Disclaimer: Me? Own LotR? (Laughs)

Okay, my laptop still isn't working right, but I did manage to get it working long enough to transfer this stuff to disk. Don't ask. It took all day to get it working long enough. I still can't exactly work on the story at all times because this is not my computer that I'm using. Just thought I'd tell ya so you wouldn't get your hopes up too high.

Arami: Yeah, she's over it. A supervised bath at sixteen years old. Humiliating, huh? Especially by a guy she once had a thing for. Personally, I would have just stayed filthy.

Megara: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. But, uh, I'm not clear on how having PMS would hinder Valora's persona in the story. You get your name from the Disney version of Hercules?

Gilraen Aclamense: Glad you're enjoying. You, um, left a lot of reviews. Thank you for that. I don't require that you review for almost every chapter, but I am glad to know you like it so much.

Zelda's Cousin: LOL. Well, thank you anyway.

Nande: Well, thank you. I really hope the scenes turn out alright.

Soulee: Thanks. I don't think I'm even going to bother reading any reviews from that particular person again. It wasn't so much the critisim, the rudeness and the flat out insults to my story and character that got me upset, it was the fact that she made comments about me personally when she doesn't even know me.

KellseyKisaragi: Thank you! Totally. I mean, what's the first thing they teach you in school about writing? "Write what you know." Everyone should know that. I still maintain that Valora is not a self-insert. The truth is I don't even think I'm capable of writing a total self-insert. I've tried before in other stories, but the girls always end up taking on a life all their own. Who knows why. And I have no idea what one could gain by brown nosing over the internet either.

Luthien: Seriously? You were thinking that? Cool. I know not to drag the battles on too long, but thanks. I really hope it works out alright.

Faeriekitty306 animelover: Yeah. I was hoping people would like that.

Jen: Are you serious? Wow. I feel very honored.

TPfan333: I know. I didn't hang at the mall much either. Maybe a couple of times a year, me and my friends or cousins would go hang there. All the time would be way too much. Not to mention we'd always be broke. Most of the kids I went to school with wouldn't even want to hang at the mall all the time. And most people I know don't live on fast food. It's more like a weekly treat. Thank you for not sticking Valora in the Mary Sue catagory.

Zelinia: I'm glad you like it. I'm also glad you have figured out the type of relationship Valora and Aragorn have. I don't mean literally, but how they basically see each other. I'm happy you like the story and Valora. But don't hate e because of the squirrel.

LaegelGreenleaf:Thank you very much. And I assure you, I would have liked to shoot her with arrows, but I can't do that over the net. Besides, I could go to jail for that. And that's not good, 'cause I couldn't post anymore.

Peaches' Hobbit-girl: Well, thank you. You didn't think I could have an attorney's daughter not point out a little detail like that, did you? I'm glad you liked that.

Bunnywitharing: Cool. Good luck with that.

Rogue200315: Yes, I do know the muffin man, actually. Lol. You're a Shrek fan, aren't you?

JenCarpeDiem: Good to know you understand. Unfortunataly, my animals do need food, so the cord has to wait.

Frodoschic1313: Aren't they, though? And totally. Nibbs, the squirrel, has been driving me nuts. (No pun intended) Thanks.

Saiya-jin Patricia purple27: Well, unfortunataly, I really can't go back and rewrite things right now. But, she will be reflecting on things later on, so you may get your wish for more details. Nibbs was about 4 or 5 weeks old when I found her. She's maybe three months old now. Still little, but in the rapidly growing stage. Thanks.

Danigrebel: Oh, thank you very much. I'm sure you have writing skills, you just need to hone them. I am very glad you like you like and appreciate what I am trying to do here. When I get my own coputer back, maybe I will drop you a line.

