Disclaimer: AU Story. Why don't I own Lord of the Rings? *sigh* Well, until
maybe the Tolkien family takes pity on me, I do not own any of the
characters or places mentioned in this story. Please don't sue me! I know I
am cruel to them but I swear I will try to save them. Hope you enjoy!
OMG OMG! 197 reviews! That's incredibubble! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou*breath*thankyou so so much, reviewers!
Crazytook: I know. Leggy and Frod-si have really hit it off, so to speak. Yay- so so glad you're liking it. Lovely comments!
MagicalRachel: Yes, I know, you wait hours for a fluffy chapter and then two come along at once. Hehe. Sorry. I haven't killed anyone for ages. Gimme a bit of fun, pwease?
Fool of a Took: I read Crucify and promptly crossed you off my Christmas list. No, really, it was very good but you actually made Frodo kill h-i-m-s- e-l-f! Freak. *very dreamy look* Frodo is pretty. Gah! Two Towers is gory..
Elf of Rivendell: Balin is hiding from the orcs, see. And who knows, maybe he hasn't really changed and he's still evil..
TrueFan: Yup, you were right.. *trys to answer stuff in your review but can only find a lot of random LOTR ramblings* Er, say hi to your psychiatrist for me. Dr Freud and I are very close.
Koko Kung: How did your muse keep you off the net? D'awww, young, er, mus- ish love. Balin returns his love but as for our ranger *Aragorn blushes and mumbles something about Evenstar*
Lui Greenleaf: GAAARG! NO, KEEP HAIRBRUSHES AWAY! Hey, cool, you like my ficcy. D'awo.
Zorra: Cute name! The Mask of Zorra.
FrodoFan: I'm continuing, I am, master, I swear! TWO TOWERS! Sorry, getting a little overexcited.
Tiggivon: I am so pleased that you like Lost in Moria! You always leave such good reviews. I am so happy you're enjoying it. All you're comments for each chapter were more than I deserved. Thank you!
OK, I've wrenched myself out of my Two Towers dream because I couldn't bear to leave Leggy shouting "Orcs!" for the rest of his life, poor elf.
~ Chapter Twenty-two ~
Frodo felt the bottom fall from his stomach. Drumrolls echoed round the chamber, beating their monotonous song of the earth. There was the sound of distant shrieking and calling.
"Bar the doors!" cried Aragorn. Gandalf shouted to him,
"No! Leave the East door ajar. We may yet need it to escape."
Nodding, the ranger led his companions to the door where they managed to use some heavy axes from the wall and rammed then into the door. Already the orcs were drawing closer, their screams reverberating all around and ringing in the company's ears.
"Stay close to Gandalf," Aragorn told the hobbits and they all crowded round the wizard and began drawing their swords reluctantly.
Why now? Frodo could not help wondering, Why not when things were back to normal? Why did people have to ambush them when they were unprepared?
He reached for his sheath but found nothing. Sting was gone. Still in Balin's clutches. The door was beginning to vibrate now and the screams were at fever pitch.
"Balin," Frodo moaned aloud. Merry glanced at him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Balin still has my sword," he said. The hobbit's face fell.
"Oh dear. Frodo what are you going to do?"
"Survive- for as long as possible," his friend answered, picking up an axe from the floor. He was almost bent double with the weight. But he hung onto it grimly. Merry couldn't resist a small grin and he snorted with laughter.
"You can't wield that around," he hissed. "Look- you have mine. I'll just do my best with stones and the stuff on the floor." The look on his cousin's face almost made him laugh out loud. "Before you say anything, Mister Baggins, sir, you will not refuse. Who is the Ringbearer here?"
