~Sorry for the lack of updates. I have just recently moved and my computer refuses to hook up to the internet ::Sobs:: It isn't fair. So I'll do what I can for updating, if this isn't as long as my other chapters, it's because of the whole having to borrow someone else's computer thing.

MaverickGirl: That would be a heart stopping event, seeing someone grab the ring of doom, but I also needed a way for Shantel to realize the ring was more than just a shiny piece of metal. Thanks for the compliment

Blahblah: Yes and here's another update! Hope you like it.

Elen: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it, hope this chapter lives up to it previous ones.

Aislin: I' glad you liked the 'who fell' line, that's my favorite. On the movie I thought Legolas said there was a fell voice on the air but then I read the words differently in the book so I thought I hear it wrong, hence the idea :o) Gimli's character has a mix of my friends role playing character, the two are very similar. Here's another update!

Mellon: Thanks for the compliment, here's an update.

Disclaimer: I have the strangest feeling of déjà vu ::Stares off in space::

The trek down towards Moria was not an easy one. Once off the mountain, the sound of howl pierced the air, giving most everyone in the fellowship, shudders, as they kept guard.

"Wargs," said Aragorn looking into the distance. The sun was nearly set, and they had to make camp once more. Gandalf said they were a day's journey from the entrance of Moria. Gimli was excited and eagerly told everyone about his cousin Balin, and how there would be great food and music, and warm beds to sleep on.

"Even tho we have not heard from Balin in many nights time, it is understood that there was great work to be done," Gimli boasted. "Work that we will soon see the great result from. Did I ever tell you about…" the talk continued on, and Shantel, along with the hobbits were openly listening, wanting any distraction for the howls that came over. Legolas was close by and Shantel could see his eyes wander over to their group, she knew he could hear the words as well. If any one caught his eye, he would straighten up and look even more intently on the gloom settling around them.

"Taking some of the treasures from the Lonely Mountain," Gimli was still going. "Balin took only a few…" Shantel was seated directly across from Gimli, with two hobbits on each side. Merry to her right with Pippin next to him, and Sam to the left, Frodo next to him. Their eyes were starting to droop. The walk and listening to the long winded Gimli was starting to take its toll on the hobbits. True they loved a grand story but with many meals, and snacks and tea was to be included as well, and sleep. Shantel was even starting to space off, tired herself.

"Shantel?" She jumped hearing her name and looked into the face of Gimli across from her. "I think I tired the hobbits out. How are you faring, lass?

"A little tired," Shantel covered her mouth trying to hide a yaw. Gimli only smiled and nodded.

"Best we get some rest then." Gimli stood up and offered Shantel a hand herself. As she reached forward, her eyes grew wide as a shape in the darkness started to take form closer to behind Gimli. The first thing she could make out was teeth, and the shape seemed as big as Gimli himself.

"Are ye comin?" Gimli was oblivious to the shape. Grabbing Gimli's hand, Shantel pulled hard. Unprepared, Gimli tumbled forward, barely avoiding Shantel as he fell. There was the sound of a snap, and all turned to the commotion. The hobbits were immediately awake and scrambling to get away. Legolas has an arrow ready as Gandalf yelled at the beast, who turned out to be a wolf, to go back to his master Saruman and bother them no more. The wolf advanced then collapsed in a heap when Legolas let loose his arrow. Other howls were heard but slowly faded.

"I don't think I want to stay here," Shantel said looking at the wolf. The sight saddened her, even though it was for protection. Wolves were Scott's favorite animal and seeing that creature go down, regardless of who it's master was, Shantel felt it pierce her heart.

"Shantel is right," Gandalf said. "We must move on." Reluctantly all equipment was gathered and the walk to Moria was resumed. The sun was still about a few hours before dawn when they passed a crevasse, by a murky pool, leading to a solid stone wall.

"This is Moria?" Boromir questioned looking around in disbelief.

"Only the entry," Gandalf said. "Now, lets' see. Ithildin, it mirrors only in starlight and in moonlight." As Gandalf speaks the moon appears for one last illumination before the dawn to appear.

"We must enter the doors before the sun is up or we'll have to wait an entire day," Aragorn stepped forward. The doors outlined glimmered as the moonlight fell upon them. Shantel gasped looking at it, the designs were so beautifully carved.