Hobbitfeatures: Don't worry about it, really. Well, I was apparently mistaken when I thought people understood that "Girl dropped into Middle-Earth" stories usually follow the story as much as possible. I put in those extra scenes both for character development and because I didn't want people thinking that they could just watch the movie and have the exact same thing. But you're right. It is impossible to write a story like this without copying bits. Granted, I have been taking full advantage of the fact that you can find the script at any number of websites, but it's not like that's a crime against fanfiction. And don't worry. As Boromir said, Valora might be learning relatively fast, but she's not ready for battle yet. (And that's all you people are getting from me on what will happen in the battle in the mines, so don't bother asking.)

Sweetlittlecherry: (Smiles. It's you!) Thank you very much for your kind reviews. I'll need all the luck I can get right now.

Elizabeth Crestline: Thank you.

Alateriel1567: This was my response to your review; O.o My best friend's exact response was; WTF! You see, we were under the apparently missguided impression that Valora's swearing habits, temper, mood swings, lack of self-confidence,the fact that she ain't exactly Buffy the vampre slayer, that she keeps things bottled up until they explode and her reluctance to trust people completely, no matter what they've done for her, were flaws. I'm not trying to diss you, but, well, I thought it was apparent that she's not perfect. And it has not been two years. I explained what was going on already. I'm sorry if it bothers you, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it right now.

I think I got everybody. If I missed anyone, I am truly sorry and I appreciate your reviews.

Okay, just two more things I would like to mention. One: We seem to have a unanimous opinion that there is really nothing to be gained by sucking up to someone over the net, especially someone you don't know. So, for you idiots who believe reviewers are brown-nosing with their reviews, please explain to me why they would be doing so. Because I totally don't understand. It doesn't help me write faster, it doesn't get me the cash to fix my computer. By all means, enlighten the rest of us.

Two: For those of you who envy me having a baby squirrel to take care of, don't. They are a lot of work. They are also expensive. (You need to go through three or four different cage sizes and they have very specific diet requirements.) Do you know how long it takes for their natural instincts to kick in without a mother to teach them? Six months. Six! During those six months, they have to have a feeding schedual, lots of supervision (little buggers are smart enough to figure out how to open their cages) and are in general a huge responsibility. And the younger they are when you find them, the more complicated it gets. And they really don't make good pets. So before anyone runs out to find a squirrel of their very own, think about what you're getting yourselves into. (For you animal lovers, I'm not suggesting leaving a defensless baby on it's own. I just think people should be aware of the consequenses of their actions.)

The air was still cold, but there was no longer any snow or wind. That was something at least.

On the other hand, it also felt a great deal eerier down here.

"Gandalf, what's shadow and flame?"

The wizard turned to look at Valora in surprise. Her hushed question was accompanied by a look of anxiety. "Why do you ask?"

"It's what Sarumon said was in the Mines. What was he talking about?"

Dismayed that she had an idea of what they might face, he pondered how to answer her. At least she had waited until they had stopped for a brief rest and was asking him away from the others. Hopefully, Legolas was not listening. "Do not worry over it. And do not tell the others. With any luck, we will not encounter anything dangerous in the Mines."

She wanted to press the issue, but part of her honestly did not want to know what dangers were in those mines. Dangers they had little choice but to risk encountering now. She gave him a reluctant nod and made her way back to the others.

Soon enough, they were on their way again. Night was fast approaching and they had not yet reached the entrance to the mines.

"Frodo," called Gandalf, "come help an old man."

Frodo obediantly went to Gandalf's side, assisting him over the rocky terrain.

"How is your shoulder?"

"Better than it was," answered Frodo.

"And the Ring?" He stopped to look down at Frodo. Frodo looked up at his old friend a bit apprehensively. "You feel its power growing, don't you?" he asked in a low voice. "I've felt it too.You must be careful now. Evil will be drawn to you from outside the fellowship. And, I fear, from within." He fell silent as someone moved past them. His eyes followed their companion meaningfully.

"Who, then, do I trust?" asked Frodo, tearing his eyes from the one he and Gandalf had both begun to fear would be taken by the Ring's lure.

"You must trust yourself, Frodo. Trust your own strengths."

"What do you mean?"

