Fallen
Chapter Sixteen
Into the Mines
Kira felt someone pulling her out of the water and towards the opening of the mine. She coughed and wiped the water from her eyes, she moved some hair from her face and got up herself. She then shook off whoever's hand was on her shoulder and ran to get the hobbits and help them into the mine.
She saw Legolas shoot at the guardian and from what she could tell the arrow hit it square in the eye. Everyone ran as fast they could into the mine. The guardian tried to follow them in but with all its tentacles flying everywhere the entrance caved in on it. The company was now enveloped in the blackness.
"We now have but one choice." She heard Gandalf say, then his staff lit up and Kira saw that he had fitted a stone at the top that was producing the light. "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." He looked around as everyone started forward with hesitation. "Quiet now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
Kira was walking beside Legolas and Anthony behind Gandalf and Gimli. She felt Anthony take her hand in his and give it a reassuring little squeeze. She smiled at him slightly and bit her lip. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled back. "It's alright Kira we'll get out of here soon." He said.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Legolas asked from her other side.
"Kira is afraid of tightly enclosed spaces. She is claustrophobic." Anthony said giving her hand another squeeze.
Kira closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath and let it out. 'The walls are not going to cave in on me. I am going to get through this. I will face my fear, and I will let it pass through me. I am facing my fear. Hear that fear? I'm facing you.' She said to herself.
Legolas took her other hand and also squeezed it encouragingly. "You will be all right Kira, I will be here for you, should you need me." He said smiling.
She opened her eyes and looked at the elf with a somewhat panicky expression. "Thank you." She mouthed, and he squeezed her hand again.
She looked to Anthony again and sighed. "I am trying to be strong Anthony, I truly am, but I do not know if I can do this." She said eyeing the walls around her with frightened eyes.
She let go of both Anthony's and Legolas' hands and bit her lip and narrowing her eyes. She walked a little faster trying to make her stay in this place as brief as possible. She, however, was not paying attention to her footing and she slipped backwards. She fell and then felt arms around her waist holding her and keeping her from falling down the stairs.
Kira took another deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it go and giving Legolas a small nod. "Thank you again Legolas, it seems it is a good idea that you keep an eye on me." She said quietly.
He helped her stand upright and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You should not rush, Kira. You will not get through Moria any faster. Just keep a steady pace with the rest of us. You will be fine, I promise you this." He said looking into her eyes.
"Lady Kira, are you alright?" she heard Sam say as he came up behind them.
"Yes Sam, I am fine. I am just a little claustrophobic is all. Thank you for your concern though." She said giving him a smile.
Gandalf stopped then and held his staff aloft so they could see up ahead a ways. The wide stairway was whole and undamaged. Two hundred steps they counted, wide and shallow; and at the top they found an arched passage with a level floor leading on into the dark.
They made their up it slowly but steadily and came to the landing soon, pausing there. "Let us sit and rest here on the landing and have something to eat, since we cannot find a dinning-room." said Frodo.
All welcomed the suggestion; and they sat down on the upper steps, dim figures in the dark and gloom. After they had eaten they paused and discussed their path.
"Be careful with the water you drink, for even though there are streams and wells in the mines, they should not be touched. We may not have a chance of filling our skins and bottles till we come down into Dimrill Dale." Said Gandalf grimly.
"How long is it going to take us to get there?" asked Anthony.
"I cannot say," answered Gandalf. "It depends on many chances. But going straight, without mishap or losing our way, we shall take three or four marches, I expect. It cannot be less than forty miles from west-door to east-gate in a direct line, and the road may wind much."
Kira sat huddled on the stairs beside her brother. She had her knees drawn up to her chest and she was hugging her legs closer to her. Kira had her eyes closed tightly and was only vaguely listening to what the others where saying. She was chanting what was now fast becoming her own little private mantra. 'The walls are not going to cave in on me. I am going to get through this. I will face my fear, and I will let it pass through me. I am facing my fear. Hear that fear? I'm facing you.' She chanted inside her head over and over again. She didn't notice Boromir sitting next to her till he placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him slowly opening her eyes and giving him a weak little smile.
Lady Kira, are you sure you are okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes Boromir, I am fine, really."
After a short moment Gandalf arose and said. "We should start back on the way, if we wish to get through here as quickly as possible."
The company got up and followed him all where in agreement, especially Kira, that they did not want to be in this place any longer than was necessary. And they were prepared, as tired as they all were, to continue walking for several hours.
Gandalf walked up front just like before. In the left hand he held his shining staff, the light of it seemed to just show the ground before his feet; in his right hand he held his sword Glamdring. Behind him came Gimli who turned his head from side to side, as if expecting an attack. Than after him came Frodo, who drew his own sword, sting. No light came from either blade which was at least some comfort. For they had both been forged by elvish smiths in the Elder Days and they would shine with a cold light, if any Orcs were near at hand. After Frodo came Sam, then Legolas and Kira. Behind them came the two younger hobbits, Merry and Pippin. Then came Nathan and Boromir. At the rear silent and dismal, walked Anthony and Aragorn.
They followed Gandalf silently; he was their guide through the mines, the only one of them who knew their way around. Their path twisted round a few turns, and then dipped downwards. It went steadily down for what seemed like a long while to the company before it leveled off once again. Soon enough the air grew hot and stifling, but it was not foul, at times Kira could feel a current of cooler air pass over her face. This helped her a little for it was these cooler bursts of air that kept her from feeling like she was being choked or closed in.
"Well it certainly is very dark." Whispered Pippin miserably. "I don't think I have seen anything more dreary and dark." He said, he clung tightly to Kira's tunic, as if he feared being left behind or forgotten.
Kira looked down at the little hobbit and gave him a half smile. "I would have to agree with you Pip. But look on the bright side at least, according to Gandalf anyway, the trip through this place will only take four days." She said quietly.
"I still don't like this place," he said looking from side to side as if he thought he'd see something. "It's creepy."
"True enough, and I would have to agree with you on that last part at least."
Gandalf paused for a moment as if trying to remember where to go. "Do not be afraid." Aragorn said coming up behind Kira, Pippin and Merry. They where pausing longer than usual, Gandalf and Gimli where whispering up ahead together. The others crowded behind, waiting anxiously. "Do not be afraid," he said again. "I have been with him on many journeys, if never on one as dark as this. There are tales in Rivendell of greater deeds of his than any I have seen." He paused and put a comforting hand on Kira's shoulder. "He will not go astray, if there is any path to find he will find it, of this I am sure. He has lead us here against our fears," he said now giving her shoulder a small squeeze. "But he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to himself." He gave Kira a slight smile and she tried her best to smile back. Unfortunately it came out weak and forced.
