Is it safe to look within
And erase all that's been
And all that's been between
Is it gone tell me what went wrong
'cause baby I'm not that strong
And I'm walking wounded All alone, all alone
The Tea Party- "Walking Wounded"
Road to Moria
They finally stopped for the night on top of a small hill. Gandalf thought that the group of old and twisted trees inside a circle of boulder stones offered some protection, not only from the whipping wind, but also from the wolves, whose distant howls danced around them. Celebruthiel felt a chill run down her spine, not certain if it was from the cool night air or the unseen threat that seemed to be gathering just out of view.
Gandalf thought the grove provided enough protection from watchful eyes and so a fire was lit to the delight of the Hobbits. As was usual, they crowded around it as Sam prepared a very sparse meal.
A black shape suddenly loomed over the hill. A large, mangy, black wolf could be seen, watching them from just outside the stone circle. Its red eyes glowed like embers from a dying fire. It seemed to be watching, waiting, maybe for any movement to set if off.
Pippin let out a surprised gasp, quickly crawling to Celebuthiel's side. She wasn't sure if it was to protect her or himself. His sword was by his side, his hand on the hilt. Celebruthiel didn't even think to reach for her bow. The glowing eyes that pierced her gaze, eyes like that of a man, not a wolf, transfixed her. She couldn't tear her gaze from them.
The wolf let loose a shuddering howl, as if summoning his pack. The reply to its call could be heard in the distance. It was a sound that brought shivers down the spines of those that heard it. The Company was now on edge, waiting for the attack that was soon to follow.
Gandalf marched toward the wolf, waving his staff.
""Listen Hound of Sauron!" he cried. "Gandalf is here. Fly if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring.""
The wolf, barring his fangs, sprang at Gandalf. At the same moment a sharp twang rent the air. The animal fell to the ground, Legolas' arrow through his throat. All was suddenly still.
The spell was broken and Celebruthiel blinked. She wasn't certain what had just occurred, but she did know she hadn't been able to move. It was almost as if arms had reached up from the earth, pinning her limbs to it. But what really left her shaken was the wolf could have ripped her throat out and she would not have cared. Celebruthiel welcomed death the moment her gaze meshed with that of the wolf.
The rest of the group had jumped up, each talking furiously. Boromir and Gimli wanted to leave immediately. Aragorn and Legolas preached the merits of staying. Celebruthiel was too shaken to give an opinion either way. Not that it mattered. She knew the final decision would lie with Gandalf and what he thought best. Celebruthiel remained seated, her legs unable to support her. When finally she had calmed her fraught nerves, she approached the ball of fur slumped on the ground.
"Celebruthiel?" Pippin questioned. She ignored him and continued walking. The rest of the Fellowship quieted, their frantic bickering halted.
"Melethen (My love)," Legolas whispered from behind her.
Celebruthiel sighed, wishing they would all just leave her alone. She needed to think, to figure out what was happening to her. She just needed time. Celebruthiel turned to Legolas and smiled, though it never reached her eyes.
"Im mae, amaelamin (I am fine, my beloved)," she reassured quietly as she wrapped her arms around her torso. She was suddenly so cold.
"Tolo ad nan chaur (Come back to the fire)," he coaxed softly as he gently touched her arm. He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her with his touch. And he needed to touch her, to reassure himself that she was okay. He'd had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach when the wolf appeared. One he could not justify, but still it was there, as if the wolves were looking for something- or someone. "Casiha uvearu idhrend gurth (It does no good pondering death)."
Celebruthiel sighed again as she glanced back at the silent form on the ground. "Pedch i thenid. Casiha uvearu an enna ha udhaingweth gurth (You speak the truth. It does no good for there are no answers in death)."
"Daingweth? (Answers)," he questioned but Celebruthiel just shook her head again. "Tolo, melethen (Come my love)," he said softly, moving away from her and holding out his hand.
Celebruthiel grasped it, letting him lead her back to the fire. She sat beside Pippin, who besides Merry, were the only ones seated. Legolas crotched down behind her and began rubbing her shoulders to help ward off the chill. The rest of the Company still stood in a semi-circle halfway between the fire and the wolf. They appeared uncertain. Should they continue arguing or sit back down and let the moment pass?
"At least our supper hasn't been ruined," Pippin replied cheerfully.
Celebruthiel couldn't help the laughter that bubbled forth at his ridiculous statement. The tension in the air was broken as the rest of the Fellowship began to laugh as one by one they returned to the fire, also.
The meal, which consisted of stale bread and the small amount of vegetation Sam had managed to acquire on the way down the mountain was not quite filling enough, but did at least appease the hunger somewhat. Then they began to split off, each seeking his own rest.
Gimli slouched at one end of the fire; sleep overtaking him quickly, while still sitting, his plate half dangling from his lap.
Frodo and Sam were cuddled together beside Aragorn, who sat before the fire not certain the danger was over. Boromir tried to maintain his vigilance on the other side of the sleeping forms of Frodo and Sam. But carrying Pippin and Merry halfway up and then halfway back down Caradhras had sapped him of his strength. Slowly his eyes lost the battle he had been fighting valiantly and they remained shut while his breathing slowed.
Pippin curled up against Celebruthiel, his cheek against her thigh with Merry pressed up against his back. Celebruthiel spread Merry's cloak over the two, tucking their feet underneath.
"Celebruthiel, do you think they are gone?" Pippin asked in a small worried voice.
"Pippin, it will be alright. Go to sleep," she answered, unwilling to lie to the little Hobbit. No, she was certain they were still out there, somewhere. But she no longer felt an immediate threat.
Gandalf, who was sitting across the fire from Aragorn, his hat over his eyes to shield the fire's light, said, "They are gone for now, Peregin. Do as you are told and get some rest."
Celebruthiel felt Pippin's head move in what she perceived to be a nod and he snuggled further under the cloak. She smoothed his hair from his forehead.
"Maer du, lithen pen (Good night, little one)," she murmured as she tucked the cloak around him tightly. She guessed it would be a chilly evening and she didn't want Pippin getting sick. He had quickly wormed his way into her heart.
Aragorn, Celebruthiel, and Legolas, who sat between Celebruthiel and Gimli, seemed unable to sleep. The three sat peering into the darkness around them, waiting. Celebruthiel kept glancing in every direction, knowing they were still out there, waiting for something. After an hour, Legolas leaned into her.
"Why don't you rest, my love?" he whispered in her ear.
"I can feel them out there, just waiting. I am afraid if I let my vigilance slip even for a moment all will be lost," she replied in a hushed tone.
"Rest," Legolas commanded. "I will be vigilant enough for us both. And when I tire, you can relieve me."
Celebruthiel nodded, knowing she would have to let her guard down and rest if she was going to survive the road to Moria. Just thinking of going down in those tunnels caused her to shiver. But she pushed it from her mind. Once thing at a time. So she relaxed, throwing her arm across Pippin and Merry, and closed her eyes.
And so she traveled, in her mind, back to Mirkwood. She and Legolas were on horseback, racing through the woods, laughing. Celebruthiel quickly crossed in front of him, determined not to let him beat her this time. Legolas pulled back on the reins and turned Ithildin sharply to the right to avoid colliding into Celebruthiel. She had only laughed as he once again pulled along side of her. Legolas reached out and plucked her right off the back of her stead and settled her in his lap. She had protested loudly as Legolas pulled up on the reins and brought his horse to a stop. All thoughts of protest had quickly died on her lips when his mouth covered hers.
Celebruthiel's eyes flew open as she felt the lightest touch on her arm. Legolas was crouched beside her.
"Shhh," he motioned with a finger on his lips. She immediately sat up, glancing around at the noticeable silence. She discovered they were the only two awake, Aragorn having fallen asleep an hour previous.
Then she heard a twig snap. A sudden stream of howls shot through the grove. The rest of the Fellowship awoke with a start as a great number of wolves broke through the trees. The Company was soon on their feet, standing back to back, weapons drawn. Legolas and Celebruthiel began letting arrows fly at their enemy. Aragorn and Boromir cut them down with sword thrusts and Gimli's axe whistled through the air.
Suddenly Celebruthiel lowered her bow, not certain what was happening as her vision started to blur. Her head began to throb and her hands grabbed at her temples. She thought her head would explode with the building pressure. She reached out, her hands groping for anything that would put her at ease. Her hand made contact with fabric and she clutched at it. A voice chanted over and over, "Pedch i pith (speak the words).
Celebruthiel opened her mouth, ready to scream.
"An thlug calad Ansen narwain fuin Im can am le anno enni belegch Ani valan na neled Im can le Berio pan Ys nin Be imped ha"
Her mind fairly screamed the words, but she didn't realize her mouth had spoken them. A flash of bright light seemed to fill the air around them. Then there was a loud roar and crackle as if lightning had struck and the trees around them went aflame. The wolves paused as Legolas took aim and fired, killing the wolf-chieftain. The rest fled.
Uncertain of exactly what had occurred, Celebruthiel sank to the ground. Legolas' bow slipped from his fingers as he dropped to his knees beside her. She appeared in a daze, clutching hold of Gandalf's robe tightly in her fist. Legolas pried it from her fist. He was not even certain she saw him as she flung herself against his chest.
"What just happened here?" Boromir demanded, as the fire appeared to just extinguish itself. "That is no mere Elf." He pointed an accusing finger at Celebruthiel. Legolas eyed him, daring Boromir to make a move towards them as he tightened his grip protectively around her. As for Celebruthiel, she seemed to have no awareness of what was happening around her.
Aragorn, hand on the hilt of his sword, took a step forward, to block Boromir if he should choose to advance. Pippin leaped forward to stand beside Aragorn, ready to defend Celebruthiel to the death. Boromir's hand also went for his sword though he hesitated, uncertain if he should step forward. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight them all and win. But if the Elf was in legion with Sauron, she must die.
