Chapter 36
Dwarves and Balrogs
Pilgrim, in your journey
You may travel far
Aragorn sat alone pipe in hand. He fingered his short dagger.
*By Elbereth, I wish I could throw this.
Behind him, he could hear Gimli's outraged tone. Aragorn turned, hearing a just as livid voice reply. Aragorn had to chuckle to himself. He stood, coming between the arguing Elf and Dwarf.
" Since you two are so conveniently awake, you two shall stay on watch." Aragorn clasped their shoulders. " And if either of you lie dead in the morning, I shall know who has done it and they will not suffer lightly at Gandalf and Elrond's hands."
Legolas merely glared at the Dwarf. He shot Aragorn a look.
*It shall be a cold day in Mordor before I cooperate with him.
Aragorn shrugged.
*If you would keep your opinions to yourself then you would not be in this mess.
Aragorn left the two and complacently lay on his rolled cloak to sleep.
~*~
Gandalf pulled Aragorn off to the side. They had just been defeated by Caradhras and began back towards the gate of Moria.
" If I did not respect Frodo's decision to go through Moria, I would rather go through Saruman's lair." Gandalf said softly.
Aragorn turned so that the rest of the Fellowship could not see his face. He then glanced over his shoulder, making sure they were busy with something. Only Boromir glanced at them warily.
" What lies in Moria that scares you?" Aragorn asked.
Gandalf's eyes flamed with indignation.
" It is not what I fear, son of Arathorn, but what I do not know."
Aragorn nodded, feeling properly chastised.
" Is there something in Moria I should be on guard for? I would like to alert Legolas to it also." Aragorn glanced back again.
The whole Fellowship was looking their way now. Gandalf put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
" There are too many things to tell, Strider."
Gandalf then walked away towards Frodo. Aragorn stood there for a moment, staring out at the trees. He finally rubbed his chin.
*Too many things to tell? I am glad Gandalf is taking such caution to lead us on a path of safety.
~*~
" Why did your foster father choose to bring such an infuriating creature to join us?"
Aragorn chuckled.
" I take it you mean Gimli and not Bill the Pony?"
Legolas rolled his eyes, while Aragorn tried not to laugh again. Bill had nearly crushed Legolas' chest with a sharp kick when the Elf surprised him.
" You know well of whom I speak of. Dwarves are very low upon my list."
Aragorn shook his head.
" My friend, if you wish to survive Moria, it seems we will have to trust each other with our lives." Aragorn glanced up. " We are in this, alive or dead. It is our commission to serve the Ring bearer till death. I believe Gimli will prove to be a welcome ally."
Legolas just snorted.
" If it ever does happen, that will be the day we lose part of our company, preferably someone whose name starts with the letter 'G'."
~*~
Even Legolas had no ill to say of the Dwarven craftsmanship when they entered Moria. Of course, that was after Gandalf figured out the riddle and they had been attacked by one of either Saruman or Sauron's minion. Gandalf had been oddly silent about the incident, his mind clearly upon the task at hand. This brief rest after a mere two hundred steps did little to soothe Aragorn's nervousness. Legolas came and stood beside him. Legolas looked around a bit, indicating that something troubled him.
" Ennas ná um sí. Mân-nin giri im-enni (There is evil here. My spirit shudders within me)." The Elf whispered softly for Aragorn's ears only.
No one else could even tell the Elf spoke his tone was so faint. Gimli sent them a curious look before it turned to distaste. Aragorn stared straight ahead, giving no indication he had heard Legolas' words.
" Mithrandir pedo ennas ná rem bach an achas (Gandalf said there are numerous things to fear)."
This time Boromir glanced at them. He had heard the soft murmur, but did not understand the words. Legolas glanced at Aragorn.
" Yet he spoke nothing to the rest."
Aragorn nodded.
" He did not tell me enough to satiate my curiosity. Keep your eyes and ears open. Gimli shall lead for the caves are his specialty. I suspect then Frodo, and then you. Frodo is not a weakling, yet not strong of heart. I fear he will fall in the midst of battle. Keep a close eye on him."
Legolas nodded.
" What of you? Where shall you be?"
Aragorn sighed.
" At the end with Boromir most likely."
