Author's Notes: Chapter 4! Whoopee! Okay, this chapter is when we meet the dreaded Balrog. Ugh, when I saw the movie the thing scared me outta my wits. I hope this chapter becomes a little more original, but it might not. I cannot belive I wrote this!! Ahh! But hey, the last half is all my own! No flames please, only constructive criticisms and praise! ^_^

All Soul's Night

FOUR:- In which Boromir confesses his love

"RUN!"
Gandalf's shout got the group moving and they and, Gandalf lead the way, down the great hallway of pillars. Aria threw a glance over her shoulder and watched as the orcs chasing them came closer and closer. Gandalf halted, they were surrounded by the creatures. Aria shuddered as they screamed at the company and moved closer. She drew her sword, ready to do some real damage before she fell when a thunderous boom echoed along the hall. She looked up to see the light of fire. Another boom followed the first and Merry said, "What is it?"
The Orcs had run, terrified and Gandalf answered, "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world, no weapons will help here, to the bridge of Khazad-dum! Run!" And they ran.
They ran until Boromir almost ran over the edge of the stairs. Legolas grabbed him and steadied him. Then he turned and lead the way down the stairs. They ran down the steep stairs and the light grew bigger behind them. Suddenly Legolas stopped as they cam to a gap where the stone stairs had fallen. He jumped across, and Aria followed closely. Gandalf jumped and Legolas steadied him. Boromir wrapped his arms around Merry and Pippn and jumped. Suddenly arrows rained down on them and Aria pulled out her bow and fired simultaneously with Legolas. She continued to fire as Aragorn tossed Sam to Legolas and reached for Gimli. The dwarf held up a hand, "No one tosses a Dwarf." Then he jumped. He hit the edge and began to fall back and Legolas grabbed his beard ("Not the beard!") and pulled him up.
Suddenly the wall collapsed taking the steps behind Frodo and Aragorn. The section of stone they stood on began to sway. It began to come forward and Aria shouted, "Lean forward!"
They did and walked off the section of stone before it crumbled. Aria turned and raced down the steps toward the bridge. The rest following.
"What's he doing," Aria shouted to Aragorn as Gandalf stopped in the middle of the bridge and turned to face the demon of black and fire. His staff glowed, forming an orb of silver around him and he yelled, "You cannot pass!"
The Balrog brought its sword down and Gandalf's shield shattered it. The wizard looked at the demon and screamed, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!" He slammed his staff into the bridge, cracking it and making it crumble . The Balrog fell and its whip swirled, wrapping around Gandalf's leg and pulling as he turned around. Gandalf fell and held onto the edge of the bridge. Frodo screamed and tried to run to him, but Boromir picked him up and held him back. Gandalf looked at them, "Fly, you fools!" The wizard let go and fell, Frodo screamed and Aria ran, followed by Boromir and Aragorn.

She collapsed next to Merry and Pippin and they hugged her, crying. Aragorn sighed for a moment and then spoke, "Boromir, Gimli, get them up."
"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir exclaimed.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs," Aragorn exclaimed, "We must reach the forest of Lothlorien."
Aria hugged the two Hobbits close to her and then whispered, "Gandalf will never be truly gone as long as he lives in your hearts. Come, we will get you a place to mourn truly."
They nodded and stood with her help. The group ran down the slopes toward the beckoning forest below.
The forest allowed them to slow and walk weary of watchers. Gimli talked rather loudly to the four Hobbits and Aria looked back at them. She turned back around and stopped as she was staring down the shaft of an arrow.
"The dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark."
"Hadlir," Aria spoke, not taking her eyes away from the arrow pointed arrow, "Get your marksmen to back off, we mean no harm.
The Elf that had spoken looked over at Aria and his eyes widened, "Stand down, They are with the Lady Aria!"
The others around him lowered their bows and murmured quietly. Hadlir spoke again, "I'm sorry my Lady, I did not see you."
"Did not see me," She questioned, raising an eyebrow, "Of course you didn't, I had an arrow in my face."
"Come, we will take you to the city."

~ * ~

"Nine companions yet ten there were, tell me, where is Gandalf, for I would very much like to speak with him?"
None of them answered Celeborn because Galadriel did it for them, "He has fallen in the shadow..."

~ * ~

Aria stood watching the leaves fall and brushed a hand over the pale silver gown that she wore, her hair had been let down and it framed her face. A soft footfall made her look up and watch as Galadriel walked foreward.
"You are troubled Aria, why?"
"I," Aria sighed, "Grandmother, I feel so confused."
"Why," Galadriel questioned, "You love him do you not?"
"Yes, it's just-"
"That you are not sure of his feeling for you?"
"Yes."
Galadriel hugged her granddaughter close and spoke, "Ariuella Shadowfox, you are named for your mother. She would tell you this, as I once told her when she questioned her love for your father Lord Elrond. Your love runs deep and true yet you are unsure if they are returned. Do not dwell on what may not be, dwell on only what is, and all there may be. Let the tears fall only if he hurts you, and hold your head high.
"Boromir loves you child, but he does not know how to show it. He shows you in the simplest of ways. He lets you hold his heart in the palm of you hand. He trusts you with the feeling of his heart. And he may show it a simple gesture, like offering you his arm, when no one else does, and holding on for longer than he truly should. Open your heart to him, be not afraid of what might not be child, be only afraid that you may get caught unawares by his eyes."
Aria sighed and returned Galadriel's hug, "I don't know what I'd do without you Grandmother."
"Go, find him and tell him your heart. I will see you at dinner."

Boromir tugged on the hem of his grey velvet tunic and sighed. Why he was forced to wear such fine material he didn't know, but he felt uncomfortable. A hand came down softly on his shoulder and her turned. Only to have his breath catch in his throat as his eyes landed on Aria. She was a vision staning there in shining gerys, her eyes sparkling at him.
"A-aria."
She smiled and placed her hand in his, "I wish to speak with you."
She lead him down the path next to a small stream and he watched her as she spoke, "Do you remember the day you arrived in Rivendell?"
"Yes," Boromir replied, "I rode in and as I was led inside I glanced up, and locked eyes with a beautiful woman. It was just for a moment, but I am not sure what happened."
She nodded, "Aye, I remember. But I know what happened. You looked up at me, and the look in your eyes took my breath away. I stared at that spot for moments after you left and I wondered to myself who you were. My father had said that you were Boromir, son of Gondor. But I could see that there was more than that. You were Boromir, the only man that I had seen that stole my breath away," She stopped walking and turned, looking up into his eyes, "You stole my heart away from me Boromir of Gondor."
Boromir's breath caught and he swallowed, but she continued, "Later I realized you had not only stolen my heart but would not give it back. You sat there the night before we left, looking like a small child, lost and alone. And I could do nothing but love you."
He caught her hand in his and brought it to his chest, stepping closer and bringing his free hand up to cup her cheek. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but could not. So, instead of using words, he kissed her. It was soft an feather light, but it made Aria's heart soar as he pulled away and gazed into her eyes, loving shining in the dark brown depths of his eyes.
They stood like that for a long while before he kissed her a final time and then offered her his arm silently. She took it, and they headed inside to the baquet put together in honor of the Fellowship.