Here is our next chapter! Exams and practises have kept me v. busy, but I'm
working extra hard to bring you this little snippet!!! The going's getting
harder and I'm beginning to worry! But here it is, and once again if I got
it worong SORRY! Tell me and it will be corrected, I plomise!
Disclaimer- Don't own it, never will..but do enjoy
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Down into darkness
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Elenya's POV*
I had to struggle not to scream as I woke up. This vision was bad, this was the worst. I gently pulled Boromir's arm from around me and crawled over to where Gandalf lay. "Gandalf, Gandalf, please, you have to wake up!" I whispered, pulling at his cloak.
He blinked and rolled over to face me, instantly alert. "Elenya? What is it?" he said in a low voice. I knew he could see the worry on my face. I didn't know where to begin now, there was too much to get out. After some false starts where I couldn't get past making odd noises, he threw a cover about me and hushed me, trying to clam me down.
"Now, breathe, and then tell me it all, form start to finish. Don't you worry about what it means; focus on getting out the words." I did what he said and closed my eyes, forcing myself to block out the consequences. I took a deep breath and started.
"I fell asleep and then I was standing on a high wall, and in front of me was a black tower, and it looked like it was made of black stone. And below the walls, in the grounds below there were big pits filled with fire and smoke, and there were Orcs swarming everywhere, building and wheeling things in carts. In the tower there was a man with white hair and white robes and he was watching it all, and I could hear him laughing at it. And then it was as if I fell forwards, down to the ground below and everything went blacker. The next thing I knew was there was a bridge and fire, and shadows everywhere and then, then something happened, and then someone. . ." I closed my eyes trying to remember, but I couldn't.
"Well, what happened?!" demanded Gandalf.
"I.. I don't know, all I remember after that is running as fast as I could, and my arm had really hurt. And I was crying and trying not to scream and I was trying to run as fast as possible, even though I thought my legs were going to fall off and. . . ." I trailed off, lost for words.
All I could think of what that part had been that I couldn't remember. I knew it was important, what if we failed because I couldn't see a whole vision? I balled my hands into fists and tried my hardest not to cry with frustration as Gandalf lit his pipe and began to smoke. I did nothing but cough at the smoke and try to calm myself. Eventually I had to ask.
"Gandalf, what does it mean? Must we really go through Moria?" He looked up at me, studying me.
"Why do you ask? You saw the answer yourself; you know it in your heart. That tower you saw was Orthanc and that wizard was none other than Saruman, who betrayed the council for the Ring. We cannot go south from here, we will be caught. You saw the orcs and men he has at his disposal; we couldn't hope to win."
"But well what was the other part? And must we really go through Moria?"
"The other, I do not know. It could be any point at our journey, if it is at all. But let me see your arm." Puzzled I did as he asked, ignoring the extreme cold that instantly took hold of my arm; amazed by what I saw. My upper right arm was red and looked cut, as though it had been shot with an arrow not too long ago. I put it away as quickly as possible. The hard feeling in the pit of my stomach grew.
"I hate this. If I was granted foresight, why can't I see enough to know fully? All I can do is know half truths! I'm not helping anyone, how am I to know what to stop this from happening?" I cried, causing some of the others to shuffle in their sleep.
"The reason you cannot see all, is because no one is meant to. If you knew your future, then you would make everything wrong, because nothing you saw could come to pass. You seeing it happen would stop it form becoming a reality. Your gift, even as it is, is invaluable to our cause. We know now part of what will happen, and we can try and guess. You read it upon your ring, do not trust to fate. You can change your fate, if you want to badly enough; it is knowing how to go about it that is the problem." I sighed, I heard and understood what Gandalf said perfectly, but I didn't want it to make sense or to be real. I wanted to be able to know it all, so I could help everyone I cared about, but now it just seemed pointless.
"But then what will we do?" I asked, downcast.
"We will go through Moria as planned. There is nothing else we can do. And whatever comes, will come and we must face it." I went to protest, but Gandalf turned away from me and told me to go to bed.
He, as I, knew I would just keep pestering him, but unlike him, I wanted answers. I crawled back over to where I was before as Legolas sat up. He hadn't been asleep, I could tell that much; he had heard everything. I placed Boromir's arm back around me, getting back under my blankets.
"Elenya, you bear the gift of foresight. It is the truth that a life as yours will be half cursed, half blessed. But you must stay strong; you are our greatest chance, if you can master your gift." He said this slowly, as though thinking hard about every word. He shuffled over and sat on the other side of me. I lent against him, glad for the warmth.
"I just wish I knew more, so I could be of more use to you all. The way this is going, I may as well have just stayed in Gwendil" I sighed.
"You are more than enough use, you more than we could have hoped for. You know that this is where you need to be right now; we need you Elenya."
"Need me, for what?" I snorted, I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but there was no need to be saying such pointless things.
"We do need you! You are the one who keeps the spirits up. You are the one we take strength from!"
"No I'm not. I just-" Legolas broke in here.
"Make us laugh whenever you can? Keep us talking? Stop Frodo going out of his mind with worry?" I looked down, I hadn't ever thought of anything like this before. I shut up now, knowing better that to bother arguing, even if I didn't agree with him.
"Your gifts can be useful; you just need to learn to master them more. Everyone is relieved you are here, and don't you forget that." He finished, leaning his cheek against mine, and then moving away and leaving me be.
----------*----------
By the next afternoon they were down to where they had been spotted by the Crelblain.
All of them could feel the unease growing as they travelled, even the hobbits, in their far away Hobbiton had heard tales of Moria, and none of them were good. Everyone was talking a lot less now; only Elenya could keep up her stream of constant chatter.
