Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.
Harry using Telepathy.
(Thoughts)
The group had made it to the mines. Now they sat around waiting. They had found the entrance but no one had any idea on how to open it. Gimli had admitted that he never used this entrance when he visited so he had no idea what the password was. Gandalf couldn't remember how to open it.
The group waited for Gandalf or Gimli to figure it out. Shadow's attention was on the water. Something lived within and they would need to be careful. He couldn't tell what it was but he could sense how dangerous it was.
"Is something wrong Shadow?" Legolas asked the wolf when he noticed how tense he was.
Something dangerous lives in the depth of these waters. I can feel it. The animagus answered.
Pippin and Merry exchanged looks. The two were going to skip rocks. Hearing what Shadow had said made them weary. They decided against it. Instead they went over to Boromir. He stood guard over them. He had heard what Shadow had said, everyone did. The red haired man wasn't going to let anything happen to them.
Legolas and Aragorn decided to do the same. Legolas went over to Sam while Aragorn went over to Frodo, Gandalf, and Gimli. Shadow kept his focus on the waters.
An hour had passed when Frodo realized what the door meant. "Speak friend? Gandalf what is the elven word for friend?" He asked.
"Mellon." Gandalf said, causing the door to open. "Of course." He felt stupid for not knowing the answer before. "Let's go.
The group entered the mines. Shadow went in last. He had sensed the creature moving beneath the water. He assumed the door opening had either woken it from it's slumber or alerted it to their presents. Either way it wasn't good and he wanted to leave the area quickly.
When there was no more light Gandalf lit the top of his staff. It revealed the room covered with the bodies of fallen dwarves. Gimli let out a wail of loss and sadness.
"This isn't a mine, it's a tomb." Boromir said.
Legolas walked over to one of the bodies and pulled out an arrow. "Orc." He said.
"Back outside everyone." Gandalf ordered.
No! Shadow yelled.
They turned towards the wolf. He had jumped back as a tentacle went to grab him. Shadow bit the tentacle causing it to go back into the water. Shadow quickly shifted back into his human form.
Boromir went behind the hobbits and Gimli did the same. Gandalf stood in front. Legolas didn't move as he prepared his bow. Harry and Aragorn prepared themselves. It didn't take long for the creature to surface. It was furious. The creature reminded Harry of the Giant Squid back at school. Only this one wanted to eat them.
Legolas began shooting arrows in rapid fire. Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli slashed at the tentacles that came near them. Gandalf and Harry shot curse after curse at the Giant Squid. They hoped to either kill it or drive it back to the depth so that they could leave.
Unfortunately for the group a few of the tentacles smashed the door and walls. It caused it to collapse. They were now caved in. Some cursed inwardly while others cursed outwardly.
"Guess we are going through the mines." Harry said with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Aragorn asked.
"I won't be able to use my wolf form. There are too many unpleasant smells in here." The dark haired wizard said.
"Ah." The ranger saw the problem.
Those who didn't know his story figured out he was more comfortable in his wolf form. The hobbits knew the whole story. They felt bad. Merry went over and hugged him.
Harry smiled. "Thanks Merry."
"You're welcome." He smiled back at him.
"Lumas." Light erupted from his palm. "Let's go then."
The ten began walking. Gandalf led the way. Gimli was behind him. He looked at each of the fallen and prayed for them. He really wanted to know what happened. Boromir walked beside him. He offered silent support which the red haired dwarf appreciated. Next came the hobbits. Each was silent as they walked. After them were Legolas and Aragorn. Finally Harry was bringing up the rear. He too prayed for the fallen and for Gimli.
Everyone could sense the danger and kept quiet. Harry had cast a notice-me-not spell. He hoped it was enough. Unfortunately he hadn't had time to rest and he could feel the tug at his magic. Next time they rested he would take a magic replenisher.
A fork in the path caused them to stop. Gimli didn't recognize this part of the mine and Gandalf couldn't remember. He had never actually been in the mines. He had only read about it in a book and saw a map of it and that was years ago. They took a break causing Harry to sigh in relief. He sat down and looked through his sack.
