A/N: Here's the long awaited chapter, thank you all for being patient.
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Chapter Eight
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On the third day of their journey they finally came to a standstill. They had just finished climbing up some really steep stairs when they came to a landing where there were three passageways. Gandalf frowned as he looked upon the three doors.
"I have no memory of this place." He whispered to himself.
So it was decided that they would take a break and the Fellowship settled down and did their own thing.
Boromir, Aragorn and Gimli all sat together smoking their pipes. Sam and Frodo sat apart from the group smoking their own pipes and Merry and Pippin sat close to Sinn and Shenaux, whom were presently glaring at the smokers. Legolas stood behind the group of Men and Dwarf looking about listening for any sound of alarm. Gandalf sat away from everyone else, and you guessed it, smoking his pipe as he tried to think of which way they were to go.
"Shenaux, I'm bored." Sinn whispered.
"Sing a song." Pippin suggested almost eagerly.
The two women thought about it for a bit then grinned at each other.
"Okay, what song shall we sing Sinn?" Shenaux asked.
"How about the Phantom of the Opera? I haven't sung that in a long time and well, it kinda fits with the whole being in labyrinth."
"K, you the Phantom or am I?"
"I was the Phantom last time. It's your turn." Sinn told her.
"Alright. Well, you can start anytime my dear."
Sinn cleared her throat then she began to sing, very softly, as everyone listened closely to the two women, wondering what kind of song they would sing.
In sleep he sang to me,
In dreams he came.
That voice which calls to me,
And sings my name.
And do I dream again,
For now I've find,
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside my mind.
Sing once again with me,
A strange duet.
My power over you,
Grows stronger yet.
And though you turn from me,
To glance behind,
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside your mind.
Those who have seen your face,
Draw back in fear.
I am the mask you wear.
It's me they hear.
My spirit and my voice,
In one combine.
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside your (my) mind.
In all your fantasies you always knew,
That man and mystery
Were both in you.
And in this labyrinth, where night is light,
The Phantom of the Opera is (there) here,
Inside (your) my mind.
Sing my angel of music!
He's there the Phantom of the Opera!
A!
A! (sing)
A! (Sing for me)
A! (sing my angel of music)
A!
A!
A! (Sing for me!)
A!
I have brought you,
To the seed of sweat music's from.
To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music, music.
You have come here,
For one purpose and one alone.
Since the moment I first heard you sing,
I have needed you with me to serve me to sing,
All my music, my music.
The Fellowship stared in wonderment at the two women whom were now grinning at each other. If they could have seen their faces, the men would know that they were blushing a deep red.
"Do you know any others?" Pippin questioned in awe. "A little more . upbeat?" he added the last part. Sure he loved the song they sang, but it was rather disturbing to think that a Phantom was in your mind.
"Uh, let us think for a moment." Shenaux said and they went through all the songs they know as they communicated in their minds.
'How about "Push it"?' Sinn suggested making her friend choke at the thought of singing something like that in front of the very proper men.
'I was thinking more or less along the lines of "Consequence Free".' Shenaux said.
Sinn sighed. "You're no fun you know that?"
"If we want a bunch of blushing men, we'll sing that song, but it's a little inappropriate for the circumstances right now. Besides, we have to dance to that song and well."
"Ya, ya. I know."
So the two began to sing again, this time they sang the song together.
Wouldn't it be great, if no one ever got offended
Wouldn't it be great to say what's really on your mind
I have always said "all the rules are made for bending"
And if I let my hair down, would that be such a crime?
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
I could really use, to lose my Catholic conscience
Cuz I'm getting sick of feeling guilty all the time
I won't abuse it, Yeah I've got the best intentions
For a little bit of anarchy but not the hurting kind
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
I couldn't sleep at all last night cause I had so much on my mind
I'd like to leave it all behind, but you know it's not that easy
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
Wouldn't it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call
We wouldn't need to worry about approval or permission, we could
Slip off the edge and never worry about the fall
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
"That's enough. I think we should let Gandalf try and think about which way we're supposed to go." Shenaux decided as she settled down and closed her eyes.
Sinn slowly followed suit.
It was quiet. The Fellowship were resting and if they talked, they talked in whispers so not to disturb the thinking Wizard.
"Are we lost?" Pippin finally whispered to Merry after about ten minutes of resting.
"No." Was Merry's reply.
"I think we are."
"Shh. Gandalf's thinking."
The two hobbits were quiet for a few more minutes until Pippin spoke up again.
"Merry." Pippin whispered to his buddy.
"What?" Was the annoyed answer.
"I'm hungry."
That statement sent the two women into silent giggles.
As Pippin and Merry argued over who was going to get the biggest apple in their pack, Frodo stood up and went to talk with Gandalf.
After they spoke a few minutes, Gandalf looked up. "Ah, it's that way." He pointed to the door closest to himself.
Everyone stood up and grabbed their pack.
"He's remembered!" Merry exclaimed as he stood.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here." Gandalf said as he walked to the doorway.
"That doesn't fill me with confidence Gandalf." Sinn muttered and Shenaux nodded her head in agreement.
Gandalf ignored the two women and looked down and Merry, whom was the first to reach the doorway. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
"Like Toucan Sam." Shenaux muttered to Sinn who then began to giggle.
The Fellowship started down the stairs and they all breathed a sigh of relief when they got to the bottom of the stairway. When they reached the bottom, Gandalf muttered something about risking more light and then he held his staff up as the light grew brighter and in a booming voice, Gandalf spoke. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf City of Dwarrowdelf." He announced.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam whispered in awe.
Everyone in the Fellowship looked around them in great awe and surprise. Sinn leaned over to Shenaux and whispered loudly, "If Dwarves are so short, why do they need such high ceilings?"
"It's to accommodate their large egos." Shenaux answered her in a loud whisper also and they promptly received a glare from the Dwarf in their company. The two women smiled innocently at him.
They began to walk through the many hallways of the Dwarf City and they finally reached the place where Gimli notices some light in a room. He quickly ran into the room.
"Gimli!" Gandalf said sharply, but the Dwarf didn't pay the wizard any heed and he kept running into the room. The Fellowship had no choice but to follow their companion.
They entered the room and saw Gimli kneeling before a stone casket with his head leaning against it.
Gandalf walked over to the casket and read what was written on it. "'Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria.' He's dead then. It is as I feared."
Gimli let out a cry of anguish and Sinn and Shenaux walked over and placed their hands on his shoulder in comfort.
