Disclaimer: Do I look like Tolkien to you?
Wow, I've neglected this for over three weeks. I apologize greatly to all my readers for the stupid delay! Especially since I have no excuse except boredom. But I'm back, and I hope this chapter makes up for it. It is kinda long anyway, longer than my usual chapters.
Anyway, thanks so much Daisy Princess (go read her stuff!), and Obelia medusa (read her stuff too!) and Dimostiel (can't forget her! Read her story too!), and lastly but not least, KnowInsight; thank you all for the lovely reviews! I like knowing I'm a Mary Sue that's worth reading. And indeed, even I know that's the truth. I'm glad you people like this, and thanks so much for your support. I know this is a story line used many times and rather typical, but I'm very happy that it's worth your eyes!
Now, read and enjoy this!
ELLI'S POV
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Stupid feet.ow."
I'd been walking since the dawn, with only an axe and a broken rope to keep me company. The orcs hadn't bothered to follow my little butt, so I had stopped running soon after I'd begun. But I had a problem.
Moria directions, anyone?
I didn't know if I was going east or south or even north. I just knew that Moria had been the other way the orcs had traveled. But the orcs had turned me around so much that I was hopeless. At least in daylight I knew nothing evil could get me. They stayed in the shadows, so I decided to stayed in the wide-open areas.
By watching the rising sun in the morning, I knew that Moria was probably somewhat north and then east of where I was now. So I walked the opposite way the sun was traveling. And at high noon, I came across mountains.
"Why, hello there," I said, looking up towards the mountains. "Now, do you pretty peaks have a pass so I can cross and get to the other side, or do I got to go the long way?"
Yes I was talking to inanimate objects. What's your point?
I stood there surveying the mountains, knowing full well that I'd come across the Misty Mountains. I also knew I'd never catch up to the Fellowship if I went all the way back to the Doors of Durin, so I decided to go to the other gate and meet them. It would take them four days, give or take. So that gave me the same amount to get to the gate and find them again. Hopefully.
So as I looked at the Mountains, I noticed a pass, and decided to give it a shot. The day was cold, still being in winter at all, but the sun was beating down on me. I started wondering how things were going with Caitlin and the rest of the group as I scaled up and over boulders. Caitlin was probably extremely mad at me, but knowing her, she had hope for my return. She was probably even lugging my pack and belongings into Moria for that reason. Silly elf she was.
I had made incredible distance by now, so I turned around to get a view of my scenery. Looking back I noticed that those orcs hadn't forgotten about me. They were trailing me! My mind went into a flurry, trying to think how I could possibly lose them when I was way up here and scaling boulders, of all things! I couldn't have been scaling grass, it had to be boulders!
I started scrambling up and over as quickly as my feet and my skills could carry me. Speed and agility were kindly on my side it seemed, as I made it behind boulder after boulder without being seen. I didn't know if they would fine me or not, I just knew I didn't want them too.
CAITLIN'S POV
Have I mentioned how much I hate walking?
Too add to my hatred of this, we wandered in the dark with only a limited number of glowing torches and Gandalf's magic staff. No one said much of anything, and I'd seriously lost track of the days. Gandalf has said it would be a four-day journey, which sounded mighty enjoyable if you ask me. Sarcasm had become my new best friend. And I missed Elli a bit, because I still had to carry all her junk.
We'd wandered through a number of tunnels, Gandalf leading and stopping and trying to remember which tunnel was the right one. I wandered behind the four hobbits, who walked behind Gandalf, which meant all the taller men (minus the dwarf) were behind me. I only kept walking because of Legolas' prodding.
"Got to keep walking, young one, or you'll fall behind and be lost to the dark of Moria. Wouldn't want that to happen."
"Stupid elf. Stop ruining my fun. I'll walk how I want," I mumbled. But of course his damn ears caught every bit of my mumbling.
"Ai, I see you no longer are enjoying yourself," Legolas said, speaking at a level in which only I could hear him. "Elli will be found. She's a strong little hobbit in a world she knows fairly well. Do not fill your heart with worry. There is hope for her."
I didn't turn around to look at him, but he did stop poking my back with his bow. I didn't let his words fully sink in; they kinda made sense without having to think about them.
"I'm hungry," Pippin said softly.
"Well, there's nuttin any of us can offer ye," Merry said right back. And that was the end of conversation for a while.