He found what he was looking for. He opened the potion kit and pulled out the vial. He quickly downed it. Aragorn looked at him.
"What was that?" He asked.
"Magic Replenisher." The emerald eyed man answered.
"Oh I see." He felt guilty knowing he was the reason Harry was using so much magic.
Harry shrugged. "It happens."
"Right."
Aragorn knew that Harry didn't want to talk about it. He left the wizard alone. He wished that he could get to know him better but the wall around Harry was hard to get around. He was determined and would wait. Small conversations for now but eventually he would finally get to talk to the wizard for longer than a couple minutes. He sat down near Legolas. The elf gave him a knowing look. Meanwhile the others had conversations amongst themselves.
"Are we lost?" Pippin asked.
"No." Merry quickly answered.
"I think we are." The hobbit said.
Sam glared at them. "Shh! Gandalf's thinking."
Pippin is quiet only for a moment. "Merry?"
"What?" He didn't look surprised. (That didn't last long.) He thought.
"I'm hungry." He told him.
Merry smiled. "Me too."
Sam glared at them before sighing. He too was hungry. Harry patted him on the shoulder and gave him an apple. He thanked him before eating. The animagus went to the other hobbits and gave them apples as well.
"Thanks Harry." They said.
"You're welcome." He said with a smile.
Frodo finished his apple and looked down the cavern. He wondered how far down it went. He sees a small figure leaping from stone to stone. Frodo was startled. He walks over to Gandalf.
"There's something moving down there." He told him although he suspects Harry and Gandalf already know.
Gandalf just nods. "It's Gollum." His unsurprised answer confirmed what he suspected.
"Gollum?" Frodo was shocked.
"He's been following us for three days." The elderly wizard informed him.
"He escaped from the dungeons of Barad-Dûr?!" He asked.
"Escaped? Or was set loose." Gandalf shrugged. "And now the Ring has drawn him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself."
Harry walked over and gave him some water. "Thanks Harry." He said. (You'll never stop taking care of us.) He thought fondly.
"You're welcome. Gandalf?" He held up another thermos.
"Yes. Thank you." He grabbed it from Harry.
"You're welcome." He sat down near them.
Had they been looking over at the creature they would have seen him looking at them. His eyes pierced through the darkness. Longing evident in his eyes.
"Sméagol's life is a sad story. Yes, Sméagol he was once called. Before the ring found him… before it drove him mad." Gandalf said sadly.
Frodo looked down. "It's scary how much one thing can drive a person insane." He said thinking about his uncle.
Gandalf patted his shoulder. "Indeed."
"Greed, want, desire have a way of doing that. So does love, hate, loss, lust, betrayal, all emotions can do that." Harry said, speaking from experience.
Gandalf once more wondered what the young wizard had been through. When he spoke like that the elderly wizard knew it was from experience. He wasn't the only one looking at him. Legolas and Aragorn were also looking at them. Elves had sensitive hearing and years as a ranger made Aragorn's hearing more sensitive. Harry ignored the looks and hugged Frodo.
"I wish the Ring never came to me. I wish none of this had ever happened." Frodo said.
"I don't." The raven haired wizard said before Gandalf could. "I'm here because of that Ring. You have met four people because of that Ring." Gandalf looked at Harry in shock. "No one gets to decide what they are given. It's what we do with it that matters. Bilbo was meant to find that Ring. You were meant to obtain it." Harry told him.
Frodo smiled at him. "You're right. Thank you Harry."
"You're welcome." He said.
Gandalf had yet to look away from Harry. The younger wizard finally looked at him. He tilted his head and smiled. It suddenly made sense to him.
"You were sent by the Valor to help him." He said.
Harry nodded. "I was."
"Hmm." Gandalf gave a nod back before looking towards one of the doorways. "Oh! It's that way."
"He's remembered!" Merry said in relief.
The fellowship began packing up. Gandalf puts his hat back on and looks at the hobbit.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here." The wizard said as he rested his hand on Merry's shoulder. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." He said as they began walking.
Merry gave him a serious nod. "Okay."
