Chapter Four
They finished showing the others their weapons. Gimli was in fact, very impressed with the chakrams and had decided that when he got back to his own land, he would make some.
"It grows late, Aerandir will show you the way to your rooms." Aragorn said at last and the shell-shocked elf who had retrieved their weapons for them stepped forward.
"Right this way," he whispered in broken English and the boys followed him back inside, up some stairs and down the outer hall of Elrond's house and he led them to the far end. He opened a door and they followed him down another hallway, there seemed to be a lot of hallways thought Heru, until at last they came to a door.
"These three rooms," he said, pointed to three doors, two beside each other and one across the hall, "is where you will stay. All your bags are in this room for we did not know which bag belonged to whom." He said and with a bow, he turned and left.
"Well I'm exhausted." Heru said and opened the door, staring at the beautiful room he walked into. The bed was what he guessed to be a queen size and the four poles on it were a beautiful, shiny brown wood that spiralled up into the canopy. There was a wash basin in one corner with a mirror and a bathtub next to it along the wall and in the other corner was a fire place. There were doors inside that opened up into a patio that over looked Rivendell.
"A little girly," Andrew said but shrugged and picked up his bag, walking out and going into another room.
"Hmm" Saber smiled at the room and lay down on the bed. "I think I'll stay in this one. Orpheus, will you stay with me?" He asked and Orpheus nodded.
"Of course."
Heru pouted but found his room to be just as nice and was content to sleep with Andreas. They knew Andrew would stay in his own room; he was always the solitary one.
The boys talked for some time in their own rooms but quickly, in the comfort of the beds and the peaceful air that seemed to be all around them, they fell asleep.
The boys woke up the next day to the sound of a bell that rang loudly but softly through Rivendell. Heru yawned and stretched out, not wanting to get up and out of the comfortable bed. Andreas groaned,
"Not yet."
There was a soft knock on the bedroom door and in walked Aerandir.
"I beg your pardon, but Lord Elrond calls you for the first meal." He said in his announcer like voice.
"Now?" Andreas sat up and ran a hand through his dark brown hair and looked at him.
"Yes." Aerandir said and bowed, leaving the room and going onto the next.
"What time is it?" Heru grumbled from under the blankets and Andreas looked at his watch.
"Six thirty."
"Eww" Heru whined and rolled out of bed.
Andrew was already awake when Aerandir knocked on his door.
"Lord Elrond calls for you," he said and Andrew set down his glass of morning whiskey.
"Aright," he nodded and grabbed a t-shirt from his bag. He walked out just as Saber and Orpheus appeared out of their rooms. Saber stretched in the doorway, his back arching high and then low.
"Don't you fucking dare scratch up that frame," Andrew warned teasingly and Saber flashed him a small smile.
"I wouldn't think of it." He stretched his hands, his claws coming out and going back in again.
"How did you sleep Andrew?" Orpheus asked quietly.
"The usual." He smiled, the dark shadows under his eyes remained.
"Even in Rivendell, you can't sleep sound?" Orpheus looked at him worriedly. Andrew rarely slept as it was, but he had hoped that here the peace that filled the house would also help him rest.
"Well better than usual, I got four hours." He grinned and Orpheus shook his head. "Hey Aerandir," Andrew turned to the elf that was waiting. "Are we going to that Great Hall or whatever again?"
"Yes, to the Great Hall." Aerandir nodded, still looking at Andrew strangely.
"Aright cool, we're gonna go head up there but the other two are gonna be a few minutes and I'm pretty sure they don't know which way is up so, do you mind waiting for them to show them the way?" He smiled and Aerandir nodded, smiling back.
"Of course not, Lord Andrew, but are you sure you know the way?" He asked and Andrew smiled at the 'lord' before his name.
"I got Saber, he can sniff his way." He teased and Saber glared.
"I know the way," Orpheus said gently and Aerandir nodded.
"Very well, I will wait for the other two."
"Thanks man," Andrew lightly hit his shoulder, Aerandir watched them walk away confused by his gesture.
"I can't believe they don't have electricity." Heru said as they came out of the bedroom.
"You seriously just noticed that?" Andreas asked, amazed sometimes by Heru's absent-mindedness.
"Well ya, I need to straight my hair!" He whined and Andreas rolled his eyes, stopping as he nearly walked into Aerandir.
"Master Andreas," Aerandir bowed and turned to Heru, "Master Heru."
"Aerandir," they both said, also bowing awkwardly. "How are you this morning?" Andreas asked and Aerandir tilted his head a little.
"I am very well thank you, Master Andreas." He smiled, "your friends have already gone to the Great Hall but I was asked to wait for you so I could show you the way."
"Oh good," Heru adjusted his shirt and followed the elf. They walked down the hallways that neither Heru nor Andreas would ever be able to remember and came to the great hall.
