Disclaimer: If I own this, Gandalf would probably run after he cast the Balrog to darkness... Well... you know what is going to happen. Prepare yourselves.
"Say, Varilerin, are we lost?" Pippin asked, his eyes fixated on Gandalf. They were desperate, yet somehow still cheerful and mischievous as usual. Varilerin sent a 'what do you think?' look to the Hobbit, her attention instead directed to the path they had past. Gandalf had, unfortunately, forgotten the routes in Moria, and now they were sitting and waiting for him to remember. The Wizard was left alone in his pondering, whilst the others talked and rested while they could.
"Can't you help or something?" Merry also added. "You said you have travelled for hundreds of years. You must have ventured these halls before!"
"Elves and Dwarfs did not meddle with each other in the past," she explained. "I as well, and I despise caves and mines like these the most, thus I have not dared entering them over the past thousand years. Moria is also known for its foul creatures, having dwelled by them long time ago. None wise has taken the choice to live here, though Dwarfs have tried to, but so far they failed."
"I see," Pippin said, then his thought blanked upon a sudden realization. "A thousand years?" he exclaimed. Varilein raised a brow, wondering the wrong in her words. But, like most people, she could not understand why the Hobbits were surprised. "I know you are an Elf or a Half-Elf, but I do not expect that old!"
Legolas immediately let out a small laughter, lightening the atmosphere slightly. Varilerin threw a threatening glance to Legolas, trying to silence his laughter, but only received another chuckle. She sighed, for she realized that, to silence the Hobbits, one must answer their endless questions however briefly. "Lord Elrond is diligent enough to keep the counting of the years in Middle Earth and he has told me that I was brought to Rivendell in the year 241 after the Third Age began. That makes me 2778 years this year, as old as Lady Arwen is." Varilerin paused, studying the Hobbits' surprised reactions, feeling satisfied herself. "But I am not the oldest here," she continued, turning to Legolas.
Legolas chuckled again, covering his grinning mouth with his right hand. "Lord Elrond is a good friend of my father, fortunately, and my birth date was also recorded by him. I was born in the year 87, Third Age," he gleefully explained and sent Varilerin a look of annoyance. She merely shrugged her shoulders as she watched the Hobbits gaping.
"That means you are…" Pippin said as he lifted his fingers. "Two thousand nine hundred and thirty-two years old!" he exclaimed almost too loudly, igniting a shush from Gandalf. Pippin immediately looked down, embarrassed.
"Varilerin, what do you mean taken to Rivendell?" Frodo, who had been enjoying the scene with Sam, inquired. "You were not born there?"
Varilerin' face immediately darkened, frightening Frodo. "I was brought there, by my mother," she nevertheless answered. "But I was not born there. Unfortunate circumstances forced her to escape from her homeland, I believe."
"I see," Frodo said, his expression showing he understood what she implied. Varilerin let out a relieved sigh, for Frodo decided not to question her past further. It seemed, however, that his choice to remain silent was not his decision. Rather, his attentions were diverted towards the dark cliffs they were facing. Varilerin caught a creature moving on their walls, nimbly and carefully.
"There's something down there," Frodo observed, his tone frightened. Varilerin walked to the ledge and scouted the being, which in turn disappeared to one of the small caves below. It was not a Man or Dwarf, more like a goblin perhaps, but it didn't seem threatening.
"It's Gollum," Legolas informed them, folding his arms. "He's been following us for quite some time."
"And you are not telling us?" Boromir demanded, himself wary of the creature's presence. Legolas shook his head lightly.
"He spares us little trouble and more waste of time," Legolas said. "My kin managed to capture him, but were attacked by Orcs in the woods when we took him out for a walk. He escaped, but was unfortunately taken to Barad-dur. Our search became vain then, and we decided not to pursue him. He was… tortured, I am afraid, and he gave away much information about the Ring."
"Gollum was the main reason we were tracked," Varilerin told Frodo. "Though, I do not blame you, Legolas. It is an unfortunate fate."
"Should we kill it then?" Boromir asked. Legolas shook his head, glancing at Gandalf afar.
"Gandalf won't advise us and it will attract unwanted attention in this place. A slightest scream from the creature can warn the enemy," Legolas said, though he seemed doubtful himself. Varilerin didn't completely agree with the ellon, for she had heard Gollum's story with Bilbo in the cave. The creature might be harmless, but smart enough to use whatever advantages he had to steal the Ring. Nevertheless, they should not focus their attentions to the creature, not when they were trapped in the place.
"Oh! It's that way!" Gandalf suddenly said. All of them turned towards Gandalf, who was now standing up with his staff alit.
