We clamber through Rock and Snow as we start to reach the mountains. I watch as Frodo slips on some shale and as he scrambles to his feet, the Ring falls on the ground. I instantly grab the silver chain and quickly hand it back to Frodo my body tensing at its closeness. As we make it further into the mountains our company starts to struggle through the snow. Then as if by magic we are hit with a blinding blizzard, up towards the Pass of Caradhras. Legolas and I move lightly across the top of the snow when he suddenly pauses as I start to hear a voice sweeping by in the wind.

"There is a fell voice in the air." Legolas says as he narrows his eyes as if to see through the wind. 

"It's Saruman." Gandalf says as thunder rumbles causing rock and Shale to fall from above. Legolas grabs me by the arm and pulls me into his body right as a boulder falls behind me. 

"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn says urgently. 

"No!" Gandalf yells as he instantly raises his staff and chants into the wind."Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho I ruith." (Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath.) 

Saruman's voice instantly strengthens rolling past us like thunder. A Lightning crack explodes on the mountainside above us. I look up in horror as a huge snow avalanche thunders down towards us. Legolas once again grabs me as the rest of our company throw themselves against the cliff face as snow crashes onto the narrow ledge. Once he makes sure I am okay Legolas turns away from me and pulls Gandalf to safety. Aragorn shields Frodo and Sam as snow piles around them. Within moments, the pass is blocked and we are enveloped in snow. Boromir and Aragorn frantically dig for the hobbits, who are pulled out shivering and fearful.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city." Boromir yells over the wind. 

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard." Aragorn quickly replies. 

"We cannot pass over the mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria." Gimli says and my body tenses. 

"Let the ring bearer decide." Gandalf says and my eyes instantly plead with him not to go into the mines. The weight of the decision weighed heavily upon him as he looks at Merry and Pippin shivering in Boromir's arms. "Frodo?" Gandalf says making Frodo meets his eye. 

"We will go through the mines." Frodo says and my heart clenches as I glance over as Gandalf my mind knowing fully what was to happen next. 

"So be it." Gandalf says causing us all to turn around and head back down the mountain. I avoid Gandalf's eyes as we slowly make our way down the mountain. 

"Are you alright?" I hear a voice ask and turn to see Legolas looking at me concern filling his icy eyes.

I sigh as I say, "What do you know about me?" 

"What does that have to do with anything?" 

I sigh as I say, "Nevermind, I guess I'm just not too keen on going into the mines." He nods as he starts to walk off and clearing my throat I say, "You know where I'm from they never taught me how to shoot a bow. I don't suppose you'd be willing to teach me?" 

He smirks as he says, "If you wish it, I shall teach you." 

I smile as I say, "Ni 'lassui, Legolas." He nods slightly before he rushes toward the front of the company where Gandalf lead the way.

"I see you have taken a liking to our young elf." I hear a male voice say and turn to see Aragorn walking up beside me a knowing smile covering his lips. 

"I never said that, I just wanted to learn how to shoot a bow." He snorts and I giggle as I say, "Okay perhaps I may have given the thought of getting to know him a little better a chance."

"What have you decided upon your betrothal to him?" 

I groan in annoyance as I say, "I haven't." 

"I see," 

"It's not that I don't like him it's just I feel I haven't experienced everything I want too yet; and what if I decide after this quest that I want to return to my world? I can't say I will when I'm not even sure I will remain here it just wouldn't be right."

Aragorn nods as he says, "I understand, but peoples feelings have a way of changing." 

I nod as I say, "I know. Thank you for talking to me, it made me relax a little bit about the events that are coming." Before he has a chance to question my words I speed up and start walking next to Merry who glances at me before his face turns beat red making me smile.

It was nightfall when we reached the Moria Gate. We walk along the far shore of a dark lake directly below great looming cliffs. "The walls of Moria!" Gimli says in awe at the size of the mountain. Footing is treacherous on the narrow strip of green and greasy stones. Gandalf touches the smooth rock wall between the trees. Slowly, faint lines appear like slender veins of luminous silver running through the stone.