The only person who wasn't inwardly downhearted was Gimli. He seemed excited to be going to Moria, where a lot of his family had dwelt. He couldn't wait to see what they had done and found, but no-one else truly shared his enthusiasm. By the time they got to gates of Moria, by a stinking, putrid lake, everyone was wishing they could turn back. The night was setting in, and not far away enough for comfort, they could hear the howling of Wargs, which unsettled them all. The first thing they had to do was find the doors themselves.
"Dwarf doors are invisible, when closed" stated Gimli knowledgeably, as each person walked along, tapping the sheer rock, some with their ear pressed against it.
"Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten," Added Gandalf, walking upfront. Behind her, Elenya heard Legolas mutter;
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Elenya turned around and frowned at him. Gimli and Legolas, in their worry and stress, hadn't even been bickering as much lately, and Elenya wanted it to stay that way.
The way got narrower as they went onwards, until poor Frodo put a foot into the water. Elenya didn't envy him, the water looked as though something had died in it, and the stench was no better. Gandalf stopped them, when the path had widened and there were two holly trees planted about 8 foot apart.
They were knarled and withered and even trees, in this place couldn't lift Elenya's spirits. The only thing cheering her was the fact that she knew that these Holly trees had been planted long ago, in past ages when the bond of friendship had been strong between the dwarves and the elves. These trees marked the end of the land they had once called Hollin. Looking back at Gimli and Legolas, both acting as though the other weren't there Elenya had a sinking feeling. Her life would be slightly easier if her dwarf and her elf were a bit friendlier.
Gandalf stepped forwards, rubbing the stone and peering closely at it, mumbling something about moonlight. As he turned and looked up at the sky, the full moon made its appearance and looking at the stone, Elenya could see a door forming, running through the rocks like veins of silver. Everyone went silent, gazing in awe at what seemed to be moonlight etched upon the rock in front of them. Gandalf stepped forward, saying;
"It reads 'Doors of Durin, lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter'. " He pointed at each word as he read then stood back thoughtfully.
"What d'you suppose that means?" asked Merry, always a little slow.
"Oh it's quite simple" assured Gandalf, "if you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open."
As Gandalf turned, placing his stick on a star in the centre of the door and began to speak in a language they all assumed was dwarfish, Pippin and Merry smiling at each other in assurance. Elenya couldn't help but smile a little too, just from looking at them. Nothing happened. Gandalf stepped back, thinking quickly, and then tried again. Once again, nothing moved, save twigs blowing in the breeze.
"Nothing's happening." said Pippin, as Legolas looked down at him. Merry rolled his eyes at Elenya, who did the same back. Gandalf pushed himself against the door, trying fruitlessly to open it and moaning to himself.
"What are you going to do then?" asked Pippin hopefully. Gandalf turned and barked;
"Knock you head against these doors Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them and I am allowed a little peace form foolish questions I will try to find the opening words."
Pippin stepped back looking down. Everyone knew Gandalf wasn't truly angry, but Aragorn couldn't help but notice Elenya move protectively towards Pippin and scowl at Gandalf with her arms crossed.
..............
An hour later, things hadn't improved. The night had drawn in closer, if possible the howling of the Wargs were closer, and louder. Gandalf was still muttering incantations, with Frodo sitting down, watching him. Aragorn and Sam were making ready to set Bill the pony lose, even though they all knew it would break Sam's heart to leave Bill out there to face whatever Wargs or other things were out there in the night. Merry and Pippin were sitting by the waters edge and Boromir and Gimli sat on the roots of one of the holly trees, smoking. Legolas stood on the other tree, glaring out at the night around them.
Elenya sat, legs folded and eyes closed, leaning her cheek on her hand. No- one knew what she was thinking, if anything. She had already said her goodbyes to Bill and sorted out her pack, leaving whatever could be spared behind. Now she sat in silence, having not said anything for a good while. She didn't move, save opening an eyelid for all that time.
She remained silent when Merry and Pippin began to throw stones into the lake she so detested. She didn't flinch when Gandalf threw his staff down, declaring the whole thing was useless and sitting himself down next to Frodo to think further. But then, both her eyes snapped open and she stood up quickly, turning to the doors, not even heeding Boromir and Aragorn (both now at the waters edge) behind her.
"Gandalf, are you sure this is the way?" Elenya asked suspiciously.
"Yes Elenya" he replied, without looking up, head on chin. She tried again;
"Must we really go this way?" He now looked up at her.
"Yes! Now unless you have something important to say, do us a favour and keep quiet so I can think!!" He shouted angrily.
"FINE!" She replied just as angry crossing her arms and turning to face the door. She put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.
"Mellon!" She barked at the door, as though it had been the one getting angry at her. They watched the doors open slowly, years of grime falling as they swung back, revealing darkness and letting off a musty, aged smell.
"It's a riddle!" sighed Frodo. Elenya smirked at Gandalf.
"Mellon is the elvish word for friend; it's simply a word-puzzle." She simpered. Everyone had now crowded round and was preparing to make their way in murmurs of relief going around them.
"Well, it's seems you have your uses after all!" said Boromir, patting her Elenya warmly on the back and smiling at her.
"Thank you." Elenya smiled graciously, ignoring the fact that no one had yet properly apologised. She followed after Gandalf and Frodo, at Legolas side, aware of everything in the relative dark.
She looked around trying to make anything out aside form rocky walls, as Gimli began to talk about the 'fabled hospitality of the Dwarves'. Elenya couldn't deny that the 'roaring fires, malt beer and meat off the bone' sounded great, but something told her it was an empty hope.
