Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. J.R.R. Tolkien is truly a genius. If you do not recognize some characters, they are most likely mine.
Reminders: Some scenes in this story come from a combination of scenes from the movie, the original story and my own imagination (Please REMEMBER this for there are things and events used specifically for this story!). So if anything feels new to you, please do not be alarmed. Review People! Review! I want to become a better writer! I thank eiluj and PixieAlice-xx for giving me the reality of my horrible grammar! I will do better next time. Everyone, please forgive me. Also, since it is so hard for me to use elvish, I won't use it unless I need to. I unfortunately do not have time to learn another language. Oh and one more thing, when I have time I will fix all my grammatical errors on all my chapters, but I need finish the entire story for those who actually like my work and want to know how this ends. (Does anyone like to be my editor? :D {why is my English so bad? TT_TT}) Please be understanding for as you can see, this is my first fanfiction—my baby.
UPDATE: I fixed my grammatical errors. I hope they make sense now.
Chapter 6: A Journey in the Dark
Gimli now walked ahead by the wizard's side. He was too eager to go to Moria. Together they led the Company back towards the mountains. The morning shined and passed towards noon and still the company wandered and scrambled in a barren country of red stones. Nowhere could they see any gleam of water or hear any sound of it. All was bleak and dry. They saw no living thing. No bird was in the sky and they feared what night would bring them. After a brief meal, they set off again. Night was growing near.
Celeste walked slowly beside Boromir. On occasion she would trip on a stone and slip, but the man caught her and brought her back to her feet. "Be careful" he said as he smiled, "I applaud you for not complaining. Many women would break the ears of men if they journeyed this long."
"It will do no good if I complain." She said wearily, "In fact—based on what I know of you, you would get annoyed and might push me off this mountain."
Boromir laughed softly. "I suppose—but I would not go to that extent." He told her. Both tried to keep a light-hearted conversation, but a long silence always followed.
It was long before they reached their destination. The fog had settled in when Gandalf called Frodo to his side. Celeste watched the hobbit walk beside the old man. They seemed to have a serious conversation, but the half elf heard none of it. She noticed Frodo at one point turn and look at her directly and then returned his gaze back to Gandalf. Uneasiness grew in Celeste's consciousness for who knows what the old man told the hobbit.
"The walls!" Gimli said finally, "The walls of Moria!"
They had reached a vast cliff. No life had dwelt here for many years. Everything that surrounded it was bare. There was only but a large lake. Its black water stared at the passing company.
"Black water…" Celeste mumbled.
"We must look for the entrance." Gandalf announced as he knocked his staff against rock.
Gimli did the same with his axe. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed."
"Yes Gimli," said Gandalf, "Not even their Masters can find them if their secrets are forgotten."
"Why does that not surprise me?" commented Legolas. Gimli glared at the elf.
Celeste sighed at the two and spoke, "It was written that long ago this was a passage that Men, Elves and Dwarves used to trade with each other. They were on friendly terms—even between Dwarves and Elves."
"It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned." Said Gimli.
The prince huffed, "I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves."
"I have heard both!" The wizard added, "And I will not give judgement now. But I beg of you two, Legolas and Gimli, at least to be friends and help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better." The two continued to glare, but then separated and started to look for the door.
Gandalf walked ahead. He approached a rock between two trees and ran his hand over the cliff's face. "Now… let's see. Ithildin." he said. Beneath his hand appeared spidery silver lines. They were faint beneath the dirt. "It mirrors only starlight… and moonlight." He looked up at the black night sky, the moon appeared. The silver lines glowed bright and outlined a door formed of two columns beneath an arch, with a star in the center.
The company stood amazed at the sight. "It reads 'The Doors of Durin — Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.'"
"What do you suppose that means?" asked Merry.
The old man turned to answer the question, "Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open." He looked back, "Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen!"
Nothing happened.
"Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen." He commanded.
"Nothing is happening." Commented Pippin.
Gandalf glanced at him at him—slightly annoyed. He began to push on the doors, but they remain fast. He sighed, "I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves… Men… and Orcs."
"So, what are you going to do, then?" Pippin asked.
"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions…" He said to him, irritated, "I will try to find the opening words."
