Chapter Twenty-Five: The Walls of Moria

Written in story form by Carithawen

Webposter's notes: This is written from the roleplaying that we did.

The Fellowship made their way towards the walls of Moria at Frodo's request. After hours of traveling down Caradhras and making their way around the mountainside, they came across a gigantic mountain wall.

Suddenly, Gimli gasped and pointed to the mountainside. "The walls... of Moria..."

Halien pushed her fiery strands of hair behind her ear. She spotted the place that Gimli pointed to, and a look of wonder came unto her face. With wide green eyes she walked forward on the muddy banks of the lake with Gandalf at her side. Her lips parted in amazement, and she gasped.

Elfindel had never seen the walls of Moria, even if she had traveled the land with Aragorn when he was a Ranger. She looked at the walls as the breeze gently wisped at her long golden hair. Gandalf then signaled for them to continue, and that's what they did, venturing closer to the massive walls.

Halien made sure not to lose her footing as she walked along the muddy and slippery banks. Alas, she stood in front of a boulder facing the great gate of Moria. She could see nothing on it but dull carvings. Her brow furrowed, and she reached out to touch it.

Gandalf also fingered the carvings. "Let's see.... Ithildin... It mirrors only starlight—" he looked towards the moon, "—and moonlight..."

Halien looked up, and her eyes gleamed as the moon broke through the dark clouds illuminating the door, causing the outline to glow. It was the most beautiful thing Halien had ever seen, since she didn't really get out much. She smiled, and ran her hands through the carvings.

Gandalf read the Moonrunes. "It reads: 'Doors of Durin, lord of Moria: Speak friend and enter'."

Merry looked up at him. "What do you suppose that means?"

Gandalf turned to him. "Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open!"

Halien stood with her excitement growing. She wanted to know what wonders stood behind the glowing gate. Biting her bottom lip in anticipation, she stood back and waited for Gandalf to work his magic.

The wizard approached the doors, raising his staff. "Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!"

Halien's excitement diminished as nothing occurred. She stopped biting her lip, rolled her eyes, and sat down on a boulder nearby.

Pippin looked up at Aragorn. "Nothing's happening..."

Not wanting to give up just yet, Gandalf blinked in confusion, but addressed the door again. "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya..."

Legolas, who had been standing nearby watching Gandalf also, went to stand next to Halien. "Are you ok?" His tone was sort of worried despite the fact that he was still remembering her fall from earlier.

Gandalf tried and tried again in all the tongues of Sindar and Quenya, but nothing worked.

After fifteen minutes of nothingness, the whole Fellowship had found a place to sit, while Gandalf still tried to guess the password.

Halien sighed, and finally answered Legolas' previous question. "I'm fine, Legolas…" She picked at the weeds that grew in between the cracks in the ground, her fingers full of dirt.

He sat next to her. "I wanted to apologize for earlier..."

Halien rolled her eyes, scoffed, and asked sarcastically. "About what?"

He kept his glance on her even though hers was focused on the ground. "I didn't mean to laugh. I tried to help you though."

Halien glanced at him, and then back to the ground. "I don't need your help," she repeated as she had before, and stood up, walking towards the water.

Meanwhile, Elfindel sat looking out over the nearby lake. She was seemingly glowing softly in the moonlight, as was a trait with all Elves. She had watched the two before returning her eyes to Gandalf, who was still working on the door's password.

This caught the attention of Pippin, who was standing on the lakeshore, throwing rocks—but his throwing stopped momentarily, finding himself studying her, until Elfindel stood up, and walked to the wise wizard. He then continued to throw rocks into the water, but was soon stopped, this time by Aragorn.

"Do not disturb the water..." he warned lowly.

Halien glanced back at Elfindel and gave her a quick smile, before returning her eyes to the dark water. Something troubled her about the water, it seemed unnaturally quiet, but she said nothing, and just watched the reflection of the moon upon it.

After yet another quote in Sindarin, Gandalf sighed, sitting on a boulder nearby. "Oh, it's useless..."

After a long moment of thought, Frodo stood from his rock, approaching the doors. "It's a riddle... 'Speak 'friend'... and enter.' What's the Elvish word for friend?"

Gandalf looked at him, and spoke slowly. "Mellon..."

Halien heard the great rumble before she actually saw it. She turned from her place in front of the water, and watched as the gates to Moria opened up. She smiled contently, and walked towards the vast opening.

Elfindel stood up slowly, never taking her eyes off the doors. "By the Valar..."