"The evening star is the most beautiful of all stars"

We all stare into the black hole before us. No burning fires or singing dwarves. This isn't right.. But Gimli doesn't seem to notice. He is the first one to step forward. 'Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the Fabled hospitality of the Dwarves; roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin ... And they call this a mine' He snorts. 'A mine!' We follow Gimli into Moria. Mithrandir's staff lights the chamber up. I gasp in horror, dwarf skeletons lay everywhere. Not only soldiers, but also women and children. The men are pierced with arrows from an ancient battle a long time ago. Or so it seems. 'This is nog mine! It's a tomb!' Boromir grimly shouts, stepping backwards. I look to Legolas, who stares at the dead men before our feet. Gimli stands still before a fallen kinsman. 'Oh ... no ... no ... no...!' He cries out. I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. We don't speak, the sight before us is too much. Legolas pulls a crude arrow out of a skeleton. 'Goblins' He mutters angry. Suddenly everyone around me draws their swords and back away, towards the entrance. I get my bow and pull an arrow out of my quiver and walk back. 'We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here!' Boromir shouts towards us, standing with one foot outside. Frodo and Sam are already outside and the rest of us is heading towards the entrance. But I have to look, all those women and children. Dead. There was no way out, the door was shut. I jump a bit when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. Aragorn. 'Eleniel tolo' (come)

I nod and turn my back towards the dead dwarves. 'Aragorn!' Frodo yells suddenly in fear. I hear the splashing of water. With one look to each other, we run outside, seeing Frodo hanging above the lake, a tentacle wrapped around his ankle. Boromir is already hacking the limbs of the beast to save Frodo. 'Legolas! Eleniel! Hado i philinn!'(fire the arrows!' Aragorn yells at us before rushing into the water. 'Leithio i philinn Eleniel!' (lose your arrows) I do what I am told, shooting arrow after arrow on the tentacles when they ripple out of the lake. The beast tries to catch other members so I fire faster. Aragorn has saved Frodo from the tentacle, pulling him towards the shore.

'Into the mines!' Mithrandir yells, guiding us with his staff lightning. The hobbits and Gimli stumble inside and I release arrow after arrow. But it seems that the beast only gets angrier. 'Legolas!' Boromir yells at him, pointing towards the creatures head. Legolas does so and when the arrow hits the beast its head, Boromir and Aragorn can race out of the water. Again Aragorn is beside me and grabs my wrist, taking me with him inside the dark of Moria.

Just in time because the large arms of the beast seize the large doors and with a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, creating a rock slide that crashes down the cliff face and within seconds we are sealed from the outside world. All is can see in blackness, but only the warm hand of Aragorn around my trembling wrist keeps me sane. Again a light rises from Mithrandir's staff and a creepy glow is thrown over the chamber we all stand in. 'Now we have but one 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' Mithrandir warns us before turning and leading us through Moria. 'Quietly, now. It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence will go unnoticed' Mithrandir adds.

We walk in silent through Moria, looking in awe at the carved out pillars and corridors. We enter a chamber with old ropes and ancient ladders. Mithrandir touches a shining substance on the wall. 'The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels but mithril' He tells us and continues his walking. Silently we follow the old wizard through Moria. 'Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him' Mithrandir speaks again. 

Thorin? I heard that name before

'Oh, that was a kingly gift' Gimli replies to Mithrandir. 'Yes. I never told him, but it's worth was greater than the value of the Shire!' I the corner of my eye I see Frodo's eyes widen. I chuckle a bit, Mithrandir is always unpredictable, he does and says what he pleases. But after all he is a wizard. Pippin and Merry walk beside me, they stare in amazement to the wonders of Moria. But when we enter another chamber, we all stop. 

A cemetery. We continue up a steep stair, trying not to step on the Dwarf skeletons. The atmosphere is very sinister and I urge the boys to walk faster. I don't like this very much. But again, I feel the hand of the Ranger on my shoulder. Comforting me with his smile and hopeful eyes. I smile back at him, feeling a little bit better.

