Disclaimer: see chapter one, please. Some of the following sentences are direct quotes from the book and movie, and I won't take any credit for them.
Chapter XI: MoriaWhen they returned to camp, lead by Tquel, Pippin was greeted by a mixture of scolding and hugs. Gandalf was the first to seize him by his neck and held him high over the ground asking him what in Mordors name he had been thinking. Both Sam and Frodo had something on their mind to share, it was only Merry that seemed happy to have him back.
Then before the others could scold him even more, Pippin crossed his arms and said that if they said anything more to him, he wouldn't tell them what had happened. Something the hobbits were all to eager to know.
When the Ranger and the elf prince appeared followed by Tquel and the nameless elfmaiden, nobody knew what to say or do. The dog quickly started to growl at Boromir when he approached them, and quickly the man took a step back.
Now they had an even bigger problem, and that was what they were going to do with the tenth companion on the fellowship. Legolas said sternly that he would follow her back to Rivendell but Gandalf said calmly.
"It is two days to Rivendell….and then two more back….we cannot afford to loose four days…and you are far to valuable to our company"
Aragon nodded "and no matter how good she is to take care of her self, or the dog for that matter, we can't send her back to Rivendell alone…and that leaves us with only one option" the ranger said calmly and Legolas sighed. He didn't want her with them it was far too dangerous.
"She can stay in Lothlòrien there she will be safe until we can get word to Elrond" Gandalf said. He remembered the conversation he had had with Lord Elrond. Both the Spirit Weaver and the Ring had to return to the fires of Mount Doom. But she had to go there willingly. Was that perhaps what she was doing now? He stole a look in her direction, but she was avoiding eye contact with all of them.
Legolas wanted to say something, but then changed his mind. Her going to Lothlòrien was perhaps better then for her to return Rivendell. He had not let go of her arm since he dragged her away from the wolves and first now he realized that he was actually touching her. He let go of her quickly as if she had burned him.
Gimli argued and said that it was hard enough to travel with one elf, if not two but he had little to say as Gandalf and Aragon said that she was traveling with them, and that was the end of it.
The wind was blowing huskily over them as they walked over the grass-covered field. They had been walking non-stop for days, and little had happened. The nameless one hadn't said a word when Aragon explained that she had to come with them. She had been silent ever since. Sometimes Aragorn caught her staring into the flames for hours, oblivious to the fact to Legolas was watching her every breath.
It was only Pippin who managed to keep his spirit up as he told, again, the tail of what had happened with the wolves each time adding another gruesome detail.
"Let us rest here for a while," Gandalf declared when they stopped by some large rocks in the middle of the field. They all sighed a heavy sigh of relief as they sat down for the most welcomed age. For a man of his age, Gandalf sure held a fast pace and stopped rarely to rest.
Sam and Frodo lit a small fire, ready to make them self some warm food while Pippin and Merry took out their swords, thinking it was time for another practice round. Aragon sighed deeply and sat down on a small rock, watching the two hobbits fight, and then he roamed around for his pipe.
"Here….I will help you practice" Boromir said and took out his sword and walked down to the hobbits. He attacked slowly and gave them some advise as they blocked all his blows.
"Move your feet, Merry" he instructed as Merry backed away as Boromir used more force on his attacks.
"Good…you are getting better….your turn Pippin….faster this time" he said as Merry grinned broadly of the praise he got. Aragon hid a smile as he watched the young hobbit block the blow from Boromir.
Suddenly Pippin yelped in pain as Boromir used so much strength on his sword, that Pippin's flew out of the air.
"I am sorry" Boromir said quickly and dropped his sword walking towards Pippin to aid him. Big mistake.
As soon as the foot was in his reach Pippin stamped on it, making Boromir yelp in pain. Before he had time to defend him self both Merry and Pippin jumped him, knocking him over.
"For Shire!" they cried bravely as they started to hit him with their small fists. Aragon chuckled.
Gimli rested heavily on his axe and watched as Gandalf lit his pipe and started to slowly puff, sending small rings of smoke around his head.
"If you ask me…which you probably don't!" he started thoughtfully and walked towards the gray wizard. "We are taking the wrong way around. We should go to my cousin, Balin in Moria, he would give us a royal welcome"
Gandalf furrowed his eyebrow and shook his head "I won't cross go into Moria " he said sternly and thought about the terrible darkness the dwarves had managed to produce, and the demon that had awakened in the flames of Khazad-dum.
