Frodo's POV

I don't know what made me do it. I stood and watched Gandalf fight the Balrog and it seemed to me as though he was winning. He turned, sighed and fell.

He fell.

Nothing else filled my head and I tried to run back to where he had last stood but Boromir grabbed me around the chest, preventing me moving forward.

"Gandalf!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Maybe he had simply slipped and was already beginning to climb back up to us. I struggled in Boromir's grip.

Boromir picked me up like I was a child and began to run up the stairs out of the Mines. The Man turned and called back to Strider who was still standing where he had been five minutes before.

"Gandalf!" I yelled again, still with a hope that he would reappear. Strider turned and began to follow us up the stairs. I was still struggling in Boromir's arms.

Only when we were out on the Dimrill Dale did Boromir release me. Ignoring Sam and the rest of the company, I ran away from Moria, now wishing that I had not made the decision that we would travel through the Mines. The path over the mountains may have been cold and uncomfortable but at least Gandalf would still be alive.

I cast my eyes back over the rest of the company; at the tear stained faces and the shaking shoulders, and my decision was made.

There was no way that I was going to cause anymore harm to these people. The Ring was my burden and my task was something that I had to do myself. If I wasn't with the group then there would be no need for them to be here and in danger.

They could all go home.

I began to make my way, walking blindly, towards a nearby wood. I heard Strider say something to the company but I didn't stop or turn around until I heard him call my name. As I looked at him I felt my eyes fill with tears and a single droplet of water made its way slowly down my cheek.

Strider was at my side in what seemed like no time at all. He looked at me and in his eyes I saw the same sense of loss that I felt within my own heart. I suddenly remembered that Strider had known Gandalf longer than I had and must be feeling a greater sense of loss.

"Gandalf would not want you to fall into despair," he said. I continued to look at him and he wrapped me tight in his arms. My tears began to fall and I sobbed hard into his shoulder.

Gandalf why did you leave? You said you would help me as long as the Ring was my burden!