Cellin couldn't take her eyes off the stairs that ceiling of the mine. She wants to see the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars. She even remembers when she was little; she would bring her foster parents for nightly walks around their huge garden. Cellin closed her and memories started to flow back to her.
"Mommy! Daddy!" 7 year-old Cellin shouted gleefully, "Look the Baby's Breath is fully bloomed."
"Of course they are, sweetie." Mom smiled, "You personally grow them and did you know there is a meaning for this kind of flower?"
"Really? What is the meaning?"
"Well, it means purity of heart, innocence and everlasting love. Just like how you are loveable and have an innocent heart." Dad ruffled Cellin's hair.
"Also, since you grew a few bushes of Baby's Breath, why don't we have one of the gardeners to gather some Baby's Breath and put some around the house?"
"I would love that!" Cellin threw her arms around her adopted parents and they hugged her back.
Cellin opened her eyes and saw Legolas staring at her. "Thank goodness, Cellin. I thought you weren't feeling well."
"I am fine, Legolas. I just had a flashback." Cellin sit up.
"Flashback?"
"It is like remembering something from the past."
"Oh." Legolas said, "I sometimes get that."
"Yeah."
"Then, what did you remember?" Legolas sat next to her.
"I remember when I was having a nightly walk with my adopted parents. I was dragging them to see some flowers I have personally grew them myself." Cellin briefly explains to Legolas, "Then, they told me they would decorate the house with those flowers."
Legolas put his hand on top of Cellin's hand. "You must love them."
"I do." Cellin answered, "But, they are now gone."
"Don't be sad." Legolas said, "You should be happy."
"Why?"
"They may not be your real parents, but I bet they treated you like their own child." Legolas explained, "They tried their best to fill in your real parents' responsibilities by loving and caring you. Now, their spirit is guiding you to find your true parents."
"Really think so?" Cellin looked up at Legolas.
Legolas nodded.
"Thanks for the advice, Legolas." Cellin hugged him. Legolas smiled as he hugged her back. She let go and walked to Gandalf.
"There is something down there." Frodo whispered.
"I could feel it too." Cellin walked over, "Something or someone is after us."
"It's Gollum." Gandalf answered, "He's been following us for three days."
"Who is Gollum?" Cellin asked. Gandalf quickly explained who Gollum was with a hush voice, so the rest could not hear besides Legolas. He was also known as Smeagol who found the one ring and killed his cousin, Deogol, so he can keep the one ring. Gollum kept it until one day Bilbo took it away from him and Bilbo brought it back to his home. Now, Gollum have escaped, he is after the ring. Cellin was so into the story, but then Frodo cut in the story.
"Gollum? He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dûr?" Frodo cut in.
Gandalf faced the hobbit who asked the question. "Escaped? Or was set loose? And now the ring has brought him here. He will never be rid of his need for it." Gandalf let out a sigh as he look at Frodo, "He hates and loves the ring as he hates and loves himself. Smeagol's life is a sad story." He paused and noticed a confused look on the hobbit's face. "Yes, Smeagol, he was once called. Before the ring found him. Before the ring drove him mad."
"So, his soul now belongs to the ring?" Cellin asked and Gandalf nodded.
"It is a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance." Frodo spat.
"Pity?" Gandalf raised an eyebrow, "It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for ill or for good, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many." Gandalf said slowly in the end, letting the words sink into Frodo's mind.
"I wish the ring had never come to me." Frodo sighed unhappily as he look down, "I wish none of this happened."
"It is not your fault, Frodo. It is no one's fault except the man who created the ring, Sauron." Cellin smoothed Frodo.
"So do all who live to see such time. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide, what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the ring." Gandalf spoke in a kind voice, "In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought."
"He is right. I too have faced a burden and I still carry it." Cellin placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder , "The burden of not knowing my real parents and the burden of ..."
"The burden of what?" Frodo looked with curiosity written all over his face, "What else that burdens you?"
Cellin closed her eyes as she fight back the tears that were daring she fall down her face. Gandalf hand her a handkerchief, but Cellin decline it by shooking her head. "I am fine."
"I am sorry, Cellin." Frodo lowered her head.
"It is alright. It is not your fault." Cellin smiled faintly.
Gandalf, who look away and noticed something, "Ah! It is that way!"
