Lightning Rain: Yes, the spirits do know what Victoria thinks or does – they're kind of "living through her," but they rarely interfere. However, Victoria isn't their only source of information: not being tied to the material world anymore, they can feel and know more things than their "hostess."
Sweetlittlecherry: Don't worry, I don't plan to give this up. In fact, I've already started translating the "Two Towers" part and writing the "Return of the King" in my own language.
Empress Guinevere Sparrow: I'm glad you liked Frodo's special nickname for Torey – I had quite an hard time making it up, for I have already used every possibility.
Alassea2: Thank you, I feared it would be as boring as Book-verse Council of Elrond, with all that talking… I'm sorry for your writer block. It has been a while since my last update, so I hope you've got over this crisis. If it's not over yet, don't give up and keep on fighting!
CHAPTER XIII: MORIA
The sun had almost disappeared behind the fog and the horizon when they entered into a kind of canyon with huge gray walls perpendicular to the ground.
Gimli opened his eyes wide and let out reverent sigh, Oh. The Walls of Moria.
They reached the end of the gorge, passing by a strange lake with unmoving waters, as black as pitch. Gandalf started examining the wall and Victoria came near Legolas. Tell me…we don't have to do free climbing, do we? she whispered, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.
The Elf shook his head, No, I do not think so. Don't you worry,
Now, let's see… murmured the Istari, who had found something. Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight…
As if his words had been some kind of signal, the black clouds cleared up and the rays of the full moon bathed the gray wall. In the silvery light, bright and luminous signs appeared on the wall, leaving everybody amazed. The signs represented two columns standing beside two trees which embraced them with two branches. An arch rose from the capitals, strange symbols engraved on it. On its left and on its right there were also two strange insignia, like two monograms. Right under the arch, there were engraved seven bright stars, the central – and bigger – of them was also part of a royal crown. Under the crown could be seen a hammer and an anvil stylized and lower, between the two trees, there was a star with sixteen points that reminded Torey of a compass-card.
Gandalf raised his staff, underlining the words carved in the arch, It reads "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.
What do you suppose that means? Merry asked, vaguely polemical.
I was wondering the exactly the same thing, the witch backed him up, folding her arms.
Oh, it's quite simple! If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open.
If you say so… the witch remarked arching an eyebrow, not at all convinced.
Gandalf threw her a "You-wait-and-see-girl" glance and aimed his staff at the doors, Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!
Nothing happened.
He tried to push them, but the doors remained unmoved. Just like two rocks.
The Istari turned to glare at the young witch: Not a word…
Did I say something?! she replied, raising her hands.
But then, three tries later, Victoria couldn't keep her mouth shut anymore. I think it's better if we sit down… she shook her head. If I had known, I would have made some coffee, but anyway…So, Johnny Reb, if I recall exactly, we had a little game hanging over. Do you want to continue it?
Of course, Little Soldier,
Gandalf will find the password soon, Legolas intervened.
Sure, and I was born a Gryffindor…Trust is okay, Radar, but you're exaggerating!
I don't exaggerate at all! he replied proudly.
You sure? Really, really sure? she inquired.
Absolutely sure.
A strange light lit up in the girl's eyes and a smirk curled up her lips: Wanna bet?
The prince and the witch whispered among themselves for a few minutes before shaking hands solemnly. Victoria reached Boromir, who had already took her backpack and the cards.
Good… she flopped down on a rock as she rubbed her hands together, an amused smirk on her face. …who deals? she asked, taking a cigarette.
An hour and half later, they were still there, on that lake bank. Legolas was keeping watch behind them, Gimli smoked his pipe, Victoria had reached the sixth cigarette and the fourth game of cards. She and Boromir were playing snap – the only card game that Victoria knew apart from patience. She had taught Boromir how to play it when they were still in Rivendell – using the round shield as a green table. Not one of them had his or her back turned to the lake.
