Author's Note: Hey everyone! Finally, we present to you the next chapter. We had meant for it to come out sooner, but we both had our wisdom teeth taken out, and...yeah. Mass pain. Didn't feel like doing much of anything for a few days. We hope you enjoy this one, cause we really like this particular chapter, so read on and review!!

The currents mouth below me opens up around me,

Suggests and beckons all while swallowing.

It surrounds and drowns and sweeps me away.

~ 'Undertow,' by Tool

Chapter 18

They were greeted with silence and darkness as the fellowship stepped past the main doors to Moria. Light from the moon cascading into the large room was the only thing they had to go by, and even then the area was dimly lit. It was hard to make out what littered the floor, but most assumed it was either garbage or scraps of food or tools. The silence was quite unnerving, and the immortals of the group exchanged looks of discretion and caution; something was very off about this place.

"Where is everyone?" Pippin asked. His voice came out louder due to the echo, and he was immediately shushed by Aragorn and Gimli.

"Yes, where's this welcome you spoke of?" Liana inquired to Gimli.

"All in good time, lass," Gimli replied. He couldn't keep the pleased smile off his face - *this* was home. Deep in the mines, surrounded by glorious rock with good company and good food. He could not wait to see Balin's expression when he brought in this mixed group of faeries, humans, an elf, a wizard, and hobbits. The dwarf would damn near have a heart attack, he thought with a chuckle." No more meager meals for us, no sir," he clucked." Once we're in the heart of the city, there will be welcome enough."

"Sure about that?" Liana frowned. Something smelled really bad, sort of stale, and she was beginning to wonder about what was littering the floor. Nevada and Legolas had the same look on their face, and it looked as if Aragorn was beginning to have some doubts about this room.

"Shouldn't someone have come by now?" Legolas implored, his own voice slightly hushed. He wasn't particularly looking forward to meeting other dwarves, but he did not like the stifling silence in this room - or its absence of light or people.

"Patience, aren't you elves taught that at a young age?" Gimli retorted, ignoring Legolas's glare. He was in much too high spirits for that. Turning back to look up at the elf, he added," Soon, master elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves." Someone snorted, and he had a feeling it was Nevada." Roaring fires," he said enthusiastically.

"Don't see any," Nevada muttered. Preoccupied, she didn't watch where she walked and her foot struck something hard. She lifted her foot to go over it, but when she set it down again, she crunched on something brittle and cringed.

"Malt beer," Gimli continued happily." Ripe meat off the bone."

*Bone*. Nevada had stopped walking, and looked down at what her foot had hit. When she saw what it was, her head snapped back up, eyes wide." Guys?"

" This, my friend," the dwarf indicated to Legolas," is the home of my cousin Balin." Shaking his head with mirth, he added," And they call it a mine." Gandalf stepped away from the others and blew gently on the top of his staff. Light flared from it, and he cast it around the now dimly glowing room.

"Guys?"

"A *Mine*!"

Merry gestured to Frodo and pointed out a pile of what looked like rags not too far away. Something sticking out of it looked suspiciously like a hand, and the two began to realize just what exactly was on that floor. Pippin heard rushing water behind him, and turned slightly to see waves much larger than he remembered chasing up the shore.

"Guys?!"

"What, Nevada?" A chorus of voices answered. They stopped to look at her.

The faerie raised her hands partly in the air, a look of disbelief and horror frozen on her face." I think I just stepped on somebody's head."

Everyone began talking at once and glancing down at the floor. The scraps on the floor went from unknown masses of shapes to grotesque piles of bones, armor, and bodies. The hobbits backed away, horrified at what their feet were touching, and Gimli's eyes widened with mortification. This couldn't be happening...no, this could not be right, this would not happen to his relatives! His people would not have let this happen!!

"This isn't a mine," Boromir finally spoke in a choked voice." This is a tomb!"

Gimli felt as if the rug had been ripped out from under him as it started to sink in that these corpses were *his people*. His heart hammered in his throat and the blood left his face as he recognized a few of them as soldiers he had once known." Oh!" he burst out in a strangled voice. Anger and grief swelled in his throat at the senseless massacre before him, and the keening wail that came out of him chilled the fellowship to the bone." No!...Nooooo!"

Legolas stooped down and ripped an arrow out of the corpse of a nearby dwarf. He examined the fletching on the arrow and its black coloring, and threw it down on the floor in disgust." Goblins," he spat out. At the confirmation, Boromir and Aragorn drew out their swords and Legolas drew out his own bow and an arrow. They had no idea whether the goblins were still around or if they had left.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan," Boromir said in a low voice. For once, Nevada agreed with him wholeheartedly. That sounded much better than staying in this place." We should never have come here," he shook his head slowly. The fellowship began to back away incase of an attack by stray goblins, and again Pippin heard the strange rush of water coming from the lake.

"Now get out of here," Boromir gritted out tensely. Gesturing to everyone else, he repeated," get out!" The whole company ran for the doorway, but the hobbits reached the outside first since they had been closer to the doorway. The moment they reached the shore of the lake, something exploded out in a cascade of water

Before the hobbits could react, a long limb burst from the depths of the water and snaked around Frodo's ankle." Ah!" Frodo gasped in surprise as he flew through the air and landed on his back. He was being dragged away at a surprising speed, and for a moment, all the other hobbits could do was stare.

"Frodo!" Sam, Merry and Pippin finally burst out in panic. Sam rushed forward, still clenching his sword, and swung madly at the tentacle taking his best friend away. He hacked at the tentacle, and behind his shoulder, cried desperately," Strider!" Not waiting for an answer, Sam continued whacking the tentacle." Get off of him!" the little hobbit shouted with the ferocity of a bear.

Aragorn looked over upon hearing the gardener, and his eyes widened at what he saw.

"What in the hell," Nevada said, and Liana cocked her head to the side at the thing wrapped around Frodo's ankle. Before they could reach him, the tentacle let go of Frodo and slipped back in the water. For a few seconds it was calm, and everyone looked at each other with confusion and alarm. Frodo's chest heaved with exertion, and he accepted Sam's hand to get up.

Without warning, the entirety of the monster surfaced, water boiling and rushing out of its way as it came up from the lake's depths. Everyone stared in morbid fascination at the ugly octopus-like creature, and while they did, a mass number of tentacles shot out of the water, aimed at Frodo. The young hobbit could do nothing but scream as another, stronger tentacle wrapped around his thigh and lifted him bodily into the air. He found himself dangling upside down, thirty feet up in the air and nowhere to go but down, into the belly of the beast.

