Vol 16 Chapter 11-1 (1/2)

The Lord of the Rings world was similar to many other fantasy worlds. The elves were graceful and fair. The dwarves loved mining. Of course, that wasn't very specific and perhaps unfair to the dwarves. But they were a race that valued minerals and metals. Mining was their hobby.

Moria was the result of such hobby. The underground city spanned through the whole Caradhras mountains. According to Gandalf, they were to journey for five days and nights from one end to the other. This distance was uncommon in both this world and the real world. That was a mine through the mountain dug by people!

”You will soon see the warm welcomes of the dwarves. Haha.” Gimli walked at the front of the group. ”With burning flame, refreshing beer, and slabs of roasted meat. This is my cousin Balin's home, not a mere mine.”

Gandalf raised his staff. It emitted a soft white light that illuminated the mine.

”This isn't a mine. It's a tomb!” Boromir observed the surrounding. His voice was heavy.

Bones lay throughout the entrance. Most of them were remains of dwarves. Some seemed abnormal. They looked like remains of humanoid creatures. Tomb was a fitting description for this place.

”No! No!” Gimli sobbed. He ran toward the remains.

Legolas had kept his calm. He picked up an arrow from one of the bodies, examined it and yelled. ”Orcs!” He threw the arrow away then drew his bow at the darkness.

The rest of the crew drew their weapons. Boromir shouted. ”That's why we should have gone through the Gap of Rohan instead. That is our only path to cross Caradhras safetly.”

Gungnir and Zheng met eyes. They both realized things were turning worse. In the movie, the door should had been collapsed by the beast which forced the Fellowship to head into the mine. However, the door was intact now. The beast was killed. The Fellowship could retreat as they liked and that would render their plans useless.

Gungnir immediately said. ”The Gap of Rohan is too dangerous. We don't have to fight an army on the plains in the mine. Furthermore, if Saruman finds us. He will definitely find us. We would have nowhere to run. The underground city is large enough that we might not be discovered by the orcs if we keep our noises down.”

Gandalf frowned. Zheng ran ahead. Nothing hindered the Nightmare's speed and he quickly disappeared in the darkness. A minute later, the red burning flames came back. Zheng yelled. ”There's nothing inside. I didn't see any orcs!”

The movie characters hesitated. Neos said. ”Let the holder of the One Ring decide whether we will quietly go through Moria or slip through Saruman's eyes. Frodo, make your choice.”

There was obviously a trap in his wording. He associated the underground city with calm, which described the current moment. However, there were hidden dangers under this silence. Then he described the Gap of Rohan as under Saruman's eyes. It was close to Isengard but not as close as he described. Though their situation didn't allow the others to think too deeply into his words.

Frodo looked over everyone then at the bodies on the ground. ”We will go through the underground city. Everyone keep our noises down and there shouldn't be danger. We can't hide from Saruman's magic.”