The pulsating white lights of the light stones cast long shadows on the cold, damp stone walls of Moria as Gollum and his peculiar entourage ventured deeper into the labyrinthine Western halls. His keen eyes darted from side to side, taking in every detail—every crack in the walls, every echo that reached his long and sharp ears. His mind, ever restless, churned with curiosity and cautious excitement.
The five women followed closely behind, each dressed in wolf furs and carrying axes and supplies for the journey. They were odd companions, not all that fierce yet beautiful and loyal, with their own quiet strength that contrasted with Gollum's wiry, unsettling presence and godly might. He had forged an alliance of sorts with them, knocked all except one of them up with his babies, and now each of them were bringing their skills and knowledge to this expedition.
Alongside them clucked a small flock of chickens, their feathers rustling with every step they took. Gollum occasionally shot them a glare, his eyes narrowing in irritation at the incessant noise. But he had learned their value—meat and eggs, if needed, and even the rare comfort of a familiar sound in the echoing silence of the Mines. Plus his women just didn't want to leave them behind in the second hall for whatever reason, so they came with them.
And then, there were the horses—eight in total—two tied to each woman, their hooves echoing on the stone floors, louder than the human steps but still not too loud. They were a reminder of a world beyond the dark tunnels. Gollum had not expected to need them, but the women had insisted, and now they served as a unique advantage for carrying supplies and navigating the vast expanse of Moria.
"Stay close my loves, Gollum Gollum." Gollum hissed, his voice barely a whisper as he turned a corner and gazed down the long hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly. His eyes were fixed on the shadows that lingered just beyond the reach of the light stones. He had no real want to explore this place now, but there were things to be found—secrets buried within the deep. And those secrets were what his women were quite insistent to find.
The women whispered among themselves, but Gollum paid little attention to their woman talk. His focus was always ahead, on any potential threats coming their way. Always seeking.
He had after all heard stories of the ancient Dwarves, their riches, their craftsmanship, and there downfall against the demon of Moria. For Moria if the legends were to be believed was indeed more than just a tomb, it was a place where things long forgotten might still stir. And he could vaguely sense it, the shift in the air, the pull of something unknown deep within the dark.
Gollum knelt near a stone door, his sharp fingers brushing the runes carved into its surface. Smelling the damp air, he could feel no wind, no fresh air, and no exit beyond this point as he then said. "Yes, this way my loves. This way to get deeper within the mines, Gollum Gollum Gollum." He murmured, more to himself than anyone else, as he carefully moved the heavy stone slab to reveal another corridor, darker and more cramped than the last, with less beauty and Dwarven carvings there.
Then as they proceeded deeper, the quiet hum of the place seemed to change, as if the very walls of Moria were alive with memories, memories of the vast mines, filled with the many miners that had once been there, but no longer.
Gollum's eyes glittered with a strange mixture of fear and excitement. The air was thick with the smell of old stone and decay, the distant sounds of dripping water echoing in the gloom.
"Stay sharp, my precious loves." Gollum warned, his voice growing more urgent. "There are things here... things that watch." His gaze darted again, uncertain if he was just saying random shit or facts, though his tone remained steady. The women none the wiser just nodded, prepared for whatever may come, even if they weren't sure what Gollum truly meant.
The horses shifted nervously behind them, sensing the same unease. The chickens had fallen silent, huddling together as if they too could feel the unease in the air.
Ever deeper then into the Western mines of Moria they went, the tunnels growing narrower and the oppressive darkness more suffocating. But Gollum was resolute. This was where the true journey would begin. The mystery of Moria was vast, and Gollum—ever the seeker—was determined to uncover its secrets, if that truly was the cost to keep his women happy.
And soon, as they entered through a tunnel into a larger mine of sorts they began to see mine cart tracks, old pickaxes, metallic mining helmets, signs of burned Dwarven corpses, and carts that indeed held that what they had come here for. With the lights of their light stones coming closer the mining carts began emitting out a faint golden glow.
Seeing it the women's eyes, especially Davina, Sini and most of all Tauriels eyes lit up. As Tauriel was quick to then push the others aside as she rushed to one of the carts yelling.
"Out of my way bitches, let me see!"
And though her actions and words were rude, as the main bitch none questioned her, plus she was a wise Elf so she had to know what she was doing. Then as her slender Elven hands reached out to touch the golden stone within one of the carts, she carefully took it, looked at it and then cheered in excitement.
