Chapter four: The Demon in the Water

*

*

*

November 23rd

Niphrediel stood in front of her mirror. Her face was darkened, even though it was daytime and there was just enough light in the room to reveal her.

She wore her most grand dark red suite under her black cloak. Her hair was styled rather fancy also, her hair out but styled away from her face in random braids and a small butterfly clip was put in the top of the small centre plait at the back of her head.

Niphrediel put on her leather riding gloves and looked down seeing Beren looking up at her as she strapped two daggers to leather straps around her upper thighs. They were there just in case.

She smiled. "Let's hope there is a good reason I am making this choice, Beren, else I am lost." She mumbled and turned, walking out of her room with Beren beside her.

She put on her hood and ran to Elrond's study.

All the windows had been shut apart from the balcony, but that was all right.

Niphrediel took off her hood when she shut the door behind her.

Aragorn, Glorfindel, Elrond, Mioniel and Mithrandir stood, waiting for her.

Niphrediel smiled, nodding at them all.

Elrond stepped foreword, holding out a small vial. "Take one drop of this and swallow it at any hour as long as it is no more then ten hours before the sunrise. It shall take away its affects, but it may have an affect on your energy level."

Niphrediel smiled and took it, putting it in a pocket of her belt. "Thankyou." She said, and turned her gaze to her brother.

Aragorn stepped forward and smiled.

This was to be the last time she would see him in a while, for he was off to begin his own quest tomorrow.

Niphrediel smiled, put some tears builded in her eyes as she walked up to him and hugged him, her arms around his neck tightly.

Aragorn sighed, and tightened his hold around Niphrediel.

"Tira ten' rashwe." She whispered. "Please be careful. What kind of sister can I be without a sibling?"

Aragorn took a deep, calm breath. "I will not get hurt, muinthel, I love you too much."

"Amin mela lle." Niphrediel whispered, before letting him go.

Aragorn put his fist against his heart, saying all that needed to be said.

Niphrediel turned to Mioniel. "Are you certain that these 'answers' are important enough for me to have to journey to Lothlorien?" She asked.

Mioniel rubbed her arm. "My dear, you have to go. Do not think it so horrible, you have been to Lothlorien once before but I doubt you can properly remember it seeing as you were so young, so think of it as just a little trip."

Niphrediel kissed the air beside Mioniel's cheek, before moving on to Glorfindel.

Glorfindel sighed. "My how I will miss you, regardless of the time you spend away."

Niphrediel smiled and hugged him tightly.

"Oh how I wish you were an Elvan maiden, my friend, I would have given you my heart for sure." Glorfindel laughed.

-"Not if I had anything to do with it," added Aragorn, quietly.

Niphrediel smiled and sadly parted with him.

Gandalf smiled. "Have a safe journey, my dear."

Niphrediel nodded. "And you also, grey one. Take care of your hobbit." She gave Gandalf a hug, before going back to Elrond.

Elrond sighed deeply. "Remember that regardless of what you will find out, we all still love you, understand?" His face was firm.

Niphrediel nodded slowly. "Yes, mi"-

Elrond raised an eyebrow. "Niphrediel, you thought I was your birthfather until you were told the truth when you were five. Just because you or Aragorn were not borne from me does not mean that you mean any less. You must remember that there is more to being family then blood."

Niphrediel nodded. "Yes, adar." *Father*. It was no strange to say the word; Niphrediel had not called him that for so long.

Elrond stepped forward and hugged Niphrediel. "Be careful, daughter, remember to always follow your intuition if you ever get lost."

Niphrediel nodded and stepped back.

Aragorn walked up to her, "Take this," he said, and took out a small gold whistle on a gold chain. "Encase you're in trouble. It's special, regardless of how loud you blow it orcs, goblins or trolls or any other creature of sorts will never be able to hear it. Enchanted, it is."

Niphrediel smiled, putting the chain over her head. The whistle was pretty, looking more like a thick pipe.

She looked at all the people. "Well, I shall see you all in no time." She looked at Aragorn, smiling one last time before putting on her hood and walking out.

Her escorts were Avornir and Elystir, both as kind as they were fair.

Niphrediel ran outside where Draconic was waiting. He was ready to go.

Niphrediel was given her bow that she strapped on her back beside her full quiver of silver arrows and her sword, which she strapped at the knee of her saddle.