ELLI'S POV
Evening had fallen and I didn't sleep. When I looked around in the light of the sunrise I saw boulders and three little specks far off in the west. Now I was running as quick as my hobbit feet could carry me. The orcs had seen me. And boy were they mad.
"Get her! Don't let that runt get away again! The White Hand wants her!" came the faint yell of those creeps. I tried putting on more speed, but I'd been running and climbing all morning. A cramp had formed on my left side, and I thought it had fallen off because of the pain. There was no time to lose; I had to save me sorry butt.
"I can't keep running," I said out loud to myself. "But I'm too tired to go on. If I try and hide, I might miss the Fellowship at the Moria Gates. But if I keep going, I'll pass out and the orc creeps will have me for sure."
I turned around and realized I'd lost them again. For the time being at least. So I decided that since they couldn't see me, I had a chance at hiding somewhere. But where? Sure, there were boulders everywhere, but they'd see me behind one of those. I needed a cave, or a covering of shelter or something like that. And I was little enough to squeeze in tight spaces. I just hoped that once I got in I could get out.
"You can't keep running all day little one! We'll have you yet!" The orc's yell was louder than before. I scrambled around, scanning my eyes this way and that to try and find a spot to hide in.
Before I could think about it, I was running towards a black hole in the rock quarry, desperate to escape the eyes of my pursuers. In I ran, following the glow in front of me, clueless as to where I was going.
CAITLIN'S POV
"Where are we?" I whispered to Legolas.
"I couldn't tell you anything, for my knowledge of dwarf lodgings are limited. But we've stopped for the time being." I looked next to me where Legolas sat and he turned also. I arched my eyebrows as if to say 'now what?'. He could only shrug.
I was famished. I didn't care if I was an elf, and elves ate very little or what not. At least that's' what Elli told me, and I never saw Legolas eat. But I was as hungry as the little hobbits. But I wasn't really lonely anymore; talking to Legolas was actually worthwhile. I'd met more annoying people in my life, even if he still seemed overly feminine and somewhat prissy. We were both in the appearances of elves, and that made things a little easier.
I started to doze off during our wait, my mind bringing up images of Elli, and what might have happened to her. Was she lonely? Did she need help? Was she in trouble? Well, of course she was in trouble! Orcs ran off with her! My head hurt so much from worrying about her, but what else could I do? It's not like I could go trampling all over Middle-earth trying to find her!
I guess I really did fall asleep, because I opened my eyes to see Legolas coaxing me to stand and wake up. I did as he asked, my legs a little wobbly from my nap, but he kept an arm behind my back until they were steady. Then he wandered over to Aragorn to chitchat.
Before I knew it we were walking again. Once more there were long, endless tunnels that at one point went up and at the next curved downwards. I'd completely lost track of time and the days, so I didn't know how long we'd been in here.
I won't continue to bore you. Finally we made it to a tomb, where Gimli started grieving after finding out that his cousin Balin had died. Gandalf started reading an old book while the rest of us stood around or poked at things nearby us. I kept hearing clanks and stone being moved, but it was faint to hear. I finally looked at Legolas, who must have heard it too, for he had a questioning look on his face.
"What is it?" I asked him, not realizing that everyone else had looked up at me too.
"Noises of movements. I do not know from where though," he answered.
"Drums, from above. They know we are here," Gandalf said. "Quick! Take that pass and run. I will stay here and fight off whatever comes. Fly! Quickly!"
I stood motionless looking at him, trying to figure out if this was good or bad. But Aragorn and the others were waiting for me to follow. Boromir snatched me up, grabbing me around the waist and dragging me down the tunnel.
"Gandalf! It's a cave troll! And a whole bunch of orcs! Be careful, please!" I called out to him as Boromir and the others ordered me into darkness once more.
"A cave troll? How do you know that young one?" Legolas asked me. Aragorn also stopped to look at me in the soft glow of the torch he carried.
"Remember, I'm not from your world. I know what's going to happen as long as it doesn't change drastically."
ELLI'S POV
I hadn't the slightest idea where I was. I felt like I'd wandered into a black hole. And indeed, I had. It's just this one didn't cause time travel or other dimensions. I already was in another dimension, who was I kidding!
So in I went, following the trail as it led down into the mountains. I didn't trust myself to talk out loud, afraid of echoes or creatures in here that would just love to eat me alive. So I said nothing. Which was fine with me. Except that I was really lonely.
I lost track of time. There was no sun, and when I'd last seen it, it had been noon. But I had no way of knowing that now. So I kept wandering aimlessly in the dark. It was hot in here, that much I knew. So I started hoping I was near the mines, or the bridge, or maybe, just maybe, I was close to the Fellowship. That's what kept me going.
