***Flight into the shadows***
Gandalf stood forward, taking out both his sword and staff shouting into the gloom: "Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skin!"
Every One had now drawn a weapon or two in case the wolves decided they would fight. In the shadows, Demi could spot one form moving silently towards them, ready to pick off the one closest to it, which happened to be her. She took her sword ready, even though Aragorn had taught her little but the basics. It would be enough. It would have to be enough. She didn't know any spell off by heart to kill a wolf, unless…
She put her hands together and muttered "Koron en' naur!" so that even under the growls, Legolas picked up on what she was doing. He smirked. He saw a flickering light between her palms. She had created a fireball.
'The wolves of Sauron shall have no chance if Vaira unleashes her power.' He thought, readying an arrow.
One of the wolves jumped from the darkness and Legolas let his bow sing. There was a loud and wretched yelp, then a thud as the large wolf fell to the ground in a dead heap. Then it seemed to Demi as though all the eyes from their attackers in between the trees were extinguished. The wolves had left, but for how long?
***
It had been safe for a while. Most had settled back into sleep, whilst Legolas, Aragorn and Demi stayed up. They did not feel as though this was the time to sleep. They waited silently around the campfire. Without any warning, a fresh wave of howls broke the silence. The wolves were back. They were surrounding the camp once more, while the fellowship that slept were newly risen.
"Put more fuel on the fire! Draw your weapons! We must smote these fell creatures before the night grows any older." Gandalf shouted.
All did as they were told. The flames in the fire now roared with a new fury and strength. Dark shadows swarmed around them, ready for attack. Demi once more conjured up her fireball; ready to thrust it at any beast up dared to come within 3 metres of her. The wolves began to attack the fellowship and Aragorn sliced the neck of a wolf, most possibly the head of the pack. It fell to the ground and Aragorn's sword was covered in thick red wolf blood. Yet more wolves followed in the assault. A large black and grey one approached Demi, she held out the fireball as a warning, when the wolf took no heed, she unleashed it. The wolf bolted and the fireball followed, eventually catching up and setting the beasts tail on fire, quickly spreading over the whole body. The wolf collapsed finally, a smoking dead heap. The smell emitting from the animal was enough to knock you out. Still another wolf ran at Demi. This time she felt if they couldn't learn by fire, let crash hard!
"Ram en' ondo!" she yelled and a large stonewall appeared between the wolf and Demi. The wolf was going so fast; it could not stop and ran smack bang into the wall, hitting it with an ear splitting thump. It was knocked out at least so Demi slit its throat with her dagger. She looked at her dagger and nearly threw up. She was not a big fan of blood. By this time, the wear of the spells were having a big impact on Demi. Her head started to spin rapidly. She grabbed onto a near by tree branch. She staggered around a bit and felt a hot breath by her left ear. She swung around and saw Bill by her. Demi breathed a sigh of relief, and then passed out.
***
When morning came, the wolves were long gone. The bodies of the dead foes littered the ground and many of Legolas' arrows were found in them.
"It is as I feared. These were no ordinary hunting wolves, and now Vaira is out cold. She should not have used so much of her magic when she is not ready." Said Gandalf leaning over Demi's form. She looked to the eye as she was in a deep, peaceful sleep. But everyone knew that was not so. Gandalf chanted many spells and finally, Demi had come around, but she was very weak. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the fellowship, all in good order, standing around her.
"Are they gone?" she asked, her voice faint and distance.
"Yes my dear, they are gone, now please, save your strength. Aragorn, please load Vaira onto Bill." Gandalf replied, and then turned to Aragorn to give his instruction. Demi felt herself lifted from the ground and placed of Bill's back, along with their entire luggage. The weather was now almost sweet, with clear light flooding their path. They had to reach the doors of Durin by sunset.
South eastwards there was a great mountainside where they fell like a cliff. Gandalf pointed to them and said that the door was located somewhere down there. Boromir walked next to Demi as Bill was led on by Aragorn.
"I do not know which to hope," he said grimly: "that Gandalf will find what he seeks or that coming to he cliff we find the gates lost forever."
"Trust that he finds them, though the path is dangerous, it is for the best." Demi said, looking towards the mountains.
"You have seen our path?" Boromir asked.
"That is not my gift, but in a sense, yes I have." She replied.
"Will you not tell me more of it?" the warrior asked.
"No, I cannot, for it may shape the future for us all, the fact that Rhia and I accompany you may change enough, I dare not meddle with time." Boromir then let Demi be about the subject. He knew she would not reveal any more. She was
a/ too stubborn and
b/she stood by her word.
Gimli ran ahead of the pony to Gandalf. He had been eager to enter the mines ever since word was spoken of it. The morning quickly became noon when the company found themselves where the Gate-stream or Sirannon used to run, but now it was bare. Gandalf could not guess where or why the water from the stream was gone. They pressed on ahead, though tired. They stopped for a very short while and ate, then continued on finding themselves adjacent to Stair falls.
"Things have indeed changed since I was last here, but this is the place." Gandalf said, walking on, Gimli springing down beside him. Demi got off Bill, not wanting to make the stairs harder than they could be for the beast and walked on her own two wobbly feet. Boromir helped her down the stairs with a laughing Aragorn behind.