"We must move on. We cannot linger." Legolas said to Aragorn as he looked about the room. Aragorn nodded his head in agreement.
Gandalf handed Pippin his hat and staff then he picked up the large book that was in the hands of a Dwarven Skeleton. He opened it up and began to read from it, making everyone nervous and jumpy. "'They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums.drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming.'" Gandalf finished reading.
Sinn and Shenaux looked over at Pippin. "Move away from there, Pippin! Don't touch it!" They said in unison.
Surprised by their tone of voice, Pippin moved away from the well and just as he reached Gandalf, the skeleton that was sitting on the edge of the well toppled over, all eyes were wide as they listened to the crashing and then silence. They held their breaths waiting for any sound of movement of the enemy. After a few seconds they let their breaths go and relaxed a little.
Gandalf took his hat from Pippin and said, "Let's go." He turned his back to the young Hobbit and then they heard the sound of drums.
"Frodo!" Sam whispered urgently as he looked at his master's glowing sword.
Then the Company heard screams in the deep and Legolas looked disgusted. "Orcs!" He spat and everyone drew their weapons as Boromir ran to the doors to look outside. His head jerked back as two arrows embedded themselves in the door three inches away from his head.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the Hobbits and two women. The said people went to stand behind Gandalf as Legolas went to help Aragorn and Boromir close the doors.
"They have a cave troll." Boromir said nonchalantly to Aragorn as they barred the doors with spears and any other long handled weapon that Legolas threw to them.
After barring the doors, all three stepped back drawing their own weapons and waiting until the orcs broke through the battered doors. Gimli stood upon his cousin's casket and readied his axe.
"Let them come!" He growled. "There is still on Dwarf in Moria that still draws breath!"
They all stood and waited anxiously for the Orcs and Goblins to break through the door. When their axes and swords broke of a large enough piece off the door, Legolas let his arrow fly and killed the orc or goblin standing there. Then Aragorn let his arrow fly through the space provided by their enemy.
Sinn and Shenaux gripped their weapons more tightly in their hands and they both prayed to the Valar or any God willing to listen for help and safety.
Just then, the orcs broke through the door and the battle was on. Legolas let go arrows at a speedy rate as the enemy barged towards them, killing all that got in the way of the arrows.
Aragorn threw down his bow and drew his sword and he battled orcs and goblins alike with Boromir at his side killing as many as they could.
"For the Shire!" The Hobbits yelled their battle cry and then jumped into the fray of battle with the foul creatures. Sam began to use his frying pans to knock his enemies out.
Sinn and Shenaux let themselves be lost in the battle and they didn't think about what they were doing. They just knew that they had to kill anyone that would kill them. Their blades flashed in the firelight.
Shenaux decapitated an orc with one knife and then stabbed another with her other as she twirled letting her blades slice anything that crossed their path.
Sinn sliced at any enemy close enough. She ducked, parried, blocked and attacked with her twin blades, glad that she wasn't thinking about the blood bathing her.
Just when the orcs and goblins were finally thinning out, the cave troll came crashing into the room and everyone stopped and stared at the thing in fear and disgust. The thing swept away anything that was in its path.
The troll saw Sam and he made straight for the small target and brought its club down with a crash, but it missed the young Hobbit as Sam dived under the troll through its legs. The troll turned around and it was about to step on Sam and squish him when Aragorn and Boromir caught hold of the chain that the Orcs had been leading it by and they pulled hard on it, trying to get its attention. As they pulled, Aragorn lost his balance and dropped the chain as he fell, but he quickly rolled to his feet when Orcs and goblins came at him with raised weapons.
The troll turned to look at Boromir and then grabbed the chain that the Man still held. Boromir looked down at the chain incredulously but before he could do anything, the troll swung the chain and Boromir went crashing into the wall and then fell to the ledge and finally onto the floor. Boromir sat up from where he had landed and spit out blood as he shook his head trying to rid himself from the stars that he saw before his eyes.
He turned to look behind him when he heard a noise. He looked straight up into the face of an Orc, whom presently was lifting its weapon. Just before the foul creature could strike and kill Boromir, Aragorn threw a small sword and it struck the creature in its neck, killing it instantly. The two Men looked at each other and nodded acknowledging that they are on the same team. Then Boromir stood up and grabbed his sword and jumped into the fray of things and Aragorn followed suit.
The two women were so consumed with their own battles that they only caught sight of their companions if they were in the area they were in. Sinn had just looked up when she saw that the troll was whipping its chain at Legolas, whom was now on the ledge of the room and he was ducking low to the ground. She saw him dodge and duck all the swings the troll made until the troll managed to wrap the chain around the post near the Elf. Said Elf then placed his foot on top of the chain to keep it in place before he ran across it to stand on the beast's shoulders. Sinn almost died of fright when she saw him attempt that daring move, yet she didn't know why she felt the fear of him becoming hurt. Then she told herself that it was only because he was her friend. She felt the fear of anyone being hurt. She almost laughed to herself when she saw the arrow shatter on the troll's head. She knew what was coming and she almost heaved a loud sigh of relief when the Elf jumped off of the troll. Chance had it that she only heaved a small quiet one that was lost in the sounds of the battle around her.
Shenaux also stood watching Legolas as he made his daring move and she would stab or decapitate anything that would come near herself or Sinn. It was she, however, that noticed the Elf's peril when she saw an Orc creep up behind him. "Legolas!" She shouted in alarm and then threw her Knife at the Orc.
Luckily for Legolas, he turned at her shout and saw the knife hurtling towards his head. He thanked the Valar many times that he was quick and agile on his feet, for he ducked just in time for the knife to lodge itself into the forehead of the Orc behind him. He looked up at Shenaux and frowned. "A little warning would have been better Shenaux. Something along the lines of, 'Legolas, duck!' would have been a lot better."
Shenaux just grinned at him and began to make her way over to the Elf to get her recently thrown knife. Sadly for her, she couldn't get it out of the Orcs head, for it was stuck in the bone. That is when Sinn joined her.
"Stand on its head and then pull. I'll watch your back." She pulled out her bow and readied an arrow. She then launched the arrow at an oncoming Orc. Quickly she readied another and let that one fly. Soon she was picking off any enemies she could with her arrows if they came in range of them. If it wasn't for the serious battle going on, she would have found it rather amusing to see her friend standing on the head of a dead Orc as she tried to pull her knife out of it's thick skull.