"He's remembered!" Merry said, jumping to his feet and skipping to Gandalf.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down there," Gandalf chuckled, pointing at one of the doorways. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
Varilerin smirked at the Wizard's dry joke, before she tailed the others into the doorway. The Fellowship followed the Wizard through the stone tunnel, extending hundreds of metres before it reached an open all made of cold stone. There was nothing to be seen there, only darkness enveloping what seemed to be pillars as far as Varilerin could see. Then Gandaf risked more light to his staff, allowing a better view of the halls they were walking in. What they saw amazed them truly. Countless enormous white pillars stood high above them, towering to the ceiling made of strong carved stone. The pillars formed an endless pattern extending to the horizon, filling the great hall with magnificence and beauty. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!" Gandalf presented, his voice proud. Varilerin had no words to describe the sight. She had travelled for long years and yet she had not seen such great realm, made from pure artwork and craftsmanship.
"I must say, Gimli, your people are amazing in one way or another," she muttered next to the Dwarf, who was bemused himself. He then chuckled in satisfaction, feeling proud of his kin, but was silenced when his eyes caught a faint ray of light not far. Gandalf noticed this as well and led the group closer to it with caution. As the got closer, they noticed it was not a mere light, but a light coming from glassless windows of a large room. Gimli widened his eyes and immediately ran from the group when he saw this, hopeful of what waited in the room.
"Gimli!" Gandalf warned, but found the Dwarf too fast to stop. He sighed and tried his best to follow Gimli with a jog, whilst the others followed behind in confusion. They arrived in a room made of stones and corpses. A light shone past a window carved above it, shining a single tomb lying in its centre. Gimli knelt in front of the tomb and suddenly howled in grief.
"No, no!" he moaned sadly. Gandalf, still panting from the exhausting run, approached the tomb. He did not stop the Dwarf from weeping loudly, and instead brushed away the dust hiding a carved writing on the tomb.
"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria," Gandalf slowly read as he removed his head. "He is dead then. It is as I feared."
"It is," Varilerin muttered as she walked in the room. She studied the corpses which, judging by their condition, were of the same age as the others close to the entrance of the mines. "The battle has ended long ago. We are years too late—" She stopped when she noticed a significant corpse lying near the tomb, clutching a book in its arms. She knelt beside it and gently pulled the book from the skeleton. Slowly she opened it and, with a gentle breeze from her mouth, removed the writings from dust and dirt. The book was written in the runes of the Dwarfs, its writings beautifully brushed. "Gandalf," she said, reading the book briefly before she took the book to Gandalf. Gandalf handed his staff and hat to Pippin, receiving the book from the elleth.
"It is written by Ori, I suppose," Gandalf observed. "I recognise the writing well. Several pages are not readable and torn away." Gandalf frowned whenever he found an unreadable part of the book, but tried his best to comprehend what Ori was writing. "They have taken the bridge and the second hall," he read hesitantly. "We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes….. Drums."
Gandalf paused and turned his attention to his surroundings. Varilerin shook her head to signify no sound was heard, so he continued his reading. "Drums in the deep…." Gandalf flipped to the last written page, where the writing ended abruptly with messy strokes.
"We cannot get out…" he continued anxiously. He looked up to the other members, horrified by the next words Ori said. Varilerin stepped next to Gandalf and scrutinized the writings. Seeing that the Wizard seemed reluctant to continue, she took the liberty to read the book with her limited knowledge in the language.
"A shadow moves in the dark," she said. "We cannot get out…."
"They are coming," Gandalf ended.
Suddenly a loud sound snapped the tensing silence, echoing throughout the hall. Varilerin immediately turned to see where it came from, only to discover Pippin standing awkwardly beside a well. Oh no, she mused as the sound of the falling object continued, rustling and crackling beneath before it ended with a loud fall. Pippin winced when the sound ended, opening his eyes slowly to meet Gandalf' furious face. The Wizard closed his book and quickly walked to Pippin, snatching his hat and staff in process.
"Fool of a Took!" he reprimanded angrily. "Throw yourself next time and rid of us your stupidity!" Pippin looked forlorn after the scolding, avoiding Gandalf's eyes with his last courage.
"We should leave," Varilerin suggested, taking the book from Gandalf and putting it on the floor. "We might have alerted the—" She flinched when her sharp ears caught a sound, from below.
Drums, the sound of drums. Faint but enough to shook their hopes. Another came, beating deep in the darkness, echoing in the mines. Another and another, faster and louder than before. All widened their eyes, letting the drums vibrate through their ears. Screeches then greeted them, of Orcs and goblins.