"Itidin...it mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf says as a large moon rises over the mountains. The lines grow broader and clearer, forming a glowing arch of interlacing ancient letters and symbols. "It reads,'The door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.'." 

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry says from next to me and I glance at Gandalf who continues saying, "It's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open." Gandalf raises his arms and chants out, "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" The cliff towers into the night, the wind blows cold, Merry shivers next to me, and the door stands fast!

As Gandalf mumbles spells in his efforts to open the door, I walk over to Legolas and clearing my throat say, "Since we seem to have a bit of time, do you mind teaching me now?" He smiles as he takes his bow from around his torso and handing it to me along with and arrow says, "Aim toward that dried out log." I follow his instructions and then as I am aiming I instantly find his hands on mine. "Use your mouth as an anchor." He says and biting my lip I gently place my hand against the corner of my mouth.

He suddenly leans close to me his breath hot against my ear, "Take a deep breath, and release." I breathe in and then releasing the string I watch as the arrow hits the mark dead center. I smile brightly as I turn and in my heightened excitement wrap my arms around him pulling him in tightly. It took me a moment to realize what I was doing and before I am able to pull away I feel his arms wrap around me as he says, "Hiril vuin," His arms feel heavenly around my body making me bite my lip as my heart starts to race. Before I let myself do something I would later regret I pull away from him and forcing a smile say, "Ni 'lassui, Legolas."

He nods slightly before he turns and heads over to sit beside Frodo leaving me to my racing heart. Letting out a heavy sigh I turn to see Merry and Pippin are tossing stones into the lake and my smile instantly fades as I run over to them and grabbing Pippin's hand as he is about to throw another rock into the water say, "Do not disturb the water." I watch anxiously as the Ripples appear to grow I look at Aragorn as he exchanges a look with Boromir. Aragorn's hand creeps towards his sword. I glance at Gandalf right as he gives up in despair rand sits down beside Frodo. Frodo peers at the Elvish inscription, his face breaks into a smile of comprehension. 

"It's a riddle." Frodo says causing Gandalf to raise his eyebrows. "Speak, friend, and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo asks and Gandalf replies saying, "Oh... Mellon." 

With that, the rock face silently divides in the middle and two great doors swing outwards, revealing a blackness deeper than the night. As we enter the Blackness, something in the water stirs. We step warily into the darkness of Moria, a dark cavern, with winding steps leading deeper into the mountain.

"So, 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... A mine!" I stick close to Legolas as we move further into the mountain. A Glow from Gandalf's Staff suddenly lights the chamber causing a gasp to escape my lips. I suddenly feel a hand against mine and look down to see Legolas's fingers intertwine with mine.

The Fellowship recoil in Horror! Many dwarf skeletons are strewn about, clearly the dead of some old battle; the rusting armor and shields are peppered with arrows and axes. "This is no mine...it's a tomb!" Boromir says grimly making my heart clench. 

"Oh...no...no..no..." Gimli cries out and my heart breaks for him. Legolas leans down and using his free hand pulls a crude arrow out of a skeleton. "Goblins!" Legolas says releasing my hand and drawing his bow while the rest of the Fellowship draw swords and back away, towards the Entrance.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." Boromir says and I turn toward the entrance right as Frodo is suddenly pulled to the ground. "Frodo!" I cry out as I feel my body move on it's own as I run after him. A long sinuous Tentacle is wrapped around Frodo's ankle and is dragging him towards the lake. Frodo cries out as Aragorn, Boromir, and I rush forward! Aragorn severs the Tentacle holding Frodo, and pulls him to safety. Boromir hacks at the other Writhing Limbs. 20 more tentacles ripple out of the Lake! The dark water Boils as the hideous beast lashes out at the Fellowship! Again the creature grabs Frodo and pulls him to the lake; Frodo is flung in the air as we battle the creature.

Aragorn hacks at a tentacle and Frodo is released, falling into Boromir's arms. I quickly reach out and taking his hand pull the little Hobbit into my arms and start running back into the mountain. "Into the mines!" Gandalf yells as he follows after me. 

