Last Act of Love (Sequel to The Last One)

Chapter 7

"Ah! The walls of Moria!" Gimli gasped.

Ahead of them was a huge sheer flat cliff face.

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli explained, tapping the wall with his axe. 

"Yes Gimli! Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten!" Gandalf confirmed.

"Why does that not surprise me?" Legolas said sarcastically.

"Play nice now, Legolas." Ruive scolded walking along behind the Elf.

Gandalf stopped in front of a smooth part of the cliff, running his hand over it and muttering to himself.

"Ah... now let me see.... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight... and moonlight."

As he spoke, the cloud dispersed from the night sky and shone down on the patterns on the doors. The Fellowship looked on in awe at the beautiful and intricate Elvish inscriptions.

"It reads 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria, Speak Friend and Enter'" Gandalf translated, pointing to the words with his staff.

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

"Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open." 

The wizard placed his staff at the center of the door and chanted in Elvish.

"Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen!" (Gate of the Elves, open now for me!)

Nothing happened. Gandalf tried another phrase.

"Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen." (Doorway of the Dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue.)

"Nothing's happening." Pippin stated the obvious.

He and Merry kind of reminded Ruive of Fili and Kili; always getting into mischief and stating the obvious.

"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs." Gandalf grumbled to himself.

"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'm allowed a little peace from foolish questions I will try to find the opening words." The wizard snapped.

The Fellowship sit around waiting as Gandalf tries to find the right words. Ruive watched as Aragorn and Sam removed the packs from the pony, Bill. She could tell Sam had become quite fond of the pony in the short amount of time he'd known him.

"The Mines are no place for a pony even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn said.

"BuBye Bill." Sam sighed.

"Go on, go on." Aragorn urged. 

"Don't worry Sam." Ruive said coming up alongside the hobbit and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

 "He knows the way home." 

Merry and Pippin began throwing rocks into the water out of boredom. Ruive and Aragorn reached over and grabbed their arms.

"Do not disturb the water." Aragorn warned looking out to the water.

Aragorn and Ruive continued to watch the water as ripples began to appear. Boromir walked up behind them, looking rather concerned.

"The sooner Gandalf answers that riddle of a door, the better." Ruive whispered.

'Wait, riddle!'