The Crosses Enigma

Greer of the Thieves of Brikidan dropped over the edge of the small shelf onto the ground. She landed silently on the other side and moved back as Gimli followed.
Turning around she took in the ominous mountain before them.
She did not like this idea anymore.

They had left camp a day ago, resting yesterday night at the woods end. Leaving as the sun rose, the company made there way toward the looming monstrosity that was known as The Misty Mountains.

She was uneasy and pulled her cloak about her as she felt drops of water begin to speck the air. The drizzle was not making this crossing any better.
The clouds that Aragorn had inspected had changed course and came in there direction, looming above like a canopy of grey.

Pebbles rolled from beneath her feet, and she turned her head quickly to watch as they tumbled back down the ever escalating path. They were ascending now, horses in tow. Though Greer wondered, if they were to enter somehow, how would they to bring the horses?

//Perhaps we are to leave them outside with someone standing guard?// she thought ominously, somehow she did not think this was the idea.

Behind her was Gimli bringing up the rear. She was surprised he did not move to the front as he seemed highly intruded by the makings of the earth and rocks about them. Apparently he had never explored this part of the Mountains.
Yet he trailed behind, most likely to keep guard on the rear.

And Behind him was Strider. The Ranger pulled his cloak tighter round him as the rain began to fall heavier from the ominous dark clouds above.

He too was there to pull up the rear, coming around the shelf with Roheryn in tow. He was in the back to guard the Company's back as well
or to watch over her, she rolled her eyes at that.

Directly Ahead of Greer walked the Hobbits, and there foot falls mostly quiet with the occasional stirring of debris.
And ahead of those two were the Elf and the gypsy.

Greer managed to keep a scowl from her face.
That Gypsy brat was more trouble than she was worth.
The thief had to give up what could have been potentially a decent hit, because the little tart was in good favor of all in her company.
She still was perplexed how the girl pulled off swiping her dagger the night she came upon them.

That was a hard move to do on a thief, even by a thief.

She shook her head under her hood, rattling slightly damp copper curls (they always turned curly in the rain).

If she tried to figure out at this moment how the Gypsy swiped her daggers from her, it would drive her insane. Besides they had reached a dead end and were stopping.






----------------------------------------------------------------




Way to the front of the Company Gandalf the white lean upon his staff, waiting for the others to fully catch up.

Before him a part of the mountain side was now close enough to touch, and he moved up to it putting his hand flat against the stone.

As she moved ahead of the Hobbits, Greer could not guess why they were there. And frustration was beginning to build up in her. She couldn't see the purpose, this was obviously a dead end.

"Well wise Leader, where to now?" she asked sarcastically watching the wizards back. Her arms crossed over her chest and she shifted her weight to the side.

Feeling someone brush by she scowled even deeper as Tempest passed her, moving to stand beside Gandalf . The Gypsy tilted her covered head up curiously and then turned her face to the Wizard.
He said nothing for a moment, only smiled.

"Give me your hand young one" he murmured and she did so without hesitation. Her hand was tiny compared to his, perfect little fingers resting in his worn calloused one. He turned his hand around gripping the top of hers in his palm and led her closer to the seamless formation of stone.

Behind the Two the rest of the company watched in confusion and anticipation.






----------------------------------------------------------------





Being a Dwarf, Gimli had instantly assessed and admired this end of the mountain. The section was not unique, just a continuation of the rocky chain that formed the Misty Mountains itself. But also being one of the children of Aule, he knew that each mountain was different. It had its own character, its own secrets...
He could not help but wonder what untold tales this one hand. He also wondered if those secrets would be revealed by star and moon light this time as well.


Greer felt the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stand up, as if some energy had penetrated the air. She looked over to her Left to find Legolas head tilted skyward in the wet darkness, staring straight into the inky darkness above them.

Turning her head to Gandalf again she was taken aback to see the Gypsy's head too turned skyward in an attempt to see beyond the looming mountain.
Had they felt it too?

In that moment the steady rhythm of the rain was shattered by a blinding flash of lightning and earth shattering thunder. So powerful and so close it caused Aragorn to take a step back in surprise.

