The Fellowship strides along the far edge of a dark lake, directly beneath the towering cliffs. "The walls of Moria," Gimli remarks. Footing is precarious on the narrow strip of moss-covered stones. Gandalf lightly touches the smooth rock wall between the trees, faint lines resembling slender veins of glowing silver appearing. "It is, it mirrors only starlight and moonlight," Gandalf explains. As a large moon ascends above the mountains, the lines widen, becoming more distinct, forming a radiant arch of intertwined ancient letters and symbols. "It reads, 'The gate of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter,'" Gandalf declares. "What do you suppose that signifies?" Merry inquires. "It's rather simple. If you are a companion, utter the passphrase, and the doors will unlock," Gandalf responds. Gandalf raises his arms and commences chanting a spell. He continues murmuring incantations in his endeavor to unseal the entrance. Sam packs utensils at his feet, observing solemnly as Aragorn removes the saddle from Bill the pony. "Mines aren't suitable for a pony, even one as valiant as Bill," Aragorn remarks. "Farewell, Bill," Sam bids, a tinge of sadness in his voice. "Proceed, Bill, continue. Don't fret, Sam, he knows his way back home," Aragorn assures, patting Sam's shoulder in consolation.

Merry and Pippin are skipping stones into the lake, creating black rippling rings that slowly fan out. Pippin is poised to throw another stone when Aragorn intervenes, grasping his arm. "Do not disturb the water," Aragorn cautions. "He's right, you two. The Loch Ness Monster could be lurking in that lake for all we know," Liv interjects. Merry and Pippin exchange puzzled glances. "What? It's possible," Liv insists. Aragorn decides to indulge the notion. "She may have a point. There are tales of lake-dwelling monsters like this one," he adds. Merry and Pippin, visibly unnerved, opt to move away.

Meanwhile, Gandalf, overcome with despair, sits down beside Frodo. Frodo gazes at the Elvish inscription, his expression transforming into a smile of understanding. "It's a riddle," Frodo declares. Gandalf arches an eyebrow. "Speak, friend, and enter." "What's the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo inquires. "Oh, mellon," Gandalf responds. With that, the rock face splits silently down the middle, and two colossal doors swing outward, revealing a darkness deeper than the night. As the Fellowship ventures into the darkness, something stirs in the water. They cautiously tread into the gloom of Moria, a dank cavern with winding steps leading deeper into the mountain.

"So, master elf, you will savor the legendary 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 it Mine," proclaimed Gimli. A glow from Gandalf's staff suddenly illuminates the chamber... The Fellowship recoil in horror! Many dwarf skeletons are strewn about, clearly the casualties of some ancient battle, their rusting armor and shields peppered with arrows and axes. "This is no mine, it's a tomb!" exclaimed Boromir. "Oh no no no!" lamented Gimli. Legolas pulls an arrow out of a skeleton. "Goblins," declared Legolas. The Fellowship draw their swords and cautiously retreat towards the entrance. Liv retrieves her samurai morpher from her pocket. "Liv, stand behind me," instructed Legolas. "I'll be fine, don't worry. I'm tougher than you think," Liv assured. "I'll take your word for it," replied Legolas. "We must make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here," said Boromir. Suddenly, Frodo is yanked to the ground. A long sinuous tentacle wraps around Frodo's ankle and drags him towards the lake. Frodo cries out as Aragorn, Liv, and Boromir rush forward! Liv reaches into her pocket and retrieves Tepig's pokeball. "Tepig, come out and assist," commanded Liv. "Use Ember," she directed. Tepig complied. "Now, use Tackle," Liv instructed. Aragorn severs the tentacle holding Frodo and pulls him to safety, while Boromir hacks at the other writhing limbs. Twenty more tentacles ripple out of the lake! The dark water boils as the hideous beast lashes out at the group. Once again, the creature seizes Frodo and drags him towards the lake, flinging him into the air as the Fellowship battles the creature. Aragorn hacks at a tentacle. Frodo is released, falling into Boromir's arms. "Thanks for the help, Tepig. Return," said Liv. "Into the mines!" commanded Gandalf. "Legolas," called Boromir. Legolas shoots an arrow into the creature's head, buying crucial seconds for Aragorn, Liv, and Boromir as they race out of the water with Frodo. The group hurriedly backs away from the creature retreating into the Moria Chamber as many coiling arms seize the large doors. With a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, triggering a rock slide that crashes down the cliff face. Within seconds, tons of rock seal the doorway, throwing the Fellowship into pitch darkness.

"We have no other recourse but to brave the long darkness of Moria," Gandalf solemnly declared. "Remain vigilant, for there are ancient and sinister entities lurking in the depths, far more sinister than mere orcs."With caution, they proceed. "Silence," Gandalf instructs. "It will take us four days to traverse to the other side. Let us pray our presence goes unnoticed."Ascending a steep stair, they pass through a dwarf cemetery, its graves defiled and dwarf skeletons scattered amidst goblin graffiti written in dried dwarf blood. The atmosphere grows increasingly ominous.As the path splits into three tunnels, disappearing into darkness, Gandalf halts, his brow furrowed. "I have no recollection of this place," he admits.

The Fellowship waits anxiously as Gandalf sits, his gaze fixed on the three tunnels ahead, seemingly lost in a trance. Seeking a moment of respite from the tension, Liv perches on a nearby rock, her attention captured by the rhythmic beats emanating from her iPod.Legolas, ever observant, approaches her with gentle curiosity. "What are you doing?" he inquires, his voice cutting through the weighty silence."Playing Subway Surfers," Liv replies, briefly glancing up from her device. Legolas nods, his interest piqued. "May I ask you something?" he continues."Of course," Liv answers, offering a friendly smile."That creature that aided Frodo against the assailant, what was it?" Legolas queries, his curiosity tinged with admiration for the unexpected ally.With a fond smile, Liv recalls the moment. "Oh, that was Tepig, my Pokémon partner," she responds.Legolas' eyebrows raise in surprise, intrigued by this revelation. "So, you're a Pokémon trainer?" he asks, genuinely fascinated by the concept."Yes, indeed," Liv confirms with a nod, the bond between her and Tepig serving as a testament to the strength found in unlikely companionship."Do you have any other Pokémon?" inquired Legolas."Yeah, I have lots of them," Liv replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement at the thought of her diverse team.As the conversation unfolds, Pippin's stomach interrupts the tense atmosphere. "Are we lost?" he ventures.Merry, ever the voice of reason, reassures him, "No. I don't think we are. Shhhh, Gandalf's thinking.""Merry," Pippin interrupts, "what?""I'm hungry," Pippin replies, his concern for sustenance breaking through the seriousness of their situation. "Pippin now's not the time to worry about food" Liv said, her tone slightly annoyed. "I have to agree with her" added Legolas, his focus returning to the pressing matters at hand.

Meanwhile Frodo is talking to Gandalf Liv tried to point out some of the things they were saying.!"Ah! That it's that way!" said Gandalf. "He's remembered!" said Merry. "No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose!" said Gandalf.

The Fellowship pass under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Gandalf pauses. "Let me risk a little more light" said Gandalf. He taps his staff to ignite it. "The great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf" Gandalf continues. "Well there's an eye opener and no mistake" said Sam. Ahead of them, a wooden door has been smashed. Black arrows are embedded in the timbers. Two goblin skeletons lie in the doorway. Gimli rushes ahead. "Gimli" said Gandalf, his tone cautionary, urging Gimli to exercise restraint.

To be continued