Niphrediel hopped up onto the horse and turned around and looked to the balcony of Elrond's study where Aragorn and Glorfindel stood, watching her with sad smiles.

Niphrediel waved, looking down at Beren beside her when Avornir and Elystir began to leave, calling her name out for her to follow.

Niphrediel sighed and put her hands on Draconic's reigns. "Come on, Beren." She said, and made Draconic ride up to Avornir and Elystir, Beren following beside her.

They travelled so many days Niphrediel no longer counted.

They were to go either under or over Caradhras. Niphrediel, of course, agreed with Elystir to go through Moria, whereas Avornir demanded to go over Caradhras.

Niphrediel sat on a rock; the sun was setting behind her.

She wanted a bath; she wanted to wash. Her hair was actually fine, but the wind had done its will and it was due for a good wash.

She wrote and read whenever she had time to spare, bringing 'The Nightingale' and a second copy of 'There and Back Again' that Bilbo Baggins, or Mister Baggins as Niphrediel called him respectfully, had copied for her when she first came across the book he was finishing. Bilbo, being the kind hearted fellow that he was, made her a copy of her own.

There was too much time to think throughout the days, and it did not help that she worried herself ill thinking of Estel, nor was it good that all she could do during the riding days was think, read, write and think some more.

The entries in her journal became pages of letters to those she missed. To her it seemed to be the only way she could let it all out of her system. Her leather-cased journal was a chronicle of everything and anything that she was experiencing, well and bad. She wrote in it whenever she possible could and it wasn't unusual for days to go by between entries throughout the days they journeyed unlike the days in Imladris when it almost religious for Niphrediel to write entries in it every night before she slept.

Dear Aragorn,

I miss you so much.

It is so great to travel, but you are not here as you promised you would the next time I would travel to Lothlorien. I have only been there once, you remember. I still remember you promising that, regardless that I was only three foot high and less then a quater of the age I am now.

I pray you are all right; I comfort myself in the hopes that you will be here to wake me in the morning, brother.

We have travelled so many days I am afraid I am too lazy to keep count. My legs ache and my eyelids are heavy, but I cannot sleep.

Beren watches over me, as Thranduilion promised he would. He watches over me as you do, which comforts me much.

He misses his home, and I think he also misses his master. That makes me sad, perhaps I should give him back to Legolas after this journey if I am ever to see him again. One cannot tell in such a time of evil, Legolas would probably return to his home after you accomplish your quest.

My skin, I fear, is getting worse. It is horrible; it must be this freezing weather that worsens it. All it takes is a cold breeze and I fear my face begins to sting. I can bear it though.

Avornir had a vision the night before last, and now agrees to go through Moria. He does not say what it is he saw, but I fear something is not right with the mountain. It is lucky you do not have to go near it.

I miss you so much, we have never been apart this long since mother's passing, it is unusual for me and I hate it.

I do not feel safe. I can feel a thousand eyes peering at me through the day and night, which is why I regularly refuse to sleep. Oh how I wish I were an elf.

Something is not right, Estel, I feel it in my heart.

I love you and please be careful.

Love always,

Niphrédiel

 

Niphrediel put the journal into her bag, where her three books were.

She lay down on her blanket, her head on the soft pelt of Beren's belly.

He never slept, he seemed to never need it, but he rested with her, his eyes always alert. He would look out for anything all throughout the night.

It was just another day.   

 "Go Draconic." Niphrediel whispered to her horse. "Go back to Rivendell." She took off Draconic's reigns, saddle, and Niphrediel's sleeping bag and backpack so there was no more weight on his back.

"Moria is no place for a horse." Elystir mumbled as Niphrediel watched Draconic walk back from the way they came.

Niphrediel carried her sleeping bag and her backpack slowly to the tree beside the on the other side of the walls of Moria.

Niphrediel sat down against the tree and sighed helplessly.

Beren came over and lay down atop of her to keep her warm, his head on her shoulder.

Niphrediel hugged Beren, laying her head against his pelt, as she looked at Avornir who sat on a rock nearby looking at the beautiful door of Moria, rubbing his chin thinking of a way to go inside.

Niphrediel frowned, looking at the water. Something in there slept, Avornir and Elystir could see it as clear as day through the water, so they were as silent as they could be.

