Chapter Nineteen: Dwarrowdelf
A/N: All right, this is great. School's started, yeah, and I had to re-do this chapter, so the author's note is actually dated correctly! That's the only problem with pre-writing your chapters, you're author's notes are out-of-date as soon as their published! Okay, well thanks for all of the great reviews, Queenie and Peaceful Nightmares! Oh, and for the constructive criticism Amy Lee and Neandyrun. Yeah, you're right, she is kind of perfect, but don't you think the clumsiness and (soon to be) nervous break downs are enough to kind of lower her perfection a little? I've employed some physical imperfections, as well, but you guys won't know of those for a while, I think. I have to re-write a few chapters because my computer won't open those files from the discs anymore, so that sucks. Anyway, ENJOY! The next chapter will explain everything I just said. (Oh, Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World is the BEST slow song EVER!)
Disclaimer: Did I not say to check our chapter one? YES I DID! It lays it all done nice and simple like for all those people who grew up in Kentucky and say stuff like: "I done good, ma!" Seriously, no offence, I'm just kidding. I do that a lot. ^_^
"Of course!" cried Gandalf, tugging at his white beard. "It is so simple and obvious, as are most riddles when you have solved them."
"Finally," said Boromir, picking up a stone. "I grow tired of this foul lake and these howls of wolves." For he was right, wolves had begun to howl in the night, growing louder by the minute. Boromir thrust the stone into the lake and it skipped for a few moments before sinking below the surface.
"NO," shouted Aila, "do not disturb the waters! You know not of the dangers of the lake and the treachery you bring!" She had meant to say the treachery that the lake brings, but that mattered little to her what she said about the mission at this point. Her eyes burned with fury at him as Gandalf stood behind her, his hands spread apart in front of the gates.
"Mellon!" The doors became outlined darkly and a crack split them down the center. They creaked outwards until both doors lay flat against the stone wall. Behind them, a shadowy staircase followed upwards into the gloom. "I was wrong after all, and Gimli too. Merry, of all people, was on the right track. The opening word was inscribed on the archway all the time! The translation should have been :Say "Friend" and Enter. I had only to speak the Elvish word for friend and the doors opened. Quite simple. Too simple for a learned lore-master in these suspicious days. Those were happier times!"
"Enough with the talk," cried Aila, obvious fear in her eyes. "The wargs grow closer by the second. Let's go!" Hurriedly, the Company crowded into the doorway. Aila noticed too late that Frodo was bringing up the rear. "What the Ring-bearer!" she called to Sam, who was nearest to his master. At the same moment, a long sinuous tentacle grabbed hold of Frodo's ankle and began to pull him towards the stagnant lake. Sam fell to his knees and began hacking and slashing at the long green arm. Reluctantly , the arm let go of Frodo and Sam pulled him away, crying for help. A hideous stench wafted through the air as twenty more tentacle rose from the boiling waters, causing Aila to wrinkle her nose, but she called out to the rest of them, as Aragorn ran to Frodo and picked up the hobbit, dragging Sam behind him.
"Into the gateway!" she called. "Up the stairs! Quickly!" They were just a few steps up the stairwell when groping arms fingered the cliff face and the doors of the passage. Writhing in anger, the arms took hold of the doors and swung them back inwards towards the wall and began pummeling the outside of the door, ripping stone from its berth and thrusting trees against the doorway. Though darkness surrounded them, they heard Gandalf walking towards the door and strike his staff against it. The rock reverberated he strike the stairs shook, the doors stayed closed.
"Well, well," said the wizard. "The passage is blocked behind us now, and there is only one way out--on the other side of the mountains. I fear from the sounds that boulders have been piled up, and the trees uprooted and thrown across the gate. I am sorry; for the trees were beautiful, and had stood so long."
"Who will lead us now, in this deadly dark?" asked Boromir.
"I will," said Gandalf, "and Gimli shall walk with me. Follow my staff!" Though they were all still shaken by the Watcher's attack, they were able to gather themselves to follow the dim light projected from the tip of Gandalf's staff. It was past nightfall when they had entered the mines and they had been tramping on for hours on end, with only brief halts. Walking beside her, Aila knew Legolas' heart was troubled because he was below earth in darkness, far from his beloved Sun.
"Take heart, Legolas," she said to her friend. "You will see the Sun soon enough." He turned his head to look at her, even his face shadowed his heavy heart. Aila closed her eyes and sent one of her mind wraiths to him, one of the scholars, this time, to assure him that she knew it would be all right. When she opened her eyes again, knowing her wraith was within his mind, setting ease, she saw in his face the apparent change. His eyes regained some of their sparkle and he managed a faint smile at Aila.
