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Thanks to all of you awesome reviewers for your awesome reviews!

WickedGreene13 - Yes haha Ara can't have the wrong peeps dying!

Woman of Letters - Thanks for your review, I will answer your IM in a second too. Can't say too much but it is all very deliberate. Glad you picked up on it. Don't go forgetting about it. ;) Other questions answered in this chapter.

Flyvennhowler - haha yes and then maybe he will get a shiny new quiver too in the near future haha but we only toss bad bows and Dwarves haha!

Guest (Woodsprite I am calling you) - Fluffy will happen I promise, just a ferw more words between now and when it does but not too many. And you are most welcome. :) x A.

Elvenguest - Thanks heaps! It is about to get a whole lot more twistier! Because life's too stright without Twisties. I am now craving twisties! Glad you are enjoying it!

Okay guys and gals - Enjoy!

A. xx


"Quickly, we must make haste!" Gandalf urged again in a loud whisper as he led them cautiously down the great hall. The Balrog had become quiet and there was so tell tale glow to determine where the creature of Morgoth now lurked. He was sure it was still close by and he did not want it on their tails. No, best to slip away unseen.

"Gandalf?" He cocked his head slightly to the young elleth jogging at his side. "I can understand it."

"The Balrog?" He clarified and she nodded.

"It called me a Maia Elf..." She whispered uncertainly.

"Did it indeed." He mused as they ducked down a tunnel. "Must be some talent of your father's passed down." She nodded but he was not quite satisfied with that explanation although; he could not put a finger on just why. Her eyes he was certain, from the moment he laid eyes on them in Imladris, he'd seen before in another fair face. Her hair, a flame within the golden strands which could belong to no mortal mother… He was interrupted from his pondering as a great roar sounded nearby and the Balrog leapt down, a sudden blur of flame, from atop high pillars to block their way. Hmm well that is where he got to. All ten of them skidded to a halt and he saw pure fear in the eyes of the Fellowship although strangely, there was more curiosity than fear in the deep, green eyes of the elleth. "Quickly, turn back!" He commanded and turned on his heel, ushering the Hobbits ahead of him. The others followed on his heels as the great beast roared behind them. He swung right and down a side stair, the fiery beast storming after them. As the others disappeared down the stair, he spun to face the beast. It roared and flames erupted from its gaping, black fanged mouth. Gandalf drew in a steadying breath, turned and leapt down after the others. They reached another hall and now ran directly beneath the Balrog; the pillars and roof above quaking as it blundered above, irately searching for them.

"Aragorn!" A voice cried out, echoing around and he slammed to a halt, before the now very untrustworthy Boromir as the Ranger grasped onto Frodo and Sam who were dangling mid air over a deep crack in the stone floor across the lower hall. Gandalf rushed forward but the Ranger had already hauled both Hobbits to safety with Gimli's help. He illuminated the gap in the floor and Ara leapt, instantly clearing it and spun.

"Throw the Hobbits over! She urged and Aragorn picked up and threw Frodo first, followed by Pippin. There was a cracking overhead and parts of the roof crumbled and fell crashing behind them and suddenly the Balrog was upon them, leaping out from the dust and debris.

"Move!" He cried out as he dragged a gapping Merry and Boromir aside but the Balrog merely thundered past them and leapt the small chasm. It landed, towering over Ara, Frodo and Pippin alone on the other side of the gap.

"Run!" Gandalf roared out fearfully, urgently to the three hesitating companions and they turned and raced away, the Balrog on their heels.

"Quickly we must follow!" Legolas cried out, his voice not its usually composed, softer tone, but rough and fearful. Without waiting, the Wood-Elf leapt the chasm and Aragorn tossed Sam and Merry to him before grabbing Gimli and subjecting the protesting Dwarf to the same treatment.

"No Elf embraces a Dwarf!" He growled out indignantly as Legolas pulled him to safety by his stocky shoulders. Gandalf glared across the gap at the Dwarf; there was no time for petty race arguments. Finally, he, Aragorn and Boromir leapt the distance and pursued after the Balrog who was easy to follow for its firelight and destructive path. Ahead Ara was leading the Hobbits up a narrow stair towards the beginning of the bridge and, as the Hobbits scampered away, she spun to face the Balrog, now level from her higher position with the beast's fiery eyes.

