A/N: Here's chapter 2...special thanks to Padfootbaby, my first and so far only reviewer for this story. On with the show!

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Chapter 2: Moria and Flight to Lothlorien

Back at the head of the line, Gandalf suddenly halted. Everyone looked at him expectantly. Had another group of strangers decided to take them by surprise? Gandalf indulged their curiosity. "I have no memory of this place."

The others dropped their loads as they observed the old wizard settling himself on a rock. Frodo noticed some big bluish eyes peering at him and rushed up to the Maiar to question him about them.

Meanwhile, Dobby had slipped out of Sam's pack and tiptoed around, eyes large and bright. Harry glimpsed the house-elf's eyes and sat, riveted, not being able to determine what the creature was just by those creepy eyes. Then, the light from Gandalf's staff revealed the glittery pink headband the creature had taken to wearing as a belt and the red oven mitt he'd strapped onto his head with someone's old bootlace. His garb gave the house-elf away immediately.

"Dobby?" Harry gaped in astonishment. "What are you doing here?"

"Sir, please don't be mad at Dobby. Dobby just wants to keep Harry Potter safe! So Dobby stowed away in one of the Hungry Ones' knapsack to keep an eye on sir!"

"Dobby, I'm fine, I'll be fine! I have a professor and a great wizard to protect me! Still," Harry lowered his voice at the frightened look on Dobby's face, "it's nice to know you're worried about me."

Dobby's face lit up. "Dobby is so privileged to serve such a kind master!" He scrambled over to Harry, grabbed his hand and began kissing it subserviently.

Harry shook off the house-elf. "I'm not your master, Dobby! Please don't grovel."

Dobby nodded meekly, apologized, and offered Harry and his friends some food he'd stashed in Sam's pack. They accepted small portions. Then the house-elf offered some to Professor Snape, who declined, then the others in the group. As he was doing this, Dobby noticed the eyes Frodo had seen before and went scampering up to them, thinking they belonged to another house-elf. Before he could reach them, however, the odd eyes disappeared into the depths of Moria.

A voice came from where Gandalf was seated. "Ah, it's that way! The air doesn't smell so foul down there!"

Everyone got up, put on their packs and followed Gandalf down the dark passageway.

Once they exited the dimly-lit staircase, the light radiating from the staff revealed some lit and shadowed forms resembling gigantic pillars. Gandalf turned the light up to an amount that was almost blinding to look at directly, and the shadows leapt back as if afraid of the light, revealing a seemingly endless space filled with columns.

"Behold," Gandalf spoke, "The great Dwarven city of Dwarrowdelf!"

The group began walking through the city, gaping openly at the incredible height of the ceiling that didn't really appear to exist. Some light from an adjoining chamber penetrated the darkness. Apparently, this chamber had some significance to Gimli, because he shouted 'NO!' and ran off into it.

* * *

Ok, we've all either read the books or seen the movie. I felt it would be detrimental to the Lord of the Rings legacy if I tried to incorporate the new characters largely into the next part, so just imagine that everything happens the same, just with Harry and his companions in the shots or storyline. The only real difference is Ganalf's odd feeling of deja vĂș at the scene where the Balrog takes him into Shadow. Beyond that, nothing really significant happens until they're running to Lothlorien. If I get enough requests for writing this part, I'll try, but I'm not promising a masterpiece.

* * *

"Bloody hell," Ron murmured, "I need to get in shape!"

Hermione agreed with him. They'd run all the way from that dark cave place, and her energy was waning quickly. She felt sorry for Sam, who was not just carrying his supplies and half of Frodo's, but was also lugging Dobby around.

Of course, she thought, if I can keep Legolas in front of me, I could probably run forever!

She didn't know why she found the elf attractive. Maybe it was the piercing blue eyes. Perhaps it was the way he talked in that Renaissance-Middle Ages fashion, calling her 'milady' and such. Whatever it was, it was making her feel light-headed and shy. Her incentive for the last half-hour or so had been trying to catch the fleet-footed gorgeous blond elf.

She focused on it again, slowly pulling ahead of Harry and Ron. Unfortunately, a tree root appeared out of nowhere and tripped her. She sprawled on the meadow grass and let out a small cry. Her legs had been knocked harshly into a rock, and as she tried to get up her legs protested with a sharp pang.

Ron and Harry stopped to try and help her up, but she couldn't stand. Professor Snape, who had lagged behind more than the trio, finally caught up and assessed the damage. "It's not broken, Miss Granger, although there will be a single large bruise on both legs for quite some time."

Hermione whimpered and, propped between Harry and Ron, slowly hobbled towards the forest. Legolas's elf-ears picked up on the absence of footsteps behind the Fellowship. He glanced over his shoulder to see Hermione stumbling along between her two friends. Without even thinking, he turned back and ran to the group. "We can't afford to be slowed down." He scooped up the injured girl in his arms and began running after the Fellowship.

Hermione sneaked a look up at Legolas. He was gazing intently ahead. She let her eyes go half-closed. Through her eyelashes, she noticed Legolas's quick glance down at her. His eyes were full of concern. Hey, she thought, maybe this isn't so bad after all.

* * *

Severus trailed behind his two students. Now I wish I hadn't been such a lazy ass, he thought. Then I'd be better prepared for this running. He noticed they were approaching the forest. Finally, he thought, almost there. I don't know how the old man would have been able to keep up with us at this pace.

They had all been shocked when the Balrog took Gandalf. Frodo was probably the most emotionally traumatized, but Harry was also distressed He now guarded his hat like Cerberus did the Gates of Hades, the one reminder the young boy had of his late friend.

The professor noticed how Harry had taken off the hat and clung it to his chest. Severus sincerely hoped the boy didn't remain so attached to the odd hat. If anything happened to it, Harry could be emotionally scarred for a very long time.

Earlier, Aragorn had mentioned that the wood of Lothlorien was inhabited by elves. Great, he thought, I hope they don't nance around like that pretty-boy elf carrying Granger. But he suspected there would be much nancing, as all elves were, according to Aragorn, vain.

Oh well, he thought, at least we'll be safe from those damn orcs. If there's one thing that pansy Legolas can do, it's protect us. Other than admiring himself, that is.

End chapter 2

A/N: plz review!! Next chappy may take a while to post