AN: Italics means they are speaking in Elvish. Enjoy!

Chapter 21

As we ran, grouped together with our swords drawn as the Orcs came out from the cracks in the ceiling and out of the darkness of the hall. They were like roaches crawling out from the woodwork. Scattering here and there with their high-pitched squeals and weapons held high above their heads. I could feel the fire in my heart roar as I stabbed at one that got too close, catching it in the chest as it fell onto the floor in a heap of squeals before dying.

But running only got us so far as we were surrounded. We pushed the Hobbits into the middle as our backs were turned towards the center. With a horde like this, we had to fight smart and I will be damn if I let those evil creatures hurt any of my new friends.

The Orcs kept their distance away as we all readied for the inevitable battle that would come. I wasn't going to die here. I had a plan. I was going to go to Lothlórien and confront Haldir about the significance of the necklace. I had waited too long and fought too hard to let this dark place take me. I had to know how he felt. I needed the truth.

The nasty Orcs snarled at us as I heard Gimli yelling behind me like a cave man that just discovered fire. And when I thought they were about to spring the attack, they all looked over, squealing in terror before scampering back to where they came. I heard Gimli laughing in triumph in the background as I watched in confusion. Why were they leaving?

I looked over at Aragorn and I saw him look the opposite direction. I followed his gaze to see a large light coming from far down the opposite hall. The earth shook around me as I heard what sounded like a thunder of lightning. My necklace burned with fury as I had that little voice inside my head telling me that we needed to get out.

The hall was empty and quiet. Everyone was silent as the light slowly made its way towards us, everyone not daring to move an inch. I sheathed my weapons as I walked and stood next to Boromir whose attention was fixated on the light.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked as I felt the fear take over the fire. I heard another deep rumble, the little nagging voice in my head told me to run as fast as I could. I looked back at Gandalf. He looked tired and almost done in.

"I don't like this." I said as Gandalf looked up at me, his eyes glancing at the spot where my necklace was before turning his attention back to the light. Gandalf closed his eyes as another rumble echoed off the stony walls and pillars. At this, Gandalf opened his eyes and I knew that whatever he had to say, it wasn't going to be good.

"A Balrog… a demon of the ancient world." He said as my eyes widened and I looked at him in disbelief. I remembered reading about the ancient creatures of the world. I couldn't remember the specifics but I did know that what I read wasn't good.

"I thought they were extinct." I said as Gandalf met my gaze with a sad smile. I glanced between Legolas and Boromir. Legolas for the first time during this expedition had fear in his blue eyes and Boromir looked like he saw a ghost. From down the hall, there was a deep, sinister growl. I turned my attention back onto the light as I felt urgency to flee grow.

"No… this one has slept long until the Dwarves awakened it." Gandalf said. "This foe is beyond any of you… run!" Gandalf yelled as we started to run down the hall. For once in my life, I was glad that Haldir and Merendír made me run all that time in Lothlórien.

We neared the end of the hall as Boromir burst through the rotten doors. I stayed behind with Gandalf because he was the wizard. He was so powerful that losing him would be a great loss. And I liked the man. He was good, kind, and wise. Middle Earth needed him. We needed him.

"Quickly!" Gandalf said as we stopped at the doors. I place my hand on his shoulder as Aragorn looks back. I gave him a nod as he continued on with the others down the long passageway.

"Gandalf, what in hell is going on?" I asked as he pushed me away roughly. I narrowed my eyes at him as he started to jog tiredly down the passageway.

"Move on you foolish woman! You are no match for the Balrog." He said as I jogged beside him, my eyes filled with worry and fear.

"I wasn't suggesting I was!" I said sarcastically as I grabbed his elbow and pulled him at a much faster pace. If I had to, I would carry his ass out of Moria. "Come on, Gandalf! You can make it." I said as I could feel that he was so worn, so tired. He glanced over at me and I could see something in his eyes. Something was brewing in there and I had no idea what to do. So I pushed him on, hand on arm, as we ran down the passage and down a set of stairs. I released his arm as I ran down the first few steps. I heard Aragorn call out his name. I turned around and saw Gandalf leaning on a stone wall, breathing heavily from exhaustion. I went back for him as Aragorn followed me.

"Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is near!" Gandalf said as I heard another roar from the Balrog. Aragorn moved towards Gandalf but he was pushed away. "Do as I say!" Gandalf said sternly as I looked between them. Gandalf had the look of annoyance on his face while Aragorn looked wounded by his words. "Swords are no more use here!"

"I got him, Aragorn. Lead the others." I said as Aragorn looked at me before nodding following behind the others. I placed my hand on Gandalf's elbow. He went to scold me but I gave him my look. He sighed heavily as he let me help him down the stairs. "Come on! Like you said, the bridge is near." I encouraged him.

The Balrog roar again and I was at my wits end with that damn beast. "Oh my god! We get it! You're evil! Now shut the hell up!" I hissed to myself as Gandalf looked over at me, a shadow of a smile on his face.

"You are truly something to behold." He said as I glanced over at him with a worried look on his face. I didn't like the sound of him. It was like he was saying something for the last time. I pulled him along, the urgency pushing me to get of there as quickly as possible.

When we arrived, the Fellowship stopped and stared at a massive gap in between the stairs. My eyes widened as I leaned over and saw the fiery pit of lava below. I watched as Legolas leaps over like it was nothing. That man had some guts.

To my dismay, the Balrog had another fit but this time part of the ceiling started to fall apart and crumble down towards the fiery pit of lava. "Gandalf." Legolas said as he turned around and motioned for Gandalf to jump forward.

"Go on!" I said as I pushed him as he jumped, giving him a little more 'oomph' since I felt like he would not make it without it. Legolas caught him with ease as Gandalf turned around and both he and Legolas motioned towards me. I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Esperanza!" Legolas yelled as I shook my head and took a few steps back. I was scared out of my mind.

"You better catch me!" I yelled back as I took in a deep breath, ran, and jumped. Much to my relief, Legolas caught me. I sighed as I pulled away from him. I turned my attention back to the others that haven't made it over yet. We were immediately bombarded by arrows from the right.

I looked over and saw that there were Orcs on a ledge, firing down upon us. I pulled out my bow, notched an arrow, and shot, hitting my mark with perfect accuracy and precision. I covered my friends as they crossed. After a few moments, I felt a presence beside me and a stole a glance to see that Boromir had made it over with Merry and Pippin. I pushed them to stand behind me, not wanting to risk them getting hurt. Aragorn threw Sam and Boromir caught him with ease and placing him behind me with the other Hobbits. I didn't mind being a human shield for them.

I did not know what exactly was going on since I was focused on keeping those Orcs from shooting at us. But from what I could hear, Gimli almost fell off the edge when he jumped over. Apparently, he did not want to be thrown so he decided to jump and almost fell short. If it wasn't for Legolas grabbing his beard, he would have been dead.

I could hear from above as more rocks fell from the ceiling, one ending up landing behind Aragorn and Frodo breaking the staircase. The platform started to teeter. I turned my attention towards them as I watched Aragorn instructed Frodo on his balancing.

"Steady. Hold on!" I heard Aragorn said as I watched with fear in my eyes.

"Hang on!" Aragorn said as they steadied the platform.

"Lean forward!" I yelled as Aragorn nodded, repeating what I said as they leaned forward. The platform slammed into ours as Aragorn and Frodo leapt across, landing safely as we continued to run down the stairs. I let go of the breath that I did not know that I was holding in and sighed with relief. We came running around a corner like bats out of hell. To our left there was a wall of hot flame shooting up hundreds of feet into the air. Gandalf motion everyone to run by us as we stopped.

"Over the bridge! Fly!" he said as the others did as he said. I stayed at his side as I watched something crawling up from the flames. My heart raced as fear filled my body.

"Gandalf?!" I said as my voice held fear and worry. He looked over and pointed to the bridge that was right behind us.

"Go Esperanza. Fly!" He said but I didn't listen as I watched a great dark beast come from the flames.

"Oh my god…" I whispered as its eyes and body were made of fire. He had two black horns coming from his head with massive bat like wings. That thing was a creature from my nightmares. Gandalf grabbed my hand and started to run to the bridge, dragging me behind him as we ran.

