Halflings

Chapter Twenty One

~ Chapter Twenty One: Mines of Moria ~

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          In the dark, Gandalf lights his staff. "We now have but one choice; we must face the long, dark of Moria. Be on your guard, there are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world. Quietly now, it is a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

They walk through great caverns, over narrow bridges and through disused mines. Gandalf stops as he notices silvery, white lines in the rock-face. He holds his hand out to touch it.

"The wealth of Moria is not gold or jewels, but Mithril."

He shines his staff into the cavern below, and everyone looks down in awe at the intense, abandoned mines.

"Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him."

"That was a Kingly gift." Gimli says.

"Yes. I never told him, but it's worth was greater then the value of the Shire!"

Frodo looks astonished, before him and Esmeralda continue up the steep steps. Pippin slips on one, and almost falls.

"Pippin!" Exclaims Merry.

Suddenly, the reach a junction with three doorways. Gandalf looks around, puzzled.

"I have no memory of this place."

The Fellowship sits down to wait, as Gandalf smokes his pipe and tries to remember which way to go.

"Are we lost?" Pippin asks his friends.

"No." Merry replies.

"I think we are."

"Shh! Gandalf's thinking." Sam says.

"Merry?"

"What?"

"I'm hungry."

Suddenly, Frodo hears a thud. He looks beside him, to see that Esmeralda had fallen to the ground. He quickly falls to his knees, then pulls her head into his lap. She weakly opens her eyes, then gives a silly grin as Frodo feels her forehead.

"Bless you, you're burning up!"

Esmeralda giggled, then put her hand on his cheek.

"You're very handsome, Frodo."

His face turned pink, as she slowly let her hand trail down to his arm. She gave a quick squeeze to his small bicep, making him give a yelp in surprise.

"You're strong, too." Her eyes narrowed, and she gave a mischievous grin. "I like that."

Frodo nervously cleared his throat. He liked the extra attention he was getting, but why did it have to be in front of everyone?

"Esmeralda, how long has it been since you've slept?"

"I... dunno."

Frodo lifts her up, then walks over to Gandalf to sit down, cradling her in his arms.

"Sleep, now."

She shook her head. "No, I have to stay awake and protect ya..."

She giggled again, as Frodo looked up at Gandalf.

"What's wrong with her?"

The Wizard puts his hand on her forehead, as she smiled at him.

"I... like your hat."