Niphrediel pulled her hood over her face and dropped a sour drop of the water from the small vial into her mouth to save her from the day to come.

The three had already eaten, now they were to think of how they were going to open the door. Avornir was very smart; he would find the way.

Elystir walked over with a smile and sat down beside Niphrediel. "This is taking much longer then it was meant to, isn't it?" He beamed, patting Beren's back. They all spoke in mellow voices, loud enough to hear, but quiet enough to not disturb.

Niphrediel nodded. "Aye. It will be such a mission for you two to go back to Rivendell."

Elystir pretended to shudder. "That it will, child, but do not worry about us. To not get to see the wonders of the world is to see life through a straw. It is just"-

"Another tale to tell your grandchildren." Niphrediel finished his sentence with a small smile.

Elystir laughed quietly. "I see I have bombarded your young mind with my favourite quote!" He smiled.

Niphrediel chuckled. "Aye, lord, but it is a good one."

Elystir nodded, but his head snapped around to something in the distance. Something that was not in the water.

Niphrediel frowned, sitting up. She saw that Avornir was now standing straight. "What is it?" She asked urgently as Elystir and Avornir took off their bags and put them on the ground, carrying only their swords and bows.

Avornir turned his fair face, his black hair shining blue. "Milady, promise us you will stay here, alright?"

Elystir nodded. "Aye, child, whatever happens do not move from this spot alright? No matter how long we take, do not leave."

Niphrediel's heart was beating hard, her fear penetrating all thoughts. "You are leaving me here?" She asked, standing up.

Elystir put a hand on her shoulder. "Niphrediel do not worry, we will be back soon. Beren will protect you."

Before Niphrediel said anything the two elves ran off into the shadows.

Niphrediel stood alone. It seemed as if the shadows crept closer now that they had gone and suddenly Niphrediel felt vulnerable.

Niphrediel's eyes darted to anything that moved. Ripples came from the water, but Niphrediel knew the creature inside was still asleep, it had only moved.

Niphrediel slid back down against the tree, drawing Beren close. He would protect her, but that did not stop her fear.

Something was wrong.

Please let them come back. She begged. She did not know what to do without them.

Despite such urgent thoughts, Niphrediel's eyes grew heavier and heavier with every passing minute, and before she could say anything, they closed.

Her dreams were a blur of horrible creatures of Niphrediel's overactive imagination, that is, until the dream took a turn.

Niphrediel stood in a chair beside Aragorn. The sun was out, but it was all natural for Niphrediel to not wear her cloak.

Her skin was healthily golden, which made her eyes stand out a little more.

She stared around at where she sat. She was on the end of a semicircle line of men. They all sat down. She and Estel were beside a couple elves, then the men of Gondor, dwarfs of the Lonely Mountain, elves of Mirkwood, then Gandalf and Frodo.

Elrond sat on the grandest chair at the head of the semicircle with his advisors on either sides of him.

He stood and began to speak.

Niphrediel frowned. Everything Elrond said was muffled, as if underwater.

Niphrediel looked around. It felt as if water was the air, making her move slowly and her hair swim in the air. She frowned. She was the only one with the problem.

She stood, looking at all the men. They did not even see her.

Elrond was speaking, but Niphrediel could not hear. A man stood, and stepped up, speaking words it seemed only he believed in. He must have been wrong, for Niphrediel could see Aragorn interrupted.

The man scorned Aragorn, Niphrediel could see it in his face, and as soon as he did, Thranduilion, who sat with his kin behind the man of Gondor, stood.

Thranduilion spoke, his eyebrows drawn. Whatever he said, the man did not seem impressed. He looked at Aragorn, and said something, and then Thranduilion said something else, almost snapping at the man.

Niphrediel lip-read Aragorn's words. "Havo dad, Legolas." 

Thranduilion sat down, reluctantly after the man said something else, also returning to his seat.

She looked at the stone pedestal in the centre of the council. There a ring was.

Niphrediel frowned at it but did not do anything more, it made her shiver. 

She watched as a dwarf grabbed an axe and rushed to the pedestal, bringing the blade upon the ring.

Then everything froze. Niphrediel frowned, realising that time had not stopped; it was just going slowly. She watched as the blade was severed into small, sharp pieces by the still gold ring.

Then, time seemed to come back to normal.