"Yes yes, we found it, we found Gold! Real gold and lots of it as well!"
Hearing her words the others cheered as well. The two sisters Maud and Davina held eachothers hands and spun in circles yelling.
"Yey we are gonna be rich, we are gonna be rich!"
Ailith hugged Gollum happily, the horses seemed confused, the chicken's were scared, and Princess Sini was quick to join Tauriel in inspecting the gold.
Tauriel then looked to Gollum and victoriously said.
"Gollum my precious, with this we will get you the army of brothel maids and slave women that you deserve. Soon Moria will be a true women's paradise and full of little Gollum's in the hundreds or even in the thousands!"
Tauriel truly seemed happy, though to Gollum it seemed odd that she was more happy about this than he was. Wasn't it he who was getting more women and not her? Well it didn't matter for he would do whatever he needed to do in order to make Tauriel happy and Moria safe and into a big mighty kingdom.
As the women's moment of joy calmed down it then came time for work. Emptying the pouches of the horses they slowly began hawling the gold within the horses pouches, as Gollum filled up two large sacks that he intended to carry on his back. The women though would need to be content with only carrying the light bags full of supplies on their backs as Gollum did not wish to strain their pregnant bodies at all.
For a good long while within the dark they worked on this, all the while Gollum could not help the uneasy feeling that he had. Then he heard the Rooster suddenly yell.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
It's loud obnoxious voice carried far throughout the Western mines quickly prompting Gollum to dash to the creature to shut its mouth up. Taking out an extra sack, he stuffed the loud cock into it, for a moment saving them from the possible danger that he feared to awaken within the deep.
Using his senses he could feel it somewhere lower, much deeper within the mines. It's powerful presence was so different from his women or the nonexistent wildlife that was not present within Moria. The creature whatever it was must have been strong.
Noticing Gollums cautious actions Tauriel was quick to ask.
"What is it my precious? Did you sense it moving?"
Gollum shaking his head was quick to say.
"No my love, I'm just being cautious. Gollum thinks one can never be to, cautious. Can you? No you cannot, yes yes, Gollum."
Tauriel and the others hearing his words seemed relieved, though there was a hint of disappointment within them. For better or worse the women were quite curious creatures, interested in finding shiny and most of all beautiful things, but also in meeting new creatures like the one that hid deep within the dark.
Nonetheless the creature didn't seem to be bothered by them for now. And so in peace of the dark the group quickly took whatever gold they could put upon the horses and Gollum could carry, and then they headed back.
With Tauriel's keen mind at the lead, working to guide them back to the East and into the second hall. The other girls pulled the horses along, as Gollum kept two eyes on there back sides, and the chickens as well.
Sweat running down Gollums pale muscular body, he seemed to be shining within the dark. While his deep manly rough grunt's, and low heavy breaths that he was letting out seemed to make the girls feel offly hot inside.
Nonetheless through the dark tunnels, and later on past the many halls of Carven stone and mighty pillars they moved. Their shadows seemed to be hugging the walls, and white stone light's were almost as if shining stars within the quiet dark.
Having moved through the Western mines Gollum could not help but notice just how little there was to be found or to be seen. The same held true for the straight carved passage leading East that was full of mighty halls that had roofs held up by many mighty pillars.
However as mighty as the pillars were, the halls there were clearly only meant to give a grand feeling to whoever travelled past them. They were a way to make one feel small in this kingdom that was surely large, mighty, rich and luxurious. Kind of like Deagol said that many rich big people liked to make the entrance halls to their homes appear in order to assert a sense of superiority upon ones guests, and make them feel small within a home that at least on the outside appeared big.
So as little as Gollum had seen within his few days of exploration with the women, he was now certain that off to the sides, and especially up in the higher levels were the true riches of this place.
There the true Dwarven cities laid in wait, with their Dwarven museums of old, luxurious Dwarven homes and mansions of nobility, forges filled with armours and weapons of war, small little Dwarven businesses with all sorts of old perfumes, furniture and of course lots of jewelry and what else Dwarves might have within their cities.
Well whatever it was, Gollum was sure that it was grand and beautiful. And sooner or later he would go find it all. But first they had decided to go for the most certan of all options, the Eastern mines that they knew would for sure b full of raw metals. Metals like gold that they could easily sell for hard usable coins, items of use, or more women.
