At the first sign of dawn, Gandalf had bidden them to move on in haste. The fires he had created during the dark hours of the night had burned down to ash. Where Frodo had expected to see the charred remains of the great wolves which had come in the night, there was not a trace. The only evidence they had indeed been real, the blackened remains of the last arrow Legolas had shot.
He was still weary but, even sitting astride Aerlaer as he was, he could not sleep for fear of tumbling off the tall Elfhorse. Gandalf, along with Gimli, led them in a South East direction. Their destination, great, towering, rocky cliffs and, larger still; a wall of monolithic height, looming in the distance. Gimli looked to be familiar with how to find this back way into the mines. Frodo noted the Dwarf was the only one of them truly excited to be taking the passage underground. He had a bounce in his step even the Elves could not rival.
Aerlaer paused, her refined head swinging about and ears flickering uncertainly as if she observed the now barren land of red rocks they travelled through. Frodo too looked about warily. The sky was a clear blue and the sun shone down brightly and the wind had died away.
"This weather, it feels uncanny after the freezing wind, sleet and snow we have just endured." The Elfhorse murmured.
"Possibly again the work of Saruman; to any eyes watching we are easily detectable. I do not like it at all. We must keep haste." Gandalf replied, also gazing about worryingly.
Gimli, who had gone on well ahead, stopped on a knoll and called out to them to hurry along. As the Fellowship hurried in a slow jog to join him, they discovered he'd found a path by a stream or, what remained of a stream. Barely a trickle of water remained.
"The Gate Stream!" Exclaimed Gandalf. "Although I wonder how it could have dried up?" No one, not even Gimli had an answer. They now followed the dry stream bed for what must have been miles. Eventually he swapped places with Sam and Merry and, he and Pippin took to walking again. They were all footsore from the rough and rocky path. This was not the soft and fertile earth of the Shire or its luscious and gentle grasses. Would Mordor be like this?
Frodo was barely putting one foot before the other, simply gazing to the path at his feet when Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. He gazed up though tired eyes to find Gimli had led them to ascending steps, carved into the cliffs which had seemed so far away that morning. The Dwarf sprung eagerly upwards, his enthusiasm still evident and Frodo wondered where he drew his energy from. The rocks and stone about him? He knew the Elves drew energy sometimes from the trees and nature about them. Perhaps Dwarves were not so different?
"Come along Frodo." Gandalf hastened him towards the stair now and, setting his jaw in determination, he began the onerous climb upwards. The top, when finally, he reached it, drawing in lungful's' of cool air, told a story of just why no water had flowed far below. It had been damned up and now formed a dark and deep ominous looking lake between them and the grey cliff faces where the mine entrance was hidden. There was no way from here to reach the location of the entrance. He had climbed all this way for naught it seemed.
Gandalf tuned back and explained the predicament to the others just below. Within moments, Legolas stood beside him, having effortlessly leapt up the stairs. Frodo watched the tall, silvery-blonde Elf as he keenly assessed the minimal shore around the lake.
"There is a possible path to the left side. It is very narrow but, we could navigate it to the other end of the lake. We cannot take Bill with us, the space is too narrow even for his nimble feet." Legolas said both to he, Gandalf and Gimli, but also loud enough for those below to hear him. Frodo did not miss the look of devastation on Sam's face. Poor Sam, he is attached to dear Bill. Frodo thought sadly as Aragorn turned to his friend.
…
"The mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn said sadly and Sam slowly nodded although, tears glistened in his eyes. Aerlaer was touched by just how fond of the little pony Sam was. She too was fond of Bill; they had spent many an hour quietly communicating and he was so fearless.
Once Aragorn had unloaded the packs from the pony, he and Boromir quickly sorted through any excess items they did not need while Sam bid the chestnut goodbye. Aerlaer, still in horse form from earlier, walked with Bill. "You are so brave and strong and I've no doubt you will find your way back to the Elves." She thought to him.
"The wolves... I don't know how I'll get passed them?" He thought back worryingly.
