A/N: I'm trying to update at the speed of light, but as it turns out, that's 300,000km/s, or something like that, and I can type that fast. Oh well, I'm doing the best I can. Besides, I have tons of work, and I update faster than certain *ahem* other fanfic writers I know. No names need be mentioned (alright, I give in: MICHIRU!!!!!! UPDATE!!!!!). Sorry. I promise that will never happen again. On with the disclaimers, titles, explanations, and the story!

Disclaimer: Tolkien is a genius, I wish I was too. Make me feel better, and leave a review! (see how I rhyme!)

*Elvish*
"Common"
^Dwarvish^
Thinking

Home Sweet Home

Chapter Twelve ~ Backaches, Spiders and Falling (have I mentioned that I suck at titles?)

The only ones tall enough to help Nicole walk were Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gandalf. Since Gandalf was preoccupied with leading them and since he was old (no offence), that left the three of them to walk with her in one hour shifts. Nicole's first hour with Boromir passed quickly and pleasantly. She continually asked questions about Gondor and he was only too happy to continually talk about life in his kingdom.

When Aragorn took over, the conversation was different and a bit more difficult. Nicole would ask a question, about his healing skills, his life, or random things, and Aragorn would answer simply and shortly. Eventually she couldn't help herself, and commented on it.

"Am I annoying you?" she asked.

"No," he replied, somewhat confused. "Why do you ask?"

"You aren't very chatty," Nicole said. "I don't know if it's because I'm so boring, or if you don't like me, or if you don't feel like spilling your secrets to an air-headed girl, or if it's just in your nature to be quiet and serious."

Aragorn shrugged. "I suppose it's just the way I am. I am more observant, but I will speak if I have something to say."

Nicole found it difficult to believe him after noting that he and Legolas actually exchanged humorous comments. But she let it go, it wasn't a big issue. "I'm kind of like that too," she told him. "It's just that right now... talking keeps my mind off other things that I don't want to face." As soon as the words left her mouth she frowned. Huh? What am I so worried about? What on earth... oops, sorry, What on Middle-Earth was I talking about? Nicole, you are going crazy. She silently agreed with herself.

The two of them slipped into a comfortable silence after that. Nicole couldn't keep her mind off of what ever it was she was trying to keep her mind off of. What am I so guarded against? Why am I actually doing the deep-thinking stuff like a philosopher? And why, oh why, am I so nauseous? She paused, poking absently at her stomach. It feels a lot like that time when I was a kid, and I ate a grape jelly bean. Except it was a grape-colored piece of play-doh. That wasn't fun. She remembered wondering if her stomach would turn purple from it. Turns out that her back ended up being purple, and that was from a bruise.

She turned her mind to a more immediate worry. Like, for instance, the fact that Legolas had just taken over for Aragorn and Nicole wasn't on the best of terms with the Elf. Hey, if he can joke with Aragorn, maybe he can manage a civil conversation, she reasoned.

*So, do you work out a lot, or are you just the Hulk?* she asked him in Elvish. Her right arm was slung across his shoulders and he was easily supporting her weight, and nearly carrying her. I wonder if he'd notice if I put all my weight on him? It'd definitely would be easier for me.

*What?* he asked. He was probably so shocked that she had asked him a question that he hadn't heard.

*You are hardly letting me support my own weight,* she pointed out. *I am not featherlight... I'm more of a boulder... or maybe a whole mountain..*

*Elves are strong,* he replied simply, cutting her off just as she was about to compare her weight to ten Sumo wrestlers.

*Oh,* Nicole said. She racked her brain for interesting conversation, but couldn't think of anything to say. Her right hand fiddled with the arrows sticking out of the Elf's quiver. The crafting of the arrows was amazing: it looked more like a piece of tribal art, with it's simple design and small touches of Elven accents. But each arrow looked exactly the same, with the same meticulous carving, showing that they were all repeats of the same design. How can you use something so elegant to kill? she mused and stopped herself short. Stop doing the pensive thing! You're going to get old and wrinkly before you turn 25!!!! Surprisingly, she was pulled out of her thoughts (really more like dialogues with the voices in her head, now that she had decided she was crazy), by the Elf's voice.