"Frodo!" the fellowship shouted in horror. Aragorn rushed out ahead to help Frodo, and the hobbits backed away from the other offending tentacles all around them. Legolas, still back near the door and with a clear view of Frodo and the tentacle holding him, notched an arrow and sighted his target. He let it go and it hit the tentacle holding Frodo, but the monster's hold stayed strong. Cursing silently, he aimed for another one." Four."

"That one doesn't count."

Legolas's heart lifted at the wry, clear voice next to him. He did not like the idea of her getting hurt in battle, but it was soothing to have her close where he could keep an eye on her. It was an entirely different feeling to have the woman he deeply cared for fighting alongside of him, but she proved to be an excellent fighter and he found her as witty as Nevada in the heat of battle.' It must be a faerie trademark,' he mused." I still hit it."

"It didn't drop Frodo," she countered sweetly." You're still on three." Liana pulled back on her bow and let the arrow fly with a twang. It hit a tentacle directly behind Boromir, and the offending arm flopped into the water." Four!" she sang out in delight." I won."

Legolas notched an arrow, let it go, and repeated with another arrow immediately after. Both watched the two flit through the air, nailing a tentacle that had snaked itself around Pippin's foot and another around Merry's knee. Both tentacles fell to the ground, and the two hobbits backed quickly away. Legolas met Liana's incredulous gaze with a slightly smug smile." I believe that was five, my lady."

Aragorn and Boromir brandished their sword and began cutting off any tentacle they could find, trying to reach Frodo while they did. Gimli and Nevada came up to help, the former swinging his axe with blind fury and wrecking havoc wherever he could, the latter viciously slicing her way to the screaming, terrified hobbit hanging in the air.

The tentacle tightened its hold on Frodo's leg and tossing him around like a rag doll. Squeezing his eyes shut, Frodo felt tears slip in with the water on his face and he prayed silently while he cried out loud. He was so scared, he didn't want to die like this, this wasn't fair...' Please don't let me die, please, I can't, I have so much to do...They chose me to get rid of the Ring, and I said I would, I can't die... I want Bilbo, or my mother...Aragorn, where are you??' He yelped again when he passed to another tentacle, and then passed back, and he got another glimpse of the ground before shutting his eyes again. The ground was so far below, if he fell, he'd break his neck or end up eaten by that monster.

Nevada avoided another tentacle by leaping out of the way and hacking it off before it could go after everyone else. She nimbly dodged a few more, tactfully avoiding getting too wet and staying off her feet. One of the tentacles made a grab for her hair, but she swung around and chopped it off before it got near." Ha-ha, missed me!" she told it gleefully. Nevada dodged a few more, stepped over another, and whipped around to hack off one reaching for her stomach." Ha!" she laughed mockingly.

A roaring below Frodo made him open his eyes, and he tried to focus on what he was seeing while he was being swung around. The monster holding him showed its face and body as it surfaced on the water - a hideous, sleek body with a gaping mouth full of teeth as big as Frodo's hand. The mouth opened wide and a hideous sound came forth from it. Frodo screamed in horror and fear.

"Holy shit," Nevada faltered and stared at the monstrous beast in front of her, and nearly dropped her sword. That thing was huge, and those teeth! Momentarily preoccupied, she missed the tentacle coming near her, and it shot out, wrapping around her ankle and tugging quickly. With a startled yelp, she felt her legs go out under her. She lashed out blindly with her sword, and sliced at the tentacle on her ankle. It let go, and another frenzied shriek followed before as she fell with a splash in the water.

" Damn, Nev," Liana shook her head in exasperation as she watched Nevada come up, sputtering and cursing the monster they were trying to fight off. She couldn't get a clear shot of the tentacle holding Frodo, so she contented herself with shooting the monster's body, hoping to find a weak spot.

Aragorn sliced until his arm ached, but he refused to stop until Frodo was on the ground. It would be foolish to try and kill this thing, anyhow. The tentacle holding Frodo swung his way, and he saw his chance. Bringing back his sword, Aragorn waited until the massive tentacle came near him, and he swung. His blade neatly sliced the tentacle in half, and it let go of Frodo with a jerk." Boromir!" Aragorn called.

Frodo felt himself be let go and he prayed that he would at least fall on the ground and receive a quick death instead of falling into the gaping mouth of the monster in the water. His breath was stolen from him as he free fell for a good thirty feet, and just before he hit the ground, arms were held out and he fell roughly into them.

Boromir held Frodo tightly and ran out of the water, Aragorn and Nevada keeping pace with him. They heard Gandalf roar out," Into the mines!!" The man of Gondor set Frodo down with the rest of the hobbits and turned back to Legolas, who was still shooting the monster. If there was one thing the man knew, it was that anyone was useless when they were blinded in battle." Legolas!" he called out and the elf turned slightly." Aim for his eye! Hurry up and come on!"

Legolas nodded and notched another arrow. He paused, waiting until he could spot the eyes, and for a brief moment he saw them. Taking up the opportunity, he let the arrow fly and it struck the monster's pupil. With a roar, it recoiled in on itself momentarily, but that was all the time they needed. Boromir, Legolas and Aragorn raced in behind the others, past the doors of Moria. The beast, angered immensely at this new development of its prey getting away, whipped out all of its tentacles and came out of the water with ferocious speed. It crashed into the rock around the doors, and with a loud rumble the rocks fell. The weight of the monster caused the doors themselves to cave in, and rocks fell and piled until they blockaded the entrance to Moria from the outraged monster on the other side.

It was pitch black where the Fellowship stood, and dust from the avalanched choked the air. For a long moment, nothing could be heard but everyone's strangled breathing and choked coughs. Frodo sat down heavily for a moment, placing a hand on his head and trying to calm his racing heart." Thank you," he said hoarsely to anyone listening. He almost died back there, and it was terrifying. He knew he'd have nightmares for weeks about whatever that thing was.

"Are you all right, Frodo?" came Aragorn's gruff voice.

"I'll be fine," he replied, paused to swallow, and added," In a minute or two."

"Is everyone all right?" Gandalf's low, rumbling voice could be heard. He still had not lit his staff, and most of the fellowship was thankful. They did not want to see what was on the floor all around them again; even they knew very well that it was there.

One by one, everyone replied in the affirmative, and Gandalf nodded in satisfaction. Then it was time to move away from the watcher and into the place he dreaded more than anything. Sighing sadly to himself, he voiced his feelings grimly." We now have but one choice." Light emitted from Gandalf's staff. He hit it on the floor once, and it grew brighter until everyone could once again see each other and the sickening contents of the room." We must face the long dark of Moria." Slowly, the wizard began to walk towards the doorway in the back of the room, and the fellowship fell in a single, silent line behind him." Be on your guard!" he warned them gravely." There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." Liana and Nevada exchanged a dark look, their thoughts mirroring Gandalf's before they turned back to the path ahead. It was best not to think of such things - there would be time for that later.