Ahead of her, Gandalf put a stone into his staff and she watched as a faint light emanated from it. By the time Elenya's eyes had adjusted, Boromir was already moving back, and everyone was looking around them in horror.
"This is no mine," Boromir breathed, "this is a tomb."
Now Elenya saw. All around her there were skeletons, some still half- rotting, all still wearing armour, but all of the skulls wore the same look, as though screaming with all the air in their non-existent lungs. She, like the hobbits stepped back, and she, like Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas drew her weapon. Her sword was gleaming and she held the curved blade at arms length, instantly tensed and ready, like the elf and men at her side.
Elenya unfocused herself totally, almost becoming part of the rock floor beneath her, ignoring poor Gimli screaming as he stooped over his long gone family and listened only for movement- barely hearing what the others said.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan, we should never have come here." Said Boromir to Aragorn. He tunred to everyone and moving back shouted;
"Now get out of here, all of you. Get out!" Elenya made to do so, ushering the hobbits to move faster; their limbs seemed reluctant to move. Elenya suddenly stopped, and she knew that they shouldn't be going outside. Just as she thought this, Frodo was pulled down to the floor, and in the water behind him, Elenya could see a dark lump in the water and probing tentacles moving in the air. The hobbits all shouted for helped and she sheathed her sword and ran forwards.
Elenya grabbed onto Frodo and tugged as hard as she could, as Sam stabbed at the tentacle around his ankle. She looked up just in time to see another huge limb swinging towards them. Before she could warn the others, she acted on instinct, throwing herself to the ground, but not letting go of Frodo.
The next thing she knew she was being pulled forwards and upwards, and Frodo was screaming. She opened her eyes and looked down to see the others looking horrified as they fought. Aragorn and Boromir hacking at the tentacles as Legolas aimed his arrows at the creatures face. Everything was movement and noise, most of it coming form the screaming Frodo above Elenya's head.
"FRODO!!!" she cried, "STOP SCREAMING!!"
She thrashed around; kicking furiously with all her might at the tentacle that held Frodo, praying it would drop them. She felt herself slip; she was losing grip on Frodo. Elenya tried not to panic reminding herself to keep kicking as hard as she could.
"Don't let go!" she shouted at Frodo, but his sleeves were stretching, looking as though they were about to rip. Elenya stayed still for too long and from below her, the others winced as they saw her being hit by another tentacle and slammed into the stone of the doors below.
She fell 10 feet to the ground, and almost immediately was up, her bow out and shooting. Following Legolas' lead, she aimed for the eyes of the creature. The creature was moving forwards, and Elenya saw Frodo fall from above them. Then before she could gather her wits, or her strength, Boromir was running towards them, carrying a soaked Frodo and Gandalf was yelling for them to get into the mines. Elenya turned and sprinted as the thing in the water grew closer and closer, until it filled her whole vision.
By the time she was inside the doors, the thing was at the shore, pulling at the rock behind her. She ran into Boromir, grabbing hold of him and turning, to watch the dim moonlight outside be obscured by falling rocks. Nothing but noise filled her ears; it felt as though the ground itself was shaking.
Then everything stopped. Elenya could hear nothing but quick breathing. Everything was totally dark. She instinctively reached down to do a quick head check on the hobbits, who were all wet and by the sounds of it; terrified.
Just as her eyes were used to the dark, and her heart was beginning to get over that awful adrenaline rush she had experienced, she was half-blinded by a harsh white light ahead of her, from Gandalf's staff. She could see everyone illuminated around her, all looking shocked and most shielding their eyes. Gandalf spoke as he walked past them all and took the first few stairs ahead of them;
"We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. It is a four day journey to the other side, let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed; there are fouler things than orcs in the dark places of the world." Everyone fell into line behind him, and no-one, not even Gimli, could honestly deny the sense of unease that fell on them in that dark, stuffy cavern.
*Elenya's POV*
That first night was the worst. I had been used to the night and to the dark, but this was a whole other thing. No-one spoke, no-one wanted to disturb the seemingly ancient silence that lay in these halls. Gandalf's staff provided enough light for us to walk in without fear of stumbling, but we could feel that we were in huge tunnels, and I for one hated the feeling of being in a large enclosed space where I couldn't see all around me. The tunnels climbed steady, and I always kept a close hold of whoever was nearest to me, constantly turning to check on whoever was behind me.
We must have walked for about 5 hours until Gandalf let us rest in a chamber off the side of a large tunnel. I assumed that it must have been a guard room as there were tables, maps and weapons strewn about the place. One fallen pillar left a little gap underneath and others had collapsed completely.
As everyone else began to roll out their bags in a quiet mumbling, I began to make this gap well enough for me to sleep in, rolling out blankets and clearing out any debris. I preferred to sleep in a small corner, rather than be open from all sides. I saw Pippin watching me out of the corner of my eye and eventually turned around.
"And what do you want?" I said. He crossed his arms, and I could see Merry looking offended too. As I got underneath the gap, he frowned and answered;
"I wanted to sleep under there. I don't like it out here; none of us do." I looked and saw Merry, Sam and Frodo all in their blankets, but sitting up and looking uneasy. I considered for a moment as I lay down, looking around the gap and resting my head on my crossed arms. I had a good natured idea.
"Well, I'm not going to move, but you want to sleep here too. There's more than enough room under here, if you want to that badly, you can rest under here. I don't mind." Everyone looked up at me.
