Sonja on a quest

chapter six

Oh Lordy. Here we go back into writing. I've given birth and have been putting all my attention into my little baby. Now I have some free time to get back to writing. Which I'm excited for. I've been thinking a lot about this story and what direction I want to take it in.

Last but not least, This is a Legomance. It wont be rated M much later in the story. Will put up a warning on each chapter when the Mature themes kick in.

Again, this is a redo of MY story, Into the woods with the same character. All i own is miss Sonja Jackson.

Thank you again for reading and reviewing and adding this story. Best wishes.

written like this = someone's thoughts

written like this = speaking in Elvish

ALSO I HAVE DECIDED TO CHANGE POV. JUST TO SEE HOW IT GOES.

Sonja's POV

It was a long trek back down the mountain. Even though the snow was no where in sight, I was still cold. Everybody was as we had to wait for our clothes to dry out as the time passed. I wanted to so badly change, but we had to keep going. I knew I wouldn't be too sad since I did know he would come back. I don't know when, but I know he will come back better. From what I remember. I knew I should have paid more attention. Would be nice to know the real time events so I could be better prepared.

Down at the bottom of the mountain, there was fog all around. It was cold, dank, and dreadful. All I could do was cling to myself for dear life as I tried to keep warm. I still had the blanket Aragorn had given me. I wanted to cry, but I think any tears that came out would just hurt or freeze up.

As we crept closer to the mountain side, Gimli kept a pep in his step. To say he was excited was an understatement.

"The Mines of Moria," Gimli whispered in awe. I don't think I saw any significance in what he saw. I heard maybe the inside was nice. For a period of time at least. We reached a body of water and instantly I was creeped out. God knows I love water, but I wanted nothing more than to step as far away from it. I moved closer to the walls . If I could be absorbed into them, that would be calming. I looked up at Legolas who kept the same pace as me. He smiled a little with his mouth, but not his eyes. They seemed a bit more focused and probably worried.

Knowing he lived for a long time, I'm sure he'd seen some shit and probably knew of things that went bump in the night like Gandalf. I wonder if he knew what was in there.

"It mirrors only moonlight and starlight." Gandalf was over by a part of the wall. Touching on it. I guess he was looking for a door. Within a minuet, the moon shone in the night sky and the doorway light up. It was bright and actually really cool to see. I wondered how it would open up. The archway had words, words in Gimli's language. Dwarven? Is that a word?

"It reads, "The doors of Durin. Lord of Moria." 'Speak, friend, and enter.' "

"What do you suppose that means," asked Merry with much curiosity.

"Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open."

"Ohhh," The hobbits and I all said at the same time. Gandalf went into a chant to get the door open. We waited, kind of awkwardly, for him to finish. I wondered why Gimli wouldn't know the password. Gandalf finished but nothing happened. He pressed up against the wall and nothing still happened. He went on chanting and using many different ones he knew. How long was this list of suspected passwords? Almost an hour was passing as we all waited for Gandalf to figure out the door situation.

Boromir was taking a smoke, Aragorn was letting Bill, the pony, go, Sam wished Bill a goodbye, Merry and Pippin was congregating by the water, Gimli sat next to Boromir, Frodo waited by Gandalf, Legolas kept a watchful eye out by the tree, and I sat on a huge rock waiting and singing songs in my head to pass the time. I had changed my socks out for a dry pair. They felt so much better and no longer clammy. Bored, I went over to Gimli to strike up conversation.

"Hey Gimli."

"How you doing, lass?" I shrugged.

"Okay, I guess. Just tired." He nodded in agreement.

"Soon we will be in the midst of my kin. Drinking and eating." I gave a weak smile knowing full on that we would definitely not be drinking and eating or resting.

"Hey how come you don't know the password?" Gimli gave a little grumble before he answered me.

"Simple answer. Just never was given to me or those around me. You see wee lass, these doors haven't been open for years. Hundreds of years. Even a 1000 years or more. Too much to process for someone as young as you."

"And probably boring," I couldn't help but let it slip. Gimli thought for a second, and then chuckled.

"Aye. That I could admit. If you haven't noticed, I am somewhat of a being of action."

"Action of what," Boromir asked sarcastically.

"I was born for battle, "said Gimli standing in a power stance. Boromir and I looked at each other and breathed out a laugh. "Not sit here and dottle about like the likes of you."

"Uh oh, I think we struck a nerve by accident," I said Boromir. He smiled bigger.

"Mine was no accident." Gimli huffed over to the wall with Gandalf and Frodo. "You should laugh more. Might help ease the tension that graces your face."

"I didn't think you knew what tension was," I retorted back thinking too when we were on the mountain and he had the ring for the God awful second.

