DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do however, own my OCs, specifically Thia! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known but be polite while you do it. Thank you!

Chapter 25

My prediction is met with silence. Gandalf's anger lessens in my direction; instead, turning it on himself for shouting so loudly. Kili makes his way to my side and helps pull me out of the skeleton's sticky embrace, setting it a safe distance away from the well. A solitary drum beats in the distance like car music at night with the bass too loud. Soon though, it is joined by more; becoming louder and closer with each beat. A horn and the sound of running feet are all the warning signs that direct my eyes to Frodo's belt. Sam is as critical as ever and catches on just as quickly.

"Mr. Frodo!"

"Orcs." Legolas spits the word out harshly as we all gaze at the cold blue light of the sword, Sting. Once Bilbo's, it is surely the young hobbit's now

"And lots of them. About 20 on the forefront." gripping my weapon, I try to breathe as deeply as possible. I doubt I'll get out of here without some grit of my own "A welcoming party if you will, but the present shouldn't see the light of day."

"Now is not the time for your jests, woman." Boromir scoffs as he takes up a place by the door "It never is."

"I rarely joke. I just throw out truthful sarcasm. "

"Get back." waving to the four hobbits, Aragorn stands opposite of Boromir "Stay close to Gandalf."

Together the pair close the already broken door and wedge it shut. I do not feel an ounce safer for it, as I know the orcs can and will bust through fairly quickly. Instead, I begin to map out a way to make the hole in the ceiling bigger. 'If only I had something to climb on while I broke it open.' Clenching the mace between my hands, I'm struck with a brilliant idea. Positioning it just right, I throw the object with as much force as I can muster before ducking out the way of the falling debris. Chunks of the roof clatter so loudly in unison with the sudden banging at the door that most of my companions would have missed it if not for Bifur's grunt from being struck by a sliver.

"Are you trying to get us all killed!?" Boromir shrieks. SHRIEKS. I know he's reached his limit with me just from the sound alone "You must be out of your mind, woman!"

"Just being prepared." I say with a shrug. Even Kili is looking at me as if I'm teetering along the edge of madness "Don't worry about it."

"I am worried but not about your actions, old friend." Tilting his head towards the door, the elf listens carefully to the chaos with a pointed ear "...There are more than just orcs outside that gate."

"... They have a cave troll!" Boromir puts his shoulder into keeping his piece of wood against the door but it's a losing battle. I ignore them all in favor of picking up LittleBackStabber, the name I've given the mace, and aiming to toss it again. After a particularly hard bang on the door, Boromir shouts out at me with venom "You knew!"

"Don't I always?" I call back and release the mace once more "It's kinda my thing around here."

"Of course it is! My queen isn't just a pretty face!" Gimli snatches up two rusty dwarf axes and leaps onto the tomb. Being that he was just crying over him, I find it odd that he can suddenly dance on the guy's grave. Still, I have a ceiling to focus on "Let them come! There are dwarves yet in Moria who still draw breath!"

"Wonderfully stated, cousin!" Aiming his bow at the door, Kili grins wildly "Let us show them some dwarvish strength."

I refrain from mentioning that the creatures outside the door have seen quite a bit of dwarvish brawn, being that we are standing in a grave. 'It won't help the situation.' Instead, I grab LittleBackStabber and get as far away from the doors as possible. They soon burst open and wood chips fly everywhere as a battalion of goblins charge into the room, shortly followed by a cave troll. Right off the bat Gimli takes out two of the orc runts. Guarding the hobbits for all they are worth, Legolas and Gandalf take out a collective total of ten. I'm even able to lead 2 of my own down the well; call me an off-white rabbit.

"It's coming for you, Boromir!"

I call to the man and the warning is just in time, as the troll strikes for his middle. Blocking the blow, Boromir easily begins making mincemeat out of the creature. That is, until it steps slightly into the sun and its arm solidifies.

Screeching in pain at having lost a limb, the troll swings the appendage wildly, causing his opponent to have to work that much harder. The distraction is enough for two orcs to get to Sam but I'm not worried. His back against the wall with only a sword and a pan as his defense, Sam knocks his enemies to the ground in a single blow.

