Still an unbeta-ed chapter.
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"Prepare yourself!" Aragorn shouted, unsheathing his sword. The hobbits gasped in terror but they did as Aragorn told them, pulling out their own blades that the Rivendell elf had forged especially for them.
Boromir and Legolas had already barred the door to prevent the orcs from entering, while Gimli had jumped up onto the tomb and took a defensive stance.
"Gandalf?" Frodo looked up at the wizard, terrified of the coming danger.
"We'll get out of this, Frodo," the wizard assured him. "Even though we're trap in here, we'll fight our way out. Don't lose hope."
It took only a matter of minutes when the wooden door finally splintered and broke completely under the enemy's hands. The ferocious orcs then burst through, screaming and brandishing their weapons like mad. But the fellowship was ready for them.
Legolas and Aragorn shoot arrows at the beasts in rapid succession, felling many to their death. Boromir had started swinging with his sword while Gandalf used his staff as his deadly weapon. The hobbits, after only several days of sword training, surprisingly managed to hold their own. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, Gimli fought as if there were no tomorrow; blinding fury added more strength to his hands that he was able to bring down two orcs in just one blow.
The battle was getting nastier and bloodier, but thankfully, none of the fellowship was scathed. Gandalf broke through the first opening they got and ordered the others out of the chamber. "Follow me! We need to get to the bridge! It's not far."
They ran after the wizard with the remaining orcs still coming hard after them. Legolas's ribs were screaming in agony from the effort. But as adrenaline took over, he didn't seem to realize that he was in great pain. The elf helped pulled Merry back to his feet after the hobbit slipped and fell to the ground.
"Faster!" Boromir called out. "They are right behind us!"
Sam looked over his shoulder and turned pale. The orcs were indeed gaining on them, screaming wildly in their excitement. "How far is the bridge, Gandalf?" he rasped.
"Just around the corner!" Gandalf replied. "Not much further now!"
They kept running, legs churning and arms pumping. The thundering sound of chasing feet came ever closer towards them. Rounding the bend, they saw before them a black chasm. The floor had vanished and fell to an unknown depth. Up ahead, across the dark space, loomed the great door that was their only exit towards freedom. The door could only be reached by a slender bridge of stone that spanned the chasm over fifty feet long; the Bridge of Khazad-dum.
The fellowship paused, staring in uncertainty at the sight. The bridge was narrow that they could only pass across it in single pile. The sheer drop into the chasm was incredibly frightening that they were not greatly excited to cross the bridge. Arrows began to fell all around them, coming from the orcs' bows.
Then, a thunderous roar boomed and echoed throughout the mines. Something else was coming up behind the fellowship…something even more sinister and evil.
Legolas glanced at the wizard and saw the almost defeated expression on Gandalf's face. The elf frowned. Never had he seen the wizard like this in all the 2,600 years they've known each other. "Gandalf?"
"It's coming, Legolas," the wizard replied quietly.
"What's coming?" Aragorn looked between them back and forth. What is this thing they obviously know that I don't know about? "What is this new devilry?"
"Balrog," Gandalf said shortly.
Legolas's eyes widened. Balrog? The beast of fire that father used to threaten me with if I don't behave while I was a child?
"Tidy up you chamber, Legolas. Now! Or I'll feed you to the Balrog!" Thranduil had once said.
Then Legolas remembered another occasion, the one that had occurred at one time when Gandalf visited Mirkwood over 2,000 years ago.
Legolas the elfling had asked, "Elves will live forever in the Undying Land. But what about a maia like you, Gandalf? Where will you go?"
Gandalf had gone quiet before replying. "I do not know, dear Legolas, for I foresee myself perished in the hands of Balrog."
The elf turned towards the wizard. "No," he whispered. No wonder Gandalf was so reluctant to venture into Moria!
Gandalf gazed sadly at the elf prince. He remembers, the wizard thought. But I will not give in to my fate this easily. The ring needs to be save first.
"Over the bridge, every one!" Gandalf shouted, giving a slight push against Legolas's back. The others immediately obeyed his command but the elf still had his stare on the wizard.
"Go, Legolas," Gandalf said softly. "We have no much time. It's already here."
True to his words, the towering dark figure streaming with fire finally emerged from around the corner and raced towards them. Balrog roared mightily, holding a burning whip in his hand. Its tail swept left and right powerfully, while his eyes burn bright red with malice.
The horrendous sight of the beast gave flight to their feet. They ran even faster than ever. But as he reached the middle of the bridge, Gandalf stopped. He then spun and faced the balrog. I must hold this path. I cannot let it pass!
The others who had reached the other side halted and turned around to see. By then, the balrog had already reached the bridge and began to walk forward on the narrow path. Gandalf stood in the middle, glaring at the beast.
"What is he doing?" Sam asked in bewilderment.
They all watched in mounting horror as Gandalf lifted his staff and yelled repeatedly at the beast, forbidding it to pass. In return, the balrog raised his whip threateningly; hot fume came blowing out of its nostrils.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf shouted again, and smote down his staff. At the same time, the beast leaped. The bridge cracked, then broke right under the balrog's feet. Shrieking wildly, it plunged down into the chasm.
