A/N: Do not and will not ever own LOTR. Thanks for the reviews, see the bottom for replies. I hope you guys are ready for Moria! Enjoy! - Naur
Determined Guardian
Chapter 4
Into Darkness
They walked much as they had this whole time, Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn in the front, Boromir and the other hobbits behind them and then Legolas. With he in the rear none could see how the pain from his side was affecting him. Gandalf and the others would be mad at him for hiding this injury but for now it would have to wait, just like his arm. He would not put the fellowship in jeopardy because of his stupid ribs or stupid arm.
()()()()()
It was late by the time they reached the West Gate of Moria and they were all tired but still they pressed on.
"Frodo, come and help an old man," Gandalf called. Frodo walked up and supported him under his arm. "How is your shoulder?"
"Better than it was," He answered.
"And the Ring? You feel its power growing, don't you? 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 told him quietly. They became quiet as someone passed by.
"Who then do I trust?" Frodo wondered.
"You must trust yourself. Trust your own strengths," Gandalf replied.
"What do you mean?" Frodo questioned.
"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 answered. They heard a gasp behind them and turned to look.
"The walls of Moria!" Gimli exclaimed. The walls themselves were impressive and they all took a moment to stare before moving on. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas smirked. Gimli looked back over his shoulder and 'huffed' but said nothing. The fellowship walked beside a lake, Legolas stopped and looked.
"I do not like the looks of that lake, water will usually cast a reflection…" He thought. There was a splash and he looked up to see Frodo backing up. Gandalf stopped in front of with his elf eyes he see were doors.
"Well, let's see. Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight," He said looking up to the sky. The clouds parted and the doors illuminated magically.
"It reads, "The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter," Gandalf read.
"What do you suppose that means?" Merry questioned.
"Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf replied.
"Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! Fennas Nogothrim lasto beth lammen!" He chanted.
"Nothing's happening," Pippin said to him and he had to smile. Gandalf grunted as he tried pushing against the door. Legolas retreated away from the others as they sat waiting and hoping that Gandalf could get the door open.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men, and Orcs," Gandalf sighed.
"What are you going to do, then?" Pippin asked.
"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions I will try to find the opening words," Gandalf replied.
"Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!" Gandalf chanted. All watched with hopeful eyes but that hope vanished as the doors stayed closed.
"The mines are no place for a pony, even one so brave as Bill," Aragorn told Sam.
"Bye-bye Bill," Sam said.
"Go on, Bill, go on. Don't worry Sam, he knows the way home," Aragorn replied putting a hand on his shoulder. Looking back over his shoulder in puzzlement, Gimli realized that one of them was missing.
"Where's Legolas?" Aragorn looked at Boromir.
"Wasn't he behind you just now?"
"Yes, he was," answered Boromir looking behind him. The elf had been right behind him a moment ago but now was nowhere in sight.
"I'm right here." Legolas suddenly appeared from the dark.
"Where have you been?" Gimli asked, feeling oddly relief to see him.
"Covering our tracks," Legolas replied. It was not a lie, but also not a complete truth either. What he didn't tell them was that he'd been tending to his broken ribs all by himself, wrapping a strip of cloth tightly around his sides. In the chill of the night, he was actually sweating and his face had gone a bit paler.
Merry threw a stone into the water causing a splash that distracted the rest of them. Pippin was about to as well but Aragorn caught his wrist.
"Do not disturb the water," He whispered.
"Oh it is useless!" Gandalf exclaimed throwing his staff down. Boromir and Aragorn's gaze was trained on the water. The water moved but none could do anything about it. Frodo stood looking at the door his eyes widening as he thought of something.
"It's a riddle. Speak "friend" and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" He questioned.
"Mellon," Legolas replied. The stone doors opened slowly. Everyone turned in surprise and then slowly they entered Moria.
Aragorn stared at Legolas as he walked by. He frowned when he noticed that something was definitely different about the elf tonight. But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he proceeded to follow Gandalf and the hobbits into the mine.
"Soon master Elf you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" Gimli boasted. They stopped after stepping over the threshold and looked around.
