As you may figured it out, the desire to write this story has got me. Should you read my other story "Young Solo" as well, be sure a new chapter will be posted soon.

This time I have some Gandalf and Sam content for you, besides the content of the three men. At the end of this Chapter you won´t find an entry because… there was simply no time for it. You´ll see.

You might have seen that I changed the rating from K+ to T. I can guarantee the spirit of the story hasn´t changed but we encounter the first fight of the Fellowship so yes.

Enjoy.

What will be inside

Gandalf must have forgotten something. The clue must be hidden in the inscription... that would be the last opportunity left. "What does it mean by speak, friend, and enter?" Mr. Brandybuck asks him from behind. Instead of answering the question, Gandalf suddenly knew the solution to the gate's riddle.

The wizard jumped to his feet, surprising the others and said laughing, „Mellon." While saying it, the gate swung open. "Come in now. Moria lays in front of us", Gandalf declares. His companions were about to follow but then Frodo was caught by a tentacle who pulled the hobbit nearer and nearer to the water. Merry and Pippin awakened this creature by accident. Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli jumped after their friend into the flat water. Legolas and Faramir remained at the entrance but stretched their bow. Gandalf decided to stay calm but he recognizes very well the guilt laid upon the gaze of the two troublemakers. The two men and dwarf struggled to free their friend, so the two archers fire their arrows. Even in the dark, two arrows found their target and Frodo was free. All of them now hurried into the mines and the valves were shut.

So, thankfully Mithrandir found the answer. Capable of the Sindarin tongue Aragorn knew the meaning of the word Mithrandir used to open the gate. Mellon, friend, the answer, so obvious but still well chosen. Next to him, Frodo still looks very worried, after all the hobbit feared for his life seconds ago. Aragorn tries to reassure the hobbit by touching Frodo's shoulder. "Your ability with the bow is equal to that of an elf," he heard Legolas say from behind. The compliment was addressed to Faramir. Indeed, Aragorn himself could not have done better. The young ranger seemed unaware that the compliment was directed towards him. As soon as Faramir realized that being the second archer meant the younger one is the addressee and because all eyes rest on the younger son of the Steward waiting for a reaction, Faramir smiled shyly and nods. To receive a compliment of Aragorn's elvish friend is an honour and rare.

"Be sure of a welcome, you only find among my people," Gimli states. It was then that they open themselves to the mines. This place seems dead to Strider. Not that he would say that aloud, still... Noticing the facial expressions of his fellow companions all except for the dwarf, share his guess that the mines have seen better days.

"This place is more a grave than...," Boromir expresses his unease, not finishing the sentence. Faramir remains silent. They watched Mithrandir take lead and followed the wizard deeper into the mines.

This part seems... so familiar, Boromir thoughts. Actually, the ten of them travelled among these mines for quite a long time. Not once they saw one dwarf. Gandalf stops and now it was obvious to Boromir that they indeed lost the way. The wizard sat down and be it elf, dwarf, hobbit or man took a seat as well. Boromir nudges his brother´s shoulders. Having the attention of the younger one, he smiled at him.

"You nudged me so I see your smile?" Faramir asks.

Causing Boromir's smile to grow even wider. Still smiling he replies, „I did. Nice shot back then." He received a smile from his little brother in return. "I really enjoy it having you with me little brother," the older one states and in a low voice adds, "Except for my two little ones the others... are let's call it one of a kind. Besides, I got the feeling neither Strider nor the elf like me." Faramir was one of the persons the Captain General does not need to feign, his brother accepted him for what he truly is.

Faramir looked at him and while taking the older one's hand says, "Believe me brother they do. Even if they don't, what I do not believe to be true, know I am at your side," the younger one reassures him. "I know you will not leave my side either," Faramir adds smiling before Boromir has the chance to speak.

"If you say so little brother it has to be correct", he teases the younger one. It was difficult but he stopped looking at his brother, searching for Merry and Pippin, his little ones. They remain motionless what was quite unusual for them. Boromir was about to join them, when Gandalf starts walking again. Meaning of it was, obviously that the break was over. The Captain General can't help it but he still wished to be anywhere but here. Not that he feared for his own life, may a bit, no, he feared for the one of Faramir and the hobbits. Especially the little ones' life lay in the hands of the warriors among them. He could only hope that whatever hides in these caves would stand no chance against them. Still, no single dwarf besides their dwarfish friend. Is that a tomb? Unfortunately, it is. Gimli rushes past them and fell to his knees in front it. Never had the dwarf shed a tear but right now... Gandalf walks past the dwarf. The men and elf stayed behind Gimli. Boromir, in an attempt to reassure his dwarfish friend tapped the shoulder of him. Strider and the elf shoot the dwarf a sympathetic look.

