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This means that the characters are speaking elvish.


Chapter 3

The Fellowship lingered in Rivendell for a month after Aica's arrival. In that time Aica remained tight-lipped about her past. She found out all she could about her companions, but would let none get close to her.

The day of their departure, Aica was awake before the sun. She rose from her bed in her guest rooms and dressed in the clothes she had arrived in, before fastening on her weapons. A knock at the door made her look up. 'Aica, meet us in the courtyard in fifteen minutes, we are preparing to leave.' Gandalf called through the door, before heading off down the hall.
Aica sighed and slid her last two knives into their sheaths. Finally she left her room and made her way through the halls of Rivendell to the front courtyard. Most of the Fellowship were already there, they were just waiting on Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli. The trio emerged a few moments later, Boromir still yawning. As soon as he laid eyes on Aica, who was stood by Sam, he hurried to stand be Legolas, who was on the opposite side of the group to the elleth. Lord Elrond and a company of those who lived in Rivendell came out to see them off. 'The Ring-bearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom and you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves and men, and all free folk go with you. '
'The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer.' Gandalf spoke up.
Frodo looked around nervously, before stepping off towards the gate. As he stepped out of the gate he whispered to Gandalf. 'Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?'
Gandalf placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder before replying. 'Left.'
Frodo took a deep breath before taking the left-hand path.

The group hiked for many leagues that day.,over hills and rivers and through woodland. They set up camp that night in a glade deep in the woods. They split the night into five shifts, each shift covered by two members of the Fellowship. Aica was assigned to the final watch with Aragorn.
When Aragorn awoke for his watch he discovered Aica's bedroll was empty. Boromir and Pippin were sat by the fire. He rose from his bedroll and crossed the glade to them . 'Where's Aica?' he asked. Boromir jerked his chin, sullenly, towards the edge of the glade. Looking up, Aragorn could just make out a shadow sat in one of the trees. 'Get some sleep, my friends. I will wake you when the sun rises.' He then crossed to the base of the tree. 'Will you come down, or do you wish to carry out your watch up there.'
'I'm fine here.' Aica called back.
Aragorn sighed and moved back to sit by the fire, keeping one eye on Aica, he still wasn't sure if she could be trusted.
Aica did not move from the tree until the rest of the Fellowship began to stir. Legolas was the first to rise, moving to the creek that flowed alongside the glade, splashing his face with the cold water. As if he sensed her watching him, Legolas looked up, directly towards Aica, who quickly looked away. She jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on her feet, before striding over to the creek to refill her water-skin.

As they set off that morning Gandalf began to speak. 'We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us and there our road turns east to Mordor.'
And so the Fellowship journeyed on over mountaintops, past ancient ruins and beyond rivers. After many days travelling the Fellowship arrived at a rocky outcropping, where Gandalf called a respite for their day's travel. Sam began to cook, with Frodo sat nearby. Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf settled themselves down on the rocks and lit their pipes. Legolas stood on the rocks behind them while Boromir began to spar with Merry and Pippin. Aica settled herself on some rocks overlooking the outcropping.
'Two, one, five. Good, very good.' Boromir directed Merry, before turning to Pippin. Aica tuned them out, staring out towards the mountains. She had a very bad feeling that something bad was to happen very soon.
Her attention was grabbed when Gimli mentioned the Mines of Moria. She breathed a slight sigh of relief when Gandalf said that they were not to journey into Moria, she wasn't afraid of being underground, like most elves, she had just heard bad things about Moria. Then both Legolas and Gandalf turned their attention to the south, where a dark cloud advanced towards them. 'What is that?' Sam asked, seeing where they were looking.
'Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud.' Gimli replied.
'It's moving fast, and against the wind.' Boromir pointed out.
'Crebain from Dunland!' Legolas and Aica exclaimed together.
'Hide!' Aragorn ordered, the Fellowship scrambled to obey. Aica dropped down from the rock she was on and rolled into the crevice below. Moments later the squawking of the birds filled the air as the crows descended on the outcropping.

