Moria: Day 2 - The journey to the Chamber of Crossroads

I awoke on my second day in Moria with high spirit. It felt weird being in the dark, knowing that it was probably somewhere around midday.
I calmly grabbed my gear and made myself some breakfast. Luckily most of the dwarves were more then willing to lend me some food for a proper breakfast.
While I was sitting near the fire pit with some dwarves I took the time to plan out the second part. The goal was an area known as the Chamber of Crossroads. 
One of the dwarves gazed over my shoulder and saw my map. He realized that it was an old one and would only lead me off track. He offered me another map. A better one but....
Against a prize. 
The dwarf was rather amazed by the craftsmanship of my bow and offered me a trade. My bow for the map.
Though I hated the idea of loosing one of my best bows, I hated the idea of dying even more. And so I accepted the trade.
I grabbed my spare bow from the back of Aronath and readied myself to set out on the journey. I walked over to the stairways and gazed into the darkness. 
In the far distance I saw what looked like faces and a bridge. That was my desitnation!


I walked down the steep stairway into the darkness that laid beyond. 
My road was once more only lighted by the crystals that were placed along it.
It was was a steep climb down into the Delving but at least I did not have to go back up. Not yet at least.
The path I set upon was nothing more then a wide ledge along the mountain side. 
Aronath wasn't to pleased with it but he did not have much of a choice. 
Calmly and steadily I walked along it making sure that neither of us would fall into the darkness below.
After a while the path began to grow wider and after that it did not take long for the path to become wide enough the calmly walk side by side with my steed. 

I believe it was after about two hours of walking that the smell of the cavern began to change. It started to smell foul.
Soon I realized why... Goblins!
I left Aronath at a safe place and went out to the ledge that laid a few feet to my east. Once there I saw what the dwarves of Dolven-vieuw were talking about during the dinner I had after my arrival there the other day.
This must have been the Goblin camp that had been troubling them. 
I would have loved to go down there and assist the dwarves a bit by thinning their ranks but it would not have been wise to take the risk...


I turned around and walked back to Aronath. It was clear to me that I had to be careful from now on. So far I have not encountered anything else but Bugs and beasts. Those will stay calm if you don't disturb them. They will just look at you and move on.
These Goblins however could provide quite the big problem.They are not all to bright but their lack of intellect is compromised by their great numbers and savage way of combat.

I took out my bow for a while and walked on towards the bridge. 
To get there I needed to go down another steep hill. It was defiantly the trickiest climb so far. Aronath almost slipped from my grip but he managed to regain his stability as quickly as he lost it. 
The poor thing was quite scared once we reached the bottom of the hill. I thought it was best to take a short break. I comforted Aronath with some sugar cubes and a nice carrot.. Blegh! I hate carrots.... but he loves them so...
After a while Aronath was calmed down and we went on. Down the road towards the great bridge.
We walked for about another hour before we managed to reach the steps that lead up to the bridge. Once I managed to ascend them I was greeted by an amazing vieuw.
The dwarves of old were truly great craftsman. I had never seen statues alike... not even in Thorins Hall.


I passed the archway that was made within the stone beards of the dwarven lords of old. and was greeted by, you guessed it, more hallways!
Sometimes it seems like there is no end to it. It made me think about how long it had taken the dwarves of old to construct such a massive city underneath the misty mountains.
The hallways that I entered were better constructed then the onces I walked on my first day. They were obviously shaped for a purpose. 
Every now and then I was greeted by the grumpy face of a great statue. They had names on them and runes as well but I could not figure out what they said. Perhaps they were champions of old days...

I wandered the hallways for almost the entire day, following my new map as best I could. At some points I thought I was lost again but then it did not take me long te recall where I was on the map and notice I was actually heading in the right direction.
After a while I encountered a dwarf! Another scout that came to Moria with the expedition. I asked him for directions and all he could do was laugh! 
He pointed out that I was almost at my destination and kindly showed me the way towards the Chamber of Crossroads!


Along with the dwarf I walked for about twenty minutes. Then we came to what he told me about. A large stone circle with many paths that lead to many places within Moria.
At one of the ends was a large chamber where I could hear dwarves drink and feast. 
The scout took me into the camp and I was once more greeted by the kindness of the dwarves.
I left Aronath at the stable and brushed him for a bit. He was filthy from the cavern dust.
After Aronath was all cleaned up I left him to feast on some hay and moved onward to satisfy my own needs.
A nice salted pork was readied for me by the dwarves and I sat by them almost the entire evening... or day.
I am still not sure what time it is outside but here it is an endless night.

After a while I took a tankard of ale and separated myself from the group. I found a nice place to relax and come to rest.
I finished my tankard and went to sleep.... Tomorrow I will travel to the 21 hall! 
I am exited!