A long time passed and the doors have not opened. For a long time, Celeste remained quiet as she looked intently at the water. Far off, the wind bore the howling of wolves. Bill the pony, who had survived many dangers thus far, started in fear, and Sam sprang to his side and whispered softly to calm him.
"Do not let him run away!" said Boromir, "It seems that we shall need him still if the wolves do not find us!"
Sam shook his head. "No! He has gone with us for so long! He would follow Mister Frodo to a dragon's den if I let him! He should not have to die for us to flee!"
Aragorn placed his hand on Sam's shoulder, "I'm sorry Sam, but if worst comes to worse, he might have too. He is not suited to enter the mines. Let us take of the burdens he carries. We would have to carry them inside." Sam face saddened and he took off the load. He gave a pack to each of the members.
Merry began to throw stones into the water. Pippin followed. The water rippled madly. "No!" shouted Celeste, "Stop!" Aragorn held Pippin's hand as he was about to throw another stone.
"Do not disturb the water." He told him.
Celeste moved toward the ranger, "There is something strange in the water." Aragorn nodded.
The hobbits sat down, ignoring the two."Gah! I wish we could get away!" said Merry
"Why doesn't Gandalf do something quick?" added Pippin.
Boromir came next to Aragorn and Celeste. They watched as the stilled water rippled once more. A few minutes have passed and the water continued to shiver. "We need to leave." Aragorn said worriedly as he moved away. Suddenly, the ground rumbles and the doors slowly swung open.
"The door!" Pippin said happily, "Its open! Let's go!"
They started to enter. Celeste continued to look at the moving water but then turned her attention to the mine. Gandalf placed a crystal on top of his staff. Moonlight flooded into the shadowy chamber.
"Soon, ELF," said the dwarf eagerly, "You will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!"
"This is no mine." Boromir commented as the light illuminates from Gandalf's staff, "It's a tomb!"
Rotted, broken and battered forms strewn about. It casted long shadows across the room. Celeste stared in Horror.
"Oh! No! Noooo!"
"Golbins!" commented the prince as he threw away an arrow stuck from a fallen dwarf.
Celeste, Aragorn and Boromir drew out their swords. Legolas fitted an arrow to his bow. All four were in a defensive stance.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here." Said Boromir
"Gandalf, what do we do?" asked Celeste unsteadily.
"Frodo!"
"Strider!"
"Help!" Frodo cried.
The turn to see Frodo being dragged away—being taken into the water. The hobbits tried to pull Frodo and he was saved. Suddenly, many tentacles came out of the water. It slapped the other Hobbits aside and grabbed Frodo around his leg. He is pulled out over into the air.
There was no time for doubts. Aragorn and Boromir rushed to the water and attacked the beast. Legolas rans out to the edge of the lake and aimed. His arrow pierced a tentacle that wrapped itself over Frodo's face. It flung Frodo wildly in the air. Despite the Fellowship's efforts, the Hobbit is lowered towards a gapped maw in the water, ringed by fangs, set in a gilled face. Water wolves rushed in, gnawed and bit the monster's tentacles. A tentacle swatted the wolves away and they burst. Celeste in frustration cursed. There was nothing more she could do. Aragorn sliced through the tentacle that held Frodo and the hobbit fell into Boromir's arms.
"Into the mines!" Commanded Gandalf.
Aragorn and Boromir retreated as the other hobbits did. Boromir ran for the gates with Frodo as a huge tentacle uncoiled a hand-like appendage and snaked after them. Legolas took aim and shoots. His arrow hits the beast's right eye and it recoiled with a roar.
"Prince!" Celeste called to him. She motioned him to run towards her. He turned and ran, took her hand in his. As they raced into Moria, the creature reached out and teared the gates shut. Slabs of rocks dropped and the roof of the passageway caved in. The Fellowship stared back as the last rays of moonlight disappeared.
"We have no choice." Said Gandalf. Frustration visible in his voice. Light appeared from his staff. "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs, in the deep places of the world."
The girl tugged her hand. Legolas looked at her. He realized that he still held her hand and let go. She smiled weakly as she walked in front of him.
Shoes squeaked. "Quietly now." Advised the wizard, "It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
For hours the company walked in a single file. The mine was cold and it was hard to breathe. Celeste felt uncomfortable on how close the men were to her.