Ahead I saw the others cross the bridge. When Gandalf and I neared the bridge, he pushed me ahead of him as he let go of my hand. We were about half way across the bridge when I did not feel Gandalf behind me. I turned around and saw that he had stopped, facing the Balrog. I ran the rest of the way, standing on the other side.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf yelled as the Balrog stopped before the bridge.

"Gandalf!" I heard echo off the walls as I watched with horror. I felt that knot in the pit of my stomach. The same knot I felt the day I lost Merendír. I couldn't stop the tears that welled in my eyes.

"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor…" Gandalf said as his staff lit up brightly. "The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udûn!"

The Balrog roared before striking down with his flamed sword. As it hit Gandalf, it shattered into oblivion as the remaining remnants of the sword floated down in embers. A light blue light surrounded Gandalf as the Balrog roared again. My eyes widened at the sight.

"Go back to the Shadow!" Gandalf said as the Balrog steps on the bridge, pulling out a flaming whip out of nowhere. I saw as Gandalf looked over his shoulder at me before turning his attention towards me. He raised both sword and staff into the air.

"You shall not pass!" He yelled as he slammed his staff onto the bridge. A bright blue light flashed from the impact and then a wave of light came at me. I felt the power of the wave hit me like a gust of wind, throwing me onto my back. I groaned in pain as I slowly sat up. I felt a pair of arms pull me up. I glanced back to see Aragorn, his grey eyes focused on Gandalf. I winced as I turned my eyes back to Gandalf and Balrog, Aragorn's arms holding on my waist tightly.

The Balrog steps on the bridge but it collapses from underneath the beast. It fell into the pit of darkness, his whip still grasped in its claw-like hand. I let out a sigh relief as Aragorn's grip loosened at the sight.

But then it was like time itself slowed. I watched as the whip wrapped around Gandalf's ankle, pulling him down. I gasped in horror as I moved to go to him but Aragorn tightened automatically, keeping me firmly against his body. We both watched in horror as Gandalf held onto the ledge.

I felt my heart constrict as Gandalf struggled to pull himself up. I grabbed onto the arms of Aragorn as we stood, bewildered and stunned. This could not be happening again. I could faintly hear the others in the background yelling but I kept my attention focused on Gandalf as he made eye contact with us all.

"Fly, you fools!" He said as he let go and fell into the pit of darkness. Tears fell down my face as I felt Aragorn's arm fall from my waist. Oh Gandalf...

"Aragorn! Esperanza!" I heard from behind me as I glanced over my shoulder at Boromir. He was holding a hysterical Frodo in his arms. I looked back at the place where Gandalf once was, the tears still falling down my face. Now wasn't the time to grieve. We had to move or his sacrifice would mean nothing. I turned to Aragorn and pulled him with me. He was frozen in shock and grief as he looked at where Gandalf fell.

"Aragorn…" I said softly as arrows started to wiz by our heads. "Aragorn!" I said louder as he looked up at me, his grey eyes rimmed with unshed tears. "We have to go." I said with sorrow as he nodded. He grabbed my hand and we ran out of Moria.

Aragorn and I ran out of Moria and we saw the others wallowing in sorrow and despair. Boromir was holding Gimli back from going back into the mine while his face was filled with grief. Merry and Pippin were on the ground sobbing as Legolas looked in shock and disbelief. Sam was sitting with his head in his hands crying.

I walked out towards the edge away from everyone. I took deep breaths as tears fell down my face. I wanted to grieve but we had no time. The Orcs would be upon us soon. We had to get moving before the Orcs find a way to cross. I looked around and realized where we were.

Home.

I wiped my face with my sleeve, turning around to look at the others. I heard Aragorn barking out orders. I was glad he was getting them up. I heard noise coming from the entrance of Moria. I knew that Orcs are somehow getting across the chasm. They would catch up before we get even close to forest of Lothlórien.

My eyes closed as I felt the magic of my beloved home pull at me. I felt it beaconing me to come forth and seek peace. But I knew that I would have to wait. I needed to get them moving. I had to cover them while they made their way into the forest. I knew that once they made it past the borders, Haldir would find them. And once Haldir found them, he would come looking for me.

I made my way to Aragorn. He was looking sternly at Boromir. They were in the midst of an argument. "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn said as I touched his shoulder lightly. He turned and faced me with an eyebrow raised. "Esperanza?"

