~*~ A/N: All right, here's chapter 7. This one's for De! (Aragasm, maybe?) *~*



As they entered Balin's tomb, Kris, De, and Lily gathered in a small huddle.

"Guys, we have to decide now," said Lily, "Are we going to tell them about the Balrog and everything?"

"I don't know," said De softly, considering. They glanced at Kris for her opinion, but she was paying them no attention.

"Kris," hissed Lily, and the other girl blinked, looking up.

"Hm?"

"Pay attention, this is serious!"

Kris shrugged, and then wandered off, joining the hobbits and Gandalf.

"Do you think she even realizes that this is real?" asked De, and Lily shrugged.

"I doubt it," said Legolas from behind them, his voice soft and strong at the same time. "She could have been killed back there, when she jumped upon the gate-keeper. It was foolish of her, but she does not realize the danger she is in."

They were interrupted by a loud bang, followed by several ker-plunks, and a few more bangs, as Pippin accidentally knocked a skeleton down into the deep.

"Fool of a Took!" exclaimed Gandalf, and Kris walked to Pip, holding his shoulder protectively.

"It was an accident," she said, glaring up at the wizard. "He meant no harm."

"Nonetheless," said De with a sigh, looking down. "The orcs are coming.. and they have a cave-troll."


The door burst open, and orcs pounded in. Kris held her sword in front of her, glaring at the monsters who entered.

"Come on!" she shouted, daring them to approach. "Come and get me, you stupid orcs!" She took a step forward, and was almost skewered by several arrows.

"Kris! Stop being retarded!" exclaimed Lily, as she tried to fight off an approaching orc.

Kris laughed, as an orc missed her once again. "Is that all you got?"

"This isn't a game, foolish one," said Gandalf as he hit an orc with his staff.

Kris stabbed an orc with her sword, but was quickly overcome by another orc, who knocked her to the ground. It was about to stab her through with it's sword, but Boromir chopped it in two.


De shreiked as the cave troll entered the room, quickly focusing on her. It began to swing it's big hammer at her, but Aragorn dove, tackling her, driving her from the path of the beast. She groaned under him, and he looked down at her.

"Thanks," she said softly, and he nodded. Bravely, De leaned up, catching his lips in a soft, quick kiss. He was surprised, but returned it. Then, he stood, and helped her to stand as well.


Meanwhile, Kris had gotten to her feet, and was running around the Cave Troll, laughing up at it.

"You big dumb troll!" she exclaimed, and leapt over a fallen orc. "You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" exclaimed Lily, pulling her out of the way of the large Troll hammer. It was then that Frodo caught the Troll's attention, and it persued him.

"Jus' having a bit of fun," said Kris with a smile. "Relax."

"Relax? Bloody Hell, Kris, this is serious."

"Oh, calm down," said Kris, and saw several orcs in a corner.

"Kamikazeeeee!" she screamed, charging at them.

"Dumbass," said Lily softly.


De ducked an orc's attack, and stabbed it gingerly with her sword. It was one of the last standing orcs. In the center of the tomb, Legolas and the rest were killing the Cave Troll. Suddenly, she heard Kris' shreik, and De quickly turned.

"Kris!" she exclaimed, seeing her friend on the ground, surrounded by three orcs.

As quick as lightening, Boromir and Aragorn were both killing the orcs. Gandalf knelt beside Kris, and checked her. She had a nasty slash on her stomache, but it could have been worse.

Aragorn helped Kris to her feet, and she stood, doubled over.

"Oh God," she said softly, looking at a spot on the floor. "This is.. this is real, you guys. There are really orcs.. and the cave troll.." her eyes widened, and she almost fell, from pain and emotion. "And.. Oh, God, the Balrog."

"Balrog?!" asked Gandalf, his expression one of surprise. Kris nodded.

"There's a Balrog," she whispered softly, and groaned once more, looking at her stomache. Blood stained her shirt. "Ow."

Quickly, Aragorn and Gandalf bandaged her abdomen, tightly so she wouldn't lose any more blood.

"Is there anything you need?" asked Lily, looking down at her friend, worried.

"I could use a hug," Kris said softly, and was quickly bombarded by Merry and Pippin, diving at her, their arms holding her tightly. "Wow.. a Hobbit hug."



~*~ A/N: :-D Please reveiw! *~*~