Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ XXXVII: The Darkness of Moria ~
Moria, 3019 TA, January 13 -15
The hours passed as the fellowship made its last complete march through the mines. One more full day, followed by a few hours of relaxation, and they would be out with just hours of trekking remaining. Too many hundred steps they counted, broad and shallow; and at the top, they found an arched passage with a level floor leading the farther into the dark.
"How long until we reach the other side, Gandalf?" Frodo asked the wizard. While everyone desired to complete the journey as fast as possible, they were willing, despite their exhaustion, to continue walking for many hours, as they already had.
Gandalf was once again in the lead. He clutched his glittering staff in his left hand, the light of which revealed the earth under his feet; in his right hand, he grasped his blade. "It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed," he responded.
Gimli approached him from behind, his eyes glinting in the faint light as he swivelled his head side to side. He was still grieving the loss of his kin. He couldn't deny his interest in the mines, though.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels, but Mithril." Gandalf tilted his staff down towards a pit.
Merry seemed confused "Mithril?"
"Mithril is a precious silvery metal, which is mined by the Dwarves in the deep mines of Khazad-dûm. It's very lightweight but capable of providing extreme strength." Gimli explained proudly, as he was talking about his kin.
Behind Sam went Legolas and after him Xena, the young hobbits, and Boromir. In the dark at the rear, grim and silent, walked Aragorn. Xena would pause from time to time and let the Elf advance. The Elf, who walked in front of her, was more dazzling than before.
After a few twists and turns, the route started to fall. It continued to fall gradually for a lengthy period of time before returning to normal. The fellowship spent hours going through the thoughts. As they followed Gandalf, the air altered somewhat, becoming colder and heavier. Few seemed to be troubled by the gloom. Though Gimli and Legolas had no such reservations. Gimli had no idea how extensive and complicated the mines of Moria were. Xena was unconcerned about the darkness, although she was unable to see properly. At the very least, the dazzle Elf served a purpose by giving some illumination.
It was after nightfall when they had entered deeper into the mines. They had been going for several hours with only brief halts when Gandalf came to his first serious check. Before him, stood a wide dark arch opening into three passages. "I have no memory of this place at all!" said Gandalf, standing uncertainly under the arch.
Seemed that all three paths led in the same general direction, eastwards. Though the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level but very narrow. The wizard was confused. "I am too weary to decide. And I expect that you are all as weary as I am, or wearier. We had better halt here for what is left of the night." he offered. And honestly, everyone liked the idea. They were walking for too long. They needed some rest.
Merry and Pippin didn't wait at all, they went over a stone door and found shelter. They sat there, searching their backpack for food. Gandalf placed his stick in the centre, giving some extra light for everyone. He sat close to the paths, trying to remember which one was the correct one to take.
Aragorn sat beside Boromir. He gazed up to Boromir saying "Hmm. He'll remember the way soon."
"I'm not sure anymore. We should never pass through, Moria, but we did anyway. We should never take a woman with us, but we did that too. And now we are lost, but we don't admit it." Boromir whined.
"Have faith, Gandalf will have the answer soon." the Ranger answered.
Though he was interrupted as Xena stepped closer glaring at Boromir. "You are still complaining about me. You should get over it." She voiced up loudly.
"And I'll say it as many times, as I can. It was a bad idea to take a woman with us. Bad luck I say." Boromir said again.
"Lord Boromir, You don't want to irritate me. Especially, now that this place is getting to me." Xena threatened him openly.
Aragorn grabbed both of their hands "Be quiet! We never know what those mines hide. You can crosswords later." he said and gestured Legolas to trail off Xena.
Legolas already, understood what his friend meant. He grabbed Xena softly from her arm and trailed her with him, away from Boromir and Aragorn. Xena glared at him for a few seconds. But again, the sparkling Elf was something she couldn't stare at for long. She lowered her gaze and freed her arm from his grip. And moved away. Only to lose her balance and find herself falling against the elf's feet.
