The Sphinx and its riddle comes from Greek mythology. Sir Cadogan and the moving portraits come from the Harry Potter book series. Inspiration for the task in the last section of his chapter came from "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords" PC/Xbox game.
Update - 9/11/2023: ValueMyHeart, with her permission, makes her appearance in this chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Three:
The Tunnels
Merry tried prying his hands into the corners, but found he could not move the wall. He tried pushing at the wall, with help from Sam and Pippin, who dropped their torches. There was no moving the wall. They couldn't reach Frodo and Aria. The torches' lights went out, leaving the three hobbits in the dark.
"Now what do we do? Without Frodo…"
"Pippin, we've survived without Frodo. We can do it again," said Merry. He picked up one of the torches, before fumbling around his pack for the lighter.
Sam admitted, "I'm not used to Mr. Frodo just leaving us like that. Without me around, how's Frodo supposed to survive without food."
"He has water. So does Aria," said Pippin.
"Can we just focus on what we're supposed to do?" said Merry, getting the two hobbits back on track. "There we are." He lit the torch, before replacing his lighter inside his pack. Merry stood up, telling the hobbits, "What we need to do is find a tunnel that leads us to the Torch of Light."
"And here, I thought having torches was a good thing," said Pippin. He brought another torch onto Merry's, lighting the torch.
"So, without Mr. Frodo around, we're supposed to find this mysterious torch," said Sam. "It doesn't sound like a good plan."
"Come on," said Merry, leading the way. "There has to be another tunnel nearby. We'll just travel through there."
"I suppose there's no knowing where Mr. Frodo and Miss Aria will show up," said Sam.
"I'm glad Frodo gave us the portal device. We can use that, in case we lose Frodo and Aria again," said Merry.
"Do you think this is a good idea?" asked Pippin, as Merry found another tunnel.
"No, but it's our best bet that we'll find something down here," said Merry.
"Good because I don't like surprises," said Pippin.
o-o-o
Frodo and Aria traveled down the tunnel for a time. Along the walls, they saw carvings strewn on the stone walls. Aria was reminded of the Egyptian mythology from the carvings. Frodo continued leading the way, as he had the only light they could find. Eventually, the two reached what appeared to be a large antechamber. Just as Frodo stepped forward, two large gold basins burst into a flaming light. As Frodo and Aria walked forward, a strong wind blew the torch's light out. Frodo held onto the torch as he took Aria's hand.
Inside the antechamber were more hieroglyphs on the walls, and more drawings. Instead of the typical Egyptian drawings, they revealed different quests. Aria recognized the drawings as Frodo and the Fellowship. She told Frodo right away about this:
"Frodo, I think these drawings are about you," said Aria, pointing them out.
"Are they?" asked Frodo. He looked at the drawings in wonder. "So they are." He wondered how the drawings ended up in an abandoned room.
Torches lit all along the walls. Standing across the way was a Sphinx, with the body of a lion and a human head. She wasn't a statue, as Aria thought, but a living creature. The Sphinx stood on a stone base, watching the two hobbits ceaselessly.
"There are two sisters: one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first. Who are the two sisters?" asked the Sphinx.
Aria looked stumped. Frodo thought of the riddle in his head for a few moments. He knew Bilbo was better at riddles than he was. Eventually, Frodo's gaze fell on the flickering light of the torches. The thought struck him.
"Day and night," answered Frodo.
The Sphinx turned towards the wall. The wall formed an opening, with a tunnel being lit by torches. "You may pass."
Frodo dropped the torch. He took Aria by the hand, leading her straight to the next tunnel. The two hobbits followed the tunnel for a time, unsure what else could be lurking.
o-o-o
After a trek through the tunnels, Sam, Merry, and Pippin came across three doors. Next to the doors were moving portraits. One of those portraits Merry knew looked familiar.
"Sir Cadogan, fancy seeing you here," said Merry.
"How did I get here?" said the portrait of a staring eye.
"Ah, young Merry! What quest have you found yourself in?" asked Sir Cadogan.
"Never mind that. What are you doing here?" asked Merry.
"Yes, well someone with nerve moved my portrait here. I still have a portrait connecting me to the Animal Headquarters and another at Hogwarts," said Sir Cadogan, explaining.
"How did you wind up here?" asked Merry. "I mean, what have you come across on your ventures?"
