Author's Notes: Here is the next chapter. Sorry for the cliff hanger at the end of this chapter. Please reviews and i u have any ideas please PM me.
By The Dark Lake
The fire blazed brightly with a new lease of life. Pippin and Merry fought bravely with their back against one another. Aragorn decapitated the heads of Wargs whilst Boromir slit their throats with his sword. Frodo and Sam stood around the now terrified Bill the pony, killing all the fell beasts that roamed to near to them. Gimli stood with his stout legs open whilst he wielded his axe with great skill and accuracy. The bow of Legolas sang as arrows fired from it, always reaching their chosen mark on the Wargs bodies. My own arrows made their marks in their targets.
More and more Wargs came bounding over the circle of broken rocks. My heart drummed in my chest with excitement. Horus was swooping down on unlucky Wargs and pecking at their eyes, blinding them of all manners of sight. "There's too many, the moon has not yet reached the westward horizon!" I shouted as I lodged the arrow in my hand into the roof of Warg's mouth. The Warg fell the ground at my feet dead but another took it's place, ready to pounce at me.
"Do you not understand who I am you foul servants of Sauron!" The Wizard cried with fury. Suddenly, Gandalf seemed to grow in our eyes to the size of a great monument of an ancient king that stood on the hill. Stooping over us like a cloud he bared a blazing branch in his hand. High in the air he tossed the blazing brand. It flared with a sudden white radiance like lightning inns storm; and his voice rolled like thunder. "Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!" he shouted in the language of Valinor.
There was a roar and a crackle, and the trees above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The hill was now ablaze in a crown of fire and anger. I gaped at the amount of control Gandalf had over the flames.
A Warg howled and tackled me to the ground. I scrambled into a defensive crouch, looking into the dark eyes of the Warg. I almost felt pity for it, once these fell beasts were free wolves that hunted on rabbits and deer, alone. But that ended when was Melkor or Morgoth in elvish tongue began to experiment on them. After ripping out and casting aside their spirits he made Wargs who had no conscience or soul in them, only black holes. The Warg growled like a rabid dog and frothed at the mouth. I stood up and held my ground with a straight emotionless face.
I placed an arrow my bow and drew back the bowstring till it could go no further. "Rin Castdeia, ret es orwen fori" (For Castdeia, let this arrow land) I prayed in my own language.
The Warg howled at the but in the midsts of its cry I fired the arrow into the windpipe of the Warg. It fell, lifelessly to the ground with a THUD!
Behind me Legolas shot dead the chieftain of the Warg pack, thus the Wargs gave up and ran away, never to be seen again by our eyes.
In silence I collect my arrows out of the dead Wargs. "Is this yours?" Legolas asked under the moonlight. He held out an arrow that had dark blue feathers at the nock of the shaft. "Yes." I plucked it from his hand and dropped it back into my quiver. "Thank you." I said quickly after remembering my manners.
I looked at the hill, no tree remain save one that stood alone. Ashes laid on the ground where the bodies of Wargs once laid.
When the sunrises came we covered our eyes as its bright rays that stung our eyes. "We must make for the gates of Moria" Said Gandalf as the sun rose up behind the horizon. He was now back to his usual self, he did not look menacing nor did he seem angered. Moans and groans came from the Fellowship but we all knew of the dangers that would come if we stayed. That danger was a horde of wolf riding Orcs that would out number is by far. Right now, we guessed they were mustering, ready to attack us at the right moment of the Journey.
Slowly we walked to the Gates of Moria. It was now night had passed to day but now that too had passed on to the West. On this path Gimli would not stop talking to me of the types of jewels that were hidden in mines, I only nodded and pulled stupid faces at Aragorn who seemed to find it funny. "Just think, my lady. There could be millions or even trillions of jewels and precious metals in your land not being discovered. You could be sitting on a jewels that would make your land rich and known by all." He said again looking into the distance.