"What kind of future lies beyond us?" complained Pippin, "Celeste? You can see it right?"
The half elf shook her head, "Not even I know. The future is unknown to me even though I can peer into it." She laughed sadly, "Pathetic isn't it?"
The future? Celeste thought to herself. What future there is for me? I have been preparing for so long to join this journey, but never have I once thought about it…what would happen?
…Menelwen…
She stopped.
Menelwen
"Celeste?" Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder. "What is wrong?"
She shook her head. "Nothing." She assured him, "Nothing at all." and continued walking. Her heart beated loudly with pain. The half elf bit her lip and hoped that they did not hear it. That they did not notice.
For hours they climbed steps. They journeyed in paths that lead upward and downward. Through twists and turns. It seemed that the road would go on and on. The company climbed up another flight of stairs. Three doorways loomed before them. Gandalf glanced from one door to the other and back. "I have no memory of this place."
"Then let us rest." Aragorn suggested.
The hobbits handed out food and water while the others sat down.
Sam came toward Celeste who was sat down against a large slanted rock. "Here you go Miss Celeste." He held out bread and water to her, but the female did not move. "Celeste?"
Aragorn came towards them to look at what had happened. He smiled at what he found and patted the hobbit on his shoulder. "She is asleep." He said, "Let her rest."
…
"Master!" a little girl called, "Master!"
She ran. Around her was darkness. "Master! Where are you?" Tears fell from her eyes, "Where are you?"
"Sssh." A voice said. The girl turned around and saw a tall man with long golden hair. He was surrounded in light. The man knelt down to her and wiped her tears away, "Why do you cry?" he asked gently, "I am here."
The small girl hugged him and cried on his broad shoulder. "The voice! The voice haunts me!" she said in between sobs, "It tells me to take it! To take the ring from him! I'm so scared! I'm so scared!"
The man patted the child's back. "It is all right, Menelwen. I am here. Do not worry. Do not be afraid." He looked up, "Do you see that? Up there. Tell me, what is that?"
The girl looked up and saw the night sky. Thousands of stars glimmered and twinkled. "They're stars!" she stared in awe, "So pretty!"
The man smiled at her answer, "Yes. They are brilliant and beautiful stars. Even though they are surrounded in darkness, they burn bright." He turned to her, "You must be as bright as them. So do not fear that dark voice. Shine and drown that darkness away. Be just like the stars."
She nodded and wiped another set of tears that fell away. There was a long silence when they stared into sky again.
"Master," the girl started, "Is it possible to fly?"
"Fly?" he asked in surprise, "Why would you want to fly?"
She smiled at him, "Because I want to reach out to the sky and catch a large bright star!"
"And what would you do with that star?"
Her smile widened, "I want to give it to you! That way any evil that comes to you will go away!"
The man placed his hand on her head and smiled at her tenderly.
…
Celeste opened her eyes and rubbed them. The company still surrounded her. Gandalf sat near the doorway. The wizard was accompanied by Frodo. It seemed to her that they had a long talk, but heard none of it. The others, who were waited for direction, had fallen asleep.
The girl heard a soft laugh nearby. The half elf turned and saw Aragorn sitting across from her. "You are finally awake," he said and stood up, "here." He handed her bread and water. She gladly took it from him.
"How long have I been asleep?" she asked him as she ate the bread.
"Not long" he answered, "About an hour or two." The ranger sat beside her. "Menelwen, I worry for you. You have been acting strange these days."
The girl forced a smile, "Is that so? I do not mean to. Many things have been running through my mind lately."
"Even so," said Aragorn, "You are among friends. Do not keep things to yourself. It is better for one to express themselves so their burden can be lifted if only for a short while." He smiled, "An old lady like you should know better."
"Thank you." She responded and then jokingly slapped his shoulder, "But do not disrespect your elders Estel. I am not old. Just two hundred years older than you are."
"And you should be wiser." He added, "I find it absolutely amusing that you are older than everyone here, save for Gandalf and Legolas."
The half elf raised a brow and commented, "Do I even want to know why you are amused?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Gandalf, "It's that way!"
The two looked at Gandalf, who jumped up from his seat in joy.
"What?" said Pippin, awakened by the wizard's voice.
