Chapter Eight
They were off the mountain. Willow felt like cheering. She would have too, if not for the somber attitudes of all the others. She knew Legolas' foul mood was ninety percent her fault, the others just felt defeated. Gimli was the only one in high spirits.
"My cousin Balin will give us a royal welcome," he kept on boasting. Willow was cool with that. It sounded much better than "My cousin Balin will feed us alive to his pet ogre."
Willow wasn't sure there was an ogre. Maybe she was just over thinking things, again. But Gandalf was so against this place, it made her wonder.
What the hell could be so horrible? He neglected to answer any of her questions. The wizard just kept marching on to Moria, even though he looked like he prefer heading down into the Hellmouth.
They came to a clearing. It was a giant mountain wall, covered in vines and symbols.
"The walls of Moria," breathed Gimli in awe.
Willow had to agree with the awe. It was quite a sight. Now if only that nagging dread in the back of her mind would fade, everything would be great. That and resolving the whole Legolas problem, everything would be great. Not likely to happen.
They walked around the rim of a lake. Gandalf had paused in front of a block of stone. He cleared away some veins, glanced at the moon, mumbled some words, and stepped back. The wall began to glow. Writing and symbols appeared, all in the shape of a door. It was pretty cool.
"What does it say?"
"'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter'," Gandalf translated.
"What does that mean?" asked Merry.
"Oh, it's quite simple," the wizard answered. "You just speak the password to prove you are a friend and the doors will open."
Gandalf stepped back from the door. "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!" He slammed his staff against the door with great pomp.
Nothing happened.
He tried again. Nothing. The wizard paused, and scratched his head.
"Now what do we do?"
*****
The company had settled down for a long sit. Gimli and Boromir had both lit up. Willow really wanted to know what the stuff was, only to be told it was halfing weed. Like that answered any questions.
Well, okay, it answered only one.
Sam and Aragorn were unhitching Bill, their ever faithful pony. They couldn't bring him into the mines. That is of course, if they ever get in there themselves. Gandalf wasn't having the best of luck. But he kept on trying. Give the guy points for perseverance.
Merry and Pippin were absently chucking rocks into the lake. Legolas was staring at Willow, and she was studiously ignoring him. Hell, she even started to read the Wise book Gandalf gave her just so she would have a reason not to look at him. This whole situation was entirely too tense.
Willow kept shooting glances at the water. Something was off. She felt a little afraid. Gods, she prayed there weren't frogs in the lake.
Aragorn walked over, stopping the hobbits' mild game.
"Don't disturb the water," he warned, eyes flicking over the dark pool.
Willow straightened. What was wrong with the water?
Aragorn met her eyes. "Just a feeling," he answered her silent question.
"But not any frogs, right?"
Aragorn frowned. "Frogs?" he repeated.
Willow nodded frantically. "I have frog fear. I know it sounds stupid and that I need an adult fear, but it's just how I feel. After all, phobias aren't suppose to make sense," she rambled on.
Aragorn smiled at her. "Frog fear," he repeated. "How perfectly Willow."
Willow blushed, he was becoming more and more like Angel as the time went on. It was beginning to pull at Willow's heart. She missed her friends.
Legolas, of course, misinterpreted her blushing, stomped off to the other side of the lake. Aragorn watched him in confusion. He looked to Willow.
"What is bothering Legolas?"
Willow's eyes widened. "Nothing," she stammered. "Nothing is wrong with him. Why would anything be wrong with him? And if there was, why do you think I know? What exactly are you implying?"
Aragorn held up his hands in surrender. Willow took a deep breath.
"He has a personal issue going on," she offered apologetically. "It's not my place to say what it is. Sorry I snapped at you." It was the half-truth at least. Aragorn bought it.
"No offence taken, my lady," he replied, settling down next to her. He leaned over. "I've just noticed," he whispered to her, "that when anyone gets really close to you," Aragorn slipped a lock of her hair behind her ear, "Legolas seems to get very angry." He smiled at her slyly. "It's almost as if he was jealous."
Willow gave a nervous laugh. "Why would that make him jealous?"
Aragorn grinned. "I don't know," he admitted, this time putting his lips to her ear. If he weren't Angel's descendant, she would be mighty uncomfortable right now. "But look at his face," Willow turned to looked at Legolas, who was watching them very keenly. "Doesn't he look jealous to you?"
