Disclaimer: I don't own the Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit!

A/N: Good evening!

This chapter is brought to you by . . . no homework getting done for the day but a good feeling with what I've written. Oops!

Enjoy! Please review!

Khazad-dûm Dooms

"Quickly," Gandalf said. "To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm." His words were accompanied by a great roar. The Hobbits quailed at the sound and even Legolas darted back in surprise. Gandalf turned slowly on the spot, his hand gripping his staff.

"What was that?" Boromir demanded. He turned to Gandalf. "What new devilry is this?"

"Urkhus," Balin said, drawing a shudder from both Oin and Ori. Merry opened his mouth to speak but Frodo punched him in the shoulder. This wasn't the time for hijinks.

"It's a foe beyond any of you," Gandalf told the Fellowship. "Weapons are no use here anymore. Ori, lead the way. The Eagles will be able to find their own way out." Athelas gave a supporting chirp before lifting off from her position behind Oin and disappearing into the gloom. Two ghostly shapes followed her, flitting past for only a second.

"This way," Ori said as he darted for the eastern door. The Hobbits followed him with Balin and Oin close behind. Neither Dwarf pressed for an explanation, both knowing now was not the time. Boromir came after them with Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn paused beside the door, turning to Gandalf.

"Go, Aragorn," Gandalf said. "I'll stay to seal the door behind us. Lead the others on." Aragorn gave him a single nod before disappearing into the darkness of the stairwell.

It had once been a small corridor of some sort. Perhaps torches had burned along the walls but no longer. The entire company of Men, Hobbits, Dwarves, and Elves were plunged into the pitch black. Only Ori's excellent vision in the dark and his knowledge of these mines kept them all from tumbling down. Those without the excellent sight of Dwarves felt their way through the dark tunnels. Several times Frodo stepped on someone's foot. He didn't know who it was but they would gasp and curse him.

They reached the bottom of the stairs with time to spare. Aragorn met them there, his bow clutched in his hands. The stairs opened to a great cavern below. What had once perhaps been a great hall or city was now desolate and destroyed. Stairwell upon stairwell looped their ways back and forth across the great expanse. Abandoned ships many decades old sat cold as steel at their ports. Several had been stripped clean of their parts by the Goblins. A great fire seemed to burn in the very bottom of the cavern.

"This is the First Deep," Ori said. Merry and Pippin stared horrified into the great fire below. "One of these stairwells will lead us to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm and we can take the Bridge up to the First Hall. From there we'll be at the eastern gate."

"Which stairwell?" Sam asked." There's thousands of them."

"Unlikely, laddie," Balin said, planting his hands on his hips. "Most of the bridges have been destroyed by the Goblins. Ori, which way do we go?"

"This way," Ori said. "Where's Gandalf?" The Hobbits looked about themselves in confusion and Aragorn glanced toward the stairs.

"I'm here," Gandalf said, stumbling out of the stairwell. "I remained up by the door to seal it. Something is coming. I didn't see what exactly but it frightened the Orcs. We're no match for it. Lead on, Ori."

Ori leapt toward the only intact stairwell from their small perch. The only other one had been destroyed by a careening ship which was now lodged into the wall of the cavern. The stairwell itself would lead nowhere but death. The Fellowship followed Ori quickly but carefully down the stairs. Their footsteps were muted now against the stone. All around them was a great screeching of Orcs and a doom, doom.

The steep stairs carried the Fellowship deeper into the First Deep. Ori's feet never wavered as he wove his way through the many stairs. Occasionally someone would find themselves teetering on the edge only to be grabbed by Legolas or Aragorn's quick hands. The further down the stairs led the hotter it seemed to grow.

"Is there a fire down here?" Sam asked, even as the red glow seemed to grow beneath them.

"No time to speak," Gandalf shouted from the back of the line. "Fly! Fly!" Sam huffed but obeyed, hurrying after Balin. Athelas, Sons of Durin, and Albatross shot overhead. Their mithril coats shimmered in the red glow from below. Occasionally they shot off globs of liquid fire at the wall, supposedly taking out unsuspecting enemies.

