Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

Alatariel: Brrr, and I thought that the troll-cave was nasty... Moria! Brrr.

Helen: Moria is much, much worse. I contacted the Enterprise to get them to beam us out of here to the Dimrill Stair, but there is too much interference for the transporters to work. We'll just have to trudge along on our own, dang it! Now if we could just get these phasers to work...

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We have entered the long dark of Moria, and it is more dreadful than even the worst of tales has told. When we reached the doors we were forced to abandon our faithful pony, Bill, as he cannot travel with us through the tunnels and stairs that are the pathways through the Mines. This was a sore blow to poor Sam. When the doors finally opened, the unseen menace in the water attempted to seize Frodo, and in escaping we lost most of our baggage and provisions. Gandalf led us confidently along the right passages until we reached a point where the main tunnel branches, and he now seems unsure of the way. We will rest for a few hours in a guard chamber adjacent to the crossroads, and give him time for thought. The time passes slowly, and the silence and darkness are like physical presences that weigh heavy upon my spirit.

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After only a brief rest they started on their way again. All were eager to get the journey over as quickly as possible…The Mines of Moria were vast and intricate…To Gandalf the far-off memories of a journey long before were now of little help, but even in the gloom and despite all windings of the road he knew whither he wished to go, and he did not falter, as long as there was a path that led towards his goal.

“Do not be afraid!” said Aragorn…”I have been with him on many a journey, if never on one so dark; and there are tales in Rivendell of greater deeds of his than any that I have seen. He will not go astray—if there is any path to find. He has led us in here against our fears, but he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to himself.”