Willow caught on fast. "You're purposely trying to make him jealous," she accused in hush tones.
Aragorn grinned again. "Now how could I do that, when being friendly with you doesn't make him jealous?"
Willow glared at him. "You're evil," she fumed. Aragorn laughed at her. He patted her knee and got ready to stand up. Legolas was going to burst. Quickly, before she could react, Aragorn planted a soft kiss on her lips. Legolas shot across the shore, standing possessively in front of Willow in one instant.
Willow shot up. "Knock it off," she ordered. "The others are staring!"
Aragorn looked at Legolas appraisingly, the mirth replaced by a deadly glare.
"You should no better to start a romance on a mission, old friend."
Legolas' eyes flickered. Willow guessed he realized the whole thing was a set up. He blushed and looked at his toes. Willow turned wide eyes on Aragorn.
"Do not let yourself be distracted," he warned. With that, he grabbed Willow's arm and dragged her away from the Elf. She stared at him in confusion as he propelled her over to Frodo and Gandalf. Dropping her beside the hobbit, Aragorn returned to his own seat, effectively blocking Willow's view of Legolas.
"What was that all about?" Frodo whispered.
"Nothing," she stammered. "Aragorn and Legolas don't agree on something. It's not the end of the world."
Frodo frowned but accepted her explanation. It was sort of the truth. Willow wasn't sure what Aragorn was mad about, but it was definitely something revolving around her and the Elf. Willow absently wondered if he knew about the stolen kisses.
"I give up!" came Gandalf's cry. He plopped down beside them, utterly dejected.
Frodo sighed. "I wish the door would just understand we are friends and let us through," he lamented.
A light went off in Willow's brain.
"Frodo, you're a genius!" she crowed, planting a big wet one on the hobbit's nose. He looked shocked, Gandalf looked curious.
"It's a riddle," she explained. "What's the elvish word for 'friend'?"
Gandalf pursed his lips together. "Mellon," he drawled thoughtfully.
There was a loud creaking. The stone doors pushed open. Everyone jumped up in excitement. Willow smiled at Frodo.
"See? A genius you are."
*****
They entered the passage tentatively. Didn't want any surprises. It was very dark; no light existed in the entrance.
Gandalf whispered some elvish words and the top of his staff started admitting a light. Gimli was going on and on about the great treatment Balin was going to give them.
Willow kept the hobbits carefully behind her as she followed Aragorn into the entrance. Aragorn, who had put Gimli and Boromir in between her and Legolas. His anger seemed to be focused on the Elf, not her. It made her wonder what he thought was going on. She would ask him, but it didn't seem like the most opportune time.
Something snapped underneath her foot. She looked down-at bone. She stepped on a bone, and there was plenty more.
"This isn't a mine, it's a tomb," came Boromir's calming statement. Thanks for clearing it up.
She looked down at the corpse in sorrow. Why couldn't it just be gold or flowers or something? Why is it always bodies that Willow stumbled upon?
Gimli was having hysterics. Willow walked over to him, placing her hand on his back in comfort. The dwarf was wailing.
Legolas drooped down over a body and pulled out an arrow. He sniffed it delicately.
"Orcs!" he hissed, dropping the shaft away as if it were contaminated.
Everyone drew his or her weapons. Willow edged her way back to the hobbits. The men were helpfully blaming each other for the latest development.
Oh, the comradeship in this group.
Screaming drew her attention back to the hobbits. She heard splashing and shrieking. The other three hobbits were crowded over a fallen Frodo. Sam was desperately hacking at something.
Another splash and the hobbits were thrown back. The others raced outside. Large tentacles were wrapped around Frodo's leg and had him suspended in the air.
Great, a sea monster. Or was that a lake monster?
Everyone rushed out, hacking at any part of the body that moved. Like that was helping any, the limbs were just falling around the group. They had to dance around them to avoid being pummeled.
Willow decided to ignore the body of the thing and concentrate on the tentacles. She heard the whiz of arrows as Legolas let some loose on the creature. Aragorn, Gimli, and Boromir were hacking away at flailing limbs.