"Excellent question for your quest. Tell me what you seek," said Sir Cadogan, noble.
"We seek out the Torch of Light," said Pippin.
"Ah, so you are on a quest. Well, be grateful you have me to help you out," said Sir Cadogan.
"Can we trust him?" asked Sam, suspicious.
Sir Cadogan pulled out his sword. "Why, young fellow, of course you can trust me. This door trap is just what will trip people up, and even send them to their deaths."
"That's why we need your help. I heard this portrait has caused trouble," said Sam, frustrated.
"Never fear, young hobbit! Sir Cadogan's more than willing to help you survive this," Sir Cadogan then went into the riddle. "Three doors lie before you: one leads you to safety, another leads to death, but the third leads you straight to the Torch of Light. Choose wisely. If you need help with this, I'll be glad to share it. I've been guarding the door to my right for three years now, so I'm still new to this."
"Bilbo was always good at solving riddles," said Merry, thinking.
"I know. This won't be easy for us," said Pippin.
"Can't you give us some sort of a hint?" Sam asked the portrait.
"Ask the other two portraits before asking me. You should figure out some clues from them," said Sir Cadogan.
The staring portrait to the far right, to the right of the third door, gloated. "See here! What makes you think I'll answer to anything you have to say?"
Merry pointed to the first portrait, which showed a group of people playing chess. "You there! Yes, all of you! Where does this door go to?" He pointed to the door to the left portrait's right.
The people in the portrait debated. Eventually, they came to an agreement. "It leads to safety."
"No it doesn't! They're lying! My door leads to safety," said the staring eyeball.
Pippin debated in his mind. He approached the third portrait. "Does it? How do we know you're not lying to us?"
The people in the first portrait said, "The eyeball's lying. Our portrait is right."
Pippin asked the staring eyeball portrait. "Does your door lead to death?"
"No. Why would anyone hang me in this desolate place?" asked the staring eyeball.
Sam asked the middle portrait, where Sir Cadogan was hung, "Sir, where does your portrait go?"
"Ah, so it seems the middle passage holds the way to the Torch of Light," said Sir Cadogan.
"Are you sure?" asked Sam, confused.
Merry asked the people in the portrait. "Okay, so if your door leads to safety. Does it lead to the Torch of Light?"
The people in the portrait debated. Instead, one of them said, "Checkmate."
"You're not answering my question," said Merry.
Sir Cadogan said, "I was telling the truth. Those people only care about playing chess. Isn't that right?" He walked over to the first portrait, where he strewn the chess pieces all over the table. The people in the portrait complained, before kicking him out. Sir Cadogan returned to his portrait, laughing.
The people in the first portrait eventually said, "Our door only leads to safety."
"Are you sure?" asked Merry.
"Yes," said the people in the first portrait, clear and truthful, in spite of one nearly lying.
Merry and Pippin returned to Sam. They were hesitant to open the door. Pippin bravely approached the door and opened it, revealing a stone room with a pedestal in the center. Bright sunlight fell from the ceiling, sending its rays to ripple onto the pedestal. Standing on top of the pedestal, floating in the air, was a torch with wooden snake rings embedded to the stave. They had found the torch, but also Frodo and Aria who were just entering the room.
o-o-o
Minutes Ago…
After a half an hour of walking, Frodo and Aria came out of the tunnel into an antechamber. There, they were greeted by images of the past. Frodo stopped the moment he saw the Fellowship. Aria became confused by what the images meant, until she realized they were a part of Frodo's memories. Aria remembered as well as Frodo the Fellowship was talking about heading into Moria.
"Let us go into the mines," said Gimli.
"We cannot take that pass. It'll be too risky," said Aragorn.
"Let us not travel to the mines. Instead, let us head towards Gondor. I am sure Rohan will be open to us," said Boromir.
"No Boromir. Taking that route is just as dangerous. Saruman has changed sides," said Gandalf. "I would dare not go into the mines, Gimli. There are dangers far worse than you can imagine there." He turned to Frodo, as did the Fellowship. "This decision must be made by the Ring-bearer."
"This is a memory," said Frodo, admitting aloud.
"Yes, but even memories shed light on the past, Frodo," said Gandalf.
"If I chose not to go into the mines, then we would have not lost Gandalf," said Frodo.
"Yes, but going into the mines might be our only way to get to Mordor," said Gimli, stating his reason.