Aragorn was helping Sam to let Bill the pony go. He was also trying to comfort him for the loss of his four-legged friend. The other animal of the Fellowship, Duke, flew in circles above them, enjoying for the last time the sky and the fresh air. Victoria had tried to send him back to Rivendell or at least to make him wait for them on the other side, but to no avail. The hawk would have followed his mistress to Hell, if it had been necessary.
Frodo sat near Gandalf and Merry and Pippin hung around, bored.
Finished with the game, Victoria was putting the cards away when a soft splash attracted her attention. Pippin had thrown another pebble in the water and was about to throw a third one when his arm was caught by Aragorn's hand.
Do not disturb the water! he whispered, letting his clear eyes wander on the lake's surface, apparently calm. Boromir moved behind the Ranger's back, watching the black waters lightly rippling. Victoria stood by his side. Billy Yank might not be very high on her A List but, even if she didn't show it, she somehow respected that Man and, above all, trusted his instinct. As she trusted Johnny Reb's warrior instinct and her own. The spirits were restless. Bad sign. She didn't even listen to the conversation between Gandalf and Frodo on her left. Staring at the water, she slipped her hand under her cloak to get her wand.
A sudden noise startled her, taking her mind off the lake. She relaxed a little when she saw that it was just the door that was opening. Frodo had solved the riddle…and made her win her bet.
She smiled at him, Congratulations, Frodo! You've been great!
The Hobbit blushed and murmured something unintelligible, grateful to the darkness that hid his blush.
With Boromir and Aragorn – who kept on casting quick glances to the lake – in the rear, the Fellowship entered the doors of Durin. In spite of the light that filtered from the threshold, the hall was filled with heavy gloom.
Soon, master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Gimli told Legolas. 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!
Behind his back, both Legolas and Victoria tried to see anything in that thick darkness. Gandalf blew on his staff and the prism that was on its top lit up, shedding a white light in the whole room. In the same moment, Victoria lit up her wand muttering, Lumus.
She grew pale, wishing she hadn't done so.
This is no mine… Boromir murmured, his eyes wandering around the room. …it's a tomb.
The lights produced by the two magical beings had revealed a sad and horrible sight: in front of the doors a battle must have been fought and, unfortunately, the house-owners had been clearly defeated. Dwarves' bodies, little more than skeletons, pierced by arrows lay on the floor, dust and spider-webs their shrouds.
No. No! NOOO! Gimli shouted, his heart torn by grief.
Victoria dropped her backpack at the sight of the corpses, her hands started shaking… She closed her eyes, trembling. Those corpses stared at her with their empty orbs… Her mind carried her back to April 30th. She would never forget the chill that had shaken her body…the sensation that her Housemates had been staring at her with their empty and dead eyes…eyes that couldn't see anything anymore.
Legolas pulled out an arrow from the body of a Dwarf. Goblins! he said examining it, then he cast it away and took his bow, an arrow ready to fly off.
Hearing his words, the other two warriors unsheathed their swords, ready to defend themselves and their companions. Boromir grabbed Victoria by the arm and pulled her behind him, pushing her toward the Hobbits.
We make for the Gap of Rohan…We should never have come here! he said, thinking of his daughter's eyes filled with terror, that terror that came only from her memories. Now get out! Get out!
The Hobbits backed away toward the door, but suddenly something grabbed the Ring Bearer by his ankle making him fall on the ground and started dragging him toward the lake.
Shouting Frodo's name, the three Hobbits and the witch caught him and tried to snatch him out of that iron grip. Sam threw himself outside and cut off the viscid tentacle with his sword, shouting, Get off him!
The tentacle drew back. The Hobbits and the witch were dragging the Ring Bearer into the mines when the water exploded…or at least, that was their impression. Other tentacles emerged from the dark lake, pushed away the helpers, wound around Frodo's leg and started lifting him up.
A second later, Victoria clang to the tentacle as tightly as she could.
Let him go, you bastard! she shouted, throwing a fireball against the monster.
With a shriek, Duke joined the fight, clawing and pecking furiously.