The eleven carefully picked their way past the remains of the dwarves on the floor, and Gimli did so with a hard, but sad heart. It grieved him to see his kinsmen like this, but there was nothing he could do. Moria had been attacked, and that was the truth of it - no matter of mourning would change that. What he could do, however, he thought with growing animosity, was make sure those damn goblins and orcs paid for their crimes!

The dwarf's musings were interrupted when he heard a muttered;" This is just great." *Crunch*." Oh, yeah. Outstanding."

Aragorn let out a low chuckle, and Nevada's mouth quirked up in a smile. He had a really good laugh, if he would just use it more.

"Miss Nevada, you're dripping," Merry pointed out. Splatters of water from her wet, black hair were landing on his shirt and arms, and it was getting rather annoying.

"I know that, Merry," the faerie hissed in as low of a tone as she could muster. She didn't miss the faint amusement on the human's, Liana's, or Legolas's face, all three of which had witnessed her little mishap earlier." It wasn't my fault I got soaked. Didn't want to get frickin' wet in the first place," she sniffed.

"Be more careful next time," Aragorn suppressed a smile.

"Shut it, human, like I knew the monster was going to do that," she snapped back. She didn't miss Liana trying to hold back laughter, either. Her shoulders were shaking with it." Liana, you better quit it. I swear to the Valar I'll strangle you in your sleep!"

"Nevada!" Gandalf's voice snapped out." Silence!"

Nevada shut up and glared at her tormentors. Besides Aragorn, the other three wouldn't be talking if they had gotten wet... Smirking, she stepped closer to them and shook her head like a dog, sending her dark hair flying and whipping out sprays of water at anyone standing by.

"Dammit, Nevada, I'm wet enough," Aragorn reared back and glared at her. His look was nothing compared to the one Legolas was giving her, and Liana made a rude gesture and a face.

Nevada snickered in delight and turned around to keep walking. Unfortunately, she wasn't watching where she was walking, and pitched forward when she tripped over a skeleton." *Shit!*" she squeaked, and her arms wind milled until she regained her balance.

Muffled laughter overcame Liana, and Aragorn and Legolas's shoulders shook, eyes dancing with mirth." You are the clumsiest person I know," Aragorn chuckled, and walked past her surprised face.

Seething with anger, Nevada followed him, and mindful of the evil glare Gandalf was giving her, she hissed out," You wanna say that to my face?!" He kept walking, and she added," Come back here!"

Gandalf, who had been leading the pack across the threshold and up the steps since they started arguing, cut her off with," Quietly now!" When they were silent again, he continued." It is a four-day journey to the other side."

Sighs and groans could be heard from mainly the female portion of the fellowship." Four days?!" Nevada softly exclaimed.

"This ought to be good," Liana muttered sarcastically. She absolutely *hated* coming to Moria, even when she was a kid. It wasn't necessarily because of the underground aspect, but it was something else. Right now, she didn't remember what had been so unsettling before, but the feeling was there and that was all that mattered. This was not going to be fun.

" It will go by quicker if we remain *silent* and walk swiftly," Gandalf said pointedly, giving each girl a long look until they quieted down." Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

They remained quiet as they stepped out into Moria itself and took in their surroundings. The cavern was absolutely gigantic, reaching up high with jagged rock walls. It reached down low, as well, disappearing in inky blackness so it was hard to tell just how deep the cavern went. Gandalf's staff did an adequate job in lighting the cavern, but shadows still lingered in the crevices and cracks of the large area. It took their breath away in its enormity and they stopped walking. Their pathway stretched, long and winding, throughout the cavern and branched off in the distance to many other doorways and unknown places.

Liana's attention went from the walls to their pathway, and she immediately paled. *Now* she remembered why she hated coming here so much.

Their walkway was about twelve feet wide, narrower in some parts, and on each side was a sheer drop down into the black caverns. Liana's eyes fixed on that sheer drop and she swallowed, looking away quickly. That was a long drop, and if anyone lost their footing, if *she* lost her footing...It was best not to think about how long she would have to contemplate her own death before she hit the bottom.' Nice, just freak yourself out even more,' Liana thought. She shoved her morbid thoughts away and focused on the blonde head in front of her. Did his hair ever get dirty?' Whatever he washes his hair with, I want some,' she thought, touching her own grimy, dirty hair. It was long, too; longer than hers by an inch or two. It was so odd to her that elven men kept their hair so long, but if she admitted it to herself, she liked it on Legolas. It looked good on him, but so did everything else. He was extremely attractive after all, no doubt about that.

"Thinking of a certain archer?" Nevada asked cheerfully in their native tongue. Liana looked sharply over at her, and she added," It's kind of obvious when you're staring at his backside like that."

Liana flushed, her eyes darting from Legolas to Nevada." Quiet, Nevada. Don't get me started on you and Aragorn."

"There's *nothing* between me and the human!" Nevada burst out shrilly - this time, in the common tongue. If she wasn't being hushed by someone, they were staring at her with raised eyebrows and quizzical expressions. Aragorn gave in and laughed, and Nevada turned to Liana, face red with embarrassment. She held up a hand." Excuse me, Liana." Turning around quickly, she walked over to Aragorn and stopped in front of him, his expression still mirthful." I regret to inform you that I cannot speak to you again. People are assuming things," a glare in Liana's direction," and rumors will start to fly within the fellowship."

Aragorn watched her nod emphatically with a raised eyebrow. He held in his laughter and waited for her words to sink in. When it did, a puzzled and wondering expression crossed her face." What the hell am I saying?" He started to laugh quietly, and she cracked a smile and joined in.

"What did you say to her?" Legolas asked Liana, his gaze shifting from the laughing couple to the shorter faerie next to him. Liana just shook her head and laughed.

Gandalf shook his head and sighed. If their bickering did not give away their position, it would most certainly be the trail of water three certain fellowship members were leaving behind them.

It was going to be a long four days.

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"Didn't we already pass this rock?"

For the fourth time, Gandalf turned around and glared at Nevada's innocent expression." Again, no we have not passed this rock before. Now please, spare me from more of your ridiculous questions, Nevada."

"It *does* look familiar," Liana tilted her head to the side and stared at the strange configuration. She was sure they had seen it before, but who could tell when all the rocks looked generally the same?" I recognize the lumpy part that looks like a nose."

Nevada laughed." You're right; it does look like a nose."