Kira took a deep breath and let it out again slowly. She closed her eyes and did it again a few times before opening them again. They started off again after a few more short minutes and their march was ever slow but steady. Kira understood why Gandalf would stop every once and a while, for not only were there many roads to choose from, there were also many holes, pitfalls and dark wells on the dark path they were on. She was grateful for Gandalf, she was not sure the company would have ever made it this far if he had not been there.
***
Kira had lost all track of time since they had entered the mines, and she could feel herself closing down emotionally. Every time they would stop and rest or sleep Kira would go to a corner by herself and hug her knees to her chin, slowly rocking back and forth. The dark and damp, and simply being so closed in made her feel alone and afraid she often felt like the walls were about to fall in on her, burying her forever in this awful place.
It was times like this when she would finger the ring around her neck; she would close her eyes and remember Elladan. She would remain strong, if only for him. So she could see him again, hopefully.
Right now they were walking at a slow and steady pace. Kira was near the rear with Aragorn and Anthony, for she knew Anthony would understand how she was feeling and be there for her without trying to analyze her as Nathan would. She was at this moment playing with the ring as she walked along. She let her thoughts stray to Elladan and the time they had spent together. It had not been nearly enough, in her own opinion, but that could not be helped.
Kira was so deep in thought she walked right into Boromir, who was in front of her. She looked up and smiled shyly. "I am sorry Lord Boromir, I was not paying rightful attention." She said apologetically.
"It is alright Lady Kira, there is no need to apologize." He said smiling a little.
Kira looked up ahead to see why they had stopped and saw standing at the head of the company muttering to himself, and looking at the way before them. In front of the wizard was a wide arch opening into three passages that appeared to all lead in the same general direction, eastwards.
But they where different, from what Kira could tell from her vantage point, the left lead downwards in a steep slope, while the right climbed up, and the middle just seemed level and smooth albeit very narrow.
"I have no memory of this place." She heard him say, though it seemed like her said it to himself more than to the group.
Kira noticed Merry and Pippin had now attached themselves to her side and were bantering back and forth.
"Are we lost?" Pip asked.
"No." Merry answered.
"I think we are."
"Shhh. Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry.?"
"What?" came the slowly growing irritated reply.
"I'm hungry."
Kira couldn't help but smirk at the two and she shook her head chuckling silently. The company settled and grouped off sitting down and resting while they let Gandalf's memory make it's way back to him.
Kira was sitting off by herself and was toying with her bow, her legs crossed before her. It took her a second to realize Legolas had joined her and now sat beside her. She looked at him strangely for a moment, as if she didn't recognize him then she gave him a feeble and slightly forced smile, and it showed.
Legolas studied her for a minute before his eyes stayed to the jewel around her neck. He reached out and took it between his fingers slowly. He looked up to look her in the eyes; taking her hand in his he placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. "It will be alright Kira, you will see each other again. I can feel it." he said now letting go of the ring.
Kira remained silent as he gently kissed her hand and said his words. Though she could feel tears coming she forced them back down, she refused to cry. She simply studied the elf's face and gave him another smile, stronger this time, for his words had helped in their own way. She silently leaned her head on his shoulder and let him put his arm around her in a comforting way. She let her own hand stray towards the chain and she fiddled with the ring. She smiled sadly as more thoughts of Rivendell and her love came to her mind. She let a small sigh escape her and she felt Legolas hug her a little tighter.
"Are you alright? I know you don't not like closed in places, are you going to be okay?" he said lifting her chin with his finger so she would meet his gaze.
Kira bit her lip and frowned slightly. "I will be fine Legolas, I have to be strong. If only to be an example to Frodo, he needs our support in this." She said quietly. She lowered her head to lean on his shoulder once again and rubbed her temple absently.
"You are not the only one who is afraid though Kira, I just want you to know that. We all fear for our lives, but we must keep faith."
Kira nodded and lifted her head and gave him a reassuring smile. She was withdrawing further and further into herself with every moment she spent in this place, and she knew Legolas could tell. Anthony probably could as well, but was leaving her be for now, letting her deal with it in her own way.
She hugged her knees tighter to her chest and sighed silently. Kira closed her eyes and tried to visualize being out in the open, she pictured being out in a wide field on her property back in her world. She felt like the world around her was slowly fading away, as if she was just an empty consciousness following the others through this abyss. Almost as if she were sleep walking.
Kira felt a hand on her shoulder then and turned to see Pippin giving her a sympathetic, sad look. She sighed and putted his hand trying her best to give him reassuring smile.
That's when Gandalf spoke up. "Eh - its this way."
"He's remembered." Merry said slowly getting up and stretching a little.
"No, but the air isn't so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." He said as they all gradually made their way down the right passage. "Let me risk a little more light."
Kira followed behind the two younger hobbits, Merry and Pippin, and just ahead of Legolas. They marched onward for what must have been hours by Kira's estimation, and the met no danger; they neither heard anything nor saw anything but the faint glowing of Gandalf's staff. The passage the wizard lead them through wound steadily upwards. As far as they could tell it seemed to grow loftier and wider, with no pits or cracks. In fact it went the floor was now sound and level.
They continued to march as far as they company could bear, and all were thinking of a place where they could stop and sleep. That's when the walls on either side vanished, and they seemed to have passed into a black, empty space. They halted and all crowded anxiously together.
"I chose the right way." Gandalf said suddenly.
Kira frowned and wondered to herself what the wrong way must look like, if this was the right way. She felt a small shudder go through her and she bit her lip and folded her arms across her chest. She tried to ignore the rising dread in her gut and the fear in her heart.
"I guess we are not far now from the eastern side. But we are high up, a good deal higher than the Dimrill gate. From the feeling in the air we must be in a wide hall. I will now risk a little real light." He said as they moved forward, albeit very slowly.
Kira watched with a detached look on her face as Gandalf raised his staff, and for a brief moment there was a flash of light, like lightning. For what seemed like only a second they a vast roof far above their heads supported by mighty pillars sculpted out of stone. Directly in front of them and on either side, stretched a mammoth empty hall; it's walls where black and polished giving them the look of glass as they flashed and glittered. There where three other entrances that they saw, dark black arches: one went straight before them and eastwards, and the others set one either side of them. Then the light went out, and the group was again enveloped in darkness.
