Disclaimer: nope not mine, all Tolkien, I merely twist his words to suit my
own evil purposes.
A/L slash- if you don't like it then don't go any further!
Just have to say a huge thank you to all the people who have reviewed this story, you're the reason I'm writing this now instead of studying chemistry!! Please review, even if you hate the story, I want to know. Anyway on with chapter four.
A/N: I know I've changed a few minor details of the scene in Moria, but hey I've started messin with the thing and I mean to continue. So problem? Don't tell me, cos I flaunt artistic license! But I do apologise that this chapter is a little dull! But on another note-a shout out to Legolas 19, who, by my reckoning has been the first to review every chapter-which makes me instantly like you!!! Oh and I just found your story, which I am going to read right after I post this!
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"I've no memory of this place." Legolas stopped suddenly behind the Wizard, absorbing the words just uttered. He had no desire to travel through this dark dank tunnel, but to be lost among the rocky ruins of the Dwarves quite unnerved the wood elf. He observed Gandalf closely, hoping silently that the matter would be resolved quickly, and they would move on through the mines, out into the happy bright of the sun, or the silvery sheen of the stars. When Gandalf took up position on the boulders in front of the three portals, the elf sighed deeply to himself and turned away from the passages, into the stern face of Aragorn. The Ranger nodded briefly and brushed past Legolas towards Gandalf. Legolas was leaning against a rather large rock, close to Boromir when the other man returned. They all sat in silence for a time, the smoke from the men's pipes filling the air with a greyish plume, swirling in the drafts rising from the depths of the caves, and disappearing far above their heads. Aragorn seemed to be lost to the group, eyes stony like the walls on which they focused. He bowed his head, and then turned to the left, to where his elf stood.
His elf...but he wasn't, he had made certain of that. He wished the words in Rivendell unspoken again, that he could be sitting here beside his best friend, reassuring the elf that he would see the sky soon. He knew how uncomfortable Legolas was feeling. The Prince hid his emotions well, as he had been taught at court, but he could never fool one who knew him so well as Aragorn. He looked at the elf now, even as he stood gently caressing the soft wood of his bow, the touch reminding him of home. The grey wood of the bow was carved beautifully from the trees of Mirkwood, they would be dropping their leaves soon, laying their rust and golden carpet along the paths of Legolas's home, falling softly outside his windows. Aragorn was lost in his thoughts of that beautiful place, despite the dangers surrounding the Woodland Realm; Thranduil's palace remained a haven of the elves, protected by the ceaseless watch of their renowned warriors. He was laying on a soft bed of velvet now, the birds singing sweetly around him. His mind was completely devoid of the troubles of the outside world; he rubbed his head against the soft fabric of the cushions and sighed. He smiled when he felt a soft strand of hair fall on his forehead, and he knew instantly that it would be golden in colour, and apple scented. He reached his fingertips up to caress the silky strands, and was rewarded with a warm, delicate kiss on his lips. Aragorn opened his eyes to look in the cerulean irises of Legolas. He stroked the smooth skin of the elf's face and leaned in to kiss him again. Legolas smiled back at the Ranger, but even as the blue eyes of the elf sparkled with mirth, the image faded and Aragorn saw only black and grey and heard the dripping of hidden water somewhere in the distance. His mind was set now. He sprang lightly to his feet and strode over to the sombre elf.
Legolas looked up when he heard the purposeful footsteps of the man. Aragorn was so close to him now that he could feel the Ranger's breath on his neck. "Do not fear mellon nin, we will soon be rid of this place." Aragorn whispered softly to the elf. Legolas looked at the man incredulously.
"And what do you care how I am feeling? I do not fear the dark, Ranger; I simply do not wish to be so confined in my present company." Aragorn was shocked; Legolas had never spoken so irately to him, his voice sounded distorted and cruel.
And why should it not, he thought, had he not directed his own anger at the elf, just a few short days ago. "Legolas... forgive me, my words in Imladris..."
"What of them Aragorn? Is there some other way in which you would insult me, have you found a new method of humiliation fit for my ears?" The elf hissed the words loudly enough for Pippin and Merry to forget their current conversation and strain their ears to that of the man and elf.