I do not know if it's already day but we arrive by a tunnel, splitting into three passages, each disappearing into a dark tunnel. Mithrandir stops and frowns. 'I have no memory of this place'

I sit down on the stone ground, Merry and Pippin follow. Legolas and Boromir are standing at the edge and keep watch. Frodo moves to Mithrandir and Sam sits down next to Pippin. Gimli snorts and I give him a stern look. We all are nervous but Mithrandir sits, staring intently at the three tunnel mouths in front of him. He looks like his thinking.

I hear a faint noise and I see that Frodo heard it too, he turn to the sound down the tunnel behind us. Aragorn is standing next to Legolas and Boromir, with his hand on his hilt, ready to fight. But luckily the other Hobbits do not notice it. 'Are we lost?' Pippin asks suddenly, his voice echoing through Moria. 'No. I don't think we are. Shhh, Gandalf's thinking' Merry answers him in a quiet voice. I close my eyes, listening. 'Merry!' Pippin speaks again, this time more quiet. 'What?' Merry answers a little annoyed. 'I'm hungry' I chuckle at Pippin, always thinking of food. I hear Frodo and Mithrandir also speak. 'He escaped from the dungeons of Barad-dûr?' I hear Frodo ask in disbelieve. Mithrandir answers in a whisper, even I with my elf hearing can't hear him.

Damn you wizard!

I open my eyes and look towards the ceiling. They continue with their conversation for a while. The men and Gimli are also sitting down next to me. Legolas smiles at me, trying to assure me everything is going to be alright. And I know it will. I just don't like the darkness. At a sudden a light brightness appears. 'Ah! It's that way' Mithrandir cries out and point at the right hand tunnel. We quickly scramble to our feet. 'He's remembered!' Merry exclaims relieved. 'No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose!' Mithrandir laughs.

We follow Mithrandir under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Mithrandir pauses. 'Let me risk a little more light' He mutters and he taps on his staff and a flash of lightning appears. 'Behold! The great realm and Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf!' Mithrandir announces. I hear Frodo and the others gasp at the sight of the city. I am also amazed, these dwarves were so skilled! 'Well, there's an eye opener and no mistake!' Sam adds in awe. I hear Boromir laugh. But suddenly at the sight of something ahead of us, Gimli rushes with a cry forward. 'Gimli!' Mithrandir shouts. We follow him into another empty chamber, dwarf and goblin skeletons piled high in every corner of the room. In the corner of the room is a stone walled well and a shaft of light falls directly onto s stone table in the middle of the room. Gimli falls before the table on his knees. 'No...no...oh, no!' He sobs. Mithrandir walks to the table and reads the inscription, carved onto the white stone slab. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He is dead, then. It's as I feared' He signs in sadness. Gimli is chanting softly in Khuzdul. We let Gimli mourn for his family and we move closer towards Mithrandir. He carefully lifts the rotting remains of a book from the white stone slab. He opens it and begins to read out loud. "They have taken the Bridge and the second hall: we have barred the gates ... but cannot hold them for long ... the ground shakes ... drums drums in the deep ... we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no-one save us? They are coming." I listen carefully to Mithrandir when a clatter sound makes me jump. We all look to the Well, where our two young Hobbits stand, Pip bows his head in shame. 'Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!' Mithrandir shouts angry at Pippin.

I hear them.

A low rolling boom rises from the depths below. It grows louder and louder and now my friends are frozen. Listening to the booming sound. A horn blast nearby, like it is answering and then, feet running towards us, harsh cries are heard.

The sound of the boom grows louder, until it stops for a minute. 'Mr. Frodo!' Sam points out worriedly to Frodo's scabbard were a blue glow can be seen. Frodo draws his sword and stares in horror at the glowing blade.