"Silence, the both of you! I know perfectly well where we are, and you most certainly have *not* seen this rock shaped like a nose before. Now stop acting like children or we will leave two foolish faeries behind!" Gandalf glowered, and the two quieted down and looked at him guilelessly. Grumbling, the wizard turned away and led the fellowship on, two properly appeased faeries following somewhat behind.

"What bug bit him," he heard Nevada mutter as loudly as she dared.

"The crotchety, old man bug," Liana replied in a whisper.

"I thought so," Nevada agreed behind him." You know, he was never this bad when we were younger."

"It's a shame."

"Did you really raise them when they were younger?" Frodo asked Gandalf.

The wizard looked down at the curious hobbit and gave him a long-suffering look." Unfortunately."

"So, Aragorn," Nevada started conversationally. She saddled up next to him and ignored the wary look in his eyes as he studied her. Grinning, she gave a light tug at his still damp curls." Finally washed that hair didn't ya?" Leaning over, she smelled it delicately, than reared back, nose scrunched up in distaste." Ugh, it smells like that lake."

"What were you expecting, Nevada?" Aragorn asked wryly." The watcher to hand me some rose scented soap?" She merely snorted and muttered something in her native tongue that probably wasn't the nicest thing to say. Reaching out, he wrapped a few long tendrils of her hair around his fingers, giving them a light pull before continuing," I'm sure yours does not smell exactly heavenly, either." He took a whiff, and then let her hair go." No, it doesn't."

She eyed him dangerously." So what are you saying, that my hair smells bad? Are you implying that I do *not* take care of my hair?"

"No," he shook his head." I'm implying that it smells."

Her mouth dropped, and for a few seconds all she could do was stare at him." No, it doesn't," she denied, and shook her head even more vigorously when he nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. She grabbed a handful of her own hair and brought it to her nose, inhaling its scent before putting it back down." It *does* smell!" Nevada lifted up her arm, sniffed it, and then pulled up the top of her shirt to smell it. Horrified, she grabbed her cloaked and sniffed its scent, as well." I smell!"

Aragorn only laughed at her _expression." You just now noticed it?"

"I always thought it was you!" Nevada exclaimed." Come here." She grabbed his arm and pulled her towards him, sniffing his cloak and then his tunic. With a squeak, she pushed him away and moved on." Liana, come here." Liana raised an eyebrow as her friend smelled her hair and her cloak. When she finished, Nevada stood upright and narrowed her eyes." You smell...clean. Why?"

"Maybe because I didn't take a swim," Liana replied calmly.

"Blondie!" Nevada whipped around suddenly to the elf. Taking in his neat appearance, she stopped and shook her head." Oh, never mind. Just forget you. Boromir!" Striding over, she pulled on Boromir's hair, ignoring his surprised expression." Eh, you smell, too. But not as bad as the other human."

"Are you finished, Nevada?" Gandalf asked from the front of the group.

"But, Gandalf-" Nevada sputtered. Her face fell into a pitiful expression." I *smell!*"

Aragorn sighed and put an arm around Nevada's shoulder, patting her opposite shoulder good-naturedly." Do not worry, Nevada," he said cheerfully." You get used to it."

She twisted her head to the side to give him an astonished look." Get away from me, human, you'll rub off!"

Aragorn grinned and placed his other hand on her shoulder, giving her a friendly shake. He leaned most of his weight on her and she stumbled slightly, her _expression bordering on horror at his stinky nearness.

"Personal space!" she called out, trying to shove him away." You're invading my personal space!"

Aragorn laughed at her and stepped back." Relax, Nevada. The smell will go away once we're out of the mines."

"The smell will go away once we're out of the mines,'" she mimicked in a nasally voice. She sneered at him and walked away in a huff, mumbling about filthy humans and their bathing habits.

"That turned out well," Sam said, giving Frodo a hopeful glance." At least they didn't fight." Frodo smiled and nodded.

"Children, the whole lot of them," Gandalf muttered. He looked around at their surroundings, recognizing the walkways branching off here and there and the one they were talking. They were right on schedule to leave the mines on time, and now seemed as good a time as any to stop for a few hours of rest. The 'children' were getting ornery." We will stop here for the night," the wizard called out to the fellowship.

"How can you tell?" Pippin interrupted. He shut up when Gandalf glared at him.

"As I was saying," he continued, keeping an eye on the hobbit," we will rest for a few hours and continue once everyone has had some sleep." Grateful murmurs followed, and everyone proceeded to drop their things in the large pathway. Bedrolls were rolled out, blankets shook out, and Boromir and Gimli were sent out to fetch firewood for the evening meal.

Liana set her bedroll smack in the middle of the pathway, keeping a wary eye on how close she was to the edge on each side. Satisfied that she was safe enough, she plopped down and let out a breath. She really, really didn't like Moria. This uneasiness deal was all new to her, and she didn't like it. Nevada and Aragorn were setting up camp diagonal and to her left, the hobbits were a little further up to her right, and Gandalf sat at the front. Gimli and Boromir came back with the firewood, and Boromir and Sam set up the fire in the middle of the group.

Legolas's eyes shifted from the dark caverns around them back to the fellowship resting all around him. Nevada and Aragorn were getting into an argument about something, which amused him. They were always arguing about something or other, but he could tell that they cared more about each other than they let on. The elf's gaze went from them to the lone form sitting in the middle of the pathway. He smiled, which disappeared when he caught the look on her face. She was quite pale, and her eyes kept darting from one edge of the walkway to the other. He guessed what her problem was immediately, and even if he hadn't, he would have once he saw the death-like grip she had on her bedroll. The elf walked over silently and sat down next to her, peering into her startled face with an amused expression.

"It's sickening how easily you can sneak up on me," she said, and smiled a little before turning back around to observe everyone else.

"You were distracted," he told her, and his eyes moved from her hands back up to her face. She colored and slowly let go of the bedroll.

"I'm not too fond of heights," Liana admitted. At his skeptical look, she let out a breath." Okay, I'm absolutely terrified of heights, and just looking down that chasm over there makes me want to throw up."

"That is quite a fear you harbor," he replied." How long have you had it?"

"Since I can remember." Liana felt him rub her back reassuringly, and she smiled." It sounds irrational, but I can't help it."

"You're safe here," Legolas said soothingly." You have a very slim chance of falling, and even then, one of us would be bound to catch you. Besides," he continued," you've set yourself far enough away that you'd have to take a flying leap off this pathway to fall."

"It sounds stupid when you put it that way," she grumbled, and he chuckled. They heard Sam tell everyone that food is ready, and Liana paled at the thought of getting up again. She had already sat down, dammit, and she wasn't going to get back up until she had to. She wasn't that hungry, anyways.