The Fellowship walked down a dark tunnel with no light besides Gandalf's staff and Aragorn's torch. Soon, Cellin noticed light from a doorway. Her face lit up with glee once she saw it. Legolas, who was beside her, chuckle silently. Her eyes were glue to the light like it has been calling her along.
"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf whispered. The light glowed a bit brighter and reveals a vast space of emptiness. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf."
It is true that is a great place for a dwarf to live, but the emptiness makes it feel like it is not home. Cellin looked around and started to feel sad. Many dwarves have out their effort in this realm and now their efforts are wasted. Legolas placed an arm around her to comfort her. The Fellowship continues to walk in silent with Gandalf leading them. It seems that he knows which way is which. They entered a small chamber and there was a coffin lying in the middle of the room. Cellin feels like she knows who that person in the coffin is. Could it be him that Gimli talked a lot about?
Gimli rushed ahead and kneeled in front of the coffin as he mourned. "Oh no! No! No! No!"
"Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria." Gandalf translated the words that were craved on the coffin as he took his pointy hat off, "He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Cellin walked to Gimli and softly hummed a song. A song dedicated for Balin. Legolas took Cellin's hand tightly and looked over at Aragorn.
"We must move on! We cannot linger." Legolas whispered.
Something caught Gandalf's eye as he looked around. He gently picked up an old book from a skeleton. Pippin took his hat and staff as Gandalf went to pick it up. He opened the fragile book and looked over the papers. "They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums. Drums in the deep. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out..."
Suddenly, a loud sound came. Cellin look around quickly to see where it was coming from. She scan her surroundings and something caught her eye. Pippin was moving backwards from a dead dwarf's body. Aren't there dead bodies everywhere? Why is Pippin staying away from that particular body? Cellin look at the body and noticed that the head is missing. Pippin must have cause the head to fall off. With a loud clatter, the body fell backwards, dragging a long metal chain with a bucket chained on the end and went down to the deep abyss. The sound echo in the mines until it finally stop.
"Fool of a Took!"Gandalf snapped loudly, "Throw yourself next time and rid us of your stupidity."
Gandalf took his hat and staff back roughly from the poor hobbit. He put his hat back on and Pippin looks down at the ground with shame. Then, a loud boom was heard. The Fellowship whirled around to see who or what was it. Cellin got a feeling that she knows what it is? Could it be? The sound echo vibrantly through Moria, causing shivers down their spine. Legolas took Cellin's hand and clutch it tightly.
Boom
Boom
Boom
It is the sound of the drums.
One at a time, all the drums came together to make one loud sound. Cellin's heartbeat beat at the same time as the drums hit. Soon, a battle cry was heard and the Fellowship knew who was after them.
Orcs
They all look alarmed and prepared their weapons while wondering when their enemy's servants will strike. Frodo pulled his weapon halfway with Gandalf nearby. Noticing something, Cellin quickly aimed her arrow towards it and killed it. It was an orc. The orcs have found them.
"Legolas, they are here." Cellin looked over her shoulder. Their backs were pressing closely, so they can protect each other's back.
"I know. Stay close as possible." Legolas replied, but then he smiled faintly, "Can you handle an army of orcs?"
"Do you doubt my skills?" Cellin whispered, "You witnessed that I have beaten Boromir in a sword spare?"
"But, you are using a bow and arrow?"
"Then, you can witness my skills with the bow."
"It would be an honour, Lady Cellin."
Boromir ran with speed while aiming the doors. "They have a cave troll."
Aragorn and Boromir quickly close the doors. They ran back to the Fellowship and Aragorn notch his arrow on his bow.
"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath." Gimli jumped on top of his cousin's coffin with his axe tight in his grip.
Crack! The door started to break. The orcs are breaking their way in. The wood blackened with blood and the rotting smell of orcs spread in the air. Holes are forming and faces of orcs can be seen. Carefully aiming, Cellin successfully killed an orc down. Legolas and Aragorn did the same, causing two orcs joining their friend to hell. The orcs saw their friends die and their determination got boast up. Unfortunately, the Fellowship won't let the orcs win. Howling and screaming, the orcs ran forward. Gandalf dashed forward to fight along with the brave little hobbits. Cellin looked at Legolas and nodded.
