Chapter IX: The Tomb
They came to an open square as they trudged along the path, Gimli let out a small grunt and ran towards the only room with an open steel door. They all ran after him. Gandalf called after him but there was no way he was going to stop his sprint.
After they all entered they noticed that this room was filled with bones. The hobbits all sneered with fright. And, in the dead center of the room lay a stone tomb. Gimli began to sob. Gandalf walked over.
"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin." He read aloud as he peered over the casket top. Gimli became more emotional. They all assumed his only family lay dead in that tomb. They began searching the room. Raerlis had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach but did not share this with anyone else. Legolas seemed to know what she was feeling when he looked at her for a brief second. Pippin began to look around too. Gandalf found a book in a skeleton's hands near the tomb.
Gandalf began to read out of the book. "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. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming."
Everyone was terrified to know what happened there.
Pippin turned and saw a skeleton. His curiosity over powered his urge to resist touching it. He reached out to touch a medallion around its neck. With the slightest touch, the skeleton fell down the well it was sitting on. The group could hear the clanging as the skeleton fell for several seconds. Everyone looked at Pippin as he began to shrug his shoulders.
"Fool of a took!" Gandalf yelled as he looked at him.
Within a matter of seconds the fellowship knew that this was a grave mistake. They began to hear drums from the deep growing closer. Just like the book had read, the same drums now pursued them. The group barred off the two doors in hopes they could hold off whatever was about to come for them. They found out soon enough that goblins were now living in these mines. A single arrow shot through the main door as Boromir and Aragorn blocked it off. Legolas began to string his bow and take down the front lines of the now increasing crowd. Raerlis was close behind him. The goblins soon enough broke down the barred off door and began their attack. The hobbits fought bravely alongside their group. The fellowship began to take advantage when they heard large booming steps coming closer to the doorway.
"A cave troll!" Someone yelled.
The giant troll began to wave around his giant mace as he stepped through the doorway. He was quite slow and his swings did not manage to injure anyone. He began to go after Frodo. The other group members didn't notice as they were fighting their own. A large grunt coming from the small hobbits mouth made time move in slow motion as they all realized he had been speared by the large beast. Pippin and Merry began yelling the other's names as they began to throw rocks at the troll. Legolas climbed up the chain of his leash and began putting arrows into the large head. Raerlis shot from below and they both took the troll down within minutes. The room had been cleared as they all ran over to Frodo. He was still alive but had a look of extreme pain and discomfort on his face. Aragorn looked confused as he ripped open Frodo's shirt.
"Mithril." Gimli gasped.
Gandalf spoke next. "This hobbit seems to have more surprises than we intended."
They all smiled joyfully that he was infact, still in one piece.
The joy ended when more drums came from the deep. They group quickly got up and ran out the side door; To be accompanied by more goblins. The goblins almost appeared to be spider's eggs hatching as they swarmed out of every nook and cranny of the hallway. Gandalf led the fellowship with his staff fully illuminated finally remembering the way out. As they got to the bridge they realized the swarms had ended and the Goblins had all ran away in fear. The big booms came from the deeper ends of the mines. Fire began to enter the hallway.
"We must hurry!" Gandalf yelled.
The creature crept closer as the jumped over the stairs that were beginning to split into two. They made it quickly to the bridge when they could see the creatures full appearance.
Gandalf turned and looked.
"A Balrog of Morgoth."
The large black beast appeared to have horns and a body made out of shadow, he was covered in flames and carried a large fire whip.
This is what he had feared most.
"Quickly everyone get to the stairs, I'll hold him off."
The men had to drag the hobbits along because they did not want to leave Gandalf. Frodo was yelling his name as they watched him fight.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf yelled with all his might as he smashed the bottom of his staff against the ground accompanied by his sword. A burst of light jutted out from the ground. The Balrog did not falter. Gandalf began to repeat himself. The Balrog took a single step forward as the bridge collapsed underneath him and he began to fall into the darkness below. Gandalf sighed and began to turn around. The whip had slithered up from below and grabbed his leg.
As he was holding on to the edge of the bridge he said he last words of advice.
"Fly you fools." He then let go, following the Balrog into darkness.
"GANDALF." Frodo yelled as he tried to break free from Aragorns grip.
The men dragged the hobbits outside. They had made it out of the mines but not a single soul was relieved. They had lost their mentor and their leader. Raerlis sat next to Pippin and conforted him. The other hobbits sat and sobbed on the stones.
"Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn said.
"Can't you give them time!?" Boromir said with concern.
"By nightfall this valley will be swarming with goblins." Aragorn replied.
Legolas walked over to Pippin and Raerlis first. Raerlis had a single tear streaming down her face. Legolas looked at her intently put a hand on each of their shoulders and motioned for them to get up.
"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled as he ran after him. Frodo began to walk mindlessly with sadness. The group caught up with him. The sadness of Gandalf's loss still shook them but the journey needed to continue. Raerlis held on to Pippin's hand as they continued.
How was it? I've been sick lately so I've been putting this chapter off. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review, and favorite. I wish you all a very Merry (late) Christmas.
~Sirena