Legolas saved her from moving when he stood up, saying," I'll get you something. Just stay put."

"Thanks," she breathed a sigh of relief. Pulling up her knees to her chest, she hugged them and waited for him to return.

Nevada rose to her feet to get herself some food, and heard Aragorn ask from the floor," Nevada, could you get me some food, as well?"

She snorted and looked down at him incredulously." Get it yourself, lazy ass." She lightly kicked his side and walked away, shaking her head.

Aragorn glared at her from his position on the floor." Why do you always make things difficult?"

"It's my job," she replied simply. She heard him get up and walk next to her to Sam's stew. Turning to him and grinning, she added," Besides, if I have to get up, you have to get up. That's just how it works."

Everyone received their share of Sam's stew, eating their fill until it was all gone. The hobbits began playing a game of cards amongst each other, and Gandalf contented himself to sit on a rock and enjoy his pipe, watching the rest of the fellowship and their surroundings through a haze of smoke. Gimli sat propped against a rock, eyes closed and lightly dozing, and Boromir sat next to him, lost in his own thoughts. Legolas gladly kept Liana Company, both mindful of the antics Aragorn and Nevada were getting into next to them.

"I don't want to sleep near the edge," Nevada argued." I move around in my sleep, and you can see what will happen there." She tugged on his bedroll to move it over to her left, and he tugged back.

"You already had your bedroll over there," Aragorn retorted, and jerked the bedroll out of her hands. "I think you'll be fine."

"I just set it down there!" Nevada threw up her hands. "That doesn't mean I want to sleep there!"

"I'm already quite comfortable where I'm at," Aragorn replied.

"You're the male!" Nevada shot back. He gave her a blank look.

"What's your point?"

She made a sound of frustration, and told him viciously," It doesn't matter what *you* want - your job is to please me!"

He stared at her in disbelief." Nevada, do you honestly think I'm going to do whatever you want me to just to please you?" Shaking his head, he directed her toward her bedroll closer to the edge." That is where you will be sleeping."

"Like hell!" She reached over and jerked his bedroll toward her. It stopped moving when he tugged back and began slowly dragging her forward with it.

"You know I'm a lot stronger than you," Aragorn said." You're not going to win this fight."

"Oh, that's it!" Nevada let go of the bedroll and got up on his face, standing on her tiptoes to see eye to eye with him." I'm tired of this masculine superior attitude of yours. I can take you on!"

He raised an eyebrow at her." In what way?"

Nevada opened her mouth, and then closed it. She hadn't thought that far into her threat. Blinking, she thought quickly before coming to a solution. Surprising Aragorn, Nevada dropped to the floor and stuck out her hand, elbow to the ground." Come on, let's go! Bring it!"

Aragorn grinned slowly and sat down. This was going to be fun. He extended his own hand and clasped it with Nevada's, suppressing a chuckle. She had no idea what she was getting into." Ready?" he asked her. She nodded." Go!" Aragorn hadn't applied much force before Nevada's arm swung in the opposite direction and hit the ground.

Nevada gaped, and her eyes shot up to Aragorn's." I wasn't ready!" Looking around, she spotted a familiar dirty blonde head." Liana!"

The faerie turned and gave them a puzzled look at their positions on the floor." What?"

"Say go!"

"Why?"

"Just say go!"

Liana decided it was best not to ask questions, so she just rolled her eyes." Go."

Nevada applied as much force as she could muster onto Aragorn's hand, her arm shaking with the effort to bring his down. Aragorn was pleasantly surprised that she held her ground against him for this long, and decided that she was a lot stronger than she looked. His arm went down an inch at a time, before he pushed back. Nevada watched, the determined look on her face changing to surprise and anger as her arm went all the way down under his - again.

She gave him a look for a long moment, then burst out," Two out of three! Come on, one more time." One more time came, and he took her down just as quickly as before.

"Does she really think to get anywhere with that?" asked Legolas.

"Nev will keep trying until she wins at least once," Liana replied." Whether she has to cheat or not."

"Three out of five!"

Aragorn's laughter rang out, and Nevada's growl of anger came soon after. She was getting really tired of losing, and not only that, but she wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off of the human's face. A plan formulated in her mind, and on the next match, she tried it on him. Applying as much force as she could to keep them both steady, she reached out with her other hand." Aragorn," she purred," you are *so* strong." She stroked his bicep, smiling at him seductively as she squeezed it and patted it. The look on his face was classic, and his grip on her hand immediately loosened. Slamming his arm down on the ground, and sat up straight and flung her arms in the air." Yes!! I beat you! I WON!"

"Keep your voice down, Nevada!" Gandalf called out sharply

.

Reverting to a whisper, Nevada called out tauntingly," Oh yeah, I beat you, yes I did." Chuckling evilly, she took in his gaping jaw and wide eyes." It works every time."

"You...cheated!" Aragorn sputtered.

"You know, you didn't have to respond to it," Nevada countered." Obviously you're not *strong* enough."

Aragorn sat back on his heels and looked at her, smirking." So you couldn't beat me fairly."

"That's not it!"

"Had to resort to dirty tricks, eh, Nevada?"

"I did what I had to do to win," Nevada sniffed." Take lessons."

"Four out of seven," Aragorn growled.

"This is going to go on all night," Liana sighed, and watched them gear up for another fight that Aragorn was going to win. She turned away from them to face Legolas, and smiled." I know I'm not the only one who hates this place. You have this permanent disgusted look in your eyes every time you look around."

" I don't like being underground," he admitted." It makes me uneasy. I am much more accustomed to open spaces."

"Me, too," Liana agreed." Too much open space. But you live in a forest, am I right?"

He nodded." Mirkwood is mainly forest. I grew up around trees, which is where I like to spend most of my time."

Liana made a face at the mention of tall trees." Not me. I grew up around a lot of sand, and hardly any trees."

" I cannot imagine growing up without trees," he shook his head." What was it like?"

Shrugging, Liana picked at her blanket and occasionally looked up at him as she replied." There were a few trees; palm trees, in an oasis or two, but that was about it. It was mostly hot; not many people ventured out in the desert unless they had to. It was very barren, too. You could see for miles in every direction during the day."

"That would explain your skin tone," Legolas nodded towards her tan skin color.

She laughed and rubbed her arm self-consciously." Yeah. After so many centuries out there, it only takes a good ten minutes to roast. You, on the other hand," she lifted his arm to inspect the pale skin on his hand," look as if you haven't spent a day outside!"

"I do," he replied defensively." The trees usually provide enough shade so I do not burn."

