Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters apart from the Phoenix.
Ps. I've created the character of the Phoenix based mostly on stuff I've made up and stuff that I already know. It might not be really much like what a real Phoenix is like, but hey this is my story, and I make what happens here! XD
Pss. To those who have read it before, I've realised how Mary-Sue-Ish it was and I've done my best to try and reverse it!
Thanks for the reviews wolfielee123321 and untouchable1400 I'd almost given up on the story but your review inspired me to write more! Thanks!
Chapter Nine
The Balrog
They continued to run for the bridge of Khadad-dun, the adrenaline pumping through them, aiding them in their long run. They came to a halt as there was a gap in the path on which they ran. Legolas leapt over easily, and urged the others to do so. Gandalf jumped first and was helped over by Legolas. One by one the others too jumped until only Aragorn and Frodo where left. The path on which they stood looked as if it was about to give way, the foundations began to crumble and it started to sway. Frodo stood paralysed with fear and almost fell off had Aragorn not grabbed him and held him steady.
"Lean forward" He instructed. Frodo did so and then slowly the ledge began to move forwards till it was close enough for the two to jump across. Now safely rejoined with the others they turned on their heels and continued to run.
"Quickly! The bridge is near!" urged Faye. The others continued to run, but Faye hesitated and turned as she saw the Balrog appear. She saw the horrible creature of shadow and flame, and in her heart she knew what she must do.
"Faye!" called Legolas desperately.
She turned and saw the others halfway across the bridge, Legolas was waiting for here while the others went on. Faye began to run over the bridge, once Legolas saw that she was coming turned and continued to run and wait for her over the other side.
Once halfway across the bridge she turned and waited for the Balrog to come.
"Faye!" shouted Legolas. "FAYE!" he shouted again. "What is she doing?" he said more to himself rather than anyone else. He knew what she was doing. She was going to fight the Balrog. The others turned and watched with fear as the Balrog approached her, and stood at the end of the bridge. It growled viciously, the searing flames springing from its mouth.
The fire did nothing to Faye, she was a fire being herself. The Balrog could not harm her. The Balrog brandished a whip of fire which it lashed out, the crack of the whip could be heard echoing out through the mines. It cracked the whip at Faye, but she held out the palm of her hand and produced a wall of fire. The end of the whip rebounded off the wall and hit the Balrog. It growled its fury at being wounded by its own weapon. It took a step onto the bridge, the bridge pounded as the gigantic creature made its way onto it. The force of the pound made the bridge shake and Faye momentarily lost her balance. It only took that one moment for the Balrog to crack its which again and send Faye plunging down into the dark Abyss.
The fellowship watched as Faye fell. Pippin turned and buried his face into Merry's jacket. Merry hugged Pip, and felt the tears form in his eyes.
"FAYE!" shouted Boromir in anguish. Legolas turned to Boromir, and saw him searching the dark abyss for any signs of her. He furrowed his brow, Boromir did not care for Faye the way he did. He only saw her as a pretty face, someone to walk beside him, something to show off, a mere object.
He looked away as his vision blurred over. He stared at the ground and the tear fell, gleaming in the dim light.
Suddenly the cry of a bird could be heard, echoing out from the dark abyss. The fellowship turned and peered down to see what it was. An explosion of light could be seen and up rose the phoenix. Legolas smiled in relief, his heart beat returned to its normal pace. He looked up and watched the fire bird fly with grace back onto the bridge. Gandalf ran and met her in the middle of the bridge.
"You cannot pass!" he shouted, staring defiantly at the Balrog. The phoenix hovered above Gandalf as he began his attack.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" he bellowed. A force field of white light surrounded him, and with the touch of the phoenix it turned into brilliant white flames. Its magnificent light illuminating every niche in the mine.
The Balrog struck the force field with his sword of fire. The force of the two energies colliding sent the Balrog ricocheting backwards, Faye taking the rebound of the collision was sent flying to the other end of the bridge where she hit the wall transforming back and slumped down onto the ground in her human form.
The bridge broke causing the Balrog to fall. Gandalf sighed his relief and turned to join the others but as he did so the whip of the Balrog caught his ankle and dragged him back. He grabbed hold of the edge of the bridge but did not have the strength to keep his grip. There was nothing that the fellowship could do to save him.
"Gandalf!" cried Frodo who began to run to him, but Boromir held him back.
"Fly you fool!" shouted Gandalf and with that, relinquished his hold on the bridge and fell down into the darkness.
They stood there for a moment, unable to come to terms with what had just happened, but as the arrows whizzed past them, they knew that they should listen to Gandalf's last words. His death could not be in vain.
Merry and Pippin helped Faye up and they ran out of Moria, leaving the darkness behind and emerging into the light of the outside world.