"That is enough!" Gandalf yelled, stepping between Boromir and Aragorn. "And you are correct, Son of Gondor. Celebruthiel is no mere elf, which is why we must get her to Lorien and keep her from falling into the hands of Saruman. He would try to force her to serve his own purposes." Gandalf paused, looking at the silent form Legolas cradled in his arms. "She will probably have no memory of this evening as she is yet unaware of the power she possesses," he said softly.
"I think I have a right to know," Legolas demanded, speaking for the first time since the attack occurred. He was frightened for the first time since embarking on the journey. Suddenly Celebruthiel's parentage was in question and she was demonstrating powers she'd never before had. He didn't know what to make of it all. And he was afraid, for her and for himself.
"Legolas, wait until we reach Lorien and Galadriel will explain all. These things are best not spoken of here. It is bad enough the evidence is all around us," Gandalf stated with a sigh.
Legolas wanted to insist, to rage against the lies and secrets. What had he gotten into? He could only assume his father had known the truth of it all before signing the betrothal. He sighed. Not that it would have mattered, for he loved her.
"Until Lorien, then," Legolas bit out. He shifted Celebruthiel into his arms and then stood, carrying her away from the others.
****
The next morning, no trace of the battle remained save for the charred trees. There were no bodies, the dead wolves having just vanished. All that was left were the undamaged arrows of Legolas and Celebruthiel. The rising of the sun set the camp into motion. Everyone was soon up and getting ready to move.
Celebruthiel blinked. She felt as if she had awakened from a deep sleep, still groggy and heavy eyed. Without needing to look, she knew instantly she was in Legolas' arms. Legolas was sitting on the ground, his back against a rock, and she was cradled in his arms. Though for her very existence, she could not recall how she'd come to be there. She remembered the wolves and the fight that had ensued. Then, nothing, her mind was a blank slate.
"What happened last night?" she asked, glancing around her. She could see nothing in her surroundings that explained her lapse of memory or helped fill in the blanks. "It is the strangest thing. I have no memory of the battle ending." She struggled in his arms and Legolas helped her to her feet.
"You fell and hit your head," he explained from behind her as he rose to his feet.
"And what happened to the trees?" she asked curiously, glancing around at their charred remains.
"Gandalf set the trees afire, scaring off the wolves. It was a wondrous site," Pippin answered cheerfully.
The rest of the Company busied themselves with packing their things up. They seemed to have difficulty looking at her. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought Pippin was telling a false tale. But only Gandalf had the power to make things happen such as setting trees aflame.
"There is no point worrying about things over and done with," Gandalf stated, hoping to end all discussion of the previous evening. "We must get moving. We have a long way ahead of us still."
****
Gandalf led the way with Gimli now eagerly by his side. The old road to Moria followed the course of a stream, the Sirannon, which ran out from the feet of the cliffs where the doors stood. But as the morning soon gave way to the afternoon, Celebruthiel began to wonder if Gandalf was going in the wrong direction, for the Sirannon was no where to be seen. And while the rest of the Company might be concerned over this, with each misleading step, Celebruthiel's heart rang with joy. She would gladly chance the threat of Saruman if it added days to their journey. Traveling to the Gap of Rohan might actually divert them from Lorien entirely. For the first time since leaving Rivendell, she felt things were going her way and she fairly skipped along behind the group.
"Aren't you just a little too cheerful given where we are headed?" Legolas asked, stopping so Celebruthiel could catch up. He had been watching her the better part of the morning. And as the day progressed, she got more cheerful. They were headed straight for the bowels of a mountain. There could be no happiness found in that, for nothing could be worse for an Elf.
"If we can't find the road, then we will need to take the long way around, now won't we," her voice fairly sang with the apparent joy she found in that scenario.
Legolas' hand snaked out, grabbing her around the waist as she tried to dance past him.
"We would separate from the Fellowship and travel over Caradhras alone before I would risk letting you travel that close to Isengard," Legolas whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear.
"No," she whispered forlornly as she slumped against him. She was once again feeling defeated as if all choice was being ripped right from her.
"Yes," he insisted. "I will not risk you, Kala, not if it is in my power to prevent it. And though I gave your father my word to help see to the Ring's destruction, getting you to Lorien is my first priority. If anything happened to you." Legolas couldn't finish that statement.
"Ah! Here it is at last!" Gandalf called, pulling Legolas and Celebruthiel from their conversation. "Or at least what is left of it."
All that remained of the Gate-Stream was an empty riverbed.
"Come! We must hurry on. We are late!" Gandalf added quickly.
Legolas released Celebruthiel, grabbing her hand, and fairly dragged the pouting Elf behind him as he quickly caught up to the group. The path led them around a sharp bend and turned to the east. Rounding the corner was the Stair Falls, a stairway cut into the rock. They climbed several flights and looped around several times until the sky darkened and night fell. They finally reached the top and discovered a thick, dark pool of water. Beyond the ominous depths were jagged cliffs. No door or entrance could be seen in the rock from across the water.
"The wall of Moria," Gimli said with reverence in his tone.
As they walked around the northeastern edge of the murky waters, Gandalf began tapping on the rock wall. Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas, and Boromir mimicking his actions.
"Dwarfs doors are invisible when closed," Gimli said as he knocked his axe against the wall.
"Yes, Gimli. Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten," Gandalf added as he continued to tap, looking for the unseen door.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas responded, causing Gimli to glance at him sharply.
Celebruthiel ignored what was bound to turn into bickering. She was more concerned with staying as close to the stone wall as she possibly could. There was something about the water that made her uneasy. Maybe it was the cloudiness that prevented her from seeing the bottom. Or maybe it was just that so far in their journey nothing had been just what it appeared. Whatever it was, Celebruthiel was afraid to let it touch her, as if it might burn her skin. They finally came to a stop in front of an empty wall. No door could be detected in the rock.
"Well, let's see... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf murmured as he brushed his hand over the stone. He stood back and gave it some thought. Then he looked up at the sky as the clouds parted and the moonlight cascaded down, the entranceway glowed on the rock wall. "It reads: The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter." Gandalf read the ancient Elvish words written on the door.
"What do you suppose it means?" Merry asked, coming to a stop next to Gandalf.
"Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf replied. He lifted his staff and pressed it against the door.
"Annon Edhellen edro hi amen (Gate of the Elves open now for me)."
Everyone waited expectantly for the doors to swing open. But nothing happened. He lowered his staff and paused in thought. Gandalf raised his arms.
"Ando Eldarinwa a lasta queltenya, Fenda Casarinwa (Gate of Elves listen to my word, threshold of Dwarves)."
"Nothing's happening," Pippin declared, stating the obvious as everyone glanced around at each other. Gandalf pushed on the door, trying to force it to budge.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves...Men...and Orcs," Gandalf mumbled as he stood back and stared at the door.
"What are you going to do then?" Pippin asked, not seeming to know when to keep silent.
Celebruthiel winced as Gandalf replied sharply, "Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."
On the far side of the entrance, Aragorn and Sam began releasing the pony, Bill. A single tear ran down Sam's face, certain he was that the wolves would get his "Poor Bill". But he knew a mine was no place for a pony.
Celebruthiel moved past Gandalf and the sealed entrance. Legolas was standing on the roots of a dead tree. It seemed the safest place to Celebruthiel, up and away from the water, so she climbed up next to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. Legolas entwined his fingers through hers.
"Ando Eldarinwa.a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa. (Gate of Elves.listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves)," Gandalf tried again wearily. "Oh it's useless!" Gandalf sat on a rock, resting his hat on his leg in frustration. Frodo sat beside Gandalf as Gimli stood next to where Gandalf sat.
Celebruthiel heard a splash of water and turned to find Pippin and Merry throwing pebbles in the still water. Celebruthiel shifted her position, ready to call out to the two. But Aragorn beat her to it, grabbing Pippin's arm as he prepared to launch another pebble into the black depths.
"Do not disturb the water."
Celebruthiel watched as the water rippled back to shore. In her uneasiness, she tightened her hold on Legolas.
Suddenly Frodo jumped up and Celebruthiel turned her concentration from the water.
"It's a riddle. Speak friend, and enter. What is the Elven word for friend?"
"Mellon," Gandalf replied.
There was a rumbling sound then the door divided in the middle and slowly opened outward. A darkened staircase could be seen within as the moonlight seeped into the opening. Celebruthiel pulled away from Legolas and fairly ran inside the door. She felt she was running to the lesser of two evils.
Gimli was behind her somewhere going on about Dwarf hospitality. Celebruthiel actually looked forward to some merriment even if it was underground with Dwarves. And she was certain Pippin was envisioning all the food there would be to eat.
"This is no mine. It's a tomb," Boromir hissed, the horror of what he was seeing evident in his tone.
Celebruthiel suddenly stopped moving forward and felt panic overcome her as she really looked around her for the first time. There were arrow-ridden bodies scattered all around them, all long dead. Gimli was crying behind her, mourning the loss of his relatives. Celebruthiel felt his grief.
Legolas pulled an arrow out of one of the corpses. "Goblins," he hissed, grabbing his bow and an arrow, poised ready to fire. As if reflexive, Celebruthiel did the same as Aragorn and Boromir unsheathed their swords.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here. Now get out! Get out!" Boromir shouted as they all began to back out of Moria, the only thought at that moment was to leave that place of death.
Just then Frodo screamed for Strider. Celebruthiel whipped around and saw a long black tentacle pulling Frodo towards the water. Celebruthiel quickly realized why she'd been so afraid of the water.
"Strider!" Sam called.