"That is not quite what I'm worried about, Aila." Knitting her eyebrows, Aila turned her head forward again and through about what he could possibly have meant. What would he worry more about than never seeing the Sun again? He was an elf, wasn't he? She knew he hated being in the mines, but ahead of her Gimli was practically skipping in his excitement. Soon, however, Gandalf called a halt when they came to a chamber that lead off to three passageways.
"It is the guardroom," said Gimli, pointing to the well in the center of the chamber.
"We must take extra care in the dark," Gandalf said, gesturing also towards the well. While the others were unrolling blankets as far from the well as possible, Aila saw Pippin wander over towards the well and saw him lean over the edge. He recoiled as cold air struck his face, pushed from beneath. In horror, she watched, having deja vou, as he gripped a loose stone and dropped it into the well.
"Pippin," she whispered harshly to him. "You shouldn't have done that." Even after she was done speaking, there were still a few moments before the rock struck the bottom of the well, a faint and distant plunk sounded among the dead silence, magnified by the narrow shaft.
"What's that?" cried Gandalf, utterly alarmed. He was greatly relieved when Pippin confessed, but was further angered and began to growl harshly at Pippin for being a fool. Nothing was heard for the next few minutes but then came the unmistakable sound of hammering: tap-tom, tom-tap. Aila breath caught in her chest, knowing what was occurring. The orcs were being alerted.
Gandalf lay awake the entire time as the others rested, save Legolas, who needed no sleep. Gandalf relieved Pippin of his watched after an hour of laying awake. Aila slept the entire time, despite her feeling of dread deep in her soul.
…
After another six hours as they rested, Gandalf finally roused them from their sleep.
"I have made up my mind. I do not like the feel of the middle way; and I do not like the smell of the left-hand way: there is foul air down there, or I am no guide. I shall take the right-hand passage. It is time we began to climb up again." If Aila had considered herself refreshed, , she was nowhere near refreshed enough for the eight hour march that ensued. The only thing aiding her was the chill in the air under the mountain keeping her cool. Also, the dark aided in keeping her eyes open, as she was always prone to shut her eyes against light when tired and that would ensure sleep.
Aila didn't think that she could take anymore walking, and she knew the hobbits were feeling the same. Pippin was pulling on her hand as he dragged his furry feet. Merry, on the other side of Pippin had his head hung in drowse. Sam was marching doggedly on, determined not to show his exhaustion. Frodo was also arching on determinedly. Herself, Aila's shoulders were sagging and she was beginning to hunch forward in her exhaustion. Boromir, who was bringing up the rear of the Company, put a hand on her shoulder from behind and she straightened her back, turning her head and smiling back at Boromir. For all of his toughness, he was a a great guy and she dreaded liking him, for she knew it could not last.
Suddenly, the walls to the left and right disappeared and a cold air brushed their faces, refreshing Aila so that she could keep her eyes open and plod forward still. Gandalf spoke of risking light, but Aila only half heard him, paying all of her attentions to the hall around them, waiting for the flash of light to see the splendor of the dwarves hall.
The vast roof held jewels of every type embedded into it, and the great black walls flickered and glowed in the lightning that Gandalf emitted. An archway leading off in every direction was seen, and then the light was gone. Darkness resumed and Gandalf spoke again.
"That is all that I shall venture for the present. There used to be great windows on the mountain-side, and shafts leading out towards the light in the upper reaches of the mines.. I think we have reached them now, but it is night outside again, and we cannot tell until morning. If I am right, tomorrow we may actually see the morning peeping in. But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let us rest, if we can. Things have gone well so far, and the greater part of the dark road is over. But we are not through yet, and it is a long way down to the Gates that open on the world." Glad at the thought of rest, Aila put in her own word, to further convince the Company of the danger that could (and would) occur.
"You have no idea of what could occur in these hall of Dwarrowdelf."
"Dwarrowdelf," whispered Gimli, barely audible. "The beauty of that name." Gimli sang of Moria's beauty and the elves that dwelled there. The talk fell to mithril but Aila heard but some of it, she fell into half-sleep, hearing small snatches of their speech, already knowing what they discussed. She dreamt of the Company finding a tomb and being barraged by orcs and Gandalf falling with a sword in his chest.
Aila's eyes flew open, sweat showing upon her brow. Laying on a blanket a few feet from her, she saw Merry's eyes widen at her behavior, behind him, Gimli grunted in his sleep.
"Do not worry ,Merry," she said, searching out mind wraiths in her mind to comfort him. Closing her eyes, he thought she was asleep and was immediately relaxed for some strange reason. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Legolas relieve Frodo of his watch. Had she been asleep that long? It had seemed like mere moments. Legolas caught her eye and a look of worry flashed across his face, but as quickly as it came it was gone, as he averted his eyes to go on watch. Aila felt a strange sensation go through her body at his face, and wondered what he was thinking. Too tired, however, to send wraiths to find out, Aila closed her eyes and waited until morning dreading the coming day.
