Chapter 2 – The Ring Heads South
Disclaimer – I own nothing but my OC.
And so the journey continues. Similar to my original story, all three films will be compressed into one and will follow the plot for the most part with differences here and there. Enjoy!
Glyndwr smiled at Sam as he was passed a plate of sausages with soft bread. It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed something as simple as a sausage roll since he had arrived in Middle-Earth.
The gardener returned the smile before grabbing another plate and getting more food for Frodo and himself. Fili sat beside him and picked up a roll for himself before they both turned to watch Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin how to use their swords. Aragorn would chip in on occasion, staying silent for the most part.
"As far as journeys go, this has been positively pleasant." Kili joined the both of them.
"You jinxed it Ki…" Glyn rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
"What? It has! No deluge, no Trolls trying to cook us…no Orcs chasing us on Wargs." The dark haired prince said.
"He has a point there, Glyn." Fili said before sipping some water.
"Very true." The Welshman smiled.
"For the time being, we should enjoy this peace. We have to pass through the Gap of Rohan in order to take the least amount of time. If Saruman has indeed betrayed us, that pass could prove to be an obstacle." Fili said as Gandalf nodded in agreement. Gimli approached them then as Gandalf used his pipe.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, and I note that they're not, I say that we're taking the long way around. Gandalf…we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." The Dwarf said and Fili and Kili looked concerned.
"We have had no word from Moria in many years…" The fair-haired prince said.
"They could just be occupied with rebuilding…" Glyn pointed out.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf said with a solemn tone.
They all heard Pippin yelp in pain and Boromir offering apologies before he was taken down by both of the Hobbits. Glyn smiled in amusement, bursting into outright laughter with the Dwarf brothers as Aragorn suffered a similar fate when he tried to break it up. A playful scuffle broke out amongst the four as Legolas noticed something in the distance.
"What is that?" Sam asked, looking at the cloud the blonde Elf had been observing.
"Nothing…it's just a wisp of cloud." Gimli said as Glyn got up to look.
"What is it, Glyn?" Fili asked.
"They look like crows…" The Welshman said.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas said before Aragorn ordered them all to hide. They all dove into the rocks and shrubbery with their supplies to stay concealed as the birds flew above them.
The large birds circled overhead, cawing loudly as though they were actively searching for the group amongst the landscape. Eventually the birds headed off but they stayed hidden for a short while to make sure they didn't come back around for another pass. Eventually, the Fellowship slowly arose from their hiding spots.
"Spies of Saruman! The passage South is being watched!" Gandalf said as he looked up at the snowy peaks before them. "We must take the Pass off Caradhras."
"A snowy climb…better than a rainy one I suppose." Kili said.
"Hopefully with no Stone Giants this time…" Glyn smiled as he pulled his cloak back on.
"Please do not remind me…" The other shuddered as they packed away their supplies. "We've got a long climb ahead…"
Both Legolas and Glyndwr benefitted on the snowy peaks, both walking along the top of the snow in front of them with little effort. The others struggled a little bit more behind them. Frodo stumbled a little bit and fell back down the slope, Aragorn helping him up when he caught him. He soon realised that the Ring was no longer around his neck and searched for it frantically. Glyn noticed that Boromir had picked up the Ring and listened closely in concern.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing." The Son of Denethor looked mesmerised. "Such a little thing…"
"Dear God…it corrupts so quickly…" Glyn whispered in horror, Legolas looking just as concerned.
"Boromir!" Aragorn snapped him out of it. "Give the ring to Frodo…" He said firmly.
"As you wish…I care not." He said casually, laughing as he ruffled Frodo's hair before the carried on up the slope.
"I have never seen such evil in all my life…and we faced down the armies of Azog and Bolg…" Glyn said to Fili when he caught up to him.
"When Sauron forged that Ring, he poured his very being into it. Men have always been weaker to the temptations of such power. Had they been stronger, Frodo would not need to undertake this journey. Had Isildur destroyed the Ring when he found it after bringing an end to Sauron's physical form…this would never have been necessary."
