Many say that once a path has been traveled, the time it takes to traverse it again mentally lessens, that wasn't the case this time, or at least not in the eyes of Caleigh. For the path down Caradhras felt a great deal longer before the walls of Moria finally began to enter sight.
Excluding the chattering hobbits, everyone had been quiet; Aragorn, Gimli, Gandalf, Legolas, as well as Caleigh, contemplating the path that lay ahead, and just how treacherous it was going to become.
They had a much better understanding then she did, all she could gather was simply that it wouldn't be easy.
Even harder for her considering she still had not been gifted with the return of her weapons. Leaving her hip and back feeling naked to the world without those items of reassurance.
She was careful as she maneuvered over the uneven ground, even more so since her mind was busy thinking over the Fellowship and the growing attachment she was developing.
The Hobbits had all their own endearing features that made their company worth the trouble of this journey. Merry and Pippin's escapades had her laughing more than she ever had in her life.
Gandalf had attained a great deal of her admiration. Not so much like a grandfather, after all she had never known one to know what it would be like. But he was a pillar of strength and wisdom she could look to whenever the path left them ill at ease.
Words could not describe Gimli. He was simply amusing; especially when he started his ramblings about whatever complaint was irritating him, which meant he had her stifling chuckles often.
Caleigh had long since decided to hold no ill will towards Aragorn. Although she no longer watched him in judgment, she couldn't help but feel her opinion of him evolving; finding herself honored to be in the company of such a skilled and virtuous man.
Boromir on the other hand stole most of Caleigh's interest. He always offered her a smile whenever she would glance in his direction. As well as the fact he had been the first to drop any hostility towards her.
Then again even that could be simply because she was a female, and most men would not feel endangered by one.
Legolas on the other hand had remained an enigma. He was a puzzle she was certain she'd never fully comprehend.
The rare times he spoke, his words were usually to Gandalf or Aragorn, sometimes a counter to a rather snide comment given by Gimli.
He kept near the front of the group, his eyes always alert.
Caleigh would have thought her presence invisible in his eyes had it not been for the fact she had caught his gaze occasionally. Most likely still studying her, perhaps he still thought her a menace to Aragorn's safety?
It didn't matter. She was no threat to any of the Fellowship.
She was certain it would take a miracle for him to see her valor.
Her musing was soon interrupted as Gandalf's voice broke the silence.
"Frodo, come and help an old man."
Obediently Frodo went right over to him allowing Gandalf to put some weight on his shoulders.
Gandalf's intention did not go unnoticed by Caleigh, her suspicion confirmed as they commenced a very hushed conversation and for a second it was tempting to listen in. However she was no eavesdropper on things that were not her business.
So blocking out their words, she reached backwards, taking her auburn locks in hand as she focused on working them into a braid, allowing a few loose strands to escape and brush over the ivory skin of her face.
Unaware that a set of blue gray irises were watching her hands work the smooth crimson waves expertly.
She had just finished weaving her hair through her fingers when she stumbled a bit over a small indent in the soil, dropping her clip with a hushed curse.
"Here you are Caleigh."
Before she even had a chance to locate the lost object, Boromir had swooped in to pluck it off the ground, handing it to her only after he had brushed the loose dirt from its surface.
Offering a smile she clipped the end of the braid, securing it as she let it fall against her back. Even braided her hair still managed to reach her lower back.
"Thank you."
Smiling he motioned with a light nod for her to continue on. She nodded as he fell in step next to her.
She had been expecting him to say something however he wasn't given the chance before Gimli's voice piped up.
"The walls…of Moria."
Caleigh's worry returned fourfold as she caught sight of Gandalf's grim expression.
"Is something wrong?"
She shook her head, her emerald and stone gaze only shifting to Boromir momentarily before they returned to the massive rock formation that had been carved by the Dwarves.
Although the walls had been in sight, it still took a decent while to reach them, the Fellowship immediately going to work at looking for the door.
"Dwarf walls are invisible when closed."
Caleigh's gaze shifted to Gimli as he leaned against the stone, tapping the rock lightly with his axe. She could only assume he was looking for a hollow spot, frowning as he moved on forward, indicating the lack of success.
"Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten."
She was tempted to comment, however Legolas had the jump on her.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
A smile was instantly plastered over her face, and it was through true willpower that she stifled the laughter that begged to be released.
Legolas didn't speak much, however when he chose to, there was definite value to his words.