Aragorn! Frodo shouted, terrified. Then he saw something else. Vivi! he tried to warn her, but it was too late. Victoria was seized by a tentacle. Frodo tried to take her hand, but he couldn't reach her in time.
The girl was roughly pulled away and was about to be thrown against the rocky wall when she managed to cast the beast a Lightning. The electrical discharge was painful enough to convince him to let her go.
Frodo let out a cry of anguish when he saw her falling. He didn't know what happened to her, because he had to worry about the jaws of the monster that were getting closer and closer.
Victoria fell in the water that fortunately was quite deep. She saw part of the huge body of the beast in front of her and didn't miss the chance to throw him a jet of hot water – the only spell that worked underwater – before surfacing quickly. She saw Aragorn and Boromir, waist-deep in the water, who fought against the monster and hurried toward them as she unsheathed her sword. She heard a hiss and three arrows grazed her, piercing a tentacle that was sliding up behind her back. Barely having time to nod at Legolas, she resumed her race. She reached the two Men and started fighting by their side, cutting down tentacles and casting spells. She almost had an heart attack when she saw Frodo hanging over the monster's jaws, ready to be devoured, but tried to keep her self control. Victoria aimed carefully, then cast a fireball right between that sort of flesh-eating octopus' mandible. The move had the desired effect. Shrieking with pain, the octopus took the tentacle that held Frodo away from his mouth. While Victoria and Legolas kept on showering the beast respectively with sword strokes and spells and with arrows, Aragorn approached that tentacle and cut him down with a single blow. By his side, Boromir was ready to grab the Hobbit at once.
Into the Mines! Gandalf shouted, pushing the three Hobbits, still worried for their cousin and friend, helped by Gimli.
Hurry, Torey! Legolas! Into the cave! Boromir shouted, but the Elf stayed by the door, covering the retreat of his four fellows who gained the shore with great effort, still defending themselves from the insidious tentacles.
They rushed inside, followed by the monster. The doors were too small and the mass of the creature destroyed them, making the roof collapse. Frodo barely had time to check if Victoria was with them, then every light went out.
For a moment, there was nothing but darkness and silence, then…
We now have but one choice… said Gandalf in a firm voice, lighting up his staff. We must face the long dark of Moria.
In the dim light, Boromir saw Victoria getting to her feet while clutching her right elbow.
Torey, what's wrong? he asked, coming near her immediately.
That's nothing, don't you worry. I just stumbled and bumped my elbow as I landed. It'll pass soon…
You are soaked…Here, he said, wrapping his spare cloak around her shoulders. Keep it until you're dry,
Thanks, the girl murmured, huddling in the warm cloak.
They gathered their bags and got ready to start their march.
What a disaster… Victoria commented, looking at the collapsed rocks. One couldn't pass through those doors even with dynamite… Legolas cast her a puzzled glance, but she motioned for him to leave it. Victoria let out a sigh. Well, at least stubborn-as-a-mule Duke will have to wait for us on the other side… As soon as she said those words, a flapping of wings contradicted her and said stubborn hawk roosted on a rock, fully bathed by Gandalf's staff. What the heck are you doing here? Victoria gaped, trying to keep her voice low. The hawk flew on her shoulder. You're a thick-headed fool. Just like your master.
She'd die before admitting it, but she was glad that he was there. In a few minutes, the Fellowship was ready to start this dark journey.
Be on your guard! Gandalf warned them. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world…Quietly now! It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed…
Hearing how long it would take them, both Legolas and Victoria winced, even if it was for different reasons.
Four days… the girl whispered, looking her surroundings.
Four days without the daylight, four days buried alive in that enormous catacomb…Victoria imposed herself to stop trembling. "I must do it…Even if this place reminds me of our Common Room the night of 30th April, I must do it." She huddled more in the cloak that her father had given her, gathering her courage, and lit up her wand, following the others.
