So wasn't as happy with the last chapter as I was with the first, was a bit of a filler chapter. I hope you all enjoy this instalment.

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Watched

The orc pack sat watching as their prey fled into the mines, pursued by a fierce black creature that adored tentacles that stretched far up the cliff face. The crashing rocks echoed through the ravine, and dust drifted up into the air as the ancient elvish gate was destroyed. The creature then crawled back into the black lake, its head disappearing beneath the water.

'What do we do now?' said one of the orcs, its eyes wide in fear.

'There are more ways to get into those mines.' Stated the leader, his eyes fixed on the crumbled ruins 'Come we must get there before they get much further.'

With that, the orcs followed their captain, back from where they came.

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The fellowship stepped quietly through the dark caverns of Moria, the Hobbits seemed unfazed by their surroundings. The tunnels seemed to go on forever with no chance of escape, Legolas found himself on edge, constantly scanning the dark crevices that littered the walls about them. They walked in silence, following Gandalf as he lit their way with the white light the emanated from the top of his crooked staff. It became difficult the differentiate day from night, there were no windows to tell them what time it was. Hours they trekked their grey stone path until finally, they came to a set of steep steps that held three archways at their peak. The group stopped abruptly behind their leader who was staring at the stone doorways with a perplexed expression.

'I have no memory of this place.' said Gandalf as he curled his lip in displeasure.

The wizard sat himself down on a rock opposite of the arches as the rest of the fellowship dumped themselves down on rocks below him. They mumbled to each other under their breath, wondering when Gandalf may remember the way. Legolas could not sit, he wanted to leave the dark, damp halls of Moria as swiftly as his legs could take him. He had sworn they were being tracked. He'd seen flickers of movement behind them and he wondered if his eyes were tricking him. Frodo suddenly stood and rushed to the wizard's side, catching the elf's attention. His keen hearing picking up their hushed conversation.

'Theres something down there.' said Frodo in a panicked tone.

'Its Gollum.' Replied the Wizard, his attention fixed on the doorways in front of him.

'Gollum?'

'He's been following us for three days.' stated the Wizard.

'He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dûr!'

'Escaped…' Gandalf turned to look at Frodo 'or was set loose, and now the Ring has drawn him here'

Frodo turned to look at the creature again, his eyes glowing in the dark as he watched the fellowship from afar.

'He won't ever be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. Smeagol's life is a sad story' the wizard paused to take in Frodo's surprised expression 'Yes he was once called before the Ring found him. Before it drove him mad' Continued Gandalf as he returned his attention to the riddle the sat before him.

'It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance' said Frodo, anger touched his voice.

'Pity?' said the Wizard as he looked at the Hobbit in surprise 'It was a pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death and many that die, deserve life. Can you give it to them Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play, yet for good or ill... before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many'

Legolas looked at the Wizard, his face softened at his words. He then looked at Gollum who was now scurrying away into the darkness, his grumbles echoing in his ears.

'I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.' said Frodo as he sat down beside Gandalf.

'So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it and that is an encouraging thought.' replied the Wizard, his tone softening as he looked at the Hobbit.

The elf stood there pondering the Wizards words. He wondered if what he had endured had happened for a reason, that the events also had some part to play in their journey to mount doom.

'Ah!' Said the Wizard suddenly, causing everyone to look up in a mixture of shock and surprise 'Its that way.'

'He's remembered.' said Merry as he sprung to his feet.

'No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here.' Said the Wizard and he pushed himself to his feet and walked towards the arch in the middle 'If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose.' he finished as he placed a friendly hand on the Hobbits back.

Swiftly they descended down the dark stairwell, the steps worn down from the heavy boots of the dwarves that used to dwell there. They came to the bottom and were greeted by a large empty space, their eyes struggling to see.

'Let me risk a little more light' Said Gandalf as he raised his staff up.

The light brightened to reveal a vast room filled with thick stone pillars. The fellowship looked up I'm awe, none had seen a sight like it.

''Behold the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf.' said the Wizard as he slowly stepped further in.

'There's an eye-opener and no mistake.' said Sam as he looked around him.

The Pillars went on for as far as the eye could see, each one in perfect alignment. The group walked slowly, the eyes scanning around them, looking up to see nothing but blackness above their heads. They walked for some time, there seemed no end to the stone columns seemed to go on for miles. As they trekked on a small sliver of blue light, lit the floor to their right. Gimli jogged ahead slightly, his eyes greeted by a battered wooden door that led to a small room. Sat proudly on the middle was a white stone tomb. Gimli grunted before running towards it.

'Gimli!' said Gandalf as he stopped dead.

The dwarf stopped at the foot of the tomb, it was illuminated by daylight that shone through a small window high up on the wall at the back of the room.

'No.' he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

He fell to his knees as he looked at the works carved on top of it 'Oh, no.' he finished as he bowed his head and wept.

The fellowship gingerly followed him into the small room, it was littered with the bodies of orcs and dwarves. Thick cobwebs covered their dusty bones. Gandalf walked up to the casket, his eyes scanning the dwarfish letters.

'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.' the wizard paused, looking around the room 'He is dead then. Its as I feared.'

Gandalf's attention was drawn to one skeleton that clutched a battered book in its boney hands. Handing his hat and staff to Pippin he bent down and carefully picked up the book. The wizard opened it, pages fell to the ground as he blew away some of the dust that covered its bloodstained leaves. Dread came over Legolas as he watched the dwarf weep. He walked up to Aragorn, who was stood in shock by what was unfolding before him.

'We must move on, we cannot linger.' said the Elf, voice shaky.

'What do you mean?' Said the ranger as he gave his friend a puzzling look.