"Orcs!" Legolas warned, rushing to the gate. Varilerin grunted as she joined him, closing the doors together and barring them with its remaining wood. An arrow came towards her head, only to miss just an inch to the wall. It was not the one making her shudder, but the loud roar coming from the halls.
"They have a cave troll!" Boromir said as he threw weapons to Varilerin and Legolas. She caught them quickly and barred the gates with them. Once the two saw the barricade strong enough, they moved back and drew their arrows.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the Hobbits as he drew his own bow, pointing it at the door with his wavering hands. Boromir waited anxiously behind with his sword and shield, together with Gimli who climbed up the tomb and unsheathed his mighty axes. He growled as the Orcs arrived on their doorstep and began pounding on it.
"Let them come!" Gimli growled. "There's one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"
"I pray this ends well," Varilerin whispered to Legolas. He nodded his head in agreement as they were greeted with the Orcs finally creating a small gap on the door. Legolas answered with a single arrow shot into one of the Orcs' head and Varilerin followed his gesture, taking down another Orc behind it. The doors continued to be smashed, but it did not shook the elleth. The only thing which mattered was to protect Frodo and the Hobbits. Valar, help me.
Finally their defense fell. The doors blew open, revealing Orcs in endless numbers waiting them. They screeched a battle cry and quickly lunged at the warriors. Varilerin fired another arrow before she put back her bow and pulled out her short swords. Gritting her teeth, she met her opponents head on, slashing their abdomens with a swift spin of her body. She stopped to observe the others, who each managed to hold the Orcs flooding the room at once. She glanced briefly to Gandalf and the Hobbits, making sure her eyes would catch any dangerous enemies looming over them, before she returned to her own battle. She might not be the best in arrows—Legolas was the best without doubt—but she was a master in close-range fighting. She was more trained in blades than Aragorn and Boromir, perhaps even Glorfindel, and it made her the most dangerous in this situation. It seemed strange to her, the current battle. She found no fear like when she was facing the Ringwraiths, or the constant depression shivering her skin. Perhaps Glorfindel was right, her return and role in the Fellowship had changed her, even slightly.
"Troll is coming!" Boromir warned as he ended the life of another enemy. The walls around the door were broken by a large club, of a hideous cave troll which rushed out the sea of Orcs. It roared wildly as it swung his weapon towards Gimli, who dodged fearlessly as he fought another Orc. "Take it down—" Boromir gasped when the troll targeted him, swinging its club and throwing the Man across the room. Varilerin stopped her fight to help him, but was ultimately relieved when the Man stood to his with once more. Although she was sure he had sustained serious injuries, broken ribs perhaps, but she left him be. Trust was needed with the unfortunate circumstances and the least she wanted was to be backstabbed when she pulled him up from the ground.
Legolas answered Boromir's orders by firing an arrow to the troll's chest. It moaned in agony, but remained firm on the ground and instead swung its mace wilder. The warriors were forced to retreat back, finding little opportunity to subdue the creature. Varilerin herself was distracted by the numerous Orcs somehow taking a liking of her. Frowning, she quickly ended their lives and glanced at the Hobbits once more. They were now dispersed, away from Gandalf's protections, but they seemed to be able to hold on their own. Her eyes found the Wizard himself being surrounded by Orcs, one of which lurked behind him.
"Gandalf!" she shouted as she ran to the Wizard and pushed him out of the Orc's way. Its sword caught Varilerin's left arm instead, grazing it deep enough to pain her durable muscles. She grimaced, but did not spare any second for the Orc to breathe and decapitated its head from its foul body.
"Varilerin!" Gandalf gasped, helping her to stand. "My Dear, are you alright?"
"It's only a cut, not a mortal wound," she assured him, though the blooding flowing from the wound said another. "Though forgive me, I need to use the scarf." Gandalf had no say as she pulled his scarf from her neck and bound it tightly to her wound. "Duck!" she suddenly warned. Gandalf managed to obey her just in time to evade a horizontal swing from an Orc. The Wizard hit his opponent with his staff, before stabbing it with Glamdring.
"Thank you again," Gandalf panted, looking at her in concern.
"We need to get out of here," Varilerin said, searching for the Hobbits. Pippin, Merry, she counted, not finding Sam and Frodo. She found the former in the corner of the room, threatened by the troll. Where's Frodo? Varilerin eyes widened with a horrifying realization and she immediately moved her feet towards Sam, killing Orcs without further thought. But she knew she was too late when she heard a scream of agony coming from the corner of the room. She recognized the voice too well.