"Now what is that suppose to mean?"

"Don't mind me. I'm just jerking your chain." He gave me a look of shock and confusion. "I'm just joking around."

"Oh." He looked at me for a hot second and got up from his place on the ground. He offered my his hand to help me up in which I accepted.

"Thanks," I said lightly, still with a smile on my face. I didn't want him to think I was being weird or anything. My eyes darted over to scan for Legolas while Boromir went to go bother Aragorn. He was still over by the tree. His back was turned towards me. I wondered how well he could hear, even in whispers. It felt kind of odd to me that there was someone around that could hear everything you said if they wanted to. I don't think you could sneak in a fart with an Elf around.

"What's the Elvish word for 'friend,'" I heard Frodo ask.

"Mellon." Suddenly the doors moved open and we all went over to check out scene.

"Good job Frodo," I said patting him on the back. He gave a small smile and nodded. We followed Gandalf into the mines. It was dark and it smelled. I held my breath for a second and breathed out my mouth with my hand covering over.

"Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. You too Lass. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone."

"Ugh, you're making me hungry," I replied.

"This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call in a Mine. A mine!" The more we walked in, the more gross I got. The light was finally making things come into focus and all you could see were bodies all on the ground. I never felt so disgusted in my life.

"This is no mine. It's a tomb." I almost walked into God knows what. I jumped back and luckily it was into Legolas. I gave out a shriek with my mind registering what was littered all over the ground. Gimli was yelling out with pain in his voice. Legolas pushed me back towards the entrance.

"Goblins," he called out. Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir pulled out their weapons. Frodo and Sam pulled me towards them and held onto my hands to keep me steady. I was scared and almost petrified.

"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here. Now get out of here!" Boromir yelling made me want to curl up and die.

"This isn't happening," I whispered to myself over and over. The four hobbits and I stood watching the rest look around. I had to resort to reciting Bible verses in my mind to help calm me down. Suddenly there was a tug and I fell to the ground as Frodo's hand was yanked from mine.

"Ahh Frodo," we all shouted as he was pulled into the water. What the hell? I crawled trying to grasp at him, but he was quickly snatched to the water. Merry came with his sword and chopped at whatever had him. Sam called for Aragorn as I got up and tried to help pull Frodo with Pippin and Sam. We were pushed back as more tentacles sprung out of the water and drug Frodo closer. I was scared, but instinct kicked in trying to save the little hobbit. The two men went to slashing at whatever tentacle monster it was that had Frodo up in the air. He was screaming his head off.

"Sonja," I heard Legolas call for me. "Get back." He pulled me away from the water and went to shoot at the monster. I gathered the other hobbits closer to the entrance as Gandalf shouted for us to run into the mines. I watched as Aragorn caught Frodo and fled towards us.

"Run!" The monster pulled on the rocks and the mountain making them crumble and send us into the dark. It was pitch black and seemed to choke us.

"We now have but one choice," Gandalf spoke as light started to illuminate around his staff. "We must face the long dark of Moria." I hated how he said that and felt the chills move through out my body. I pushed it aside to make sure Frodo was okay. My biggest trait was to make sure those around me was okay. Since I was getting closer to the group, I had all the urges to make sure to help look out for their well being.

"Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world."

"You okay," I asked Frodo.

"I think so." He had a shiver in his voice and his eyes were still shock wide. I squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"You got this." We followed Gandalf to the first set of stairs. I could only imagine how many we would have to travel on.

"Quietly now. It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

Four days! we had to travel for four days to get the hell up outta here. He couldn't be serious. Why did it seem like everything needed to be so drawn out? I just wanted to fall to the floor and just whine. I just needed a minuet to whine. Could I get a minuet please? The quicker I could make time go by faster, the better off my mental would be. I was glad there were nine others to keep my company. I couldn't imagine if I was here by myself. I'd simply die right on the spot, and probably jump right back up from terror at the other dead bodies on the ground.

From what I could see, it was huge on the inside. When I looked up, all I could see was rock ceiling. It was so out of shape though and uneven. Every step I took was steep. You would think they could take the time to build handrails with all the narrow bridges we had to pass over. At this point, I didn't care about going home. I just wanted to go back with Lord Elrond and the elves. At least I knew I would be safe and wouldn't have to deal with these near death experiences. By the end of this, I better come out in one piece.

Three days later...

Our time was almost up in the mines. This I knew. We were all halted as we once again had to wait on Gandalf, and again I wish I had a time skip button. IT had been a couple of hours. I took some time to stretch to keep myself limber. It was almost time for the dreadful scene. I wonder what would get us there. I just knew that we'd lose Gandalf in the mines.

