Chapter 6: Mines of Moria...Their fëa

*underline is Elvish, bold is speaking into the mind and as for fëa i am taking some different parts from different wordings and adding my own stuff. i know elves fëa bond with marriage(read from like 3 different readings)  and they have known each other for a couple months now based on the timeline but i am going to make it my own so do not judge please thank you*

As they journeyed, Asteria could feel dread in her heart; she knew they were getting closer. Legolas kept a close eye on her, they have not spoken about their kiss their last night in Rivendell; he wanted to talk to her about it in hopes to find out her true feelings but it wasn't the time to speak on it. "Ah, the walls of Moria" Gimli says as he stood in awe; excited to see the home of his kin. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed" Gimli said.

"Yes, Gimli, their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf stated touching the flat rock; examining it. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas said in a low voice enough for Asteria could hear as she chuckled a bit as she took a seat on a rock; bathing in starlight as much as she can as she dreaded going into the mines. Legolas noticed this as he took his place next to her "Are you alright?" he asked in hush tones enough for her to hear as she hummed in response still basking in the light of the moon. Legolas couldn't help but smile at her.

"Well let's see..." Gandalf said as he ran his hands across the stone wall "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight" he looked to the sky as the clouds cleared more showing the moon and allowed it to shine down more. The doors illuminated suddenly, allowing the carvings to be seen. "It reads, the doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend and enter."

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry chimed in. "It's quite simple! If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors with open." Gandalf stated bluntly. Gandalf then placed his staff head against the wall and started to speak words in Elvish and other languages. After a few moments, the doors still did not open so Gandalf stopped dumbfounded. "Nothing's happening" Pippin said. Asteria stood up and walked near the doors, reading the doors she thought of 'Speak friend and enter...'

"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs." Gandalf replied to Pippin "What are you going to do then?" the young hobbit asked. Gandalf getting frustrated now "Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, will try to find the opening words!" Gandalf snapped as Asteria moved to put a hand on his shoulder to calm him. "Gandalf, be calm" He looked at her and nodded as he sat and think on how to open the doors. She moved gracefully to Pippin as she placed a hand on his head giving him a kind smile "Be patient little one.." he simply nodded at her.

After a while, Gandalf still cannot find the words to open the doors. Asteria watched as Aragorn and Sam were releasing Bill; their pony. "Mines are no place for a pony, even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn said as Sam pet the pony sweetly almost as if he was losing a close friend. "Bye-bye Bill" Sam said to the pony. "Go on, Bill. Go on." Aragorn said as he placed a hand on Sam's shoulder in comfort "Don't worry Sam, he knows the way home." Asteria could see the sadness in Sam's eyes "Do not fret my dear Sam. He will be safe." Sam's eyes widened from the voice in his mind as he looked at Asteria who was smiling at him giving him a slight nod.

The sounds of throwing and landing in the water made everyone shift uncomfortably especially Asteria and Legolas. Merry and Pippin were throwing stones to pass the time as Aragorn quickly grabbed Merry's arm "Do not disturb the water." He said in a warning tone. Asteria could see the ripples continue as she walked back a bit and walked to the walls of Moria again; deep in thought. Gandalf noticed her "It's useless.."

Asteria shook her head as she placed a hand on it; almost in a trance as she realized "It's a riddle... Speak friend and enter.." Gandalf looked at her as she looked at him "Mellon..." she spoke softly as the doors suddenly began to open which Gandalf looked in surprise. He moved and placed a hand on Asteria's shoulder giving her a smile "Be the last one to come in my dear.." he said softly, knowing the dread in her heart as she gave him a slight nod.

As everyone passed Asteria, she followed behind them slowly; taking in the starlight and moonlight as much as she can as she started to feel herself get light-headed as she got closer into the entrance of the mines. It was dark and dreary but that didn't stop Gimli from happiness "Soon, master and lady elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" Gimli continued in happiness as Asteria felt a deep dread in her heart as if something was wrong about the mine. Gandalf whispered a spell to his staff as it began to shine brightly; illuminating the mine entrance and revealed a terrifying horror.

The light revealed dozens of dead dwarf skeletons collapsed on the ground around them. It was a horrible sight to see, Asteria terrified as she watched Legolas pull a arrow out of one of the heads of a skeletons as she armed herself with her bow she gasped "Goblins..." she said as Legolas looked at her nodding. "We make for the Gap of Rohan" Boromir spoke up as they all started backing up; Asteria was behind Frodo and the other hobbits as they started backing out of the entrance "We should have never come here. Now, get out of here. Get out!" Boromir shouted.

A tentacle suddenly appeared out of the waters; grabbing Frodo's ankle and started to drag him "Frodo!" Sam called out as Asteria quickly took her sword slashing at the tentacle standing in front of him. In quick moment, multiple tentacles came out; grabbing Asteria and Frodo again as the other knocked the hobbits down "Aragorn! Legolas!" Sam called out again.

Both Asteria and Frodo were suspended in the air as she tried to reach for her dagger in her boot "Asteria! Frodo!" Aragorn yelled as he and Boromir waded into the waters, attacking the tentacles; hoping they would give way and let go of their friends. Legolas quickly fired arrow after arrow hoping to get them lose. Aragorn managed to hit the tentacle that was holding Asteria; catching her carrying her out of the waters as Boromir got Frodo lose. "LEGOLAS!" Boromir called out as Legolas managed to shoot an arrow to the monster's head as it appeared out of the waters. Aragorn; with Asteria grasping onto him, quickly made his way into the mines. The creature following them; was too big for the doors as the sudden impact broke off large pieces of stone that fell; blocked the doorway and killed the creature.