Gimli however lowered his head after releasing a light huff, having nothing to retort with.
The Fellowship had been focusing on the bit of wall before them, however Caleigh shifted her gaze ahead, looking for anything abnormal, and that was when she caught sight of two trees standing next to the wall; her eyes noticing the smoothness of the wall between the two.
"Gandalf, could that be it?"
Her gaze broke away from the wall to look to her right as a hand landed up on her shoulder, hearing the old man chuckle.
"I believe so, never doubt your Elven blood, otherwise you wouldn't have spotted this.
A sheepish smile curved her lips, a bit surprised by the compliment.
Removing his hand from her shoulder, he headed towards the wall.
"Well, let's see."
"Why do you believe the door to be there Caleigh?"
"Just a feeling, as well as the way those two trees seem to frame that spot. Do you not notice it Boromir?"
His gaze shifted from her to look at what she spoke, that was when he nodded understanding what had initially caught her attention about that spot.
Gandalf was in the midst of running his hands over the rock, examining the indentions made in it as he murmured more to himself then the others.
"Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."
With that he turned to look up at the night sky just as the clouds cleared away revealing the brilliant full moon.
Caleigh's eyes widened as she watched the outline of a door appear in a silvery hue.
It wasn't only her, everyone stood in astonishment for a moment before Gandalf broke the awe inspired silence.
"It reads, 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter."
Merry was quick to follow up with his own thoughts on the subject.
"What do you suppose that means?"
"It's simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open."
With that being said, Gandalf placed the end of his staff in the middle of the doorway and began to mutter something Caleigh could only decipher as being dwarvish, however nothing happened; and Gandalf was left baffled.
Crossing her arms, she watched as he stepped back a bit, raising his hand and his staff upwards and once again chanting out another spell, but once again, nothing. Upon the failure it seemed Pippin could not stop the urge from speaking the obvious.
"Nothing's happening."
A smirk spread over her lips as she watched the annoyance grow on Gandalf's face; however she was quick to cover her mouth, not wishing to add to Gandalf's frustration, for she only found Pippin to be comical.
Though she was left quite flabbergasted when Gandalf started pushing on the doors as if his own strength might budge them; exasperated he muttered to himself yet again, though loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men, and Orcs."
Caleigh's gaze fell upon Sam, and quickly she took note of the defeated expression upon his face. Though luckily he happened to look back over to her, an opportunity she took to send him a reassuring glance.
"What are you going to do, then?"
"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."
She felt little remorse for Pippin; after all he had to have realized his words would aggravate the Wizard.
Time passed on as Gandalf sat upon a boulder, staring intently at the doors as he muttered to himself, trying to remember what phrase was needed.
She had lingered nearby for a good while before stepping away and walking over towards Merry and Pippin. Her gaze shifting over to where Aragorn and Sam were removing supplies from the pony named Bill. Poor Sam seemed crestfallen over the decision, but still he understood it was for the best.
Crossing her arms, Caleigh closed her eyes, releasing a light a yawn. If too much more time passed by she feared she'd require a nap.
Emerald and stone eyes opened to shift towards the dark waters of the lake; easily catching sight of what she had heard, ripples in a lake otherwise void of life.
She flinched as a rock broke the surface, startling her.
Caleigh was quick to seek out the source of the rock, finding it to be Merry and Pippin in their attempt to ease their boredom.
Without hesitating, Caleigh hurriedly moved forth, catching Pippin's wrist just as he was about to throw another, her words hushed, but urgent "Stop!"
"Do not disturb the water."
Her gaze shifted to Aragorn as she released Pippin's wrist. Though he wasn't going to argue, he was obviously confused, however thought better than to comment after having his head bitten off by Gandalf.
She stood still, Aragorn at her right, while Boromir stepped up to her left, the three cautiously watching the ripples move more agitatedly throughout the water.
It was out of nowhere that her attention was broken by the sound of stone scraping upon stone; twisting around, she found to her great surprise, that it was the doors to the Mines of Moria.
The waters were quickly forgotten as everyone began gathering their possessions.
The first steps taken by the Fellowship into the dark mine were cautious.
Caleigh had decided it best to linger with the Hobbits; after all she was still unarmed so if an attacker jumped out of the shadows the best weapon she could serve was a shield.
Gimli's thick voice was the one to break the empty silence.
"Soon, Master Elf and M'lady, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarfs. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone!"