But even as it fell, the balrog swung its whip at Gandalf and the black thongs lashed and curled about the wizards' ankle, dragging him to the brink. Gandalf staggered and fell face down. He frantically grasped for handholds, slowly sliding down into the abyss.
"No!!!!!" Frodo screamed. He ran for the bridge but Boromir caught him just in time. "Let me go! No! Gandalf!! GANDALF!!"
Legolas who was the closest to Gandalf had backtracked across the bridge to help the wizard. He was kneeling down to pull Gandalf up when the balrog's tail came swishing, nearly hitting him on the head. The balrog's long tail found the jutting ledge and curled around it tightly.
Gandalf's hands slipped. He tumbled away and was left hanging by his ankle bound to the whip. Legolas looked down at the wizard in dismay. I can't reach him now!
"Legolas! Cut the tail!!!" Gandalf shouted. "Cut the tail now!!!"
Legolas was stunned. He wants me to do what?!?!
"Do it, Legolas! Do not let it climb over! CUT IT DOWN!!!"
The rest of the fellowship stared dumbfounded when, with trembling hands, Legolas whipped out one of his twin blades and began to hack at the tail.
"No! Please, don't do it! Legolas, don't!" The hobbits were crying out. Boromir and Gimli had their hands full in restraining them from running back onto the bridge.
Aragorn was busily shooting at the orcs at the other side that were still shooting arrows back at them. From the corner of his eyes, he saw that Legolas's sharp blade managed to cut through the balrog's thick and flaming tail. The elf's face flushed deep red from the burning heat of the beast's form.
The balrog screamed in pain and outrage as it plummeted. While the beast continued it's descend towards the bottom dragging the wizard with it, Gandalf never stopped gazing up at Legolas.
Legolas could never erase that scene from his mind. Ever.
"Legolas!" As if from afar, he heard Aragorn call him urgently. He realized then that the rain of arrows from the other side still had not stop even after the big excitement just now.
The ranger reached down and pulled the elf to his feet. "Come, Legolas! The door is near!"
Mutely, Legolas let the man dragged him away. They followed the others through the exit and stumbled outside into the beautiful early morning. The sun had just risen, and the sky was so blue. After spending all night in the dark gloom under the earth, the bright sunny day totally took their breath away.
They walked several yards ahead from the great door. One after another, they all plopped down onto the ground, trying to catch their breath. Then the hobbits began to cry sorrowfully, sobbing and choking with tears as if their heart would break. They had known Gandalf all their lives. He had been such a good friend and counselor. They had loved him dearly, even though he could be quite intimidating sometimes.
Boromir sat between Merry and Pippin, hugging the little forms to his chest as he tried to console them. Gimli sat close to Frodo. The hobbit had his arms wrapped over his head, shaking his head back and forth in complete denial. Aragorn was running his hand down Sam's back comfortingly.
Legolas gazed at them steadily. He could clearly see their grief. But the fellowship was still not far from danger. The orcs would find their way over the chasm any minute now.
"We need to move on," Legolas said quietly several minutes later. "The orcs will appear soon. Lothlorien is not far from here. I think we can take rest there."
Aragorn nodded in agreement. The ranger began to help Sam to his feet as Legolas turned to lead the way.
Frodo suddenly cry out, "How can you be so unfeeling? Can't you see what you have done? You let Gandalf fall to his death!!"
Legolas paused in his steps when he heard those words. His face was impassive as he looked up and saw Aragorn staring back at him in dismay.
Having known Legolas almost all his life, the ranger knew that Legolas's true feelings was safely hidden behind that stiff countenance. But his eyes…Valar! His eyes are clearly showing how he's dying inside!
Smiling slightly at the ranger, Legolas started walking again. Frodo kept yelling at him, "Go ahead then! Run away! That's what your kind have been doing all along! Run for your Undying Land when the fighting gets worse! You are such a coward, elf! Coward!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Aragorn shouted. "Can't you see how terrible he's hurting?!"
Frodo seemed to snap out of his tirade that instant. He stared wide-eyed at Legolas's retreating back in shock horror, tears spilled onto his cheeks. "Oh, no. Lord, I'm sorry! I don't know why I said that! Aragorn, I don't know what came over me! I'm so sorry!!"
The ranger sighed. It's the ring's doing, trying to break the fellowship apart. And Frodo's heart is heavy in his grief. He knelt down beside the sobbing hobbit and grasped his shaking shoulders. "I know you didn't mean it, Frodo. The ring is trying to take you, little by little. You need to stay strong. Do not let it win over you."
"But Legolas…"
"He understands. I'll talk to him if that will make you feel better."
Frodo nodded. "Please…tell him I'm sorry…"
Aragorn nodded. "He will forgive you, trust me." Standing up, the ranger stared at his friend's tall form. Legolas will forgive anyone…except himself.
TBC…
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