Journey (2)

They struggled to move through a blinding blizzard, up towards the Pass of Caradhras. Legolas the elf moved lightly across the top of the snow as Arthas lent Gimli a hand to help the latter. Legolas suddenly stopped, the voice of Saruman swept by in the wind. The voice spoke a dark language that made the sky darken even more.

Legolas urgently said, "There is a fell voice in the air.". Gandalf grimly replied, "It's Saruman.". Thunder rumbled and rock and shale fell from above.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn said urgently as he took cover under what little place there was. "No!" said the wizard as he raised his staff and chanted to the winds.

His voice loud and firm, "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho I ruith. (Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath.)".

Meanwhile, Saruman stood on the summit of Orthanc and chanted loudly. Clouds flowed from all directions, converging on the distant mountains in a stormy Malestrom.

The voice of Saruman strengthened, it rolled past them like thunder. The crack of lightning exploded on the mountainside above them. Arthas looked up grimly as a huge snow avalanche thundered down towards them!

Arthas raised his hands as golden light engulfed his form and extended to form a shield around them. The snow crashed against the shield and fell to the deep parts down below. They remained unharmed but the parts of the narrow ledge outside the shield were gone with the snow or piled up snow and became unpassable.

The shield made it hard to see what happened as it blocked their vision... Soon the shield disappeared. They looked ahead and saw the pass was blocked. Boromir said, "We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan".

Aragorn didn't seem to agree, "No, The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard and is far more dangerous. We must first reach Rohan and unite with them with us to face Isengard...".

Arthas agreed, "Attacks like these will become more prevalent there... Saruman won't stand idly by as we go.".

Gimli expressed his thoughts, "We cannot pass over the mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria.". Gandalf had a concerned look but it seemed they had no choice...

On top of the tower, Saruman seemed to know of their decision as he smiled, "Moria. You fear to go into those mines, don't you? The dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in, the darkness of Khazad-dum. Shadow and flame.".

Gandalf looked at Arthas and said, "You decide...". Arthas thought of the Balrog that dwelt in the mines of Moria, he felt confident about battling it if it were to show itself so he nodded. "Let's go through the mines...". Gandalf sighed, "So be it.".

Moria's gate, deep in the night. They walked along the far shore of a dark lake... above them were great looming cliffs. Gimli stared in awe, "The walls of Moria!".

Gandalf touched the smooth rock wall between the trees, slowly, faint lines appeared like slender veins of luminous silver running through the stone. "Itidin...it mirrors only starlight and moonlight."

A large moon rose over the mountains... The lines grew broader and clearer forming a glowing arch of interlacing ancient letters and symbols. The atmosphere seemed mystical, the air filled with the unknown creating a nervous sense of mystery yet with a slightly sinister aura.

Gandalf said, "It reads, 'The door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.'". Arthas approached the gate and looked on as he said, "It requires a password it seems...".

Gandalf nodded confidently, "Indeed, It's quite simple. If one is a friend, they speak the password and the doors will open.". He raised his arms and incanted, "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!".

The cliff towered into the night, the wind blew cold and the door stood fast. Arthas sighed as he mumbled, "You are unreliable as ever...". Gandalf snorted and ignored him as he tried again and again...

Arthas walked away and inspected the lake, his interest seemed to be peaked. 'There was some sort of monster here... Let me see it.'

He grabbed a stone and threw it to the lake, it made a splashing sound. Black rippling rings slowly fanned out. He picked another seemingly hellbent on drawing out whatever was below...

Aragorn noticed his action and grabbed his arm, he ominously said: "Do not disturb the water, King Arthas, things lurk therein...". Arthas smiled as he replied, "I know, that's why I am disturbing it! I want to see it.".

Aragorn was taken aback and so was Boromir who seemed to gawk at his unexpected reply. Ripples began growing in the water, Aragorn and Boromir exchanged a look that conveyed worry and exasperation.

Aragorn sighed as his hand crept towards his sword. Meanwhile, on the other side, Gandalf gave up in despair and sat down. Arthas couldn't help himself but smirk at Gandalf who rolled his eyes...

Something in the water stirred, sinuous tentacles appeared menacingly. Aragorn saw this and he brandished his sword and said urgently, "Everyone, careful!". They all prepared for combat bar Arthas who looked with interest. 'Is this how the fabled hentai tentacle monster looks like? It's quite disgusting...'

The creature approached menacingly and as they prepared to fight it, A dangerous glow appeared on Arthas's eyes. Legolas drew his bow as Gandalf took out his sword, Gimli prepared his axe and Boromir stood sword in hand.

Just as they prepared to attack, A bright glow distracted them. A ray of light fell on the creature and incinerated whatever it touched. The creature began moving frantically as if in pain. The ray cut down many tentacles and fell on the creature's head. The monster stopped moving, it died...

The company looked at Arthas in shock and disbelief, the latter smiled slightly embarrassed, "Sorry, I was curious to see this thing up close... Anyway, let's go to the mines!".

Gimli gulped, Legolas smiled in respect since he had seen his power before. Aragorn and Boromir looked at one another and shook their heads as they chuckled. Gandalf facepalmed as he said, "Oh Great King, How do you plan to enter when we don't have the password?!".

Arthas looked at Gandalf with disdain as he approached the gate and calmly said, "Mellon!". The rock face silently divided in the middle and two great doors swung outward... A blackness deeper than the night slowly revealed itself. "It's a riddle maybe? Great wizard?!"

Gandalf raised his eyebrows in surprise, Boromir who had finally grasped Arthas's character a bit realized the two might start another banter soon so he stepped in. "Let's go, it's best if we don't waste time!"

Gimli agreed, "Aye, Let's go; It's time I met some old friends...".

Arthas nodded and stepped inside, the rest followed him in warily. They walked into the darkness of Moria... a dark cavern, with winding steps the led deeper into the mountain.

Gimli turned his attention at Legolas as he said, "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..." He snorted, "A Mine!".

Gandalf's staff suddenly glowed and lit up the chamber. Everyone but Arthas who looked calmly recoiled in Horror. Many dwarf skeletons were strewn about, clearly the dead ones of some old battle. The rusting armors and shields were peppered with arrows and axes.

Boromir broke the issuing silence with a grim tone, "This is no mine...it's a tomb!". Gimli stared with horror, "Oh...no...no..no... !".

Legolas pulled a crude arrow out of a skeleton as he said, "Goblins!". They drew swords and backed away towards the entrance, Arthas remained standing in his spot as he observed everything. "We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." Said Boromir.

"Arthas come back." Gandalf urged him. The latter had a thoughtful face, "Since we chose this path, then we must walk upon it till the end otherwise we will fall behind. We are short on time... The great war in Minas Tirith is drawing closer day by day...".

Aragorn said, "It's too dangerous... but so is the threat of Saruman's foul magic...". Gandalf sighed, "Arthas is right, we have to move forward.".

Arthas walked deeper in the mine, his voice echoed, "Don't worry, I am strong to deal with most threats. Have some faith...". They remembred him casually slaying the creature from the lake and finally seemed to be convinced. They followed him inside the pitch blackness...

Deep within the mines, lurked shadow and fire. A creature, capable of terrible evil and destruction...