"I think... " he huffs breathlessly "I think I'm getting the hang of this."

"Great job, Sammy!" I return encouragingly

"S-s-sammy!?"

Finding it too difficult to fight Boromir and the sun, it is now that the troll goes after Frodo. It jabs at him with a spear but the hobbit is light on his feet and keeps just out of reach. It only takes a momentary stumble for the tip to slice through his arm though. His cry of pain draws a memory to my consciousness and I would curse myself if I could. I saved Thorin's life by forcing him to wear the chain mail meant for Bilbo. With all that was going on, he never returned it to the hobbit. If Bilbo never got it, then Frodo never received it, meaning... Frodo isn't wearing lifesaving chain mail!

"Darn it!"

I swear at myself, leaping into action and charging over to the hobbit's side without a thought. 'It's my fault. It's ALWAYS my fault.' The troll roars as I use my weapon to strike his knee with a sickening crack. It returns the blow with one of it's own, knocking LittleBackStabber out my hands, before tossing me back to careen with Frodo's body. He catches me as best as he is able which is not good at all. "Are you alright? Frodo?!"

"Miss..." he looks so frightened and small against the rocky backdrop. He shivers in my arms as a shadow falls over us and I shove him behind me. Knowing there is nothing I can really do other than act as a human shield, he calls for aid "Aragorn! Aragorn!"

The shouts of my friends are nothing compared to the pained shout of the ring. The fact that Frodo and I are lifted and thrown clear across the room by the Troll's spear is the only reason I know I've been hit. Much like with Smaug, I know I have been struck but I can't say I felt the blow. I do however feel the rocks as we smash into them.

It becomes hard to breathe, as if someone is sitting on my chest. As I roll to my side in pain and gasping for air, I find Frodo in a similar position letting us both know the cause of our pain.

"Frodo!" Aragorn calls, I think "Thia!"

I know everyone is going crazy fighting right now but I only have eyes for Frodo. The dead look he is giving me makes it obvious that he feels the same. In this moment, there is just the three of us: Him, me, and the ring. The pain in my chest increases and I know immediately that I want nothing to do with this. As if I could push it away with my will, I extend my palms until they are met with Frodo's flesh. Our hands rest against each others perfectly and we each give a broken laugh at finding the other wishing for the same thing. The moment ends with Sam collapsing at our sides with a choking sob.

"They're alive!" he shouts in relief as we slowly sit up "Oh, thank goodness!"

"I'm alright. I'm not hurt." We lean against each other in support of the other with a new found companionship in our regard for our unwanted ring positions "Miss...?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I wave away the worry, as Kili and Bifur rush to my side "It'll take more than a spear to the gut to keep me down."

"You should be dead." Aragorn states blatantly. Picking up the now dead troll's weapon, he twirls it expertly "This spear would've skewered a wild boar."

"That's not a nice thing to say about Boromir." I chide, just to try and lighten the mood. We can't stay here for much longer, despite how drained we may be feeling. It'll get worse before it gets better. Not to mention I don't know why I'm not dead but I'm too scared to look, lest my intestines land in my searching hands "Only I can call him that."

"And here I was worried." with a snort, Boromir picks up the discarded mace with much difficulty and returns it to me "Take up your weapon, dragon queen."

"We are not out of danger yet. But..." Gandalf smiles lightly at our exhausted forms "I think there is more to this pair than meets the eye."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"More company." As the drums sound again, I find sitting the wrong position to be in. Struggling to my feet, I pull Frodo to his own much to my kin's annoyance "Less talking, more running."

"I agree." Once on our feet, Gandalf directs us out the room "To the bridge of Khazad-dum!"

"Because we totally know where... that... is..."

My blood feels like ice is shooting through my veins and I freeze in the doorway. If I'd eaten anything recently, it would have been coming up right now as my stomach twists in fright. Each pump of my heart is agonizingly painful as my very world crumbles and my sight darkens around the edges. I can't get enough air into my lungs no matter how much I suck in through my mouth. Even with nearly a football field's worth of space between us, there is no way I could mistake his pale form for anyone else.