Suddenly the nameless elf rose and jumped on one of the large rocks and stared towards the horizon. Legolas followed and gazed in the direction she was looking.
"What is it?" Aragon asked when he noticed that the elves were staring towards the sky, he had long ago learned to respect the sight and hearing of an elf, it had saved his life many times.
"Its just a wee cloud" Gimli sighed. Boromir rose and freed him self from the attacking hobbits and stared in the direction of the cloud.
"Moving" fast, he said as the cloud approached with a terrific speed. "Against he wind"
Suddenly Legolas cried out a warning, grabbed her hand and pulled her down under some large rocks. Quickly the others took cover under the rocks as the black birds swept down over their camp. Frodo held his breath as he heard the bird scream and claw at them. When they were sure that the road was clear the crawled back out and watched as the birds disappeared.
"Spies of Sauron…the road from here will be watched" Gandalf said thoughtfully, he then looked up to the snow covered mountain roaring over them. Everybody followed his gaze and knew that he was thinking.
"We must cross the Misty Mountains and the pass to Caradash"
They staggered through the snow each step felt like a mile as the snow reached above their ankles. Legolas walked next to her swearing to her self that he wasn't going to leave her out of her sight. She had wrapped her arms around her body and she was shivering in the cold snow as they marched on. But she spoke not and seemed to take no notice of the company she was walking with. He took of his cloak and handed it to her. She hesitated but then slowly took it out of his hands.
Legolas stared at her, and closed his eyes briefly, how he was going to keep his emotions hid he didn't know, but he had the feeling he wouldn't manage. She bent her head in a thank you motion and reached down and grabbed Tquel who was drowning in the snow.
Aragon walked last making sure that nobody was left behind. He trudged through the heavy snow and watched as the others struggled on their pace growing slower with each passing hour. Suddenly Frodo stumbled and he rolled down, not stopping until he reached Aragon's legs.
Quickly the ranger hosted him up to his feet and the hobbit reached for the ring that….was not longer around his neck. He stared at Boromir as he walked over and slowly picket the ring up and held it close to his eyes. The whole company stopped, and turned to watch Boromir as he stared at the ring.
"Boromir!" Aragon called, but he didn't listen.
"It is strange…." Boromir said slowly rolling the ring in his palm.. "That we should stride so much for so little" the ring glinted in the sun and seemed to whisper his name as he brought the ring closer to him-
She froze and felt the rhythmic drumming of her heartbeat start to pulsate through her body again. She turned around and saw the man called Boromir stare at the ring. Shivers ran up her spine and suddenly it seemed as if something from within her wanted to escape. She clutched her body and felt her knees buckle when-
"Boromir!" Aragon called again, stronger. Boromir snapped out of his trance and stared confused at Aragon and Frodo.
"Give Frodo the ring!" Aragon ordered and quickly Boromir handed the ring to Frodo.
"Here" he said slowly as not wanting to let go of it.
"You take it, I care not!" Then he rustled Frodos hair and continued to walk. Aragon relaxed a little and nudged Frodo in the shoulder, telling him to continue.
As they started the climb up the mountain, days later, the wind suddenly started to blow. The wind soon changed from a cold breeze to a vicious gale that twirled up the snow blinding them, and tugging at their clothes with its ruthless teeth.
Legolas walked first, since he had the keenest eyes and could see, even through the blizzard. He turned every second to see if the others were following, to see if she was still there. Gandalf walked right in his heels, behind him was she, carrying the dog against her chest, holding on to Bill, the faithful pony. Then followed Boromir carrying Merry and Sam, as they couldn't walk in the snow, after came Gimli and finally Aragon carrying Frodo and Pippin.
"We must go back" Cried Boromir as he shifted the weight of the hobbits in his arms.
"No!" cried Gandalf stubbornly and continued to stagger through the deep snow.
The wind twirled around them, as if to try and pull them off the mountain. Legolas closed his eyes briefly, and now he was certain he heard it, he thought it had been delusion.
"There is a foul voice in the wind," he yelled hoping the others heard him. "It is Saruman," cried Gandalf. They heard the mountain thunder and tons of heavy snow came crashing down over them.
"He is trying to bring down the mountain!" The mountain rumbled again and more snow fell down on them.