"That cannot be happening," she mumbled to herself, trying not to gaze up. She would never lose her balance. 'How could she now be so clumsy?' She breathed deeply, trying not to overreact. Though, she was starting to get really annoyed.
Legolas' lips curled up and cracked a smile. It was the first time he had smiled along the journey. He found her only human. He leaned closer and offered her his hand. "It's true that women fall against my feet. But I never knew, you would be one of those?" He scoffed surprising himself.
Xena rolled her eyes and glared at him punching his hand away. "I can get up on my own," She said. She then rose up, placing her hands on the ground. The rest of the company chuckled at the view. As that was rather amusing. She made no more comments. She merely passed by Legolas and took a seat in a dark corner.
"Are we lost?" Pippin asked as he looked at Gandalf and Sam. It seemed that both were in a serious conversation. They would gaze at the lower parts of the mines like they were talking about something or someone.
Merry answered "No."
"No! No! I think we are." Pippin said again as he gazed at Gandalf.
"Shh! Gandalf's thinking!" Sam cut them off. He was sitting closer and could hear Gandalf and Frodo talking about Gollum.
Frodo looked down into the cavern and saw a small figure leaping from stone to stone. Startled, he asked Gandalf "There's something down there!"
Gandalf without surprise, like he knew it was there, responded "It's Gollum."
"Gollum?" repeated Frodo.
"He's been following us for three days." the wizard revealed.
"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dûr!" Frodo wondered as he kept gazing in the lower parts.
"Escaped? Or was set loose? And now the Ring had drawn him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself." the wizard said "Sméagol's life is a sad story. Yes, Sméagol he was once called. Before the Ring found him before it drove him mad."
"It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance!" said Frodo.
"Pity? It was a pity that stayed in Bilbo's hand. Many live to deserve death, and some die to deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo?" Gandalf said, glancing sharply at Frodo "Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill."
"Get into a corner and have a sleep, my lad," Gimli said in a kindly tone, looking at Legolas; who was still standing lost inside the darkness of the mines.
"Elves, don't really sleep like humans or dwarfs do, Master Gimli." the elf answered. He lifted his eyes and gazed at Xena. "But I might take some rest," he said moving towards her. Legolas stood priory of her, glancing down.
Xena rose her gaze against him confuse "What?" The Elf turned and took a seat next to her. Xena sighed, she really wasn't fond of the Elf. Actually, she was still mad, for landing on his feet. "What?" she asked again.
Legolas cast another look her way and then pointed to her Chakram. "It is a peculiar weapon," he inquired. "I've seen you use it before, but I got a better look at it today."
"The Chakram?" she seemed puzzled. She placed her hand over it and drew it letting her eyes rest against it. "It was my favourite weapon in my previous life, I never understood how it managed to show up in this world."
Legolas tilted his head, finding it as well strange. "Oh! It's that way." Suddenly Gandalf said, getting all the attention.
Over a long time, he had remembered. The fellowship had rested enough. Now, they were again ready to walk further. They started down a dark stairway. Then they came to more open space. Broken columns lie tumbled across the floor. Gandalf lifted his staff saying "Let me risk a little more light."
For a brief instant, there was blazing like a lightning. Great shadows sprang up and fled, and for a second they saw a vast roof far above their heads upheld by many mighty pillars hewers of stone. The black walls, polished and smooth as glass, flashed and glittered. Everyone was speechless, at the view.
"Behold; the great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf." the wizard said.
"Now there's an eye-opener and no mistake," Sam admitted gazing in awe at his surroundings.
They walked forward through the hall, peering around a column. Gimli said a ray of sunlight shining through a chamber. Gimli ran into the chamber. Bodies and weapons scattered about it. A shaft of light illuminated it. He walked forward and peered at the tomb's surface. Soon, the rest of the company and Xena walked into the chamber.
Gandalf translated the runes on the tomb "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria."
The Group of Nine and she encircled Balin's grave. There was just a faint glow emanating from a little hole in the wall. That single light was sufficient to illuminate the space. Frodo recalled the days when Bilbo talked about the dwarf's friendship. That dirty room resembled a long-forgotten era, full of dust.