"Lord Elrond awaits," Aerandir bowed and turned away.
"Do you think he's our servant?" Asked Andreas, pushing open the heavy wooden doors.
"Yea I think so, he's been around us ever since we got here." Heru nodded and looked up at the head table where Elrond stood up. On his right was the Lady Arwen and on his left was a blonde elf neither of them knew.
"Morning!" Heru waved and Elrond raised an eyebrow.
"Good morning," he responded, bowing. The boys bowed and sat down with the rest of the group. The Company was already there, sitting across from the boys. Legolas and Saber seemed to be continuing the staring contest from the previous day.
"Morning guys," Heru smiled and sat across from Pippin. "Hey Pip" he grinned and Pippin's face lit up.
"Hullo Heru!" He grinned, "Did you sleep well?"
"Oh ya, it was amazing. My bed back home is comfy but fuck, the bed here is so much better."
"I'm glad." Pippin said as, once again, the doors at the side opened and in came half a dozen elves carrying trays. They came and set the trays first down on the head table and then the rest set the other trays on their table. Once they had left Elrond stood and raised his glass.
"The time has come that the Company must leave," he began, his voice filling the room with authority. Even Heru really felt for the first time the kind of power and authority that Elrond had. "Everything is ready, may we eat this last meal together in hope of better days." He finished and took a sip and sat back down.
"So, guess we're leavin then huh?" Andreas looked at Merry and Pippin.
"I suppose so," Pippin said sadly, taking a bite of sausage.
They ate in silence; all of them were lost in thoughts about what was to come. Frodo already felt the heaviness of the burden he carried and Sam watched the strangers suspiciously, thinking it was unusual that they should come and help them when it wasn't even their world.
Pippin felt a mix of things. He was both terrified and excited about the adventures ahead. Up until last night, he had never really thought that they might have to fight and the idea had scared him. He was grateful for the short sword that Tom Bombadil had given him when they were on their way to Rivendell. Merry thought about the Shire and all the things he had loved and he wondered if he did come back at all, would the Shire still be there.
Aragorn sat, eating quietly and every now and then, glancing up at Arwen who looked at him with a sadness that ached in his heart. He would miss her and he was afraid for her but he knew he couldn't stay and that she understood. But it still grieved him to have to leave her behind.
Breakfast seemed to go on forever to the boys who weren't used to eating in the morning, except Andrew of course. Heru had managed to only eat a few pieces of fruit, he was never one to eat much anyway but especially in the mornings.
They went back to their rooms and gathered their bags, taking their weapons out and placing them on their belts.
"Andreas," Heru grabbed his arm before they left the room, his leather gloved hand held on tightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you scared?" He asked, searching his best friend's eyes.
"Yea," he smiled weakly and kissed Heru gently. "But it'll be ok, I promise. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"But what if something happens to you?" He chewed his lip, "I'm not going back without you."
"Heru," Andreas smiled and laced his arm in his, "you know better than anyone, nothing's going to keep me down." Heru smiled, he knew Andreas was just putting up a brave front but it was still comforting.
"Ready?" Orpheus asked, looking at the boys and drawing in a deep breath.
"Yup," Andrew said and they all nodded. Orpheus kissed Heru's forehead.
"Don't worry Heru," he whispered and led them outside.
Aragorn was strapping the last bag to the small pony who looked like he was about to collapse under the weight when they reached the gate. Sam slung his pack onto his back; he also looked about ready to collapse.
"Are you all set?" Gandalf asked the boys and they nodded.
"Fourteen companions," Lord Elrond said behind and looked at the group with approval, but his eyes were deeply troubled still. "May the Valar keep you safe." He said and bowed, they all bowed and everyone looked at Frodo. Frodo turned and looked out the gate.
"I guess we'll be off then," he said, looking ahead of him and not knowing which way.
"Left," Gandalf whispered behind him.
"Thanks." Frodo smiled and turned left, they group followed behind.
For hours, they walked across the land and the boys stared in wonder. The hills rolled out before them and in the east were mountains that lined the horizon with white peaks, they headed south east.
"It's beautiful here." Andrew said as he walked along side Aragorn.
"Is your world very different?" Aragorn asked, glancing over at Andrew and ahead. In front of them walked Gandalf and Frodo followed by Sam and then Gimli.
"Yes and no." Andrew shrugged, "it depends on where you are. I haven't seen country like this in a long time though. We have all of this, mountains and prairies and such but it's different," he sighed, "the cities are larger and there's hardly any trees or grass in them." Aragorn looked at him sadly. "I was never a city boy." Andrew smiled.
"City boy?" Aragorn looked at him with a little confusion.
"You know, born in the city, raised in the city and never leaving it. I always preferred the peace and quiet of the country." He smiled.
Behind them trotted along Merry and Pippin and Heru and Andreas.
