Healing Hands

Chapter Nine: Descending Deeper

The Fellowship solemnly retraced their steps back down the mountain as the sun dipped behind the looming figure of Caradhras, who still seemed to glower at them in its triumph. Eyrell convinced them to stop when the ground became level to treat the Hobbits' frostbite (which was luckily only a minor case), but after that they made no rest-stops.

No one spoke except Gimli, whose gruff nature gave way to excitement as he eagerly chatted about their destination. It lifted Eyrell's spirits to see the Dwarf so joyful about going to the home of his family, and not just because the prospect of a warm meal and bed was raised several times; she knew how it would feel to go back to her home, and though her and Boromir's suggestion of going to Rohan had been turned down, Gimli's excitement at going to Moria was familiar. No one else seemed to share her contentment, Gandalf especially. He seemed to feel that going to Moria was an objectively bad idea, though Eyrell could not see why.

In the deep of twilight, they reached the very base of the mountain; on their right was an inky black pool, and on their left was a sheer cliff-face.

"The Walls of Moria!" breathed Gimli, his eyes shining like stars. "The Door is very, very close now—I can almost hear the laughter of my brethren! Soon we shall be out of the cold and in a real palace the likes of which you have never seen!" He leaned close to Eyrell and muttered, "Especially that Elf there."

"I can hear you," said Legolas, casting the Dwarf a sideways glance. Eyrell stifled a giggle.

"Where is the door?" she asked, craning her neck up at the cliff when she did not see it on the ground.

"Ah, Dwarf-Doors are invisible when closed," Gimli informed her, tapping his axe gently on the wall. "But it's around here somewhere ... It has just been quite a while since I have been here."

Gandalf gave a laugh. "Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten," he said.

Legolas looked up and around in a manner suspiciously like an eye-roll. "Why does that not surprise me?" he said sardonically.

Gimli snorted and cast the Elf an annoyed glance, tapping the wall a little more forcefully. Eyrell slid her hands along the smooth surface, pressing down in some places hoping it would give, but to no avail. Her short search led her to two trees, old and bent in a sort of gate-shape.

"Well done, Eyrell," said Gandalf. "You've found it."

Eyrell's brow creased. "I don't think—"

He placed a palm on the rock in the center of the two trees, and underneath his fingers, slender lines that would have been hidden to the naked eye began to glow with a bright blue light, like concentrated starlight. Eyrell stepped back with a gasp, and Gandalf shot her a pleased glance.

"Isilden," he said, gesturing to the ivory moon above them. "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."

As the few last wisps of cloud parted from the moon, engulfing the stone in the full power of its rays, the carvings glowed even brighter to reveal a shining door with swirling patterns and runes that looked like Dwarvish letters.

"What does it say?" Eyrell questioned.

"It reads, 'The Door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter'." answered Gandalf.

Merry strolled up beside them, cocking an eye at the runic door. "What do you suppose it means?" he asked.

Gandalf turned to him, a keen smile on his face. "It's simple—if you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open."

He waved his hands, and Eyrell and Merry stepped back curiously as he raised his arms like he did on the mountain. After clearing his throat, he uttered: "Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen!"