Hey everyone sorry for the long delay. I have been working 10 hours a day and it's killing me. Well here is the next chapter and I would like to thank all of those who have patiently waited for this chapter. And also thanks to those who have reviewed. HERE YOU ARE...
Chapter 12
Darkness spreads
"I have no memory of this place." Gandalf said finally. I had been waiting for this very rest. We had stopped once in the past two days and I was dying...slowly...but dying none the less. I was exhausted and the darkness certainly was not helping my situation. I think I have tripped over everything you can possibly trip on. If I had a dime for every time Aragorn or Legolas caught me, I would be a freakin' millionaire.
"Finally" I sighed plopping ungracefully on my ass, earning a raised eyebrow from most of the fellowship. "Hey don't look at me that way, I know you are just as tired, and it's going to be a while... trust me." I finished lying backwards. I heard the hobbits sigh with some relief and they plopped down not to far a way from me. I heard Legolas chuckle along with Aragorn and they too sat down. Though it was Legolas that sat right next to me. I looked to my right where he was seated and ran my eyes over him. He seemed different in this dark place. There was something missing about him. It took me a minute to place exactly what it was.
"What is it Gwen?" Legolas asked with a small smile. I then realized I had still been staring. I swallowed.
"Well, I was just wondering how you were holding up?" I said sitting up. He just shook his head and looked back over at me.
"I am doing well and you... are you doing well?" he questioned trying to change the subject. I have known him long enough to notice these things, but I wasn't having any of it.
"I am fine, please don't change the subject... I have noticed that your aura has dimmed considerably, and your eyes are no longer bright... now I will ask you again are you alright?" I said shaking my head and then I looked right at him. He stared back at me and many emotions crossed his face, some I couldn't identify. God... his eyes seemed so haunted.
"So you have noticed" he stated simply.
"Yes, I am your friend, tell me please why are you are changing?"
He looked away and stared at the floor for some time. I knew he would speak when he was ready and I didn't have to wait long.
"Being in these mines, in this sort of darkness, takes a toll on my kind. I am a wood elf and to be separated from nature this long..." he paused and took a deep breath " isn't good" he finished not knowing what else to tell her. He didn't want to worry her. But unbeknownst to him it had the opposite effect.
"Why what happens?" I question now more worried then I was before. He took a deep breath to say something, perhaps to explain, when Gandalf's voice rang out. It was time to go again and everyone started to rise. I grabbed Legolas' arm when he started to walk away after we rose. "Please go on." I said hoping to get my answer.
"Its nothing you need to worry about," he started.
"But?"
"But nothing I will be fine." he said placing his hand on my shoulder and giving me a half smile. "Come we need to catch up they have started ahead."
I sighed and reluctantly dropped the conversation. I fell into step along side Legolas and we headed back to the group.
We had been walking again with the group and everyone was pretty silent. I knew that it was getting close... but I didn't want to think about it. We were going to lose Gandalf for a time, but everyone else was going to think he will never return. I knew he had to fall but should I tell everyone after the event. It was so hard I hated having this knowledge. I snapped out of my thoughts to the sound of Gimli's cry. He sprinted forward to what I now recognized as his cousin's tomb.
We hurried after him, knowing that he could not be stopped, we hurried into the very room that would test everything I had to offer, everything I was. I didn't know if I was ready, but what choice did I have now. The time had come.
I saw Gimli kneeling and sobbing before his cousin's tomb. And it hit close to home, closer then what I had expected. My mind went into over drive choosing this very moment to remind me that I too had lost much. Seeing Gimli there reminded me of what I must have looked like day after day when I had lost my parents, kneeling before there headstones staring numbly at them. Feeling that pain again took my breath away and I stumbled back against the wall. Again I became numb, a feeling I hadn't felt in awhile. I stared blankly and I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I slowly reached up and brushed it away, now was not the time for this, so why cant I stop. I hadn't thought about my parents in months. At that I covered my mouth to muffle a sob. I had forgotten my family! Tears ran freely down my face. I hadn't felt emotions this strong before, to the point that they seemed uncontrollable. I felt like I was falling, and spiraling away from reality and visions from my past assailed me. I saw my mother being buried and then my father soon after. How could Gimli's loss trigger this? I asked myself. I was being shaken roughly and I snapped quickly back to reality. Those memories again being pushed back into the far corners of my mind. When my eyes focused, they zeroed in on Aragorn.
"Gwen are you alright?" he asked carefully. I nodded afraid of becoming uncontrollable. I didn't trust my voice or my emotions at this point. He was about to ask me something, probably the one thing I wasn't ready to answer. I shook my head. He stopped and gently squeezed my shoulder. I smiled sadly finally getting my emotions in check. What's wrong with me, I hadn't ever lost control of my feelings. As Aragorn left he was quickly replaced by Legolas. He took my arm and led me further away from the rest to not be over heard.