Aragorn and Boromir rushed forward, hacking at the many tentacles that had slivered out. Legolas and Celebruthiel were busy firing arrows in rapid succession. As the tentacle pulled Fordo into the air, an enormous creature emerged from the water. Celebruthiel lowered her bow, grabbing Pippin and Merry by the back of their cloaks, pulling them away from the water for fear they would be next. Boromir slashed the tentacle holding Frodo and Frodo fell into his arms.
"Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled as Boromir and Aragorn came splashing from the water.
"Legolas!" Celebruthiel called, not certain where he was in the chaos.
"Adelch! Neri! (Behind you! Run!)" he yelled.
Celebruthiel grabbed Pippin and Merry and the three ran inside as the creature followed them out of the water. It attached itself to the cave wall, causing the doors to crumble down, blocking the creature's entrance and their exit.
"You now have but one choice. You must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world," Gandalf said, as everyone stood huddled together. Gandalf moved toward the stairs. He rubbed a hand over the top of his staff and it came to life, illuminating them. "It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope our presence may go unnoticed."
They began the long climb upward. Pippin began counting the stairs under his breath. He got to 200 when they came to a small landing. Here they decided to rest. After a small snack of dried meat and stale bread, Gandalf once again passed the miruvor, which refreshed one and all and they felt able to continue. Then they proceeded on their journey with Gandalf leading the way.
Gandalf was followed by Gimli. Frodo, who kept looking from side to side as if he expected something to jump out of the dark any moment, was third in line. Behind Frodo, walked Sam, and then Legolas. Celebruthiel was next. Pippin was right behind her, a tight grip on the back of her cloak as if afraid he would lose her in the dark. Merry, Boromir, and Aragorn headed up the rear.
Soon the darkness and the confining walls had Celebruthiel groping out to touch Legolas anywhere. She had never before been walled off like this and was shocked to find her panic rising with each step. Soon she found herself imitating Pippin, for her fist enclosed around a clump of Legolas' cloak. This seemed to settle her a bit and the dark was not quite so frightening.
They had been walking downhill close to the better part of the second day when they entered the mines. They all stopped a moment to take in the vastness. Gandalf tilted his staff downward so they could catch a glimpse into the pit below. Celebruthiel leaned over the edge. The mineshaft seemed to go on indefinitely and she wondered just how far down the Dwarves had dug in their greed.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold...or jewels.but Mithril," Gandalf explained as he continued along the path. "Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him."
"Oh, that was a kingly gift," Gimli responded as the rest of the Fellowship began to follow Gandalf.
"Yes! I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire," Gandalf replied in a cheerful tone, sounding very pleased over his deception.
Soon they encountered three open passageways. All led eastward, but the left-handed plunged downward, the right-handed climbed upward, and the center ran straight but narrow.
"I have no memory of this place," Gandalf said as he stopped and contemplated his options. He sat on a large rock near the three entrances, staring ahead at the archways, hoping something would come to him. Since it was apparent they would be stopping indefinitely, Legolas turned to Celebruthiel, who was still clinging to his cloak.
"Are we lost?" Celebruthiel heard Pippin whisper as Legolas took her hand in his and pried his cloak from her fist. He placed a light kiss on the palm of her hand. Celebruthiel sighed and her body swayed toward him. Legolas drew her into his embrace; smoothing her hair from her temple and placing another light kiss there. That one gesture told Celebruthiel volumes. He understood very much how she felt being under this mountain, because he felt it too.
"No," Merry replied in a hushed tone.
"I think we are," Pippin responded.
"Shhh! Gandalf's thinking." Sam hushed.
Legolas sat down on the step he had previously been standing on, pulling Celebruthiel down beside him. As soon as she was settled, he again pulled her against him. Luckily they had each other to comfort, as the rest of the Fellowship wouldn't understand how difficult it was for them, being underground.
"Merry?" Pippin questioned as the two sat on the steps below Legolas and Celebruthiel.
"What?" Merry questioned, his exasperation evident in his tone.
"I'm hungry," he answered.
Celebruthiel smiled at Legolas while biting her cheek to prevent a laugh from escaping her. Legolas grinned back at her, knowing how much the Hobbits, Pippin especially, amused her.
Celebruthiel finally closed her eyes and curled up with her head in Legolas' lap. She let her mind take her back to Rivendell, in the hope of finding some peace. She imagined herself among the trees, in her glade by the Bruinen. She could almost smell the fresh grass and feel the wind flitter across her cheeks. Celebruthiel relaxed against Legolas and remained so until Gandalf said,
"It's this way."
"He's remembered," Merry said delighted.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul up here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow you nose," Gandalf said as he led them through the door to the right.
Upward they traveled for most of day three. They continued at a steady pace until they found themselves in a vast cavernous hall.
"Let me risk a little more light," Gandalf said as he touched his staff and it illuminated the hall just a little more brightly. "Behold the great realm of the Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf," Gandalf proclaimed.
Celebruthiel was absolutely stunned at the size and beauty of it. She vaguely heard Sam mumble something about an eye opener, but Celebruthiel was too preoccupied with taking it all in. The enormity of it amazed her. The room traveled as far as the eye could see, with huge columns running from floor to ceiling better than a hundred feet high. There was a glimmer of light ahead on the right. As they came closer, Celebruthiel realized it was coming from a separate chamber. When Gimli spotted it, he ran forward. Gandalf called after him, his voice demanding Gimli stop. But Gimli kept running, right into the chamber. The rest of the group followed. The light from the open shaft landed directly on top of what appeared to be a tomb. And Gimli was on his knees beside it.
"No! No!" Gimli sobbed as Boromir took a step forward and placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder.
Gandalf brushed the dirt off the stone slab and read, "Here lies Balin, son of Fundi, Lord of Moria. He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Celebruthiel surveyed the room as Gimli wept over his cousin's resting spot. She was aggrieved for his loss, but she was also leery of this place. There were bodies strewn about, dwarf and Orc alike. The room itself was one big tomb. And when Legolas leaned towards Aragorn and said they should leave, Celebruthiel became even more nervous. Whatever she was feeling, Legolas was sensing also.
Everyone else ignored Legolas' statement. Gandalf passed his staff and hat to Pippin. Then he bent and retrieved a book that was lying in the arms of one of the dead. He brushed off some of the dust and opened it.
"They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. The drums, the drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming," He read.
The Company moved anxiously at his words, each looking around to see what hid in the shadows. Nobody noticed Pippin until it was too late. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. In the far corner of the room was a well and sitting on the ledge was an arrow-riddled skeleton. Pippin reached out to touch one of the arrows protruding from the long silenced form. His touch caused the skeleton to loose its balance. First the head and then the entire corpse fell down the wells shaft. The noise cause Celebruthiel's stomach to drop and she felt guilt for not keeping a better eye on Pippin. She had begun to feel he was her personal responsibility.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity," Gandalf exclaimed as he grabbed his hat and staff back from Pippin's hands.
Everyone tensed, waiting. After a moment, when nothing happened, a collective breath was released. And then the drums began.
Doom! Doom! Doom!
They were getting closer. Celebruthiel noticed Sting on Frodo's belt. It was blue.
"Orcs," Legolas hissed, grabbing Celebruthiel and pushing her behind him, towards Gandalf, as he turned to the entrance.
Boromir ran to the doors, attempting to close them. Two arrows whistled past within inches of his head and Boromir jumped back.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn yelled to the Hobbits as he ran forward, helping Boromir push the doors shut.
"They have a cave troll," Boromir drolly muttered as the two got the door barred shut with two axes Legolas tossed to them. And if Celebruthiel hadn't been so anxious, she would have laughed at his tone.
Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir stood in the front line, all ready to die to protect Frodo and the Ring. Gandalf threw down his hat and unsheathed his sword. The Hobbits followed his example, all four pulling forth their swords also. Gimli jumped on top of Balin's tomb.
"Let them come! There's one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws blood."
As the enemy reached the door and began to frantically beat against it, Celebruthiel scanned the room. She noticed a ledge on either side, higher than the ground and out of the way. She intended on grabbing Pippin and Merry but the door started to give in. She jumped up on the ledge, grabbed her bow, and aimed.
Legolas shot the first arrow threw a narrow slit in the door. A scream of rage followed as it hit it's mark. Celebruthiel did not have a clear shot of the door, and so she patiently waited for them to come. Finally the door gave way and in flooded Orcs. Celebruthiel began picking them off as they ran in like a thick pestilence. She steeled herself from looking for Legolas because she knew if her eyes rested on him, she would freeze with fright for his safety. She said a quick chant, a prayer to Iluvatar, that either Legolas would survive this day or they would die together. Then she forgot about him.
Aragorn dropped his bow and grabbed for his sword. He immediately beheaded a charging Orc. Gimli whipped his axe from atop Balin's tomb, slicing anything that stepped within its arc. With a sharp cry, Gandalf launched himself into the fray with the Hobbits following.
Sam paused as a cave troll burst through the door. The troll had a large mallet in its hands, knocking whatever was in its way, friend or foe. It managed to rid itself of its two handlers and was now free to go where he pleased. Legolas let loose an arrow, hitting the troll on the shoulder as it headed straight for Sam. He ducked and quickly scampered under its legs just before its mallet smashed to the ground, right where Sam had been standing. Realizing it had missed, the cave troll turned around, cornering Sam. Sam cringed as the beast raised its foot to strike. It shrieked in surprise as it stumbled backwards because Aragorn and Boromir were pulling its chain, forcing the beast away from Sam. The troll, in a fit of rage, tugged at its chain. Boromir got caught up in the chain, effectively getting himself thrown against the wall. Boromir lay stunned for a moment, not able to react to the Orc preying upon him. Aragorn, in one swift movement, threw his sword, catching the Orc in the neck.