They walked for hours before stopping to rest. Truth to be told, they hadn't covered a long distance, yet they felt exhausted. Especially Victoria, whose nerves were wrought-up. Frodo approached her slowly and cautiously, just like one approaches a sparrow roosted on a branch. The smallest move and the sparrow flies away for ever.
How are you? Frodo asked, standing in front of her. Victoria raised her gaze and Frodo trembled. There was so much pain in those eyes, so much desperation…and something else, a spark he couldn't decipher. For a moment, he remembered how he had seen her weeks before, in Imladris, when Boromir had tore her away from that balcony…There was something of that day in her gaze. The young Hobbit thought that in any moment she'd break into pieces and disintegrate in glass splinters, like a crystal knick-knack. He took her hands between his own: they were cold.
I don't like this place, Frodo… she murmured.
Oh, and who does? he tried to comment lightly. Gimli excluded, obviously…He is the only one at ease here,
It's this darkness that I don't like…And that's weird.
Weird? Frodo questioned, frowning. He thought it perfectly normal.
I've never been afraid of the dark, quite the contrary. I like it. It makes me feel safe, hidden…but here it's different, she looked around almost frantically. This darkness is different. I feel as if eyes are watching us… she trailed of, shuddering. Boromir was right. This is a tomb and I feel buried alive,
Frodo caressed her face. Come on, Vivi…
Victoria took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his own, and smiled lightly at him. Don't you worry. I can make it.
Frodo smiled back: Aye, you can make it. But if need anything, you know that you can always count on me.
Victoria bit her lip. I don't want to be a burden, Frodo…You've already too many burdens to carry, she whispered, barely grazing his neck with her hand. The Hobbit held his breath; even if she had barely touched him, he felt like his skin was lightly and pleasantly tingling…He prayed that she hadn't noticed the deep blush he surely had on his cheeks.
Don't you worry, Vivi…you are no burden, he murmured quickly.
Victoria threw him another shy smile. Frodo swiftly kissed her cheek. Remember that, he murmured, squeezing her hand one last time before letting it go and walking away.
When, the following day, even though they couldn't be sure if a whole day had already passed, they finally stopped to eat and sleep, Frodo went to sit by Victoria, who sat near the fire and was toying absentmindedly with her ring. She had spent the whole day toying with her ring and smoking cigarettes.
It's going better today, I think, Fordo murmured encouragingly.
So and so…But it's also your merit. I don't know what I would do without you guys around.
Oh, it's you the one who's doing the whole job, Frodo replied.
Suddenly, Victoria stared at the center of the flames. In Hogwarts… she said slowly. In Hogwarts there was a game, if we may call it so…It was played especially by the boys and it was called "How far can you go." Obviously, the teacher didn't know anything. The Hobbit nodded, waiting for her to continue. I've never played it, but Marcus and Adrian did…and sometimes Draco did it as well. She shook her head. As if he hadn't already been a great worry to me.
And then? He didn't ask for explanation about the game: the name said everything he needed to know.
Well, after I started being afraid of heights, sometimes…sometimes I climbed up the Northern Tower of Hogwarts. And then I just stood there. She closed her eyes for a moment. She could almost see the Forbidden Forest, the lake and the Quidditch pitch below her, she could almost feel the wind tangling her hair. I just stood there until I started seeing double and my head started spinning. Then I climbed down…But it took a long, long time before those things started happening.
Why did you do that? Frodo asked, puzzled. He didn't understand.
Victoria smiled strangely. Funny. Once I asked Draco the very same question.
What about him?
He told me "to learn how to dominate fear." She shrugged her shoulders. The matter is that when he played "how far can you go", he risked for real. Not like I did. I cheated.
Because of the legend about the Tower of Slytherin? Frodo questioned.
Victoria nodded firmly. It's not a mere legend. On that Tower I always felt safe…covered. Frodo lowered his gaze and Victoria started turning her ring around her finger again. Then, suddenly, she spoke again. Now it's my turn…
Beg your pardon?