"Is your city big?" Asked Pippin, over hearing the conversation and turning to Heru.
"Yea, almost ten million."
"Ten million!?" Exclaimed Pippin, "in one city?!" He shouted.
"Yea," Heru laughed, "it's one of the largest cities in the US"
"One of? How many people are in you world?" Pippin asked, astonished. Merry listened and watched them intently.
"Like… 4 billion or something right?" He looked at Andreas who shrugged; neither of them really paid attention to those kinds of things.
"That's incredible." Pippin said and was silent for a moment, "is your world very big then?"
"Yea," Heru laughed again, "hundreds of countries." Pippin was silent again in amazement as he thought about this.
"And there's many different races?" Heru smiled and went on to tell Pippin about the different races within humanity and how things were between them.
"Your world sounds very strange." Merry finally said after Heru was finished.
"You know, never really thought about it but it does… now that I'm trying to explain it to people who've never been."
Gandalf paused and turned to the group, "we'll take a quick rest now." He said and the hobbits sat down thankfully. Saber was walking behind them all and he looked around. Staring up at the sun and blinking at its brightness.
"It's past noon now," Legolas said as he came up behind Saber.
"Is it?" He asked; it had been so long since he had been able to look into the sun that he could hardly remember how to tell the time by its location.
"She's high in the sky now, moving further west." Legolas explain and Saber nodded.
"I haven't seen the sun in 860 years." Saber smiled at Legolas who looked at him surprised.
"Is there none in your world?"
"There is, but to a vampire it's death." He looked back up at the bright light. "But this is a different world and I'm not going to burst into flames in the sun." He smiled and Legolas frowned.
"Burst into flames?"
"A vampire is dammed to darkness, the sunlight kills him." Saber explained and Legolas looked up at the sun.
"Do you hate it then?"
"No, I used to but after a few hundred years, you forget all about it." Saber lied and turned away, blinking to adjust his eyes. Legolas watched him and then walked up to the front of company, looking ahead at the road.
Orpheus sat with Gandalf and talked while the others sat with the hobbits. Andrew sat with Aragorn and Boromir.
"Alright, carry on." Gandalf said after about ten minutes and stood up. They all got up and continued walking on. They were now walking along the foot of the mountains and continuing on south east.
"So where are we going?" Heru asked loudly up to Gandalf. He seemed to be the one with the plan.
"We are making for Dimrill Dale where we will come to the pass that is called the Redhorn Gate and come down the far side of Caradras." He answered from up front and Heru nodded.
"Oh… ok." he turned to Andreas, "how far is that?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"We'll be there by night fall," Gandalf answered again and looked back at the boys.
"Ok, thanks." Heru smiled.
Orpheus looked up at the mountains as they walked, drawing closer to the large stones. In the distance he heard a strange sound, like a flock of birds. He stopped and listened carefully.
"What is it?" Gandalf asked and Orpheus frowned.
"I don't know. It sounds like a flock of birds." He said and Gandalf looked up at the sky. High above them in the south there was a dark shadow that looked like a cloud but he was unsure.
"Crebain" Gandalf said quietly, "come on now! Make haste!" He shouted to the rest and quickened his pace. Orpheus listened more intently. The birds were at least fifteen miles away and high in the sky, but as a Glandian, he could hear a whisper twenty miles away as clear as if it were whispered right in his ear and these birds were loudly cawing at each other.
The group was moving fast, the hobbits were nearly running to keep up and Andreas and Heru gasped, both smokers and being traditional Americans, they weren't used to long walks like this.
At last, they reached the foot of the mountains just as the black cloud was getting closer.
"Crebain!" Shouted Legolas, "hide!" Aragorn and Boromir grabbed Frodo and Sam and hid them behind large boulders. Saber climbed up into a little hole in the wall and the boys all ran behind different rocks. Pippin just got behind the bolder when the crebain came flying down and swarmed around where they were, cawing loudly like crows but there was something different about these birds that the boys couldn't place. Finally, the birds parted and flew back in the direction they had come from. Slowly, everyone poked their heads up from behind and looked around.
"What was that?" Pippin asked nervously.
"Crebain, agents of the Dark Lord, spies." Gandalf growled, "We must carry on quickly." He said and started up the path up the mountain.
As they walked, it grew darker and soon, the sun was setting far in the west behind them as they stumbled up the steep path.
"It's been a long time since we went mountain climbing," Heru said to Andreas who nodded in agreement.
"It's a good thing we brought those cables huh?" Andreas added, "We might end up needing them."
"Yea," Heru nodded and rubbed his eyes.
Saber walked easily in front now, Legolas was also with him as they had the best sight in the dark. Saber jumped across rocks above them on the wall of the mountain, easily leaping across ten feet gaps. Legolas followed, jumping just as easily. The moon shined off Legolas, his long blonde hair nearly glowing under the moon light while Saber faded into the blackness. As they went higher up the mountain, the colder it got and soon, snow was falling lightly down on them.