"Az... og..." I can't even say his name as it all but strangles me rather than escape from my mouth. The orc stands tall behind his men and I do collapse at seeing that he has both his arms. He shouldn't be here. He CANT be here. He's not... It's a lie. But there he stands as clear as day "I don't... But... Thorin said..."

"Kili!" I distantly hear Gandalf call from up ahead "Bring her! This way."

KILI POV

"We must go now, my lady." Bifur coos as lightly as he can but Thia flinches as harshly as if he had struck her. Her eyes never leave the form of my Uncle's, and her own now, enemy. I looked carefully but she does not bleed from any wound that should have come from the troll and I frown at the strangeness of it. Turning to me, my long time friend looks for guidance. Bifur knows not to touch her, and he has held true so far "My lord?"

"The orc scum hasn't seen her yet..." my father offers, keeping himself between her and the sight of the coming enemy "But he will if we do not go now."

"... I told you it wasn't safe." my words do not reach the girl and I am forced to physically lift her into my arms to get us moving. The mace she carries clatters to the floor and I nod to Bifur to lift it. The weapon is heavier than it seems and we are forced to leave it behind or risk capture. Her arms curl loosely around my neck as we rejoin the group but still she says nothing, meekly peering over my shoulders at he who she thought was dead "We need to get out of here."

Goblins crawl along the walls like the creatures of the dark that they are but I pay little attention. I have not been this far into Moria since the attacks started and I hope it leads us to freedom. Too long have we been trapped within these halls; surviving on filthy water, rats, and bugs. I crave fresh air, real meat, and ale.

Even as she shivers in anguish, I am joyed that my aunt has brought such a blessing to us. Having a wizard and seer by mine and my kin's side has worked out many times before. I am broken from my thoughts at a deafening roar unlike any I have heard before. Our pursuers flee at the sound of it, proving just how much of a danger it is. Azog, never having followed us to begin with, has long since disappeared from our sights.

"What is this devilry?" Gimli shouts as a fire steps from it's hiding to greet us

"I know not, cousin." It's like shaped fire; reaching 40 feet into the air, holding a blade and a whip as it's weapons of choice. They are unneeded, as simply being within close proximity of the creature is enough to boil blood "Do not get too close!"

"A Balrog... a demon of the ancient!" Ever the warrior, Gimli steps forward to face the being but is quickly halted by Gandalf. Quickly blocking the dwarf's path, the wizard directs us away "This foe is beyond any of you! Run! Quickly!"

With Gandalf pointing the way, we are left to follow the one called Aragorn. I have not met many from the race of men that I would willingly follow, but I would accept this one over the more annoying one on any given day. With an ancient beast on our tail, there is no time to fight as to who leads us to the top of the dizzying stairway. Once there, we stop at a great divide. Chunks of the floor are missing and we will have some difficulty crossing. Gandalf slowly catches up to us but he is out of breath and I can see that Aragorn is concerned.

"Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near." the man hesitates and I shift Thia within my arms as she begins to come back to her right mind "Do as I say; swords are no more use here."

"Kili... put me down."

"On the other side."

"N-no. Now. Don't jum-" Tightening my arms around her, I follow the others across the gaping cavern. Fully awake and raving like normal, my aunt angrily strikes my chest with a small fist "That was 60% unneeded and 4000% dangerous!"

"Your mathematics are off, young one." landing beside me, my father guides us away from the edge so the others may jump safely. The bridge is narrow and leaves excess opportunities for failure "I can feel the rocks becoming thin. We are almost out."

As we all make it across, the Balrog roars again, but this time in outrage. Spreading it's flaming wings, the room heats up quickly. The stones become almost unbearable to stand on, while the dirt in the crevices turn into embers. Thia forces me to put her down as we search for a way out.

"Go!" Gandalf points to a bridge without railings and we all race to it. It is thin and promises death to any who fall from it but we must cross. One by one, we move in a single file line. Not fast enough as Gandalf continues to yell "Over the bridge. Fly!"