'If we stay here, I fear we will be met with blood.' Was Legolas' reply as he gave the ranger a worried look.

'They have taken the Bridge and the second hall.' The wizard paused, drawing the attention of the fellowship 'We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming.'

The group looked around nervously, pondering one whether they had stayed there too long. Pippin's attention was drawn to a skeleton that was perched on top of a well, an arrow protruded from its ribs. His curiosity got the better of him as he twisted it, causing the body to crash down, pulling a chained bucket with it. The crashes echoed through the empty mines, with every crash the hobbit flinched until finally there was nothing. The fellowship stood in silence for some minutes, but still, there was nothing. They breathed a sigh of relief as Gandalf stalked up to the halfling with a furious expression.

'Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!' he spat as he snatched his hat and staff from the Hobbit.

Then… Drums. They echoed like thunder on a stormy night. They got louder and louder, screeches filled the air as the Fellowship turned to look at the doorway from which they had entered. Legolas' stomach sank, he knew that there was a fight to be had. The screams got louder and he looked at Aragorn with wide eyes.

'Orcs!' he said as he then turned his attention to the rest of the group.

Their cries filled the elf with dread, they rang in his ears as he tried to push back his terror. He stood there motionless as Boromir darted past him towards the open gates. His whole body felt cold as the memories of his capture washed over him. Aragorn grabbed his arm and pulled him back to reality as he helped the Gondorian bar the door. The elf drew an arrow and stood pointing it at the rotting door as they started to shake. Swords and axes broke holes through it, revealing the hideous creatures stood behind. Legolas fired a well-aimed shot through one of the gaps killing the orc that peered through it. Aragorn followed with another but before the elf could fire again the doors burst open and Orcs flooded the stone chamber. The warriors cut down them down as they charged at them. Legolas took the higher ground, firing arrow after arrow at the frenzied creatures. A roar filled the air and stone flew as a troll burst through the doorway, it was led but two orcs on a long chain. The elf fired an arrow at the creature's chest but it did nothing but anger it. The troll charged at the Fellowship going straight for Sam that stood staring at in shock. A large orc charged at Legolas, but the elf grabbed one of his knives and sliced its throat causing the foul creature to squeal. The noise made him flinch and he froze, staring at the spot where it once stood. The sounds of the battle seemed to disappear as his heart pounded in his chest, he looked around him to see his friends cutting down the rabid creatures. In the corner of his eye, he could see a large black shape walking towards him. He gripped his blade tightly and turned but what greeted made his limbs turn to stone. Red eyes staring at him, sharp teeth grinning at him as it stopped in front of him, its black sword at its side.

'Your Majesty.'

Legolas could not move, his arms no longer seemed to work. All he could do was stand and stare at the creature who had tortured him for months on end.

'I have been looking for you for a long time.' Said the orc as he took another step towards the elf.

Legolas opening his mouth but no words came out. The creature smiled raising its sword to strike but it was stopped by a large chain that crashed down onto the floor between them, sent rock and dust hurtling through the air. Legolas' paralysis finally seemed to leave him and he looked up to see the troll had now turned its attention to him. He ducked as the creature waved its chain at him again, hitting the floor beside him and causing him to lose his balance. His eyes quickly scanned around for the red-eyed orc but he was nowhere to be seen. Legolas did not have time to look for the chain came down again, causing a rock to strike the elf's head, drawing blood. This did not slow him down, and as the creature swung again its metal whip wound itself around a pillar. The elf quickly walked along the chain and hopped onto the troll's shoulders, firing two arrows that the creature's skull but they did nothing. It clumsily groped at its shoulders trying to grab Legolas but he jumped down, with ease and sprinted away, avoiding the trolls attempts to catch him. He looked around at the battle again to see that the Fellowship were fairing well, they could yet survive this. His moment of pause was short-lived, a pain erupted in his thigh and he looked down to see a black shaft protruding from it. The elf looked up to see the red-eyed orc howling in amusement from behind his long black bow. Legolas' leg gave away and he fell to one knee, biting his lips in an attempt not to scream. He snapped the shaft and grabbed his other knife as his foe walked towards him. The elf's vision seemed to become a tunnel, red eyes glowing at the end of it.

'You shall not leave here scum.' spat the creature as it threw down its bow and drew its sword again.

Legolas stood, pushing through the pain as he greeted the orc with the sound and metal. He sliced at it with feline fluidity, but each one missed. He grunted in displeasure as his the pain in his leg became unbearable. His attacker was suddenly distracted by the roars of the troll as it swung his club around, knocking the orc against a wall and rendering him unconscious. Legolas jumped back as the club swung towards him and he looked up to see Merry and Pippin on its back, stabbing it with their short swords. It raised its head and without thinking, Legolas quickly fired a shot at its exposed throat. The troll swayed, dropping its club and bringing its fingers to his lip as blood slipped through its grey lips. The fellowship watched as it stumbled a little before falling forwards, sending the hobbits flying across the dusty floor. Silence ensued and Legolas fell to his knees again, the pain now making standing impossible. He looked at the orc who was slumped against the wall, the hilt of his sword lay on the open palm of his clawed hand. He felt strong hands pull him to his feet and he looked up to see Boromir putting his arm around the man's broad shoulders.

'No time to rest my friend.' he said as dragged the elf towards the door.

Legolas let the man lead him after the fellowship, the pain was all he could focus on as stars started to dance in front of his eyes. He shook his head in an attempt to keep himself awake but when they came to a stop he realised that they were surrounded. He looked around at the beady eyes that stared at them, licking their lips in anticipation. This was how he was to die. In the dark of Moria… they had failed.

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Well there it is, I hope you enjoyed it and I will get the next instalment up soon. Feedback would be awesome :D