A/N: All right, this is great. School's started, yeah, and I had to re-do this chapter, so the author's note is actually dated correctly! That's the only problem with pre-writing your chapters, you're author's notes are out-of-date as soon as their published! Okay, well thanks for all of the great reviews, Queenie and Peaceful Nightmares! Oh, and for the constructive criticism Amy Lee and Neandyrun. Yeah, you're right, she is kind of perfect, but don't you think the clumsiness and (soon to be) nervous break downs are enough to kind of lower her perfection a little? I've employed some physical imperfections, as well, but you guys won't know of those for a while, I think. I have to re-write a few chapters because my computer won't open those files from the discs anymore, so that sucks. Anyway, ENJOY! The next chapter will explain everything I just said. (Oh, Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World is the BEST slow song EVER!)
Disclaimer: Did I not say to check our chapter one? YES I DID! It lays it all done nice and simple like for all those people who grew up in Kentucky and say stuff like: "I done good, ma!" Seriously, no offence, I'm just kidding. I do that a lot. ^_^
"Of course!" cried Gandalf, tugging at his white beard. "It is so simple and obvious, as are most riddles when you have solved them."
"Finally," said Boromir, picking up a stone. "I grow tired of this foul lake and these howls of wolves." For he was right, wolves had begun to howl in the night, growing louder by the minute. Boromir thrust the stone into the lake and it skipped for a few moments before sinking below the surface.
"NO," shouted Aila, "do not disturb the waters! You know not of the dangers of the lake and the treachery you bring!" She had meant to say the treachery that the lake brings, but that mattered little to her what she said about the mission at this point. Her eyes burned with fury at him as Gandalf stood behind her, his hands spread apart in front of the gates.
"Mellon!" The doors became outlined darkly and a crack split them down the center. They creaked outwards until both doors lay flat against the stone wall. Behind them, a shadowy staircase followed upwards into the gloom. "I was wrong after all, and Gimli too. Merry, of all people, was on the right track. The opening word was inscribed on the archway all the time! The translation should have been :Say "Friend" and Enter. I had only to speak the Elvish word for friend and the doors opened. Quite simple. Too simple for a learned lore-master in these suspicious days. Those were happier times!"
"Enough with the talk," cried Aila, obvious fear in her eyes. "The wargs grow closer by the second. Let's go!" Hurriedly, the Company crowded into the doorway. Aila noticed too late that Frodo was bringing up the rear. "What the Ring-bearer!" she called to Sam, who was nearest to his master. At the same moment, a long sinuous tentacle grabbed hold of Frodo's ankle and began to pull him towards the stagnant lake. Sam fell to his knees and began hacking and slashing at the long green arm. Reluctantly , the arm let go of Frodo and Sam pulled him away, crying for help. A hideous stench wafted through the air as twenty more tentacle rose from the boiling waters, causing Aila to wrinkle her nose, but she called out to the rest of them, as Aragorn ran to Frodo and picked up the hobbit, dragging Sam behind him.
"Into the gateway!" she called. "Up the stairs! Quickly!" They were just a few steps up the stairwell when groping arms fingered the cliff face and the doors of the passage. Writhing in anger, the arms took hold of the doors and swung them back inwards towards the wall and began pummeling the outside of the door, ripping stone from its berth and thrusting trees against the doorway. Though darkness surrounded them, they heard Gandalf walking towards the door and strike his staff against it. The rock reverberated he strike the stairs shook, the doors stayed closed.
"Well, well," said the wizard. "The passage is blocked behind us now, and there is only one way out--on the other side of the mountains. I fear from the sounds that boulders have been piled up, and the trees uprooted and thrown across the gate. I am sorry; for the trees were beautiful, and had stood so long."
"Who will lead us now, in this deadly dark?" asked Boromir.
"I will," said Gandalf, "and Gimli shall walk with me. Follow my staff!" Though they were all still shaken by the Watcher's attack, they were able to gather themselves to follow the dim light projected from the tip of Gandalf's staff. It was past nightfall when they had entered the mines and they had been tramping on for hours on end, with only brief halts. Walking beside her, Aila knew Legolas' heart was troubled because he was below earth in darkness, far from his beloved Sun.
"Take heart, Legolas," she said to her friend. "You will see the Sun soon enough." He turned his head to look at her, even his face shadowed his heavy heart. Aila closed her eyes and sent one of her mind wraiths to him, one of the scholars, this time, to assure him that she knew it would be all right. When she opened her eyes again, knowing her wraith was within his mind, setting ease, she saw in his face the apparent change. His eyes regained some of their sparkle and he managed a faint smile at Aila.
