A Change in the Story

7- Tentacles

...

The day was drawing to its end, and stars were glinting in the sky high above the sunset, when our company, with all the speed we had, climbed up some slopes and reached a side of a lake. We had gone on for many miles on winding roads, and now we were finally making some visible progress.

We hurried forward, for we still had a mile or two to go before we could reach the point on the far shore that Gandalf was making for, and then he had still to find the doors that led to Moria.

We soon came upon a narrow creek that barred our way. It was green and thrust out like a slimy arm towards the enclosing hills. Gimli strode forward and found that the water was shallow, no more than ankle-deep at the edge, so behind him we walked in a file, threading our way with care as Sam, the last of the Company, led Bill up onto the dry ground on the far side. It made me sad that we had to leave the loyal pony behind soon, but mines are no place for a pony.

Suddenly my ears picked up a sound, and my head instantly jolted to the right to find what it was. Ripples. Black-edged with shadow in the waning light. There was a bubbling noise, and suddenly, silence. That was something to look out for.

Gandalf now pressed on at a great pace, and we followed as quickly as we could.

"Well, here we are at last!" Gandalf exclaimed as we reached a strip of dry land between the lake and the cliffs.

"Here the Elven-way from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of that land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their domain, for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different races, even between Dwarves and Elves," Gandalf told us.

"It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned," Gimli piped up, making me glare towards the dwarf.

"I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves," Legolas began from near me, and I now felt the tension between him and the dwarf.

"I have heard both," Gandalf finished, ending their petty argument, earning a sigh of relief from me.

"And I will not give judgment now. But I beg you two, Legolas and Gimli, at least to be friends, and to help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better. Night is at hand!" He exclaimed.

I then appointed myself the duty of helping Sam deal with the departure of Bill, as it was not easy for him.

"He'd follow Mr. Frodo into a dragon's den if I led him!" He protested to Gandalf.

"Go with words of guard and guiding on you," Gandalf said, with one hand on the pony's head.

"You are a wise beast and have learned much in Rivendell. Make your ways to places where you can find grass, and so come in time to Elrond's house, or wherever you wish to go," Gandalf spoke softly.

"There, Sam! He will have quite as much chance of escaping wolves and getting home as we have," I said comfortingly, patting the pony.

Sam stood by the pony and said nothing. Soon the tears came, and I was there to help him rid the pony of his straps and packs, whispering words of encouragement to Sam as we did. The others sorted out the goods and I soon turned to see what the group of three had been doing.

Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli were all trying out things against the walls, and they sure looked odd.

Gandalf was standing between two trees staring at the wall, Gimli was hitting the walls with his axe, and Legolas- well, he had his ear pressed up against the walls as if listening to something. I then slowly crept up to his other ear which faced us and made sure he did not sense my presence.