Charging towards the orcs, Cellin shoot them down with easy. As she was about to shoot down an orc, a hissing sound was made nearby. Cellin quickly killed the orc she was aiming at and kick her right leg backwards. She turned around and presses her boots on the orcs' neck. Killing it with ease, she continues to fight.
"Legolas, behind you!" Cellin cried.
He whirled around and noticed three orcs surrounding him. He kicked them down and finished them off. "Thanks." He smiled at Cellin.
Then, Cellin heard a familiar scream. It was Frodo. The troll was pulling Frodo by the ankle. Luckily, Frodo managed to be free, but the troll threw a spear towards him and hit the ring bearer's chest.
"No!" Cellin cried.
Pippin and Merry jumped on the troll's back and blindly stabbing their swords on its back. As Cellin sprint dash forward, the troll pluck Merry off its back and threw him to the side while using the other hand to swatted Gimli away. Cellin ran up to the troll and shot an arrow towards its throat. Legolas aimed for the troll's back, but his mind was telling him not to. He didn't want to hit Pippin. Cellin helped Legolas by taking out her flute and played a really fast song. When the troll roared, Legolas aimed it to its mouth. It was cut off and fell dead on the ground.
Cellin rushed towards the fallen hobbit and examined him to see if he is alright. But, Frodo isn't. The spear was pierced into his chest. Legolas put an arm Cellin and gently brought her head to his shoulder. Aragorn carefully flip Frodo and the spear fell off his chest. Frodo gasped for air once the spear was gone.
"He's alive." Sam choked up.
"I'm alright. I'm not hurt." Frodo reassured them.
Cellin pulled away from Legolas and saw something shiny appearing under his white shirt. Is that a Mithril shirt?
"You should be dead. The spear would have skewered a wild boar." Aragorn said.
"I think there's more than this hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf leaned on his staff.
Frodo undo several buttons and revealed a mithril shirt underneath his white shirt. The armour spared Frodo's life. Cellin let a breath that she didn't she was holding so long.
"Mithril," Gimli awed, "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins."
Cellin whirled her head to the door. The orcs are still after them, so the Fellowship must get rid of them. Curse you, orcs!
"To the bridge of Khazad-Dûr!" Gandalf commanded.
Legolas and Cellin ran side by side as they make their to the bridge. Gandalf lead the way with his staff shining bright. The orcs were coming closer and closer. Soon, the orcs surround the Fellowship.
"Cellin, be brave. We can survive this battle." Legolas whispered.
"Don't worry. I am a fighter after all." Cellin whispered back.
The orcs smirked with triumphed, but then a loud rumble came out for all directions. Looking at each other with shivers running down their spine, the orcs scattered away in an unfashionable way.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir peered over Gandalf's shoulder.
Closing his eyes and opening them again, Gandalf let out a sigh. "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" Gandalf ordered.
Cellin dashed forward with Legolas behind her by a foot. Reaching a doorway, Aragorn and Gandalf stopped and let the others run ahead of them.
"Quickly!" Gandalf commanded.
With Boromir running first, he quickly look back to see if the others are coming. Unfortunately, the Man of Gondor didn't notice that the next few steps are broken. Hanging over the edge with his arms flailing, Boromir tries to regain balance. Cellin and Legolas gave a sprint to Boromir and pull him back. The result was they did save Boromir, but they fell backwards.
"It's a dead end." Cellin looked down at the empty pit.
"Then, let's go this way."
The Fellowship turned left and went down to the dark. I hope the bridge is close by. Legolas and Cellin hold their hands together since they make a great team when there is a battle.
Gandalf was exhausted and lean on a wall as he catch his breath.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn stopped to help the Grey Wizard.
"Lead them on Aragorn. The bridge is near." Gandalf pointed out.
Aragorn is deciding to obey Gandalf's order or not.
"Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!" Gandalf pushed Aragorn.
Cellin and Legolas paused and noticed the a portion of the steps were missing. Both of them nodded and Legolas jumped first, then Cellin.
"Gandalf!" Legolas hold up his hands.
The wizard jumped, but something whizzed through.
Orcs!
These orcs have nothing to do except to attack us. Cellin was pretty mad at them. She took her flute out and played a fast song to make some time for the Fellowship to pass through. The orcs were screaming and pressing their ears tightly as Cellin played the song. Legolas took the chance to shoot the orcs down.
