Chapter Six: Fear and Death
Stephanie's P.O.V
Was that a heart wrencher or what!? Dries eyes I was hardly in it... but it was still moving. Anywho... we continued in the dark for like the next week until we got to a clearing with three separate doorways. Gandalf stood in the middle of them and thought.
"I have no memory of this place," he finally muttered. I sighed. Now we had to sit around and wait for him to find the right way. Perfect. I stood by Baby, who was eating an apple I had in my saddlebag. Neko mewed and jumped to the floor. She ran to Shelby. My friend sat with Legolas, talking. She paused to pick up the black kitten. Neko jumped to Legolas next and curled up on his lap.
I smiled and turned to the others. Brianna was leaning against Aragorn, eyes closed. He had an arm around her and was talking to Boromir and Gimli. Sharylan and Shannon were laughing with Merry and Pippin. Frodo was napping near a large bolder, bored out of his tiny mind. Sam sat alone, visibly sulking. He missed Bill. Bill had been released before we entered the mines. I sighed and sat next to him.
"Don't worry Sam... Bill's alright."
The Hobbit looked to me.
"I know, I just miss him."
"You can take care of Baby for me as long as we're in here. Would you like that?"
Sam's head shot up.
"Really?"
I nodded. He smiled and hugged me.
"Thank you Miss Stephanie!"
"No problem Sam."
Over his shoulder, I saw Shelby and Legolas looking at us.
"Hobbit moment," she giggled. Everyone heard it and started snickering. Sam blushed and sat back down. Now look what they've gone and done... Sam's embarrassed. I stood, indignant and enraged.
"Don't you start talking about moments, Shelby. You're on that Elf every chance you get," I sneered.
Shannon busted out laughing.
"Ouch," Brianna hissed, looking our way but still with Aragorn. Shelby stood, handing Neko to Legolas, and got in my face.
"You think you're funny?" She asked in a mock angered voice.
"Yea... I think I am," I said, not nearly as mad as I had been.
She laughed shortly after and pounced on me. We wrestled for a few minutes until Gimli and Legolas got tired of watching.
"That's enough Shelby." The fair Elf had no trouble pulling her away, for she had turned her attack towards him. (you know... just for laughs) Soon, they were on the ground, 'wrestling'. I stood back and studied this. Clearly... Legolas was winning. He had her pinned to the ground. All she was doing was struggling. He held her arms down.
"Took you long enough," Sharylan laughed.
"Do you give up?" He asked.
"Never!!" Shelby cried and continued to squirm.
"Alright." He sat there, looked around in boredom. She never stopped.
"Good Lord!" I cried. "Give up Shelby!"
Finally, she stopped and sighed. Legolas got up, holding his hand out for her.
"Now, was that so hard?"
The girl looked at him blankly for a moment then knocked him over. She grabbed his arms and pulled them down, actually pinning the poor creature on his side.
"I win!!" She shouted, jumping up and down. This dance of hers carried on for a few minutes until Gandalf stood.
"Ah, it's that way."
"He remembered," Merry announced getting up.
"No."
"How can you tell then?" Brianna asked.
"The air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt... always follow your nose."
I giggled. He sounded like that bird from the cereal commercial. 'Always follow your nose!' He looked at me as if I was crazy... which I am. I ignored him and followed the company to a huge, open hall.
"Trippy," Shelby muttered. Gimli looked left and right then spotted a doorway. He ran in. We followed. Gandalf stopped dead in his tracks.
"Oh no."
The dwarf was kneeled next to a stone sarcophagus with the name 'Baline' chiseled into its side. Gimli started to wail. Legolas stepped up and placed a hand on his shoulder. As Gandalf read from an old book he found, me and the girls looked around. Sharylan sent us all a glance.
"Are you ready for the battle?" She whispered. I pale, but nodded. The others got the message and held their weapons closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pippin draw near a well in the corner.
"No! Pippin!" But it was too late. The bucket and skeleton plummeted down the long drop, through an Orc colony... just to make things fun. The Fellowship shot their heads up to see a cringing Pippin. The clanging echoed through out the whole mine. Finally, all was quiet. Boromir sighed, relieved. I tensed.
"Fool of a Took!" The Ishtar yelled sharply, grabbing his hat and staff from the little Hobbit. "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"
I walked over to him and placed an arm around his shoulder.