"That is all I will risk for the present." Said Gandalf. "There used to be great windows in the side of the mountain, and shafts leading the light to the upper reaches of the mines. I think we have reached them now, but it is night outside again, and we will not be able to tell till morning. If I am right, we might actually see the morning light peeping in." he informed the group. "But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let us rest, if we can." He said.
The company spent that night in the cavernous hall, they were all huddled close together in a corner to try and escape the cold. There seemed to be a steady incoming flow of chill air through the eastern archway. Kira sat huddled amongst the hobbits, Sam on her right, Frodo on her left, and Merry and Pippin sitting in front of her.
"There must have been a mighty crowd of dwarves here at one time," said Sam. "and every one of them busier than badgers for five hundred years to build all this, and most in hard rock too!" he said in obvious wonder. "what did they do it all for? Surely they did not live in these darksome holes?" he asked.
"These are not holes," said Gimli. "This is the great realm and city of the Darrowdelf. And in the old it was not darksome, but full of light and splendor, as is still remembered in our songs." He then rose and began to chant in a deep, while echoes ran away into the roof.
As his deep booming voice echoed through the ancient halls, Kira was only half listening to his song. Her mind was elsewhere however, it wondered from her home in France, to her one in Canada. Then her thoughts strayed to her time in Rivendell, her time with Elladan. She subconsciously noted the end of Gimli's song and watched the dwarf sit and become silent.
"I like that!" Sam spoke up then. "I should like to learn it. but it makes the darkness seem heavier, thinking of all those lamps. Are there still piles of jewels and gold lying about?" he asked.
Kira felt time blur and heard Gandalf telling the group about how the wealth of Moria was in something called mithril. She hugged her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. She looked up and saw Anthony staring at her thoughtfully her gave her a smile and she just tilted her head somewhat to acknowledge it. she vaguely heard Gandalf say something about Bilbo having a shirt made of mithril rings that a dwarf lord had given him. she also noted how Frodo seemed to perk up a little as the shirt was mentioned. Kira also noted how he seemed wither slightly after the wizard mentioned it was worth more than the entire shire. She put her hand on his and gave it a small squeeze, he looked over to her and smiled only slightly.
The silence fell then as one by one the others fell asleep. Frodo was on guard and knew that Kira was awake as well, he understood how she felt, though the dread in his heart was for a different reason. He moved so he sat beside her and they shared a look of understanding. They sat together in the dark for some time before Legolas placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"You may sleep now Frodo, it is my turn to watch." He said glancing at Kira who seemed to be staring off into the blackness with a distant look in her eye.
Frodo nodded and watched the elf walked to the outer edge of the group. He turned to Kira and tugged on her sleeve to get her attention. "Lady Kira?" he said in a quiet yet somewhat squeaky voice.
Kira turned and looked at the hobbit. "Yes, Frodo?"
"You should get some sleep as well. You will need the energy if we are going to be traveling as much as we have been so far." He said.
She nodded and leaned back against the pillar behind her and smiled to herself as Frodo lay his head down on her lap. Kira gently place a hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.
***
Kira awoke to someone tugging on her sleeve and poking her arm. She opened her eyes slowly and saw Pippin at one side poking her still and Frodo on the other giving her a warm smile. Kira rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced around the group. She saw that Gandalf had indeed been right about the walls as she noticed a long pale gleam coming from a shaft near the roof. And across the hall through the northern arch light also glimmered, though it was faint and distant.
They ate breakfast in relative silence; Kira had now been surrounded by the hobbits yet again and remain sullen and quiet while they chatted amongst themselves. Once they had finished Gandalf spoke up.
"We must move on now, though we are tired. I think we will rest better when we are outside," he stated. "I think that none of us wish to spend another night in Moria." He glanced in Kira's direction as he said this.
"No indeed!" said Boromir. "Lead on Gandalf, and we shall follow."
And lead he did, and the company followed. Pippin and Merry now each had a hold of one of Kira's hands, and where tugging her along. They made their way through the northern arch and now found themselves in a long wide corridor.
This is when Kira heard Gimli yell and break away form the group. He ran towards a large square chamber dimly lit and they had to blink a few times as they entered following the now wailing dwarf.
"No! Oh, no! No." he said over and over weeping as he hunched over an oblong block, and from what Kira estimated about two feet in height. It had a slab of white stone laid upon it.
Gandalf approached him slowly and read the inscription on the stone as he handed Pippin his hat and staff. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He said in a graven voice. " He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Kira went and stood by the grieving Gimli and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up and gave her a forced smile, before turning back to the slab and saying something that must have been in his own language for Kira didn't understand a word of it. She heard Legolas say "we must move on. We cannot linger." To Aragorn who stood beside him.
Gandalf bent down and picked up a very dusty book that looked like it had seen better days. He opened it and started reading from it. "They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out.
Kira then saw Pippin reach out and ever lightly touch a skeleton that sat on the edge of a well. Its head tumbled off and the rest of it followed, then dragging the rather large bucket down with it. She held her breath listening to the banging of the skeleton and the bucket as they clattered their way down the shaft of the well. Then the whole group held their breath for what seemed like an eternity listening for any sign the enemy had awoken and now knew of their presence. After a moment a collective sigh was let out by the fellowship and Gandalf turned to Pippin with fire in his eyes.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity."
That's when the drums sounded. 'Boom' they seemed to be coming from the very depths of the earth. Kira could feel the ground vibrate under her feet. 'Boom' 'Boom' they rang through the air.
"They are coming!" cried Legolas.
"We cannot get out." Gimli said.
"Trapped." said Gandalf now looking over the fellowship. "Why did I delay? Now we are caught here, just as they where before."
"Slam the doors and wedge them!" shouted Aragorn. "And keep your packs on as long as you can: we may get a chance to cut our way out yet." He ordered.
"No!" answered Gandalf. "We must not get shut in. keep the east door ajar. We will go that way, if we get the chance." He said.
Another horn called out and shrill cries answered it. Boromir ran to the door and pulled his head back just as two arrows flew by striking the door where his head had been, the arrows had just narrowly missed him. "They have a cave-troll." He said as he pulled the doors shut and looked over to Aragorn and Legolas started to throw him long axes and other things that lay on the floor scattered about as tools to wedge the main door shut.