*Why do you always talk so strangely?*

She blinked, wondering what had provoked the sudden question and about to protest that she didn't talk strangely at all. But then again, these people use words like 'yonder', so I guess slang is strange. *I guess it keeps me in touch with reality,* she answered uncertainly.

*This is not real to you?* Legolas asked incredulously.

She sighed. Two sentences and she was already finding it aggravating to talk to him. *I don't know. I mean, I know it's real, but it helps to keep a part of my old world with me,* she waved her left hand in a dismissive gesture. *It's just a childish habit. It's stupid.*

*It makes sense,* Legolas told her.

Hang on just a second there, Elf boy. Did I just hear what I thought I heard???? He AGREED with me. He didn't INSULT me. Or look at me like I'm crazy... could this mean he's being civil? Nicole tried to keep the astonishment out of her face.

They kept walking in silence. She still couldn't get over the fact that he had been nice for a while. As the shifts changed over and over, she learned more about each of them. How could anyone have guessed that Boromir had a brocolli fetish as a two year old? This is the stuff tabloids are made of! Nicole thought. She even managed to extract a few pieces of information about proper archery techniques from the Elf Prince. Ha, he's like Prince... except he's the Elf Formerly Known as Prince. But I can't really call him that, because he is a prince, and if that's what he was formerly called, then what's his name now? Joe Bob? That day she had six shifts with Boromir and five each with Aragorn and Legolas. Everybody was tired by the end of their march. They had been walking for sixteen hours, barely stopping for rest or food.

"You know Nicole," said Boromir during his sixth shift. "You are starting to get heavy." He shifted her weight and grinned.

"What do you want from me? You want me to become anorexic? I don't think so, buddy," she joked, but since they didn't understand, it was really just a waste of air. "Fine, I'm going to try to walk," she told him and took her arm away from his support. Boromir kept firmly grasping her right arm, looked concerned and was about to intervene, but Nicole had already put her foot down. Literally. Nicole winced as a slight dart of pain shot up her right leg as she moved her ankle. Carefully she put her weight on the swollen ankle, and found that it hurt far less than she had expected. I'm cured! she thought. Her leg took another step and her vision swam. I spoke too soon, Nicole added as the nausea returned. She put a hand across her eyes and swallowed back the bile.

Boromir took her weight again even though he was tired. "Nicole, maybe you should--" She knew that he was about to suggest rest and she was ready to agree when Gandalf spoke up.

"We will rest now," he informed them. "We have reached our limits for tonight. Or today." The darkness made it difficult to determine the time of day. Quickly scouting the area, they found a guardroom and set up their things for the night.

"I'll take the first watch," volunteered Nicole.

"But you need to rest," insisted Aragorn, his tone firm and professional.

"I can't sleep with a headache like this," she replied. The pounding on the inside of her head had resumed. It was as though a hammer was steadily beating into her skull, trying to rid her of what few brain cells she had left. Maybe I have a bunch of mini-Gimli's in my head, trying to hack my head into pieces, she wondered and laughed. Gimli looked over at her with a curious expression, but that just brought more giggles. Of course, laughing requires the use of lungs and ribs, and Nicole was painfully reminded of her injuries. "If it makes you feel any better, Aragorn," she started, trying to barter with him. Besides, if her back got any worse she might just ask Gandalf to knock her on the head with his staff so she'd be unconscious. "I'll only take one hour. And then somebody else can take over."

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly and with a frown. "But after one hour, Gimli will take a two-hour watch. And then Legolas and afterwards Sam." The three chosen people nodded their consent.

Nicole leaned against the doorway as everyone laid down their blankets. She noticed that Pippin put his bedroll as close as he could to her. That hobbit will never cease to amuse me, she thought with a small grin. They ate a little and said their good-nights. Soon the sound of soft breathing filled the guardroom and Nicole slid down the wall until her knees were level with her shoulders, she was sitting looking out from the room, and she put her head in her hands. The nausea hadn't gone away and was just as bad, if not worse, than the headache. Nicole tried to ignore the two pains.

"Nicole?" whispered a voice.

"Yes, Pippin?"

"Don't fall asleep."

