Chaos flew out of nowhere. Frodo, who had slipped and dropped the ring, lay at Aragorn's feet, while Boromir picked it up and inspected it closely.
"It's a strange fate that we should have to suffer so much fear and doubt over such a small thing…" He half-whispered. The ring glinted in the sun.
"Put it down, you fool, do you want to be pulled into the Dark Lord's thrall?" Asked Gimli, and slapped Boromir on the back, causing the ring to drop back into the snow.
Boromir, of course, reached for it again, but it was snatched back up by Frodo, who tucked it into his pocket.
Boromir's face held an inscrutable look as he climbed to his feet and dusted the snow off his pants.
"Let's keep moving." Said Gandalf, banging his staff once on the ground. "This way." He then turned and led the way higher into the mountains.
"Give me a pleasure cruise in the Caribbean any day." Darren huffed, rubbing his hands together. "I'd have made a better pirate anyway."
…
As they ascended the pass, Gandalf and Legolas grew edgy. It seemed to Mirra that someone was whispering to them, but from very far away.
"It's Saruman!" Darren squealed, clutching her arm.
An avalanche fell from above, barely missing the fellowship. Mirra grabbed onto Legolas, who then proceeded to shove her behind him.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn cried, struggling to be heard over the wind and snow. "Saruman's trying to bring down the mountain, we must turn back!"
Gandalf refused to be beaten. He stood at the edge of the cliff and began to chant something in a language Mirra actually didn't understand, but recognised.
"The counter-spell." She whispered. Aloud she cried, "We'll be killed, Gandalf! We must turn back!"
A shudder went through the mountain and a second, larger avalanche came crashing down on the group. Mirra's scream was silenced before it even left her lips.
…
Darren fought his way out of the snow that had covered him completely. His muscled bulged and strained, but eventually he was out. The others were climbing out of the icy tomb as well. Legolas was helping up Gimli, Gandalf lifted Frodo and Sam out of the snow, and Boromir and Aragorn had grabbed Merry and Pippin, tugging them by their small hobbit feet.
He didn't see Mirra. Cursing, he started digging all over the place trying to find her.
"Where is the Princess?" Gandalf thundered, using his staff to dig.
A few moments later the entire fellowship was turning up the dirt to find her.
"She's here."
Nine heads swivelled to where Boromir was cradling Mirra in his arms. He pushed her wet hair out of her eyes, and slapped her cheeks, trying to wake her up.
"Wake up, girl!" He choked out, slightly shaking her.
Mirra's eyes flew open, and she began hyperventilating in an attempt to draw air into her lungs.
Boromir rubbed her back. "You're alright." He told her, and then helped her up. He turned to Gandalf. "Don't you see now we have to get off this mountain? Let's make for the Gap of Rohan and take the road west to my city."
Aragorn shook his head. "It's far too close to Isengard."
Gandalf scratched his chin. "If we cannot go over a mountain, let us go under it." He said.
Gimli grinned. "Moria."