Merry rubbed his eyes, "He remembered?"
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here." The wizard explained, "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
Once everyone had awakened, they left the area and journeyed further into the mine. Another few hours had passed when the fellowship arrived at a more open space. Broken columns lie tumbled across the floor.
Gandalf lifted his staff, "Let me risk a little bit more light." His staff illuminated the area. Giant stone hall with tall pillars and arched ceilings were shown in the light. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf."
"Now there's an eye opener and no mistake." Commented Sam.
Celeste ran ahead of them and stared in awe, "What architecture! Never have I seen these type of handiwork. The dwarves truly are amazing!" A small ray of light caught her eye in the darkness. "What's this?" Gimli noticed it as well and ran towards it.
"Gimli!" called Gandalf. The dwarf ran into a chamber. Bodies and weapons scattered about it. He stopped and knelt by a crypt in the center of the room. A shaft of light illuminated it. Gandalf walked forward and peered at the tomb's surface. Gimli sobbed at the sight.
"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.' He is dead then. It's as I feared." said Gandalf.
Gandalf gave his staff and hat to Pippin, bent down, and took a large and battered book from a corpse's hands. He opened it and cleared the dirt from its pages.
Celeste walked slowly to survey the area. "This is horrible."
Legolas turned to Aragorn, "We must move on, we cannot linger!"
"'We have barred the gates… but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums… drums… in the deep.'"
What is this feeling? Celeste asked mentally, we should not be here…
"'We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out…They are coming!'"
A loud crashing noise echoed in the room. They all turned to Pippin. The hobbit turned to face them, looking guilty. As he does, the corpse he was touching slipped into the well, dragging with it a chain and bucket. Noise echoed from hall to hall far below. He winced at each wave of noise.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf scolded him. He pulled his hat and staff from the Hobbit's hands and turned away.
"Gandalf" Celeste called to him. The wizard turned to her, but her face was expressionless. A tear fells from her face.
"What is wrong, child?" He asked her. Celeste darted her eyes at him. Shock is written on her face. She was about to answer him, but drums echoed in the hall. Gandalf slowly turned back, and all turned as well. The stared down into the well. More drums were boomed.
"Frodo!" Sam shouted.
The ring bearer looked at Sam and then looked down to his sword, Sting. It glowed blue.
"Orcs!" Legolas announced.
Boromir rushed to the doors to have a look. Arrows hissed into the door near his face.
Aragorn commanded the hobbits, "Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!"
The man of Gondor closed the door. Outside, a loud bellow is heard. "Perfect!" he commented sarcastically, "They have a cave Troll."
Legolas tossed unused weapons to Boromir and Aragorn to blockade the door. The company drews out their weapons. Gandalf threw away his hat and pulled out his sword. Celeste closed her eyes and imagined the hall outside. The Hobbits brandished their short-swords. Sting quivered. Gimli leapt atop Balin's tomb and brandished his axe. "Argh! Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"
Within moments, creatures began breaking the doors down. Weapons crash through splintered spaces. Many of the Orcs screamed out suddenly. The company wondered what had occurred. "My wolves won't hold them for long." The half elf told them, "There are too many of them."
There was silence.
The Prince and Ranger stand poised, ready to shoot. The first clear gap is gashed in the door and Legolas shoots — a shrill cry rung out. The Elf notched an arrow to his bow as Aragorn shot another arrow. The beasts broke through and the battle began. A wave of armor-clad Orcs charged towards the Fellowship, who engaged the Orcs. Aragorn and Legolas pierced Orcs with their arrows while Boromir smashed another with his sword. Gimli caught one in the stomach. With a roar, Gandalf launched himself into the fray, and the Hobbits followed. Celeste ran and slashed her adversary. With her quick movements, many enemies fell.
A loud roar came from the entrance. A cave troll smashed through the doorway, chains lead from his wrists to an Orc's hand. Legolas shot the cave troll in the shoulder. The beast growled and clasped a hand to the wound. Sam stared at the troll, frozen, as the troll swung his mace down at the Hobbit — he dived under the troll's legs and crawled away. The troll turned, and sighted him again. The beast raised his arm to strike when, suddenly, out of nowhere, stone wolves leaped to Sam's rescue, but were smashed in the process. The hobbit used this chance to get away.
