୨⎯ Chapter 5⎯୧
"West Gate of Moira"

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AS WE APPROACHED the West Gate of Moria, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the walls that surrounded us. The ancient stones loomed overhead, their weathered surfaces bearing witness to the passage of time.

Gimli's voice broke through the silence, his tone filled with wonder. "The walls of Moria," he murmured, his eyes wide with awe.

As we walked along the edge of the lake, I watched with concern as Frodo's foot slipped into the icy water. His gasp of surprise echoed through the stillness, and I hurried to his side, offering him a reassuring smile as he regained his footing.

Meanwhile, Gandalf's eyes scanned the outline of the doors, his expression thoughtful as he studied the ancient markings etched into the stone.

"Now, let's see. Ithildin -- it mirrors only starlight and moonlight," Gandalf mused. With the appearance of the moon overhead, the doors shimmered to life, their surface aglow with an otherworldly light.

"It reads 'The doors of Durin - Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter,'" Gandalf explained, his gaze shifting to meet ours as he shared the meaning behind the ancient words.

Merry's curiosity got the better of him, as he questioned the significance of the inscription. Gandalf's response was as cryptic as ever, his confidence unwavering as he assured us that all we needed to do was speak the password to gain entry.

"Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!" Gandalf's command echoed through the air, but to our dismay, the doors remained firmly closed.

"Well, that was certainly enlightening," I muttered under my breath, as he continued to wrestle with the stubborn doors.

Beside me, Gimli let out a snort of amusement, his gruff voice tinged with a hint of mockery. "Ah, yes, nothing like a bit of Elvish poetry to open a door," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he watched Gandalf's futile attempts.

I exchanged a knowing glance with Legolas, his expression unreadable as he observed the scene before us. We waited in silence, each moment stretching into eternity as we held our breath, hoping against hope that Gandalf's efforts would prove successful.

Beside us, Aragorn unhitched Bill's bridle with a solemn air. "The mines are no place for a pony, even one so brave as Bill," he remarked, his tone tinged with regret as he bid farewell to the steed.

"Buh-bye Bill," Sam murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he watched the pony trot away into the distance.

Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin found a moment of distraction in skipping stones across the surface of the lake. But Aragorn quickly intervened, his stern voice cutting through the air as he cautioned against disturbing the water.

Gandalf's exasperation was palpable as he lamented the futility of our efforts. "Oh, it's useless!" he exclaimed, his frustration evident as he turned back to the stubborn stone doors.

Frodo's keen eyes caught sight of something on the doors, his voice breaking through the tension as he made a discovery. "It's a riddle. Speak 'friend' and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" he mused, his gaze fixed on Gandalf for guidance.

With a sense of realization dawning, Gandalf answered solemnly, "Mellon."

With that one word, the stone doors slowly swung open, revealing the darkened depths of Moria beyond. With a collective breath, the Fellowship stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the unknown.

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Trapped within the confines of the mine, we were plunged into total darkness, our only source of light emanating from Gandalf's staff.

"We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria," Gandalf declared solemnly, his words a stark reminder of the perils that awaited us in the depths below. "Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed".

"Four days in this darkness?" I sighed. "That sounds positively delightful."

Gandalf shot me a reproachful glance, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Your optimism is truly inspiring, Liairse," he remarked dryly. "But perhaps it would be best if you saved your commentary for a more appropriate moment."

I rolled my eyes, but fell silent nonetheless. I followed the others deeper into the darkness, my senses alert for any sign of danger that might lie ahead.

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As we gathered at the crossroads within the depths of Moria, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation in the labyrinthine passages surrounding us.

"I have no memory of this place," Gandalf's admission hung in the air, his expression grave as he surveyed our surroundings with furrowed brows.

As we paused to rest and allow Gandalf time to consider our next move, Pippin's stomach chose the most inopportune moment to voice its discontent, eliciting a chuckle from me. "Seems like someone's eager for dinner," I quipped, offering Pippin a sympathetic smile.

Merry, ever the voice of reason, attempted to reassure Pippin, though the unease in his eyes betrayed his own doubts. "No need to worry, Pippin. We're not lost," he insisted, though his words did little to dispel the growing sense of unease that lingered in the air.

Meanwhile, Sam cast a wary glance at Gandalf, his concern for their safety evident in his furrowed brow. "Let's give Gandalf some space to think," he suggested quietly, his gaze flickering between the wizard and the foreboding portals that loomed ahead.

Later as we rested, Gimli started the conversation between myself, and Legolas. "You know, I couldn't help but notice that there may be a certain chemistry brewing between the two of you," he quipped, his tone teasing.

Legolas raised an eyebrow in amusement, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Oh? And what chemistry might that be, Master Dwarf?" he retorted, his voice laced with playful challenge.

I couldn't help but laugh at Gimli's antics, though I could feel the heat rising in my own cheeks. "I think Gimli's just jealous that he's not the one getting swept off his feet by an elven prince," I teased, unable to resist joining in the banter.

Gimli feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart in mock dismay. "Ah, but who needs elven princes when you have the unmatched charm and wit of a dwarf?" he replied.

Aragorn's voice cut through the air, his words carrying a hint of amusement. "Perhaps we should leave the two betrothed alone to sort out their feelings," he suggested with a knowing smile, his gaze flickering between Legolas and me.

Gimli's eyes widened in surprise at Aragorn's remark, his bushy eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. "Betrothed, you say?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment. "And why am I the last to hear of such news!"

Pippin's eyes widened in astonishment, his expression mirroring the surprise evident on Merry and Sam's faces. "Betrothed?!" he exclaimed incredulously, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "But how... when... I mean, when did this happen?"

Merry chimed in, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I don't remember any betrothal ceremony taking place, I didn't fall asleep did I?" he questioned, his tone laced with skepticism.

But before I could finish my question, Legolas interjected. "Indeed, Aragorn. Pray tell, how did you come by such information?" he inquired, his tone filled with genuine curiosity.

Aragorns grin widened, clearly relishing the opportunity to play the role of the bearer of surprising news. "Ah, my dear elf and royal companion, a mans sources are never to be underestimated," he replied cryptically, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Gimli's laughter joined in with Aragorns, the sound echoing off the cavern walls as Gimli clapped a hand on Aragorn's midriff . "A mans sources indeed," he agreed with a knowing smile. "But let us leave the mysteries of betrothals and alliances for another time. Our focus now should be on finding our way through these mines."

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