"But Merry," Frodo protested. The hobbit pushed the sword into his hands. His head was spinning again with all the noise. He could see the door beginning to splinter and the wood coming apart. "Please- I'll be fine." But he knew he was fighting a losing battle. The hobbit turned away and started gathering up stones from the floor. Frodo was about the throw the sword back at his friend when the doors crashed open. Orcs milled about like swarming ants. Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir were among them in a trice, hacking and slicing, fighting for everything. Nothing was going to get their Ringbearer again. Frodo's hand was slippery on the hilt. He had a blinding headache now. Dimly, he saw Gandalf rush forward into the fray and one by one the hobbits followed. Almost at once, Frodo felt the sword dig into flesh. It was a horrible, terrible feeling. He wrenched his blade upwards and it came free. An orc fell at his feet, staring up at him.
"Aaah!" he cried, jumping backwards. But he very quickly found that he was fighting for his life. The creatures were everywhere, attacking from behind, from the side and even above. They surged about the chamber, leaping up on the tomb and sweeping their blades round in arcs of silver. Gimli's axe took the legs out from three on the crypt and Aragorn's blade took care of several at the doorway. Frodo could feel pain seeping back into him. He felt so groggy. Oh why now? He had to fight his way somewhere out of reach. Thrusting forward, blade before him, he forced his way into the throng and across to the steps on one side. He began climbing them and he reached a long ledge. He found Legolas there too, much to his surprise. There were two orcs on either side. Frodo dashed forward and sent the sword through the back of one, leaving the elf to finish off the other. He turned round and saw the hobbit.
"Frodo," he said, rather dumbstruck. The hobbit was gasping now as the room seemed to sway. Why now? Why not when he was well and when everyone wasn't so weary? Why not when they had an army at their disposal? The room was spinning now and Frodo felt that he could see all parts of the chamber at once. All that noise and commotion. He reached out for a pillar that wasn't there.
"Frodo!" Legolas cried again. Frodo moaned as the voices began to fade away. The heaviness seemed to return to his limbs.
"No- Legolas, catch him!" came a new voice. The elf looked up in surprise. Balin was running along the shelf towards them, arms outstretched. Frodo toppled forward into space. Legolas' strong arms caught him and he was dragged back to the ledge, out cold.
"What did you do to him?" Legolas shouted to Balin. The dwarf shook his head.
"He cannot take all this noise and movement. We must get him out of here."
"What did you do?" the elf persisted. He had drawn an arrow now and was putting it to his bow. He pointed it at Balin.
"Those herbs were the antidote, I swear. But he will not be able to stand anything like this. He's too weak! He's- watch out!"
Balin dived forward and, drawing Sting from his belt, thrust it into the orc that had crept up behind Legolas. He drew away, letting the beast fall with a shriek to the battle below. Legolas looked up in stunned silence.
"You saved my life?"
"Yes! Look, Frodo is coming round," said Balin. It was true. The hobbit stirred and sat up. He stared in amazement down at the carnage sifting below him. He could see Aragorn at one side, battling vainly against the hoards of battalions clustering about him. He saw Gimli too, still swinging his axe round and round, still bringing the orcs down like flies. And Legolas saw Frodo's face fall.
"Frodo, are you alright?"
Balin touched him lightly on the shoulder.
"Do you feel ill at all? Can we-"
"Sam!"
Before either of them could do anything, Frodo had clambered to his feet and was working his unsteadily down to the next level. He was shouting Sam's name desperately, calling to him.
Balin and Legolas were already pursuing him, cleaving orcs from their path.
"Do you see where he is going?" the dwarf asked as Sting struck armour with a loud clang.
"Yes, I do," Legolas replied, "Sam is over there. And- save us- I have never seen so large an orc!"
Indeed, it was a Moria orc that threatened Sam. An orc chieftain who bore a great spear. Sam had been backed into a wall, his sword at his feet, at the mercy of the creature. He closed his eyes and waited for the strike. Then everything seemed to slow down. He opened one eye to see time passing ever so slowly. He saw Frodo racing towards him. Saw him grab the spear from behind and bring it up into the orc's face. He saw the orc turn about and fling it straight it Frodo. He saw Balin breaking through the crowds and fling himself in front of his master. He did not see what happened after that. He had closed his eyes again. Not willing to see the spear strike home and pin Balin to the ground.