Niphrediel tried her best to lip-read whatever Elrond said, but whatever it was that was said, it brought silence.

Niphrediel went to say something, but as soon as she did, the surroundings around her disappeared and she was in standing surrounded by endless water.

Niphrediel looked around her urgently, trying to figure out which direction was up, finding out that her head was facing the bottom, for bellow her feet she could see the brightness of the sun on the other side beaming down.

Niphrediel dived down, or rather up and kicked her way up, her lungs screaming for air.

She watched as the light came closer and closer.

"Niphrediel stop daydreaming, you will get a headache." She remembered her mother nagging.

"Move your feet, keep your arm relaxed and bring your shoulder in when you punch." Aragorn preached.

"The horse will not let you fall, Nieninquë." Glorfindel promised.

"My dear, stop frowning, you will get wrinkles and you'll look too grumpy for a young wife." Mioniel advised.

Niphrediel gasped, awaking. It was dusk; the sun had already come and gone, the sunrise coming to it's end. She had slept that long? Beren was no longer on her; he was pacing on the rocky floor.

Once the sunset came, Niphrediel no longer needed her cloak, so she took off the hood and stood up, stretching her legs.

Niphrediel looked around her. Avornir and Elystir were not back, and their bags were still in the same places. They had not come back.

Niphrediel felt a tear run down her cheek. They had fallen; there was no other conclusion.

"I should never have come here," she whispered. "This was perilous from the beginning."

Niphrediel made sure she still had all her weapons; she did, all on her back.

Beren walked up to her, sniffing her hands, which is what he did when he was hungry.

Niphrediel nodded and walked to Elystir's bag, for he carried all the food, and got out the uncooked sausages, feeding them to Beren, and took the wheat cakes, bread and berries for herself.  

Niphrediel did not like the three foods together, but her selection was thin. Her only choice was to either wait here for anyone, or leave back for Rivendell on foot without enough supplies to last her the journey.

Niphrediel ate, and then sat back down against the tree. She sat and cried, bringing her hands to her hover around her eyes. What a predicament.

Beren came over to her and looked up at her with his blue eyes that seemed more of a dark green in the moonlight.

"What should we do, Beren?" Niphrediel asked, quietly, for she could see soft ripples in the dark water. "I cannot make my way back alone."

Beren looked down.

"Don't worry," Niphrediel whispered to herself and Beren, "Someone will come." She nodded. "Yes, if we just stay and wait, someone will definitely come to get us." She stood up and began to pace. "We'll wait one day and night. If there is no hope we'll try to go back."

She went back to where she sat and took a drop of the tonic in the vial and forced herself to fall to sleep, pilling her hood back over.

It was going to be a slow day.

The next time Niphrediel awoke it was midday. She fed herself and Beren and spent the rest of the day writing.

Dear Aragorn, Mioniel, Glorfindel and Ada,

I doubt you shall get this message but I pray I can delivery for it means I am in no harm.

I have been waiting outside the walls of Moria for two days.

Last night I suspect Avornir and Elystir heard something in the distance and ran off to prevent it from coming any closer to our camp. I do not know, my ears are not as keen.

That was the last time I saw them.

I doubt that I will make it back to Rivendell. I pray that I shall wonder off in the wrong direction and find myself in a town or camp of sorts so I can get some supplies and hire an escort who can lead me back to Rivendell.

The only map we had was with Avornir, you see, which is why I would not be able to make it home.

I am afraid and though I have slept many hours I am still dead-tired. I fear I need to catch up. The tonic is truly draining.

I do not know why you sent me to Lorien but I hope I may be able to ask in person.

I love you all and wish I were home. Hopefully soon I will be.

If I do not return then I am lost somewhere in a small forest wondering around in circles or have taken a wrong turn and have suddenly found myself in Mordor.

You all won't even get this, I just write it for comfort.

In the morn Beren and I shall set off.

Well . . .so long my loved ones.

Love always,

Niphrédiel.

Niphrediel read seven chapters of 'The Nightingale' before it was too dark to read the words. She noticed that there were more ripples in the water tonight; perhaps the creature was not having a good rest.

Niphrediel's hope plummeted when she saw the full moon in the sky. No one was coming. She should have left yesterday.

Niphrediel looked down with a sad sigh. She played with the whistle, wondering if the creature in the water wound be able to hear it. She put her legs up so her arms could rest on her knees and put head back against the tree, looking up at the moon.