"It's ok 'Pip', he didn't mean it."
He smiled up at me. Then the drums sounded off. Shannon pulled her sword out of its sheath. Brianna readied her blade and began to back up towards the other Hobbits. Shelby notched an arrow in her bow. I gulped and held Pippin closer to my side while pulling out my own weapon. Frodo pulled out his sword, glowing blue.
"Orcs!" Legolas identified. Aragorn gave the order for the Hobbits to fall back near Gandalf. Boromir ran to the main entrance and looked out, jumping back to avoid three arrows now stuck in the door.
"They have a cave troll," he said casually. Legolas and Aragorn ran to him and started barring the door off. I looked around, counting off everyone there. Gimli stood atop his cousin's grave, holding his ax firm. Sharylan revealed her many daggers and prepared to throw. Now we waited for the Orcs to break in. They were pounding against doors. I glanced at Legolas. He had an arrow notched, eyes concentrated on the enemy. A piece of door fell to the ground. An opening widened and an Orc face showed through. The Elf shot with precise aim and killed the Orc. Suddenly, the door was smashed in. The fight had started.
Sharylan's P.O.V
Hundreds of black things rushed us left and right. We fought hard. Five minutes into the fight and I had already killed four Orcs! I hadn't exactly seen a lot of action though. They were all swarming around Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir. Don't know why... but I preferred to keep it that way. As the fighting continued, the stupid Cave Troll saw me and came over. I'm think'n... I'm screwed... but luckily, Shelby grabbed me. We jumped out of the way and into- you guessed it- more Orcs. This was getting really boring. I spotted Shannon, Sharylan, and Brianna backing up Gandalf and the boys. Sam had kept most of the Orcs at bay. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo were around here somewhere.
"Are you getting tired yet?" I asked. Shelby nodded. The Cave Troll came back our way, smushing the rock we were hidden behind.
"Again?!"
We dodged separate ways and ran for our lives. My traveling dress (a wonderful pale green) was stained with dirt and only God knows what else. I hid behind a second big rock and watched Shelby sprint towards some stairs.
"Legolas!!" I cried, helping her out a lil. She did, after all, save my life a few minutes ago. The Elf whirled around to see the girl barely dodge an attack. He placed his bow on his shoulder and ran for all he was worth. The troll was quickly gaining on my friend. She turned slightly to see its massive club come down and was thrown into the air. The monster had slammed the ground next to her, loosening the stone under foot, and sent her flying. Shelby would have been troll chow... but Legolas snatched her from the air first. They rolled away from the scene and finally stopped, both temporarily dazed. I ran to them.
"Guys are you...?" My sentence was forgotten. I started giggling. Legolas was lying on top of Shelby, hands placed on the floor behind her shoulders. They were mere centimeters apart. The Elf blushed a bright red when he recovered from the fall. He immediately jumped off and pulled Shel to her feet.
"Stay on guard and watch your back," Legolas said before running back into battle. Shelby stood, mouth open.
"He was right on top of me..."
"Yea. He was."
"On top!?"
"Oh yeah."
"Hello!!"
We snapped our heads up to see Shannon surrounded by Orcs on the top level.
"I think I need a lil help here!!"
"Oh right! Coming Shannon!"
Finally making it to my twin... we kicked some major Orc ass. Oh yeah! I reign supreme!! That was... until the troll came back.
"What the hell!? Go away!" Shelby shouted, drawing the thing's attention.
"Good going Shelby!!" I cried, running for the stairs. The two were right behind me. Brianna intercepted us and told us to run for the corner. Once there, the troll looked around, confused.
"Ha! You're too stupid to see me!" Shelby, my ever-hyper hazel-eyed friend, shouted in triumph. The thing eventually got tired of searching and walked away.
"Now that that's over..."
"Strider!!" A small, Hobbit sized voice cried.
The four of us turned around.
"No!"
Brianna's P.O.V
We thought the fight had ended, until Frodo screamed. The freak troll had cornered the poor Hobbit and was closing in on him.
"No!" Stephanie shouted from behind us. She rushed to his side and struck the troll on the arm with her impressive sword. It howled in pain and held its wound while Sharylan waved them to us.
