Fallen
Chapter Seventeen

Lost to the Darkness

Kira fought hard, just letting instinct take over. She saw Nathan and started to try and hack her way over to him. Kira moved slowly for now she was pretty much surrounded by a group of orcs, most of which seemed to think that since she was female that she was weak and an easy mark. There where about five orcs standing in front of her and they all looked at her menacingly. One of them came at her quickly and she stumbled backwards and blocked his attack as best she could, her sword was almost thrown from her hand in the process. Kira steadied herself with a quickness that surprised the orc as she spun around using the force of the spin to hack off its head.

But this unfortunately knocked off her balance and she tripped and fell backwards a little. This is all, the group around her needed and they started to advance on her. The one in front of the pack raised it sword and sneered at her baring its crooked yellow and black teeth. Kira shuffled backwards slightly and prepared herself for the blow. But she watched as the creature's eyes glazed over and it slumped down and fell over. The other four turned around and where attacked by Anthony and Nathan who both swung at the orcs ferociously.

Kira tightened her grip on the sword in her hand and got up quickly. She swung hard and the back of an orc who was approaching Nathan from behind to attack him. Kira yanked the blade free of the creatures back and went for another who was coming at the three. She unfortunately had to immediately go on the defensive for this orc was quick and slashed at her in a high swinging arch aimed for her throat. She ducked and raised her sword blocking another swing at her side; she jumped to the side quickly as it jabbed directly at her abdomen. Kira simply reacted instinctively as it had to step forward and recover from the force of its attack before it could attack again.

Kira lifted her sword in the air and spun around the back of the orc and brought her weapon down upon it, as she got behind it, effectively cutting its skull open. The stench hit her hard and she stumbled and fell back. Kira then forced herself to get up she refused to cower in fear and simply let herself be slain by these things.

The ground shook and Kira looked to the door just as a huge beast came smashing its way through. 'This must be that cave troll Boromir mentioned.' Kira thought shuddering mentally at the size of the beast. She backed away and stumbled slightly; regaining her footing quickly she shook herself and blocked the attack of an orc that came at her sneering and growling ferociously. She saw in the background, Gimli dodging the giant thing, as it was swing its hammer at him, hitting more orcs than anything else really.

Something else caught Kira's attention as she was fighting the orc though. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an orc archer. She unfortunately couldn't tell whom it was aiming at; there was too much going on at that moment for her to focus on it. She instead focused all her attention on the orc in front of her, trying her best to gain the upper hand. Just as she thrust her sword into the orcs belly she saw the archer let his arrow loose, she watched it fly across the room and land directly in the back of the shoulder of Anthony as he was about to kill the orc in front of him.

The rest of the battle melted away as the only though in Kira's head was getting to her friend. Blurred in the background she barley registered Legolas dodging the Troll as it used its chain as a whip, trying to slash at the elf. She hacked her way through the orcs and threw herself into the orc standing over Anthony with its sword raised. She barley knocked the thing off balance, but it did stumble sideways and drop its sword.

It recovered fast and came at Kira growling loudly and baring its disgusting yellow teeth. She heard a roar come from somewhere behind it she saw a sword swing from behind it and its head get cut off. Nathan looked at her questioningly then followed her eyes to look down at Anthony who was clutching his shoulder and wincing. Kira knelt down beside her friend and bit her lip worriedly; she had absolutely no idea what to do. Looking around she saw that the Troll was now playing hide and seek with Frodo and she frowned. She looked around again and saw two orcs coming their way she got up reached for her sword that she had dropped next to Anthony and slashed at the one nearest to her.

Kira saw Nathan take out the other one fairly quickly with a few easy moves and he was now kneeling next to his friend again. She thrust her sword into the creatures gut and yanked it back out again. As Kira knelt down next to Anthony she heard Sam yell out Frodo's name. Kira turned to see Merry and Pippin jump onto the Trolls back and she saw Sam running to Frodo who was slumped lying face down on the ground. 'Not a good sign.' She thought.

Kira watched as Merry and Pippin hacked their blades at the Trolls neck and head. Suddenly it reached around itself and grabbed Merry by the ankles swinging him around wildly. Pippin struck it in the neck with his small sword and it abruptly dropped Merry on the floor, he landed with a 'thud' and rolled away from the beast. Gandalf and Gimli where now striking at its stomach and abdomen, while Legolas notched an arrow and waited for his shot.