"When we get out I'll kill her myself." Legolas bit out in fear and anger. Gandalf had no doubt an argument between the Elves would ensue once they reached safety, if, they reached safety. It seemed the elleth was having a conversation with the beast. There was something unnerving about how confidently she spoke to it. Balrogs were not reasonable creatures, they only obeyed Morgoth and his greatest servant... Gandalf felt the beginnings of an entirely different unease begin to stir within his heart.

"It's really in your best interest to take him out." Ara coaxed the Balrog, feeling sick to the core of her heart by what she was suggesting but really, what choice was there?

"I think not." The voice crackled in her mind and he sent his whip lashing towards her.

"You'll regret it, he's your real foe!" She called back as she dodged around his whip and leapt up the stairs after the Hobbits; who ran ahead and towards the bridge. Below she could see the others but her main focus was on the Balrog as he smashed through the walls and roof of the stair chasing after her, and she suspected, Frodo's ring.

"Why should I bother with the Wizard?" The voice crackled suddenly in her mind. Yes! He's actually thinking about it. Now what the hell do I say! She stalled for time, purposely dodging about until she and the Hobbits were at the beginning of the bridge.

"Go, run across and wait somewhere safe!" She instructed very quietly

"Ara, don't get yourself killed." Frodo whispered warily and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Not going to happen." With that she turned to face the creature who was giving them all so much grief. Her heart hammered fearfully against her ribs but she ignored it.

"If you take out the Wizard, your path will be free to claim what you truly want." The creature regarded her as it smoldered, towering over her. "I know you feel its power, I know you want it." She added like a temptation. A low rumbling echoed around the cavern.

"Daughter of the slayer of my kin; you lie." The voice spat like oil in flames.

"I really don't." She stalled for more time but the creature had again lost any patience and the sparking whip snaked out swiftly towards her. This time she didn't move fast enough and felt the blow of the lash across her back. She rolled protectively to extinguish any flames but it seemed her bow and quiver had shielded her body for she felt no hot, searing pain upon her skin like she thought a burn should feel like.

"Interesting." The voice hissed in her mind. Clearly it was playing with her. Game of cat and mouse much?

"You know you'd make a terrible first date." She declared up to the Balrog with a taunting grin. It growled out, flicking its whip above her this time and sparks rained down, singeing her clothes but where they touched her bare skin she felt nothing but a warm sensation. The creature strangely watched her with what could only be curiosity. Well, curiosity killed the cat.

"Why, do you have qualms with the wizard?" The voice crackled and hissed.

"I do not want him leaving this mine, I think you can stop him. Your dangerous nature is revered." She practically purred at the creature. Suddenly a firm hand latched onto her arm, pulling her away and the creature roared again.

"Are you insane!" Legolas hissed in her ear as he dragged her among the others to cross the narrow bridge. She shook her arm free so they could cross the chasm and slyly let the other Elf run ahead so only one other followed behind her; Gandalf.

"Aragorn lead them across and up the stair!" Gandalf commanded them as the Balrog let out another stream of fire and this time he lifted his staff and deflected the fireball with his own fire. The great beast leapt onto the beginnings of the bridge and the ground beneath him shuddered and rock fell away at the edges.

"You will not pass!" He commanded.

"Who are you to deny me?" A deep voice crackled lazily in his mind.

"I am the bearer and wielder of the flame of Anor!" He declared and let his staff blaze in white light before the beast. It was momentarily taken aback.

"Gandalf!" He heard Frodo cry out fearfully.

"Mithrandir run!" That was Legolas's pleading voice and he turned to see the others half lingering, spread out across the bridge, Aragorn was gesturing urgently for him to follow them. He well intended to when he could.

"Fly you fools!" He commanded them. They all moved but Ara lingered. "Ara get out of here you foolish Elf!" He bit out as he spun again to face the Balrog. He arced its flaming whip down to him and he let his staff flare, the pure light eclipsing the evil borne, dark flames. The Balrog roared again and drew his whip back and Gandalf took the moment to turn and race after the others. He made it mere feet before the elleth blocked his way, standing solidly. The others had reached the other side but Legolas was racing back, no doubt to drag the daft Elfling out by her ear.