She half turned her head despite the pain it caused and smiled at him in the dark. "I won't," she promised. "Good night."

"Goodnight Nicole."

She heard the hobbit shift and get comfortable and then he too fell asleep. For Nicole, sleep was impossible. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. She wrapped the cloak tightly around her and curled her arms around her knees. Nicole let her mind slowly empty of thoughts and tried to release the tension in her back muscles. Sitting and staring into the darkness, she lost track of time and was surprised and embarrassed when she felt someone tap her lightly on the shoulder. Untangling her arms and stretching out her legs, she looked up to see who had disturbed her. Legolas stood above her and sat down so that Nicole wouldn't have to crane her neck.

*I wasn't asleep,* she assured him, though her voice was laced with guilt.

*Not unless you can sleep with your eyes open,* he replied with a tiny hint of humor, and looked out at the inky black darkness.

*I thought Gimli was supposed to be next,* she whispered and tried to clear the cobwebs from her muddled head.

*You've been on guard for five hours,* Legolas informed her. *You're nearly finished my watch.* He gave her a curious look, as though her unusual dumbness was idiotic.

Which it is idiotic… How could five hours have gone by? I didn't really fall asleep because I don't remember that. But how else could I have amused myself for five hours? This was really strange behavior for her. I can barely manage an hour of silence and now I stayed awake with no company at all for FIVE HOURS? I must have been asleep…. Oh wait, that isn't a good thing: I was supposed to be on watch. She ducked her head guiltily. *Sorry,* Nicole mumbled blearily, *I didn't realize…* She trailed off as her mind started to shut down without her consent.

Stupid head… WORK!!! Can't even think… tired. Really odd… Nicole's thoughts were disjointed and scattering faster than she could grab them. She closed her eyes to try to clear her head. The second she paid any attention to her head, the hammering resumed and made Nicole seriously consider knocking herself out. When she opened her eyes again, everything was thrown into a bizarre sharp focus. The texture of the fabric on Legolas' boots. What was once shadows and random outlines in the darkness became rocks and ruins. Turning to look back at their encampment, the details of Gandalf's map were clear. Through her jumble of thought fragments, one was made clear. What the hell is going on? This is impossible… I must be crazy. She shut her eyes again and couldn't help a quiet moan from the redoubled efforts of the headache.

*What is it?* asked Legolas. For once his voice was not biting, but Nicole also noticed that it wasn't friendly either. Just civil and slightly emotionless.

*Nothing,* she replied, trying to organize words into sentences. *So much… my eyes. Must be a concussion… a hallucination… maybe even some Alice-in-Wonderland thing… who knows? …it hurts…* Nicole abandoned any hope of making coherent speech and sat rubbing her temples.

*You should rest,* Legolas commanded. He obviously practices using that commanding tone, Nicole observed, probably uses it on his royal subjects… stupid Elf Prince. If she had felt up to the effort, she would have stuck her tongue out at him, but since she had a habit of insulting royalty or VIP's of any kind, it might be best to stop that quirk.

So she settled for a stubborn, *No.* Nicole opened her eyes again to argue some more, but noticed abruptly that her vision was back to normal and all she could see was shadows and the things that lay in the little pool of light from their camp fire. The whack she had received from the beast had probably damaged her brain more than she realized and made her imagine things. You really are going crazy, Nicole, she told herself. Nicole shoved the thought aside and wrapped her arms around her knees again. She stared into the shapeless dark of Moria without really seeing it.

Legolas noted the girl's glazed eyes and remembered it for future reference. It was an unusual thing to see associated with the young human. The Elven Prince turned his head, assumed the same position as the girl, and stared out at the ruins of Moria.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day Nicole was capable of walking be herself, though at the cost of considerable pain in her ankle, back, neck and left shoulder. The headache plagued her constantly, accompanied by the nausea. Nicole tried to ignore the pair of them, but at times the feelings became so strong That her balance wobbled and she had to pause for a minute. The hobbits were her traveling companions of the day. Their chatter was pleasant and quiet because Gandalf made a point of looking over his shoulder and glaring at them if they got too loud.