Willow focused on the one tentacle holding Frodo. Discerning it from the others, she drew her sword and sliced through the appendage. Frodo started to fall back down; a tentacle knocked down Willow. Aragorn pulled her to her feet, shouting instructions at the others. Boromir charged back into the mine carrying Frodo. Legolas let some more arrows go. It was a nice mass of confusion.
And then the creature fully emerged from the water.
Willow's eyes widened, she knew what it was. The last time she had seen one was the day the Gatehouse opened. The Scooby Gang hadn't bothered to fight the thing; it was too huge and too strong. It had demolished the Sunnydale Harbor during its stay on the Hellmouth.
Yeah, Krakens were bad news.
It came at them suddenly. Aragorn gathered her up in his arms much like Boromir had Frodo. The whole company charged for the entrance. Legolas fired more arrows, Gimli chucked more axes, and it did little to impede the creature's progress.
It followed them into the mines. The walls shook as it tried to shove itself into the entrance.
Stupid move.
Concentrating on the little Elvish Willow could remember from her recent reading, she cast a spell. The door and its surrounding walls collapsed on the creature, killing it instantly.
Gandalf stared at her in amazement. She looked at him in hysterical anger.
"I thought you said Connor closed hell and made all the monsters go back!" she accused.
He looked slightly affronted.
"He did," the wizard insisted. "Only creatures of this earth were allowed to remain."
Willow frowned. "The Kraken is a creature of this earth?"
Gandalf shrugged. "Apparently," he conceded. He gave her another look.
"We have no choice but to take the roads through Moria now."
Willow felt a bit indignant. "I was just trying to prevent the sea monster from eating us," she mumbled, burying her head in Aragorn's chest. The first time she had done magic in this place and someone was already criticizing her for it.
Aragorn patted her hair and glared at the wizard.
Gandalf sighed in defeat.
"I know lass," he relented. "You did a good thing. We should get on our way."
Legolas sidled up to the wizard. "Aye, maybe Aragorn should put the Lady down so we can see to her injuries."
Willow blushed, she had forgot about that. Quickly, the redhead hopped out of Aragorn's arms.
"No medical attention needed," she replied sheepishly. "Just got the wind knocked out of me."
Gandalf turned back to the mines. Legolas and Aragorn glared at each other. Boromir raised an eyebrow at Willow. She shrugged and turned to check the hobbits for any injuries. Boromir turned to check on Gimli.
Satisfied, they all turned and followed Gandalf further into the mines. Legolas and Aragorn walked together, side-by-side, glaring venom at each other.
The Fellowship was on the verge of suicide.
*****
This trip was turning out to be a lot of fun. Walking to trudging to trudging while freezing, to fighting Krakens and now, climbing up the steep entrance of the former mine turned tomb.
There were bodies everywhere. It did little to calm Gimli, or Willow for that matter. It was an obvious one-sided massacre. And whatever won was most likely still in the mines with them.
And so they proceeded in silence. Well, as much silence as they could muster. Willow was having a hard time not swearing as she climbed the slippery rock steps. A few of her statements had caused Sam to turn red. Great, now she was a bad influence on the younger ones.
Legolas had positioned himself on her right side. Every now and then, he lent her a hand to steady herself with. Aragorn was not happy. He was glaring at the Elf but not making a scene for Willow's sake.
"He is jealous," Legolas whispered to her after catching her once more.
Willow frowned at him. "Who's jealous?" she muttered, concentrating on pulling herself yet another step.
How come dwarves, a race of people tinier than humans, made steps taller than the average human man? It was frickin' insane.
"Aragorn," Legolas replied.
"What about Aragorn?" Willow asked.
"He is jealous," Willow snorted.
"No really," Legolas insisted. "Think, why else would he be so angry with only myself in relation to our affair?"
Willow shook her head in refusal. "No, he's Aragorn. He's totally in love with Arwen. And besides, he's Aragorn."
Legolas stared at her pointedly. "He is a man," he countered. "A man with two perfectly functioning eyes. Methinks his anger is an offspring of the jealousy he feels at our closeness."
Willow frowned at him. She thought over his words. No, it was impossible. Willow wasn't sure why Aragorn was so angry at the Elf, but wasn't because he was interested in her. That was preposterous.
Sneaking a peek at Aragorn behind her, she reaffirmed that. He was watching the progress of the company with concern. He met her gaze and smiled. Willow smiled back. Aragorn was Aragorn; he had no mushy feelings concerning her.