OMG OMG! 197 reviews! That's incredibubble! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou*breath*thankyou so so much, reviewers!
Crazytook: I know. Leggy and Frod-si have really hit it off, so to speak. Yay- so so glad you're liking it. Lovely comments!
MagicalRachel: Yes, I know, you wait hours for a fluffy chapter and then two come along at once. Hehe. Sorry. I haven't killed anyone for ages. Gimme a bit of fun, pwease?
Fool of a Took: I read Crucify and promptly crossed you off my Christmas list. No, really, it was very good but you actually made Frodo kill h-i-m-s- e-l-f! Freak. *very dreamy look* Frodo is pretty. Gah! Two Towers is gory..
Elf of Rivendell: Balin is hiding from the orcs, see. And who knows, maybe he hasn't really changed and he's still evil..
TrueFan: Yup, you were right.. *trys to answer stuff in your review but can only find a lot of random LOTR ramblings* Er, say hi to your psychiatrist for me. Dr Freud and I are very close.
Koko Kung: How did your muse keep you off the net? D'awww, young, er, mus- ish love. Balin returns his love but as for our ranger *Aragorn blushes and mumbles something about Evenstar*
Lui Greenleaf: GAAARG! NO, KEEP HAIRBRUSHES AWAY! Hey, cool, you like my ficcy. D'awo.
Zorra: Cute name! The Mask of Zorra.
FrodoFan: I'm continuing, I am, master, I swear! TWO TOWERS! Sorry, getting a little overexcited.
Tiggivon: I am so pleased that you like Lost in Moria! You always leave such good reviews. I am so happy you're enjoying it. All you're comments for each chapter were more than I deserved. Thank you!
OK, I've wrenched myself out of my Two Towers dream because I couldn't bear to leave Leggy shouting "Orcs!" for the rest of his life, poor elf.
~ Chapter Twenty-two ~
Frodo felt the bottom fall from his stomach. Drumrolls echoed round the chamber, beating their monotonous song of the earth. There was the sound of distant shrieking and calling.
"Bar the doors!" cried Aragorn. Gandalf shouted to him,
"No! Leave the East door ajar. We may yet need it to escape."
Nodding, the ranger led his companions to the door where they managed to use some heavy axes from the wall and rammed then into the door. Already the orcs were drawing closer, their screams reverberating all around and ringing in the company's ears.
"Stay close to Gandalf," Aragorn told the hobbits and they all crowded round the wizard and began drawing their swords reluctantly.
Why now? Frodo could not help wondering, Why not when things were back to normal? Why did people have to ambush them when they were unprepared?
He reached for his sheath but found nothing. Sting was gone. Still in Balin's clutches. The door was beginning to vibrate now and the screams were at fever pitch.
"Balin," Frodo moaned aloud. Merry glanced at him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Balin still has my sword," he said. The hobbit's face fell.
"Oh dear. Frodo what are you going to do?"
"Survive- for as long as possible," his friend answered, picking up an axe from the floor. He was almost bent double with the weight. But he hung onto it grimly. Merry couldn't resist a small grin and he snorted with laughter.
"You can't wield that around," he hissed. "Look- you have mine. I'll just do my best with stones and the stuff on the floor." The look on his cousin's face almost made him laugh out loud. "Before you say anything, Mister Baggins, sir, you will not refuse. Who is the Ringbearer here?"
"But Merry," Frodo protested. The hobbit pushed the sword into his hands. His head was spinning again with all the noise. He could see the door beginning to splinter and the wood coming apart. "Please- I'll be fine." But he knew he was fighting a losing battle. The hobbit turned away and started gathering up stones from the floor. Frodo was about the throw the sword back at his friend when the doors crashed open. Orcs milled about like swarming ants. Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir were among them in a trice, hacking and slicing, fighting for everything. Nothing was going to get their Ringbearer again. Frodo's hand was slippery on the hilt. He had a blinding headache now. Dimly, he saw Gandalf rush forward into the fray and one by one the hobbits followed. Almost at once, Frodo felt the sword dig into flesh. It was a horrible, terrible feeling. He wrenched his blade upwards and it came free. An orc fell at his feet, staring up at him.