"What are you doing," Pippin asked me.

"Stretching." I was in a standard forward fold. Yoga did the body good. "Gotta be prepared for anything, and stretching helps to keep you flexible, mobile, focused." I changed into doing stretches for my calves and thighs. "Also keeps you centered. It's good for the soul. Relax. The. Soul."

The pair of hobbits looked at each other before getting up.

"Can you show us?"

"Yeah we need to be centered."

"Well, okay." I never thought to be one for teaching. I didn't have the patience for it. But the Hobbits were quick in the poses I showed them. Since they were so small, I kept it simple. Also stuck to the ones that I wouldn't make a fool of myself in front of the guys. After for about five minuets, they got bored and went back to sitting down and talking. They'd be sorry if they pull something. I also stopped and went over to stand next to Legolas. We hadn't really talked since we came into the mines. It didn't worry me, but it was a little upsetting and to be honest my feelings was a little hurt. I didn't have a reason to be hurt really. But I guess you could say I had a little crush on Legolas. He wasn't a man of many words, but when we did have our little conversations, they made me feel better.

"You mad at me or something?" He looked over to me and looked a little appalled.

"No. Why would I be mad at you." I shrugged.

"I don't know. Haven't really spoken much in the past days since we been in here."

"I don't think none of us have spoken to each other."

"Yeah, but on our breaks everyone talked a little." Legolas tilted his head. He kept standing with his arms crossed, leaning against a boulder.

"You wish to talk to me," he asked in a sly tone. I felt my face get a little hot, and tried to play it off.

"Well, you know we're friends aren't we." He gave me a small smile.

"I suppose," Legolas said slowly. He was about to say something else, but was cut off by Gandalf.

"Ah. It's that way."

"He's remembered," Merry Piped up.

"No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down here." We all got up and followed the wizard down one of the small hallways. We followed the stairs down. Legolas stayed on my tail as we descended down.

"Always follow your nose..." Well that's one way to look at it. The further we went the more the walls became more put together and you could actually start to see detail in the walls.

"Let me risk a little more light." After Gandalf's staff brightened up the room, we were in for a shocker. The pillars were huge and had all kinds of details and carvings. The hall was great in stature and I could only imagine what it would have been like with all the dwarves. I bet it was once very beautiful and I would have loved to see it in all of it's beauty.

"Now there's an eye opener and no mistake," Sam spoke out. We came upon a side room, where some dead bodies laid out on the floor. I stopped in my tracks as I didn't want to go in that death room. Gimli started shouting and ran towards the room. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Legolas. He gave me a light push to catch up with the rest of the group. I felt like I had a large lump in the pit of my stomach. A bad feeling washed over me and I was instantly scared. Legolas whispered in my ear to not linger in the hallway. I asked him if I could hold onto him as we walked towards the room. He held his arm out for me and I hung onto him like a child. When I get scared, I try to make myself very small and become very clingy.

We entered the room and Gimli kneeled before a tomb, I had guessed.

"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin. Lord of Moria." It felt way more personal in here than it did when we had been blocked in.

"He is dead then. It's as I feared." Gimli was sobbing, which I never really thought I would see. Couldn't picture it till now. I felt tears come near my eyes. It was sad coming upon your dead family members. Gandalf picked up a book from a skeleton that had a long beard. Aragorn walked up beside me looking around.

"We must move on," Legolas spoke to Aragorn. "We cannot linger here." Oh God. If Legolas was saying this, he must feel uneasy too. Which just made me want to go weak at the knees. I wanted to get the hell out of here. Gandalf started reading from the book. I wondered what it would have been like to be writing that while your enemy was on the other side trying to kill you.

"We cannot get out." I swear, I could hear the doom music in the background as Gandalf kept reading. I held onto Legolas even tighter. My nerves was getting to me. I was five seconds from just running up outta here.

"They are coming." Doom and more doom. I yelped as a loud clang interrupted the silence. We all looked over to Pippin as a skeleton fell down from the well area. I was too in shock to try and catch the bucket as it went down the rabbit hole too. I felt my heart beat like a drum in my chest as the clanging continued for almost a minuet. I couldn't breathe. Gandalf looked like he wanted to strangle young Pippin. When the clanging stopped, everyone let go of their breath. If Legolas thought I was going to let go of his arm now, I think he'd sadly be mistaking.

"Fool of a Took," Gandalf exclaimed as he closed the large book. "Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity." He snatched his pointy hat and his staff back. Poor Pippin. I wanted to give him a hug, but I was too mortified to let go and walk over.

There was another loud thud, and at this moment I realized it was the beginning of the end. Here we go.

