A Stranger In The Woods
Chapter 17: Moria
Katie wrapped her arms tightly around Legolas as the darkness engulfed them, her heart pounding hard against her ribs. She was scared out of her wits. She hadn't expected the guardian to be so ugly, so scary. 'So real.' She pressed her face against Legolas' firm shoulder, trying to control the tremors that shook her body. Up until now, Middle Earth hadn't seemed real. It was just a set on a movie, just a series of images on a screen. Nothing that could hurt her…
Seeing the monster up close and personal had changed all that. Now it was all real. The movie had become a reality. Full of real dangers like orcs and goblins and balrogs. 'And I could really die,' she realized with a shudder. Legolas placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her slightly closer.
"We now have but one choice," Gandalf whispered, knocking his staff against the hard floor.
Light filled the cave and Legolas immediately dropped his arms, stepping away from her.
"We must face the long dark of Moria," Gandalf stated. "Be on your guard," he warned. "There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world."
The group began to walk and Katie stayed as close to the elf as she could, still deep in thought. It sounded weird, but she hadn't counted on the movie becoming real to her. When she first agreed to join the fellowship, she had been caught up in the dream that was Middle Earth. Now, she had finally caught a glimpse of the evil brewing under the surface and she was terrified. The mines were dark and deep- cold and uninviting. Not only was she afraid of heights, but she was somewhat cholosterphobic. She knew she would have to face both fears to make it through Moria. For the first time since the start of the journey, Katie wondered if she had made a mistake. After all, Moria was just the beginning.
"Quietly now," Gandalf whispered. "It is a four day journey to the other side…Let us hope our presence goes unnoticed."
Katie groaned, wondering how she'd ever survive.
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They marched most of the night, over high bridges and around never-ending holes. They climbed up steep stairs and across narrow ledges, the thick smell of death and decay all around them. Katie followed Legolas, focusing her eyes on his back so she wouldn't look around. Or down. She forced herself to breathe through her mouth, trying not to gag. 'I'd give anything for some fresh air,' she thought as they continued on silently. This was hell on earth.
Legolas looked everywhere as they walked, studying everything around him in fascination. 'He's obviously not afraid,' she frowned, realizing she had never seen the elf scared. He held his bow loosely in his hand as he walked, but Katie wasn't fooled by his casual appearance, she knew if anything happened he'd be ready in less than a split-second. She was lost in her thoughts and nearly plowed into him when he stopped in front of her.
'What happened?' she wondered, fearing the worst. She noticed Gandalf pointing to a wall- bright with some kind of metal and relaxed. 'He's probably just answering one of the hobbits questions,' she thought with a smirk.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels." Gandalf told the group quietly. "But mithril." He held his staff over the edge and everyone leaned forward to glance at what he was showing them.
Katie looked down and let out a little yelp when she realized how high up they were. She stepped back against the wall, getting as far away from the edge as possible. Legolas shot her a puzzled look.
"What is wrong?" He asked softly when as they began to walk again.
"I'm a little afraid of heights," she muttered, to scared to think of lying. Actually, she was petrified of heights. Even being up several stories made her light-headed and queasy. Being up this high made her feel like she was about to faint. Not to mention puke everywhere.
An amused smile crept onto his handsome face.
"Do you think that's funny?" She hissed, deciding if she did get sick, she'd aim it towards him.
Legolas just grinned, oblivious to her plans. "I thought you were not afraid of anything, Miss Bennett." He whispered teasingly.
Ahead of them Gandalf was telling the hobbits about Bilbo's mithril coat.
"Oh, and you're Mr. Perfect huh?" Katie growled in annoyance.
Legolas turned and met her eyes, looking serious. "There are things I fear," he admitted softly.
"Just not heights," he added with a grin.
Katie couldn't help but smile. "We'll see how afraid you are when I push you over the edge," she threatened.
He gave her a rather pitying look. "You may try, but I must warn you; if I fall, you go down with me."
Katie glanced uneasily at the ledge and pressed herself further against the wall.
It was better not to chance it.
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The next three days were spent walking through the maze of Moria. Katie stayed as close to Legolas as possible, surprised at how much safer she felt when he was near. He would grab her arm reassuringly, helping her make her way over difficult ledges and high bridges so she wouldn't be scared. Each day she grew more accustomed to his nearness, more comfortable with his touch. He seemed to relax more around her as well, quietly joking and teasing her, mostly about her fear of heights. Though she would die before admitting it to him, she rather enjoyed his harmless banter. She loved the fact that he was opening up to her- letting her see the real Legolas beneath the cold, impersonal mask he usually wore.