"This is no mine. It's a tomb!" Boromir exclaimed. The hobbits looked down and gasped at all the dead dwarves that lay on the ground.
"Oh! No! Nooo!!!" Gimli cried. Legolas picked up an arrow from the body of a fallen dwarf, he looked and it carefully and then threw it away in disgust.
"Goblins!" He exclaimed. Legolas stood straight again and notched a arrow onto his bow, Aragorn and Boromir drew their swords. Panic started to stir in the hearts of the hobbits causing them to back up towards the door. Since all their attention was focused on the inside of the cave none noticed that something was stirring in the water outside.
"Now get out of here! Get out!" Boromir yelled. Everyone started to head for the exit. Frodo was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled out of the cave.
"It's the Watcher!" Legolas cried.
"Frodo!" The hobbits all exclaimed.
"Strider!" Sam screamed.
"Help!" Frodo shouted. Sam ran over and cut one of the Watcher's tentacles off. The Watcher released Frodo for a second and moved back into the water but then even more tentacles came shooting out of the water. It smacked the other hobbits aside and grabbed Frodo again, he was once again pulled into the air.
"Aragorn!" Merry yelled. Legolas shot the tentacle holding Frodo. Boromir and Aragorn rushed into the water attacking the Watcher. It flung Frodo around in the air. Boromir sliced the tentacle holding Frodo, who fell, and Boromir caught him. Aragorn and Boromir retreated towards the cave.
"Into the Mines!" Gandalf yelled. Legolas continued shooting arrows to make sure that the other members of the fellowship escaped into the cave. Not all of his arrows were hitting their mark with the pain in his arm but still he continued.
"Legolas!" Boromir screamed.
"Into the cave! Run!" Aragorn cried. Legolas shot an arrow into the Watcher's eye. The beast pulled back and as the Fellowship raced into Moria, it reached out and slammed it's self into the gates. Rocks dropped and the roof of the passage collapsed.
()()()()()
The passage fell into total darkness. Legolas brushed by one of the hobbits as he made his way to be next to Gandalf.
"Weh! What was that!" Pippin exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Gandalf asked.
"Are you my conscience?" He whispered. Legolas had to try very hard to keep from laughing and saw that Gandalf was trying just as hard.
"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf said as a faint beam of light came from his staff. He turned to the rest of the Fellowship he now found Legolas behind him getting as close as he could to the light and then Frodo and the rest of the hobbits, Gimli and the men followed.
"We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world," Gandalf told them.
()()()()()
As they walked Gandalf ran his hand along the wall.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels…but mithril," He said. Gandalf shown the light from his staff down into the vast mine below. Everyone stares in wonder at it. Pippin holds Merry back from getting too close to the edge. "Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him."
"Oh, that was a kingly gift!" Gimli replied.
"Yes. I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire," Gandalf mused.
()()()()()
"I have no memory of this place," Gandalf whispered as they came upon three different portals. The Fellowship sat on rocks and the floor resting while Gandalf tried to decide which portal to enter.
"Are we lost?" Pippin asked quietly.
"No," Merry hissed.
"I think we are," Pippin replied.
"Shhh! Gandalf's thinking!" Sam hissed.
"Merry?" Pippin whispered.
"What?" Merry questioned.
"I'm hungry," Pippin answered.
"Where has that blasted elf gone to now?" Gimli wondered looking around but not seeing him. He walked off retracing their tracks back through the tunnels.
()()()()()
Legolas winced as he gingerly touched his injured side. Shooting those arrows at the Watcher had not helped his arm at all. He quickly rubbed some of Elrond's medicine onto the joint where his arm connected with his shoulder.
"Ai! It's not healing properly!"He grimaced when the pressure sent waves of agony all over him, making him nauseous that instant. "Elbereth, it hurts! What am I to do, now?"
Approaching footsteps alerted him suddenly. As quickly as he could, Legolas refastened the catches of his tunics and picked up his bow from the ground. He turned to face the stout person coming towards him. "Oh, Gimli. Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, elf. I just want to know how you're doing," said Gimli, eyeing Legolas up and down. "He is hiding something, but what?"