"There are many powers in this world... for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. And against some I have not yet been tested."

Frodo swallowed. What Gandalf was saying amounted to, "I may not always be there to help you." He didn't want to think about that possibility. Gandalf was... Well, he was Gandalf. The kind and powerful wizard Frodo had known since he was a child. Nothing too bad could happen as long as Gandalf was there.

Gimli inhaled sharply. "The walls of Moria," he announced, pointing to the solid rock cliff face just ahead.

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," said Gimli, tapping on the stone with his axe, answering Valora's questioning of why, exactly, they were knocking on the solid rock wall they were travelling along. On their other side, a long and silent lake stretched out. While it may have been a slightly unsettling setting during the day, it was downright eerie at night.

"Yes, Gimli, their own masters can not find them, if their secrets are forgotten," said Gandalf.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" muttered Legolas.

Gimli looked up at him and growled low.

"Alright you two. Enough," said Valora. Her patience was wearing very thin with both of them and their constant bickering. And the fact that she was desperately craving chocolate, which was definately not available at the moment, did not help. She stopped to glare at them as they looked at her in surprise. "I don't care if you are royalty, if I hear one more snide remark out of either one of you about each other, I will personally beat the living shit out of both of you. Understood?"

At a loss, they just nodded slightly.

"Jesus, they're just like children," she mumbled from her position just behind the Hobbits. Behind her, Aragorn grinned at the comment, but suppressed a laugh. He had to admit she had a point, but didn't want to laugh at his friend's expense.

The two "children" scowled. And Legolas scowled even more when his elven ears picked up her remark. How dare she tell him not to make snide remarks and then make them herself! Honestly, just who did that girl think she was? His scowl turned into a full fledged glare when herealized Aragorn, his so-called friend, wastrying not to laugh.

Frodo's foot slipped and plunged into the murky water with a soft splash. He gasped and yanked it back out. His eyes traveled uneasily over the lake.

A few yards ahead, Gandalf approached a relatively smooth portion of the wall. He ran his hands over the area. "Well, let's see," he muttered aloud. His hands and his eyes found the carvings, nearly invisible against their background. "Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." He turned to look up at the sky. As if on cue, the clouds moved away, revealing the moon. As the light hit the carvings, they seemed to glow. The shape of a doorway revealed itself to their eyes. Gandalf stepped back, looking pleased. "It reads, 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend, and enter.'"

"What do you suppose that means?" asked Merry.

"Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open," explained Gandalf. He placed his staff against the door and commanded, "Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen." Gate of the Elves, open now for me.

The doors remained firmly shut.

Frowning, Gandalf tried another command. Still nothing.

Gimli hummed quietly at the lack of entrance. Legolas looked down at Pippin, who was standing near him. "Nothing's happening," said Pippin simply, looking back up at the Elf.

"Thank you, Pippin," said Valora dryly. As if they couldn't already see that for themselves.

Gandalf resorted to pushing against the stone wall, hoping to force the doors open. This had about as much effect as his commands had. "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs," he said.

"What are you going to do then? asked Pippin.

Gandalf whirled around and snapped testily, "Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."

The others realized this could take a while and prepared to wait. Except Valora, who was utterly bewildered by the ridiculous urge she'd had to pull Pippin behind her when Gandalf had yelled at him.

Gandalf's tired voice recited yet another short spell that he hoped would allow them entrance into the Mines. Yet again, nothing happened.

Most of the others sat or stood nearby, waiting for Gandalf to find the opening words. Aragorn was carefully removing their packs and supplies from Bill. Sam held the pony's lead, gently stroking his nose and looking sad. "Mines are no place for a pony," said Aragorn, hoping to make it a bit easier for Sam. "Even one so brave as Bill."

Valora had already said her goodbyes to Bill and had given Sam an apple to give to him before they turned him loose. Sam now held the treat out for him. Bill eagerly ate the offered fruit and nuzzled Sam's hand affectionately. "Bye-bye, Bill," said Sam sadly, giving him one last pat.