"Dear God…"
"Hobbits have never had a desire for power…" Gandalf spoke with them. "As a result, they are not so easily corrupted. Bilbo took sixty years before he started showing signs…"
"Bilbo possessed the Ring?" Kili was shocked.
"He managed to find the Ring when you were captured in Goblin Town…taken from a creature that is known as Gollum…it was Gollum that alerted Mordor to the Baggins' possession of it."
"That explains why that emissary approached us. We knew Bilbo." Fili said and Gandalf nodded.
"I fear this is not going to be the only episode of temptation…" Glyn said.
"I bear that same fear, Glyndwr Magnus. It is important that if you hear the Ring's voice inside your head, you ignore it with all your might. It will do anything it can to ensure that it returns to its dark master."
"A simple band of gold…" The Welshman muttered in slight horror.
"That simple band of gold bears the will of the Dark Lord…such magic will turn even the simplest of objects into horrors beyond our comprehension." Gandalf said and the other shuddered, despite not feeling cold.
Eventually they reached the pass of Caradhras and it reminded Glyndwr of the time they had to fight through the pass in the Misty Mountains. Legolas and Glyndwr were carefully walking atop the snow to ensure the paths ahead were safe but the winds were getting stronger. Legolas stopped in front of him and put his hand on the Welshman's chest to stop him.
"Listen..."
"I hear it…a voice…" Glyn said and Legolas nodded before turning to Gandalf.
"There is a fell voice on the air." The elven prince said as the Wizard listened.
"It's Saruman!"
A crack of lightning struck the side of the mountain above them, breaking up rocks from the side of the mountain and causing them to fall. The rocks just barely missed them as they all pressed against the side of the mountain, bringing back more memories of their perils from before. Glyn kept an eye on the mountain just in case.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn implored.
"No! Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!" The wizard began to speak to the mountain, his voice competing with Saruman's.
Another lighting crack struck the mountain and caused an avalanche. Glyn found himself pressed up against the side of the mountain by Fili, who had moved to stand beside him. He felt the cold of the snow as it quickly buried them in no time but Saruman's voice had gone silent. For a moment, it was deathly quiet on the mountain aside from the howl of the wind before Legolas emerged from the snow followed by the others.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city!" Boromir shouted over the howling winds.
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn countered.
"If we cannot go over the mountain, let us go under it!" Gimly spoke up. "Let us go to the Mines of Moria…" Gandalf stopped to think then and Glyn noticed that the Hobbits seemed to be getting colder.
"Let the Ringbearer decide…" Gandalf said finally and there was silence for a few moments.
"We cannot stay here! This will be the death of the Hobbits!" Boromir implored.
"Frodo?" They all turned to him and Frodo seemed to hesitate.
"We will go through the Mines…" He said after some hesitation.
"At the very least, we can investigate what happened to Balin and his colonisation efforts…" Fili said and Glyn nodded.
"With luck, we can stop to rest and recover." The Welshman said as they turned around.
"We can only hope that all is well. We sent him out just shy of thirty years ago on an expedition. We haven't heard from him since." Kili said in concern.
"Moria is just as vast as Erebor…" Fili pointed out. "The expedition we sent was small so it just may be that he's busy with efforts to bring it back…"
"I hope you're right, Fi…"
With some effort, they successfully made it off the mountain and eventually reached a misty, rocky valley. Without the snow to slow them down, movement was easier for everyone. Glyn noticed that Gandalf was deep in conversation with Gandalf so he jogged ahead to scout, looking in amazement when he saw a great flat wall of sheer cliff face.
"The walls of Moria…" Gimli whispered in amazement. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed…" He said as he, Fili and Kili started tapping along the wall to search for the door.
"Yes Gimli! Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf said.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas quipped, earning a snicker from Glyn and an indignant snort from Gimli.
"Does Moria not have a regular entrance like Erebor?" Glyn asked.
"It's on the other side and is our destination." Gandalf said and the other nodded.
"The cities of my people had no such walls or entrances. There were numerous ways into the city depending on where you were coming from."
"Entrances like this are concealed in order to protect our kingdoms…all Dwarven realms are known for their access to some form of riches, riches my people have coveted." Gimli said.
"It may be too effective…" Glyn said as he looked for any indication of a door.