"Sam!" Celeste called to him. Instead of the hobbit, she got the attention of the Troll. She ran away as the monstrosity raged at her. She slid to a nearby pillar to hide. It noticed and raised his arm, but fell back. Aragorn and Boromir are behind the troll. They pulled the Troll's chains. The troll twisted its arm and whipped Boromir across the room. He landed in a recess of the wall, dazed. The man tried to get his mind straight when an Orc above him readied to strike. A Golden blade enterd into the Orc's neck and fell, dead. The man got up and Celeste nodded to him.
Standing upon the tomb of Balin, Gimli slung an axe and pierced the troll's shoulder. The troll swung his mace into the tomb and shattered it. That knocked the Dwarf off. He got up and hacked at an Orc as the troll swung its mace at him. Gimli ducked, and the monster striked a goblin instead. From a corner among more of the goblins, Legolas shot two arrows into the troll and caused it to reel back with a cry. The troll swung his chain above his head. He swung at the Elf, and Legolas dodged it. The chain wrapped around a pillar. Legolas ran along the chain onto the troll's shoulders. He shot the troll in the back of the head and jumps off. The troll cringed and stumbled.
More wolves appeared to counter the Orcs that followed the hobbits. Merry and Pippin turned to Frodo so they could help him. Boromir dealed with his own set of troubles and then helped attack the troll. Celeste looked to her side and attacked the creeping Orcs. With one sword, the girl could not attack more than two. Her enemy noticed this and ganged up on her.
On the other side of the room, the troll raised his mace at the other Hobbits and attacked them—causing them to jump aside. Frodo is separated from Merry and Pippin. The troll seeked Frodo, who tried to evade its searches by hiding behind a pillar. Aragorn tried to fight his way over to Frodo. The hobbit dodged around the pillar, but the troll peered around it. Not being able to see him, it peered around the other side. That caused Frodo to dodge out of its vision. It then disappeared. Frodo carefully looked around the pillar — the monster was gone. He exhaled in relief. Suddenly, the troll blasted around the pillar. It bellowed in Frodo's face. The Hobbit stumbled and fell in a corner. The troll grabbed him and lifted Frodo off of the edge of a recess.
"Aragorn? Aragorn!" Frodo cried out.
"Frodo!"
Frodo slashed the troll's hand with Sting. It roared in pain and dropped Frodo to the ground—twisted his injured hand and stared at it. Frodo lay on the floor. The troll raised its mace and began to swing, but Aragorn leaped down into the recess. He grabbed a spear from the floor and stabbed the monster with it. It does not penetrate its flesh, but held the beast at bay. Wolves jumped on the head of the troll. The creature madly shaked it's head, but it caused the troll to swing his arm down and hit Aragorn. It sent the man flying across the room. He collapsed onto the floor. Frodo raced after his saviour and tried to rouse him, but Aragorn is too stunned to move.
The monster turned to Frodo and moved towards him. The hobbit began to run but the troll blocked Frodo's path with its spear—throwing him back. The troll took aim and stabbed Frodo in the chest. All time seemed to stop.
"Frodo!"
Legolas fired arrows at the creature. The troll opened its mouth frustration. The elf shots an arrow up into the brain through the mouth of the troll. With a long, pained moan, the troll collapsed to the ground, dead. There is was a moment of silence. All enemies were dead or have fled. The company turned to the stabbed hobbit. He breathed and the company cried of the miracle of Mithril.
From behind them, a ripping sound echoed the blood filled room. They turned to the forgotten half elf, who is in a kneeling position. Her face and clothing were tainted in blood. The girl used her ripped cloth and wrapped it around a wound on her right thigh.
Aragorn rushed to her. She ripped another piece of cloth from her pants and wrapped it around her upper left arm, but it fell to the ground. "Celeste," he said sadly as he picked up the cloth and wrapped it around the wound.
"Don't look so sad," she told him, "I was careless, that's all."
"Celeste…" Frodo mumbled. Her head lifted up at the sound of her name. She smiled to him and spoke, "I am glad you are well, Frodo."
"Can you stand?" Aragorn asked her. She exhaled loudly. A collapsing sound echoed in the room. Celeste stood—answering his question.
