Chapter Seven

Oh should my people fall, surely I'll do the same
Confined in mountain halls, we got to close to the flames
Calling out father, hold fast and we will
Watch the flames burn auburn on the mountain side.

-I See Fire, Ed Sheeran


"You know what I hate?" Daisy asked conversationally. "The dark. And caves. And dark caves that smell funny." Legolas muttered something under his breath, causing her to shoot him a glare. "Also stuck-up, ego-inflated, smirking elvish princes!" Aragorn rolled his eyes, and pulled her away before they got into it again.

It was hard to tell time in the dark of Moria, but the fellowship had been walking for quite some time. They walked through huge chambers, up winding staircases, and on crumbling bridges. Gimli was the most distraught at seeing the dwarven kingdom's ruins, and moaned at every corpse he passed.

Aragorn and Daisy walked in the back, near Boromir and Legolas, unfortunately. The sass-sisters, as Daisy had dubbed them, brought up the very rear, hands on their weapons at all times. Her own dagger was tucked snugly in her belt, for the safety of them all.

The group passed into a great cavern, with a narrow walkway running down the middle. It was crudely made, with boulders and rocky arches blocking their path constantly. Aragorn sighed as they came to yet another winding staircase, next to a dark pit. Daisy knew from experience he wasn't fond of heights. In the front, Gandalf ran his hand along a silvery vein in the wall.

"The wealth of Moria was not in gold, or jewels." He tilted his glowing staff towards the hole. "But mithril." Rows upon rows of ladders were now visible, and old scaffolding supported mining shafts. The silver substance gleamed in every corner, reflecting the light. Daisy shot Aragorn a giddy smile, making him grin back. If only Gwen could see this!

"Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him." Gandalf mused, thinking of another quest long ago.

"Oh, that was a kingly gift." Gimli said approvingly, cheering up momentarily. He must be feeling awful. Daisy couldn't imagine seeing Rivendell abandoned and forsaken like this, with the bodies of her kin scattered around a once-great civilization. But that could happen if we don't succeed, she realized.

"Yes." Gandalf agreed. "I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire."

Frodo looked more than a little ill.

"You feeling okay?" Daisy asked stupidly. He's got the fate of Middle-Earth hanging around his neck, of course he doesn't feel okay!

"Fine." He mumbled, giving her a tight smile.

They all climbed the steep steps on the side of a cavern with many rows of tombs, all quiet now. Pippin momentarily lost his footing, and slipped onto Merry. "Pippin!" The hobbit hissed.

Soon the came to a crossroads; three dark tunnels loomed before the group. Gandalf held out his staff, looking from one to the other. His eyes grew wide, and he stepped back.

"I have no memory of this place."

The fellowship all sat resting nearby, while the wizard tried to remember the right path. It had been what seemed like hours, although Daisy couldn't tell, since she was underground. Her, Aragorn, and Gimli were talking in the corner, getting more acquainted with the prickly dwarf. It was a more enjoyable task than either of them had hoped. Gimli was surprisingly funny, in a gruff way, and peals of laughter got the trio more than a few odd looks. As they ate a bit of the remaining food, they told stories from a happier time.

"You didn't!" Gimli chortled, listening to their story. "You did not do that!"

"Oh but we did," Daisy replied, shaking with mirth. "Aragorn was so so excited for his ride with Arwen, he didn't notice the lipstick until she pointed it out, much later!" They had just finished a story involving Gwen, Daisy, and a foolish Aragorn that had fallen asleep before meeting his love. Suffice to say, the man had been furious for days.

"We were quite famous for our pranks in Rivendell actually," Aragorn admitted. "I don't suppose we've changed much." It was true.

"Well you'll have to show me one of them soon!" Gimli whooped. "Who would you prank on this quest?"

"I've got a funny idea." Daisy murmured, as Legolas shot them a icy look. The elf was still smarting from their argument earlier. I bet he's never been talked to like that before! She thought. Well there's no royal guards to protect him here.

Nearby, Frodo let out a gasp of alarm. "Theres something down there!" Daisy heard him say to Gandalf. He didn't look surprised. "It's Gollum." The wizard replied.

Frodo whispered something else, but she was too intent on watching the strange, white fingers that were curled around a ladder. Two huge eyes watched the fellowship, and they narrowed in anger. As creepy as the thing was, Daisy couldn't feel anything but pity.

"He's been following us for three days." Gandalf was explaining, as she walked over to him and Frodo.

"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dûr!" The hobbit exclaimed.

"Escaped?" Gandalf questioned darkly. "Or was set loose?"

"What exactly is he?" Daisy questioned, watching the creature. "Why was he captured?"