An arrow screamed through the air and stuck itself in Gandalf's hat like a black feather. The Wizard gave a shout of surprise but didn't stop running. The arrows rained down from them above countered by the Eagles' only shots. They bounced off the stones steps and, in one case, Frodo's chest. No one stopped to question the miracle as they continued to run. Orcs tumbled from their perches above tucked into balconies and behind pillars with each shot the Eagles released.

"Legolas," Aragorn shouted from the back of the line. The Elf glanced over his shoulder but didn't turn to the Ranger. "Catch!" Something flew through the air and Legolas managed to catch it as it passed by his head. Aragorn had tossed him his spare quiver wrapped in an oilskin. Grabbing the edge of the oilskin, Legolas whipped it off the quiver then grabbed the handful of arrows. The quiver flew off the end of the airs as Legolas brandished it through the air. It disappeared down into the deep abyss, leaving Legolas with a handful of arrows and a waiting bow.

"Watch your heads," Aragorn shouted as Legolas prepared his bow. Notching an arrow, the Elf drew the bowstring back and let it fly. The arrow screamed through the air disappeared into the pillars above. A screech came shortly after and a figure fell into the abyss.

"Excellent shot," Oin shouted. Legolas fired another arrow even as he ran. This one found a home in an Orc poking its head out from behind a pillar.

"Keep going!" Boromir called from his place behind Pippin.

"It's not far, now," Ori shouted back over his shoulder. His most recent choice of stairwell led them to a level plane. Leaping down the last missing step, Ori disappeared into a wide doorway. The others followed quickly after, the Hobbits having to be helped across the small gap. They simply didn't have long enough legs.

The doorway led into a great hall. The once pristine pillars lay on their sides. The sandstone floors had cracked with age and neglect. Ori danced through the cracks with ease, heading for the wide expanse beyond. There was no wall on the other side of the corridor. Frodo could just barely make out a narrow Bridge spanning the gap to the other side.

"The Bridge of Khazad-dûm," Gandalf shouted. "Ori, lead them. Go one by one across the bridge otherwise you'll fall." Doom, doom. The sound seemed to be drawing nearer. Dirt and rocks alike rained down from the ceiling as the ground shuddered. Glancing over his shoulder, Frodo saw a great red light filling the doorway behind them. Something was coming. Legolas, now void of any arrows, spared his own glance.

"Ai!" he cried in fear. "The Dwarves were not wrong! It is a Balrog of Morgoth!"

"Fly!" Gandalf ordered.

Ori darted across the bridge with Gimli close behind. Balin and Oin came to a stop and flanked the entrance. They urged each of the Hobbits across before following them. Boromir trailed after the Dwarves then Legolas. Aragorn paused for a split second, urged on only by Gandalf's shove.

"Go, your weapons are useless here," the Wizard shouted. "There is no power in the universe that can defeat the Balrog." Ships screamed overhead as they fled the oncoming terror of Dwarvish nightmares. Arrows flew through the air, though they had become less now with the coming of the Balrog.

Upon receiving another shove from Gandalf, Aragon raced across the Bridge after Legolas. Many of the other members of the company had already gathered on the other side. Pippin waved his through the air, urging Aragorn on. Boromir stood behind the gathered Hobbits. His head whipped around as he seemed to examine his surroundings.

"Go," Aragorn shouted when he'd reached the end of the Bridge. He motioned for Ori to lead the way up the stairs toward the doorway. "Go! Gandalf will meet us." Ori turned on his heel and fled up the stairs with his crewmembers and old friend close behind. Legolas and Boromir worked together to herd the Hobbits up the short flight of stairs. Pippin dug his heels into the ground and refused to move, screaming in a high tone when Boromir lifted him onto his hip.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf's shout caused Aragorn to whirl around. The source of Pippin's distress became clear.

Gandalf stood alone in the middle of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. His robes and hair billowed around him. He clutched his staff in one hand and the glowing Glamdring in the other. Flames danced in his surroundings. Directly before him stood a creature Aragorn had never seen before. It was a mixture of flames, smoke, and a black beast. It stood on two hind legs, over five times as tall as Gandalf, and clutched a whip in one great paw and a sword in the other. Great leathery, black wings spread as it reared back. A spiked tale whipped back and forth.

