18: Without Light and Path (Edited)

                                    

                                          
Varilerin had spent countless of years in the shadows, as a ranger in exile, yet the darkness awaiting the Fellowship frightened her to her very core. The mines of Moria emanated an eerie gloom from afar, even if they had not seen them. Long had the people from Moria been heard in the ears of travellers. Assumptions were made of what happened in the mines—some mustered the courage to search for answers, but they never returned.

                          
"Varilerin?" Aragorn asked when he noticed her being awfully quiet—not that she spoke much anyway, but her silence was unnerving. "You seem disturbed. What's wrong?"
                          
"Ask that to Legolas and Gandalf," Varilerin answered brusquely, her hand gripping her bow tightly. "Something about those mines frightens us. I know you and Boromir fear it too. It is unlike with the Black Riders or the Ring, this feeling I get, but something else. Darker and more malevolent."
                          
Legolas scoffed, treading the narrow, descending path lightly. "As far as I've known, everyone seemed to dislike this idea except for one person," he remarked. 
                          
"I heard that!" barked Gimli, his voice echoing. Gandalf shushed him sharply, reminding him that he did not encourage this path as well. Varilerin sighed; if what Gimli said was true about Moria, this would be the easiest path they would follow. 
                          
"There is evil there," she ended softly, quickening her pace so she would walk beside Gandalf. The old Wizard was speaking to Frodo quietly, though she could hear them. Gandalf slowed down when he saw her, glancing at Boromir. 
                          
"You feel it too," Varilerin said in Elvish. "But he has been calm. Do not worry, I am watching him." Varilerin and Gandalf had been wary of the Man since their first encounter in Rivendell, for he had shadows and faint malice behind his actions whenever he got close to the Ring. But Moria had kept him idle so far. She didn't think of him as evil, but given her adventures throughout the years, she had learnt to suspect even the closest of allies, especially Men. "There are shadows in Moria, Gandalf. It disturbs my mind." 
                          
"I know. But we can no longer turn back," Gandalf reasoned. The sun set behind the cliffs and the only light they had was from Gandalf's staff. He studied her; although strength had not left her, but her voice was dimmer and weaker. She had not slept for days—in this treacherous path she feared her dreams and gift of foresight. "You seem tired?" 
                          
Much to his surprise, Varilerin nodded gingerly. "I might be half-Elf, but this journey has been painstaking. I fear that I might burden the others. 
                          
Frodo shook his head, surprisingly optimistic in this situation. "You have been protecting us, Varilerin. We should be thankful instead." He appeared burdened by the Ring, no doubt, for the light in his eyes had dimmed. 
                          
"You were stabbed," Varilerin shot back. Frodo shrugged his shoulders without any care. 
                          
"At least I am alive," Frodo said without further thought. Varilerin blinked. She couldn't understand it, the carefreeness of Hobbits. "And for that I must say thank you." 
                          
"Please say that only after we destroy the Ring," she told him, patted his head. How fortunate she was to befriend such positive creatures. 
                          
They could finally see the base of the mountain. "The walls of Moria!" Gimli muttered, pointing towards the endless steep cliff before them. The Hobbits were amazed, for some reason, though the others were less impressed. A murky lake cornered the walls, too still for her comfort. The Dwarf skipped past Varilerin and Gandalf, reaching first. She eyed the lake as she followed him. 
                          
"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gimli informed them, tapping his axe at the wall. 
                          
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" teased Legolas, and Varilerin snorted. His heart warmed when he heard the brief reaction. Meanwhile, Gimli grumbled, but did not fight Legolas back, instead focusing on finding the door. Gandalf brushed away the vines and dust covering a part of the wall.