Finally after a few tries, Shenaux wrenched the knife out of the dead creature's skull and then jumped into the fray of things. Sinn put her bow away and pulled her blades out yet again and began to kill the deadly creatures. That's when the two women heard Aragorn yell, "Frodo!"
They turned around and saw the huge spear sticking out of the Hobbits side and his face was twisted in pain. The two women prayed to the Valar that he had on his mithril shirt as they began to work their way over to the Hobbit's side.
They saw Merry and Pippin jump onto the back of the troll and stabbed it repeatedly with their short swords. Then they saw Gimli attack its legs and then dodge the large hand of the creature. For some reason, a wave of pity for the troll washed over the women and they felt horrible once Legolas shot the thing through the head with his arrow when the thing opened its mouth to scream in agony as Pippin's sword cut through it's hide. But the feeling quickly went away. It was either him or them, they were glad it was him.
Everyone quickly ran over to where Frodo was lying face first on the floor, worry filled their hearts and sadness overcame them all. They all feared that they lost the Ring-bearer.
Sinn and Shenaux heard Aragorn whisper, "Oh no," as he turned Frodo over onto his back. Everyone was shocked when Frodo gasped in air and sat up.
"I'm okay. I'm not hurt." Frodo told them as he held his side.
"You should be dead." Aragorn said in amazement. "That spear could have skewered a wild boar." He added in explanation.
"I think there is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf said looking rather shrewdly at Frodo.
Frodo unbuttoned his shirt and showed everyone the shirt of mithril he was wearing beneath making everyone gasp in shock.
"Mithril." Gimli whispered then began to laugh. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins!" he said, then everyone stopped and listened.
They heard more Orc screams and drums in the deep and they looked to Gandalf for guidance. He looked at them all and said, "To the bridge of Khazad-dum." (If anyone knows how to get the ^ over the u in dum, could you please tell me? Tankie.) He told them all and then the Fellowship began their long run to the bridge for their freedom.
They were running down the corridor out of the room when they were beginning to become surrounded by Orcs and goblins. Finally they had to stop and they formed a circle so that everyone would be able to attack on all sides and they don't have to worry about their back. Everyone in the Fellowship readied their weapons and were about to attack when they heard a booming roar. The creatures all looked at each other, fear radiating from the foul things and then they all ran back to where ever they had come from. Gimli let out a small chuckle thinking that the things were afraid of him. Sinn and Shenaux made a mental note to bring down the Dwarf's ego a few notches later if they made it through this.
"Shouldn't we be running away from something that scares even Orcs? Surely it's worse than any cave troll." Shenaux suggested.
"It's a.a." Sinn began trembling. She opened her mouth to finish her sentence but no words came form her lips. She looked at Shenaux with wide eyes and her mouth was working.
"." Shenaux couldn't speak as well and they looked at each other with horror, not understanding what is happening.
"What's wrong with you?" Merry asked them with a confused frown on his face, but the only response he received was more growls from the creature coming towards them.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir questioned Gandalf.
The two women looked as if they were trying to scream, but the only thing Legolas or any one else could catch was "Balrog."
"A Balrog. A demon from the ancient world." Gandalf said at last.
Legolas looked like he was about to drop his bow in fear and the two women became even more frightened then before. Gandalf and the Elf are scared of this thing, which is not a good sign.
"This foe is beyond any of you." Gandalf continued. "Run!" he yelled and the Fellowship began running, new strength in their limbs.
"Quickly!" Gandalf said as he stopped to wait for the others to pass through the doorway first. Boromir was in the lead.
The man ran down the steps and he had to stop for the stairs ceased to exist and the man was left teetering on the edge. The torch he was carrying was dropped down into the abyss below. Legolas quickly ran down the few steps and grabs the Man from behind and pull him back. Boromir fell down hard upon the Elf. Quickly everyone else stopped dead as they looked down. The two women's eyes widened and they stepped back, shaking like a leaf.
"Gandalf." Aragorn whispered breathlessly as the old wizard leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Lead them on Aragorn." He told him as he clasped the King-to-be on the shoulder. "The bridge is near." Gandalf pointed to the bridge in the distance.
Aragorn tries to pull the wizard with him, but the wizard pushes him away. "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here." Gandalf boomed at him.
The man looked at him in confusion. He was dumbfounded and he frowned thinking he knew what the old wizard was up to and he didn't like it at all.
The Company began off again, running down the stairs. As long as the two women looked ahead of them and not down, they were fine. Finally, after running quickly down the steps for about twenty minutes, they finally came to a gap in the stairway. Legolas jumped swiftly and gently across the gap and looked back at the others.
"Gandalf!" He called to the wizard.
Gandalf looked back to where the Balrog was coming and then looked back at Legolas before jumping across and Legolas caught him. The Balrog was closing in on them quickly. Orcs from across the way began to shoot arrows at them and the skittered across the stairway near the feet of the Hobbits.
Sinn, Aragorn and Legolas shot at the snipers as Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin and jumped across with a shout to release the pent up adrenaline. A large piece of the stairway crumbled into pieces and fell down into the abyss.
The archers were still shooting at the Orcs when Aragorn grabbed Sam and tossed him across for Boromir to catch him. Aragorn turned to Gimli and was about to grab him to throw him, but Gimli held up his hand. "Nobody tosses a Dwarf!" and he jumps across, barely making it and he teeters on the edge of the ledge.
Legolas quickly grabbed the Dwarf's beard to keep him from falling to his death. "Not the beard!" Gimli yelled, but the Elf paid him no heed and pulled him to safety.
Aragorn tosses Frodo across and then he jumped across also. The stairs beneath the feet of the two women broke and they were forced to climb further up the stairs so not to fall. Wide eyed, they stared across at their new friends as they tried to figure out what to do now.
More growls were heard from behind them and the two women turned to look in horror as the Balrog drew even closer.
'Is this the end? Are we to die here in this miserable orc infested place?' Shenaux asked her friend.
'Well, at least we won't die of a stab wound or something.' Sinn said as she looked at her friend. There were tears standing in both of their eyes.
Sinn and Shenaux then looked across the gap at the young Hobbits and smiled gently. Sinn and Shenaux weren't sure if they would be able to pull off the thing that Aragorn and Frodo pulled off in the movie. They made eye contact with Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo.
Don't blame yourselves young Hobbits. Sinn sent the thought out to them, not realising that the others heard their thoughts, all because they can't control their new-found powers.
"What are you talking about Sinn?" Pippin called to her. Shenaux smiled. We're not sure if we're able to do this. She said. I mean Aragorn and Frodo were supposed to be in this situation, not us.
