Disclaimer: the ONLY thing I own is Jacqueline, and some of the plot but
not all. Majority of the plotline belongs to Tolkien and Jackson, most of
the LOTR character lines are credited to Peter Jackson and his assistant
scriptwriter(most of the character's lines are from the movie), and all
LOTR characters belong to Tolkien.
Chapter 7 - Loss of a Kindred Soul
Sam's eye caught something, and that something was......
"Frodo!" he exclaimed, his face in panic. Frodo grabbed his sword and unsheathed it, revealing a blue glow. He looked back at his friend and matched his panic.
"Orcs!" Legolas exclaimed seeing the blue glow. Jacqueline unsheathed both her sword and Elrond's dagger as Boromir ran to the door. He looked out it and was greeted by a few arrows narrowly missing his face.
"Get back!" Aragorn shouted to the hobbits. "Stay close to Gandalf!"
He dropped the torch and ran to Boromir to help close the doors. Jacqueline's fear slipped away and the same unknown bravery she never knew existed had returned.
"They have a cave troll," Boromir said to Aragorn, like it was an inconvienence.
Legolas tossed the two men large axes to barricade the door and all three of them moved back to the open room. Boromir stood off to Jacqueline's left, shield and sword ready. Legolas was to her right, closer than Boromir. In a flash his bow was ready in his hand and an arrow was notched to it aimed at the door. Aragorn also had his bow and arrow ready, sharing Legolas' target. Gandalf and the hobbits stood behind Aragorn ready for battle. Gimli jumped onto his cousin's resting place and brandished his axe, letting out a type of battle cry.
"Let them come!" he exclaimed, bravery and bravado in his voice. "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath!"
They could see the orcs through holes in the doors, hacking away at the barricade. Legolas' and Aragorn's arrows met them with deadly accuracy, but soon orcs outnumbered arrows and they broke through the doors. The battle began, and the orcs were greeted by Boromir's, Jacqueline's and Aragorn's swords; those who managed to get past those three were greeted by Legolas' knives or arrows, Gimli's axe, Gandalf's sword, Sam's skillet, and Merry's, Pippin's and Frodo's swords. A mere few minutes later the cave troll thundered into the chamber, knocking dow the walls that were in his way coming in. Jacqueline slashed an orc's neck, and the swinging of her sword caught the leg of the rampaging troll. Before he could look down at her Legolas shot him, and he growled at the elf. The troll then swung his mace at Sam, who ran under the troll's legs, then aimed at Gimli; the troll missed twice, first hitting the tomb then an orc.
Legolas had jumped onto a ledge, giving himself more of an advantage over most of the orcs. Ocassionally one made it up on the ledge, but mostly he was hitting orcs below. He was covering Jacqueline more than anyone; the hobbits were being shielded mostly by Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn or eachother, and the three humans had fought in situations like this before so they were quite skilled. Gimli seemed fine on his own, which left Jacqueline. She was a surprisingly skilled fighter for one who came from another time, but she hadn't quite learned how to watch her back. Nor was it easy to learn, especially when she was in a position by the door. So Legolas took it upon himself to protect her, a sort of repentance for not being able to help her outside of Moria. He was interrupted by the troll, who whipped his chain at the elf.
Jacqueline took notice of the troll aiming at Legolas. The orcs spent less time attacking her and more avoiding her. She had no idea why. A metal-on- metal noise brought her back, and she saw Legolas stamp the chain down which had wrapped around a pillar and itself. Some orcs came into her range, and she clobbered them while Legolas ran the chain, shot the troll and jumped off. The troll swung around growling, and Jacqueline managed to clip its arm. They continued fighting orcs while the troll spied another target. She got closer and closer to where Aragorn was fighting but didn't realize it. She was still puzzling over why the orcs feared her. Her only warning to how close she was to Aragorn was Frodo's screaming for him, then the troll's angry growl. She looked up and was hit by Aragorn who had been punched by the troll. She somewhat softened his landing, but couldn't do much for him since his body struck her awkwardly on her shoulder. She landed on her chest with Aragorn on his back beside her, unconscious. Her sword and dagger had flown from her hands when she landed, but not far merely inches. Which was fortunate, because some of the remaining orcs charged her. So she picked up her weapons and stood her ground, and watched the orcs back up and search out other targets.
