DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lord of the Rings. I do own Gwen, and she was free, I'll have you know!
The walk down the mountains went smoothly. Gwen remained near the back with Sam. Bill the pony was still a bit irritated. They began walking along this dark, frigid — looking lake. Gwen didn't like it at all.
" The walls of Moria," said Gimli, breaking the oppressive silence that hung over them. Gwen jumped about four feet when Frodo slipped and splashed the water with his foot. She reached out and grabbed his arm.
" I don't think a swim in that would be very pleasant," she whispered in his ear. To prevent it from happening again, she fell in line next to him. The Fellowship ended up on a ledge next to the mountain. Soon they reached the Doors of Durin. At first, Gwen could see nothing, but as the moon shone on the wall, the doors could be clearly seen.
" Now all we have to do is say the password, and the doors will open," said Gandalf. He placed his staff on the door and said some things in Elvish. The doors didn't move. He tried a few more phrases, yet the door didn't budge.
" It's not working!" said Pippin.
" Maybe it would work better if I bashed your head against them, Master Peregrin!" yelled Gandalf. Gwen elbowed Pippin. He and Merry wandered to the edge of the pool. Gwen's sensitive elf ears picked up the howls of wolves. She stood upon a boulder to hear them better. Then she walked over to Aragorn.
" Aragorn, I hear wolves, and they are not very far away!" she said, her voice edged with fear. She had dealt with wolves before. They were not as fun as Orcs, being slightly smarter.
" I know, Legolas heard them a moment ago. Don't panic, Gandalf will get us in soon," he replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. She seated herself on a rock next to him. A splash in the water nearly sent her toppling of the rock in fright. Merry and Pippin had begun chucking stones into the lake. Before she could move to stop them, Aragorn leaped up.
" Do not disturb the waters!" he said as he caught Pippin's arm. Legolas crept up behind Gwen.
" A bit jumpy now, are we?" he said, an amused smile on his face as she started. She scowled up at him.
" That isn't very nice!" she muttered at him. " Can you still hear them?"
" I heard one lone howl a moment ago, but nothing since," he replied.
" I saw one of them. They are getting closer. Gandalf had better start thinking fast," she said in alarm. Legolas remained standing behind her. She looked over at Aragorn, who was helping Sam unload Bill. We won't be able to take him into the Mines, she thought sadly. She watched as Bill walked off. He will find his way back to Rivendell safely, she thought, trying to make herself feel better. Frodo jumped up and stood in front of the doors.
" It's a riddle. Speak friend, and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?"
" Mellon," answered Gandalf. The doors began swinging outward. Gwen jumped up and patted Frodo on the shoulder. She did not hear the pool behind them rippling. The entire Fellowship entered Moria.
" Soon Master elf, you will experience the fabled hospitality of the dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone!" Gwen looked back at Gimli, who was telling Legolas about Moria. She smiled and laughed lightly.
" This is no Mine, it's a tomb!" said Boromir. Gwen's head jerked around to behold a sight that made her blood run cold. There were dead dwarves everywhere.
" No, no, NOOO!" yelled Gimli.
" Legolas pulled an arrow from one of the carcasses. " Goblins!" he said, pulling out his bow and placing an arrow on it. Gwen pulled out her sword.
" Out, everybody out!" shouted Aragorn as he began herding the hobbits towards the door. Gwen turned around in time to see Frodo jerked off his feet!
She ran towards him, shouting, " FRODO!" A slimy tentacle was wrapped around his ankle and a large, octopus — like creature was pulling him into the water. Gwen heard Sam yelling for Aragorn. Without a second thought, she flung herself into the water and began hacking at the creature, screaming, " Let him go, you slimy, disgusting creature!!" Aragorn and Boromir jumped in next to her, and together the succeeded in rescuing Frodo.
" Into the mines!" shouted Gandalf. They ran into the mines as the vile creature began pulling itself in after them. Rocks began falling everywhere, trapping them in darkness. Gwen was knocked off her feet as she tried to dodge a large boulder. She curled up into a ball to protect her head. The crashing of the rocks ceased. Strong arms hauled her upright. She looked up at Aragorn.
" Oops, took a bit of a tumble there, didn't I?" she said, grinning at him.
" You could say that," he answered. Gandalf had by now lit the end of his staff.
" We now have only one choice. We must go through the Mines. Keep close! It is a for day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."