I knew at once that no-one was going to take me up on my offer, so I shrugged and lay back down again. I looked over at Boromir who was already asleep and Aragorn and Gandlaf who were, once again, discussing things by themselves. Gimli and Legolas were, to my surprise, talking to each other as Gimli smoked on his pipe again. The hobbits were all in their blankets now, but looking very unhappy about sleeping in the middle of this cold, draughty room. The light from Gandalf's staff was fading now, to a dim blur. I closed my eyes and was lost in a minute, even though I was uneasy and restless and didn't feel tired at all.
----------*----------
Emma had been overdue for a few weeks now. Her baby was meant to be born on the 10th of March, but when the tenth had come and gone, here mother Sharon had begun to get worried. Luckily the baby had been born, named Lily and Emma was recovering well, and Sharon had a new relative to go visit.
Now as Sharon walked through the hospital reception to see her daughter and new granddaughter, she was glad her worries had been in vain. She had looked after Emma in this very hospital and loved her since she first saw her. She couldn't wait to see Lily and Emma together at rest. Sharon quickly got in the lift, pausing to help the elderly man out onto the ENT floor. Grasping her flowers and stepping out onto the maternity ward, she savoured the smell of new baby amongst the disinfectant. Sharon quickly found the Magnolia room and strode in, and had her breath taken away.
There, on the bed by the window was her Emma, who she had watched grow up into this woman, and in her arms the most perfect little angel; little Lily. Lily's eyes were shut tight and her little sausage finger grasped tight around her mothers. She had a mop of blonde hair and when her eyes were open, they were the palest sky blue Sharon had ever seen. Sharon took a step forwards and forgot her flowers, simply sat next to her daughter and watched this new human being rest. They said nothing for a while and were both happy to sit in comfort and contentment for a while, as Lily blinked at them sleepily.
---------*---------
My eyes opened slowly. I was expecting to find myself in a comfortable warm bed with the warm weight of a child against me. There was warmth and weight, but this wasn't of my child, this was weight of four slumbering hobbits. They must have come over after I fell asleep!
Frodo was curled up right in front of me, his back to me, with Sam next to him. Merry was near my legs and Pippin was sprawled across all of us. I became more awake as I realised this and also realised I had just experienced another vision. Then, my own life came back to me, and I remembered where we were, and the cold watchfulness of Moria. I shuddered a little, coughing and wanting for the warmth of that room I had just seem and then felt Frodo stir next to me, opening his eyes sleepily. I whispered in a voice no louder than a breath;
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you!" He blinked at me, and I was reminded slightly of Lily's blue eyes as he blinked once more.
"Is it time to go yet?" He sighed, shuffling some more and pulling my blanket towards him. I let it slide off me, and pulled some of Pippin's blanket to cover myself.
"No, I'm just awake again." I sighed, and then noticed Sam was up, at once alert and watchful at my feet, checking on Frodo.
"What's the matter? Is something going on, are you alright?" He mumbled sitting up and glaring into the blackness about us. I knew this concern was all for Frodo's sake, but I didn't care, on the contrary, I was glad Frodo had such a person to help him.
"No Sam, everything is fine. We just both happen to be awake, that's all." Frodo said consolingly, but now turned to me.
"What woke you up? Why were you awake?" I said nothing, but he knew. "Did you have a dream?" He asked cautiously. Sam's eyes widened and he was talking before Frodo could get a word in.
"Gandalf said we weren't to ask, but can you see things from other worlds? From other people? What is it like..." Sam stopped with a stern glance from Frodo. I said nothing once more, preferring to keep silent and safe on this topic. I didn't want to burden other people with these visions; it was enough for me alone.
"Sam, you shouldn't ask, it's not our place or our business!" He said disapprovingly, making Sam look hurt and discomfited and I knew that had been a slip of the tongue.
"It doesn't matter," I said quickly, "but I do doubt that I shall get to sleep easily again." I sighed, knowing I was right. All I felt now was a sense of longing, I could feel Emma's feelings for Lily and I hated this part. I loathed feeling what wasn't my own; loving a child I would never see or know.
"I don't like this place one bit, but I am too tired.." Said Sam, as he fell back to sleep. Once I was sure he was gone, I spoke again to Frodo.
"How are you?" I asked him nervously.
"I'm as well as can be expected, but that thing in the lake was horrible, I never want to see anything like that again." He directly at me, "Thank you for trying to help, I do count myself lucky, even if the circumstances aren't." I ignored this thank you, and tried again; this matter was too pressing.
"No, Frodo, how are you?" I said, more meaningfully. He understood and lowered his voice, turning to face me and coming so close our noses almost touched.
Even at this close distance it was a struggle to hear him, but I could see his face grow grave and darken, his eyes suddenly heavy.
"It's beginning to weigh on my mind; I can feel the power growing. Gandalf said I should be careful, of evil from within the Fellowship, but I am not sure what he meant."
I looked past Frodo at Boromir who was muttering in his sleep and turning in his blankets. I knew what Gandalf meant, but I didn't want to believe that Boromir was a danger. Boromir may have not been perfect, but I thought that he would be able to resist the temptation, if ever it came his way again, like it had on Carahdras .
"I am not sure either Frodo, but I just think you have to depend on yourself a lot; I think that may have been what he meant."
"He said that too, but how will I know if I am right? Or who to trust? I trust everyone here, but if Gandalf said from within the Fellowship, whom can I confide in totally?"
Frodo looked worried and even a little suspicious of me now.
"I trust Boromir, he is proud and strong, and brave, but if Gandalf doesn't." He trailed off. I thought for a while and then stared down at the chain about Frodo's neck, suddenly compelled.