Soon the ten came to a more open space. Broken columns lie tumbled across the floor. Gimli gasped out at the state of the once wonderful mine. He wondered what happened to cause this as doubt of anyone's survival set in.
Gandalf spoke softly. "Behold: The great realm and Dwarf City of Dwarrowdelf."
The group cautiously walked down the hall. Boromir and Aragorn gripped the hilt of their swords tightly while Legolas kept his bow in hand. They knew they were in danger and wanted to be ready.
"Haugh!" Gimli gasped before running into a chamber.
"Gimli!" Gandalf was too late to bring him back.
The nine followed Gimli. He was kneeling by a tomb sobbing. Bodies and weapons were scattered around the chamber. Harry walked over to the devisated dwarf and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Boromir did the same. Gandalf went over to the tomb and looked at the surface. He translated the runes.
"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." Gandalf dipped his head in respect. "He is dead then. It's as I feared."
Gandalf put his staff and hat in Pippin's hands. He then bent down and took a large, battered book from the hands of a corpse. He stood up and opened the book. He quickly cleaned the dirt from the pages. Gandalf began reading.
Gimli had begun chanting softly as he sobbed. Legolas turned to Aragorn. He wanted to give the dwarf time to grieve. Not only had he lost fellow dwarfs but he also lost a member of his family. Unfortunately the elf knew that danger was lurking close by. The group needed to leave and they needed to leave now.
"We must move on. We cannot linger." He told his friend. (I'm sorry Gimli.)
"I know." He understood how Legolas felt.
"They have taken the bridge… and the second hall." Gandalf read, causing Gimli to stop sobbing and look up blankley. "We have barred the gates… but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes." Pippin backed away. "Drums… drums… in the deep."
Gandalf turned the smudge, bloodstained page. The others looked around uncomfortably. Gandalf continued to read.
"We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark." He said.
Pippin stumbled back. He didn't like what he was hearing. Soon his attention was taken by a corpse. It had an arrow in it's chest and it was sitting by a stone well. He turned towards it. Everyone else's attention is still on Gandalf.
"We cannot get out…" Gandalf looked up in the uncomfortable silence. "They are coming!"
Pippin, in his curiosity, had reached out and twisted the arrow in the corpse. The movement causes the skull to slip off. It fell into the well with a crash. Everyone turned around to look.
(Oh crap!) Pippin winced.
Pippin looked up at them in guilt. A second later the rest of the body fell into the well. It dragged a bucket and chain with it. Noise echoed from hall to hall far below. Pippin wasn't the only one wincing at each wave of noise.
Gandalf angrily slammed the book close. Before he could say a word Harry stood protectively in front of the hobbit. His eyes daring Gandalf to speak out in anger. Power flowed through the air causing Gandalf to deflate as he took in the terrified hobbit. Everyone stared at Harry with wide eyes. Harry looked at Pippin after Gandalf turned away.
"Be careful next time Pippin. It is disrespectful to touch the dead like that." Harry said.
"Sorry." He said.
"I know. Don't do it again, okay?" He looked him in the eye.
Pippin gave him a nod. Harry took the staff and hat off Pippin and handed them back to the older wizard. The man realized that Harry wasn't going to let him near Pippin. It hurt that Harry didn't trust him. Before anyone had a chance to speak, drums began to play. Gandalf, Harry, and Pippin looked down the well.
More drums began to play. Sam looked over at his friend and noticed his sword glowing.
"Frodo!" He yelled.
Everyone looked over and that was when they also noticed the blue glow the sword gave off. Legolas was the one to speak up.
"Orcs."
Boromir was quick to run to the doors to have a look. The minute his head is out arrows hissed through the air and hit the door. They are inches from his face. The redhead stared at them, happy to not have been hit by them. Aragorn rushed over to help Boromir.
"Get back!" He yelled to the hobbits. "Stay close to Harry and Gandalf!"
As the two humans shut the door the hobbits ran over to the wizards. Once the doors were shut a bellow sounded from just outside them.
"Oh joy, they have a cave troll." Boromir said sarcastically.
