And so the Fellowship . . . the Union of the Ring started out on their journey.

Hotohori, beautiful Emperor of his ancient city, Konan, led the seven warriors through the woods and over hills, coming to a rest near the bottom of the snowy Caradrhas Mountains. (Too bad Miss Uots can't spell it right.)

"According to this map," Hotohori said, as they sat around on the rocks, "we have three choices. We can go South, up this giant and very much dangerous looking mountain, or we can go under the mountain through some mines. I highly suggest avoiding the mines as they will probably be very dirty and damage my hair."

Tasuki and Nakago snorted at Hotohori's comment. "We're going South," Nakago finally said. "That's where the Men are."

"South does sound good," Hotohori said, and Nuriko nodded fervently.

"Oh, I agree Hotohori! The mines are no place for us, especially if we're representing pretty little elves!"

"Ha!" Tasuki cried, jumping to his feet. "I think we can scale that mountain easily! I AM a mountain bandit, you know! I live and breathe the mountains! I am master of the mountain terrain! Da-ha ha! That mountain doesn't scare me!"

"But the Men are down South," Nakago growled. "Don't forget who you're representing, little bandit."

"Hey!" Tasuki shouted. "Who are you calling Little Bandit?!"

"Quiet now," Hotohori said, closing his eyes. "You two . . . what do you think?"

Chichiri and Tomo looked at each other. "Down South, no da," Chichiri answered for the both of them.

"Uh . . . under the mountain and into the mines of Moria?" Miboshi suggested.

"HA!" Tasuki shouted. "Too afraid to over the mountain? Think you'll be safe going underneath?!"

"I represent the dwarves, don't you forget that." Miboshi said flatly.

Just then, he was distracted by something off in the distance. "What's the fast moving whisp of cloud?"

Hotohori got to his feet and Nuriko got up with him. "Looks like a batch of birds," Hotohori said. "I wonder if that's a good sign or not?"

"I hate birds," Nakago snarled. "Let's kill them."

"No!" Hotohori said. "I will not allow such a violent deed to be done to such wonderful and peaceful creatures!"

"Uh, Your Highness?" Chichiri spoke up. "I think we better get down and hide. Those might be spies from the Bad side, no da."

The warriors hid themselves in rock crevices and under bushes. They waited rather patiently for the birds to pass, and then, they crawled out of their hiding places.

"The way down South might be under watch," Chichiri said, giving a big sigh. "I'm afraid we're going to have to go with the mountain. The question is up or down?"

"UP," came from Hotohori, Nuriko, Tasuki, Nakago Chichiri and Tomo.

Miboshi was the only one who said "DOWN."

"Damn," he cursed to himself, following the warriors from behind. "I just ain't good at being dwarf, am I? And to think . . . there are probably monsters and demons of all sorts down there! It could have been fun!"

But the warriors climbed through the heavy snow of the mountain. At one point, as he whipped his hair back, the Ring fell from Hotohori's neck. Nakago picked it up.

"Amazing," he said in his low, threatening voice. "How little a thing can cause such Evil."

"Nakago . . ."

Tasuki snatched the Ring and threw it at Hotohori. "Don't even think about it, man! We all know what would happen if the Ring of Power fell in your hands."

"You do, don't you?" Nakago said, giving a slight sneer. "I could take over the world of Middle Earth. I could be the almighty Sauron . . . only prettier."

"Enough of that," Hotohori said, the necklace safe around his neck again. "Chichiri . . . keep an eye on those two."

"What?!" Tasuki cried. "Why both of us? What have I done wrong?"

"Just keep an eye on them," Hotohori said to Chichiri, who nodded back to him. Up the mountains they continued, the snow falling thickly from the sky, blinding them with its whiteness.

In the lead, walking up a thin ledge, Hotohori suddenly stopped and said, "Hark! I hear a foul voice upon the air!" He had to shout it because the wind of the snow was so terribly strong and loud around them.

"OSSSHHHKOOOOSSSHHHBAAAAAGOOOOSSSSH," came the voice, or something like that.

"I think I just heard Osh Kosh Bagosh in the wind," Nakago remarked. He was holding Miboshi who was too small to walk in the snow with out drowning himself.

Suddenly, lightening struck a rock above their heads to which Nakago muttered, "Soi!" and Tomo came back with "Sauce!" (Something from Fushigi Yuugi, if you don't understand.)

Snow fell upon their heads, burying them deep within the snow. A minute later, Hotohori popped out of the snow with Nuriko, and the two of them helped the others out.

"We have to go back," Nakago shouted to Hotohori. "I'm afraid we'll just have to risk going South."

"NO!" Hotohori cried. "We can't go there if there are spies!"

"Let's go down the Mines of Moria!" Miboshi squealed excitingly.

Everyone groaned.

"It's up to the Ring Bearer to decide, really, no da," Chichiri said, and he and Tomo looked over at Hotohori.

Hotohori sighed. "The Mines of Moria it is."

"YESS!!" Miboshi shouted in glee as they all turned back down the mountain, heading towards the mines.