"Frodo, you know what you carry. That little piece of metal has the power to give a person all they want, to change lives, to make kingdoms, fulfil dreams, to do everything and more.."
xxX Thank you Xxxx
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Down into darkness
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Elenya's POV*
I had to struggle not to scream as I woke up. This vision was bad, this was the worst. I gently pulled Boromir's arm from around me and crawled over to where Gandalf lay. "Gandalf, Gandalf, please, you have to wake up!" I whispered, pulling at his cloak.
He blinked and rolled over to face me, instantly alert. "Elenya? What is it?" he said in a low voice. I knew he could see the worry on my face. I didn't know where to begin now, there was too much to get out. After some false starts where I couldn't get past making odd noises, he threw a cover about me and hushed me, trying to clam me down.
"Now, breathe, and then tell me it all, form start to finish. Don't you worry about what it means; focus on getting out the words." I did what he said and closed my eyes, forcing myself to block out the consequences. I took a deep breath and started.
"I fell asleep and then I was standing on a high wall, and in front of me was a black tower, and it looked like it was made of black stone. And below the walls, in the grounds below there were big pits filled with fire and smoke, and there were Orcs swarming everywhere, building and wheeling things in carts. In the tower there was a man with white hair and white robes and he was watching it all, and I could hear him laughing at it. And then it was as if I fell forwards, down to the ground below and everything went blacker. The next thing I knew was there was a bridge and fire, and shadows everywhere and then, then something happened, and then someone. . ." I closed my eyes trying to remember, but I couldn't.
"Well, what happened?!" demanded Gandalf.
"I.. I don't know, all I remember after that is running as fast as I could, and my arm had really hurt. And I was crying and trying not to scream and I was trying to run as fast as possible, even though I thought my legs were going to fall off and. . . ." I trailed off, lost for words.
All I could think of what that part had been that I couldn't remember. I knew it was important, what if we failed because I couldn't see a whole vision? I balled my hands into fists and tried my hardest not to cry with frustration as Gandalf lit his pipe and began to smoke. I did nothing but cough at the smoke and try to calm myself. Eventually I had to ask.
"Gandalf, what does it mean? Must we really go through Moria?" He looked up at me, studying me.
"Why do you ask? You saw the answer yourself; you know it in your heart. That tower you saw was Orthanc and that wizard was none other than Saruman, who betrayed the council for the Ring. We cannot go south from here, we will be caught. You saw the orcs and men he has at his disposal; we couldn't hope to win."
"But well what was the other part? And must we really go through Moria?"
"The other, I do not know. It could be any point at our journey, if it is at all. But let me see your arm." Puzzled I did as he asked, ignoring the extreme cold that instantly took hold of my arm; amazed by what I saw. My upper right arm was red and looked cut, as though it had been shot with an arrow not too long ago. I put it away as quickly as possible. The hard feeling in the pit of my stomach grew.
"I hate this. If I was granted foresight, why can't I see enough to know fully? All I can do is know half truths! I'm not helping anyone, how am I to know what to stop this from happening?" I cried, causing some of the others to shuffle in their sleep.
"The reason you cannot see all, is because no one is meant to. If you knew your future, then you would make everything wrong, because nothing you saw could come to pass. You seeing it happen would stop it form becoming a reality. Your gift, even as it is, is invaluable to our cause. We know now part of what will happen, and we can try and guess. You read it upon your ring, do not trust to fate. You can change your fate, if you want to badly enough; it is knowing how to go about it that is the problem." I sighed, I heard and understood what Gandalf said perfectly, but I didn't want it to make sense or to be real. I wanted to be able to know it all, so I could help everyone I cared about, but now it just seemed pointless.
"But then what will we do?" I asked, downcast.
"We will go through Moria as planned. There is nothing else we can do. And whatever comes, will come and we must face it." I went to protest, but Gandalf turned away from me and told me to go to bed.
He, as I, knew I would just keep pestering him, but unlike him, I wanted answers. I crawled back over to where I was before as Legolas sat up. He hadn't been asleep, I could tell that much; he had heard everything. I placed Boromir's arm back around me, getting back under my blankets.
"Elenya, you bear the gift of foresight. It is the truth that a life as yours will be half cursed, half blessed. But you must stay strong; you are our greatest chance, if you can master your gift." He said this slowly, as though thinking hard about every word. He shuffled over and sat on the other side of me. I lent against him, glad for the warmth.
"I just wish I knew more, so I could be of more use to you all. The way this is going, I may as well have just stayed in Gwendil" I sighed.
"You are more than enough use, you more than we could have hoped for. You know that this is where you need to be right now; we need you Elenya."
"Need me, for what?" I snorted, I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but there was no need to be saying such pointless things.
"We do need you! You are the one who keeps the spirits up. You are the one we take strength from!"
"No I'm not. I just-" Legolas broke in here.
"Make us laugh whenever you can? Keep us talking? Stop Frodo going out of his mind with worry?" I looked down, I hadn't ever thought of anything like this before. I shut up now, knowing better that to bother arguing, even if I didn't agree with him.
"Your gifts can be useful; you just need to learn to master them more. Everyone is relieved you are here, and don't you forget that." He finished, leaning his cheek against mine, and then moving away and leaving me be.
----------*----------
By the next afternoon they were down to where they had been spotted by the Crelblain.
All of them could feel the unease growing as they travelled, even the hobbits, in their far away Hobbiton had heard tales of Moria, and none of them were good. Everyone was talking a lot less now; only Elenya could keep up her stream of constant chatter.
