Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Lord of the Rings, except all three movies on video, the Extended Edition of all three movies on DVD, three movie posters, six movie calanders, all three movie guides and companions, the boxed set of all three books, the Minas Tirith jewlery box, the minerature of Arwen's sword, an Aragorn action figure (and the horse, Brego), an Eowen action figure, and the BBC Radio Theater production of the trilogy on cassete tape. Other than that I own nothing, so please be nice and don't sue me.
Author's Note: Please be extra nice and R&R! Okay? Please...?
I Was There...
"Steff, go do your LOTR!"
"Okay Mom!"
I rush up the stairs and into my bedroom, pushing the door closed behind me. I grab my LOTR book, flop on the bed, and search for the chapter I'm supposed to read next: The Bridge of Kazad-Dum. Sitting back comfortably, I take a deep breath and begin to read…
The Company of the Ring stood silent beside the tomb of Balin. Frodo thought of Bilbo and his long friendship with the dwarf, and of Balin's visit to the Shire long ago. In that dusty chamber in the mountains it seemed a thousand years ago and on the other side of the world…
Soon I forget that I'm merely reading for a homework assignment. I'm no longer devouring a book—I am inside the story. I am there in the middle of the action, watching as the Company struggles to guard the Ring and ward off the orcs. I can hear the throbbing drum-beats, the shrieks, the shouting, the clamor of battle echoing throughout the dark halls of Moria. With baited breath, I follow the Company as they race down the dangerous stairs, my feet (and heart-beats) racing with them. I can feel their terror and the fiery heat as the balrog pursues them. I try not to look down as I dash across the narrow bridge. Breathless, I look back, my heart pounding in time with the drums. I can see Gandalf alone on the bridge, standing firm against the fire-demon…
"Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass!"
The bridge cracks and breaks…the balrog is falling…and Gandalf is falling with it! I can hear his final cry…
"Fly you fools!"
I can see the horror in his friends faces as they stare into the abyss. Finally they snap out of it and run for the gates, and I follow them once more. Through the gates we rush, out into the sunny outside world. The sudden daylight is blindingly bright but still we run on, blinking back the light and the tears, feeling the wind in our faces once again. We finally stop running, and I watch them collapse in exhaustion and grief, weeping for their fallen leader as the drum-beats fade in the distance. I feel like crying with them, though I myself have never really known what it's like to lose someone you love.
I stop a moment to let everything sink in, then automatically turn to the next chapter.
Darn…I forgot I'm not supposed to read ahead.
Author's Note: That particular LOTR chapter has always been powerful for me; the images that come are both stirring and sad. No matter how many times I read LOTR, there are always parts that still get me. When I'm reading I don't know if what I'm experiencing shows on my face, but inside my mind this is exactly what is happening. Pretty cool, huh? So did you like it? Any comments or critisisms? Any area I could improve on? Please review and tell me what you think. And if you don't...I'll send the balrog to EAT CHOO!! Muhahahaha...(just kidding!) ;-D