"I have heard of the dangers in the Mines of Moria. We would do well to travel with caution," said Legolas.
"Don't we have a say in the matter?" asked the memory of Merry.
"This decision belongs to the Ring-bearer. He must decide which path we take," said Gandalf.
"This reminds me of the game I played at home. We must be doing a task down here," said Aria.
"Gamer's luck. Elijah has the same," said Frodo.
"Gamers strategize, Frodo, but I think I can help here," said Aria. "What path would you have taken, if you had to choose different?"
"Seems you are useful to us after all," said Frodo, admitting freely. He thought for a long time. "Whatever path is safe to choose might be considered."
"Safety also means caution, Frodo. Sometimes, choosing the right path is not always safe," said Gandalf.
"Do I risk my friend's life or don't I?" asked Frodo. "If I choose the road to Isengard, I would have been captured." He shook his head. "Boromir's way is wrong." He thought, but then realized what would have happened either way. "It seems the only way to go is to the mines, even though I wouldn't risk it. But I'll have to."
"You have chosen wisely. In spite of losing me, Frodo, you were able to continue the quest. The result would have left me to take the ship to the West either way," said Gandalf.
The memory passed, as did the Fellowship. Frodo and Aria were alone in the room. The two only had brief moment to talk before the next memory appeared in the antechamber. This time it was Aria's memory of her friends back on Earth: ValueMyHeart and SweetDarkSilence. Both young women were sitting at a table, staring at Aria.
"What memory of yours is this?" asked Frodo, stunned but having a feeling what memory it was.
"It's when I first met ValueMyHeart and SweetDarkSilence," said Aria.
"So, we work on this site called . Are you on the site?" asked SweetDarkSilence.
"ValueMyHeart is silent to me at first, but eventually breaks out of her shell," said Aria.
"ValueMyHeart has been doing fanfiction for seven years," said SweetDarkSilence.
"It's true," said ValueMyHeart, shyly.
"Are you on ?" asked SweetDarkSilence.
"I guess this is the crucial moment when my life changed a bit. I know this is a memory," said Aria, telling the two young women.
"Yes, but this is also the crucial decision you made in your life. What would you choose?" asked SweetDarkSilence.
"Do I present new stories and break out of my shell further, announcing to everyone that I'm your fan, Frodo, or do I stay in my shell and still enjoy myself?" asked Aria, thinking.
"If you hadn't done that, you wouldn't be where you are now. Do you really think it would have mattered about meeting me if you did or didn't go on that site?" asked Frodo.
"At the same time, I received a friend that has managed to stay with me for so long. It's hard to say what happened to SweetDarkSilence, but I know she's still on the site reading," said Aria.
"The choice is yours," said Frodo.
"Choose carefully," said SweetDarkSilence.
"I agree," said ValueMyHeart.
Aria thought for a while. Eventually she came to a decision, telling Frodo at the same time, "I guess I've given you more credit than you deserve, and if it weren't for them liking me for not just my stories but who I am… I think I would have chosen the site." She saw ValueMyHeart perk up, but SweetDarkSilence not minding. "It helped me stay more original while at the same time keep me writing fanfiction. That's what I would pick."
"Yes, and I've had to endure it for the most part," said Frodo.
"You don't like fanfiction?" asked Aria.
"It's not that. I don't mind you writing about me. Just as long as you respect me," said Frodo. "Most people haven't done that, and others are amateur or very good at writing it."
"Life goes on either way," said SweetDarkSilence. The memory of her and ValueMyHeart faded.
A yard or two away was ValueMyHeart. Aria and Frodo approached the next memory.
ValueMyHeart asked Aria, "When are you coming back? Is this the life you would have chosen for yourself: to be with him, instead of return to your family? They need you, and I need you. You're good at writing stories. It won't be the same without you."
"This is new," said Aria.
"What if you can have both?" asked Frodo.
"Yeah, but this is the newer memory that's bugging me," said Aria. She thought for a few moments. "Do I choose home or do I stay with you?"
"You can have both. It doesn't have to be like this," said Frodo. "You shouldn't have to choose between your family and me."
"But I thought you wanted me to return home," said Aria.
"I've been thinking it over," said Frodo. He explained. "My wounds kept me from choosing. If it were up to me in the past, I would have chosen to sail west with my uncle and Gandalf. Now, I don't have to, but I'll still have that other choice. I can have both, as can you."