"He used to be one of the river folk." Gandalf answered, as if that explained why he was stalking them, and looked like a bag of bones. "And now the ring has drawn him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the ring, as he hates and loves himself."

"But how did he get so..." Daisy wasn't sure how to put it.

"Sméagol's life is a sad story. Yes, Sméagol he was once called. Before the Ring found him...before it drove him mad."

"It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance!" Frodo spat. A surge of anger swept through Daisy, and she turned on the hobbit.

"It's that blasted ring, none of it's his fault! You've only had it a few days and already it changes you, I see it in your eyes!" She wasn't sure where the rage came from, but the need to defend Gollum was strong. He's just misunderstood. Just like me.

Gandalf was telling off Frodo too by the looks of it, but Daisy didn't stick around. Shooting them an apologetic look, she stalked past her friends, and into the darkness.

"Where you off too?" Gimli asked from his spot.

"I'll be back in a second." The truth was, she wasn't really going anywhere. More than anything Daisy needed a breath of fresh air to clear her head, but it seemed to be in short supply at the moment. After walking out of earshot from the group, she leaned against the wall and rubbed her head. Moria is getting to me.

If it wasn't for the click of nails, Daisy would have had no warning at all. Spinning around, she pulled at her dagger and stared at Gollum. How did he get here so quickly? Closer up, he was even strange looking.

Every rib was clearly visible, standing out against his pale skin. Wearing nothing but a dirty cloth around his waist, Gollum moved more like a frog than anything else. A few dirty hairs clung to a bruised scalp. His dark eyes glittered in the pale light, and a open mouth revealed rotting teeth. When she pointed the dagger at him, he let out a cry of rage and began muttering.

"Girls has a pointy, does it knows how to use it?" He hissed, creeping closer. His mood suddenly changed, and he sprang back against a pillar. "They pokes us and burns us with them! Gollum!" The last part was more of a hacked cough then a introduction. Daisy eyed him warily.

"I'm not going to poke you, as long as you don't eat me or anything." She didn't know how to use it, but wasn't about to admit that.

"We's so hungry! No fishes live down here, no tasty fishes for us! We must starve!" He cried the last part at the top of his lungs, and collapsed to the ground.

Reaching into her pocket, Daisy felt the remains of a cooked fish Sam had given her. Surely he wouldn't mind if she gave it to Gollum, who probably hadn't eaten for days.

"Here," she said cautiously, throwing him the fish wrapped in paper. Confused, Gollum caught it, and peered inside. Daisy couldn't help but grin at his flabbergasted expression of joy.

A sound from behind made her turn to find Boromir. "He remembered the path." The man said arrogantly, frowning at her. "You shouldn't wander alone."

"I'm obviously not alone," Daisy replied, turning to look at Gollum. But there was nothing but a few scraps of paper where the creature had been seconds before.

Ignoring his odd look, Daisy walked past Boromir and back towards the fellowship, confused. If she had looked into the shadows however, the girl would have seen two eyes, watching her leave.

"If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." Gandalf was saying, leading them down one of the tunnels.


They soon came to a huge hallway, supported by massive stone columns. It seems to go on for miles and miles. Merry whistled appreciatively, looking around.

"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf illuminated the massive hallway. "Behold: the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf."

"Now there's an eye opener and no mistake." Sam said in awe. The fellowship walked slowly through the massive hall, and Daisy spotted a ray of sunlight shining down from in a side chamber. Gimli let out a strangled sound and ran forwards.

Gandalf watched him go with alarm. "Gimli!"

Paying the wizard no heed, he rushed forward into the room. It looked like it had been beautiful once, but now was filled with bodies and scattered weapons. A white crypt stood in the center, lit by a single ray of light. Gimli collapsed in front of the tomb, sobbing.

"No! No!" He cried. "No!"

Boromir moved forward and placed his hand on Gimli's shoulder, speaking softly. Daisy moved to his other side, swallowing a sob of her own.

"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He is dead then. It's as I feared." The mood turned as black as the shadows along the outskirts of their vision.

A corpse was leaning against the grave, its fingers still clutching a dusty book. Gandalf picked it up hesitantly and began reading softly in a strange language.

"We must move on," Legolas was saying softly to Aragorn. "We cannot linger!"

The wizard now translated it for the rest of them, his words echoing off the walls. "They have taken the bridge…and the second hall."

Gimli stopped sobbing and looked up; It seemed to be bad news to him.

"We have barred the gates…but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes."

Daisy grabbed onto Aragorn tightly, giving him a frightened look. She felt as if she was about to start hyperventilating on the spot. Pippin looked even more scared than her, and began backing away into a corner.

"Drums...drums…in the deep."