Legolas climbed his way up and gasped for air, and then he turned around and saw that all the others were buried in snow. "No" he cried desperately and started to dig frantically where she had been minutes ago. Then suddenly Bill's head surfaced and in the next moment he grabbed her cold and numb hand and dragged her to the surface. She took hold of his shoulder as he hosted her up, and for a brief second he allowed him self to wrap his arms around her.
The others had also made their way up and all were soaked in snow and blue on their lips shivering from cold. "If we cannot cross the mountain!" Gimli cried through the wind that seemed to roar even more.
"Let us go under it….let us head for the Mines of Moria!" Gandalf closed his eyes briefly and thought once more about the shadows that slept deep in the mines. Would the fellowship manage to walk through the dark hell without stirring the monster that waited in the deep? Was it worth the risk? He opened his eyes and saw the others staring at him waiting for him to make the decision.
"Let us head for the Gap of Rohan!" Boromir yelled through the snow.
"Rohan brings us to close to Isengard" Aragon replied.
"Let the Ring bearer decide" Gandalf said finally and looked at Frodo. Frodo sighed deeply and a looked at Sam, Pippin, Merry and the others shivering in the snow. If they continued across the snowy mountain, they would surly freeze to death or be buried under the snow.
"Let us go to Moria" he called and saw that there was other then the dwarf that took a deep grateful sigh.
Gimli walked next to the old wizard for he was so eager to come to Moria. Together they led the Company back towards the mountains. The only road to Moria lay next to the river, Sirannon that ran down some steep cliffs near where the doors had stood.
A darker place then Moria had Frodo never seen. As he gazed up on the large dark stonewall, he suddenly felt even smaller. Gimli was talking nonstop about the marvelous stonework and the only one who seemed really impressed with it was Sam.
Here and there a few dark trees sprouted but even the water seemed to be a bottomless pit. The others were also looking gloomy in this grayish place. He looked at the elf maid, but she was so pale she looked almost invisible, even Legolas had a haunted look on his face and he seemed nervous and anxious.
Gimli was the only one who seemed to be in a good mood, and over and over again he encouraged them with stories about his cousin and the feast they would get, once they entered the mountain. They had walked for hours since coming down the mountain and the day were slowly turning into night, not that you could tell the different in this gloomy place. They scrambled among dead trees and sleek stones, suddenly Gimli stopped and pointed.
"There are the walls of Moria" he said brightly and they all gazed on the long and steep dark wall that rose over them. They stopped and stared a long time at the stones, before Merry asked the question that were in many minds.
"How are we going to get in the mountain"
"There is a door here….somewhere" Gandalf said thoughtfully and stared at the door.
Aragon started to unpack Bill knowing the pony would not be able to follow them into the mines. Sam looked dead depressed and sighed deeply.
"The mines are no place for a pony…not even one as brave as Bill" Aragon said and Sam nodded mournfully and petted the ponys neck.
"But will he be able to find his way home…will he be alright?" Sam asked Aragon was about to answer, when she walked over to them. Gingerly she put a hand on Sam's shoulder, then she walked over to the pony. Bill pressed his head against her chest and his muzzle gently nipped at her cloak. She softly stroked the pony's fur and then whispered something into his ear…words that the pony carried with him in his heart.
They watched Gandalf as he tapped his staff her and there, soon Gimli joined hitting the wall with his axe. "Dwarfs door are not made to be seen when shut" Gimli explained as almost apologizing for the time it took to get inside.
"Why doesn't that surprise me," Legolas muttered dryly.
Sam and Frodo sat in silence, while Merry and Pippin were smoking. They were all too tired to speak and they all knew that it would be many hours until they would be able to rest.
"You think Gandalf will find a way to open the door Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked.
"I am sure he will" Frodo asked and offered a smile. Sam lowered his voice
"Why do you think Gandalf insisted on taking her with us?"
Frodo looking her direction, she was sitting a little away from all the others, the dog resting in her arms and her hair hiding her face.
"I mean…he is a wizard isn't he…. could he not have sent some sort of message to Lord Elrond?" Sam mused.
"Maybe……but…do you remember what happened after the Watchtower?"
Sam nodded eagerly.
"I think….there is something special about her….she is not like the other elves. Have you never had the feeling when she looks at you?"
Sam hesitated. "What feeling Mr. Frodo"
"That she is the only one truly alive….and yet at the same time, she does not belong in this world…." He trailed off.