Gandalf led them confidently through the passageways of the Dwarf realm. The passed quickly for everyone (except Nicole, who was complaining after the first hour, albeit as quietly as she could), or perhaps they walked for a shorter time, because the next time Gandalf called a rest for the night, they found that they weren't completely exhausted. Of course, they could also be simply conditioned and used to walking for hours, but that was such a ridiculous thought that Nicole dismissed it immediately. Who on earth… dammit. Who on MIDDLE EARTH would want, or be able to, walk this much for so long? Forget me being crazy… these exercise freaks are crazier!

They halted beside a staircase leading up to a landing with three huge, arched doorways. The landing stretched out over a lower landing, so that there was a sheltered corner in between the staircase and the wall. The corner became their next camp and the travelers quickly set to work preparing a small meal as Gandalf climbed to the top of the landing and regarded the three paths with Frodo at his side.

Nicole stayed quiet as they ate, having used up all her talking skills while walking with the hobbits. But she was perfectly fine listening to Merry and Pippin's conversation.

"Merry?"

"What?" came the rely.

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know."

Silence.

"Merry?"

"What?" this time the reply was slightly exasperated.

"I think we're lost."

"So what?"

Pause.

"Merry, I'm hungry." Nicole raised an eyebrow at this statement. Pippin was already eating, how could he be hungry?

"Merry, I'm tired."

"That's great."

"Merry, are you listening to me?"

"Of course, and stop saying my name, I know you're talking to me."

"Oh."

There was silence again and Nicole bit her lip to keep the smile off her face.

"Merry?"

"What?" Merry replied, though it came out as an aggravated growl.

Pippin paused, looking startled and apparently finally aware that he was annoying Merry. "Nothing, sorry," he said timidly, looking completely like the young hobbit he was.

Nicole couldn't help laughing at their ridiculous exchange. She tried desperately to stifle the giggles but Pippin and Merry had made the mistake of glancing over at her to see what was so funny. Their confused expressions just made her laugh more. The hobbits smiled uncertainly, still not sure what was so funny, but eventually Nicole got herself under control and sat grinning stupidly at them.

If she focused only on this moment: Merry and Pippin exchanging light insults, Aragorn and Legolas smiling at some old thought or memory (or making fun of Nicole), Boromir and Gimli comparing metal-sharpening methods, and Sam making sure everyone had food; just this one moment, then she was happy. If she looked forward two hours, or a day, or a week, then fear, doubt, and worry clouded her thoughts. So Nicole smiled to herself, leaned her aching back against the cold rock wall, and thought of the moment.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A feather light touch tickled her cheek. She blearily lifted a hand to brush it away. Another touch, on her jaw. And then a flurry of light brushes across her face.

Nicole suddenly gasped, her mind making a reasonable conclusion, coming out of her sleep much too abruptly, eyes blinking open, and body snapping to attention. She emitted a squeaking sound and her hands rushed over her head, neck and arms.

Her movements and radiating panic awoke the others and somebody asked her what was wrong and another voice, clearly still asleep, asked if they were having crumpets for breakfast.

"Spiders!" she replied, her voice coming out high-pitched in her terror. "Get them off, get'em OFF!"

Hands grabbed her wrists and a voice spoke. "Daro!" Nicole stopped immediately at the command to stop spoken in Elvish. She blinked and looked up confusedly at Legolas. *There are no spiders,* he explained to her, his voice tense. She got the distinct impression that she was skating on paper-thin ice with Legolas and he was quickly losing patience.

"Oh." She felt like a stupid, childish, two-year old. And it was no wonder: everybody she had ever met thought her fear of spiders was absolutely ridiculous.

Legolas let go of her wrists and walked past Aragorn, murmuring in very quiet Elvish, *If you got me to like the race of Men, then that girl will make me dislike them again.*

"Hey, I heard that, buddy!" Nicole snapped at him. What a meanie! She paused, realizing what word she had used to describe Legolas. Alright, so I AM a child… so what?

Aragorn looked at Nicole in surprise. He had heard Legolas' whisper because the Elf had spoken into his ear, but he didn't know how the girl could've caught it. Perhaps the structure of Moria had made and echo that allowed her to hear the comment.