He looked up slowly from the bloodstained page, as though listening for something. Breath in, breath out, breath in-

"We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark."

Daisy turned to see Pippin examining a corpse. She fought the urge to yell at him to get back to the safety of the light, as if that would protect him, as if that would protect any of them.

"We cannot get out…" Gandalf repeated. There was but a single line left on the page, a messily written few words. "They are coming!"

The silence was broken by a resounding crash. Pippin, curious, had touched the arrow embedded in the skull, and it had slipped off. Falling down the well it was next to, the sound made them all wince. He spun around guiltily, as the corpse slid down as well, dragging a chain and bucket down with it. Where once was only silence, a ricocheting noise now seemed to fill every corner of Moria. Daisy clenched Aragorn's hand tighter at every new wave of sound.

"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf slammed the book shut. "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"

We're ok, right? Everything's fine, no need to worry.

Boom...boom.

The distant sound of drums began to beat in the distance. Gandalf turned pale, glaring at the bashful hobbit.

Boom.

The tempo began getting slightly louder, as if getting closer.

Boom-boom.

"What are we going to do?" Daisy whispered to Aragorn.

"I don't know."

Boom-boom-boom.

Terror showed in every one of the fellowships faces. Sam looked down suddenly, at his friends sword. "Frodo!" it was glowing bright blue.

"Orcs!" Legolas yelled, turning Daisy's blood cold. She'd thought she could handle orcs, but now faced with the harsh reality of it her knees grew week. We're going to die.

Boromir ran to the doors and pulled them shut, with Aragorn running to help.

"Get back! You stay close to Gandalf!" He said to the hobbits, who cloistered behind the wizard.

A distant roar came from the distance, and Boromir peeked around the door quickly before drawing his head back. "They have a cave troll." He muttered faintly.

Daisy ran around, tearing weapons from the bodies. She handed them to Aragorn, who began blockading the door. It all seemed like a horrible dream at the moment, that was probably the only reason she was functioning.

Gandalf let out a loud battle cry, pulling his sword. The hobbits brandished their daggers as well, yelling fiercely. Gimli leapt atop the tomb and swing his axe menacingly.

"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"

Weapons began poking through holes in the wooden door, and guttural screams yelled back at them. Legolas pulled back his bow and shot through a tiny crack, somehow hitting his target.

Suddenly with the sharp sound of wood splintering, the beats leapt through, and the battle began. Daisy had only seen orcs in pictures, but nothing could prepare her for the real thing. Hate radiated from them in waves, and everything about them screamed evil. In the front, Boromir was slashing away like a madman, right next to Aragorn. Seeing him face those monsters made her feel sick. This isn't right. We should be climbing trees in Rivendell, not facing down orcs in the dark of Moria. This isn't fair!

With a roar, Gandalf launched himself into the battle, and the hobbits followed. Daisy gripped her dagger shakily, sweat making it slippery. A harsh laugh came from behind her, and she spun around to see a green-eyed Orc licking his lips. Daisy didn't think. Throwing the dagger at its chest, she was shocked when it fell to the ground, face frozen in the mask of death. Lucky shot?

Grabbing a sword from her feet, Daisy looked around frantically for more orcs. Nearby, Sam was fending off two, and she cut one down easily. It was soon clear that their strength was in numbers, not skill. Daisy was fast, which gave her a advantage as well.

I just killed something. Oh my god. Reality caught up with her, and she stood there gasping. All around her the battle raged. She saw Legolas using a arrow as a sword, killing neatly and precisely. Gimli was the exact opposite, a whirlwind of rage and death. With every kill he seemed to mutter something under his breath. He's avenging his people. Daisy realized.

There was no time. No time to draw her sword, as a huge orc came charging towards her. She could only wait helplessly for death, her feet seemingly frozen into the ground. Was this how she would die? Closing her eyes, Daisy prepared for the killing stroke...

But it never came. Aragorn slashed its head from its shoulders savagely, saving her life. Daisy gaped at him.

"Did you forget what we promised Gwen?" He asked, voice thick with adrenaline and emotion. "We promised to take care of each other." And them he was gone, leaving a determined and teary-eyed Daisy in his wake.

From the doorway came the roar they had heard before, only now it was much closer. A huge beast came bursting in, making them all stop in shock for a moment. It was chained around its wrists to a orcs hand, who looked smug. So that's what a cave troll looks like.

Sam dived between its legs, just as the troll swung its massive mace down. It grunted angrily, and turned around clumsily. Sam cringed, cornered.

The beast raised a arm to strike, but instead fell back. Aragorn and Boromir were behind the beast, pulling on its chains. The troll screamed again in anger, and flung Boromir into a corner, where he lay dazed. Here's something I can help with.