The skeletons of a dwarf and a Goblin were stacked high. A stone-walled Well stood in the distant corner. Gandalf handed Pippin his staff and cap as he leaned down and plucked a huge and tattered book from the hand of a corpse. Finally, the company of the nine (well, ten) awoke and glanced up, searching for anything that may reveal Balin's destiny. If it seemed as though the solution lay with Gandalf and the book he had just discovered.
Gandalf gently removed the book's decaying remnants off the white stone slab. Legolas would raise his attention to the chamber's entrance. Two dwarf skeletons lay there. However, he was not staring at those bodies. He seemed to be sensing something was amiss. And he was not alone. Xena had the ability to detect threats in the air.
Gimli and Frodo leaned close to the wizard as he delicately flipped the pages, noting that they were written in a variety of distinct hands, in runes from Moria and Dale, as well as occasional scribbles in Elvish script.
"We cannot linger!" the elf said as he faced Aragorn. He tensed up sensing that something was not right. It was the first time in her life that Xena agreed with the 'annoying' Elf.
Gimli, who was still sad about finding his kin all dead was whispering a type of 'prayer' in Khuzdul "Kilmin malur ni zaram kalil ra narag. Kheled-zâram, Balin tazlifi." [A crown of stars in the cold, black water of Kheled-zaram. Durin sleeps.]
Gandalf looked up, after reading a few of the first pages of the book "It seems to be a record of the fortunes of Balin's folk..." he said as he slowly turned at the last and read "We drove out orcs from the great gate and guard..." Gandalf translated some of it.
"They have taken the Bridge and the second hall: we have barred the gates...but cannot hold them for long...the ground shakes...drums in the deep...we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no- one save us? They are coming." The wizard concluded and for a simple moment silence took over.
Gandalf had hardly spoken these words when there came a great noise. Like a rolling Boom, like something had fallen into the depths far below, and to tremble in the stone at their feet. Seconds earlier, Pippin backed away nervously and Merry tried to hold him before he fell. An armoured skeleton clatters down the deep echoing loudly.
The Fellowship glanced around uncomfortably.
Again, silence.
Gandalf whipped around. He slammed the book shut and turned angrily on Pippin "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" He pulled his hat and staff from the Hobbit's hands. He turned away. Pippin stood still, awkwardly.
Nothing more was heard for several minutes; but then there came out of the depths a faint knock. They stopped, and when the echoes had died away, they were repeated knocks. They sounded disquietingly like signals of some sort, but after a while, the knocking died away and was not heard again.
Silence.
Tom-tap, tap-tom!
Doom, doom, doom it rolled again, like vast drums. Drums were heard booming. The sounds of the drums became louder. Then there came an echoing blast. A great horn was blown in the hall, and answering horns and harsh cries were heard further off. Gandalf slowly turned back, and Pippin too, staring down into the well.
Tom-tap, tap-tom!
More drums are heard booming. There was a hurrying sound of many feet and harsh cries.
"They are coming!" cried Legolas.
"They found us!" Xena uttered.
"We cannot get out!" added Gimli.
Sam's eyes glance at Frodo's belt. "Mr. Frodo..." Sting glowed blue.
"Trapped!" cried Gandalf "Why did I delay?"
Legolas noted Frodo's sword. "Orcs!" he shouted alarming the group of ten. Doom, doom came the drum beat and the walls shook again.
"Slam the doors and wedge them!" shouted Aragorn. Boromir rushed to the doors to have a look. Arrows hissed into the door near his face. Aragorn dropped his torch and run to Boromir. He gazed back at Frodo "Get back! Stay close to Gandalf." he said.
Aragorn and Boromir slammed and wedged the doors. Boromir noted something strange. He gazed up shocked saying to Aragorn " They have a cave troll!"