Aragorn put Asteria on the ground as Legolas quickly made his way over "Asteria..." he said placing a hand on her cheek. She was shivering a bit as she relaxed to his touch, Aragorn removed her boot to look at her leg; it showed red and irritation as she brushed him off "I'm alright.." she wrung her hair out as the two watched her in concern; she noticed this "I am alright my lords. I promise you. I am more worried about being in the mines right now.." Aragorn who didn't understand at first was given a knowing look from Legolas as he understood the meaning. Legolas moved to help her up "Stay by me. Please my lady." She gave him a kind smile nodding.

"We now have but one choice.." Gandalf said as he made his staff shine brightly which gave Asteria some hope in being able to handle the mines "We must face the long dark mines of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs, in the deep places of the world. Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed" he continued as they began to ascend the stairs near them following Gandalf. Asteria adjusted her bow on her back as she took a deep breath, slowly feeling weaker as they went deeper into the mines, Legolas stayed close to her in case she needed help and Aragorn was close to them as well.

After a few hours of climbing stairs and going through tunnels; they were passing at the edge of the climb as Gandalf was telling the hobbits stories to help them relax. Asteria thought it was sweet as she listened as well "The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels, but mithril" he said as he pointed his staff towards the cliff as he dared more light. The cliff began to shine and sparkle due to the light. It was as if the starry sky was brought in to the mines "It's like your name Asteria!" whispered Merry to the elf maiden. She couldn't help but to smile at him, placing a hand on his shoulder accepting the comfort she was receiving. Gandalf explained to the fellowship when they last rested; the concerned situation of Asteria. "Bilbo had a shirt of mithril that Thorin gave him long ago" as Gandalf continued.

"Oh, that was a kingly gift." Gimli chimed; quite amused. "Yes.." Gandalf said as he continued "I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire." An hour or so later they arrived to an area where the paths split into three roads "I have no memory of this place..." Gandalf said in a confused whisper. They all sat in different areas as Gandalf pondered on which path to take. Asteria stood by the edge of the cliff they were on, watching the little bit of light dance along the mithril that was in the rocks. She felt weak and tired. Her powers were slowly diminishing as she wrapped her arms around herself; trying to relax herself.

A presence behind her broke her out of her trance as she felt arms wrap around her gently; she knew it was Legolas "I wish I could bear this burden for you my lady." He said softly kissing the back of her head in comfort. Asteria couldn't help but smile as she leaned back into his arms softly closing her eyes "I feel so weak Legolas.. I may be useless should anything happen. I need to know you will take care of the others regardless of me." She said softly as he shook his head. He would not chose to disregard her, as he held her closer "I will not let anything happen to you, nor will I abandon you." He said as he forced her to turn to look at him as he continued to speak; he could see the glimmer in her eyes has disappeared "I will not let you diminish. Do you have to always be so stubborn. Let me help you." He said placing a hand on her cheek. She knew what he mean to do as she shook her head "Do not bond our fëa together please. If something happens to me, you could lose yourself." she pleaded as he placed a kiss on her forehead "I do not care. I do not wish to lose you Asteria."

She knew what bonding their fëa would mean their souls would bond; they would feel each other's pain and sorrow for the rest of their lives. They sense all of their other half's feelings, physical and emotional or even distress. They would be able to sense each other's presence from a great distance. Their bond would be strong for that would mean their partner's life would mean more to them than their own. They can pass strength to each other if needed. But when the bond is broken; whether by death or betrayal, it would be a tremendous shock to the partner of the union; they could die from grief itself.

"Legolas.. Please... I could not do that to you.." Asteria pleaded, her heart felt like it would break. Over time of knowing Legolas; she fell in love with him. She could not put him through pain. Legolas kissed her forehead again "It does not matter. My heart decided when I first met you that I would do anything for you." He took her face into his hands placing a gentle kiss to her lips which she accepted.

He fell in love with her; it was easy to do. The way she carried herself and cares for others before herself. She was selfless and beautiful inside and out. They stared at each other for a moment as he gave her a smile which she happily returned as he placed his forehead to hers; wrapping his arms around her "Asteria, I love you.. it would break my heart to lose you." He whispered softly as her eyes widened looking at him as she smiled gently.

Legolas did not expect her to reply right away but he could tell she felt the same as their bond could not be complete if the emotions were not the same. He placed his forehead back on hers as he softly muttered a spell of the Eldar. It was the words to bond their fëa together. She didn't say anything but she was terrified; if something happened to him she could not bear it but she accepted what he mean to do as their eyes turned a bright and sparkling blue; showing that their fëa bonded. In that moment, Legolas truly knew she loved him. She felt a sense of relief and ease as the bond completed. She was still a bit weak but not as much thanks to Legolas's strength. He placed a hand on her cheek; giving her a gentle kiss.

Before Asteria could speak "AH, it's that way" Gandalf exclaimed as he pointed at the tunnel to the right, the fellowship scrambling to their feet. Legolas took Asteria's hand and guided her to follow the fellowship "He's remembered!" Merry said in relief "No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Meriadoc, follow your nose" Gandalf said gesturing his nose.

Gandalf turned as he spoke to Asteria who he saw was walking with Legolas "My lady, are you alright?" he spoke in concern but did not realize what transpired when the two had their distance from the group. She gave him a kind smile and nodded, she seemed to have some color back as she seemed still weak. Gandalf realized what Legolas had done, but even a fëa bond would not fully help her when it comes to the dark. He gave her a nod as he continued to lead the group. Asteria prayed that they would still go unnoticed deep into the mines and pray to the Valar for starlight.

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*dont judge me on the fëa bond thing. I took parts and added my own. so hush it lol*