Pippin, Merry, and Frodo ran towards Celebruthiel, trying to get out of the way of the slaughter. Pippin let out a squeal as she grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up onto the ledge beside her. Then she quickly leaned down, grabbing hold of Merry and Frodo's hands, hoisting them up before retrieving her bow and shooting the two Orcs pursuing the Hobbits.
The troll, having lost its focus on Sam, moved to the center of the room. Gimli threw his axe, hitting the troll's shoulder. The troll, enraged, swung his mallet at the tomb, shattering it and knocking Gimli to the ground. From floor level, Gimli hacked at its legs. The troll swung, just missing Gimli, but hitting two Orcs instead. Gimli fell as Legolas let loose two arrows, striking the troll, causing it to focus its attention on him.
Celebruthiel didn't concern herself much with the troll in the beginning. She left that to those on the ground, particularly Gimli and Gandalf, who went for the troll's legs. Celebruthiel remained focused on the Orcs, trying to pick off what was left.
Frodo scurried to the other end of the ledge, in an attempt to escape the troll. But the troll seemed bent on Frodo's destruction. Legolas had jumped on the ledge beside Celebruthiel because there were several Orcs close and he wanted them away from her. He cut them down with his knife, which briefly sidetracked the troll from its mission. The troll whipped his chain into the stone ledge, shattering part of the pillar like fragile glass. The impact knocked Celebruthiel off balance. She jumped from the ledge, knowing she would fall otherwise.
"Jump," she hissed to Pippin and Merry. But was never given the chance to make sure they followed her command. An Orc was running at her, sword raised. Celebruthiel stared him in the face, knowing she would not get an arrow off in time and that she was looking in the face of death. Suddenly before her an axe sliced the Orc in two and Celebruthiel cried out in relief as Gimli smiled at her from where the Orc had stood.
When next she looked at the troll, Legolas had somehow managed to climb his way onto the troll's head and shot two arrows in its skull. As the troll spun in pain, Legolas jumped to the ground. Celebruthiel moved to the ledge on the other side of the room, where she could once again be out of the way and still be effective. Now she divided her time between what Orcs remained and the troll, who was beginning to appear the more dangerous of the two.
Below her, Sam was fighting the Orcs with a frying pan, hitting them in any spot he could reach.
"I'm getting the hang of this," he said proudly before he scampered off.
"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled.
Celebruthiel turned in the direction of his distressed voice, to find the troll pulling Frodo by his ankle. Aragorn fought his way over to Frodo and Celebruthiel tried to use her bow to aid him as best she could by focusing on the Orcs that surrounded him. Aragorn grabbed a spear and thrust it into the troll. It screamed with rage, striking out and sending Aragorn slamming into the wall. Frodo crawled to Aragorn, but the troll, who had ripped the spear from his chest, hurdled the spear, piercing Frodo and pinning him to the wall.
The room seemed to stand still for the briefest moment. Then everything seemed to happen at once. Celebruthiel quickly helped pick off what was left of the Orcs in hopes of aiding Gandalf, Sam, Gimli, and Boromir as they progressed towards Frodo. Pippin and Merry had jumped onto the troll's back, stabbing at it with their small swords and beating it with their fists. It spun in rage, grabbing at the two. He managed to pull Merry from his back, holding him by the foot, and tossed him to the floor. Merry fell like a sack of potatoes and didn't move. Legolas stopped in front of it as he took aim, sending an arrow straight into its open mouth. The troll appeared stunned and then crashed to the floor. The crash sent Pippin skidding across the ground.
"No," Celebruthiel whispered as she jumped from the ledge and ran to Pippin. She was relieved when Pippin moved and then sat up, unharmed.
On the other side of the room, Aragorn was just as distressed, for Frodo appeared dead.
"I'm alright. I'm not hurt," Frodo said to the amazement of all as he sat up.
"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar," Aragorn stated, stunned.
"I think there is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf professed.
Frodo revealed a thin sheeting of armor under his shirt.
"Mithril," Gimli whispered in almost reverence. "You are full of surprises, Mr. Baggins."
The sound of drums and beating feet could be heard. More Orcs where coming.
"Quick to the bridge of Khazad Dum!" Gandalf yelled.
And they ran. But they didn't get far in the grand hall before Orcs surrounded them. They seemed to come up from every crevice, like roaches in the dark. Celebruthiel was certain this was the end. They had failed and Sauron would get the ring. Middle Earth was doomed to fall.
Then a noise was heard and this seemed to terrify the Orcs. They began chattering wildly among themselves. Legolas turned to the noise, his bow poised to fire at this new foe. Soon a bright light could been seen in the distance and the Orcs fled. He gave a cry of dismay as the arrow fell to the ground. It was a sight that almost brought Celebruthiel to her knees. She'd always thought they were just stories parents told Elven children to get them to behave. If Pippin hadn't grabbed her hand, she would have fallen forward a step or two.
"What new devilry is this?" Boromir asked.
""Ai, ai!" wailed Legolas. "A Balrog! A Balrog is come!""
"Durin's Bane," Gimli whispered.
"A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" Gandalf commanded as he took off and the Company followed.
Celebruthiel could hear it behind them, hissing their death, but she did not turn to look. She knew if she did, she would be overcome with fear and it would be her end. She followed behind Legolas, keeping her eyes on his back, all her mental energy concentrating on her feet moving forward. Down a narrow passage of stairs they flew, Boromir leading the group. The stairs came to a sudden end, a straight drop down into the abyss, into which he would have fallen if Legolas hadn't grabbed him around the waist. Another set of stairs jutted off to the right. Gandalf paused as he and Aragorn looked behind them. Aragorn hesitated as if preparing to turn to face the Balrog.
"Lead them on Aragorn. The Bridge is near. Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!" Gandalf demanded as he pushed Aragon toward the other set of stairs. They could see the Bridge off in the distance. It seemed a great distance to Celebruthiel and she wasn't certain they could move fast enough to weave through the many stairs to reach it.
They moved on, running down many steps. There was a gap in the staircase before them. Legolas was the first to reach it and easily jumped over. Celebruthiel sailed across the gap right behind him, landing next to him. Legolas signaled to Gandalf to jump. Celebruthiel moved down a step or two, giving Gandalf a place to land. Boromir grabbed Pippin and Merry and jumped, pulling the two with him. Celebruthiel immediately grabbed Pippin, making sure he was okay as an arrow sailed past her. She pushed Pippin in front of her as she glance across the cavern, where the Orcs were shooting at them from. She and Legolas both shot off two arrows quickly. Celebruthiel kept shooting as Legolas returned his attention to helping the others across. Aragorn tossed Sam across the gap and then turned to Gimli.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf," Gimli mumbled as the ground began to shake. It was coming closer and rock began to crumble around them. Gimli jumped and almost didn't make it. He would have fallen backwards, into the abyss, if Legolas hadn't grabbed him. "Not the beard," Gimli moaned as Legolas pulled him forward from the edge by his long braided beard.
The roar coming at them was getting closer and the stairs around them were breaking. Aragorn and Frodo, still on the other side, had to jump back as the gap got wider. The walls from were the Balrog was approaching started to give way. A large chunk hit the stairs a distance behind them and a gaping hole was all that remained. Aragorn and Frodo stood on a five-foot square that began to sway. Aragorn grabbed Frodo by the collar, letting his and Frodo's bodies move with the rock. They lean toward the group and as the stairs pitched forward, Boromir and Legolas grabbed hold on them and pulled them to safety. Then they were off again, making for the bridge. One by one they crossed, except Gandalf, who stopped in the middle. Celebruthiel's mind didn't really register what Gandalf was doing, that he wasn't following them. Celebruthiel, Legolas, Pippin, and Merry were already making for the staircase on the other side that led to their salvation. While the presence of Orcs had bothered her, the Balrog scared her to the very core of her being.
She glanced over her shoulder when she heard Frodo call out to Gandalf. Gandalf was standing in the middle of the bridge and the Balrog was approaching.
It stood on the other side of the bridge and hissed at Gandalf. As if to intimidate, it stood to it's full height and spread it wings wide open. It had a whip of fire in its hand and it swung it at Gandalf. But a white light surrounded Gandalf and the whip could not penetrate the light. The Balrog screamed in rage and fire seemed to shoot out from it in all directions. Then it took a step forward on to the bridge.
"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 shadows! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf commanded as he slammed his staff into the ground and the light around him seemed to grow. The bridge broke off and the Balrog fell, but not before he caught Gandalf's ankle with his whip. Celebruthiel stumbled forward as Gandalf clung to the edge of the Bridge.
"Fly, you fools," Gandalf called to the stunned faces before him. Then he dropped into the abyss.
With the Balrog gone, the Orcs began streaming from the entrance on the other side. The Company ran for the staircase as arrows flew at them.
Celebruthiel was never so glad to be outside. She stumbled to her knees, in despair and guilt. She had been so afraid of the Balrog that Gandalf had fallen to his doom and she had done nothing. She gazed ahead, seeing only Gandalf barely hanging on to the edge and then falling, over and over. And she stood there, just watching, not moving forward to pull him from the abyss.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn ordered. Legolas looked at Aragorn, trying to register what was being said to him.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir called, anguish deep in his voice.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up."
Celebruthiel felt Legolas' touch on her shoulder. She tried to shrug it off, her guilt consuming her. "Tew hain tolo (Let them come)," she thought. It was what she deserved. But Legolas had other ideas. He grabbed her under her arms and forced her to her feet.
"Tolo, Kala," he whispered against her neck, and then grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him.
Authors Note: For those interested, this is actually what Celebruthiel said when the wolves attack, or at least as close to it as I could find (as there are not any Elven words for a few of them). It's a protection spell.
