Chapter 9

Legolas's POV

Adette and I raced after the rest of the fellowship hand in hand. She was running behind me and I nearly dragged her. She was still not completely over her illness and I was sure the battle had exhausted her.

"Come Adette, come!" I exclaimed, turning my head slightly. She nodded, her long hair flying in the wind. I was secretly glad that she had not cut it off. Her cheeks were flushed and I could make out beads of sweat on her forehead.

We soon caught up to the fellowship. I looked around and saw orcs coming from both directions and crawling down pillars. They were closing in fast, forcing us into the center. They cackled evilly, eyes widened with delight at our mishap. One reached forward for Frodo and I stood protectively in front of him, slicing off the orc's hand in one swipe. It screamed in pain, and Frodo looked at me with gratitude clear on his face.

Gimli suddenly yelled, swinging his axe a little. Almost immediately the orcs scattered, and Gimli laughed, thinking he had frightened them off. I turned to see a glowing light at the end of the hall, and knew at once that whatever it was had scared to orcs.

"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked tiredly.

"A Balrog – a demon of the ancient world." Gandalf answered after a moment of silence. He seemed greatly distressed by this. "This foe is beyond any of you…run!"

Gandalf then began running, leading us further down the hall. Adette was further back with Frodo, encouraging him to continue running although tired. We ran down a crude set of stairs and Boromir nearly fell forward but I grabbed him. I didn't know why I was rescuing him, but if Adette was no longer threatened by him, than neither was I. We looked over the edge in frustration.

"Gandalf!" Aragorn shouted.

"Lead them on Aragorn! The bridge is near!" Gandalf ordered, pushing Aragorn away as he neared him. Although it was an unkind gesture, I knew Gandalf only wanted us to live. "Swords are no more use here."

In this time we all took a moment to catch our breath.

"I'm…so…tired." Adette said between heavy breaths. I turned my head slightly, not wanting her to know that I was listening.

"So am I Adette, but we have to keep going." Frodo told her, looking up to meet her eyes.

I suddenly leaped across the gap and landed on the other side unharmed. I turned to face the others, motioning for them.

"Gandalf!" I called.

He followed my example and landed perfectly. I drew my bow when the sounds of arrows whistling in the air sounded. I shot an orc standing on a ledge right through the head and he tumbled down into the abyss.

Boromir grabbed Merry and Pippin under his arms and jumped over the gap. Aragorn then grabbed Sam and threw him towards Boromir when he had landed and set down the two Hobbits, and caught him. Gimli followed next, not wanting to be thrown by Aragorn. Frodo came next and this time I caught him.

"Go Adette." Aragorn urged his sister.

"Come Adette, I'll catch you!" I called to her, holding out my arms. She still didn't look convinced, and we were running short on time.

"My vision is a bit off with all of this running." She smiled weakly, sensing my uneasiness about our time. Only when she took a running start and threw herself off in the wrong direction did I realize our mistake in not having Aragorn throw her.

"Adette!" I screamed, leaping out. She was gripping the ledge with her hands, trying to pull herself up.

"Adette!" Aragorn shouted. "Hang on!"

I grabbed her hands and with one thrust, pulled her up onto the ledge. She collapsed against my chest, holding my tunic in her fists. I held her for a moment, whispering against her hair. Without letting go, I moved us back so that Aragorn could land safely.

When Adette felt a bit better, we continued on our way. The rest of the fellowship was already running down another set of stairs. A wall of fire was spread out behind us, and Gandalf turned.

"Over the bridge! Fly!" He commanded.

I turned to see a black creature emerging from the flames as Gandalf stood before it. Its eyes were of white fire with great, black horns swirling about its massive head. It was a menacing and frightening sight and I then understood why Gandalf was hesitant about going through the mines.

"You cannot pass!" Gandalf bellowed, facing the creature.

"Gandalf!" Frodo cried, trying to get around Boromir and Aragorn. The two were blocking the Hobbits, who were trying to go to Gandalf's aid. I stood at the head of them, Adette behind me.

"Will we not help him?" She questioned us, looking from me to Aragorn and then to Boromir.

"We cannot." Aragorn said calmly.

"If you will not," Adette unsheathed her sword, "then I will!"

I reached out as she ran in front of me and caught her arm, spinning her around to face me. She fought back against my hold, suddenly filled with the strength she had been lacking since her illness. Her eyes burned with anger, lit up by the brightness of the flames. I could see the makings of tears forming in her eyes.