For an unknown amount of hours they walked within the dark guided by their stones, only stopping a few times to rest, and once to sleep. Until finally they made it to their little wooden gates that once pushed open led them to the bright second hall.
All around moss, grass, flowers and many green things grew there under the white lights of Gollums many stones. After weeks of work the ground was not gray anymore, but green, soft and nice to walk upon.
Also the peaceful and calming noise of water lightly moving through Gollum's hand dug streams dug into the stones could be heard. And far in the center of the second hall a small pool surrounded by small apple trees could be seen there.
Now this was paradise on earth, or in their case below it. Moria no longer was a kingdom reliant on outside help to keep it going, to keep it fed. No Gollums Moria was self sufficient, green and environmentally friendly or whatever it was that Tauriel liked to call it. Well for Gollum what mattered was that this all meant that they were now capable of isolating better than any other mountain kingdom ever had, which was just like Gollum liked it to be.
Hauling the gold close to the Guard house, and placing the chickens and horses in their fenced animal pens. Gollum then let his women sit down and rest as he went to handle business in the first hall.
Already his stones were glowing a light red indicating that a person waited for him at the great eastern gates of Moria. Truly a great door alarm he had, one that didn't make annoying noises, but merely glowed a certain shade of red to indicate how close an intruder was.
Going across the now quite familiar and a little moss covered bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gollum then headed down the wide stairs that were covered in green and flowers, from there he went through a wide passage and into the second hall. And there before him, just like behind him he could now see all mostly lit by his light stones, while the ground was covered in a light layer of green and flower's.
Though the straight passage of flowers leading to the Great Eastern gate was now not lit by white, but with red glowing stones. In the distance Gollum could still see the gates being closed just as he had left them.
Walking through the first hall Gollum then came upon the gates, though he did not open them. Instead he looked right to a small set of stairs carved within the mountain wall.
Going up them he then found himself within the walls close to the gate, and there after sliding aside a stone slab an window like opening was made. From there he peered out into the lake of Mirrormere and that what was before the stairs leading to the gate.
And there he could see them again, a familiar looking group of Wildman warriors dressed in chainmail armours covered in furs, and armed with bows, axes and round shields at their backs. Their faces covered in helmets that only left their lower faces and eyes visible made it hard to recognise them, but one crippled man he could recognise amongst their number.
With a broken leg wrapped in bandages, and with a light layer of wolf furs on top he recognised this man, and by further observation he could also recognise his wolf fur companion as well. The other man held a bandage around his head that covered his ears, he was the one who's eardrums he had totally shattered.
Other than that though he couldn't recognise the 20 other men, some standing and some sitting on horse back. Still feeling curious as he was, Gollum ran to the gates, and by turning a metallic leaver on both sides of the gates he released the gates locks.
Loud grinding sounds of the locks unlocking could be heard, after which Gollum with all his might went to push open the large gates, enough so that he could exit.
The men seeing his coming seemed a bit startled, though their warrior Wildman nerves seemed to keep them surprisingly calm. I'm fact coming to a stop at the top of the stairs the Wildman with the broken leg was quick to come limping before Gollum as the man said.
"Greetings powerful pale warrior Gollum. I Wolfstrong, and my now deaf brother Wolfpaw have come before you to make peace, with these 20 armed men. So what say you, are you willing to make peace?"
Gollum crossing his arms, and lifting his chin in a show of confidence smiled as he spoke and said.
"Gollum is King under the mountain, and Gollum knowingly not made war upon your people. So fret not, for Gollum now having his women back sees no need to make war upon you, as you have nothing that Gollum want's or needs. King Gollum only desire is peace for now, you see."
Wolfstrong hearing what Gollum precieved to be mighty words of wisdom, then flexed his biceps, and also crossed them before himself as he said confidently.
"Wolfstrong disagree, for Wolfstrong sadly must request an bridal dowry from you in the name of our King. You see you have not only taken his daughter, but his sons wife and two daughters as well, without giving anything in compensation to our King. He after all has raised them, or his son has, and he has given them protection and a chance at life as he is the reason for their existence within this world. And so compensation is needed, oh mighty king Gollum of the mountains. Also depending on the payment we are willing to give you things in exchange as well. We already have many slaves you see, and soon after the harvest season we will go acquire many more slaves in our coming raids, and so for whatever great things of value you give us, we will give slaves and whatever else you need in exchange. Even cows, or sheep, or chickens."