Now it's my turn. Every student in the whole Hogwarts, even Hermione it's-against-the-rules Granger or Percy forbidden-everything Weasley, has played the game at least once. I've always cheated, more or less… She lowered her gaze on the floor. …and now it's my turn to play.
Frodo hesitated. He wanted to tell her that it was no game…but he was ready to bet that she already knew. He watched her, desperately looking for a way to change subject, and his eyes fell on the ring she had kept on fidgeting with.
It must be very dear to you, if you have carried it this far… he remarked.
Eh? Victoria asked, rising her gaze, confused.
That ring… Frodo explained. You never part from it, not even here, and you kept on toying with it. It occurred him and he decided to ask. Did Draco give it to you?
Victoria stared at the ring around her finger as if she had never seen it before. No, it wasn't Draco who gave it to me, I… She frowned, trying to concentrate. …I don't know…where I got it. I don't remember. She whispered slowly, her voice vaguely lost.
Legolas approached them and sat down by their side. May I see it? he asked in a low voice.
Sure. Victoria took it off her finger and handed it to him. Holding it between two fingers, Legolas examined it carefully at the firelight, turning it around and studying its every detail. He paid particular attention to the complicated decoration of the fitting, from which came out two snake heads finely carved that held a deep-green stone.
Strange, Legolas murmured. It looks like an Elvish jewel. Did you get it in Rivendell?
No, the girl replied, shaking her head. I've owned it for a long time. I already had it when I dropped here, didn't I, Billy Yank?
Aragorn nodded. Aye, I had noticed it when we met. Do you remember that I asked you to see it as well?
Victoria nodded. Yeah, I do.
Now that I think about it… Merry spoke up. …you had said that it looked like Elvish-making, too.
Aye, that's true, Aragorn confirmed.
But then it can't be an Elvish ring, Boromir remarked.
Yeah, impossible. Victoria agreed as she took back the ring that Legolas was handing her and slipped it back on her left ring finger.
But Victoria, in spite of all the things that your people invented, I found it quite strange – not to say impossible – that they managed to create jewels so alike to those that had been made by us Elves.
I don't, since the true masters in the art of working with precious metals and stones are the Dwarves…
Legolas opened his mouth to reply, but Victoria didn't let him. Oh, don't you dare go starting it all over again! And thanks all the Gods, that was all.
They went to sleep, but, a few hours later, Boromir was awakened by Legolas. What? he asked in a low voice not to wake up the others.
Victoria… Legolas whispered and in a second the man of Minas Tirith was up and awake. The Elf led him near the girl's pallet, where there already were Gandalf and Aragorn.
What's wrong with her? Boromir asked worriedly, watching the waxen and tense face of his child.
We are not sure… Gandalf replied. …but it looks like she is having a nightmare. As soon as he said those words, a choked moan came out from the girl's lips.
Try to wake her or to calm her, Aragorn urged him. We have already tried to do it, but we haven't succeeded.
He didn't need to say it another time. Boromir knelt down by Victoria's side and tried to caress her brows, covered with icy sweat, and her hair. He tried to whisper reassuring words and called her name, but nothing seemed to work.
This is no normal nightmare… he murmured, his heart sinking with anguish for his daughter was suffering. It could be clearly read in the expression of her face and in the pained moans mingled with desperate sobs she let out more and more frequently. The warrior of Minas Tirith turned to the wizard. Gandalf, is there nothing you can do?
The other shook his head. I have already tried, but fruitlessly.
A louder sob echoed in the room where they had found shelter.
We must make her hush or the goblins will hear her, Legolas murmured as he knelt down.
I can find a remedy for that, Gandalf started casting a spell that would have made the room sound-proof, meaning that every sound from the inside wouldn't have been heard on the outside. He was just half-way through when Victoria opened her mouth to scream. Quick as a lightning, Legolas covered her mouth with his hand, which wasn't exactly a wise move for the young witch started trashing and kicking terrified, trying to free herself from his grip. Boromir and Aragorn rushed to hold her still, gaining a good number of kicks each. Victoria looked like she was convulsing, a blind terror increasing her strength. Gandalf managed to isolate the room, but the sounds of the fight woke up the Hobbits – scaring them a lot – and even the Dwarf.