"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted.

"Aragorn," Boromir called. Aragorn twisted in time to catch Frodo before the Hobbit could dart past him. The smaller creature twisted in his grip, howling when Aragorn refused to release him.

"Tharkun!" came Ori's cry, followed by Balin's shout and Oin's warning.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire." Gandalf's firm voice carried through the cavern, reaching Aragorn's ears. "Wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn!" As he spoke a white light began to glow about him. It grew brighter as he raised his staff high above his head. The Balrog reared back, its whip raised. The fiery end seemed to scream through the air before striking the shield Gandalf had procured around himself. Sparks flew in all directions from the connection. The Balrog roared furiously at Gandalf.

"Go back to the shadow," Gandalf ordered. The beast seemed to snort in derision before stepping forward onto the bridge. It whip cracked through the air, the flaming red tongues coming dangerously close to Gandalf's face.

"Gandalf," Aragorn said softly. He watched in horror as the Wizard raised his staff and sword together, his fingers clenched.

"You!" the Wizard roared, his voice rising with the power. "Shall not! Pass!" The butt of his staff came down hard on the stone of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. A thin line of pristine light darted across the surface of the stone. The Balrog gave another snort and stepped further out onto the bridge.

Dimly Aragorn heard shouts rise from those behind him. Ori howled furiously, demanding for his kin to release him. Pippin continued to scream his shrill cry. Frodo scratched at Aragorn's arm, pleading to be released. All Aragorn could do was watch his old friend face off against a monster from the ancient stories.

The stone Bridge gave way under the Balrog's latest step. The stones crumbled into the abyss, beginning at the butt of Gandalf's staff and ending at the other end Bridge. The Balrog lost its footing with the move and tumbled down with the stones. Gandalf stood panting on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, watching as the Balrog fell. Slowly he turned away and prepared to make his way to the group. Aragorn's sigh of relief turned to a gasp when the Balrog gave one last feeble crack of its whip. The end of the beastly weapon curled around Gandalf's ankle and jerked the Wizard's leg out from under him.

"Gandalf!" Frodo howled. Aragorn kept his grip on the Hobbit even as Frodo attempted to drop his weight in order to escape. Gathering Frodo into his arms, Aragon lifted him onto his hip. It was all done blindly as he watched Gandalf scrabble at the surface of the stone. The Wizard's finger grasped at a single crack.

Time seemed to freeze. Aragorn didn't hear the others shouting at him to run nor the arrows whistling through the air. His entire focus was on Gandalf. The Wizard's fingers strained at the crack for several seconds. Finally he seemed to come to a realization. His struggles ceased and he looked directly into Aragorn's eyes. It was as though the Wizard could see into his very soul. Aragorn felt himself pinned to the wall. The duty would fall to him. He would be expected to protect the Shire System from the Government until they could win their own freedom.

"Fly, you fools," Gandalf gasped out. His fingers released their hold on the crack and he tumbled into the abyss after the Balrog. His staff and glowing sword followed his descent.

"No!" Frodo's howl snapped Aragorn back into the present.

"Aragorn!" Boromir shouted from the stairs. Turning on the spot, Aragorn found Boromir with Merry and Pippin in his arms. Balin had a firm grip on Ori's braid while Oin attempted to force the younger Dwarf up the stairs. Ori continued to howl and thrash against his kin. An arrow flew dangerously close to Aragorn's head and he darted for the stairs after Legolas and Boromir. Gimli led a shell-shocked Sam by the arm.

The doorway led into a long staircase that wound its way along the wall. The left side of the wall had been carved with windows in the side. It made the company easy targets as they escaped the mines. Aragorn followed Legolas up each step, his mind lost in thought. He didn't see the patch of light up ahead until they'd burst through the eastern gate. The starlight shone brightly through, a nearby sun of the Khazad System casting the planet in a dim light. The Dimrill Dale was a treeless area with an expanse of great white stones. Scorch marks littered the area. Aragon didn't even blink when three ships shot through the doorway.