Gandalf sighed at the disruption and went back to looking at the three doors. The rest of the Fellowship packed up the camp. Now that Nicole had woken everyone, there was nothing to do but move on. Nicole climbed up the staircase and sat down gingerly beside Gandalf.

"Sorry," she said quietly.

"It's quite alright," he replied, and Nicole was relieved to see that there was no anger in his tone. "At least everyone is awake." But his tone was distracted, and Nicole could read worry on Gandalf's face. He was lost.

She felt the spidery touch again and was about to panic when she caught sight of a strand of her hair being moved by a slight breeze. A breeze? she thought. Wait a second…

"Gandalf, there's a draft of air coming from that passage!" she whispered excitedly, pointing at the far left arch.

Gandalf sat up straighter. "You're right," he whispered back and then louder, "The air is not so foul here! Come, let us go with haste!"

The Fellowship followed Gandalf through the doorway and down the staircase that it led to. Today, Nicole walked with Gimli and his anticipation to see the great halls of Moria rubbed off on her. So when the stair ended and opened out into a huge space which Gandalf promptly illuminated with his staff, Nicole gasped at it's sheer size.

"This is the dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf," said Gandalf. His light showed huge columns in every direction, stretching out to a ceiling that Nicole couldn't see. They advance slowly, admiring the skill of the Dwarves.

Suddenly Gimli glimpsed a light ahead of them, gave a shout, and ran forward. Nicole sprinted to his side, ignoring her throbbing and protesting ankle and the nausea that had come upon her again. She finally gave in to her ankle's demands for stop and fell back a couple of paces as Gimli entered a chamber with a rectangular structure at its center and skeletons littering the ground. The Dwarf fell to his knees at what was the coffin of his cousin. The rest of the Fellowship entered the room and Gandalf started talking about Balin, son of Fundin, and the journal the Dwarves had kept during their final days. Nicole didn't pay attention, instead tentatively placing a hand on Gimli's shoulder, trying to comfort the grieving Dwarf.

Nicole tuned in to hear the last of Gandalf's words. "They are coming," finished Gandalf, and looked to the broken doorway. An ominous silence filled the air and was broken a second later when Pippin's curiosity sent a skeleton tumbling down a deep chute. The crashes and booms echoed in the stone constructs of Moria. The Company looked at each other in the tense silence, fearing the worst.

"Fool of a Took!" reprimanded Gandalf. "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"

Nicole winced. It sounded so much harsher in reality and she felt sorry for Pippin, but her pity was quickly replaced by fear.

A boom sounded in a far off corner of Moria. Gandalf rounded on Pippin, but it wasn't him this time. Two booms. Everyone turned to look at the chute. Boom boom boom!

Orc calls and goblin shrieks exploded in the immense expanse of Dwarrowdelf. Instantly the men were whipped into action. The hobbits stood to the rear, Sting glowing blue among the other three drawn blades. Gandalf stood before them, Glamdring ready in his hand. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas barred the door against the cave troll Boromir had glimpsed. Then Aragorn and Legolas drew bows and arrows and Boromir prepared his sword. Gimli sprang on to the tomb of his cousin, wielding his axe and threatening anyone who would dare to attack the last Dwarf breathing in Moria.

Nicole stood behind them all, astounded by the people she had seen only as friends, now becoming dangerous and deadly. The booms echoed again and the first Orcs broke through the rotting wooden doors and Nicole saw the warriors in action.

Nicole couldn't get her mind around what was going on around her, and so didn't notice the Orc that had come up behind her and shoved her roughly to the ground. Her terrified eyes saw a roughly-hewn blade whistled through the air, aimed at her head. She was suddenly aware also of an extreme pain as somebody grabbed her by her injured left shoulder and put her back on her feet. Legolas steadied her and promptly sliced off the Orcs head with one knife before moving on to other Orcs. Nicole clamped her mouth firmly shut to keep from gasping and crying at the fresh pain and abuse her shoulder had received. Aragorn spared a moment to shout to her.

"Either fight or get out of our way!" The statement could be understood as anger, but Nicole knew that it was actually wisdom, warning, and a tiny bit of worry.