She looked back down at Anthony who was now lying on his side breathing raggedly. Kira laid her hand on his cheek and bit her lip worriedly; she didn't know what she was supposed to do. She looked up at Nathan with sadness in her eyes. He simply shrugged and kneeled down beside her and gently lifted Anthony face to look into his eyes. Nathan looked up to his sister and shook his head. She furrowed brows and bit back the rising tears. Kira looked past her brother to see Pippin slash at the Trolls neck and see it raise its head in a roar, that's when Legolas took his shot. He let his arrow fly and it stuck into the monsters throat.

The Troll stumbled and staggered backwards a little letting out a moan of pain. It fell forward with a load boom and the ground vibrated from the weight of the thing. She turned her attention back to her friend and out of the corner of her eyes saw Pip get thrown across the floor a few feet. He shook himself off and got up slowly and walked over to Frodo where the rest of the fellowship had gathered. Nathan got up and went over to try and get someone over to help Anthony, or to at lest pull the arrow out.

Kira took Anthony head in her hands and cradled it in her lap. He smiled weakly up at her and she bit her lip and forced a smiled forward. "How are you feeling?" she asked just trying to keep him conscious. From what Aragorn had mentioned to her she had a strong feeling the arrow was probably poisoned.

"It hurts very much, more than I thought an arrow wound would." He said. "Do you think it hit anything important?"

Kira leaned forward slightly to examine the wound, not that she knew a whole lot. "It doesn't look like it hit anything." She said shrugging her shoulders a little. "But you know I don't know much about this kind of thing." She said. And frowned deeper as her lifted his hand to wipe away a tear that was making its way down her cheek.

Kira turned when she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up into the sympathetic eyes of her brother. She looked forward and saw Aragorn leaning over Anthony carefully looking over his arrow wound. He looked up at Kira and his eyes didn't look hopeful. She lowered and head and her shoulders slumped. Kira felt Nathan's grip on her shoulder tighten and soon he was kneeling next to her hugging her tightly.

"Anthony, listen to me carefully. I'm going to pull out the arrow now, okay?" he said looking the man in the eyes to make sure he understood. "It is going to hurt, a lot."

Anthony nodded and clasped Kira's hand and squeezed it, and he smiled at her as she squeezed back. She nodded and let him hold her hand. Anthony turned to face Aragorn and gave him a short nod. "I am ready Aragorn, go ahead."

Aragorn nodded and gave him a sad look. He pulled the arrow out with one swift yank and threw the arrow aside. Anthony squeezed Kira's hand hard and she bit her lip quite hard to keep from crying out. She saw Anthony close his eyes and his face scrunch up as he tensed and then when limp. Kira ignored the taste of blood in her mouth as she look expectantly at Aragorn who pulled something from his pocket and spread it over her friends wound.

He looked at her then and frowned shaking his head ever slightly. Kira looked back down to Anthony and leaned over him a little and begged him to wake up in French, hoping it might make some sort of difference. "Anthony mon ami, il est temps de se reveiller maintenant. Allons, reveillez-vous sil vous plais. Vous ne pouvez pas mourir, vous ne pouvez pas ne laisser. Sil vous plais. Reveillez-vous sil vous plais maintenant." She whispered in his ear.

Anthony coughed loudly and his eyelids fluttered. "Come on Anthony my friend. We need you to open you eyes and wake up now." Aragorn said. Anthony's eyes opened slowly and he moaned slightly.

Gandalf placed a gentle hand on Anthony's shoulder and looked at Kira then to the others. "To the bridge of Khazad-dum! Come we must make hast!" he said and helped Anthony up.

Kira reached out and took his uninjured arm and helped him along as the company jogged out of the rear door of the chamber. They ran through a high elaborate hall with huge pillars, there was a ray of light coming form some shaft at on the ceiling. Although she didn't look behind her, Kira could hear the growls and hisses of the orcs perusing them.

Kira then noticed the Orcs were streaming out from holes in the ceiling and floor and where now encircling them. She shifted and helped support Anthony, who looked pale and tired, with one arm and drew her sword with the other. She saw the others do the same and everyone stood in a circle.

Just then a fiery light appeared at the end of the great hall and a tremendous rumble followed. The orcs surrounding them suddenly appeared fearful and they took off leaving the group standing alone and staring after them. Kira turned to see Gandalf gaze down the hall at the light, he seemed very forlorn.

"What is this new devilry?" asked Boromir moving a little closer to the wizard.

For a moment he remained silent, Kira looked to him and saw he had shut his eyes and seemed to be concentrating. The rumble came again and she felt the floor shake. Gandalf finally opened his eyes and they looked to be grim and solemn. "A Balrog- a demon of the ancient world." A deep booming growl rung through the hall then and Kira shuddered she turned her head away from where the thing was coming from. She saw then that Legolas was also afraid, his eyes betrayed him. He glanced at her and frowned and looked at Anthony. "This foe is beyond any of you," he turned and looked at the group. "Run!"