"I don't understand." Aragorn frowned and the two women looked at him surprised, but a crashing sound behind them made them break the link they had formed. They all saw a large chunk of the ceiling fall and crash through the walkway that connected the stairs with a landing. The thing they were standing on was now loose and wobbly and it swayed from side to side. The women leaned towards the opposite side the large piece of rock leaned to, trying to keep their balance.
When it began to lean forward, Sinn and Shenaux leaned back so that they wouldn't fall down into darkness.
"Now!" Aragorn yelled when the rock connected with the other side and the two girls automatically jumped across. Aragorn caught Shenaux and Legolas caught Sinn.
Once the two women were settled on their feet again, they began to run down the staircase again. Sinn thinking to Shenaux that all of their lives they were told never to run down stairs.
They were rounding a corner when Gandalf stopped again to let the others pass. "Over the Bridge!" he yelled to them as they passed. "Fly!" The fire had begun to form behind them. The Balrog was going to appear.
Gimli was first to run across the bridge, Boromir was second then the Hobbits and Aragorn was behind. Shenaux and Sinn stopped dead in their tracks, looking at horror at the narrow bridge before them. They couldn't run across this. Not in a million years unless they ever get over their fear of heights.
Aragorn noticed that the girls had stopped and turned around and picked Shenaux up and ran across with her clinging to him. Once across, he placed her on her feet and pushed her towards the stairs where the others waited.
Legolas had followed Aragorn's example and picked Sinn up, tucking her head into his shoulder so she wouldn't have to look around and notice that there was empty space beyond the small bridge. Once across, he placed her beside her friend and began shooting Orcs with his arrows.
Gandalf stopped one forth of the way out on the bridge and turned back to face the Balrog. The old wizard raised his staff. "You shall not pass!" He yelled to the demon.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yells and Boromir had to grab the Hobbit least he run back to help his friend and mentor.
The Balrog stood up to his full height and spreads his wings as he looked down upon the wizard and a flaming swords appears in his hand.
"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor." Gandalf raised his staff and a blue glow radiated off of it and circled the old man. "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!"
The Balrog brought down his sword and it crashed against the blue light and sparks flew about them and trickled down into the darkness.
Aragorn runs forward a few steps to watch, all the Fellowship was watching the demon and wizard with fear and trepidation.
They watched as the wizard raised his sword and staff crossed above his head as he looked at the Balrog. "Go back to the Shadow." And he took a step back as the Balrog advanced with a whip of fire in its hand. He cracked the whip and the sound of thunder filled the air.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf yelled and brought his staff down upon the bridge with his sword flushed against the staff. White light flashed as the staff connected with the bridge.
The ancient demon looked at the wizard uncertainly, but it takes another step toward him. The bridge collapsed under its weight and the thing falls into the deep darkness.
Gandalf turned around and looked at his friends and companions, weariness in all his movements. He was shocked when the whip came back up and tripped him. Shenaux and Sinn tried to warn him, but their voices were still gone and they couldn't link their minds to him.
The wizard dropped his staff and sword to catch the edge for a few minutes as he looked at his friends.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yells again and Boromir had to strain to keep the Hobbit on the other side with him.
Gandalf tried to pull himself up, but to no avail. He knew that he was not going to leave Moria with his companions. He looked at them all. "Fly, you fools!" He told them before letting go and falling down into the abyss.
"No!" Frodo yells and Boromir had to pick him up and carry him out of the mines. The others were already running, except for Aragorn, Sinn and Shenaux, because the Orcs then began to shoot more arrows at them.
Finally shaking off their shocked state, Sinn and Shenaux followed the rest of the Fellowship out of the mines, tears streaming down their cheeks at the loss of the man they accepted as their second grandfather. Boromir had to call to Aragorn to knock him out of his stupor.
Quickly, they all ran out of the mines and put some distance between them and the doors. Boromir had put Frodo down and now he held Gimli back or else the Dwarf would run back into the mines to get his vengeance upon the Orcs and that would be his death. Sam sat down and cried, sitting alone away from the others. Merry was comforting a sobbing Pippin, but he too was crying out his grief for his old friend.
Legolas looked confused. He knew that mortals died, he knew that everyone could die in battle, but being an Elf, he is not used to death and he can't understand how an immortal could die. Gandalf's death brought to him the realisation that he could die on this quest.
Sinn and Shenaux were silently sobbing out their grief kneeling on the ground near the two Hobbits.
Aragorn was standing a little bit away from the rest of the group, thinking about his suspicions of Gandalf knowing that he was not going to exit Moria with the group. Finally, after he finished wiping the blood off of his blade, he called over to the Elf as he sheathed his sword. "Legolas, get them up!"
Said Elf looked up and then understanding dawned on him. He walked over to where Merry and Pippin were and gently clasped them on their shoulder. "Come little ones." He said. "We should be off, we are still in peril."
The two Hobbits nodded their heads bravely and wiped away the tears, but they still streamed down their young faces.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir yelled at Aragorn, just wanting to rest a little bit and the Hobbits were the best excuse to give.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs!" Aragorn told him. "We must reach the woods of Lothlórien." He looked at the mourning group before him. "Come Legolas. Boromir. Gimli, get them up!" He walked over to Sam. "On your feet Sam." He pulled the Hobbit to his feet.
Sinn and Shenaux were staring at the stony ground unsure what to do. They were still sobbing silently. Yeah, sure they knew he was going to die and that he will return, but is that what happens in this timeline? Or does Gandalf really die? Sinn looked over at Shenaux and their fears were easily read in their eyes.
Legolas walked up to them. "Come ladies, we must be off." He told them gently. "It's not safe here."
The two looked at him and he took an involuntary step back from the grief and the pain and the knowledge in their eyes. He was totally shocked and his eyes widened in surprise. "Are you two all right?" he asked them concerned as he knelt before them.
Shenaux tried to answer him, but no sound came from her. Sinn tried but she too couldn't speak a word. Shenaux stood up and walked quickly to Aragorn to try and demand some answers, that is, if he could understand her.
Sinn placed her face in her hands and began to sob silently again and Legolas pulled her into a comforting hug and let her cry on his shoulder. Shenaux was now crying and Boromir was holding her, trying to comfort the distraught woman and having no clue what to do. Aragorn was trying to get Frodo to come back to the group.
Quickly the two women fell into an exhausted, grief filled sleep.
* * *
* * *
Chapter Eight
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On the third day of their journey they finally came to a standstill. They had just finished climbing up some really steep stairs when they came to a landing where there were three passageways. Gandalf frowned as he looked upon the three doors.
