I finally updated! I hate not updating as often as I like to! Grrrr! Okay, enough venting. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so very very much for the reviews! I love to hear from you so as always, keep them coming because you guys are the best!

NOTE: I didn't proof read and I noted a few errors after I had posted so I fixed them! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothings associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 8

The snow was falling at an alarming rate and it reminded Aria of the bad snowstorms they used to get when she was little and how school would be closed for several days because of the snow drifts that covered the building. Aria and Legolas moved through the snow easily enough and she felt terrible for the small hobbits and Gimli, who seemed to be having the hardest time fighting their way through the snow. Legolas squeezed her shoulder and she looked over at him, but she had to shield her eyes from the snow. "I'm going ahead, keep your eyes on the others," he said to her. Aria nodded and Legolas walked ahead of the group and Aria noted a few glares from Boromir and Aragorn who were waist deep in snow and a hobbit on each shoulder. Legolas stopped towards the edge and listened. "There is a fell voice on the air," Legolas said to everyone and Aria and the others stopped to listen.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf exclaimed as the mountain shook and boulders fell towards the group. Aria moved back towards the wall of the mountain with the others.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn yelled over the roaring of the snow and rocks.

"No! Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!" Gandalf said as he moved to the edge of the cliff. All of them could feel the struggle for control by the two wizards, the air was heavy with their magic and Aria's heart was racing quickly. Suddenly, lighting struck the top of the mountain and snow and rocks came crashing down on the group. Aria felt like she was suffocating under all the snow but somehow, she managed to get herself out of the snow only to see everyone else out of the snow and talking. She shook her head to rid it of the snow and watched the scene in front of her.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the west road to my city!" Boromir yelled. Aria sighed and pulled herself completely from the snow.

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Aragorn yelled back. Aria was confused but continued to listen.

"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria," a snow covered Gimli suggested. Aria looked at Gandalf and saw a faint shadow cast over his face. She frowned and Gandalf took a deep breath.

"Let the Ring-bearer decide... Frodo?" he asked. Everyone waited nervously for Frodo's decision. Aria saw slight hesitation in his eyes but he looked at Gandalf.

"We will go through the mines," Frodo said. Gandalf nodded.

"So be it," he said before they turned around and began to make their way back down the mountain side. Legolas walked next to Aria as they followed the others taking up the rear of the group.

"Legolas, why didn't Gandalf want to go into Moria?" she asked as they stopped outside a small cave and the others went inside and away from the blowing snow. Legolas looked at Aria and shook his head.

"I am not certain, but I myself am not looking forward to going into the mines," he said. Aria frowned.

"But I thought you said that your home in Mirkwood was a cave." Legolas smiled.

"Yes it is a cave, but it is different than the dwarf mines. My home has many windows and balconies where the dwarf cities are in complete darkness." Aria suppressed a shiver at the tone of his voice and the words he conveyed.

"No natural light?" He shook his head. "This will be fun," she said quietly but Legolas caught it and couldn't help but chuckle. Aria smiled at him before he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Let us join the others and get out of the wind." Aria nodded and went inside to see Boromir and Aragorn trying to start a fire and the hobbits shivering. Aria walked over to the two men and kneeled down next to them.

"What's the matter?" she asked. Aragorn sighed.

"The branches we were able to find are to damp to take the sparks," he said. Aria nodded and held out her right hand and focused. The two men looked at her oddly but soon they started to see her hand glow red. They looked at each other and then at Aria's hand. Slowly a small stream of fire made its way from her hand and concentrated on the sticks until they took to the flame and began to burn. Aria pulled her hand away and took a deep breath as she closed her eyes tight. Aragorn smiled at her. "When did you teach yourself to control it?" Aria took another deep breath before she looked at the man with a small smile.

"During the night I've been practicing, trying to draw them without my emotions. I haven't been able to control wind just yet and water and ice have yet to make an appearance so, fire is all I can control right now," she said as she stood. Aragorn nodded and all four hobbits hurried over to the small fire and happily took in its warmth. Frodo looked up at Aria with a smile, which Aria returned before she turned around to see Legolas looking at her. "What?" she asked and when he didn't answer she walked past him and sat down next to Gandalf. Gandalf smiled at her before he took out his pipe.

Legolas sat down near the edge of the cave just looking out into the stilled sky and thinking. When Aria started the fire, her normally white aura turned bright red and it had startled him to see that change in her.

He heard someone approach and felt them sit down next to him. "What are you thinking about?" Aria asked as she looked off into the distance.

"Our journey ahead. We still have a great distance to cover," he responded as he looked at her. She nodded her head and Legolas smiled at her and just looked at her for a while. "When did you learn to control fire like that?" he finally asked and Aria looked at him.

"During the nights I couldn't sleep or when you all finally let me watch on my own. Gandalf had told me that with training I would be able to call on my powers without my emotions and so far I can control fire." Legolas nodded. Aria felt drained from using her powers and the others were sound asleep. "Would you hate me if I rested for a little while?" she asked. Legolas chuckled and shook his head.

"Nay, it is fine my friend." Aria smiled and stood from her spot. She walked over to her bed roll next to Frodo and laid down. Legolas watched her as her eyes unfocused and she soon was resting. He sighed and returned his attention to the night sky and waited for the dawn.

