Chapter 7
"We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria." Gandalf said slamming the end of his staff on the floor for the light to come on. Ava looked around letting her eyes adjust to the light. Aragorn was adjusting his cloak being soaking wet. She looked to Boromir smiling at him. She smiled brightly at him finding him cuter with wet hair. "Be on your guard." Her father said. "There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." He muttered as he led the way.
It was a four day journey through the dark mines. Ava was worried about it. She trailed behind with Boromir to make sure no one fell behind. During the first couple of days they made their way across windy paths and eventually arrived to very steep stairs. They moved aside some skeletons to make a path up them. There were objects that made a few people slip. Ava was one of them but her arm was caught by a strong hand. She looked up to see the steward looking worried. Though she was fine and didn't need his help, she was glad he cared. "Are you alright?" He asked. Ava nodded a thank you.
A few hours later, they found themselves at the end of the stairs which was also the entrance to three hallways. They watched Gandalf for a moment as he gazed at the three hallways. "I have no memory of this place." He whispered to himself. They group found a place to sit down for a while. Aragorn pulled out his pipe and began smoking. Boromir sat next to him as Merry and Pippin sat across from each other. Frodo sat with Gandalf as he racked his brain for the memory.
"Are we lost?" Pippin asked. "No." Merry whispered. "I think we are." He countered. "Shh! Gandalf's thinking." Merry whispered sternly. "Merry?" "What?" "I'm hungry." Ava chuckled listening to them. Boromir looked to her smiling. "We'll be out of here soon I hope." He muttered looking to the way they had come. Ava nodded looking to Legolas, knowing he too was bothered by the lack of sun in the cold dark place. He was uneasy and very alert to every sound. She smiled resting her head on his shoulder hugging his waist. Boromir smiled resting his arm on her shoulders. Ava hummed softly when he kissed her head gently.
"Oh! It's that way." Gandalf said smiling brightly. Ava turned to look at him reluctantly pulling away from him and stood to follow. "He's remembered." Merry said smiling also. "No. but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt Meriadoc, always follow your nose." He said before making his way down the hallway. Ava was behind the hobbits and Gimli this time as they walked down the stairs. They eventually opened up in a huge room with enormous and elaborately designed columns and a ceiling that never seemed to end.
"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf muttered to his staff and his crystal illuminated the room. All members, even Gimli, gasped at the beautiful sight before them. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf." Gandalf announced leading them further in.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam said in awe. It was a few hours until they arrived at Balin's tomb.
Once Gandalf read from the book and Pippin knocked down a propped up skeleton, and a battle ensued with orcs and a cave troll. All fought for their lives trying to defeat the troll. Ava didn't realize that Boromir was protective of her and had held out his arm pushing her back when an orc almost struck her. They made a perfect pair fighting side by side. Moving as one, they defeated many. The troll knocked Boromir to the side making him hit a column and roll off the ledge to the ground. Ava screamed in surprise running to him. Legolas brought it down and they ran to find Frodo alive after nearly being speared.
"To the Bridge of Khazad-dum!" Gandalf said running with the group to the bridge. The Balrog had awoken and was after them now. Ava felt a rumbling under her feet, fear filling her with every step. They came to the stairs where there was a gap from a fallen column. Legolas jumped over to catch people. Gandalf was next. "Ava!" He called. Fear gripped her so tightly that she could not move. Boromir helped jump over with Merry and Pippin he turned to her holding out his arms. "Ava jump!" He said. She shook her head, nervous tears in her eyes. Heights were one thing she could not handle. "I'll catch you! Please! Jump!" Boromir said with urgency in his voice. She leaped over and was caught by the strong arms of the steward. Gimli was caught by his beard thanks to Legolas. And finally Aragorn and Frodo were left balancing on the isolated column. Once they made it over they ran toward the bridge.
"Fly!" Gandalf cried to the group. Fire exploded behind them and the beast showed his face following them to the bridge. They somehow formed a line running across: Aragorn, Ava, Boromir, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Gimli, Legolas then Gandalf. All made it across but Gandalf stopped in the middle and turned to face the Balrog.