"Gwen, I can see it in your eyes as you did in mine, I know that there is something wrong with you. You are in pain." He asked taking my hands. He went to say more.
CRASH!
I never thought I would be happy to hear that sound. Everyone Froze as the echo of the corpse's rattling armor fell down the well. Everyone waited as the sound faded away. Then nothing was heard but I knew better. Gandalf looked over at me and I at him knowing what was to come. Weather he just knew or could sense it, I hadn't the faintest idea, but deep down he knew what was to come, he nodded to me and I closed my eyes as the drumming began to fill the air. I felt Legolas tense and release me. I looked over to see Boromir run to the door. He poked his head out.
"BOROMIR!." I yelled and he jerked his head in just in time, for two arrows imbedded themselves in the wood where his head had been moments ago. He looked at me and nodded his thanks.
"They are coming," Boromir started "and they have a cave troll"
"Barricade the door with all you can find." Aragorn yelled and we got to work.. I took axes from the dead dwarves hoping that they would aid our cause. We slid them between the giant handles of the door. I threw a large ,near by spear at Aragorn, whom caught it effortlessly and then jammed it in with the axes. The deep boom, boom , boom of the drum echoed through the room. We all drew our weapons as the our enemy grew nearer. We were cornered and they all knew that we were in a hopeless situation. But I knew better it was not hopeless. We would live and that thought gave me hope, though I new not if I had been meant to survive. But I would fight.
" There is still one dwarf in Moria who draws breath, let them come." Gimli declared as he climbed on top of his cousins tomb and drew the axe from his back. Now every member of the fellowship had there weapons at the ready, and our blades shimmered slightly reflecting the faint light of Gandalf's staff.
I could here the deep pounding of the drum and the pounding of our enamies fee drawing closer. The pounding of my heart was in my ears, trying to show me my weakness. I was scared, that I will admit, But now was the time for my second test...Strength.
The orcs and goblins started hammering on the outside of the door. The door began to splinter open and Legolas and Aragorn fired their arrows,. hitting their nearly invisible targets. I stood next to Gandalf and Boromir guarding the hobbits. I took a deep breath, lets go I thought to my self. Then the door came down and all hell broke loose. The orcs and goblins poured in, there were hundreds of them, perhaps thousands I wasn't sure. One came at me swinging it's crude black blade. I blocked it easily but I was kicked from behind and knocked to the ground. I rolled quickly to the side as a sword hit the ground where my head had been. I jumped to my feet and swung my sword in a wide arc around my body. An orc charged with it's sword held high, I laughed slightly, big mistake. I went low and sliced him across the belly. Hearing his painful cry I knew he was done for. Then another came at me and I easily took off it's head and it's black blood splattered me. As I fought I became almost animalistic, my hits where deadly and quick and I took out orc after orc without a second thought, stuck in the rhythm of my deadly dance, until the wall came down with a loud echoing boom and in front of us stood the troll. It was huge compared to the size of the goblins and orcs that struggled to control it. There efforts where futile as the troll began to swing it's massive club taking out orc and goblin alike.
I then fought forward toward Legolas who's golden hair shining like a deadly beacon from across the room. He was fighting back to back with Gimli, their difference in size only benefitting they're efforts. Orcs began to surround me, but none attacking me, they were taunting me I heard a cry for Aragorn from one of the hobbits. My momentary detraction took its toll, as one of the orcs took a jab at my leg, I managed to dodge most of the attack but my leg was still cut open and bleeding. I cried out as the other orcs rushed me, I crouched down and sliced across with my sword spilling the intestines of 2 orcs. There black foul blood running down my sword and coating my hands. I jumped back up to my feet, turned and spun my sword in a decapitating stoke, 2 more orcs fell to my blade with that move. I growled in anger as even more of the foul things entered the room. I charged forward as I continued my deadly dance orcs dropping like flies around me. I had no idea who this person was, who had now awoken inside of me. The person I once was, I noted in this moment was gone. My bodies movements were foreign yet familiar and I just let it all go. Another cry came forth from one of the hobbits. I turned and ran in there direction slicing and dicing orcs and goblins as I went. I saw Aragorn run for Frodo and the troll lifted it's club, I pushed myself harder we would need Aragorns strength soon, Just as the club came close I lunged forward with all the strength I could muster, I felt like I had been crushed. I couldn't breath, I heard my name being called in the distance but I couldn't answer. I hit the wall numerous bones cracking as I slid to the ground with a sickening thud. Pain was everywhere but I didn't black out, I felt and saw everything. I shook my head and tried to push myself up. But I cried out in pain. I looked around as the battle ended and every one moved to huddle around the battered ring bearer. The Troll lay dead before me, peppered with Legolas' arrows. I sighed everyone's ok. I tried again to move but the pain in my side stopped my movement almost as soon as it had begun. Frodo stood up and pointed to where I lay and I heard Legolas voice cry out. I heard their feet hitting the ground as they now ran in my direction. I felt someone take my hand and I looked over to see Legolas and the entire fellowship next to me. They all looked panicked.