Aragorn let his arm go limp as he moved several paces away from the gate. Frodo slid down his leg to stand alone on the rocks. The Hobbit swayed for a moment before collapsing to the ground, his chest heaving with sobs. Merry, Sam, and Pippin were in similar states. Sam stood beside Gimli, tears streaming down his shocked face. Merry and Pippin had both fallen where they stood. Legolas crouched beside the younger of the two, attempting to coax him out of his curled position. Ori lay in a sobbing heap between Oin and Balin. The oldest of the three Dwarves had yet to release his braid, as though he suspected Ori of attempting to return to the mines. In this light Aragorn could clearly see the sickly pallor of Ori, Oin, and Balin's skin. They had remained underground for too long.

"Estel," Balin said. Aragorn turned to vaguely stare at the Dwarf. "We need to move. We can't stay here for long."

"Gandalf," Aragorn said breathlessly.

"Is gone," Balin said. Ori howled into his arms, his voice shushed by Oin. Balin glanced down with a sad look but continued to hold a firm grip on the braid. "The Orcs in those mines will be able to move across the land without trouble when the planet finishes its revolution. We've no ships and no way to protect ourselves." His words made sense. Something within Aragorn's mind clicked and he forced himself into motion.

"Boromir," Aragorn called. "Legolas, get them up."

"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir shouted from beside Merry. Legolas' attempts to pry Pippin's hands away from his face had been in vain.

"We need to get out of here," Aragorn said. "Before the Orcs come. There's an Elvish Station not far from here. We can take a ship to Lothlórien from there." Turning, he strode toward Frodo. The Hobbit remained where he'd fallen in a sobbing mess. "Come on, Frodo," Aragon said. Bending down, he wrapped his arms around Frodo's thin arms and lifted the Hobbit back onto his hip. Frodo's head landed limply on his shoulder. "Boromir, Legolas," Aragorn called again as he turned to face them.

"Boromir," Legolas said softly. He motioned to the still Pippin.

"On it," Boromir said. He scooped the Reader onto his hip while Legolas lifted Merry onto his own.

"Can you move on your own, Sam?" Aragorn asked as he passed the Hobbit. Sam blinked a few times then looked up at him with a daze expression. "Gimli, help him."

"Come on, laddie," Gimli said, placing a guiding hand on Sam's back. Sam's feet seemed to move on their own accord as the Dwarf urged him forward.

"On your feet, laddie," Balin said to Ori. The younger Dwarf gave a refusing squeal. When neither Oin's nor Balin's ministrations convinced him to stand, the older Dwarf gave in. Reaching down, he dug his fingers into Ori's hair and dragged him upright. The action didn't seem to have injured Ori at all but it got him to his feet.

"There we go," Oin said in an encouraging tone. "It's not far, now. You'll be all right, laddie." Ori shuffled forward with the guiding hands of his friends.

Together the company of Dwarves, Men, Hobbits, and Elves made their way across the stone ground. Though they moved with purpose their minds were elsewhere, turned to the loss of their good friend and guide: Gandalf the Grey.

O.o.O

Whoop-whoop. Bofur glanced up from the block of wood in his hands at the strange sound. Gwaihir gave another whoop-whoop. Her screens flashed a rather surprisingly black color. Lowering his feet from the crate he'd perched them on, Bofur stood. He'd never heard one of the Eagles make that sound before, at least not in that tone.

"Somethin' wron', sweetie?" Bofur asked gently.

Whoop-whoop. Without warning Gwaihir's head lifted forward and downward then clicked into place. Bofur leapt back in surprise as the ship spread her wings and lifted off the floor of the cargo bay.

"Where are ya goin'?" Bofur demanded. "Yer not disappearin' like Sparrow did, are ya?"

Whoop-whoo. The screens flashed a dull gray color before Gwaihir flew toward the open cargo bay door and out into the Lothlórien airspace.

A/N: What did you think?

Yeah, so I broke Castor with this chapter. She kept saying "Gandalf?" hopefully. Oops! Anyway, I blended the book and movie together then added a dash of my own imagination. I hope you liked it!