By the dragons light On this January night I call on thee to give to me your might By the power of three I conjure thee To protect all that Surrounds me So mote it be
And I'm walking wounded All alone, all alone
The Tea Party- "Walking Wounded"
Road to Moria
They finally stopped for the night on top of a small hill. Gandalf thought that the group of old and twisted trees inside a circle of boulder stones offered some protection, not only from the whipping wind, but also from the wolves, whose distant howls danced around them. Celebruthiel felt a chill run down her spine, not certain if it was from the cool night air or the unseen threat that seemed to be gathering just out of view.
Gandalf thought the grove provided enough protection from watchful eyes and so a fire was lit to the delight of the Hobbits. As was usual, they crowded around it as Sam prepared a very sparse meal.
A black shape suddenly loomed over the hill. A large, mangy, black wolf could be seen, watching them from just outside the stone circle. Its red eyes glowed like embers from a dying fire. It seemed to be watching, waiting, maybe for any movement to set if off.
Pippin let out a surprised gasp, quickly crawling to Celebuthiel's side. She wasn't sure if it was to protect her or himself. His sword was by his side, his hand on the hilt. Celebruthiel didn't even think to reach for her bow. The glowing eyes that pierced her gaze, eyes like that of a man, not a wolf, transfixed her. She couldn't tear her gaze from them.
The wolf let loose a shuddering howl, as if summoning his pack. The reply to its call could be heard in the distance. It was a sound that brought shivers down the spines of those that heard it. The Company was now on edge, waiting for the attack that was soon to follow.
Gandalf marched toward the wolf, waving his staff.
""Listen Hound of Sauron!" he cried. "Gandalf is here. Fly if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring.""
The wolf, barring his fangs, sprang at Gandalf. At the same moment a sharp twang rent the air. The animal fell to the ground, Legolas' arrow through his throat. All was suddenly still.
The spell was broken and Celebruthiel blinked. She wasn't certain what had just occurred, but she did know she hadn't been able to move. It was almost as if arms had reached up from the earth, pinning her limbs to it. But what really left her shaken was the wolf could have ripped her throat out and she would not have cared. Celebruthiel welcomed death the moment her gaze meshed with that of the wolf.
The rest of the group had jumped up, each talking furiously. Boromir and Gimli wanted to leave immediately. Aragorn and Legolas preached the merits of staying. Celebruthiel was too shaken to give an opinion either way. Not that it mattered. She knew the final decision would lie with Gandalf and what he thought best. Celebruthiel remained seated, her legs unable to support her. When finally she had calmed her fraught nerves, she approached the ball of fur slumped on the ground.
"Celebruthiel?" Pippin questioned. She ignored him and continued walking. The rest of the Fellowship quieted, their frantic bickering halted.
"Melethen (My love)," Legolas whispered from behind her.
Celebruthiel sighed, wishing they would all just leave her alone. She needed to think, to figure out what was happening to her. She just needed time. Celebruthiel turned to Legolas and smiled, though it never reached her eyes.
"Im mae, amaelamin (I am fine, my beloved)," she reassured quietly as she wrapped her arms around her torso. She was suddenly so cold.
"Tolo ad nan chaur (Come back to the fire)," he coaxed softly as he gently touched her arm. He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her with his touch. And he needed to touch her, to reassure himself that she was okay. He'd had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach when the wolf appeared. One he could not justify, but still it was there, as if the wolves were looking for something- or someone. "Casiha uvearu idhrend gurth (It does no good pondering death)."
Celebruthiel sighed again as she glanced back at the silent form on the ground. "Pedch i thenid. Casiha uvearu an enna ha udhaingweth gurth (You speak the truth. It does no good for there are no answers in death)."
"Daingweth? (Answers)," he questioned but Celebruthiel just shook her head again. "Tolo, melethen (Come my love)," he said softly, moving away from her and holding out his hand.
Celebruthiel grasped it, letting him lead her back to the fire. She sat beside Pippin, who besides Merry, were the only ones seated. Legolas crotched down behind her and began rubbing her shoulders to help ward off the chill. The rest of the Company still stood in a semi-circle halfway between the fire and the wolf. They appeared uncertain. Should they continue arguing or sit back down and let the moment pass?
"At least our supper hasn't been ruined," Pippin replied cheerfully.
Celebruthiel couldn't help the laughter that bubbled forth at his ridiculous statement. The tension in the air was broken as the rest of the Fellowship began to laugh as one by one they returned to the fire, also.
The meal, which consisted of stale bread and the small amount of vegetation Sam had managed to acquire on the way down the mountain was not quite filling enough, but did at least appease the hunger somewhat. Then they began to split off, each seeking his own rest.
Gimli slouched at one end of the fire; sleep overtaking him quickly, while still sitting, his plate half dangling from his lap.
Frodo and Sam were cuddled together beside Aragorn, who sat before the fire not certain the danger was over. Boromir tried to maintain his vigilance on the other side of the sleeping forms of Frodo and Sam. But carrying Pippin and Merry halfway up and then halfway back down Caradhras had sapped him of his strength. Slowly his eyes lost the battle he had been fighting valiantly and they remained shut while his breathing slowed.
Pippin curled up against Celebruthiel, his cheek against her thigh with Merry pressed up against his back. Celebruthiel spread Merry's cloak over the two, tucking their feet underneath.
"Celebruthiel, do you think they are gone?" Pippin asked in a small worried voice.
"Pippin, it will be alright. Go to sleep," she answered, unwilling to lie to the little Hobbit. No, she was certain they were still out there, somewhere. But she no longer felt an immediate threat.
Gandalf, who was sitting across the fire from Aragorn, his hat over his eyes to shield the fire's light, said, "They are gone for now, Peregin. Do as you are told and get some rest."
Celebruthiel felt Pippin's head move in what she perceived to be a nod and he snuggled further under the cloak. She smoothed his hair from his forehead.
"Maer du, lithen pen (Good night, little one)," she murmured as she tucked the cloak around him tightly. She guessed it would be a chilly evening and she didn't want Pippin getting sick. He had quickly wormed his way into her heart.
Aragorn, Celebruthiel, and Legolas, who sat between Celebruthiel and Gimli, seemed unable to sleep. The three sat peering into the darkness around them, waiting. Celebruthiel kept glancing in every direction, knowing they were still out there, waiting for something. After an hour, Legolas leaned into her.
"Why don't you rest, my love?" he whispered in her ear.
"I can feel them out there, just waiting. I am afraid if I let my vigilance slip even for a moment all will be lost," she replied in a hushed tone.
"Rest," Legolas commanded. "I will be vigilant enough for us both. And when I tire, you can relieve me."
Celebruthiel nodded, knowing she would have to let her guard down and rest if she was going to survive the road to Moria. Just thinking of going down in those tunnels caused her to shiver. But she pushed it from her mind. Once thing at a time. So she relaxed, throwing her arm across Pippin and Merry, and closed her eyes.
And so she traveled, in her mind, back to Mirkwood. She and Legolas were on horseback, racing through the woods, laughing. Celebruthiel quickly crossed in front of him, determined not to let him beat her this time. Legolas pulled back on the reins and turned Ithildin sharply to the right to avoid colliding into Celebruthiel. She had only laughed as he once again pulled along side of her. Legolas reached out and plucked her right off the back of her stead and settled her in his lap. She had protested loudly as Legolas pulled up on the reins and brought his horse to a stop. All thoughts of protest had quickly died on her lips when his mouth covered hers.
Celebruthiel's eyes flew open as she felt the lightest touch on her arm. Legolas was crouched beside her.
"Shhh," he motioned with a finger on his lips. She immediately sat up, glancing around at the noticeable silence. She discovered they were the only two awake, Aragorn having fallen asleep an hour previous.
Then she heard a twig snap. A sudden stream of howls shot through the grove. The rest of the Fellowship awoke with a start as a great number of wolves broke through the trees. The Company was soon on their feet, standing back to back, weapons drawn. Legolas and Celebruthiel began letting arrows fly at their enemy. Aragorn and Boromir cut them down with sword thrusts and Gimli's axe whistled through the air.
Suddenly Celebruthiel lowered her bow, not certain what was happening as her vision started to blur. Her head began to throb and her hands grabbed at her temples. She thought her head would explode with the building pressure. She reached out, her hands groping for anything that would put her at ease. Her hand made contact with fabric and she clutched at it. A voice chanted over and over, "Pedch i pith (speak the words).
Celebruthiel opened her mouth, ready to scream.
"An thlug calad Ansen narwain fuin Im can am le anno enni belegch Ani valan na neled Im can le Berio pan Ys nin Be imped ha"
Her mind fairly screamed the words, but she didn't realize her mouth had spoken them. A flash of bright light seemed to fill the air around them. Then there was a loud roar and crackle as if lightning had struck and the trees around them went aflame. The wolves paused as Legolas took aim and fired, killing the wolf-chieftain. The rest fled.
Uncertain of exactly what had occurred, Celebruthiel sank to the ground. Legolas' bow slipped from his fingers as he dropped to his knees beside her. She appeared in a daze, clutching hold of Gandalf's robe tightly in her fist. Legolas pried it from her fist. He was not even certain she saw him as she flung herself against his chest.
"What just happened here?" Boromir demanded, as the fire appeared to just extinguish itself. "That is no mere Elf." He pointed an accusing finger at Celebruthiel. Legolas eyed him, daring Boromir to make a move towards them as he tightened his grip protectively around her. As for Celebruthiel, she seemed to have no awareness of what was happening around her.
Aragorn, hand on the hilt of his sword, took a step forward, to block Boromir if he should choose to advance. Pippin leaped forward to stand beside Aragorn, ready to defend Celebruthiel to the death. Boromir's hand also went for his sword though he hesitated, uncertain if he should step forward. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight them all and win. But if the Elf was in legion with Sauron, she must die.