"Frodo!" she shouted, quickening her pace. Trying to keep her composure with now her boiling blood, she sheathed one of her blades and lightly leapt to the troll's back. The creature flinched when she landed on its body, instantly trying to fling her off its body, but Varilerin remained firm. Aragorn, below her, was furious himself and stabbed the troll's chest with a spear. With a swift movement of her hand, she plunged her sword into the creature's skull. It growled in pain as its movement became more erratic. Varilerin held tight on her hilt as her body was swung freely in the air. "Legolas!" she pleaded when she saw the ellon drawing his bow towards the troll. "The mouth!"
Legolas narrowed his eyes, focusing his mind to the troll's mouth, as he released two arrows at once. The arrows struck true and defeated the troll's will to stand its ground. The rest of the Fellowship watched in anxiety as the troll began swaying without its conscience, letting out a pitiful moan before it dropped to the earth. Its fall ended the battle in the room, for no more enemies were in the room. Varilerin pulled her sword from its skull and immediately rushed to Frodo. She forced the other Hobbits to get out of her way, for she could be the last resort in healing the Hobbit. It truly surprised her when Frodo, previously lying breathless on the ground, suddenly gasped for air and breathed happily. All the audience sighed relief, seeing that the Hobbit was miraculously unharmed.
"I'm alright. I am not hurt," Frodo assured them, his breath still short and heavy.
"You should be dead," Aragorn remarked in amazement. "That spear would have skewered a wild boar!"
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf suspected as he approached Frodo. Frodo answered the Fellowship's questioning stare by opening his shirt, revealing a shining mail which enclosed his body.
"Mithril…" Gimli muttered in awe. "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins!"
"I should have known," Varilerin said. "Bilbo is a cunning old Hobbit—" Their short while relief was forced to a halt when they heard more screeches from afar. Gandalf widened his eyes and pulled Frodo up.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" Gandalf instructed, escaping the room and running to the bridge with his glowing staff. Varilerin let the others ran after her, before she followed them as swift as possible with her wound. They exited the room and found themselves in the great Dwarfish halls once more, but this time they could spare no time for sightseeing. Behind them countless goblins and Orcs followed, more flanking them from their sides. "Faster!" she urged the others, who seemed seemed aware too with the newfound enemies. As they continued to run, the enemies grew in number and speed, now also looming on the ceilings. Finally their path was blocked by countless enemies, growling menacingly with their weapons raised. Varilerin stood back to back with Boromir, nocking four arrows to her bow at once. The Orcs did not engage them because of Gandalf's light, though they would sure enough kill them with their arrows.
"I have no vision about this," Varilerin muttered furiously, catching the attention of Legolas' ears. He said nothing about it and focused on the dreadful matter at hand.
Before the enemies could fire their weapons, the hall shook. It was like an earthquake, but different. The force was a single, powerful tremor which shook the Dwarfish realm. The Orcs cowered under the shaking. They stopped their battle cries and shifted their attention to the other side of the hall. Shadows disappeared, replaced by a glowing menace of red. Then came a roar, so loud it pained their ears. Next arrived darkness, so heavy it shook Varilerin's mind and soul and tumbled her to the ground.
"Varilerin?" Boromir asked.
"Something is coming," she panted, trying to be on her knees. "Gandalf!" warned her as she noticed the enemies dissipating from vicinity.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir hissed, helping Varilerin stand. Gandalf closed his eyes and pondered. When another roar came, he opened his eyes, realizing what he head feared was true.
"A Balrog of Morgoth," he answered, his voice trembling with fear. "A demon of the ancient world… This foe is beyond any of you! RUN!"
The Fellowship instantly sprung to their feet and ran towards the direction Gandalf was sprinting. They flee like preys chased by beasts. The ground shook beneath them, the demon was stepping closer. Gandalf turned to right and they followed, running down steps hastily without looking down. The air was burning with heat and arrows flew past them. Luck was the only thing they had in dodging the flying projectiles, perhaps even surviving the Balrog.
Before them now was a gap in the stairs, below an infinite abyss. Legolas promptly jumped the gap nimbly, before turning to the rest of the Fellowship to offer his help. "Gandalf!" Legolas beckoned the Wizard to jump. Gandalf nodded and leapt over the gap, Legolas ensuring his safe landing. Arrows began raining down at them once more, and Varilerin shifted his attention to the invisible archers.
"Varilerin!" Gandalf said. Varilerin nodded and grabbed Pippin, forcing her wounded arm to carry the Hobbit across. She landed softly on the platform and quickly drew her remaining arrows to deflect the enemies' projectiles. It was Boromir's turn and he took Merry and Sam with him, successfully jumping over but in doing so he broke off a large chunk of the stairs, leaving Aragorn and Gimli with a larger gap.