His smiled vanished into a glare when Legolas put a hand on her back. She might have to rethink her position.
Presently Gandalf reached the top of the stairs. The wizard stretched and waited for the others to join him. Once together, he turned around as if to continue. In front of them were three different passages.
He stopped suddenly.
"I have no memory of this place."
*****
They were lost. Gandalf sat on a rock facing the three options. He was smoking profusely and deep in thought. Willow was pretty sure the halfing weed wouldn't do much to help clear his memory.
The hobbits were hungry. Not that it was news or anything. The hobbits were always hungry. Just now, they were whining about it. Well, Pippin was whining about it. Merry was telling him to be quiet, Sam was moping about leaving Bill the pony outside, and Frodo had gone off to talk to Gandalf. She overheard something about a Gollum, the thing that had found the ring like 600 years ago. Willow was pretty sure it was the thing that had been following them for about three days. Normally, she would have been freaked, but Gandalf had seemed unperturbed by it. So she let it slide. After all, the wizard knew a lot more than she did.
Boromir was trying to tell her about the white city of Gondor. It sounded like a kick ass place. Of course, it would have sounded better if the man ever got to start his story properly. Legolas and Aragorn having some mild spat or the other were constantly interrupting him.
After the third interruption, Willow decided she had had enough. Excusing herself from Boromir's side, she charged over to Aragorn. She grabbed his arm and led him away from the rest of the group. Everyone was staring at them. Willow didn't care; she needed to talk to the man.
"What is your problem?" she hissed at him.
Aragorn looked at her calmly. "Nothing is wrong."
"Yeah right," she countered. "That's why you and Legolas are about ready to chop each other's heads off. Well, depending on whether or not I beat the two of you to it. Now what is your problem? I thought you and Legolas were good friends."
Aragorn's eyes darkened. He looked like Angel in full anger mode.
"Aye, we are friends," he answered darkly. "I expected more of him on this matter. I knew he was drawn to you, but to take advantage of you in this manner-"
"Wait a minute," Willow interrupted. "Taking advantage how?"
"By pressing you with advances in your delicate state."
"Delicate state?"
Aragorn looked at her sadly. "You were so saddened when you discovered you could not return to your loved ones. You are lost and vulnerable and he is taking advantage of it to suit his needs," he spat out the last part.
Willow stared at him for a minute. And then she burst out into laughter. It wasn't that loud laughter, but the soft no noise making laughter. After all, they still didn't want the Orcs to know they were there. But Willow was practically hysterical with mirth.
Aragorn thought Legolas was trying to get into her pants. He didn't even suspect it was really the other way around. And being an overprotective man, just like Angel, Aragorn was outraged and trying to fend off the presumed nefarious intentions of the Elf. Legolas misinterpreted his anger as jealousy, thinking he has some sort of rival for Willow.
It was like some bad soap opera. Something worthy of Passions, what with all the munchkins running about.
The rest of the company was staring at them. Aragorn was holding her up when her laughter reduced her to keeling over.
"What is so amusing?" he asked in confusion.
Willow took several deep breaths, almost always followed by a squeak of laughter. Giggling she leaned over and whispered the truth in Aragorn's ear.
His eyes widened. He stared at the redhead in shock. Slowly, he joined her in silent laughter. The whole ordeal was so ridiculous. Willow glanced back at the group. Legolas looked crestfallen.
Stifling her laughter, she told Aragorn to go apologize to the Elf while she composed herself. Obediently the man walked over to Legolas. They had a whispered conference. Legolas was reduced to the same silent laughter. The rest of the group looked completely lost.
Finally composing herself, Willow trotted over to the group.
"So," she prompted Boromir. "You were talking about some white city?"
Boromir smiled and opened his mouth to speak. And then:
"Aha, it's this way!"
The hobbits jumped up excitedly. Willow turned back to the man.
"You are so finishing your story someday," she told him.
Boromir bowed deeply.
"As you wish, my lady."
The company joined Gandalf and Frodo in front of one of the passages.
"You remembered?!" exclaimed Frodo in excitement.
"No," the wizard shook his head in amusement. "The air is clearer in here. When in doubt, follow your nose."