I smiled politely at the Dwarf and sighed. "My kind do not wish dig up the ground. Nor do we want our lands to be know by all those who walk this earth, Gimli. Jewels and hordes of riches bring war to lands that were once at peace. Take Valinor and the Silmarillions or even the Loney Mountain, even you must know of the lives it cost to fight the Battle of Five Armies. My people do not want war or violence to take place in the plains, hills, dales, moors, vales, forests, woods and the mountains of Castdeia or at any of it's borders. Even now we have peace, the only violence is hunting Orcs and that rarly has casualties." I stopped quickly.
I had done wrong in mentioning the Battle of Five Armies in the presence of a Dwarf. Legolas, though he had fought in it did not seem bothered by this but Gimli, now that was another story. His arms were crossed across his chest and he scoffed Dwarvish under his breath about my kind being peacekeepers who know nothing of anything out side our borders.
"Sorry, I didn't...mean too... Uurrrrgh! Damn me for having a free tongue that has no filter." I stuttered as I stumbled over my own wording. I felt horrible. How could I say such a horrid thing? What kind of Queen am I to insult those who I would probably call friends and comrades? Why am I so loud with a big mouth? Why do I not control what I am saying?
Gimli finished his scoffing and calmed his mind. "Apology accepted, my lady. If you land wants peace then let you of have it in your own way. Even if that does mean your land having no mines." His voice seemed a bit mocking when he mentioned about having no mines. I dismissed this as own back of me speaking of the Battle of Five Armies and it's casualties. I nodded and let out a breath of relief. The convocation had clearly come to an abrupt end.
It was not long till we were walking on the edge of a large lake. So black was the water that it seemed like a dark hole that never ended. The water still, never moving in the cold breeze that passed down the mountain. A cliff of grey stone loomed over us like a wave of grey water. On the shores of the river were rocks and pebbles that laid upon a ground made up of thin broken pieces of grey slate. The ground crunched under the feet of Bill.
In awe Gimli muttered out the name of the cliff that loomed over us. "The walls of Moria" I shuddered at the idea of me going into such a place. Some said that the Dwarves had awoken a Bolrog, an Acient Fire Demon created by Melkor/Morgoth. But, there was no tales of them defeating such a creature, only tales of them locking the Bolrog away when it slept in the depths of the mountain. A Bolrog's sleep can last a thousand years but it only took a loud noise for one to awaken.
Gandalf suddenly came to a halt before a flat part in the cliff that was in between two large dying trees. Edged into the rock were thin carvings of ancient symbols and pictograms. "Itidin...it mirrors only starlight and moonlight" Gandalf looked to the skies and waited for the moon to appear from it's hiding behind a cloud. When the moon came out the ancient symbols and pictograms glowed in silver light. Silver veins formed a doorway. "It reads, 'The door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Gandalf translated with ease.
Merry stood still with his mouth wide open. "What do you suppose that means? Looks like gibberish and sounds like gibberish too." Merry asked Boromir, looking up at the tall Man. Boromir shrugged his shoulders in reply and ruffled Merry's hair so it looked less like a bird had taken nest there. A strong bond had formed between Boromir, Merry and young Pippin. To a strangers it would seem to them that Boromir was their favourite uncle or if they knew the Halflings' ages they might think that Boromir was a close friend to them that they had known for a long time. Merry looked up at Boromir and drew his sword. "Do not touch my hair. Or I shall cut you where you stand"
A laugh broke from Boromir's mouth. He turned to face Merry and bowed. "That is if you could reach, little one" He mocked like a close friend and drew his sword and held it up in front of his eyes. "But, I am afraid there is not time for sword practice. Sheath your blade, we can practice later."
Merry did as he was told and Boromir also sheathed his sword.
Gandalf looked at Merry then answered his question about the meaning of the riddle that was written on the doorway. "It's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open." He paused then stood firmly on the ground. He raised his arms and began to incant the words that he thought were the passwords that would open the Gates of Moria. "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" A swift wind blew past our faces, I half expected something to happen but that thought soon was proven folly. The Gates did not open and the scenery did not change.