Aragorn turned and looked at the hobbits and to Kira as well. "Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." He ordered.
The hobbits looked up at him fearfully and nodded. Kira looked at him and he clasped her shoulder giving a small nod. She sighed and let the hobbits pulled her back to the far corner of the room, just behind the wizard. Kira pulled out the sword Glorfindel had given her and silently prepared herself. A part of her didn't care if she lived or died in this battle, she wanted to stay her heart had found a home here. She realized then that she had made her decision, on whether she wanted to stay or return to her world. But she was still uncaring of whether she survived or not. She was filled with dread after being in the blackness of Moria for too long, she was a shell.
Kira heard Gimli yell. "Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath."
She held her sword at ready and let pure instinct take over as she threw herself into the fight as the Orcs pushed their way into the room.
***
Okay so that chapters done. I have no idea when I will even have a chance to start the next chapter; I am sooo busy at work right now. I know this chapter is somewhat shorter than my usual but it couldn't be helped, I ran out of inspiration. I think my muse ran off with my inspiration on some sort of romantic vacation or something. But hey, it's exactly 10 pages long, that's not too bad is it? WOOHOO! I now have just over 100 reviews *Does a little happy dance* I am sooo happy you people like my little story (For the most part anyway). This chapter was a little boring and I apologize for the complete lack of action. But it's not like they had a battle on their hands at every turn, so Moria was extremely difficult to write.
Disclaimer: I own nothing so don't bother suing. The only thing I have to work with is my extended edition of fellowship of the ring on DVD, the trilogy of LOTR in book form and a copy of the lotr: fotr movie transcript I printed of the internet. Oh, I also happen to own Kira, Nathan and Anthony.
Translations: um, I don't think there are any in this chapter. right?
Thank you to my reviewers:
Mellon: *smiles* thank you, I am very happy you like it so much. Here's the next chapter, hope you like it just as much.
MaverickGirl: glad you liked the chapter, though they are getting increasingly more difficult to write. Here's the update, hope you like.
Dancingfae: English is very hard to learn, I still have a lot of trouble with it. I mean you think I have typo's now, you should see it before I run it through the spellchecker. The thing on the mountain almost got cut out since it seemed so incredibly Mary-sue, then I realized I didn't really care. I can actually use a bow, I learned at some summer camp my mom sent me to when I was like 13. I learned how to use a bow and, though I am sure this is hard to believe, a rifle. It was an extremely old and crappy one, and I think they might have been only blanks. My aim was just plain bad though. I suck. Did this chapter answer you questions? Or just create new ones? Thanks for the wish of luck; I'll probably need it since I hate doing interviews. I had like three today, all around the 15-18 yr old range and none knew what the heck they where doing. I think I might have scared them a little, maybe a little too intimidating. The accent maybe? *Smirk*
PyroPixie: So you've signed up now, have you? You liked the mountain scene too eh? Well you must be happy I decided not to cut it out then huh? Well this chapter shows that I didn't kill her off there, or send her home. And AGAIN I am not going to answer anything about whether or not I am killing her off or not. I am glad you like Kira and Elladan as a couple, but I do know yet if this story is going to end well.
Tara: pleased you liked it. I understand the restriction thing you put on yourself, I have one myself. I need the computer for work and school but I only give myself an hour and half to get everything done on the Internet that I need to get done. Well here's the update, and at least you didn't have to wait as long as you did for the last one.
Aurealia's kiss: I am delighted that you like my little story and I hope to hear what you think of this chapter as well. *Blush* Awwww stop that, I am nowhere near as good as some of the other writers out there (at least that I have read). I did e-mail you, did you get it? Hope so cause if not then I guess you'll not see this huh?
Arwen: *Smile* glad you like the length of them. This one felt like it might have been a little too short, but I couldn't really help it since my muse picked the locks on her chains and flew away with my imagination. Hope you liked this chapter as well.
LadySiri: *Blushes and bows awkwardly* I am happy you read it, liked it and then reviewed. Always happy to get reviews (other than flames that is). Here's the update, hope you enjoy reading it.
Nox: happy you liked, sorry about the cliffie, but it could not be helped (as I mentioned before). I hope you like this chapter as well.
Twin03: here's you thank you note. I am not going to get into the whole grammatical/spelling error thing here since I have already told you about it. I preferred the book version on everything (Almost anyway), but for length reasons I decided to do a bit of jumping back and forth between book and movie. I put the warg attack in because I actually really liked that part of the book and I truly think PJ should have put it into the movie (my opinion). I have tried to get a beta before (Tara) but for some reason when I sent the email it got sent back to me saying there was some sort of error. I don't think my attachment thingy is working *shrug*. Happy you liked that chapter, do you like this one? Any suggestions on how I could improve it for when I actually get around to revising the story?
Spellbound: she going to get to Lorien soon just is patient. I think this chapter answered you next question. I don't know if she's going to follow the fellowship as they leave Lorien, I don't think they will. But I don't know for sure yet. I have absolutely no idea about how I will exactly I will deal with Galadriel and Celeborn's thoughts on her relationship with their grandson. I updated, what do you think?
Nenindil: I am very happy you enjoyed reading it so much. Hope this update was soon enough for you. Honestly I have no idea how this turned out to be an Elladan romance, I actually meant it to be a 'legomance'.
Sam: here's the next chapter, another cliffhanger (of sorts), sorry about that. Cliffhangers annoy me as well, but I couldn't help it. That is where my imagination and muse ran off and left me all alone.
Iluvien: Okay I know you reviewed 'Namarie Melamin, Au Revoir Imladris' and not the last one but I still wish to thank you anyway, for when you catch up. This chapter answers you question on her staying or not. But she still a little lost I guess, Nathan wont be happy when he finds out, I'll just warn you about that now. I know it's a big hint about what's going to happen in a future chapter, but its not really that big a deal so it doesn't matter all that much.
I actually finished this chapter two days ago but I have had absolutely no free time since Monday. So I am sorry for any inconvenience, also my next update might be awhile since the rest of this week, the weekend and next week I will be extremely busy with work and registration for some classes I need to sign up for (The deadline is coming up). A huge thank you goes out to all who reviewed this story *points over to the snack, desert and refreshment table* only those who review get to eat form the reviewers table *Smirk*. I also have a nasty case of writers block and was barley able to finish this chapter, so far all I've got is two paragraphs of the next one. But when you trying to write a chapter that's at LEAST 10-12 pages long, two paragraphs aren't that much.