Nicole backed into a corner, undecided about her actions. What weapons could she use to fight? She knew a bit about axes, and what little Aragorn and Boromir had taught her with her dagger. She watched Gimli and Legolas, who were fighting with weapons similar to that which she could use. Nicole stooped to pick up an axe from a skeleton, hefted it in her right hand, then forced her left fingers to grip her dagger. She charged into the foray, trying to mimic and mix Legolas' graceful moves and Gimli's roughness. It didn't work very well, she figured out fairly quickly, and gave up and gave in to her instincts instead.

An Orc came up on her left and she stabbed her dagger into it's neck with as much as force as she could muster from her shoulder. She heard the squelch of blood and felt it drip onto her fingers. She quickly pulled the dagger back out. Nausea returned as she realized she had just killed something. Before she could dwell on it or throw up, another Orc charged her and she swung the axe upwards, hitting it in the stomach.

Immediately another one came at her from the side. Nicole dropped to her knees and the Orc simply rolled over her back. She groaned as the Orc's various limbs and weapons poked sharply into her bruised back, causing more damage and forcing her to fall forward onto her stomach. The attacking Orc had recovered and she turned on her back just in time to see it's ugly form pin her down to the rocks. Its hideous face snarled at her as they struggled. The Orc held her left hand and punched her in the jaw with its free hand. She tasted blood and felt a gash open up on both her cheek and the inside of her cheek as she bit it. The Orc was clearly more powerful and Nicole felt sure that it was close to the end for her. But the Orc's grip on her left hand loosened as it tried to hold down her squirming form and Nicole used the opportunity to bring the dagger's pommel down on the creature's head with all her force. Miraculously, the Orc slouched forward, unconscious. Except now she was stuck under its weight. Nicole tried to get her knees up to her stomach and then she heaved the Orc off of her using her legs.

She stood shakily and tried to smile, though it was more of a grimace. "I think I'm getting the hang of this," she commented, and grinned because somewhere over the crash, clang, and crunch of battle, Sam was saying the same thing.

Nicole glanced around her while she had a spare moment. Most of them were dealing with the cave troll, which had now broken into the room. She spotted a bunch of Orcs heading in the direction of Merry, Pippin, and Sam, and went after them. Nicole limped/sprinted past the cave troll and paused for a moment to hurl the axe at the cave troll's leg. The axe just skimmed the skin, not enough to seriously harm it. Nicole swore under her breath and darted away before the cave troll could go after her. She picked up a jagged shield from a corpse to replace the axe.

An Orc jumped into her path to the hobbits and she roughly body checked it into the wall. Her left side muscles screamed in protest at being treated so roughly, but she clenched her jaw and kept moving. Finally reaching the six Orcs that were after the hobbits, Nicole swung the shield in an arc around her head and brought it down in a whirl. It was hard to manage because she had to do it two handed, and had to take care not to drop the dagger on her head or to injure her shoulder. As the arc swung downwards to its close, she let go of the shield, sending it flying through the air like a Frisbee. It knocked two Orcs out of the running and Nicole advanced before they could recover.

She shoved another ugly creature aside, punched one roughly in the face, her hand coming away bloody. The hobbits had taken down one Orc and were now clinging all over the last one. It shouted and toppled over. Merry yelled victoriously and Nicole was about to comment that she should've let the hobbits handle themselves. Just then another cry rose over the din.

Nicole whirled around. Frodo. She dodged dead and living Orcs and fallen rocks as she wove her way quickly to his side. Merry and Pippin attacked the cave troll and Sam dropped his frying pan, stumbling forward in shock.

Nicole slid to her knees, ripping material and skin as Frodo fell to the ground and just barely caught him. She dropped her dagger and picked up a rock the size of her palm. She threw the rock at Aragorn to get his attention and it hit his arm. The action was unnecessary, except perhaps to turn his attention to a fallen spear. He picked it up and savagely struck the cave troll. Legolas used the moment to his advantage and when the troll opened it's mouth to moan, he shot an arrow into the roof of its mouth, effectively killing it. The cave troll staggered and moaned, and at last, it fell.