"Sam!" Aragorn tossed the hobbit into Boromir's arms. Then, he tries tossed Gimli who protested.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf." Gimli cried.
Leaping into the air, the dwarf didn't know he will fall. Legolas catch him, but not by the arm. But, the beard. Cellin remember that a dwarf's bread is precious to him.
"Not the beard!" Gimli yelled.
Aragorn and the ring bearer still needs to cross. The stone was wobbling, but then Aragorn had an idea.
"Hold on!" Aragorn said, "Lean forward! Steady!"
Leaning forward, the stone hit the other side and let Frodo lean into Gandalf arms while Boromir helped Aragorn.
The temperature is getting hotter and hotter. But, still, the Fellowship stayed strong and flees towards the bridge.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf shouted.
Gandalf stopped Aragorn and Legolas. The wizard looked at them with a worried, yet determined look. "Look after Cellin. She is gifted with many things and I know I can trust you two to take care of her. She will soon find her real parents. Also, she is too pure to be in the hands of evil. Understand?"
Legolas and Aragorn both nodded.
Cellin glanced back and noticed something is coming towards them. It was the Balrog. Its body was entirely made out of lava and small flames danced around him like an aura. The demon spread his dark black wings with its two long horns pointing out. The Balrog roared at Gandalf and send a breath of fire. Gandalf run away from the flames and were behind Cellin.
Cellin looked over her shoulder and saw Gandalf suddenly stopped at the middle of the bridge. Sadness, fear and anger were written all over her face. "Gandalf, no!" Cellin cried and tries to run to Gandalf. However, Aragorn and Legolas stopped her.
"We must go, Cellin." Aragorn insisted.
"Please, Cellin." Legolas tugged her hand, "We must."
They dragged Cellin away, leaving Gandalf by himself.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf bellowed.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udûr!" Gandalf proclaimed at the demon.
A white light shine brightly around Gandalf just when the Balrog's sword clashed it. Cellin let out a sigh when she saw Gandalf unharmed. However, the Balrog was furious.
"Go back to the shadows!" The wizard ordered.
Furiously, the Balrog took his whip and hit the rocks.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf thundered as he brought his staff down with power.
Gandalf smiled and turned to join the Fellowship. But, it wasn't the last the Balrog was seen. It lashed out its whip once more and the end of the whip caught Gandalf's ankle. Gandalf hold on the edge as tightly as he could.
"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted.
Sending a last look, he spoke his last few words. "Fly you fools."
With that, he was gone.
"Nooooo!" Cellin cried with tears running down her face. The she-elf tries to run over where the wizard had fallen, but Aragorn and Legolas stopped her again.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
Legolas hoisted her up over her shoulder and went out of Moria. The sun greeted them cheerfully, but right now, the Fellowship isn't in the mood.
Putting her down gently, Cellin mourned the wizard's death. Legolas hugged Cellin tightly and he too, was sad that Gandalf is gone.
"Legolas, get them up!" Aragorn called.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir retorted.
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get up."
Legolas helped Cellin up. She looked blanked out and in her thoughts, the word "Lothlórien" keeps running in her mind. Lothlórien? Why does that sound familiar to me?
"Cellin, are you alright?" Legolas looked at her.
"I am fine." Cellin nodded.
"Are you sure?" Aragorn came over, "You seemed blanked out."
"I am sure, Aragorn."
Aragorn sighed and went over to the hobbits.
"Let's go, Cellin." Legolas held out his hand, "Let's make our way to Lothlórien."
Cellin glanced at his hand and took it. Joining back to the Fellowship with Aragorn as their leader, they make their way into Lothlórien. However, not knowing anything that waits upon Cellin in Lothlórien, the secret will continue to wait until she arrives to the place she was born.
Tah-dah!I am back! I am so sorry for those who were waiting for this chapter. I had the flu and I couldn't write chapter 7. So, I decide to make it up to you guys and present you the longest chapter I wrote so far as a apology gift. Please REVIEW this story and I will love to hear any of your ideas. I want to make a special thank-you for Nirahla Shepard for giving me a review everytime I posted a chapter for Musical Warrior. I will see you guys in the next chapter!