Legolas looked to the open hall, "They are returning."
The girl wiped away the blood on her face and walked to a dead Orc to claim her sword. She laughed, "They won't let us leave without a fight huh?"
"Let us go," Gandalf announced, "To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!"
They ran out the chamber into a hall of pillars. The Fellowship is closely pursued by an army of Orcs. Other Orcs sprung out from the floor or crawled, like spiders, from the ceiling and down the pillars. The enemy started to surround them. From the ground, stone wolves appeared and attacked, but concurrently the summoner fell to the ground. Boromir ran to Celeste as the others form a circle to cover them. The Orcs snarled and leered. Gimli let out a yell, but a fiery light appeared at the end of a hall followed by a thunderous rumble. The Orcs fled in all directions. Gimli laughed, thinking he has scared off the Orcs. The Fellowship are left alone, but the weary wizard stared down the hall.
"What is this new devilry?" asked Boromir as he helped Celeste stand.
Gandalf did not respond for a moment. He closed his eyes and concentrated. The rumbled was heard again. Gandalf opened his eyes. "It can't be." Fire appeared in the hall.
The thing growled—still hidden around a corner of the vast hall. It threw fiery light on the pillars. Celeste's body shaked in fear. Then it came. It came to the edge of the fire and light faded as if a cloud bent over it. The demon stepped out and roared. The flames rage up to greet it, and wreathed about it. Its streaming mane kindled and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire—in its left it held a whip of many thongs.
"Ai! Ai!" wailed Legolas, "A Balrog! A Balrog has come!"
Gimli stared with wide eyes. "Durin's Bane!" he cried.
"This foe is beyond any of you." Gandalf shouted, "RUN!"
The Fellowship ran to a small doorway. Gandalf shepherded them through. "Quickly!" They entered a passageway and ran down a flight of steps. The flight ended in a missing segment and Boromir nearly fell but Legolas pulled him back.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn called to him.
"Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is near!" the wizard told him. They looked across a wide space to a long bridge spanned the gap between a hall and a cliff face. Away behind them, the Balrog roared again. The Fellowship descended a flight of massive stairs. There was a gap in the stairs and Legolas leaped and landed on the other side. The Balrog rumbled again. Foundations splintered and crumbled. It sent huge rocks tumbling into the depths.
"Gandalf." Legolas motioned the old man to jump. Gandalf leaped after him. Arrows whistled into the air from a far ledge—striking the stone steps. Legolas shot back. An Orc tumbled down from his ledge.
"Merry! Pippin! Hoo-aah!" Boromir jumped carrying the two hobbits and landed safely.
"Sam." Aragorn looked to him. He pitched the hobbit to the other side where the Hobbit is caught by Boromir. Aragorn reached to pick up Gimli, but the dwarf raised a hand. "Nobody tosses a dwarf." He leaped forward but nearly falls back into the chasm. Legolas grabbed his beard and pulled him up. Gimli cried, "Not the beard!"
Aragorn turned to Celeste who is shaked behind him, "Celeste." Her eyes looked to him—immense fear was visible. Boromir and Legolas called her name. They motioned her to come. She did not move. "Now is not the time to be afraid." Aragorn said to her softly.
Do not be afraid…Shine… Be just like the stars.
The girl breathed as she backed up. She ran to leap to the other side. But she missed the edge and falls.
"Celeste!"
Boromir and Legolas grabbed hold of her arms. She tightly shuts her eyes as the pain in her left arm expanded. They gradually bring her up. She leaned on Boromir and breathed heavily. "Well done." He whispered in her ear.
Some of the stone steps crumbled and fell. Aragorn pulled Frodo to safety. They climb to their feet and looked at the now widened gap that separated them from the rest of the Fellowship. The Balrog can be heard approaching from the other hall. Stone structures around the mine collapsed as it drew near. A huge rock fell from the ceiling and smashed through the steps behind Aragorn and Frodo, creating another gap behind them. The stairs began to wobble. The man and hobbit shift their weight forward-tipping the stairs across the divide and slamming them onto the steps where their companions are. They leaped across to safety and all run down the stairs as the stone structures collapsed behind them.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf commanded.