"Snow," Andreas looked up at the sky. It had been nearly twenty years since he had seen snow, not since he was five years old and in New York City. The memories passed before his mind and he pushed them away. "I hate snow." He mumbled and Heru shivered.
Saber hopped about, but froze as a low howl sounded up from the base of the mountain.
"Wolves," Legolas said to him as he listened. Saber's lip twitched slightly.
"I hate wolves." He said in a typical cat way and looked up ahead. "The snow is falling more heavily up there and there's a cold wind coming down."
Gimli trudged on along between Gandalf and the men, huffing and puffing as they walked up.
"These mountains are evil" he said the higher they went up, Andrew looked at him.
"How so?"
"They don't like people passing through. I still think we should have gone through the Mines of Moria." He huffed and Gandalf looked behind him momentarily.
"Moria?" Andrew asked, catching everyone else's look of concern around him.
"The greatest city of Dwarves," Gimli explained, "beautiful halls and stairs, it was the home for hundreds of dwarves."
"Until it was over run with orcs." Aragorn added grimly and Gimli grunted. "The path through Moria is a dangerous one Master Gimli and should not be taken."
"I still believe we should have gone on the road to Minas Tirith." Boromir put in bitterly.
"We do not know which direction we are going yet Boromir," Aragorn tried to reassure gently but Boromir was clearly bitter with the fact that they weren't going the way he wanted.
"Fuck its cold." Heru shivered from behind the men and Andrew pulled his jacket off. He turned and waited for Heru and wrapped it around him, zipping it up. Merry and Pippin shivered as well.
The snow was falling much more heavily now and as they went on it was coming down so hard that they couldn't see a foot in front of them. Saber and Legolas still walked in the front, Legolas walked easily over the snow and Saber climbed the rocks above. Gandalf walked in front of the others, holding his staff out and wedging a path through the snow. Frodo and Sam stumbled along behind him, shivering and tripping. Boromir, Aragorn and Andrew walked behind, also trying to make a path with their bodies for the other five behind them. Gimli's beard was full of small white snow balls and his bushy eyebrows were covered in frost; Andrew could still hear him huffing away as they climbed.
The wind picked up and blew hard and cold against the mountain side, pushing against them as they walked.
"There's a voice in the air," Orpheas said to Gandalf alarmingly, "we're in danger."
"We can't turn back now. There are wolves at the bottom, there is no other way." Gandalf said over the wind.
"There are still the Mines of Moria," Gimli shouted.
"No!" Gandalf said firmly, looking back at Gimli sternly. "We will pass over the mountain."
Andrew looked back at Merry and Pippin and then at Andreas.
"Andreas, do you think you could put up a field around us to keep the snow away?" He asked and Andreas thought for a moment.
"I can try." He closed his eyes for a moment. It seemed like there was another wind coming from him, as he pushed the falling snow out of their path, creating a bubble-like field that kept the wind and snow out. Everyone paused and looked back at Andreas who was walking up behind them now.
"Is that better?" He asked once he realized they were looking at him.
"Yes," Gandalf said and they continued up, their path was much easier now. But it seemed that the mountain saw this and grew angrier. The ground shook beneath them and Orpheus heard the foul voice again, Legolas heard it too this time. There was a rumble in the sky above and then a flash of lightening struck down and hit the mountain above them, breaking the rocks.
"Watch out!" Gandalf cried and grabbed Frodo pressing him and himself against the wall. The rocks came falling down, one nearly fell right on Boromir but Andreas was able to fling it in the other direction just in time. But before he could stop it, a large pile of snow came crashing down on them, burying them all under it. Saber and Legolas popped up at the same time and slithered out. Andrew stood and shoved the snow off, sending most of it around him flying off too. He reached under and grabbed Merry and Pippin, lifting them back up. They coughed on the snow and looked around. Frodo and Sam were pulled up by Aragorn and Boromir.
"We cannot keep going," Aragorn shouted to Gandalf, "the Halflings will freeze if we keep on."
Gandalf stood there, looking at them struggling to stay warm and thought. The Mines of Moria were too dangerous; there was a great evil in that mountain.
"The Ring-bearer should decide." He said at last and they all looked to Frodo who wrapped his cloak around himself tightly, shivering.
"We will take the path of Moria." He said through chattering, anything would be better than this freezing cold.
"We will go and make a path," Aragorn said, turning to Andrew and Boromir. Andrew went first, pushing as much snow away as he could. They led Bill down, the pony that Sam had been walking and who was faithfully following, but clearly not pleased with the freezing temperatures. And then went back for the hobbits. Aragorn lifted Frodo up and Boromir lifted Sam. Andrew lifted both Pippin and Merry, setting one on each shoulder. They carried them down, Andrew stayed with them to make sure they were ok while the others went back up.
