(Author: Sabrin)
Darkness filled every possible void in Moria, the only light coming
from Gandalf's staff. The fellowship dared not to talk as it seemed that
death hung in the air, coiling around every word uttered.
Gandalf led followed by Gimli and the hobbits. Legolas and Jairah held
one another's hand as the trailed behind the hobbits. Leila walked in front
of Boromir, Aragorn making the last of the fellowship.
"It's so dark," Leila commented, looking around the cavernous walls
of stone, "It's spooky."
"You have no need to fear m' lady," Boromir smiled, catching Leila's
attention, "Gandalf will lead us safely."
Leila nodded, and turned back to face Gandalf's light as Aragorn tapped
Boromir on the shoulder.
"You favor the young one?" Aragorn asked, a bit of a grin on his face.
Boromir colored slightly, "Of course not. I just wanted to make sure
she felt secure."
"Ah," Aragorn nodded, "Secure." Aragorn retreated, still smiling slightly.
"Beware of the hole in the center of the room," Gandalf warned as the
company stepped into a rather large room, "We will rest here tonight."
Leila shuddered, looking at the gaping hole. She felt a hand on her
shoulder, and she looked up into the face of Boromir.
"Here is a nice spot over here, Leila," Boromir said, "Careful of the
hole, we would not want to lose you."
"Especially you Boromir," Aragorn winked, making Leila blush slightly.
"Thanks," Leila said quietly, taking the place Boromir saved for her.
It was next to Jairah, who was asleep on Legolas's shoulder.
A clank diverted everyone's attention to the middle of the room as
a voice rang out, "Fool of a Took! Next time throw yourself in so that
we may be rid of your foolishness!"
"I just wanted to see how far down it went," Pippin said sheepishly.
"For your foolishness, you can take the first watch," Gandalf scowled,
"Who knows what may have been awoken."
Leila stiffened the next part of the book coming to her head. Visions
of orcs swam into her head, and she shuddered. But should she warn Gandalf?
She sighed, settling down to sleep. She would sleep on it.
"No! He is dead!" Gimli cried out, running to the grave.
The group had started out many hours after Pippin took watch, and they
had traveled for about a hour when Gimli had spotted a room with a beam
of light, shining upon a stone coffin. Gimli now knelt by the coffin, not
crying but mourning.
"They are coming," Gandalf said, reading from an old record book, "They
are coming, and we cannot get out."
The room was silence as a faint drumming was heard. Frodo pulled out
a sword to find it glowing blue.
"I'm to late!" Leila cried in her mind, "The orcs are coming!"
"Orcs!"" Leila cried out, "We must go Gandalf!"
The fellowship looked at her, Jairah nodding in agreement. The drums
got louder, the booms ringing in Leila's head.
"Let them come! I must avenge Balin's death!" Gimli shouted, readying
his ax.
"No! We must go!" Leila shouted, "It's coming!"
"What do you mean it?" Boromir asked.
"The…" Leila was cut off by a shout from Aragorn.
"We must barricade the door!"
Legolas tossed Aragorn an ax, Jairah following his actions. Orcs started
to ram the door as Boromir drew his sword.
"Stay behind that chest," Boromir ordered, "I shall protect you."
Leila nodded, and crouched behind the wooden chest as the orcs came
through. Boromir swung valiantly at orcs, stopping many in their path.
"I feel so helpless," Leila thought to herself, biting her lip as Boromir
defended himself and her, "I must tell Gandalf about the balrog!"
"Retreat!" Gandalf shouted, waving for the fellowship to follow him.
Jairah shot one last arrow before following Legolas. Leila ran after
Gandalf, finally catching up to the wizard.
"Gandalf!" Leila called out, her voice strangled from running, "Gandalf!"
The wizard turned to face her, "Quickly, what is it?"
"B-Balrog," Leila wheezed, "C-Coming…"
"A balrog?!" Gandalf gasped, "We must…"
A roar cut him off, the roar bellowing from a hidden corridor and the
fellowship gathered around the wizard.
"Run!" Gandalf ordered, "Run for the bridge! It is a balrog!"
The two elves's eyes widened at the name, and ran at their full speed.
Steps lead the way to the bridge that would lead the company to the outdoors.
The elves jumped down the stairs with grace, the hobbits barely able to
keep up. Boromir, Aragorn, and Leila followed, Gandalf taking the rear.