"That is enough!" Gandalf yelled, stepping between Boromir and Aragorn. "And you are correct, Son of Gondor. Celebruthiel is no mere elf, which is why we must get her to Lorien and keep her from falling into the hands of Saruman. He would try to force her to serve his own purposes." Gandalf paused, looking at the silent form Legolas cradled in his arms. "She will probably have no memory of this evening as she is yet unaware of the power she possesses," he said softly.
"I think I have a right to know," Legolas demanded, speaking for the first time since the attack occurred. He was frightened for the first time since embarking on the journey. Suddenly Celebruthiel's parentage was in question and she was demonstrating powers she'd never before had. He didn't know what to make of it all. And he was afraid, for her and for himself.
"Legolas, wait until we reach Lorien and Galadriel will explain all. These things are best not spoken of here. It is bad enough the evidence is all around us," Gandalf stated with a sigh.
Legolas wanted to insist, to rage against the lies and secrets. What had he gotten into? He could only assume his father had known the truth of it all before signing the betrothal. He sighed. Not that it would have mattered, for he loved her.
"Until Lorien, then," Legolas bit out. He shifted Celebruthiel into his arms and then stood, carrying her away from the others.
****
The next morning, no trace of the battle remained save for the charred trees. There were no bodies, the dead wolves having just vanished. All that was left were the undamaged arrows of Legolas and Celebruthiel. The rising of the sun set the camp into motion. Everyone was soon up and getting ready to move.
Celebruthiel blinked. She felt as if she had awakened from a deep sleep, still groggy and heavy eyed. Without needing to look, she knew instantly she was in Legolas' arms. Legolas was sitting on the ground, his back against a rock, and she was cradled in his arms. Though for her very existence, she could not recall how she'd come to be there. She remembered the wolves and the fight that had ensued. Then, nothing, her mind was a blank slate.
"What happened last night?" she asked, glancing around her. She could see nothing in her surroundings that explained her lapse of memory or helped fill in the blanks. "It is the strangest thing. I have no memory of the battle ending." She struggled in his arms and Legolas helped her to her feet.
"You fell and hit your head," he explained from behind her as he rose to his feet.
"And what happened to the trees?" she asked curiously, glancing around at their charred remains.
"Gandalf set the trees afire, scaring off the wolves. It was a wondrous site," Pippin answered cheerfully.
The rest of the Company busied themselves with packing their things up. They seemed to have difficulty looking at her. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought Pippin was telling a false tale. But only Gandalf had the power to make things happen such as setting trees aflame.
"There is no point worrying about things over and done with," Gandalf stated, hoping to end all discussion of the previous evening. "We must get moving. We have a long way ahead of us still."
****
Gandalf led the way with Gimli now eagerly by his side. The old road to Moria followed the course of a stream, the Sirannon, which ran out from the feet of the cliffs where the doors stood. But as the morning soon gave way to the afternoon, Celebruthiel began to wonder if Gandalf was going in the wrong direction, for the Sirannon was no where to be seen. And while the rest of the Company might be concerned over this, with each misleading step, Celebruthiel's heart rang with joy. She would gladly chance the threat of Saruman if it added days to their journey. Traveling to the Gap of Rohan might actually divert them from Lorien entirely. For the first time since leaving Rivendell, she felt things were going her way and she fairly skipped along behind the group.
"Aren't you just a little too cheerful given where we are headed?" Legolas asked, stopping so Celebruthiel could catch up. He had been watching her the better part of the morning. And as the day progressed, she got more cheerful. They were headed straight for the bowels of a mountain. There could be no happiness found in that, for nothing could be worse for an Elf.
"If we can't find the road, then we will need to take the long way around, now won't we," her voice fairly sang with the apparent joy she found in that scenario.
Legolas' hand snaked out, grabbing her around the waist as she tried to dance past him.
"We would separate from the Fellowship and travel over Caradhras alone before I would risk letting you travel that close to Isengard," Legolas whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear.
"No," she whispered forlornly as she slumped against him. She was once again feeling defeated as if all choice was being ripped right from her.
"Yes," he insisted. "I will not risk you, Kala, not if it is in my power to prevent it. And though I gave your father my word to help see to the Ring's destruction, getting you to Lorien is my first priority. If anything happened to you." Legolas couldn't finish that statement.
"Ah! Here it is at last!" Gandalf called, pulling Legolas and Celebruthiel from their conversation. "Or at least what is left of it."
All that remained of the Gate-Stream was an empty riverbed.
"Come! We must hurry on. We are late!" Gandalf added quickly.
Legolas released Celebruthiel, grabbing her hand, and fairly dragged the pouting Elf behind him as he quickly caught up to the group. The path led them around a sharp bend and turned to the east. Rounding the corner was the Stair Falls, a stairway cut into the rock. They climbed several flights and looped around several times until the sky darkened and night fell. They finally reached the top and discovered a thick, dark pool of water. Beyond the ominous depths were jagged cliffs. No door or entrance could be seen in the rock from across the water.
"The wall of Moria," Gimli said with reverence in his tone.
As they walked around the northeastern edge of the murky waters, Gandalf began tapping on the rock wall. Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas, and Boromir mimicking his actions.
"Dwarfs doors are invisible when closed," Gimli said as he knocked his axe against the wall.
"Yes, Gimli. Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten," Gandalf added as he continued to tap, looking for the unseen door.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas responded, causing Gimli to glance at him sharply.
Celebruthiel ignored what was bound to turn into bickering. She was more concerned with staying as close to the stone wall as she possibly could. There was something about the water that made her uneasy. Maybe it was the cloudiness that prevented her from seeing the bottom. Or maybe it was just that so far in their journey nothing had been just what it appeared. Whatever it was, Celebruthiel was afraid to let it touch her, as if it might burn her skin. They finally came to a stop in front of an empty wall. No door could be detected in the rock.
"Well, let's see... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf murmured as he brushed his hand over the stone. He stood back and gave it some thought. Then he looked up at the sky as the clouds parted and the moonlight cascaded down, the entranceway glowed on the rock wall. "It reads: The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter." Gandalf read the ancient Elvish words written on the door.
"What do you suppose it means?" Merry asked, coming to a stop next to Gandalf.
"Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf replied. He lifted his staff and pressed it against the door.
"Annon Edhellen edro hi amen (Gate of the Elves open now for me)."
Everyone waited expectantly for the doors to swing open. But nothing happened. He lowered his staff and paused in thought. Gandalf raised his arms.
"Ando Eldarinwa a lasta queltenya, Fenda Casarinwa (Gate of Elves listen to my word, threshold of Dwarves)."
"Nothing's happening," Pippin declared, stating the obvious as everyone glanced around at each other. Gandalf pushed on the door, trying to force it to budge.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves...Men...and Orcs," Gandalf mumbled as he stood back and stared at the door.
"What are you going to do then?" Pippin asked, not seeming to know when to keep silent.
Celebruthiel winced as Gandalf replied sharply, "Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."
On the far side of the entrance, Aragorn and Sam began releasing the pony, Bill. A single tear ran down Sam's face, certain he was that the wolves would get his "Poor Bill". But he knew a mine was no place for a pony.
Celebruthiel moved past Gandalf and the sealed entrance. Legolas was standing on the roots of a dead tree. It seemed the safest place to Celebruthiel, up and away from the water, so she climbed up next to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. Legolas entwined his fingers through hers.
"Ando Eldarinwa.a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa. (Gate of Elves.listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves)," Gandalf tried again wearily. "Oh it's useless!" Gandalf sat on a rock, resting his hat on his leg in frustration. Frodo sat beside Gandalf as Gimli stood next to where Gandalf sat.
Celebruthiel heard a splash of water and turned to find Pippin and Merry throwing pebbles in the still water. Celebruthiel shifted her position, ready to call out to the two. But Aragorn beat her to it, grabbing Pippin's arm as he prepared to launch another pebble into the black depths.
"Do not disturb the water."
Celebruthiel watched as the water rippled back to shore. In her uneasiness, she tightened her hold on Legolas.
Suddenly Frodo jumped up and Celebruthiel turned her concentration from the water.
"It's a riddle. Speak friend, and enter. What is the Elven word for friend?"
"Mellon," Gandalf replied.
There was a rumbling sound then the door divided in the middle and slowly opened outward. A darkened staircase could be seen within as the moonlight seeped into the opening. Celebruthiel pulled away from Legolas and fairly ran inside the door. She felt she was running to the lesser of two evils.
Gimli was behind her somewhere going on about Dwarf hospitality. Celebruthiel actually looked forward to some merriment even if it was underground with Dwarves. And she was certain Pippin was envisioning all the food there would be to eat.
"This is no mine. It's a tomb," Boromir hissed, the horror of what he was seeing evident in his tone.
Celebruthiel suddenly stopped moving forward and felt panic overcome her as she really looked around her for the first time. There were arrow-ridden bodies scattered all around them, all long dead. Gimli was crying behind her, mourning the loss of his relatives. Celebruthiel felt his grief.
Legolas pulled an arrow out of one of the corpses. "Goblins," he hissed, grabbing his bow and an arrow, poised ready to fire. As if reflexive, Celebruthiel did the same as Aragorn and Boromir unsheathed their swords.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here. Now get out! Get out!" Boromir shouted as they all began to back out of Moria, the only thought at that moment was to leave that place of death.
Just then Frodo screamed for Strider. Celebruthiel whipped around and saw a long black tentacle pulling Frodo towards the water. Celebruthiel quickly realized why she'd been so afraid of the water.
"Strider!" Sam called.
