I do not own the works of Tolkien.

I am so, so freaking chuffed over the response from you guys for the previous chapter! This one is short but I hope you like it!

Thank you all so much for your reviews, I am completely serious when I say just how much they mean to us writers! They are like some special writing energy to fuel us to write more and I love all your opinions!

Guest - I love bringing mischief into my writing and the beauty of this story is I can sit back and think; what if this happened? It is so much fun! In using his loopy state, it gave Ara a bit more insight into his true thoughts. I also like cliffhangers haha and yes I am evil, well, more devious really haha! Now no fading mellon nin or you can't read all the adventure of the next chapters! Reunion is in this one! :D

frostyhorse - Thanks! the cliffies are such fun though! this chap is jam packed full of adventure!

Flyvnnhowler - I think the review issues were my fault, I was messing around with cover art uploads and summaries. Yes the magical quiver which was magically created by the great wizard Peter Jackson! hehe!

WickedGreene13 - Oh but I did! (laughs evily) Hopefully you've read chap 51 so I am forgiven hehe! :)

FrlBarth - Super serious and admittedly I thought the same thing, just how was I going to ensure they actually lived that fall?

melodicechoes - I bet it was the same as my face when I started the second book of a series I am currently reading and someone turned traitor! Lovey dovey... hmm. Well we are off to Lorien sooner or later but I dunno, I think Ara is more a Sparrow Hawk than a Dove. ;)

Tibblets - Laughed so hard at that reference haha! I had to Youtube what mushrooms actually do to people aye because I wasn't exactly sure if it was the same effect as strong pain meds!

Woman of Letters - Yeah, Legolas will not have the greatest memories of Dwarven mines! His father will be very glad I am sure haha! I am trying to remember that although the Hobbits are a secluded folk, they are still adults and Frodo is the oldest and should have some wisdom under his mop of curly hair. The way I see it, Frodo has always been a little different to the other Hobbits, more of a dreamer, interested in the other races and Bilbo's stories have likely attributed to that. Ara too is different for her own race so in that, they both have something in common. I toyed with more explanation in Legolas's apology but figured, Ara does not need to actually understand it, at that point, she can feel it. Oh and I am the lord of cliffhangers, I usually snicker deviously when I post up cliff hanger chapters! I'm a horror!

JaneyGrace - Hello and thanks for your review! I think she might realise it but hey, its Ara, it won't be that simple! :)

AxidentGodess - Hey there, thanks for reviewing! Ara is very determined to endure he does not stay trapped (oh and Gimli) and really the Balrog is the one thing currently threatening his safetey (oh and Gimli) so I guess read on and see what craziness ensues! :)

annie.b-sociopath - She's insane for what she is doing, read on!

wajagirlliz - Thanks for your lovely review! Yes she is, she is doing everything she can to ensure they get out alive. Great to know you like their relationship dynamics, thanks!

Raider-K - The awkwardness is hilarious to write but gosh even I feel sad when Legolas gets crushed by Ara and I am the one writing it! Much more action to come in the next couple chapters!

Guest 2 - I think I have a guest two or Guest one is reviewing twice - Either way, thanks for your reviews! Appreciate them! Always great to read that readers are concerned with the welfare of OC's thrown into MA! :)

Cotton Blossom Diva - I absolutely loved your review! Thanks! Yes she does have a fighters heart. Glad you understand her silly behavior, she guards her heart too. She knows although she can mess around to an extent, she is an Elf and one day (unless she is going to be a Even Cat Lady) She will end up with another Elf and that is permanent. Legolas is more working out who he is without the influence of his Father, royal duties and expectations etc. So rapt to hear you are enjoying this fic, enjoy the next chapter. :)


The age old, monstrous beast towered impossibly high over her, a blade in one hand and a sparkling whip of trailing fire in the other. He gloated down at her seemingly surprised she stood before it.

"Uh hello." Ara spoke up and he emitted a low, warning rumble. "Do you mind waiting maybe another ten before you try killing us?"

"Who are you to command me?" A crackling voice sounded in her mind. She flinched in shock but did not move. She didn't actually think these creatures could communicate.

"One you would be foolish to mess with." Ara threatened as the creature began to lazily flick its whip sending sparks skittering across the stone. She felt her skin flushing from the heat which radiated from its great body but it did not scald her. Loud crackling sounded in her mind she interpreted to be laughter.

"You, little Maia Elf, are the foolish one. None cross the fiery wrath of Morgoth."

"Maia Elf?"

"How else could you understand me?" He laughed again. If she could keep him talking long enough, the others could free Legolas and Gimli.

"Ah yes of course." She replied as if she knew what he was on about and then cocked her head at him. "So is there a missus Balrog?"

"I do not want your trivial nonsense." It hissed like water on hot coals.

"Ah but you're such a scintillating fellow, I thought perhaps you had a significant other…" The creature lazily flicked its whip towards her and she deftly rolled out of the way and leapt back to her feet. "That was not very nice." It was clearly toying with her. Well I can toy back.

"I can feel your fear; your flattering words mean nothing. You will die."