Faramir knees down to Gimli and asks," May want to tell me about him?" Not receiving an answer Faramir continues," As far as I know he was part of a group of dwarfs that went to Erebor. He was very brave and noble."

Gimli nods, turns around to the younger one, a faint smile on his face and replies," He was." Boromir watching the exchange, missed the entry Gandalf read aloud, telling of a terrible sound from below that was responsible for the death of the dwarfs that lived there.

None of the companions was able to stop the mere pebble from falling down. "Son of a Took," Gandalf states, referring to Pippin who accidently bumped against this mere pebble. Silence, then they hear what sounds like a hammer tapping in the distance.

"Orcs," Faramir let them know. All eyes on him he explains," Insight." Aragorn gestures the hobbits to stay, as far away as possible from the door while Boromir rushes to the entrance and only exit avail. The sight was not pleasant at all. With the help of Legolas, Strider and Faramir, the door was blocked. Being the only one having no bow with him, Boromir draws his sword. Then the battle began.

Faramir never enjoyed being in this battle or on battlefield. He never liked the sword nor bow, only what they defend. His country but most of all the people who lived in. The younger one does not understand the benefits of war and why everyone seems to prefer it. He shoots another arrow. There are none, only death for both parties and one come off as winner but at what cost. Forced to draw his sword, he continued the fight. Boromir, where is he? Ignoring the battle for a second his gazes searches for his brother. There, laying on the ground but only unconscious. Then he felt a pain in his leg and was knocked out.

He heard voices but could not make out what they were saying. Again, his dream came to Faramir's mind. The red light once more came in sight. Instead of staying beyond recognition, the young ranger saw the very being very clear this time. A Balrog, demon of an age long ago, servant of Morgoth. The younger one once read tales about this creature to Boromir. The assumption he had, proved to be true.

Faramir touches his head and opens his eyes. He had passed out and missed the rest of the battle. Watching the last orc fall by the hand of Boromir and making out Aragorn who was leaning over someone, Faramir rises slowly. Immediately, his brother was at his side and helps him to his feet. Time was running and the brothers watched the others leaving the tomb. The unspoken question of Boromir whether or not Faramir can walk on his own, stayed unspoken because the younger one took lead, crossing the entrance before Boromir. His leg hurts but luckily Faramir was not wounded too badly.

Sam knew it that these mines would do them no good. Even worse, Master Frodo was wounded and nearly died if it weren't for Master Frodo's shirt of Mitril. Sam could not guard him but it was his task that Master Frodo was safe. He felt like he failed Master Frodo and Mordor lays still in front of them. Sam, you'll do well, he thought. There is no other way, he adds introvertly while following Aragorn and Legolas. They were, no they are good for Master Frodo and his good Sam. It is not that he wishes Gandalf would have never given Master Frodo this thing but if this ring would not have made his way to the Shire... He was not able to finish this thought of him. While he, Sam mused, all of them were surrounded by...Orcs. Good is, the ten companions were united again with the two brothers joined lately, worrying was the presence of the Orcs. If only, Sam had a sword, so he could at least make an attempt to defend Master Frodo. Then, as if they heard his last notion, all Orcs left. So, he can protect Master Frodo, all he need is to find the right words after all. His companions stared at something.

Out of interest, Sam looked in the same direction and immediately wished not to have done it. "Gandalf, what kind of evil is that?" Boromir asks the wizard.

"A Balrog, brother. The very one we've heard from tales," Faramir answers.

"Run!" Aragorn shouts. Never, not at one occasion in the past, had Sam run so fast. Now, they all feared for their lives, so Sam would guess. He ran after Legolas and next to him Frodo, Merry and Pippin. The ten of them reached a bridge made of stone, which was crumbling underneath them. Seven of them made it before the bridge breaks, creating a gap between them. Sam, Frodo and Aragorn were the remaining three. Suddenly Sam was lifted up and was tossed to the other side, Legolas helping him land. If it weren't enough to bear for the Fellowship, they were attacked by the Orcs as well. Then Master Frodo was once more next to him and Aragorn was there too. Not knowing this bridge leads outside the caves but welcoming it more than anyone else, Sam saw daylight on the other side.

All of them made it near the light but Gandalf stayed behind blocking the way of...this Balrog. In horror they watched demon and wizard fall into the abyss, none of them able to do something. Frodo, Merry and Pippin were about to ran to the very place Gandalf disappeared but men and dwarf hindering them from doing just that. Sam remained where he was but no less concerned about Gandalf's life. Faramir collected him by grabbing bis shoulders and the now nine companions left these dark caves of Moria.