Aragorn and Boromir rushed forward, hacking at the many tentacles that had slivered out. Legolas and Celebruthiel were busy firing arrows in rapid succession. As the tentacle pulled Fordo into the air, an enormous creature emerged from the water. Celebruthiel lowered her bow, grabbing Pippin and Merry by the back of their cloaks, pulling them away from the water for fear they would be next. Boromir slashed the tentacle holding Frodo and Frodo fell into his arms.
"Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled as Boromir and Aragorn came splashing from the water.
"Legolas!" Celebruthiel called, not certain where he was in the chaos.
"Adelch! Neri! (Behind you! Run!)" he yelled.
Celebruthiel grabbed Pippin and Merry and the three ran inside as the creature followed them out of the water. It attached itself to the cave wall, causing the doors to crumble down, blocking the creature's entrance and their exit.
"You now have but one choice. You must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world," Gandalf said, as everyone stood huddled together. Gandalf moved toward the stairs. He rubbed a hand over the top of his staff and it came to life, illuminating them. "It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope our presence may go unnoticed."
They began the long climb upward. Pippin began counting the stairs under his breath. He got to 200 when they came to a small landing. Here they decided to rest. After a small snack of dried meat and stale bread, Gandalf once again passed the miruvor, which refreshed one and all and they felt able to continue. Then they proceeded on their journey with Gandalf leading the way.
Gandalf was followed by Gimli. Frodo, who kept looking from side to side as if he expected something to jump out of the dark any moment, was third in line. Behind Frodo, walked Sam, and then Legolas. Celebruthiel was next. Pippin was right behind her, a tight grip on the back of her cloak as if afraid he would lose her in the dark. Merry, Boromir, and Aragorn headed up the rear.
Soon the darkness and the confining walls had Celebruthiel groping out to touch Legolas anywhere. She had never before been walled off like this and was shocked to find her panic rising with each step. Soon she found herself imitating Pippin, for her fist enclosed around a clump of Legolas' cloak. This seemed to settle her a bit and the dark was not quite so frightening.
They had been walking downhill close to the better part of the second day when they entered the mines. They all stopped a moment to take in the vastness. Gandalf tilted his staff downward so they could catch a glimpse into the pit below. Celebruthiel leaned over the edge. The mineshaft seemed to go on indefinitely and she wondered just how far down the Dwarves had dug in their greed.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold...or jewels.but Mithril," Gandalf explained as he continued along the path. "Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him."
"Oh, that was a kingly gift," Gimli responded as the rest of the Fellowship began to follow Gandalf.
"Yes! I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire," Gandalf replied in a cheerful tone, sounding very pleased over his deception.
Soon they encountered three open passageways. All led eastward, but the left-handed plunged downward, the right-handed climbed upward, and the center ran straight but narrow.
"I have no memory of this place," Gandalf said as he stopped and contemplated his options. He sat on a large rock near the three entrances, staring ahead at the archways, hoping something would come to him. Since it was apparent they would be stopping indefinitely, Legolas turned to Celebruthiel, who was still clinging to his cloak.
"Are we lost?" Celebruthiel heard Pippin whisper as Legolas took her hand in his and pried his cloak from her fist. He placed a light kiss on the palm of her hand. Celebruthiel sighed and her body swayed toward him. Legolas drew her into his embrace; smoothing her hair from her temple and placing another light kiss there. That one gesture told Celebruthiel volumes. He understood very much how she felt being under this mountain, because he felt it too.
"No," Merry replied in a hushed tone.
"I think we are," Pippin responded.
"Shhh! Gandalf's thinking." Sam hushed.
Legolas sat down on the step he had previously been standing on, pulling Celebruthiel down beside him. As soon as she was settled, he again pulled her against him. Luckily they had each other to comfort, as the rest of the Fellowship wouldn't understand how difficult it was for them, being underground.
"Merry?" Pippin questioned as the two sat on the steps below Legolas and Celebruthiel.
"What?" Merry questioned, his exasperation evident in his tone.
"I'm hungry," he answered.
Celebruthiel smiled at Legolas while biting her cheek to prevent a laugh from escaping her. Legolas grinned back at her, knowing how much the Hobbits, Pippin especially, amused her.
Celebruthiel finally closed her eyes and curled up with her head in Legolas' lap. She let her mind take her back to Rivendell, in the hope of finding some peace. She imagined herself among the trees, in her glade by the Bruinen. She could almost smell the fresh grass and feel the wind flitter across her cheeks. Celebruthiel relaxed against Legolas and remained so until Gandalf said,
"It's this way."
"He's remembered," Merry said delighted.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul up here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow you nose," Gandalf said as he led them through the door to the right.
Upward they traveled for most of day three. They continued at a steady pace until they found themselves in a vast cavernous hall.
"Let me risk a little more light," Gandalf said as he touched his staff and it illuminated the hall just a little more brightly. "Behold the great realm of the Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf," Gandalf proclaimed.
Celebruthiel was absolutely stunned at the size and beauty of it. She vaguely heard Sam mumble something about an eye opener, but Celebruthiel was too preoccupied with taking it all in. The enormity of it amazed her. The room traveled as far as the eye could see, with huge columns running from floor to ceiling better than a hundred feet high. There was a glimmer of light ahead on the right. As they came closer, Celebruthiel realized it was coming from a separate chamber. When Gimli spotted it, he ran forward. Gandalf called after him, his voice demanding Gimli stop. But Gimli kept running, right into the chamber. The rest of the group followed. The light from the open shaft landed directly on top of what appeared to be a tomb. And Gimli was on his knees beside it.
"No! No!" Gimli sobbed as Boromir took a step forward and placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder.
Gandalf brushed the dirt off the stone slab and read, "Here lies Balin, son of Fundi, Lord of Moria. He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Celebruthiel surveyed the room as Gimli wept over his cousin's resting spot. She was aggrieved for his loss, but she was also leery of this place. There were bodies strewn about, dwarf and Orc alike. The room itself was one big tomb. And when Legolas leaned towards Aragorn and said they should leave, Celebruthiel became even more nervous. Whatever she was feeling, Legolas was sensing also.
Everyone else ignored Legolas' statement. Gandalf passed his staff and hat to Pippin. Then he bent and retrieved a book that was lying in the arms of one of the dead. He brushed off some of the dust and opened it.
"They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. The drums, the drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming," He read.
The Company moved anxiously at his words, each looking around to see what hid in the shadows. Nobody noticed Pippin until it was too late. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. In the far corner of the room was a well and sitting on the ledge was an arrow-riddled skeleton. Pippin reached out to touch one of the arrows protruding from the long silenced form. His touch caused the skeleton to loose its balance. First the head and then the entire corpse fell down the wells shaft. The noise cause Celebruthiel's stomach to drop and she felt guilt for not keeping a better eye on Pippin. She had begun to feel he was her personal responsibility.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity," Gandalf exclaimed as he grabbed his hat and staff back from Pippin's hands.
Everyone tensed, waiting. After a moment, when nothing happened, a collective breath was released. And then the drums began.
Doom! Doom! Doom!
They were getting closer. Celebruthiel noticed Sting on Frodo's belt. It was blue.
"Orcs," Legolas hissed, grabbing Celebruthiel and pushing her behind him, towards Gandalf, as he turned to the entrance.
Boromir ran to the doors, attempting to close them. Two arrows whistled past within inches of his head and Boromir jumped back.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn yelled to the Hobbits as he ran forward, helping Boromir push the doors shut.
"They have a cave troll," Boromir drolly muttered as the two got the door barred shut with two axes Legolas tossed to them. And if Celebruthiel hadn't been so anxious, she would have laughed at his tone.
Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir stood in the front line, all ready to die to protect Frodo and the Ring. Gandalf threw down his hat and unsheathed his sword. The Hobbits followed his example, all four pulling forth their swords also. Gimli jumped on top of Balin's tomb.
"Let them come! There's one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws blood."
As the enemy reached the door and began to frantically beat against it, Celebruthiel scanned the room. She noticed a ledge on either side, higher than the ground and out of the way. She intended on grabbing Pippin and Merry but the door started to give in. She jumped up on the ledge, grabbed her bow, and aimed.
Legolas shot the first arrow threw a narrow slit in the door. A scream of rage followed as it hit it's mark. Celebruthiel did not have a clear shot of the door, and so she patiently waited for them to come. Finally the door gave way and in flooded Orcs. Celebruthiel began picking them off as they ran in like a thick pestilence. She steeled herself from looking for Legolas because she knew if her eyes rested on him, she would freeze with fright for his safety. She said a quick chant, a prayer to Iluvatar, that either Legolas would survive this day or they would die together. Then she forgot about him.
Aragorn dropped his bow and grabbed for his sword. He immediately beheaded a charging Orc. Gimli whipped his axe from atop Balin's tomb, slicing anything that stepped within its arc. With a sharp cry, Gandalf launched himself into the fray with the Hobbits following.
Sam paused as a cave troll burst through the door. The troll had a large mallet in its hands, knocking whatever was in its way, friend or foe. It managed to rid itself of its two handlers and was now free to go where he pleased. Legolas let loose an arrow, hitting the troll on the shoulder as it headed straight for Sam. He ducked and quickly scampered under its legs just before its mallet smashed to the ground, right where Sam had been standing. Realizing it had missed, the cave troll turned around, cornering Sam. Sam cringed as the beast raised its foot to strike. It shrieked in surprise as it stumbled backwards because Aragorn and Boromir were pulling its chain, forcing the beast away from Sam. The troll, in a fit of rage, tugged at its chain. Boromir got caught up in the chain, effectively getting himself thrown against the wall. Boromir lay stunned for a moment, not able to react to the Orc preying upon him. Aragorn, in one swift movement, threw his sword, catching the Orc in the neck.