After what felt like an age, but in reality was only a few moments, the birds flew off, leaving the air still and quiet. One by one the Fellowship emerged from their hiding places and gathered around Gandalf. 'Spies of Saruman.' He explained. 'The passage south is being watched.' He turned to look up at the mountain. 'We must take the pass of Caradhras.'
Aica was the one to speak up. 'Are you sure that's wise?' The Fellowship turned to look at her. 'He may well be watching the mountains too.'
'We must take that chance, there is no other option.' Gandalf replied. 'And I refuse to take to the mines.' He finished, in response to Gimli's unspoken statement. 'Come, gather your things and we shall be off.'
The Fellowship began to gather their belongings, strapping packs onto the pony and fastening their weapons onto themselves. When they were ready they began the long, slow trek up the mountain.
Their first night on the mountain was a cold one. Most awoke at some point in the night to shift closer to the fire, or pull another layer on. Aica didn't sleep that night. The crows had made her worried, and a little afraid. She had known Saruman worked for Sauron long ago, and was worried that he would tell her former master where she was and whom she was travelling with.
'What troubles you?' Legolas' voice made her jump.
'Nothing that should worry you.' Aica replied, she rose to walk away from him.
'Why do you act like we can not help you?' Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. 'Why do you act like none of us should care?'
Aica turned to face him, her dark eyes burning into his own blue ones. 'Because I know the consequences of trust and respect when it should not be given.' She shrugged off his hand and walked away, leaving Legolas bewildered.

Over the next two days the Fellowship steadily climbed the mountain, the snow hindering their every step. On the third day Frodo fell in the snow, tumbling a few feet back down the mountain. Luckily Aragorn was there to catch him. 'Frodo!' He helped the young hobbit to his feet. Frodo felt around his neck, only to discover that the Ring was gone. As the Fellowship looked on Boromir stepped forward and picked the Ring up by it's chain. 'Boromir.' Aragorn said, but the other man ignored him.
'It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and death over so small a thing.' His eyes were unblinking as he stared at the Ring. 'Such a little thing.' He lifted his other hand as if to grasp the Ring.
'Boromir!' Aragorn's voice finally snapped Boromir out of his trance. 'Give the Ring to Frodo.'
Hesitantly the man stepped forward, holding the Ring out. 'As you wish.' Frodo snatched the Ring back, and put it on over his neck. 'I care not.' He chuckled and ruffled Frodo's hair, before slinging his shield back onto his back and trudging up the mountain to the rest of the Fellowship.

The further they got up the mountain, the worse the weather got. Snow battered them for hours on end, the cold penetrating the skin of all except Legolas and Aica. The two elves got many a glare from their companions for their ability to resist the cold and walk on top of the snow.
As the Fellowship struggled on along a narrow pass the keen ears of the elves picked up a harsh voice on the wind. 'There is a fell voice on the air.' Legolas said.
'It's Saruman!' Gandalf yelled as part of the mountaintop collapsed.
The Fellowship barely managed to dodge the rocks tumbling towards them. 'He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!' Aragorn argued.
'No!' Gandalf took a step forward and began his own chant, only to be drowned out by Saruman's voice. Lightening struck the top on the mountain, sending snow hurtling towards the group. There were gasps of panic before they were buried.
Aica shoved the snow above her away, a hand gripped her own and Legolas pulled her out of the snow. She nodded her thanks to him, before turning to help dig Aragorn out. 'We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!' Boromir yelled over the wind.
'The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard.' Aragorn shot back.
'We cannot go there!' Aica backed him up.
'If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria.' Gimli reminded them all. The Fellowship all looked at him, some out of fear for what was in there, some because they did not want to go underground.
They were all quiet until Gandalf said. 'Let the Ring-bearer decide.'
'We cannot stay here! This will be the death of the Hobbits!' Boromir pointed out.
'Frodo?' Gandalf asked.
'We will go through the mines.' Frodo decided.
'So be it.'