"Sleep here tonight and rest. There is sparse grass and if you step up to the base of that rock wall there is the smallest trickle of water from above. Rest and then when dawn comes, make haste back out of these mountains before night falls." She nuzzled the pony fondly. "Until we meet again my dear friend. Be safe." Bill whinnied a farewell and, Aerlaer replied quietly, feeling saddened as she turned and walked back towards the others, hoping no ill would befall her little, plucky friend.
…
The stars were starting to come out as the sun set when the others reached the top. They were all saddened by the loss of Bill. Legolas too was. He liked the little pony but, he would not make it across the lake and the water looked deep and formidable. He could not place why but, he did not trust its black, glassy smooth surface. Leading, he beckoned them to all follow him along the very narrow track. Frodo walked right behind him and he kept a hand on the Hobbit's arm to ensure he did not slip and fall into the water. He was unsure just how well Hobbits could swim and did not want to find out. He ensured they all moved swiftly, not at all at ease on just how close they were to the water as they walked.
The path was only the span of the length of his own boot and in some places, less so. Finally, they reached the other side and he breathed in relief as Aerlaer came to stand beside him. It was now that they were finally before the great wall of Moria, he felt more than a little worried and certainly uncomfortable. Last time he had been anywhere near a Dwarven mine… well he did not wish to even think on it.
"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli stated proudly, bursting with excitement they had made it to the mines. At least one of us is exuberant. He thought dryly.
"Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf replied sounding tired.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas quipped, sick of hearing of these mines, causing Aerlaer to snicker in laughter. The Dwarf glared at them both. Why can there not be a nice, welcoming forest or woodland to pass through instead?
Gandalf, mumbling walked between the only two trees in sight and placed his hand on the cliff face. "Ithildin." He commanded and Legolas watched in surprise and, a begrudging awe as spidery veins of light spread under the dirt. "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." The Wizard mused out loud. As if on cue, the clouds moved to reveal the moon and the stone wall lit up revealing a door of two elaborate columns and an arch. A star and an Elven inscription completed the moonlit archway. It was unmistakably beautiful and it was Elven made, Legolas was sure. Eleven made or not, I do not wish to enter that stone. He turned and strode a small distance away to stand alone.
"It reads 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Gandalf declared for them all to hear and Legolas scowled to himself. Why would anything friendly come of Dwarves? What a ridiculous inscription.
"What do you suppose that means?" Merry wondered aloud.
"Oh, it's quite simple." The Wizard replied as if it should be so obvious. "If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open." He then began to speak in various languages, commanding the door to open. Nothing happened. Legolas could not help but be slightly amused.
"Nothing's happening. What are you going to do then?" Pippin quipped innocently.
"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." Snapped out a frustrated Gandalf. Legolas watched Pippen scamper away from the grumpy Wizard to join Merry away from the wall. Aragorn sat with Sam and Frodo while Gimli seemed to pace excitedly. Aerlaer also stood a little way from the others, close to him but she seemed in her own thoughts as he was. She would not wish to be walking through these mines either.
"Oh it's useless!" Gandalf suddenly exclaimed, sitting down and removing his hat. For long moments, none of them spoke. There was the sound of light splashing and he turned his head to find Merry and Pippin skimming rocks across the inky water. He swiftly walked the two Hobbits.
Do not disturb the water." He cautioned lowly and they gazed up at him startled; instantly backing away from the shoreline. He too turned away to find Aerlaer staring warily at the water behind him. He glanced back to see a separate ripple run across the water. There was something in there…
"It's a riddle." Frodo spoke up. Legolas turned back to the vast wall and the dark-haired Hobbit. "Speak 'friend' and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon." Answered Gandalf in a deep voice just as Legolas had been about to give the same answer. Abruptly the rock wall shuddered and cracks appeared and with a deep rumble, the door of stone opened.
Cautiously they entered through the doorway into Moria. Already the air felt heavy and musty. Legolas did not like it. He walked closely beside Aerlaer now, the Hobbits behind them and Aragorn bringing up the rear. Excitedly Gimli turned to look up at he and Aerlaer.