* * * * * * * * * * *
They were off the mountain. Willow felt like cheering. She would have too, if not for the somber attitudes of all the others. She knew Legolas' foul mood was ninety percent her fault, the others just felt defeated. Gimli was the only one in high spirits.
"My cousin Balin will give us a royal welcome," he kept on boasting. Willow was cool with that. It sounded much better than "My cousin Balin will feed us alive to his pet ogre."
Willow wasn't sure there was an ogre. Maybe she was just over thinking things, again. But Gandalf was so against this place, it made her wonder.
What the hell could be so horrible? He neglected to answer any of her questions. The wizard just kept marching on to Moria, even though he looked like he prefer heading down into the Hellmouth.
They came to a clearing. It was a giant mountain wall, covered in vines and symbols.
"The walls of Moria," breathed Gimli in awe.
Willow had to agree with the awe. It was quite a sight. Now if only that nagging dread in the back of her mind would fade, everything would be great. That and resolving the whole Legolas problem, everything would be great. Not likely to happen.
They walked around the rim of a lake. Gandalf had paused in front of a block of stone. He cleared away some veins, glanced at the moon, mumbled some words, and stepped back. The wall began to glow. Writing and symbols appeared, all in the shape of a door. It was pretty cool.
"What does it say?"
"'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter'," Gandalf translated.
"What does that mean?" asked Merry.
"Oh, it's quite simple," the wizard answered. "You just speak the password to prove you are a friend and the doors will open."
Gandalf stepped back from the door. "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!" He slammed his staff against the door with great pomp.
Nothing happened.
He tried again. Nothing. The wizard paused, and scratched his head.
"Now what do we do?"
*****
The company had settled down for a long sit. Gimli and Boromir had both lit up. Willow really wanted to know what the stuff was, only to be told it was halfing weed. Like that answered any questions.
Well, okay, it answered only one.
Sam and Aragorn were unhitching Bill, their ever faithful pony. They couldn't bring him into the mines. That is of course, if they ever get in there themselves. Gandalf wasn't having the best of luck. But he kept on trying. Give the guy points for perseverance.
Merry and Pippin were absently chucking rocks into the lake. Legolas was staring at Willow, and she was studiously ignoring him. Hell, she even started to read the Wise book Gandalf gave her just so she would have a reason not to look at him. This whole situation was entirely too tense.
Willow kept shooting glances at the water. Something was off. She felt a little afraid. Gods, she prayed there weren't frogs in the lake.
Aragorn walked over, stopping the hobbits' mild game.
"Don't disturb the water," he warned, eyes flicking over the dark pool.
Willow straightened. What was wrong with the water?
Aragorn met her eyes. "Just a feeling," he answered her silent question.
"But not any frogs, right?"
Aragorn frowned. "Frogs?" he repeated.
Willow nodded frantically. "I have frog fear. I know it sounds stupid and that I need an adult fear, but it's just how I feel. After all, phobias aren't suppose to make sense," she rambled on.
Aragorn smiled at her. "Frog fear," he repeated. "How perfectly Willow."
Willow blushed, he was becoming more and more like Angel as the time went on. It was beginning to pull at Willow's heart. She missed her friends.
Legolas, of course, misinterpreted her blushing, stomped off to the other side of the lake. Aragorn watched him in confusion. He looked to Willow.
"What is bothering Legolas?"
Willow's eyes widened. "Nothing," she stammered. "Nothing is wrong with him. Why would anything be wrong with him? And if there was, why do you think I know? What exactly are you implying?"
Aragorn held up his hands in surrender. Willow took a deep breath.
"He has a personal issue going on," she offered apologetically. "It's not my place to say what it is. Sorry I snapped at you." It was the half-truth at least. Aragorn bought it.
"No offence taken, my lady," he replied, settling down next to her. He leaned over. "I've just noticed," he whispered to her, "that when anyone gets really close to you," Aragorn slipped a lock of her hair behind her ear, "Legolas seems to get very angry." He smiled at her slyly. "It's almost as if he was jealous."
Willow gave a nervous laugh. "Why would that make him jealous?"
Aragorn grinned. "I don't know," he admitted, this time putting his lips to her ear. If he weren't Angel's descendant, she would be mighty uncomfortable right now. "But look at his face," Willow turned to looked at Legolas, who was watching them very keenly. "Doesn't he look jealous to you?"