"We've made a path," Aragorn said and the rest followed behind him.
The further they went down, the warmer it got and the snow thinned out until they were once again walking on clear ground. There was another howl again and everyone froze when they heard a second howl answering it.
Aragorn quickly grabbed all the hobbits and put them behind them against the wall, the rest made a line around them. There came more howls and Saber and Legolas saw the glimmer of the moon reflect off the wolves' eyes as they stared up towards them. Aragorn drew his sword and Legolas set an arrow in his bow, drawing it back and aiming. Orpheus did the same and Andreas lifted the six knives into the air, Heru pulled his gloves off.
"They're coming!" Legolas shouted and let go of the arrow. It flew through the air, spinning and struck a wolf in the throat, cutting off its howl. Andreas threw the knives at three of the wolves, killing them just as they sprung up to jump on the company. They fell in front of them and the hobbits huddled nervously together.
Aragorn roared as he slashed the head off another, Andrew covering his back as another attacked from the west. The wolves whimpered and coward, backing away slowly. Saber walked towards them, hissing and growling, his eyes reflecting yellow like a cat's in the dark. The wolves coward in front of him and as he lunged towards one, they yelped and ran away, surrendering to the group.
They stood there for a while, waiting just in case and once they heard no more howls and the wind had settled, they sheathed their swords. Andreas pulled his knives out of the three wolves and handed them to Saber who licked the blood off them.
"Dirty," he said making a face at the blood. "They taste like demon blood." He said and handed the knives back to Andreas. Legolas stared in a mixture of disgust and confusion.
"Thank you." Aragorn said to Andrew.
"Don't thank me," he said quietly and went to Heru to make sure he was ok. Aragorn frowned and Boromir looked at him worriedly. He was annoyed he didn't get to kill anything.
"Those so weren't wolves." Heru said and looked at the large animals. They looked like some hideous cross of a pig, wolf and bear. They seemed to have the snout of a pig and they were built like a bear, with higher back legs but they still, in some strange way, resembled a wolf.
"A wolf on steroids maybe." Andreas said looking at them too. "Gross."
"The enemy knows we're here. We need to move on." Gandalf said and took Bill's bridal, leading on. Bill, the poor pony was shaking and looked absolutely terrified. Gandalf whispered something to him that seemed to calm the little pony.
"Is everyone alright?" Aragorn asked as he went to the hobbits.
"Yes," Frodo said quietly, "shaken, but alright." Aragorn nodded. Gimli and Boromir head up behind Gandalf and Orpheus, the hobbits were in the middle followed by Andreas and Heru, then Aragorn and Andrew, and in the very front, Saber and Legolas continued.
They walked long into the night, the moon was veiled by a misty white cloud but the stars shone out from behind. After what seemed like another full day of walking to Heru and Andreas and their two new best friends, Merry and Pippin, they came to the path to Moria. It was a steep slope down as they walked, Pippin nearly tripped and rolled down if Andreas hadn't caught him. There was a dark pool of water that the moon reflected off; the water was so dark the light almost disappeared into it without reflection. By the pool there was a pathway against the stone wall of the mountain.
"Where's the entrance?" Asked Andrew as they all looked up.
"The doors of the dwarf mines cannot be seen until they are opened." Gimli said and looked to Gandalf who was feeling around the wall.
"It's here somewhere," he said.
"I thought you said you've been here before." Boromir questioned and Gandalf glared.
"Yes of course I've been through Moria, a long time ago and coming from the other way!" Gandalf muttered and looked around, "aha!" He smiled in achievement. He brushed away the dust and in the light of the moon, the engravings lit up. There was a high arch with two trees that stood like sentinels beside the arch. At the top was a crown and below that there was an anvil and hammer. In the center, there was a star that shone brightly. At the very top in the arch there was an inscription in Elvish.
"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo mellon a minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant I-thiw hin". Gandalf read aloud.
"What does it mean?" Frodo asked looking at the door.
"The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."
"Huh," Andreas turned and looked around.
"What does that mean though?" Frodo asked again.
"It's simple really; if you are a friend, speak the password and it opens." Gandalf explained, setting the tip of his staff in the center. He spoke in a language the boys didn't know, commanding the doors to open, but they remained shut. He tried everything that he knew, but everything failed.
"This is just great!" Boromir exclaimed in frustration. Aragorn was with Sam by Bill.
"He cannot come with us any further Sam," Aragorn said gently, removing all of his heavy burdens and petting his neck.
"But it's so dangerous out there with all them wolves." Sam said tearfully.
"He learned a lot at his stay in Rivendell, he will be alright." Aragorn tried to reassure him. He whispered into Bill's ear and then as if saying goodbye, Bill nuzzled his nose against Sam's neck and then turned and walked away. Sam burst into tears and watched his beloved pony disappear into the darkness.