It looked huge tonight, mostly because there were no stars to compete with its beauty. There were grey clouds here and there though.

What if I die? What kind of way is this to die? How stupid. I never should have come. Damn this world to ruins!

Something deep inside her told her to stay. Call it intuition, or useless hope, but it was strong enough to make her endeavour to keep herself there.

"Please help me, whatever force that brought me here in the first place do not give me an unjustified death." She prayed quietly.

She suddenly froze, hearing footsteps in the distance. She snapped her gaze to Beren, who had tensed up, his face now ferocious and he beared his teeth and growled. He was ready to fight.

Niphrediel jumped up, taking her bow and arrow from her back and ran beside Beren and crouched down, her back knee stabilizing her against the ground and drew her bow.

Niphrediel frowned in concentration, readying herself for the target to come in range.

Beren growl came short, and he straightened up again, his tongue hanging out happily.

Niphrediel lowered her bow and looked up into Beren's eyes. "Did you trick me?" She asked, as if Beren could answer.

Niphrediel heard again the sound of footsteps on small rocks and figures began to come into Niphrediel's sight.

Her lips parted in shock. They could not see her yet, her sight was better then theirs save one at night.

Niphrediel let out a long relieved breath, closing her eyes for a moment. "Thankyou Ilúvatar." She whispered.

She fell back, almost onto her back, sucking in relieved breath.

There was hope.

ThankyouIlúvatarthankyouIlúvatarthankyouIlúvatarthankyouIlúvatarthankyouIlúvatar. Thankyou merciful Ilúvatar.

The wizard, the four hobbits, the dwarf, the elf and the two men: The Fellowship.

Niphrediel smiled, her eyes filling up with tears of joy though they would not fall, as the fellowship came closer and closer.

Aragorn, who walked with Mithrandir in front, saw her first only because Gandalf looked at his feet.

Niphrediel watched him frown and mouth her name.

She basically leapt up and ran over to where he was and basically held him tightly.

"Niphrediel?" Aragorn asked in disbelief, he hugged her back tightly. "Hello, young one!  Mankoi naa lle sinome?"

Niphrediel sighed, letting him go. "We came here last night, Avornir and Elystir have not come back since. I feared I would be deserted."

Aragorn's frown grew. "They dared desert you?" Death shone in his eyes.

Niphrediel shook her head. "I fear something awful has happened to them, Aragorn. They would not have left me without reason."

Aragorn nodded. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry, muinthel. You are with us now."

Niphrediel gently squeezed the hand on her shoulder with a gentle smile, finally feeling safe, and walked to Mithrandir.

Gandalf smiled. "You travelled on horses, child, how could you have made it here in later time? Don't you know the danger in these places?"

Niphrediel sighed. "We had to wait an hour after sunrise before we could head off. After a while I suppose that could have delayed us. Grey one, you expected us to get through the storm while you, yourselves, could not?"

Gandalf took in her answer and nodded, agreeing, and walked off with Aragorn.

Niphrediel noticed the four hobbits looking at her strangely. None of them had met her before.

They were so adorable, innocent eyes and friendly smiles.

Niphrediel nodded. "Hello."

The ring bearer nodded back. "Hello." He replied.

Niphrediel smiled. "My name's Niphrediel, you may call me what you wish." She said softly.

The ring bearer smiled, though in amidst of his blue eyes Niphrediel knew he was cautious of her. In fear of her trying to take the ring, no doubt. "My name is Frodo Baggins, and these are my companions Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. You can call them just Sam, Merry and Pippin. You can just call me Frodo."

The one named Pippin smiled. "Are you an elf?"

Legolas, who passed by beside him, chuckled quietly to himself.

Niphrediel did not answer; she just turned her head, indicating her un-pointy ears.

Sam raised his eyebrows. "You know Strider?" He must have thought her, a moment, a minx, judging by the knowing gleam in his eye.

Niphrediel chuckled. "Aye, he is family." She smiled. She watched as Sam's face brightened.

"You are Arathorn's daughter?"

Niphrediel turned around to look into the eyes of a man of Gondor who had spoken. The one who had been one of the many in her dream.

Niphrediel nodded "My name is Niphrediel."

