The darkness deepened behind Ed and Al, who were at the back, their metal clanking becoming louder as the tunnels widened. The four days dragged on and on. Ed decided if he didn't leave the mines soon, he would insane with fear, doubt, worry and memories. Somehow, the shadows made him think of death. Mother… Al… Nina. Even his own scrapes from years past came up to the surface.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?"

"Death," he said before he could stop himself.

"Why?"

"Damn it… Al, I don't mean- I mean- It's nothing. Just stupid things floating around my mind. Ignore me." The older Elric could not look at his brother's metal, emotionless face. It hurt him all the time, but now even worse for some reason.

"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or silver, but mithril," said Gandalf. He held his lit staff out over the crevice beside them, and the light glinted and glittered off the silver veins running through the rocks and walls below. Ed inhaled sharply, wondering what type of alchemy he could conduct with the materials.

"It's very beautiful," commented Al.

"Yes, it is. Bilbo had a mithril shirt, given to him by Thorin."

"Oh!" exclaimed the dwarf. "That was a kingly gift!"

"Yes. I never told him, but its worth is greater then that of the Shire."

At those words, Frodo lifted his face slightly and seemed surprised by the news.

They stopped for what they believed to be the night later on. Ed and Al tried to stay as far as possible from the others while not straying from the group's protection. Ed settled down to sleep and Al stayed by his side, bowing his head.

Fitfully, his dreams haunted him. Chimera's and blurred faces wove in and out of his vision. Mustang's emotionless voice echoed in his ears, mocking him endlessly and his mother's face filled his eyes. Her voice wiped away Mustang, soothing him, waking him from sleep.

His eyes opened to a dark figure standing over him and tugging at his coat.

"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!" he shouted ripping his arm back. The tear of fabric and his scream woke the others. Al jumped and grabbed the retreating figure. Aragorn came forward to help and Gandalf illuminated the scene. Al held Merry in his metal arms, who held part of Ed's sleeve in his own grasp. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas has all drawn their weapons and aimed them at the sounds. Ed was sitting on the hard ground, his automail glinting in the light.

"Shit," he whispered quietly. He sat, exposed to the others. "I can explain-"

"What is that?" exclaimed the Hobbit in horror. "Your arm isn't normal!"

"You have a keen grasp of the obvious Merry," snapped Ed. He snatched his sleeve and mended it sharply in everyone's line of vision.

"Brother?"

"There's no point in hiding anymore Al." With more care he whispered, "But we give no specifics. Let me do the talking." He turned haltingly back to the others. "What do you want to know?"

"Your arm… how?"

"I did something really stupid a few years back. Now I'm paying for it."

"But what could condemn someone to such a horrid curse? A metal arm? Such a weight you must carry, for someone so young." The wizard was shocked and could not see past what was in front of his face.

"An illegal act of human nature. Nothing to worry about."

"But-"

"Nothing of importance. It will not affect your quest." Ed said with a finishing tone. The others all listened and the questions ceased but stares continued to burn into his arm. "Let's just go back to sleep." Everyone settled back down. Al released Merry and he scurried away in fear. Ed sighs and drops back to the hard, cold stone floor. He closed his eyes, welcoming the dreams that will chase his thoughts away.

I realize this is short, but I'm kinda rushing it. Just getting it up seeing as I don't know where the next post is gonna come from. I think it's rushed, and I'm so sorry for that. I will try for more detail next time.