Chapter 10

Changes and Losses

Seeing Frodo fall, Merry and Pippin cried out in anger and leapt onto the troll's shoulders, piercing it again and again with their blades. They heard an unearthly scream and Gandalf turned to Kalan. The boy's wings had returned, but this time there was something different about him. A light was emanating from Kalan's skin, causing it to look metallic; his hair took on a silvery under-hue. The sword clasped in the youth's hands glowed brightly, its edge keen as if it were new. Kalan opened his mouth and strange words, full of power, anger and rage flowed forth. "Kolekione, Somaru nastu vant-asta!" his silver eyes flashed, "Simata carone-lan!"1 And with that, leapt at the troll, his wings catching the air and he soared with uncanny speed toward the enemy.

The troll had Merry and Pippin in hand and cast them aside like rag dolls. The thing lifted a great foot to smash the hobbits into the floor. But it stopped as it heard Kalan's scream of rage and turned toward the boy. Kalan swung he bright sword, slicing neatly through the skin of the troll's neck. Flying past, Kalan somersaulted, furling and unfurling his wings until he was once again facing the troll. He cried out once more and dove to plunge his sword deep into the skull of the monster. The troll swayed, groaning in pain once before falling to the floor with a crash.

Silence fell upon them all. Kalan turned, flying toward where Aragorn knelt over Frodo's fallen form. Sam had joined them, tears forming in his eyes. Kalan landed lightly, his wings gently wrapping around his shoulders, almost like a silvery, leather cape. Aragorn gently turned Frodo over and the hobbit took a lungful of air, startling everyone. Sam knelt beside his master and friend, clearly relieved. "He's alive," he said and the others nodded.

Aragorn looked at Frodo in awe. "You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar," he said softly. Gandalf stepped forward, something catching his eye.

"I think there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye," he murmured. Frodo looked down at himself; a shiny metal could be seen through where his shirt had been torn loose. Gimli took a look closer and gasped.

"Mithril," he breathed. "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins," he commented. Frodo said nothing, but looked up at his friends, his eyes halting on Kalan. The boy had changed; his wings were wrapped around him, looking like silver armor. His skin and hair holding an unearthly glow and metallic gleam. Kalan's eyes, no longer holding the raging fire, met his own. "I thought you were dead," Kalan whispered. Frodo smiled, seeing the concern and love the half-dragon felt for the hobbit. Frodo hoped his own eyes conveyed the same feelings.

"I'm alright, I'm not hurt," he said. Kalan nodded, then his ears pricked and he looked toward the door. "We must be going, more orcs approach," he said. Aragorn helped Frodo to his feet and they followed the half-dragon out of the room. They ran through the great hall of Moria, the screams and yowls of the enraged orcs assaulting their ears. Kalan stopped. "Follow Gandalf, I'll bring up the rear and hold them off!" he ordered. Groups of orcs were coming at them. Kalan raised his hand. "Tolai nas canto!"2 he called and a white flame flew from his palm, engulfing the orcs. In seconds there was nothing left of them but ashes.

Aragorn grasped the boy's collar, jerking him along, forcing him to follow the group. "Enough of your tricks, dragon, you're not sacrificing yourself today!" he growled and shoved the boy in front of him as they ran. Before they could think, the Fellowship was surrounded. Orcs growled and snarled at them, waving their weapons menacingly. Kalan put Frodo behind him, holding his sword out before him.

A rumble. The orcs stopped their jabbering. Another rumble. The orcs screeched in terror and took off in all directions, fleeing. Another rumble, causing the ground to shake.

"What is this new devilry" asked Boromir. Gandalf and Kalan looked at each other, each holding a look of dark foreboding. Kalan's eyes went to another end of the hall. A light filled that end. Another rumble. Frodo turned to the wizard, fear in his eyes. "Gandalf?" he asked. Gandalf turned to the hobbit.

"A balrog," he said, his voice low, fearful. "This foe is beyond any of you," he turned, "Run!" he cried and they broke into flight. There was a roar, loud, deafening, dark and malicious, but powerful.

The Fellowship ran, following the wizard, feeling the growing heat in the hall. "Quickly! Make for the bridge of Khazad-dum!" said Gandalf, pointing down a corridor. Boromir rushed down the steps and cried out, dropping his shield over the drop off. He swayed dangerously on the edge, swinging his arms, grasping for balance. Legolas rushed to his aid, grabbing the man around his waist and pulling him back from the ledge. The others gathered, the same thought on all their minds: What now?

Gandalf grasped Aragorn's shoulder, turning the man to face him. "Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near," he motioned into the dark; there was a dark outline of a bridge. Aragorn looked defiant and reached for his sword. Gandalf shoved him roughly toward the bridge. "Do as I say!" he cried, "Swords are no use here!" Aragorn's lips set in a grim line, but he nodded. The others followed him down many flights of stairs. Kalan took the back again, glancing over his shoulder at the growing light. Another roar, the heat was growing.