The man bowed. "I am Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor." He smiled. "Nice to meet you, child, let us hope you carry the strength of your bloodline." He said, before walking off.

Niphrediel turned around, her eyes searching for Beren.

Beren stood beside his master as Gandalf searched around the gateway, which had not shown itself yet.

Niphrediel stood apart from the group as Aragorn and Sam unsaddled a brown pony.

"Moria is no place for a pony," said Aragorn, "Even one as brave as Bill."

Sam patted Bill the pony. "Bye-bye Bill."

"Go Bill, go." Ushered Estel, leading the pony away. He put his hand on Sam's shoulder as he watched the pony slowly leave. "Don't worry Sam, he knows the way home."

Niphrediel turned back to Gandalf, who was reading the gateway's writing to the hobbits, the dwarf, the elf and the man who were watching him.

Gandalf put his staff against a snowflake shaped design in the middle of the door and spoke a sentence in the language of the dwarfs, which was not a language Niphrediel could speak.

Niphrediel frowned when she saw Pippin throwing rocks into the water. She stepped forward, but Aragorn bet her to him.

Aragorn took Pippin's collar, making Pippin look up at him in confusion. Aragorn looked wearily over the water. "Do not disturb the water." He whispered.

Niphrediel crossed her arms and played with a stone beside her boot as she watched Gandalf sigh and walk up to the gateway, searching for something to press perhaps, and gently tested it by nudging it with his shoulder.

Niphrediel bit her lip and sat down against a rock, playing with her hands. This was going to take a while.

A dwarf stood in front of her, as straight as he could be. "Hello," he said, "Who are you?" He asked, straight to the point.

Niphrediel smiled. "I am Niphrediel, daughter of Arathorn."

The dwarf took this information in. "Oh, so you are related to Aragorn, eh?"

Niphrediel nodded.

The dwarf seemed surprised. "Well, I am Gimli, son of Gloin. I hail from the Lonely Mountain." He said proudly.        

"Please, dwarf, be silent," said Legolas, standing against the tree, griping his bow at his chest with Beren sitting beside him, staring into the water.

Gimli glared at the elf before stalking off to sit elsewhere.

Niphrediel grabbed her sack and rummaged through it, taking out all she did not need so the sack, though was already small, only carried a book and some food that she took from Avornir's bag.

By then, most of the fellowship had settled down, waiting impatiently for Gandalf to open the blasted doors.

She put the bag on, and was grateful the weight was not much. She walked to the tree, crouching down and picked up 'The Nightingale'.

Legolas moved out of the way for her, but once she put her book back, he went back to where he was.

Niphrediel followed his gaze into the water. "Something is in there." She said, putting her book in the bag securely.

Legolas nodded. "Aye. It stirs." He whispered.

Niphrediel turned, as the ring bearer Frodo stood, his stare on the door, but her eyes narrowed on strong ripples, waiting for the beast to come out but it didn't, so she looked back to the hobbit.

"It's a riddle. Speak friend and enter." Frodo repeated the words, looking to Gandalf who now sat on a rock. "What's the elvish word for friend?"

Niphrediel raised an eyebrow, folding her arms.

Gandalf frowned. "Mellon."

The doors opened reluctantly but immediately, and their passage was bared in darkness and shadow. Niphrediel could have seen inside it easily if she stared at it for a moment and allowed her eyes time to adjust, but something inside her told her not to.

Niphrediel frowned.

Something felt strange. Something felt wrong.

They all walked inside, Gimli in the lead.

Gimli smiled as they all made their way inside, the hobbits more reluctant then even the elf.

Gimli's voice echoed throughout the black passageways. "Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!"

Niphrediel, who walked close to her brother, holding back from just grabbing his arm and hiding her face in his shoulder, shuttered as she listened to the faint echoes. She wanted to tell the dwarf to be quiet, but before she did she watched Boromir as he looked down into something she could not force her eyes to focus upon as if they knew exactly what it was.

"This is no mine, it's a tomb."

Gimli ran inside, staring at the skeletons of his rotting kin. "No! No! NO!" He cried out, condemning the heavens.

Legolas, to Niphrediel's right, bent down and picked up something from a dead body he inspected.

Her gaze focused immediately. It was an arrow.

Legolas took one look at it and looked to Aragorn. "Goblins." He hissed, throwing the arrow down and putting his arm back to his quiver for one of his own arrows.