As the thunder faded she could feel it roll among the clouds, joining smaller bouts of thunder along its way.
If Pendleton did not think better of it, she would have sworn that the winds had just picked up.

"Repeat what I say" Gandalf called over the wind and thunder, a storm was approaching faster than even Legolas had speculated and there was little time now.

Tempest turned her face back to her teacher and nodded. She turned back to the stone, not sure what was wanted of her.
The stone under her finger tips was cool as she pressed her palm.

"Repeat what I say, exactly as I say" he called again trying to be heard clearly over the howling wind.
"Edro annon o i thurin tham!" he shout.

Tempest swallowed and as best she could she called over the storms rising power, "Edro annon o i thurin...tham!" she finished with hesitation. After less than a second she could see a lighter pattern forming along the stone.

It spread like tendrils of silver rising out of the stone itself. Similar to Ithildin in looks, it glowed as the form of a door appeared with Elvish writing upon it.
With the sound of stone grating upon stone the now two defined halves split at the same moment, and slowly begun to slide open.

Before them now was a long dark wide tunnel-way, and what beyond no one knew for certain.

"Maer du!" Aragorn exclaimed, the storm diminishing his words to a whisper to there ear's.

All others stood speechless.

As they opened completely, clicking and locking, Gandalf tipped the top of his white staff towards his lips and blew softly on it. It flared to life silently and lit a smooth long passageway.
"Shall we?" he asked as if inviting his company on a walk in the woods on a sunny spring day.

None were more shocked than Tempest, she stare at her own hand dumbfounded.
She would have stayed that way, her mind attempting to comprehend what had just happened, but she felt a firm hand upon her back.
It was Legolas, his right hand between her shoulders, the other gripping his bow with string securely under his arm.
His wary expression turned into a hint of a smile upon his wet face, as if he were pleased with her.

Saying nothing he guide her inside. The other followed, looking about.
Still in shock, still wary...they had been through this song and dance once before and would take no chances.

Merry looked around cautiously, mountains that had caves had large caves. Those caves were dark and scary, and where there were large dark scary mountain caves, there could be orc's.

Pippin simply rushed ahead, putting his hand in his pocket and resuming his normal walking speed just slightly behind Gandalf.
He wasn't touching anything, and he was not letting the Wizard out of his sight this time round.






----------------------------------------------------------------





Gimli son of Gloin, newly appointed lord of the Glittering Caves of Rohan was shocked.

Beyond belief even.
He had never in his years seen such a hall that had been kept secret.
And he was the lord of a realm as stunning as Aglarond.

The Dwarf could not help but turn round in circles as they made there way forward.
Behind him a new light rose as Aragorn ignited a torch of his making, causing the whole hall to come to life.

He had to stop, he had to stop and turn his head up and around and take it all in.

They were not towering rows of pillars and halls of black obsidian like stone like in Moria.
They did not glitter and shine with yellow, pink and blues like his new home.

They simply shone.
With Mithril.

Gimli felt like a child who had been offered its birthday and Yule Gifts all at once.
His steady thick fingers ran down one of the walls, pulling away covered in sparkles of silver.

"Mithril..." he did not know what else to say. It was very well the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Not because of the wealth it could afford, but because it had not been touched.
This was Mithril at its rawest, the way it had been intended to be.

"Yes Master Dwarf, it seems we now know where the Gypsy's found the raw materials for there goods."

Gandalf turned and glanced at the Dwarf. "They took only what they needed and left all else untouched, Gypsy have much respect for nature...even rocks" There was a humorous glint in his eye as he turned his gaze toward Pippin.

The Hobbit was sticking to him like glue and Gandalf knew why. He smiled wider when the Took look back, green eyes meeting grey.
"Worry not master Took, I�m not going anywhere" he murmured just enough for the Halflings ears. Pippin blushed, nodded and turned his face away to his pony. He pet her and got a better grip on her reins as she was very unsure and skittish at the moment.

Legolas heard what Gandalf had spoken and smiled softly as well.

He turned back toward there path and tilted his head, listening.
Beside him Arod paused beside his rider.

Gimli stood just a while back from Legolas, leaning on his Halbard, his head still tilted up in deep interest and curiosity.

Legolas Grey Rohhirim stallion turned his muscled neck, and looked at the Dwarf.