"Legolas!" Boromir calls out causing Legolas to shoot an arrow into the creature's head, gaining a few vital seconds for Aragorn and Boromir as they race out of the water. The fellowship hurriedly back away from the Creature, retreating into the Moria Chamber as many Coiling arms seize the large doors.

With a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, creating a rock slide that crashes down the Cliff Face. Within seconds, tons of rock seal the doorway; throwing us into Pitch Blackness. I cling to Frodo as a faint light rises from Gandalf's staff, throwing a creepy glow across the old wizards face. "We now 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." Gandalf says and I reluctantly set Frodo down as I say, "Are you okay?" He nods and then quickly heads off after Gandalf leaving me there to dwell on what was about to happen.

Taking a deep breath I stand and follow after the Fellowship as we start to climb deeper into the mines, crossing a precarious bridge above deep mine workings. "Quietly, now. It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence will go unnoticed." Gandalf says and I scoff as I say to myself, "If only," We continue up a steep stair, passing through a dwarf cemetery. The graves are despoiled, dwarf skeletons are strewn about and Goblin Graffiti is scrawled on monuments in dried Dwarf blood. The Atmosphere is very sinister. My stomach churns at the sight so I decide to plant my eyes on the back of the person in front of me.

Suddenly we come to a path that splits into three passages, each disappearing into dark tunnels. Gandalf pauses, frowning. "I have no memory of this place."

Later we are nervously waiting, while Gandalf sits, staring intently at the 3 tunnel mouths in front of him. He appears to be in some kind of trance. I glance over at Frodo as he turns at the sound of a faint noise down the tunnel behind us. "Are we lost?" Pippin asks and i smile as I shake my head, "No just give him a minute and he'll figure it out."

Pippin nods before he turns toward Merry and says, "Merry," 

"What?" His cousin replies as his eyes look from Gandalf to him. 

"I'm hungry." He says and I let out a giggle. I look over to see Legolas staring and me and my face flushes causing my to instantly look away from him and to Aragorn who is smiling knowingly at me. "Don't say it," I say as I raise an eyebrow at him. He shakes his head before walking over to Legolas.

"Ah! That it's that way!" Gandalf points at the right hand tunnel causing the Fellowship scramble to their feet. 

"He's remembered!" Merry says jumping to his feet beside me. 

"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose!" I laugh as I wait for the Hobbits to follow after him before I join them. The Fellowship pass under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Gandalf pauses before he taps his staff. For a brief moment a light blazes, like a silent flash of lightning. Great shadows spring up and flee.

"Behold! The great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!" Gandalf says and I stare at it in awe at the brief sight of a vast roof, far above our heads, upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before us stretches a huge empty hall, with black walls, polished and smooth as glass. 

"Well, there's an eye opener and no mistake!" Sam says and I chuckle. Ahead of us, a wooden door has been smashed. Black arrows are embedded in the timbers. Two goblin skeletons lie in the doorway. Gimli rushes ahead. "Gimli!!" Gandalf calls after him.

Gimli rushes into another vast empty chamber... lit with a narrow shaft of sunlight, beaming in from a small hole near the roof. Dwarf and Goblin skeletons are piled high. In the far corner sits a stone walled well. A shaft of light falls directly onto a stone table in the middle of the room: a single oblong block, about 4 feet high, topped with a great slab of white stone. Gimli falls to his knees causing my heart to clench. "No...no...oh, no!" Gimli cries out and i instantly walk over to the Dwarf and gently place my hand on his shoulder as Gimli sobs.

Gandalf quietly reads an inscription of runes, carved onto the white stone slab, "Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria." He is dead, then. It's as I had feared." Gandalf carefully lifts the rotting remains of a book from the white stone slab. It has been slashed and stabbed, and appears to be covered in dried blood. The pages crack and break as he opens it.