"Adette you cannot go. I won't let you go." I told her, grabbing her other arm as well.

"Someone must help him!" She shouted.

"This is his battle." I said quietly, trying to calm her by looking into her eyes. Her anger and frustration was too much to handle. I took her sword from her iron grasp with much effort and hauled her squirming body underneath my arm, carrying her up the stairs.

"Legolas! Put me down!"

I set her down with the Hobbits and handed her back her sword.

"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf suddenly shouted. The creature suddenly had a flaming whip, circling his head. Gandalf raised both his sword and staff. "You shall not pass!"

His staff slammed down onto the bridge and a bright, blue light appeared. As the demon stepped onto the bridge, it crumbled beneath him. It went down into the depths along with the broken pieces of the bridge. I looked on with relief, thinking he had won.

Suddenly, the whip slashed out and wrapped around Gandalf's ankle. With a surprised cry he fell backwards. Frodo struggled but Boromir grabbed him, forcing him into the air. Aragorn held back the others while I took Adette around the waist, pinning her arms down.

"Gandalf!" Frodo screeched.

"Fly you fools." Gandalf whispered. He then let go, falling from our sight. Frodo's scream echoed through the mines as Boromir carried him out. I pulled Adette up backwards, my arms still locking her arms at her sides.

When we reached the outside, I saw Merry consoling Pippin, both in tears. Sam was sitting upon the ground, crying as well. Adette had freed herself from my grasp and turned, flaring in anger. I was shocked to see tears falling from her eyes. I had not seen her cry in years…

"Why didn't we help him! Why!" She screamed, her voice hoarse. "We could have saved him! We failed him!"

"Nightingale-"

"Don't you nightingale me Legolas Greenleaf! This fellowship is falling apart because we cannot stand together." She turned from me and faced the others. "Because we can't get past our differences," she looked from Gimli to me, "or because of our ranks." She then looked from Boromir to Aragorn.

"How can we be expected to fight our foes if we are fighting each other? We have to stand together like the fellowship we are, otherwise we will crumble."

She then marched over to where Frodo stood alone to comfort him. I watched as she kneeled beside him, taking him into a hug. He buried his face into her shoulder and she rubbed his back, tears still falling from her eyes.

"Legolas," Aragorn said quietly, "get them up."

"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir cried out, his voice disgusted. "How can-"

"Did you hear nothing Adette has said?" I thundered, stampeding over to him. I stood inches from his face. "We can't argue like this anymore. It's tearing us apart."

"Quiet both of you! By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn ordered.

"At least give them a moment to catch their breath." Boromir pleaded quietly.

"Alright. Everyone take a few moments to rest."

I sat down on a rock near Sam. Boromir was comforting Merry and Pippin, one arm around each of their shoulders. He spoke quietly to them. I rested a hesitant hand on Sam's shoulder, squeezing it.

"Everything will turn out Sam." I told him softly.

"My life goes on in endless song,
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn,
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear,
and hear their death knell ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near,
how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile,
our thoughts to them are winging,
when friends by shame are undefiled,
how can I keep from singing?"

Adette sang out louder than I had ever heard her sing before. She was still holding Frodo close to her, his head resting upon her shoulder. She had her arms wrapped around his shoulders, resting her head against his. Her eyes stayed closed the whole time she sang.

"Lad," Gimli was suddenly in front of me, "I…well I don't think I ever…just…oh you know what I mean!"

I grinned as he stomped away, muttering under his breath. At least he was trying, although he needed some work.

"Sam?" Then there was Adette, kneeling in front of Sam. She pushed his hair back and kissed his forehead in a motherly way that made my heart break.

"Yes Adette?" He asked in a shaky voice.

"I think Frodo needs you now. Please go to him." She helped him up and watched him go to Frodo's side.

"Adette, sit with me." I murmured, patting beside me. She sat down, her hands folded in her lap. She stared down at them, sniffling. I stroked her hair back and she suddenly flung her arms around my neck. "Adette?"

"I'm so sorry Legolas! I've been dreadful these past few days. You have only been there for me and I have been so horrible. I'm a terrible wife."

When she said the last sentence I pulled her away from me, frowning.

"Adette Greenleaf don't you ever let me hear you say that again. You are not a terrible wife. You are my wife and I love you more than anything in Middle Earth." I brushed her tears away and kissed her neck.

"I love you too Legolas. Please forgive me." She hugged me once more and I kissed her hair.

"There is nothing to forgive nightingale."