"Nobody tosses a Dwarf!" Gimli said, refusing Aragorn's help, before he braced himself for his jump. He threw his body to the air, almost falling at the edge of the other platform, only to be caught by Legolas on his beard. Despite the Dwarf's protests, Legolas pulled the Dwarf up with his sheer force.
"Aragorn! Quick!" Varilerin shouted to the last man and Hobbit. Aragorn quickly jumped from the ledge, carrying Frodo with him, before he was caught by Boromir. The ground shook again, this time breaking off the stairs where they had previously stood. Aragorn's eyes widened in horror as he saw the ledge falling to the darkness.
"Come on now! Over the bridge!" Gandalf instructed them, continuing their pace. Not long after they found a narrow bridge lying before their path. They constantly glanced back, seeing the fiery red light growing stronger and fiercer. The enemy was closing their distance. "Quick!" urged Gandalf. He pushed the Hobbits to go first, before the warriors moved past him. He, however, stopped Aragorn and Varilerin midway.
"Lead them," he said, each words pressured with his wavering voice. His eyes bore deep into theirs, pleading hope to come. Varilerin froze to the ground, for she did not know what to do. For the first time in her life she could not deduce what would happen. There was no vision or dreams or logical thought. She could only nod and follow the Wizard's will. She ran with Aragorn, constantly kept her eyes on Gandalf. "Go," Gandalf calmly assured her as he stopped midway. He turned away from her, seeking no reply, and silently unsheathed his sword.
Shadows and smoke emerged from the doorway across the bridge. Fire blazed from it, hiding a monster of flames and shadows. As it walked closer to the Company, its eyes and mouths glowed with fiery blazes. Wings spread on its back, looming over them ominously. The Balrog wielded a sword made from fire, like a sharp thunder ready to strike them.
"Varilerin," Aragorn said as he pulled her transfixed body away from the battlefield. "We need to get out of here." Varilerin did not reply, her mind blank, and she merely obeyed his pull. Afar, Gandalf raised his staff and sword at the Balrog. His weapon shone with white light, revealing clearer the demon he was facing.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf shouted.
"Gandalf!" Frodo screamed, trying to push his way through Boromir and Legolas. They remained firm, yet they could not escape either. They were rooted to the earth, unable to leave Gandalf fighting alone.
"I am the servant of the secret fire," Gandalf chanted, his staff glowing brighter. "The wielder of the fire of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun!" The Balrog raised its sword high, but the strength of Gandalf's light prevailed and shattered the weapon into dust. Roaring, the creature stepped closer to Gandalf. It unsheathed a whip made of fiery tongue, flicking it in the air. Gandalf stood on his ground, his determination now overpowering his exhaustion and fear.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf boomed, hitting his staff to the bridge and shaking the mines. The Durin's Bane did not cower, until it took another step. The ground beneath it immediately crumbled, breaking into pieces and taking him down to the deep abyss below. The Balrog growled in horror as it disappeared into the shadows, carrying with him all the dread the Fellowship had been watching.
Varilerin was freed from her fear, for now Gandalf was turning towards them, smiling and panting. She moved from her ground and rushed to Gandalf, who met the eyes of his old friend. It has ended, she said through her gaze.
But it had not.
A fiery tongue snatched Gandalf's leg, pulling him down to the edge of the broken bridge. The world was rendered silent and motionless. For her, there were only the sound of Gandalf's breath and her footsteps.
No, Varilerin prayed repeatedly. Endure! Don't let go!
Gandalf's face dimmed, his hands now loosing from the bridge. "Fly, you fools," he rasped. Varilerin screamed in her mind, extending her hand to his as she slid her body on the ground.
Light slipped through her fingers, breaking the hope which remained between their hands. Gandalf's hands left the bridge, erasing him from her vision. Only then Varilerin could hear herself and Frodo screaming.
Gandalf the Grey had fallen to darkness.
A/N: ... I am a really cruel writer... Now I cast another pain to Varilerin mercilessly (I do what I want hahaha) because she failed to save Gandalf. But come to think of it, even in ordinary narratives written for schoolwork, I am used to write sad endings. (There was this one time when I had to continue other's narrative. The story started well, until I continued it by shooting the protagonist with a gun hahaha)
For your information also, I am terribly sorry for the Side Story. It was only recently did I realize I hadn't finished the chapter... So, I edited it yesterday and finished it fully and briefly. For those painstakingly reading it before, please accept my deepest apologies!
Lastly, thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites! This story is growing thanks to all of your support and I have never imagined it becoming like this. Please rate and review, and see you next chapter!