DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Not LOTR. Not California. Not a new red shiny mustang that I long to have. NOTHING. NADA.
A/N: this story can be mary-sueish. Don't like it-don't read it. Flames: no thanks I don't think my self-confidence can go any lower. Nicely telling me how I can improve as a writer is welcomed. Thank you all.
A/N: There was actually another chapter before this but it had no point so I gave it the cut.
Jousting Elf with a Sabre: You read the bottom note didn't you? I have kept the same one the whole time. I might change it. might is the key word. Thanks that's sweet!
Chapter 12: Dogs and Octopus's
They halted at a small hill for the night. Aged trees and boulders encompassed the hill. This would have to do for protection. Even with the firelight and the circle wolves could be seen scouting the outside the ring. One wolf, presumably the leader, got close enough to see his entire shape and coloring.
Gandalf leaped to his full height shouting, "Listen, Hound of Sauron! Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring!"
In challenge the wolf bounded forward but was shot down by Legolas's arrow, cutting its throat.
No sound was heard from the forest until the moon was disappearing into the west. Without warning a chorus of howls broke forth from the woods. Ilsa picked up her bow while Laure went into a fighting stance. All at once gray figures leapt into the circle.
Aragorn sliced one of the leaders with his sword. Laure's blade was freckled with blood while Ilsa and Legolas were letting arrows loose with astonishing speed. Boromir and Gimli were standing side by side, hacking at the wolves. Gandalf plucked up a burning branch, throwing it into the trees.
"Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan I ngaurhoth!" He shouted.
The trees burst into flame above them with staggering speed. With Legolas's final arrow finding its mark it the chief's neck all the others raced away.
"That wasn't very nice," Ilsa said sitting down by the fire, looking at the dead figures, "no courtesy what so ever."
"They're wolves Ilsa. Do you expect them to just go up to you and say 'excuse me gentle miss, we are going to attack you at 1600 hours. Would you be so kind as to be prepared for our ambush?' I mean really," Laure said.
"They could have smiled."
Everyone took their places by the fire. Aragorn and Legolas were speaking faintly just inside the ring of light just as Gandalf, Merry, and Frodo were talking amongst themselves. Sam was getting out a pan for cooking while the rest were paying attention to the girls.
"Smiled?" Boromir asked disbelieving.
"I think they were smiling," Laure told her.
"Oh fine whatever," an exasperated Ilsa said, "You know what I mean. Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?" She started to fan herself vigorously with her hand.
"Miss Ilsa you are on fire!" Sam had returned with the pots.
She glimpsed down to her dress that was now engulfed in flames.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" she screamed, jumping from her seat, "I'M ON FIRE! CALL 9-1-1! CALL 9-1-1!"
Everyone looked over to see what the problem was.
Laure reached for her water container shouting to Ilsa, "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL! STOP, DROP, AND ROLL FOR YOUR LIFE! WERE ARE THE SEXY FIREMEN WHEN YOU NEED THEM!"
While Laure was fiddling with her water casket Boromir and Gimli were able to suffocate the flames. Not noticing this Laure chucks the water into Ilsa face, drenching her fire-less dress. Ilsa blinks up at her.
"Oh, oops. I guess I missed."
They left quickly when morning came. Wishing to reach the doors of Moria swiftly, they carried on in silence.
"The walls of Moria," Gimli was in shock.
"Wow you couldn't get more cheerful then this," Laure said sarcastically. Gimli chose to ignore this little comment.
"Well, here we are at last!" said Gandalf; "Here the Elven-way from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of that land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their domain; for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves."
"It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned," said Gimli.
"I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves," said Legolas.
"I have heard both," Gandalf said, then muttering to himself, "ithildin, mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Louder now, "It reads the Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter."
"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.
"Its quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open," he explained.
He placed his staff against the stone saying, "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!"
Nothing happened.
"Great job Gandy. Wake me when we get in," Gandalf glared at Laure.
"I once knew every password in every language of Middle Earth," he sniffed.
"Once is the key word there, Merlin."
"Laure stop your bickering and let him think," Ilsa sat down on a nearby rock. This, she thought, is going to take awhile. Gandalf smiled cheekily at Laure receiving a scowl in return.
"I don't like this place," Laure said occupying Ilsa on her makeshift chair, "it gives me the willies. That water doesn't look the best either."
"Why Laure you have come into your elven sense quite nicely," Ilsa's eyes fluttering, hands gripped together at her chest.
"Is there something in your eye Ilsa? It looks quite painful," Legolas had joined them.
The girls glanced at each other, giggling under their breath.
"No, Legolas I am just fine. Thanks for asking."
"Why were you blinking your eyes if not to get something out?" he asked.
"She was just egging me on. So do you think Gandalf will ever get the doors open?" Laure gestured to the gray figure by the doors.
"Well dwarfs have a tendency to mistrust everyone around them. They keep their secrets for the word-key close. When they die, the words tend to die with them."
"What a surprise," Laure said.
Across the way Merry and Pippin were having a rock-throwing contest.
"Do not disturb the water," Aragorn said grabbing Pippin's arm.
Ripples start to travel the width of the pool.
Frodo suddenly gets up; "It's a riddle. Speak, friend, and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon," Gandalf answered.
Shocked but pleased the fellowship cautiously set forth inside the mine. Gandalf went first followed by Laure, Ilsa, Gimli and Legolas. Farther back Aragorn and Boromir stood in front of the hobbits, who were clustered around the door.
"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!" Gimli was very excited.
"This is no mine. It's a tomb," Boromir whispered.
Bodies riddled the floor. Bones crunched when anyone moved.
"EWWW," the girls squealed in allusion.
It didn't matter that just earlier that day they hand slain themselves a couple of wolves. But these were skeletons. Freaky skeletons. With beards. They were repulsive.
"NO! NOOO! NOOOO!" Gimli cried.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We never should have come here. Now get out of here. Get out!" Boromir waved them away.
From behind them they heard a desperate call.
"Frodo! STRIDER! Get off him!" Sam exclaimed.
Frodo had been pulled into the air by this sea creature resembling an octopus. Aragorn and Boromir sprung into action. They hacked and chopped at the tentacles finally releasing Frodo from its grip. They run through the water, trying to reach the door. The girls grabbed the packs along with Merry and Pippin keeping away from the tentacles.
"LEGOLAS!" Boromir bellowed.
Legolas delivered a blow to the creature's eye with his bow.
They all sprinted into the mine. They turned back in time to see the beast destroy their only way back.
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