"Will Frodo fall face first into the snow?" Merry asked the 8-Ball. After the Crebain incident, the Fellowship had opted to take the Pass of Caradhras. Another bad move in more than one way.

As I See It: Yes.

"Hey, Frodo it says-"

"Quit giving away the story line!" Frodo yelled just as his foot slipped causing him to roll a good ways in the snow. Aragorn rushed to aid, helping him to his feet. As Frodo checked for the Ring (which, amazingly, had fallen from his neck, even though we all thought the chain was there to prevent that), Boromir reached down almost automatically, and lifted the very object of desire from the snow.

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt-" Boromir started, whist ignoring Aragorn's calls.

"WILL BOROMIR GO MAD AND START MUTTERING MUMBO JUMBO ABOUT INSANE THINGS!?" Pippin screamed at the 8-Ball, interrupting him.

It Is Certain.

"It knows you Boromir! Almost to well. Hmm…" he rubbed his chin. "Suspicious…"

Gandalf threw his hands into the air and turned to continue walking. "Hobbits," he muttered. "Can't live with them, and unfortunately can't live without them. Not you Sam. Or Frodo. I can live with you two." he answered Sam's hurt look.

"I swear," Frodo snatched the Ring from Boromir and gave Pip a dope slap. "I swear one more time…"

"One more time what?"

Frodo growled at his cousin before storming past, slipping on the snow again. He grumbled, getting back up, and ramming the chain over his head.

"Are w-we going to f-f-freeze to death?" Pippin chattered as Boromir held him and Merry above the deepening snow. It didn't really do that much good with the wind causing snow to pile onto them anyway.

Better Not Tell You Now.

"If we wait we may be frozen by then."

Legolas chose that moment to walk past. Everyone had to make a double take to make sure what they were seeing. He was walking on top of the snow. Show off. "There is a fell voice on the air." he called back.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf shouted.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn yelled.

"No!" he began reciting an incantation to counter Saruman.

About that time, a bolt of lightning struck the mountain above them.

"Great. That worked out perfectly." Gimli spoke just as ice and snow landed on them.

They struggled to reach the surface. Legolas appeared first; then Aragorn, who helped Sam and Frodo out; Gimli roared as Legolas pulled him out; Boromir shoved Pippin out, Merry following; finally, Gandalf was out.

"We must get off the mountain!" Boromir called.

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious!" Gimli retorted.

"We must make for the Gap of Rohan, and take the west road to my city!"

"You buffoon-"

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn interrupted.

"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria."

"Let the Ring-bearer decide." Gandalf looked to Frodo.

"Ooh! Ooh! Frodo! Use the ball!" Merry and Pippin exclaimed.

"No."

"Please?"

"No!"

"Pretty please?"

Frodo rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Are we seriously going to go through this again?" They gave him the saddest possible puppy eyes. "Fine…" He grabbed the 8-Ball. "Should we go through the Mines of Moria?"

Concentrate And Ask Again.

"Should we. Go. Through. The. Mines of stinking Moria!?"

"I resent that remark!" Gimli squealed.

"I figured he would have said 'I resemble that remark'." Merry giggled to Pippin. They both snickered as Gilmi shot them a look of death.

Yes.

"The mines it is." Frodo tossed the ball to Merry.

"So be it." Gandalf sighed.