Legolas chuckled.
" And what have you against your own people?"
Aragorn's face tightened.
" Nothing, save when they lust for the Ring."
~*~
Aragorn felt hands quickly steady him as he and the Ring bearer leapt onto solid ground, away from the Balrog that chased them. Legolas glanced at him wordlessly and Aragorn just nodded.
*I am fine. Just shook a bit.
Legolas only met his eyes briefly.
*You would have been more than shook if you had fallen.
Aragorn pointedly ignored him.
*I would have been just another fallen man.
The band took off at a run. They'd survived a cave troll and all the goblins and orcs. What else could possibly go wrong? Aragorn was jarred from his thoughts, as they ran across the Bridge finally. He turned, noting that their number was only eight. It took only a split second before both he and Boromir flew back to Gandalf's side. Gandalf thundered at the fire breathing Balrog, shining and glimmering like Anor itself.
*Sweet Elbereth, I pray I survive this…
~*~
His mouth moved of its own free accord as he ran forward.
" He cannot stand alone. Elendil! I am with you, Gandalf."
Like a soldier following his king into battle, Boromir followed with a battle cry of:
" Gondor!"
At that moment Gandalf lifted his staff and struck the bridge in front of him with a loud cry. Aragorn held his breath, not understanding the reason for Gandalf's movements. The Balrog snorted with disgust before taking a step forward. A blinding sheet of white flame leapt up between Gandalf and the Balrog. Aragorn could only shield his eyes from the terrible light. A deafening cry made shivers creep down his spine as the Balrog fell down the chasm.
Before Aragorn or anyone could cry a warning, the flaming whip of the Balrog clenched Gandalf's knees and knocked him from the bridge. Gandalf struggled to hold on, staring at the frozen men across from him. Aragorn threw aside his sword, falling onto his belly in an attempt to help the wizard up.
" Fly, you fools." Gandalf whispered.
And then he fell. He fell after the dark flames of the Balrog. Aragorn could only stare. A cracking brought him back to his senses. He rose, grabbing his sword as he and Boromir flew across the bridge. Aragorn unsheathed his sword, his soul swimming in grief.
" Come, I will lead you."
Gimli ran up to his side as the Moria goblins and orcs began to shoot.
" This way." Gimli bellowed, pointing up stairs.
The Fellowship, sans Gandalf, fled up the stairs led by Aragorn and Gimli.
A band of orcs was waiting for them. Aragorn became a wild machine, killing all that stood in his way. The orcs immediately zoned in on the light colored Elf. With a growl, Gimli snuck up from behind, smiting some before they realized the enemy was behind them. Gimli sent Legolas a smug look.
" And you thought I would never be useful."
Aragorn closed his eyes in sheer pain as Legolas' words came back.
*If it ever does happen, that will be the day we lose part of our company, preferably someone whose name starts with the letter 'G'.
~*~
Aragorn closed his eyes, separating himself from the rest of the group. He could hear Sam's sobs and Boromir trying to soothe the other two hobbits. Legolas had removed himself, staring over the scenery with a blank look. Gimli stood beside the Elf, strangely subdued. Aragorn pulled out a cloth, cleaning his sword in a deliberate sweep, trying as hard as possible to keep his emotions at bay.
*He is gone. Mithrandir has fallen; fallen in flame and shadow.
Aragorn shuddered.
*Tis a fate only the worst deserve. May Mandos be kind to the Istar.
The burden of responsibility had fallen to him. Aragorn glanced around at his weary companions. He took a deep breath, pushing his sword into the sheath. Aragorn's short strides took him to the others.
" On your feet, men. We must go now."
Legolas turned wearily to do as ordered. Boromir was the only one to resist.
" Give them a moment for pity's sake."
Aragorn's rare temper unleashed itself.
" By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with orcs. We are in grave danger, Boromir." Aragorn leaned in. " Just because you bear the title of the Steward's son does not mean I will pass the leadership to you." Aragorn glanced at the rest. " We go now."
Sam glanced around.
" Where's Frodo?"
Aragorn glanced seeing the hobbits clamoring around some rocks not too far away.
" Frodo!"
The look of defeat and utter hopelessness struck Aragorn dumb.