Screaming grabbed her attention. The troll was swinging Merry around, while Pippin held on to the creature's head. She ran to the troll in hopes of catching the hobbit when he fell. Jacqueline didn't get over to him quick enough and he landed on the ground with a thud; thankfully he didn't fall far.
"Are you okay Merry?" Jacqueline asked, exasperated.
Merry sat up rubbing his back. "I hope so. Nothing feels broken." He looked up, and the painful look was replaced with a frightened one. Jacqueline spun around and killed the orc that had come up behind them. Merry smiled his thanks, and she smiled back. They looked over at the troll which was the point of battle as the number of orcs was decreasing fast. Gandalf and Gimli alternated striking the troll until Pippin stabbed its head, and Legolas shot the deathblow into its mouth. The troll moaned, stumbled, and then fell. Pippin flew off the falling troll and was knocked out, and Merry ran to his side. Silence settled in the room; the orcs were either dead or had run off. Aragorn had finally come to and looked over at Frodo.
"Oh no!" he said in despair, loud enough for only his companions to hear. They all ran over to Aragorn and Frodo(including Pippin who had come to), and saw Aragorn roll Frodo's limp body over. He groaned and sat up.
"He's alive!" Sam said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I'm all right," he assured them, trying to catch his breath. "I'm not hurt."
Aragorn was puzzled. "You should be dead! That spear would have skeward a wild boar."
Gandalf, who had been the only one who had taken his time joining the group, looked at Jacqueline with a knowing look before looking at the Fellowship.
"I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye," he said, the knowing look still on his face and a sort of twinkle in his eye.
Frodo opened the first couple of buttons of his shirt to reveal a metal one he wore underneath.
"Mithril!" Gimli gasped, then regained his composure. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins."
The noises of orcs could be heard some ways off, and everyone looked at Gandalf.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" he exclaimed, and they all ran through Dwarrowdelf with all the speed they could maintain. Orcs crawled out of every large crevice with speed themselves, and soon they had surrounded the Fellowship. Both sides had weapons drawn, but a growing red light sent the orcs running. The Fellowship saw it too.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked quietly and gravely, a bit of fear in his voice.
Gandalf closed his eyes as he explained. "A Balrog - a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
They were off like a flash without hesitation. They ran through a passageway, then down a staircase. Jacqueline and Boromir ran side by side down the stairs, but in the rush Jacqueline got a little ahead of him and the shock startled her and she flew forward a bit. She headed for the chasm and was grabbed by Boromir; unfortunately he also started falling forward with her. Legolas grabbed Boromir with his left hand, then threw his right arm around when he realised Boromir had Jacqueline.
Jacqueline's gaze was directed down int the fissure, and fear re-entered her body; whatever had kept fear away was gone now. She felt Boromir grab her left arm to pull her back, but was close to falling himself. Then she felt a strong arm clasp around her waist and pull both her and Boromir back; the intricate leaf design on the vambrace told her it was Legolas. They all fell backwards on top of eachother, but it was better than falling forward. They all scrambled and ran down the rest of the stairs with the hobbits not far behind. Aragorn followed, and Gandalf not far behind him.
"Gandalf," Aragorn said, urging the wizard to move faster.
"Lead them on Aragorn. The bridge is near," Gandalf instructed, descending down the stairs. He pushed Aragorn, trying to get him moving again. "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here."
They came to a gap on the stairs, and Legolas leaped across it without hesitation. He turned to look back up.
"Gandalf," he said, motioning for the wizard to follow.
"No," Gandalf answered. He pulled Jacqueline down to where he stood. "The lady goes next."
Jacqueline took a deep breath and looked down at Legolas. Don't let me fall, she whispered before taking the leap. She landed safely on the other side into Legolas' waiting arms. "I would never allow such a thing," he whispered into her ear as soon as she landed. They smiled at eachother briefly before Legolas turned to catch Gandalf as he jumped.
