From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 14 - Mines of Moria Pt. 1

As we descended down the mountains, I admired the landscape. The blizzard had passed, but it was still cloudy. I was not paying attention to where I was going. A patch of snow that had hardened and turned to ice stayed hidden, and my foot slipped on its slippery surface. I started to teeter over the edge of the mountain. I started to fall, and my heart leapt out of my chest.

I let out a yell, and prepared to hit rock, but someone caught me. Their strong arms lifted by my waist and set me back on the path. I took a breath in, and looked at my savior. I expected it to be Aragorn, but it was Boromir.

I smiled, "Thank you!"

Boromir nodded, a small smile on his lips. I started the decent again, and I took small steps, and tried to stay clear of ice.

I looked behind me, and saw Aragorn who was eager to pass the slow hobbits and catch up to me.

Once we were at the bottom of the mountains, I relaxed. No more ice or cold. My boots were soaked, and my clothes up to my hips were soaked. A cold breeze hit me, and I shivered. Aragorn made his way to me, and walked besides me as we approached the walls of Moria.

Legolas walked on my other side, "You seem cold."

I laughed, "No duh. I cannot feel my legs!"

They both chuckled, and looked at the huge wall. Gimli puffed out his chest, "Ah! The Walls of Moria!"

We stopped outside of a flat wall, and Gimli looked at Gandalf, "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed."

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

Legolas laughed, "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

Gimli scowled, "Ugh."

I giggled, and took off my boots. I held them upside down, and a trickle of water leaked from them. It seemed like more water than that was still in my boots. It must have soaked into the leather.

I watched as Gandalf murmured words at the door, and Merry asked him questions. I heard Sam's pony nicker. Aragorn was helping Sam unload baggage, "The mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill."

"Buh bye, Bill," Sam said sorrowfully.

Aragorn gave Bill a push, "Go on. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows his way home."

I watched the brown pony trot away, but splash in the water made me jump.

Pippin was throwing rocks. Aragorn appeared behind the hobbit, and touched his shoulder, "Do not disturb the water."

Pippin sheepishly backed away from the water, and walked over to Merry.

"It's a riddle!" Frodo exclaimed, "Speak friend and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?"

Gandalf slowly said, "Mellon."

The doors opened, and dust flew out. I put my boots on, and headed towards the group. I saw Aragorn watching the water, and then he was joined by Boromir.

"What is it?" I asked him.

Aragorn shook his head, "Go inside."

I obeyed, and walked in with the rest of the group. I watched Aragorn come inside the mine, and felt better.

Gimli proudly strutted around, "Soon Mr. Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves! Roaring fires! Malt beer! Red meat right off the bone!"

Gandalf blew on his staff, and the crystal on top lit up.

"This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin and they call it a mine!" Gimli said.

I looked on the floor, and saw skeletons with arrows stuck in some.

"A mine!" Gimli repeated.

Boromir looked around, "This isn't a mine. This is a tomb!"

Gimli looks and sees the skeletons of dwarves on the ground, "Noooo! NOOO!"

Legolas pulled an arrow from a skeleton, "Goblins!"

Aragorn and Boromir drew their swords, and Legolas and I load our bows with arrows. I heard a noise from behind me, thinking it was one of the hobbits moving. Suddenly, something cold and slimy wrapped around my ankle, and pulled me back. I screamed, and tried to grab my sword.

My bow and quiver fell onto the skeleton covered floor. I saw Frodo being dragged as well. The monster's tentacle thrashed me around in the air. I screamed, and tried to hack at it's arm with my sword.

I grew lightheaded as all the blood in my body flowed to my head. My vision was blurry, but I still hacked at the monster's arm. I heard Frodo scream, and it looked like he was near the monster's mouth.

"Aragorn!" I managed to yell.

The monster flung me around, and brought me closer to its mouth. My sword wasn't doing any damage to it's arm at all! With all of my strength, I swung my sword at its arm. It made a screeching sound, and I was free falling.

I hit the water, and started to swim as fast as I could. Once again, one of the monster's many arms grabbed me around my waist. It hoisted me into the air again.

I didn't see Frodo. Frodo! It ate Frodo! I looked at the ground. Three figures were fighting the monster. I felt the monster's arm that was holding me go limp, and I felt the sensation of free falling again.

My stomach felt like it went up to my head. The monster screeched in pain, and I screamed as I fell. I landed into someone's arms, and I was whisked away from the monster. Whoever was carrying me was running quite fast. My vision was blurry again. My feet felt heavy because all the blood that had went up to my head flowed down to my feet. I heard a great big boom, and closed my eyes. It was dark again. My hands were still clenched tightly on my sword.

Someone set me down gently. My vision returned and I looked up. Aragorn was looking down on me, with his arm around my shoulders. He said something, but I didn't hear it.

"What?" I asked. I tried to pop my ears, but nothing happened. He said something else, but I couldn't understand. After a couple seconds, my hearing gradually returned. "I couldn't hear you."

Aragorn relaxed, "Well, I asked you if you were alright."

I nodded, and sat up. I let go of my sword, and wiped it on some dusty cloth that was on the floor. Blood from the monster oozed off of it. I sheathed my sword, and Aragorn helped me up.

"My bow! Where is it?" I asked, realizing I must have dropped it when the monster pulled me. Legolas came up to me, holding my bow and my quiver. He handed it to me.

"Thank you," I said quietly, and put it on my back. I looked at Aragorn, who was watching me, "Thank you for catching me."

He smiled, and patted my back. We walked to where the rest of the group were. I turned to where we came in. Rocks covered the entrance. Now there was no way out.

WOO HOO. ANOTHER INTENSE CHAPTER! XD