Namarie Aislin
Into the Mines
Kira felt someone pulling her out of the water and towards the opening of the mine. She coughed and wiped the water from her eyes, she moved some hair from her face and got up herself. She then shook off whoever's hand was on her shoulder and ran to get the hobbits and help them into the mine.
She saw Legolas shoot at the guardian and from what she could tell the arrow hit it square in the eye. Everyone ran as fast they could into the mine. The guardian tried to follow them in but with all its tentacles flying everywhere the entrance caved in on it. The company was now enveloped in the blackness.
"We now have but one choice." She heard Gandalf say, then his staff lit up and Kira saw that he had fitted a stone at the top that was producing the light. "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." He looked around as everyone started forward with hesitation. "Quiet now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
Kira was walking beside Legolas and Anthony behind Gandalf and Gimli. She felt Anthony take her hand in his and give it a reassuring little squeeze. She smiled at him slightly and bit her lip. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled back. "It's alright Kira we'll get out of here soon." He said.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Legolas asked from her other side.
"Kira is afraid of tightly enclosed spaces. She is claustrophobic." Anthony said giving her hand another squeeze.
Kira closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath and let it out. 'The walls are not going to cave in on me. I am going to get through this. I will face my fear, and I will let it pass through me. I am facing my fear. Hear that fear? I'm facing you.' She said to herself.
Legolas took her other hand and also squeezed it encouragingly. "You will be all right Kira, I will be here for you, should you need me." He said smiling.
She opened her eyes and looked at the elf with a somewhat panicky expression. "Thank you." She mouthed, and he squeezed her hand again.
She looked to Anthony again and sighed. "I am trying to be strong Anthony, I truly am, but I do not know if I can do this." She said eyeing the walls around her with frightened eyes.
She let go of both Anthony's and Legolas' hands and bit her lip and narrowing her eyes. She walked a little faster trying to make her stay in this place as brief as possible. She, however, was not paying attention to her footing and she slipped backwards. She fell and then felt arms around her waist holding her and keeping her from falling down the stairs.
Kira took another deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it go and giving Legolas a small nod. "Thank you again Legolas, it seems it is a good idea that you keep an eye on me." She said quietly.
He helped her stand upright and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You should not rush, Kira. You will not get through Moria any faster. Just keep a steady pace with the rest of us. You will be fine, I promise you this." He said looking into her eyes.
"Lady Kira, are you alright?" she heard Sam say as he came up behind them.
"Yes Sam, I am fine. I am just a little claustrophobic is all. Thank you for your concern though." She said giving him a smile.
Gandalf stopped then and held his staff aloft so they could see up ahead a ways. The wide stairway was whole and undamaged. Two hundred steps they counted, wide and shallow; and at the top they found an arched passage with a level floor leading on into the dark.
They made their up it slowly but steadily and came to the landing soon, pausing there. "Let us sit and rest here on the landing and have something to eat, since we cannot find a dinning-room." said Frodo.
All welcomed the suggestion; and they sat down on the upper steps, dim figures in the dark and gloom. After they had eaten they paused and discussed their path.
"Be careful with the water you drink, for even though there are streams and wells in the mines, they should not be touched. We may not have a chance of filling our skins and bottles till we come down into Dimrill Dale." Said Gandalf grimly.
"How long is it going to take us to get there?" asked Anthony.
"I cannot say," answered Gandalf. "It depends on many chances. But going straight, without mishap or losing our way, we shall take three or four marches, I expect. It cannot be less than forty miles from west-door to east-gate in a direct line, and the road may wind much."
Kira sat huddled on the stairs beside her brother. She had her knees drawn up to her chest and she was hugging her legs closer to her. Kira had her eyes closed tightly and was only vaguely listening to what the others where saying. She was chanting what was now fast becoming her own little private mantra. 'The walls are not going to cave in on me. I am going to get through this. I will face my fear, and I will let it pass through me. I am facing my fear. Hear that fear? I'm facing you.' She chanted inside her head over and over again. She didn't notice Boromir sitting next to her till he placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him slowly opening her eyes and giving him a weak little smile.
Lady Kira, are you sure you are okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes Boromir, I am fine, really."
After a short moment Gandalf arose and said. "We should start back on the way, if we wish to get through here as quickly as possible."
The company got up and followed him all where in agreement, especially Kira, that they did not want to be in this place any longer than was necessary. And they were prepared, as tired as they all were, to continue walking for several hours.
Gandalf walked up front just like before. In the left hand he held his shining staff, the light of it seemed to just show the ground before his feet; in his right hand he held his sword Glamdring. Behind him came Gimli who turned his head from side to side, as if expecting an attack. Than after him came Frodo, who drew his own sword, sting. No light came from either blade which was at least some comfort. For they had both been forged by elvish smiths in the Elder Days and they would shine with a cold light, if any Orcs were near at hand. After Frodo came Sam, then Legolas and Kira. Behind them came the two younger hobbits, Merry and Pippin. Then came Nathan and Boromir. At the rear silent and dismal, walked Anthony and Aragorn.
They followed Gandalf silently; he was their guide through the mines, the only one of them who knew their way around. Their path twisted round a few turns, and then dipped downwards. It went steadily down for what seemed like a long while to the company before it leveled off once again. Soon enough the air grew hot and stifling, but it was not foul, at times Kira could feel a current of cooler air pass over her face. This helped her a little for it was these cooler bursts of air that kept her from feeling like she was being choked or closed in.
"Well it certainly is very dark." Whispered Pippin miserably. "I don't think I have seen anything more dreary and dark." He said, he clung tightly to Kira's tunic, as if he feared being left behind or forgotten.
Kira looked down at the little hobbit and gave him a half smile. "I would have to agree with you Pip. But look on the bright side at least, according to Gandalf anyway, the trip through this place will only take four days." She said quietly.
"I still don't like this place," he said looking from side to side as if he thought he'd see something. "It's creepy."
"True enough, and I would have to agree with you on that last part at least."
Gandalf paused for a moment as if trying to remember where to go. "Do not be afraid." Aragorn said coming up behind Kira, Pippin and Merry. They where pausing longer than usual, Gandalf and Gimli where whispering up ahead together. The others crowded behind, waiting anxiously. "Do not be afraid," he said again. "I have been with him on many journeys, if never on one as dark as this. There are tales in Rivendell of greater deeds of his than any I have seen." He paused and put a comforting hand on Kira's shoulder. "He will not go astray, if there is any path to find he will find it, of this I am sure. He has lead us here against our fears," he said now giving her shoulder a small squeeze. "But he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to himself." He gave Kira a slight smile and she tried her best to smile back. Unfortunately it came out weak and forced.
