Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris and any character outside Middle Earth.

Number 13: Journey to the Mines

Dawn broke and Legolas was a little disappointed that Amaris slept through the night. He stood and woke everyone except for Amaris. He slowly made his way over to her and kneeled down to her. "Amaris?" He touched her shoulder. "Amaris?" She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. She smiled briefly but it suddenly fell as she sat up. She looked at Legolas once more and handed him his blanket.

"Thank you for the extra blanket." He smiled at her as he took the blanket.

"You're welcome. I trust you slept well." She looked away from him and towards the others who were up and nearly packed. She nodded.

"I did. Thank you." She lied to him. She hardly slept at all. Her emotions were on overload during the night. Last night in Legolas' eyes she saw love growing in them and that scared her. She only had been in love once and the man she was in love with was very possessive. He even attempted to rape her one night after she refused to sleep with him because she wanted to save her virginity for marriage, but she managed to get away from him and he was put in jail for a while. He never bothered her again because she moved away and into the cities. She mentally shook her head to forget those memories as she got up and rolled her bedroll, attached it to her pack and slid it on. She was determined to put the past behind her. She knew Legolas would never do anything like that to her but she couldn't give her whole heart to him. Of course she cared for him deeply but she was mortal and knew that they could never be together even if she wanted to.

They exited the cave and resumed their path along the mountain. Soon the weather took a turn for the worst. As they were rounding a peak Amaris heard something over the roar of the snow. She quickly looked at Legolas who had walked ahead and was listening intently.

"There is a fell voice in the air!" He shouted as he scanned the sky.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn shouted.

"No!" Gandalf shouted. He no longer listened to the two men's pleas for a different road. He stepped forward and began the counter spell to steady the mountain. Unfortunately, just like in the story he was unable to stop it. Lightning struck the mountain causing snow and rocks to come crashing down onto the fellowship.

Everyone came up from the snow pile except for one. Amaris was trapped under the snow. The pile on top of her was too heavy to dig herself out of and she started to panic because she couldn't breathe. Her absence did not go unnoticed.

"Aragorn! Where is Amaris?" Legolas asked as he scanned over everyone after Frodo decided to take the path through Moria. The ranger quickly looked around to find the woman missing.

"She must be buried beneath the snow!" Aragorn sat down Frodo who he was helping through the snow and began to dig along with Legolas in the area she stood. Legolas came across her first. He quickly pulled her body from the snow. Her teeth were chattering and her body shaking. She wasn't aware of what was going on around her. "Legolas, carry her down! She must be tended to when we reach a safer position!" Legolas nodded and they continued back down the mountain to take the path of Moria.

After about an hour of travel Amaris was still shivering and clung to Legolas as he carried her. Legolas was more than concerned for the woman in his arms. He was afraid she would take ill due to the snow and the worry that filled her heart. They reached the walls of Moria and were outside the door when Gandalf revealed the elven door. However, Aragorn and Legolas paid no mind they tended over Amaris. She had stopped shivering and warmth began to come back to her skin, partially due to Legolas holding her so close and the blankets wrapped around her. Aragorn took a serum form his pack and poured a little down her throat. Aragorn looked at his friend and smiled. Gandalf turned and saw Amaris laying in Legolas' arms. He looked at Aragorn who was talking to Legolas.

"She will be alright my friend. Thanks to your body heat and the blankets she should wake soon. Do not worry." He stood and walked over to Boromir. Gandalf talked to Aragorn to be sure she was alright and then went back to trying to open the door. Legolas held Amaris in his arms and after about a half an hour she opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Where are we?" she asked sounding as if she had just woken from a long slumber.

"We are outside the door of Moria. Gandalf is attempting to open it. Are you alright? How do you feel?" He asked as he pulled a strand of hair from her face.

"Tired. Very tired." She looked up at him again after scanning everyone quickly. Aragorn and Boromir kept the hobbits away from her while she spoke with Legolas. "What happened?" He sighed.

"You were trapped under the fallen snow for some time. When Aragorn and I found you, you were shivering. I carried you here and we were able to administer a serum to help warm your body." She nodded.

"Thank you for saving me." She removed herself from his arms and when she did he suddenly felt cold and as if something was missing. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at the elf whose heart leaped when he saw her smile. Soon the door was opened and they entered into the mine.

"Soon master elf, you will know the hospitality of the dwarves and they call it a mine! A mine!" When Gandalf lit the crystal on his staff it became clear to everyone that it was no mine.

"This is no mine. This is a tomb!" Boromir shouted. Everyone looked around at the rotted bodies of the fallen dwarves. Legolas went over to one and pulled an arrow from the skeleton's form.

"Goblins!" He hissed as he readied his bow. Amaris new the watcher was going to grab Frodo. She kept the hobbits in front of her and wouldn't let them fully exit the mine. She felt something wrap around her legs and her feet went from under her. She let out a scream and was dragged towards the water. The hobbits turned and helped her by freeing her from the tentacles. She tried to scurry of the shore with the help of the hobbits but they were knocked away and she was dragged and brought high above the water. She heard the hobbits scream for help.

"Strider!" Sam yelled and soon Aragorn and Boromir were rushing into the water slashing at his tentacles. From the shore Legolas fired arrows at the watcher and the entire time his heart beating uncontrollably with fear. Boromir slashed at the tentacle holding Amaris in the air and she fell into Aragorn's arms. They ran into the mine and the watcher brought down the door and they watched as their only exit without going through Moria crumbled before them.

Aragorn sat Amaris down and she hugged him tight silently thanking God for him catching her. He smiled at her as Gandalf lit his staff once again. "We have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be silent. Hopefully, our presence will go unnoticed. It is a four day journey to the other side." Gandalf said as he began to climb the stairs and take them deeper into the mine.