"You'll have to catch me first." She taunted boldly and her mind filled with snaps and hisses.

"Why would I bother with one small, unimportant immortal?" It crackled in a bored way and she grinned up at it.

"Because I am the one and only daughter of Glorfindel, the Balrog slayer!" She declared her lineage as a challenge as she flipped her sword expertly before her and tossed her fiery golden hair. The Balrog roared, truly angered before her and raised its whip again and lunged towards her. Fear fueled adrenaline coursed through her veins like a flash flood as she nimbly danced out of the way and around the creature and with another angry, earsplitting roar; the creature of Morgoth gave chase.

"What's happening?" Gimli demanded warily.

"I don't know Ara's gone." Legolas answered fearfully as he distractedly pulled at a loose seam in his tunic in the dark.

"Call out again, maybe Aragorn can hear us if he's still there."

"Aragorn what is happening, where is Ara?" He called out as loudly as he could. There was no reply and his stomach continued twisting in on itself in fear and worry. There was something out there and whatever it was, it was an unimaginable evil and Ara was gone. Where were the others? He had to get out of here! But what could he do? He was injured and near useless.

"Legolas!"

"Can you hear me?" He called upwards to the Ranger.

"Yes, just."

"What is going on?" He demanded.

"You don't want to know." The Ranger called back down. That could only mean one thing…

"Aragorn where is Ara!"

"Uh elsewhere…"

"Eru forbid if you do not tell me the location of my elleth, I swear when I get out-"

"I don't know where she is, she's created a diversion so we can get you out." The Ranger called back and Legolas's heart now twisted.

"I diversion against what?" He asked with dread.

"A… a Balrog." Legolas gasped and a cold fear overcame him. Glorfindel died slaying a Balrog, what in Arda was Ara doing?

The pro to being chased by an angry Balrog was her way was easily lighted. The con; she was being chased by an angry Balrog.

"Considering you are much taller than I, you are rather slow." She called back tauntingly as she dodged around a pillar. She'd led the fiery creature to the other end of the hall and now played a game of hide and chase with the fury filled beast. "You're clearly not very fit." She added and received an irate roar and fire coursed out in a stream to her right and she spun away to her left. The beast's thunderous footfalls quickened, the stone floor shuddering beneath her feet.

"Do not insult me so, for you shall soon know the wrath of Morgoth and my kin!" The voice snapped and hissed in her mind.

"Oh I'm terrified!" She laughed carelessly. She was beyond fear now, what she was doing was plain insanity but it was working. The Balrog roared again and she spied wide entrance steps leading down from the hall and raced down them, the beast following close behind. They entered a narrower hall and he let out another stream of flames and she dove behind a pillar but her cloak, flying out behind her, suffered the Balrog's wrath and it crackled and burned as she hastily tore it off and threw it aside. It quickly transformed into ash. That was too close. Suddenly the pillar she hid behind cracked and was sent flying aside, exposing her and she spun away. A blade the length of Gandalf's staff came arcing down at her and bracing herself, she caught its descent with her own but the strength of the Balrog sent her sprawling backwards as he threw his weight into his own blade. How the hell did Ada kill one of these? She scrambled back and leapt up and raced further down the hall. She had no intention of killing it, that was for Gandalf. It thundered after her, letting out another breath of fire and she launched herself over and behind an already fallen pillar to land flat on her back as flames jetted mere inches above her. Heat seared her exposed skin but did not burn her but flames erupted upon her tunic. Quickly she brushed roughly at her covered belly, putting them out. She was glad now she'd left her pack with the other's. Flames suddenly sprang alight upon her legs and instinctively she rolled and ground the material into the stone as the Balrog roared again.

"Where are you little Maia Elf?" It roared in her mind and quietly she crawled, surprised she'd sustained no burns, along the length of the pillar, back the way she came. There was the sound of stone being ripped apart from behind and cautiously she peered around and saw the Balrog tearing down an entrance into an antechamber. "I will find you and you will burn" The voice crackled in her mind like a promise and she grinned wryly to herself as she used the beasts fiery light to leap up and race swiftly and silently back the way she came, soon entering unnerving darkness as she left the still searching Balrog behind.

"Gimli you first." Legolas said to the Dwarf as both Aragorn and Boromir peered down at them, arms stretched down to haul them from their stone prison. "Climb up on my shoulders so they can reach you." He knelt down and braced himself, biting down hard on the inside of his cheek as pain ripped through his side.

"Nay laddy yeh too injured."

"Just do it!" He bit out impatiently and the Dwarf did his bidding. His breathing turned to gasps as he fought the searing pain while the Dwarf clambered onto his back. Carefully he rose to half stand and then let out a shaky breath as the weight of the Dwarf disappeared and leant heavily against the stone, fighting against the agonizing pain.

"Legolas." Aragorn called down quietly. In the distance somewhere he could hear the roars of the Balrog and that cold fear gripped at his heart. Gritting his teeth, he held up his arms and Aragorn grasped one and Boromir the other. His left side seemed to burn in an impossible level of pain as he was dragged out of the small hole in the rock they had created and he felt his vision blackening as it became too much…

"Legolas?" He drew in shaky breaths as the dizziness passed. Aragorn was holding him steadily and he quickly focused on his surroundings illuminated by Gandalf's staff, and the others. All but Ara were present, peering anxiously at he and Gimli, and then around towards the hall. He felt more colour drain from his already very pale and drawn face as he heard the Balrog roar again.