After a moment, content that he had seen all he could in the darkness he turned his face forward to inquire why the Elf had paused. He met the big brown eyes of Arod.

Gimli did not care for the look the blasted creature was giving him, and he frowned. The horses ears slowly lie back against its head, and not to be out-done Gimli glared even more...growling slightly.
Without warning a mass of slopping wet long grey tail hair slapped the Dwarf in the face, and Arod snorted in victory.

Gripping his weapon tighter, Gimli was prepared to make dog food out of the 'blasted demon' for once and for all.

Greer could not help but chuckle out loud, and Aragorn had to clench his teeth tightly not to laugh also.

He would have to do something, or horse and Dwarf would have at it. And he did not wish to see Gimli injured.

"Man caro lin lagel lhaw pedo le, Legolas?" he asked before one of Arod sodden hooves made there way to Gimli's face, or the Dwarves axe to the Stallion's neck.

"Lanthir" was all that the deep even voice offered and continued ahead.

"A waterfall?" Gimli asked, deciphering the grey tongue. He knew that word as Legolas part of Ithilien had several. Legolas begun to move again, and so Gimli followed. Being sure to keep a wide berth between himself and the Horses backside.

Like the opening of huge doors, the long hall spread wide and suddenly. The ceiling towered high straight up and in the distance one could not only hear the tell tale sounds of a waterfall. But they could hear several of them, and water trickling off the walls as well.

Gandalf tapped the end of his staff down upon the stone floor and his light blazed brighter, illuminating the whole cavern.

Even his eyes opened wide in surprise.

Before them was a treasure trove that would rival the horde of Smaug. Not gold, not silver. Neither Elf, Dwarf or Man-made.

The years of water on rock eroded the stone away to reveal jewels in the thousands...even millions.
They glittered of blue and yellow, amber and green, clear, pink, and ones that seemed to reflect all those colors. Some where flat, some were huge, some were blood red and others were brown like the earth.

All stood, gazing up and around in astonishment.

Tempest was the first to move, slowly and hesitantly at first, but then her soft silent foot falls to her to one of the walls.

She touched it, the stones smooth or bumpy under her fingers. Reaching to her sleeve she pulled it back to reveal her Gypsy cuff. The only heirloom of her family, the only evidence of who she had been.

The stone was so similar to the one imbedded in the wall before her, it could not have come from any other place. It was uncanny, and then she realized.

Turning suddenly she walked away from that wall, feeling her heart pound and her breath caught.
She did not like being enclosed like this, it was as if the walls were closing in on her.
Her blue eyes darted to and fro as if for a way out, but her body stopped at the edge of the small pool of water at the falls base.

She could see her reflection in it.
Tempest watch herself, finding it hard to breathe.

They were here, they had been here. This very place her Family had passed by, perhaps even camped in this cavern.
Had her mother stood here as well, staring back at herself.
She wished terribly she could remember her face, but the memory was long washed away.

No one said anything, they dare not. As none of them knew much of the ways of the Gypsy's, with the exception of perhaps Greer, Aragorn and Gandalf.
The Hobbit's, Gimli, and even Legolas himself had never even seen any.

Even Greer's memories of true traveling Gypsy's were shady at best. The Merchants in Brikidan were related to them, but it was exactly the same. They had different customs, different lifestyles.

Not even Gandalf made a motion to sooth Tempest, he knew she did not need his words. But he also did not stop Legolas as the Elf prince moved forward silently, walking and standing beside her. He did not speak, simply place one hand upon her shoulder.


Turning away Gandalf pet Shadowfax upon his neck, asking him softly to stay where he stand.
The horse breathe out softly and give the Wizard an affectionate nudge with his muzzle.

Patting him once more upon his brisket, the Istar turned and continued his examination of the back of the cavern.
It dipped severely, shadowing whatever lie beyond. He bent over with his knee upon his thigh and with a grunt he dipped beneath it as well.

Aragorn turned curiously watching the Istar go, he did not think it such a well idea. But Aragorn had learned long ago not to question the doings and goings of Wizards more than needed, or even at all, for they naturally were quite subtle.

//Not to mention quick to anger// Aragorn thought with light humor.