"You know those were not my words Legolas. I was angry; I would wish them unsaid if it could be so." Aragorn pleaded with the elf, his eyes searching those of Legolas, looking for the love that once shone brightly within them. "I cannot bear the idea that you think ill of me, you are my true love-that will never change. I swore to you once that it would be forever, and my heart holds true to that oath." He grasped the elf's hand in his own. "Legolas?"
"Oh, it's that way!" The wizard brought all four of them from their reverie; Legolas removed his hand from the clutches of the man, and stalked gracefully after Gandalf through the stone passage way. Pippin stood motionless staring sadly at the lone figure of Aragorn, as the dejected Ranger composed himself and followed the Fellowship further into the mines.
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Legolas had never realised the beauty the Dwarves could create, but the lost city of Dwarrowdelf was superb to his eyes. He spun slowly round, looking in awe into the cavernous halls before Aragorn came under his gaze. He dropped his shoulders and turned away from the man, back where Gandalf and the others had congregated. But Gimli sprinted away to the right towards a new source of light, a narrow beam that shone into another chamber from an unknown source. The Fellowship followed the dwarf into the chamber and found him kneeling in front of a large stone tomb. Legolas recognised the language inscribed on the slab, but could understand it not.
"Here lies Balin, son of Hundin, Lord of Moria. He is dead then, it's as I feared" Gandalf handed his hat and staff to Pippin, before stooping to retrieve the tattered book that lay to the side of Balin's tomb. Legolas was uneasy, his keen senses alerted to some unseen danger close at hand, though he knew not what. He turned his head to scan outside the confines of the chamber, but even his elvish eyesight could not far penetrate the thick dark.
"We must move on, we cannot linger." He spoke to the air, and was not rewarded with any response. Boromir nodded briefly, but he could not force the company to move on. Aragorn however was more disturbed by the elf's words of caution, he had known Legolas all his days- the elf was never wrong when it came to such matters.
Their thoughts were interrupted quickly by the sound of metal against stone, and the crashing of a small heavy object down the depths of a well and into the expanse of the mine. Legolas snapped his head over to Pippin, his eyes widened with horror. When the noise finally subsided, and was met with nothing but silence, the group let a collective sigh.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!"
Then came the drums in the deep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"They have a cave troll!" Legolas threw another rotting axe to Boromir- the two men busied themselves barring the heavy door to the chamber. They all stood together, Legolas bidding one of the hideous creatures show their faces that he might loose an arrow. The head of an axe pierced the wood of the door- letting a small splinter fly to the ground. The elf needed no more. The arrow flew from his bow, striking his target exactly, even as he nocked another, aimed and fired. Boromir for the first time did not doubt why the elf was fit to accompany them on their quest. The men charged down the orcs that now spilled into the room, crying with awful, shrill voices. Aragorn hewed at the neck of one, while the hobbits ran down another group that had threatened the Ringbearer. And then it appeared. Led on a chain, it swung its huge hammer at Sam, not even fazed by the arrow Legolas had lodged in its shoulder.
Aragorn and Boromir now fought side by side, the two great captains-masters of the sword. Aragorn's strokes were fierce and merciless, though his mind was not one of malice but concern. He could feel the elf was nearby, and he feared, though he had no reason, that some hurt would befall Legolas, ere the battle was done. He heard another arrow whistle through the air, the sound was not new to his ears and he sighed a little to know that Legolas's bow was still singing. His face was grave when he was spun round to face the elf. Legolas now stood upon a low stone panel, having jus shot again at the monstrous troll. He dispatched two orcs quickly, stabbing each with an arrow to the throat. When he turned the heavy iron chain was sweeping towards him. He dove underneath it. Again and again, the troll swung the heavy leash, while Legolas ducked to escape the blows. The chain inched ever closer to the elf with each stroke.
"Legolas!" Aragorn looked on in horror. He fought his way to his friend, hewing at orc heads as he ran. The chain now caught around a large pillar, and he saw Legolas stamp his foot upon it, holding it in place. "Nooo! Legolas...!" his cries fell on deaf ears. The elf danced lightly up along the length of the chain until he stood astride the troll's enormous head. Aragorn could do nothing to stop him. He launched another arrow, straight into the troll's skull, and sprang down from its shoulders, landing softly on the ground in front of the Ranger. An arrow skimmed past Aragorn's ear, killing a rogue orc that would have hewed him from behind. He said nothing. His breathing was quick and shallow. He looked into the cobalt eyes of his companion, his face still taut with worry. And he sighed. For the elf's eyes sparkled, and a small smile formed on his lips. Then the pair stirred, as though waked from a trance. They dove into the foray once again. Aragorn ran two orcs through with his sword, and spun on his heel to cut another down behind him. And then he saw the troll attack Frodo and the other hobbits.