"Ara move! Run!" He yelled irately at her. She did not, instead she gazed at him with those confusingly familiar, deep green eyes; which now reflected the fiery flames behind them.

"I am sorry." She said regrettably but her voice seemed disconnected. She looked up over his head and spoke clearly to the Balrog. "Take him." Gandalf felt his heart plummet as there was a menacing, rumbling growl behind him and a crackling, delighted laugh in his mind. He heard the spark and swish of the beast's whip and it wrapped burning around his hips and with a sharp yank, he was ripped back and dragged to the stone ground.

"You were right." The Balrog hissed in his mind but he realized it was Ara the creature spoke to. Dread filled him as he rolled over to look up at the elleth. Behind him he heard stone cracking, crumbling and falling away and the Balrog let out a thunderous roar. All he could do was gaze up at those green eyes in horror as he finally recalled where he'd seen them before. The elleth gazed back down at him, a mixture of regret and satisfaction in those fire lit, green depths.

"See you on the flipside." She bid nonchalantly and winked knowingly before he was yanked back and over the crumbling bridge.

Ara turned to finally flee, her current mission accomplished and slammed hard into the other Elf. He stared wide eyed at her, mouth agape, speechless. "Run you idiot!" She shoved him roughly around and on his way. He raced back towards the others, Aragorn holding back a screaming, thrashing Frodo and Boromir, Pippin. They reached the stairs and Ara leapt up them, two at a time. Guilt for what she had just done ripped through her like tidal waves but she knew she'd done the right thing. Everything was on track in it's strange, ahead of time way and now was not the time to think any more on it. They entered another hall and afternoon light met them from great, half destroyed, stone arched windows. Arrows suddenly whizzed over their heads and she saw Legolas reach back for his bow and then curse loudly. She reached back for her own and ripped it from her quiver. It was a melted mess, the string destroyed. "Shit!"

"Run, run!" Aragorn bellowed as he and Boromir ran at the lead, swords whirling before them. Ara faltered in her pace as she tried to make her bow work. Suddenly it was ripped from her hands and thrown aside.

"Hey!" She cried out indignantly.

"It's useless to you now!" Legolas snapped out as he grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her out after him. Goblins lurked in the shadows and leapt out as they passed but Aragorn roared out irately along with Boromir and Gimli; who snarled out in Dwarvish and severed one who came too close with his axe in his wake. They leapt swiftly down large steps and landed below on a cobbled road to sprint as fast as the Hobbits could move; swiftly getting out of range of the Goblins half-hazarded arrows. Aragorn kept up their tremendous pace for another mile in which Ara barely noticed the terrain they fled through until they came to a rockery of sorts which led down to an open valley below where the Ranger signaled them to slow. He led them off the path and within the cover of the tall rocks. Now out of sight and momentarily safe, the Hobbits immediately collapsed, tears streaming down their anguished faces. Gimli and Boromir too sank to their knees, heads bowed. Aragorn walked away a few paces, alone, shaking his head in clear disbelief. Legolas simply gazed off unseeingly, his expression marble, unreadable. It was too much to witness their pain, pain she had caused. She began walking, not caring where she went, her guilt suffocating her as the last two hours began replaying in her mind. She'd experienced every emotion possible tenfold in such a short space of time and she was utterly overwhelmed.

"Ara!" She faltered in her purposeful strides. He knew. She continued, she couldn't face him, right now she couldn't face any of them; not while the horrified and betrayed gaze of Gandalf haunted her mind voiced by the crackling, last words of the Balrog; spoken only to her…

"Ara!" He bit out a second time as she continued walking away. He didn't know what to think, what to feel, his heart, his mind were both in absolute turmoil. Again she ignored him and the action of blatant disregard finally made him snap. "Ara!" He jogged forward and grabbed her by the shoulders, spinning her around.

"Leave me alone." Her voice came out tormented as she made to push him roughly away but he deflected her attempts.

"No, you will speak to me!" He snapped out. What she'd done… he couldn't comprehend it. He grabbed her arm and when she made to fling it from his grip, he held on firmer. "You sent him to his death!" He found himself hissing out.

"You don't understand-"

"No I do not! I do not understand how you so easily just killed one of us off!"