As soon as he said the word, all had their weapons drawn, at least all that Niphrediel stood beside. She could not see the hobbits.

Niphrediel unsheathed her sword quickly.

Boromir almost shook his head. "We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here. Now get out of here! Get out!!" He immediately turned, as did the others.

Niphrediel frowned, staring at the darkness. Her train of thought was only broken when she heard the screams of Frodo.

"STRIDER!!"

Niphrediel turned and ran out.

"Strider!" She heard Sam shout again.

She walked out, her eyes wide when she saw what beheld her as she put her sword back in its scabbard.

Frodo, taken by one of this creature's many tentacles, screamed as he was battered around like a rag doll.

Aragorn and Boromir ran into the water, slicing all the tentacles within reach.

Niphrediel stared, her mouth parted in horror. She could hear the whizzing of Legolas's arrows that were being fired just beside her and she watched them land in the 'face' of the water creature. She heard it roar.

Niphrediel took one of the daggers from her boot and threw it. She was surprised she heard scream when the dagger hit, and it's movements stiffened for a moment.

The blade was horribly poisoned. Hopefully it would weaken the damp thing, but the affects that would cause it to die would not come for another five minutes.

Aragorn cut off the tentacle holding Frodo and Frodo fell down straight into the arms of Boromir.

"Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled.

Legolas tried to fire as many arrows he could as Niphrediel followed Gandalf's instructions and turned into the mines with the hobbits beside her.

She looked back, seeing the beast crawl up from the water and her eyes searched as Beren ran passed her, following Sam.

Aragorn hurry!

Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas ran in as quickly as they could and Aragorn grabbed hold of Niphrediel as he ran passed and carried her as he ran away as the beast caused the doors and roof to crumble down. It had blocked the way out.

Aragorn put Niphrediel down and Niphrediel took a relieved breath.

She looked around, blinding for a moment from the sudden darkness but her eyes adjusted within a couple seconds, but Gandalf blew onto his staff and a small light was lit from a crystal atop of it.

"We now have one choice," he said, beginning to walk in front with Legolas soon behind him. "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. Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

Niphrediel followed Aragorn; seeing as he was the most farer thing she could see ahead, accidentally tripping on a rock.

 "Oh!" Boromir hissed to himself, catching Niphrediel before her face hit the point of a blade sticking up from the hearth. He settled her on her feet and gently patted her arm. "One must be careful, child." He smiled.

Niphrediel smiled. "Thankyou." She said gratefully.

She liked Boromir, not romantically in the least; but she thought he was pleasant. He had done nothing for her to doubt her respect for him to be wrong. He was a man of Gondor, what stories of her heritage and culture she had not been told he must contain!        

Niphrediel followed Aragorn who followed whoever it was in front of him and so on and so on, in silence. Sometimes someone spoke, but it was all in a quiet voice.

Niphrediel did not truly understand why. If the beasts nearby had not woken by Gimli's exclamations then they must've been in a deep sleep so such silence wouldn't really be needed. But, even if they were aloud to speak, Niphrediel would not be one of the chatterers.

She never was.

The group walked for what seemed forever and found their first resting place before yet another bridge that led to yet another staircase.

Niphrediel nearly collapsed against a boulder. Her legs felt like jelly from all the climbing.

She wished she were a bird so all she had to do was fly out and never have to worry about petty activities like walking and stair-climbing ever again.

Niphrediel's eyes closed without warning and she fell into sleep in one of the most uncomfortable positions she could imagine but she was too exhausted to wake up and move herself.

Niphrediel's eyes only opened once when Aragorn rested himself beside her and held her head as if she were an infant in his arms, and moved her legs down so they were long in front of her body. Again her old youth radiated, masking that she was younger then she truly was, as she slept against him.

Aragorn sighed tiredly. She was a child. It was to be a while before she called her anything but. The difference was only that she was not a helpless child.

He yawned, got comfortable and fell to sleep himself as Legolas kept watch, sitting atop of the boulder staring into the darkness with his ever-alerted eyes.

"Sam?"

"Yes Merry?"

"Do you have another apple?"

"No. You ate them all."

"No, it was Pippin."

"No! I didn't do it Sam."

"Silence the three of you. I demand you all to shush and sleep."

"Sorry Mr Frodo."

"That's okay, Sam, just go to sleep."