The next morning, the group moved out. Thankfully, they were close to the mines, and were able to reach the lake where the dwarf-door was rumored to be. However, getting into the mines was an entirely different matter.
"The entrances to dwarf halls were hidden, so that enemies could not enter and pilfer the fortunes within." Gimli was explaining to Leia, Han and Legolas. "We hid the doors so well that often friends could never find their way in. Either way, we had few visitors." Legolas stifled a giggle, and the dwarf and elf exchanged glares. Leia rolled her eyes and wandered over to where Gandalf was feeling the stone cliff and mumbling to himself.
Meanwhile, Aragorn, Sam, Jacen and Tenel Ka removed all the packs from the pony. Bill stood quietly, seeming to know something was happen. Sam wiped tears from his eyes and hugged the animal.
"Good-bye, Bill. We'll miss you!" The hobbit turned to Jacen, who was patting the pony's head and had a far-looking glaze to his eyes. "Will Bill be able to find his way back to Rivendell, Jacen? The elves will take care of him there, but I think there's Wargs in the mountains..." Jacen blinked, then smiled at the tear-stricken halfling.
"Bill will be fine, Sam. I've checked his mind, and the path to the elves is clearly marked out in his thoughts. I've managed to tell him that he must go there, and not to follow us when we leave. Bill will be safe from Wargs, as well, as I've planted some ideas for defense in his mind." Jacen felt Tenel Ka grab hold of his had and squeeze it, and he smiled. Sam sniffed sadly, and patted the pony one last time.
As Bill walked off into the shadows, Gandalf grunted something sounding mildly cheery. Everyone gathered around.
"Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight, and moonlight." He pushed Merry and Anakin out of the way, and the moonlight shone on the wall. Shiny, silvery writing and drawings suddenly shone on the rock.
"The door inscription says, 'The doors of Durin - Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.' Gandalf made an 'hmph-ing' noise, and placed his staff on the wall. He started talking oddly, in many different tongues, and cursing as each failed to open the door. Everyone lost interest after about twenty minutes of the old man yelling and swearing in dwarfish, all except the droids. C3PO chattered to Gandalf in dwarfish, offering ideas and random annoying comments. R2 loved when people got really wound up at inanimate things, like walls, and wasgoading on the wizard with beeps and whistles.
Merry and Pippin wandered away, with Anakin, Tahiri and Lowie trailing behind. They all tried to pass the time skipping rocks on the lake, but glaring and a well-thrown stick to Merry's head stopped them. Aragorn glowered at them from his perch on a rock, hefting another stick in threat.
"Do not disturb the water. I feel that all is not as it seems within the lake." Gimli and Han giggled weakly beside the Ranger.
"Heh. Water shiny..." Han pointed at the lake and laughed. Leia scowled from where she stood with Legolas, not partaking in the Pipeweed her husband was obviously enjoying. Jaina and Zekk did not allow Boromir to smoke anything, to the great chagrin of the dirty man. They did not want the responsibility of a great, high, unwashed maniac with a blaster rifle. The repercussions could be horrendous.
Anakin stood with his hobbit and Jedi friends, trying notto be drawn into Pippin's plans for a game of tag. He got bored with the group and meandered over to where Gandalf still stood, hitting the wall maliciously with his staff, and muttering darkly.
"Gandalf, sir?" Anakin said. The wizard looked over. "I think it's a riddle... "Speak friend, and enter"? What's a word for friend?" Gandalf looked impressed, and turned to the wall again.
"Mellon!" The door grated open, much to the surprise, and delight of all. ("Oooh! Door... Open... Wow..." No more weed for Han..:D) Gandalf grinned, and patted Anakin's head. The group stood and started into the dark tunnel.