" Easy, Legolas," Liana laughed," I was kidding. And anyway, I didn't spend my entire life in Ciel - I lived elsewhere for a long period of time."

"Yes, tell me about that," Legolas asked eagerly. He wanted to hear about her travels and what she did during those years.

"That would take more than a few days to tell," she chuckled." I want to hear about you; tell me about Mirkwood. Please?" She gave him a pleading look, and he relented. Seated comfortably across from him, Liana listened to the elf speak of his home, his family, and his way of life with rapt attention.

"Twelve of twenty-three," Nevada requested doggedly. Her arm ached from exertion, yet the human showed no sign of slowing down. Glaring, she hissed out," Don't you ever get tired?!"

The man shook his head and smiled, and the two went at it again. Nevada's arm shook as she tried to keep her hand upright. It was a losing battle. Desperate now, Nevada gritted her teeth and put her other hand over both of theirs, forcing her weight on his hand. Nevada scooted onto her knees and pressed down on his one arm as he sat up, too. She managed to bring his arm down somewhat and, encouraged, applied more pressure as bore down on him. His arm went down another inch, before Aragorn suddenly applied a lot of pressure and sent Nevada in the other direction, both of her arms hitting the ground.

"Damn you," Nevada spat out weakly, and sat back wearily on her haunches.

"Had enough, Nevada?" Aragorn grinned.

"Shut up." She gave him a surly look and turned to face the other way, mindful of his soft chuckle. "I don't feel like humiliating myself a thirtieth time just so you can prove that you're a little bit stronger than me."

"A little bit?" Aragorn asked incredulously.

"Yeah, you know I was making a comeback," Nevada nodded emphatically.

Aragorn stared at her." Nev," he said slowly. Shook his head." You won *one*. Out of twenty-three. And you cheated."

Nevada opened her mouth to speak; closed it, and stared at him. She opened her mouth again, pointed at him, then sat back on her haunches and sighed in aggravation. She heaved in a breath to speak, made choking motions with her hands, and then settled for baring her teeth and hissing.

"Sore loser," Aragorn said in her ear.

"Bitch!" Nevada said in a vicious whisper." I *never* lose. "

"First time for everything, Nev," he patted her on the shoulder and settled down on his bedroll.

She glared hard at his back, willing her gaze to turn him to dust or torture him or something, but she gave up and folded her arms across her chest. Insane. The fact that she lost was insane." Ludicrous," she muttered to herself." Me, losing. Never happens. Until I met *him.* I have no use for humans, no use at all. Especially *that* one." Nevada monologue caught Aragorn's attention, and now he was staring at her with amusement." I lost to a person two thousand years younger than me. How humiliating."

Aragorn didn't hear the rest of her little speech; his mind was still stuck on the two thousand years older part. In all the time he spent with Nevada, he had forgotten that she was that old. He didn't forget that she was immortal, but that time frame slipped his mind. Now faced with the reality of it, he began to realize how much experience she had with life, and knowledge of the world. He couldn't fathom all of the things she might have seen and done in her long life, and yet when he spoke with her, she left the impression of being the exact age she looked; around twenty years old. However, that didn't change the fact that she was immortal. No matter how close he grew to Nevada in terms of friendship, he knew it could never be anything more than that. Not like he wanted anything more, but it would never work anyway. But since he didn't want anything more, it didn't matter anyway. Frowning, Aragorn glanced at Legolas and Liana, sitting together and talking. They were just as old, as well, and Legolas was older. The elf acted a lot more mature and collected than the faeries, like most of the elves he knew and grew up with, but he, too, looked incredibly young, as did Liana. The three of them could pass for young adults in the mortal world, yet they possessed more wisdom than any human could ever hope to have. Elves and faeries truly are amazing creatures, he thought to himself, these three most of all. The Fellowship was lucky to have them.

A few hours later, the fire had died down to a pile of red embers and half of the Fellowship was asleep. The hobbits were curled up in their bedrolls, Gimli was hunched over, leaning against a rock, and Gandalf was dozing while he sat on a rock. Boromir was half awake and half falling asleep, his heavy lidded gaze straying from the rock formations around them to the other awake fellowship members.

Liana stared up at the high ceiling of the cavern they were in; half listening to Legolas speak softly of his travels. She had grown a little tired earlier, and was now resting with her head in his lap, trying to stay awake for his sake so she wouldn't fall asleep while he spoke. It didn't help that he was stroking her hair, either. He'd randomly pull her hair away from her face, tuck it behind her ears, and play with individual strands. It was incredibly soothing, and it was making her really sleepy.

"Liana?"

"Hmmm?" Liana's eyes drifted lazily up to his face. He was smiling down at her. What had he been talking about? Something about...Southern Mirkwood, Orcs, and...hell, she didn't remember." I'm sorry, my mind...drifted."

"You're falling asleep," he chided with a grin.

"Sorry, it's not you, it's," she paused to yawn," me. I would listen, but you have a really calm voice, you're petting my head, and I'm really comfortable."

"It's all right; we need to get some sleep, anyhow," Legolas told her. When she moved to get up, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder." If you're comfortable, you do not have to move. I don't mind at all."

"Are you sure?" she yawned again.

"More than sure." He leaned down to kiss her forehead." I wouldn't have offered if I had minded. Now go to sleep." He watched her smile, then drift off to sleep. At least she was able to forget her fear of heights for a few hours. He spoke so much of Mirkwood and his family that his thoughts began to stray over to them. He missed home, but he really only thought about it a handful of times during the journey. Liana expressed an interest in his home, which pleased him. He didn't think a faerie would care to know of a place that didn't exactly welcome her existence. Frowning, he thought on that a little more. His father never had much dealings with faeries, therefore he didn't resent them as much as he appeared to resent humans, but he knew the king felt the same as other elves towards faeries; they didn't like them. Now that Legolas knew two faeries personally, in all honesty they were not a terrible people; in fact, quite the opposite. They were more like elves than they thought, save that faeries were more free-spirited. He understood his people's prejudices against faeries to be nave and rather ignorant; a grudge that had long outlived its use and purpose, especially now that he felt something for one of them.

Aragorn and Nevada sat back to back nearby, resting comfortably against each other as back supports.

"Nothing to dooo," Nevada sang in an indifferent tone. Her voice faltered after drawing out the last word, and she went back to being quiet. There was really nothing else to say.



"No, there isn't," Aragorn replied. His voice was faint, almost tired, but his eyes were open and fixed on some point in the distance. Neither he nor Nevada could sleep, and they figured it was pointless to try and make themselves go to sleep. So they opted to sit there and try and think of things to do that were quiet and wouldn't alert any attention.

