A Change in the Story

6- Wargs and Watches

...

"There is a way we may attempt," Gandalf said, as we were debating where to go from here.

"But is not a pleasant way," He sighed and we all waited for him to go on.

"The road that I speak of leads to the Mines of Moria," Gandalf revealed, making me freeze.

Only Gimli lifted his head at this, with a smoldering fire in his eyes. Dread fell on all of us there at the mention of that name, even on the hobbits.

"The road may lead to Moria, but how can we hope that it will lead through Moria?" Aragorn asked darkly.

"It is a name of ill omen," Boromir spoke.

"Nor do I see the need to go there. If we cannot cross the mountains, let us journey southwards, until we come to the Gap of Rohan, where men are friendly to my people, taking the road that I followed on my way hither. Or we might pass by and cross the Isen into Langstrand and Lebennin, and so come to Gondor from the regions nigh to the sea," He went on.

"Things have changed since you came north, Boromir," Gandalf answered.

"Did you not hear what I told you of Saruman? With him, I may have business of my own ere all is over. But the Ring must not come near Isengard if that can by any means be prevented. The Gap of Rohan is closed to us while we go with the Bearer," Gandalf stated firmly.

They bickered a bit more about Moria and the darkness that awaited there until the hobbits spoke.

"I don't wish to enter it even once," Pippin said.

"Nor me," Sam muttered.

"Of course not!" Gandalf exclaimed.

"Who would? But the question is: who will follow me if I lead you there?" He asked wisely.

"I will," Gimli said eagerly.

"I will," Aragorn let out heavily, along with a few other words.

"And I say to you," Aragorn came to a finish.

"If you pass the doors of Moria, beware!" He ended.

"I will not go," Boromir said, making me look towards him.

"Not unless the vote of the whole company is against me. What do the elves and the little folk say? The Ring-bearer's voice surely should be heard?" Boromir asked.

"I do not wish to go to Moria," Legolas started, shooting me a glance, almost as if making sure he said the right thing.

"None do," I said aloud, making Gimli glare at me.

"But if we must," I gave my reply, without actually replying.

The hobbits said nothing. Sam looked at Frodo and then he soon spoke.

"I do not wish to go," Frodo said.

"But neither do I wish to refuse the advice of Gandalf. I agree with Avriel. If we must," He repeated my words as I nodded.

"I beg that there should be no vote until we have slept on it," Frodo told us, and that was it.

At these words, we all fell into silent thought. The wind was hissing among the rocks and trees, and there was a howling and wailing round them in the empty spaces of the night. Suddenly the realization dawned on me, but also Aragorn. Suddenly, he leaped to his feet.

"How the wind howls!" Aragorn cried.

"That is no wind," I replied.

"It is howling with wolf voices. The Wargs have come west of the Mountains!" He explained it before I could.