Author's notes: I'm following the films, and not much of the books.
Many thanks to everyone who has following Gingerhead's adventure and were kind enough to let us know.
My darker fics, "Of Death and Fire" (Harry Potter), "Daughter of Darkness" (LotR) and "Where no Shadows Fall" (Diablo) are temporarily on hold, at least for the following ten days or so. Due to what's going on in the world, I need something lighter to cheer me up. Which includes reviews. So, after you're done with this chapter, why not check out the above mentioned stories?
CHAPTER 5: First course: roasted troll with orc salad. Balrog for desert.
Gingerhead's POV.
Are we there yet?
No? What a surprise.
With Wizard-servant leading us, what would I expect? Where are we, by the way? Another dark, gloomy room full of corpses. Gandalf put me down on a cold stone box, and the dwarf is crying over something. Not a pretty sight. Perhaps I should comfort him. We cats know very well when others are sad. Perhaps I should go over there and lick the tears from his furry face.
And perhaps I should as well ignore him. If he wanted consolation, he shouldn't have eaten garlic last night.
OK, what's that stone thing I'm standing on? Well, what do you know, it's a tomb. Dog-person Boromir has now murderous look as well, as if he wished I was under the lid and not on top of it. I guess he found out I used his boots as a toilet last night. It's not my fault! I just had to do something to improve the stench coming out of them. Kitty-pee smells way better. I wish his dogs were here. This would surely confuse them, finding their master smelling like a cat.
Wizard-servant reads out of a book. Hello? It's not the time for fairy tales, Gandalf.
~*~
The Fellowship was attacked by orcs and their cave troll. Everyone got ready to fight, including Gingerhead. Gimli jumped on top of Balin's tomb, Gingerhead on top of Gimli's helm.
"Let them know there's one Dwarf in Moria who still draws breath!" cried Gimli, as the assaulting orcs broke in.
~*~
Gingerhead's POV.
Wrong statement, shortie. You should have said 'passes gas' rather than 'draws breath'. This should scare them away. Mental note to avoid all area around dwarf next time the Hobbits cook beans for dinner.
Gimli son of something jumped off tomb, sending me flying on ugly orc's face. I screamed. Orc screamed back. Oh, the stench coming out of his mouth! Worse that dog-person's boots! I fluffed up, I hissed and clawed through his malformed flesh. He raised his club to beat me, but I jumped off in time. Stupid beast beat his own head. For the past five minutes I've been trying to drag his corpse to the side and finally have my breakfast. Unfortunately, it's way too heavy. Hello? A helping hand down here?
Wow, what is that mountain of flesh? Is this a troll? I've never seen one before. I've never eaten one, either. Gingerhead, forget orc salad. You're having roasted troll for dinner.
~*~
After a long fight, during which the troll tried to impale Frodo, Legolas shot two successful arrows into the beast's head. Gingerhead had strategically jumped on top of the troll's head, driving razor sharp claws into the troll's eyes.
After it was slain, everyone ran to check on Frodo.
Needless to say Gingerhead was very much pissed off.
~*~
Gingerhead's POV.
Excuse me? I saved your sorry skins and no cheers? If it weren't for me, elf, your face wouldn't be as pretty with troll's club's imprint on it. Gandalf, I'm greatly disappointed. I expected as much from the humans, but you should know better. On the other hand, you are still clueless about my name.
I'm leaving furballs in everyone's boots tonight, and blame it on the dwarf. With so much fur on his skin, no one will know the difference.
~*~
Under the sounds of more orcs approaching, they made their way to the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Gingerhead clawed and chewed on dead troll, before Gandalf picked him up.
"Leave it alone, Draco. It's dead now," he said.
~*~
Gingerhead's POV.
I know it's dead! I killed it! And now I want to eat it, stupid human!
Oh, it's hopeless. You are hopeless.
I swear, one of these days you'll run across a foe mightier than yourself, and I won't lift a paw to assist you.
~*~
Naturally, the cat was right. A Balrog of Morgoth came out of the Shadows and Gandalf challenged him on the Bridge of Khazad-Dum.
~*~
Gingerhead's POV.
Me and my big mouth. I know I said I won't lift a paw, but this is one big demon. Ok, I'm coming to your rescue.
Let me go, hobbit! Let me go, I tell you! Wizard-servant needs my assistance!
Well, I'm surprised. He actually pulled it through without my help. By the time I reached him, the demon was falling in the void below. I walk to the edge and look down. Too bad I didn't get a bite off the Balrog. I have a soft spot for smoked ham.
Hey, I can still see the demon! I hiss and spit at him, letting him know what I think of him. If the wizard could defeat him on his own, he's a poor excuse of a demon.
Oh, no, he's not that far away. It seems I've pissed him off and he lashes out with his fiery whip to get him. Gingerhead, run!
I don't believe this. Instead of me, he caught the wizard! Gandalf fell into the shadow!
He's gone. I'm kind of sad, actually, now that he's dead.
And I never got to have one bite.
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Next chapter: Lothlorien. You didn't think Haldir would escape Gingerhead's claws, did you?