A smirk touched her lips at his words. Gimli was so determined to prove the Dwarfs superiority, so much so that he and Legolas were often in silent competition.
Caleigh and the Hobbits made sure to stay closer to the doors while the others searched further into entrance way.
A task that was made much easier when Gandalf placed a small transparent stone onto the tip of his staff, the stone illuminating itself with enough light to decently light the room while Gimli continued speak.
"This is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!"
Boromir, who stood around eight feet ahead of Caleigh and the Hobbits, was the first to take true notice to what they had walked into.
"This is no mine. It's a tomb."
Upon those words she began to look around, her eyes widening at all the dwarf corpses that lay scattered across the floor; their deaths obviously not by natural causes judging by the amount of arrows and weapons that littered the area.
Her heart went out to Gimli as she saw him rush to the opposite side of the entrance way.
"N...No!"
To her left she watched as Legolas gripped an arrow that had been protruding out of a corpse, jerking it free and quickly examining it "Goblins!"
He tossed the arrow aside pulling out one of his own and knocking it to his bow while the others drew their swords. It was instinct that caused Caleigh to shoot her hand to her side only to remember that Boromir still had her sword.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should have never come here. Now, get out of here. Get out!"
With arms stretched out to her sides, Caleigh began to work at ushering the Hobbits backwards out of the mine when she felt Frodo fall from her grasp.
Spinning around a gasp escaped her lips as she caught sight of a tentacle wrapped around his ankle.
She was immediately at his side, followed by the other Hobbits.
Pippin, Merry, and Caleigh grabbing his arms while trying to pull him back, or at least keep him from being pulled into the waters. Sam however turned to glance at the others while unsheathing the small sword that had been dormant at his hip "Strider!"
Frodo was busy calling for help when Sam came around and began to hack at the tentacle with his blade "Get off him!" successfully cutting it in two.
Caleigh and Merry were attempting to help Frodo to his feet when numerous tentacles sprang out from the water beating off the Hobbits; however she managed to dodge them by sinking low next to Frodo.
Her grip upon his hand tightened as she looked down by his feet just in time to see another tentacle slithering around his ankle before jerking him up into the air.
Caleigh refused to relinquish her grip on his hand and thus she was jerked into the air along with him to dangle over the churning waters.
She strained to keep her hold tight, barely making out the others voices as they called for not only Frodo, but her as well which was unexpected.
The sound of arrows whizzing by informed her that Legolas was attempting to force the tentacles to let go of Frodo and that was when she heard Boromir's voice below her feet.
"Let go Caleigh!"
Her eyes dropped down to him, realizing she wasn't as high as she believed she was.
"No! Hand me my sword! Hurry I can't hold on much longer!"
"Good thinking!"
He quickly undid the sword from around his waist, holding it up by the end of the sheath so that she would be able to reach the hilt.
It was when her fingers had begun to graze the metal that she saw his eyes widen below her at the same moment she felt something slide around her neck; her gaze connecting with his seconds before she was ripped away from not only the sword and Boromir, but Frodo as well.
"Caleigh!"
Once she had reclaimed her senses, she immediately began working at breaking the tentacles grip upon her neck, but instead of releasing her, its grip only tightened to the point she was certain her head would pop from the pressure.
Surprisingly enough it was the bite of the cold waters soaking into her clothing that kept her focused.
Her attention returning to Frodo when she heard a holler not that far from her, Caleigh's heart clenching at the sight of the creature working another tentacle around his wrist so that he could be lowered towards its mouth.
Using every ounce of strength she had remaining and praying that her neck didn't break, she swung her body in his direction while simultaneously reaching out with her left arm, latching her hand around the tentacle.
She was oblivious to the other's efforts, their hollers coming as white noise, as she felt the color drain from her skin, her nails sinking into creature's flesh as she worked to pull it away from Frodo.
When the tentacle meant the resistance Caleigh's grip was providing, it did a quick jerk to the right, and white exploded across her vision.
Her eyes widened as a choked groan burst past her pale lips when her left arm fell limp; her body following suit as the loss of air began to numb her senses.
The creature's grip continuously tightening as she hung inert, much like a marionette.
It was just when Caleigh's world was fading into pure nothingness, all warmth having been lost, that she felt the restraint around her neck vanish.
The cool air rushing about her form in a flurry as her body began its decent towards the lake.
Her braid whipped against her side as she fell, however instead of icy cold waters like she had expected, she was caught by a pair of warm arms.
Even though he stood only feet away, Boromir's voice sounded at a distance.