"Have faith Master Magnus." Gandalf said jovially as he looked at something. "Ithildin…it mirrors only starlight and moonlight…" The Wizard said eventually the moon revealed the door, shining bright.
"That is Elven language…" Glyn noted.
"Well spotted. The Noldor of Eregion created these doors to aid in trade and travel during a time where both races shared a close friendship."
"What does it say?" Fili asked.
"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 explained before raising his staff to the star on the doors. "Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen!" They waited for a few moments but the doors did not shift. "Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!" He tried another incantation but there was still no movement.
"Nothing's happening…" Pippin pointed out.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs." Gandalf muttered.
"What are you going to do then?"
"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." The Wizard said irritably, earning a couple of snickers from Fili, Kili and Pippin.
Eventually, they all took a seat around the immediate area whilst Gandalf tried a variety of words to try and open the door. Aragorn and Sam released the pony, Bill, citing that the mines were no place for him. The relative silence was broken by the sound of rocks hitting the water and although Glyn did not know much about this place, he immediately felt concern.
"Do not disturb the water…" Aragorn said softly and Glyn walked over when he saw ripples.
"It could just be a fish…" The Welshman said and Aragorn kept his gaze ahead.
"You sound hesitant to believe that…" The Ranger pointed out and the other nodded. "Many things live in the waters…not all of them so benign."
"More dangers in Middle-Earth? Say it is not so…" Glyn said, his sarcasm clear but his concern was evident.
"It's a riddle…" Frodo broke the silence then. "Speak friend…and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon." Gandalf answered.
There was a crack as the doors slowly opened, surprising them all. Gandalf chuckled as they all made their way to the door. Gandalf placed a crystal into the end of his staff as both Glyn and Aragorn took one last look at the lake.
"Soon Mr Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires! Malt Beer! Red meat off the bone!" Gimli said as Gandalf blew into the crystal causing it to light up. "This my friend is the home of my cousin Balin and they call it a Mine! A Mine!" Gimli said.
"No…" Fili whispered in horror and Kili looked almost distraught. Glyn soon saw what they did and gasped softly when he saw the corpses of Dwarves scattered around the area.
"This isn't a mine…" Boromir said quietly. "It's a tomb…"
They all saw the corpses and Gimli howled with grief whilst Fili and Kili looked around in sadness and horror. Glyn, despite his horror and sadness became cautious the second he saw the crude arrows in the corpses and drew Dur Glas, which was thankfully not glowing. Legolas pulled an arrow out of one of the corpses.
"Goblins!" He said, drawing an arrow as Kili prepared one of his own and Fili drew his swords.
"They were overrun…" Kili noted as they all huddled close together.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan." Boromir said. "We should never have come here…"
"I'm inclined to agree…" Fili said as they slowly backed out of the Mine at Boromir's urging. All of a sudden, Frodo falls and both Merry and Pippin called to him, everyone turning to see him being dragged out by a tentacle.
"Strider!" Sam called, successfully cutting Frodo free.
The tentacle withdrew back into the water and it seemed as though the creature had given up. All of a sudden many tentacles burst from the stagnant water and knocked the Hobbits that were helping the Ringbearer. The creature once more snagged Frodo with one of its tentacles and held him high up.
Glyn charged forward with both Aragorn and Boromir and the three began slashing at any tentacles that stood between them and Frodo. His slashing grew more frenzied when he saw the creature emerge, its mouth open and Frodo held precariously above it. With support from both the Welshman and Boromir, Aragorn managed to cut the tentacle that held Frodo and he was caught by Boromir.
"Into the Mines!" Gandalf ordered.
"Legolas! Kili!" Boromir shouted as the beast advanced on them.
Both the Elf and the Dwarf fired arrows at the giant monster, forcing it back and buying valuable time for Aragorn, Glyn, Boromir and Frodo before they made it to the entrance. The creature made it onto land and angrily brought heavy tentacles to the doorway, tearing it down and causing large boulders to block it up.
Coughing from the dust, Glyn was happy that Gandalf re-lit his crystal so they could all see. He took a look at the exhausted members with a grim expression.
"We now have but one choice…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."