Arrows flew by their heads, and Legolas took up his own bow and shot back while Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin. He jumped the gap with a hobbit under each arm, and when they had been released they stood near Jacqueline. Aragorn picked up Sam and tossed him to Boromir's waiting arms, and was about to toss Gimli when Gimli stopped him.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf," he stated matter-of-factly, and jumped across himself. He landed right on the edge of the other side and began to lean backwards. Legolas grabbed his beard.
"Not the beard!" he yelled in protest. Legolas pulled him forward and let him go, preparing with Boromir to catch Frodo and Aragorn.
Suddenly the steps Aragorn and Frodo were stepping on began to crumble and they climbed upward desperately. A giant boulder from way above then came crashing down and slammed into the staircase, creating a stone island ready to sink into the chasm.
"Stay there," he said calmly to the hobbit. "Hold on." The rest of them looked on in despair, unable to do anything. The island shook.
"Hang on!" Aragorn yelled. He waited until the stone they stood on leaned towards the Fellowship. "Lean forward!"
Both Aragorn and Frodo leaned forward, their weight pushing the island. It began closing the gap.
"Come on!" Boromir urged impulsively. They waited until the gap was moments from allowing a collision and jumped. Boromir and Legolas caught them, and they all ran down the stairs as the stone island fell.
They reached the bottom. "Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf yelled. Each one of them ran across the bridge, and Gandalf stopped midway as he brought up the rear. The Balrog who had been chasing them stepped in front of the bridge and growled.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf yelled. The rest of the Fellowship, who stood at the bottom of another staircase, looked on.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried, trying to run to the wizard. He was stopped.
Gandalf illuminated his staff in defense. "I am the servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udun!"
The Balrog took its flaming sword and struck at Gandalf. The impact of the sword hitting the shield of light shattered the sword. It also caused Gandalf to stumble a bit, but he held his ground.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf bellowed, raising his staff. "YOU....SHALL NOT....PASS!"
He slammed the staff against the bridge, and the bridge crumbled as the Balrog stepped onto it. Thinking it defeated, Gandalf walked away. It was a dangerous move, because he didn't see the Balrog's whip come lashing back up. It wrapped around Gandalf's leg and pulled him over the edge. He hung there weakly trying to climb back up. Frodo tried to run to him again.
"No, Frodo!" Boromir exclaimed, holding the hobbit back.
"Gandaaaaalf!" the hobbit cried, tears already starting to form.
Jacqueline, who was being held back by Aragorn, broke free of his grasp and ran to Gandalf. She dropped to her knees in front of him and grabbed his left arm. She was tired, but she came to think of Gandalf as a grandfather and trusted friend, and she became too scared to go on without his aid.
"Jacqueline you musn't," he pleaded.
"I can't let you fall Gandalf," she answered, clearly struggling. He looked up at her.
"Would it have happened if you weren't here?"
She looked at him. "Gandalf, you have to climb-"
"Would it?!" he asked firmly. Jacqueline's fear was joined by sadness, and she nodded unable to speak or lie. Despair blanketed his face.
"Then let me go Jacqueline," he said, accepting his fate.
Jacqueline shook her head. "No, Gandalf, I-"
"Go! Fly, all of you!" he yelled. He smacked Jacqueline hard enough to let go of him, and he fell with the Balrog some ways down. Jacqueline watched him fall, tears running down her face and falling after Gandalf. The Fellowship heard and saw the whole thing.
"Nooooooooooooooooooo!!" Frodo cried out again, fighting Boromir. He picked up Frodo and ushered out Sam, while Gimli ran out and Legolas ushered out Merry and Pippin. Boromir looked at Aragorn, who was staring at the scene in disbelief.
"Aragorn!" he yelled, exiting.
Aragorn looked at Boromir then back at Jacqueline. He called her, eager to get out. She looked up, acknowledging his voice. Orcs on the other side took aim, but not at her; they didn't dare. She got up and ran back to Aragorn as arrows flew. When she got to Aragorn he put an arm around her, shielding her as they ran out.