Willow caught on fast. "You're purposely trying to make him jealous," she accused in hush tones.
Aragorn grinned again. "Now how could I do that, when being friendly with you doesn't make him jealous?"
Willow glared at him. "You're evil," she fumed. Aragorn laughed at her. He patted her knee and got ready to stand up. Legolas was going to burst. Quickly, before she could react, Aragorn planted a soft kiss on her lips. Legolas shot across the shore, standing possessively in front of Willow in one instant.
Willow shot up. "Knock it off," she ordered. "The others are staring!"
Aragorn looked at Legolas appraisingly, the mirth replaced by a deadly glare.
"You should no better to start a romance on a mission, old friend."
Legolas' eyes flickered. Willow guessed he realized the whole thing was a set up. He blushed and looked at his toes. Willow turned wide eyes on Aragorn.
"Do not let yourself be distracted," he warned. With that, he grabbed Willow's arm and dragged her away from the Elf. She stared at him in confusion as he propelled her over to Frodo and Gandalf. Dropping her beside the hobbit, Aragorn returned to his own seat, effectively blocking Willow's view of Legolas.
"What was that all about?" Frodo whispered.
"Nothing," she stammered. "Aragorn and Legolas don't agree on something. It's not the end of the world."
Frodo frowned but accepted her explanation. It was sort of the truth. Willow wasn't sure what Aragorn was mad about, but it was definitely something revolving around her and the Elf. Willow absently wondered if he knew about the stolen kisses.
"I give up!" came Gandalf's cry. He plopped down beside them, utterly dejected.
Frodo sighed. "I wish the door would just understand we are friends and let us through," he lamented.
A light went off in Willow's brain.
"Frodo, you're a genius!" she crowed, planting a big wet one on the hobbit's nose. He looked shocked, Gandalf looked curious.
"It's a riddle," she explained. "What's the elvish word for 'friend'?"
Gandalf pursed his lips together. "Mellon," he drawled thoughtfully.
There was a loud creaking. The stone doors pushed open. Everyone jumped up in excitement. Willow smiled at Frodo.
"See? A genius you are."
*****
They entered the passage tentatively. Didn't want any surprises. It was very dark; no light existed in the entrance.
Gandalf whispered some elvish words and the top of his staff started admitting a light. Gimli was going on and on about the great treatment Balin was going to give them.
Willow kept the hobbits carefully behind her as she followed Aragorn into the entrance. Aragorn, who had put Gimli and Boromir in between her and Legolas. His anger seemed to be focused on the Elf, not her. It made her wonder what he thought was going on. She would ask him, but it didn't seem like the most opportune time.
Something snapped underneath her foot. She looked down-at bone. She stepped on a bone, and there was plenty more.
"This isn't a mine, it's a tomb," came Boromir's calming statement. Thanks for clearing it up.
She looked down at the corpse in sorrow. Why couldn't it just be gold or flowers or something? Why is it always bodies that Willow stumbled upon?
Gimli was having hysterics. Willow walked over to him, placing her hand on his back in comfort. The dwarf was wailing.
Legolas drooped down over a body and pulled out an arrow. He sniffed it delicately.
"Orcs!" he hissed, dropping the shaft away as if it were contaminated.
Everyone drew his or her weapons. Willow edged her way back to the hobbits. The men were helpfully blaming each other for the latest development.
Oh, the comradeship in this group.
Screaming drew her attention back to the hobbits. She heard splashing and shrieking. The other three hobbits were crowded over a fallen Frodo. Sam was desperately hacking at something.
Another splash and the hobbits were thrown back. The others raced outside. Large tentacles were wrapped around Frodo's leg and had him suspended in the air.
Great, a sea monster. Or was that a lake monster?
Everyone rushed out, hacking at any part of the body that moved. Like that was helping any, the limbs were just falling around the group. They had to dance around them to avoid being pummeled.
Willow decided to ignore the body of the thing and concentrate on the tentacles. She heard the whiz of arrows as Legolas let some loose on the creature. Aragorn, Gimli, and Boromir were hacking away at flailing limbs.