Nathan went to Anthony's other side and very carefully put his arm around him to help him along as well. they ran as quickly as they could through a bunch of pillars and came to a small doorway. They slowed down, for they had to go through one at a time. Gandalf stood at the entrance shepherding them through. "Quickly."

They raced through the passageway and down a flight of steps Kira came through just as Legolas reached out and pulled Boromir back from falling into the abyss. Kira stumbled slightly as she stopped and just short of the missing segment of the stairs. Boromir clasped her shoulder and she looked up at him with worried eyes.

"Let me take him now, Lady Kira." He said switching his gaze to Anthony, who still looked pale and weary. She simply nodded in response and moved so Boromir took her friends arm and help him jog along with the rest of the group as they made their way down a twisting flight of stairs that descended into the fiery chasm.

Soon they encountered a gap in the stairway. Legolas jumped easily across and turned to face the rest of the fellowship. Kira winced mentally as the Balrog roared and the foundations cracked and splintered, and huge rocks fell into the depths. Legolas motioned with his hand. "Gandalf." He called. And the wizard leaped across the gap and turned to the group.

Arrows came whistling through the air towards them from a far ledge. They narrowly missed hitting their feet or legs. Kira watched as Legolas notched an arrow and let it fly, she followed the arrows path as it flew through the air and stuck into the skull of one of the orcs on the other side. The thing seemed to go stiff and fall forward into the fiery pit.

She turned as she felt a hand on her shoulder and Kira looked into the eyes of Boromir. "You go next Lady Kira. Just jump across, you can make it." he said with encouragement in his voice.

Kira nodded and smiled forcefully and started biting her lip. She turned to Gandalf and Legolas and saw the wizards give her a supporting smile and nod. Kira nodded, mostly to herself and leaped across the gap, she was caught, mostly, by Legolas and she turned quickly to watch Boromir and Nathan help Anthony jump across. Kira, Gandalf and Legolas all reached out and pulled him over, so he now stood next to Gandalf who help support him. Then came Nathan who leaped across easily and went to stand just behind Kira. Boromir then took both Merry and Pippin, one under each arm and jumped across the gap.

Kira put one hand on the shoulder of each hobbit and squeezed gently. "Sam." She heard Aragorn say, and he ushered the hobbit forward. He picked him up and tossed him across, and Boromir easily caught him. Aragorn turned to pick up Gimli but the dwarf held up his hand to stop him. "Nobody tosses a dwarf." He said and he swung his arms back and forth to build momentum. He leaped forward and landed right on the edge of the other side, and he started to fall back, but Legolas reached out and grabbed his beard swiftly.

"Not the beard!" Gimli yelled loudly as Legolas pulled him up.

Kira probably would have laughed if it they weren't in the deadly situation that they where currently in. another roar and the ground began to quake, large stones fell from the ceiling, the stairs that now held only Aragorn and Frodo crumbled and they scrambled up to keep from falling with the debris. The gap between them and the rest of the fellowship was now considerably bigger. Kira frowned and bit her lip in worry, shooting a glance just past them to the growing light behind the two.

Aragorn placed a hand on the hobbits shoulder and appeared to tell him something, turning to the company he yelled. "Hold on!"

The Balrog was getting closer, Kira could feel it. Her fear was growing and she shuddered slightly. She then felt a hand close over hers and she looked down to see Pippin, who was watching Aragorn and Frodo carefully, concern clearly written on his face. She gave his hand a small squeeze and watched as a piece of rock fell from above them and cut the path behind them. They where now standing on a section of stair cut off from both side, and the foundations started cracking and it wobbled uneasily from side to side.

Aragorn looked down to the now completely terrified Frodo. "Hang on! Lean forward!" he told him and they both leaned forward as the part of the stairs they were on tipped forward and they slammed into the part that the Kira and the others were standing on. Both Frodo and Aragorn leapt across the to safety as Legolas, Boromir and Nathan reached out to help pull them over.

They all turned and raced down the stairs as the stone section that Frodo and Aragorn where once trapped on toppled over and fell into the abyss. They ran onward and into another great hall Gandalf lead them as the dark figure coursing with fire advanced towards them. The orcs shouted and came pouring over the stone gangways. That is when Boromir paused and raised his horn and blew. The blast of the horn rang through the air like a challenge. For one moment the orcs recoiled and the flaming shadow stopped. Then the echoes died as suddenly as a flame blown out by the wind, and the orcs and the fiery demon moved forward again.