"What?" demanded Demi.
"Nothing, its nothing at all Vaira…"Aragorn replied trailing off. He was not used to her stumbling around like that. Normally she was sure-footed and strong, but this was quite a sight to behold.
Rhia had a hard time containing a laugh when she could hold it no longer. She roared with laughter and Aragorn covered her mouth with his hand.
"Enough cousin, enough!" he laughed light-heartedly.
When Rhia had calmed down, the fellowship continued on. The hours grew on until it came time for the stars to shine in the sky. They found that the stream had indeed become a dam, the sunlight shinning on it between the trees. To get to the doors they had to edge around the dam, but there was barely enough room, so they had to walk in it's murky waters a bit in single file. The stones in the dam were slippery and probably covered in moss, thought Demi as she made her way over. She was very glad indeed when her feet were on the dry stones. The fellowship lingered where they were for a little while as Gandalf searched the walls for the doors. Legolas and Gimli aided him, Legolas by pressing his ear to the stone, whilst Gimli tapped on it. It was then decided by Gandalf that they must turn Bill aside. He could not walk through the mines with a stealth heart or not. Sam and the girls took off their luggage whilst Aragorn sorted through it, leaving behind anything they no longer needed.
Sam then led his pony friend to drier ground, said a farewell and came back. Merry began to grow impatient.
"Well, we are here and ready but where are the doors, you have long searched for them and I do not wish to stay outside much longer."
"Dwarven doors are made so that when shut, they cannot be seen or found by any except their masters, even at times they cannot find them!" Gimli said.
"But this is a secret not just for the dwarves Gimli. Now would you please be patient and quiet so that I may find them." Gandalf whispered to the dwarf and hobbit, which alone were making noise.
Gandalf ran his hands over the wall, muttering words that could not be heard.
"Can you see anything now?" he asked them.
With the moon shining upon the wall, faint lines appeared, making out slowly the shape of a large door. "Only by moonlight can the doors be seen if searched for." The wizard said, a smile of delight and triumph on his face. An arc of Elvish characters began to appear on the door, two trees could be made out on either side of the door, a crown high under the elvish characters, a hammer and anvil below that and below that a star with 16 points.
"It reads: 'the doors of Durin lord of Moria, speak friend and enter.' And below that: 'I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs.'" Gandalf read from the door.
"Well, with that being plain enough, Gandalf, say the password and we shall enter!" Gimli said.
"I would my dwarven friend, if I knew that password. But do not fret, I will discover the word!" Gandalf said, pressing his staff to the 16-point star and saying aloud many elvan words.
Annon edhellen, adro hi amen!
When that didn't work he pondered for a moment and did the same with his staff saying:
Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!
But to no avail. He repeated this words and similar over and over and In different order. He then commanded the door to open in many languages. Still nothing worked. Demi knew this part, as did Rhia. The two discussed this a moment and finally Rhia said.
"Um, Gandalf, it says if you speak the password. It is obviously a riddle, so just say the elvan word for friend: Mellon!" she said and the doors slowly opened before them.
"So right you are Aure! Ai, I one who was studied lore and many other things in my time could not come up with such a simple answer. Well, come now, let us enter." The wizard said, striding into the dark door way. Demi followed instantly, then heard Frodo scream. She panicked and knew it was the watcher, but she did not have the strength to cast a spell. She would have to use her sword. She followed her friends to the edge of the dam and started hacking at the tentacles of the beast. Aragorn and Boromir were in the deeps of the water, hacking at the tentacles trying to get Frodo free. With one good crop, Aragorn sliced the arm that held the frightened hobbit and Boromir caught him, running back to shore with Aragorn hot on his heels. Legolas let an arrow fly from his bow and it hit the watcher in the eye. It screamed in fury as the fellowship bolted into the mines. The watcher sent its arms flailing after them, but instead demolished the door the fellowship had run through. They had no other option but to follow the mines through out to the other side. Demi feared this most of all, knowing that at the bridge, they would loose Gandalf.
***
Author's Note: They made it to the mines! Yeah! I'm staying true to the book, as I feel that though I may cover some things that may seem useless, they may help make the story a little bit easier to understand, and I like them. :0)
Levanna: Ouch! Poor levanna. I hope your braces cause you no more pain or I'll kick them up da booty! Thank you. Yeah, I have to say I think I'm really starting to improve. The good thing is, I have already written 15 chapters (starting from the prologue), but the bad is I won't post them all just yet. Its just cause I have school starting in two weeks and I want part two up before then. Yes you heard right, I'm splitting the parts up like in the book so its not too much to handle and easier to follow that way.
The stern mystic: Well you have to admit, they aren't used to such climates. I would have to say I would absolutely not last up there even that long! I have never seen real so in real life other than on the tv and we don't get things that cold here. What can I say, I'm used to the heat. You don't have to apologise, I understand! No biggy. Thanks a bunch! I didn't think they were that good but hey! I'll try to keep the ball rolling (or snow ball in the fellowships case).Andreah: Sorry for not adding a reply to your review, I updated the next chapter then saw your review. Sorry again! Um, yeah with Rhia, I can't really explain now, but you'll understand soon enough when the later chapters come out, maybe more so in the next two parts.