Aria looked at ValueMyHeart. "Choose carefully, Aria. But remember, your family needs you."
"My life practically at home made me choose to come here. Now everyone expects me to go back to it," said Aria.
"Do you love your family?" asked ValueMyHeart.
"Yes, I guess I do," said Aria.
"Then it shouldn't be a hard decision for you," said ValueMyHeart.
"I agree," said Frodo. He told Aria, "This isn't a hard decision to make."
"It is given the pressure," said Aria, freaking out. "What to do?" Eventually, she came to her conclusion. "Maybe I can have both. I don't want to abandon you, Frodo, but neither do I want to abandon my family. I suppose I'll have both."
ValueMyHeart was happy. "Great. I'll see you when you get back. I'm sure you'll have a story or two to tell."
"Yeah," said Aria. She watched the memory of ValueMyHeart fade.
Aria followed Frodo across the antechamber. Standing before the next opening was Bilbo, or a memory of him. Frodo knew it was another memory, yet his mind was telling him otherwise.
"Bilbo," said Frodo. He was grabbed by Aria.
"It's a memory. Bilbo's not here," said Aria.
"That's correct, lass," said Bilbo. "Frodo, when are you returning to Middle-earth? Why did you choose to abandon your friends?"
"This isn't about heading West, is it?" asked Frodo.
Bilbo shook his head. "No, Frodo. This is the moment when you abandoned your friends for the next journey, the one that changed the course of everything. You could have chosen to stay in the Shire."
"Yes, but my wounds were paining me. If I hadn't joined Gandalf, none of this would have happened. I wouldn't have gotten healed. I wouldn't have met Aria," said Frodo.
"You helped raise me, Frodo," said Aria, remembering the past from long ago.
"You should have stayed with your friends, Frodo. You should have joined me, sailing West," said Bilbo.
"That's not how it happened. Even Aria, I know, didn't want to see me set sail, even though I know it will someday," said Frodo, looking at Aria fondly.
Bilbo continued his complaining. "Yes, but you chose to leave either way. You always do this, Frodo. You always abandon your friends, thinking you're doing the right thing. You're afraid, Frodo; afraid to let people in when they want to comfort you. Why do you leave your burdens hidden away, locked inside your heart? The least you could do is show respect."
"For a moment, I thought he was talking about me. I've had a bad habit of solving my problems my way, instead of letting people in," said Aria.
"But this isn't about you, Aria. It's about me," said Frodo.
Aria looked appalled. "As far as I could tell, I can relate to what your behavior is like. Yes, we are a lot alike and I do appreciate the differences, but I guess why we're together is also to understand who we are because we both seem to have the tendency to ignore ourselves, or maybe we don't trust ourselves enough and have to see it in others, because we already blame ourselves." She told him, flat out, "Believe me, Frodo, I can relate to you."
Frodo turned to Bilbo. "Bilbo, help me."
Bilbo shook his head. "No. She's right, lad, about you. This may not be a particular memory to anything, but it does represent what you are afraid of. You just won't admit it to yourself."
Frodo pondered for a short while. What Aria and Bilbo were saying was true, but how could he admit it to himself. Then it came clear to him that he had a bad habit of denying he needed help from anyone, and was afraid to do that ever since he lost his parents. What was odd about this memory was that his parents weren't there. He missed them so much, missed their guidance. If he thought right, he would see that Aria was suffering from the same thing he was. It was no wonder they were so alike; they had so many issues they both needed to face.
"I suppose you're right. You're both right. I need time to think this over," said Frodo. He looked at Aria then, "You still need guidance?"
"On what?" asked Aria, confused.
"On how to be an adult. I've had plenty of experience with it," said Frodo.
Aria was stunned, yet felt relieved. "I'd be grateful to have that."
"You see? Working together does bring you both together," said Bilbo. He turned to Frodo, "I'm glad you learned what your faults are, or are learning. I'll see you again one day, Frodo," said Bilbo.
"It may be sooner than you think," said Frodo. He watched the memory of Bilbo fade.
When they saw no more memories, Frodo and Aria reached the narrow opening. One by one, the two entered the tunnel. They found the light at the end, coming out into a stone room. Floating in the air above a pedestal, swarming in a singular bright light, was a torch bearing snake rings on the stave. The two also found Sam, Merry, and Pippin coming out from a doorway.