"Gwen came you hear me?" Aragorn asked I nodded and looked at him.
"I am fine help me up." my voice was weak and trembling. My once strong body, was battered and broken, But I new we had to continue on because waiting for me would change everything and it may not be for the better, considering what was yet to come from the depth of this darkness.
"No you need to lie still." Legolas said sternly. " You should be dead." he said his voice suddenly sounding shaky. His hand shaking slightly in mine. I new that I had scared him. But I was also afraid and strangely it wasn't because I might die, it was because I would be without him, that I would never see him again. Why did things have to be so difficult for me to do, even death was going to be.
" If I stay here we will only wait for them to return, then what will we do we must move on." I looked at Gandalf and then back at Legolas giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"She is right, we must move on." he said "come" and he reached down and hauled me to my feet, now holding on to me with both hands. it took every ounce of strength I had not to cry from the pain. I bit my lip and took a few shaky steps stepping out of his embrace and then walked next to Gandalf. I nodded to him and we continued. I stubbled slightly as we started and Aragorn caught me I cried out as his hands touched my sides.
"Thanks." I said hissing in pain. "I think my ribs are broken". He shook his head.
"Thank you, I owe you my life" he whispered " I am sorry it causes you so much pain." I smiled slightly.
"you are meant for greater things Aragorn, and everyone needs you, I did what I thought was right." I said leaning more heavily on him. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. The pain was getting worse.
He said nothing as we continued walking. I looked up and saw Legolas ahead of us he was frozen in his spot.
"They are returning!" He yelled looking back at the fellowship. Then his eyes lingered on me.
"Come we must hasten!" Gandalf said running ahead. I let go of Aragorn and ran with every thing I had left, though I was in pain, it would be much worse if I stayed behind. We ran following the light of our leader. We ran through a grand hallway. With every step I took I wanted to stop, I couldn't go on, it hurt so bad. All around you could hear the Goblins. They were everywhere. My breath caught in my throat as they came from the ceiling and scaled the walls like ants. Soon we were surrounded. Everyone again had there weapons drawn and there deadly blades held out before them. The Goblins laughed and inched ever closer to us, they foreseeing our defeat, totally not counting on what was going to happen.
Boromir looked over at me. " If this is to be my end I want you to know that I couldn't have picked a better person to die beside." He said bowing his head. Though I knew we would make it out. I nodded.
"Same here Boromir." I replied in a whisper. The goblins where only a short distance from our small fellowship when a roar rang out though the hall. The goblins looked around in fear and then fled from where they came. They retreated like rats and crawled back within the holes, leaving the cavern we were in deserted.
"HA HA," Gimli cried "look at them run" I shook my head it was coming. Then the hall started to become warmer and a deep fiery glow came from the far corner. The floor began to shake as the bolrog drew closer.
"What type of devilry is this?" Boromir asked. "Gwen, you said you knew the future tell us, what is to happen?"
"The Bolrog of Morgoth, a demon of the ancient world, this foe is beyond any of you RUN!." Gandalf cried answering the question for us all. He didn't have to ask us twice. And for the first time I saw terror etched across my friends faces. We ran through the passages still following Gandalf's glowing staff. Boromir ran ahead for a moment and started down a flight of stairs, the stair broke off. Legolas caught him effortlessly and hauled him back to his feet. Boromir nodded his thanks and took his place back in line to let Gandalf lead once again. We head up stairs a few flights of stairs dodging arrows as we went. The cowards had returned to take advantage of our situation. Legolas was shooting back expertly killing their archers. Giving us time to make it across there narrow bridges. Then Gandalf stopped and turned to us. He looked right at Aragorn.
"Make for the bridge of Khazad-dûm,"He stated
"But Gandalf..." Aragorn started
"Go NOW!" Gandalf said sternly. I stopped waiting for Aragorn to answer and I became dizzy and vision was going blurry but now was not the time to die or to pass out. I swallowed hard and pushed Aragorn forward. He looked at me shocked, but then it faded away to understanding. He knew I was telling him that Gandalf was right. He nodded.
"Come!" He cried and we followed after the future King of Gondor. I was stumbling along when I felt someone's arm around me. I looked over to see Boromir helping me along. I simply shook my head.