With so many of us, it is impossible to move quickly; especially with so many dwarves. We are heavier than the rest and I can hear the cracks forming in the bridge with each step I take. Thia waits at the other side already, eyes trained behind us but it is not until I reach her side that I understand. Gandalf stands in the middle of the bridge, facing the Balrog head on.

"Gandalf!" I shout along with the others "Get out of there!"

He ignores us all, instead focusing on the terrible monster before him "You cannot pass!"

"Thia!" turning to the woman, I know not what I am asking her but perhaps she can help in some way. I know her gifts have been failing her lately but maybe they could work just this once "Can you not-"

"This needs to happen Kili."

"But..." the way she speaks, I know she has already seen the outcome of this battle. From the pure torture on her face, I know it will not end well "If we don't help, he's going to-"

"I know!" she shouts at me while shutting her eyes as though it will make the scene go away. Her fists clench so tightly that I fear she my do herself some harm. My companions look on helplessly as her voice cracks from the strain. If this was not evidence enough, the mark I know that rests on her chest glows harshly through the material of her tunic. 'Heartache and courage.' I remember that's what it stands for, and I dread that she needs either "I know."

"I am a servant of the secret fire wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun." The Balrog moves closer and closer even as Gandalf curses at it. The weight on the bridge is too much and I know it will fall soon. Their weapons clash but immediately the enemy's sword shatters into countless ember stars "Go back to the shadow! You shall not pass!"

Securing the hobbits, the two men dart forward as Gandalf summons strength. Striking his staff on the bridge is all it takes for brilliant white flames erupt. Shielding my eyes, I watch in relief as the demon falls through the collapsed bridge but I quickly retake my breath. The whip lashes forward, catching Gandalf's ankle, and drags him over the edge to hang by his fingertips. The smallest hobbit cries out his name and I know we will not make it in time to save him. I helplessly watch it unfold as the wizard's eyes widen in surprise as he meets Thia's gaze. He blinks slowly before returning her sad smile with a nod.

"Fly you fools." Gandalf whispers

"No!" The halfling must be carried away by one of the men as he almost goes over the edge of the cavern after the wizard "No! No, Gandalf!"

Even as we all scream denials, we find our way to the Eastern gate exit. The sunny sky and cool grassy hillside mock our loss with it's beauty. Bifur, my father, and I have lost so many already that another is just added pain. Yet the hobbits take Gandalf's loss much worse; collapsing onto the ground in a fit of wet sobs.

Thia watches it all with a sad look on her face. Tears collect in the corners of her eyes but she never lets them fall;brushing them away almost angrily before muttering to herself in the foreign language she brought from her home.

Aragorn has proven himself a capable warrior and aims to take control of the group with Gandalf's absence. Pointing to the huddled hobbits, he directs a few of the original group members to aid them.

"We mustn't stay here. Get them up!"

"Give them a moment... for pity's sake!" Boromir huffs out, clearly affected by the events "Gandalf just... You ca not expect them to-"

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien." though cruel, there is logic within his words. A quick gesture has my own kin ready to move. Seeing that he is getting nowhere, Aragorn softens his voice to let just a touch of despair light it with compassion "Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. Mister Kili, is the young queen ready?"

"We will not slow you down." Frodo blindly walks around the group in a daze before standing in front of Thia. Reaching forward, he buries his face in her breast and weeps. Had he been anyone else or it'd been any other time, I'd have slew him for touching her so "... Let us go."

FRODO POV

I am dumb with shock. I do not understand how such a thing could have happened. Gandalf has always been there, no matter what. Yes, he would leave for years on end but I always knew he would return. To think he will never sit in Bag End again for afternoon tea is just too much to bare.

I was young when my parents passed on but not young enough to forget the sadness. It is not nearly the same as watching someone die however. I wipe my tears away on my sleeve, feeling my face heat again from embarrassment. 'Touching her, a queen, in such a way was most unbecoming.' Even in the dim light I can still see the wet stains on her tunic from where my face was. She was not angry but as we walk on, I feel my own ire rise from my sorrow.

"You knew." I cannot keep the bite out of my voice but focus my glare on the forest floor. The ring has given the woman and I a sort of connection; I find it unnecessary as well as impossible to hide my emotions from her or she from me. There is not enough guilt coming from her that would be acceptable if I were in her position. It makes me want to lash out but I know that that is wrong "You... You ALWAYS know."