"We must move on, we cannot linger." Legolas whispers urgently to Aragorn. The room goes quiet as Gandalf starts to read from the book. "They have taken the Bridge and the second hall: we have barred the gates...but cannot hold them for long...the ground shakes...drums in the deep...we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no one save us? They are coming."

Unnerved, Pippin backs away nervously and before I can grab him, He stumbles against the well, sending a precariously balanced Armored skeleton tumbling in! Merry reaches out, grabbing hold of Pippin before he falls. The Fellowship freeze in stunned silence as the armored skeleton clatters down the deep well...echoing loudly! I groan in annoyance as Gandalf says, "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" I gently reach over and placing my hands on his shoulders say, "It's okay, you didn't mean for it to happen."

A low rolling boom rises from the depths below, growing louder. BOOM! BOOM! As if the caverns of Moria were turned into a vast drum. A great horn blasts nearby, answering horns, running feet, and harsh cries. "Mr. Frodo!" Sam calls out and I glance at the Hobbit to see his sword glowing. 

"Orcs!" Legolas calls out drawing his bow. 

"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." Aragorn says to the Hobbits as he rushes toward the doors followed by Legolas, Boromir, and I. Aragorn and Boromir slam and wedge the doors. Boromir catches sight of something; he turns to Aragorn with shock in his eyes as he says, "They have a cave troll!"

Gimli snatches up two rusty dwarf axes and leaps onto the tomb yelling, "Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" Drawing my sword I stand fast next to my companions as the door suddenly bursts open in a shower of wood fragments, and 20 Goblins charge into the tomb, followed by a huge cave troll! Gimli ducks a blow and immediately buries his Axes in 2 Goblin helmets. Aragorn and Boromir wade into the mass of Goblins with their swords.

Legolas fires deadly arrows into Goblin throats, desperately trying to Shield the Hobbits! Gandalf is clutching his sword and joins in the battle! My hands tighten on my dual swords as I run forward slicing wildly at our foes. When I have a second to spare I look over to see the cave troll is sweeping his club at Aragorn, who stumbles backwards. The Troll brings the huge club down for the killing blow causing me to run forward slicing wildly into the scaly arms of the troll. It rears back, spewing green blood! After a few seconds the Cave Troll lunges forward, thrusting at Frodo's chest with his spear.

"Aragorn! Aragorn!" Frodo cries out as he runs to Aragorn's aid only to be lifted off his feet by the spear tip and slammed against the wall. "Frodo!!" I scream out in fear as I instantly turn and start after the troll. The hobbits go crazy. Sam slashes at the cave troll's knee, bringing him down as Merry and Pippin jump on him. Legolas fires an arrow into the trolls' throat and the cave troll topples, dead. Aragorn rushes to Frodo's side as he slumps to the floor. Frodo appears to be dead.

I rush to his side and reaching down place my fingers on the inside of his neck and smile as I feel a pulse. Suddenly Frodo coughs and takes a huge breath. "He's alive!" Sam cries out as Frodo says, "I'm alright. I'm not hurt." 

"You should be dead. That spear would've skewered a wild boar!" Aragorn says and you collapse to the floor smiling as Gandalf says, "I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye." Frodo open his shirt to reveal the Mithril Vest. The Troll Spear did not pierce the mithril.

"Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins." Gimli says causing the Hobbit to smile. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM! The sound of the drums rings out again! Gandalf turns to the others and says, "To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" Running we all flee from the room as Gandalf leads us into the huge Dwarrowdelf Chamber. "This way!" Gandalf says as we run through twists and turns of the great halls.

We hurry towards a distant door as Goblins start scuttling down the Pillars behind them, like cockroaches! Frodo looks with horror at the overwhelming Goblin army that's rushing toward them! SUDDENLY! A deafening roar fills the air! A fiery light dances down the hallway, the pillars casting eerie shadows. The Goblins freeze. They back fearfully away from the approaching beast, melting into the darkness. "What is this new devilry?" Boromir asks and my eyes widen as I say, "We should run now!" A huge shadow, surrounded by flame, falls across the hall. The ground shakes...an unearthly sound rumbles...