Nicole turned back to Frodo, who looked very dead, and Nicole almost forgot that he was going to live. She cradled the hobbit and gently shook his shoulders. The Company must've been confused by her actions, but quickly forgot about it when Frodo coughed and painfully drew air into his lungs. Nicole beamed and helped Frodo to his feet, standing herself and noting that she had acquired more injuries. Oh, the wonderful benefits and perks of fighting: battle scars, she noted sarcastically, and decided to leave the scar-listing till later.

Aragorn stared at the hobbit in amazement. "That spear would've skewered a wild boar," he murmured.

Gandalf smiled knowingly and replied, "I think there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye." And Frodo revealed his glittering coat of mail made of mithril.

Gimli gazed at it enraptured. "Mithril. That coat is worth more then you can imagine," he told Frodo, and took a deep breath as though to prepare for a speech.

It's not that Nicole didn't want to hear the history of mithril (Which I'm sure is completely fascinating, she assured herself.), but they didn't have a lot of time to spare, so she cut him off. "We must leave," she stated simply, hoping that somebody would remember that they weren't here to stand looking at pretty metal shirts. Luckily, everyone agreed, and an instant later they were dashing through a vast hall, thousands of Orcs chasing madly after them and gaining quickly.

Within seconds they were surrounded by snarling crowds of creatures. There was no possible way to fight the droves off: they were outnumbered hundreds to one. Nicole's eyes widened in fear and her knuckles were turning white from the grip she held her dagger in. The concept of surrender was starting to look appealing.

"Anybody have a back-up plan?" she hissed through her teeth. No one did.

A resounding boom echoed in the massive space and everyone, including Orcs, became silent. The boom came again, accompanied by a fiery glow at the far end of the hall. Whatever was coming, it sure scared the hell of out the Orcs because they started screeching and turned tail and fled up the walls. The new danger came closer and the firelight intensified.

The Company stood apprehensive and Boromir voiced their question. "What is this new devilry?"

Gandalf didn't answer them, leaning heavily on his staff before shoving them towards a far-off staircase hidden in a corner. They didn't need much encouragement and broke into a run. Unfortunately, nobody noticed that the staircase veered sharply to the right after descending several steps, and they nearly fell off the edge in their haste. They followed the staircase downwards and then glimpsed another surprise in their path: a gaping hole in between the steps, missing about seven feet of stone, was in their way. The only way to cross would be to jump the gap.

Legolas went first, leaping and landing lightly. Damn Elf… showoff, Nicole grumbled silently. He gestured for Gandalf to come next and steadied him when he landed. Gandalf hurried on a little and Legolas prepared for the next people. The hobbits were helped across by Boromir (tossing Sam, jumping across with Pippin, and catching Merry), except Frodo who as standing back with Aragorn. A great wrenching sound was heard as the rocks around them began to fall. Gimli jumped next, and nearly made it, but had to be caught by his beard as he slipped. He complained loudly about it, but was thankful that at least his beard was still attached.

Nicole was next. She was getting really annoyed with the Elf for always being the one who 'rescued' her because of his super fast Elf reflexes. "Let's all leave Nicole for last, right? You aren't getting rid of me that easily," she muttered. Watch and learn, Elf, she thought and leaped across the air, landing in a crouch two steps down from Legolas, wincing as sharp pain ripped through her leg. Ok, maybe that wasn't the best idea…but don't let the enemy see you down! She composed her face and glanced up at the Elf triumphantly, extremely tempted to say, "Take that, Mr.-Super-Duper-Elf-Prince!" but she satisfied herself by just thinking it.

She stood up tenderly, taking care not to put too much weight on her ankle, which had almost been healed only a little while ago. But she was quickly forced to duck again when an arrow came flying at her, narrowly missing the space her head had occupied seconds before. They were under attack again, and to add to the trouble, the cave's ceiling was completely caving in.

A huge chunk of stonework fell on the stairs just behind Aragorn and Frodo, leaving them stranded on a tottering island of unstable rock. By some chance, what was left of the staircase tilted forward and they quickly jumped to safety. The group fled down the stairs into yet another hall, spurred on by Gandalf shouting to hurry. What else would we be doing???? Nicole thought, wincing at every second footfall. This is not helping my ankle! The fire had come much closer now and was beginning to take shape.