Aragorn removed the bridle and turned the pony around. "Go on, Bill," he said, giving him a gentle push. "Go on." Bill started back the way they had come. Sam stared after him. "Don't worry, Sam," assured Aragorn, "he knows the way home."

Splash.

Merry threw another stone into the lake, watching the ripples in the water where it landed. Pippin was about to throw a stone as well, only to be surprised by Aragorn stopping his arm. Thrown slightly off balance, Pippin looked up at the Ranger curiously. "Do not disturb the water," Aragorn warned. His eyes scanned the lake for any signs of movement.

"Oh, it's useless," said Gandalf, tossing down his staff. He seated himself on a large rock near Frodo and removed his hat. He sighed in defeat.

The water moved. Or rather, it was stirred by something beneath its surface. Aragorn and Boromir tensed, watching intently.

Frodo looked at the door carefully. There had to be some way of deciphering the password. Perhaps even on the door itself. What had it said? Oh, yes. 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend, and enter.' It suddenly came to him and he stood. "It's a riddle."

Whatever was in the lake seemed to be moving closer to shore. Closer to them. Neither Aragorn or Boromir took their eyes off of the small waves that had formed due to the movement. Merry and Pippin also watched, becoming slightly fearful as they did.

"'Speak friend, and enter'," recited Frodo. "What's the Elvish word for friend?"

The ripples and waves in the water were not only approaching the shore, but were becoming more intense.

"Mellon," answered Gandlaf.

There was the sound of stone grating against stone as the doors began to move. Everyone watched as they opened, finally allowing them entrance. they all moved towards the now open doors. Boromir gave Merry a small push to tear the Hobbit's gaze away from the movement in the water. Within moments, they had all entered the dark cave.

"Soon, Master Elf," said Gimli to Legolas, "you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone!"

"Is it supposed to smell like that in here?" asked Valora, wrinkling her nose. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, exactly, but it wasn't a pleasant odor. Time had faded it and the staleness of the air had masked it further. But the odor was there nonetheless.

Gimli ignored her and continued. "This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin." Gandalf, in the lead, had placed a crystal in the top of his staff. The crystal began to glow, providing light for them to see by. His eyes widened as he looked at what lay before him and all around the group. He heard the quiet gasp and knew that the youngest member of the Fellowship had seen everything he had. Still unaware, Gimli kept talking. "And they call it a mine. A mine!" he declared, sounding amused.

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

Valora and the Hobbits all looked down as something rattled slightly against her feet. Sam let out a small exclaimation as the saw the corpse of a dwarf at their feet. They all backed away quickly, Valora nearly running them over in her haste to get away.

All around were the rotted and skeletal remains of Dwarven guards. Arrows stuck out of the bodies. Their faces were frozen in cries of pain. This was what Valora had smelled. Death and decay.

"No," said Gimli softly, looking around in shock. "No!" He ran to one of the bodies. "Nooo!" he roared.

Legolas knelt and pulled an arrow out of one of the corpses. It took him only a moment to realize what make of arrows they were. "Goblins." He stood quickly, throwing the Goblin arrow down in disgust, and notched an arrow of his own in his bow.

"Goblins?" repeated Valora, alarmed. She remembered what she had learned of Goblins. They were vicious, greedy, disgusting creatues. And they were always found in fairly large numbers. They especially liked dark places to inhabit. Places such as caves and mines. Which meant that the odds were the Goblins were still here somewhere. Instinctively, she pulled the Hobbits behind her, wanting to shield them from harm, nevermind that her body wasn't nearly big enough for such a task.

Aragorn and Boromir unsheathed their swords, ready for battle if need be. "We make for the Gap of Rohan," said Boromir. "We should never have come here. Now get out of here. Get out!"

The hairs on the back of Valora's neck stood straight on end. Danger! something in her mind cried. And not from inside the mine. Something... behind them! She whipped her head around to look at the Hobbits, who had backed away further and were closest to the entrance.