I kept walking, and suddenly up ahead I noticed a big bright glow. It hurt my eyes at first, so I lifted my hand to shield myself. I walked slowly, wanting to run, but afraid of falling of a hidden ledge and breaking my neck. And I would have too. For when I realized where the glow was coming from, I came to a high ledge. The glow was way down below me, and I couldn't tell from where. I couldn't even figure out how to get down!
"Well," I whispered under my breath. "Now what?"
CAITLIN'S POV
We started running further into the tunnel when we heard Gandalf fighting. After awhile the noise quieted down, and the tunnel became a climb. A few times one of the hobbits in front of me would started sliding, so I'd grab one and hang his arms around me neck, using one hand to climb and the other to hold a hobbit. Now I was carrying Merry, who clutched my tunic tightly in fear of sliding back into the blackness behind us.
"I'm not being a burden, am I miss?" he asked me at one point. The question was whispered carefully into my ear.
"Of course not, little guy. Just don't let go of me and you'll be fine."
Sam was in front of me, and from time to time I'd feel the clank of his pans and cooking things. I didn't know where exactly we were going, but at one point I turned around to take a look at the men climbing behind me. The path was almost vertical, but it was still a great slope. Looking behind me, I noticed a faint touch of light.
"Gandalf?" I asked whispering, knowing that Legolas was behind me and he would hear my faint question. He must have looked, for his voice was away from me when he answered.
"Why, yes. It is Gandalf!"
"Yes, I am indeed here," he called back. The rest of us slowed for a moment, to let the tired old wizard catch up to us.
"Hey, hello back there!" Frodo called from up front. "Aragorn says that he sees a lot of light up ahead. He thinks we may have reached the bridge!"
Suddenly a great rumbling sounded throughout the tunnel, causing some stones to fall on our heads. I looked around at everyone, seeing fear etched in their faces in the faint glow of lit torches.
"What was that?" I asked, fearing the worst.
"I am afraid we have awoken a balrog. Oh, and I am so weary now."
(A/N: Well. Delayed indeed, but was it worth the wait, my faithful readers? Review please, and I promise the next one won't take as long!)
Wow, I've neglected this for over three weeks. I apologize greatly to all my readers for the stupid delay! Especially since I have no excuse except boredom. But I'm back, and I hope this chapter makes up for it. It is kinda long anyway, longer than my usual chapters.
Anyway, thanks so much Daisy Princess (go read her stuff!), and Obelia medusa (read her stuff too!) and Dimostiel (can't forget her! Read her story too!), and lastly but not least, KnowInsight; thank you all for the lovely reviews! I like knowing I'm a Mary Sue that's worth reading. And indeed, even I know that's the truth. I'm glad you people like this, and thanks so much for your support. I know this is a story line used many times and rather typical, but I'm very happy that it's worth your eyes!
Now, read and enjoy this!
ELLI'S POV
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Stupid feet.ow."
I'd been walking since the dawn, with only an axe and a broken rope to keep me company. The orcs hadn't bothered to follow my little butt, so I had stopped running soon after I'd begun. But I had a problem.
Moria directions, anyone?
I didn't know if I was going east or south or even north. I just knew that Moria had been the other way the orcs had traveled. But the orcs had turned me around so much that I was hopeless. At least in daylight I knew nothing evil could get me. They stayed in the shadows, so I decided to stayed in the wide-open areas.
By watching the rising sun in the morning, I knew that Moria was probably somewhat north and then east of where I was now. So I walked the opposite way the sun was traveling. And at high noon, I came across mountains.
"Why, hello there," I said, looking up towards the mountains. "Now, do you pretty peaks have a pass so I can cross and get to the other side, or do I got to go the long way?"
Yes I was talking to inanimate objects. What's your point?
I stood there surveying the mountains, knowing full well that I'd come across the Misty Mountains. I also knew I'd never catch up to the Fellowship if I went all the way back to the Doors of Durin, so I decided to go to the other gate and meet them. It would take them four days, give or take. So that gave me the same amount to get to the gate and find them again. Hopefully.
So as I looked at the Mountains, I noticed a pass, and decided to give it a shot. The day was cold, still being in winter at all, but the sun was beating down on me. I started wondering how things were going with Caitlin and the rest of the group as I scaled up and over boulders. Caitlin was probably extremely mad at me, but knowing her, she had hope for my return. She was probably even lugging my pack and belongings into Moria for that reason. Silly elf she was.