He ran to the small hobbit. The troll was sniffing around the pillar Frodo hid behind, drawn to the Halfling by some hidden force. Frodo called to Aragorn for help, and the man happily threw himself in the path of the attack. He lunged at the enormous creature with a long discarded spear, stabbing it firmly in the chest. But the troll's skin was thick, and the wound not so deep as it appeared. A mighty blow from the beast's hand sent the Ranger reeling. He bounded unkindly off the pillar to his right and landed heaped on the floor. Frodo tried to crawl to the fallen man, but he was thrown back against the wall and with a final thrust the troll ran the spear at him, and all was dark.
Merry and Pippin called frantically to Legolas when Aragorn was hurt. The elf was desperate to reach the man he had once loved do dearly. The two smaller Hobbits tightened their grip on their sword hilts and fired themselves at the troll, hacking and nipping at its back with their blades. Pippin gave one last stab to the back of the troll and it raised its ugly head, allowing the elf to send an arrow through its skull from beneath. It collapsed now at Legolas's feet. The elf moved off to where Aragorn had lain, and was relieved. The man crawled over broken stone to Frodo, who lay as dead on the ground. The group gathered round the small figure, who shocked them all when he gasped for breath, and sat up apparently unhurt.
"To the bridge of Khazad-Dum!"
Legolas looked into Aragorn's eyes when he ran past the Ranger, into yet another vast hall of stone. Aragorn could only hope that the look meant all that he hoped it would.
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"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world."
Only Legolas seemed to comprehend the danger they now faced. They ran on at Gandalf's bidding, through another passage way. Legolas ran swiftly behind Boromir, catching the Captain of Gondor, and pulling him to safety from the deep plunge where the stair fell away into nothing. On they went, down and down, the heat from below them grew steadily as they ran, and the flames threatened to lick at their heels any moment. All were forced to halt at a gap in the great stair, but Legolas jumped deftly to the other side, and begged the others to follow. Gandalf had made his way safely across when the arrows struck about their feet. The whined through the air and snapped against the stone, then rattled and fell into the pits below. The orcs were no match for the skill of the Wood Elves, and their youngest prince could not be outdone by any who tried. He nocked an arrow quickly, fired, and then nocked another. He shot again. Even with only the flickering light of the flames below to guide him, he did not miss. He stopped and turned to catch Boromir and the two small Hobbits he carried, as they flung themselves over the precipice. Aragorn provided cover while the others fled. His shots met their targets, though he felt it only luck rather than skill. He quickly tossed Sam over to Boromir, and reached around to send Gimli by the same path. Legolas was sending arrows through the air with all the speed he could muster, but his quiver was almost empty, and the orcs multiplied. Boromir found himself once again in awe of the elf before him, and at once felt angry that he had not thought better of that fair being from the outset. He was snapped out of his thoughts by Legolas's arm reaching over to catch Gimli by the beard, and save him from a long fall.
The stair crumbled away from under their feet. Aragorn could not jump the distance that now lay between him and the rest of the Fellowship. The upper stairs came crashing down on them; the noise filled the whole cavern with an awful echo that resounded from all around them. They felt trapped. Frodo looked desperately to Aragorn to save him. The ground underneath them began to move, swaying this way and that, rocking away under their feet. Their only hope would be that the bridge could fall against the lower portions, and then they would take their chance to jump blindly. They leant forward, and with them went the stair. Legolas beckoned for them to jump. And he caught them. The stairs cracked and splintered, and fell into the abyss. And again they ran on.
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They gathered solemnly on the rocks outside the eastern gate of Moria. The sun bathed them in his rays, but it was not enough to empty them of the cold. Legolas had longed to leave the gloom of the mine, but even he did not now notice how glorious the warm sun felt against his face. Gandalf had fallen. Their guide, counsellor and friend had plunged into darkness, as had their hearts. Aragorn urged them on, into the haven of the Golden Wood, but the Hobbits would not be so easily moved. Looking at Aragorn, no one could have guessed the pain the loss of the old wizard had caused. But Legolas knew. He read the man, and helped him rouse the others, that they might find some peace for the night ahead. Their first night without Gandalf.