"My bow?" He suddenly realized he didn't have it and turned around searching.

"Sorry laddy, I couldn't pull it from under the stone. The Dwarf said apologetically and Legolas now saw he was bleeding from a head wound and his shoulder was torn and bloody. He turned to asses the others and realized none of them were without injury, including Gandalf who had a deep cut across his jaw. A blurry shadow suddenly moved into his direction of sight and before he could determine what it was, sunlight slammed into him and arms wrapped around him and a fiery golden head pressed into the crook of his collarbone. Her presence eased the pain although she was all but crushing him. With her here, he could endure it.

"Thank god you're okay, you stupid idiot." She mumbled against his neck.

"Stupid idiot? I'm not the one who has being playing with a Balrog!" He bit out as he was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. She suddenly pulled away from him and narrowed her eyes at him.

"It saved both of your lives so you're welcome." She retorted, slightly defensive which surprised him for she'd just been embracing him. "Right, now we're all good and everything's back on track, let's get the hell out of here!" She declared in an aloof manner as she spun on her heel to speak swiftly with Gandalf.

"Legolas take a seat; I must check this injury you have." Aragorn urged softly and he complied, crumpling painfully to the ground, feeling all too confused by Ara's conflicting attitude and wondering how they would get out and; just how far away they were to getting out. He swayed a little. Suddenly strong hands grasped him firmly and held him by the shoulders as his tunic was quickly grasped at and pulled up and calloused hands ran over his torso, his sides. His stomach sickeningly dropped and he bulked and a snarl ripped from his throat. He writhed about, trying to rid himself of the terrible intrusion.

"Keep still." A voice muttered behind him and fear ripped through him. He was injured, he could not defend himself!

"Legolas calm down." The voice was familiar but he was not succumbing to them. He continued fighting against the pain ripping down his side to get away from them.

"Get off me!" He cried out, panicked.

"Leave him now!" Another familiar voice commanded and the hands fell away.

"I didn't think!" He heard the familiar male voice full of remorse as he scrambled back and turned to face the voices.

"What have we done?" He recognized Boromir in the dim light and then a presence knelt down to his left.

"Hey its me, your safe with us remember" He turned to face the emerald eyed elleth and felt himself relax a little. "I think you've knocked your rib out again, can I check like last time?" He nodded as his racing heart began to slow and she shuffled behind him and hands came to rest gently at his sides. "Wow that's bad." She murmured and he winced and clenched his teeth as she pushed carefully at his sides and then around at his sternum. "I can fix it again but it's really going to hurt. It will hurt less though once it's back in place or close enough." Her words were calming and he nodded again. "Take a breath in." He did as he was instructed and took a shaky breath in, feeling a burning pain as his ribs expanded. He fought not to gasp as fingers dug in at his side. "Breathe out really slow." He tried but it became a gushing hiss of pain as he felt bone moving around muscle and his entire ribcage felt as if it were twisting. "It's not quite there, few more goes. You okay?"

"Yes, just fix it." He bit out and she repeated the process. After three more attempts she seemed pleased enough and gentle arms wrapped around his chest and he melted back into her embrace.

"Stay straight, I'm checking where that rib hooks up to your sternum."

"Oh… yes, of course." He murmured, realizing it was not a real embrace. But it feels like one. She didn't hold me like this when she fixed it in that town…

"It's good enough to get you out of here." She said quietly. Does it feel easier to breath?" He took a deeper breath in and nodded. "I'm glad." Another moment passed before she removed her arms and he instantly missed them. Why did she linger?

"Ara?" He turned around to face her and caught her hand. "Thank you." He said it wholeheartedly as he held her gaze. She looked away.

"Yeah well can't have you dying in here, won't look too good in the history books." She laughed lightly and stood, her mannerisms aloof once more as she pulled her hand from his, once he was standing again, and moved away towards Frodo and Sam.

"We must make haste now to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, it is near." Gandalf addressed them all as Legolas pulled his quiver and pack back on and fastened both. Aragorn walked up to him.

"About before, sorry, I should have remembered, I was worried about your injury and did not think." The Ranger apologized profusely.

"I understand, I regret how I reacted, I admit I panicked." He muttered, feeling rather foolish.

"All is well, you are safe and still with us." Aragorn gave him a heartfelt smile which he returned before it faltered as he gazed Ara's way with a slight frown.

"One moment she is happy to be near me, the next she is indifferent. I think she only sees us all as a responsibility." He muttered lowly for only the Ranger to hear.

"That may be but there was nothing indifferent about the fight she put up when Gandalf bade us leave." Legolas looked imploringly at his friend. "Responsibility for the quest was the last thing on her mind." He said simply before picking up a swifter pace and feeling more baffled, Legolas followed.


Any questions or thoughts etc, please drop a review. Thanks. :)