"Ganda..." he never finished the name, as the Wizard turned from his bent position shadowed under the outcropping and put a finger to his lips hushing the King.

Aragorn's jaw shut tightly and his eyebrows rose.
//What is that Istar up to// he could not help but think it.


Soon the light of Gandalf's staff faded, leaving the flickering torch the only source of light, and with that Aragorn became more nervous. He felt like pacing, back and forth until he deviled a dent into the very stone beneath his feet. Instead he gripped and released his fist upon the hilt of Anduril.

A few minutes passed, turning into several minutes. Those turning into half an hour. Finally Aragorn had just about as much he could take. It had been an hour or so as he could reckon, and Gandalf had not come back.

Gimli had become content with exploring the cavern for the better part of the hour, but was now satisfied and sitting upon the stone floor gazing up.
Beside him Greer lean against a smoother part of the wall, eyeing everything as well. He hoped she was not considering using her skills upon this place, Tempest might have her head.

As for the Gypsy herself he would expect she would be watching Pendleton like a hawk. Yet she was not. Instead she stood beside the pool. Her hands here folded within her cloak and he was sure it was not because of the cold. She was uneasy, and in return so was Legolas.
The elf prince stood beside her, his lean form towering next to her petite stature.

One tall, lean, fair and golden. Like the sun on a frosted winter morning rising above snow covered lands.
The other small, dark, exotic and colorful. As a warm summer night, just as twilight reveals the stars above.

Aragorn shook his head, //as night and day// he thought as his mind drifted. When his eyes took in Legolas once more the Elf's head was turned toward the back opening of the cavern. His hands held his bow down in a ready position, an arrow already notched.

Strider found himself shifting his grip on Anduril, a motion caused by instinct of over 80 some odd years of friendship and companionship of the Elf. Something was coming, Legolas could hear it.

Tempest too was watching in that direction and to his surprise, Greer�s head was turned as well. Her back stiff and he saw the glint of a dagger concealed within her palm.

Aragorn had did not allow himself to contemplate this, but a moment later he could see a light as Gandalf appeared.

There was a collective sigh from Aragorn, Greer and Tempest. Legolas simply rested the tip of his bow upon the ground and relaxed.

Gimli looked up to find Gandalf had returned, thick red eyebrows rose in surprise.
"There you are Gandalf, we were beginning to worry" he stated everyone�s thoughts exactly.

"Ahh well then no need to worry, yet." Gandalf's lip twitched in hidden mirth as he turned to Aragorn.
"Well I have found our way, let us proceed. Greer, Tempest if you will? I should like to have a word with you both." He said, motioning to both girls.

Both Legolas and Gimli stiffened at the same time.

The girls looked at each other, Tempest's chin tilting upwards as she moved beside her Teacher.
Greer simply rolled her eyes, reseating her dagger and striding with long legs over to the Istar.

Aragorn turned and collected Roheryn's reins, patting the horse upon his grey neck to reward him for good behavior. The spirited Stallion was taking being within a cavern very well indeed.

Arod was being similarly well behaved, and Shadowfax seemed as if he had walked this path plenty of times.
Merry's pony, Strider, was in a playful mood. He tug on his riders cloak and nudged his back causing Merry to laugh at him. His playfulness most likely stemming from boredom of an hour at a standstill.

As for Pippin, his pony mare was not fairing as well.
She continued to nod her head up and down in a troubled manner. She was unsure and skittish since the beginning of this journey, and now this only heightened her apprehension.

"Its alright Potato, I promise" Pippin tried reasoning with his beloved mare, but she continued to nod her head in her fear.

It was time for motion again, and they moved forward.


Tempest paused for a moment and looked back. What was in her mind none could tell, but a familiar grip upon her shoulder told her it was time to go.
She looked up and smiled ever so slightly at Legolas, he always knew what to do.
His simple presence gave her strength enough to turn away from this place and move forward.

In more ways than one.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Translations:

'Thurin Tham'= Hidden Hall

"Maer du!"= Good night!

"Edro annon o i thurin tham"=open great door (gate) of the hidden hall

"Man caro lin lagel lhaw pedo le, Legolas"=what do thy elf ears tell thee, Legolas?

Lanthir= waterfall



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------