The only person who wasn't inwardly downhearted was Gimli. He seemed excited to be going to Moria, where a lot of his family had dwelt. He couldn't wait to see what they had done and found, but no-one else truly shared his enthusiasm. By the time they got to gates of Moria, by a stinking, putrid lake, everyone was wishing they could turn back. The night was setting in, and not far away enough for comfort, they could hear the howling of Wargs, which unsettled them all. The first thing they had to do was find the doors themselves.
"Dwarf doors are invisible, when closed" stated Gimli knowledgeably, as each person walked along, tapping the sheer rock, some with their ear pressed against it.
"Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten," Added Gandalf, walking upfront. Behind her, Elenya heard Legolas mutter;
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Elenya turned around and frowned at him. Gimli and Legolas, in their worry and stress, hadn't even been bickering as much lately, and Elenya wanted it to stay that way.
The way got narrower as they went onwards, until poor Frodo put a foot into the water. Elenya didn't envy him, the water looked as though something had died in it, and the stench was no better. Gandalf stopped them, when the path had widened and there were two holly trees planted about 8 foot apart.
They were knarled and withered and even trees, in this place couldn't lift Elenya's spirits. The only thing cheering her was the fact that she knew that these Holly trees had been planted long ago, in past ages when the bond of friendship had been strong between the dwarves and the elves. These trees marked the end of the land they had once called Hollin. Looking back at Gimli and Legolas, both acting as though the other weren't there Elenya had a sinking feeling. Her life would be slightly easier if her dwarf and her elf were a bit friendlier.
Gandalf stepped forwards, rubbing the stone and peering closely at it, mumbling something about moonlight. As he turned and looked up at the sky, the full moon made its appearance and looking at the stone, Elenya could see a door forming, running through the rocks like veins of silver. Everyone went silent, gazing in awe at what seemed to be moonlight etched upon the rock in front of them. Gandalf stepped forward, saying;
"It reads 'Doors of Durin, lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter'. " He pointed at each word as he read then stood back thoughtfully.
"What d'you suppose that means?" asked Merry, always a little slow.
"Oh it's quite simple" assured Gandalf, "if you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open."
As Gandalf turned, placing his stick on a star in the centre of the door and began to speak in a language they all assumed was dwarfish, Pippin and Merry smiling at each other in assurance. Elenya couldn't help but smile a little too, just from looking at them. Nothing happened. Gandalf stepped back, thinking quickly, and then tried again. Once again, nothing moved, save twigs blowing in the breeze.
"Nothing's happening." said Pippin, as Legolas looked down at him. Merry rolled his eyes at Elenya, who did the same back. Gandalf pushed himself against the door, trying fruitlessly to open it and moaning to himself.
"What are you going to do then?" asked Pippin hopefully. Gandalf turned and barked;
"Knock you head against these doors Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them and I am allowed a little peace form foolish questions I will try to find the opening words."
Pippin stepped back looking down. Everyone knew Gandalf wasn't truly angry, but Aragorn couldn't help but notice Elenya move protectively towards Pippin and scowl at Gandalf with her arms crossed.
..............
An hour later, things hadn't improved. The night had drawn in closer, if possible the howling of the Wargs were closer, and louder. Gandalf was still muttering incantations, with Frodo sitting down, watching him. Aragorn and Sam were making ready to set Bill the pony lose, even though they all knew it would break Sam's heart to leave Bill out there to face whatever Wargs or other things were out there in the night. Merry and Pippin were sitting by the waters edge and Boromir and Gimli sat on the roots of one of the holly trees, smoking. Legolas stood on the other tree, glaring out at the night around them.
Elenya sat, legs folded and eyes closed, leaning her cheek on her hand. No- one knew what she was thinking, if anything. She had already said her goodbyes to Bill and sorted out her pack, leaving whatever could be spared behind. Now she sat in silence, having not said anything for a good while. She didn't move, save opening an eyelid for all that time.
She remained silent when Merry and Pippin began to throw stones into the lake she so detested. She didn't flinch when Gandalf threw his staff down, declaring the whole thing was useless and sitting himself down next to Frodo to think further. But then, both her eyes snapped open and she stood up quickly, turning to the doors, not even heeding Boromir and Aragorn (both now at the waters edge) behind her.
"Gandalf, are you sure this is the way?" Elenya asked suspiciously.
"Yes Elenya" he replied, without looking up, head on chin. She tried again;
"Must we really go this way?" He now looked up at her.
"Yes! Now unless you have something important to say, do us a favour and keep quiet so I can think!!" He shouted angrily.
"FINE!" She replied just as angry crossing her arms and turning to face the door. She put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.
"Mellon!" She barked at the door, as though it had been the one getting angry at her. They watched the doors open slowly, years of grime falling as they swung back, revealing darkness and letting off a musty, aged smell.
"It's a riddle!" sighed Frodo. Elenya smirked at Gandalf.
"Mellon is the elvish word for friend; it's simply a word-puzzle." She simpered. Everyone had now crowded round and was preparing to make their way in murmurs of relief going around them.
"Well, it's seems you have your uses after all!" said Boromir, patting her Elenya warmly on the back and smiling at her.
"Thank you." Elenya smiled graciously, ignoring the fact that no one had yet properly apologised. She followed after Gandalf and Frodo, at Legolas side, aware of everything in the relative dark.
She looked around trying to make anything out aside form rocky walls, as Gimli began to talk about the 'fabled hospitality of the Dwarves'. Elenya couldn't deny that the 'roaring fires, malt beer and meat off the bone' sounded great, but something told her it was an empty hope.
