The decision lay with the group. Gandalf turned to the small figures huddled under the pony.
"Frodo? Come out.. The decision will be made by you, the Ringbearer. It is for you to pick.. Do we go forth over the mountain, back and towards the Gap of Rohan, or through the tunnels and warrens of Moria?" Gandalf leaned hard on his staff. The prohibition was making him feel weak, and no Wizard likes to feel weak. If only he had that flask...
Frodo looked frightened, then pensive, then determined. All in the short span of 1/3 of a second, which is no small feat. He stood taller, and looked into the bleary eyes of the Wizard.
"Since throwing the damn bit of costume jewelry down this mountain, nor going toa pubto warm up, or even killing you lot and going back to my cozy hobbit-hole to watchthe fireplaceare options, I'm going to have to say we go through the mines. Not that a lot of dwarves appeal to me, it's just, I hate snow, and the Gap of Rohan sounds like a lot of walking to me. We go through the Mines!" Frodo said with as much finality as he could. Gandalf sighed.
"So be it."
--------------------------------
During this whole exchange, Aragorn was explaining about each place the Wizard was talking about to Han, Luke and Leia. Boromir was sulking, as his blaster had been taken from him, 'because stunning Gimli was unkind.'
The Solo children and their friends were attempting to keep warm, while Jacen talked to Talon, trying to get any of Saruman's plans out of the bird. When Frodo made his decision, the group eased up out of the snow, and descended the mountain, with only minor mishaps. (If you call Gimli hog-tying Boromir and pushing him off a cliff on his shield a mishap.)
--------------------------------
Upon reaching the base, camp was made. Since they had been good boys, Han, Aragorn, Gandalf and Boromir were allowed free reign of the flask, but only after their 'meeting-on-what-the-hell's-going-on-before-we-get-horribly-drunk.' Gandalf spoke to Luke first.
"Do you understand the way back to Rivendell, Son of Skywalker? We have gone over the maps many times." Luke nodded.
"Yes, I understand. Will Elrond be as glad to see me as you say?" Luke has his doubts of the Elf-lord, since all Gandalf could seem to call him was 'That-poncey-bastard-Noldorian'.
"I sure hope so. He'll need your help, if I am to understand the full plans of Saruman. That bird of yours was plenty useful, Jacen." Gandalf nodded in Jacen direction, and the youth glowed. Luke stood, and after saying his goodbyes, left the group. He would be traveling to Rivendell, carrying with him the knowledge of enemy's plans. The rest talked shortly of the plans the next morning, and separated into their tents. The droids shut down near the fire, and Leia went alone into her tent, smiling softly at the retreating form of her husband's back, as Han joined the other men around the fire, holding the hallowed Flask.
Deep in the night, a lone call was heard..
"MACHO, MACHOOOO MAN! I WANT TO BE... A MACHO MAN..."