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Chapter 11
The screams of Goblins tore through the still air as the Fellowship ran for their lives. The disgusting little creatures were everywhere, even on the ceilings and walls. There was no way that they could escape now; the ten companions were surrounded.
Suddenly, a low roar rumbled through the stone. All were still, and the Goblins paused in their attack, turning towards the sound.
A louder roar sounded again, this time a large shadow and a bright orange light accompanied it. The Goblins scurried away, deciding that this new foe was not worth their effort and lives.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir shook his head, confused and more than a little frightened.
"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you." Gandalf paused, "Run!"
They turned and ran down the hall, even faster than before. Manwathiel and Aragorn stayed to the back, urging the Hobbits forward. They emerged into anther enormous space, filled with a crisscross of stone stairways and bridges. There was a large gap in the stairs that led to the way out.
Legolas jumped it easily, landing lightly on the other side.
"Gandalf, come." He beckoned, helping the Wizard to the other side.
Aragorn went to help Gimli, but the dwarf stopped him. "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" he said sternly, and with a great bound leaped to the other side.
"Not the beard!" He shouted to Legolas, who had just managed to catch the dwarf from falling to his death by the whiskers.
They continued to jump across until the only ones left were Aragorn, Frodo, and Manwathiel. Aragorn gestured for Manwathiel to go forward, but she shook her head.
"You go with Frodo." She said. Manwathiel could feel the rock beneath her growing more and more unstable, and she wouldn't risk Frodo's life more than she had to.
The stairs started to creak, leaning backwards.
"Lean forward!" Aragorn told Frodo.
Manwathiel caught Gandalf's eye, and he nodded at her. Very gently, she pushed their stone island forward with a gust of air. Frodo and Aragorn leapt safely to the other side, with Manwathiel close behind.
She fell into Legolas' open arms and attempted a weak smile. "Ready?"
"Ready when you are." He replied.
They started to sprint again, nearing the bridge that led the way to freedom. Manwathiel felt an arrow whiz past her ear and spotted Goblins shooting at them from above.
Normally, they would have crossed the narrow bridge at a much slower and more cautious pace, but there was no time for caution now. There was a beast of fire and darkness on their heels, along with quite a few angry little Goblins.
"You shall not pass!" Manwathiel heard Gandalf shout as she reached the end of the bridge. She turned to see him standing alone, his staff glowing like a star. They could do nothing but stand and watch as he sent the Balrog into the abyss, only to be caught by its fiery whip and dragged down with it.
"Gandalf!" Frodo and Manwathiel simultaneously yelled.
Let me help you! Manwathiel thought at him, Please, I can help you just let me!
He shook his head.
No.
"Fly you fools!" he gasped, then fell into the dark nothingness of Moria.
"NO!" Frodo screamed as Boromir dragged him away, dodging arrows.
The rest of the group ran to the door leading outside, but all Manwathiel could do was stand there, shocked.
"Manwathiel, we must go!" Legolas pulled on her hand.
"No, I won't , I have to go help him…" She started walking towards the edge of the chasm, looking for a glimpse of Gandalf.
"Manwathiel, I won't let you do this. We need you."
"Just let me go!" She felt tears start to trickle down her face. "I don't want to do this anymore."
Legolas paused, then with a flicker of decisiveness he picked her up, ignoring her shouts of protest.
"I'm sorry."
"You can't make me! Put me down!" Manwathiel sobbed.
"I'm sorry Manwathiel. Goheno nin."
Once they reached the outside, Legolas gently set her down. The sun was blinding and the breeze cool, but even the joy of being outdoors again could not help the ache that was eating away at everyone.
The hobbits collapsed onto the gray rocks, weeping and trying to console each other. Aragorn tried to process what had just happened, tried to understand that he had someone lost one of his greatest friends.
Manwathiel felt like her heart had been torn apart. She had the ability to help him as no one else could have, but she was still just as helpless as everyone else when the time came. She couldn't comprehend why he not allowed her to help him defeat the Balrog, why Gandalf had forced her to stand by and do nothing while he was consumed by the shadow.
"Legolas, get them up." Aragorn started to go around, gently pulling the hobbits to their feet.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake." Boromir protested.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must go now. We make for the realm of Lorien."
Legolas lifted Manwathiel to her feet. "I'm sorry Manwathiel, I truly am. It is terrible to lose someone you love."
She shook her head and walked away. Her mind wasn't thinking rationally enough to acknowledge that Legolas was the only reason she hadn't pointlessly thrown herself into the chasm in an effort to save Gandalf.
"Manwathiel, please." Legolas tried to reach out to her as she walked away.
She turned around, her eyes holding pain and guilt so deep that Legolas almost flinched.
"Not now, Legolas. Not now."