Kira took a deep breath and let it out again slowly. She closed her eyes and did it again a few times before opening them again. They started off again after a few more short minutes and their march was ever slow but steady. Kira understood why Gandalf would stop every once and a while, for not only were there many roads to choose from, there were also many holes, pitfalls and dark wells on the dark path they were on. She was grateful for Gandalf, she was not sure the company would have ever made it this far if he had not been there.
***
Kira had lost all track of time since they had entered the mines, and she could feel herself closing down emotionally. Every time they would stop and rest or sleep Kira would go to a corner by herself and hug her knees to her chin, slowly rocking back and forth. The dark and damp, and simply being so closed in made her feel alone and afraid she often felt like the walls were about to fall in on her, burying her forever in this awful place.
It was times like this when she would finger the ring around her neck; she would close her eyes and remember Elladan. She would remain strong, if only for him. So she could see him again, hopefully.
Right now they were walking at a slow and steady pace. Kira was near the rear with Aragorn and Anthony, for she knew Anthony would understand how she was feeling and be there for her without trying to analyze her as Nathan would. She was at this moment playing with the ring as she walked along. She let her thoughts stray to Elladan and the time they had spent together. It had not been nearly enough, in her own opinion, but that could not be helped.
Kira was so deep in thought she walked right into Boromir, who was in front of her. She looked up and smiled shyly. "I am sorry Lord Boromir, I was not paying rightful attention." She said apologetically.
"It is alright Lady Kira, there is no need to apologize." He said smiling a little.
Kira looked up ahead to see why they had stopped and saw standing at the head of the company muttering to himself, and looking at the way before them. In front of the wizard was a wide arch opening into three passages that appeared to all lead in the same general direction, eastwards.
But they where different, from what Kira could tell from her vantage point, the left lead downwards in a steep slope, while the right climbed up, and the middle just seemed level and smooth albeit very narrow.
"I have no memory of this place." She heard him say, though it seemed like her said it to himself more than to the group.
Kira noticed Merry and Pippin had now attached themselves to her side and were bantering back and forth.
"Are we lost?" Pip asked.
"No." Merry answered.
"I think we are."
"Shhh. Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry.?"
"What?" came the slowly growing irritated reply.
"I'm hungry."
Kira couldn't help but smirk at the two and she shook her head chuckling silently. The company settled and grouped off sitting down and resting while they let Gandalf's memory make it's way back to him.
Kira was sitting off by herself and was toying with her bow, her legs crossed before her. It took her a second to realize Legolas had joined her and now sat beside her. She looked at him strangely for a moment, as if she didn't recognize him then she gave him a feeble and slightly forced smile, and it showed.
Legolas studied her for a minute before his eyes stayed to the jewel around her neck. He reached out and took it between his fingers slowly. He looked up to look her in the eyes; taking her hand in his he placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. "It will be alright Kira, you will see each other again. I can feel it." he said now letting go of the ring.
Kira remained silent as he gently kissed her hand and said his words. Though she could feel tears coming she forced them back down, she refused to cry. She simply studied the elf's face and gave him another smile, stronger this time, for his words had helped in their own way. She silently leaned her head on his shoulder and let him put his arm around her in a comforting way. She let her own hand stray towards the chain and she fiddled with the ring. She smiled sadly as more thoughts of Rivendell and her love came to her mind. She let a small sigh escape her and she felt Legolas hug her a little tighter.
"Are you alright? I know you don't not like closed in places, are you going to be okay?" he said lifting her chin with his finger so she would meet his gaze.
Kira bit her lip and frowned slightly. "I will be fine Legolas, I have to be strong. If only to be an example to Frodo, he needs our support in this." She said quietly. She lowered her head to lean on his shoulder once again and rubbed her temple absently.
"You are not the only one who is afraid though Kira, I just want you to know that. We all fear for our lives, but we must keep faith."
Kira nodded and lifted her head and gave him a reassuring smile. She was withdrawing further and further into herself with every moment she spent in this place, and she knew Legolas could tell. Anthony probably could as well, but was leaving her be for now, letting her deal with it in her own way.
She hugged her knees tighter to her chest and sighed silently. Kira closed her eyes and tried to visualize being out in the open, she pictured being out in a wide field on her property back in her world. She felt like the world around her was slowly fading away, as if she was just an empty consciousness following the others through this abyss. Almost as if she were sleep walking.
Kira felt a hand on her shoulder then and turned to see Pippin giving her a sympathetic, sad look. She sighed and putted his hand trying her best to give him reassuring smile.
That's when Gandalf spoke up. "Eh - its this way."
"He's remembered." Merry said slowly getting up and stretching a little.
"No, but the air isn't so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." He said as they all gradually made their way down the right passage. "Let me risk a little more light."
Kira followed behind the two younger hobbits, Merry and Pippin, and just ahead of Legolas. They marched onward for what must have been hours by Kira's estimation, and the met no danger; they neither heard anything nor saw anything but the faint glowing of Gandalf's staff. The passage the wizard lead them through wound steadily upwards. As far as they could tell it seemed to grow loftier and wider, with no pits or cracks. In fact it went the floor was now sound and level.
They continued to march as far as they company could bear, and all were thinking of a place where they could stop and sleep. That's when the walls on either side vanished, and they seemed to have passed into a black, empty space. They halted and all crowded anxiously together.
"I chose the right way." Gandalf said suddenly.
Kira frowned and wondered to herself what the wrong way must look like, if this was the right way. She felt a small shudder go through her and she bit her lip and folded her arms across her chest. She tried to ignore the rising dread in her gut and the fear in her heart.
"I guess we are not far now from the eastern side. But we are high up, a good deal higher than the Dimrill gate. From the feeling in the air we must be in a wide hall. I will now risk a little real light." He said as they moved forward, albeit very slowly.
Kira watched with a detached look on her face as Gandalf raised his staff, and for a brief moment there was a flash of light, like lightning. For what seemed like only a second they a vast roof far above their heads supported by mighty pillars sculpted out of stone. Directly in front of them and on either side, stretched a mammoth empty hall; it's walls where black and polished giving them the look of glass as they flashed and glittered. There where three other entrances that they saw, dark black arches: one went straight before them and eastwards, and the others set one either side of them. Then the light went out, and the group was again enveloped in darkness.