"I have no memory of this place." He whispered to himself.
So it was decided that they would take a break and the Fellowship settled down and did their own thing.
Boromir, Aragorn and Gimli all sat together smoking their pipes. Sam and Frodo sat apart from the group smoking their own pipes and Merry and Pippin sat close to Sinn and Shenaux, whom were presently glaring at the smokers. Legolas stood behind the group of Men and Dwarf looking about listening for any sound of alarm. Gandalf sat away from everyone else, and you guessed it, smoking his pipe as he tried to think of which way they were to go.
"Shenaux, I'm bored." Sinn whispered.
"Sing a song." Pippin suggested almost eagerly.
The two women thought about it for a bit then grinned at each other.
"Okay, what song shall we sing Sinn?" Shenaux asked.
"How about the Phantom of the Opera? I haven't sung that in a long time and well, it kinda fits with the whole being in labyrinth."
"K, you the Phantom or am I?"
"I was the Phantom last time. It's your turn." Sinn told her.
"Alright. Well, you can start anytime my dear."
Sinn cleared her throat then she began to sing, very softly, as everyone listened closely to the two women, wondering what kind of song they would sing.
In sleep he sang to me,
In dreams he came.
That voice which calls to me,
And sings my name.
And do I dream again,
For now I've find,
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside my mind.
Sing once again with me,
A strange duet.
My power over you,
Grows stronger yet.
And though you turn from me,
To glance behind,
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside your mind.
Those who have seen your face,
Draw back in fear.
I am the mask you wear.
It's me they hear.
My spirit and my voice,
In one combine.
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside your (my) mind.
In all your fantasies you always knew,
That man and mystery
Were both in you.
And in this labyrinth, where night is light,
The Phantom of the Opera is (there) here,
Inside (your) my mind.
Sing my angel of music!
He's there the Phantom of the Opera!
A!
A! (sing)
A! (Sing for me)
A! (sing my angel of music)
A!
A!
A! (Sing for me!)
A!
I have brought you,
To the seed of sweat music's from.
To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music, music.
You have come here,
For one purpose and one alone.
Since the moment I first heard you sing,
I have needed you with me to serve me to sing,
All my music, my music.
The Fellowship stared in wonderment at the two women whom were now grinning at each other. If they could have seen their faces, the men would know that they were blushing a deep red.
"Do you know any others?" Pippin questioned in awe. "A little more . upbeat?" he added the last part. Sure he loved the song they sang, but it was rather disturbing to think that a Phantom was in your mind.
"Uh, let us think for a moment." Shenaux said and they went through all the songs they know as they communicated in their minds.
'How about "Push it"?' Sinn suggested making her friend choke at the thought of singing something like that in front of the very proper men.
'I was thinking more or less along the lines of "Consequence Free".' Shenaux said.
Sinn sighed. "You're no fun you know that?"
"If we want a bunch of blushing men, we'll sing that song, but it's a little inappropriate for the circumstances right now. Besides, we have to dance to that song and well."
"Ya, ya. I know."
So the two began to sing again, this time they sang the song together.
Wouldn't it be great, if no one ever got offended
Wouldn't it be great to say what's really on your mind
I have always said "all the rules are made for bending"
And if I let my hair down, would that be such a crime?
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
I could really use, to lose my Catholic conscience
Cuz I'm getting sick of feeling guilty all the time
I won't abuse it, Yeah I've got the best intentions
For a little bit of anarchy but not the hurting kind
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
I couldn't sleep at all last night cause I had so much on my mind
I'd like to leave it all behind, but you know it's not that easy
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
Wouldn't it be great, if the band just never ended
We could stay out late and we would never hear last call
We wouldn't need to worry about approval or permission, we could
Slip off the edge and never worry about the fall
I wanna be consequence free
I wanna be where nothing needs to matter
I wanna be consequence free
just sing NA NA NA NA NA NE NA NA NA
"That's enough. I think we should let Gandalf try and think about which way we're supposed to go." Shenaux decided as she settled down and closed her eyes.
Sinn slowly followed suit.
It was quiet. The Fellowship were resting and if they talked, they talked in whispers so not to disturb the thinking Wizard.
"Are we lost?" Pippin finally whispered to Merry after about ten minutes of resting.
"No." Was Merry's reply.
"I think we are."
"Shh. Gandalf's thinking."
The two hobbits were quiet for a few more minutes until Pippin spoke up again.
"Merry." Pippin whispered to his buddy.
"What?" Was the annoyed answer.
"I'm hungry."
That statement sent the two women into silent giggles.
As Pippin and Merry argued over who was going to get the biggest apple in their pack, Frodo stood up and went to talk with Gandalf.
After they spoke a few minutes, Gandalf looked up. "Ah, it's that way." He pointed to the door closest to himself.
Everyone stood up and grabbed their pack.
"He's remembered!" Merry exclaimed as he stood.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here." Gandalf said as he walked to the doorway.
"That doesn't fill me with confidence Gandalf." Sinn muttered and Shenaux nodded her head in agreement.
Gandalf ignored the two women and looked down and Merry, whom was the first to reach the doorway. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
"Like Toucan Sam." Shenaux muttered to Sinn who then began to giggle.
The Fellowship started down the stairs and they all breathed a sigh of relief when they got to the bottom of the stairway. When they reached the bottom, Gandalf muttered something about risking more light and then he held his staff up as the light grew brighter and in a booming voice, Gandalf spoke. "Behold, the great realm and Dwarf City of Dwarrowdelf." He announced.
"There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam whispered in awe.
Everyone in the Fellowship looked around them in great awe and surprise. Sinn leaned over to Shenaux and whispered loudly, "If Dwarves are so short, why do they need such high ceilings?"
"It's to accommodate their large egos." Shenaux answered her in a loud whisper also and they promptly received a glare from the Dwarf in their company. The two women smiled innocently at him.
They began to walk through the many hallways of the Dwarf City and they finally reached the place where Gimli notices some light in a room. He quickly ran into the room.
"Gimli!" Gandalf said sharply, but the Dwarf didn't pay the wizard any heed and he kept running into the room. The Fellowship had no choice but to follow their companion.
They entered the room and saw Gimli kneeling before a stone casket with his head leaning against it.
Gandalf walked over to the casket and read what was written on it. "'Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria.' He's dead then. It is as I feared."
Gimli let out a cry of anguish and Sinn and Shenaux walked over and placed their hands on his shoulder in comfort.