Frodo turned and gasped as did the rest. Ava tried to scream to her father but Frodo screamed his name for her. "You cannot pass!" The wizard shouted to the beast. He roared and flared his wings in anger flaming up. Gandalf spoke to him that he was a servant. Ava watched in horror as the Balrog raised a flaming sword. He crashed it down on her father who blocked it with magic. Her mind raced as fast as her heart as she tried thinking of ways to help her father. Aragorn ran a few steps toward him, worry in his eyes. Ava heart pounded madly, tears in her eyes.
The balrog roared in defiance. "Go back to the Shadow!" Gandalf shouted. It took a step on the bridge. Ava covered her mouth in fear as he pulled a whip out and lashed it above his head. "You shall not pass!" Gandalf shouted slamming his staff on the floor. The balrog snorted in a challenge before running toward him with the bridge collapsing underneath him, letting out an anguished roar falling.
Ava sighed in relief as her father turned around. The whip wrapped around his ankle pulling him down so he was hanging off the ledge. Frodo began running to help Gandalf. "No! No!" Aragorn cried holding him back. "Gandalf!" Frodo cried. Ava ran for her father reaching the bridge before Boromir caught her by the waist. "No Ava!" He said urgently. Ava fought fiercely against his hold trying to get to the wizard. She looked at him and the sorrow in Gandalf's eyes made her realize he wasn't planning on living. Tears fell down her face as it sunk in. "Fly you fools!" Gandalf said before letting go.
"Father! No!" Ava screamed falling to her knees sobbing. "NOOO!" Frodo screamed tears falling as Aragorn picked him up. Boromir winced helping Ava up to her feet. "No-" Ava sobbed her voice cutting off. Boromir lead her away as she struggled against him. Aragorn held Frodo close as he stared in shock where Gandalf fell. Arrows shot at them. They ducked under them. Ava sobbed bitterly wanting to stay pushing Boromir's arm away. "Come on!" He cried in alarm, pulling her away as they finally start running to the exit.
Once they made it out the hobbits sat down in tears, crying softly. Ava gasped falling to her knees sobbing, her face buried in her hands. Boromir knelt hugging her close. She inhaled deeply burying her face in his neck wrapping his arms around also, her hands fisting in his cloak. He let his tears fall for a moment holding her closer wishing he could help ease her sorrow.
"Legolas, get them up." Aragorn said, cleaning his sword, obviously trying to hide his sadness so they can press on. Legolas seemed shaken but turned to help Merry and Pippin to their feet.
"Give them a moment! For pity sake!" Boromir said glaring at him, angered how he seemed not to care for their fallen leader.
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien." He retorted. The others began standing. Boromir continued holding Ava for a moment longer before trying to help her up. She shook her head sobbing still pushing his hands away and looking back to the entrance they came from. "No please. You can't go back. Please come with me." Boromir said brushing her hair from her face.
She sniffled wiping her cheek from the tears that streamed down them. 'I have to.' She mouthed. "No please stay. There's nothing for you in there." He said gently helping her to her feet. Leading her to where Aragorn was they began walking once again. After a few hours, Ava had not noticed how worried Boromir was for her. Her expression was blank and her eyes were empty. A squeeze of her hand made her blink and look to Boromir. He pace had been slowing but she tried to keep up with the man holding her arm. He had slowed with her so she wouldn't feel rushed.
"It'll be ok." Boromir said trying to sound reassuring. Tears formed in her eyes again as Gandalf appeared in her thoughts once more. She looked away, trying to hold herself together, finding it unsuccessful.
They at last made it to Lothlorien and stood before Galadriel and Celeborn.
~TBC~
Ok I went ahead and wrote this one too. So it would be more for ya'll and give me a bit more time. I have nothing to to do for the next four days and will work on more chapters. Please tell me what you thought of these two chapters. I would greatly appreciate it!
Eruantien (air-oo-ahnt-ee-en) Matthew