Seeing this as a signal that Gandalf was getting forgetful, I sat down under one of the dying trees with Legolas to my left. I could hear him quietly muttering to himself in Elvish. Sometimes he would stop and look off into the distance in some sort of daze. 'Any idea what the Elf is doing or has he just finally cracked?' Asked Horus as he sat at my feet. I looked down at the bird and saw that he had grew by a good 3 inches then at Legolas who was still muttering to unseen ears.
'I think he is prying to Natarsa' Natarsa was the name my kin gave to the Valar that the Elves had named Yavanna. 'Or is stuck in some deep thought about the nature of the world' I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Legolas. His face was fair and placid. I wondered what he saw when he looked out into the distance. His home? His lover (if he had one)? His father? He turned away from his loss of thought and looked away from his imagination. His bright blue eyes fell down upon me.
"There goes Bill, it shall be a shame not knowing where he is on the next step of our journey's." His voice spoke softly as he watched Bill plob away. "Alas, it is how it must be. These mines are no place for such a forsaken beast. I pry that he returns to Rivendell safe and well. For it shall sadden me if I hear of his death or absence in the lands where he could be safe." He paused and starred hard and long at the water. I followed his line of sight and noticed two small orbs of light in the depths of the inky black water. They were almost like giant eyes. "Something stirs in the depths of this lake. I feel like eyes are watching us as we speak." Legolas whispered in such a quite tone that only my ears could pick up his voice.
The orbs of light flashed out. "Maybe. We better make sure no one disturbs the water, or we shall see what it is that stirs so deep in this lake ." The moment I finished I heard a SLASH and a SPLOSH. I turned my head quickly to see Pippin readying himself to toss another stone in the lake. Before he could release his grip on the rock Aragorn pulled back Pippin's arm and whispered to him. "Do not disturb the water" After speaking Aragorn's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. He too was weary of the inky water.
"Legolas? What is the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo asked as he joyfully bounded over to us. Legolas came out of his ominous thoughts and looked at the doors. "Oh...of course it's a riddle. I think you'll find the word your looking for is mellon." A smile spread across Frodo's face. He bowed his head that trotted off to Gandalf to tell him the answer to the riddle that was written on the door. Gandalf stood to his feet and spoke loudly. "Mellon!"
The doors opened wide. A blackness deeper than night was revealed and steam poured out from the entrance and floated across the ground and over the water. This eerie steam smelt damp and stale. It got into our throats making us cough as sulphur and carbon choked our lungs of air. Once these coughing fits were finished we made our way into the black arch.
The smell was foul and rotten though it was so dark we could not work out what was making the smell. Gimli strode by Legolas's side. "So, master elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves; roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Balin...and they call this a Mine... A mine!" He snorted with pride. I sniggered at the idea of Dwarves actually showing hospitality to an Elf and 'Darkling'. Aragorn jabbed me hard into the ribs making me stop my childish sniggering. Horus had chosen to perch himself on Gandalf's shoulder, he almost looked like he was guarding the old Wizard as he ventured onwards. "A little light would do quite nicely, if you would, my lady." Aragorn joked with confidence, knowing I would not punch him in the face unless I was really insulted by him.
"I am not a bloody walking, talking lantern. But, I do agree this room needs a bit more light." I closed my eyes and sensed where fires had once been. It was odd, not in the past six decades had any of the candels been lit. Still, I did as I had promised and lit up the candels and lanterns that hung around the room. However, when this happened we found a sight that made us recoil in horror. The chamber was filled with the skeletons of stout Dwarves all wearing rusty armour and all pierced by arrows or with a axe impaled to their heads. "This is no mine...it's a tomb!" Shouted Boromir with a grim voice.
Gimli cried under the muffled of his hands. Legolas bent down and yanked an arrow from a skull. It looked to be made of a straightened out piece of bramble. "Goblins." He said as he tossed it aside and drew out one of his own arrows that he slotted into his bow. Boromir backed up now baring his sword in his hand. "We make for the Gap of Rohan, like I said. We should never have come here." He spoke with worry, I wondered if what he said was true to his word or if it was just another suggestion so he could bring the Ring to his kingdom.
