legolas cocked his ears. In the distance, he heard a cawing noise that came in hordes. Looking at the elf beside him, he saw that Alatia had spotted something in the sky and was squinting her eyes when a look of panic washed over her delicate features.
"Spies of Mordor's! Take cover from above!" they cried. As the others found their way into crevices and bushes, Alatia pushed Legolas underneath a rock into a space only big enough for the two. They were packed tightly against each other, with Alatia peering into the light and Legolas's arms fumbling near her waist. Resting his head behind hers and holding her close, he found he could smell the mud that cloaked her hair. It was strangely enticing, and he silently sought out the exposed band of skin at the back of her neck. The combination of soap, mud, and sweat gave her an earthy scent, which reminded Legolas of his home. He drew in his third breath when she pushed out of the rock space and into the open air. He exhaled and followed her, once he was sure the danger had passed.
"This path is being watched. We must find another way to Mount Doom," said Gandolf, pointing a long finger towards the dangerous and frozen mountains that dotted the landscape.
After trying in vain to pass through the mountains, the group had narrowly escaped an icy death by avalanche and decided to take the long way through the Mines of Moria.
They had just reached the door of the mines when they were presented with another obstacle. The group could not read the language in which the mine door riddle was written, apparently some older form of high Elvish of which even Legolas had no knowledge. Presently, Alatia walked up from the rear of the traveling group and began to think out loud. The strain in her face was perceptible and she began muttering derivations and fragments of Elvish where she stood. She sat down and put her hand to her head while her lips moved with her thoughts. In a state of frustration, Gandolf tried to work magic on the door, to no result.
The group had been silently sitting by the entrance to the mines for half an hour while Alatia and Gandolf fought to understand the riddle. Pip and Merry began to amuse themselves by throwing rocks into the water when Aaragon stopped them with the warning,
"Do not disturb the waters of Moria."
He had only caught them by the wrist when Alatia hopped onto her feet, muttered a word in some form of Elvish, and watched patiently as the doors opened. Still staring at the doorway riddle, she mused quietly as the others poured past her. On passing by, Aaragon inquired as to the question of the riddle. She simply replied,
"Speak the word friend and enter."
Aaragon laughed in amazement as the two pushed their way through the shining doorway. Legolas listened to them speak with a slight wariness. How would she know the ancient forms of high Elvish, those unheard of by lower- class elves for centuries? He pondered this in his head, and set himself to asking her when they were given the chance.