"Wonder if they are like the mountain trolls from where I'm from." Harry said as he drew Gryffindor's sword.
Legolas tossed weapons to the two by the door. They used them to blockade the door. Afterwards Boromir and Aragorn drew their weapons. Gandalf had discarded his hat and drew his sword. When he heard what Harry said he looked at him.
"Mountain troll?" He asked.
"I'll explain later." Harry said.
"Right." Now wasn't the time.
The hobbits had brandished their shortswords. Gimli leapt atop Balin's tomb. His face filled with determination and anger.
"Argh! Let them come! There is one dwarf still in Moria who still draws breath!" He shouted.
Creatured began breaking down the doors. Weapons crashed through sending splinters of wood flying. Legolas and Aragorn stood poised, ready to shoot. The minute a clear gap appeared on the door Legolas shot his arrow. A shrill cry rang out. The elf notched another arrow as Aragorn shot his. The two took turns shooting.
Unfortunately for the group the beasts managed to break through the doors. The battle began. In a wave the armor-clad orcs started attacking.
Legolas and Aragorn continued to shoot arrows. Harry used various curses against them. Gandalf and Boromir slashed and swung their swords while Gimli used his axe. The hobbits mimicked Boromir and Gandalf. Their attacks hit the orcs stomach and legs. Frodo stayed near Harry and used his sword to keep them at bay.
As Aragorn beheads an orc the cave troll makes its appearance. He smashed through the doorway. Chains leading from it's wrists to the hands of an orc. Harry wished it was more like a mountain troll. This was three times the size of a mountain troll and more aggressive. That made it much more dangerous.
Legolas shot the troll's shoulder. Harry's curses hit it's chest. The beast growled out in pain and clapped it's hands over each wound. Sam froze in fear. The troll raised it's mace and Harry quickly ran towards Sam. He swung it around as Harry grabbed the hobbit. It missed them as they ran through the beast's legs. The giant troll turned and found them once more. The two are cornered and Sam flinches.
Harry cast a shield around them. The cave troll raised his arm to strike when it fell back. Aragorn and Boromir were behind the troll. They had killed the orc holding the chain and they both grabbed it. They pulled on the chain causing it to pause in its attack. Harry shot another curse at the beast's arm before he and Sam ran.
The troll, angered, twisted its arm and whipped Boromir across the room. After slicing an orc in half Harry softened Boromir's landing. He thanked Harry before attacking the orc near him.
With the help of the tomb Gimli is able to slash the troll's shoulder. In response the troll uses his mace to knock him off. The tomb shatters.
Merry and Pippin pushed Frodo behind a pillar. Gimli stood and attacked an orc. The troll swung his mace at him. The dwarf ducked causing the orc to get hit instead. Legolas and Harry shot at the troll. It rears back with a cry. Gandalf knocked a couple of orcs out with his staff.
The troll swun his chain above his head before bringing it down at the elf. Luckily Legolas dodged the attack. The chain wrapped around a pillar near the blonde. Legolas ran on the chain and jumped onto the beast's shoulder. He shot arrows into the back of the troll's head. He jumped off afterwards. The troll cringed and stumbled.
Sam hit an orc with his skillet. "I think I'm getting the hang of this." Harry smiled in amusement at that.
The dark haired wizard stabbed another orc. "Good job Sam." He sent a few more curses at the troll.
The troll went after the hobbits. They were less of a threat to him. It brought the mace down causing them to jump. Frodo was separated from the others. Since Frodo was on his own the beast sought him out. The hobbit attempted to evade it's search by hiding.
Both Aragorn and Harry could see the danger Frodo was in. Harry was trapped. He and Sam were surrounded by orcs. Every time they killed one more took its place. Aragorn attempted to fight his way over to Frodo. He had the same problem as Harry and Sam. More took the place of the orc he killed.
The troll peered around the pillar Frodo was hiding behind. The hobbit dodged out of its vision. After a few seconds it disappeared. Frodo looked around to see that the troll was gone. He sighed in relief.
