Moria: Day 1 - The journey to Dolven-vieuw

Today was the day. A day I had been looking forward to.
Today I would enter the old city of Moria. Deep within the mountains.
As I stood before the door of Durin I could not help but wonder. Wonder if I would make it to the other side alive. Wonder how I was going to do it. I hoped to make friend along the way toward the other side. 
I was told it takes four days on foot to reach the far east side of Moria. It will be four long days. 
For now I had to focus on my first objective. Reaching Dolven-vieuw. 

I entered the mountain with my head high and my guts in control. It did not take me long to reach the Threshold of Durin. 
Once I arrived I felt the eyes of many dwarves drawn toward me. They were supprised to see a Ranger enter the mountain. One of the dwarves walked up to me and greeted me. 
He asked me why I had come so far to enter Moria. I honestly told him that I wished to travel towards the lands of Rohan but, the road past the Ford of Isen was to dangerous to take.
The dwarf laughed and we spoke for a bit. He gave me directions on how to find Dolven-vieuw... And so I continued my journey.



The way led up... a large staircase made of solid stone led towards the cavern deep within the mountain.
After passing it all became dark... very dark. Every now and then there was one of those beautiful crystals that lighted the way. Here and there I could hear the sound of bugs crawling around through the cavern. 
The first part was quite easy. It was a simple road that led one way only. All I had to do was follow it. And so I did.
Halfway through I encountered a dwarf that was inspecting a rather large beetle. The beetle of course was dead, an axe stuck in its spine.
I walked up to the scout and told him what I told the other dwarf back in the Threshold. 
Dwarves appear to be much kinder then some men might thing. He kindly warned me about the dangers that lay ahead of me. 
We talked for but a short while. After that he went back toward the Threshold and I continued my journey east along the road.
About two hours of walking passed by before I reached a large cavern. Beyond anything I have witnessed before.
I stood amazed... But it soon came to me that I had to keep moving. 



My journey went on. Down stairs and up hills. 
It was no use... I was lost. I wandered around for what seemed like an age. there were no dwarves to be found anywhere.. only more of those disgustingly large beetles. I started to grow hungry and tired so I sat down at a safe place within an old forgotten structure of the dwarves and took down some food from one of the satchels on Aronath his gear. 
Yes! I have taken him with me! Though its not wise to ride him down here I will lead him on towards the other side. He is now my one and only friend down in this deep darkness.
Anyway!
I took out some Lembas bread that I was gifted in Imlardis. It only took a small piece to satisfy my needs of hunger. 
After a while I picked myself up from the ground and started walking again. 
I walked and walked and walked... but there was nothing I could recognize when I looked down upon my map. Not until I saw an old overlook. 
I went up and to my surprise, on my right hand... I found a library.
I walked in! The doors were wide open. I held my blade in my had, ready for anything but there were no creatures within the structure. 
Once I knew it was safe I started to look around. Perhaps there was a map to be found or some long lost lore.. or so I thought. 


I searched for about an hour between the books. Most were written in a language that I did not understand. Its probably the dwarven form of writing. 
I was however lucky enough to find an old translation book where the speech of dwarves was translated into Sindarin. Some pages however were damaged and of no use but more then enough was spared.
I also took some other books with me. I recognized them as journals so I am hoping that if I combine them with the translation book, I might find out more of what lays ahead and what landmarks I can use to identify my location. Lets hope for the best!

After I was done collecting I left the room. As I stood in the doorway, about to leave, I gazed down upon my map and noticed something rather joyful to me!
The Library was pointed out on the map. And due to that I knew where I needed to head to reach Dolven-vieuw!
I placed the bag with the journals on Aronath and tied it down so it would not fall off. Then I game my companion an apple and we started walking towards Dolven-vieuw.

Another long time passed before we managed to reach the hill that lead there. It was a cruel final climb. I was very tired and so was Aronath. Once I reached the top however I was  greeted by an amazing view of the cavern. I was tired... so very tired.


It did not take me more then a minute to sport the first dwarves, They rushed towards me with weapons at their sides. Apparently they had some troubles with goblins and orcs and thought I was one. Luckily it did not take them very long to realize I wasn't a orc but a man and so they lowered their weapons and guided me to a nice warm fire. 
Aronath was brought to the stables, and he was in luck. Earlier that day, while I was wondering around at ''who-knows-where'' a fresh shipment of hay had been send to Dolven-vieuw from the Threshold. 
I saw my steed bending down and feasting upon the hay that was laid down before him.
I was glad to see him so happy. It warmed my heart`.

The rest of the day.. or night.. I spend talking with the dwarves. They wanted to know so much about me and sadly I can not open up to much of my own secrets to them.
None the less I had a splendid evening with the lot and had a good meal.

Now... I am about to get some rest. As I said earlier, I am no longer aware of what time of day it is. 
Day one was not a complete disaster... I hope tomorrow will be better.