Boromir threw stones into the water but Frodo grabbed his arm.
"Do not disturb the water. An evil dwells in there." He said and looked at the water suspiciously, ripples stirred across the other side and moved slowly around.
Gandalf cursed and threw his staff down in frustration. He sat and put his head in his hands, annoyed and frustrated.
Merry stood in front of the door and looked at it carefully. "It's a riddle." He said at last, "Speak friend and enter. Gandalf, what is the elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon" he said and there was a loud cracking sound and the doors opened slowly. "Aha!" Gandalf laughed and patted Merry on the back.
"Take as much as you can carry and leave the rest," Aragorn instructed as they gathered their bags and as much as they could of what Bill had been packing. Just as they headed inside, there was a stir in the water and a long snake like arm reached out and wrapped around Frodo's leg. Frodo let out a scream as he fell and was dragged back. Everyone lunged forward, drawing their weapons. Saber slashed the arm that held Frodo, slicing through its thick skin, the arm fell and Frodo scrambled to get away. But then twenty more tentacles flung out of the water and grabbed Frodo who was now screaming at the top of his lungs.
Aragorn and Andrew slashed and hacked at the beast and Andreas fought trying to unwrap the arms around Frodo and pull him free. Saber slashed at any arms he could reach without going into the water himself and Boromir and Gimli slashed away, Boromir with his sword and Gimli with his trusty axe. Legolas and Orpheus stood at the bank, drawing their bows back as the head of the beast came out of the water. The hobbits gasped in horror and Orpheus and Legolas let the arrows fly, shooting the beast in the eyes. It released Frodo who fell, caught quickly by Boromir and everyone ran inside. The beast followed, squirming out of the water and trying to get in through the small door but the arms pushed the stones too hard and the wall came crashing down on it.
"What was that thing!" Screamed Pippin in horror.
"A water-watcher," Gandalf looked back at it, breathing heavily, "it must have come down from the waters in the Misty Mountains when Sirannon was dammed."
The boys looked behind them in disgust, "that was so gross, it was like an octopus." Heru said and they looked at him.
"What's an octopus?" Pippin asked.
"Like that, only it has eight tentacles and it lives in salt water, not fresh water." He explained. They shuddered, letting the creepiness of the creature fade. Gandalf tapped his staff and the tip shone like a lantern in the black cave. Orpheus held up his hand and in his palm formed a small ball of fire.
"Not too bright Orpheus, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves." Gandalf warned and Orpheus nodded, keeping the ball of fire small. He passed it to Andreas who held it up above the company as they began to walk.
Gimli began to speak quietly but proudly of the place they had entered.
"Khazad-dum as it's called in the Dwarf language. The greatest city of the dwarfs, and the richest. It's the only place that mithril was found, the most beautiful, rarest metal known in Middle Earth. It's as light as a feather but stronger than steel and it shines like silver but never tarnishes." He said excitedly. Frodo touched his chest, where under his shirt lay the mithril-mail coat that Bilbo had given him and told him to keep it secret.
"Bilbo had a mithril coat once, I never told him but the value of that mail was worth more than that of the entire Shire," Gandalf said and Frodo blushed.
"Wow," Andreas said wondering if they had anything like that in his world.
"What happened to this place?" Heru asked Gimli and Gimli looked around sadly.
"It became infested with orcs and goblins." He said and sighed, "Drove the dwarfs out of their homes. I hope we find Balin, he came here with a bunch of our people to reclaim it." He said hopefully but Gandalf looked at him with pity. He seemed to know what was the fate of Balin.
They followed Gandalf through the halls of Moria for several more hours, climbing stairs and wandering around. Everyone seemed to be at a loss of where they were except Gandalf and Gimli a little. They came to a fork in the halls where there were three halls branching off, one west, one straight and another east.
"Which way?" Orpheus asked and Gandalf looked down each way.
"I am not sure," he said quietly and turned. There was a small guard room where they were standing. "But let's stop for the night." He said and walked into the little room. The boys sighed in relief and sat down against the wall.
"I'm exhausted," Heru sighed and rubbed his eyes, yawning.
"Me too." Andreas pulled out a pack of smokes and lit one, "so not used to walking like this."
"What is that?" Pippin asked in wonder at the sight of both the cigarette and the lighter.
"This?" Andreas asked, blowing the smoke above their heads and handing the pack to Heru who took one and then passed it to Andrew.
"Yes."
"It's a cigarette. Tobacco." He said and Pippin's eyes lit up.
"Like pipe tobacco?" He asked excitedly.
"Uh ya… sort of. But it's not the pure plant; it's got a lot of shit in it, lots of chemicals that can kill you." He said and took a drag, Pippin's face fell.
"Why are you smoking it then, if it's going to kill you?"