"Soon, you will both enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone. This, my friends, is the home of my cousin, Balin." Legolas silently looked at Aerlaer and, as Gandalf set his staff crystal to glow a bright torch for them to see, he rolled his eyes at her. Aerlaer shook with silent laughter, a glimmer in her eye at the Dwarf's words. "And they call it a mine." Gimli finished in glee, "A Mine!" His words echoed off the walls.
"This is no mine!" Boromir said in horror, ahead of them. "It is a tomb!" The horror was quickly shared as Gandalf's staff light lit up the scene of destruction before them. Long dead bodies of Dwarves were strewn on the floor. Legolas stiffened and then strode a step forward, swooping swiftly down to pull an arrow from a nearby body and inspect its design. Only one race he knew made such crude and barbaric weapons.
"Goblins!" He exclaimed and simultaneously everyone drew their weapons as he knocked one of his own arrows to his bow. Behind him he could almost feel the Hobbit's nervous alarm.
Boromir cursed louder than Legolas appreciated. "We must make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." They all simultaneously began to back away. "Now get out of here! Get out." Boromir yelled to them all and Legolas heard the Hobbits turn and run. Hastily, he turned, catching Aragorn's shocked gaze and then suddenly there was panicked cries from outside the entrance. they all began to retreat toward the entrance.
"Frodo!" screamed the other three Hobbits.
"Strider!" Sam called desperately to the Ranger and he and Aragorn leapt towards the entrance; Aerlaer close on their heels. Legolas slid to a stop and drew his bow, shocked by the great, black tentacle wrapped around Frodo, trying to drag him into the lake, Merry, Pippin and Sam hung to his legs trying to pull him from the beast lurking in the water. Sam savagely slashing the tentacle holding his friend with his blade. Frodo was suddleny dropped and the beast recoiled back into the lake.
Legolas held his aim, not trusting the creature would simply leave them be. The reprieve was short-lived; the beast suddenly launched multiple tentacles towards Frodo, grabbing hold of him again. Legolas loosened an arrow where it could not harm the Hobbit but, even for him, aim was difficult for the swift way the beats flailed Frodo about. his time lifting him into the air. Boromir and Aragorn charged to the water to attack the beast.
"Shoot at its other tentacles!" Aerlaer suddenly called to him and so he did, the beast thrashing more as each of their arrows burrowed into its slimy skin. The beast quite suddenly rose out of the water and opened a great mouth of hundreds of jagged teeth and Legolas raced around, aiming his bow and managed to hit the tentacle holding Frodo and the Hobbit was released, Boromir catching him.
"Into the mines!" Commanded Gandalf from somewhere behind.
"Legolas, Aerlaer!" Boromir beckoned but he was too intent on finishing off the beast. It appeared Aerlaer had the same thoughts, taking a shot into the beast's open mouth. Legolas simultaneously let fly another arrow, hitting the beast in the eye. It screeched, retaliating in fury.
"Into the cave! Run!" Aragorn yelled at the them both as he raced into the mines himself. Realising they had truly riled up the beast, Legolas beckoned to the other Elf. Quickly they dashed through the doorway as great tentacles rose behind them and began to tear down the doorway. Great slabs of rock fell loudly and the entrance to the mine was soon a pile of rubble, the last light of the moon disappearing as the last of the rocks fell, leaving them all in a darkness even Legolas could not see through.
It was disconcerting and his ears imedialy began straining to hear any lurking danger. The air was all the thicker with dust and debris and that musty smell and, the smell of the long dead. For all that, he caught the light scent of violets and felt the presence of the other Elf standing close at his side. Her presence, he realised suddenly, was a comfort.
"We now have but one choice." Gandalf said gravely as he re-lit his staff and Legolas caught the fear on the faces of the others. "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." Legolas was unsure what he meant and gazed at the Wizard questioningly but, he did not answer. He turned away, beckoning to them to follow and, silently they did, each step wary as they followed the wizard into the dark, mysterious depths.