The Days of Old (LOTR- Book One)

Chapter 8: The Walls of Moria

Chapter 8: The Walls of Moria

The group quickly left the mountain and made a camp at the foot of the enormous mountain, the hobbits crowded the fire; blocking it from the rest of the group but they didn't mind. I sat beside Aragorn who was mending a bit of his shirt and looking up at Boromir every now and then.

"I have heard stories of Moria," I said after they had sat together in silence for some time, "There are many rumors about the Mines," Aragorn said quietly, his voice was laced with anxiety. "I told Gandalf earlier that if it would be possible to avoid Moria that it should be done." He sighed as he bit off the strand of string that he was using on his shirt.

I arched her eyebrows, "Why is that?" I looked over at Gandalf who seemed to be going over things in his mind and was in deep thought, "Moria was overtaken by goblins and orcs, even though Balin went in with a team to reclaim the Mines.. I fear that it failed." He looked over at Gimli who seemed to be in a pleasant mood. 

"There are also darker stories of what lies in the depths of Moria," Aragorn looked over at me nervously, "I do not like this idea, but it is the only one we have at the time." He sighed and pushed off the rock he was sitting on, leaving me deep in thought.

Things darker than orcs or goblins? What could that mean.. But I quickly pushed these thoughts out of my mind and decided to get a bit of sleep before setting out on another long journey that would hopefully not be in vain this time around.

I tossed and turned the entire night, the cold of Caradhras still chilled my bones and no matter what I did I couldn't seem to get comfortable or warm enough. I decided to just stop trying and sat up, the sky had cleared and the stars were shimmering overhead bright and untouchable.

I jumped as a black shape adjusted themselves on a stone but sighed with relief when she noticed it was only Aragorn peering out of the dark land of Hollin, I stood up and quietly sat down on the dead grass beside of him. 

"You should be sleeping." He sighed as he removed his hand from his chin as if he was in deep thought and she had disturbed him, "I couldn't." I whispered as I looked over the rolling hills and dells of the land stretched out ahead of them.

"Why are you awake?" I arched an eyebrow his direction and she could barely see his face, only from the weak flickering of the dying fire Sam had set earlier that evening. "I'm keeping watch, after Caradhras... I feel like other things are watching." He sighed and rubbed his eyes slowly.

"I will watch." I smiled at how tired Aragorn was, he puffed out air. "Morning is not far away, I have slept enough for the night." He smiled back and pulled a string off his torn frock. "Be like that then." I huffed and rolled my eyes as I stood up and chuckled slightly at his hardheadedness. 

The stars were beginning to fade away and pale rays of sunlight rose over the horizon as Gandalf and Aragorn woke the others from a deep sleep, "We must go, quick!" Gandalf walked down a narrow path and out of the narrow area they had camped in that night.

The journey was uneventful but nerve-racking, everyone was on edge from Caradhras and a bad nights' sleep. Frodo stared at everyone silently and kept to himself but close to Gandalf, it was obvious they have known each other for some time. I knew about Gandalf and Bilbo's adventure to the Lonely Mountain and how close the two were and I had forgotten that Frodo was Bilbo's cousin or some ridiculous relation. (once removed or whatnot)

The road turned more dull and faded as they left the rolling plains of Hollin and closer to Moria and the sky darkened and grey clouds and fog hung heavy in the air, the group walked up a large hill which revealed an enormous broken and worn bridge with water falling heavily off the edge and against the hard, grey rocks.

Gimli wouldn't stop talking about the glory of the Dwarves and Moria to Legolas and I as if he was trying to overcome their own people, as if the dwarves could ever do that, Legolas sighed and rolled his eyes, smiling at the corner of his mouth over at me, I chortled at how he was feeling the same as I was. 

"Frodo! Come help an old man." Gandalf motioned for the hobbit who quickly jogged up to his side as the group walked over a large hump that revealed an enormous rock wall across a black lake, the wall stretched as far as the eye could see and stood miles and miles high into the foggy sky that hung overhead.

The lake didn't move, no ripple or drip could be seen. I halted and narrowed my eyes as I stared l at the lake, Legolas did the same. "Something is wrong." I whispered. Gandalf was whispering to Frodo just below what the others could hear and eyeing Boromir who nodded at him as he strutted past.

Gimli gasped as he walked over the hump and pointed at the large cliff, "The walls.. Of Moria!" His voice quivered in awe as he stared at the steep drop off and the dull grey cliff, Frodo's piercing blue eyes widened as he stared over the lake and took in the enormity of the walls.

The group walked around the lake and across a rather shallow area where even the hobbits could cross, making large ripples rush across the lake. I stood staring while the others passed, she could swear I saw an area bubble up as if a group of fish darted down from the top into the depths; the evening faded and stars were beginning to break through the cloud overhead

They walked slowly on the broken rocks beneath them, Gimli tapped the wall with his ax and would listen every time he did so. 

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." He explained, I nodded. 

"Yes Gimli, even their own masters cannot find them.. If their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf called from the front of the group, "Why doesn't that surprise me." Legolas said almost to himself but loud enough so Gimli could hear him, I tried to stifle my laughter as Gimli grumbled to himself.

Frodo gasped as his foot slipped into the frigid water and he peered over the lake, he could feel the danger as well and turned to Aragorn with a look of anxiety on his face. 

Gandalf halted between a set of two enormous trees that crawled up the side of the cliff and arched slightly when they went several feet overhead.

Gandalf swiped at the rock cryptically, brushing away the dust as he grumbled to himself. "Ithilidin." He whispered, "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." He said as he turned and looked up into the sky at the full moon shining high and bright.

A pale white began to shine and it quickly brightened to reveal a beautifully decorated arched doorway, two trees crawled up on either side and connected at the top. Over the connected trees words were etched into the rock and glimmering brightly, Gandalf sighed and placed his hand on his hip quite proud of himself.

Everyone stared at the beautiful door and silence was held over the group until Gandalf lifted his staff to the words, "It reads : The doors of Durin, lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." He annouced, I raised an eyebrow. "What do you suppose that means?" Merry piped in, Gandalf smiled at the hobbit, "Oh! It's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open." He backed away slightly and held his staff out in the center of the doors.

Gandalf took a deep breath and announced elvish words to the door, quite sure of himself; the hobbits grinned at one another. The doors didn't even budge, no crack sound, nothing. Gandalf muttered to himself and repeated another spell. Nothing. Gimli huffed.

"Nothing's happening." Pippin said plainly as he stared at the door, Gandalf scoffed and pushed and shoved against the wall. "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men, and Orcs." He grumbled.

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

"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! 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." Gandalf sniffed and leaned on his staff.

The group disbanded away from the doors and sat upon the rocks as they waited on the next part of their journey.

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Well? I'm using more material from the book as well as from the movie. I hope you guys are liking it! Please comment and vote!