They had finished their decent easy enough and were walking towards a large cliff. Aria was walking behind Gimli and stopped when he did and looked at him. "The walls of Moria," he said. Aria looked up at the cliff and frowned. Yes they were large but they were more frightening than amazing. The others continued but Aria hesitated. Legolas turned back to her and held out his hand she took it and he frowned when her hand was damp.

"Aria?" he asked as he pulled her closer and turned her palm up. A pool of water suddenly appeared. Aria looked at her hand and then up at Legolas. "What emotion brings water?" he asked as his eyes moved from her hand to meet her eyes.

"Fear," she whispered before she took her hand and shook the water from it. Legolas took her hands into his.

"Avo 'osto nad. Le na vellyn. (Don't be afraid. You are with friends)," he said softly to her and Aria suddenly felt a calm come from his hands into hers. Legolas looked from her eyes to their hands. It felt as if she was drawing from him. He couldn't explain it, but it felt like she was taking something from him. After a moment, the sensation stopped and he looked up at her, relived to feel the water from her hands gone. "Come. Let's hurry and catch up with the others." Aria nodded and they easily made their way over to the other side and quickly caught up to the others. They stopped near two trees and a smooth area in the rock.

"Well, let's see... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight," Gandalf whispered as he turned to the sky and it seemed like he moved the clouds to let the moon shine down on them. Aria looked back at Gandalf and her eyes widened when she saw the carvings on the wall. "It reads: 'The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'"

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked and Aria smiled at him.

"Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open," Gandalf said before he put his staff on the door. "Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!" he exclaimed but nothing happened. "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!" he tried again but nothing. Aria looked at Legolas and raised an eyebrow.

Gandalf kept trying and everyone became restless. Legolas stood near one of the trees, Merry and Pippin sat near the water next to Frodo and Boromir and Gimli sat off to the side. Aria walked over to a sad looking Sam who was talking with Aragorn. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill," Aragorn said as he tied the last bag from Bill. Aria scratched Bill's nose and then put her hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Bye bye, Bill," Sam said. Aria patted his shoulder and he looked up at her and gave her a sad smile.

"Go on, Bill. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows the way home," Aragorn said. Aria nodded in agreement.

"Horses are some of the wisest creatures Sam. You'll see him again," she said with a smile and Sam returned it before he turned from them and joined Frodo. Aragorn looked at her with a smile. "What?" she asked.

"You truly are Marwen's daughter," he said quietly. Aria raised an eyebrow. "Your mother had a way with horses, like all elves, but it was rumored that she had a deeper connection to all animals." He smiled at her before he returned to the group. His smile disappeared when he saw Merry and Pippin throwing stones in the water. Pippin was about to throw another when Aragorn stopped him. "Do not disturb the water," he whispered. All three including Aria looked at the water. Aria noted ripples in the water and furrowed her brow.

"Oh, it's useless," Gandalf said before he sat down on a large rock. Frodo stood and looked up at the door.

"It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo asked as he looked at Gandalf.

"Mellon," Gandalf said and the doors opened. Aria walked over to Frodo and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I see who the smart male is out of this bunch," she whispered to him. Frodo chuckled and shook his head. Aria smiled glad she could loosen some of the burden on his heart but it was still heavy. They began to walk into the mines and a foul smell greeted them all. Aria felt like she was going to be sick but stayed right behind Legolas.

"Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!" Gimli said with a large smile on his face, but Aria had a bad feeling about that place. Gandalf lit a stone on his staff and lit the area they were standing in. Aria gasped and covered her mouth as the rotten and decayed bodies of the dwarves and other things she couldn't quiet make out what they were but they were disgusting.

"This is no mine. It's a tomb," Boromir said.

"No! Nooo! NOOOO!" Gimli exclaimed and Aria felt her heart ache for him. Legolas rushed over to one of the corpses and pulled an arrow from the decayed chest.

"Goblins!" he said in a disgusted tone after he examined the arrow. He threw it on the ground and drew one of his arrows.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here! Now get out of here! Get out!" Boromir exclaimed as they all began to back out of the cave. Legolas walked up to Aria.

"Stay near me and be ready to battle if needed," he whispered to her and she just nodded her head because she didn't trust her voice to work. Suddenly, Frodo was pulled from the group of hobbits by a slimy tentacle from the water.

"Frodo!" Merry exclaimed and the group of hobbits turned and saw Frodo being pulled into the water. All three rushed over to him and began to pull on his arms. Merry slashed at the tentacle with his sword but more tentacles came up and knocked the three of them away.

"Frodo! Help!" Pippin yelled as the scurried back only to have him lifted completely away from them.

"Strider!" Sam and Frodo yelled at the same time. Aragorn turned and looked only to see Frodo being pulled away. Aragorn rushed out and began fighting the squid. All the others soon joined him, except for Aria who pulled the other hobbits to the door.

"Stay with me," she told them. "They'll save him." They just kept their eyes locked on the battle. Legolas rushed passed them and began firing arrows. Soon, and thankfully so, they were able to get Frodo from the squid and they ran into the mine. The squid came up from the water and pulled down the rocks blocking their only exit and leaving them in the dark. "That's just great," Aria said to herself before Gandalf lit the room with his staff.

"We now have but one choice," Gandalf said. "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." Aria swallowed hard and looked at Legolas who gave her a reassuring smile even though he was uncertain of the dark as well. Gandalf began to make his way and soon they filed along behind him and made their way into Moria.