"Steph!" I whispered/yelled, pulling her over. "You're supposed to let the quest go as planned! Don't change the story!"
"I know, but he looked so scared," she muttered.
"Well, you're going to have to fix this."
She sulked for a moment and then nodded.
"Fine."
She thought fast and ran back to the Cave troll, pissing it off. When it was ready to kill again, she ran back to us.
"Run!" the girl shouted. We did. Frodo was too small and slow to keep up and got caught again.
"I told you I'd fix it!" Stephanie exclaimed, looking at me. I hardly thought that that was a Grade-A plan. Groaning, I looked at my dark green dress, rolled my eyes, and watched as things go right.
Frodo had been 'stabbed' by the troll. Aragorn woke from being slammed into a wall and crawled to him. Sam took out a few more Orcs before joining Strider. Pippin and Merry took revenge for their cousin and jumped on the troll, surprising the beast, as well as me. They got some guts. I would have left a long time ago. Gimli and Gandalf kept up the fight near the others as Boromir tied up a small pack of monsters on the other side of the room. Legolas ran in front of the huge beast and aimed. He let an arrow cut the still air and lodge itself in the throat of the troll from its mouth. The dying thing groaned, and finally fell over. Merry, the smart one, jumped off as it was distracted, but Pippin stayed and got pulled down with the monster. He would have been crushed by the troll's weight if it weren't for Legolas. The Elf pulled him away before he was harmed. Does he ever get tired of diving and swimming and leaping and running to save everyone? I don't see how he can do it over and over and over and over and over...
Shannon's P.O.V Bri got tired of talking so... here I am!
"He's alive!"
I looked to the nine. They gawked at the methril Frodo wore under his shirt.
"There's more to this Hobbit than we know." Gandalf muttered. The sounds of reinforcements brought us back to the 'real world'. "To the bridge of Caza Doom!"
We ran through a small door to the left that was slightly jarred for escaping. There, Baby and Neko waited patiently for us. (They just sat there the whole time. Lazy animals really.) Stephanie leaped onto the mare's back and started her in a gallop. Neko was tucked safely in the crook of her arm as she rode onward. Sharylan ran ahead with Gandalf in front of her, Brianna close behind. I ran with the Hobbits and Gimli in the middle. Aragorn and Legolas took up the rear with Shelby, a few paces behind. Orcs were coming out of the woodwork like crazy! They scurried in from all sides, cracks in the walls, even from eroded parts of the ceiling. I was NOT feel'n this! Soon, all the little freaks had us surrounded. Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gandalf formed a protective circle around the Hobbits and us. I backed up to Boromir, eyeing the Orcs wearily.
"What do we do?"
"They greatly outnumber us. I know not Shannon."
He looked down at me briefly. I looked to the army formed around us and subconsciously tightened my hold on the hilt of my sword.
Shelby's P.O.V
This won't end well. I was forced to the middle of a formed circle.
"Is there no way out of this!?"
"It will be difficult. Stay back," Gimli ordered.
The Hobbits stood by, ready to bolt if need be. Sam held Baby's reins as Neko dove into a saddlebag once again. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo had their swords drawn. The girls held their weapons high, expecting the worst. I looked into the eyes of an Orc in front of me. It smirked and attempted to grab me. Before its creepy hands touched me, Legolas pulled me close to him.
"Do not show them fear," he whispered, keeping an arm around me. "You have no reason to, I'm right here."
I tried to stay calm, but having a little over ten hundred Orcs waiting to kill me and the most perfect being on this planet holding me is making it a little hard. The same Orc approached us again and was met with the tip of Legolas's arrow. The creature started growling. The prince hissed in return, very out of character.
"Whoa..." I gasped. The Orc had its eyes on me. Legolas growled and tightened his hold on my waist.
"Willing to strike a deal, Elf? The girl for safe passage?" it asked. My eyes widened. (no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no chanting)
"Back away beast!" The Elf snapped, glaring him down. The Orc sneered and shied away slightly.
"I was no different than you once. Don't think you're better than me just because I am of a different breed now."
Legolas hissed once more. The Orc finally fell back. I look up at him.
"Legolas...?"
A sudden 'boom!' shook the hall. The Orcs looked franticly around, then ran. Aragorn came to stand beside us.
"They're falling back."
