A/N: I would like to apologize to the few people who have read this first chapter, since I haven't updated in a few months. Been really busy on my end. Hopefully I'll get things up and running again. Enjoy this next chapter!

Ori


­­­­­­­­­­­­I hadn't expected to find myself sniffing around the Hollin Gate, let alone encounter a stranger trying to enter our home. But here I was, trailing behind a very grungy looking man with my axe prodding him on, wondering how on earth I had ended up with the task of holding prisoners. I wasn't used to being so gruff but then he seemed rather dubious, not to mention insulting, concerning the craftsmanship and splendor of Khazad-dûm. Balin would know what to do with him.

I looked about me as we climbed the stairs, surveying the slightly tumbled-down appearance of our western gate. As much as I disliked venturing too far from the Twenty-first Hall, we needed to clean this place up. I had made sure to close the doors before we left but these days things had the talent of creeping inside the mines undetected and causing hassles. The sooner we secured more of the mines, the better.

Studying the man in front of me, I noticed that his shoulders slumped like those of a man who had been walking for ages with little comfort and rest. Maybe he was simply weary and in need of shelter. Maybe he didn't realize he was entering Moria, but merely sought a place to stay. Nonetheless, Balin would need to see him and even if he were harmless, it would show that we needed to strengthen our watch of the west gate.

"Do you have a name, Master Dwarf?"

I started at the sound of the man's voice. I had expected him to remain silent and was surprised when my reverie was interrupted.

"Not that it's any business of the likes of you, I am called Ori." I sniffed, trying to seem a lot rougher than I really felt.

I could almost see him rolling his eyes in response to this, although he said nothing for several moments. "I am Leor," he finally stated, his chin tilting up a little bit. "At your service."

No doubt he had a smirk on his face when adding that last tidbit. If I had any gall I'd give him a hard shove with my axe and let him fall flat on his face. However, I merely ignored it. I'd faced far worse things than a man making fun the Dwarves' polite manners and offering of services.

With a sigh, I continued my trudging up the stone steps, thinking back on times when this place would've been glowing with torches and filled with music. Alas, the days have gone by and the edges of Moria were as weary, dark, and potentially dangerous as the traveler in front of me.

Leor


Touchy little fellow, wasn't he? I had to smile at his tough attitude towards me, especially when I heard him flinch at my comments. Of course, I probably shouldn't have said anything at all since he was the one with the axe and had confiscated my sword. It looked a little big for him but I had not doubt that he could wield it just as well as I could. Well, almost as well.

My original assumptions as to the condition of Moria had been rather close to the mark. The room that we first entered was dusty and dark, with the exception of the light from Ori's torch. I shivered at the thought of what could be lurking around in the shadows and looking over the edge of the stairs we were ascending made my head spin. It was just dark down there and I could only imagine what was down there. I had heard stories of Durin's Bane and, while vague, they told enough for me to want to never set foot in the place. And yet here I was, accompanied by Ori the dwarf, traipsing along toward whatever fate awaited me in the hands of this Balin character.

So, the dwarves had returned to "Khazad-dûm" at last. I dimly wondered how many there were and why it seemed that Ori didn't want conversation during our journey. Though there was a distant sound of hammers, it still seemed too quiet for so vast a place. There couldn't be as many as there once were but apparently there were enough to drive out the orcs. Had they struck gold? Or better?

"How much farther?" I asked, looking about me as it seemed to get a little lighter. There torches here and there now and the gloom seemed less oppressive.

Ori grunted, obviously not happy I had spoken again. "Not much."

He clearly wasn't jesting as we were soon in a hall occupied by a large group of dwarves. They were working on various projects although the thing that most caught my attention was something roasting over a fire. The smell was intoxicating and I could feel my stomach growl as the aroma reached my nose. I didn't care if it was rat meat, it certainly smelled good and I'd eat it if they let me. However, this didn't seem like part of their immediate plans.

"Ori! Who is this that you bring into our halls?" a deep voice called out. Its owner was broad-chested and had a long, full beard that was tucked into a splendid belt of silver. It was no doubt Balin.

Ori bowed to this dwarf and motioned to me. "This man is Leor. I found him near Hollin Gate. He claims to only be in search of food and shelter."

A number of their company turned to look at me and Balin motioned for Ori to join him. I was left at the entrance, now guarded by a rather hairy dwarf with a bushy grey beard and a pick axe in his hand. He watched me warily and I nodded to him, hoping to make a good impression. That pick axe looked sharp.

After a brief conference between Balin, Ori, and various other dwarves, their leader motioned the shaggy looking fellow toward him. Obviously I followed until I was standing right in front of their little council. Balin looked me up and down, taking note of my appearance which, I'm sure, was rather bedraggled. He stroked his beard absently and then motioned for someone to bring us a drink. He seated himself in a large chair and gestured for me to do the same. I was very tired and while the seat didn't look like it was going to be as soft as a feather pillow, it was certainly better than standing up. I did as he said.

"We are cautious folk, Master Leor. We have driven out the majority of the orcs and have begun mining again, as you no doubt saw. Because of this, we are very watchful of strangers who may very well be thieves." He looked at me sternly and I could only meet his gaze.

"A thief I am not," I replied, hoping to seem civil. I'm sure it was hard to take me seriously but I was being totally honest. I had done some bad things in my life but stealing wasn't one of them. I would not stoop to that level.

"For your sake, I hope not," was the only response he gave.

With that, Balin rose and guided me towards a table that was being laid. It must have been dinner time and from the looks of it, it was to be grand dinner at that. For me it was more like a feast. I knew for sure now that I was famished and I would very well eat poisoned food if it meant no longer living on an empty stomach.

"You may eat with us tonight, Master Leor, but I must warn you, you will be under watchful eyes, not to mention close guard this evening. We will decide your fate tonight. I hope very deeply you are not a thief, or worse." Then he smiled kindly. "But for now, eat."

That was on command I would not refuse.

A/N: Well, that's it for now. For some reason I pictured Moria as still being a dark place, even after they'd been there for four and a half years. Maybe that's just me but I don't think a company of their size could've explored all corners of the mines and driven out all evil so I would imagine there were places still dark and dangerous. Let me know what you think of it so far. I'm a little rusty so enlighten me. Thanks!