"Really wish I could sleep," Nevada said, her voice just above a whisper. She gathered up the energy to turn and glare at the hobbits, snoring away a few feet from her, then turned back to stare at the inner walls of Moria." But nooo..."

"Can't sleep," Aragorn finished for her.

She nodded, letting her head swing forward and then back to gently hit the back of his." Exactly. Smart man."

He smiled lazily, and let his gaze wander around. It focused on a few pebbles near his hand, and he picked one up, testing the weight by lightly tossing it up in the air. His eyes strayed to the edge of the pathway, and to the yawning black chasm below it." How far down to you think that goes?"

Nevada let her eyes wander in that direction and she shrugged." Dunno. Why don't you throw yourself down it and let me know?"

Aragorn snickered and shook his head." I won't give you the satisfaction."

She broke out into a half-snort, half-giggle, making him grin." Sure.

Just...toss a rock down or something."

"You read my mind," he said slowly and sarcastically. With a half-hearted throw, he pitched it in the darkness, and waited to hear anything. A minute later, a faint, resounding 'clank' could be heard. There was a slight pause, before Aragorn asked;" I wonder what that hit?"

Nevada looked at the chasm with disinterest." I don't know."

"Do you even care?"

"Not really."

"I didn't think so."

Nevada sighed and cast him a dirty look, even though he couldn't see it. She looked down at the few pebbles near her hands and feet, and sat up a little straighter." I wanna do it."

Aragorn snorted." Be my guest."

She grabbed a pebble and tossed it down, her eyes following it until it fell out of sight. They waited a moment, and then it hit something that made a louder clank than before.

"Oh, that was a good one."

"Must've hit some dead dwarf's armor."

"Wonderful, Nev," Aragorn sighed. Vaguely, he wondered when he started to call her 'Nev.' Nev was a nickname that Liana or Gandalf used, and here he was using it like they'd known each other for years. When did that happen?

"Your turn, Aragorn." Nevada blinked. Vaguely, she wondered when she had started calling him Aragorn. 'Filthy human' worked great for a while, but now she was using his *name*. Like she'd known him long enough to acknowledge him, as if they'd known each other for years. When did that happen?

Aragorn and Nevada half-turned to look at each other weird for a moment, then turned back around to rest against each other's back and stare blankly into opposite walls.

"Kinda tired of throwing rocks."

"You threw one, Nevada."

"Did anyone ask you? I was making a statement."

"To me."

"Yeah. Who else would I be talking to? The dead dwarves one hundred feet below?"

"You're so charming, Nevada," Aragorn said dryly.

Where did that come from? Nevada wondered to herself." Where did that come from?"

Aragorn shrugged, and Nevada felt the movement through her own shoulders." You're mentioning dead dwarves, and that doesn't create pleasant mental images."

"Point?" Nevada asked.

"There is no point, I was just saying."

"Saying what?"

Aragorn sighed.

"What are we talking about?"

"Nevada, go to sleep."

"Can't."

"Please."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Okay."

The two lapsed into silence, and then started to silently laugh.

"We are so stupid," Nevada giggled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The fellowship walked slowly and steadily through the passageways and tunnels of Moria, keeping silent as they walked deeper and further in the mines. The air became more stagnant with each passing hour, and the pathways became darker. Their only light served to be Gandalf's staff, and no one knew where they were except for the wizard leading them.

They came upon a steep stairway they had to go up, and each began their climb carefully. Pippin watched his step as closely as he could, looking down nervously every so often to make sure his feet were steady, When he looked back up, his foot missed the next step, and with a slight gasp, he stumbled and fell. Merry looked up suddenly to find Pippin nearly falling on his head, and he reached up and pushed against the hobbit's back to help him regain his footing, grumbling to himself about Pippin's clumsiness.

After the stairway had been climbed, Gandalf trudged ahead of the pack, and stopped walking when they came into a room full of tunnels. The wizard's brow furrowed as he inspected each tunnel. Where had they all come from? He'd never seen them before, and he had no idea where any of them led. This could present a problem." I have no memory of this place," he said quietly, to himself.

"You don't know where we are?" Nevada asked as softly as she could muster. She raised an arm, pointed at him, and said," So what you're trying to say is that you have no idea how to get us out of here?!"

"Hush, Nevada," Gandalf held up his own hand." Let me think." He walked up to a large rock and sat himself down, sighing deeply. Now where could they possibly be...?

"So what are we supposed to do?" Sam asked worriedly.

"We wait," Merry nodded.

"Just sit down and relax," Aragorn told the hobbits." It shouldn't be too long. Gandalf knows what he's doing."

"He got us lost," Nevada informed him.

"What happens if we go down the wrong tunnel?" Pippin asked, panic etching across his face.

"Don't worry," Boromir told him." He took us this far, and all we have to do is wait. Let us start a fire so we can eat something while he thinks." Aragorn nodded and the two proceeded to do just that.

An hour later, a fire blazed merrily, and Gandalf was still lost in thought, muttering to himself as his eyes wandered from archway to archway. Aragorn and Boromir sat near the fire and Legolas leaned against a wall, arms folded across his chest and head down in thought. Liana sat behind Nevada, doing her hair while they talked quietly.

"Almost finished?" Nevada asked.

"Mm-hmm, and keep your head still," Liana ordered, moving her head so it was the way she wanted it again." You don't want them crooked."

"Yes, master," Nevada obeyed, grinning when she got a light slap on the side of her head. She felt Liana's fingers in her hair, a little pulling at the end of the braid, and her hands fell away.

"Done," Liana sat back, admiring her handiwork." Very pretty."

"Thanks," Nevada ran a hand through the twin French braids." I needed all that out of my face." She smiled at Liana, got up, and plopped down next to Aragorn." Look!" She beamed at him, and he turned slowly to stare at her hair.

"What are they?" he asked, reaching up to tug at one of them.

"Don't touch," she slapped his hand." They're braids. We do them in my kingdom all the time. It's sort of like a normal braid, but with a twist."

He nodded and turned her head to inspect them." They certainly are different."

"Yes, they are, and quit touching my head," she pushed his hand off again. He rolled his eyes and went back to his pipe. Nevada watched him smoke it for a minute or two then, bored with it, turned to look at Boromir." Hi," she chirped at him.

Boromir looked up and Nevada and smiled a little." Hello," he nodded to her." How have you been doing?"

She shrugged." It's been better. You?"

"I am fine," he told her. Being under her attention made him shift uncomfortably, but it was not an unpleasant feeling." Certainly not used to all this darkness. You cannot find this absence of light in Gondor."