"No," I whispered in terror. The thudding continued. I let out a small whine like a little kicked puppy. What if I don't make it outta here either? I wasn't read to die yet. There were drums, just like the book had mentioned. 'They are coming,' kept running through my mind. But how do they know it's us in here? What if we were just a random noise. Why do they have to come and investigate.

"Frodo," Sam called out. I looked over and Frodo had unsheathed his sword, which was now a burning blue color.

"Orcs!" I could hear the shouts and shrieks getting closer. Boromir ran over to the door as Aragorn yelled for the hobbits and I to stay back.

"Sonja, you have to let me go," Legolas said in a hurry. I did as he said reluctantly and didn't know what to do. "Sonja, look at me. Stay over close to Gandalf. I- we all will protect you." I nodded and ran over to the hobbits and wizard.

"They have a cave troll."

"What the fuck is that," I yelped. I ran behind Gandalf. I took out my own sword, not really sure how to use it. The guys tried barricading the door with different weapons. Everyone had their weapons at the ready and I stood their awkwardly. My mind went from running in circles to blank. What do I do? What do I do?

"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath." Oh Gimli was ready, ready. It started as fast as I could blink. The monsters on the other side started breaking down the door. Was this real life? Legolas shot the first shot from his arrow. He hit his target and you could hear it shout out in pain. There were a few more shots and then the door was knocked down.

"Oh, fu-" I ran into a corner of the room right by the well hole. Just as I sunk down, another monster came and smashed in the room. That must be a cave troll. It was huge and ugly just like the rest of the creatures. Now how were they suppose to fight that? How am I suppose to fight that? I kept my breathing as even as I could. There was a blue light in the upper corner of the room. It came towards me fast. I stood up to try and run from it, but it hit me in my chest with a powerful force. I felt full and strangely energetic. I felt a presence come to my left. It was a nasty looking orc. Without instant, I stabbed it in it's chest and it fell limp. What the? I didn't feel myself at all and it felt like I took a back seat to my own body. It felt as if I was watching the scene from the clouds.

My body went into full battle mode and I was slashing orcs left and right. The fear part of my brain was turned off, and I felt more excitement. I dodged blows and was light on my feet and it felt like I was dancing. Wow, I never felt like this in my life. It was incredible. It was a high I had never experienced. Now I had had my dealings with the ganja, but this was so much better. It all came crashing down as I heard Sam yell out Frodo's name. Frodo fell to the ground. I killed three more orcs and ran over to him. My high had calmed down and I felt myself again.

I didn't have time to ponder what the hell just happened to me. Frodo laid on the ground and all I could think was if the mission was over and changed. The troll still mucked about as Legolas gave the final blow. I was nervous to touch Frodo as I kneeled close to his body. Aragorn came over and turned him over. We were all shocked as Frodo gasped.

"You're alright," I sighed in relief. Legolas came over to me and asked if I was alright. I wanted to tell him what happened, but I didn't think now was the time.

"Yeah, I'm okay." He nodded and went to gather some arrows from some dead orcs.

"I'm alright. I'm not hurt." Frodo clutched his chest. Even if he wasn't hurt, I'm sure it still hurt from all the pressure that must have called.

"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar." Aragorn was in shock as much as I was. How was this possible though.

"I think there's more to this hobbit that meets the eye." Frodo reveled under his shirt a shiny, light chainmail shirt. It was really pretty and shiny. How did we miss that?

"Mithril," said Gimli and awe. Must be some strong stuff. "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins." More screeching brought us back. There was more! And I didn't even have that high thing going on anymore. Now what was I going to do.

"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" We all ran out with adrenaline coursing through our bodies. We were being surrounded from all angles. They were closing in quick and fierce. How could there be so many of them. Just ugly and disgusting looking. Hell, they were even coming out of the ceiling like spiders, and crawling down the pillars. That was it, we were surrounded indefinitely. I stayed in the middle of all the guys looking through the cracks of the bodies around me. How do we make it out of this mess. My answer came as soon as I asked myself.

There was a great growl and a bright light down the hall. It looked like the hall was on fire. Even the orcs started running away in fear. The growling continued. It was like a huge rumble deep within. It didn't sound friendly.

"What is this new devilry," Boromir asked. Gandalf stared off into the distance. I felt the ground rumble beneath me. It almost felt like an earth quake.

"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world."

"Legolas," I breathed. This was it. Gandalf was on his way out. He looked at me in question. I couldn't read his eyes. He searched mine. I'm sure he could see all of my emotions. I was scared and numb to the information I knew. Now I see, even though I knew Gandalf would come back. The pain and sadness that crept into my chest hurt like a mother.