He heard a cry from ahead of him. "Pippin!" Frodo screamed. His friend had slipped and was now falling through the air. Kalan dove off after the hobbit, his wings sill folded. He grasped the smaller figure, holding him close and unfurled his wings. "Keep going!" he heard Gandalf shout. Kalan held Pippin as he glided toward the next set of stairs. The others had reached the same spot when he lightly touched down, setting the shaking hobbit on his feet. Merry quickly took charge of his younger cousin. They continued their flight, but Kalan could hear Merry softly speaking to his cousin. "Foolish Took, can't even keep your own feet under you," he admonished gently. The jest got a small, quivering smile from the little hobbit.

The group once again was halted for there was a gap in the stairs. Legolas gracefully jumped the gap and turned back to the rest. "Gandalf," he called and held out his arms. The wizard jumped, his feet connecting with the stone, the elf's arms steadying him. Boromir took Merry and Pippin, one hobbit under each arm and jumped across. Aragorn grabbed Sam next, under the arms and threw him across. Boromir caught him. Aragorn then turned to Gimli, but the dwarf held up a hand, staying him.

"No one tosses a dwarf," he growled, and then took a flying leap across the gap. He nearly didn't make it, teetering dangerously on the edge. Legolas reached out and grabbed the thick beard. "Not the beard!" Gimli screamed, but the elf hauled him forward using the think hair.

Back on the other side, the stone began to crumble. Kalan pulled Frodo back and Aragorn just barely jumped backward to safety as the stairs fell away before them. Kalan saw their predicament and opened his wings once more and grasped Frodo under the arms. He glided over the chasm and dropped the hobbit into Boromir's waiting arms. Then he turned back for Aragorn. The man reached out and Kalan took his hands. As Aragorn jumped, Kalan pulled and swung the heavier man across the gap and onto the other side. Kalan cried out in pain and plummeted. Legolas just barely got hold of the boy before he went over the edge.

An arrow stuck out of his shoulder, the black shaft deep into his flesh. Legolas grasped the shaft to pull it out, but Kalan's own hand stopped him. The youth shook his head and snapped off the end, leaving the head still embedded. "Go!" he said, grunting as he was pulled to his feet. More arrows showered down upon them as they ran.

The Fellowship rounded a corner and heat blasted them. Gandalf hurried them along. "Quickly! Across the bridge!" he ordered. Indeed, the Bridge of Khazad-dum was there: a narrow strip of natural stone crossing a great, bottomless chasm. The hobbits crossed first, followed closely by Gimli, Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas. Kalan stayed, turning back to Gandalf, waiting for him. The wizard came to him and pushed the boy toward the bridge. "Go!" he cried. Kalan looked at him, pleadingly. The wizard's gaze met his own and his features softened, he shook his head. "Go," he said again. Kalan ran across the bridge, joining the others on the opposite side.

He turned watching Gandalf come across as well, but the Wizard stopped, midway and turned back again. The heat blasted once more and a dark figure, huge and towering, appeared before the wizard. Flames covered the dark figure, giving it the image a huge flaming mountain. Fiery, red eyes, hot as coals gleamed in the darkness, piercing Gandalf with their gaze. "You shall not pass!" Gandalf cried, holding aloft his staff and Glamdring. "I am a servant of the secret fire, yield under the flame of Arnor," he said in a powerful voice, but the others watched in horror as the balrog raised a huge flaming sword to strike the wizard. A dome of light formed over Gandalf as he spoke. "Go back to the shadow, flame of Undun!" the balrog brought the sword down.

"NO!" Kalan cried reaching out helplessly to his friend. The sword crashed down and broke against the bright dome, also breaking the magical shield. The balrog rose up to its full height and roared, a deep rumbling outcry that shook the very ground beneath them. It took a step onto the bridge, flames shooting up from where his foot connected with the stone.

"You shall not pass!" Gandalf declared, striking his staff upon the stone, emitting a loud crack and a bright flash. The beast reared up and took another step forward, now bearing a long whip of flame. Kalan cried out to him.

"Gandalf! Let me deal with it! I can!" he made as to go to the wizard, but Legolas's hand stopped him. As the balrog put its full weight on the bridge the stone cracked and broke. The balrog groaned as it fell into the darkness below. Gandalf let out a long breath and lowered his staff. The rest of the Fellowship sighed in relief. The wizard turned to face them; he looked tired and worn. He took a step forward but a flaming rope caught his ankle and he fell, grabbing onto the stone at th last minute. "Gandalf!" Frodo cried and would have run to the wizard if Boromir had not held him back. Kalan tried to as well, but was stopped by Legolas as the elf wrapped an arm around his waist. Arrows began to fly at them from the orcs along the walls.

Gandalf struggled to get up, but he had no more strength in him. He caught Frodo's eye, then Kalan's. The wizard looked at them, his eyes sad, but his voice still held authority. "Fly you fools," and then he was gone.