The Shape of Shadows [2]

Into the Dark

The only member of the fellowship who was not completely filled with dread at the thought of entering Moria, was Gimli. The ancient dwarf kingdom under the Misty Mountains was still the matter of legend and there had been many attempts over the years to reclaim it.

"The walls of Moria." Gimli stared in awe as they walked over the crest of a hill to see a great face of stone extending up into the clouds.

The group carefully traversed down towards where Gandalf said the entrance was. The rock face was so tall that even with the last rays of the days light, they couldn't see the top. At the bottom of the cliff, other than a thin path of rock directly in front of the cliff face, the whole area had been flooded. The rock that they could see was barren except for a few trees scattered around.

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli said, tapping the rock with his axe.

"Yes, Gimli, even their own masters cannot find them again if their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf told them.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas muttered under his breath so only Amara and Aragorn could hear.

There was a splash as Frodo lost his footing and one of his feet landed in the water. He looked around uneasily as Amara steadied him. They carried on walking until the path widened out into an area where it looked like a door should be.

"Well, let's see." Gandalf ran his hand across the rock face. "Ithildin (moon-star), it mirrors only starlight and moonlight." He turned to look at the moon as it appeared from behind the clouds.

They all watched as the outline of a decorated door illuminated, carved into the rock face. There were old elvish words carved into the arch along the top of the door as this particular entrance to Moria had once been where the high elves of Hollin traded with the dwarves.

"It reads: The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter." Gandalf translated.

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.

"It's quite simple." Gandalf replied. "If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open." He placed his staff on the star on the middle of the door. "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! (Gate of the elves, open for me now!)"

They all watched, eagerly waiting for the doors to open, but nothing happened. Gandalf looked disappointed but raised his hands to try again. "Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen. (Doorway of the dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue.)"

"Nothings happening." Pippin was correct, once again nothing changed.

Gandalf then tried shoving the doors open but that also did not work. "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs."

"What're you going to do then?" Pippin asked.

"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."

Gandalf kept trying different words and spells in different languages. The rest of the group sat down on various rocks scattered across the ground, apart from Aragorn and Sam, they were removing all the bags from Bill the pony.

"Mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn told Sam.

Sam had grown very attached to Bill in the time since they had brought him in Bree and he fondly ran his hand down the pony's nose. "Bye-bye, Bill."

"Go on, Bill. Go on." Aragorn shooed him away. "Don't worry Sam, he knows the way home."

"What's wrong?" Legolas's voice was barely above a whisper as he walked to the edge of the water to stand next to Amara.