"I didn't!" She cried out, again trying to push him away, but the guilt he saw in her wildish eyes only angered him more and he grasped her tightly by the shoulders and shook her.

"How dare you lie to me, I see it in your eyes!" He seethed. "I saw you consorting with that beast of Morgoth, with our enemy!" He paused, his body trembling in anger and every other emotion tearing through him; betrayal, confusion, grief, pain.

"It had to happen." She whispered, her own voice shaky but there was still strength in it, conviction.

"We should never have gone into that mine! We should not have trusted you…" I should not have trusted you… He couldn't say those words aloud.

"Do you think I enjoy this?" She growled out, her own temper finally flaring as he felt her shoulders straighten and muscles coil under his tight grip. "Do you think I like having to navigate everyone along, knowingly walking into danger, half the time initiating that very danger?" He stared at her as she glared dangerously up at him. "Did you think I enjoyed playing around with that evil creature?"

"It sure sounded and looked like you did!" He found his own voice again, anger and bewilderment welling up further for how she'd so easily conversed with the Balrog; the flash of satisfaction in her eyes as she'd turned away from Gandalf… "You planned it all along didn't you! As soon as you could get away on your own while the others, while Aragorn rescued us by the light of Gandalf; you left to plan his demise with that vile beast!" He spat out.

"Is that what you think?" She shook her head incredulously and a dry laugh escaped her, he noticed now she too shook, anger sparking in her eyes.

"You really leave no other explanation." He ground out. "Clearly your loyalties lie elsewhere." He left his accusation hanging like a challenge. They needed, he need to know the truth.

I did it for you!" She shouted at him, shocking him by the ferocity of her outburst and, with more force than he expected, she shoved him hard in the chest causing him to take a faltering step back and; used his distraction to tear away. He leapt after her and grabbed her again, pulling her in close so she could not push him away again. "Let me go." She all but shrieked and began writhing and fighting against him.

"Enough!" He thundered as he held her all the closer so she could not fight back. "You will tell me exactly what you mean by that!" She shook in what could only be pure fury but stopped fighting him.

"Why the hell do you think? She threw the words at him as he glared down imploringly at her, his face but an inch from hers. Slowly he comprehended the meaning of her words… Gandalf was meant to fall. He gazed at her in shock and then absolute remorse for how he'd just treated her; like the enemy.

"Oh Ara…" He saw now the pain and sorrow in her nearly liquid eyes and dropped his head, feeling foolish, letting his lips brush comfortingly against her cheek as he spoke, trying to make up for all he had said, all he had done. "I am so-" He gasped as there was a loud crack and his head instantaneously jolted and face throbbed smartly as if he'd been stung. He let go his grip on her shoulders in surprise.

"You are such a jerk!" She spat out the insult as she whirled and stormed away. Half recovering from her stinging slap, he made to follow only to be roughly yanked back by the strap of his quiver. There were only two beings in Middle Earth who got away with such an action and it was only when their temper was truly piqued.

"You will tell me exactly what is going on." The Ranger spoke in a dangerous, low whisper before letting go to allow the Wood-Elf to face him. He'd heard enough of the argument to piece together the sickening realization Ara had purposely caused Gandalf to fall.

"What is the point?" Legolas ground out. "Clearly you heard." Aragorn didn't have time for his friend's smart, evasive nature.

"Where is Ara? Why did she cry out?" Boromir spoke suddenly as he approached; the last thing Aragorn needed right now.

"It does not matter." Legolas muttered almost petulantly yet his face was unreadable. Aragorn now wondered where his loyalties lie; with the Fellowship or with Ara? Worse, where did her loyalties lie? He shoved past Legolas and strode swiftly towards the elleth who had walked away.

"Ara!" He barked out and she stopped and slowly turned to face him. He did not stop until he stood but a foot before her. "You had the Balrog kill him." He stated flatly and slowly the elleth nodded. "You murder one of us; for what gain?" She stared up at him wordlessly. "For what gain!" He roared and she flinched.

"Aragorn enough!" Legolas growled out from right behind him.

"You murdered Gandalf?" Boromir spoke up disbelievingly. "Then you've betrayed us all…" The elleth stared wide eyed at the Gondor man to Aragorn's right but he could not determine her thoughts, her actions; she simply looked stunned. "That's why you spoke with it, we all saw you."