The Elf aimed in an array of places then lowered his weapon.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked, coming to stand with us also. Gandalf muttered something.
"'Tis no devilry. A Belrog."
Legolas's eyes widened as fear flooded his features.
"Belrog," he repeated in a quiet, absent voice.
"These weapons will do nothing against it. Run!!"
We took off into parts unknown. A short staircase led us to that big room with the stairs... yeah, those stairs. My heart stalled a few beats. Conveniently, there was a gaping space between one side and the other. (Lovely.) Legolas jumped across first.
"Gandalf!" He called. The old wizard grabbed his hat and jumped, aided by the Elf. Suddenly, arrows flew past us. Aragorn and me whipped out our bows and fired back, the others making it across. (Don't ask me how they managed to get Baby over. I was busy shooting.) Soon, it was just him, Frodo, and me. The ranger lifted me up and tossed me over into Legolas's arms. The staircase then began to break. Strider and Frodo fought to stay away from the growing edge. The foundation under the case also cracked and chipped. The two swayed dangerously with the hunk of stone until it fell close to our side. They jumped at the last possible moment and made it across. We then ran through a long hall and neared the pole thin bridge. I cursed silently and broke out in a full sprint.
Legolas's P.O.V
A Belrog. Why a Belrog!? Curse this!! Fumes and rants for a few minutes Stupid quest... Yells in Elvish. Kicks something over. Pulls out bow and shoots something. I'm better. Many apologies, friends. A little angry there.
Just as I thought we were safe, the Belrog showed itself. I ran on pure fear then, though I was careful not to let anyone see it. We came to a one- person rock bridge stretching over a deep, dark chasm. Boromir ran over first and saw to it that the Hobbits got across. Stephanie led Baby by the reins quickly to the other side. The spell had held up... but I don't know how much longer it will stay. Brianna grabbed Shelby's hand and ran across, Shannon and Sharylan close behind. Gimli went, then I, and lastly Aragorn. Gandalf was still on the bridge when It came to face him. The brave wizard stood his ground and held his staff out.
"You shall not pass." He said. The fiery beast showed his flaming sword and whip. Gandalf was not moved. It attacked. He put up a shield and continued to stay.
"You-shall-not-pass!!" He struck the bridge beneath him. The Belrog advanced and fell though the passage, half of which had fallen as well. Gandalf began to walk towards us, but the fire monster's whip came lashed out and grasped him by the leg. He held onto the side of the broken half and looked to us. Frodo attempted to run to him, but Boromir held the Hobbit back.
"Gandalf!!" The emotions I felt from the Ring Bearer were so great, I felt my own energy drain just to conceal them in myself.
"Fly you fools."
Those were his final words before he fell into the darkness.
"No!!" Frodo screamed. We made quick escape. Once outside and finally out of danger the fellowship slumped into a sense of dread and grief. I felt it all. Merry and Pippin were huddled together, crying for the fallen wizard near me. I saw Gimli try to reenter the cavern, but Boromir held him back. Stephanie laid her head on Baby's and wept silently. My heart began to ache from the sight of Shannon and Sharylan, leaning against each other, crying. Brianna approached Stephanie and shared in the pain. I stumbled forward. Their emotion was quickly suffocating me. I could barely breathe now. As I moved to a distant stone, seemingly scouting when really I was forcing my empathy to the side, Shelby came to stand beside me.
"Are you alright?" she asked, seeing my strained expression. I couldn't help but smile.
"The grief is overwhelming. I had to get away for a few moments."
"Right. Empathy. That's no fun." There was an undertone to her voice. It was small, but I heard it.
"How are you faring? I know this must be a shock to you."
She looked to me, green eyes shining.
"I'll be alright. Though... I worry for Frodo."
"I as well. But do not worry yourself with his well-being. You have to concentrate on your needs before the others."
Shelby shook her head while smiling.
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks."
I placed a hand on her shoulder as she lingered under my touch.
"You're most welcome."
Aragorn stood tall near us.
"Legolas... get them up."
I looked to him.
"Can they not rest!?" Boromir asked tiredly. "Give them a moment's peace for pity's sake!"
"By night fall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must get to the Woods of Lothlorien. Get them up Legolas."
I reluctantly reached for Merry and pulled him up. The others soon followed. The journey continued.
