CHAPTER 9

THE DOOR UNDER THE MOUNTAIN

Millie's POV

Sam and I were still crying, but beginning to calm down. Sam turned and looked at me, "You know you didn't have to stay behind….you could've gone with them." He sniffed.

"I wasn't about to leave you behind." I said, "I couldn't have. You remind me so much of Samantha and leaving you behind would be like leaving her behind…I would never do that… I don't let my friends stand alone."

"Thank you." He said. I forced a weak smiled. Then, I suddenly thought of Frodo… I jerked up and threw on my knapsack. "We have to leave now…..we have to follow him."

He looked at me and followed my lead, "You're right about Gollum…he's going to try and get Frodo killed….and take the Ring! Frodo's in danger." I explained. We headed off in the direction they had gone without so much as a word.

Elizabeth's POV

We made our way through a gloomy canyon, shadowed by black fir trees, the shadowy ridges of the mountain rising before us. It was a creepy place. Rayma was shifting around uneasily. The world was soundless, save for the sound of the horses' hooves thudding along the ground.

"What kind of an army would linger in such a place?" Gimli asked.

"One that is cursed ... Long ago the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor - to come to his aid, to fight, but when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled ... Vanishing into the darkness of the mountain ... And so Isildur cursed them - never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge."

I listened with wide eyes; I was terrified, though I didn't want to admit it. I looked around anxiously, expecting something to jump out at me at any moment. Suddenly, we approached an eerie-looking door, that led into blackness, symbols and writing were carved above the massive arch. We dismounted. "The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away." Gimli said.

Legolas looked at the symbols and translated, "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the Dead keep it. The way is shut." A chilly wind seemed to rush from the doorway; Aragorn stared into the endless blackness, the wind blowing his hair. The three horses whinnied and bucked in terror, turned and galloped away.

"Rayma!" I exclaimed as the three horses disappeared. We turned back towards the doorway.

"I do not fear death…" Aragorn said, and walked into the blackness, appearing to be swallowed up. Legolas quickly followed. Gimli and I hesitated with high fear. "Well, this is a thing unheard of ... An Elf will go underground when a Dwarf dare not." He gritted his teeth, "Oh! I 'd never hear the end of it…" He still hesitated.

"Gimme your hand." I said, looking down at him, trying to look courageous. We gave each other's' hands a tight squeeze before following Legolas and Aragorn into the blackness.

The air was ice-cold and for a moment I could see nothing, until Aragorn picked up a torch and began to wave it around, illuminating a dim, eerie light throughout the passage. Aragorn led us on into a large cavern. He shined the torch around it. We stood in silence and with every passing second, I grew more and more terrified. Suddenly, a ghastly crackling sound, like stone being split apart, echoed through the silence and a ghastly figure stepped out from the rock walls. We stared in horror as the terrible creature appeared before us…..sockets with glossed, white eyes, rotten teeth, and an eerie green glow, the King of the Dead! Fog swirled around as the ghost snarled at Aragorn. "Who dares enter my domain?"

Aragorn moved forward, unflinching, "One who will have your allegiance."

"The dead do not suffer the living to pass." snarled the king.

"You will suffer me." Aragorn replied.

I trembled as the spectral figure let out an eerie laugh that echoed throughout the walls. The fog reeled back and formed a retreating wall of grey vapor as rank upon rank of spectral warriors were revealed, ghoulish faces….rusted weapons….tattered banners. Around us were several thousand Dead. I moved closer to Legolas and hid behind him, peering out as Aragorn faced the King of the Dead.

"The way is shut…." The specter said chillingly, "It was made by those who are dead and the Dead keep it. The way is shut, now you must die. We were surrounded. Legolas raised his bow and fired it at the King of the Dead but it went straight through. Aragorn moved forward, "I summon you to fulfill your oath!" he said desperately.

"None but the King of Gondor may command me!" The King of the Dead raised his sword above Aragorn's head. Aragorn drew out his own blade. I screamed as the specter's blade lashed toward Aragorn's head, Aragorn responded by sweeping his sword through the air and clang, it deflected the dead king's blow. The ringing metal echoed throughout the cave. The King of the Dead looked at Aragorn in disbelief, "It cannot be- that line was broken." Aragorn grabbed the shocked ghost by the neck and held the blade against his throat, "It has been remade." Aragorn said. Aragorn released the King of the Dead and addressed the ghost army, "Fight for us and regain your honor!" Aragorn beamed, "What say you? What say you?"

"Aghh! You're wasting your time, Aragorn. They had no honor in life, they have none now in death." Gimli said.

"I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your oath fulfilled. What say you?" Aragorn yelled.