Frodo gave a grunt of surprise as one of his feet was yanked out from under him. He fell to the ground and was imeadiately dragged towards the lake. The other Hobbits ran to his aid, calling out in alarm. The others were alerted by Valora's shrill cry as she ran to help. "Strider!" called Sam. He then ran quickly to the water's edge and slashed at the long, slimey tentacle, the end of which was wrapped around Frodo's ankle. It withdrew and they began to pull Frodo away from the water.

Several tentacles surged from the water and lashed at them before they had a chance to react. They were knocked off of their feet and away from Frodo. Frodo found himself being lifted high off the ground by yet another tentacle that had seized him around the ankle once again. He cried out and flailed around. The others climbed to their feet and rushed forward.

Legolas fired an arrow into one of the tentacles as Boromir and Aragorn ran directly into the water, desperate to save the Ring Bearer.

Valora had once been labled a coward by her peers. The subject had turned to wether or not they would be willing to give their life for a friend. Most people had answered, yes, they would. Valora had answered honestly by saying she didn't know. While her heart was more than willing, instinct for self-preservation and shock had to be factored in. And the mind could easily outrule the heart. Strange that she didn't even think now as she rushed into the water and slashed at one of the tentacles with her own blade, frantic to save the Hobbit who had grown to mean so much to her, not even noticing the looks of utter disbelief.

Frodo looked down as his friends fought with whatever had apparently decided that he would make a nice meal. Another tentacle wrapped around his arm. A body emerged from the water. Part of one anyway. Large eyes stared up at him. The creature growled and opened it's mouth, revealing very large and vicious looking teeth. Vaugely, he thought he heard a voice saying, "Oh, mother of god!"

Valora drove her rather short sword straight through a tentacle. "Let him go, damn it!"

Boromir's sliced cleanly through one of the tentacles. The creature let out a sound of pain and it nearly lost its grip on Frodo. Seizing the opportunity, Aragorn cut off another tentacle, this time the one that held Frodo. The Hobbit cried out as he fell, but Boromir moved swiftly and caught him safely.

"Into the mines!" shouted Gandalf.

Boromir ran as fast as his wet clothes, the water and the burden in his arms would allow. Aragorn grabbed Valora's arm and shoved her just ahead of him as he followed Boromir. If it attacked as they retreated, it would not take her. He risked a look back at the now very angry creature. And he realized that they had almost no chance of reaching the safety of the cave before it would be upon them.

The creature roared out in pain as an arrow lodged itself into its left eye. It shrank back for a brief moment. Legolas' well placed arrow had bought them only a few precious seconds, but a few seconds could make all the difference in the world.

All of the Fellowship rushed into the mines. Just behind them, the infuriated beast reached out with it's remaining tentacles. It found no flesh, but the stone walls and doors. It yanked on anything it could reach. The walls of the entrance crumbled, inevitably causing a cave-in.

The Fellowship stopped well out of the creatures reach. They watched in horror as the light from outside was obliterated by falling rock. Within seconds, it was over.

In the pitch black, all that could be heard was the panting and laboured breath of the ten companions.

"We know have but one choice," Gandalf's voice rang out grimly. There was a tapping sound as he struck his staff against the floor. The crystal once again began to glow softly. "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard," he warned. "There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world."

Lovely.

"Frodo?" asked Valora, kneeling down in front of the Hobbit. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" She worriedly, but quickly began to look him over.

"I'm fine," he assured her. He was still a bit shaken and cold from his wet clothes, but otherwise unhurt. Apparently satisfied, she gave him a quick hug, sighing in relief before climbing to her feet.

"Come on. Quietly now," said Gandalf as they began to acsend the stone staircase before them, which was littered with rubble and the remains of Dwarves. "It is a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

"Four days? Here?" asked Valora softly. "Oh this just keeps getting better and better," she said sarcastically.

Here comes Valora's first real battle. Hope to get that to you soon. Once again, no guarentees when I can actually get that to you.

Namarie