The relief was short lived as the troll blasted around the pillar. Frodo stumbled and fell into a corner. The troll grabbed him and lifted him off the edge of the recess.
"Harry?! Harry! Aragorn!" Frodo yelled in fear.
Harry was still surrounded by orcs. He was having a hard enough time protecting Sam. Aragorn was breathing heavily. Like the others he was exhausted. Instead of stopping he continued to try to get to Frodo.
The brunette hobbit slashed at the troll's hands with Sting. It caused the troll to drop him. He lands on the ground. The cave troll twisted his injured hand and stared at it. Frodo lay on the ground, dazed. After a few seconds the troll quit staring at his hand. In anger it raised it's mace and began swinging it. Aragorn had finally made his way over. He leaped down into the recess.
"Yah!" He screamed.
The man grabbed a spear off the floor. He then stabbed the troll. It kept the beast at bay. He pulled Frodo further back.
Merry and Pippin exchanged looks before grabbing stones. They threw them at the creature's head. The troll swung his arm down and hit Aragorn. He was sent flying across the room. Boromir had seen the predicament Harry and Sam were in. He ran over to help them. They were unaware that Aragorn was unconscious.
Frodo had run over to Aragorn and tried to rouse him. The man remained unconscious. The troll went after him. The hobbit tried to flee but the beast blocked his path with his newly acquired spear. With great aim the troll stabbed Frodo in the chest.
Harry and Gandalf turned to Frodo instinctively. Merry and Pippin stared in shock and horror. Harry prayed that the chainmail his uncle gave him and the magical dragon hide shirt saved him from death. He had spent hours carving protection runes into the hide. He hoped that it worked. The wizard began making his way over now that he was no longer distracted.
"Ugh… Uh!" Frodo groaned out in pain.
The beast was shocked. It stared at what it had done. Merry and Pippin snapped out of their shock. They shared a look of anger before letting out a battle cry. Gandalf on the other hand was still shocked. Legolas killed the orc that went to attack the elderly wizard.
The two hobbits managed to grab their swords and leaped at the creature. They stabbed him mercilessly. Merry and Pippin wanted the troll to pay.
"Yaaahh!" They yelled out.
"Frodo?" Sam called when he spotted his downed friend.
Harry used the distraction to cast a rapid amount of spells. He made sure to aim for the stomach and chest so that he could avoid hitting Merry and Pippin. Gandalf stared silently across the room. It still hadn't sunk in what happened.
Sam rushed over to his friend. He bravely dodged the enemies. The elderly wizard finally breaks out of his shock. Now that he doesn't have to protect Gandalf, Legolas turns his attention back on the troll. Aragorn regained consciousness. He, Boromir, and Gandalf fought their way over to Frodo.
The hobbit was slumped onto the floor. The spear was sticking out of his chest. Pain was evident on his face.
Meanwhile Harry continued to cast curse after curse at the troll. Once the curse hit the beast's foot causing it to fall. Legolas took advantage and aimed an arrow at it's eye. It pierced through it's brain as well. The troll fell to the floor, dead. Once the troll was defeated the rest of the orc retreated.
There was a moment of silence before they all rushed over to Frodo. The hobbit was now face first on the ground. The spear had been dislodged.
"Oh no! Aragorn gasped before turning him over.
Frodo groaned in pain and began gasping for air. They were all relieved to see him alive.
"He's alive!" Sam shouted in happiness. (Thank goodness. I'm so glad I didn't lose him.)
"Thank Merlin." Harry sighed in relief. (The protection did work.)
Aragorn looked the hobbit over. "You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar." He said.
Gandalf smiled. "I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye."
Frodo revealed the mithril chainmail and the dragonhide shirt. They only noticed the chainmail as it glimmered in the light.
Gimli was impressed. "Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins."
"Uncle Bilbo had given me the mithril when he learned of the quest. Harry had given us the dragonhide shirts." He explained.
"Dragonhide?" Aragorn asked.
Orcs could be heard in the distance. "Not now." Harry said.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dûm." Gandalf said.