"We must move on. We cannot linger." Legolas said to Aragorn as he looked about the room. Aragorn nodded his head in agreement.
Gandalf handed Pippin his hat and staff then he picked up the large book that was in the hands of a Dwarven Skeleton. He opened it up and began to read from it, making everyone nervous and jumpy. "'They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums.drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming.'" Gandalf finished reading.
Sinn and Shenaux looked over at Pippin. "Move away from there, Pippin! Don't touch it!" They said in unison.
Surprised by their tone of voice, Pippin moved away from the well and just as he reached Gandalf, the skeleton that was sitting on the edge of the well toppled over, all eyes were wide as they listened to the crashing and then silence. They held their breaths waiting for any sound of movement of the enemy. After a few seconds they let their breaths go and relaxed a little.
Gandalf took his hat from Pippin and said, "Let's go." He turned his back to the young Hobbit and then they heard the sound of drums.
"Frodo!" Sam whispered urgently as he looked at his master's glowing sword.
Then the Company heard screams in the deep and Legolas looked disgusted. "Orcs!" He spat and everyone drew their weapons as Boromir ran to the doors to look outside. His head jerked back as two arrows embedded themselves in the door three inches away from his head.
"Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the Hobbits and two women. The said people went to stand behind Gandalf as Legolas went to help Aragorn and Boromir close the doors.
"They have a cave troll." Boromir said nonchalantly to Aragorn as they barred the doors with spears and any other long handled weapon that Legolas threw to them.
After barring the doors, all three stepped back drawing their own weapons and waiting until the orcs broke through the battered doors. Gimli stood upon his cousin's casket and readied his axe.
"Let them come!" He growled. "There is still on Dwarf in Moria that still draws breath!"
They all stood and waited anxiously for the Orcs and Goblins to break through the door. When their axes and swords broke of a large enough piece off the door, Legolas let his arrow fly and killed the orc or goblin standing there. Then Aragorn let his arrow fly through the space provided by their enemy.
Sinn and Shenaux gripped their weapons more tightly in their hands and they both prayed to the Valar or any God willing to listen for help and safety.
Just then, the orcs broke through the door and the battle was on. Legolas let go arrows at a speedy rate as the enemy barged towards them, killing all that got in the way of the arrows.
Aragorn threw down his bow and drew his sword and he battled orcs and goblins alike with Boromir at his side killing as many as they could.
"For the Shire!" The Hobbits yelled their battle cry and then jumped into the fray of battle with the foul creatures. Sam began to use his frying pans to knock his enemies out.
Sinn and Shenaux let themselves be lost in the battle and they didn't think about what they were doing. They just knew that they had to kill anyone that would kill them. Their blades flashed in the firelight.
Shenaux decapitated an orc with one knife and then stabbed another with her other as she twirled letting her blades slice anything that crossed their path.
Sinn sliced at any enemy close enough. She ducked, parried, blocked and attacked with her twin blades, glad that she wasn't thinking about the blood bathing her.
Just when the orcs and goblins were finally thinning out, the cave troll came crashing into the room and everyone stopped and stared at the thing in fear and disgust. The thing swept away anything that was in its path.
The troll saw Sam and he made straight for the small target and brought its club down with a crash, but it missed the young Hobbit as Sam dived under the troll through its legs. The troll turned around and it was about to step on Sam and squish him when Aragorn and Boromir caught hold of the chain that the Orcs had been leading it by and they pulled hard on it, trying to get its attention. As they pulled, Aragorn lost his balance and dropped the chain as he fell, but he quickly rolled to his feet when Orcs and goblins came at him with raised weapons.
The troll turned to look at Boromir and then grabbed the chain that the Man still held. Boromir looked down at the chain incredulously but before he could do anything, the troll swung the chain and Boromir went crashing into the wall and then fell to the ledge and finally onto the floor. Boromir sat up from where he had landed and spit out blood as he shook his head trying to rid himself from the stars that he saw before his eyes.
He turned to look behind him when he heard a noise. He looked straight up into the face of an Orc, whom presently was lifting its weapon. Just before the foul creature could strike and kill Boromir, Aragorn threw a small sword and it struck the creature in its neck, killing it instantly. The two Men looked at each other and nodded acknowledging that they are on the same team. Then Boromir stood up and grabbed his sword and jumped into the fray of things and Aragorn followed suit.
The two women were so consumed with their own battles that they only caught sight of their companions if they were in the area they were in. Sinn had just looked up when she saw that the troll was whipping its chain at Legolas, whom was now on the ledge of the room and he was ducking low to the ground. She saw him dodge and duck all the swings the troll made until the troll managed to wrap the chain around the post near the Elf. Said Elf then placed his foot on top of the chain to keep it in place before he ran across it to stand on the beast's shoulders. Sinn almost died of fright when she saw him attempt that daring move, yet she didn't know why she felt the fear of him becoming hurt. Then she told herself that it was only because he was her friend. She felt the fear of anyone being hurt. She almost laughed to herself when she saw the arrow shatter on the troll's head. She knew what was coming and she almost heaved a loud sigh of relief when the Elf jumped off of the troll. Chance had it that she only heaved a small quiet one that was lost in the sounds of the battle around her.
Shenaux also stood watching Legolas as he made his daring move and she would stab or decapitate anything that would come near herself or Sinn. It was she, however, that noticed the Elf's peril when she saw an Orc creep up behind him. "Legolas!" She shouted in alarm and then threw her Knife at the Orc.
Luckily for Legolas, he turned at her shout and saw the knife hurtling towards his head. He thanked the Valar many times that he was quick and agile on his feet, for he ducked just in time for the knife to lodge itself into the forehead of the Orc behind him. He looked up at Shenaux and frowned. "A little warning would have been better Shenaux. Something along the lines of, 'Legolas, duck!' would have been a lot better."
Shenaux just grinned at him and began to make her way over to the Elf to get her recently thrown knife. Sadly for her, she couldn't get it out of the Orcs head, for it was stuck in the bone. That is when Sinn joined her.
"Stand on its head and then pull. I'll watch your back." She pulled out her bow and readied an arrow. She then launched the arrow at an oncoming Orc. Quickly she readied another and let that one fly. Soon she was picking off any enemies she could with her arrows if they came in range of them. If it wasn't for the serious battle going on, she would have found it rather amusing to see her friend standing on the head of a dead Orc as she tried to pull her knife out of it's thick skull.