"Boromir do not trouble yourself with me, go ahead I will catch up soon enough." I said trying to shake him off. But he stubbornly held on.
"I don't think so, I owe you.." He finished picking up our speed. I knew from his tone that he wouldn't relent, and I wasn't up to argue. I started wheezing and it burned to breathe. I could feel the blood leaking down my leg. We arrived at the bridge and started making our way across. Legolas went first there was a break in the narrow bridge. Boromir ushered me forward but I was to weak and I fell forward. He steadied me, and picked me up I was too weak to fight and my consciousness was slipping. Everything was becoming darker. He threw me across like a lip rag doll into Legolas' arms. There was no time to waste he set me down on the other side of the bridge and made his way back. I watched as they tossed each hobbit across. Then they went for Gimli.
"No one tosses a dwarf!" H exclaimed and jumped across. He teetered on the edge and was about to fall back when Legolas grabbed hold of the only thing he could... the beard.
"Not the Beard!" Came Gimli's cry as Legolas haled him across. I was now standing being supported by Sam and Merry. Gimli came across and stood along with us. Aragorn was about to take Frodo across when a chunk of rock fell from above braking the bridge behind them. Teetering on the brink of there destruction, Aragorn went into action. Telling Frodo to lean forward. The piece they were stranded upon came forward crashing into the other half throwing Frodo and Aragorn into the waiting arms of Legolas and Boromir.
We made our way across and headed on ward to our destination. Both Boromir and Legolas supporting me. We made our way up flights of stairs and came to the final bridge we would cross within this evil place. I stepped onto the bridge not even attempting to look down knowing already that there was nothing beneath us. Everyone kept going after we came across not noticing that Gandalf had stopped. I pulled away from Legolas and Boromir and turned to face the bridge behind us. I turned just in time to see the Bolrog come from around the corner. Shadow and Flame it was called and it's name did it justice. The heat coming from the Bolrog warmed the area around us and gasps came from the Hobbits behind me.
"You shall not Pass!" Gandalf exclaimed thrusting his staff forward. Light sprang forth covering the cavern in light.
"Gandalf!" called Frodo making an attempt to go to him, but Boromir grabbed him by the shoulder.
"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! flame of Udûn!" The Bolrog became enraged stepping onto the bridge and standing before his opponent. The Bolrog took his flaming sword and attempted to strike Gandalf, He parried the plow and shattered the Bolrogs sword.
"Go back to the shadow." Gandalf said. It was just like the movie portrayed Gandalf the Greys defeat. But now it was personal. Even tho I knew he would return, it was going to hurt watching those around me suffer.
"YOU…SHALL NOT...PASS!"
Gandalf struck the bridge with his staff and sword blocking the bolrogs way. The Bolrog stopped not knowing what to do. The Bolrog took another step upon the bridge now determined to destroy his enemy. The bridge collapse beneath the demon and he fell into the darkness below. I turned away from the sene not wanting to watch him fall. I heard the whip snap and Gandalfs struggle.
"Gandalf!" Frodo trying to escape Boromir's Grasp.
"No, Frodo!"
" Gandaaalf!"
Frodo yelled painfully.
"Fly you fools!" were
Gandalf's final words. I could not watch and I was a coward, but I
have watched so many die I couldn't do it again. I felt myself
being pushed forward and the sound of the goblins screeches.
Everything passed by in a teary blur as they pushed me numbly ahead. We ran until I felt sun light hit may face. We had made it out. Finally had escaped that place that strangely enough reminded me of home. A home full of pain and suffering. A home that only reminded me of my sorrow and troubles. It was no where anyone would want to be, but the one place I had been. I wandered ahead not hearing anything but my heartbeat, that now was becoming slower. I wondered shortly if this was what dying was like. Where your surroundings become blurry and dull. All you hear is the pounding of your own heart. I heard someone call my name but I didn't heed to it. I felt my legs give out beneath me. I fell to my knees barley catching myself upon my hands. I took a shuddering breath when, Pain suddenly filled my entire body. Flashes of my past again came, some where happy and some where painful. Heat! It was all around my battered body. My eyes where clenched shut and I was bitting my lips trying not to cry out. But then I felt my chest pound and my head throb and I could no longer hold back. I screamed in pain. As I fell onto the ground completely. Curling up trying to escape it. I tried to breathe but I felt weight upon my chest. I felt suffocated. I could see nothing and hear nothing now. I rolled over now wishing to escape and I did. Into the waiting darkness. I gave up, but It felt good, because for the first time in my life I felt nothing.
There you have it! I liked this chapter but it was really hard to write. I hope that I did there situation justice. Please REVIEW! Love ya all.