Daisy raced over to him frantically. "Boromir, get up!" She echoed the same words he had yelled at her in the battle with the sea monster, which seemed a lifetime ago. Boromir nodded grimly at her, and ran to help Aragorn.

Slash, hack, slash, duck! Swinging her weapon clumsily, Daisy let instinct kick in. For a second she was fighting next to Frodo, and them Gandalf was beside her, and then she was back-to-back with Legolas.

"You fight better than I would think a woman could." He spat, as they fended off the creatures.

"I was just thinking the same thing about you," she shot back cheekily, before running to help Pippin out of a tight spot.

Truth be told, she would have been dead if not for Aragorn. He was staying true to his word, and slashed down any orcs she could not. Daisy tried not think about what she was doing, because then she would die. Choking down bile, she wondered of the battle would ever end. The troll was still wrecking havoc in the corner, and more orcs streamed from the doorway over and over again.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this." Sam told her, cutting down a nasty piece of work. She didn't respond, too focused on staying alive. How could anyone ever get the hang of this?

"Frodo!" Aragorn cried from her left. The ring-bearer was hiding behind a stone pillar, with the troll only a heartbeat away. Daisy realized with relief that the beast couldn't see him, but she wasn't relieved for long.

Blasting around the pillar, the troll bellowed in Frodo's face, making him stumble and fall back.

"Aragorn? Aragorn!" He yelled in fear. The man was breathing heavily, and yet still carried on, trying to reach the hobbit. "Frodo!"

Aragorn grabbed a spear and stabbed the troll with almost inhuman strength. The ranger held the beast at bay, as Merry and Pippin threw rocks. Infuriated, the monster threw Aragorn across the room, where he collapsed in a heap. NO!

Frodo raced over to him, but there was 500 pounds of ugly cave troll in his way. It took aim, and stabbed him in the chest, to Daisy's horror. Merry and Pippin stood by helplessly, watching their friends die.

For a second, everything seemed to slow down. Then the hobbits leapt onto the beast with cries of rage, stabbing him mercilessly. "Yaaahh!"

Gandalf stared silently across the room, stunned.

"Frodo!" Sam cried, shattering Daisy's heart with the sound. It was full of pain, grief, and anger. The rest of them, Aragorn thankfully included, fought madly with new strength.

Legolas was rivaled by none that battle though, as he scampered nimbly up the trolls body, and shot it in the head fearlessly. Daisy dragged Gimli out of the way just in time, as the troll slumped to the ground. The remaining few orcs scattered out of the room, as the fellowship stared at the elf in awe.

They then all rushed over to Frodo, who sat collapsed against the wall. "Oh no," Aragorn breathed, rolling him over. To their shock, the hobbit groaned faintly, gasping for breath.

"He's alive!" Sam exclaimed. Daisy burrowed her head into Aragorn's shoulder as he hugged her, too overcome with thanks that they had all survived the battle.

"I'm all right, I'm not hurt."

Aragorn shook his head in disbelief. "You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar."

Gandalf had a strange twinkle in his eye. "I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye."

Frodo pulled up his tunic to reveal a shirt of mithril, shining faintly. Daisy grinned happily at the hobbit. She was covered in blood, sweat and orc guts, was hundreds of miles beneath the surface, had a slim chance of survival, and yet had never felt so happy in her life.

"Mithril!" Gimli said in disbelief. "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins."

Orcs began to scream in the distance, making Daisy groan. We just can't get a break. Gandalf looked just as weary. "To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!"

The fellowship ran out the rear door of the chamber, into a high ornate hallway. Orcs were pursuing them closely, and Daisy felt hot breath on the back of her neck. They swarmed down from the ceiling, surrounding the group and outnumbering them hopelessly. Well it's been fun.

Just as all hope of survival had gone out the window, a echoing rumble came from the other side of the chamber. The orcs looked at each other in horror almost comically, before climbing back up the columns and out of sight. A strange orange light came from behind them, lighting up the hall.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir sounded like he was tired to death of almost dying. Daisy couldn't blame him.

Gandalf closed his eyes, listening intently. After a second he re-opened them, looking grim. "A Balrog; a demon of the ancient world."

Legolas and Daisy were the only ones who knew what this meant. Daisy had heard many a bedtime story from her mother about Balroqs, and her eyes grew wide.

For some reason, the night her and Gwen met Aragorn popped into her head. She had been complaining to her friend about Cilneth, and had said that the elf had a Balroq inside of her. Imagining a fifty-foot Cilneth coming around the corner made hysterical laughter bubble up in her throat.

"What's that?" Aragorn asked her. "What is a Balroq?" She just shook her head tiredly.

"We're never going to see Gwen again."