Author's notes: This chapter is a little…um…gross? As in…baby gross. And uh…if it isn't clear in the story, the baby peed on Aragorn's hand. And I know ammonia is supposed to revive people who have fainted (smelling salts), but let's pretend that the Balrog has a *very* keen sense of smell and has not smelled ammonia before. *doubles over with laughter*

Hey! I actually got this chapter written out when I said I needed a rest! *shakes head* I'm nuts. Hee hee

Silver Rose—Thanks for the names.

The Fellowship Of The…Baby?

Four: The Bridge Of Khazad-dûm

   Gandalf led the Company down the large halls which led to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. As they hurried down a hall, hundreds of Orcs surrounded them, but stayed well away from the light from Gandalf's staff. The great dooms came ever closer.

   The Orcs were wary of the babe that was present, and the noise that it was prone to emit.

   The dooms came closer, and the ground rumbled; the Orcs shrieked and scattered, leaving the Fellowship the way to the bridge free.

   All of them dashed across the stone bridge only a few feet wide. Legolas went first, then Pippin, Merry, Gimli, Frodo, Sam, Boromir, Aragorn with the baby and finally Gandalf.

   The wizard knew that he could not make it over the bridge, and stopped where he was, turning to face the way that they had came. Aragorn saw him stop, and refused to go further, standing just behind Gandalf.

   "Go, Aragorn!" Gandalf hissed. "Lead the Company out. Do not stay here!"

   "No, I will not leave you to face this alone!"

   "Go!"

   But it was too late. A creature of flames and shadows strode into view. Fire flamed from its mouth. In one hand it held a sword, and in the other, a whip of many thongs.

   It cracked its whip and raised it sword.

   "You cannot pass!" Gandalf said. "I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow. You cannot pass!"

   The Balrog brought its sword down, and Glamdring sang in answer. Its sword flew off, broken.

   "Gandalf, we must—" Aragorn began, but was stopped by a wetness on his arm that held the baby. It dawned on him what had happened as the wetness dripped from his arm to the ground, and the smell reached his nose; and he groaned.

   The wizard did not hear the Man, too focused he was on the Balrog and the danger they were in. He turned partly and pointed his staff at Aragorn, and a force forced the Man backwards until he had crossed the bridge.

   Gandalf then returned his attention to the Balrog, ready for battle, only to find that its eyes were half-closed and its fire no longer burnt hot; it swayed on its feet and looked very close to fainting, if looks did not deceive him.

   The wizard could not ask for a better chance. He slammed his staff onto the point of the bridge before him. "You shall not pass!" White light flared out and the portion the Balrog stood on crumbled and fell, as did it.

   Gandalf turned to walk away, but he did not see the whip which had laid about his feet as the Balrog swayed. It went taut, and he was felled and dragged to the edge, where he clung to desperately.

   "Gandalf!" Frodo screamed and tried to run to the wizard, but Legolas held him back.

   "Fly, you fools!" And he fell.

***

   What remained of the Company emerged from Moria onto the hills and into sunlight. All were devastated at the loss of a friend so dear. Their tears and grief could not be contained.

   The baby expressed their pain the best by bawling his heart out.

   "We must go now to the woods of Lothlórien," Aragorn said, hiding his own pain He had to lead them now. "Come, Boromir."

   "Give them a moment, for Pity's sake!" Boromir cried.

   "By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs. Legolas, get them up." He turned. "Frodo!"

   The Hobbit gazed at Aragorn, eyes filled with tears. He did not answer but continued on walking.

   The others followed, hearts laden with grief.