Through the Dark
by SkyFire

For disclaimer, see part 1.

A/N: 1) For those out there who've complained that the first two parts are basically the same in
plot, I am fully aware of that. BUT, if you have a copy of FotR, go and read the chapters "A
Journey in the Dark" and "the Bridge of Khazad-Dum." It takes up 23 pages in my copy of the book
for Tolkien to get the Fellowship from one end of Moria to the other. Believe you me, there is
repetition there, as well.

2)Anybody guessed what I'm going to do to the poor Elf yet? *g* There's been more than enough
foreshadowing in these three chapters to give you a pretty good idea! *g* Let me know your
guesses, hmm? I want to know where you think I'm going with this! *g*

3)Gandalf's sword Glamdring is the same as Frodo's blade Sting in that it was forged by
Elven-smiths and glows when there are orcs near. Just so that you know for later in this part. *g*

3)Thank you to all the people who reviewed nicely! My plotbunnies really appreciate it! *g*

Please review, if you're minded to be civil and polite. If you just want to flame me, don't
bother. If you hate this fic so much, why are you up to part 3, anyways?

*****
Through the Dark
by SkyFire

Part 3

They awoke the next morning in darkness less complete than it had been as they slept. Looking
around, they saw a pale glow of sunlight, slightly brightening the gloom at the archway at the
northern end of the great Hall that they were camped in.

Somewhat heartened by their first sight of sunlight in what had felt to be an eternity, they
shared a meal with more cheer than they had felt since entering the darkness of Moria. Surely
this day would be better than all the rest, if only because of that pale Sun-glow!

Legolas, himself, was heartened as well, feeling the feelings of overwhelming darkness leave him
nearly completely, even as once again feeling his inner light redoubled. It was to the Elf's
great pleasure that Gandalf decided to lead them to where the sunlight shone in, hoping it was a
window he could look out of to get an idea of which way to lead them to get out of Moria before
another night passed; the wizard wasn't the only one there who would appreciate a look out of a
window!

The mere thought of being free of Moria was more than enough to speed their steps as they once
again gathered up their belongings and hurried toward the northern arch where the Sun was,
beginning what was hopefully their last day's march underground.

They passed through the archway and into a long hallway. They could see now that the light came
from inside a room on their right. They went in, blinking dazzled eyes more accustomed now to
darkness, and looked around.

As Gandalf had suspected, the light came not from a window but from a shaft that had been carved
into the ceiling of the chamber, leading through to the outside of the mountain. The shaft of
light shone down onto a tomb in the middle of the chamber, the carved words on the lid revealing
it to be the tomb of the dwarf Balin, Gimli's kinsman who had led the attempt to reclaim Moria.

Looking around for clues as to what had happened there, they saw the skeletal remains of many
dead, buried in dust. And a book, so ill-used as to be now barely legible. In it, they learned
the fate of the doomed dwarven expedition.

Then the drums began to sound, echoing loudly, along with the sound of many feet on stone.

They blocked the door they'd entered by, slamming the doors and wedging them shut. The foul
creatures on the other side of the barrier beat and pounded at it, slowly shoving back the
wedges.

Then they were through.

The members of the Fellowship fought grimly in melee, slaying orc after orc, goblin after goblin,
managing finally to drive them back, repelling their attackers from the room and then managing to
block the door once more, again wedging it shut. Then, at Gandalf's harsh urgings, they fled out
the eastern doorway and down a long stairway.

Gandalf lingered at the doorway to work some magic to slow the pursuit, then joined them not much
later, leaning wearily on his staff, its light extinguished.

Then they were hurrying again, moving ever down the stairs, down level after level, turning
neither left nor right as they followed closely behind the wizard. They heard no sound of
pursuit from behind them, though the sound of drums continued to fill the air and set the stone
of walls and floor to vibrating all around them.

At last they came to a large hall, even larger than that in which they had camped the night
before. It was lit with the flickering red light of fire from a chasm that had opened up in the
floor.

Far in the distance at the far end of the hall was another chasm, this one with a narrow bridge
crossing it. It was toward this bridge that they ran, running as fast as they could, eager to
see the last of Moria and escape the pursuit they knew was coming after them.

A few loosed orc-arrows fell among them, though none found a home in flesh. The orcs were on the
other side of the fire-chasm, kept from them by the very means by which they had meant to trap
them.

Then the Fellowship reached the bridge.

Even as they began to cross, a creature both large and terrible threw down large slabs of stone
across the flaming chasm and crossed over, followed by the orcs and goblins, who kept a healthy
distance from the creatures of darkness and flame.

A Balrog.

The members of the Fellowship crossed the bridge and made for the stairs leading up on the other
side.

All, that was, save for Gandalf.

He had seen the Balrog, recognised what it was. He knew that he was the only member of the
Fellowship capable of facing the monster. And so he stayed, waiting for the evil creature,
leaning on his staff in the middle of the bridge, his brightly glowing sword Glamdring in hand.

The rest of the Company paused at the bottom of the stairs upon realizing that Gandalf was not
among them. They watched as he waited on the Bridge.

They watched as he fought the Balrog, shattering its sword of darkness with his sword of light.

They watched as he broke the Bridge with his staff, sending the Balrog plummeting into the
unfathomed darkness that was the chasm.

They watched, horror-stricken, as the Balrog's many-thonged whip snapped up a final time even as
the monster fell and wrapped itself around Gandalf's knees, pulling him from the Bridge.

They watched in disbelief as he fell from sight into darkness.

An arrow clattering on the stone at their feet roused them from their shock enough to turn and
flee away up the stairs, following the path out that Gandalf had told them of before they had
crossed the Hall.

Then they were out of Moria, running away down the Dimrill Dale, eyes dazzled by the bright
sunlight and their sadness and shock at the unexpected loss of Gandalf.

They had time to pause only for a moment as their grief overwhelmed them, then they had to force
it back and continue on, for they had to be far away by the time that night fell and the evil
creatures set forth from Moria in pursuit of them.

TBC...


So, please review! *g* Next stop: Lothlorien and *strange* revelations. *g* Gotta feel sorry for
that poor Elf. So. Any guesses? *g*