"If I ever redecorate, this is what my front door will look like," Shantel whispered. Lost in thought, Shantel missed the brief conversation of Gandalf explanations only seeing him when he spoke in a commanding tone.

"Annon Edhellen endro hi amen!" Gandalf had put his staff against the door and waited.

"What was that suppose to do?" Shantel asked.

"Open the doors," Legolas said. "He just said 'Gate of the Elves open now for me!' Seems not to have work."

"I'm confused I thought this was a dwarfs mine," Shantel looked to Legolas.

"It is," Legolas confirmed. "But there used to be an alliance between the elves and dwarves when these doors use to stand open, I have heard. But that time has been long gone."

"So now what?"

"We wait." Shantel jumped at Aragorn's voice so close behind her.

"Don't scare me like that," Shantel hissed at him before stalking off and sitting on a rock. A few pebbles were by her feet and she picked one up turning it over and over while Merry and Pippin started throwing rocks. The ker-plunk, was heard and Shantel was curious to see how far she could throw one. Raising her arm she just let it go, when Aragorn grabbed Pippins arm.

"Don't disturb the," plunk went Shantel's little rock. "Water," Aragorn turned to her. She blushed and turned pretending to be occupied with the rocks on the ground, then decided to find a new interest not wanting Aragorn thinking she was going to throw more. Gandalf let out an exasperated huff as he sat down.

"I give up," Gandalf said.

"Doesn't work?" Pippin asked. Gandalf merely glared at him while he squeaked and went over to where Sam was. Frodo stood up and started talking but Shantel was staring intently at the water, seeing how it was starting to ripple. The sound of rock grinding made her jump and she turned to see with the others the doors opening. Maybe that's what it was, Shantel thought. Slowly everyone gathered to go inside, away from the murkiness. Even with the sun ready to rise, it didn't feel like it would shine there very strongly.

"Soon, Master Elf," Gimli starting boasting to Legolas. "You will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone." That sounded good to Shantel. Even beer sounded good and she detested beer.

"This is no mine, it's a tomb," Boromir stopped his stride. Those words broke through Shantel's daydream and she stopped hearing a crack under her feet. Looking down she had stepped on the bony remains of a skeleton.

"No! Nooo!" Gimli shouted. Legolas picked up an arrow as everyone looked around, the sight of the dwarves corpses spread about.

"Goblins," Legolas spatted and threw down the arrow, stringing up his bow. Aragorn and Boromir draw their swords.

"We make for the gap of Rohan, we never should have come here," Boromir shouted. "Now get out, get out!" At Boromir's urgency, Shantel almost tripped on one of the bodies as she tried to scramble towards the door with the hobbits. Instead she slipped on something slippery and fell then saw Frodo being lifted in the air by a tentacle.

"Frodo!" Shantel shouted with the hobbits.

"Strider!" Sam shouted being the first to come to action and chopping at a tentacle. Shantel climbed to her feet and pulled out her short sword, joining Sam's attack. Hearing a whoosh, they looked up in time to get smacked away by a few dozen tentacles. The fellowship ran onto the shore, Legolas letting loose arrows, Aragorn and Boromir were in the water slicing tentacles, Gimli was on shore chopping with his ax, and the hobbits, now joined by Sam and Shantel, were throwing rocks at it. When the face pulled out of the water, Shantel paused staring.

"Octopus from, ow!" Shantel rubbed her arm where a tentacle smacked her. Boromir got a good cut in, making the giant watcher of the lake drop Frodo in his arms.

"Into the mines!" Gandalf shouted. Boromir called to Legolas as they all crowded back into the mines. They paused hearing a boom and all turned in time to see the doors slam, rocks started to fall and all was plunged into darkness. Shantel clutched at the arm of the closest person to her and felt an arm circle her. Light bloomed and Shantel saw that she was holding onto Gimli. He patted her arm as she apologized but he waved it off.

"We now have one choice," Gandalf said. Shantel paled at his words, not liking the sound of finding foul things anywhere, and slowly crowded by the hobbits as they headed deeper into the mines.

~I'm stopping here, but plan on updating again soon. Hope you all like this chapter!