"...I did."

"So..." her simple answer is not good enough. Our friend is dead and she knew it would happen. Yet she didn't save him and she offers such a vague answer?! Taking a calming breath, I again acknowledge that this anger is not my own; I know it is the bloodlust of the ring but I am forced to carry both. I do not fight the tears this time "Why?"

"The same reason I didn't warn Bilbo away from falling into Gollum's cave." Her own eyes fill with tears as I feel a wave of helplessness rush over her. My disappointment at her is quickly replaced with pity. To know and still be unable to change the circumstance is a terrible burden "Sometimes knowing isn't enough because you still can't stop what is to come but worse... worse is it when things NEED to happen for this all to end well enough."

"..." surrounded by friends I have never seen a more lonely person than she but then we pass a small pond and I see myself. We are both alone; together, but alone "How many times have you endured such loss?"

"Never." her answer is quick and determined. My confusion must be evident as she begins to explain "I make sacrifices so I don't have to lose anything. A sacrifice is a difficult choice you have to make for yourself but a loss is a choice that is made for you."

"... I do not want to do this anymore." whispering the words so no one else can hear, I admit what I have known for a long while now "I'm not made for this. I do not want to make impossible choices like that."

"But you have to." her words are heavy even with her sharing the burden "And you will."

"Stay close, young hobbits... they say a sorceress lives in these woods." I am thankful for Gimli's loud voice. It ends the conversation with as much finality as an axe "An elf witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell."

Frodo

A voice echoes in my head and for a moment I think it is Miss Queen speaking again but she is silent. I know immediately that the gentle sounds cannot be coming from the ring either. A name glides through my mind like warm milk: 'Galadriel.' I'm both frightened and calmed by the experience; a mixture of the soothing sounds and Gimli's words.

"And are never seen again!"

Your coming to us is as the footsteps of doom. You bring great evil here, ringbearer.

"Just for the record, as we are being expected I would like to warn all against directing any weapons at my person." Miss Queen's sudden declaration is met with bewildered looks but she simply walks on "If I find a point pointed at me, it shall find itself swiftly inserted into the wielder's behind."

"Well here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily." Gimli ignores the woman, or doesn't hear her over himself, and continues to chatter on "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"

The moment the words exit his mouth we are surrounded by armored elves. I do not blame him for not noticing, as even Boromir and Aragorn seem surprised by it. The three new dwarves appear to be on guard but Miss Queen looks calm and I know this is what she was referring to in her earlier outburst. The elves must have taken her threat seriously, as not a single weapon is pointed at her. A flawless elf steps forward while eyeing the dwarves with disdain though he directs most of it towards Gimli.

"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark."

"Nice introduction, Haldir." the woman says and I wonder if she knows him. Though the slight widening of his eyes proves the thought false. She regards him coldly, much like she does with Boromir. It's almost as if she made a decision not to like him already and with her foretelling, I fear as to what the reason could be "Do you make a habit of insulting all your guests, or just the dwarves?"

"... We've heard much of you, Queen Thia of the dwarves."

"Good." Boromir attempts to sidestep a spear but the guards are not as lenient with him as they are with her "What is this about?"

"~Haldir o Lórien. Henio, aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn.~"* Aragorn speaks fluidly in elvish

"Aragorn! These woods are perilous." puffing his chest at one of the soldiers, Gimli angrily shakes his fist at him "We should go back."

"We can't."

"The young Queen is correct." Nodding to the woman, Haldir glares coldly at Gimli "You have entered the realm of the lady of the wood. You cannot go back."

"Do not think we will just follow your orders mindlessly, elf."

"Come, she is waiting." I know he is speaking to me and if as an afterthought, he turns to the queen "And your husband awaits you."

*Haldir of Lorien, we come here for your help. We need your protection.

I told you it wouldn't be that long this time. We have reached Lothlorien and Gandalf has fallen for a Balrog. That's fine, who am I to judge?

Edited 7/25/2017