"That is all I will risk for the present." Said Gandalf. "There used to be great windows in the side of the mountain, and shafts leading the light to the upper reaches of the mines. I think we have reached them now, but it is night outside again, and we will not be able to tell till morning. If I am right, we might actually see the morning light peeping in." he informed the group. "But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let us rest, if we can." He said.
The company spent that night in the cavernous hall, they were all huddled close together in a corner to try and escape the cold. There seemed to be a steady incoming flow of chill air through the eastern archway. Kira sat huddled amongst the hobbits, Sam on her right, Frodo on her left, and Merry and Pippin sitting in front of her.
"There must have been a mighty crowd of dwarves here at one time," said Sam. "and every one of them busier than badgers for five hundred years to build all this, and most in hard rock too!" he said in obvious wonder. "what did they do it all for? Surely they did not live in these darksome holes?" he asked.
"These are not holes," said Gimli. "This is the great realm and city of the Darrowdelf. And in the old it was not darksome, but full of light and splendor, as is still remembered in our songs." He then rose and began to chant in a deep, while echoes ran away into the roof.
As his deep booming voice echoed through the ancient halls, Kira was only half listening to his song. Her mind was elsewhere however, it wondered from her home in France, to her one in Canada. Then her thoughts strayed to her time in Rivendell, her time with Elladan. She subconsciously noted the end of Gimli's song and watched the dwarf sit and become silent.
"I like that!" Sam spoke up then. "I should like to learn it. but it makes the darkness seem heavier, thinking of all those lamps. Are there still piles of jewels and gold lying about?" he asked.
Kira felt time blur and heard Gandalf telling the group about how the wealth of Moria was in something called mithril. She hugged her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. She looked up and saw Anthony staring at her thoughtfully her gave her a smile and she just tilted her head somewhat to acknowledge it. she vaguely heard Gandalf say something about Bilbo having a shirt made of mithril rings that a dwarf lord had given him. she also noted how Frodo seemed to perk up a little as the shirt was mentioned. Kira also noted how he seemed wither slightly after the wizard mentioned it was worth more than the entire shire. She put her hand on his and gave it a small squeeze, he looked over to her and smiled only slightly.
The silence fell then as one by one the others fell asleep. Frodo was on guard and knew that Kira was awake as well, he understood how she felt, though the dread in his heart was for a different reason. He moved so he sat beside her and they shared a look of understanding. They sat together in the dark for some time before Legolas placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"You may sleep now Frodo, it is my turn to watch." He said glancing at Kira who seemed to be staring off into the blackness with a distant look in her eye.
Frodo nodded and watched the elf walked to the outer edge of the group. He turned to Kira and tugged on her sleeve to get her attention. "Lady Kira?" he said in a quiet yet somewhat squeaky voice.
Kira turned and looked at the hobbit. "Yes, Frodo?"
"You should get some sleep as well. You will need the energy if we are going to be traveling as much as we have been so far." He said.
She nodded and leaned back against the pillar behind her and smiled to herself as Frodo lay his head down on her lap. Kira gently place a hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.
***
Kira awoke to someone tugging on her sleeve and poking her arm. She opened her eyes slowly and saw Pippin at one side poking her still and Frodo on the other giving her a warm smile. Kira rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced around the group. She saw that Gandalf had indeed been right about the walls as she noticed a long pale gleam coming from a shaft near the roof. And across the hall through the northern arch light also glimmered, though it was faint and distant.
They ate breakfast in relative silence; Kira had now been surrounded by the hobbits yet again and remain sullen and quiet while they chatted amongst themselves. Once they had finished Gandalf spoke up.
"We must move on now, though we are tired. I think we will rest better when we are outside," he stated. "I think that none of us wish to spend another night in Moria." He glanced in Kira's direction as he said this.
"No indeed!" said Boromir. "Lead on Gandalf, and we shall follow."
And lead he did, and the company followed. Pippin and Merry now each had a hold of one of Kira's hands, and where tugging her along. They made their way through the northern arch and now found themselves in a long wide corridor.
This is when Kira heard Gimli yell and break away form the group. He ran towards a large square chamber dimly lit and they had to blink a few times as they entered following the now wailing dwarf.
"No! Oh, no! No." he said over and over weeping as he hunched over an oblong block, and from what Kira estimated about two feet in height. It had a slab of white stone laid upon it.
Gandalf approached him slowly and read the inscription on the stone as he handed Pippin his hat and staff. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He said in a graven voice. " He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Kira went and stood by the grieving Gimli and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up and gave her a forced smile, before turning back to the slab and saying something that must have been in his own language for Kira didn't understand a word of it. She heard Legolas say "we must move on. We cannot linger." To Aragorn who stood beside him.
Gandalf bent down and picked up a very dusty book that looked like it had seen better days. He opened it and started reading from it. "They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out.
Kira then saw Pippin reach out and ever lightly touch a skeleton that sat on the edge of a well. Its head tumbled off and the rest of it followed, then dragging the rather large bucket down with it. She held her breath listening to the banging of the skeleton and the bucket as they clattered their way down the shaft of the well. Then the whole group held their breath for what seemed like an eternity listening for any sign the enemy had awoken and now knew of their presence. After a moment a collective sigh was let out by the fellowship and Gandalf turned to Pippin with fire in his eyes.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity."
That's when the drums sounded. 'Boom' they seemed to be coming from the very depths of the earth. Kira could feel the ground vibrate under her feet. 'Boom' 'Boom' they rang through the air.
"They are coming!" cried Legolas.
"We cannot get out." Gimli said.
"Trapped." said Gandalf now looking over the fellowship. "Why did I delay? Now we are caught here, just as they where before."
"Slam the doors and wedge them!" shouted Aragorn. "And keep your packs on as long as you can: we may get a chance to cut our way out yet." He ordered.
"No!" answered Gandalf. "We must not get shut in. keep the east door ajar. We will go that way, if we get the chance." He said.
Another horn called out and shrill cries answered it. Boromir ran to the door and pulled his head back just as two arrows flew by striking the door where his head had been, the arrows had just narrowly missed him. "They have a cave-troll." He said as he pulled the doors shut and looked over to Aragorn and Legolas started to throw him long axes and other things that lay on the floor scattered about as tools to wedge the main door shut.
Aragorn turned and looked at the hobbits and to Kira as well. "Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." He ordered.