"Aaah!" he cried, jumping backwards. But he very quickly found that he was fighting for his life. The creatures were everywhere, attacking from behind, from the side and even above. They surged about the chamber, leaping up on the tomb and sweeping their blades round in arcs of silver. Gimli's axe took the legs out from three on the crypt and Aragorn's blade took care of several at the doorway. Frodo could feel pain seeping back into him. He felt so groggy. Oh why now? He had to fight his way somewhere out of reach. Thrusting forward, blade before him, he forced his way into the throng and across to the steps on one side. He began climbing them and he reached a long ledge. He found Legolas there too, much to his surprise. There were two orcs on either side. Frodo dashed forward and sent the sword through the back of one, leaving the elf to finish off the other. He turned round and saw the hobbit.
"Frodo," he said, rather dumbstruck. The hobbit was gasping now as the room seemed to sway. Why now? Why not when he was well and when everyone wasn't so weary? Why not when they had an army at their disposal? The room was spinning now and Frodo felt that he could see all parts of the chamber at once. All that noise and commotion. He reached out for a pillar that wasn't there.
"Frodo!" Legolas cried again. Frodo moaned as the voices began to fade away. The heaviness seemed to return to his limbs.
"No- Legolas, catch him!" came a new voice. The elf looked up in surprise. Balin was running along the shelf towards them, arms outstretched. Frodo toppled forward into space. Legolas' strong arms caught him and he was dragged back to the ledge, out cold.
"What did you do to him?" Legolas shouted to Balin. The dwarf shook his head.
"He cannot take all this noise and movement. We must get him out of here."
"What did you do?" the elf persisted. He had drawn an arrow now and was putting it to his bow. He pointed it at Balin.
"Those herbs were the antidote, I swear. But he will not be able to stand anything like this. He's too weak! He's- watch out!"
Balin dived forward and, drawing Sting from his belt, thrust it into the orc that had crept up behind Legolas. He drew away, letting the beast fall with a shriek to the battle below. Legolas looked up in stunned silence.
"You saved my life?"
"Yes! Look, Frodo is coming round," said Balin. It was true. The hobbit stirred and sat up. He stared in amazement down at the carnage sifting below him. He could see Aragorn at one side, battling vainly against the hoards of battalions clustering about him. He saw Gimli too, still swinging his axe round and round, still bringing the orcs down like flies. And Legolas saw Frodo's face fall.
"Frodo, are you alright?"
Balin touched him lightly on the shoulder.
"Do you feel ill at all? Can we-"
"Sam!"
Before either of them could do anything, Frodo had clambered to his feet and was working his unsteadily down to the next level. He was shouting Sam's name desperately, calling to him.
Balin and Legolas were already pursuing him, cleaving orcs from their path.
"Do you see where he is going?" the dwarf asked as Sting struck armour with a loud clang.
"Yes, I do," Legolas replied, "Sam is over there. And- save us- I have never seen so large an orc!"
Indeed, it was a Moria orc that threatened Sam. An orc chieftain who bore a great spear. Sam had been backed into a wall, his sword at his feet, at the mercy of the creature. He closed his eyes and waited for the strike. Then everything seemed to slow down. He opened one eye to see time passing ever so slowly. He saw Frodo racing towards him. Saw him grab the spear from behind and bring it up into the orc's face. He saw the orc turn about and fling it straight it Frodo. He saw Balin breaking through the crowds and fling himself in front of his master. He did not see what happened after that. He had closed his eyes again. Not willing to see the spear strike home and pin Balin to the ground.