Legolas and Xena stepped forward, they tossed weapons to Boromir and Aragorn to blockade the door. Everyone pulled out their weapons. Gandalf threw away his hat and pulled out his sword. Another harsh horn call and a shrill cry rang out. Feet were coming down the corridor.
Doom, boom, doom went the drums in the deep!
Gimli was able to retrieve a double-bladed battle axe secured next to Balin's tomb, which apparently belonged to his father's cousin Balin. Gimli leapt at Balin's tomb and brandished his new axe. He yelled "Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"
Doom, boom, doom!
The Company of nine retreated to the other side of the chamber. Only Xena stepped closer to the trapping entrance. They had no chance to slip away. Orcs slowly were breaking the doors down. Weapons crashed through splintering spaces. Legolas and Aragorn lifted their weapons, standing a few steps away from Xena. The first clear gap was gashed in the door and Legolas fire his bow. A shrill cry ringed out. The Elf notched an arrow to his bow as Aragorn shoot another.
BOOM!
The Door busted open in a shower of wood fragments. It began to grind slowly open, driving back the wedges. First, an enormous arm and shoulder, with a dark skin of greyish scales, was thrust through the widening gap. Then toe-less foot was forced through below. Goblins charged into the tomb, followed by a huge cave troll.
Doom, boom, doom!
Legolas shot two arrows through the throat. His aim was steady. Gimli hewed the legs from under another that had sprung up on Balin's tomb. Boromir and Aragorn slew many. She spun her sword around her right hand. She deadly gazed at the orcs.
BOOM! BOOM!
Gimli ducked a blow and a second one, then immediately buried his Axes in two Goblin helmets. With a roar, Gandalf launched himself into the fray, and the Hobbits followed. Sam paused in the heat of battle, his attention drawn upwards. Legolas fired deadly arrows into the Goblin's throat, desperately trying to Shield the Hobbits! He turned to gaze at Xena, surprised.
Doom, boom, doom!
Xena wasn't pulling back, she was running towards the Orcs. Jumping and landed in the middle as five or six of them surrounded her. Suddenly, an arrow crossed in front of her face and hit deeply against an Orc's shoulder. The Orc crushed against the ground. Xena gazed in the direction the arrow came. Legolas was the one who had fired the arrow.
After that. The Orcs attacked without waiting. She leashed against the Orcs, strike after strike. She cut and ripped through their flesh. Blood, orc black blood, splashed against her face. Though, she didn't mind it and went on sliding her blade.
The cave troll was sweeping his club at Aragorn, as it bypassed Xena who was still fighting with more Orcs. Legolas shoot the cave troll in the shoulder. It growled feeling its wound. Next, he fired one more arrow against an Orc that was aiming to hit Xena aside. Xena noticed the arrow and glared at him. Like he was stealing her prey.
BOOM! BOOM!
The cave Troll caused a lot of problems. Merry and Pippin pushed Frodo behind a pillar. Gimli hacked at an Orc as the troll swings its mace at him. Xena kept her balanced and willed her blade, without an issue. Her movements were still fast, and her strokes fell deadly. Legolas, aided her from time to time, with his bow. Killing any orc, that wasn't noticed by her. Suddenly, Gimli fell. From a corner Legolas shoot two arrows into the troll, causing it to reel back with a cry.
BOOM! BOOM!BOOM!
Gandalf knocked an Orc out with his staff. The cave troll was sweeping his club at Aragorn. He stumbled backwards. Boromir's long sword sliced into the Scaly arm of the troll. Legolas dodged all the hits. Though, Xena took many blows. She was slowed down, though still fighting. She noticed the troll going after Frodo, she aimed her sword and struck him once and twice. The second blow was blocked by the troll and her sword broke into two pieces.
The troll took aim and stabs Frodo in the chest. Frodo cried out loudly. Gandalf turned instinctively. Merry and Pippin stared in shock. Frodo slumped to the floor, the spear sticking into his chest. The fellowship paused in despair.
BOOM!
Gandalf rushed to Frodo, as did Aragorn. Seconds later the rest of the company ran to check on Frodo. Sam walked slowly over. He looked worried.
