Author's notes: I've read somewhere (in a psychology book, I think) that if a baby treats someone like a soulmate or something, and if the other party cries or feels sad or something, the baby will cry as well. It's kinda the same here for Gimli and the baby (and maybe for the Company too, in the near future. ^^) Please don't kill me if I'm wrong! Don't worry, I don't think I'm gonna make Gimli like the kid…at least not yet.
And would you want the Elves of Lothlórien to be disturbed by the kid as well? I was thinking Sauron and Saruman too. Heh heh.
ThrowingDice—Your point about the age has been noted and changed. Thanks. And this fic will include only 2 Ocs—the baby, and the mysterious (bad?) entity that transported him there. The rest will be of the Fellowship and characters from LotR. Hm…what would you consider Mary Sue-ish?
Leia—What kind of Dwarfish things do you want messed up?
PikoLinachan—Thanks for the name. I might just use it.
Andreah—Nope! It's not Sauron behind this this time. In fact, I think I'll make him a victim as well. Heh ^^
Thanks to all those who reviewed! I'm trying to make 15 reviews (or at least 10) before I continue. *hint hint* Thanks!
The Fellowship Of The…Baby?
Two: In Khazad-dûm
"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" The Doors to Moria remained closed and Gandalf snorted, throwing his staff carelessly onto the ground and sitting down tiredly beside Frodo on a rock.
The others said nothing; Aragorn and Sam let Bill the pony go, for Moria was not a place for animals, 'even for one as brave as Bill,' as Aragorn had put it. Merry and Pippin hurled stones into the waters of the lake, until they were stopped by Aragorn.
"It is a riddle," Frodo said suddenly and stood up, staring at the words on the door. "What's the Elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon," Gandalf said, and the Doors rumbled open.
The Company started forward but Gandalf was halted by a tug on his staff. "Let go, you rascal," he ordered the baby who was holding on to it, refusing to release it.
Gandalf sighed and started walking forward, holding his staff in a way as a support for the baby to lean on, who tottered in. He called for light, and light glowed from the crystal set at the top of his staff.
"This is the home of my cousin Balin, and they call it a mine!" Gimli chuckled as if that place deserved a better name. "A mine!"
"This isn't a mine," Boromir mumbled as he scanned around, his voice loud in the enclosed space. "It's a tomb."
Legolas pulled an arrow from a skeleton. "Goblins!"
"Everyone get out now!" Aragorn commanded.
Gandalf picked the child up with a hand and his staff in another. The baby still wouldn't let go of it, and the wizard had to hold it close to his left hand as he moved.
There came a startled cry from Frodo, and all whirled around to find a tentacle from the waters, dragging Frodo backward.
Sam dashed to his master's aid and hacked at the tentacle, which released the Hobbit and withdrew into the water. Seconds later, twenty more came flying out and lashed at the other Hobbits who were helping Frodo.
The Ring-bearer was caught by his leg and waved wildly about in mid-air. "Help!"
Aragorn and Boromir dashed into the water and slashed at the limbs. Legolas shot arrows where he could, and they flew surprisingly well in spite of not having their tail feathers.
Gandalf tried to raise his staff, but the baby wouldn't let go, and the wizard was afraid of using too much force as he wrestled with the child for control.
The baby laughed suddenly, and with his free hand, grabbed Gandalf's beard as he did before, and pulled.
Gandalf gave a roar and jerked his staff upwards, and as he did so, power shot out of it and hit the creature. It recoiled a little and then with a shriek, dragged itself out of the water, tentacles grasping the door.
The baby laughed and clapped his hands, giggling.
The Fellowship retreated back into the mines just as another shot of power came from Gandalf, throwing the creature backwards. Unfortunately, it pulled the door down as it was hit, and they were left only with the road through Moria.
Gandalf sighed and called forth light from his staff again, handing the baby to Aragorn, who tried to refuse to be its carrier but was unsuccessful.
"It is four days to the other side," Gandalf said as he led the way. "Let us hope that the darkness has not begun to notice us."
***
As the Company traveled, they noticed a foul smell all around them that did not feel to belong to a mine. It seemed to be everywhere with them so that they could not avoid it.
They came to a room where a large, rectangular box lay, and entered. The drier air allowed Legolas to trace the smell to…the baby's bottom. He straightened and eyed Boromir. "I would suggest not putting your arm on his bottom, Son of Gondor."
Eyes widening a little, Boromir quickly placed the baby down, who until that moment had been playing with the prickles on his face. "I thank you, Legolas."
"Be quiet!" Gandalf commanded, staring at words on the box of some sort. "It reads:
BALIN, SON OF FUNDIN
LORD OF MORIA."
Gimli burst into grieving, closing his eyes and kneeling in front of the tomb. But no tears came for him, only moans of pain for his kindred.
The baby stared at the Dwarf, from which the sound of mourning came from, and ran in his stumbling steps to Gimli, placing a small hand on his shoulder both for support and for apparent comfort.
An amazing thing happened then. The baby's face lost its usual cheerful look, and twisted. Tears spilled from his eyes, and his lips parted to give an ear-piercing wail which echoed everywhere.
Everyone winced, and Merry tried to calm the child down, but to no avail. Only when Gimli stopped his mourning did the baby stop as well, looking at the Dwarf's face. Convinced that Gimli was not unhappy anymore, the baby gave a, "Ha heeee!" and his face lost all traces of the sadness he had only seconds ago.
The Company was not given time to dwell in their amazement, however, as a great Doom, doom came from the mine's depths.
Frodo drew Sting, which glowed a bright blue. "Orcs!"
Boromir and Aragorn pushed the doors shut and barred it with axes lying about; the Ranger then picked the baby up with a hand and drew Andúril with the other.
Boromir was about to warn Aragorn about not touching the baby's bottom, but at that moment, a Boom came from the door and it shuddered.
All held their weapons ready. The fight was about to begin.