I had made incredible distance by now, so I turned around to get a view of my scenery. Looking back I noticed that those orcs hadn't forgotten about me. They were trailing me! My mind went into a flurry, trying to think how I could possibly lose them when I was way up here and scaling boulders, of all things! I couldn't have been scaling grass, it had to be boulders!
I started scrambling up and over as quickly as my feet and my skills could carry me. Speed and agility were kindly on my side it seemed, as I made it behind boulder after boulder without being seen. I didn't know if they would fine me or not, I just knew I didn't want them too.
CAITLIN'S POV
Have I mentioned how much I hate walking?
Too add to my hatred of this, we wandered in the dark with only a limited number of glowing torches and Gandalf's magic staff. No one said much of anything, and I'd seriously lost track of the days. Gandalf has said it would be a four-day journey, which sounded mighty enjoyable if you ask me. Sarcasm had become my new best friend. And I missed Elli a bit, because I still had to carry all her junk.
We'd wandered through a number of tunnels, Gandalf leading and stopping and trying to remember which tunnel was the right one. I wandered behind the four hobbits, who walked behind Gandalf, which meant all the taller men (minus the dwarf) were behind me. I only kept walking because of Legolas' prodding.
"Got to keep walking, young one, or you'll fall behind and be lost to the dark of Moria. Wouldn't want that to happen."
"Stupid elf. Stop ruining my fun. I'll walk how I want," I mumbled. But of course his damn ears caught every bit of my mumbling.
"Ai, I see you no longer are enjoying yourself," Legolas said, speaking at a level in which only I could hear him. "Elli will be found. She's a strong little hobbit in a world she knows fairly well. Do not fill your heart with worry. There is hope for her."
I didn't turn around to look at him, but he did stop poking my back with his bow. I didn't let his words fully sink in; they kinda made sense without having to think about them.
"I'm hungry," Pippin said softly.
"Well, there's nuttin any of us can offer ye," Merry said right back. And that was the end of conversation for a while.
ELLI'S POV
Evening had fallen and I didn't sleep. When I looked around in the light of the sunrise I saw boulders and three little specks far off in the west. Now I was running as quick as my hobbit feet could carry me. The orcs had seen me. And boy were they mad.
"Get her! Don't let that runt get away again! The White Hand wants her!" came the faint yell of those creeps. I tried putting on more speed, but I'd been running and climbing all morning. A cramp had formed on my left side, and I thought it had fallen off because of the pain. There was no time to lose; I had to save me sorry butt.
"I can't keep running," I said out loud to myself. "But I'm too tired to go on. If I try and hide, I might miss the Fellowship at the Moria Gates. But if I keep going, I'll pass out and the orc creeps will have me for sure."
I turned around and realized I'd lost them again. For the time being at least. So I decided that since they couldn't see me, I had a chance at hiding somewhere. But where? Sure, there were boulders everywhere, but they'd see me behind one of those. I needed a cave, or a covering of shelter or something like that. And I was little enough to squeeze in tight spaces. I just hoped that once I got in I could get out.
"You can't keep running all day little one! We'll have you yet!" The orc's yell was louder than before. I scrambled around, scanning my eyes this way and that to try and find a spot to hide in.
Before I could think about it, I was running towards a black hole in the rock quarry, desperate to escape the eyes of my pursuers. In I ran, following the glow in front of me, clueless as to where I was going.
CAITLIN'S POV
"Where are we?" I whispered to Legolas.
"I couldn't tell you anything, for my knowledge of dwarf lodgings are limited. But we've stopped for the time being." I looked next to me where Legolas sat and he turned also. I arched my eyebrows as if to say 'now what?'. He could only shrug.
I was famished. I didn't care if I was an elf, and elves ate very little or what not. At least that's' what Elli told me, and I never saw Legolas eat. But I was as hungry as the little hobbits. But I wasn't really lonely anymore; talking to Legolas was actually worthwhile. I'd met more annoying people in my life, even if he still seemed overly feminine and somewhat prissy. We were both in the appearances of elves, and that made things a little easier.
I started to doze off during our wait, my mind bringing up images of Elli, and what might have happened to her. Was she lonely? Did she need help? Was she in trouble? Well, of course she was in trouble! Orcs ran off with her! My head hurt so much from worrying about her, but what else could I do? It's not like I could go trampling all over Middle-earth trying to find her!