Aragorn rolled Frodo over "Oh no!" he sighed. Frodo groaned, gasping for breath.
"He's alive!" Sam said as hope appeared on his face.
Gandalf sighed in relief.
"I'm all right, I'm not hurt," Frodo explained.
Aragorn noted "You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar."
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye," Gandalf added with a smile on his face. Frodo revealed the Mithril one that Bilbo gave him when they were in Rivendell. It glimmered.
"Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins." Gimli said as he was surprised.
Doom, doom went the drums in the deep. The great voice rolled out. Orcs were heard in the distance. The moment was lost, and everyone was worried again.
"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf yelled "This way!"
Gandalf led the fellowship into the huge Dwarrowdelf Chamber. They hurried towards a distant door, more orcs started scuttling down the Pillars behind them. Suddenly, there was a stab of white light. Then there was a dull rumble and a heavy thud. The drum beats broke out wildly. More Orcs appeared surrounding the group of nine and Xena. Other Orcs sprang out from the floor or crawl, like spiders, from the ceiling and down the pillars. They surround the Fellowship, who have drawn their weapons outward in a circle.
They seemed doomed.
Orcs encircled the fellowship. What could they possibly do? 'Fight!' They drew their weapons, prepared to confront each and every orc. Though the orcs took a step back and crowded away as if they were terrified themselves. The company exchanged puzzled glances. Orcs scattered in all directions. Gimli laughed, believing he had frightened the Orcs away.
The Fellowship was left to fend for itself. The exhausted wizard cast his gaze down the corridor. Something was approaching them from behind. What it was was not seen. It seemed like a large shadow in a dark shape, perhaps a man or something frightening. It approached the fire's edge and the light began to fade. The flames raced up to meet it, wrapping themselves around it, and swirling a black haze in the air.
"Ai! ai! A Balrog!" cried Legolas.
Gimli screamed out, "Durin's Bane!" referring to the specific Balrog of Morgoth.
Xena saw the strange flames at the end of the corridor. "Balrog? What is Durin's Bane!?" She reiterated her befuddlement.
"What is this new devilry?" inquired Boromir.
Gandalf was silent for a little period. He closed his eyes and then reopened them. Following that, he told them, "A Balrog is a monster of an ancient opponent that none of you can comprehend. Run!"
The monster hissed, remaining hiding in a corner of the large hall, illuminating the pillars with firelight. Legolas's eyes were filled with horror. A quick glimpse at Xena. She had never before sensed the Elf's fear. They dashed through a little opening.
Gandalf commanded them. "Quickly!" He followed after a last peek behind him.
The party of nine and her descended a flight of stairs via a corridor. Finally, there was a missing part, and Boromir came dangerously close to falling, but Legolas drew him back. His flame spun away into the enormous subterranean labyrinth below.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn cried out.
"Aragorn, lead them on! The bridge is approaching!" This time, the magician took it seriously. He was well aware of the demon's might.
They came to a halt when they crossed a vast expanse to a long bridge that connected a hall to a cliff face. The Balrog roared behind them. Aragorn approached Gandalf, but Gandalf pulled Aragorn away.
"Do as I command!" he said firmly.
Aragorn regarded the wizard with bemusement. He attempted to respond, but Gandalf interrupted him, "Swords are no longer useful here!"
The Balrog roared once more. The Fellowship descended a vast flight of steps. There was then a gap in the stairwell. Without hesitation, the elf leapt and landed on the opposite side effortlessly. He addressed Gandalf. Arrows flew into the air on whistles. Legolas retaliated. Gimli had various difficulties during the jump. Legolas took hold of his beard and drew him up.
"Not the beard!" he said as he locked his gaze on Legolas.
Several of the stone stairs began to collapse and fall. Aragorn moved Frodo away from danger. The sound of the Balrog approaching could be heard from the opposite hall. "Hold on! "Push forth!" Frodo was proposed by Aragorn.