Victoria finally opened her eyes. Seeing who held her, she relaxed and stopped straining against them. Each of them gently released her and she listened silently to Gandalf's tale with an impassive face and then apologized to Legolas for biting his hand and to the others for waking them up.
Come on now, go back to sleep, Aragorn told them finally.
Wait! What if she has another nightmare and tries to scream? Gimli asked. We can't risk being discovered because of her.
If they haven't already discovered us, hearing how much you snore… Victoria replied acidly, trying to ease her sense of guilt.
We cannot ask her to stay up the whole night, Boromir said.
The pair received the unexpected help of Aragorn: Surely, Gimli, these nightmares are not her fault.
Hey, hey, no need to argue…I know what to do. The girl intervened, fearing that a fight would break out if she didn't do something. We'll just have to strike the problem at its root. She pulled out her wand and transfigured one of Sam's kitchen utensil into a small pot of earthenware with an hermetic sealing, then aimed her wand at her own neck. Vocem eripio.
A dirty-white ray hit her throat and looked like it was passing through skin and flesh. In spite of Victoria's commendable efforts, just looking at her face was enough to know that it wasn't a painless spell. Victoria's throat glowed for a moment, then the ray of light came back slowly, a small sphere floating on it. They couldn't understand what it was made of, maybe solid air. Inside of it, liquids and fogs differently colored chased and got the better of each other every second. Victoria took the small pot and closed the sphere inside of it.
Bah, I can't see the use of this! Gimli muttered. Victoria rolled her eyes. So, girl, do you want to give us some explanation or not?
Victoria throw him a glare between "you-are-a-total-moron" and "can't-you-grasp-it?"
Aragorn spoke up. You took away your own voice, didn't you?
Victoria nodded vigorously.
But how will you get it back? Frodo asked, worriedly.
Instinctively, Victoria opened her mouth to answer, the she remembered that she couldn't speak and waved at him as to say him not to worry.
They all went to sleep, except for Gimli, who kept watch.
The next morning, Victoria just had to open the vase. The sphere hovered in the air and slowly, as if pushed by a light breeze or pulled by a wire, flew toward her neck, going back to place from where it had come. Victoria swallowed a couple of times.
Is everything all right? Boromir asked.
Don't you worry, Johnny Reb: everything's just fine. she answered.
Frodo let out a sigh of relief. He had feared that he'd never hear again that voice, that now sounded so sweet to his ears.
For the whole time they stayed in Moria, every time they stopped to sleep the young witch took away her own voice and locked it in the pot, taking it back only when she awoke. In spite of this, none of the other nine members of the Fellowship ever managed to get used to that rite, especially Boromir and Frodo.
During the journey – they could never be really sure if it was day or night – nothing ever happened. They were all too edgy and too busy keeping their eyes and ears wide open to joke or just to chat, like they had done previously. That gloomy place could depress even the Hobbits: plunged in the dark 24/7, forced to climb high-pitched, legs-breaking stairs in absolute silence or to walk down crumbling, dusty and dismal corridors. Always followed by the skeletons' eyeless gazes.
There's nothing much to tell about those days: a succession of corridors, stairs, darkness, stale air, dust, elevated and ruined streets, a succession of skeletons more or less whole. When they stopped to rest, though tired, they had an hard time falling asleep. The faintest sound was enough to make them throw their eyes wide open and reach for sword, the wand, the axe or the bow, their nerves almost at the breaking point. But after dinner they still sat around the small fire to chat for a while, telling stories of happier times to ease a little of the oppressive atmosphere.
During the second "night", Pippin was telling one of his pranks when he started sneezing.
Blow your nose, Boromir suggested him.
I have no handkerchief, the Hobbit replied.
