Different

Chapter 5

   "Frodo, come help an old man," Gandalf said, and Frodo went to help him.

   "How's our favorite elf?" Merry asked, appearing by my side. Pippin appeared on my other side. It felt weird when they said "elf" because I knew I wasn't FULL elf. I brushed this off and smiled at them. "I'm doing wonderful. This quest has been fun so far. But...I had hoped we'd run into some orcs or something. My mum packed me this-" I pulled out a folded up and unfolded it. It clicked into place and looked as regular as any other bow. You couldn't tell it was able to fold up. "-and I packed this." I flipped back my elven cloak to reveal a long knife in a sheath tied around my waist. "Also, I'm wearing elven chainmail," I whispered and winked.

   After a short pause, Pippin spoke up. "You know, I still can't believe you're a princess," he said. "Me either," Merry agreed. "Well...Legolas is a prince! Prince of Mirkwood!" I pointed out. They looked behind them and studied Legolas inconspicuously. "I can see that," Merry said, looking up at me. "Yeah. He's all elegant and prince-y," Pippin added. "Are you saying I'm not?" I questioned. "No no no no no," they assured quickly, and I chuckled.

   "Well, What ARE you saying?" I inquired, raising my eye brow. "Well...you're not exactly what I imagined a princess would be," Merry tried. "I mean, you've got the looks, but you dress like a commoner, you act like...well, I have no idea who or what you act like, but you certainly don't act like a princess," Pippin continued. "And you're not afraid to get your hands dirty. If fact, you want to get them dirty," Merry finished. "Those are all very good points," I uttered.

   I came to a slow stop and looked around. We had arrived. "The walls of Moria!" Gimli said in awe. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," he informed us. "Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten," Gandalf murmured. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas asked with an amused expression.

   We continued to walk around a lake and we reached...well, we reached something. Gandalf made the outlines of the doors appear. "Let's see. Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight," Gandalf muttered. "It reads 'The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.' "What do you suppose that means?, Gandalf?" Merry perplexed. "Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf replied. "Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! Fennas Nogothrim lasto beth lammen!" "Um...nothing's happening," Pippin uttered.

   I sat down on the ground and leaned back on my hands. Gandalf tried pushing the door. Nothing happened. "I once knew every spell in the language of the Elves, Men, and Orcs," Gandalf told us. "What are you going to do, then?" Pippin inquired. "Hit your head against these doors, Peregrine Took! And if that does not break them and I am allowed a little peace and quiet from your foolish questions, I will try to find the correct password," Gandalf nearly shouted, annoyed.

   "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!" Gandalf tried. "Oh, it's useless!" Gandalf grumbled. My jaw dropped in disbelief. Just as I was about to scold him, Frodo spoke. "It's a riddle! Speak 'friend' and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?" he asked. "Mellon," I said quickly, excited that I actually knew the answer to that question. The doors opened, and everyone looked a bit surprised. "Nice job, Bean," Merry whispered, and Pippin patted my back. I grinned at them.

   "Soon, master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" Gimli was saying to Legolas. We entered and looked around. I gasped and covered my mouth. All around us were dead dwarves. "This isn't a mine, it's a tomb," Boromir murmured. "Oh! No! Noooo!" Gimli cried. I felt so sorry for him. I walked up to him and brought my hands down from my mouth and onto his shoulder. "I am really sorry, Gimli," I nearly whispered.

   Legolas plucked an arrow from a dead body and examined it, then threw it away in disgust. "Goblins!" he said angrily. He put an arrow to his bow, and Aragorn and Boromir drew their swords. I was better with a knife than a bow, so I unsheathed my knife. "We make for the Gap of Rohan. We never should have come here," Boromir said. "If I recall, you were the one who wanted to come here," I muttered. He didn't seem to hear me.

   The four Hobbits backed up to the door. "Get out of here," Boromir instructed them. Right then, a tentacle burst out of the lake a grabbed Frodo from behind. "Frodo!" Sam, Merry, and Pippin shouted in unison. "Strider!" Sam called. It took me a while to realize who Strider was. "Help!" Frodo beseeched. Without hesitation, I ran and jumped on the giant creature and climbed its tentacles. "Bean!" Legolas cried. He began shooting at the tentacles. Aragorn/Strider and Boromir ran up to the creature and attacked it with their swords.

   I finally reached Frodo. "See ya," I smirked, then with one clean swipe, I chopped off the part of the tentacle that was holding him. He screamed and fell, and Boromir caught him just in time. "Nice catch!" I called. I slid down the tentacle, slicing and dicing wherever I could, then jumped back onto land. "Into the cave!" shouted Boromir, and everyone obeyed. "Legolas!" I called, and I saw him shoot an arrow into the creature's eye. "Good job! Now come on!" I shouted, and he followed me into the cave. The thing with the tentacles slamed the gate shut, and rocks fell from the power of the slam and covered the gates. We were left in total darkness.

   Gandalf lit the tip of his staff, illuminating all our faces. "Now we have no choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than the orcs in the deep places of the world," he said. I smiled and unsheathed my knife.