Stephanie's P.O.V
Was that a heart wrencher or what!? Dries eyes I was hardly in it... but it was still moving. Anywho... we continued in the dark for like the next week until we got to a clearing with three separate doorways. Gandalf stood in the middle of them and thought.
"I have no memory of this place," he finally muttered. I sighed. Now we had to sit around and wait for him to find the right way. Perfect. I stood by Baby, who was eating an apple I had in my saddlebag. Neko mewed and jumped to the floor. She ran to Shelby. My friend sat with Legolas, talking. She paused to pick up the black kitten. Neko jumped to Legolas next and curled up on his lap.
I smiled and turned to the others. Brianna was leaning against Aragorn, eyes closed. He had an arm around her and was talking to Boromir and Gimli. Sharylan and Shannon were laughing with Merry and Pippin. Frodo was napping near a large bolder, bored out of his tiny mind. Sam sat alone, visibly sulking. He missed Bill. Bill had been released before we entered the mines. I sighed and sat next to him.
"Don't worry Sam... Bill's alright."
The Hobbit looked to me.
"I know, I just miss him."
"You can take care of Baby for me as long as we're in here. Would you like that?"
Sam's head shot up.
"Really?"
I nodded. He smiled and hugged me.
"Thank you Miss Stephanie!"
"No problem Sam."
Over his shoulder, I saw Shelby and Legolas looking at us.
"Hobbit moment," she giggled. Everyone heard it and started snickering. Sam blushed and sat back down. Now look what they've gone and done... Sam's embarrassed. I stood, indignant and enraged.
"Don't you start talking about moments, Shelby. You're on that Elf every chance you get," I sneered.
Shannon busted out laughing.
"Ouch," Brianna hissed, looking our way but still with Aragorn. Shelby stood, handing Neko to Legolas, and got in my face.
"You think you're funny?" She asked in a mock angered voice.
"Yea... I think I am," I said, not nearly as mad as I had been.
She laughed shortly after and pounced on me. We wrestled for a few minutes until Gimli and Legolas got tired of watching.
"That's enough Shelby." The fair Elf had no trouble pulling her away, for she had turned her attack towards him. (you know... just for laughs) Soon, they were on the ground, 'wrestling'. I stood back and studied this. Clearly... Legolas was winning. He had her pinned to the ground. All she was doing was struggling. He held her arms down.
"Took you long enough," Sharylan laughed.
"Do you give up?" He asked.
"Never!!" Shelby cried and continued to squirm.
"Alright." He sat there, looked around in boredom. She never stopped.
"Good Lord!" I cried. "Give up Shelby!"
Finally, she stopped and sighed. Legolas got up, holding his hand out for her.
"Now, was that so hard?"
The girl looked at him blankly for a moment then knocked him over. She grabbed his arms and pulled them down, actually pinning the poor creature on his side.
"I win!!" She shouted, jumping up and down. This dance of hers carried on for a few minutes until Gandalf stood.
"Ah, it's that way."
"He remembered," Merry announced getting up.
"No."
"How can you tell then?" Brianna asked.
"The air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt... always follow your nose."
I giggled. He sounded like that bird from the cereal commercial. 'Always follow your nose!' He looked at me as if I was crazy... which I am. I ignored him and followed the company to a huge, open hall.
"Trippy," Shelby muttered. Gimli looked left and right then spotted a doorway. He ran in. We followed. Gandalf stopped dead in his tracks.
"Oh no."
The dwarf was kneeled next to a stone sarcophagus with the name 'Baline' chiseled into its side. Gimli started to wail. Legolas stepped up and placed a hand on his shoulder. As Gandalf read from an old book he found, me and the girls looked around. Sharylan sent us all a glance.
"Are you ready for the battle?" She whispered. I pale, but nodded. The others got the message and held their weapons closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pippin draw near a well in the corner.
"No! Pippin!" But it was too late. The bucket and skeleton plummeted down the long drop, through an Orc colony... just to make things fun. The Fellowship shot their heads up to see a cringing Pippin. The clanging echoed through out the whole mine. Finally, all was quiet. Boromir sighed, relieved. I tensed.
"Fool of a Took!" The Ishtar yelled sharply, grabbing his hat and staff from the little Hobbit. "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"
I walked over to him and placed an arm around his shoulder.