"A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world! This foe is beyond any of you! Run! Quickly!" Gandalf yells and we all run for our lives. When we reach the Stairway of Khazad-Dum, The Balrog, a massive creature rises from a chasm, a great 40 foot man-beast, with a mane of flames! In one hand is a blade, like a stabbing tongue of fire; in the other, a whip of many thongs. Aragorn leads the fellowship to the top of a dizzying stairway...Gandalf follows, leaning heavily on his staff. "Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near." Gandalf says and my eyes widen. Was I really going to let what was about to happen, happen?

"Do as I say; swords are no more use here." Gandalf says as he pushes Aragorn away. We race down the stairway, Aragorn picks up Frodo leaping across a gaping chasm. A narrow bridge, spanning a bottomless pit...Gandalf yells to the others: Aragorn makes to throw Gimli across the Chasm. "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" Gimli says as he jumps the chasm only to end up short making Legolas grab him by his bears making him call out, "Not the beard!" The BALROG smashes through the wall and spreads its vast wings. It swoops down past the Fellowship, disappearing into a flaming pit!

We run into a hall...the floor is split with fissures that spit flame. "Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf yells as we run past him. We race towards the slender bridge of stone...without kerb or rail. At the far end of the hall we recklessly hurry over the dizzying bridge; but Gandalf, the last pauses in the middle of the span. He faces the Balrog staff in one hand sword in the other! I look back fear and knowing filling my body. "NO!" I cry out as I try to run back to him only to have Boromir grabs me holding me back.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf says as he stands firm in the middle of the bridge. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun." Gandalf yells out as he raises his staff above his head. 

"Let me go!" I cry out as I try to free myself from his grasp. 

"Do you wish to die?" Boromir cries out his grip tightening on me. We watch as the Balrog puts one foot on the bridge and draws up to Full Height, wings spreading from wall-to-wall. Gandalf is a tiny figure, balanced precariously on the narrow bridge.

"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf yells and The Balrog slashes at Gandalf with its Sword of flame. Gandalf blocks with his sword a ringing clash and the Balrog's sword shatters into molten fragments! "You shall not pass!! Gandalf yells. The Balrog places one foot onto the bridge. Gandalf cries aloud, "You. Shall Not. Pass!" As he summons up his last reserves of strength, he thumps the bridge with his staff a blinding sheet of white flame springs up and the staff shatters. The bridge breaks right at Balrog's feet.

The stone bridge drops away into the gulf from under the Balrog. For a moment, the great Beast remains poised in the air then it plunges down leaving Gandalf trembling on the lip of the broken bridge. As the Balrog falls, he lashes out with his whip of fire The thongs of the whip lash and curl around Gandalf's knees, dragging him over the brink! Gandalf just manages to hand on by his fingertips. "Let me go!" I cry out again tears filling my eyes as Frodo screams Gandalf's name.

"Fly, you fools!" Gandalf says before he lets go his grip and falls away, following the Balrog into the bottomless Abyss! I hear a blood curdling scream escape my lips as my legs give out from under me. Boromir releases me and scoops Frodo up and carries him away. I remain there for a moment before Aragorn forces me to my feet as we rush towards an archway. We suddenly tumble out of the Great Eastern Gate on to a grassy sunlit hillside. Sam, Merry, and Pippin fall slowly to the ground, Sobbing. Turning toward Boromir I start hitting his chest tears filling my eyes as I cry out, "Why didn't you let me save him! I could have saved him!" He instantly wraps his arms around my body hold me close to him as I cry out into his chest.

Aragorn turns to Legolas and says, "Legolas, get them up!" 

"Give them a moment...for pity's sake!" Boromir says as he gently pats my back. 

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. On your feet Sam," He says as he lifts the little Hobbit to his feet. Boromir glances towards Frodo, then back at Aragorn. Frodo is walking away, as if in a daze. "Frodo? Frodo!" Aragorn calls out causing Frodo to slowly turn a look of numb shock on his devastated face. Boromir keeps me pulled to his chest as The Fellowship marches on.