Gollum was impressed, never had it crossed his mind, but there in fact were things that these men could gift him. Thing's that Moria still sadly didn't have and that he would need to gain from the outside world.
Thinking on it for but a moment Gollum, could not help but feel good about these men. For the first time someone else other than his women had indeed called him a king under the mountain, and they hadn't even tried to come within his home uninvited. Nodding his head in satisfaction, Gollum was quick to then say.
"I King Gollum see wisdom and reason within your words Wolfstrong. So I have decided that you will indeed be given trade, and there will be peace between our mighty kingdoms, this message you can take to your king. But first I will hand you a mighty gift."
Wolfstrong was seemingly very pleased, but a bit lost on Gollums meaning.
"What gift, what do you mean King Gollum?"
Gollum flashing a smile then bent down, and jumped forward at the men.
In shock the men, and even the deaf Wolfstep yelled.
"What the fuck?"
Wolfstrong took a step back, but his leg that Gollum had broken in days passed failed him. In his haste his balance was lost and the man fell on his ass.
And with a heavy thud Gollum landed before the man, and before anyone could do a thing he crouched down, placed a strong hand upon the broken leg and confidently said.
"Let your leg be healed once more friend, Gollum Gollum, yes Gollum heals you my new friend."
Wolfstrong knew not what happened then, but his vision was consumed then by a brilliant white light. In his mind he found himself sitting upon a beach, the waves of the endless sea lightly washing against the sandy shore, as a white sun shined brightly down upon him.
Wolfstrong could hardly believe it, he hadn't even ever seen the sea in his life. And yet he knew the vast expanse of water before himself to be the sea, and within the white light his body felt so warm, so relaxed unlike nothing that he had felt before. Even forcing himself on women, or his old wife forcing herself upon him didn't feel ever as good as he was feeling in that moment.
However a moment it only was, and then it passed. And with its passing the pain fear, doubt and all bad thoughts or pains that he had seemingly washed away. Wolfstrong knew not how, but he was them seemingly born a new then.
And as he sat there in confusion quickly his brother besides him yelled.
"By the god's, I can hear the birds!"
Wolfstrong hearing this was quick to then stand upon his feet, only to then also yell in surprise.
"By the God's, my leg is working once again!"
The two men then along with everyone else looked upon the half naked, pale skinned, swole King under the mountain Gollum that stood there before them. No more was there a pale retarded beast that called itself a King before them, no, now there stood a miracle, a true swole god of the mountains there before them.
Wolfstrong instantly at the realisation of this fell to both his knees before Gollum and lowered his head. He did not dare to look upon the pale God as he merely muttered out a question.
"Are the swole, no I mean what are you? Are the a God made manifest in the Flesh, oh mighty one?"
Wolfstep too fell on his knees as he said.
"Blessed be our lord, thank you for this gift that you have given upon me, I I, I mean us, yeah that's what I meant to say."
And with this all the men present there fell to their knees, some slower than others as they had to hop off of their horses. Horses that were very much confused at the sight of this, just as Gollum was.
Gollum looking upon the men felt it to be odd, as he merely spoke his thoughts.
"No need to be so kind to King Gollum. Gollum merely healed your wounds away, that's all. Hmm, but please just call me King under the mountain, or just King Gollum is fine. There is no need to act so humble, for you are not my people. Only beautiful women are allowed within my halls you see, and my offspring of course. Now stop acting weird and let us do trade, Gollum, Gollum yes trade."
It took a moment for the men to seemingly accept the greatness of Gollum, but soon a trade was made. For Gollum left the men at the gates and soon came to bring before them two large sacks of raw, but quite pure gold. More gold than what the Wildmen there had ever before seen.
Needless to say the women's dowry was paid and then some. Such large sacks of Gold were most definitely worthy of many cows and women, something that the Wildmen promised to bring. Though Gollum wanted it all, for he told them of the gold that he still had to gift them.
And so with these great messages of Gold the Wildmen happily left to inform their king. Gollum then just needed to wait and soon he would truly be a mighty king under the mountain who had cows, women, sheep, brothel maids and something good to drink if the Wildmen were to be believed.
Little did Gollum realise then, but he had just made history. In the year 2463 of the third age, Gollums kingdom under the mountain had not only established trade with another little Kingdom, but in doing so he had also gained recognition.
Now Golluma Kingdom Under the mountain was beginning to be a real recognised Kingdom. Internationally recognised that is, and soon Gollum would gain much more recognition also.