"Because there's also something called nicotine in it which is an addictive chemical and I can't seem to quit." He blushed slightly, use to the shame that people of his world made him feel for smoking. But Pippin just looked at him confused and then looked at the lighter as Heru lit his smoke.
"What is that?!" He asked excitedly and Andreas laughed at how he was so interested in everything.
"It's a lighter. It's got lighter fluid inside it and there's a flint thing inside that makes a spark when you flick this part here," he showed him, "and the gas comes up and keeps it lit." He explained flicking it on and everyone looked at it curiously, including Aragorn and Gandalf.
"The people in your world must be really smart to have found a way to do that." Pippin said in a serious way that made the boys almost laugh.
"Much easier than having to use a flint and stone." Sam said matter-of-fact like and Heru looked at his lighter.
"Take it," he tossed it to Sam who caught it and looked at Heru with wide eyes.
"You mean it?" He asked excitedly and Heru shrugged.
"I have five more." At that, Pippin's eyes grew wide with hope to get one. Heru handed him one, there was a playboy bunny on the front and Pippin looked at it curiously.
"Is that a coney?" Pippin asked, "What's that around his neck?"
"It's a rabbit with a bowtie." Heru said, "Part of formal wear in our world but the sign is for playboy."
Orpheus gave Heru a warning not to even try to explain playboy.
"What's playboy?" Pippin asked, always curious.
"Um, I'll tell you another time." Heru smiled and looked up at Orpheus who nodded in approval.
Saber stood outside the guard room and licked his fangs. He hadn't eaten since he came to Middle Earth and he was really starting to feel it now. The vampire in him stirred hungrily and the thirst to kill was growing stronger.
"Heru!" Saber snapped as he looked inside. Heru jumped and looked up but the look in Saber's eyes made Heru's stomach flip.
"Coming," he got up and quickly pranced over to Saber.
"Andreas," Saber called as well who was a little more reluctant to stand up. Orpheus came over as well.
"Are you going to feed?" He asked in a whisper, not realizing Legolas could hear them.
"Yes, keep a watch will you?" He paused, his eyes catching Legolas', "I don't want them to know what I live off." Orpheus nodded and Saber led the other two into the darkness.
"Where are they going?" Legolas asked when Orpheus turned around; the eyes of the whole company were on him, except Andrew who was eating a piece of bread. Orpheus stood there silent, unsure of what to say.
"To talk, I suppose." He lied, casting his eyes down and Legolas narrowed his gaze, looking over at the others who also shared his suspicious curiosity. The hobbits, with the exception of Sam, were of course ignoring all of this and were now busy lighting a fire with their new lighters.
Saber led the boys as far away as he could without getting lost.
"Man it's creepy in here." Heru said and Saber put his hand over his mouth.
"Shhh!" He hissed, "I can hear heartbeats in here and it feels evil," he whispered.
"Why don't you go hunt for one of them then?" Andreas asked.
"Because Andreas, I have a good feeling that these creatures are in packs and because I can hear well over a hundred heart beats, I'm pretty sure that would be a pretty stupid idea if we wanted to pass through here unnoticed." He said bitterly and Andreas shrugged.
"Keep watch Andreas." He ordered and pulled Heru to him. He ran his finger over the vein in his neck, holding his head back by his hair. The scars of previous bites shone easily off Heru's pale skin and Saber ran his tongue over them. Heru, despite being under weight, was always his favourite. His heart would race the more Saber teased his neck, making the blood run faster and hotter through his veins. It always excited him and Saber went crazy with the lust for it as Heru shuddered in his arms, sliding his own hands under Saber's shirt. Saber sank his teeth through the skin and tightened his mouth around his neck, sucking hungrily. Heru whimpered and dug his nails into Saber's back. Andreas listened but ignored them. He was so use to Saber now that it didn't bother him anymore.
Saber fed off Heru as much as he could, but Heru was weak already from the long day of walking and the lack of food he had eaten that Saber had to stop too soon. He licked the wound and Heru struggled to stay standing. Saber listened to his heart beat worriedly.
"You need to eat more Heru," he whispered, licking his lips and looking at the even paler boy.
"I'm fine," he whispered, wincing a little as the muscles in his neck twitched.
"Andreas… may I have a little?" He asked and Andreas nodded and held up his wrist. He only ever let Saber bit his neck if they were going to have sex, it seemed to intimate for him.
Saber sat Heru down gently and reached for Andreas wrist, sinking his teeth in and drinking more. He was able to drink enough that his thirst was quenched and Andreas wasn't too weakened.
He licked over the holes and then his lips, "thank you" he said quietly, "both of you." He lifted Heru up and they walked back to the guard room. Everyone watched as they came in. Saber had covered the wound on Heru's neck with his jacket and Andreas wore long sleeves, keeping his hand to his wrist to keep the blood from dripping. He sat Heru down next to Andreas and Orpheus went to them. He placed his hand on Andreas' wrist, trying not to look conspicuous and healed the wound.
