Stuck In The Middle

Mines of Moria

   The Fellowship walked in, looking around the dull walls of Moria. Gimli was busy boasting to an unimpressed Legolas, as the others took in the sight. Legolas was watching Ashley from the corner of his eye, as sh shuffled closer to Atalanta. Arargorn saw this, and suddenly had a deep respect for Atalanta, who was here to protect her sisters. Kate kept close to Boromir, who had a protective arm around her.

''Gimli.'' Atalanta said, suddenly. She remembered the horror that await them in Moria, but also the deep loss that Gimli suffers.

''Enjoying the halls, Atalanta?'' Gimli asks, proudly.

''Does this look grand to you, Gimli. Look around.....this is a tomb. Balin is dead.'' Atalanta said, before Gimli could say anything.

Gimli believed Atalanta. He had gotten to know Kate very well, and trusted her sisters. That's why it was so heartbreaking. However, Gimli blinked back any tears that threatened to fall, and stood his ground.

''We must move on, we cannot linger!'' Gandalf shouted, his voice wrung with a commanding tone. ''Atalanta, since you are the only one of your sisters to not be trembling with fear, please lead the way.''

Atalanta rolled her eyes, but obliged. She lead the quiet Fellowship through the twisting halls of Moria, ignoring the hundreds of dwarf corpses, that were littering the ground. Occasionally, someone would step on a corpse, prompting a look of disgust from the others.

Atalanta's plan was to lead them to Balin's tomb, quickly, so that they could gather information from his journal. Because she knew the way, the journey would not take four days, so she hoped - no, she thought - that they could escape the goblins.

As they turned through the final corridor, their footsteps echoing loudly on the damp floor, they came to a halt. In front of them was a large door, one covered in broken chains. The wall was made of wood, and the wood had begun to peel, wildly.

''Listen up.'' Atalanta whispered, urgency evident in her voice. She stood at the front of the Fellowship, and all eyes were on her. ''I need everyone to be quiet. If you aren't, we're gonna be ambushed by goblins, and eventually, a balrog. So....stay quiet.''

Pushing open the door, Atalanta didn't understand why the stench hadn't been described in the movies. It smelled like rotten corpses, along with the strong smell of blood on metal. The room was dark, yet Atalanta's eyes had adjusted; they were in Moria, after all.

''Gandalf, read the journal next to Balin's tomb. Everyone else, take watch, and don't do anything stupid.'' Atalanta commands. She looked around the room, and her eyes landed on Ashley, who had a loaded bow. Following her example, Atalanta took out her sword, and patrolled the area.

Suddenly, a loud clang echoed throughout the halls of Moria. Cursing, Atalanta whipped around, only to see Pippin looking down a well, quiet foolishly. Stupid Hobbit, he always has to make noise!

''FOOL OF A-'' Gandalf began, but as much as the girls wanted to hear this, Gandalf was being too loud. Atalanta clamped her hand on Gandalf's mouth, silencing him. The wizard looked at her in shock, but Atalanta paid no attention.

''Gandalf.'' Atalanta spoke, her voice dead quiet. ''Get the journal. We need to get out of here, NOW!'' She yelled. Atalanta panicked, and whipped around, only to find that Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn had already jammed the door.

''Idiots!'' Ashley shouted, panicking. She whipped out her bow, and knocked two arrows, as Legolas had taught her. Ashley inched towards Atalanta, who was starting to get nervous.

The Jackson sisters were more prepared than they thought, though. Kate, armed with her two double daggers, was standing the closest to the doors, and was being guarded by Boromir. Ashley was prepared, her bow in position. She was being watched by Atalanta, and unknowingly, Legolas. Atalanta was more ready than everyone, though. Her unsheathed sword was in front of her, and was emitting a powerful red glow. Her eyes had a determined look in them, which was slightly comforting to the others. She looked like the leader, and was surely acting like one.