"Come on!" said Legolas, as he waited for them to leap before the structure collapsed. They jump to safety over. They dash down the stairwell, as the stone buildings crumble behind them.
"Fly!" screamed Gandalf, summoning his might. "Over the bridge!" This is an adversary that none of you can defeat. I must cling to the limited path. Fly!"
The Fellowship took flight. Gandalf did not follow but shifted his gaze to the flaming wall. A gigantic shape of black shadows sprang through the flames, its eyes of white fire and massive ash-black horns curled around a bull-like skull. The Balrog made his way to the bridge. Gandalf stood at the span's centre, resting on his staff with his left hand, while Glamdring glittered cold and white in his other.
"You are not permitted to pass! I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor," the wizard said. You will not benefit from the black fire! "Udûn's Flame!"
The Balrog remained silent. The fire within seemed to be out, but the darkness increased. It took a hesitant stride forward onto the bridge and then abruptly pulled itself up to a tremendous height. Gandalf parried the demon's assault with his blade, smashing the Balrog's weapon.
Gandalf's jaws were clinched sternly. "Return to the Shadow! You shall not pass."
Gandalf collided with the bridge with his staff, causing a dazzling flash of blue light to arise. The Balrog moved forward onto the bridge, its nostrils flared. The bridge disintegrated from under it as it approached Gandalf, collapsing in front of the wizard's staff. The monster slid backwards into the pit, its light whip still in hand. Gandalf rested on his staff, tired, and watched the Balrog fall. He shifted his gaze to the others.
A brilliant cloud of white flame erupted. The bridge had a fracture. It snapped right at the Balrog's feet, and the stone on which it stood fell into the abyss. The blazing whip reached out from the abyss and wrapped itself around Gandalf's ankle, drawing him over the edge.
"No, no!" screamed Boromir.
Frodo, concerned, addressed him as "Gandalf!"
The wizard grasps the bridge, his gaze fixed on Frodo. He ceased to struggle.
"Fly, you fools," he said, and he flew away. Gandalf perished. He has vanished. No more.
The flames were out, and complete darkness descended. The Company remained glued to the spot, looking into the pit with terror. Even as Aragorn and Boromir returned, the remainder of the bridge splintered and collapsed. Aragorn awoke them with a yell. Boromir seized and clutched Frodo. Frodo sobbed, unable to leave Gandalf behind. Boromir began living atop a set of steps. Xena grasped her Chakram and threw it free of the wizard's ankle. She missed. She was disoriented. Legolas snatched her and pushed her away, signalling her to continue.
Aragorn remained still for a few periods, but suddenly Orc arrows began whistling past once again, aiming at the companions. He turned and followed the others up the steps, avoiding them. They dashed out of the Gates and jumped down the massive and age-worn stairs that marked the entrance of Moria. Thus, they reached the point of no return under the sky and felt the wind on their faces. Moria's gloom had vanished, leaving just a mournful sensation. They returned their gaze. Under the mountain shade, dark yawned the archway of the Gates. A thin black smoke trailed from the opening.
Boromir attempted to restrain Gimli as he screamed his fury and anguish. Out of the Great Eastern Gate, tumble down a grassy, bright slope. Sam, Merry, and Pippin all sobbed as they collapsed to the ground. Xena made no response. Legolas' face was flushed with surprise and bewilderment; the eternal elf's eyes were befuddled.
"I Fear, we cannot stay here longer," said Aragorn. He looked towards the mountains and held up his sword. "Farewell, Gandalf!" he cried. Next, he turned to Legolas and Gimli. "Legolas, get them up!"
Boromir responded, "Give them a moment, for pity's sake!"
Aragon sighted "By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up."
Frodo let forth the last sob. Finally, the group of eight and the outcast rose to their feet and began to move. They quickly crossed the gurgling, chilly blue river. The Fellowship ran through a grassy plain, coming to a stop under the canopy of a towering tree forest.
They seemed to have arrived in Lothlórien...
((Upcoming Chapter Thirty-Eight))
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