As they left the room where Balin's tomb was located, everyone was in a daze. Soon they got to a huge cavern, though it was not nearly as large as Dwarrowdelf. While they were running through this cavern orcs were closing in on them from all sides, eventually they were trapped; surrounded by hundreds of hideous orcs. Everyone had his or her weapons drawn, waiting for the right moment for attack; this was looking like it would be the Fellowship's last stand.

Gimili started to growl and roar like a mad man. Legolas had an arrow notched and was attempting to sight every orc at once. The hobbits had been shoved to the center of the circle; in a vain attempt to protect them. Boromir and Aragorn were standing rigidly, waiting. Aallieah was smashed between Boromir and Gandalf. She started to bend low, preparing to lift off when she felt a restraining hand on her shoulder. She tried to shake it off, but when it didn't budge she looked over to Boromir, and was surprised by the look of pure venom he gave her.

"Don't you even dare. Just because you have a death wish doesn't mean the rest of us do. Stay on the ground you stupid twit! With you in the air it only gets them to attack sooner," he hissed at her.

Aallieah was taken aback, this was the first time he had really spoken to her since she joined the Fellowship. Embarrassment present on her face, she just nodded at him and lowered her head.

Suddenly the orcs started shrieking and calling to each other in their own tongue. Far behind the Fellowship, the halls glowed a dull red. When the last orc disappeared, Boromir spoke.

"What is this new devilry?"

Gandalf closed his eyes, concentrating. After a few minutes he opened them, "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This for is beyond any of us. Run!"

With that the Fellowship took off into a headlong sprint. Gandalf lead, followed closely by Gimili, Legolas, Boromir, the hobbits, Aallieah, (whom was flying), and Aragorn brought up the end. Suddenly Pippin fell and Merry tripped over him. Without even missing a beat Aallieah swooped down and picked them up around their waists.

"Aragorn!" she shouted back, "Grab Frodo and Sam, they can't keep up!"

Gandalf lead them to a door at the far end of the cavern. He waited until everyone was through then followed Aragorn.

"Aragorn," he said, "Lead them on. The bridge is not far now!"

When he saw him pause, he gave Aragorn a shove.

"Do as I say! Swords are of no more use here!"

Aragorn nodded and pushed his way to the front. He led them down many stairs. Suddenly he came to a break in the stairs about five feet wide. Over time this part of the stairs had collapsed, causing this space. Just as the entire Fellowship reached the space, Legolas leaped over the space.

"Gandalf," he called and motioned for him to join him.

Just as he said that, orc arrows began whistling down around them. Legolas returned a few and was rewarded with shrieks of pain. Aallieah suddenly got an idea.

"Boromir, give me your shield," she commanded.

Boromir handed it to her, though puzzled.

When Aallieah had it safely strapped to her arm, she flew off into the air. Just as the Fellowship was going to start to call her back, they realized what she was doing.

As the arrows flew towards the Fellowship, Aallieah would fly right in line with them. The arrows would embed themselves in Boromir's shield, useless. Seeing that her idea was working at keeping the passage safe for the others, Aallieah risked a look back and grinned.

Gandalf jumped then. Boromir bridged the gap with Merry and Pippin, one under each arm. Aragorn then tossed Sam over to the other side; Boromir caught him. Strider was just reaching to throw Gimili, when Gimili held up a hand and stated, "Nobody tosses a dwarf!"

With that he tried to jump over unaided. He didn't make it. Just as it looked like he would fall, Legolas shot out an arm and grabbed hold of him beard.

"Not the beard!" Gimili shouted. Legolas ignored him and pulled him to safety.

Now it was just Aragorn and Frodo still on the other side.

Suddenly the Balrog roared loudly. Its roar knocked a piece of the ceiling loose and it crashed down on the other side of Aragorn and Frodo, narrowly missing them.

The piece of stair that the two were on started to sway dangerously. It was going to fall!

Aragorn had to lean to his left to miss being hit by a piece of falling rock. When he leaned left, the stair piece also leaned left. An idea hatched in his mind. He grabbed Frodo's shoulder and pulled him close.

"Lean forward when I tell you!"

Just as they got the piece back to its center of balance, Aragorn yelled, "Now!" Frodo and himself leaned forward heavily and the stairs they were on crashed into the ones the others were standing on. Once Aragorn and Frodo were safe, the stairs they had just occupied teetered and fell into the black abyss beneath them.

"Aallieah!" Gandalf yelled.

Hearing her name being called, she turned around.

"That is enough! Come back!"

Aallieah nodded and headed back. When she returned she came up next to Boromir and handed him back his shield.

"Um, sorry about all of the arrows."

He then looks at the shield; the entire surface of it was covered with orc arrows. Seeing this he smiled, "Nay, do not apologize. If not for you or my shield, these arrows would have found their mark in one of us."

She nodded and grinned.

Gandalf broke up their conversation, "Over the bridge! Fly!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When the Fellowship reached the bridge, they saw how thin it was for the first time; there was only enough room for them to go single file.

When everyone was across, or so they thought, they turned back to see the bridge. What they saw surprised everyone, Gandalf was standing in the middle of the bridge turned toward the Balrog. They all realized what he meant to do at the same time. He was going to face down the Balrog!

"No!" Frodo shouted.

Boromir had to strain every muscle in his body to keep the small hobbit from running to the wizard's aid.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf cried.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried again.

"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you Udun!"

The Balrog then produced a fiery sword. In a great arc the Balrog used it to try and cleave Gandalf in half. Gandalf met his blow with his own sword and when the two met a bright flash of white light resounded.

"Go back to the Shadow. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"

With that, Gandalf smashed his staff down on the bridge between his feet. With a great crack, the bridge of Khazad-dum broke. Slowly, as if in a dream, the Balrog began to fall. Seeing that he had succeeded, Gandalf turned to start heading back towards the Fellowship. Then, out of nowhere, a great fiery whip shot up and wrapped around one of his ankles, dragging him to his doom.

Gandalf managed to grab onto the edge of the bridge. His last words were: "Fly, you fools!"

He was gone.

"No!" Frodo cried in anguish.

Boromir picked him up and carried him towards the door out of Moria. He then realized Aallieah and Aragorn weren't ahead of him.

He turned for the briefest moment and saw Aallieah's gaze meet his; he turned and continued up the stairs.

Aallieah, with silent tears streaming down her face, grabbed one of Aragorn's shoulders and started pulling him away from the bridge.

"Aragorn, please!" she begged.

Aragorn turned and saw her tears, he also was crying silently. He nodded at her and they both headed up the stairs to the rest of the Fellowship and away from Gandalf's final resting-place.

A/N: I need some help now people, I don't know what should happen after this. Give me some ideas here! I'm running on empty here!!