𝐈𝐋𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄̈ || A.

𝟎𝟎𝟗 ⸺ a journey in the dark

The Fellowship's path leads away from the Misty Mountains. As they emerge from the storm, they decide to take a rest and warm up from the coldness.
Iladya makes sure to swiftly get a fire going so that they could warm their hands. She seems to have lost track of herself because she only checks upon others instead of herself.
"Sit down, my lady," Aragorn pleads. "You are cold as well." His hands touched her cold hands as she handed him his warm drink.
"I am not," she says and turns away, however, Aragorn disagrees. He reaches for her hand and pulls her down next to him. He buries her hands with his as concern flashes in his eyes.
"Your hands are freezing," he says in a soft tone. He pushes the mug in her hands as his hands are still around hers. Iladya glances down at their hands before looking him in the eyes. She sees the concern in his eyes.
"Thank you," she breathes.
Boromir's gaze lingers on the two and watches with disgust. That ranger who calls himself Isildur's Heir daring to love an Elf. It is another feeling he cannot stomach, his growing affection for Elf. He does not want it.
The rest of the Fellowship watched as well. They saw how Aragorn took care of Iladya, never seeing such side of the Ranger. Most of them brush it off as precious friendship. However, Legolas and Gandalf know it is more than friendship they wield.

''The Walls of Moria,'' Gimli praises in awe. The Fellowship walks by the side of the lake.
''Yes, Gimli. Their own master cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten,'' Gandalf grunts.
''Why doesn't that surprise me,'' Legolas says, rolling his eyes. Frodo's foot slips into the water, causing him to gasp. Iladya lays her hand on Frodo's shoulder for assurance. Frodo glances over his shoulder to see Iladya looking down at him with an assuring gaze.
Gandalf makes out an outline of the doors. ''Now, let's see,'' he mutters. ''Ithildin ... it mirrors only starlight and moonlight.'' The cloud moves away and the light of the moon shines upon the wall. The light illuminates the doors. ''It reads the doors of Durin – Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.''
''What do you suppose that means?'' Merry asks.
''Oh, it's quite simple,'' Gandalf answers, ''if you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open.''
''Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!'' The doors remain closed.
     ''Fennas Nogothrim, als to beth lammen.'' Still, nothing happens.
''Nothing's happening,'' Pippin whispers to Iladya.
''I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs.''
''What are you going to do then?'' Pippin asks.
''Knock your head against these doors Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them and I'm allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try and find the opening words.''

Time passes. The rest of the Fellowship are seated around the doors or near the lake, still waiting for Gandalf to open it.
''Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!''
Aragorn unhitches Bill's bridle. ''The mines are no place for a pony,'' he says to Sam. "Even one so brave as Bill.'' Sam brushes the pony's nose, "Bye Bill.''
''Go on, Bill,'' whispers Aragorn. "Don't worry Sam. He knows the way home.''
Merry starts throwing stones into the water. Pippin follows but Iladya stops him. ''Do not disturb the water,'' she says sharply, eyeing the water.
''Oh, it's useless!'' Gandalf says, exasperated. Frodo stands and looks at the writing intently.
''It's a riddle,'' he says, ''speak friend and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?''
''Mellon.''
The stone, heavy doors slowly swing open. Gimli jumps to his feet, as for the rest.
''Soon, master and lady elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves,'' Gimli speaks, full of pride when he walks in. ''Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine ... a mine!'' Gandalf blows on the crystal on his staff and it lights up.
''This is no mine, it's is a tomb,'' Boromir comments. Iladya picks up an arrow from the body of a fallen dragon, examines it and casts it away in disgust.
''No! Nooo!'' Gimli cries as he looks over the dwarf corpses.
''Goblins,'' Iladya grunts. Legolas, Iladya, Boromir and Aragorn draw out their swords.
''We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here,'' Boromir says. The four Hobbits are backing toward the door. Something stirs in the water behind them.
''Now get out of here!'' Boromir yells. "Get out.'' The company starts heading for the door when suddenly Frodo is grabbed from behind and pulled off his feet by the Watcher in the water.
''Frodo!'' Sam, Merry, and Pippin yell in unison. ''Strider,'' Sam yells as he runs towards Frodo.
''Iladya,'' Frodo yells as he tries to cut himself loose. Iladya draws out her bow and aims for the arm that holds Frodo.
The Watcher release Frodo for a split-second, and feigns to disappear underwater. Suddenly many tentacles come boiling out of the water. It slaps the other Hobbits aside and grabs Frodo around the leg. He is pulled out over the water and into the air.
Iladya shoots one of the tentacles holding Frodo. Boromir and Aragorn rush to the water with their swords and attack the Watcher. It flings Frodo wildly in the air. Boromir slices the main tentacle holding Frodo's leg. Frodo falls, and Boromir catches him. Aragorn and Boromir retreat towards the shore.
''Into the Mines!'' Gandalf shouts.
''Iladya!'' Boromir calls. "Aim for the eye!'' Iladya shoots an arrow straight into the Watcher's eye. It pulls back and the Fellowship race into Moria, it reaches out and slams the gates shut. Slabs of rocks drop and the roof of the passageway collapses. Total darkness falls. Then a beam of light emits from Gandalf's staff, showing the startled faces of the Fellowship.
''We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world,'' Gandalf warns.
The Fellowship carefully picks its way over the floor and up the broad steps. ''Quietly now,'' Gandalf whispers. "It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed.''
They walk through great caverns, over narrow bridges and through disused mines with abandoned ladders, and chains. Gandalf stops as he notices silvery white lines and gently touches them.
''The wealth of Moria is not in gold or jewels but Mithril,'' Gandalf says as he shines his staff into the cavern below. ''Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him.''
''That was a kingly gift,'' Gimli comments.
''Yes, I have never told him but its worth was greater than the value of The Shire.'' Frodo looks astonished.
They reach a junction with three doorways in front of them. Gandalf looks around him with a puzzled look.
''I have no memory of this place,'' he mutters.