Finally after a few tries, Shenaux wrenched the knife out of the dead creature's skull and then jumped into the fray of things. Sinn put her bow away and pulled her blades out yet again and began to kill the deadly creatures. That's when the two women heard Aragorn yell, "Frodo!"
They turned around and saw the huge spear sticking out of the Hobbits side and his face was twisted in pain. The two women prayed to the Valar that he had on his mithril shirt as they began to work their way over to the Hobbit's side.
They saw Merry and Pippin jump onto the back of the troll and stabbed it repeatedly with their short swords. Then they saw Gimli attack its legs and then dodge the large hand of the creature. For some reason, a wave of pity for the troll washed over the women and they felt horrible once Legolas shot the thing through the head with his arrow when the thing opened its mouth to scream in agony as Pippin's sword cut through it's hide. But the feeling quickly went away. It was either him or them, they were glad it was him.
Everyone quickly ran over to where Frodo was lying face first on the floor, worry filled their hearts and sadness overcame them all. They all feared that they lost the Ring-bearer.
Sinn and Shenaux heard Aragorn whisper, "Oh no," as he turned Frodo over onto his back. Everyone was shocked when Frodo gasped in air and sat up.
"I'm okay. I'm not hurt." Frodo told them as he held his side.
"You should be dead." Aragorn said in amazement. "That spear could have skewered a wild boar." He added in explanation.
"I think there is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf said looking rather shrewdly at Frodo.
Frodo unbuttoned his shirt and showed everyone the shirt of mithril he was wearing beneath making everyone gasp in shock.
"Mithril." Gimli whispered then began to laugh. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins!" he said, then everyone stopped and listened.
They heard more Orc screams and drums in the deep and they looked to Gandalf for guidance. He looked at them all and said, "To the bridge of Khazad-dum." (If anyone knows how to get the ^ over the u in dum, could you please tell me? Tankie.) He told them all and then the Fellowship began their long run to the bridge for their freedom.
They were running down the corridor out of the room when they were beginning to become surrounded by Orcs and goblins. Finally they had to stop and they formed a circle so that everyone would be able to attack on all sides and they don't have to worry about their back. Everyone in the Fellowship readied their weapons and were about to attack when they heard a booming roar. The creatures all looked at each other, fear radiating from the foul things and then they all ran back to where ever they had come from. Gimli let out a small chuckle thinking that the things were afraid of him. Sinn and Shenaux made a mental note to bring down the Dwarf's ego a few notches later if they made it through this.
"Shouldn't we be running away from something that scares even Orcs? Surely it's worse than any cave troll." Shenaux suggested.
"It's a.a." Sinn began trembling. She opened her mouth to finish her sentence but no words came form her lips. She looked at Shenaux with wide eyes and her mouth was working.
"." Shenaux couldn't speak as well and they looked at each other with horror, not understanding what is happening.
"What's wrong with you?" Merry asked them with a confused frown on his face, but the only response he received was more growls from the creature coming towards them.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir questioned Gandalf.
The two women looked as if they were trying to scream, but the only thing Legolas or any one else could catch was "Balrog."
"A Balrog. A demon from the ancient world." Gandalf said at last.
Legolas looked like he was about to drop his bow in fear and the two women became even more frightened then before. Gandalf and the Elf are scared of this thing, which is not a good sign.
"This foe is beyond any of you." Gandalf continued. "Run!" he yelled and the Fellowship began running, new strength in their limbs.
"Quickly!" Gandalf said as he stopped to wait for the others to pass through the doorway first. Boromir was in the lead.
The man ran down the steps and he had to stop for the stairs ceased to exist and the man was left teetering on the edge. The torch he was carrying was dropped down into the abyss below. Legolas quickly ran down the few steps and grabs the Man from behind and pull him back. Boromir fell down hard upon the Elf. Quickly everyone else stopped dead as they looked down. The two women's eyes widened and they stepped back, shaking like a leaf.
"Gandalf." Aragorn whispered breathlessly as the old wizard leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Lead them on Aragorn." He told him as he clasped the King-to-be on the shoulder. "The bridge is near." Gandalf pointed to the bridge in the distance.
Aragorn tries to pull the wizard with him, but the wizard pushes him away. "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here." Gandalf boomed at him.
The man looked at him in confusion. He was dumbfounded and he frowned thinking he knew what the old wizard was up to and he didn't like it at all.
The Company began off again, running down the stairs. As long as the two women looked ahead of them and not down, they were fine. Finally, after running quickly down the steps for about twenty minutes, they finally came to a gap in the stairway. Legolas jumped swiftly and gently across the gap and looked back at the others.
"Gandalf!" He called to the wizard.
Gandalf looked back to where the Balrog was coming and then looked back at Legolas before jumping across and Legolas caught him. The Balrog was closing in on them quickly. Orcs from across the way began to shoot arrows at them and the skittered across the stairway near the feet of the Hobbits.
Sinn, Aragorn and Legolas shot at the snipers as Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin and jumped across with a shout to release the pent up adrenaline. A large piece of the stairway crumbled into pieces and fell down into the abyss.
The archers were still shooting at the Orcs when Aragorn grabbed Sam and tossed him across for Boromir to catch him. Aragorn turned to Gimli and was about to grab him to throw him, but Gimli held up his hand. "Nobody tosses a Dwarf!" and he jumps across, barely making it and he teeters on the edge of the ledge.
Legolas quickly grabbed the Dwarf's beard to keep him from falling to his death. "Not the beard!" Gimli yelled, but the Elf paid him no heed and pulled him to safety.
Aragorn tosses Frodo across and then he jumped across also. The stairs beneath the feet of the two women broke and they were forced to climb further up the stairs so not to fall. Wide eyed, they stared across at their new friends as they tried to figure out what to do now.
More growls were heard from behind them and the two women turned to look in horror as the Balrog drew even closer.
'Is this the end? Are we to die here in this miserable orc infested place?' Shenaux asked her friend.
'Well, at least we won't die of a stab wound or something.' Sinn said as she looked at her friend. There were tears standing in both of their eyes.
Sinn and Shenaux then looked across the gap at the young Hobbits and smiled gently. Sinn and Shenaux weren't sure if they would be able to pull off the thing that Aragorn and Frodo pulled off in the movie. They made eye contact with Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo.
Don't blame yourselves young Hobbits. Sinn sent the thought out to them, not realising that the others heard their thoughts, all because they can't control their new-found powers.
"What are you talking about Sinn?" Pippin called to her. Shenaux smiled. We're not sure if we're able to do this. She said. I mean Aragorn and Frodo were supposed to be in this situation, not us.