A/L slash- if you don't like it then don't go any further!
Just have to say a huge thank you to all the people who have reviewed this story, you're the reason I'm writing this now instead of studying chemistry!! Please review, even if you hate the story, I want to know. Anyway on with chapter four.
A/N: I know I've changed a few minor details of the scene in Moria, but hey I've started messin with the thing and I mean to continue. So problem? Don't tell me, cos I flaunt artistic license! But I do apologise that this chapter is a little dull! But on another note-a shout out to Legolas 19, who, by my reckoning has been the first to review every chapter-which makes me instantly like you!!! Oh and I just found your story, which I am going to read right after I post this!
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"I've no memory of this place." Legolas stopped suddenly behind the Wizard, absorbing the words just uttered. He had no desire to travel through this dark dank tunnel, but to be lost among the rocky ruins of the Dwarves quite unnerved the wood elf. He observed Gandalf closely, hoping silently that the matter would be resolved quickly, and they would move on through the mines, out into the happy bright of the sun, or the silvery sheen of the stars. When Gandalf took up position on the boulders in front of the three portals, the elf sighed deeply to himself and turned away from the passages, into the stern face of Aragorn. The Ranger nodded briefly and brushed past Legolas towards Gandalf. Legolas was leaning against a rather large rock, close to Boromir when the other man returned. They all sat in silence for a time, the smoke from the men's pipes filling the air with a greyish plume, swirling in the drafts rising from the depths of the caves, and disappearing far above their heads. Aragorn seemed to be lost to the group, eyes stony like the walls on which they focused. He bowed his head, and then turned to the left, to where his elf stood.
His elf...but he wasn't, he had made certain of that. He wished the words in Rivendell unspoken again, that he could be sitting here beside his best friend, reassuring the elf that he would see the sky soon. He knew how uncomfortable Legolas was feeling. The Prince hid his emotions well, as he had been taught at court, but he could never fool one who knew him so well as Aragorn. He looked at the elf now, even as he stood gently caressing the soft wood of his bow, the touch reminding him of home. The grey wood of the bow was carved beautifully from the trees of Mirkwood, they would be dropping their leaves soon, laying their rust and golden carpet along the paths of Legolas's home, falling softly outside his windows. Aragorn was lost in his thoughts of that beautiful place, despite the dangers surrounding the Woodland Realm; Thranduil's palace remained a haven of the elves, protected by the ceaseless watch of their renowned warriors. He was laying on a soft bed of velvet now, the birds singing sweetly around him. His mind was completely devoid of the troubles of the outside world; he rubbed his head against the soft fabric of the cushions and sighed. He smiled when he felt a soft strand of hair fall on his forehead, and he knew instantly that it would be golden in colour, and apple scented. He reached his fingertips up to caress the silky strands, and was rewarded with a warm, delicate kiss on his lips. Aragorn opened his eyes to look in the cerulean irises of Legolas. He stroked the smooth skin of the elf's face and leaned in to kiss him again. Legolas smiled back at the Ranger, but even as the blue eyes of the elf sparkled with mirth, the image faded and Aragorn saw only black and grey and heard the dripping of hidden water somewhere in the distance. His mind was set now. He sprang lightly to his feet and strode over to the sombre elf.
Legolas looked up when he heard the purposeful footsteps of the man. Aragorn was so close to him now that he could feel the Ranger's breath on his neck. "Do not fear mellon nin, we will soon be rid of this place." Aragorn whispered softly to the elf. Legolas looked at the man incredulously.
"And what do you care how I am feeling? I do not fear the dark, Ranger; I simply do not wish to be so confined in my present company." Aragorn was shocked; Legolas had never spoken so irately to him, his voice sounded distorted and cruel.
And why should it not, he thought, had he not directed his own anger at the elf, just a few short days ago. "Legolas... forgive me, my words in Imladris..."
"What of them Aragorn? Is there some other way in which you would insult me, have you found a new method of humiliation fit for my ears?" The elf hissed the words loudly enough for Pippin and Merry to forget their current conversation and strain their ears to that of the man and elf.
"You know those were not my words Legolas. I was angry; I would wish them unsaid if it could be so." Aragorn pleaded with the elf, his eyes searching those of Legolas, looking for the love that once shone brightly within them. "I cannot bear the idea that you think ill of me, you are my true love-that will never change. I swore to you once that it would be forever, and my heart holds true to that oath." He grasped the elf's hand in his own. "Legolas?"