Wait… Victoria put her hands in her pockets, looking for something. …I should have one. Here, you can borrow it. she said pulling out a creased handkerchief from the pocket of her jeans and handing it to him. She didn't noticed that with it another object had come out of her pocket, falling on the floor with a faint thud.
What's this? Sam asked grabbing the strange thing. It was a gilded heart with a small chain that ended with a strange metal ring, from which hung some strange keys. Is it yours, miss Victoria? he asked, handing her the keys.
Oh, yes, thanks… she said as she took her back, watching them intently in the firelight. She smiled and shook her head. That's crazy…
What? Frodo asked.
Do you know what these are? They shook their head no. My copy of the keys of my house. I can't believe it! I've been carrying them for all the time! She shook her head. That's crazy.
Crazy indeed, Sam agreed.
Maybe it is a sign… Legolas murmured.
A sign that shows that I shouldn't be here? Victoria asked, folding her arms.
No, that's not what I meant… the Elf explained. I just think that maybe it means that someday you will go back home.
Victoria's face darkened. Who knows…
Boromir squeezed her hand and the girl smiled quickly at him, then turned toward the others again. By the way, Legolas, you owe me some money.
Me? the Elf asked, completely caught off guard.
No, your twin brother. Do you see other blonde Elves, princes of Mirkwood, whose name is Legolas, their surname also and their nickname Radar around here? Come on, spit it out
Here, he muttered opening his purse and slamming about thirty coins in her hand. Not that Legolas was tight-fisted, but losing to a girl did wound his pride.
What was your bet about? Aragorn asked, amused.
Gandalf. Well, Legolas said that Gandalf would have found the password and I said the contrary, she smirked.
But Gandalf did say the password… Pippin remarked, confused.
Yeah, but it had been found out by Frodo. Ergo, I won the bet, she concluded as she finished counting the coins and put them away. She turned to the Ring Bearer, smiling brightly. I owe you a favor, she winked at him.
Oh, that was nothing! he replied, blushing.
One by one, they all went to sleep. There were only Gandalf, who had the first watch, and Victoria, who was staring at the bunch of keys that shone in her hand at the firelight. She was about to let it drop when the hand of the wizard made her close her fingers around it.
Victoria raised her gaze, staring at him interrogatively for she had already taken away her voice.
I would keep it, if I was you, he said softly.
Victoria shrugged her shoulders.
Oh, I know, now you don't understand why…But remember what Elrond said: "nor oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will."
Victoria turned to gaze at Frodo, who looked like he had found some rest at least in his sleep. His peaceful face, his deep breathing, his head leaning on an arm…
"He looks like an angel," Victoria thought as her heart quickened its pace. Then she noticed a small detail that in her opinion spoiled the picture: his right hand lying on his chest, near the Ring. Victoria frowned. If she had had the voice to do so, she would have surely growled. She raised her eyes toward the ceiling to see Duke, the hawk, staring with angry eyes at the point where the Ring was, hidden by Frodo's clothes.
Victoria thrust the keys in her pocket and went to lay down by Boromir's side, but she didn't close her eyes. She kept on watching Frodo sleep, wondering about his fate. Looking for a sky that wasn't there, she mentally prayed to her distant God. "I have recognized the essence of the Ring, my Lord. It is Evil, I know it well because I've often found myself in contact with it. It's the same Evil that killed my friends and destroyed my House. My soul is still whole, but I don't know what will happen to the Ring Bearer's own. I entrust him to you, my Lord. In Your immense benevolence I beg You to protect him and bless him. Amen."
Victoria fell asleep clutching her cross in her right hand. On the backpack she used as a pillow lay her Slytherin scarf.
Final notes: Just to avoid flames, I'd like to clarify that Victoria didn't know that Frodo would have figured out the password – she bet against Gandalf even if she though she was going to lose not to agree with Legolas.
Second: does anyone knows what the Hell Gandalf said to open the doors? I copied it from the book, but I haven't found any translation, so I'm a little bit curious.
For now, that's all folks. Have a good summer.