Legolas dared to inch closer to her until he was standing next to her. He did not know if she had noticed his presences or if she was just ignoring him. He wanted so desperately to touch her, to speak to her, to hear her voice. He swallowed deeply and searched for the right words to pronounce, but he did not know what to say to his reincarnated lover.
Suddenly the moon appeared from behind a cloud and fell upon the wall, and slowly markings appeared on the wall. They all rose and walked over to Gandalf who was studying the writing.
"The words are in the elven-tounge of the West of Middle-earth in the Elder days" Gandalf read the writings slowly.
"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs"
Gandalf nodded slowly and Pippin felt the urge to applaud, but didn't.
"What does it mean, by speak friend and enter" Frodo asked.
"That is easy" said Gandalf. " If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open"
"Do you know the word, Gandalf" asked Legolas and the wizard shook his head. The others looked dismayed; only Aragon who Gandalf well, remained silent. Gandalf walked closer to the door and placed his staff on it and said.
"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!"
Nothing happened and Gandalf scratched his forehead, the sat down, knowing that this would take some time.
He tried the words in different orders, he tried other spells. But nothing happened. He then tried to change the tone of his voice, spoke softly and low, and then loud and booming. But there was no result. Gimli sat down and started to smoke his pipe, while Pippin began to aimlessly throw rocks in the water.
She grew nervous the longer it took, but now she felt like she was trapped between two strengths of equal darkness, the one outside and the ones inside the mine.
She watched as Aragon grabbed Pippins hand before he could toss another stone and scolded him, warning him to disturb the water. Small ripples appeared on the surface and the water started to lap at the shores and soon they could hear a faint hissing, the others had also noticed and reached for their weapons. Quickly she walked over to where Gandalf was muttering, placed her hand on the door and whispered barley audible.
"Mellon"
The doors slid open and Gandalf jumped to his feet. " Of course, of course…. how simple…of stupid of me…it is very easy, like it is when you see the answer to a riddles" He walked inside and the others followed quickly trying to escape the thing that was rising in the water.
"This my friends is the hall of my cousin Balin…soon you will experience the feast of the dwarves, songs, malt bear and red meat fresh of the bones. Imagine they call this a mine," Gimli cried happily. "A mine!"
"Let me shed some light" Gandalf muttered soon gasps spread around the group. Rotten skeletons of dwarf warriors was all that greeted them.
"This is not a mine," Boromir whispered, fear written clearly over his face. "This is a tomb." Gimli cried out in rage and Legolas hurried over to the nearest victim and dragged an arrow out of its scull.
"Orcs" he cried. "Quickly everybody out!" They started to run towards the exit while Boromir yelled. "We should have gone for the gap of Rohan!"
She leaned against the wall as she saw the ghosts rise from the dead bodies spread across the floor. The whispering was replaced with the screams of death that had echoed through this corridor. The visions of the battles flickered before her eyes and her vision grew black and red. The voice appeared and started rasp in her head. Her chest became heavy and she struggled to breath.
In the corner of her eye she noticed that the others were yelling and running and somebody grabbed her arm. She allowed her self to be dragged away, stumbling in the rocks and tearing her shoes to shreds.
Frodo felt something wrap around his foot, and in the next second he was dragged outside. He screamed in pain and Sam hurried over and hacked the tentacle with his sword while he cried for help. Suddenly twenty arms reached out and pulled Frodo towards the water.
"Strider!" Legolas hurried outside and quickly started to fire his arrows at the tentacles that lifted Frodo up. Aragorn and Boromir hacked their way thought he maze of arms, hearing the creature yell in pain, but then it leaped out of the water and Frodo cried out as it saw the razor sharp teeth's greet him.
Legolas aimed, and then fired a single arrow it hit the arm holding Frodo and the creature dropped him and he landed in Aragorn's arms and the ranger carried him quickly towards the shore.
"Legolas" he yelled, the elf continued to fire his bow hitting the monster between the eyes. It roared in pain, and then came crawling out of the water towards them. The elf prince jumped inside and just managed to escape the mass of boulders that stumbled over them as the monster crashed into the wall.
When the silence finally fell over them, Gandalf lit the light again and held it over the Company and then he stared at the blocked exit.
"We know only have one choice" he said and pointed to the steep stairs disappearing in the darkness. "It's a four day journey to the other side…let us hope or presence will go unnoticed"
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Please Reviw.