"It's ok 'Pip', he didn't mean it."
He smiled up at me. Then the drums sounded off. Shannon pulled her sword out of its sheath. Brianna readied her blade and began to back up towards the other Hobbits. Shelby notched an arrow in her bow. I gulped and held Pippin closer to my side while pulling out my own weapon. Frodo pulled out his sword, glowing blue.
"Orcs!" Legolas identified. Aragorn gave the order for the Hobbits to fall back near Gandalf. Boromir ran to the main entrance and looked out, jumping back to avoid three arrows now stuck in the door.
"They have a cave troll," he said casually. Legolas and Aragorn ran to him and started barring the door off. I looked around, counting off everyone there. Gimli stood atop his cousin's grave, holding his ax firm. Sharylan revealed her many daggers and prepared to throw. Now we waited for the Orcs to break in. They were pounding against doors. I glanced at Legolas. He had an arrow notched, eyes concentrated on the enemy. A piece of door fell to the ground. An opening widened and an Orc face showed through. The Elf shot with precise aim and killed the Orc. Suddenly, the door was smashed in. The fight had started.
Sharylan's P.O.V
Hundreds of black things rushed us left and right. We fought hard. Five minutes into the fight and I had already killed four Orcs! I hadn't exactly seen a lot of action though. They were all swarming around Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir. Don't know why... but I preferred to keep it that way. As the fighting continued, the stupid Cave Troll saw me and came over. I'm think'n... I'm screwed... but luckily, Shelby grabbed me. We jumped out of the way and into- you guessed it- more Orcs. This was getting really boring. I spotted Shannon, Sharylan, and Brianna backing up Gandalf and the boys. Sam had kept most of the Orcs at bay. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo were around here somewhere.
"Are you getting tired yet?" I asked. Shelby nodded. The Cave Troll came back our way, smushing the rock we were hidden behind.
"Again?!"
We dodged separate ways and ran for our lives. My traveling dress (a wonderful pale green) was stained with dirt and only God knows what else. I hid behind a second big rock and watched Shelby sprint towards some stairs.
"Legolas!!" I cried, helping her out a lil. She did, after all, save my life a few minutes ago. The Elf whirled around to see the girl barely dodge an attack. He placed his bow on his shoulder and ran for all he was worth. The troll was quickly gaining on my friend. She turned slightly to see its massive club come down and was thrown into the air. The monster had slammed the ground next to her, loosening the stone under foot, and sent her flying. Shelby would have been troll chow... but Legolas snatched her from the air first. They rolled away from the scene and finally stopped, both temporarily dazed. I ran to them.
"Guys are you...?" My sentence was forgotten. I started giggling. Legolas was lying on top of Shelby, hands placed on the floor behind her shoulders. They were mere centimeters apart. The Elf blushed a bright red when he recovered from the fall. He immediately jumped off and pulled Shel to her feet.
"Stay on guard and watch your back," Legolas said before running back into battle. Shelby stood, mouth open.
"He was right on top of me..."
"Yea. He was."
"On top!?"
"Oh yeah."
"Hello!!"
We snapped our heads up to see Shannon surrounded by Orcs on the top level.
"I think I need a lil help here!!"
"Oh right! Coming Shannon!"
Finally making it to my twin... we kicked some major Orc ass. Oh yeah! I reign supreme!! That was... until the troll came back.
"What the hell!? Go away!" Shelby shouted, drawing the thing's attention.
"Good going Shelby!!" I cried, running for the stairs. The two were right behind me. Brianna intercepted us and told us to run for the corner. Once there, the troll looked around, confused.
"Ha! You're too stupid to see me!" Shelby, my ever-hyper hazel-eyed friend, shouted in triumph. The thing eventually got tired of searching and walked away.
"Now that that's over..."
"Strider!!" A small, Hobbit sized voice cried.
The four of us turned around.
"No!"
Brianna's P.O.V
We thought the fight had ended, until Frodo screamed. The freak troll had cornered the poor Hobbit and was closing in on him.
"No!" Stephanie shouted from behind us. She rushed to his side and struck the troll on the arm with her impressive sword. It howled in pain and held its wound while Sharylan waved them to us.