"Oh, it's that way!" The wizard brought all four of them from their reverie; Legolas removed his hand from the clutches of the man, and stalked gracefully after Gandalf through the stone passage way. Pippin stood motionless staring sadly at the lone figure of Aragorn, as the dejected Ranger composed himself and followed the Fellowship further into the mines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas had never realised the beauty the Dwarves could create, but the lost city of Dwarrowdelf was superb to his eyes. He spun slowly round, looking in awe into the cavernous halls before Aragorn came under his gaze. He dropped his shoulders and turned away from the man, back where Gandalf and the others had congregated. But Gimli sprinted away to the right towards a new source of light, a narrow beam that shone into another chamber from an unknown source. The Fellowship followed the dwarf into the chamber and found him kneeling in front of a large stone tomb. Legolas recognised the language inscribed on the slab, but could understand it not.
"Here lies Balin, son of Hundin, Lord of Moria. He is dead then, it's as I feared" Gandalf handed his hat and staff to Pippin, before stooping to retrieve the tattered book that lay to the side of Balin's tomb. Legolas was uneasy, his keen senses alerted to some unseen danger close at hand, though he knew not what. He turned his head to scan outside the confines of the chamber, but even his elvish eyesight could not far penetrate the thick dark.
"We must move on, we cannot linger." He spoke to the air, and was not rewarded with any response. Boromir nodded briefly, but he could not force the company to move on. Aragorn however was more disturbed by the elf's words of caution, he had known Legolas all his days- the elf was never wrong when it came to such matters.
Their thoughts were interrupted quickly by the sound of metal against stone, and the crashing of a small heavy object down the depths of a well and into the expanse of the mine. Legolas snapped his head over to Pippin, his eyes widened with horror. When the noise finally subsided, and was met with nothing but silence, the group let a collective sigh.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!"
Then came the drums in the deep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"They have a cave troll!" Legolas threw another rotting axe to Boromir- the two men busied themselves barring the heavy door to the chamber. They all stood together, Legolas bidding one of the hideous creatures show their faces that he might loose an arrow. The head of an axe pierced the wood of the door- letting a small splinter fly to the ground. The elf needed no more. The arrow flew from his bow, striking his target exactly, even as he nocked another, aimed and fired. Boromir for the first time did not doubt why the elf was fit to accompany them on their quest. The men charged down the orcs that now spilled into the room, crying with awful, shrill voices. Aragorn hewed at the neck of one, while the hobbits ran down another group that had threatened the Ringbearer. And then it appeared. Led on a chain, it swung its huge hammer at Sam, not even fazed by the arrow Legolas had lodged in its shoulder.
Aragorn and Boromir now fought side by side, the two great captains-masters of the sword. Aragorn's strokes were fierce and merciless, though his mind was not one of malice but concern. He could feel the elf was nearby, and he feared, though he had no reason, that some hurt would befall Legolas, ere the battle was done. He heard another arrow whistle through the air, the sound was not new to his ears and he sighed a little to know that Legolas's bow was still singing. His face was grave when he was spun round to face the elf. Legolas now stood upon a low stone panel, having jus shot again at the monstrous troll. He dispatched two orcs quickly, stabbing each with an arrow to the throat. When he turned the heavy iron chain was sweeping towards him. He dove underneath it. Again and again, the troll swung the heavy leash, while Legolas ducked to escape the blows. The chain inched ever closer to the elf with each stroke.
"Legolas!" Aragorn looked on in horror. He fought his way to his friend, hewing at orc heads as he ran. The chain now caught around a large pillar, and he saw Legolas stamp his foot upon it, holding it in place. "Nooo! Legolas...!" his cries fell on deaf ears. The elf danced lightly up along the length of the chain until he stood astride the troll's enormous head. Aragorn could do nothing to stop him. He launched another arrow, straight into the troll's skull, and sprang down from its shoulders, landing softly on the ground in front of the Ranger. An arrow skimmed past Aragorn's ear, killing a rogue orc that would have hewed him from behind. He said nothing. His breathing was quick and shallow. He looked into the cobalt eyes of his companion, his face still taut with worry. And he sighed. For the elf's eyes sparkled, and a small smile formed on his lips. Then the pair stirred, as though waked from a trance. They dove into the foray once again. Aragorn ran two orcs through with his sword, and spun on his heel to cut another down behind him. And then he saw the troll attack Frodo and the other hobbits.