"This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" Gandalf's voice brought us back and we all went into a sprint. All this running was taking a toll on my body. I was tired out and felt like I could just give up. I breathed in and out keeping these lungs fresh. We came to a corridor and Boromir almost took a tumble, but Legolas pulled him back. We went running down the other set of unbroken stairs. It was a wonder how none of us tripped and fell on our face. We came to another set of the stairs that was broken in between and we had to end up leaping across. Legolas went first. The Balrog was getting closer and closer. The ground rattled under our feet as the infrastructure started to crumble. The guys pushed me forward to go next.

"Sonja," Legolas called for me. "I'll catch you." I gulped while Aragorn steadied me before I took the big leap. Legolas caught me with ease. I didn't want him to let me go, but the orcs started shooting arrows at us. Oh great. Legolas found the orc quickly and shot it down. Gandalf came next and was also caught effortlessly by Legolas. Boromir had Merry and Pippin and leapt across with them. Aragorn threw over Sam while Boromir also caught him. Legolas kept on spotting the orcs to shoot them down. Gimli hopped over by himself, and Legolas caught him by the beard. I know that had to hurt. If we wasn't in danger, I might have laughed.

Aragorn and Frodo was last. As the Balrog came, Aragorn kept him and Frodo in place. The stairs they were on crumbled and started to come forward toward all of us. They made it just in time and we ran. It all seemed seamless as we made it to the bottom. There was fire waiting at the bottom and Gandlaf was yelling at us to keep going. The Balrog was out and fierce. He was big, dark, and scary. Horns grew out the side of his head. He roared greatly. Now I defiantly was at my knees. Boromir helped to keep me up as we ran across the bridge. It was narrow and I had to keep my focus to not fall over. The hobbits surrounded me as we were all out of breath from all this running.

Gandalf of course, stayed on the bridge. This was it. I wanted to run to him as much as Frodo did. I wanted Gandalf to be able to come with us, but I couldn't. I just watched the scene unfold. The heat that the Balrog brought with it was smoldering. My eyes were heavy and burned.

"You cannot pass!" The demon stood even taller and was engulfed with fire. Just when you thought it couldn't get any hotter. All we could do was watch as Gandlaf made his claims against the dark beast. I was surprised the demon had its own weapon. It tried to slice through Gandalf, but the old wizard wasn't having any of it.

"Go Gandalf," I hollered. I couldn't help it. It was weird how the mind worked when you still knew the outcome. The Balrog had the nerve to come back with a whip. A whip! Where the hell did that come from.

"You shall not pass!" It was powerful. I felt like I could even feel the power behind Gandalf's words. He hit the ground with his staff in a power stance. The monster took a step forward and the bridge crumbled beneath them. We let go of a deep breath we were all holding. Gandalf started to walk back to us, and then it happened. The whip came and tightened around his foot and in a second he was hanging on the edge like Mufasa in the Lion King. Boromir caught Frodo from running out to Gandalf. My heart leapt into my throat. This was for the good. We will see him again.

"Fly you fools," Gandalf whispered, but it echoed through out our ears. We all had to hurry and run out. Legolas dragged me for me to keep up with him while we ran out. I collapsed on the ground. The air felt good and crisp to the stinging of my heart. We were all hurting. It felt different now, and would keep feeling different till we caught up with the wizard again.

"Legolas," Aragorn called out. "Get them up."

"Give them a moment for pity's sake."

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs." I got my ass up quick. I did not want any more encounters with orcs, monsters, trolls, or balrogs. "We must reach the wood of Lothlorien." I touched Boromir's arm to give him a little comfort and to let him know that it'll be okay. Legolas and Gimli helped Merry and Pippin up. Frodo was steps head with the most pitiful look on his face. He looked like a baby. So helpless. He waited there turned away from us again. I fast walked over to him and gave him a hug from behind.

"It'll all work out, Frodo," I whispered to him. "Stay strong for Gandalf." He didn't say anything, but walked closer into my hug. It was like hugging a child since hobbits were so much smaller. I kept my tears at bay. I felt like I was gonna have a long road ahead of me to try and comfort all the hobbits. They were now way out of their comfort zones and I am sure this was the first time where they suffered a great loss. If I had to step up and be a mama bear, then so be it. Anything to help make them feel even a little better. I would think about my own feelings later.

oh boy, this took me a couple of days to write. You would think the writing part would go fast, but it doesn't. And I can only write when I'm at work. Hopefully I can work out a schedule to get this story on a flow to get these chapters out. Hope you liked it and that it'll be enough to hold you over till I can get another chapter out. Please review. Gratefully appreciate it.