"Steph!" I whispered/yelled, pulling her over. "You're supposed to let the quest go as planned! Don't change the story!"
"I know, but he looked so scared," she muttered.
"Well, you're going to have to fix this."
She sulked for a moment and then nodded.
"Fine."
She thought fast and ran back to the Cave troll, pissing it off. When it was ready to kill again, she ran back to us.
"Run!" the girl shouted. We did. Frodo was too small and slow to keep up and got caught again.
"I told you I'd fix it!" Stephanie exclaimed, looking at me. I hardly thought that that was a Grade-A plan. Groaning, I looked at my dark green dress, rolled my eyes, and watched as things go right.
Frodo had been 'stabbed' by the troll. Aragorn woke from being slammed into a wall and crawled to him. Sam took out a few more Orcs before joining Strider. Pippin and Merry took revenge for their cousin and jumped on the troll, surprising the beast, as well as me. They got some guts. I would have left a long time ago. Gimli and Gandalf kept up the fight near the others as Boromir tied up a small pack of monsters on the other side of the room. Legolas ran in front of the huge beast and aimed. He let an arrow cut the still air and lodge itself in the throat of the troll from its mouth. The dying thing groaned, and finally fell over. Merry, the smart one, jumped off as it was distracted, but Pippin stayed and got pulled down with the monster. He would have been crushed by the troll's weight if it weren't for Legolas. The Elf pulled him away before he was harmed. Does he ever get tired of diving and swimming and leaping and running to save everyone? I don't see how he can do it over and over and over and over and over...
Shannon's P.O.V Bri got tired of talking so... here I am!
"He's alive!"
I looked to the nine. They gawked at the methril Frodo wore under his shirt.
"There's more to this Hobbit than we know." Gandalf muttered. The sounds of reinforcements brought us back to the 'real world'. "To the bridge of Caza Doom!"
We ran through a small door to the left that was slightly jarred for escaping. There, Baby and Neko waited patiently for us. (They just sat there the whole time. Lazy animals really.) Stephanie leaped onto the mare's back and started her in a gallop. Neko was tucked safely in the crook of her arm as she rode onward. Sharylan ran ahead with Gandalf in front of her, Brianna close behind. I ran with the Hobbits and Gimli in the middle. Aragorn and Legolas took up the rear with Shelby, a few paces behind. Orcs were coming out of the woodwork like crazy! They scurried in from all sides, cracks in the walls, even from eroded parts of the ceiling. I was NOT feel'n this! Soon, all the little freaks had us surrounded. Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gandalf formed a protective circle around the Hobbits and us. I backed up to Boromir, eyeing the Orcs wearily.
"What do we do?"
"They greatly outnumber us. I know not Shannon."
He looked down at me briefly. I looked to the army formed around us and subconsciously tightened my hold on the hilt of my sword.
Shelby's P.O.V
This won't end well. I was forced to the middle of a formed circle.
"Is there no way out of this!?"
"It will be difficult. Stay back," Gimli ordered.
The Hobbits stood by, ready to bolt if need be. Sam held Baby's reins as Neko dove into a saddlebag once again. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo had their swords drawn. The girls held their weapons high, expecting the worst. I looked into the eyes of an Orc in front of me. It smirked and attempted to grab me. Before its creepy hands touched me, Legolas pulled me close to him.
"Do not show them fear," he whispered, keeping an arm around me. "You have no reason to, I'm right here."
I tried to stay calm, but having a little over ten hundred Orcs waiting to kill me and the most perfect being on this planet holding me is making it a little hard. The same Orc approached us again and was met with the tip of Legolas's arrow. The creature started growling. The prince hissed in return, very out of character.
"Whoa..." I gasped. The Orc had its eyes on me. Legolas growled and tightened his hold on my waist.
"Willing to strike a deal, Elf? The girl for safe passage?" it asked. My eyes widened. (no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no chanting)
"Back away beast!" The Elf snapped, glaring him down. The Orc sneered and shied away slightly.
"I was no different than you once. Don't think you're better than me just because I am of a different breed now."
Legolas hissed once more. The Orc finally fell back. I look up at him.
"Legolas...?"
A sudden 'boom!' shook the hall. The Orcs looked franticly around, then ran. Aragorn came to stand beside us.
"They're falling back."