He ran to the small hobbit. The troll was sniffing around the pillar Frodo hid behind, drawn to the Halfling by some hidden force. Frodo called to Aragorn for help, and the man happily threw himself in the path of the attack. He lunged at the enormous creature with a long discarded spear, stabbing it firmly in the chest. But the troll's skin was thick, and the wound not so deep as it appeared. A mighty blow from the beast's hand sent the Ranger reeling. He bounded unkindly off the pillar to his right and landed heaped on the floor. Frodo tried to crawl to the fallen man, but he was thrown back against the wall and with a final thrust the troll ran the spear at him, and all was dark.
Merry and Pippin called frantically to Legolas when Aragorn was hurt. The elf was desperate to reach the man he had once loved do dearly. The two smaller Hobbits tightened their grip on their sword hilts and fired themselves at the troll, hacking and nipping at its back with their blades. Pippin gave one last stab to the back of the troll and it raised its ugly head, allowing the elf to send an arrow through its skull from beneath. It collapsed now at Legolas's feet. The elf moved off to where Aragorn had lain, and was relieved. The man crawled over broken stone to Frodo, who lay as dead on the ground. The group gathered round the small figure, who shocked them all when he gasped for breath, and sat up apparently unhurt.
"To the bridge of Khazad-Dum!"
Legolas looked into Aragorn's eyes when he ran past the Ranger, into yet another vast hall of stone. Aragorn could only hope that the look meant all that he hoped it would.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world."
Only Legolas seemed to comprehend the danger they now faced. They ran on at Gandalf's bidding, through another passage way. Legolas ran swiftly behind Boromir, catching the Captain of Gondor, and pulling him to safety from the deep plunge where the stair fell away into nothing. On they went, down and down, the heat from below them grew steadily as they ran, and the flames threatened to lick at their heels any moment. All were forced to halt at a gap in the great stair, but Legolas jumped deftly to the other side, and begged the others to follow. Gandalf had made his way safely across when the arrows struck about their feet. The whined through the air and snapped against the stone, then rattled and fell into the pits below. The orcs were no match for the skill of the Wood Elves, and their youngest prince could not be outdone by any who tried. He nocked an arrow quickly, fired, and then nocked another. He shot again. Even with only the flickering light of the flames below to guide him, he did not miss. He stopped and turned to catch Boromir and the two small Hobbits he carried, as they flung themselves over the precipice. Aragorn provided cover while the others fled. His shots met their targets, though he felt it only luck rather than skill. He quickly tossed Sam over to Boromir, and reached around to send Gimli by the same path. Legolas was sending arrows through the air with all the speed he could muster, but his quiver was almost empty, and the orcs multiplied. Boromir found himself once again in awe of the elf before him, and at once felt angry that he had not thought better of that fair being from the outset. He was snapped out of his thoughts by Legolas's arm reaching over to catch Gimli by the beard, and save him from a long fall.
The stair crumbled away from under their feet. Aragorn could not jump the distance that now lay between him and the rest of the Fellowship. The upper stairs came crashing down on them; the noise filled the whole cavern with an awful echo that resounded from all around them. They felt trapped. Frodo looked desperately to Aragorn to save him. The ground underneath them began to move, swaying this way and that, rocking away under their feet. Their only hope would be that the bridge could fall against the lower portions, and then they would take their chance to jump blindly. They leant forward, and with them went the stair. Legolas beckoned for them to jump. And he caught them. The stairs cracked and splintered, and fell into the abyss. And again they ran on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They gathered solemnly on the rocks outside the eastern gate of Moria. The sun bathed them in his rays, but it was not enough to empty them of the cold. Legolas had longed to leave the gloom of the mine, but even he did not now notice how glorious the warm sun felt against his face. Gandalf had fallen. Their guide, counsellor and friend had plunged into darkness, as had their hearts. Aragorn urged them on, into the haven of the Golden Wood, but the Hobbits would not be so easily moved. Looking at Aragorn, no one could have guessed the pain the loss of the old wizard had caused. But Legolas knew. He read the man, and helped him rouse the others, that they might find some peace for the night ahead. Their first night without Gandalf.