"That is not quite what I'm worried about, Aila." Knitting her eyebrows, Aila turned her head forward again and through about what he could possibly have meant. What would he worry more about than never seeing the Sun again? He was an elf, wasn't he? She knew he hated being in the mines, but ahead of her Gimli was practically skipping in his excitement. Soon, however, Gandalf called a halt when they came to a chamber that lead off to three passageways.
"It is the guardroom," said Gimli, pointing to the well in the center of the chamber.
"We must take extra care in the dark," Gandalf said, gesturing also towards the well. While the others were unrolling blankets as far from the well as possible, Aila saw Pippin wander over towards the well and saw him lean over the edge. He recoiled as cold air struck his face, pushed from beneath. In horror, she watched, having deja vou, as he gripped a loose stone and dropped it into the well.
"Pippin," she whispered harshly to him. "You shouldn't have done that." Even after she was done speaking, there were still a few moments before the rock struck the bottom of the well, a faint and distant plunk sounded among the dead silence, magnified by the narrow shaft.
"What's that?" cried Gandalf, utterly alarmed. He was greatly relieved when Pippin confessed, but was further angered and began to growl harshly at Pippin for being a fool. Nothing was heard for the next few minutes but then came the unmistakable sound of hammering: tap-tom, tom-tap. Aila breath caught in her chest, knowing what was occurring. The orcs were being alerted.
Gandalf lay awake the entire time as the others rested, save Legolas, who needed no sleep. Gandalf relieved Pippin of his watched after an hour of laying awake. Aila slept the entire time, despite her feeling of dread deep in her soul.
…
After another six hours as they rested, Gandalf finally roused them from their sleep.
"I have made up my mind. I do not like the feel of the middle way; and I do not like the smell of the left-hand way: there is foul air down there, or I am no guide. I shall take the right-hand passage. It is time we began to climb up again." If Aila had considered herself refreshed, , she was nowhere near refreshed enough for the eight hour march that ensued. The only thing aiding her was the chill in the air under the mountain keeping her cool. Also, the dark aided in keeping her eyes open, as she was always prone to shut her eyes against light when tired and that would ensure sleep.
Aila didn't think that she could take anymore walking, and she knew the hobbits were feeling the same. Pippin was pulling on her hand as he dragged his furry feet. Merry, on the other side of Pippin had his head hung in drowse. Sam was marching doggedly on, determined not to show his exhaustion. Frodo was also arching on determinedly. Herself, Aila's shoulders were sagging and she was beginning to hunch forward in her exhaustion. Boromir, who was bringing up the rear of the Company, put a hand on her shoulder from behind and she straightened her back, turning her head and smiling back at Boromir. For all of his toughness, he was a a great guy and she dreaded liking him, for she knew it could not last.
Suddenly, the walls to the left and right disappeared and a cold air brushed their faces, refreshing Aila so that she could keep her eyes open and plod forward still. Gandalf spoke of risking light, but Aila only half heard him, paying all of her attentions to the hall around them, waiting for the flash of light to see the splendor of the dwarves hall.
The vast roof held jewels of every type embedded into it, and the great black walls flickered and glowed in the lightning that Gandalf emitted. An archway leading off in every direction was seen, and then the light was gone. Darkness resumed and Gandalf spoke again.
"That is all that I shall venture for the present. There used to be great windows on the mountain-side, and shafts leading out towards the light in the upper reaches of the mines.. I think we have reached them now, but it is night outside again, and we cannot tell until morning. If I am right, tomorrow we may actually see the morning peeping in. But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let us rest, if we can. Things have gone well so far, and the greater part of the dark road is over. But we are not through yet, and it is a long way down to the Gates that open on the world." Glad at the thought of rest, Aila put in her own word, to further convince the Company of the danger that could (and would) occur.
"You have no idea of what could occur in these hall of Dwarrowdelf."
"Dwarrowdelf," whispered Gimli, barely audible. "The beauty of that name." Gimli sang of Moria's beauty and the elves that dwelled there. The talk fell to mithril but Aila heard but some of it, she fell into half-sleep, hearing small snatches of their speech, already knowing what they discussed. She dreamt of the Company finding a tomb and being barraged by orcs and Gandalf falling with a sword in his chest.
Aila's eyes flew open, sweat showing upon her brow. Laying on a blanket a few feet from her, she saw Merry's eyes widen at her behavior, behind him, Gimli grunted in his sleep.
"Do not worry ,Merry," she said, searching out mind wraiths in her mind to comfort him. Closing her eyes, he thought she was asleep and was immediately relaxed for some strange reason. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Legolas relieve Frodo of his watch. Had she been asleep that long? It had seemed like mere moments. Legolas caught her eye and a look of worry flashed across his face, but as quickly as it came it was gone, as he averted his eyes to go on watch. Aila felt a strange sensation go through her body at his face, and wondered what he was thinking. Too tired, however, to send wraiths to find out, Aila closed her eyes and waited until morning dreading the coming day.