Willow focused on the one tentacle holding Frodo. Discerning it from the others, she drew her sword and sliced through the appendage. Frodo started to fall back down; a tentacle knocked down Willow. Aragorn pulled her to her feet, shouting instructions at the others. Boromir charged back into the mine carrying Frodo. Legolas let some more arrows go. It was a nice mass of confusion.
And then the creature fully emerged from the water.
Willow's eyes widened, she knew what it was. The last time she had seen one was the day the Gatehouse opened. The Scooby Gang hadn't bothered to fight the thing; it was too huge and too strong. It had demolished the Sunnydale Harbor during its stay on the Hellmouth.
Yeah, Krakens were bad news.
It came at them suddenly. Aragorn gathered her up in his arms much like Boromir had Frodo. The whole company charged for the entrance. Legolas fired more arrows, Gimli chucked more axes, and it did little to impede the creature's progress.
It followed them into the mines. The walls shook as it tried to shove itself into the entrance.
Stupid move.
Concentrating on the little Elvish Willow could remember from her recent reading, she cast a spell. The door and its surrounding walls collapsed on the creature, killing it instantly.
Gandalf stared at her in amazement. She looked at him in hysterical anger.
"I thought you said Connor closed hell and made all the monsters go back!" she accused.
He looked slightly affronted.
"He did," the wizard insisted. "Only creatures of this earth were allowed to remain."
Willow frowned. "The Kraken is a creature of this earth?"
Gandalf shrugged. "Apparently," he conceded. He gave her another look.
"We have no choice but to take the roads through Moria now."
Willow felt a bit indignant. "I was just trying to prevent the sea monster from eating us," she mumbled, burying her head in Aragorn's chest. The first time she had done magic in this place and someone was already criticizing her for it.
Aragorn patted her hair and glared at the wizard.
Gandalf sighed in defeat.
"I know lass," he relented. "You did a good thing. We should get on our way."
Legolas sidled up to the wizard. "Aye, maybe Aragorn should put the Lady down so we can see to her injuries."
Willow blushed, she had forgot about that. Quickly, the redhead hopped out of Aragorn's arms.
"No medical attention needed," she replied sheepishly. "Just got the wind knocked out of me."
Gandalf turned back to the mines. Legolas and Aragorn glared at each other. Boromir raised an eyebrow at Willow. She shrugged and turned to check the hobbits for any injuries. Boromir turned to check on Gimli.
Satisfied, they all turned and followed Gandalf further into the mines. Legolas and Aragorn walked together, side-by-side, glaring venom at each other.
The Fellowship was on the verge of suicide.
*****
This trip was turning out to be a lot of fun. Walking to trudging to trudging while freezing, to fighting Krakens and now, climbing up the steep entrance of the former mine turned tomb.
There were bodies everywhere. It did little to calm Gimli, or Willow for that matter. It was an obvious one-sided massacre. And whatever won was most likely still in the mines with them.
And so they proceeded in silence. Well, as much silence as they could muster. Willow was having a hard time not swearing as she climbed the slippery rock steps. A few of her statements had caused Sam to turn red. Great, now she was a bad influence on the younger ones.
Legolas had positioned himself on her right side. Every now and then, he lent her a hand to steady herself with. Aragorn was not happy. He was glaring at the Elf but not making a scene for Willow's sake.
"He is jealous," Legolas whispered to her after catching her once more.
Willow frowned at him. "Who's jealous?" she muttered, concentrating on pulling herself yet another step.
How come dwarves, a race of people tinier than humans, made steps taller than the average human man? It was frickin' insane.
"Aragorn," Legolas replied.
"What about Aragorn?" Willow asked.
"He is jealous," Willow snorted.
"No really," Legolas insisted. "Think, why else would he be so angry with only myself in relation to our affair?"
Willow shook her head in refusal. "No, he's Aragorn. He's totally in love with Arwen. And besides, he's Aragorn."
Legolas stared at her pointedly. "He is a man," he countered. "A man with two perfectly functioning eyes. Methinks his anger is an offspring of the jealousy he feels at our closeness."
Willow frowned at him. She thought over his words. No, it was impossible. Willow wasn't sure why Aragorn was so angry at the Elf, but wasn't because he was interested in her. That was preposterous.
Sneaking a peek at Aragorn behind her, she reaffirmed that. He was watching the progress of the company with concern. He met her gaze and smiled. Willow smiled back. Aragorn was Aragorn; he had no mushy feelings concerning her.