"Enough, let Ara speak!" Legolas urged, for once seeming to be the mediator. Aragorn turned to him.

"She left Gandalf to die! That is not something any amount of words will fix!"

"Just like you left Legolas to die Aragorn?" He snapped his head back towards the elleth who now looked to be seething in anger.

"Aragorn?" Legolas's spoke hesitantly. "Is that true?" The Ranger turned to his friend on his left who stared warily at him.

"We thought you were dead." He whispered.

"No, there was no 'we'; you and Gandalf and Boromir decided they were dead or as good as and left." Ara's blunt words were like a blow to his stomach.

"What choice did we have? There was a Balrog bearing down on us!" Boromir growled out. "Or did you call it up?" The man glared accusingly at Ara. Aragorn turned back to her.

"Did you?"

"You know what, I'm done." She held her hands up in finality. "I've tried doing the right thing, believe it or not, it's worked. But this? This accusing without even listening to reason, no. Screw this!" She seemed close to breaking point.

"Stop fighting! All of you!" A small, wavering voice suddenly spoke up in anger and disbelief. Collectively they turned to find Frodo, tear stained, watching them all with Gimli and the other three Hobbits behind him.

"Frodo…" Aragorn began but did not know how to continue."

"No, for once you all listen to me!" His voice was choked by still unshed tears. "Ara would never jeopardize this quest; why can't you see it!"

"Oh I don't know, perhaps because she all but threw Gandalf to his doom." Boromir ground out. It was all Aragorn could see too, the Wizard falling. "She's a threat to you Frodo." The Gondor Man beseeched.

"And you are not?" Sam now spoke up defensively. "Ara's never bothered Frodo about what he carries but you have, you tried to take it!"

"What?" Ara turned now to stare openly at Boromir in shock as too did Gimli and Legolas.

"I was simply trying to aid Frodo and the quest!" Boromir thundered but Aragorn knew he lied. "You would have seen that if you were not sobbing your heart out just like any other weak female." He threw his words like spears knowing full well he was morally cornered.

"Why don't you tell that to my blade Boromir?" Ara hissed out vehemently as she ripped her sword from its sheath.

"If it eradicates a traitorous wench from our endeavor than so be it!" The man drew his own weapon only to have Legolas's fist suddenly slam into his face.

"How dare you speak so to her!" Legolas snarled out causing the Man to hastily step back.

"Cursed Elves!" He spat out blood at the Prince's feet as he pointed the tip of his sword towards Ara. The Wood-Elf whipped his twin blades from his back and twirled one menacingly.

"Just try and harm her." His voice was threatening, chilling.

"Legolas…" Aragorn warned, unsure what the Elf would do.

"Please stop! Stop this! We cannot afford to fall apart! I can't do this without you!" Slowly weapons were lowered and Ara, Legolas and Boromir turned, like him, to face Frodo again. The smallest Hobbit strode towards them to stand before Ara. "I don't know why you did it or if you can even say,but I know you had to and I trust you."

"You trust her?" Boromir spluttered disbelievingly. Aragorn too found this hard to believe. Frodo was feeling the pain of losing Gandalf more than any of them.

"I do. Ara is not the enemy. I trust her. Right now more than any of you." He glared to both he and Boromir for emphasis.

"Then why did she do it?" Boromir cockily asked as he held his bleeding nose.

"The same reason she does half the things she does on this journey. For the sake of this wretched quest!" The Hobbit spat the last words out bitterly before taking up the elleth's hand. "Let's go." The elleth nodded in understanding and the pair began walking away.

"Where are you going, that's not the way to Mordor!" Aragorn asked in confusion as he let all of Frodo's words sink in.

"To Lothlórien like Gandalf instructed me too which Ara knows already." With that, he Gimli, Merry and Pippin walked away leaving him standing alone with Legolas and Boromir.

"So Gandalf was meant to fall by the hands of the Balrog all this time?" Aragorn was still trying to get his head around it through his own grief and anger.

"Obviously." Legolas ground out before turning away and breaking into a slow jog to catch up with the others; settling into his place beside the elleth.

"I guess we better follow them then." Boromir murmured in resignation.

"Yes, we better." Aragorn said quietly as he now realized just how many mistakes he had made.


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