Nevada raised an eyebrow at the human." No, it is pretty bright there." She tilted her head a bit, then continued," So, what exactly do you do there? Gondor doesn't have a king so...you're not royalty, are you?"

Boromir slanted a glance at Aragorn, and then shook his head at Nevada." No, we have no king. My father is the Steward of Gondor."

"So what does that make you?" Nevada asked.

"I will eventually take my father's place as Steward, so that makes me an heir to him," Boromir explained.

"What does a Steward do-Aragorn!" Nevada whipped around and slapped Aragorn's hand. He withdrew, grinning slightly, from playing with her braids.

"They're weird," Aragorn informed her.

"Thanks," Nevada told him, taking offense. She turned away, and told Boromir," Sorry. Continue."

Boromir briefly glared at Aragorn before speaking again." A Steward has command over Gondor's army, as well as-"

"Stop touching my hair!" Nevada growled at the human. She batted his hands away a second time, saying," If you mess them up, I'll maim you."

"Maim me?" Aragorn mocked.

Boromir rested one side of his face in his head, shaking his head at the two. They were arguing over her hair, and it irritated him to no end. He hated being interrupted, and the fact that she forgot him upset him a little. If Aragorn had left her alone, he would still have her attention.' Why did she let herself be distracted by him so easily?' he wondered. The man was a ranger, and from what he had heard, she commanded the army of her home country - just like he would do one day. They had more in common than she realized, but *why* didn't she realize it?' People like Nevada deserve the best, and a ranger cannot give that to her,' Boromir thought to himself. She would be a great asset to Gondor, a place that needed more excellent leaders. The fact that she was a female and could hold that kind of power was even more pleasing. In all the years of his life, he had never known of a female who could hold the position of commanding an army successfully, and she had done it. He liked and admired that in her. A woman like that needed someone just as strong beside her. He could give that to her. Once she realized that he could give her a country back, restore her leadership-like position, and give her the power she deserved, she would see. Nevada was very headstrong, but that, too, attracted him to her. She was also extremely beautiful. Boromir watched her laugh at something Aragorn said, tossing back her hair and talking animatedly. He enjoyed hearing her laughter, and the way it lit up her face. She was everything he could hope for in a companion.

Legolas paused from speaking to Liana as they heard Nevada laugh. His gaze took her and Aragorn in, and then wandered to Boromir sitting across the fire. He did a double take at the expression on the human's face, and he followed the man's gaze to its source: Nevada. Why would he be looking at her with such intensity? Legolas watched Boromir for a little bit longer, until he decided that what he saw in the man's gaze was longing. He recognized that look, for he had seen it many times.

"Who are you looking at?" Liana asked. Legolas lightly grasped her chin and tilted it in Boromir's direction." Could Boromir, perhaps, harbor feelings for Nevada?" he asked her softly.

She looked up at him in surprise, then turned back to watch Boromir discreetly. She chewed on her lip in thought, and then nodded slowly." Unfortunately, I think...Yeah. Now that I think of it, he has been watching her a lot." She crinkled her nose." Should we worry about that? It might just be an infatuation."

Legolas agreed silently. It was an infatuation, but he still did not trust Boromir. His mind kept playing back to Boromir's 'infatuation' with the Ring." Some infatuations can lead in the wrong direction."

Liana thought about what he said, then realized his point." You're right. We should keep an eye on him," she whispered.

"Discreetly," he said quietly back." We might have naught to worry about until later."

The fire crackled away as Gandalf sat and thought, mumbling to himself about their destination and the best way to get there. Pippin looked up at the wizard doubtfully, and then looked back to Merry." Are we lost?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Merry sighed and rolled his eyes." No, Pippin, we're not lost."

Pippin shook his head." I think we're lost."

"Quiet," Merry told him." Gandalf's thinking."

Pippin went silent for a few minutes, and listened to his stomach growl in protest." Merry?"

"What?!"

"I'm hungry."

Frodo smiled at Pippin, and then looked around at their surroundings again. It was really dark down a few of the tunnels, and directly below them was a large cavern that went down further then he could see. He was about to look away, when something flashed out of the corner of his eye. Whipping his head around, he scooted up to the edge and peered over, straining his eyes to see that flash again. He caught it, to his left, and gaped in horror as he watched a lanky, creepy figure climb up a rock, its long limbs clinging to the surface like a spider. Frodo panicked and backed away towards Gandalf. He climbed up the rock and tugged on the wizard's sleeve frantically.

Gandalf looked over, expression curious, and Frodo pointed vigorously to the chasm." There's something down there!" he whispered fearfully.

To Frodo's surprise, Gandalf nodded in confirmation." It's Gollum," he clarified deeply. Frodo's eyes widened in shock." He's been following us for three days."

'Three days?!' Frodo thought wildly. Nearly the whole time they'd been down there!" He escaped from the dungeons of Barad-dur!?"

Gandalf raised an eyebrow." Escaped? Or was set loose?" Frodo sat back and frowned as he thought on it." Gollum hates and loves the Ring. As he hates and loves himself." Gandalf shook his head slowly, sadly." He will never be free of his need for it."

Frodo's expression turned fierce as he turned to watch the gangly creature crawl up the rocks." Pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance," he said in a low, menacing voice.

"Pity?" Gandalf asked in surprise." It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand," he informed the hobbit. His voice turned deep and thoughtful." Many who live deserve death, and some who die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo?" The look on the hobbit's face told him what he already knew." Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends, but my heart tells me that Gollum still has a part to play, for good or ill. Before this is over, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many."

Frodo's mind processed this information, and the full weight and enormity of his situation hit him. He felt his heart sink in his stomach. He didn't want this; he didn't want any of this. All he wanted to do now was go home." I wish the Ring has never come to me," he admitted in a hollow voice." I wish none of this had ever happened."

Gandalf took in the hobbit's forlorn expression, and his heart went out to him. He kept his voice soothing and gentle as he consoled Frodo." So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that we are given. There are other forces at work in the world than the will of evil. Bilbo was *meant* to find the Ring, which means that you were also *meant* to have it. And that is an encouraging thought." He smiled at Frodo, who gave him a weak, but grateful smile back. Gandalf's thoughts turned elsewhere, and his head turned slightly to his right. His nose picked up an entirely different scent then the stale air they had been breathing for so long, and the wizard's face brightened." Ah! It's this way!" Everyone sat up, encouraged.

"He's remembered!" Merry grinned. The fellowship got to their feet, doused the fire, and followed Gandalf to the tunnel he was walking towards.

"No," Gandalf shook his head at the hobbit," but the air smells less foul down here." He clapped Merry on the back when he added," When in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."

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