** Chapter IX **

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On with chapter 9.

A/N: The only reason I'm putting this chappie up is for Sam. HAPPY BRITHDAY SAM!!! ^_^;; @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @

::Chapter IX Losing the Gray ::

Legolas silently prayed to Valar that Tari was fine. Just as Aragorn rolled Tari over, a moan escaped her lips.

Legolas' eyes widen," You alive!"

Tari sat up," I'm wounded, but I'm alive. Did you really think I would perish that easily?"

The four hobbits ran to her giving her hugs.

"We thought you were dead!" Exclaimed Sam.

Tari gasped in pain.

"What is wrong?" Asked Legolas.

Tari pulled her tunic up, which reveled a large gash in her side. Blood was pouring from it.

Legolas came to her side. He ripped part of his tunic, and began to bandage the wound.

She smiled at him, "Diola lle." :: Thank you.::

A clash of metal was heard.

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Exclaimed Gandalf.

Tari rose to her feet. The fellowship begins to run, Sam glances back as they flee.

Tari couldn't run, every time she moved it hurt. Legolas took notice if this.

"Are you alright Tari?" He asked.

"It hurts. I am growing weary." She complained.

Legolas scooped her up into his arms. He continued to run, Tari could barely keep her eyes open. (A/N: She lost A LOT of blood.) She closed her eyes, resting her head on Legolas.

Not far behind the Fellowship was millions of orcs. They crowded around the company ready to attack at any moment. The orcs had opened, and they crowded away, as if they themselves were afraid. Something was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.

It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing toungue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs.

'Ai! ai!' wailed Legolas. " Balrog! A Balrog is come!"
Gimli stared with wide eyes. 'Durin's Bane!' he cried, and letting his axe fall he covered his face.
"A Balrog." Muttered Gandalf.
"Now I understand. " He faltered and leaned heavily on his staff.
"What an evil fortune! And I am already weary."
They come to the break in the stairs. Legolas jumps across first. He carefully lays Tari down. Then helps Gandalf when he lands.
Merry, and Pippin jump with Boromir.

"Sam... " Says Aragorn as he throws him to Boromir's arms.

He goes the same with Gimli, but he stops him.

"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" Exclaims Gimli.
Gimli jumps, but doesn't quite make it all the way.

Legolas grabs his beard and pulls him the rest of the way.

"Not the beard!" He exclaims.

It was now Aragorn, and Frodo's turn to jump. As they scramble back up the stairs when the bottom section crumbles and falls away.
"Hold on."

"Lean forward."

When said this Frodo, and Aragorn lean close enough for them to jump to the bridge.
Legolas picks up Tari, and the Fellowship continues to run from the beast.

The dark figure streaming with fire raced towards them. The orcs yell, and poured over the stone gangways. Then Boromir raises his horn and blow. Loud the challenge rang and bellowed. For a moment the orcs quailed and the fiery shadow halted. Then the echoes died as suddenly as a flame blown out by a dark wind, and the enemy advanced again.
"Over the bridge!" Cried Gandalf, recalling his strength.
"Fly! This is a foe beyond any of you. I must hold the narrow way. Fly!'
Aragorn and Boromir did not listen, but still held their ground, side by side, behind Gandalf at the far end of the bridge. The others halted just within the doorway at the hall's end, and turned, unable to leave their leader to face the enemy alone.
The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils, but Gandalf stood firm.
"You cannot pass," he said.
The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass." Screamed Gandalf.
The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: gray and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.
From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming. Glamdring glittered white in answer. There was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire. The Balrog fell back and its sword flew up in molten fragments. The wizard swayed on the bridge, stepped back a pace, and then again stood still.
"You cannot pass!" He said.
With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and hissed.
"He cannot stand alone!" cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back along the bridge.
'Elendil!' he shouted.
'I am with you Gandalf!'
'Gondor!' cried Boromir and leaped after him.
At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff, and crying aloud making the bridge crack before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand. A blinding sheet of white flame sprang up. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrog's feet it broke, and the stone upon which it stood crashed into the gulf, while the rest remained, poised, quivering like a tongue of rock thrust out into emptiness.
With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss.
"Fly, you fools!" He cried, and was gone.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Cried Frodo.
Boromir tries to restrain Frodo with all his might. Frodo cries, as Boromir pulls him away.
"Aragorn!" Called Boromir.

Aragorn is the last one to leave, with arrows from the Orcs whistling all around him.

Announcer dude: Will the Fellowship have the will to move on? Will they move on without their leader? Find out next time.

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