Author's Note:So, they finally get out of the caves, but poor Jasmine is in for some bad luck. Legolas and Jasmine are in for a big surprise in the next chapter, which I should be posting tomorrow if everything goes well. I've tried to use dialogue from the books and movie to be true to the plot, but some people seem to find that boring. Is it? Having the dialogue there also helps me create a mood for the chapter and it keeps me from going off on random plot tangents that lead no where and then I get stuck and have to discontinue the story :(

Anyway, Thanks for all the reviews (again). I've tried to hint at the surprise in this chapter if anyone wants to guess what the surprise is, write it in a review and I'll tell you if you got it right at the beginning of the next chapter.

While writing this, I discovered a new band called Apocalyptica. They're a string ensemble that covers metal and rock songs. It sounds weird but it's actually really good. That and I've also been listening to I Need A Hero *sigh* I wish Legolas was real so that he could be my hero........ok. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 11

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked, panting.

Gandalf was silent, before answering, "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you!"

We ran through the hall and a passageway, which led us to a flight of stairs, which crumbled beneath us. "Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near!" Aragorn hesitated. "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here."

I wondered what type of beast we must be facing if swords were useless against it. I turned to Legolas, my heart and eyes full of fear. He clasped my hand in his as we ran down another staircase. About halfway down, there was a large gap. Legolas jumped to the other side, followed by Gandalf and I. An arrow was fired, landing at their feet. Legolas and Aragorn fired back at them. Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin as he leapt forward, landing safely on the other side. Aragorn threw Sam over, who Boromir caught. Aragorn began to lift Gimli, but Gimli protested. "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" he cried, and leapt to the other side, landing just on the edge. He began to fall backwards.

Legolas grabbed his beard. "Not the beard!" Gimli roared, but Legolas managed to pull him back up. Some of the stones broke off and fell. Now only Aragorn and Frodo remained on the other side, but a larger gap stood between them and us.

Rock from the ceiling cracked off and fell on the bridge, leaving them trapped. Aragorn and Frodo shifted their weight, making their part of the bridge lean forward. As it hit our side, they jumped off and continued down the stairs with us. "Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf ordered.

The bridge was so thin that they had to cross single file, Gandalf tailing behind. He stopped halfway through as the deamon emerged from the flames. "You cannot pass!" he shouted.

"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted. Fear seized me. Gandalf could not do this!

"I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udûn!"

The Balrog roared and struck Gandalf, who deflected the blow, shattering the Balrog's sword. "Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf shouted. The Balrog drew out his fiery whip and lashed it out.

"YOU...SHALL NOT...PASS!" Gandalf hit the bridge with his staff and sword, cracking the rock. The side of the bridge where the Balrog stood collapsed and, the deamon fell into the darkness. Gandalf turned around, satisfied, but his ankle was caught by a lash from the whip. He caught himself on the edge of the bridge, hanging on with his arms, little strength left in him.

"No!" I cried with Frodo,who started to run to Gandalf.

"Frodo, no!" I shouted, grabbing him and restraining him. Frodo clutched my arms in terror as he silently watched what happened to Gandalf.

"Fly you fools," Gandalf said, letting go of the bridge and falling into the darkness. My heart sank. Gandalf was dead. This was impossible!

"NOO!" Frodo screamed. I pulled him to the East Gate, our exit. Aragorn was shocked. He stared at the bridge in disbelief. The twangs of arrows could be heard again.

"Aragorn!" Boromir yelled.

Aragorn finally realized what he was doing, and followed us out of the dark cave.

I choked back tears and yells as we stood on the rocks outside, blinking at the light. I looked at my friends. Sam was crying; Merry and Pippin were comforting each other. Boromir was attempting to restrain Gimli. Legolas was in shock. Aragorn stood, cleaning his sword. I felt a rush of anger towards him. Did he feel no grief for Gandalf?

Finally he sheathed his blade, then turned to us. "Legolas, Jasmine," he said. "Get them up."

Boromir looked at him in shock. "Give them a moment, for pity's sake!"

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs!" Aragorn said. "We must reach the Woods of Lothlorien." Then his voice softened. "Come Boromir, Legolas, Jasmine, get them up."

I slowly walked to Sam and helped him stand. "On your feet, Sam," I said as gently as I could.

Frodo was standing away from us. He turned, a tear falling down his grimy face. I knew that he was silently begging to stop; to be in the Shire again.

We ran quickly through the Dimrill Dale and to the woods. I was feeling sick to my stomach, but I walked on, in awe as we entered the majestic woods.

"Stay close young hobbits!" Gimli warned. "They say there's a great sorceress who lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again." I trembled at the thought of this. Gimli continued, "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"

Just then, an arrow was pointed at Gimli's face. Elves holding bows suddenly appeared from the trees. We stopped, frightened. Legolas and I strung our bows. One blonde elf stepped forward. "The dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark," he said.

Aragorn bowed to the elf. "Haldir o Lórien (Haldir of Lorien),' he said. 'Henion aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn (We come here for help. We need your protection)."

"Aragorn," Gimli said, eyeing the elves nervously, "these woods are perilous! We should go back."

Haldir turned to him. "You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." He turned to look at Frodo. "Come, she is waiting"

Haldir led us through the forest. I breathed heavily as we walked. My stomach felt very stange. I wanted to throw up and I was dizzy, in fact I could barely walk. My body started to give in. I had to stop and lean against an aging stone wall for support.

"Come," Haldir said. "We must not delay." I looked up at him, trying not to fall down to the ground.

"Daro (stop), Haldir," Legolas said to him. "There is something wrong." Legolas rushed to me. He took me in his arms and I leaned against him. "What is wrong Jasmine?"

I stared at him, not answering. Finally, I had to push myself away from him and be sick. I then proceeded to lose consciousness in Legolas's arms.