Chapter 7 - Loss of a Kindred Soul
Sam's eye caught something, and that something was......
"Frodo!" he exclaimed, his face in panic. Frodo grabbed his sword and unsheathed it, revealing a blue glow. He looked back at his friend and matched his panic.
"Orcs!" Legolas exclaimed seeing the blue glow. Jacqueline unsheathed both her sword and Elrond's dagger as Boromir ran to the door. He looked out it and was greeted by a few arrows narrowly missing his face.
"Get back!" Aragorn shouted to the hobbits. "Stay close to Gandalf!"
He dropped the torch and ran to Boromir to help close the doors. Jacqueline's fear slipped away and the same unknown bravery she never knew existed had returned.
"They have a cave troll," Boromir said to Aragorn, like it was an inconvienence.
Legolas tossed the two men large axes to barricade the door and all three of them moved back to the open room. Boromir stood off to Jacqueline's left, shield and sword ready. Legolas was to her right, closer than Boromir. In a flash his bow was ready in his hand and an arrow was notched to it aimed at the door. Aragorn also had his bow and arrow ready, sharing Legolas' target. Gandalf and the hobbits stood behind Aragorn ready for battle. Gimli jumped onto his cousin's resting place and brandished his axe, letting out a type of battle cry.
"Let them come!" he exclaimed, bravery and bravado in his voice. "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath!"
They could see the orcs through holes in the doors, hacking away at the barricade. Legolas' and Aragorn's arrows met them with deadly accuracy, but soon orcs outnumbered arrows and they broke through the doors. The battle began, and the orcs were greeted by Boromir's, Jacqueline's and Aragorn's swords; those who managed to get past those three were greeted by Legolas' knives or arrows, Gimli's axe, Gandalf's sword, Sam's skillet, and Merry's, Pippin's and Frodo's swords. A mere few minutes later the cave troll thundered into the chamber, knocking dow the walls that were in his way coming in. Jacqueline slashed an orc's neck, and the swinging of her sword caught the leg of the rampaging troll. Before he could look down at her Legolas shot him, and he growled at the elf. The troll then swung his mace at Sam, who ran under the troll's legs, then aimed at Gimli; the troll missed twice, first hitting the tomb then an orc.
Legolas had jumped onto a ledge, giving himself more of an advantage over most of the orcs. Ocassionally one made it up on the ledge, but mostly he was hitting orcs below. He was covering Jacqueline more than anyone; the hobbits were being shielded mostly by Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn or eachother, and the three humans had fought in situations like this before so they were quite skilled. Gimli seemed fine on his own, which left Jacqueline. She was a surprisingly skilled fighter for one who came from another time, but she hadn't quite learned how to watch her back. Nor was it easy to learn, especially when she was in a position by the door. So Legolas took it upon himself to protect her, a sort of repentance for not being able to help her outside of Moria. He was interrupted by the troll, who whipped his chain at the elf.
Jacqueline took notice of the troll aiming at Legolas. The orcs spent less time attacking her and more avoiding her. She had no idea why. A metal-on- metal noise brought her back, and she saw Legolas stamp the chain down which had wrapped around a pillar and itself. Some orcs came into her range, and she clobbered them while Legolas ran the chain, shot the troll and jumped off. The troll swung around growling, and Jacqueline managed to clip its arm. They continued fighting orcs while the troll spied another target. She got closer and closer to where Aragorn was fighting but didn't realize it. She was still puzzling over why the orcs feared her. Her only warning to how close she was to Aragorn was Frodo's screaming for him, then the troll's angry growl. She looked up and was hit by Aragorn who had been punched by the troll. She somewhat softened his landing, but couldn't do much for him since his body struck her awkwardly on her shoulder. She landed on her chest with Aragorn on his back beside her, unconscious. Her sword and dagger had flown from her hands when she landed, but not far merely inches. Which was fortunate, because some of the remaining orcs charged her. So she picked up her weapons and stood her ground, and watched the orcs back up and search out other targets.