Katie realized that somehow, despite the arguments and bickering words, they had become friends. She didn't want to give that up. Not when they'd come so far…
'I wish I could just tell him about Gandalf's death,' she thought with a weary sigh, her mind only half focused on what she was doing: climbing some impossibly steep stairs.
She slipped and hit her shin against the sharp stone. "Damn it," she cursed, pulled out of her thoughts by the throbbing pain in her leg.
"Haven't you guys ever heard of hand rails?" She growled at Gimli.
"I can't help it if you are not graceful," the dwarf muttered. "Legolas isn't having any problems." He pointed out.
"Oh, shut up," she snapped at Legolas, seeing his smirk.
He turned to her- looking shocked and defensive. "I did not say anything."
"You were thinking it," she growled.
Legolas laughed softly to himself. "I have a feeling Katie does not enjoy the mines." He told Gimli, acting like she wasn't even standing there, listening.
'He called me Katie,' she realized suddenly. "That's the truth," she muttered- trying to hide a smile. "All I want right now is some fresh air and sunlight…and maybe a hot bath."
She slipped again and banged her already bruised legs against the stairs. She muttered an incredibly long list of curse words under her breath and saw Legolas frown- indicating he heard.
Thankfully, the stairs soon came to and end- leading up to three doors. Gandalf studied them for a moment in silence as everyone else waited. "I have no memory of this place," he decided finally.
The group sat down to rest, hoping the wizard would remember the way out of the mines. Aragorn and Boromir sat on the top step, smoking their pipes. Pippin complained about being hungry as Gandalf talked to Frodo quietly. Legolas just stood awkwardly by himself, arms crossed over his chest.
Katie sat away from the men, feeling completely exhausted from the lack of sleep she'd been getting. The mines were no place to sleep- too cold, too damp. She yawned and stretched out her legs in an attempt to get comfortable. She felt eyes studying her and knew without looking that it was Legolas. No other man's gaze made her feel the way his did. Hot, tingly, nervous and excited all at once. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her pack. After a minute she felt someone sit down next to her.
"Hello Legolas," she said without opening her eyes. "I'm guessing you want to know what happens next."
"Yes," he spoke softly.
Katie opened her eyes and grinned as she sat up. "So, I take it you still believe me?"
He nodded.
"Alright," her grin widened. "I will tell you…IF you do two things for me." She had spent the last several days thinking of what to ask for.
Legolas narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Like what?"
"Do you want me to tell you what I know or not?" she demanded. She could be very stubborn when she felt like it.
"Alright," Legolas agreed with a un-elflike sigh. "Tell me what the two things are and I will see what I can do."
Katie gave him a cheeky smile. "Great! First off, I want you to quit teasing me about my fear of heights."
Legolas frowned. "Fine. And the second thing?"
"The second thing is this…I want you to promise me that if you ever get new weapons I can have those." She motioned to the weapons on his back.
"My weapons?" His frown deepened. "Why would I get new weapons?"
"Are you going to promise me or not?" Katie asked, ignoring his questions.
Legolas was silent for a long minute. "Alright," he all but growled. "I will do both things you ask although I do not understand…now, what is going to happen?"
"Not so fast," she said, trying to keep the smile off her face. "First, I want to hear you promise me."
She couldn't wait to see the look on his face in Lothlórien when she reminded him of his promise. 'He'll be so mad.'
Legolas shot her an annoyed look. "I promise," he muttered through clenched teeth.
"Okay then," she said purposely bubbly. "Now to the future…" She thought for a minute before starting. "Gandalf will realize what door to use and we will walk to the dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf. Gimli will find his cousins tomb and everyone will listen as Gandalf reads from a book. We cannot hold them. We cannot get out. They are coming…Pippin will knock a skeleton down the well and the orcs will attack. They have a cave troll," she whispered. "After we kill it we will run to the bridge of Kaza-dum."
Katie paused, unsure of how to continue. "Something terrible will chase us. A balrog."
Legolas jumped slightly as Gandalf exclaimed from behind them. "Ah! It is this way!"
He studied her intently, searching her face for the truth. "Is there anything else I should know?" He asked in a whisper.
"No," she lied. She couldn't break her promise to Gandalf- no matter how much she wanted to.
He looked into her eyes and nodded once- indicating he believed her. Then sprang to his feet and joined the others.
Katie watched him walk away; letting out a deep breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. 'I hope he forgives me.'
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A/N: Okay, here's the update. Hope everyone likes it. A couple things:
(From the last chapter) Yes, you can be born without ovaries. It is more common than you think.
(From the last chapter) No, Katie is definitely not in love with Legolas at this time. And if she is, she doesn't realize it.
Alright, that's all I can think of. If anyone has any questions, review or e-mail me.
Katie-sue