A/N
I know I said that I won't write anymore but since I had already written this chapter, there was no use just keeping it. Read if you're interested
Chapter 5
The pass of Caradhras and the mines of Moria
Everything from Adrianne's POV
We journeyed on the same way for many more days. But of course I knew what was to come.
"We must hold this course west to the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east towards Mordor." Gandalf said as we stopped for rest. He took out his pipe, as did Gimli
"I'd say we were taking the long way around." Said Gimli "Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin would give us a royal welcome."
"No, Gimli I would not take the road to Moria unless I had no other choice" Said Gandalf
I sighed and sat down and thanked Sam as he gave me a plateful of food. I turned my attention to Merry and Pippin. Boromir was helping them learn how to use the sword. "Move your feet" Aragorn called to them. I spent my time by observing everyone.
Legolas climbed up boulder after boulder and gazed into the distance.
Sam spotted something dark in the sky that was moving fast. He looked puzzled "What is that?" He asked
"It's just a wisp of cloud" replied Gimli, quickly putting the thought on the back burner. "It's moving fast" observed Boromir. That's when I remembered it.
"Cerebain from Dunland (sp?)" Both Legolas and I called together "Hide!" Aragorn shouted and everyone ran towards to boulders and bushes. Sam put out the fire. "Hurry!" I called as I pulled Frodo and Sam behind some rocks.
"Spies of Saruman." Said Gandalf after the Cerebain passed "Our passage to the south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras"
I looked up at Caradhras. Its proud snow covered peak gleamed in the sunlight.
For a very long time we climbed the snow covered slopes of the mountain. As I had remembered, Frodo slipped and fell. He rolled back a little. Much to my relief, Aragorn helped him up. Frodo searched around his neck for the chain that held the ring. Not finding it there, he looked up to where he had fallen. Boromir picked it up
"Boromir...." I said, "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for so small a thing. Such a little thing" Boromir said as he directly reached out to touch the ring "Boromir!" I called once again. "Give the ring to Frodo" Aragorn commanded. Boromir went forward and dangled the ring in front of Frodo's eyes. Frodo snatched it. "As you wish. I care not," said Boromir and he moved on. Aragorn removed his hand from the hilt of his sword. I put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder "Calm down Estel...for now. But henceforth let us be alert. Boromir is quite taken by the ring." I said. Aragorn nodded and Frodo looked up at me. I smiled at him and so we moved on.
The Pass became narrower and steeper. I could see that the hobbits were having some trouble. Legolas and I walked lightly and swiftly on top of the snow. I tried to help the hobbits as much as I could. Sometimes, it's nice to be an elf. I heard a sort of chanting...it was eerie and it sent shivers down my spine "There is a fell voice on the air" Said Legolas "It is Saruman!" Gandalf exclaimed and some large boulders crashed down. Legolas pulled me to a side. "He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn called. Everyone looked cold and tired. Everyone. Well except, us elves (ah the advantages!) "No!" Gandalf said desperately.
Saruman's chanting did not cease. It only grew more powerful and at that moment there was a flash of lightening and more snow came down from the mountain. The entire fellowship was now buried in snow. Legolas got up first and I next. I pulled Merry out of the snow.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!" Boromir suggested
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard" Argued Aragorn "If we cannot go over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of moria." Gimli suggested
"Let the ring bearer decide" Said Gandalf. Everyone looked towards Frodo. Especially the hobbits. "We cannot stay here. This will be the death of the Hobbits" Boromir shouted
"We will go through the mines," Frodo said at last
"So be it"
Moria. I shivered at thought of being anywhere near it. I felt a hand on my shoulder "Do not worry Lirimaer (Lovely one) I will not let any harm come to you. Estelio nin (trust me)" Legolas said. I moved away. Yes, things still hadn't changed between us. He was still kind to me and I was still avoiding him as far as possible.
We all walked in silence until we were much further down Caradhras. The Walls of Moria were close, I knew it. "Frodo, come and help an old man." Gandalf said and Frodo went forward to him. I heard their conversation
"How's your shoulder" Gandalf asked
"Better than it was" came Frodo's swift reply
"And the ring? You feel its power growing, don't you?" Frodo looked up at Gandalf
"I've felt it too. You must be careful now. Evil will be drawn to you from outside the fellowship and I fear from within" Gandalf said
"Who then must I trust?" Asked the young Hobbit
"You must trust yourself. Trust your own strengths" Was Gandalf's answer
"What do you mean?" asked Frodo
"There are many powers in this world for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am and against some I have not yet been tested" Gandalf explained. I knew what Gandalf's mind was burdened with. Nobody else would understand...yet.
" The walls...of Moria" Said Gimli. Everyone was awestruck by the magnificent walls.
"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed" Gimli said after a while
"Yes Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten" Said Gandalf
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas questioned himself. I sighed. I knew that was coming and I was angered by it.