Pippin, Merry, and Frodo ran towards Celebruthiel, trying to get out of the way of the slaughter. Pippin let out a squeal as she grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up onto the ledge beside her. Then she quickly leaned down, grabbing hold of Merry and Frodo's hands, hoisting them up before retrieving her bow and shooting the two Orcs pursuing the Hobbits.
The troll, having lost its focus on Sam, moved to the center of the room. Gimli threw his axe, hitting the troll's shoulder. The troll, enraged, swung his mallet at the tomb, shattering it and knocking Gimli to the ground. From floor level, Gimli hacked at its legs. The troll swung, just missing Gimli, but hitting two Orcs instead. Gimli fell as Legolas let loose two arrows, striking the troll, causing it to focus its attention on him.
Celebruthiel didn't concern herself much with the troll in the beginning. She left that to those on the ground, particularly Gimli and Gandalf, who went for the troll's legs. Celebruthiel remained focused on the Orcs, trying to pick off what was left.
Frodo scurried to the other end of the ledge, in an attempt to escape the troll. But the troll seemed bent on Frodo's destruction. Legolas had jumped on the ledge beside Celebruthiel because there were several Orcs close and he wanted them away from her. He cut them down with his knife, which briefly sidetracked the troll from its mission. The troll whipped his chain into the stone ledge, shattering part of the pillar like fragile glass. The impact knocked Celebruthiel off balance. She jumped from the ledge, knowing she would fall otherwise.
"Jump," she hissed to Pippin and Merry. But was never given the chance to make sure they followed her command. An Orc was running at her, sword raised. Celebruthiel stared him in the face, knowing she would not get an arrow off in time and that she was looking in the face of death. Suddenly before her an axe sliced the Orc in two and Celebruthiel cried out in relief as Gimli smiled at her from where the Orc had stood.
When next she looked at the troll, Legolas had somehow managed to climb his way onto the troll's head and shot two arrows in its skull. As the troll spun in pain, Legolas jumped to the ground. Celebruthiel moved to the ledge on the other side of the room, where she could once again be out of the way and still be effective. Now she divided her time between what Orcs remained and the troll, who was beginning to appear the more dangerous of the two.
Below her, Sam was fighting the Orcs with a frying pan, hitting them in any spot he could reach.
"I'm getting the hang of this," he said proudly before he scampered off.
"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled.
Celebruthiel turned in the direction of his distressed voice, to find the troll pulling Frodo by his ankle. Aragorn fought his way over to Frodo and Celebruthiel tried to use her bow to aid him as best she could by focusing on the Orcs that surrounded him. Aragorn grabbed a spear and thrust it into the troll. It screamed with rage, striking out and sending Aragorn slamming into the wall. Frodo crawled to Aragorn, but the troll, who had ripped the spear from his chest, hurdled the spear, piercing Frodo and pinning him to the wall.
The room seemed to stand still for the briefest moment. Then everything seemed to happen at once. Celebruthiel quickly helped pick off what was left of the Orcs in hopes of aiding Gandalf, Sam, Gimli, and Boromir as they progressed towards Frodo. Pippin and Merry had jumped onto the troll's back, stabbing at it with their small swords and beating it with their fists. It spun in rage, grabbing at the two. He managed to pull Merry from his back, holding him by the foot, and tossed him to the floor. Merry fell like a sack of potatoes and didn't move. Legolas stopped in front of it as he took aim, sending an arrow straight into its open mouth. The troll appeared stunned and then crashed to the floor. The crash sent Pippin skidding across the ground.
"No," Celebruthiel whispered as she jumped from the ledge and ran to Pippin. She was relieved when Pippin moved and then sat up, unharmed.
On the other side of the room, Aragorn was just as distressed, for Frodo appeared dead.
"I'm alright. I'm not hurt," Frodo said to the amazement of all as he sat up.
"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar," Aragorn stated, stunned.
"I think there is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf professed.
Frodo revealed a thin sheeting of armor under his shirt.
"Mithril," Gimli whispered in almost reverence. "You are full of surprises, Mr. Baggins."
The sound of drums and beating feet could be heard. More Orcs where coming.
"Quick to the bridge of Khazad Dum!" Gandalf yelled.
And they ran. But they didn't get far in the grand hall before Orcs surrounded them. They seemed to come up from every crevice, like roaches in the dark. Celebruthiel was certain this was the end. They had failed and Sauron would get the ring. Middle Earth was doomed to fall.
Then a noise was heard and this seemed to terrify the Orcs. They began chattering wildly among themselves. Legolas turned to the noise, his bow poised to fire at this new foe. Soon a bright light could been seen in the distance and the Orcs fled. He gave a cry of dismay as the arrow fell to the ground. It was a sight that almost brought Celebruthiel to her knees. She'd always thought they were just stories parents told Elven children to get them to behave. If Pippin hadn't grabbed her hand, she would have fallen forward a step or two.
"What new devilry is this?" Boromir asked.
""Ai, ai!" wailed Legolas. "A Balrog! A Balrog is come!""
"Durin's Bane," Gimli whispered.
"A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" Gandalf commanded as he took off and the Company followed.
Celebruthiel could hear it behind them, hissing their death, but she did not turn to look. She knew if she did, she would be overcome with fear and it would be her end. She followed behind Legolas, keeping her eyes on his back, all her mental energy concentrating on her feet moving forward. Down a narrow passage of stairs they flew, Boromir leading the group. The stairs came to a sudden end, a straight drop down into the abyss, into which he would have fallen if Legolas hadn't grabbed him around the waist. Another set of stairs jutted off to the right. Gandalf paused as he and Aragorn looked behind them. Aragorn hesitated as if preparing to turn to face the Balrog.
"Lead them on Aragorn. The Bridge is near. Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!" Gandalf demanded as he pushed Aragon toward the other set of stairs. They could see the Bridge off in the distance. It seemed a great distance to Celebruthiel and she wasn't certain they could move fast enough to weave through the many stairs to reach it.
They moved on, running down many steps. There was a gap in the staircase before them. Legolas was the first to reach it and easily jumped over. Celebruthiel sailed across the gap right behind him, landing next to him. Legolas signaled to Gandalf to jump. Celebruthiel moved down a step or two, giving Gandalf a place to land. Boromir grabbed Pippin and Merry and jumped, pulling the two with him. Celebruthiel immediately grabbed Pippin, making sure he was okay as an arrow sailed past her. She pushed Pippin in front of her as she glance across the cavern, where the Orcs were shooting at them from. She and Legolas both shot off two arrows quickly. Celebruthiel kept shooting as Legolas returned his attention to helping the others across. Aragorn tossed Sam across the gap and then turned to Gimli.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf," Gimli mumbled as the ground began to shake. It was coming closer and rock began to crumble around them. Gimli jumped and almost didn't make it. He would have fallen backwards, into the abyss, if Legolas hadn't grabbed him. "Not the beard," Gimli moaned as Legolas pulled him forward from the edge by his long braided beard.
The roar coming at them was getting closer and the stairs around them were breaking. Aragorn and Frodo, still on the other side, had to jump back as the gap got wider. The walls from were the Balrog was approaching started to give way. A large chunk hit the stairs a distance behind them and a gaping hole was all that remained. Aragorn and Frodo stood on a five-foot square that began to sway. Aragorn grabbed Frodo by the collar, letting his and Frodo's bodies move with the rock. They lean toward the group and as the stairs pitched forward, Boromir and Legolas grabbed hold on them and pulled them to safety. Then they were off again, making for the bridge. One by one they crossed, except Gandalf, who stopped in the middle. Celebruthiel's mind didn't really register what Gandalf was doing, that he wasn't following them. Celebruthiel, Legolas, Pippin, and Merry were already making for the staircase on the other side that led to their salvation. While the presence of Orcs had bothered her, the Balrog scared her to the very core of her being.
She glanced over her shoulder when she heard Frodo call out to Gandalf. Gandalf was standing in the middle of the bridge and the Balrog was approaching.
It stood on the other side of the bridge and hissed at Gandalf. As if to intimidate, it stood to it's full height and spread it wings wide open. It had a whip of fire in its hand and it swung it at Gandalf. But a white light surrounded Gandalf and the whip could not penetrate the light. The Balrog screamed in rage and fire seemed to shoot out from it in all directions. Then it took a step forward on to the bridge.
"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 shadows! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf commanded as he slammed his staff into the ground and the light around him seemed to grow. The bridge broke off and the Balrog fell, but not before he caught Gandalf's ankle with his whip. Celebruthiel stumbled forward as Gandalf clung to the edge of the Bridge.
"Fly, you fools," Gandalf called to the stunned faces before him. Then he dropped into the abyss.
With the Balrog gone, the Orcs began streaming from the entrance on the other side. The Company ran for the staircase as arrows flew at them.
Celebruthiel was never so glad to be outside. She stumbled to her knees, in despair and guilt. She had been so afraid of the Balrog that Gandalf had fallen to his doom and she had done nothing. She gazed ahead, seeing only Gandalf barely hanging on to the edge and then falling, over and over. And she stood there, just watching, not moving forward to pull him from the abyss.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn ordered. Legolas looked at Aragorn, trying to register what was being said to him.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir called, anguish deep in his voice.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up."
Celebruthiel felt Legolas' touch on her shoulder. She tried to shrug it off, her guilt consuming her. "Tew hain tolo (Let them come)," she thought. It was what she deserved. But Legolas had other ideas. He grabbed her under her arms and forced her to her feet.
"Tolo, Kala," he whispered against her neck, and then grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him.
Authors Note: For those interested, this is actually what Celebruthiel said when the wolves attack, or at least as close to it as I could find (as there are not any Elven words for a few of them). It's a protection spell.
By the dragons light On this January night I call on thee to give to me your might By the power of three I conjure thee To protect all that Surrounds me So mote it be