His smiled vanished into a glare when Legolas put a hand on her back. She might have to rethink her position.
Presently Gandalf reached the top of the stairs. The wizard stretched and waited for the others to join him. Once together, he turned around as if to continue. In front of them were three different passages.
He stopped suddenly.
"I have no memory of this place."
*****
They were lost. Gandalf sat on a rock facing the three options. He was smoking profusely and deep in thought. Willow was pretty sure the halfing weed wouldn't do much to help clear his memory.
The hobbits were hungry. Not that it was news or anything. The hobbits were always hungry. Just now, they were whining about it. Well, Pippin was whining about it. Merry was telling him to be quiet, Sam was moping about leaving Bill the pony outside, and Frodo had gone off to talk to Gandalf. She overheard something about a Gollum, the thing that had found the ring like 600 years ago. Willow was pretty sure it was the thing that had been following them for about three days. Normally, she would have been freaked, but Gandalf had seemed unperturbed by it. So she let it slide. After all, the wizard knew a lot more than she did.
Boromir was trying to tell her about the white city of Gondor. It sounded like a kick ass place. Of course, it would have sounded better if the man ever got to start his story properly. Legolas and Aragorn having some mild spat or the other were constantly interrupting him.
After the third interruption, Willow decided she had had enough. Excusing herself from Boromir's side, she charged over to Aragorn. She grabbed his arm and led him away from the rest of the group. Everyone was staring at them. Willow didn't care; she needed to talk to the man.
"What is your problem?" she hissed at him.
Aragorn looked at her calmly. "Nothing is wrong."
"Yeah right," she countered. "That's why you and Legolas are about ready to chop each other's heads off. Well, depending on whether or not I beat the two of you to it. Now what is your problem? I thought you and Legolas were good friends."
Aragorn's eyes darkened. He looked like Angel in full anger mode.
"Aye, we are friends," he answered darkly. "I expected more of him on this matter. I knew he was drawn to you, but to take advantage of you in this manner-"
"Wait a minute," Willow interrupted. "Taking advantage how?"
"By pressing you with advances in your delicate state."
"Delicate state?"
Aragorn looked at her sadly. "You were so saddened when you discovered you could not return to your loved ones. You are lost and vulnerable and he is taking advantage of it to suit his needs," he spat out the last part.
Willow stared at him for a minute. And then she burst out into laughter. It wasn't that loud laughter, but the soft no noise making laughter. After all, they still didn't want the Orcs to know they were there. But Willow was practically hysterical with mirth.
Aragorn thought Legolas was trying to get into her pants. He didn't even suspect it was really the other way around. And being an overprotective man, just like Angel, Aragorn was outraged and trying to fend off the presumed nefarious intentions of the Elf. Legolas misinterpreted his anger as jealousy, thinking he has some sort of rival for Willow.
It was like some bad soap opera. Something worthy of Passions, what with all the munchkins running about.
The rest of the company was staring at them. Aragorn was holding her up when her laughter reduced her to keeling over.
"What is so amusing?" he asked in confusion.
Willow took several deep breaths, almost always followed by a squeak of laughter. Giggling she leaned over and whispered the truth in Aragorn's ear.
His eyes widened. He stared at the redhead in shock. Slowly, he joined her in silent laughter. The whole ordeal was so ridiculous. Willow glanced back at the group. Legolas looked crestfallen.
Stifling her laughter, she told Aragorn to go apologize to the Elf while she composed herself. Obediently the man walked over to Legolas. They had a whispered conference. Legolas was reduced to the same silent laughter. The rest of the group looked completely lost.
Finally composing herself, Willow trotted over to the group.
"So," she prompted Boromir. "You were talking about some white city?"
Boromir smiled and opened his mouth to speak. And then:
"Aha, it's this way!"
The hobbits jumped up excitedly. Willow turned back to the man.
"You are so finishing your story someday," she told him.
Boromir bowed deeply.
"As you wish, my lady."
The company joined Gandalf and Frodo in front of one of the passages.
"You remembered?!" exclaimed Frodo in excitement.
"No," the wizard shook his head in amusement. "The air is clearer in here. When in doubt, follow your nose."
* * * * * * * * * * *