CHAPTER XIII – The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Another day crept by, filled with silence that only reminded them of the danger they were in. To his own surprise, Boromir felt a great deal of fear, but not all due to the situations at hand. He looked into Legolas' eyes for a moment and saw such ultimate hopelessness that he thought the Elf would attempt suicide.

"There is a single bond that keeps our Elf in this lifetime, but that bond is shared by three that are plaited. If one fails, another surely will. But the final is the strongest and Legolas feels it constantly. My heart tells me, though, that one of the bonds is about to fall," Gandalf said later that night when Boromir had privately expressed his concerns to the Istari.

"That brought no comfort, Mithrandir," Boromir said. "Which bond will save him?"

"The same one that saved him in Mordor and has been with him through the years and these weeks with the Fellowship," the wizard said, seemingly speaking more to himself than to Boromir.

"Aragorn?"

"No. There is someone who shares a stronger bond with the prince." A smile flickered over his face.

"Who, then?"

"His daughter," said Gandalf.

"I am going to retire to bed," Gandalf said. "You two will keep watch?"

The Man nodded and sat for a long while in uneasy silence. Boromir was trying to wrap his head around Legolas having a daughter. Why had he not spoken of her before?

"What are you thinking?" Aragorn asked, bringing Boromir out of his thoughts. It had been some time since the wizard had left him.

"Gandalf was saying that Legolas has three people who will save him. One is his daughter and he said one was going to fail."

"You have probably figured out that Gandalf and I are the other two."

Boromir nodded. He wanted to ask which would fail, but could not bring himself to discuss something that could mean the death of who he was talking to.

The next morning when the other members of the Company, save Legolas, woke and were silently chewing their breakfast, Aragorn suddenly spoke. "Her name is Eryn," he said, answering the question that he guessed had been weighing on Boromir's mind, making the others stare, but listen. "She's the most precious thing in the world to him. You will meet her in Lothlórien, where she lives with her mother. When the Orc attacks in Mirkwood became frequent, Thranduil bade that Êlanna and Eryn go somewhere safe for he could not bear if something happened to his only grandchild, whom he is very fond of," Aragorn replied. He glanced sideways at the prince, who was sleeping uneasily. The previous day Legolas had become overwhelmed by light-headedness and the grotesque burn on his back was paining him, his physical remembrance as strong as his mental and emotional. It got to the point where he could barely walk and Aragorn guessed that he would need help today as there was no chance of them staying for a day in the mines of Moria to allow Legolas to recover.

"Something disturbs the rocks," Gimli said, lowering his pipe. He turned to the entrance of the vast hall they were sitting in and saw a faint orange light, like a flame. He squinted for a long moment before his eyes widened. He stood up and ran to where Gandalf was sitting with the hobbits. "Gandalf…" the rest was lost to whispering.

"Everyone, quickly, pack your things," Gandalf ordered urgently. "Aragorn, carry Legolas."

The Man lifted the Elf into his arms after completing the first task the Company was assigned.

"Good," Gandalf said, but there was not praise in his voice. "Can you run?"

The hobbits all stopped shoving their packs full of whatever their hands fell upon and looked at the wizard. "Run from what?"

"Do not ask questions, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf replied sharply, staring at the hobbit with intense eyes. He looked at Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli like this, too, to avoid the question being repeated. "Hurry!"

Not completely done, but scared shaken by the tone in Gandalf's voice, the hobbits stood up, but no one ran; only stood, and followed Gandalf's gaze to the orange, fire-like glow.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked, swallowing hard, sensing the wizard's fear.

"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you… Run!"

It took a moment for them to move, entranced, it seemed, by the light. But when Gandalf turned, the hobbits were not far behind. Boromir followed Merry and Pippin, then Aragorn with Legolas is his arms. Gimli brought up the rear. Gandalf led them into another hall, much vaster than the previous one. The heartbeat of the Balrog was not far behind. The hall led them to a doorway that entered into a labyrinth of broken staircases and flames. They put one flight of stairs in their wake before coming to another that was shattered in the middle. The Fellowship stopped, waiting for Gandalf to do something. He jumped over the break. "Frodo!" he called. If he could not save everyone, the least he could do was save the quest.