The hobbits looked up at him fearfully and nodded. Kira looked at him and he clasped her shoulder giving a small nod. She sighed and let the hobbits pulled her back to the far corner of the room, just behind the wizard. Kira pulled out the sword Glorfindel had given her and silently prepared herself. A part of her didn't care if she lived or died in this battle, she wanted to stay her heart had found a home here. She realized then that she had made her decision, on whether she wanted to stay or return to her world. But she was still uncaring of whether she survived or not. She was filled with dread after being in the blackness of Moria for too long, she was a shell.
Kira heard Gimli yell. "Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath."
She held her sword at ready and let pure instinct take over as she threw herself into the fight as the Orcs pushed their way into the room.
***
Okay so that chapters done. I have no idea when I will even have a chance to start the next chapter; I am sooo busy at work right now. I know this chapter is somewhat shorter than my usual but it couldn't be helped, I ran out of inspiration. I think my muse ran off with my inspiration on some sort of romantic vacation or something. But hey, it's exactly 10 pages long, that's not too bad is it? WOOHOO! I now have just over 100 reviews *Does a little happy dance* I am sooo happy you people like my little story (For the most part anyway). This chapter was a little boring and I apologize for the complete lack of action. But it's not like they had a battle on their hands at every turn, so Moria was extremely difficult to write.
Disclaimer: I own nothing so don't bother suing. The only thing I have to work with is my extended edition of fellowship of the ring on DVD, the trilogy of LOTR in book form and a copy of the lotr: fotr movie transcript I printed of the internet. Oh, I also happen to own Kira, Nathan and Anthony.
Translations: um, I don't think there are any in this chapter. right?
Thank you to my reviewers:
Mellon: *smiles* thank you, I am very happy you like it so much. Here's the next chapter, hope you like it just as much.
MaverickGirl: glad you liked the chapter, though they are getting increasingly more difficult to write. Here's the update, hope you like.
Dancingfae: English is very hard to learn, I still have a lot of trouble with it. I mean you think I have typo's now, you should see it before I run it through the spellchecker. The thing on the mountain almost got cut out since it seemed so incredibly Mary-sue, then I realized I didn't really care. I can actually use a bow, I learned at some summer camp my mom sent me to when I was like 13. I learned how to use a bow and, though I am sure this is hard to believe, a rifle. It was an extremely old and crappy one, and I think they might have been only blanks. My aim was just plain bad though. I suck. Did this chapter answer you questions? Or just create new ones? Thanks for the wish of luck; I'll probably need it since I hate doing interviews. I had like three today, all around the 15-18 yr old range and none knew what the heck they where doing. I think I might have scared them a little, maybe a little too intimidating. The accent maybe? *Smirk*
PyroPixie: So you've signed up now, have you? You liked the mountain scene too eh? Well you must be happy I decided not to cut it out then huh? Well this chapter shows that I didn't kill her off there, or send her home. And AGAIN I am not going to answer anything about whether or not I am killing her off or not. I am glad you like Kira and Elladan as a couple, but I do know yet if this story is going to end well.
Tara: pleased you liked it. I understand the restriction thing you put on yourself, I have one myself. I need the computer for work and school but I only give myself an hour and half to get everything done on the Internet that I need to get done. Well here's the update, and at least you didn't have to wait as long as you did for the last one.
Aurealia's kiss: I am delighted that you like my little story and I hope to hear what you think of this chapter as well. *Blush* Awwww stop that, I am nowhere near as good as some of the other writers out there (at least that I have read). I did e-mail you, did you get it? Hope so cause if not then I guess you'll not see this huh?
Arwen: *Smile* glad you like the length of them. This one felt like it might have been a little too short, but I couldn't really help it since my muse picked the locks on her chains and flew away with my imagination. Hope you liked this chapter as well.
LadySiri: *Blushes and bows awkwardly* I am happy you read it, liked it and then reviewed. Always happy to get reviews (other than flames that is). Here's the update, hope you enjoy reading it.
Nox: happy you liked, sorry about the cliffie, but it could not be helped (as I mentioned before). I hope you like this chapter as well.
Twin03: here's you thank you note. I am not going to get into the whole grammatical/spelling error thing here since I have already told you about it. I preferred the book version on everything (Almost anyway), but for length reasons I decided to do a bit of jumping back and forth between book and movie. I put the warg attack in because I actually really liked that part of the book and I truly think PJ should have put it into the movie (my opinion). I have tried to get a beta before (Tara) but for some reason when I sent the email it got sent back to me saying there was some sort of error. I don't think my attachment thingy is working *shrug*. Happy you liked that chapter, do you like this one? Any suggestions on how I could improve it for when I actually get around to revising the story?
Spellbound: she going to get to Lorien soon just is patient. I think this chapter answered you next question. I don't know if she's going to follow the fellowship as they leave Lorien, I don't think they will. But I don't know for sure yet. I have absolutely no idea about how I will exactly I will deal with Galadriel and Celeborn's thoughts on her relationship with their grandson. I updated, what do you think?
Nenindil: I am very happy you enjoyed reading it so much. Hope this update was soon enough for you. Honestly I have no idea how this turned out to be an Elladan romance, I actually meant it to be a 'legomance'.
Sam: here's the next chapter, another cliffhanger (of sorts), sorry about that. Cliffhangers annoy me as well, but I couldn't help it. That is where my imagination and muse ran off and left me all alone.
Iluvien: Okay I know you reviewed 'Namarie Melamin, Au Revoir Imladris' and not the last one but I still wish to thank you anyway, for when you catch up. This chapter answers you question on her staying or not. But she still a little lost I guess, Nathan wont be happy when he finds out, I'll just warn you about that now. I know it's a big hint about what's going to happen in a future chapter, but its not really that big a deal so it doesn't matter all that much.
I actually finished this chapter two days ago but I have had absolutely no free time since Monday. So I am sorry for any inconvenience, also my next update might be awhile since the rest of this week, the weekend and next week I will be extremely busy with work and registration for some classes I need to sign up for (The deadline is coming up). A huge thank you goes out to all who reviewed this story *points over to the snack, desert and refreshment table* only those who review get to eat form the reviewers table *Smirk*. I also have a nasty case of writers block and was barley able to finish this chapter, so far all I've got is two paragraphs of the next one. But when you trying to write a chapter that's at LEAST 10-12 pages long, two paragraphs aren't that much.
Namarie Aislin