'Orcs!' Hisses Legolas and draws his bow. 'Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!' Aragorn orders the four scared Hobbits. His eyes meet mine for a second and I nod. 'Gurth an Glamhoth!'(Death to the orcs' I growl and draw my sword. Boromir and Aragorn are by the door and try to close it, but Boromir sees something and turns around in shock. 'They have a cave-troll!' He warns us and turns back, focusing on closing the door. I move towards Mithrandir and Legolas, who are standing in front of the Hobbits. I am feeling nervous.

My first fight...

'Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!' Gimli screams, standing on top of the tomb. 'Sy telir!'(There coming!) Yells Aragorn and pulls Boromir back from the wooden door. With a loud boom the door bust open and twenty goblins charge into the tomb, followed by a cave troll. With a battle cry Boromir and Aragorn wade into the mass of goblins with their swords. Legolas fires deadly arrows into goblins throats, trying to shield the Hobbits. Mithrandir also joins our battle.

One goblin.

Two, three...

I duck and roll over the floor, stand and attack. Duck, attack.

Four, five down.

I hiss when a sword scratches me in my shoulder blade.

In the corner of my eye I see the cave troll sweeping his club at Aragorn, who stumbles backwards. 'Legolas! Dago i dorog!'(Legolas! Kill the troll!) I shout towards Legolas. I make my way towards the ranger when suddenly the troll lets a scream in agony. The trolls arm falls of and blood gushes out of the wound. Boromir is behind the troll, smiling wide. I return the smile and continue to remove the heads of the goblins necks. My sight is red, red with the thirst of blood! I never felt so alive before!

But I am brought back to the screaming of Frodo. I look around and I see Frodo lifted off his feet by the spear tip of the now one handed cave troll. 'Aragorn!' He screams in fear. The troll slams Frodo against the wall.

No!

'Frodo!' Aragorn and I yell in worry. I try to make my way over to Frodo and see the other three Hobbits fighting like crazy. Sam slashes at the cave troll's knee, bringing him down when Merry and Pippin jump on the cave troll's back. An arrow flies past me – Legolas – and the troll falls down on his stomach, dead. Aragorn rushes past me, falling on his knees next to Frodo.

Wait?

Are the goblins gone?

We killed all of them?

I stare at Frodo, is he dead?

But we all let our breath escape when the young Hobbit coughs. He takes a huge breath.

'He's alive' Sam yells relived. 'I'm all right. I'm not hurt' Frodo sits up. 'You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar!' Aragorn says with amazement. 'I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye' Mithrandir adds. And Frodo opens his shirt to reveal the mithril vest.

'Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins!' Gimli says happily. I laugh, but stop immediately when the sound of the drums rings out again.

This isn't over yet!

'To the bridge of Khazad-Dûm!' Mithrandir yells at us and we do so. Mithrandir leads us out of the chamber, into a huge hall with stone pillars. 'This way!' The wizard yells, pointing with his staff to a distant door. But the goblins are everywere and start scuttling down of the pillars behind us.

They are with too much!

We cannot win this.

I feel something stir inside me, as if I wake up. But it stops when a deafening roar fills the air and a fiery light dances down the hallway. The goblins back fearfully away from this thing what is approaching. 'What is this new devilry?' Boromir hisses. The ground shakes and a huge shadow can be seen. 'A Balrog ... a demon of the ancient world! This foe is beyond any of you!' Mithrandir replies quietly. The ground begins harder to shake and Mithrandir points with his staff towards the door. 'Run! Quickly!'

We run and run until we arrive by a stairway. Mithrandir is leaning heavily on his staff. I want to takes his hand and help him. But the old wizard is stubborn and pushes me up the stairs, closing the ranks. Aragorn is leading us now up the stairs, but he pauses at looks in concern at Mithrandir. 'Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is near' Mithrandir orders him. I can see the ranger hesitate, but the wizard looks at him in fear and anger. 'Do as I say; Swords are no more use here' He adds. With that said, we race down the stairway but we have to stop because a gasping chasm is before us. Gimli is at the front next to Aragorn and Aragorn wants to pick Gimli up, throwing him across the chasm. 'Nobody tosses a dwarf' yells Gimli and he wants to jump over. I rush to the front and put a hand on his shoulder. 'Wait'

Legolas is the first to jump over the chasm and after him Boromir jumps. Together with Aragorn I throw Sam, Pippin and Merry over. Gimli is stubborn, like all dwarfs and jumps, he nearly falls but Legolas caught his beard. 'Not the beard!' Gimli angrily yells.