Boromir grabbed the hobbit's shoulders and tossed him across. Frodo was quickly followed by Sam. Merry and Pippin held onto Boromir as he leapt to the other side, leaving Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The three were still for a long moment, hesitant as to who should go first. There was a great sound behind them and everything vibrated. The stairs shook.

"Go, Gimli," Legolas said with all the volume he could collect.

Aragorn looked unsure.

"Nobody tosses a Dwarf, lad," he said before making the great jump over the oblivion. His boots landed on the very edge of the other side and he faltered, but Boromir grabbed him fast enough to save him.

Aragorn was very doubtful of himself. It was a long way to go and he didn't think that he could hold on to Legolas. "Do you trust me, Legolas?"

"With my life, Aragorn," Legolas said, oddly calm and sincere. He took a shuddering breath. "Tell Êlanna that-"

"I'm not going to leave you, Legolas. We can do this." Aragorn stumbled forward as the stair quaked beneath them. "Do not let go."

Legolas nodded and gripped Aragorn's tunic with his right hand. Valar, anno amin rovail revia. Valar, give us wings to fly.

The stair lurched forward with another tremor. Aragorn closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Do not let go… He held Legolas tightly and jumped. Time seemed to slow. Every moment of every second crawled. Each time he trembled, Aragorn felt it. Vertigo took over his mind. So many things could go wrong. He felt his fingers slip and then grasp again. Do. Not. Let. Go. When Aragorn began to think that this is what death felt like, he felt stone beneath his feet and arms around his shoulders. Almost collapsing, still gripped by dizziness and nausea, he looked down at Legolas. The Elf's eyes were closed, his lips twitching in silent prayer. Aragorn's shoulders were now lighter with relief and he followed Gandalf and the others down the stairs.

They finally came to another hall, but the Balrog was in quick pursuit. The room was hot with the flames from its wings and body. It smelled like ash and smoke. Yet, Gandalf stopped. He grabbed Aragorn's shoulder as the Man ran past. Aragorn looked very frightened. "Lead them on, Aragorn. Take them across the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Take refuge in Lothlórien. Legolas, give your daughter a hug for me."

Somehow, Aragorn found the ability to continue running after that even though his mind had become like stone. The Balrog's flames were hot on his back and the smell of smoke was suffocating him. Legolas was writhing in his arms. "Mithrandir!" He finally escaped Aragorn's grasp, but could not find the strength to stand. Aragorn grabbed his shoulder and led him across the narrow bridge. Still, Legolas did not yield. "Let me go, Aragorn! We cannot let him die!" When they reached the end of the bridge, Legolas escaped. He was only a quarter of the way across when he halted.

Gandalf stood, Glamdring and staff in either hand, prepared to challenge the Balrog of Morgoth. He raised both above his head and said in his most powerful voice: "You cannot pass!"

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried.

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!"

The Balrog cracked its flaming whip against the side of the bridge and let out a harsh cry.

"Go back to the Shadow! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Gandalf hit his staff against the bridge and stared loathingly at the flaming beast. The Balrog took a step forward, eager to capture its prey, but the stone began to break and it collapsed into the abyss below. With a painful sigh, Gandalf turned around. He saw the horrified expressions on their faces and moved towards them, but another crack was emitted into the air. Thin flames wrapped around Gandalf's ankle and the wizard fell, gripping the edge of the bridge.

Legolas forced himself to run. He heard his frantic heartbeat. He was almost there. Time had stopped as if to give him a chance—or to give him enough heartbreak to kill him.

"Fly, you fools…"

"NO!"

Legolas fell to his stomach and reached his hand after the disappearing wizard. "Mithrandir!" he cried, feeling all senses drain from him. This was not happening, this was not possible. Gandalf does not die!

Give your daughter a hug for me…

"MITHRANDIR!"

Arms lifted Legolas and carried him across the bridge and up another flight of stairs. Someone was crying, so was he. Sounds seemed so distant. The tears that streamed down his face might as well have fallen down glass. That's all he was. Something that did not feel, hear, see… like glass. And he was shattered. Gandalf, one of his only hopes, had left this world.

Give your daughter a hug for me…