"Over the bridge!" Gandalf yelled, as he seemed to be gathering his strength. "Fly! This foe is beyond any of you. I must hold the way. Fly!"

The fellowship fled across the narrow bridge quickly. Kira paused and looked back at Gandalf before jogging across the bridge. 'This isn't good. Something's going to happen here, I just know it.' she thought as she chewed her lip worriedly. She stood on the other side of the bridge and watch in anticipation as Gandalf ran across the bridge and stopped just halfway across and turned around, readying himself.

The Balrog approached the bridge and Kira felt a wave of dread rise in her chest. Gandalf stood in the middle of the bridge leaning of his staff that he held in his left hand, but in his other hand Glamdring gleamed white. The monster halted at the foot of the bridge and great shadowy wings of ash whirled up from the things sides. It raised a whip that looked to make of pure fire. Flames came from its nostrils, and yet Gandalf stood firm.

"You cannot pass," he stated as he began to lift his staff and Glamdring slowly. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass." As he said this a blazing light radiated from his staff and illuminated the entire bridge, it seemed to encircle him. "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun." Just then the Balrog heaved it arm upwards and a red sword leaped flaming into its hand.

The Balrog struck down on the wizard who parried the blow with his own blade, shattering the demons sword. It fell in glowing embers around Gandalf who still stood, just staring at the creature made of flame and darkness. Enraged the thing bellowed a deep-throated roar at Gandalf, and Kira saw Frodo gasp and make to move forward. She watched as Aragorn reached out and held him firmly, to keep him form running forth.

"Go back to the shadow!" she heard Gandalf say with clear authority. The Balrog lashed out with its whip menacingly. Kira watched in fascination as Gandalf his staff and Glamdring into the air. "YOU...SHALL NOT...PASS!!!" he shouted and he drove his into the bridge causing a quick bright blue flash of light to appear.

Flaring its nostrils as it went, as if to call the wizards bluff, it stepped onto the bridge. Kira turned away and stepped into Nathan, just as the bridge collapsed right in front of Gandalf's staff and the Balrog fell. She heard Nathan breath a sigh of relief and turned back to see Gandalf wearily make his way towards them. But the relief was pre-mature, for just then the beast fiery whip sprung up and wrapped around Gandalf's ankle and drug him downwards.

Kira felt her heart fall and she almost fell to the ground, but strong arms wrapped around her shoulders and held her upright. Her vision burred and time seemed to stop completely, she didn't even register as Gandalf clung to the edge of the bridge and stared at them. Kira didn't see Frodo try to rush forward but Boromir restrained him. She didn't hear his last words. "Fly, you fools." Or that he then let go and let himself fall after the Balrog into the chasm below.

Nathan pulled Kira along as she seemed unable to move, and just stood staring at was once the bridge of Khazad-dum. They stumbled up the great stairs towards to door. Aragorn led them and Boromir took up the rear, helping Anthony along. The light grew brighter as they went. They soon passed into a hall bright with daylight from some high windows on the eastern side. The fled as quickly as they could across it, through its huge broken doors, and then suddenly before them the Great Gates opened, in an arch of blazing light.

There was a guard of orcs sitting in the shadows behind the doorposts towering on either side, but the gates were shattered and cast down. Aragorn struck down the captain that stood in his way, and the rest ran off scared. The Company ran on and paid little attention to them. Kira didn't even really notice that they were there.

Finally, they went beyond the gates and were now under the sky and felt the wind on their faces. Kira blinked a few times and slid from her brother's grasp into a small heap on the ground. She felt anguish and anxiety rise from the pit of her stomach and she felt tears streaming down her cheeks.

***

All right I am extremely sorry for the shortness of this chapter but I am very, very, VERY busy!!! You can tell that I'm busy because it took me over a week to finish only 7 pages of writing (Sad I know). I have no idea when I will have a chance to even start the next chapter *sigh*. Oh, and if anyone wants me to e-mail them when I update just tell me and leave your e- mail address in your review. A guy at my old high school died on Sunday, he was on a camping trip with some friends, and he was sleeping in the back seat, when the driver wrapped the car around a tree. The police say alcohol was involved. So my next update might be awhile because a) I am still busy applying for classes b) stupid work keeping me very, very busy and c) I am now also depressed and museless.

Disclaimer: nope not in the mood/ don't have the time, just look back a few chapters.