I chuckle. But not for long, the Balrog let his whip come down and the platform, Aragorn, Frodo and I stand on leaps forward. I feel his hand around my waist, pulling me towards him, the other holding Frodo. The platform crashes against the rest of the staircase and we run of it, reunited with the others. We run into the second hall. 'Over the bridge! Fly!' Mithrandir yells at us from behind. I look and see a distant stone bridge, coming closer. We race towards the slender bridge at the end of the hall. I look over my shoulder, seeing Mithrandir pause in the middle of the span, he faces the Balrog alone! I trip over my own feet – and that calls herself a elf – and two warm hands catch me. I face his stormy blue eyes and a light blush creeps up my cheeks. He smile warmly and releases me on my own two feet. 'You cannot Pass!' Mithrandir yells at the demon.

'Gandalf!' Frodo yells at the wizard, trying to rush forward but Boromir stops him. 'I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn' Mithrandir yells in anger. We watch in horror as the Balrog puts one foot on the bridge and draws up his full height. 'Go back to the Shadow!' Mithrandir yells again and the Balrog slasges at Mithrandir with its sword of flame and Mithrandir blocks it with his own sword. The demons sword shatters into molten fragments. 'You shall not pass!!' Mithrandir booms. The Balrog places second foot onto the bridge. Mithrandir cries out, thumping the bridge with his staff, a blinding sheet of white flame springs up and the staff shatters.

No..

The bridge breaks right at the Balrog's feet. The stone bridge drops away from under the Balrog and the beast plunges down.

Mithrandir is save!

But as in slow motion, I hear the whip lash out and the thongs of the whip lash and curl around Mithrandir's knees, dragging him over the brink. Luckily Mithrandir grabs the edge with his fingertips.

If you can call that luck.

'Gandalf!' Frodo yells at tries to break free from Boromir's grasp. 'Fly, you fools!' Mithrandir says in a fierce tone with that he lets go off his grip and falls, following the demon into the bottomless abyss.

No! I cry out but again two strong hands around my waist carry me away towards the exit. I am dragged toward an arch way. The harsh cries return.. cowards. The goblins release their arrows on us, Aragorn drags me with him and we tumble as last outside. Aragorn release me and scrabbles back at his feet. He helps me up only to look in shock at me. 'Eleniel! You are hurt!' He exclaims and the others look at me.

'Oh it is just a scratch from a sword' I say carelessly, knowing it is just a little wound. But Aragorn beckons Boromir and Legolas. 'Hold her please' He asks them and they hold my waist and left shoulder. Aragorn moves to my right. I groan in pain when he pulls something out of me. Heat flares from the wound. 'An poisoned arrowhead, we must get her to Lothlórien! She does not have much time!' Aragorn orders the others. 'Boromir, Legolas, Gimli! Get them up'

'Give them a moment ... for pity's sake!' Boromir hisses and release me gently. Legolas nods at Aragorn and he pushes me softly into the rangers arms. He walks towards Merry and Pippin, speaking softly to them. 'By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. On your feet, Sam' Aragorn replies urgently. He lifts me up. 'I can walk you know'

'I know, but we have to go quick or you don't make it Eleniel' He answers softly and I see something flicker in his eyes. Boromir talks to Frodo when we walk by, Frodo nods slowly and looks numb when he marches on. Sam, Pip and Merry look also devastated, like the rest of us.

Tego ven i Melain am mand! (may the Valar lead us to safety) 

3282 words, o my...!