"I don't understand." Aragorn frowned and the two women looked at him surprised, but a crashing sound behind them made them break the link they had formed. They all saw a large chunk of the ceiling fall and crash through the walkway that connected the stairs with a landing. The thing they were standing on was now loose and wobbly and it swayed from side to side. The women leaned towards the opposite side the large piece of rock leaned to, trying to keep their balance.
When it began to lean forward, Sinn and Shenaux leaned back so that they wouldn't fall down into darkness.
"Now!" Aragorn yelled when the rock connected with the other side and the two girls automatically jumped across. Aragorn caught Shenaux and Legolas caught Sinn.
Once the two women were settled on their feet again, they began to run down the staircase again. Sinn thinking to Shenaux that all of their lives they were told never to run down stairs.
They were rounding a corner when Gandalf stopped again to let the others pass. "Over the Bridge!" he yelled to them as they passed. "Fly!" The fire had begun to form behind them. The Balrog was going to appear.
Gimli was first to run across the bridge, Boromir was second then the Hobbits and Aragorn was behind. Shenaux and Sinn stopped dead in their tracks, looking at horror at the narrow bridge before them. They couldn't run across this. Not in a million years unless they ever get over their fear of heights.
Aragorn noticed that the girls had stopped and turned around and picked Shenaux up and ran across with her clinging to him. Once across, he placed her on her feet and pushed her towards the stairs where the others waited.
Legolas had followed Aragorn's example and picked Sinn up, tucking her head into his shoulder so she wouldn't have to look around and notice that there was empty space beyond the small bridge. Once across, he placed her beside her friend and began shooting Orcs with his arrows.
Gandalf stopped one forth of the way out on the bridge and turned back to face the Balrog. The old wizard raised his staff. "You shall not pass!" He yelled to the demon.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yells and Boromir had to grab the Hobbit least he run back to help his friend and mentor.
The Balrog stood up to his full height and spreads his wings as he looked down upon the wizard and a flaming swords appears in his hand.
"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor." Gandalf raised his staff and a blue glow radiated off of it and circled the old man. "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!"
The Balrog brought down his sword and it crashed against the blue light and sparks flew about them and trickled down into the darkness.
Aragorn runs forward a few steps to watch, all the Fellowship was watching the demon and wizard with fear and trepidation.
They watched as the wizard raised his sword and staff crossed above his head as he looked at the Balrog. "Go back to the Shadow." And he took a step back as the Balrog advanced with a whip of fire in its hand. He cracked the whip and the sound of thunder filled the air.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf yelled and brought his staff down upon the bridge with his sword flushed against the staff. White light flashed as the staff connected with the bridge.
The ancient demon looked at the wizard uncertainly, but it takes another step toward him. The bridge collapsed under its weight and the thing falls into the deep darkness.
Gandalf turned around and looked at his friends and companions, weariness in all his movements. He was shocked when the whip came back up and tripped him. Shenaux and Sinn tried to warn him, but their voices were still gone and they couldn't link their minds to him.
The wizard dropped his staff and sword to catch the edge for a few minutes as he looked at his friends.
"Gandalf!" Frodo yells again and Boromir had to strain to keep the Hobbit on the other side with him.
Gandalf tried to pull himself up, but to no avail. He knew that he was not going to leave Moria with his companions. He looked at them all. "Fly, you fools!" He told them before letting go and falling down into the abyss.
"No!" Frodo yells and Boromir had to pick him up and carry him out of the mines. The others were already running, except for Aragorn, Sinn and Shenaux, because the Orcs then began to shoot more arrows at them.
Finally shaking off their shocked state, Sinn and Shenaux followed the rest of the Fellowship out of the mines, tears streaming down their cheeks at the loss of the man they accepted as their second grandfather. Boromir had to call to Aragorn to knock him out of his stupor.
Quickly, they all ran out of the mines and put some distance between them and the doors. Boromir had put Frodo down and now he held Gimli back or else the Dwarf would run back into the mines to get his vengeance upon the Orcs and that would be his death. Sam sat down and cried, sitting alone away from the others. Merry was comforting a sobbing Pippin, but he too was crying out his grief for his old friend.
Legolas looked confused. He knew that mortals died, he knew that everyone could die in battle, but being an Elf, he is not used to death and he can't understand how an immortal could die. Gandalf's death brought to him the realisation that he could die on this quest.
Sinn and Shenaux were silently sobbing out their grief kneeling on the ground near the two Hobbits.
Aragorn was standing a little bit away from the rest of the group, thinking about his suspicions of Gandalf knowing that he was not going to exit Moria with the group. Finally, after he finished wiping the blood off of his blade, he called over to the Elf as he sheathed his sword. "Legolas, get them up!"
Said Elf looked up and then understanding dawned on him. He walked over to where Merry and Pippin were and gently clasped them on their shoulder. "Come little ones." He said. "We should be off, we are still in peril."
The two Hobbits nodded their heads bravely and wiped away the tears, but they still streamed down their young faces.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir yelled at Aragorn, just wanting to rest a little bit and the Hobbits were the best excuse to give.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs!" Aragorn told him. "We must reach the woods of Lothlórien." He looked at the mourning group before him. "Come Legolas. Boromir. Gimli, get them up!" He walked over to Sam. "On your feet Sam." He pulled the Hobbit to his feet.
Sinn and Shenaux were staring at the stony ground unsure what to do. They were still sobbing silently. Yeah, sure they knew he was going to die and that he will return, but is that what happens in this timeline? Or does Gandalf really die? Sinn looked over at Shenaux and their fears were easily read in their eyes.
Legolas walked up to them. "Come ladies, we must be off." He told them gently. "It's not safe here."
The two looked at him and he took an involuntary step back from the grief and the pain and the knowledge in their eyes. He was totally shocked and his eyes widened in surprise. "Are you two all right?" he asked them concerned as he knelt before them.
Shenaux tried to answer him, but no sound came from her. Sinn tried but she too couldn't speak a word. Shenaux stood up and walked quickly to Aragorn to try and demand some answers, that is, if he could understand her.
Sinn placed her face in her hands and began to sob silently again and Legolas pulled her into a comforting hug and let her cry on his shoulder. Shenaux was now crying and Boromir was holding her, trying to comfort the distraught woman and having no clue what to do. Aragorn was trying to get Frodo to come back to the group.
Quickly the two women fell into an exhausted, grief filled sleep.
* * *