The fellowship ran to cross, but the wizard stayed where he stood. Around a great pillar in a fiery hall, a wall of flame whirled behind them. Celeste noticed the missing wizard and called out to him, "Gandalf! Gandalf!" the old man turned to the sound of her voice, "Gandalf! Don't do anything stupid!" The wizard simply smiled and fright evaded the mind of the Half elf, "Gandalf!"
A great form of black shadow leaped through the flames, its eyes of white fire, great ash-black horns curled around a bull-like head. The Balrog has finally reached them. It opened its maw, rippling heat poured out with a rumble. Gandalf turned and ran after the Fellowship. A great, black, cloven foot stomped down into the hall, bursting into flame. A narrow bridge of stone appeared in the fiery light, and the Fellowship crossed the bridge. Gandalf turned to face the Balrog. "You cannot pass! I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor… The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udûn!" The Balrog striked down on Gandalf, who parried the blow with his blade. It shattered the Balrog's sword. Glowing embers run off the circle of light around the wizard. The monster bellowed at the wizard. Celeste ran forward a bit.
"Go back to the Shadow!"
The Balrog stepped onto the bridge. It brandished a flaming whip. Gandalf raised his sword and staff together into the air. "You — shall not — pass!" he drives his staff into the bridge, causing a bright flash of blue light to appear. Flaring its nostrils, the Balrog stepped forward onto the bridge. The bridge collapsed from under it as it moved towards Gandalf, and the bridge breaks before the wizard's staff. The demon plunged backward into the chasm, still wielding its glowing whip. Gandalf, exhausted, leaned on his staff and watched the Balrog fall. He turned to follow the others. The flaming whip lashed up from the depths of the abyss and winds about Gandalf's ankle, dragging him over the edge. He clung onto the bridge but he strained to keep his grip. Frodo rushed forward but Boromir restrains him.
"Gandalf!" Celeste cried out and runs to him but is restrained by Aragorn, "Gandalf!" she extended out a hand as if she could save him if it reached. Tears fell from her face. "Gandalf!"
The wizard grasped the bridge and looked into Frodo's eyes and then Celeste's. He stopped struggling. "Fly, you fools!" He let go of the stone and fell into the chasm.
"NO!"
…
"Would you promise me something Gandalf?" The old man looked at the girl in sadness, aware of what she would say, "You must destroy me if I get out of hand."
"Celeste, violence does not always solve the problem." the Wizard commented.
"Gandalf, I ask you this because there is no one else." Celeste explained, "I cannot ask them—especially Estel. He has known me all his life…he is like a brother to me," she shook her head, "Aragorn is strong and understanding, but he is also loyal. He would not dare raise a sword against me. I—I cannot give this task to him."
"If that is what you wish, then when the time comes, I promise I will." Gandalf sighed, "However, this will be used as a last resort."
The half elf turned to the glowing sky, "Do as you wish."
The old man placed a hand on her shoulder, "I will be here for you. Just do your best Celeste and do not worry any longer."
…
"Gandalf…" a flood of tears fell as Aragorn carried the girl out of the mine. You cannot die. You promised me. You promised. Orc arrows started whistling by once again—shooting at the companions. They all ran until they were out of Moria.
Boromir tried to restrain Gimli as the Dwarf vented out his rage and sorrow. Merry consoled Pippin, who lay crying. Legolas wore a look of shock and disbelief as he looked out into the distance. Sam sat on the ground and bows his head onto his hands.
Celeste cannot stop her tears. She pounded the ground in frustration, "I saw it! I saw it! But I could not save him! Gandalf!" she sat down and buried her face in her hands, "I told him! Don't do anything stupid! I told him!" She tried to calm herself in her silence.
Aragorn wiped his sword clean, sheathed it, and turned to the others. "Legolas, get them up."
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" rebelled Boromir.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs!" The ranger reasoned, "We need to leave this place. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." He then stands over Celeste and held out his hand. She took it and stood up. "Celeste, do you remember this place?" she nodded. Her eyes are calm now.
"I will take you all to Lothlórien."
Author comments:
Well, another chapter that I had trouble with! Fighting scenes are not my forte.
And OMG! This chapter is long! 0.o I didn't mean for it to be long! haha, that's life.
Anyway, I am so excited to write the next chapter! Lothlorien, here I come!
