Aerlinniel POV
On our way to Moria, I walk besides Gandalf. We have done so much walking today, I hope we are able to rest soon.
"Frodo, come and help an old man." Gandalf calls to Frodo. "How's your shoulder?"
"Better than it was." Frodo replies.
"And the Ring?" Gandalf questions. "You feel its power growing don't you. I've felt it too. You must be careful now. Evil will be drawn to you from outside the Fellowship and I fear from within."
"Who then do I trust?"
"You must trust to yourself. Trust your own strength."
"What do you mean?" Frodo asks, sounding confused.
Gandalf explains, "There are many powers in this world for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am and against some I have not yet been tested."
"Ah! The walls of Moria!" Gimli exclaims. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed."
"Yes, Gimli! Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten!" Gandalf adds.
"Why doesn't that surprise me!" Legolas states and I give a small chuckle.
"Ach!" Gimli grunts.
After a few more minutes of walking, we stop and Gandalf begins to speak again.
"Ah... now let me see.... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf explains. "It reads 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria, Speak Friend and Enter'"
"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asks.
"Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open. Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen! (Gate of the Elves, open now for me!)" Nothing seems to happen and then Gandalf continues. "Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen. (Doorway of the Dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue.)"
Still nothing happens.
"Nothing's happening." Pippin states.
Ignoring him, Gandalf says, "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs."
"What're you going to do then?" Pippin questions.
"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." Gandalf shouts aft him.
"Gandalf!"
"What, Aerlinniel?"
"That wasn't a very nice thing to say to Pippin. You know he doesn't know much about this, he is just a curious hobbit. Now, if you could please apologise to him." I tell him.
He gives a sigh and is silent for a moment before finally apologising, "Sorry for shouting at you, Pippin."
"It's alright, Gandalf. I understand." Pippin accepts his apology.
~~~
We are all resting while Gandalf keeps trying to figure out the password.
I hear plops in the water and am about to ask what's going on when Aragorn speaks.
"Do not disturb the water."
"Oh, it's useless." Gandalf mutters.
After a while longer just sitting here, Frodo exclaims, "It's a riddle! Speak friend, and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?"
YOU ARE READING
The Mission (Book Seven in the Aerlinniel's Secret Series)
FanficThere's an Evil that's back and is wanting to take over Middle-earth. When Aerlinniel is invited to a Secret Council in Rivendell, she joins the Fellowship of the Ring. She finally finds out that this is the mission the mysterious Lady was talking a...