"Legolas! Into the cave!"
An instant later an arrow whizzed by, followed by a roar of pain from the creature as she was carried into the mines.
The sound of falling rubble being her only clue, that for now everyone was out of danger.
Caleigh's lips slowly spread, moving to take in a relieved breath, but nothing came.
Nothing, no inhale, nor could she exhale; her body springing to life as convulsions shook her body due to the shock of no oxygen.
For a moment the dark was filled with only the sounds of Caleigh's struggle; light soon extending throughout the area from Gandalf's staff.
Caleigh's eyes shot open, her dulled irises taking in the sight of a concerned Aragorn as he worked to lay her down.
Strained rasps being the only sound produced from her as she fought to take in the air her lungs so desperately required.
Once he had settled her, he remained kneeled by her left side, his gaze moving from hers to look towards the rest of the Fellowship.
Barely was she able to register Boromir as he kneeled by her legs, his face fraught with concern as well as helplessness.
However Caleigh's attention shifted to her right side when an unexpected savior kneeled down next to her, Legolas.
He did not hesitate.
Quickly he moved his left hand beneath her neck, angling upwards just slightly, while his right hand moved to her throat, massaging the bruised flesh gingerly as he spoke; his Elvish words cutting through her state of panic.
"~Caleigh, you must calm yourself. Breathe slowly. ~"
She attempted to speak, but his azure iris's stopped her as his voice hushed her.
Reaching her right arm out to clench the arm that held her neck, she closed her eyes. Her body trembling as she forced herself to calm.
Her first successful breath was a strangled sound, but each one that followed became smoother and less difficult as her air passage slowly reopened, the tremors slowly ceasing.
After a moment, his right hand moved timorously from over her neck to the side of her cheek rubbing the skin there gently. She could scarcely feel the few loose strands of her hair being brushed from out of her face by Legolas's tender touch.
Caleigh's half-lidded emerald and gray orbs watched his face through the mist that seemed to veil her full cognizance. His gaze soon fixing to hers and for the first time she did not see discontent.
What had brought on this complete switch in his attitude towards her?
She was even more surprised that the knowledge of this warmed her soul.
Of course it was Pippin who proved to be the tiny king of senseless questions.
"What're you doing?"
Without shifting his gaze from Caleigh's serene face he spoke, though he spoke softly, his words were clear in the quiet.
"That creature crushed her windpipe. Her body went into shock when she found herself unable to breathe. I simply needed to calm her so she could take slower breaths."
"Suffocating would have been bad huh?"
A small chuckle left her lips, followed by a smile, her eyes opening to revealing clear irises.
"Yes...and it's not that pleasant either."
Caleigh's words were hoarse, despite that; she shifted her gaze to Aragorn, then over to Boromir, then finally back to Legolas.
"Thank you."
"It was the least that could be done in thanks for what you tried to do for Frodo."
"Even still…Now before I slow us down further…"
She went to sit up, Boromir and Legolas backing away as Aragorn moved his hand out to her shoulder to assist, but that only ended with her quickly pulling away with a groan.
His eyes remained focused as he trailed his fingers over the area.
"Dislocated…"
"That's no goo-!"
A holler flew past her lips when he popped the bone back into place; Boromir taking the spot Legolas had vacated only seconds before so that he could support her good side as she began to sink towards the ground, her body truly taxed.
A mock devilish grin curved her lips as she opened her eyes to look up at Aragorn.
"Can I please have my sword back now…?"
With that simple comment, the mood lifted as laughter filled the air, Gimli coming over to pat Aragorn's back.
"I think the lassie really wants to murder you now."
Aragorn released a chuckle as he moved to lift her; however Boromir had already wrapped his own cloak around her damp body, lifting her slight form into his arms with ease.
Shifting her exhausted gaze up to Boromir's face she was meant with a smile.
"I will bare you as my burden so that you may rest."
The others watched the exchange closely, surprised at Boromir's chivalry. Then again after the pain Caleigh had endured to save Frodo, any of them would have been glad to carry her to offer her ample time to rest.
Caleigh on the other hand had immediately laid her head on his shoulder, her body falling still as she allowed herself to drift off, vaguely feeling his arms tighten.
Unaware that Legolas had stepped forth to assist Boromir in tucking the cloak around her.
Her consciousness barely picking up Gandalf's words before all went to a black stillness.
"We not have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things then Orcs in the deep places of the World."