Screaming grabbed her attention. The troll was swinging Merry around, while Pippin held on to the creature's head. She ran to the troll in hopes of catching the hobbit when he fell. Jacqueline didn't get over to him quick enough and he landed on the ground with a thud; thankfully he didn't fall far.
"Are you okay Merry?" Jacqueline asked, exasperated.
Merry sat up rubbing his back. "I hope so. Nothing feels broken." He looked up, and the painful look was replaced with a frightened one. Jacqueline spun around and killed the orc that had come up behind them. Merry smiled his thanks, and she smiled back. They looked over at the troll which was the point of battle as the number of orcs was decreasing fast. Gandalf and Gimli alternated striking the troll until Pippin stabbed its head, and Legolas shot the deathblow into its mouth. The troll moaned, stumbled, and then fell. Pippin flew off the falling troll and was knocked out, and Merry ran to his side. Silence settled in the room; the orcs were either dead or had run off. Aragorn had finally come to and looked over at Frodo.
"Oh no!" he said in despair, loud enough for only his companions to hear. They all ran over to Aragorn and Frodo(including Pippin who had come to), and saw Aragorn roll Frodo's limp body over. He groaned and sat up.
"He's alive!" Sam said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I'm all right," he assured them, trying to catch his breath. "I'm not hurt."
Aragorn was puzzled. "You should be dead! That spear would have skeward a wild boar."
Gandalf, who had been the only one who had taken his time joining the group, looked at Jacqueline with a knowing look before looking at the Fellowship.
"I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye," he said, the knowing look still on his face and a sort of twinkle in his eye.
Frodo opened the first couple of buttons of his shirt to reveal a metal one he wore underneath.
"Mithril!" Gimli gasped, then regained his composure. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins."
The noises of orcs could be heard some ways off, and everyone looked at Gandalf.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" he exclaimed, and they all ran through Dwarrowdelf with all the speed they could maintain. Orcs crawled out of every large crevice with speed themselves, and soon they had surrounded the Fellowship. Both sides had weapons drawn, but a growing red light sent the orcs running. The Fellowship saw it too.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked quietly and gravely, a bit of fear in his voice.
Gandalf closed his eyes as he explained. "A Balrog - a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
They were off like a flash without hesitation. They ran through a passageway, then down a staircase. Jacqueline and Boromir ran side by side down the stairs, but in the rush Jacqueline got a little ahead of him and the shock startled her and she flew forward a bit. She headed for the chasm and was grabbed by Boromir; unfortunately he also started falling forward with her. Legolas grabbed Boromir with his left hand, then threw his right arm around when he realised Boromir had Jacqueline.
Jacqueline's gaze was directed down int the fissure, and fear re-entered her body; whatever had kept fear away was gone now. She felt Boromir grab her left arm to pull her back, but was close to falling himself. Then she felt a strong arm clasp around her waist and pull both her and Boromir back; the intricate leaf design on the vambrace told her it was Legolas. They all fell backwards on top of eachother, but it was better than falling forward. They all scrambled and ran down the rest of the stairs with the hobbits not far behind. Aragorn followed, and Gandalf not far behind him.
"Gandalf," Aragorn said, urging the wizard to move faster.
"Lead them on Aragorn. The bridge is near," Gandalf instructed, descending down the stairs. He pushed Aragorn, trying to get him moving again. "Do as I say! Swords are no more use here."
They came to a gap on the stairs, and Legolas leaped across it without hesitation. He turned to look back up.
"Gandalf," he said, motioning for the wizard to follow.
"No," Gandalf answered. He pulled Jacqueline down to where he stood. "The lady goes next."
Jacqueline took a deep breath and looked down at Legolas. Don't let me fall, she whispered before taking the leap. She landed safely on the other side into Legolas' waiting arms. "I would never allow such a thing," he whispered into her ear as soon as she landed. They smiled at eachother briefly before Legolas turned to catch Gandalf as he jumped.