The Elf aimed in an array of places then lowered his weapon.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked, coming to stand with us also. Gandalf muttered something.
"'Tis no devilry. A Belrog."
Legolas's eyes widened as fear flooded his features.
"Belrog," he repeated in a quiet, absent voice.
"These weapons will do nothing against it. Run!!"
We took off into parts unknown. A short staircase led us to that big room with the stairs... yeah, those stairs. My heart stalled a few beats. Conveniently, there was a gaping space between one side and the other. (Lovely.) Legolas jumped across first.
"Gandalf!" He called. The old wizard grabbed his hat and jumped, aided by the Elf. Suddenly, arrows flew past us. Aragorn and me whipped out our bows and fired back, the others making it across. (Don't ask me how they managed to get Baby over. I was busy shooting.) Soon, it was just him, Frodo, and me. The ranger lifted me up and tossed me over into Legolas's arms. The staircase then began to break. Strider and Frodo fought to stay away from the growing edge. The foundation under the case also cracked and chipped. The two swayed dangerously with the hunk of stone until it fell close to our side. They jumped at the last possible moment and made it across. We then ran through a long hall and neared the pole thin bridge. I cursed silently and broke out in a full sprint.
Legolas's P.O.V
A Belrog. Why a Belrog!? Curse this!! Fumes and rants for a few minutes Stupid quest... Yells in Elvish. Kicks something over. Pulls out bow and shoots something. I'm better. Many apologies, friends. A little angry there.
Just as I thought we were safe, the Belrog showed itself. I ran on pure fear then, though I was careful not to let anyone see it. We came to a one- person rock bridge stretching over a deep, dark chasm. Boromir ran over first and saw to it that the Hobbits got across. Stephanie led Baby by the reins quickly to the other side. The spell had held up... but I don't know how much longer it will stay. Brianna grabbed Shelby's hand and ran across, Shannon and Sharylan close behind. Gimli went, then I, and lastly Aragorn. Gandalf was still on the bridge when It came to face him. The brave wizard stood his ground and held his staff out.
"You shall not pass." He said. The fiery beast showed his flaming sword and whip. Gandalf was not moved. It attacked. He put up a shield and continued to stay.
"You-shall-not-pass!!" He struck the bridge beneath him. The Belrog advanced and fell though the passage, half of which had fallen as well. Gandalf began to walk towards us, but the fire monster's whip came lashed out and grasped him by the leg. He held onto the side of the broken half and looked to us. Frodo attempted to run to him, but Boromir held the Hobbit back.
"Gandalf!!" The emotions I felt from the Ring Bearer were so great, I felt my own energy drain just to conceal them in myself.
"Fly you fools."
Those were his final words before he fell into the darkness.
"No!!" Frodo screamed. We made quick escape. Once outside and finally out of danger the fellowship slumped into a sense of dread and grief. I felt it all. Merry and Pippin were huddled together, crying for the fallen wizard near me. I saw Gimli try to reenter the cavern, but Boromir held him back. Stephanie laid her head on Baby's and wept silently. My heart began to ache from the sight of Shannon and Sharylan, leaning against each other, crying. Brianna approached Stephanie and shared in the pain. I stumbled forward. Their emotion was quickly suffocating me. I could barely breathe now. As I moved to a distant stone, seemingly scouting when really I was forcing my empathy to the side, Shelby came to stand beside me.
"Are you alright?" she asked, seeing my strained expression. I couldn't help but smile.
"The grief is overwhelming. I had to get away for a few moments."
"Right. Empathy. That's no fun." There was an undertone to her voice. It was small, but I heard it.
"How are you faring? I know this must be a shock to you."
She looked to me, green eyes shining.
"I'll be alright. Though... I worry for Frodo."
"I as well. But do not worry yourself with his well-being. You have to concentrate on your needs before the others."
Shelby shook her head while smiling.
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks."
I placed a hand on her shoulder as she lingered under my touch.
"You're most welcome."
Aragorn stood tall near us.
"Legolas... get them up."
I looked to him.
"Can they not rest!?" Boromir asked tiredly. "Give them a moment's peace for pity's sake!"
"By night fall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must get to the Woods of Lothlorien. Get them up Legolas."
I reluctantly reached for Merry and pulled him up. The others soon followed. The journey continued.