"Everything's fine, Gimli. So far, no one seems to be following us," Legolas replied. "Has Gandalf make his decision?"
"So, he's not going to tell me, is he?" Gimli frowned. "I asked about how you were doing, you stupid elf! Not about the stupid ringwraiths or whatever!"
"Gandalf was still thinking the last time I saw him," the dwarf answered. "It might take a while. Aren't you going to get some rest?"
"I am resting."
"No, you're not. You're keeping watch. Go and lie down with the rest of them. I'll take over."
"Gimli…"
"Want me to hit you on the head to make you listen to me?" said Gimli, raising his axe in warning. Legolas held up both hands in surrender.
"Easy, dwarf. I'll follow your orders. Just keep that thing away from me!" Chuckling, Legolas then turned and left unhurriedly.
Gimli's eyes were not as keen as the elf's, but he could see the steps that Legolas took were not as smooth and graceful as usual. "Is the elf in pain?" The dwarf abandoned his spot and came running after Legolas. Legolas raised his eyebrows quizzically when he saw Gimli following him.
"I thought you said you want to keep watch?"
"Tell me the truth, Legolas. Are you all right?" Gimli growled.
"Err…"
()()()()()
Frodo looked over his shoulder, back the way they came and saw a small figure leaping from one stone to another. Scared he walked over to Gandalf.
"There's something down there," He said.
"It's Gollum," Gandalf answered. Frodo looked even more scared.
"Gollum?" He whispered.
"He's been following us for three days. One of the reasons Legolas has stayed in the back of our line. He has been watching for him," Gandalf told him.
"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dûr?" Frodo questioned.
"Escaped…or was set loose," Gandalf answered. "Now the Ring has brought him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. Sméagol's life is a sad story." Gandalf saw Frodo's look of surprise. "Yes, Sméagol he was once called. Before the Ring found him. Before if drove him mad."
"It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance," Frodo sneered.
"Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many," Gandalf explained. Frodo sighed as he sat by Gandalf.
"I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought," Frodo told him. Gandalf look towards one of the doors.
"Ah! It's that way!" He exclaimed.
"He's remembered!" Merry said happily.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose," Gandalf told him.
()()()()()
Descending the stairs they came to a large room. Gandalf made his staff glow brighter which showed them the huge hall of stone lined with tall pillars and arched ceilings as far as the eye could see. All in the Fellowship was impressed by what they saw, even Gimli. Some light shown through a opening in the wall and Gimli ran towards it. Worried they all followed and saw as they entered the room what it was…a tomb. Boromir reached forward and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as the dwarf cried. Legolas stayed near the door half listening to what was going on around him and those of the creatures that were slowly becoming aware of their presence.
"We must move on, we cannot linger!" He said to Aragorn who gave him a look of disgust. Seeing that he wasn't going to be listened to his mind retreated into it's recesses once again. The other half of his mind focused on his pain and tried to make it disappear. He was awakened as a crash was heard and he looked over to the source of the sound…Pippin.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" He hissed grabbing his hat and staff from the hobbit just as the drums began to beat. Aragorn turned to look at Legolas who gave him a, 'I told you so' look.
"Orcs!" Legolas exclaimed. Boromir ran to lock the door. Arrows came flying towards the room almost hitting him in the face. Aragorn dropped his torch and yelled to the hobbits.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" He ran to Boromir helping close the door. A loud groan filled their senses and Boromir rolled his eyes.
"They have a cave troll," He sighed. Legolas tossed spears and axes to Boromir and Aragorn with his good arm to help blockage the door.
Orcs began to try to break the door down. Legolas and Aragorn shot at them through the holes in the door. The orcs finally managed through the doors and the battle began.
Suddenly, the cave troll smashed trough what was left of the rest of the door. Legolas shot an arrow at him, but he just growled. Sam looked up just in time to see the troll swing his mace down at him and he threw himself under the troll's legs just in time. Legolas fired arrows quickly killing the orcs on the ledge of one wall. The troll swung his chain at Legolas.