Arrows flew by their heads, and Legolas took up his own bow and shot back while Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin. He jumped the gap with a hobbit under each arm, and when they had been released they stood near Jacqueline. Aragorn picked up Sam and tossed him to Boromir's waiting arms, and was about to toss Gimli when Gimli stopped him.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf," he stated matter-of-factly, and jumped across himself. He landed right on the edge of the other side and began to lean backwards. Legolas grabbed his beard.
"Not the beard!" he yelled in protest. Legolas pulled him forward and let him go, preparing with Boromir to catch Frodo and Aragorn.
Suddenly the steps Aragorn and Frodo were stepping on began to crumble and they climbed upward desperately. A giant boulder from way above then came crashing down and slammed into the staircase, creating a stone island ready to sink into the chasm.
"Stay there," he said calmly to the hobbit. "Hold on." The rest of them looked on in despair, unable to do anything. The island shook.
"Hang on!" Aragorn yelled. He waited until the stone they stood on leaned towards the Fellowship. "Lean forward!"
Both Aragorn and Frodo leaned forward, their weight pushing the island. It began closing the gap.
"Come on!" Boromir urged impulsively. They waited until the gap was moments from allowing a collision and jumped. Boromir and Legolas caught them, and they all ran down the stairs as the stone island fell.
They reached the bottom. "Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf yelled. Each one of them ran across the bridge, and Gandalf stopped midway as he brought up the rear. The Balrog who had been chasing them stepped in front of the bridge and growled.
"You cannot pass!" Gandalf yelled. The rest of the Fellowship, who stood at the bottom of another staircase, looked on.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried, trying to run to the wizard. He was stopped.
Gandalf illuminated his staff in defense. "I am the servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udun!"
The Balrog took its flaming sword and struck at Gandalf. The impact of the sword hitting the shield of light shattered the sword. It also caused Gandalf to stumble a bit, but he held his ground.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf bellowed, raising his staff. "YOU....SHALL NOT....PASS!"
He slammed the staff against the bridge, and the bridge crumbled as the Balrog stepped onto it. Thinking it defeated, Gandalf walked away. It was a dangerous move, because he didn't see the Balrog's whip come lashing back up. It wrapped around Gandalf's leg and pulled him over the edge. He hung there weakly trying to climb back up. Frodo tried to run to him again.
"No, Frodo!" Boromir exclaimed, holding the hobbit back.
"Gandaaaaalf!" the hobbit cried, tears already starting to form.
Jacqueline, who was being held back by Aragorn, broke free of his grasp and ran to Gandalf. She dropped to her knees in front of him and grabbed his left arm. She was tired, but she came to think of Gandalf as a grandfather and trusted friend, and she became too scared to go on without his aid.
"Jacqueline you musn't," he pleaded.
"I can't let you fall Gandalf," she answered, clearly struggling. He looked up at her.
"Would it have happened if you weren't here?"
She looked at him. "Gandalf, you have to climb-"
"Would it?!" he asked firmly. Jacqueline's fear was joined by sadness, and she nodded unable to speak or lie. Despair blanketed his face.
"Then let me go Jacqueline," he said, accepting his fate.
Jacqueline shook her head. "No, Gandalf, I-"
"Go! Fly, all of you!" he yelled. He smacked Jacqueline hard enough to let go of him, and he fell with the Balrog some ways down. Jacqueline watched him fall, tears running down her face and falling after Gandalf. The Fellowship heard and saw the whole thing.
"Nooooooooooooooooooo!!" Frodo cried out again, fighting Boromir. He picked up Frodo and ushered out Sam, while Gimli ran out and Legolas ushered out Merry and Pippin. Boromir looked at Aragorn, who was staring at the scene in disbelief.
"Aragorn!" he yelled, exiting.
Aragorn looked at Boromir then back at Jacqueline. He called her, eager to get out. She looked up, acknowledging his voice. Orcs on the other side took aim, but not at her; they didn't dare. She got up and ran back to Aragorn as arrows flew. When she got to Aragorn he put an arm around her, shielding her as they ran out.