Ahead of her, Gandalf put a stone into his staff and she watched as a faint light emanated from it. By the time Elenya's eyes had adjusted, Boromir was already moving back, and everyone was looking around them in horror.
"This is no mine," Boromir breathed, "this is a tomb."
Now Elenya saw. All around her there were skeletons, some still half- rotting, all still wearing armour, but all of the skulls wore the same look, as though screaming with all the air in their non-existent lungs. She, like the hobbits stepped back, and she, like Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas drew her weapon. Her sword was gleaming and she held the curved blade at arms length, instantly tensed and ready, like the elf and men at her side.
Elenya unfocused herself totally, almost becoming part of the rock floor beneath her, ignoring poor Gimli screaming as he stooped over his long gone family and listened only for movement- barely hearing what the others said.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan, we should never have come here." Said Boromir to Aragorn. He tunred to everyone and moving back shouted;
"Now get out of here, all of you. Get out!" Elenya made to do so, ushering the hobbits to move faster; their limbs seemed reluctant to move. Elenya suddenly stopped, and she knew that they shouldn't be going outside. Just as she thought this, Frodo was pulled down to the floor, and in the water behind him, Elenya could see a dark lump in the water and probing tentacles moving in the air. The hobbits all shouted for helped and she sheathed her sword and ran forwards.
Elenya grabbed onto Frodo and tugged as hard as she could, as Sam stabbed at the tentacle around his ankle. She looked up just in time to see another huge limb swinging towards them. Before she could warn the others, she acted on instinct, throwing herself to the ground, but not letting go of Frodo.
The next thing she knew she was being pulled forwards and upwards, and Frodo was screaming. She opened her eyes and looked down to see the others looking horrified as they fought. Aragorn and Boromir hacking at the tentacles as Legolas aimed his arrows at the creatures face. Everything was movement and noise, most of it coming form the screaming Frodo above Elenya's head.
"FRODO!!!" she cried, "STOP SCREAMING!!"
She thrashed around; kicking furiously with all her might at the tentacle that held Frodo, praying it would drop them. She felt herself slip; she was losing grip on Frodo. Elenya tried not to panic reminding herself to keep kicking as hard as she could.
"Don't let go!" she shouted at Frodo, but his sleeves were stretching, looking as though they were about to rip. Elenya stayed still for too long and from below her, the others winced as they saw her being hit by another tentacle and slammed into the stone of the doors below.
She fell 10 feet to the ground, and almost immediately was up, her bow out and shooting. Following Legolas' lead, she aimed for the eyes of the creature. The creature was moving forwards, and Elenya saw Frodo fall from above them. Then before she could gather her wits, or her strength, Boromir was running towards them, carrying a soaked Frodo and Gandalf was yelling for them to get into the mines. Elenya turned and sprinted as the thing in the water grew closer and closer, until it filled her whole vision.
By the time she was inside the doors, the thing was at the shore, pulling at the rock behind her. She ran into Boromir, grabbing hold of him and turning, to watch the dim moonlight outside be obscured by falling rocks. Nothing but noise filled her ears; it felt as though the ground itself was shaking.
Then everything stopped. Elenya could hear nothing but quick breathing. Everything was totally dark. She instinctively reached down to do a quick head check on the hobbits, who were all wet and by the sounds of it; terrified.
Just as her eyes were used to the dark, and her heart was beginning to get over that awful adrenaline rush she had experienced, she was half-blinded by a harsh white light ahead of her, from Gandalf's staff. She could see everyone illuminated around her, all looking shocked and most shielding their eyes. Gandalf spoke as he walked past them all and took the first few stairs ahead of them;
"We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. It is a four day journey to the other side, let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed; there are fouler things than orcs in the dark places of the world." Everyone fell into line behind him, and no-one, not even Gimli, could honestly deny the sense of unease that fell on them in that dark, stuffy cavern.
*Elenya's POV*
That first night was the worst. I had been used to the night and to the dark, but this was a whole other thing. No-one spoke, no-one wanted to disturb the seemingly ancient silence that lay in these halls. Gandalf's staff provided enough light for us to walk in without fear of stumbling, but we could feel that we were in huge tunnels, and I for one hated the feeling of being in a large enclosed space where I couldn't see all around me. The tunnels climbed steady, and I always kept a close hold of whoever was nearest to me, constantly turning to check on whoever was behind me.
We must have walked for about 5 hours until Gandalf let us rest in a chamber off the side of a large tunnel. I assumed that it must have been a guard room as there were tables, maps and weapons strewn about the place. One fallen pillar left a little gap underneath and others had collapsed completely.
As everyone else began to roll out their bags in a quiet mumbling, I began to make this gap well enough for me to sleep in, rolling out blankets and clearing out any debris. I preferred to sleep in a small corner, rather than be open from all sides. I saw Pippin watching me out of the corner of my eye and eventually turned around.
"And what do you want?" I said. He crossed his arms, and I could see Merry looking offended too. As I got underneath the gap, he frowned and answered;
"I wanted to sleep under there. I don't like it out here; none of us do." I looked and saw Merry, Sam and Frodo all in their blankets, but sitting up and looking uneasy. I considered for a moment as I lay down, looking around the gap and resting my head on my crossed arms. I had a good natured idea.
"Well, I'm not going to move, but you want to sleep here too. There's more than enough room under here, if you want to that badly, you can rest under here. I don't mind." Everyone looked up at me.