"That's enough Legolas! Why can't you two just try and get along. Apologize to Gimli. Now!" I said
"But-" I waved off his protests "Lets just do this and get over with it. Oh for my sake! Just apologize. Will you?" Legolas went forward to Gimli and said, "I ask for your forgiveness, Master Dwarf."
"Gimli? You have not been on your best behavior either," I hinted.
" I apologize Master elf" Said Gimli. "Thank you," I said to Gimli with a smile "Le Hannon...mellon nin" I said to Legolas and with that I turned away
"Well lets see" Said Gandalf as he lightly touched the walls with his palm "Ithildin...It mirrors only starlight and moonlight"
The great doors were revealed. I pulled Pippin aside to talk to him. "Pip, will you promise me something?" I asked, "Yes, miss Adrianne" he replied
"Alright then. Promise me that you will be extra careful inside the mines, that you will let your curiosity take over you." I said. Pippin nodded. Just great. Now I scared a poor hobbit! I got back to Gandalf and the others
"It reads 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend and enter'" Gandalf read aloud pointing out each word with his staff
"What do you suppose that means?" Asked Pippin
"Oh, its quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open." answered Gandalf
"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" Gandalf said in a commanding voice. Nothing happened. Gandalf tried again by saying "Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!" yet nothing happened. I stepped forward at that moment. I looked up at the marvelous doors and softly said "Mellon" Everyone was staring at me as the doors opened slowly.
"It was a riddle. It says 'speak friend and enter' the Elvish word for friend is 'Mellon' and that happens to be the password." I explained. Gandalf smiled at me. "Well done Illswen, daughter of Elrond" he whispered to me, not letting anyone else hear.
I purposely stayed towards the back of the group as we entered the mines. Gimli spoke first as we entered "Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beers, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin and they call it a mine. A mine!" Gandalf had risked a little bit of light in the dark place
"This is no mine. It's a tomb." Boromir stated as he looked around. There were decayed bodies of Dwarf soldiers scattered around everywhere. As if there had been a battle at the very place. "No! No!" Gimli shouted. Legolas picked out an arrow from a body and examined it. "Goblins!" he said
"Stay Alert!" I shouted from the back as we all drew our swords.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." Boromir said again. I wished we could do that
"Now get out of here. Get out!"
At that moment I heard Frodo's gasp. Something had caught his leg and he was being dragged back…fast! "Frodo! Estel, help us!" I yelled as I rushed out. "Get this thing off him!!!" Pippin yelled.
"Strider!" Sam called
Aragorn and I were busy cutting off the tentacles and trying to free the hobbits. Legolas tried to slay the creature with his arrows. More of its tentacles came out and its head was now visible. With our effort, the hobbits were soon freed. "Into the mines!" Gandalf commanded and we all rushed in. The Creature tried to follow us through the doors. Its tentacles caused the doors to collapse. Now we had no other choice.
"We have now but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in deep places of the world" Gandalf warned and we moved on. I knew what he meant. We were now climbing steps.
"Quietly now it's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed." That we could only hope. Gandalf's fall drew near with each passing moment. In my heart I knew I wouldn't be able bear it.
Soon we had stopped for a rest. Frodo was talking to Gandalf. I felt a tug on my tunic. I turned back to see Pippin standing there. "Miss Adrianne, Could you sing another one of your songs for us?" He asked. How could anyone be so sweet and innocent? "All right Pippin" I said and ruffled his hair. Once again I started to drift into my own world as I sang:
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver-glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
Until the world of night
Through shadows' falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver-glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
I opened my eyes to find that three of the hobbits were sleeping peacefully and Legolas was standing next to me. I looked down to avoid his gaze. "You have a beautiful voice," He said, lifting up my chin. "Thank you…"I said softly. Our eyes met and he held me in his gaze. His eyes were as blue as the sea after a storm. I only saw kindness and love in his eyes. We were only inches apart…
I cannot describe what I saw in Legolas' eyes at that moment. All I can say is that this was the first time that I knew his true feelings. At that moment I knew that he truly loved me. The other thing I realized was that I truly loved him back. I looked down at this sudden realization. He lifted up my chin and our eyes met again.
"Would it be proper to seek a kiss?" he asked softly. I could not reply…he didn't wait for my reply. His soft hands cupped my face as he drew me closer. He kissed me softly at first, slowly deepening the kiss. I practically melted in his arms. It just felt right. Yet, why was I letting him do this? But I couldn't love him, could I? I broke the kiss. "No" I breathed and I walked away from him…
THE END…not the end of my story but the END of my writing. I bet everyone knows why. Seriously, the true LotR fans will be delighted when they get know that I've stopped writing. Not to forget, this story was my personal 'experiment' I don't need to write it anymore. If you're wondering about 'The Wish', I am NOT updating that. I couldn't choose between this and that. I didn't know which one would be worse. This is so NOT my style of writing! I bid you all a very fond farewell
-Ilenya