I guess I really did fall asleep, because I opened my eyes to see Legolas coaxing me to stand and wake up. I did as he asked, my legs a little wobbly from my nap, but he kept an arm behind my back until they were steady. Then he wandered over to Aragorn to chitchat.
Before I knew it we were walking again. Once more there were long, endless tunnels that at one point went up and at the next curved downwards. I'd completely lost track of time and the days, so I didn't know how long we'd been in here.
I won't continue to bore you. Finally we made it to a tomb, where Gimli started grieving after finding out that his cousin Balin had died. Gandalf started reading an old book while the rest of us stood around or poked at things nearby us. I kept hearing clanks and stone being moved, but it was faint to hear. I finally looked at Legolas, who must have heard it too, for he had a questioning look on his face.
"What is it?" I asked him, not realizing that everyone else had looked up at me too.
"Noises of movements. I do not know from where though," he answered.
"Drums, from above. They know we are here," Gandalf said. "Quick! Take that pass and run. I will stay here and fight off whatever comes. Fly! Quickly!"
I stood motionless looking at him, trying to figure out if this was good or bad. But Aragorn and the others were waiting for me to follow. Boromir snatched me up, grabbing me around the waist and dragging me down the tunnel.
"Gandalf! It's a cave troll! And a whole bunch of orcs! Be careful, please!" I called out to him as Boromir and the others ordered me into darkness once more.
"A cave troll? How do you know that young one?" Legolas asked me. Aragorn also stopped to look at me in the soft glow of the torch he carried.
"Remember, I'm not from your world. I know what's going to happen as long as it doesn't change drastically."
ELLI'S POV
I hadn't the slightest idea where I was. I felt like I'd wandered into a black hole. And indeed, I had. It's just this one didn't cause time travel or other dimensions. I already was in another dimension, who was I kidding!
So in I went, following the trail as it led down into the mountains. I didn't trust myself to talk out loud, afraid of echoes or creatures in here that would just love to eat me alive. So I said nothing. Which was fine with me. Except that I was really lonely.
I lost track of time. There was no sun, and when I'd last seen it, it had been noon. But I had no way of knowing that now. So I kept wandering aimlessly in the dark. It was hot in here, that much I knew. So I started hoping I was near the mines, or the bridge, or maybe, just maybe, I was close to the Fellowship. That's what kept me going.
I kept walking, and suddenly up ahead I noticed a big bright glow. It hurt my eyes at first, so I lifted my hand to shield myself. I walked slowly, wanting to run, but afraid of falling of a hidden ledge and breaking my neck. And I would have too. For when I realized where the glow was coming from, I came to a high ledge. The glow was way down below me, and I couldn't tell from where. I couldn't even figure out how to get down!
"Well," I whispered under my breath. "Now what?"
CAITLIN'S POV
We started running further into the tunnel when we heard Gandalf fighting. After awhile the noise quieted down, and the tunnel became a climb. A few times one of the hobbits in front of me would started sliding, so I'd grab one and hang his arms around me neck, using one hand to climb and the other to hold a hobbit. Now I was carrying Merry, who clutched my tunic tightly in fear of sliding back into the blackness behind us.
"I'm not being a burden, am I miss?" he asked me at one point. The question was whispered carefully into my ear.
"Of course not, little guy. Just don't let go of me and you'll be fine."
Sam was in front of me, and from time to time I'd feel the clank of his pans and cooking things. I didn't know where exactly we were going, but at one point I turned around to take a look at the men climbing behind me. The path was almost vertical, but it was still a great slope. Looking behind me, I noticed a faint touch of light.
"Gandalf?" I asked whispering, knowing that Legolas was behind me and he would hear my faint question. He must have looked, for his voice was away from me when he answered.
"Why, yes. It is Gandalf!"
"Yes, I am indeed here," he called back. The rest of us slowed for a moment, to let the tired old wizard catch up to us.
"Hey, hello back there!" Frodo called from up front. "Aragorn says that he sees a lot of light up ahead. He thinks we may have reached the bridge!"
Suddenly a great rumbling sounded throughout the tunnel, causing some stones to fall on our heads. I looked around at everyone, seeing fear etched in their faces in the faint glow of lit torches.
"What was that?" I asked, fearing the worst.
"I am afraid we have awoken a balrog. Oh, and I am so weary now."
(A/N: Well. Delayed indeed, but was it worth the wait, my faithful readers? Review please, and I promise the next one won't take as long!)