I knew at once that no-one was going to take me up on my offer, so I shrugged and lay back down again. I looked over at Boromir who was already asleep and Aragorn and Gandlaf who were, once again, discussing things by themselves. Gimli and Legolas were, to my surprise, talking to each other as Gimli smoked on his pipe again. The hobbits were all in their blankets now, but looking very unhappy about sleeping in the middle of this cold, draughty room. The light from Gandalf's staff was fading now, to a dim blur. I closed my eyes and was lost in a minute, even though I was uneasy and restless and didn't feel tired at all.
----------*----------
Emma had been overdue for a few weeks now. Her baby was meant to be born on the 10th of March, but when the tenth had come and gone, here mother Sharon had begun to get worried. Luckily the baby had been born, named Lily and Emma was recovering well, and Sharon had a new relative to go visit.
Now as Sharon walked through the hospital reception to see her daughter and new granddaughter, she was glad her worries had been in vain. She had looked after Emma in this very hospital and loved her since she first saw her. She couldn't wait to see Lily and Emma together at rest. Sharon quickly got in the lift, pausing to help the elderly man out onto the ENT floor. Grasping her flowers and stepping out onto the maternity ward, she savoured the smell of new baby amongst the disinfectant. Sharon quickly found the Magnolia room and strode in, and had her breath taken away.
There, on the bed by the window was her Emma, who she had watched grow up into this woman, and in her arms the most perfect little angel; little Lily. Lily's eyes were shut tight and her little sausage finger grasped tight around her mothers. She had a mop of blonde hair and when her eyes were open, they were the palest sky blue Sharon had ever seen. Sharon took a step forwards and forgot her flowers, simply sat next to her daughter and watched this new human being rest. They said nothing for a while and were both happy to sit in comfort and contentment for a while, as Lily blinked at them sleepily.
---------*---------
My eyes opened slowly. I was expecting to find myself in a comfortable warm bed with the warm weight of a child against me. There was warmth and weight, but this wasn't of my child, this was weight of four slumbering hobbits. They must have come over after I fell asleep!
Frodo was curled up right in front of me, his back to me, with Sam next to him. Merry was near my legs and Pippin was sprawled across all of us. I became more awake as I realised this and also realised I had just experienced another vision. Then, my own life came back to me, and I remembered where we were, and the cold watchfulness of Moria. I shuddered a little, coughing and wanting for the warmth of that room I had just seem and then felt Frodo stir next to me, opening his eyes sleepily. I whispered in a voice no louder than a breath;
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you!" He blinked at me, and I was reminded slightly of Lily's blue eyes as he blinked once more.
"Is it time to go yet?" He sighed, shuffling some more and pulling my blanket towards him. I let it slide off me, and pulled some of Pippin's blanket to cover myself.
"No, I'm just awake again." I sighed, and then noticed Sam was up, at once alert and watchful at my feet, checking on Frodo.
"What's the matter? Is something going on, are you alright?" He mumbled sitting up and glaring into the blackness about us. I knew this concern was all for Frodo's sake, but I didn't care, on the contrary, I was glad Frodo had such a person to help him.
"No Sam, everything is fine. We just both happen to be awake, that's all." Frodo said consolingly, but now turned to me.
"What woke you up? Why were you awake?" I said nothing, but he knew. "Did you have a dream?" He asked cautiously. Sam's eyes widened and he was talking before Frodo could get a word in.
"Gandalf said we weren't to ask, but can you see things from other worlds? From other people? What is it like..." Sam stopped with a stern glance from Frodo. I said nothing once more, preferring to keep silent and safe on this topic. I didn't want to burden other people with these visions; it was enough for me alone.
"Sam, you shouldn't ask, it's not our place or our business!" He said disapprovingly, making Sam look hurt and discomfited and I knew that had been a slip of the tongue.
"It doesn't matter," I said quickly, "but I do doubt that I shall get to sleep easily again." I sighed, knowing I was right. All I felt now was a sense of longing, I could feel Emma's feelings for Lily and I hated this part. I loathed feeling what wasn't my own; loving a child I would never see or know.
"I don't like this place one bit, but I am too tired.." Said Sam, as he fell back to sleep. Once I was sure he was gone, I spoke again to Frodo.
"How are you?" I asked him nervously.
"I'm as well as can be expected, but that thing in the lake was horrible, I never want to see anything like that again." He directly at me, "Thank you for trying to help, I do count myself lucky, even if the circumstances aren't." I ignored this thank you, and tried again; this matter was too pressing.
"No, Frodo, how are you?" I said, more meaningfully. He understood and lowered his voice, turning to face me and coming so close our noses almost touched.
Even at this close distance it was a struggle to hear him, but I could see his face grow grave and darken, his eyes suddenly heavy.
"It's beginning to weigh on my mind; I can feel the power growing. Gandalf said I should be careful, of evil from within the Fellowship, but I am not sure what he meant."
I looked past Frodo at Boromir who was muttering in his sleep and turning in his blankets. I knew what Gandalf meant, but I didn't want to believe that Boromir was a danger. Boromir may have not been perfect, but I thought that he would be able to resist the temptation, if ever it came his way again, like it had on Carahdras .
"I am not sure either Frodo, but I just think you have to depend on yourself a lot; I think that may have been what he meant."
"He said that too, but how will I know if I am right? Or who to trust? I trust everyone here, but if Gandalf said from within the Fellowship, whom can I confide in totally?"
Frodo looked worried and even a little suspicious of me now.
"I trust Boromir, he is proud and strong, and brave, but if Gandalf doesn't." He trailed off. I thought for a while and then stared down at the chain about Frodo's neck, suddenly compelled.
"Frodo, you know what you carry. That little piece of metal has the power to give a person all they want, to change lives, to make kingdoms, fulfil dreams, to do everything and more.."
xxX Thank you Xxxx