"Goodnight Andreas," he said, holding his gaze and Andreas smiled.
"Thanks, goodnight." Orpheus leaned over Heru, touching his neck gently and looked as if he was whispering something into his ear.
"Goodnight," he whispered and healed Heru's neck.
They all watched him though, staring at the paleness in Heru's face and how he had seemed to be drained of life and Andreas also looked paler. Saber however, looked stronger than ever and they all wondered about this.
"This place is not safe to stay in for long." Saber tried to break the silence. "I can hear the beating of hearts in the distance, echoing through these tunnels."
"You can hear hearts beat?" Aragorn asked curiously.
"Yes, of all living creatures." He tried to ignore the suspicion in Aragorn's voice, "there's well over a hundred, the beating is so loud." They all looked at him worriedly.
"We'll stay one night and make for the east entrance in the morning." Gandalf instructed, "Saber and Legolas, keep watch for as long as you can, when you are too tired, wake Aragorn up to take your post." Saber and Legolas nodded and went out of the guard room. The others had also eaten while Saber was off eating and they were now all curled up on their mats and sleeping bags.
"Are you going to tell me where you went?" Legolas asked finally and looked Saber in the eyes.
"No." He said plainly and stared right back. "But I'll tell you that I didn't hurt them if that's what you're thinking."
Legolas' eyed him long and nodded, "I trust you."
"Strange that you do." Saber smiled and looked out into the blackness. "In our world, elves can't even tolerate the sight of a vampire."
"There are elves in your world?" Legolas asked, surprised.
"A few, they came from Middle Earth mostly. I only know two. Mika's actually the only elf I've met that didn't feel sick around us; he's a really close friend of an old friend of mine." Saber looked over at Legolas who's eyes brightened at the mention of Mika's name.
"Mika? You mean Aegnor?" Legolas asked, using Mika's Elvish name he rarely ever used.
"Yes, I think that's his Elvish name but I think he only ever told it to me once." Legolas gasped and eyes filled with tears.
"He is alive?"
"Yes…" Saber said slowly, "you know him?"
"He is my brother." He said and blinked back the tears, "he went missing ten years ago and no one's seen him since."
"Hmm, well he is alive and well. He lives with Silan and Asken. Silan I created five hundred years ago and Asken is the son of a family friend to the boys." He watched Legolas.
"I cannot believe he is alive."
"Maybe after all of this is said and done, you can come and see him." He suggested, but for what reason he didn't know.
"I would love to see him again and bring him home with me."
"Uh," Saber stopped him there, "he won't want to come back. From what Mika's told me, he ran away from Middle Earth, he didn't accidentally discover a portal, he made one." He said and Legolas stared at him in confusion.
"But why would Aegnor want to leave Middle Earth?"
"I don't know you would have to ask him that. Mika and I don't speak very much." Saber thought back of the hyper active little elf that seemed to move so fast he was in a thousand places at once. Legolas' eyes filled with tears again and he turned away.
"He said he had a brother though," Saber suddenly regretted mentioning Mika, the pain in Legolas' face seemed to make his insides twist.
"He did?" He looked at him hopefully, tears streaming down his beautiful face.
"Yes, and every fall he seems to get quiet and withdrawn which for Mika is… highly unusual." Saber tried to smile, "he mentioned that he missed him."
"Fall is the time of celebration for my people," Legolas said and brushed away his tears, "I think of him every day. I thought he was dead." Saber went to reach out and touch his arm but stopped himself.
"He's doing well Legolas, you shouldn't worry about him." He turned away and took a couple steps, smelling the thick air. "Can you smell the death in this place?" He asked, changing the subject and looking back at Legolas.
"I can feel it yes." He nodded, the tears vanished from his pale green eyes and he looked out into the darkness.
"I can smell the rotting flesh and the bones," Saber closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, "we're surrounded by the dead. This place is a tomb." He opened his eyes and froze, catching two green eyes in the distance. He pointed and Legolas followed his gaze but the eyes vanished too soon.
"What did you see?"
"Shh," Saber pressed a finger to the elf's lips and took a step forward. He leaned down, crouching low and his ears perked up out from under his long black hair. He listened carefully, the faint heartbeat that seemed to struggle but beat rapidly filled his ears and he walked forward a little, still crouched. Legolas now had his bow ready and was about to wake everyone up when Saber stood.
"There's a creature out there, I can't see it anymore but I can hear its heart beat and smell it." He wrinkled his nose, "but I don't think it's a threat, at least not for now, it's too weak." He put his hand on the bow and lowered it. Legolas put the arrow back in its place.
"Are you sure?" He asked nervously, his eyes wide and staring as far as he could see in the dark.
"Yes, but it won't hurt to be more attentive."