Frodo who stood at my side suddenly fell to end ground for no reason. I twisted to face him and tried to pull him up. But something was pulling him down towards to the water. I looked at his ankle and saw what I feared. A large tentacle was wrapped tightly around his skinny ankle. The Watcher of Moria was awake. "Get it off! Get it off!" he cried as he slid further and further away from us. Everyone was now aware of the Watcher's presence.
I unsheathed the two Elvish daggers that the twins had given me and began to slash the tentacles. I ducked and jumped over the on coming tentacles. With Drethan I cut and slashed the tentacles that stood in my path and with Thsan I fought off any oncoming tentacles. Finally out into the night I looked too Frodo who had been cut free by Aragorn. Twenty more slippery tentacles jumped out of the water, hitting and lashing out at the members of the Fellowship. The water began to bubble and boil like the temputer in the water had suddenly gone up. The Watcher was now visible bobbing along in the water making raspy cries. Frodo was once again caught by the writhing tentacles and threw into the air into the grip of one giant limb. Aragorn and Boromir waded into the water. The arrows of Legolas were firing into tentacles left, right and centre. Pippin and Merry were throwing large rocks at the creature's head which only made it angrier and more vicious. Gimli hacked at the limbs with his axe but refused to go near the water. Horus dived down at the large limbs with his feathers alight in blue flames.
I sheathed my daggers back in to their harness that was on my back then made my way to Gandalf and Legolas. I pulled off my cloak which I tossed at Gandalf's feet, along with my bow and quiver of arrows. They both passed questioning looks of concern and bewilderment. I picked up a large rock then ran towards the right tree that had branches which overhung the water. I ducked, jumped and dodged tentacles then clambered up the tree until I was level with the thickest branch that overhung the water. I edged slowly across the branch.
Now, I was kinda regretting my idea. If I fell now I would most certainly be in deep inky black water, not mentioning my swimming skills are errr not exactly brilliant...
"Oi! Over here!" I shouted at the Watcher waving my arms back and fourth in the air. The Watcher turned giving time to Aragorn, who waded closer to the tentacle that suspended Frodo in the air. "Catch!" I threw the rock in my hand at the Watcher's forehead. The rock hit the Watcher's on the top of his head then plopped back into water. It groaned loudly then roared with aspiration.
Tentacles shot in my direction. One tried to swipe me from my feet, but I jumped it. The rest wrapped round the base of the trunk. The tree rocked forward, send me falling into the murky water. The water pushed down on me, I forgot which way was up. My sense of direction was gone. Which was right? Which was left? Which was down and which was up? I opened my eyes to see the murk of the water. Sinking down towards me was black shadow, it moved fast, so fast that I could not swim out of it's way. It was the tree that I had been standing on, earlier. It pushed me down deeper into the depths of the lake. My lungs burned as they begged for oxygen and clear air. I swam out of the warren of thick branches then kicked as hard as I could in the direction which I guessed as up. My lungs were empty, my whole body felt tired and exhausted. Sleep, I needed to sleep, yet that would only bring my death upon me.
Suddenly something grabbed me from the depths below. It held it's tight grip round my waist. I thrashed and shouted into the gloomy water which only made me choke and bring water into my lungs. My body went limb like a rag doll. I had lost all energy for movement. In a matter of second I was thrown to the shallows where I laid, slipping away from what was real. A darkness fell upon me. I felt weightless, I was drifting in a world of nothingness.
I was stuck here for what seemed for ever until a serenade of fair White Light whispers began in the abyss of nothingness. "Mandos has closed his doors to you, Child of the Trees*." They stopped and faded away as fast as they came. An immense heat spread over my body but was stopped dead in its tracks for a wave of severe coldness. These too temperatures clashed in a ranging war on who could control my body. At first it was the cold that was winning but in the end heat prevailed and proved more powerful in strength. Bust still I was trapped in this turmoil on whether I was ever going to wake up or be allowed past Mandos's gates of Death.
Child of the Trees: Nymphs. They are called this by the Valar because the Nymphs awoke under the trees at the same time as the Elves awoke under the stars.