"Aragorn… you have an hour, two top before the Orcs make their way across." I stated as Aragorn walked towards Sam, lifting him up onto his feet.

"On your feet, Sam. Frodo? Frodo!" Aragorn said as he looked around for Frodo who happened to be in the spot that I was before, tears silently sliding down his face. Frodo looked back and the look on his face made my decision to risk my life for them more urgent.

"Aragorn." He looked over when I said his name. He took me gently by the elbow and led me away from the others.

"I heard them as well. I fear we may not make it to the border with them in pursuit." Aragorn said as he ran a hand down his face tiredly. I placed a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.

"That is where I come in." I stated as he shook his head in a feeble attempt to deny me. Did he know that wouldn't work on me?

"No. We cannot lose you as well. We could not endure it." He said as I gave him a reassuring smile. It warmed my heart that he cared so much. But this wasn't a suicide mission. This was their best chance at survival.

"Aragorn, this is my home. I know these woods and they know me. I am the best chance you have at reaching the border in one piece." I said as Aragorn looked deep into my eyes to see if I was looking for a death wish. I knew he would see the reason by my plan. Aragorn nodded after a few minutes, knowing what I spoke was truth. If anyone can make it through, it would be me. "And I have some questions for a certain Marchwarden that needs answering." Aragorn smiled lightly before placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you, my friend." He said as we started to walk back to the group. The others watched from where they stood. They knew something was about to happen. "My friends, the Orcs will be following in our wake. They will be upon us before we reach the safety of Lothlórien's borders." Aragorn said as the Hobbits, Boromir and Gimli looked between each other at the horrible news. "But Esperanza will lead them on another path. She does this to ensure that we make it into Lothlórien." It went deathly silent before Boromir spoke up.

"That is suicide! Why must it fall to you?!" Boromir ask, his voice filled with concern and worry.

"Lothlórien is my home. The forest will protect me." I said as Boromir looked only half convinced. "I will see you all in Lothlórien." I said as I placed a hand on Boromir's shoulder.

"The Lothlórien Elves will not rest until she is safe amongst them." Aragorn said as I nodded in agreement. I knew without a doubt that he would comb through the entire forest to find me.

"But must you go?" I heard from one of the Hobbits. I looked towards them and was surprised when it was Frodo that spoke. I stepped towards them and kneeled, smiling encouragingly at them.

"Yes. I am the only one that can do this." I said as they looked down sadly. Frodo had tears forming his eyes as he tried to blink them away. "But I swear…" I started as they all looked up, awaiting me to finish. "… I will see you again. I promise." They all looked up at me and nodded as I stood and looked between Legolas, Gimli, Boromir and Aragorn.

"Now go. Run as fast as you can." I said as I pointed in the direction they needed to go. It was the quickest way down to the nearest patrol and it was down wind. The Orcs would not pick up their scent once they left. "That way will be your best course, Aragorn. Stay safe." Aragorn nodded as he motioned the other to move on. Legolas placed his hand over his heart. Gimli sent me a grateful nod as he followed behind him. Boromir stopped in front of me, placing a hand on my cheek, much to my surprise as he continued on. The Hobbits squeezed my hands as they went by, tears falling down their face. Aragorn stopped in front of me, his eyes filled with worry.

"I will tell them where you are. Stay alive, Esperanza." Aragorn said as I gave him a reassuring smile before motioning with my head for him to move on. As Aragorn made his way through the brush, I took in a deep breath.

I was left alone. The fear that once shook me to the very core had faded. My friends were relying on me to give them time. I pulled out some herbs, crushed them up, pushed them into my water skin and gave it a vigorous shake. I spread the water all around the area the others were, covering their scent. I made sure to place my scent everywhere I went as I trekked through the path that would take me the longer way towards Lothlórien. I hoped that Aragorn and the others would make it safely to Lothlórien. I hoped they hauled ass when they found out I took most of the Orcs with me into the darker side of the forest.

I was an hour into my path when I heard them. The Orcs were following my trail exactly like I planned. They will follow me like hounds to a hare. My only task now was to take them into the forest and hope that the trees would do the rest.