Gandalf stopped in his tracks and shouted again to them. "The Bridge of Khazad-dum is just ahead, hurry!"

They ran past him, but the stupid Elf just had to look back to see what was chasing them and shouted, "A Balrog!"

Nicole managed to glare at him. "Thanks… It's great… to know… that we're… potential food…" she gasped out between breaths. "Makes… me …feel… so much… better."

He glared in return and shoved her ahead of him onto the bridge. Nicole could've sworn she heard him mutter something that sounded suspiciously like "idiot", but was forced to run ahead before she could react. Stupid Elf! Snob… idiot…I'll get you for that. The second Nicole figured out how exactly that bow of his worked, she was either going to use it on him or break it. Or maybe do both.

The Bridge was no more than a narrow strip of rock stretched over a huge chasm. Gandalf was the last to cross it and he stopped halfway to face the Balrog. The Balrog had a massive size, towering over the impossibly tiny figure of Gandalf. The creature was terrifying, with powerful limbs, demonic horns coming out of its forehead, and a whip made entirely of fire held in one claw. In that moment they all despaired, because it seemed that no one, not even their wise and mighty friend, could triumph over such a beast.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Go back to the Shadow!" yelled Gandalf. A fierce white light shone from him as he lifted his staff and Glamdring. The dark fire fought against the blinding light. It was not enough, and try as he might, using every last ounce of energy, Gandalf could not prevent the Balrog from advancing on the bridge. Aragorn and Boromir sprang forward to Gandalf's aid, but their swords were rendered useless against the hideous creature.

Gandalf yelled again, "YOU CANNOT PASS!" His staff rang out as it slammed into the rock before him. The rock crumbled and as the Balrog tried to step closer again, the bridge fell away underneath its tremendous weight. Unfortunately, Gandalf's staff had splintered from the power the mighty wizard had exerted. He turned wearily to follow the others off of the bridge. After taking only one step, Gandalf was snapped back to the edge of the broken bridge by the fire whip of the Balrog. He fell off the edge, fingers scrabbling to find a hold. For a moment it seemed that he would pull himself up, but the battle had emptied him of all of his strength. :Fly, you fools!" he cried and was gone, falling into the shadow of the chasm.

"Gandalf!!" shouted Frodo and struggled to get out of Boromir's firm hold. They were rooted to the stop, no one quite believing that the Grey Pilgrim could truly be gone.

Taking advantage of this moment, the Orcs resumed their attack. Arrows and stones fell around them and soon Nicole felt someone pulling her up a stairway by her left arm, ignorant of the pain. They were running through a short passage and were suddenly exiting a set of doors, being thrust into the glaring light of day.

The hobbits collapsed and the rest stood confused, grieved and at a loss for direction. Nicole's knees gave in, her ankle pushed to its limits, and she felt a striking pain in her chest. In a detached manner, she wondered why blackness was edging her sight.

Boromir placed a hand on her unmoving shoulder. Strangely, through his grief, he noticed that she wasn't moving at al, not even to draw air into her lungs. He squeezed her shoulder. "Breathe," he whispered, reminding her.

Of course, cam the distracted thought, I've forgotten to breathe. But even when she filled her system with oxygen, the pain in her chest did not go away. With a start she realized that it was from the effort of holding back tears that threatened to take her over and drown her in grief.

Feeling very much brain dead, Nicole pulled herself to her feet, disconnecting from her aching body. Aragorn had begun to follow a path so she followed him blindly. Letting her feet find their own way, Nicole's consciousness hid itself in a dark corner of her mind. Hiding within herself, she thought of the moment. The moment that had passed, when Gandalf had been a friend, a defender, and tangible. She thought too, of the moment that was to come, when they had no guide, no sage advice to follow, and when Gandalf was just a memory.



A/N: whoa... sorry, I think that's the longest chapter I'll ever write. Actually, tell me if you liked the longer chapters or the shorter chapters better. I had to put this up really fast, so I don't know if there aren't a couple of mistakes here and there. Plz try to ignore them, or pretend you know what I'm saying. If it's really unreadable, tell me in a review. Thanks! ~MoI~