The group ran out of the chamber and into the hall of pillars. Orcs' with bows shot arrows at them. Other orcs sprung out from the floor or crawled. It reminded them of spiders. They surrounded the fellowship. They drew their weapons outward in a circle. The orcs snarled and leered.
Gimli let out a yell. A fiery orange light appeared at the end of the hall. It was followed by a thunderous rumble. It caused the orc to flee in different directions. A shiver went down Harry's spin. He sensed a great danger and it frightened him. Meanwhile Gimli laughed thinking he had been the one causing the orc to run away.
The weary grey wizard stared down the hall. Boromir wasn't the only one to grip his sword tightly.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked Gandalf.
Said wizard doesn't respond. For a moment he closed his eyes and concentrated. The rumble was heard once more. Gandalf opened his eyes and Harry could see his fear.
"A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world." Gandalf told them.
The thing growled. It was still hidden around the corner. It's shown with a fiery light on the pillar. Legolas's eyes were now filled with fear. They mirrored Gandalf's.
"This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" He yelled.
The fellowship ran to a small doorway. Gandalf urged them to go quicker. He took a glance behind him and wished he hadn't. The group entered a passageway before going down a flight of steps. The flight ends when they come to a missing segment. Boromir nearly fell down but had been saved by Legolas pulling him back.
"Lead them on, Aragorn! The bridge is close!" Gandalf yelled.
Harry took a piece of stone and transfigured it into a large plank. The group moved on quickly. The group encountered another gap causing Harry to use his magic to transfigure another plank. They ran to the other side. Legolas hit a few orcs that were shooting arrows at them.
Unfortunately the Balrog was catching up to them. Gandalf urged them to go faster once more.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" He yelled.
They ran but Gandalf doesn't follow. Instead he turned and looked into the wall of fire. A giant form of black shadows leaped through the flames. Its eyes were a white fire. Great black horns swirled around a bull-like head.
It opened it's maw. Rippling heat poured out with a roar. The wizard turned and ran after the others. The demon lifted its foot and stomped down into the hall. Flames erupted from its body. A narrow bridge appeared over the gap.
The group crossed the bridge. Gandalf took a deep breath before he turned and faced the Balrog.
"You cannot pass!" He yelled at the large demonic beast.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yelled trying to make the wizard come to him.
Gandalf ignored him. "I am the servant of the Sacred Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anon!" He told the creature. "The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udûm!"
The Balrog striked down on the wizard. He parried the blow with his blade. It shattered the monster's sword. Glowing embers ran off the circle of light around the wizard. The beast bellowed at Gandalf. Frodo gasped out in fear and so did the rest of the hobbits. Aragorn ran forward. Harry went over to Frodo's side. He had a feeling of what was to come. He wished there was something he could do but he was no match for the demonic creature.
Gandalf clenched his teeth. "Go back to the Shadow!"
In response the Balrog stepped onto the bridge. It brandished a flaming whip. Gandalf raised his sword and staff together in the air.
"You-Shall-Not-Pass!" He shouted.
Gandalf drove his staff and sword into the ground causing a bright flash of blue to appear. The demon flared its nostrils as it stepped forward.
The bridge collapsed from under the monster as it moved towards Gandalf. It was plunged backwards into the dark chasm. Gandalf leaned on his staff in exhaustion and watched the Balrog fall. He turned to follow the others.
Unfortunately the flame whip lashed up from the depths of the abyss and wrapped around Gandalf's ankle. It dragged him over to the edge. The elderly wizard clung to the bridge and struggled to keep his grip. Harry grabbed Frodo when he tried to rush towards Gandalf.
"Let me go!" He yelled.
"No." Harry said in pain.
"Gandalf!" He cried.
Gandalf managed to look Frodo in the eye. "Fly, you fools." Soon after he stopped struggling and fell into the abyss.
"No!" Frodo yelled.
Harry picked up Frodo and began running. He picked up Sam along the way. Boromir did the same with Pippin and Merry.
"Aragorn!" Boromir yelled.
The yell snapped Aragorn out of his shock. He followed the others. They dodged the arrows flying at them. The group finally made it out of the mine.