𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐰𝐨 ━︎━︎ 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐎 Moria was a lengthy trip, and although Ellaria had no need to stop and catch her breath, she was already growing tired. Ellaria couldn't help the breath of relief that left her lips when Gimli pointed out the walls of Moria. They began their trek to the front door. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli tapped his axe against the wall, pressing his ear to the stone to listen.

"Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas mumbled.

Gimli grumbled at the blonde elf's words. Ellaria nudged Legolas in the side, shaking her head. "Do not antagonize him." Although she couldn't help the quirk of her lips.

They continued along the small path between the wall and lake, Gandalf coming to a stop in front of a large stone slab. His fingers grazed the wall as he quietly hummed to himself. "Well, let's see." He moved his face closer, making out tiny inscriptions. "Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight. He turned to look up at the moon, a cloud passing it over it before its light shone down and revealed a door. Words in a different language shined on the top. "It read, The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter."

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

"Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open." Gandalf explained. He pressed his staff against the center of the door and began to speak Elvish, but when he was finished, nothing happened. He tried again, still nothing happened.

Pippin pressed his lips together. "Nothing's happening."

Ellaria glanced at the hobbit, raising a brow before looking back at Gandalf who had begun pushing against the stone. "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men, and Orcs."

"What are you going to do then?" Pippin asked.

"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf snapped. Ellaria glanced to the ground, pressing her lips into a thin line to hide her smile. "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."

The Hobbits sat with their feet hanging in the lake with Boromir beside them, Aragorn stood with their pony and Sam, and Legolas and Ellaria stood against one of the walls, keeping their gaze ahead. Gandalf had been trying different spells, yet nothing has worked. Ellaria closed her eyes, leaning her head against the stone. Legolas glanced at her. "Tired already, Ellaria? You've lost your touch."

Ellaria sighed through her nose, keeping her eyes closed. "The only reason I left home was per my fathers request, otherwise I stayed in those castle walls." She opened her eyes, turning her head to find Legolas already looking at her. "For someone who left home and travelled lands far and wide, you never came by to say hello."