And so the Fellowship began the long trek back down the mountain. Once at it's base they took a new route, heading towards the doors of Moria.
Night had fallen by the time they reached the entrance. Aica brought up the rear of the group. 'The walls, of Moria!' The walls rose in great cliffs, high above the Fellowship. 'Dwarf doors are invisible when closed.' Gimli was saying as they approached the walls, banging his axe on the wall.
'Yes Gimli, even their own masters could not find them if their secrets are forgotten.' Gandalf called back.
'Why doesn't that surprise me.' Legolas said quietly. Aica raised her eyebrows at him. Gimli growled in response.
'Well, let's see.' Gandalf ran a hand over some markings on the wall. 'Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight, and moonlight.' He looked around, just as the light wind swept away the clouds. 'It reads the doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend, and enter.'
'What do you suppose that means?' Merry asked.
'Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open.' Gandalf replied, before turning back to the door and pointing his staff at it. 'Annon edhellen edro hi ammen!' The doors didn't move. 'Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen.' When the doors remained closed he pushed against them, but they refused to budge.
'Nothing's happening.' Pippin stated to no-one in particular. Aica shook her head at how obvious the statement was.
'I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs ' Gandalf said.
'What are you going to do then?' Pippin asked.
'Knock your head against these doors Peregrin Took! and if that does not shatter them and I'm allowed a little peace from foolish questions I will try to find the opening words.' Gandalf burst out.

One by one the Fellowship dispersed from Gandalf's side, as he tried to open the doors. 'We should not linger here.' Aica said when Legolas joined her at the lake's edge. 'I am uneasy.'
'We have no choice, you said it yourself, we cannot go near Isengard.'Legolas replied. 'Yet I know how you feel, something is very wrong here.'
Nearby Aragorn and Sam were saying goodbye to Bill, who would no longer accompany them on their journey.
Aica ran a hand through her short hair as Aragorn stopped Merry and Pippin from throwing rocks into the lake. 'Oh it's useless.' Gandalf gave up and flopped down beside Frodo, who rose.
'It's a riddle.' Aica looked around at him. 'Speak friend, and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?'
'Mellon.' Gandalf replied.
As Gandalf spoke the word there was a great crack and the doors slid open. Gandalf placed a crystal into the top of his staff as he led the Fellowship into the mines. 'Soon Master Elf you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves.' Gimli's voice echoed into the darkness. 'Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!'
The crystal on Gandalf's staff lit up, illuminating the cavern. 'This is no mine.' Boromir said. 'It's a tomb.' Corpses lay everywhere, some hacked to pieces, others embedded with arrows.
'Nooo!' Gimli yelled in anguish.
Legolas pulled an arrow from a dwarf and examined it quickly. 'Goblins'
Boromir and Aragorn drew their swords and Legolas loaded his bow. Aica followed suit, nocking one of her black fletched arrows into her bow.

'We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here.' Boromir exclaimed, as all began to back towards the door. 'Now get out of here! Get out!'
'Frodo!' The Hobbits yelled. 'Strider!' Sam backed up.
The two men and the two elves ran back towards the door, where Frodo was being held by a large, tentacled water creature. The Hobbits hacked at the creature, pulling Frodo away from the water, but the creature knocked them back and looped one of it's tentacles around Frodo's leg, before hoisting him into the air. Boromir and Aragorn waded into the water, attacking the creature, while Aica and Legolas fired arrows into it. The creature flung Frodo about in the air, while they attacked it. Finally, when Aragorn sliced through one of the tentacles, Frodo dropped into Boromir's arms. 'Into the mines' Gandalf called.
Legolas shoved Aica towards the entrance while Boromir yelled at him. 'Legolas!' He nocked another arrow and released it into the creature's eye, sending it reeling backwards, but not for long. Moments after the Fellowship entered the mine, the creature collapsed the door trapping them inside.
'We now have but one choice.' Gandalf said as he knocked his staff on the floor, causing it to light. 'We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world.' The Fellowship followed him deeper into the mine. 'Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed.' With that the Fellowship began their arduous journey through the mountain.


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