Translations (French): Anthony mon ami, il est temps de se reveiller maintenant. Allons, reveillez-vous sil vous plais. Vous ne pouvez pas mourir, vous ne pouvez pas me laisser. Sil vous plais. Reveillez-vous sil vous plais maintenant- Anthony my friend, it is time to wake up now. Come on, please wake up. You cannot die, you cannot leave me. Please. Please wake up.

Again sorry for lack of accents and grammatical errors in the French, my computer doesn't speak French.

Thank yous:

MaverickGirl: glad you don't mind waiting, but I still feel bad if I wait for too long between my updates. Happy you liked. Guess what, I have free time! *Smirk* it's like 7:00pm right now and I just got back from work like 10 minutes ago. Have to go back tomorrow as well *Grumble**Grumble*.

Fly Without Wings: it's okay, not really that big of a deal. I am just happy you review at all *Smile*. Very happy you liked them both. Sorry for the shortness of this one, but do you still like it?

A-vis: yep this is my first story. I have like three or four already planed out for when this is finished though. All are LOTR related *looks around innocently*. *Blush* you are so sweet, thank you. E-mailed you again; my e- mail sometime messes up on me so that why I ask if you got it, hope you got this one too.

LadySiri: *Smiles and bows graciously*. My new classes don't start until mid June, so until then the only thing I have to worry about till then is work. Yep, I just thought it be cute have those two be like the clingy little brothers (Even though they are both older than her but. eh, aw well).

Twin03: yes, and I am sorry about that. But the whole trip through Moria was so incredibly hard to write I basically just took mostly from the books on that. But I did that because in my own personal opinion, the movie moved through Moria WAY to fast, so that's why it was so boring and repetitive. I apologize for that. Now I would try and send this through the text part of the e-mail if I either a) thought it would fit in there, because hotmail text only accepts so many words. Or b) had the time. I think I might just try and take you up on that in some future chapters, but right now I just really do not have the time. Not to mention I feel very guilty putting so much time between updates. This chapter is sort of boring as well and I am also sorry for that, I'm not sure it could be helped.

PyroPixie: glad you liked it. I am happy she made up her mind as well, sort of, I think in probably could gotten away with dragging that one out a little bit more. Lots of people seem to like the relationship between Kira and the hobbits, why is that?

Tara: very pleased you enjoyed it. Don't be too nervous or you'll panic and forget everything you need to know (trust me). Did you do well? Hope you passed *Crosses her fingers*.

Arwen: yes in that chapter I did use lots of original dialog. You are half right as too why I a) have a little too much to do lately and didn't have the time. B) Moria was just so incredibly difficult to write I just couldn't help but take lots from the books in that one. I had WAY too much trouble writing that chapter for my liking. *Giggle* so, looks like you went on a little bit of a red rant. S'ok though I go on rants all the time. If you want the truth I actually didn't realize what I was doing until Iluvien called me on it *Hides her face* I know that's a bad thing, but I guess I just didn't pay attention to the whole colours clashing thing. I agree with you on the 'Mary Jane' in 'Spiderman' thing that bugged me too. It didn't suit her shade of red at all. Not just that but Kirsten Dunst doesn't really look good as a red head anyway in my opinion. Hope you like this chapter better than the last one.

Nox: glad you liked it. Sorry, still very busy and I haven't even started the next chapter, so I have no idea when it's going to come along. Sorry about that.

Spellbound: yeah, she's finally made up her mind. Well they're almost at Lothlorien; I STILL have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do once they get there though. Well Anthony's a little ill right now, so she can't exactly tell him anything that he would remember later on. I haven't figured that one out yet myself, though I don't think he'll be happy. 'Un- busy'? Is that a word? *Laugh* well here's the new update you wanted, sorry for the wait.

Seadew: and I am glad you still like it. I am too, and I don't know yet.

Nenindil: yes, I like the relationship she has with the hobbits as well, that's why I wrote it that way. Legolas is like her brother isn't he? Don't know why I did that, it just happened. That for the wish of luck, you're sweet.

All right so that's chapter seventeen all done with. Hope you all liked it. Please review and tell me what you thought, please? *Points over to the snack, desert and refreshment table* only the reviewers get to go there, so if you want some, go and click that lovely little button at the bottom of the page. Come on, you know you want to. Oh, I have a question, it's a stupid question but I guess I'm just curious. If you really could fall into Middle-Earth, where would you want to land and why? I don't want any 'I would land in Mirkwood, because that's where Legolas is' I want real answers here people. I think I would want to land in Lothlorien, just because it's the most beautiful forest I have ever seen, in both the movie(s) and in artist's conceptual art. Anyway I need to go now, so I hope you all like this chapter, please tell me what you think and review.

Namarie Aislin