Legolas avoided it several times making the troll every angry until the chain became wrapped around the pillar by accident. Holding the chain tight Legolas ran along it onto the troll's head. His ribs and arm were both protesting by now but he would not let any of the fellowship fall while he had this chance to kill this troll. He shot the troll in the back of it's head and then jumped off, his knees almost buckled under the pressure of the jump but he pushed it aside.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this!" Sam exclaimed hitting a orc over the head with a pan.
"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled. The troll continued to try and seek Frodo who tries to hide behind a pillar. After some hide and seek, the troll found him and grabbed him. Frodo fell back into a corner. The troll lifted him, he dangled from the troll's hand.
"Aragorn! Aragorn!" Frodo screamed. Frodo cut the troll's hand with Sting. The troll dropped Frodo to the ground with a growl.
"Frodo!" Aragorn screamed. Aragorn grabbed a spear from the floor and stabs the troll in the chest. The troll swung his arm and hit Aragorn sending him flying across the room. He collapsed onto the floor. Frodo crawled after him and tried to wake him, but Aragorn was to stunned to move. Merry and Pippin throw rocks at the troll to no avail. Frodo began to run, but the troll blocked his way with a spear, throwing him back into a corner. The troll stabbed Frodo in the chest, after standing there a moment stunned he fell to the floor.
"NO! FRODO!" The Fellowship cried out.
"Frodo? Frodo!" Sam cried.
Merry and Pippin leapt onto the troll's head and started stabbing him. The troll turns and turns trying to get them off but then finally grabs Merry, it swung him around and then threw him to the floor. The Fellowship redoubles its efforts against the Orcs and troll in furry. Gandalf and Gimli take turns stabbing the troll and dodging so they wouldn't get hit. Legolas notches an arrow and takes aim. His arm protested but he stood ready waiting for a open moment to fire. Pippin stabbed the troll one more time in the head, the troll opens it's mouth to roar. Legolas releases his arrow into the troll's neck. The troll moaned with a very confused and dumb look on it's face as it swayed. Pippin was thrown against the floor where he laid unmoving.
Everything was quiet. All the Orcs were either dead or had fled. Aragorn slowly awakens and crawls over to where Frodo lay.
"Oh no!" He sighed. He turns Frodo over and Frodo gasps for breath. Sam is surprised and runs over to them.
"He's alive!" He exclaims.
"I'm all right. I'm not hurt," Frodo whispered.
"You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar," Aragorn said surprised.
"I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf told them. Frodo's hands came up to his shirt and he parted his outer shirt to reveal the Mithril shirt given to him by Bilbo. Sam reaches out and touches it in wonder.
"Mithril! You are full of surprises Master Baggins," Gimli smiled.
Elvish Translation
Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! - Gate of the Elves open now for me!
Fennas Nogothrim lasto beth lammen! - Doorway of the Dwarf-folk listen to the word of my tongue!
Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa! - Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves!
Review Things
Joee1 – I'm glad you caught that and had a good english teacher. I haven't learned anything in my english class for two years (I had the same teacher both times). Thanks so much for telling me!
Luna Lovegood – No. My Guardian series is non-slash. For slash read the Princess series.
Lady Lenna – Yes Leggy is hurt and Aragorn is still being stubborn! He will get his in the end, just wait for it!
Celebrean – Not for awhile but they will be friends again. I think all good friends should go through this period and then make up. It makes you stronger.
Gemini969 – Sorry! I've had writer's block and have gotten addicted to RPing. The next update will be sooner! Promise!
Lady Aqawondel – Thanks for the golden apple! I don't like the sound of Moria either but you can tell that by what I wrote…I guess. If not in this then you will the next!
ice-queen1318 – Thank you! Hope you didn't wait to long!
A Sly Fan – Please, please, please tell me what you are talking about! Because if it was because of the line in the…2nd chapter about "if I can get him across the river the power of my people will protect him." Then I was referring to elves in general not just the Rivendell elves. I hope this clears this matter up.